Tag Archives: Cadillac

The Day We Went To Beaulieu – The National Motor Museum

A couple of weeks ago I was at a local Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) meeting when a fellow member mentioned that the South West Mensa group he belonged to was going on an organised trip around The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu and invited his fellow IAM members to join him, I of course needed little prompting and ended up taking regular GALPOT contributor Tim and a last minuet guest Alberto from Madrid too.

Grenville Steam Carriage, National Motor Museum Beaulieu

Among the delights of the museum I did not cover on my previous visit was the oldest working self propelled vehicle in the country, an 1875 Grenville Steam Carriage capable of 18 mph, that was built by Robert Neville Grenville in nearby Butleigh Court, Glastonbury, Somerset.

Lancia Corsa, National Motor Museum, Beaulieu

When it comes to varied careers few vehicles can beat this 1910 Lancia Corsa that Billy Knipper drove to win the Tiedeman Trophy in Savannah on November 11th 1910, before it was used as a service vehicle by the Fire Chief of Lenox Massachusetts, it subsequently also served as a garage recovery vehicle !

Austin A90 Atlantic, National Motor Museum Beaulieu

Desperate for foreign earnings to revive the war ravaged economy and repay Britain’s huge war debts Austin came up with the wonderful Austin A90 Atlantic which was aimed squarely at the US market with power windows and hood on the convertible, unfortunately it was completely usurped by the more powerful and rakishly styled Jaguar XK120, but the six cylinder engine ended up powering several larger Austin Saloon / Sedan models and the much admired Austin Healey 100-Six.

Cadillac Seville, National Motor Museum Beaulieu

A real surprise was finding the last Cadillac bought by Elvis Presley in the National Motor Museum, this 1977 Cadillac Seville MY series 6K is said to have also been driven by “The King” the day before his death on August 16th 1977.

BRM P301, National Motor Museum Beaulieu

In the learn something new department was that the last time I saw the chassis above was at Le Mans in 1992 when it was fitted with a closed cockpit coupé body and a 3.5 litre / 213 cui V12 BRM motor.

The car caught fire during the race which it started despite the fact that only Wayne Taylor had qualified in it. The fire damage was repaired but the car was not allowed to restart on the Sunday because it had covered insufficient distance.

I knew the car had been subsequently raced in open cockpit form but had not realised the BRM motor was replaced by a turbocharged 3 litre / 183 cui Nissan V6 motor.

In the latter form the renamed P301 was prequalified for the 1997 Le Mans 24 hours with 38th best time by Harri Toivonen and Johnny O’Connell, completed just 6 laps of the 1997 Le Mans 24 Hours, from 34th on the grid, after the engine failed, qualified 6th on the grid for the International Sports Racing Series at Donington, but failed to start because of an electrical problem, started 5th on the grid at Misano in 1998, but retired with drive shaft failure and finally failed to start at Donington in 1998 after it crashed during qualifying.

My thanks to Bill and all the Mensa members who made my guests and I feel so welcome.

Thanks for joining me on this “The Day We Went To Beaulieu” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a Corvette that raced at Le Mans. Don’t forget to come back now !

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All Enveloping Compliance – Allard J2X Le Mans #3055

In 1950 Sydney Allard ventured to Le Mans for the 24 Hours race with American Tom Cole as his co driver and the pair in the Cadillac powered Allard J2 came home with a more than credible 3rd place overall finish, and 8 litre / 488 cui class.

Allard J2X Le Mans, Silverstone Classic,

The following year two J2’s were entered for the 24 Hours, but this time Sydney and Tom retired after completing 134 laps with a broken gearbox team mates were frustratingly unclassified, despite having completed more than 194 laps, due to transmission problems which kept from them running when the clock heralded the end of the race.

Allard J2X Le Mans, Silverstone Classic,

For 1952 new regulations for Le Mans outlawed cycle wings / fenders on cars like the J2, and Talbot T26 by mandating bodies with fully enveloped wheels.

