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Designed By Fura Built By Fissore – Monteverdi High Speed 375L

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At the end of the 1960’s and beginning of the 1970’s there was no shortage of choice in the Luxury 2+2 automobile market segment from the UK alone came the Chrysler powered Bristol 411, for the traditionalist, the similarly powered Jensen Interceptor for the futurist and the Aston Martin DBS for the international man of mystery.

Monteverdi High Speed 375L, Auto Italia, Brooklands

Contemporary to the desirable vehicles mentioned above was the Monteverdi High Speed 375L a 2+2 Coupé designed originally by Fura who built two examples before an acrimonious split left Monteverdi taking his business to Fissori.

Monteverdi High Speed 375L, Auto Italia, Brooklands

Fissori redesigned coupé and delivered complete bodies to Monteverdi in Basel in Switzerland for final assembly.

Monteverdi High Speed 375L, Auto Italia, Brooklands

Power for the Monteverdi High Speed 375L was provided by a 375hp 7120cc / 440 cui Chrsyler Magnum similar to those being used for the Britol 411 and the Jensen Interceptor.

Monteverdi High Speed 375L, Auto Italia, Brooklands

Peter Monteverdi designed his first car, a special, when he was just sixteen and had it ready to roll in time for his eighteenth birthday when he was allowed to drive it.

Monteverdi High Speed 375L, Auto Italia, Brooklands

There were three versions of the 375, 375L like the coupé seen here, 375 S a short wheel base 2 seater and 375 C a short wheelbase drop head also known as the “Palm Beach”.

Monteverdi High Speed 375L, Auto Italia, Brooklands

Around 30 375 4 door saloon / sedans were also built.

Monteverdi High Speed 375L, Auto Italia, Brooklands

The 375 L was continuously upgraded from 1967 to 1976 when Monteverdi stopped making luxury cars and started making “boutique” using proprietary motors and chassis around which to build his creations. The vehicle seen here at last years Auto Italia at Brooklands was built in 1972.

Thanks for joining me on this “Designed By Fura Built By Fissore” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Parts Bin Racer – MG Q-Type Replica

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One of the cars that attracted my attention at the very first Avenue Drivers Club meeting I attended in April last year was today’s featured MG. I had no idea which model it was and it took me until this January to finally catch up with the owner who kindly told me that “it’s a replica, look up Q-type”.

MG Q Type Replica, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

It turns out that in 1934 MG produced 8 or 9 Q-Type racing cars.

MG Q Type Replica, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The chassis were based on that of the MG K3 frame but narrower.

MG Q Type Replica, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

While the standard 113 hp overhead cam supercharged motors used MG PA blocks with crankshafts that reduced the swept volume of the cylinders to 746cc / 45.5 cui. A 149 hp sprint version of the motor was also available that had the highest specific out put per litre (just under 200 hp) in the world at that time.

MG Q Type Replica, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Rigid MG N-Type axles, which had some difficulty coping with the power, were fitted to the Q-types.

MG Q Type Replica, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

In single seater form George Harvey-Nobel lapped Brooklands at 122 mph in his Q-Type while a two seater achieved 120 mph on the same circuit.

MG Q Type Replica, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The replica Q-Type seen here uses a 1936 chassis and a more recent engine, it was originally intended that the owners wife should race the car but it took a little longer to complete than anticipated.

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

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Job Related – Dodge 1 Ton Pickup

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In 1939 Dodge launched it “Job Related” series of trucks and panel vans that would stay in production until 1947.

Dodge 1 Ton Pickup, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

The Job Related series can be recognised by it’s streamline styling which was becoming all the rage in 1939.

Dodge 1 Ton Pickup, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

In 1941 parking lights mounted on the cowling became a standard feature on all subsequent “Job Related” vehicles.

Dodge 1 Ton Pickup, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

From what I have observed front indicator lights appear to have been entirely optional even as late as 1947 when this particular truck was built, presumably other road users were expected to see the drivers hand signal’s to predict where the truck was going.

Dodge 1 Ton Pickup, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

The motor for this truck, seen at last years Summer Classics in Easter Compton, is officially quoted as 3772 cc / 230 cui which would have given 105 hp and was unique to the 1 ton trucks from 1942 on.

Dodge 1 Ton Pickup, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

The gauges from left to right are water temperature, oil temperature (hidden by the 1/4 light window, speed and odometer, fuel tank and battery charge, a better selection than can be found on some cheap motor cars today. Radio was by drivers built in i-player only.

