Monthly Archives: January 2013

Hydra-matic – Nash Airflyte Ambassador

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The 1950 Nash Airflytes offered 23 detail improvements of the short wheel base 600 and long wheel base Ambassador models.

Nash Airflyte Ambassador, Classics at the Castle, Sherbourne

The Ambassador seen here is powered by a 115 hp 3.8 litre / 231 cui overhead valve straight 6 motor, 3hp more powerful than the 1949 model and more fuel efficient, according to the manufacturer.

Nash Airflyte Ambassador, Classics at the Castle, Sherbourne

The Airflyte body, first seen in 1949, was developed in a wind tunnel by Nils Wahlberg. The design was so cutting edge it was considered alarming by some.

Nash Airflyte Ambassador, Classics at the Castle, Sherbourne

The closed front wings / fenders benefited aerodynamic efficiency at the cost of a larger turning circle than it’s competitors.

Nash Airflyte Ambassador, Classics at the Castle, Sherbourne

New options included aircraft style reclining front seats and seat belts for the “Super Lounge” interior, the latter a first for US built cars.

Nash Airflyte Ambassador, Classics at the Castle, Sherbourne

The top of the range 1950 Ambassador models also offered Hrydra-matic transmission which was developed by General Motors, which contributed to the cars legendary comfortably smooth ride and annual sales of over 130,000 in 1950.

Thanks for joining me on this “Hydra-matic” 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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Sinsational – Autosport International

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A couple of weeks Ted Walker kindly invited me to the Autosport International a racing car show held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

Black Current, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

Looking into the back of this Beetle it became immediately obvious something was missing in the form of a motor, it turns out the Black Current.III is an electric drag racing car run by Current Racing with sponsorship from AmTecs Ltd is powered by two 9″ in-line electric motors good enough to have reached a personal best of 9.51 on the 1/4 mile with a top speed of 135 mph.

Austin Healey Sebring Sprite, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

Above on the Manufacturing Resources Centre stand, more than ably manned by Roger Onions, was one of six Williams & Pritchard bodied Austin Healey Sebring Sprite’s John Sprinzel ordered in 1960. PMO200 is the sister 1961 Sebring team car to S221 which I looked at a couple of years ago. This car finished 15th in the 12 Hour classic with Joe Bazzutta and Glen Carlson at the wheel having been driven to 5th place in the Sebring 4 hour race the previous day. The car was also driven on the 1962 Monte Carlo Rally before passing through my host Ted Walker’s hands in the 1970’s.

Ford Escort Mk 2, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

Mick Gregory can probably lay claim to building the worlds most heavily modified Ford Escort Mk 2, having started this project 6 years ago with an everyday 35 year old Ford Escort Mk 2 road car, modifications include a super charged Duratec engine good for 450 horsepower, an Elite six speed sequential gearbox, a Subaru rear axle and extensive use of carbon fibre in the body work, this car can be yours for just £90k.

Peugeot 206 WRC, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

Ten years ago 2001 World Rally Champion Richard Burns was leading the 2003 World Rally Championship driving a Peugeot 206 WRC like the one seen above when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor after blacking out on his way to the season finale Wales Rally GB. Richard was destined never to drive a car in competition again succumbing to the malignant tumor on November 25th 2005.

Mini Cooper Works, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

On the Motorsport stand Adrian Norman’s MINI Challenge Club championship car made and interesting back drop for his sponsors Scalextric product. Embarrassingly my five laps at the controls of the electric racer were a whole 3 seconds of the pace.

Honda Civic, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

I looked at the MG6 GT BTCC challenger a couple of weeks ago this is one of the Honda Civics run by the British Touring Car Championship winning Yuasa Honda team which took both drivers and constructors titles in 2012.

Bentley GT3 Concept, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

The Bentley GT3 Concept car was announced at the end of 2012 and is undergoing development by erstwhile works backed Ford Rally Team preparation experts M-Sport in anticipation of hitting the tracks in 2014.