Allard J2X Le Mans, Andy Dee Crowne, Silverstone Classic, Test Day,

Talbot employed Charles Deutsch to simply rebody their existing T26 cars, but Allard took the opportunity to switch to his new J2X chassis which featured an extended frame, trailing radius rods, and the engine mounted 7 1/2 inches further forward to create more space in the cockpit.

Allard J2X Le Mans, Andy Dee Crowne, Silverstone Classic, Test Day,

Two types of body were available for the J2X, cycle mudguard of which 77 are believed to have been built and enclosed J2X Le Mans of which 10 or 11 are believed to have been built.

Allard J2X Le Mans, Silverstone Classic,

Two Chrysler V8 331 cui / 5394 cc powered Allard J2X Le Mans cars were taken to Le Mans for the hour race in 1952, today’s #4 chassis #3055 for Sydney Allard and Jack Fairman and the #5 chassis #3049 for Frank Curtis and Zora Arkus Duntov.

Allard J2X Le Mans, Silverstone Classic,

Frank and Zora qualified 14th on the grid, but retired with brake failure, in front of the sister car of Sydney and Jack which had qualified 18th and retired with a fuel tank issue.

Allard J2X Le Mans, Silverstone Classic,

#3055 was prepared to it’s present condition by Sam Thomas Racing and returned to Le Mans for the first time in 62 years last year.

Allard J2X Le Mans, Silverstone Classic,

Owner Andy Dee Crowne is seen at the wheel in these photographs taken at the Silverstone Classic test day earlier this year.

Thanks for joining me on this “All Enveloping Compliance” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at two of the all time greatest drives in history that gave Mercedes Benz a 1-2 finish. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Under The Hood Details – Niello Concours at Serrano

On October 5th Geoffrey Horton took his Jaguar XK 140 to Niello Concours at Serrano where it was shown in the special display class.

Jaguar XK140, Niello Concours at Serrano

Any one interested in what is under the hood of Geffrey’s Jaguar can see it by following this link.

National, Niello Concours at Serrano

Today’s post will focus on what was lurking under the hood of some of the other vehicles on display, above the 1911 National Indy 500 car only had 4 cylinders but with a displacement of 7.5 litres / 460 cui they still packed a 100 hp punch.

Allard K2, Niello Concours at Serrano

I beleive this is the third appearance of this particular 1951 Allard K2 on this blog, but the first appearance of it’s 5.4 litre / 331 cui Cadillac overhead valve motor with three original Stromberg carburetors that produce around 160 hp.

Plymouth Fury, Niello Concours at Serrano

The 281st, off the production line, 1956 Plymouth Fury above boasts a 5 litre / 303 cui polyspherical head V8 with optional twin 4 barrel carburetors which combined to produce 270hp.

Chrysler 300F, Niello Concours at Serrano

For 1960 Chrysler introduced the 6.8 litre / 413 cui wedge motor for the 300F seen above. To maximise power in low to mid rpm range the motor was fitted with tuned 30 inch intake pipes which were fed by the carburetors from opposite sides.
The air resonances inside the air intake pipes helped to force air into the cylinders at low to mid range rpm and thus increase the power which topped out at 375hp.

Lotus 27, Niello Concours at Serrano

Not completely off topic I was reading some information about the early days of racing recently and discovered that while Voiturettes were generally restricted to 1.5 litre / 91.5 cui motors there was a smaller class known as Cycle Cars which were restricted to 1.1 litres / 67.1 cui which would make the much later 1963 Formula Junior Lotus 27 above the equivalent of a cycle car in Veteran times. The motor for this Lotus is clearly a Ford production block with a Cosworth head. Power for these motors has risen from 36hp in original side valve production form to 115 hp quoted by some tuners for a competitive Formula Junior with the Cosworth head.

Lotus 19, Niello Concours at Serrano

In late 1963 Lotus built the last Lotus 19 B chassis #966 uniquely powered with a 4 carburetor 4.7 litre / 289 Ford V8 motor for Dan Gurney. The car was quick, but unreliable and Dan never recorded a win with it although it’s next owner Steve Diulo managed a win at the SCCA Willow springs race in December 1965. The cars last appearance was at Texas International Speedway in November 1969 where Bruce Campbell was running but unclassified in chassis #966 by now rebranded as a BVC Mk 1 and with a Chevrolet motor installed.