Dodge 1 Ton Pickup, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

The Dodge 1 ton pick up sits on a 120″ chassis with a 7 1/2 foot cargo box, from 1939 to 1985 all Dodge pickup cargo boxes came with a wooden floor, painted black, with steel skid strips.

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

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Aluminium Over Ash – Paramount Roadster

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WA Hudson and S Underwood founded Paramount Cars in Derbyshire to produce sports cars in 1950.

Paramount Sports, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

They intended to use Alvis running gear building an Alvis based prototype in 1948.

Paramount Sports, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

The cost of the Alvis parts proved prohibitive to Paramount switched to using Ford running gear and building vehicles with aluminium over ash bodies in much the same way as Morgan still do today.

Paramount Sports, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

In 1953 when today’s featured car was built, Paramount were acquired by Camden Motors and moved to Leighton Buzzard.

Paramount Sports, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

With the new ownership Ford Consul motors were offered with a new roadster as seen here, the twin carburetor Aquaplane cylinder head came from Harmer Copeman who started tuning Ford motors for his hydraplanes in a back garden shed before diversifying into becoming a tuning specialist for motor cars.

Paramount Sports, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

The Paramount Roadster seen here at last years Summer Classics show at Easter Compton was purchased in 1975 and underwent a 13 year restoration.

Paramount Sports, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

It is thought around 60 Roadsters were built, some of the last chassis built went to Rochdale in 1956 to have fibre glass bodies fitted.

Paramount Sports, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

It is thought only 8 Paramounts of the total production of around 80 have survived with only 3 in roadworthy condition.

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

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Broken Wrist – Lotus Ford T 91 91/7

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After the controversy of the 1981 season with the twin chassis Lotus 88 the Lotus team upgraded it’s conventional single chassis Lotus 87 for the 1982 season giving it the Lotus T 91 tag. Still powered by the by now venerable Ford Cosworth V8 the Lotus 91 was one of the more attractive entries on the grid.

Lotus Ford 91, British Grand Prix, Brands Hatch

The 91 was a modest improvement on the Lotus 87 Nigel Mansell scoring a seasons best 3rd place finish on his debut in the model in the Brasilian Grand Prix. At the Canadian Grand Prix Nigel Mansell broke his wrist in an accident and after sitting out the Dutch Grand Prix where he was replaced by Roberto Moreno who failed to qualify. Nigel came back for the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch where he is seen in today’s photographs.

Lotus Ford 91, British Grand Prix, Brands Hatch

Unfortunately Nigel was not fully recovered and he could only qualify 23rd on the grid in chassis #91/7 before retiring from the race due to the discomfort from his wrist. While waiting for his wrist to recover properly Nigel missed the following French Grand Prix where Geoff Lees stood in and finished 12th.

Lotus Ford 91, British Grand Prix, Brands Hatch

Team mate Elio de Angelis scored a famous victory with his Lotus 91 at the 1982 Austrian Grand Prix where he held off, eventual 1982 champion, Keke Rosberg and his Williams to win by just half a cars length. The 1982 Austrian Grand Prix was the first, of two, for de Angelis, the last for a Ford Cosworth powered Lotus and the last for Colin Chapman who succumbed to a heart attack in December 1982.

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

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Series E Tourer – Hupmobile Eight Tourer

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By 1925 Hupmobile was ready to ditch it’s Model R which had been in production since 1917 and move up market with the Series E.

Hupmobile Eight Tourer, Brooklands Double 12

The Series E was powered by an all new eight cylinder motor with L shaped cylinder heads.

Hupmobile Eight Tourer, Brooklands Double 12

An innovative feature of the Hupmobile Eight was the double tilt beam head lights which were a for runner of modern headlights with dipped beams.

Hupmobile Eight Tourer, Brooklands Double 12

With 60 hp produced by the four litre / 244 cui motor it was deemed prudent to fit the Series E with hydraulic operated brakes in place of the hitherto ubiquitous cable operated and or rod brakes which needed constant adjustment.

Hupmobile Eight Tourer, Brooklands Double 12

While the instrumentation has changed much in detail since 1925 the basic information remains pretty much the same, note the Hupmobile Eight is fitted with a handy light above the ignition switch.

