Tag Archives: Citroen

Lost Luck Of The Irish – Wyedean Forest Rally

Leave a Reply

Following last weeks blog on the 40th Weir Engineering Wyedean Forest Rally today’s blog features the remaining prize winners on the event who did not get a mention.

Peugeot 106, Matthew Davis, Ryan Taylor, Mailscot, Wyedean Forest Rally

The Rex Paddock Memorial Trophy for the best prepared car entered by a Forest of Dean Motor Club member went to the 1400 C class #251 Peugeot 106 that Matthew Davis and Ryan Taylor drove to a 91st place overall finish.

Subaru Impreza, Nigel Drew, Pauline Nash, Mailscot, Wyedean Forest Rally

The Lionel Ward Trophy for best finish by a Forest of Dean Motor Club Crew was awarded to Nigel Drew and Pauline Nash who drove their #29 Subaru Impreza to a 22nd place finish overall.

Nissan Micra, Nigel Jenkins, Kirsty Walby, Mailscot, Wyedean Forest Rally,

Nigel Jenkins and Kirsty Walby driving the RF1.4 #239 Nissan Micra won the Finishing Touches Hair and Beauty Cup for finishing 98th overall and last of the Forest of Dean Motor Club entered crews.

Peugeot 106 Rallye 2, Rachel Patterson, Tom Wood, Blaze Bailey, Wyedean Forest Rally,

The Bob Brain Trophy for highest placed lady driver was won by Rachel Patterson who along with co driver Tom Wood brought their 1400C class #246 Peugeot 106 Rallye 2 home in 105th place overall.

Subaru Impreza WRC, David Weston, Kirsty Riddick, Blaze Bailey, Wyedean Forest Rally

Kirsty Riddick who navigated David Weston’s #2 Subaru Impreza WRC to a second place finish overall won the Lilian Turley Trophy for best placed lady co-driver.

Ford Focus WRC 05, Damian Cole, Jack Moreton, Mailscot, Wyedean Forest Rally

Jack Moreton navigated Damian Cole’s #6 Ford Focus WRC 05 to a 6th place finish and earned himself the Michael ‘Beef’ Park Trophy for highest placed under 22 co-driver.

Mitsubishi EVO X, Gunnar Karl Johannesson, George Gwynn, Blaze Bailey, Wyedean Forest Rally

The Forest of Green District Youth Cup for the highest placed under 22 driver was won by Gunnar Karl Johannesson who with George Gwynn finished 29th overall in their class N4 #51 Mitsubishi Evo X.

Land Rover Freelander M Sport, Spence Price, Chris Hands, Mailscot, Wyedean Forest Rally

There was only one off road vehicle in the event namely the #105 Land Rover Freelander M Sport driven by Spence Price and Chris Hands to a 96th place finish overall and the B G Landrovers Ross on Wye Trophy for highest place off road 4×4.

Citroën C2 VTR, Dan Moss, Sam Allen, Mailscot, Wyedean Forest Rally,

The Gwynne Speed Rally Championship honours for best Citroën C2 finishers went to the #110 Citroën C2 VTR crew of Dan Moss and Sam Allen who finished 94th overall.

Lancia Stratos, Steve Perez, Paul Spooner, Blaze Bailey, Wyedean Forest Rally,

I’ll add a couple Psychoontyres awards of my own first for best sounding car to make it past the last corner on the opening Blaze Bailey Stage was the Ferrari Dino V6 powered #44 Lancia Stratos crewed by Steve Perez and Paul Spooner, which unfortunately retired with suspension problems after finishing stage 2.

Volkswagen Lupo Sport, Danny O'Reilly, Karen Phelps, Mailscot, Wyedean Forest Rally,

Finally the Psychoontyres best sense of Humour award goes to the #264 Volkswagen Lupo Sport crew of Danny O’Reilly and Karen Phelps who posted their retirement as “Lost luck of the Irish after SS6”.

Thanks for joining me on this “Lost Luck Of the Irish” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a 1969 NASCAR contender. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Hydropneumatic Directional Headlights – Maserati Quattroporte II Prototype

Leave a Reply

In 1968 Citroën took over Maserati from the Orsi family with Alfredo Orsi remaining as the companies nominal president.

