Tag Archives: Queen Square

Coffee, Croissant & Cars 03/15 – Avenue Drivers Club

There was a definite military atmosphere pervading this month’s Avenue Drivers Club meeting at Queen Square thanks to the presence of the six military vehicles featured in today’s blog which were promoting The Dig For Victory Show, a 1940’s Family Festival that will be taking place on the 13th to 14th of June at the North Somerset Showground.

Willys MB, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Most unusual amongst the Jeeps present was this 1942 Willys MB painted in the colours of a Royal Naval Beach Master for the 1944 Allied Invasion of France.

Bedford OY, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

The 1940 Bedford OY 3 ton truck above was a hasty adaption of the civilian Bedford O series first seen in 1939.

Ford GPW, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Just as Bantam could not hope to satisfy the demand for a general purpose off road vehicle with the original Jeep evolution of the “Blitz Buggy”, by October 1941 it had become clear that Willys Overland were struggling to meet the US Government’s demand for their Willys MB evolution and so Ford were contracted to produce licenced versions known as the GPW (Government, P Ford speak for 80″ wheelbase, Willys licenced) like the 1942 example above.

Hotchkiss M201, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

After the 1939/45 war Jeep production continued for several decades, in France Hotchkiss produced the M201 like the 1960 example above until 1981 and the last “La Jeep” remained in service with the French Military until 2000.

Willys MB, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

The immaculate Willys MB above was built in 1943.

Austin Champ, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Finally Britain began looking for a replacement for it’s Jeeps in 1947 and one option was the Rolls Royce powered “Truck, 1/4 ton, CT, 4×4, cargo & FFW, Austin Mk.1” like the 1954 example above which is more commonly known by it’s civilian name “Austin Champ”.

The next Avenue Drivers Club Meeting will be at Queen Square, Bristol 9am on Sunday the 12th of April.

Thanks for joining me on this “Coffee, Croissant & Cars 03/15” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at an Oldsmobile Delta 88. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

The Car With The Silver Wheels – Monarch Curtiss

It appears at least two companies attempted to sell cars with the Monarch brand name prior to 1916, the first the Monarch Automobile Company of Aurora Illinois sold runabouts with guaranteed air cooled motors in 1906 and the second Monarch Motor Car Company of Detroit Michigan was founded by Joseph Bloom in 1913.

Monarch Curtiss, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Today’s featured car has a chassis plate identifying it as a product of the later which is said to have used the the strap line “The car with the Silver Wheels”.

Monarch Curtiss, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Joseph Bloom employed his brother in law Robert C Hupp, later of Hupmobile fame, to design at least three models, before the company was bankrupted in 1916, two with four cylinder motors and a third which was designed for a V8 motor.

Monarch Curtiss, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Today’s featured Monarch is believed to have been built up by Mark Walker in the early 1990’s to replicate the Curtiss powered Romano Demon Special which 22 year old Rea Lentz drove to win the first Pikes Peak hillclimb in 20 mins 55.6 seconds.

Monarch Curtiss, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Interestingly it has emerged that the Curtiss V8 motors originally had a life of just 20 mins before they were expected to be replaced in their training aircraft application.

Monarch Curtiss, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

One of motor sports great mysteries is about the fate of Rea Lentz, he has not been heard of since his unexpected triumph on the Pikes Peak Hillclimb.

Monarch Curtiss, Pittaway, Griffin, Bridgeyate,

These photo’s show current owner Duncan Pittaway at the wheel of the Monarch Curtiss in and around Bristol.

Thanks for joining me on this “The Car With Silver Wheels” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at some off road action. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Senior Compact – Oldsmobile F-85 Coupé

The Cutlass name was first used by Oldsmobile on a prototype sports coupé designed in 1954.

Oldsmobile F85 Coupé, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square Bristol

With the introduction of the F-85 series senior compacts in 1961 the Cutlass name appeared as the top trim level for the pillared two door sedan in 1961.

Oldsmobile F85 Coupé, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square Bristol

Credit for the design of the F-85 was given to Irvin Rybicki who started work on the 215 cui 3.5 litre aluminium V8 powered F-85 model in 1957.

Oldsmobile F85 Coupé, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square Bristol

The car appeared as a ’61 model year and received facelifts in ’62 and ’63 before the introduction of the second generation F-85 in 1964.

Oldsmobile F85 Coupé, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square Bristol

The 1963 F-85 seen here features a body that is more squared off and four inches longer than the ’61 and ’62 F-85’s

Oldsmobile F85 Coupé, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square Bristol

The F-85 jet plane was a still born fighter project, designed to be carried aboard the B-36 heavy bomber, that never got beyond the experimental stage.