Hupmobile Eight Tourer, Brooklands Double 12

The chassis number indicates today’s featured car was built in 1926 with the E1 model designation.

Hupmobile Eight Tourer, Brooklands Double 12

Hupmobile was known for its poetic use of language and fine arts in its advertising, I am guessing the adornments on the running boards and rear wing fender are factory options.

Hupmobile Eight Tourer, Brooklands Double 12

Punctures were a very much more frequent occurrence than to day the tyres all had inner tubes, if you were lucky you could save the expense of buying a new tyre after a puncture by repairing the inner tube.

Hupmobile Eight Tourer, Brooklands Double 12

The Hupmobile Eight were offered as a Sedans, Tourers as seen here, Coupés with or without Dickie seats and Roadsters.

Hupmobile Eight Tourer, Brooklands Double 12

Production of the Series E Hupmobiles ceased in 1928 when the Model M replaced it.

Hupmobile Eight Tourer, Brooklands Double 12

In the absence of any room within the cockpit to carry anything a traveling trunk was often the smart way to carry ones chattels.

Thanks for joining me on this “Series E Tourer” 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 !

PS Congratulations to Johnny Martinez who won a trophy for his ’29 Ford Pick Up at the Grand National Roadster Show on Monday, John would also like to thank every one who has voted for him in the Cool Rides Online ® pole at goldeagle.com.

The vote is still incredibly close and today is the last day of poling, YOU CAN VOTE “John’s 1929 Ford Model A” ON THIS LINK, please take a second to click the links and vote, thank you.

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Coffee, Croissant & Cars #8 – Avenue Drivers Club

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Two weeks ago was the first scheduled monthly meeting of the Avenue Drivers Club at Queen Square in Bristol.

Parsons, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

It was great to see Alan Spence, on the left, there with his Parsons still uncleaned from our adventure on the previous weekends Exeter Trial.

29/01/13 STOP PRESS Please keep Alan, who I understand had an unexpected major surgery yesterday here in Bristol, in your hearts and minds. Thank you.

Pilgrim Bulldog, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Pilgrim Bulldogs used to be built up from Morris Marina running gear frequently with MG motor’s, I am not sure if this would be the case with the pristine recent example seen here, if for no other reason that there are not many Morris Marina’s left.

Ferrari California , Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Representing an altogether faster breed of car was this 2009 Ferrari California 2+2 Convertible.

Chevrolet Custom 10 deluxe, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Never ceases to amaze me how many US pickups pass through the Avenue Drivers Club, above a 1972 Chevrolet Custom 10 deluxe.

Rover 110 P4, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

This 1963 Rover 110 P4 is the largest engined version of the Rover P4 first seen in 1949.

Volkswagen Beetle, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

On the other side of the street was this 1957 Volkswagen Beetle.

Ford Model A, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

After our Coffee and Croisant it was nice to enjoy a little sunshine which highlighted the candy flake paint on this 1930 Ford Model A.

Nissan 300ZX, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Representing the far east was this customised twin turbo 1989 Nissan 300ZX.

Austin Healey Sprite, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Thanks to “fryth’ at The Nostalgia Forum I believe this Austin Healey Sprite has a Lenham Le Mans non removable hard top which comes with a Kamm tail for extra straight line speed.

Ford Cortina GT Crayford Convertible, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Some one in the area might be a Crayford fan last month we saw a Ford Capri Crayford Convertible and this month is was the turn of this 1970 Ford Cortina Crayford Convertible to put in a welcome appearance.

Mercedes Benz CL500 Auto, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Finally this very ordinary Mercedes Benz CL500 has a particularly interesting story to tell, it’s first owner was Kenny Baker who was the who spent the entire original Star Wars trilogy walking around in the R2-D2 outfit, surprisingly the double glazed car then moved onto the Dark Side when Dave Prowse bought the car from Kenny, Dave spent his time wearing the Darth Vader outfit in the original Star Wars Trilogy.

Thanks for joining me on this “Coffee, Croissant & Cars #8” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

PS Congratulations to Johnny Martinez who won a trophy for his ’29 Ford Pick Up at the Grand National Roadster Show on Monday, John would also like to thank every one who has voted for him in the Cool Rides Online ® pole at goldeagle.com.

The vote is still incredibly close, YOU CAN VOTE “John’s 1929 Ford Model A” ONCE A DAY ON THIS LINK until poling closes 31st January, please keep your daily votes coming in, thank you.

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