Tag Archives: Queen

Thundertang – Mercury Cougar

Ever ones to spot a niche market by 1967 Ford Motor Company saw a gap between their face lifted Mustang and Thunderbird models and planted the Mercury Cougar right between the two, in much the same way as General Motors the same year planted the Pontiac Firebird above the Chevrolet Camaro in it’s line up.

Mercury Cougar, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Mercury’s first generation “pony car” was only available as a two door hard top in either base as seen here or XR7 variations.

Mercury Cougar, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The Cougars platform was derived from the some one as the ’67 Mustang, but with a 3″ longer wheel base covered in an all new body.

Mercury Cougar, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

A 200hp 4.7 litre / 289 cui Windsor V8 powered the base version of the Cougar, though a GT option offered a 335hp 6.4 litre / 390 cui FE motor.

Mercury Cougar, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

With it’s headlights hidden behind the front grill and tail lights, sequential as per contemporary Thunderbird the electric shaver styling front and rear of the Cougar completely disguises it’s Mustang underpinnings.

Mercury Cougar, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Among the cars accolades Motor Trend named the Mercury Cougar as Car of the Year 1967, and the sale of 150,893 units in 1967 contributed substantially to the Lincoln Mercury divisions place in the market.

Gwinny seen here was purchased new from a dealer Chicago Il in January 1967 and shipped to the UK by the original owners nephew in March 2011 making her a one family car with 50,000 miles on the clock, both the 289 motor and exhaust have been replaced.

Thanks for joining me on this “Thundertang” 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 !

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Coffee, Croissant & Cars 08/15 – Avenue Drivers Club

On the second Sunday of the month I managed to briefly pop by Queen Square for the Avenue Drivers Club meeting and by 8am the Square was already quite busy.

Corvette, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Among the vehicles present this ’66 Chevrolet Corvette C2 which was imported into the UK earlier this year.

Ford Consul, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

It was great to see Mark Richards Ford Consul 375 back in one piece after an unscheduled ground up restoration has been completed. Mark is planning on offering his services with this car for weddings, ffi please contact Mark on FB or leave a message below.

Nissan Stagea, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

I’m not sure Nissan Stagea’s were ever imported by the manufacturer into the UK, this 1997 example with UV Cut Glass was first registered in the UK in March 2009.

Volkswagen Scirocco, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Another car first registered in this country in 2009 was this Volkswagen Scirocco which I have been watching becoming increasingly “modded” over the last few months as it lives not more than a mile from me, looks like the owner has it fully equipped to take everything including the kitchen sink on holiday with him to the Sweetshop Automotive Summer Showdown in Cheddar on Bank Holiday Monday.

Dodge Dart Swinger, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

From 1970 a Dodge Dart Swinger that is shown as officially being powered by a 5.4 litre / 329 cui V8 which I do not believe was a standard size for this model, 318’s and 340’s being the nearest manufacturer supplied size I could find.

Smart Crossblade, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Finally just before I left this cute li’l 2002 Smart Crossblade pulled in, a limited edition model which again I don’t believe was a manufacturer import into the UK even after pop star Robbie Williams bought one.

Thanks for joining me on this “Coffee, Croissant & Cars 08/15” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a Cougar. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Coffee, Croissant & Cars 05/15 – Avenue Drivers Club

The second Sunday of the month at Queen Square in Bristol is maintaining it’s standing as one of the more extraordinary word of mouth gatherings for petrol heads in the country.

Land Rover, Ford, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

At this month’s gathering I tried to pay a bit more attention to some of the low riders present including the 1960 Land Rover 80 fitted with a 4 litre / 244 cui version of the Buick derived Rover V8, which is dwarfed by the 2008 Ford RBP Super Duty that was imported into the UK in December last year.

Volkswagen Lupo, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Among the smallest of the low riders present was this 2004 Volkswagen Lupo.

BMW 635i, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Low riding BMW’s are not that unusual but this is the first 1980’s E24 635 CSi I have seen so dramatically stanced.

Avenue Drivers Club, Jaguar X Type S, Queen Square, Bristol,

Leaping forward back to 2008 is this stanced diesel powered Jaguar X Type S the like of which I have also never seen before in the flesh.

Audi RS5 Quattro, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Amazingly this Audi RS7 Quattro is a 2014 model first registered, given that car was fitted with 19″ wheels as standard one would have to conclude the wheels on this one are well over 20″.

