Tag Archives: CA

Around The World In Five Years – Mercedes Benz W180 220S

From 1954 to 1959 it’s second generation 220 models known as the 220a and 220S on the W180 chassis all powered by 2.2 litre / 134 cui six cylinder motors upgraded from the first generation W187 to produce 84hp and 99hp respectively.

The more powerful 220S was introduced in March 1956, a twin carb 105hp engine was introduced the following year, with 4 speed column shift and an optional highly expensive to maintain Hydrak clutch which used micro switches to disengage the clutch, other differences included simplified chrome work with a single piece front bumper.

Mercedes Benz W180 220S, The Little Car Show, Pacific Grove, CA

Today’s featured 220S photographed by Geoffrey Horton at the The Little Car Show, Pacific Grove, CA a couple of years ago was built in 1957 and registered in New Zealand on the 8th of November the same year.

Current owners Fred and Elisabeth Smits from the Netherlands now based in Wellington, New Zealand bought the car in 2003 and drove it over 24,000 miles before embarking on a thorough restoration in 2011.

Mercedes Benz W180 220S, The Little Car Show, Pacific Grove, CA

The body off restoration included replacing every bearing, bush and rubber component, rebuilding the engine which included replacing the complete cylinder head and all of it’s ancillaries along with the cam shaft, pistons, crankshaft, oil and water pumps.

The purpose of the restoration was to prepare the car for a 90,000 mile 5 year drive around the world crossing five continents, all except Antarctica.

Mercedes Benz W180 220S, The Little Car Show, Pacific Grove, CA

After much research the Smits chose to tow a light weight Zambezi Cross-Road tent trailer manufactured by Aart Kok of Heemstede, the Netherlands, to make themselves comfortable on route.

The 220S and the trailer were shipped to the USA in 2014 and at the time of writing they should be driving through South America before sailing to Europe having driven a loop around North America in 2015.

Mercedes Benz W180 220S, The Little Car Show, Pacific Grove, CA

The Smits have set up a website about there travels linked here www.classicstrider.com

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for sharing today’s photographs.

Thanks for joining me on this “Around The World In Five Years” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I will be looking at a captivating concept car from Renault. Don’t forget to come back now !

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To Finish First – Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato #0180/L

Heading the entry list of the 1961 Le Mans 24 Hour race was the 4 litre / 244 cui GT class made up of three entries all of which were privately entered Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato’s including the left hand drive chassis #0180/L entered and driven by Jean Kerguen and Jacques Dewes, the latter appears to have also been known by the pseudonym “Franc” or “J Franc”.

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, Hillsbrough Concours  d'Elegance

The other two DB4 GT Zagato’s were the lightweight right hand models of the Essex Racing Stable best known by their registration numbers ‘1 VEV’ driven by Jack Fairman and Bernard Consten and ‘2 VEV’ driven by Australians Lex Davison and Bob Stillwell.

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, Hillsbrough Concours  d'Elegance

During the 1961 Le Mans Test weekend Jean recorded 9th fastest time driving #0180/L, but during qualification for the race Jean and Jacques could only manage 13th fastest time, right behind ‘2 VEV’ and two spots ahead of ‘1 VEV’.

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, Hillsbrough Concours  d'Elegance

During the race the Essex Racing Stable Zagato‘s ‘1 VEV’ and ‘2 VEV’ retired early on laps 22 and 25 respectively both with blown head gaskets. #0180/L recorded 286 laps enough to be classified 9th overall and class winners, had it not retired in the final hour with a broken starter motor.

Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, Hillsbrough Concours  d'Elegance

#0180/L is known to have made at least three further race appearances with Jean recording a best 4th place finish driving the car in the 1961 Coppa Inter-Europa run at Monza.

Gwen and Tom Price from Larkspur CA were the owners of #0180/L when Geoffrey Horton took these photo’s of it at Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance last year.