Oldsmobile F85 Coupé, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square Bristol

The all aluminium 215 cui V8 which would become the top line mainstay of Rover, Range Rover, Land Rover and British Kit Car producers until the turn of the millennium was available in two options 155 hp or turbocharged 215 hp Jetfire forms, less than 4,000 of the expensive turbocharged options were built.

Oldsmobile F85 Coupé, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square Bristolt=”444″ class=”alignnone size-full wp-image-22850″ />

This F-85, seen at an Avenue Drivers Club meeting in Bristol earlier this year, was first registered in the UK in February 2008.

Thanks for joining me on this “Senior Compact” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a jet powered Rover. Don’t for get to come back now !

Share

Coffee Croissant & Cars 02/15 – Avenue Drivers Club

Sunday saw the second Avenue Drivers Club gathering of the year down at Queen Square in Bristol, and today’s blog shows there was no shortage of vehicles from near and far.

Avenue Drivers Club, Ford Anglia, Queen Square, Bristol,

Above looking to drag us out of the winter blues a mid 50’s chopped top Ford Anglia, message to self remember to get the registration next time and find out what is under the bonnet / hood.

Colt Celeste GT, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Japanese Industry had a reputation for imitation in the 1970’s and this 1976 Colt Celeste GT is a case in point echoing features seen on Ford Mustang fastbacks of various vintages although it is actually a 3 door hatchback.

Hyundai Grandeur XG,Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Thinking of imitation, the tail lights on this second generation 2000 Hyundai Grandeur XG30 appear to mimic those of a contemporary Rolls Royce or Bentley. At first I thought this car might be a low rider with dropped suspension, but having looked at photographs of others on the intelnet I am now not so sure.

Volkswagen Golf Mk III, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Happiest dog in the house was out for a ride in this stanced rat look Mk III Volkswagen Golf Estate.

HSV VT ClubSport, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Imported from Australia was this 1999 Holden Commodore based HSV VT Club sport powered by a 265 hp 5 litre / 302 cui Australian iron block V8.

Dodge Challenger R/T, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

By now regular readers know I am a huge Dodge Challenger fan so I’ll make no excuses for sneaking in this photo of a 2011 Deep Water Pearl Blue R/T, which the owner admitted was a bit of a mid life crises purchase. The owner, who hails from South Carolina and is now living on the other side of the UK from Bristol in Cambridge, was inspired to buy the car by the Dukes of Hazard television series, she, no spelling mistake, also confessed that this car is not her daily driver.

Thanks for joining me on this “Coffee, Croissant and Cars” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at Fred Lorenzen’s team mate’s 1965 Ford Galaxie 500. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Coffee Croissants And Cars 01/15 – Avenue Drivers Club

The second Sunday of the month saw the first Avenue Drivers Club meeting of the year at Queen Square in Bristol.

Singer Vogue, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Among the delights struggling to find somewhere to park was this 1969 Singer Vogue.

Jaguar XJ6, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Another 1969 car was this early, Mk 1, Jaguar XJ6 4.2 which the current owner bought fitted with E-type wire wheels, not recommended by the manufacturer for a vehicle of this weight, and a set of standard steel spares.

ALFA Romeo 1750 GT Veloce, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Built in 1971 but not registered in the UK until August 1972 was this ALFA Romeo 1750 GT Veloce, I suspect the vinyl roof and gold pinstripes might not have been original factory options.

MG Midget, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Sporting the original coffee and cream works MG colours above is a 1981 MG Midget with federal spec bumpers.

Vauxhall Viva, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

According to a sticker in the back window this 1971 Viva SL estate is maintained with “Genuine Scrapyard Parts” which appear to include a non standard turbo charged diesel motor which going on the officially registered 1686 cc / 102 cui size maybe of GM Poland Circle L origin.

Ford Mondeo TDCI 140, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Also diesel powered, and keeping an eye on everything being orderly, ship shape and Bristol fashion were officers of the Avon Constabulary in their 2010 Ford Mondeo TDCI 140.

The next Avenue Drivers Club meeting at Queen Square will be Sunday February 8th.

Thanks for joining me on this “Coffee Croissants And Cars 01/15” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a short tale about a Porsche 917. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Coffee Croissant & Cars 11/14 – Avenue Drivers Club

Around 8am on a sunny Sunday morning I rolled down the hill for the monthly, second Sunday of the month, Avenue Drivers Club meeting at Queen Square in Bristol.