Radical RXC, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

By all accounts Radical holds the title for manufacturing the fastest production car to lap the fabled Nordschleife on the Nurburgring, at Autosport International they launched their latest model the Radical RXC which should be able to go faster still. Powered by a 280 hp Ford V6 and weighing 900 kgs the RXC has a zero to 62mph time of 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 175 mph.

Sin 01, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

Another Sinsational new car launched at the Autosport International in a similar vain to the Radical was the Sin 01 a product of a joint venture between Pro Formance Metals in the UK and Sin Car GmbH in Germany, the Sin 01 will be offered in competition and street legal versions.

Lancia LC2/85, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

Amongst the sports racing cars present where no less than three 1985 Lancia LC2/85 Group C racers.

Nissan Deltawing, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

There was also a mock up of the 2012 Nissan DeltaWing Le Mans car which started like as a concept for an Indianapolis 500 racer.

Tyrrell 003, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

Open wheel racing as might be expected was extremely well represented at the show, above Sir Jackie Stewarts Tyrrell 003 a car built for the 1971 World Championship season which won first time out at the 1971 Spanish Grand Prix and with five further Grand Prix wins in the same car Jackie won his second world championship. In 1972 Sir Jackie won two more races with 003 but it was outclassed by the resurgent Lotus 72 and eventually superseded by the Tyrrell 005 and 006 designs. From 16 starts chassis 003 seen here won 8 Grand Prix in 1971 and 1972.

Lola T340, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

Moving down a few rungs and forward to 1973 this Martini liveried Lola T340 Formula Ford car caught my attention, not sure one ever raced in these colours back in the day, but if you know different by all means chime in below.

UDM, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

Britains universities have long been a breeding ground for engineering talent that keeps motorsport fed with engineers at all levels on every continent. There is even a competition between the universities to build the best competition vehicles the UDM above is powered by a 600 cc motorbike engine and was designed by engineering students from Dundee University to compete in the iMechE Formula Student series.

Mercedes F1 W03, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

Finally there was half a grid of Formula One cars present, one from each manufacturer except the now sadly defunct HRT team, of them all the Mercedes F1 W03 particularly caught my attention with it’s disjointed nose and hideously complex front wing. Mercedes scored a single Grand Prix win in China this year with Nico Rosberg at the wheel.

My thanks to Ted Walker at Ferret Fotographics for kindly inviting me along to this year’s Autosport International.

Thanks for joining me on this “Sinsational” 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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Hands Up ! – MG KN Univesity Motors Speed Model Magnette #KN 0440

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Every once in a while I learn something quite shocking, namely how easy it is to deceive myself into thinking I know something only to find with hind sight that I know nothing at all. Today I am sticking both hands up high in the air and admitting I was wrong, quite wrong and I hope you will accept my humble apologies for any confusion caused.

MG KN University Motors Speed Model, Brooklands Double Twelve

The instance occurred a couple of days ago when I was trying to identify some MG’s I found that a vehicle I thought was a K Type was actually an Type NA, then to my horror I found out that a Type NA that I wrote a blog about some months ago turns out to be one of 200 type KN’s and a University Motors Speed Model Magnette to boot, that is the car I am featuring today which I incorrectly identified in a September blog as a Type NA.

MG KN University Motors Speed Model, Brooklands Double Twelve

The MG KN was a factory built car featuring a K type saloon body and chassis but with a larger 1271 cc motor from the later MG N type.

MG KN University Motors Speed Model, Brooklands Double Twelve

Today’s featured car which was seen at Brooklands last year is a variation of the factory built saloon featuring the K type chassis and K1 4 seat tourer body.

MG KN University Motors Speed Model, Brooklands Double Twelve

These cars were assembled and sold by Univesity Motors, the main dealer in South East England as the University Motors Speed Model Magnette.