My thanks to Geoffrey for sharing his photo’s and to you for joining me on this “To Finish First” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me for Maserati Monday tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a 1962 Le Mans competitor. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Palm Springs – Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance

This year the Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance moved to the Desert Princess Country Club and Doral Desert Princess Resort in Palm Springs California on February 24th and Geoffrey Horton has kindly sent sent today’s selection of photographs to us an overview of some of the vehicles present.

Jaguar XK 140 FHC SE, Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, Palm Springs, CA

Geoffrey own 1955 Jaguar XK140 FHC SE/MC was looking more resplendent than ever in the spring California sun.

Mercedes Benz 28/95, Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, Palm Springs, CA

When I saw this photo of a 1923 Mercedes Benz 28/95 I wondered if it was perhaps a creation from Gary L Wells workshop but in fact this beast with a 7.2 litre / 439 cui six cylinder aeroplane motor converted for road use is all the work of Mercedes Benz. The short wheel base version of the roadster, like the one seen here, was originally given the Targa Florio name after Mercedes Benz victories on the torturous Sicilian track in 1921 and 1922.

Ruxton Model C, Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, Palm Springs, CA

Looking similar to a Cord L29 is this 1929 Ruxton Model C which like the Cord L29 has front wheel drive and a straight 8 engine but unlike the Cord L29 of which 4400 examples were built only 500 Ruxton Model C’s are thought to have been built the two tone lilac paintwork is standard for the period.

Marmon V16 Series 144, Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, Palm, Springs, CA

Last year Geoffrey shared photo’s of a Marmon V16 Limousine, above is the last Marmon V16 sold in 1933, a Coupe version of which just 5 others are thought to remain.

Chrysler Imperial, Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, Palm, Springs, CA

Although powered “only” by a 6.3 litre / 384 cui straight 8 Geoffrey’s car of the show was without question this 1931 Chrysler Imperial which appears to have a sheen just a little brighter than all of the other vehicles seen on the day.

Tucker 48, Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, Palm, Springs, CA

This 1948 Tucker 48 chassis #1003 featuring a motor in the boot / trunk and rear wheel drive is one of 51 built and is expected to fetch between US$1.5 and 1.9 million at auction on March 9th.

Cunningham C3, Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, Palm, Springs, CA

Moving forward five years this 1953 Cunningham C3 is one of 20 Roadsters built in West Palm Beach, it is fitted with 331 cui Hemi V8 and was shipped to Turin for coachwork to be fitted by Vignale. In addition to the roadsters Cunningham built 5 C3 convertibles.

Mercedes Benz 300 SL, Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, Palm, Springs, CA

This US Spec 1957 Mercedes Benz 300SL Roadster would have originally been distributed by Studebaker Packard Corporation.

Maserati, 3500 GT, Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, Palm, Springs, CA

According to the owner of this 1959 Maserati 3500 GT was sold new in Mexico and it “may” have once belonged to left wing Mexican President Adolfo Lopez Mateos.

Shelby Cobra GT500, Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, Palm, Springs, CA

The 1968 Shelby Cobra GT 500 above is fitted with a 428cui interceptor motor and had clocked well over 100,000 miles prior to a two year restoration in 2005, since when it has won a Best in Show award at the 2007 Cobra Owners Concours and been drag raced at California Speedway.

Ford Roadster, Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, Palm, Springs, CA

Geoffrey tells me the ’32 Ford Roadster above belongs to well known IMSA racer Rick Knoop and packs 400 hp.

Ferrari 512M, Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, Palm, Springs, CA

Finally a Friday car this much modified Ferrari 512 S was upgraded to M spec in 1971 and upgraded further by the Filipinetti team with a Porsche 917 windscreen to what has become known as M/F spec. Drivers of the car in period include Ronnie Peterson, Henri Pescarolo, Mike Parkes and Joakim Bonnier.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for sharing his photographs and a smidgen of welcome California sunshine.

Thanks for joining me on this “Palm Springs” 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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Congratufreakinlations® – Grand National Roadster Show.

The last week of January saw neighbours Gary L Wales and Johnny Martinez attend the 64th Grand National Roadster Show at the Fairplex in Panoma, California. Johnny Martinez has kindly agreed to share his photographs of the event with us today.