Datsun Sunny, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Back in the day when I used to deliver Datsuns new for a dealer in London I realised that they did exactly what they said on the tin and unless one was deliberately trying to break one they would run until the body rotted off, above is a stanced 1982 Datsun Sunny Estate with a well above average preserved body.

Thanks for joining me on this “Coffee, Croissant & Cars 05/15” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at another Pony. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Code C,A or K – Ford Mustang GT

After retooling in August 1964 Ford offered it’s sensational Mustang with a GT equipment package that included a V8 motor, grille-mounted fog lamps, rocker panel stripes, and disc brakes, an instrument panel with a speedometer, fuel gauge and unnumbered temperature, oil pressure and ammeter gauges in five round dials.

Ford Mustang GT, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Today’s featured car is registered as a “Mustang GT” and carries a 289 / 4.7 litre V8 though it is unclear if today’s featured car has a 200hp C Code 289 with a two barrel carburetor or perhaps one of the four barrel carburetor options either 225hp A Code 289 or 271hp “Hi Po” K Code 289.

Ford Mustang GT, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

As can be seen this particular vehicle has been prepared to racing spec with bonnet / hood pins and roll cage and it appears to have been raced by Louis Bracey in HSCC events in recent years.

Thanks for joining me on this “Code C,A or K” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a poor mans 250 GTE. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Big Rig Look – Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab

After extensive customer research chief designer Philip E Payne took a gamble and went with the big rig look for the second generation (BR) Dodge Rams launched in 1994. He knew that by pandering to the majority of his clients he might loose a few of those who preferred softer styling.

Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The Big Rig look gave the new range of Dodge Ram’s instant recognition that was quite distinctive form the main rivals built by General Motors and Ford, and the look is even more distinctive on this ’95 1500 extended cab with the bug deflectors and sun shield, the only thing missing are the christmas tree lights usually found on big rigs.

Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The second generation Dodge Rams were powered by the same motors as the first series this one, seen at last year’s Avenue Drivers Club meeting in June, is powered by a top of the 1500 range 230 hp 5.9 litre / 360 cui Magnum V8.

Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Second Generation Rams were available in 1500 half ton, 2500 3/4 ton and 3500 dually one ton forms. The 2500 3/4 ton and 3500 one ton was available with a 8 litre / 488 cui V10 that was used as the basis for the Dodge Viper sports cars.

Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Ram body options included 2 door, 2 door extended cab and from 1998 Quad Cab 4 door extended cab with front opening “suicide’ doors. Special attention was given to the storage area’s inside the cab with a large glovebox, central armrest storage and further storage space behind the seats.

Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

1500 Rams could be ordered with either 6′ or 8′ beds. THis truck will have been fitted with an A518 four speed automatic transmission a descendant of the TorqueFlight 3 speed automatic transmission first seen in 1956.

Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The 1996 film Twister featured a similar 3/4 ton Ram 2500 with club cab on the back to the one seen here, sadly it was destroyed near the end of the story nearly bringing some pick up truck fans to tears.

Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Philip E Payne’s gamble with the big rig look paid off handsomely as Dodge went from it’s traditional third spot in truck sales behind Ford and General Motors to first in three years and stayed at the top from 1996 to 1999 by which time both Ford and GM had caught up with the big rig look.

Thanks for joining me on this “Big Rig Look” 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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Parts Bin Racer – MG Q-Type Replica

One of the cars that attracted my attention at the very first Avenue Drivers Club meeting I attended in April last year was today’s featured MG. I had no idea which model it was and it took me until this January to finally catch up with the owner who kindly told me that “it’s a replica, look up Q-type”.

MG Q Type Replica, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

It turns out that in 1934 MG produced 8 or 9 Q-Type racing cars.

MG Q Type Replica, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The chassis were based on that of the MG K3 frame but narrower.

MG Q Type Replica, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

While the standard 113 hp overhead cam supercharged motors used MG PA blocks with crankshafts that reduced the swept volume of the cylinders to 746cc / 45.5 cui. A 149 hp sprint version of the motor was also available that had the highest specific out put per litre (just under 200 hp) in the world at that time.

MG Q Type Replica, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Rigid MG N-Type axles, which had some difficulty coping with the power, were fitted to the Q-types.