Maserati Quattroporte II Prototype, Silverstone Classic

Although a couple of Maserati Type AM 121 Quattroporte’s built on the 1969 Maserati Indy chassis and drive train were built Citroën had scrapped the Type 121 with just two unit’s built and focused the companies attention on building the Type AM 123 Quattroporte II.

Maserati Quattroporte II Prototype, Silverstone Classic

The front wheel drive Type AM 123 used an extended Citroën SM floor pan and the 3 litre / 183 cui version of the Giulio Alfieri designed quad cam Maserati V6 that was used in the SM and later rear engined Maserati Merak, the 210 hp gave the futuristic Marcello Gandini styled Bertone body a top speed of only 124 mph.

Maserati Quattroporte II Prototype, Silverstone Classic

Additional Citroën inspired features included the hydropneumatic suspension which added a great deal of comfort to the ride, self centering power steering and swivelling directional headlights which turned with use of the steering wheel and were directed in the same direction as the front wheels.

Maserati Quattroporte II Prototype, Silverstone Classic

As per the Citroen SM the interior of the Quattroporte II featured an unusual for the period digital instrument panel, air conditioning, sun blinds on all window’s, electric door window’s, radio cassette and heated rear screen, the only options were a leather interior and electric sun roof.

Maserati Quattroporte II Prototype, Silverstone Classic

Unfortunately a combination of factors, fuel crisis, collapse of Maserati’s main market Italy, and lack of investment from Citroën meant that aside from the prototype AM 123, seen in these photographs with a unique to this car set of prototype magnesium wheels, which was first first shown to the public in 1974 just 13 examples were built up to 1978 by which time Citroën had long since divested itself of it’s interest in Maserati and left it in the hands of Alejandro de Tomaso with the help of the Italian Government.

I believe the unusual EMN888U licence plate ‘may’ have been issued by licencing authorities on the Isle of Man, if you know more please do not hesitate to chip in below.

Thanks for joining me on this “Hydropneumatic Directional Headlights” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at another Amilcar Special. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Four Doors – Maserati Quattroporte

Leave a Reply

Like the first Maserati 5000GT which was built at the request of the Shah of Iran the first Maserati Quattroporte was built at the request of a customer, in the Quattroporte’s case the interested party was none other than Imam and business man Prince Shah Karim Al Hussaini Aga Khan IV who ordered a special Maserati 5000, chassis #103,060, with a body designed by Pietro Frua that was built by Vignale in 1962.

Maserati Quattroporte, Silverstone Classic

The following year Maserati commenced building production versions known as the ‘Tipo 107’ Quattroporte with 265hp 4,136 cc / 252 cui V8 motors and either five speed manual or 3 speed automatic transmissions.

Maserati Quattroporte, Silverstone Classic

Top speed for the first 230 Quattroportes built between 1963 and 1966 was claimed to be 143 mph.

Maserati Quattroporte, Silverstone Classic

In 1966 all Quattroportes were fitted with the US spec quadruple headlights as seen on this early 1968 example and from later in 1968 they were fitted with an upgraded 295hp 4.7 litre motor which increased the top speed to 160 mph which made the model the worlds fastest four door saloon / sedan.

Maserati Quattroporte, Silverstone Classic

500 Quattroportes were built between 1966 and the end of production in 1969.

Maserati Quattroporte, Silverstone Classic

Although production of the second generation Quattroportes did not commence until 1974 the Aga Khan and King of Spain took delivery of Quattroportes built on AM 121 Maserati Indy derived chassis in 1974. New Maserati owners Citroen pulled the plug on the Indy based Quattroporte before it went into full scale production.

Thanks for joining me on this “Four Doors” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at an air cooled Amilcar. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Autosport International – NEC Birmingham

Leave a Reply

2015 is barely a week old and already more motoring related event’s have occurred with in a two hour drive of me than I could possibly attend ! On Friday I managed to make it to the NEC for the Autosport International, I got in despite forgetting to print my advance ticket and unfortunately I also forgot to charge my camera batteries so these snaps were all taken with my camera phone which did not last long, talk about starting the new year on the back foot !

Nissan Micra, Autosport International

As ever the Motor Sports Association stand was promoting affordable motor sport, above is Muriel a 1994 Nissan Micra which for £4,000 pounds including purchase and safety equipment was driven by Matt with wife Suze Endean navigating competed on last years international Rally Wales GB and finshed 50th overall and 5th in class. You can read more about Muriel on the Endean’s linked Project Micra page here.