Ford Mustang GT 350, Niello Concours at Serrano

Finally, for this week, above is another Ford V8 this time a 306hp 4.7 litre Shelby tuned Ford HiPo 289 inside one of the 252 “carry over” 1965 Shelby Mustang 350 GT’s which feature ’65 Ford VIN numbers and ’66 Shelby VIN numbers.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton once again for sharing his photographs from the California Concours d’Elegance scene through the year.

Thanks for joining me on this “Under The Hood Details” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psychoontyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a 3 ton pickup that gets up to 60mph from rest in just 5 seconds. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Coffee Croissant & Cars #09/14 – Avenue Drivers Club

Despite a modest drop in ambient temperatures and overcast skies there was another good turn out for Sunday’s Avenue Drivers Club meeting at Queen Square on Sunday.

Mercury Eight, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Highlights included this hot rod 1949 Mercury Eight with lowered roof and modern running gear.

Land Rover, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The blurb in the window of the 80″ wheel base suggested it was the 388th of the production line in 1948.

Cadillac de Ville, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

This 1965 Cadillac de Ville Convertible featured a nicely recessed aerial.

Ford Escort Sport 1300, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Built from 1971 to 1974 the Ford Escort Sport 1300 was the most basic of factory hot versions of the popular Escort range powered by a motor producing 75 hp, the one above was built in 1972, check out this link for the incredible amount of work many of these cars require to keep them on the road.

BMW 1502, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Another vehicle which the owner has put in an incredible amount of work is this 1976 BMW 1502 with flared wheel arches, lowered roof and Z3 tail lights. Originally fitted with a 80 hp 4 cylinder motor it now features what looks like an M60 V8 with at least 200hp.

VW 1600 E, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Finally one of my most popular blogs was about a VW Square Back called Kubrik, the 1600 E badge above was on the back of a similarly aged Fast Back. First seen in 1965 the Fast Back was supposed to replace the Notch Back, but customer demand for the later determined otherwise.

Thanks for joining me on this “Coffee Croissant & Cars #09/14” edition of “Gettin a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a prototype 16 cylinder racing car. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Chrome, Stripes And A Sheriff – Classics At The Castle

This weeks Americana Thursday blog comes from Classics at the Castle where a fabulous selection of US cars were on display.

Pontiac Le Mans, Classics At The Castle, Sherborne

My favourite was this ’67 Pontiac Le Mans, somewhere around the time this car was built the US show the Monkees hit our shores and even on the steam powered black and white the Pontiac derived Monkeemobile looked like the coolest thing on the planet perhaps bettered only by the crime fighting jet powered Batmobile.

Ford Mustang Cobra Jet, Classics At The Castle, Sherborne

I looked at a Mustang Cobra Jet a couple of weeks ago, it apppears that there are at least two in south west.

Ford Crown Victoria, Classics At The Castle, Sherborne

Similarly I looked at a Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor not so long ago, this one is said to have served Hurricane Katrina hero Sheriff Bill McGee who commandeered water for citizens in Forrest County, Mississippi from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for which he was charged with interfering with, intimidating and impeding a federal officer.

Cadillac Coupé de Ville, Classics At The Castle, Sherborne

In 1957 you would be pushed to find more graceful Detroit sheet metal than that found on the Cadillac Series 62 Coupé de Ville.

Ford Tudor, Classics At The Castle, Sherborne

I know at least one of my regular readers is a stripping expert, here are some I found on the back of a ’47 Ford Tudor.

Oldsmobile Cutlass, Classics At The Castle, Sherborne

Finally a tail light from a ’72 Oldsmobile Cutlass, not a manufacturer we see much of on this side of the pond.

Thanks for joining me on this “Chrome, Stripes And A Sheriff” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Coalpit Heath Americana – Bristol and South Gloucestershire Stationary Engine Club Rally

There was an interesting array of US vehicles on display at the Bristol and South Gloucestershire Stationary Engine Club Rally in Coalpit Heath a couple of weeks dating from at least 1923 to 1956.

