Tag Archives: Mallet

Golden Lion – Chrysler Windsor Sedan

From it’s introduction in 1939 the Chrysler Windsor was one level up from the entry level Chrysler Royal until the demise of the latter in 1950 when the Windsor became the entry level model a position it held until the arrival of the Chrysler Newport in 1961 one year before the Windsor model name was retired.

Chrysler Windsor Sedan, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

In 1957 the sixth generation Chrysler Windsor was launched with, distinctive Virgil Exner styled tail fins and torsion bar Air Ride suspension, the following year Windsors made up 42.36% of Chrysler’s sales.

Chrysler Windsor Sedan, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

7th generation Windsors featured an interim face lift and upgrade on the 6th generation models and were only built during the 1959 model year.

Chrysler Windsor Sedan, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

External style differences included an outward flare at the top of the front wing / fender panels even more chrome on the front grill and bumper and kinked chrome side trim running the length of the vehicle.

Chrysler Windsor Sedan, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Big news for US customers was the new wedge head RB385 V8, the twin barrel carb Golden Lion 385 cui / 6,309 cc motor produced 305 hp up from 290hp on the previous Spitfire powered model, Canadian customers had to make do with the 295hp R361 Low Block V8.

Chrysler Windsor Sedan, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

The US Spec Golden Lion powered ’59 sedan seen in these photographs taken at Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet was first registered in the UK on the 1st of May 2008.

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

Blue Velvet – Bentley Mk VI Special

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In May 1946 Rolls Royce, owners of Bentley, announced that there subsidiary would be making an all new model known as the Mk VI standard steel sports saloon which would mark a break in several production traditions but which would maintain it’s air of exclusivity by becoming the the most expensive production car and the worlds fastest 4/5 seat saloon.

Bentley Mk VI Special, Blue Velvet, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

The novel feature for the marque and indeed the marques owners was the steel body, complete with sliding sunroof manufactured by Pressed Steel Ltd of Coventry which meant a Bentley no longer had to be sent to an independent coach works for a bespoke body before it was sold although that was an option pursued by around 20% of Mk VI customers between 1946 and 1952.

Bentley Mk VI Special, Blue Velvet, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Initially from 1946 to to 1951 these cars were fitted with uprated straight F-head 6 cylinder 4.257 litre / 259 cui of Rolls Royce origin but with Bentley rocker covers. 4 1/4 litre engines were replaced by 4.566 litre / 278 cui 4 1/2 litre motors featuring twin exhausts in 1951.

Bentley Mk VI Special, Blue Velvet, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Rolls Royce never gave away hp figures for it’s motors, but a contemporary report of a vehicle powered by the earlier motor related that top gear provided “flexibility down to 6 mph” and could “climb a hill of 1 in 9 maximum gradient, complicated by bends. A vehicle tested with the later motor was independently tested from rest to 60 mph in 15 seconds with a top speed of 100 mph.

Bentley Mk VI Special, Blue Velvet, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

To illustrate just how much demand there was for the Bentley Mk VI standard steel sports saloon a pre owned vehicle report in 1951 observed that a three year old 4 1/4 litre Mk VI with under 10,500 miles on the clock sold brand new for £4038 in 1948 and in 1951 was being offered for sale at £5,335, such was the quality of the car and the post ’39 – ’45 shortage of vehicles in the UK.

Bentley Mk VI Special, Blue Velvet, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Over time the Mk VI’s Achilles Heel manifested itself when the quality of the steels used in the bodywork, proscribed by government edict in the post war aftermath, showed itself to be inferior. As a consequence many surviving Mk VI Bentley’s, like Blue Velvet seen here at the Bristol Classic Car Show, have been fitted with cheerful one off bodies displaying varying degrees of professionalism in their finish. With the loss of the weight of the original steel body one would imagine the performance while accelerating to be quite exhilarating.

Bentley Mk VI Special, Blue Velvet, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

In all 4000 4 1/4 litre Mk VI’s like Blue Velvet were built with standard steel sports saloon bodies from 1946 to 1951 with an additional 832 being fitted with bespoke bodies from independent coach builders.

Thanks for joining me on this “Blue Velvet” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a sports pick up from Ford. Don’t forget to come back now !

Brighton Speed Trials Under Threat of Permanent Cancellation !

In their infinite wisdom, Brighton & Hove City Council are seeking to ban the Brighton Speed Trials from 2014.

If you care about speed and or motorsport history, please sign this linked petition to save Brighton Speed Trials in 2014 and beyond.

It’s a faf to Register before signing, but relatively painless compared to loosing the event which has been run with few interruptions since 1905.

