Monthly Archives: December 2015

Shadeyside Bonded Body – Chrysler Prowler

Aged just seven Chip Foose started working on car at his Dad’s Project Design shop, in Santa Barbara, California in 1970.

Chrysler Prowler, Pendine Sands

After financial difficulties Chip dropped out of the Art Center College of Design in 1982, but returned to graduate in 1990 by which time he had designed a retro coupé / roadster for a a Chrysler-sponsored college project.

Chrysler Prowler, Pendine Sands

After attracting much attention with it’s Dodge Viper, Chrysler design director Thomas C. Gale, also a hot rodder, gave the Plymouth Prowler which was influenced by Chip Fooses College design the go ahead as a concept car in 1993.

Chrysler Prowler, Pendine Sands

The Prowler went into production in 1997 with a chassis and body built from adhesive bonded aluminium at a facility in Shadeyside, Ohio with the rest of the assembly being completed by hand in Detroit.

Chrysler Prowler, Pendine Sands

Initially the Prowler was powered by a 214hp 3.5 litre / 213 cui V6 but in 1999 this was upgraded to produce 253hp, the motor is linked to a a four-speed Autostick semi-automatic transmission mounted in in the back, a al Alfa Romeo and Porsche 924/944/968 among many others to improve weight distribution, by a torque tube.

Chrysler Prowler, Pendine Sands

When the Plymouth brand was dropped in 2001 the Prowler continued to be marketed as a Chrysler until production ceased in 2002 with 11,700 examples built.

The 2002 example seen in these photographs taken at Pendine Sands was first registered in the UK on the 19th of December 2002.

Thanks for joining me on this “Shadeyside Bonded Body” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Wishing all GALPOT readers a Happy New Yew Year. Don’t forget to come back now !

Honest No Nonsense Teresa – Ford Cortina Mk V 1.6 L Estate

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On the 24th August 1979 Ford launched the final iteration of it’s Cortina model that had dominated the British sales charts every year since 1972 except 1976, when the more economical Ford Escort Mk II took the top spot.

Ford Cortina Mk V 1.6L Estate, Summer Classics, Easter Compton,

Developed under the project name Teresa the Mk V Cortina featured new front wings, bonnet and grill, new bumpers with fashionable plastic end caps, side trim and the saloon / sedan had new larger fear light clusters.

Ford Cortina Mk V 1.6L Estate, Summer Classics, Easter Compton,

The rear of the Mk V Estate / Wagon, which accounted for 20% of Cortina sales, was identical to the Mk IV apart from the bumpers, stiffer suspension and lower gearing also differentiated the two variants.

Ford Cortina Mk V 1.6L Estate, Summer Classics, Easter Compton,

One contemporary report sumarised the 1’6 GL Estate as “an honest no nonsense workhorse” that was “also surprisingly refined and agile.”

Ford Cortina Mk V 1.6L Estate, Summer Classics, Easter Compton,

On the 22nd July 1982 the last Cortina rolled off the production line at Dagenham when the model was replaced by the Sierra, nearly two months later on the 17th of September 1982 today’s featured 1.6L estate / wagon was registered for it’s first owner, helping to make the Cortina the UK market’s second best selling car of 1982 when the sales charts were topped by the Ford Escort Mk III.

Thanks for joining me on this “Honest No Nonsense Teresa” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a limited edition hot rod. Don’t forget to come back now !

Electric Love – Renault DeZir

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In 2010 Renault announced that the direction of their next series of concept cars would reflect six stages of life; falling in love, discovering the world, starting a family, working, having fun and becoming wise that a Renault customer might encounter.

Renault DeZir , Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Renault DeZir first shown at the 2010 Paris Motor Show reflects the falling in love stage.

Renault DeZir , Goodwood Festival of Speed

It’s sensual coupé body with red leather interior is fitted with a pair of butterfly doors, the drivers opening to the rear with the passengers opening to the front.

Renault DeZir , Goodwood Festival of Speed

Power comes from a 148hp mid mounted electric motor that gives rest to 60 mph in five seconds performance and a top speed of 112 mph.

Renault DeZir , Goodwood Festival of Speed

While no plans have been announced for the DeZir to go into production the design of 500hp twin turbo V6 Renault Sport R.S. 01, which will compete for the Renault Sport Trophy, took the Dezir Concept as the starting point for it’s body.

Renault DeZir , Goodwood Festival of Speed

Since the 2010 DeZir Renault has shown concept cars representing; discovering the world – 2011 Captur, starting a family – 2011 R-Space and working – 2011 Frendzy, but there has been no sign of any concepts representing the having fun or becoming wise stages.

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

Heart Breaker – Mercedes Benz W121 B2 190 SL Roadster

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When Mercedes Benz US importer Max Hoffman suggested that Mercedes Benz build the 300 SL Gullwing Coupé for an exclusive US clientele in 1953 he also suggested they build a more affordable Roadster which became the 190 SL Roadster like the one seen here at the Classic Motor Show at the NEC in Birmingham a few years ago.

