Tag Archives: Drivers

Coffee, Croissant & Cars 05/16 – Avenue Drivers Club

Leave a Reply

Last Sunday I popped along to the Avenue Drivers Club meeting just long enough to get today’s snaps before being called out for work before I had a chance to enjoy either a Coffee or Croissant.

Austin 12/4, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Despite arriving shortly after 8 am the 1928 Austin 12/4 above was already leaving indicating the Square was already full.

Kenworth, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Among the larger vehicles packing the Square was this 1999 Kenworth semi.

Honda Civic Type R, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

One of several Honda Civic Type Rs circulating was Spoonz, so new the registration is not yet on the DVLA data base.

Toyota Altezza, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

A personal import from Japan is the 1998 Toyota Altezza above, known in markets outside Japan as the entry level Lexus IS or GS.

Citroën Visa, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

It is amusing to think a couple of French chaps might have piled into the Citroën Visa above and driven all the way to Queen Square for an Avenue Drivers Club meeting, if highly unlikely.

Swallow Doretti , Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Finally even rarer than the Italia 2000 GT which appeared at last month’s Avenue Drivers Club meeting is the Triumph powered Swallow Doretti seen above of which only 280 were built.

Thanks for joining me on this “Coffee, Croissant & Cars 05/16” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I will be looking at another Packard. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Coffee, Croissant & Cars 04/16 – Avenue Drivers Club

Leave a Reply

Finally managed to pop along to another Avenue Drivers Club meeting at Queen Square in Bristol on Sunday, here is a selection of the cars looking for somewhere to park at around 8 am !

Mercedes Benz E280 Auto, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Above a smart low riding 1993 Mercedes Benz E280.

Trabant 601, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Not sure of the age of this low riding Trabant 601, but it looks in way better than new condition.

Rambler American, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Swinging in from 1966 a Rambler American.

Italia 2000, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Only 329 Italia 2000 GT’s were ever built and this 1962 example is only the third I have ever seen.

Ford Popular 327 Chevy, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

I believe Merv Barnett’s 327 Chevrolet V8 powered 1954 Ford Popular Gasser, known as Psychedelic Relic, is usually to be found on the 1/4 mile strips at Santa Pod and Shakespeare County Raceway rather than the cobbled streets of Queen Square, Bristol.

Volkswagen Golf E, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Finally it was great to see some one else in a 2000 Volkswagen Golf Mk IV Estate, this 1,400 cc E example appearing to have bodywork and hubcaps in considerably better condition than my own.

Thanks for joining me on this “Coffee, Croissant & Cars 04/16” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at another Packard. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Global Pony – Chevrolet Camaro RS

Leave a Reply

Four years after the last fourth Generation Camaro was built Chevrolet unveiled a new Camaro Concept designed by South Korean-born Sangyup Lee at the North American International Auto Show in January 2006.

Chevrolet Camaro RS, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

The car was built on a GM Zeta platform developed by Holden in Australia and when in August 2006 it was decided to put the fifth generation Camaro into production Holden were responsible for the final design, engineering, and development of the new model.

Chevrolet Camaro RS, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Production of the fifth generation Camaro returned to Canada but now at the Oshawa Car Assembly plant in Ontario alongside the Chevrolet Impala and Impala Limited, Buick Regal, Cadillac XTS, and Chevrolet Equinox GM models.

Chevrolet Camaro RS, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Fifth generation Camaro’s went back into production in 2009 with independent suspension and disc brakes all round, variable – rate power steering, StabiliTrak electronic stability/traction control system and six airbags on all models.

Chevrolet Camaro RS, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

The first fifth generation Camaro was sold, at Barratt and Jacksons Auction raising $350,000 for the American Heart Association, to Rick Hendrick CEO of Hendrick Motorsports.

Chevrolet Camaro RS, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

In 2012 updates included a power increase to 323hp up from 311hp in 2011 on the 3,564 cc / 217 cui V6 powered models such as the 2013 RS model featured today, other RS features include HID headlamps with integrated halo rings, spoiler, and RS-specific taillamps in 2012 the colour coded sharkfin aerial was included followed by 20 inch wheels in 2013.

Chevrolet Camaro RS, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Today’s featured 2013 Camaro RS seen at an Avenue Drivers Club meeting in Bristol last year was registered in the UK on the 27th of March 2015.

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

Share

Simulated Walnut Grain – Chrysler Town & Country

Leave a Reply

Twenty five years after the original Chrysler Town & Country Barrel Back Estate / Wagon was first seen the forth post war generation Town & Country Estate / Wagon was launched in 1965.

Chrysler Town & Country, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Elwood Engel was responsible for the design which featured a unitary body with a 121 inch wheelbase.

Chrysler Town & Country, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

The 220 inch body of the fourth generation Town & Country used a combination of torsion bar front suspension and leaf sprung rear suspension and was initially available with either a 270 hp or high compression 305 hp motor, the latter requiring premium fuel.

Chrysler Town & Country, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Push button activated automatic transmission was deleted in favour of a near ubiquitous PRNDL selector that could be either floor or steering column mounted for the standard Torqueflite automatic transmission.