Talbot, Avenue Drivers Club,

Among the hundreds of details I captured this horn from a 1921 Talbot.

Sunbeam, Avenue Drivers Club,

I’m not entirely sure what the story, behind this Lands End mascot sitting atop the radiator of a 1925 Sunbeam, is but he seemed to be enjoying the sun.

Ford, Avenue Drivers Club,

Ford branding circa 1953 on a Ford Anglia.

Jaguar XK120, Avenue Drivers Club,

This superb upgraded 1953 Jaguar was restored by Bristol Classic and Sports Cars Ltd is for sale or they will build you one like it from their stock, usual disclaimers apply.

Land Rover SWB, Avenue Drivers Club,

Another vehicle from 1953 was this 88″ short wheel base (SWB) Land Rover with a Station Wagon body.

Reliant Scimitar GT Coupé, Avenue Drivers Club,

Fast forwarding 13 years this is the fuel cap on a 1968 Reliant Scimitar GT Coupé of which just 118 were built.

MG B GT, Avenue Drivers Club,

Above a teddy bears picnic was being held in the back of a 1970 MG B GT.

Morris Mini Cooper S, Avenue Drivers Club,

Rarest of the Mini Cooper S models are the Mark III, internal door hinges, versions, like the the 1971 example above of which 1,570 were built between 1969 and 1976.

Austin Maxi, Avenue Drivers Club,

The humble Austin Maxi hatchback was the first all new product launched by the newly created British Leyland in 1969. John Lennon was probably the most famous owner of a Maxi, which he subsequently crashed into a tree. The power transverse Maxi power train was used to build a prototype AC and a prototype Ginetta.

Triumph TR6, Avenue Drivers Club,

Another car for sale was this attractive TR6, if you are interested in buying one message me and I’ll put you in touch with the owner, usual disclaimers apply.

Hillman Avenger, Avenue Drivers Club,

In 1976 the Hillman name was dropped in favour of Chrysler and the Avenger model was given a minor face lift while production was moved from Ryton on Dunsmore near Coventry to the former Imp / Chamoise manufacturing plant at Linwood Scotland. All of which must make this Hillman badged face lifted Avenger a bit of a rarity.

Bentley Brooklands R Mulliner, Avenue Drivers Club,

Before the introduction of the Bentley Arnage Bentley built a series of 100 long wheel base Brooklands R Mulliner models in 1998. All of them were RHD and all numbered. Not sure which won was in Queen Square on Sunday but it was a most impressive motor car.

Caterham Roadsport, Avenue Drivers Club,

Looking timeless above a Caterham Super Seven.

TVR Tuscan, Avenue Drivers Club,

Finally from 2001 this TVR Tuscan was one of numerous examples of the marque to turn up on Sunday.

Thanks for joining me on this “Coffee Croissants & Cars 11/14” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a homage to Richard Petty’s 1959 rookie season. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Coffee Croissant & Cars #09/14 – Avenue Drivers Club

Despite a modest drop in ambient temperatures and overcast skies there was another good turn out for Sunday’s Avenue Drivers Club meeting at Queen Square on Sunday.

Mercury Eight, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Highlights included this hot rod 1949 Mercury Eight with lowered roof and modern running gear.

Land Rover, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The blurb in the window of the 80″ wheel base suggested it was the 388th of the production line in 1948.

Cadillac de Ville, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

This 1965 Cadillac de Ville Convertible featured a nicely recessed aerial.

Ford Escort Sport 1300, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Built from 1971 to 1974 the Ford Escort Sport 1300 was the most basic of factory hot versions of the popular Escort range powered by a motor producing 75 hp, the one above was built in 1972, check out this link for the incredible amount of work many of these cars require to keep them on the road.

BMW 1502, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Another vehicle which the owner has put in an incredible amount of work is this 1976 BMW 1502 with flared wheel arches, lowered roof and Z3 tail lights. Originally fitted with a 80 hp 4 cylinder motor it now features what looks like an M60 V8 with at least 200hp.

VW 1600 E, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Finally one of my most popular blogs was about a VW Square Back called Kubrik, the 1600 E badge above was on the back of a similarly aged Fast Back. First seen in 1965 the Fast Back was supposed to replace the Notch Back, but customer demand for the later determined otherwise.

Thanks for joining me on this “Coffee Croissant & Cars #09/14” edition of “Gettin a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a prototype 16 cylinder racing car. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share