MG KN University Motors Speed Model, Brooklands Double Twelve

The enlarged motor aside there are few differences between the original K1 tourer and the University Motors Speed Model Magnette apart from the headlight mountings and some interior trim details.

MG KN University Motors Speed Model, Brooklands Double Twelve

In all 171 K1 saloon and four seat tourers were built while 201 KN Saloon’s and University Motors Speed Model Magnettes were built between 1934 and 1936.

Apologies again for any confusion caused.

Thanks for joining me on this “Hands Up” 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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Forty Inches Tall But Not A Ford – Elva GT 160 #70/GT/3

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For 1964 a plan was hatched for Elva to build 100 2 litre / 122 cui GT cars capable of 160 mph, after the unexpected death of David Ogle, who had originally intended to design the car, Trevor Fiore was commissioned to design the bodywork which ended up with a roof line just 40 inches off the ground much like the Ford GT40 announced the same year.

Elva GT160, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

The two GT 160’s displayed at the London Racing Car Show and Turin Motor show caused a sensation, but even before either car had turned a wheel in anger there were many problems, the GT 160 did not have sufficient ground clearance to meet the regulations and the cars were well over the targeted weight of 600 kgs.

Elva GT160, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

Additionally the aluminium bodies manufactured by Fissore in Italy attracted an unexpected 15% tax railing the cost of manufacture and sales price, furthermore Elva was in the process of being swallowed up by Trojan who at the same time were doing a deal with Bruce McLaren to manufacture McLaren sports racing cars for customers.

Elva GT160, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

So the GT 160 was eventually shelved after just three cars had been completed, all of which still exist today, two them being seen in historic racing circles including what I believe to be the third and final BMW powered chassis featured today which was seen at Race Retro a couple of years ago.

Elva GT160, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

In 1965 Sir Richard Wrottesley raced the first GT 160 chassis as a prototype at the Le Mans test weekend, the Nurburgring 1000 kms and Le Mans 24 hours.

Elva GT160, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

Sir Richard recorded the cars only finish, 17th place, in the Le Mans test and though the car was not a strong competitor against its intended Porsche 904 and ALFA Romeo TZ rivals in the GT class it did record a top speed of 165 mph on the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans.

Thanks for joining me on this “Forty Inches High But Not A Ford” 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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Built In Jacking – Daimler Consort

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The ancestry of today’s featured 1950 Daimler Consort can be traced back to Daimler New Fifteen first seen in 1937 which was powered by a 2166 cc / 132 cui six cylinder pushrod motor with overhead valves.

Daimler Consort, Classics at the Castle, Sherbourne

In 1939 the engine was enlarged to 2,522 cc / 153 cui and the model was renamed Daimler Eighteen, also known as the DB/18. The ’39/’45 war interrupted production but the 2.5 litre motor along Daimler Fluid Flywheel and Wilson pre selector box were used as part of the drive train for the Daimler “Dingo” Scout Car built during the hostilities.

Daimler Consort, Classics at the Castle, Sherbourne

With the cessation of hostilities production of the Daimler Eighteen resumed and in 1948 an upgraded version with wing integrated head lights and hydraulic front brakes was introduced as the Daimler Consort which was aimed primarily at the US market.

Daimler Consort, Classics at the Castle, Sherbourne

A further upgrade in 1950 saw improved ground clearance thanks to the replacement of the hitherto worm drive to the rear axle with a more conventional hypoid bevel drive to the rear wheels. In keeping with a car of this weight the car has built in jacking to facilitate the replacement of the wheels in the event of a puncture.

Daimler Consort, Classics at the Castle, Sherbourne

The car seen here at last years Classic at the Castle in Sherbourne has only clocked up 46,000 miles, and is absolutely standard apart from additional repeating indicator lights which were not available in 1950. 4250 Consorts were built from 1948 to 1953.

