Uhlik ‘Praha’ Roadster – Bugatti Type 54 #BC-70

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It is said that the first two Bugatti Type 54s were put together in just 13 days, using Type 45 chassis frames and Type 50 motors, prior to the 1931 Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Bugatti Type 54, Quail Councours d'Elegance, Geoffrey Horton.

The Type 50 straight 8 motor has a capacity of 4.972 litre / 303 cui and is fitted with twin carburetors and a supercharger to produce around 300hp.

Bugatti Type 54, Quail Councours d'Elegance, Geoffrey Horton.

Archille Varzi drove chassis #54201 to a third place finish in that event and it was later sold to Czech Republic Prince Jiri Lobcowicz.

Bugatti Type 54, Quail Councours d'Elegance, Geoffrey Horton.

The Prince was killed racing #54201 at Avus Germany in 1932 and the remains of #54201 were acquired by his friend and fellow competitor Zdenek Pohl.

Bugatti Type 54, Quail Councours d'Elegance, Geoffrey Horton.

Zdenek had Prague coach builder O Uhlik fit the Roadster ‘Praha’ body seen here, to the repaired chassis #54201.

Bugatti Type 54, Quail Councours d'Elegance, Geoffrey Horton.

In the 1970’s the ‘Praha’ body was removed from #54201 in favour of a body better suited to competition on the track.

Bugatti Type 54, Quail Councours d'Elegance, Geoffrey Horton.

Skip Berg a California car dealer later still found the Uhlik ‘Praha’ roadster body, and had it fitted to a chassis built up by Uwe Hucke given the chassis number BC-70 by the Bugatti Owners Club.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for kindly sharing today’s photographs taken at last years Quail Concours d’Elegance.

Thanks for joining me on this “Uhlik ‘Praha’ Roadster” 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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Cartier Style Et Lux Winner – Maserati A6 G Berlinetta #2060

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It is believed that today’s featured Maserati A6 G fitted with a replica Pinninfarina Berlinetta body, one of four with such bodies, may have been taken to the 1954 Paris Show.

Scuderia Centro Sud owned the car through the 1950’s up until 1970 and had it fitted with barchetta bodywork by Fiandri. While #2060 was being used by the Scuderia Centro Sud racing school the original Pinninfarina body was fitted to another A6 G.

Maserati A6 G PF Berlinetta, Cartier Style Et Lux, Goodwood Festival Of Speed

In 1970 Count Hubertus von Dönhoff bought #2060 which was by now red and fitted with barchetta bodywork by Fantuzzi. Sometime between 1986 and 1996 #2060 was fitted with the replica Pinninfarina Berlinetta body after Count von Dönhoff had failed to secure an original.

At this years Goodwood Festival of Speed #2060 was awarded Best in the Cartier Style Et Lux Show held on the lawn in front of Goodwood House.

Thanks for joining me on this “Cartier Style Et Luxe” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again for a look at a Bugatti tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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San Diego Pride – San Diego Jaguar Club 51st Concours d’Elegance

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At the end of July the San Diego Jaguar Club convened a pride of cars to celebrate it’s 51st Concours d’Elegance and Geoffrey Horton kindly sent us these photographs to share.

Jaguar Mark 2,SDJC, 51st, C d'E, San Diego,

Above the slim bumpers on the Jaguar Mark 2 above tell us this is a post 1967 example, it could be a 240, or a 340, but is unlikely to be one of just 12 non standard 380s.
SS 100, SDJC, 51st, C d'E, San Diego,

The SS Jaguar 100 was in production from 1936 to 1940, the 100 name derived from it’s capability to exceed 100 mph, though there would have been few places on British roads where one might have cared to put that stat to the test.

Jaguar 3 1/2 litre, SDJC, 51st, C d'E, San Diego,

This SS Jaguar 3 1/2 litre was built in the same time frame as the ‘100’ model above, unfortunately the British License plates attached to the back of both of these cars have long since been removed from the DVLA data base.

Jaguar, XK120, SDJC, 51st, C d'E, San Diego,

The 120mph+ Jaguar XK120 like the Roadster above were in production from 1948 to 1954.

Jaguar XK140,SDJC, 51st, C d'E, San Diego,

The most famous, on this blog at least, Geoffrey Horton owned ’55 Jaguar XK140 above is soon to go up a notch in authenticity when Geoffrey fits a period correct otter switch to the carburetor that he has managed to locate with help from John James of the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club in Wales.

Tempero, XJ13, SDJC, 51st, C d'E, San Diego,

Finally a neat Jaguar XJ13 Replica, I believe this one may be one of a handful built by Tempero in the 1990’s going on nothing more concrete than the mirrors.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for sharing his photographs.

Thanks for joining me on this “San Diego Pride” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again for Maserati Monday tomorrow.