Chrysler Town & Country, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Despite the Chrysler Imperial Crown having standard disc brakes since 1950, they were still optional on the fourth generation Town & Country.

Chrysler Town & Country, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

By 1968 the lower powered Town Country produced 290 hp from it’s two barrel carburetor 383 cui V8.

Chrysler Town & Country, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

’68 model Town & Country models, the last of the fourth generation, are also distinguished by their mandatory side running lights and the introduction of simulated wood panels, reprising the genuine wood panels last seen on the Town & Country models in 1950.

Chrysler Town & Country, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Today’s featured ’68 Town & Country was first registered in the UK on 17th September 2012.

Chrysler Town & Country, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

The car seen at an Avenue Drivers Club meeting in Bristol earlier this year is shown as running a 7.2 litre / 440 cui motor of a type not seen until 1971 on the fifth generation post war Town & Country.

Thanks for joining me on this “Simulated Walnut Grain” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again for a Festive Ferrari Friday. Wishing all GALPOT readers a Merry Christmas, don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Pillarless Millennium Benz – Mercedes Benz C140 CL500

Leave a Reply

The first generation Mercedes Benz pillarless SEC / S-Coupé / CL Class Coupé, based on the SWB W140 SE floor pan was designed under the direction of Bruno Sacco and went into production in 1992 with either 389 hp 6.0 litre / 366 cui 48 valve V12, 322hp, 5 litre / 302 cui V8 or in a few markets with 275hp 4.2 litre / 256 cui V8 engine options.

Mercedes Benz CL500, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

From 1992 – 93 the model was known as the SEC, in 1994 it became the S-Coupé and from 1996 to the end of production the model was known as the CL CLass.

Mercedes Benz CL500, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

These exclusive Coupés along with the larger SE and SEC saloon / sedan variants were incredibly well appointed with double glazed window’s being a particular novelty when the model was first seen in public.

Mercedes Benz CL500, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Today’s featured CL with the smaller and lighter 5 litre V8 engine, that improved the handling over the more powerful V12 was purchased in 1996 by Kenny Baker, the diminutive actor had a length of rope fitted to the boot so that he could pull it shut.

Mercedes Benz CL500, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Kenny sold the car to his friend the giant former bodybuilder, weightlifter, face of road safety and actor David Prowse, hence the car, seen in these photographs taken at the Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol a few years ago, that has been passed on from the Star Wars R2D2 actor to the Darth Vader actor has become known as the Millennium Benz.

Thanks for joining me on this “Pillarless Millennium Benz” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. May the Force be with you.

Share

Galvanised Chassis Frame – Talbot Matra Murena

Leave a Reply

Arguably the most attractive of the sports cars to emerge from Matra’s Romorantin plant was the Murena which replaced the Bagheera, both designed by Antonis Volanis, in 1980.

Talbot Matra Murena, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The Murena used the same chassis as the Bagheera but it differed crucially in now being made from galvanized steel so that it did not rot as the chassis of the Bagheera was renowned for.

Talbot Matra Murena, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Inside the new fibreglass-polyester body there was a row of three seats for the driver and two passengers and the engine was mid mounted both features as per Bagheera.

Talbot Matra Murena, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Two engine sizes were available 70hp 1.6 litre / 97 cui from the Talbot Solara saloon and 115 hp 2.2 litre / 134 cui with a heavy cast iron block from the Talbot Togara saloon the later being available with single or twin carburetors which boosted the power to 142hp.

Talbot Matra Murena, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Production of the Murena only lasted from 1980 to 1983 by which time Renault, to whom Matra were about switch allegiance from Talbot part of the Peugeot Société Anonyme group, asked Matra to desist from building any more Murena’s.

Talbot Matra Murena, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

In all 10,680 Murena’s were built before Matra’s Romorantin plant switched to building Renault Espace mini vans.

Thanks for joining me on this “Galvanised Chassis Frame” 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

The Least Junked Car – Plymouth Belvedere

Leave a Reply

The sixth generation Belvedere, with styling overseen by Elwood Engle, was launched in 1965 with a variety of V8 engines ranging from 4.5 litre / 273 cui to 7 litre / 426 cui capacities with either 3 speed manual or 3 speed automatic transmission.

Plymouth Belvedere Wagon, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

In 1966 Richard Petty helped boost Belvedere sales considerably by winning seven races and his third NASCAR title a feat he bettered in 1967 by winning 27 races on his way to winning his record, for the time, fourth NASCAR title.

Plymouth Belvedere Wagon, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

Plymouth offered a full range of body styles on the B Platform including; 2-door sedan, 4-door sedan, 2-door hardtop, 2-door convertible, 4-door station wagon like the 1966 example seen here at an Avenue Drivers Club meeting at Queen Square Bristol.

Plymouth Belvedere Wagon, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

This vehicle fitted with a 5.2 litre / 318 cui motor was first registered in the UK on the 18th of September 2002.

Plymouth Belvedere Wagon, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol,

According to the Planet Junk Car Database the ’66 Belvedere was said last year to be the least junked car in America, though exactly how reliable this information based on the record’s of just 33,000 junked vehicles is perhaps open to debate.

Thanks for joining me on this “The Least Junked Car” 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 !

Share