Thanks for joining me on this “Built In Jacking” 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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Excel Protoype – Lotus Eclat/Excel Type 84/89 #1144

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The Lotus Eclat, Type 76 but not to be confused with the Lotus Ford 76 Grand Prix car, was a fastback version of the Lotus Elite, Type 75 shooting brake, first seen in 1975 sharing the same back bone chassis and motor and running gear as the Type 75 Lotus Elite.

Lotus Eclat Excel, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

The Eclat was updated in 1980 known as the Eclat S2 the updated car was given the Type 84 designation. 1757 original sepcification Eclats were built between 1975 and 1982 and a further 223 Eclat S2’s were built between 1980 and 1982.

Lotus Eclat Excel, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

In 1982 Lotus renamed the Eclat as the Excel with further upgrades and designated the Excel as Type 89. The car seen here is registered in the log book as a Lotus Eclat, a Type 84, but has all the signs of being the prototype Excel, a type 89 which was also known by the M55 code name at the Lotus factory.

Lotus Eclat Excel, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

Amongst the prototype clues are a cut and shut gearbox with the then new Toyota sourced gearbox welded onto the older original type bell housing, M55 marks on the body panels indicating the car was the first off the jig, not to mention the Excel badging on the sides and Eclat badging on the rear of the car. The car was probably registered as an Eclat prior to the necessary type approval being received for the later Excel.

Lotus Eclat Excel, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

354 Excel’s were manufactured between 1982 and 1984 when production was discontinued. The current owner of this prototype Excel, Brian Swankie, bought the car at the NEC Classic Motor Show in Birmingham several years ago and has been restoring it ever since.

Thanks for joining me on this “Excel Prototype” 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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Field Filler – Ferrari 512 S #1006

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17 Ferrari 512 S’s and parts for 8 others were built in late 1969 in response to the 25 917’s Porsche had built in early 1969 in order to be allowed to race in the World Sports Car Championship which allowed up to 5 litre / 305 cui engines. These rules were introduced so that a few old Ford GT 40’s could continue racing, it was never imagined that Porsche and then Ferrari would build 25 cars each to take part in the series which was intended to be for new 3 litre / 183 cui cars like the Ferrari 312P and Porsche 908.

Unlike Porsche who planned on using private works supported teams to run and develop the 917’s on it’s behalf, Ferrari planned on using a single works team to build and develop the 512 S, supplying the rest of the 512 S models to private entrants to whom Ferrari gave little by way of support effectively treating it’s privateer teams as little more than field fillers.

Ferrari 512 S, Goodwood Festival of Speed

Ferrari had to sell his road car operation to FIAT in order finance the production to the 512 S model, and as it turned out Porsche’s private partners had snapped up most of the best drivers.

Nonetheless Ferrari took the fight to Porsche with a single championship victory at the 1970 Sebring 12 hours courtesy of Mario Andretti, Nino Vaccarella and Ignazio Guinti driving a 512 S who beat Peter Revson and actor Steve McQueen in their Porsche 908 after Mario famously drove the last 90 mins of the race and chased down an exhausted Peter Revson in what Mario once described as the race of his life.

For most of the rest of the 1970 season the Ferrari 512 S was out classed every where, except at the non championship race run at Kyalami in South Africa, by the Porsche 917’s, particularly those of the JW Automotive team. Ferrari had difficulty selling all of it’s 512 S models, where as Porsche had to build a second run of 25 917’s to meet demand.

Ferrari 512 S, Goodwood Festival of Speed

This 512 S spyder, chassis #1006, was developed in order to save 25 kgs by the factory and sold to Luigi Chinetti’s N.A.R.T. team. Ronnie Buchnum and Tony Adamowicz drove it into second place at the 1971 24 hours of Daytona.

#1006 had to have both front and rear bodywork replaced during the course of the race, the body work is as it appeared on #1006 when it started the 1971 Daytona 24 hours with aerodynamic lips on the nose, which were not on the second nose fitted when it finished the race.

Thanks for joining me on this “Field Filler” edition of “Gettin a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for a look at a one off Formula One Lotus that never raced. Don’t forget to come back now.

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