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Classic Jaguar Pride – Silverstone Classic

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THere was a large pride of Jagaurs at this years Silverstone classic which included,

Jaguar XK120, Christopher Scholey, Stirling Moss Trophy , Silverstone Classic

Christopher Scholey’s 1954 XK120 which he shared with Rob Newall to record a 23rd place in the Stirling Moss Trophy.

Jaguar XK140 FHC, Silverstone Classic

Enjoying a lap of the track in the Jaguar Parade was this 1956 XK140.

Jaguar E-Type, Ian Simmonds, Chopard International Trophy, Silverstone Classic

Mark Hales and Ian Simmonds drove the #36 E-Type to a 28th place finish in the Chopard International Trophy.

Jaguar XJC, Chris Scragg, Jet Super Touring Car Trophy, Silverstone Classic

Known in some circles as the fastest vinyl roof in the world the Jaguar XJC 12 made an unlikely competition car next to the manufacturers other V12 Coupé the XJS, but first time round British Leyland wanted to put the XJC 12 on the track and found it had severely underestimated the capabilities of BMW’s CSL batmobiles against which it was to be judged. Above Chris Scragg pedals his mighty 1976 example round to an 18th place finish in the Jet Super Touring Car Trophy.

Jaguar XJR14, Gareth Evans, Silverstone Classic

Built to the 1991 Formula One powered Group C regulations the Ford HB V8 powered Jaguar XJR14 was an instant success winning the 1991 World Sports Cars Manufacturers Championship with three outright wins and Teo Fabi the World Sports Cars Drivers Championship. Gareth Evans is seen lighting up the front brakes above on his way to 7th place in the Group C Endurance Race.

Jaguar XJ220, Justin Law, Silverstone Classic

Finally a lucky passenger is seen below accompanying Justin Law in his Martini striped 1993 Jaguar XJ220 during the ’90s GT Legends demonstration.

Thanks for joining me on this “Classic Jaguar Pride” edition of Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at another pride of Jaguars at the Jaguar Club of North Americas 50th Anniversary Meeting in San Diego. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Classic Ferrari Racers – Silverstone Classic

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Welcome to GALPOT’s Ferrari Friday blog coming from last weeks Silverstone Classic with six of the Maranello cars that appeared on track.

Ferrari 246 Dino, Tony Smith, Maserati Centenary Trophy, Silverstone Classic

Tony Smith drove his Ferrari 246 Dino to a 6th place finish in the Maserati Centenary Race for pre ’61 Grand Prix Cars.

Ferrari 246S, Bobby Verdon Roe, Stirling Moss Trophy, Silverstone Classic

Above Bobby Verdon-Roe exits the pits having just taken over the #46 Ferrari 246S from it’s owner Nick Leventis prior to finishing third in the Stirling Moss Trophy.

Ferrari 365 GTB/4, Tim Summers, Silverstone Classic

I first set eyes on Tim Summers #70 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 33 years ago at Silverstone. At the time I knew little about it other than it was apparently sponsored by the Swedish air force. Turns out that just like all the other competition Daytona’s it was converted from a road car but unlike most of the others this was not done until 1977 by Swede Ulf “Barbarossa” Bohman in Varberg. I look forward to writing a blog on the car in the not too distant future.

Ferrari 512M, Knapfield / Campbell Walker, Silverstone Classic

The sight and sound of Paul Knapfield making up for early lost time in his Ferrari 512M was breath taking the crisp 5 litre / 302 cui V12 has few audio challengers. After dropping from 5th in the opening laps to 18th Paul and FIA Endurance Champion co driver Jamie Campbell Walker climbed all the way back up to 8th at the end of the FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Race, two places better than the position in which they started.

Ferrari F40 LM R, Stephani Sebastiani, Silverstone Classic

On the 13th of November 2004 Stefano Sebastiani, Jacopo Sebastiani, and Richard Jones drove a UK road registered Ferrari F40, J 848 JUY, prepared by Simpson Engineering in the Vallelunga 6 Hours. I believe the car seen above may be that same car taking part in the GT demonstration. There is only one #10 car listed in the programme and that was a Marcos so I have no idea who was at the wheel of the F40.

Ferrari 550 Maranello, Silverstone Classic

Finally I believe the #10 Ferrari 550 Maranello above taking part in the same GT demonstration session might have been driven by Boris Derichebourg, David Terrien and Christian Pescatori in the FIA GT Championship race run in Barcelona on the 6th of June 2003, though if it is the same car it has gained a few vents in the bonnet/hood and rear wing/fender while loosing a brake cooling duct in front of the rear wheel.

If you know who was driving either the #10 F40 or #10 550 Maranello in the GT Demonstrations at Silverstone Classic please do not hesitate to chip in below.

