Tag Archives: Colmar

D Modified – Mercedes Benz 300 SLS Replica

After 2 successful seasons winning two SCCA Class D Production (DP) championships the Mercedes Benz supplied team of George D Tilp and driver Paul O’Shea were hoping to make it a threepeat even though they were planning on swapping from the 300 SL Gullwing to the new for ’57 300 SL Roadster model.

Mercedes Benz 300 SLS, Goodwood, Festival of Speed,

However the SCCA would not mandate running the 300SL Roadster in the DP class in 1957 on the grounds that insufficient numbers of the Roadster had been built.

Mercedes Benz 300 SLS, Goodwood, Festival of Speed,

To get around this problem the Mercedes Benz Rennabteilung built two special lightweight SLS Roadsters for George Tilp to run in the SCCA class D modified for Paul O’Shea.

Mercedes Benz 300 SLS, Dario Franchitti, Goodwood, Festival of Speed,

Despite sending George Tilp two cars, two Mercedes Benz race mechanics, Erwin Strupp and Karl Bunz with a container load of spares, the plan was to run only one car to give the operation the semblance of a privateer effort, however after Paul crashed one car at Thompson Connecticut and turned up six days later with an apparently completely repaired car at Elkhart Lake in Wisconsin the cat was out of the bag that George Tilp had two cars at his disposal for Paul.

Mercedes Benz 300 SLS, Dario Franchitti, Goodwood, Festival of Speed,

Paul went on to threepeat his and Mercedes Benz third SCCA class championship and the two SLS Roadsters were returned to the Mercedes Benz factory where they were scrapped, allegedly over fears the lightweight bodies would deteriorate.

Mercedes Benz 300 SLS, Dario Franchitti, Goodwood, Festival of Speed,

Subsequently numerous SLS variations have appeared most notably Chuck Porter built and raced one very successfully, where the second S stood for scrap, from a burned out Gullwing that closely resembled the 1955 300 SLR’s, several roadsters have also been converted to Tilp / O’Shea SLS replica’s more recently using 300 SL Roadster donor cars, including one by Kienle Automobiltechnik, in Heimerdingen, Germany.

Today’s featured replica seen at Goodwood Festival of Speed with Indy Legend Dario Franchitti at the wheel, was converted to SLS spec by Mercedes Benz who used one of their former test 300 SL Roadsters as a starting point.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for information on his Uncle George Tilp’s racing team.

Thanks for joining me on this “D Modified” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a triumph of presence over elegance. Don’t for get to come back now !

I’ve Met The Met – Triumph Herald 1200

Around the time Standard were buying out Triumph in 1959 a new model was being developed to replace the Standard Ensign and Pennant models which was known as the Herald.

Triumph Herald 1200, Frenchay Show,

To save development costs the Herald was built with a separate chassis and bolt on panels styled by Giovanni Michelotti with saloon / sedan, coupé, convertible, estate / wagon and van variants, the same chassis formed the basis of the 4 cylinder Spitfire and six cylinder Vitesse and GT6 models.

Triumph Herald 1200, Frenchay Show,

The newly merged Standard Triumph decided that Triumph was the more marketable brand name and so the Triumph Herald was launched in 1959 after two prototypes, a Saloon and a Coupé, had completed a well documented test run from Cape Town to Tangiers in late 1958.

Triumph Herald 1200, Frenchay Show,

In 1960 Standard Triumph International was acquired by Leyland Motors in 1961 which allowed for the development of Herald 1200 with rubber covered bumpers and a single carburetor 39hp 1147cc / 69.9 cui.

Triumph Herald 1200, Frenchay Show,

Only 8 Heralds are believed to have been used as Panda Cars 6 by the Monmouth Constabulary and two with the Metropolitan constabulary in Catford, London.

Triumph Herald 1200, Frenchay Show,

The 1963 Herald 1200 seen in these photographs is believed to have been converted into a period Panda Car, the term Panda Car referring to police vehicles is believed to have first been used by the Lancashire constabulary in 1965.

Blue Ford Anglia’s with a white stripe were similarly referred to in a letter to the Times in 1966, but the first blue and white check vehicles, a pair of Hillman Imps one white and the other blue with the doors, bonnets and boot lids swapped over did not appear until 1967 in Dunbartonshire.

Thanks for joining me on this “I’ve met the Met” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again for Mercedes Monday tomorrow. Don’t forget to comeback now !

