Tag Archives: Auctions

Rocket Powered Unicycle – MG TF XPower 500 #SARRDWBGBWD034240

Leave a Reply

Just like I write “Gettin a li’l psycho on tyres”, because I find it quite irresistable it would appear when MG Rover got ditched by BMW MG went and built today’s unique, as in only one of, MG TF XPower 500 for exactly the same reason.

MG TF XPower 500, Silverstone Auctions, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

Sensational and equally outrageuous the MG TF XPower 500, was first shown to the public at Le Mans in 2001 alongside it’s Lola LM780 chassis Le Mans challenger.

MG TF XPower 500, Silverstone Auctions, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

Sitting on low profile 17″ road tyres and wheels the MG TF XPower 500 has a seam welded MG TF body which incorporates a racing standard survival cell, flared wheel arches and some aerodynamic aids to help keep the car on the ground.

MG TF XPower 500, Silverstone Auctions, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

Go for the MG TF XPower 500 comes from the same source as MG’s Lola MG Le Mans challenger namely a mid monunted Cosworth 2000 Le Mans XP20 2 litre / 122cui 4 cylinder turbo charged motor that produces 400 hp which transmits its power to the rear wheels through a 6 speed X-Trac sequential gearbox. Racing 4 pot AP disc brakes are used to slow the car down which has a ‘theoretical’ top speed in excess of 180 mph depending on the gear ratio’s used.

MG TF XPower 500, Silverstone Auctions, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

When Tony Dron tested the car with former Le Mans winner Mark Blundell he obseved the front wheels don’t do much in the corners and he was advised by Mark to suggest “Just think of the back end”. Tony noted “He’s right: imagine a rocket-powered unicycle and you get the idea.”

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

Share

Camouflaged Origins – MG F-type Magna #F1013

Leave a Reply

In 1931 MG introduced the the D-Type and F-Type the former with a four cylinder version of a motor which originated from the Wolseley Hornet. The F Type had a six cylinder engine that used the same four cylinder block with an extra two cylinders added.

MG F-type Magna, Silverstone Auctions, Race Retro

MG did it’s best to camouflage the Woleseley origins of the 37hp twin carburetor six cylinder motor with dummy side panels.

MG F-type Magna, Silverstone Auctions, Race Retro

Sitting in between the M-type Midget and the 18/80 Six models the 4 seat F-type was considered under powered and under braked when carrying three passengers along with the driver.

MG F-type Magna, Silverstone Auctions, Race Retro

This 1932 F-type Magna was taken of the road in 1955 and a ten year restoration was set in motion when a stunt actor acquired it in 1979. Allegedly the actor bought the car after driving an MG J2 while working on the film “Death On The Nile”

MG F-type Magna, Silverstone Auctions, Race Retro

A two seater F2 version of the F-type was introduced in 1932 the body of which would be used on the aforementioned J2.

MG F-type Magna, Silverstone Auctions, Race Retro

The F-type’s non-synchromesh four speed gearbox was manufactured by ENV. 1250 F-types were built from 1931 until 1932 when the model was replaced by the L-type Magna.

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

Share

Personal Luxury – Ford Thunderbird Continental

5 Replies

Following the announcement of the Chevrolet Corvette sports car in 1953, Ford responded by developing the Ford Thunderbird which was differentiated from the Corvette by it’s emphasis on luxury and comfort over performance.

Ford Thunderbird, Race Retro

Former GM Executive Lewis D. Crusoe and Ford Stylist George Walker found inspiration for the Thunderbird design from a sports car they saw in Paris. They worked with Ford Designer Frank Hershey on the two seater.

Ford Thunderbird, Race Retro

Ford Stylist Alden Gibberson was given a Saks suit complete with 2nd pair of trousers as his reward for coming up with the Thunderbird name which was first seen in public at the Detroit Motor Show in early 1954 and went in to production for the 1955 model year.

Ford Thunderbird, Race Retro

Despite many competition features like the stone guard grill over covering the front head lights the original Thunderbird was not intended for competition use.

Ford Thunderbird, Race Retro

The intake on the bonnet / hood is just for show, as was the 150 mph speedometer fitted to the first series Thunderbirds which had a top speed of around 100mph.

Ford Thunderbird, Race Retro

The distinctive Thunderbird rocker covers belie the fact that the 190 hp 4.8 litre / 292 cui Y block V8 was sourced from Fords Mercury division.

Ford Thunderbird, Race Retro

The detailing is typical of 1950’s dream cars note the V8 badge incorporates the Y which denotes the engine type.

Ford Thunderbird, Race Retro

As I understand it the removable glass fiber hard top was part of the Continental option package …

Ford Thunderbird, Race Retro

as was the bumper mounted spare wheel.

Ford Thunderbird, Race Retro

The first series Thunderbird out sold it’s Corvette competitor 20 fold with over 16,000 unit’s produced in the first year of production.

Thanks for joining me on this ‘Personal Luxury’ Edition of Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres’, I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Colonists Return – Ford Capri RS3100

Leave a Reply

The Ford Capri RS3100 was a road going performance limited edition of the the MK I (facelift) Ford Capri launched in December 1973 just two months before the new MK II Capri.