La Bestioni V, Grand National Roadster Show, Fairplex, Panoma, CA

Gary L Wales was showing his 1919 American La France based La Bestioni V, the chains of which are spun by a 14 litre / 854 cui 6 cylinder motor. Gary was awarded the Novelty Vehicle Trophy for his creation.

Queens Last Revenge, Grand National Roadster Show, Fairplex, Panoma, CA

The Queens Last Revenge a triumph of the art of low riding.

Ford Model A Coupé, Grand National Roadster Show, Fairplex, Panoma, CA

I’m sure this colour green would not have been available in 1932 when this Ford was originally built but it is nicely set off by the white soft top panel in the roof.

So Cal, Grand National Roadster Show, Fairplex, Panoma, CA

So Cal so low some of us might need the sun roof to see where we are going.

Ford Woody Monster Garage, Grand National Roadster Show, Fairplex, Panoma, CA

Jesse James and his West Coast Choppers is probably as well known in this country for yomping across Lord March’s Goodwood Estate in his Trophy Truck as he is in the USA for his television show’s which include Monster Garage in which this 1950 Ford Woody was resurrected, I love the old school 1/4 mile dirt track style bumper on the front.

Volkswagen Type 2, Grand National Roadster Show, Fairplex, Panoma, CA

While California is by no means the home of surfing it is associated with much surfing activity so the presence of a couple of split screen Volkswagen Type 2 campers can be no surprise, these two appear to date from somewhere around 1964.

Ford Pizza Van, Grand National Roadster Show, Fairplex, Panoma, CA

It’s not every day I see a Pizza Wagon with two Rootes Superchargers and outsize slick tyres, this example is billed as a 1919 Ford C Cab and was built by Bob Schoonhoven and is said to feature Dan Wood suspension, unfortunately the Pizza Van is a show car and not street legal.

Cruel Intentions, Chevrolet Impala, Grand National Roadster Show, Fairplex, Panoma, CA

Johnny reckons the Cruel Intentions Chevrolet Impala convertible above is probably the only car you would get away with displaying upside down.

2BSOLOW Lincoln Bubble Top, Grand National Roadster Show, Fairplex, Panoma, CA

The curious amalgam of Johnny “Lunchbox” Cash parts above started life as a 1955 Ford and sits on a 1988 Lincoln Town Car chassis. 2BSOLOW is also known as a 1955 Ford Beatnick Custom it was built by Gary “Chopit” Fioto as a tribute to Kustom pioneers Ed “Big Daddy” Roth and Darryl Starbird. The the 350 cui Chevrolet powered Bubble Top has won numerous awards and was recently estimated to be worth a high $125,000 at auction in 2011, but did not sell.

Ford Model A Pickup,  Grand National Roadster Show, Fairplex, Panoma, CA

Finally we come to Johnny’s ’29 Ford Model A pickup which I featured a couple of weeks ago.

After four months of meticulous preparation Johnny is seen here with the Rod Pickup – pre-1935 award which he won at the show, as his friend Merritt Sanger trade marked on facebook “Congratufreakinlations®”.

But that is not quite the end of Johnny’s story as some of you will remember I spent a couple of weeks at the end of last month to vote for Johnny’s ’29 Ford Model A pickup in the Gold Eagle Cool Ride of the Month contest. After a close fought battle with daily swings of less than 1% making the difference in the lead over several weeks Johnny’s friends including several GALPOT readers finally pushed his ’29 Ford clear on the last day to win the 2013 January Gold Eagle Cool Rides on line contest by just over 1%. On behalf of Johnny I’d like to thank every one who participated. Johnny will be receiving a $150 dollars worth of Gold Eagle products to help him keep his Pickup in top condition.

Johnny’s Ford has now won 28 awards in 31 months.

My thanks to Johnny Martinez for sharing his photo’s from the Grand National Roadster Show and congratulations again on another two well deserved wins.

Thanks for joining me on this “Congratufreakinlations®” 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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