Old Nail – Vauxhall Firenza

In May 1971 Vauxhall launched a two door coupé version of it’s Viva sedan known as the Firenza and the shell of today’s car started life as one of the prototype Firenza’s on which Vauxhall put through it’s paces to ensure the model met it’s performance and quality criteria.

Vauxhall Firenza, Donington Grand Prix Collection

After Vauxhall had finished with the car they rewarded Bill Blydenstein of Blydenstein Developments who with driver Gerry Marshall had campaigned a success Vauxhall Viva GT with the car and a funding deal which became known as Dealer Team Vauxhall.

01 Vauxhall Firenza_6158sc

Bill Blydenstein and Gerry Johnston prepared the car, which included lowering the front suspension and widening the wheel arches to incorporate wide slick racing tyres, for Gerry Marshall to drive in the 1972 BARC Forward Trust Championship which he promptly won outright.

Vauxhall Firenza, Race Retro,

In 1973 Vauxhall introduced the Firenza HP with its distinctive “droopsnoot” for which Bill Blydenstein claimed some of the credit.

Vauxhall Firenza, Gregor Marshall, Goodwood, Festival of Speed

“Old Nail” as Gerry Marshall dubbed her, was similarly modified and raced to two further Class Championship wins in the BARC Forward Trust Championships in 1973 and 1974 by which time Gerry had clocked up 62 race victories in the car.

Vauxhall Firenza, , Goodwood, Festival of Speed

Bill Dryden acquired Old Nail in 1975 and he drove the car to a further three race victories and a Championship Class win in the 1975 Scottish Saloon Car Championship.

The 250hp 2.3 litre motor fitted with Lotus twin cam heads seen in these photographs, has been in the car since 1973, Gerry’s son Gregor is seen driving the car at Goodwood Festival of Speed a couple of years ago.

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

A Glimmer Of Hope – Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet S2 #1865GT

Today’s featured Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet S2, chassis #1865GT seen at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, was initially sent to Ferrari Representatives of California in 1960 before being bought by a former lab assistant, book salesman and piston ring salesman turned successful broadcaster of the Today show David Garroway.

Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet S2, Goodwood, Festival of Speed,

“The Roving Announcer” Garroway was a pioneer of the informal conversational style and tone of television presentation, that had hitherto been more authoritative in the style of public oration, introducing one show thus :- “And how are you about the world today? Let’s see what kind of shape it’s in; there is a glimmer of hope.” in 1957.

Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet S2, Goodwood, Festival of Speed,

David broadcast the Today show from a variety of locations including; Paris, Rome, car shows, technology expos, plays, movies and aboard a B-52 bomber for a practice bombing run, his catch phrase when signing off was “Peace”.

Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet S2, Goodwood, Festival of Speed,

In the 1980’s this cars original engine stamped 326/F was installed in a Ferrari 250 GT Coupé chassis # 2027GT of similar vintage, while the engine from a 250 GTE chassis #2929GT had already been installed in today’s featured car a decade earlier.

Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Cabriolet S2, Goodwood, Festival of Speed,

#1865GT is the 29th of the 201 Ferrari 250 GT Series 2 Cabriolet’s to be built between 1959 and 1962, it was entered at Goodwood Festival of Speed by John Collins.

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

Silent Running Hypoid Gears – Chrysler Six C7 Airstream Rumble Seat Convertible

Visitors to the 1934 New York Auto Show were stunned by the appearance of the Chrysler Airflow with it’s aero dynamic shape and the comfort promised by mounting the engine over the front axle and moving the rear seats ahead of the rear axle.

Chrysler Six C7 Airstream Rumble Seat Convertible, Summer Classics, Easter Compton,

Unfortunately, not for the first time nor the last, the futuristic Airflow did not sell as well as might be expected, despite it’s superior agility and comfort, so subsequent Airflow models became more conservative in their design.

Chrysler Six C7 Airstream Rumble Seat Convertible, Summer Classics, Easter Compton,

The 1936 Chrysler Six C7 Convertible seen here is powered by a 241.5 cui / 3,957.5 cc flat head straight six, who’s origins can be traced back to 1924, with an automatic choke ensured easy starting.

Chrysler Six C7 Airstream Rumble Seat Convertible, Summer Classics, Easter Compton,

A new rear axle which promised silent running thanks to it’s hypoid gears, a spiral bevel gear whose axis does not intersect with the axis of the meshing gear, was introduced to the 1936 C7 range with automatic overdrive an option to further reduce the vehicles noise at speed.