You do not need to be resident in Brighton or even the UK to sign.

More on Brighton Speed Trials on this link.

Thanks and please spread the word through whatever social media you have at your disposal.

A tweet on the Save Brighton Speed Trials site this morning says that so far over 10,000 signatures have been received, thanks if you have responded, if not please do so you have until January 23rd, it would be nice to receive 100,000 signatures world wide.

Prick Up Your Ears – Wolseley 6/110 Mk II (ADO53)

The Wolseley 6/110 replaced the similarly Farina bodied 6/99 in 1961 externally the two models are identical except the 6/110 has a two inch longer wheel base while internally the gear selection mechanism, for the 3 speed gearbox, moved from the steering column to the floor.

Wolseley 6/110 Mk II, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

The 2.9 litre / 177 cui C series straight six shared with the similarly bodied BMC Austin A110 Westminster and Van den Plas Princess 3-litre Mk II, Austin Healey 3000 and MG C was tuned to give 120hp.

Wolseley 6/110 Mk II, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

In 1964 a MK II version of the 6/110 was introduced similar to the 1966 model seen here at last years, Bristol Classic Car Show at Shepton Mallet. The only external difference being the smaller 13″ wheels that carried wider tyres than it’s predecessor the Pinin Farina styled body work was left alone completely as it had been in 1961.

Wolseley 6/110 Mk II, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Internally the 6/110 Mk II featured telescopic dampers which replaced the previous lever arm units, thicker disc brakes, a new exhaust system and a 4 speed gearbox which could be fitted with an optional overdrive for more economical motoring at speed on Britain’s emerging motorway network.

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Like the Wolseley 6/80 I looked at a couple of weeks ago the 6/110 in Mk I and Mk II form was a popular choice of police car with both film makers and television producers the 6/110 Mk II’s film credits include The Mind of Mr. Soames (1970), Prick Up Your Ears (1987) and The Bank Job (2008).

Wolseley 6/110 Mk II, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

13,301 Woseley 6/110 Mk II’s were manufactured between 1964 and 1968 when it was replaced in the British Leyland range by the Austin 3 litre (Land Lobster) whose sales were so far off target that Wolseley and Van den Plas variants never got beyond the prototype stage.

Thanks for joining me on this “Prick Up Your Ears” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me tomorrow for a trip to Marin Sanoma California. Don’t forget to come back now !

Ralph Colmar on Formula One – Homeboy Rosberg Runs the Tables at the Grand Prix of Monaco today at Motorsports Unplugged.

Cardinals Classic – Volkswagen Golf SE IV

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The last of this months Sunday Volkswagen Golf posts is about a Golf IV.

Volkswagen Golf SE IV, Shepton Mallet,

Last year I took on a low mileage VW Golf SE Estate IV, that my folks bought new in 1999. Over the 10,000 miles I have driven it, apart from several light bulbs a set of new tyres and a service it has proved to be a pleasantly reliable mode of transport carrying up to 4 at up to 70 mph to numerous events in England and Wales. The most awkward work I have had to do on it was to replace the front headlight bulb that is tucked away in front of the passenger side mounted battery but thanks to to this linked video I got the job done in a supermarket car park with a minimum of fuss.

Volkswagen Golf SE IV, Dundry

Three days after I acquired the Golf I had a great time with it on a field in Dundry just South of Bristol trying, unsuccessfully, to defend my Cross Trohpy.

Volkswagen Golf SE IV,

A couple of weeks ago I was reminded that my car insurance was about to expire and after a little shopping around which included looking at the Aviva site I found I was able to halve my car insurance bill with my no claims bonus. With the Golf freshly serviced and insured I polished her up for wedding duties as the brides maids car for a friend who was getting married during a visit from Australia.

Volkswagen Golf SE IV, Shepton Mallet,

While I was looking up the approximate value of my car I was surprised to learn that the highest price ever paid for a second hand Golf IV was US $243,000 @ £160,000 in English. It turns out that the car was sold by its original owner prefect of the Catholic Church’s Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith under Pope John Paul II better known as Cardinal Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger when he expected to retire to Germany after Pope John Paul II died in 2005.

Volkswagen Golf SE IV, Shepton Mallet,

After he had sold his Golf to his surprise Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope Benedict XVI and the new owner of the Cardinals Golf put it up for auction on e-bay where it was purchased by a casino.

Volkswagen Golf SE IV, Dundry

A couple of weeks ago I made an attempt at reclaiming the Cross Trophy with fellow Bristol Pegasus Motor Club member Chris Clarke and came home a respectable third in class. A couple of days ago I was out again this time on a treasure hunt with GALPOT regular Tim Murray and again we came home a respectable third and won a box of Maltesers to share.