Thanks for joining me on this “Classic Ferrari Racers” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for a look at some Jaguars, don’t forget to come back now !

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Classic Racing Americana – Silverstone Classic

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This weeks Americana post comes from Silverstone Classic where an interesting selection of vehicles was on display.

Rigling Buick, Bachmann, Maserati Centenary Trophy, Silverstone Classic

The Maserati Centenary Trophy featured three US cars two of which appear to have been Indy 500 racers including the Rigling Buick, seen with Heinz Bachmann at the wheel above, possibly raced as a Schafer 8 Special between 1931 and 1934 by Paul Schafer who was joined with a second Schafer 8 Special in the 1934 Indy 500 by Al Miller who finished 6th. Coincidentally Paul carried the #26 in the 1934 race and Al the #36.

Kurtis KK500G, Fred Harper, Maserati Centenary, Silverstone Classic

The second Indy Car in the Maserati Centenary Trophy was the 1957 Kurtis KK500G driven by Fred Harper, this car was bought by Ray “The Flying Grocer” Crawford in 1957. Ray was a rare owner driver who failed to qualify the Meguiar Mirror Glaze Special at Indy in 1957 and 1958, but he did bring the car to Europe both years and raced it in both of the “Race of Two Worlds” events held at Monza, Italy in 1957 and 1958 finishing 7th and 4th respectively.

Corvette Stingray, Craig Davies, Chopaed International Trophy, Silverstone Classic

Craig Davis driving the #99 Corvette Stingray drove to an entertaining 13th place finish with Tim Harvey in the Chopard International Trophy, here the car is seen having just passed the #112 Cobra driven by Tim Summers.

Ford Falcon, Martin Melling, Mustang Celebration Trophy, Silverstone Classic

Seeing a Ford carrying a #88 these days seems a little strange, but this was Silverstone not Darlington, the ’64 Ford Falcon above was driven by Martin Melling to a 32nd place finish in the Mustang Celebration Trophy Proudly Presented by Pure Michigan.

Ford Mustang, Jackie Oliver, Mustang Celebration Trophy, Silverstone Classic

The #3 ’65 Ford Mustang above was driven by former Le Mans winner, Grand Prix driver and Arrows Formula One team owner Jackie Oliver to a fine fifth place in the Mustang Celebration Trophy Proudly Presented by Pure Michigan.

Intrepid RM1, Peter Garrod, Group C Endurance, Silverstone Classic

Finally it was great to see the 1991 Chevrolet powered IMSA Intrepid RM1 get a run in the Group C race with Peter Garrod at the wheel. The Intrepid designed by Bob and Bill Riley an built by Pratt & Miller was a forerunner of the Riley Scott’s US Prototype Sports Cars that would win 32 races between 1995 and 2005.

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

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Classic Details – Silverstone Classic

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Today’s post features a handful of details seen at last weeks Silverstone Classic meeting.

FIAT 8V, Silverstone Classic

FIAT have only ever built one V8 motor for it’s passenger cars and that was a 70° 2 litre / 122 cui built from 1952 to 1954 which is almost as well known for being installed in the Siata 208S Roadster and 400F Coupé as it is in the 1954 FIAT chassis seen here.

Morris Commercial, Silverstone Classic

In 1949 Morris Commercial introduced it’s new J-Type and the Ice Cream van seen here was registered in April of the same year which must make it one of the earliest survivors. Production of the J Type, rebranded simply as a Morris after the 1952 merger with Austin, continued until 1961.

Lotus 76, Silverstone Classic

One of the many sensational features of the 1974 Lotus 76 when it was launched was a system of four foot pedals and an electronically operated push button clutch. The four pedals a seen above accelerator on the left in the photo, two brake pedals and a ‘normal’ clutch pedal, on the right in the photo, required to get the car in motion.

Porsche 911 GT1, Silverstone Classic

One of the great features of the Silverstone Classic this year were the three 25 minuet demonstration sessions given to the 1990’s GT cars, amazingly Porsche Cars Great Britain turned up with the 1998 Le Mans winning #26 Porsche 911 GT1 with current Porsche works driver Brendan Hartley to drive it.

de Tomaso FJ, Silverstone Classic

Webber carburetors were the fuel delivery system of choice until reliable fuel injection started becoming de riguer in competition vehicles going into the 1970’s, those caged above are seen in a 1964 de Tomaso Formula Junior car.

Bizzarini GT, Silverstone Classic

There were three Corvette powered vehicles designed Coupe’s on the grid for the Chopard International Trophy pre ’66 GT car grid two of them were Iso Grifo A3C competition cars and one a car built as a street legal 1965 Bizzarini 5300 GT Strada, seen above, raced by New Zealander Roger Wills.

Thanks for joining me on this “Classic Details” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for some Classic Americana seen at Silverstone. Don’t forget to come back now !

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