Mercedes Benz 190 SL Roadster, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

The 190 SL was built on a modified W121 Saloon platform unlike the 300 SL which had a space frame chassis, but used similar double wishbone front and swing axle rear independent suspension.

Power came from a short stroke 1897 cc / 115.7 cui 4 cylinder variant of the 300 SL’s 3 litre / 183 cui over head cam six cylinder engine that produced 120 hp.

Production of the 190 SL commenced in 1955 and continued until 1963 by which time 25,881 examples had been built.

Renowned for melting the hearts of the proudest women the 190 SL included amongst it’s star studded clientele Grace Kelly, Gina Lollobrigida and Bibi Johns.

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

Rapid Panda – Morris Mini Cooper S Mk II

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Morris Mini Cooper S’s with their 76 hp 1,275 cc / 77.8 cui A series engines were a huge hit on the competition scene, at all levels of rallying and racing, and quite popular among boy racers in the swinging sixties.

01 Morris Mini Cooper S_2131sc

Less well remembered is that at least Birmingham City, Essex, Gateshead, Hampshire, Manchester, Liverpool, London Metropolitan, Pembroke County, West Yorkshire and Royal Ulster Constabularies were similarly equipped to strike fear into the boy racers and more seriously minded criminal fraternity.

02 Morris Mini Cooper S_2130sc

Today’s featured fridge white Morris Mini Cooper S Mk II, seen at this years Castle Combe Autumn Classic meeting, was supplied to the Liverpool and Bootle Constabulary, after being registered on the 21st March 1968 by W Watson Ltd, Liverpool and Bootle bought 27 Mini’s each year between 1967 and 1971 keeping them for two years.

03 Morris Mini Cooper S_2126sc

Aside from the Police sign, blue light and two tone horns this car was equipped with a Pye Westminster Police 2 way Radio, zipped in headlining and an alternator replaced the dynamo to give a more reliable electrical supply.

04 Morris Mini Cooper S_2127sc

The current owner, who confesses he was more likely to be chased by one of these in his youth when he owned a Mini Van, was unaware of this Coopers past when he bought it 25 years ago, it transpires that only eight Police Mini’s are known to have survived making them even rarer than the “Works” competition Mini’s.

Thanks for joining me on this “Rapid Panda” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be exploring the concept of “Electric Love”. Don’t forget to come back now !

Super Bug – Volkswagen Trojan Chevrolet Beetle

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After successfully racing super saloons that included a race winning Jaguar powered Ford 105E Anglia called “Janglia”, a championship winning Gurney Weslake V8 powered Boss Ford Capri and championship winning 6 litre / 366 cui Capri Mick Hill turned his attention briefly to racing a Formula 5000 March in 1975.

Volkswagen Trojan Chevrolet Beetle, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

On May 9th 1976 Hill announced his return to Super Saloon racing with today’s featured liberal interpretation of a Volkswagen Beetle body which sits atop a chassis fitted with Trojan T102 Formula F5000 front suspension and rear end including a 530hp 5 litre / 302 cui Formula 5000 Chevrolet motor in the back.

Volkswagen Trojan Chevrolet Beetle, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

Mick raced the car for two seasons with sponsorship from fellow Super Saloon Competitor Tony Hazelwood’s Templar Tillers business.

Volkswagen Trojan Chevrolet Beetle, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

At the end of 1977 Doug Niven bought the Super Bug who went on a winning rampage recording 47 Super Saloon victories up until the end of 1979 when it was sold on to Jeff Wilson.

Volkswagen Trojan Chevrolet Beetle, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

Mick went onto race the ex Tony Hazelwood Can Am powered Jaguar XJ8 before building a championship winning Skoda known as Phoenix using the Can Am engine from the Jaguar and a chassis of his own devising, his last project was a race winning BMW M1 again powered by the Can Am engine now fitted to a Lola T400 Formula 5000 chassis and with a BMW M1 clone body.

Volkswagen Trojan Chevrolet Beetle, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

The Super Bug, seen in these photo’s at Goodwood Festival of Speed in it’s original colours in the top three photos and in Doug Niven’s colours in the bottom 2 photos is currently owned and looked after by Dave Taylor who has started a facebook page for the car linked here.

My thanks to Mr Taylor for inadvertently giving me the courage to go with this months Super Saloon Saturday blogs.

Thanks for joining me on this “Super Bug” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a Mini Cooper Panda Car. Don’t forget to come back now !

Last Vignale Rebody – Ferrari 330 GT Vignale Shooting Brake #7963

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As soon as I laid eyes on today’s featured Ferrari 330 GT Vignale Shooting Brake at Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year I thought “what a cool car for Santa.”