Touch wood the Golf will remain reliable and help me attend a few more meetings which I can report on here for your delectation.

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

Palmers Parts Bin – Wolseley 4/44

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After designing the MG Y Type the 1939 – 1945 hostilities saw Gerald Palmer engaged in war work that included designing medical equipment for the front line the development of a two stroke motor and the production of de Havilland Tiger Moth flying training aircraft.

Wolseley 4/44, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet,

After the war Palmer was employed by Jowett to design what became the Jowett Javelin and in 1949 Palmer rejoined the Nuffield Organisation to design the Wolseley 4/44, MG ZA, the replacement for the MG Y type, and the Riley Pathfinder all three of which shared unique combinations of parts from the Nuffield Organisations parts bins.

Wolseley 4/44, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet,

Of the three new models launched in 1953, now under the merged with Austin British Motor Corporation (BMC) banner the Wolseley 4/44 was the least powerful being fitted with a detuned 46 hp single carburettor 4 cylinder XPAG motor first seen seen on the MG TB Type Midget dating back to 1939 and on the TC, TD, and least powerful of the TF models.

Wolseley 4/44, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet,

Fitted with modern rack and pinion steering, snuggle friendly 4 speed column change gearboxes the up market pretensions of the car were reaffirmed by leather seats and walnut veneer trim.

Wolseley 4/44, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet,

With the absence of a motorway network the 4/44’s top speed of 73 mph was matched by a rest to 60 mph time of 29.9 seconds which might be described as adequate.

Wolseley 4/44, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet,

Note that indicators were by door post mounted semaphore with only left hand drive models having indicators built into the rear light clusters.

29,845 Wolseley 4/44’s were built between 1953 and 1956 when the model was replaced by the similar 15/50.

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

3/4 Task Force – Chevrolet Apache 32

Today’s featured pickup is a 1959 Chevrolet Apache 32 Pick up.

In most respects the Apache 32 Cab and motor options were similar to the Apache 31 Fleetside I looked at last week.

The ’58 and ’59 Apaches all shared twined front head lamps.

This particular vehicle is registered with a non standard 3.5 litre 213 cui motor size, given that it is in the UK this may well be one of Britain’s popular all aluminium Rover V8’s that originated from Buick.

The big difference between the Apache 31 and 32 is the wheel base 114 inches on the ’31’ and 123 inches on the ’32’ which also had heavier duty axles and springs to allow for a 3/4 ton load in the six and half foot long cargo box.

353,509 Apache’s of all sizes were built in 1959 before they were replaced by the C/K series in 1960.

Thanks for joining me on this “3/4 Task Force” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

Two Bearing Crankshaft – Singer 8 Junior

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Like many pioneering manufacturers of motor cars Singer Motors Ltd was founded as a manufacturer of bicycles, by George Singer in 1874. By 1901 the company had diversified into producing powered tricycles which were soon followed by powered bicycles. Singer built their first car in 1905. Over the next four Tuesday’s GALPOT will be looking at four models from the interwar years.

Singer 8 Junior, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

The Singer 8 Junior was launched in 1926. Initially only a four seat tourer was available, in blue with black wings / fenders.

Singer 8 Junior, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

For tax purposes the 4 cylinder motor was classed as having 8 horsepower, it featured gravity fuel feed, a crank running in just two bearings, overhead cam shaft, 6 volt electrics, that produced 16.5 hp at 3250 rpm. The motor would be the progenitor of future Singer power units for three decades.

Singer 8 Junior, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Eventually a range of different body styles were offered including Two Seater Tourer, Sunshine Saloon, Coachbuilt Saloon as seen here, Fabric Saloon, a two plus two called the Sportsman’s Coupe and a boat-tailed Sports which helped sell 6000 8 Juniors a year between 1927 and 1931 which made Singer the third largest manufacturer in the UK behind Austin and Morris.

Singer 8 Junior, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

There were plans for the German Aga “Aga Fahrzeugwerke GmbH” company to manufacture Singer 8 Juniors under license, in much the same way as BMW manufactured the Austin 8 under license, but these plans came to naught, after a single prototype had been built Aga disappeared.

Today’s featured 1928 saloon / sedan was purchased by the current owners in 2009 at the Bristol Classic Car Show in Shepton Mallet, it is known to have resided in Cornwall and Surrey about 20 years ago. The owners say the car is great fun to drive “and we always get there eventually.”

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