Chrysler Six C7 Airstream Rumble Seat Convertible, Summer Classics, Easter Compton,

Only 450 Chrysler Six C7 Airstream Rumble Seat Convertibles, which cost nearly double that of the equivalent Ford, are believed to have been built,

Chrysler Six C7 Airstream Rumble Seat Convertible, Summer Classics, Easter Compton,

The rare right hand example, seen here at Summer Classics Easter Compton, almost certainly a conversion as the speedometer is on the passengers side, is showing as first registered in the UK on the 1st of April 1994, it is also showing as having a 2.7 litre 167 cui motor, a detail I suspect is at variance with the facts since there was no Chrylser 4,6 or 8 cylinder motor of that size that I know of, if you know different please do not hesitate to chime in below.

Thanks for joining me on this “Silent Running Hypoid Gear” 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 !

Queens Abbott – Ford Zephyr 6 Abbott Estate

Former Wolseley designer Edward Dixon Abbott turned his attention to coach building after taking over Page and Hunt based in Farnham in 1929. His company Abbott’s of Farnham building bespoke for a range of manufacturers chassis including Bentley, Bristol, Frazer Nash, Healey, Lagonda, Rolls Royce, Sunbeam Talbot and even a one off Ferrari 212 Export, but it is Abbott’s bodies on Ford estate cars, after the ’39-’45 war, which were probably the most accessible.

In 1956 Ford launched the Mk II Consul, Zephyr and Zodiac models which became known as the 3 Graces.

Ford Zephyr 6 Abbott Estate, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

The same year Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II took delivery of today’s featured one off Zephyr 6 wagon, which I believe was converted by Abbott’s.

The vehicle with an extra tall roof unusually seats nine and was primarily used for ferrying guests and their luggage around the Queens holiday residence the Sandringham Estate not far from The Royal Stud.

Notice how the wiper blades are set up to give the passenger the best view of the road ahead in inclement weather, I wondered if that was because HRH preferred to let Prince Philip drive, however it seems this odd feature was carried over from the Mk I Ford Consul, Zephyr and Zodiac models to all of the Mk II Consul, Zephyr and Zodiac variants.

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

Minivan Pillarless Coupé – Renault Avantime

They say fortune favours the brave, unfortunately the brave fall over every once in a while before they find success if they survive long enough at all.

Renault Avantime_6277sc

Just as Matra had gone out on a limb in 1977 to bring the public the Minivan sized SUV Simca / Talbot Ranchero I looked at last week a concept which Matra later evolved into the Renault Espace minivan in the 1980’s, in 1999 Matra showed a car for a new post minivan market segment which envisaged former minivan customers who’s kids had fled the coop who wanted something minivan sized for the superior view, but with only two doors and 140mph GT performance.

Renault Avantime_6278sc

Patrick le Quément was responsible for the styling, which was loosely based on the upmarket Renault Vel Satis, that featured lots of heat reflecting glass to afford a panoramic view, the complete absence of any B-pillar and double hinged doors that take up less road space than smaller conventional doors when open for ease of entry and egress.

Renault Avantime_6279sc

Initially the Avantime was to be powered by the 3 litre / 183 cui 24 valve 207hp Renault V6, later options included a 2 litre / 122 cui turbo and diesel variants.

Renault Avantime_6280sc

Children were not expected to be carried but the rear features two separate full size seats, instead of the regular bench seat, that are mounted higher than the front seats offering what Renault called “theater seating”.

Renault Avantime_6283sc

The Avantime certainly broke the coupé mold with it’s minivan size, fantastic all round vision and futuristic styling but….

Renault Avantime_6281sc

… it had no competition except from genuine coupés that were smaller, more agile and less quirky to look at, meaning only 8,557 examples were built from 2001 to 2003 and of those only 450 were imported into the UK, much to the disappointment of Matra who called time on their car manufacturing aspirations.

Renault Avantime_6282sc

In light of the vast fleets of highly polished sports minivan sized Chelsea tractors with only one or two occupants one sees flying up and down Britain’s motorways Renault might perhaps have been better aiming the Avantime as an alternative to sports utility vehicle segment.

The Avantime seen in these photographs earlier this year in Ware, Herts is a 3 litre / 183 cui V6 powered model with the 5 speed automatic transmission, it was first registered in the UK on the 2nd of September 2002.

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