Ford Capri RS3100, Race, Retro

125mph performance was facilitated by a 148 hp 3090 cc / 186 cui overbored Essex V6 motor distinguished on 249 of 250 RS3100’s built with blue painted rocker covers.

Ford Capri RS3100, Race, Retro

This particular motor is described as having been rebuilt by Australian Bo Seaton with an upgraded steel crank shaft and balanced pistons, high lift cams, ported heads and twin side draft carburettors to take the power up to 190 hp.

Ford Capri RS3100, Race, Retro

The RS3100 was available in seven colours all came fitted with triple gold go faster strips and the four spoke 6 x 13 RS road wheels.

Ford Capri RS3100, Race, Retro

The interiors were not uniform with differences in seat belts, instrumentation and gear knobs, the black PVC seats and headlining were however common to all 250 RS3100’s.

Ford Capri RS3100, Race, Retro

This Sebring Red example, seen at Silverstone Auctions at last weekends Race Retro, is one of 50 that were exported to Australia between June and July in 1974, when it became apparent that a combination of fuel crises and the introduction of the new body MKII Capri was adversely affecting predicted UK sales.

Ford Capri RS3100, Race, Retro

This particular car is said to have clocked up 100,000 miles before returning to the UK in 2010. It is believed that just 46 of the 250 Ford Capri RS3100’s built have survived.

Thanks for joining me on this Colonists Return edition of ‘Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres’, I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Bird Breeding Champions Choice – Austin A35 Van #AAVB65216

3 Replies

Launched in 1956 the Austin A35 was an upgrade of the successful Austin A30 featuring a larger rear window and a painted grill in place of the A30’s chrome item.

Austin A35 Van

Two commercial vehicles based on the A35 were manufactured the extremely rare 1956 pick up, of which just 475 were built and the more successful van, seen here, which out lived all other variants being manufactured until 1968. An A35 van came to fame in 2005 after a model of a 1964 version carrying a 1953 tax disc appeared in Wallace & Gromit The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

Austin A35 Van

The name change to A35 reflected a more powerful 34 hp A series straight 4 motor which could power the compact car up to 60 mph in 3rd (top) gear, a whole 15 mph fast than the previous A30.

Austin A35 Van

It is possible that champion budgerigar breeder James Simon W Hunt chose this particular vehicle as his daily driver, precisely because it’s leisurely performance would not upset his birds in transit between show’s.

Austin A35 Van

After James, also a well known forthright commentator on Grand Prix motor racing, died in 1993 this van was sold at auction allegedly complete with a sprinkling of Trill in the boot and cigarette stubs in the ashtray. James old van has been in storage ever since.

James 1967 van, described as a runner in need of attention for road use, has come up for auction again at the Silverstone Classic on Saturday and is expected to fetch between £10,000 and £14,000 a price which reflects James better known career as 1976 World Grand Prix Drivers Champion.

Hope you have enjoyed today’s champion bird breeders edition of ‘Gettin’ a lil’ psycho on tyres’ and that you’ll join me again tomorrow for a Miami Mice edition of Ferrari Friday. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Wanting For Nothing Except A New Owner – Ferrari 330 GTC # 10653

5 Replies

Ferrari 330 GTC, Silverstone

Basking in the cool shade on a hot day at a Silverstone Press Event a couple of weeks a was this elegant Ferrari 330 GTC, though as we shall see less kind mortals than myself might have construed it’s presence as a spoiler for a rival auction coming up at Goodwood Festival of Speed organised by Bonham’s on the 1st of July.

Ferrari 330 GTC, Silverstone

Should one of the tyres on the four, originally optional, fetching Borrani wheels deflate this vehicle comes with a jacking bag to facilitate wheel changes.

Ferrari 330 GTC, Silverstone

Introduced in 1966 the Ferrari 330 was in production while it’s predecessor the 275 GTB/4, with which it shared a common chassis features including wheelbase dimensions, oval tube construction and rear mounted gearbox attached to a transaxle, was still in production, both models went out of production in 1968, around 600 of the larger engine 330 models were manufactured.

Ferrari 330 GTC, Silverstone

The Pininfarina bodywork is a master class in simple, sexy, sixties elegance from just about any angle.

Ferrari 330 GTC, Silverstone

Not at all sure how the fuel cap works but it’s hard to imagine it operation will be any less elegant than it’s design.

Ferrari 330 GTC, Silverstone

This particular vehicle was originally imported to the United States in June 1968 and sold through US importer Chinetti after spending 20 years in New York it moved to sunnier climes with a new owner resident in Florida and thence back to Italy. This car was bare metal restored in Switzerland in 2001 and sold to a Dutch Collector with whom it remained until it’s present owner acquired the car in 2009.

Ferrari 330 GTC, Silverstone

The car has been fitted with a 300 hp 4 litre / 244 cui Colombo V12 motor #07433 of the correct type, though originally installed in a 330 2+2.

As the man from Bonham’s says this car want’s for nothing except a new owner.

My thanks to Jonathan Gill of mpacreative, who facilitated my visit to Silverstone, don’t forget Silverstone Auctions sponsors of the forthcoming Silverstone Classic Weekend will be holding their own Silverstone Classic Sale on July 23rd.

Thanks for joining me on today’s elegant Pininfarina edition of ‘Gettin’ a lil’ psycho on tyres’, I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share