Citroën DS3 RX, Autosport International

Rally Cross, racing on a mix surfaced circuit was initiated as a cheap form of television entertainment in 1967, since then it has grown to become a specialised form of motorsport in it’s own right. Notable masters of Rally Cross include Austrians Franz Wurz and John Button fathers of formula one drivers Alex and Jenson. Above is the Citroën DS3 RX of 2003 World Rally Champion Petter Solberg who last year became the inaugural FIA World Rally Cross Champion. The Lydden Hill round of the 2015 Championship is penciled into my diary.

Chevrolet 210, Autosport International

With only 1300hp @ 16psi boost Adam Sayer’s ’57 Chevrolet 210 was by no means the most powerful vehicle at the show, but a welcome reminder that I have still not been to Santa Pod, the 3rd to 6th September looks to be the weekend to be there this year.

Renaultsport R.S. 01, Autosport International

The 500 hp Nismo V6 turbo powered Renaultsport R.S. 01 above is a GT car built for a one make series known as the Renault Sport Trophy rounds of which will be contested alongside the World Series by Renault Championship, dates for which can be found on this linked page.

Porsche 919 Hybrid, Autosport International

Porsche made a welcome come back with a top category contender to the Le Mans 24 hours and the World Endurance Championship last year and won the final race of the season in Brazil. I’ll be fascinated to see if Porsche can improve on last season when I attend the Six Hours of Silverstone on April 12th.

Mercedes F1 W05 Hybrid, Autosport International

Bernie Ecclestone priced me out of the Formula One market many moons ago so I will follow the Formula One season on TV in between my own marshaling, competition and spectating commitments as usual, it’s always a great way to spend a bit of quality time with Dad, and it should be interesting to see if either the newly Honda powered McLaren’s or the re staffed Ferrari team can step up to the plate and give the Silver Arrow’s a run for their money.

As Murray Walker often said, anything can happen in Formula One and it usually does.

Thanks for joining me on this “Autosport International” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for a look at a continuation version of a Daytona 24 Hour winner. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Détails Français – Classic Motor Show NEC Birmingham

Leave a Reply

Among the 1,700 cars on display at the recent Classic Motor Show at the NEC Birmingham was a wonderful selection of storied French vehicles a hand full details from which are featured below.

Bugatti T37, Classic Motor Show NEC, Birmingham

Above the brass tail light above graces the back of the 1926 Bugatti Type 37 driven by Phillipe Auber to victory in the 1927 Picarde Grand Prix.

Peugeot 202 Commerciale, Classic Motor Show NEC, Birmingham

This 1940 Peugeot 202 Commerciale was used by a French off license, alcohol retailer, from 1947 to 1991 when it was sold to the present owners family.

Alpine A220, Classic Motor Show NEC, Birmingham

In 1968 Alpine and Gordini founders Jean Rédélé and Amédée Gordini concocted a 3 litre / 183 cui V8 with four overhead cams by using two 1500 cc 4 cylinder Renault derived blocks as used in the Alpine A110 and A210 competition cars. The V8 was fitted to the new A220 prototype racing cars of which the one seen here was the second built and the only one later modified and registered for road use with a short tale.

Citroen DS Decopotable, Classic Motor Show NEC,

Last week I looked at a Henri Chapron bodied Delahaye, above is the rear indicator on one of his later, Citroen DS Decopotable’s built in 1969.

Simca Rallye 2 Coupé SRT 77, Classic Motor Show NEC, Birmingham

Any US Mopar fan will recognise SRT as standing for Street and Racing Technology, not so many may know that these initials were used by Chrysler Frances Simca brand in the 1970’s for the Simca Racing Team founded in 1972 for entry level competition alongside the successful Chrysler France backed Matra Simca Le Mans programme. In 1977 a Coupe SRT 77 non street legal competition kit was offered for their rear engined Simca Rallye 2 which boasted the power to 110 hp and top speed to over 100 mph.

Citroen Dyane Special, Classic Motor Show NEC, Birmingham

Finally above is the interior of a converted Citroen Dyane Special, known as the HJS complete with what appears to be a highly polished aluminium towing hook.

Thanks for joining me on this “Détails Français” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l Psycho On Tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be making a final visit to this years Classic Motor Show. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Summer Classics – Easter Compton

Leave a Reply

After visiting Queen Square a couple of weeks ago I popped over to Easter Compton for the Summer Classics meeting.