Ford Model T, Bristol and South Glos Stationary Engine Club Rally, Coalpit Heath

From 1923 this Ford Model T pickup is undergoing some restoration the wooden bed at the back looks better than new.

Studebaker Commander, Bristol and South Glos Stationary Engine Club Rally, Coalpit Heath

The 1929 Studebaker is a little more difficult to identify from the outside it looks like an 8 cylinder Commander but the official DVLA website gives the engine size as 4.5 litres / 274 cui too small to be an 8 and too big to be a 6 cylinder.

Chrysler CM6, Bristol and South Glos Stationary Engine Club Rally, Coalpit Heath

Chryslers appear to have been popular motors in the UK, this 3 litre CM6 was built in 1930 and registered in the UK on the 15th of January 1931.

Terraplane, Bristol and South Glos Stationary Engine Club Rally, Coalpit Heath

Terraplane was an entry level brand belonging to Hudson that replaced the Essex brand between 1932 and 1934. Terraplane outsold Hudson and was eventually removed from the market. This 1936 Terraplane features the cascading waterfall grill that was imitated by Donald Healey on the 1936 Triumph Dolomite 14/65.

Plymouth P15, Bristol and South Glos Stationary Engine Club Rally, Coalpit Heath

Immediately after the end of hostilities in 1945 there was an estimated demand for 6 million new motor vehicles per year in the USA. Plymouth after re equipping it’s factories with it’s 20,000 machines managed to build 770 between October and December 1945. I believe this Plymouth P15 was one of them.

Cadillac Series 62 Sedan, Bristol and South Glos Stationary Engine Club Rally, Coalpit Heath

Despite eulogies from Elvis and Chuck Berry I have to confess until I saw one in the flesh I didn’t really get pink Cadillacs, having seen a couple now I’m still not sure I get them, but undeniably like this ’56 Cadillac Series 62 Sedan they do have a presence that few other land yachts can match.

Thanks for joining me on this “Coalpit Heath Americana” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Americana – San Marino Motor Classic

San Marino Motor Classic, Horton/ McNabb

The first weekend of June saw Geoffrey Horton take his Jaguar XK140 FHC seen above to the San Marino Motor Classic.

Duesenberg Model A, San Marino Motor Classic, Horton/ McNabb

Among the US vehicles on display was this 1921 Duesenberg Straight Eight also known as the Model A first seen in 1920 but which did not go into production until 1921 by which time the motor had been fitted with an overhead camshaft.

Chrysler Imperial, San Marino Motor Classic, Horton/ McNabb

Powered by a 6.3 litre / 384 cui L head straight 8 the 1932 Chrysler Imperial was also marketed as the ‘Imperial 8’.

Ford Thunderbird, San Marino Motor Classic, Horton/ McNabb

In 1957 Ford built two competition Thunderbirds with supercharged Lincoln motors and Jaguar transmissions, of which I believe only one original, the #98, still exists. The car above appears to be a copy of the #99 which was dubbed the Battlebird by the media back in the day.

Chevrolet El Morocco, San Marino Motor Classic, Horton, McNabb

I had great fun trying to figure out if the vehicle above was either a 57′ Chevrolet or a Cadillac and it turns out to be a bit of both. Cadillac owner Ruben Allender came up with the idea of offering a $1,000 conversion to turn a Chevrolet into a Cadillac in 1956. It is thought 20 examples were built in the first year and possibly 16 more in 1957 when production ceased.

Watson Offy, San Marino Motor Classic, Horton/ McNabb

Finally for today I’ll leave you with this delicious vehicle labelled as a “1961 Indy Roadster”. The #41 was carried by Johnny Boyd’s Leader Card 500 Roadster sponsored Watson Offy in the 1961 Indy 500. Johnny qualified 20th and retired at just over half distance with a broken clutch.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton and Paul McNabb for sharing today’s photographs more of which will appear on Tuesday and Friday next week.

Thanks for joining me on this “Americana” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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