MG Q Type Replica, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

In single seater form George Harvey-Nobel lapped Brooklands at 122 mph in his Q-Type while a two seater achieved 120 mph on the same circuit.

MG Q Type Replica, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The replica Q-Type seen here uses a 1936 chassis and a more recent engine, it was originally intended that the owners wife should race the car but it took a little longer to complete than anticipated.

Thanks for joining me on this “Parts Bin Racer” 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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Cotswold Classic Car Club – Frogmill Andoversford

Forgoing a New Years day hangover I a woke yesterday just in time to throw a bucket of water over my Golf and head down to Queen Square in Bristol where I met my friend Ted and his friend Ron with a few other Avenue Drivers Club regulars.

Ford, Queen Square Bristol

The meeting was not a regular Avenue Drivers Club event, they only happen on the second Sunday of every month the next one is scheduled for Sunday 13th. We were meeting with the intention of heading 40 miles north to the Frogmill Inn, Andoversford where the Cotswold Classic Car Club was having it’s annual New Years Day Meeting.

Scimitar GTE, Queen Square, Bristol

Ron led the way in his recently acquired 1972 Reliant Scimitar GTE Automatic.

Cotswold Classic Car Club, Frogmill, Andoversford

After a pleasant drive under unusual blue skies we arrived at Frogmill an hour ahead of the advertised time to find the car parks filled with a variety of veteran, vintage and classic vehicles.

Bristol 411, Frogmill, Andoversford

Some of them will be familiar to regular GALPOT readers like this Bristol 411 which I featured a couple of years ago.

Amphicar, Frogmill, Andoversford

This time last year the United Kingdom was preparing for a drought but the weather has since conspired to make 2012 the wettest since records began which should be good news for owners of amphibious vehicles like this Triumph powered 1967 Amphicar.

Invicta, Frogmill Inn, Andoversford

Amongst the vintage vehicles present was this Meadows powered 4.5 litre 1931 Invicta which would have been capable of 100mph when new.

Vauxhall Victor, Frogmill Inn, Andoversford

The 1961 Vauxhall Victor F type above was originally sold by Haines & Strange in Cheltenham, it spent 10 years in Switzerland before being found in a barn in the UK by it’s present owner in 1999. It has been undergoing restoration ever since.

Morris Marina 1.3 Coupé, Frogmill Inn, Andoversford

One of the stranger classics was at the meeting was this 1972 Morris Marina 1.3 Coupé, once a familiar sight on British roads and the subject of a fair amount of derision for rust among other issues. The Maurice Morihno Racing Team logo appears to be pointing further fun at the model examples of which were used in competition rally events back in the day.

Jaguar XK 140 FHC, Frogmill Inn, Andoversford

Signs are that this 1956 Jaguar XK140 FHC may have spent some time in the USA, the UCLA sticker on the back window being an obvious example.

Studebaker Commander, Frogmill Inn, Andoversford

This 1950 Studebaker Commander was only imported into the UK a couple of months ago it would appear to be powered by a 5.7 litre / 347 cui V8.

Wolseley 1500, Frogmill, Andoversford

This 1959 Wolseley 1500 is built on a Morris Minor floorplan and fitted with a larger motor and gearbox from the MG ZB.

Pontiac Firehawk, Frogmill Inn, Andoversford

According to it’s ‘Birth Certificate’ this manual Pontiac Firehawk Mapleleaf Transam was built on February 28th 1999 at LaSalle in Quebec with speedo reading in kilometers for the Canadian market, it’s capable of covering a quarter mile in 13.4 secs and has a restricted top speed of 160 mph.

Triumph Mayflower, Frogmill Inn, Andoversford

Conceived as a small car, same size as a Morris Minor, but following the styling queues of contemporary large Rolls Royce and Bentley models the Triumph Mayflower was aimed squarely at the US market, only 35,000 were built between 1949 and 1953 well below the targeted numbers.

Gilbern Genie, Frogmill Inn, Andoversford

Finally in the overflow car park I found this 1968 Gilbern Genie, built in Wales and powered by a 3 litre 183 cui Ford (Essex) V6 beneath the fibre glass bodywork the suspension is largely inherited from the MG B.

My thanks to Ted Walker for alerting me to the Cotswold Classic Car Club New Years Day meeting.

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

PS Details of some of the vehicles seen at Frogmill can be seen on this link.

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