Volkswagen Beetle, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

Representing the home of the Volkswagen, Wolfsburg (Wolfs Castle), was this 1959 Beetle.

Citroën CX 25 GTi Turbo, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

Turbo’s were all the rage in the 1980’s this is a top of the range Citroen CX 25 GTi Turbo from 1985 capable of 130 mph.

Raleigh Safety Seven, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

From 1933 an air cooled twin cylinder Raleigh Safety Seven 3 wheeler, built by the manufacturer in Nottingham better known for building bicycles since 1885 as it does to the present day.

Pontiac Firebird, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

If the signage on this California Highway Patrol car is to be believed this 1997 Pontiac Firebird was converted from a drug dealers car, though I suspect that might just be a bit of PR. If you know different please do not hesitate to chip in below.

Oldsmobile Delta 88, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

Delta was an upmarket trim option introduced to the Oldsmobile 88 in 1965, this Oldsmobile Delta 88 was built in 1972.

Dodge Deluxe Convertible, Summer Classics, Easter Compton Convertible, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

Dodge is celebrating it’s centenary this year, this 1948 Dodge Deluxe Convertible with Fluid Drive transmission was based on a design that went back to 1940 complete with L head side valve motor. These solid Chrysler Corporation D24 cars outsold Fords in the immediate aftermath of World War 2.

Thanks for joining me on this “Summer Classics” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for a look at another vehicle with Can Am history. Don’t for get to come back now !

Share

Français Essence – Silverstone Classic

Leave a Reply

Today’s post has a Gallic flavour focusing on the French cars at last weekends Silverstone Classic meeting.

Citroën 2CV6's, Silverstone Classic

Taking drivers twixt national and international paddocks was a fleet of Citroën 2CV6’s belonging to 2CV Adventures, an exciting new start up offering bespoke organised tours in a fleet of 15 Red and White 2CV6’s.

Martini Mk37, Jacobs, Brian Henton Trophy Silverstone Classic

The Brian Henton Trophy for Formula 3 cars brought me my first opportunity to see Martini Formula 3 cars in action, thanks to the control tyres used in British Formula 3, Martini Formula 3 cars rarely appeared in Britain except for the European Championship races. Above is a 1982 Alfa Romeo powered Martini Mk37, driven by Ian Jacobs, with body work indicating it may have been raced in period by Gerhard Berger for Josef Kaufmann to a third place finish in the 1982 German F3 championship on his meteoric rise to becoming a ten time Grand Prix winner.

Martini Mk39, Stretton, Brian Henton Trophy Silverstone Classic

For 1983 Martini tidied up the Mk37 in particular from the exterior the safety roll bar lost it’s long rear stay, the bodywork lost it’s perspex ‘window’ and the nose became more rounded to become the Mk39. Martin Stretton is seen above driving a Mk39 to second place in the Brian Henton Trophy, with bodywork indicating it may have been originally driven by 1983 French Formula Three champion Michel Ferté.

Renault, Vauxhall, Nissan, Jet Super Touring Car Trophy, Silverstone Classic

1999 was the final year in which Williams Grand Prix Engineering operated a Touring Car Team in the British Turing Car Championship for Renault. The 1999 #37 Williams Renault Laguna driven by Simon Garrad leads; the 1998 #98 Vauxhall Vectra driven by John Cleland and 1999 #23 Nissan Primera driven by Derek Palmer in a scrap for third place in the Jet Super Touring Car Trophy that was won by Cleland in the Vauxhall.

Talbot Lago T26SS, Pilkington, Maserati Centenary Trophy

Having competed in the 1938 Mille Miglia, Le Mans 24 Hours and French Grand Prix against no less an opposition than the Silver Arrows Richard Pilkington’s #5 Talbot Lago T26, which I looked at in June, can probably lay claim to being one of the most versatile international racing cars of all time.

Courage C26S, Kjallgren, Silverstone Classic

Finally representing French honour in the early evening Group C race was the 1991 Porsche powered Courage C26S driven by Georg Kjallgren, carrying body work suggesting it might be chassis #07 driven to an 11th place finish in the 1991 Le Mans 24 Hours by Lionel Robert, François Migault and Jean-Daniel Raulet.

Thanks for joining me on this “Français Essence” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for a look at the Silverstone Classic in further detail. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share