Monthly Archives: February 2013

Toothbrush Not Included – Buick Roadmaster Riviera

As some of you may have noticed I some times identify vehicles incorrectly, another misidentification came to light while I was looking into the identification of today’s featured 1950 Buick Roadmaster Riviera. It turns out that the curved ‘observation car’ windscreens on Buick Roadmaster’s were first seen in 1949 and therefore the Jetback Sedanet Coupé I looked at last April must be a 1949 model and cannot be a flat screen 1948 model. I live and learn and hope that you will bear with me while I inevitably make a few mistakes. Please do not hesitate to chip in and correct these errors as and when you see them.

Buick Roadmaster Riviera, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

Back today’s 1950 Roadmaster Riviera which is immediately identifiable by the huge teeth in the grill unique to the 1950 model. When these cars were first seen in public one journalist is reported to have said “a toothbrush for the dentures comes extra.”

Buick Roadmaster Riviera, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

Like all Roadmaster series Buicks the mandatory motor remained the 5247cc / 320 cui “Fireball” straight eight, it would not be until 1953 that a Nailhead V8 would become available.

Buick Roadmaster Riviera, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

The pillarless Roadmaster Riviera coupé was one of 18 1950 Roadmaster variations which broke down into Jetback Sedanet, Tourback Sedan, Estate / Station Wagon, Convertible, Hardtop and Pillarless Coupé body styles.

Buick Roadmaster Riviera, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

Just as the Fireball motor was standard so was the 2 speed Dynaflow transmission which was derived from a World War 2 tank transmission.

Buick Roadmaster Riviera, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

This Roadmaster Riviera was given the 76R model code with the body code Fisher Style 4737. Fisher was a bodywork operation that was gradually absorbed into General Motors between 1926 when GM bought 60% of the stock and 1984 when the Fisher Body entity was dissolved thanks to mergers with other GM operations.

Buick Roadmaster Riviera, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

Thanks to the popularity of the Buick Special sales of all Roadmasters fell by over 13,000 to 75,034 in 1954 representing just 12% of Buicks 1950 output.

Thanks for joining me on this “Tooth Brush Not Included” edition of “Gettin a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again for Ferrari Friday. Don’t forget to come back now.

Designed By Fura Built By Fissore – Monteverdi High Speed 375L

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At the end of the 1960’s and beginning of the 1970’s there was no shortage of choice in the Luxury 2+2 automobile market segment from the UK alone came the Chrysler powered Bristol 411, for the traditionalist, the similarly powered Jensen Interceptor for the futurist and the Aston Martin DBS for the international man of mystery.

Contemporary to the desirable vehicles mentioned above was the Monteverdi High Speed 375L a 2+2 Coupé designed originally by Fura who built two examples before an acrimonious split left Monteverdi taking his business to Fissori.

Fissori redesigned coupé and delivered complete bodies to Monteverdi in Basel in Switzerland for final assembly.

Power for the Monteverdi High Speed 375L was provided by a 375hp 7120cc / 440 cui Chrsyler Magnum similar to those being used for the Britol 411 and the Jensen Interceptor.

Peter Monteverdi designed his first car, a special, when he was just sixteen and had it ready to roll in time for his eighteenth birthday when he was allowed to drive it.

There were three versions of the 375, 375L like the coupé seen here, 375 S a short wheel base 2 seater and 375 C a short wheelbase drop head also known as the “Palm Beach”.

Around 30 375 4 door saloon / sedans were also built.

The 375 L was continuously upgraded from 1967 to 1976 when Monteverdi stopped making luxury cars and started making “boutique” using proprietary motors and chassis around which to build his creations. The vehicle seen here at last years Auto Italia at Brooklands was built in 1972.

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

Parts Bin Racer – MG Q-Type Replica

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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 !

Job Related – Dodge 1 Ton Pickup

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In 1939 Dodge launched it “Job Related” series of trucks and panel vans that would stay in production until 1947.

Dodge 1 Ton Pickup, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

The Job Related series can be recognised by it’s streamline styling which was becoming all the rage in 1939.

Dodge 1 Ton Pickup, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

In 1941 parking lights mounted on the cowling became a standard feature on all subsequent “Job Related” vehicles.

Dodge 1 Ton Pickup, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

From what I have observed front indicator lights appear to have been entirely optional even as late as 1947 when this particular truck was built, presumably other road users were expected to see the drivers hand signal’s to predict where the truck was going.

Dodge 1 Ton Pickup, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

The motor for this truck, seen at last years Summer Classics in Easter Compton, is officially quoted as 3772 cc / 230 cui which would have given 105 hp and was unique to the 1 ton trucks from 1942 on.

Dodge 1 Ton Pickup, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

The gauges from left to right are water temperature, oil temperature (hidden by the 1/4 light window, speed and odometer, fuel tank and battery charge, a better selection than can be found on some cheap motor cars today. Radio was by drivers built in i-player only.

Dodge 1 Ton Pickup, Summer Classics, Easter Compton

The Dodge 1 ton pick up sits on a 120″ chassis with a 7 1/2 foot cargo box, from 1939 to 1985 all Dodge pickup cargo boxes came with a wooden floor, painted black, with steel skid strips.

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

Aluminium Over Ash – Paramount Roadster

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WA Hudson and S Underwood founded Paramount Cars in Derbyshire to produce sports cars in 1950.