Tag Archives: Queen

Coffee, Croissant & Cars #7 – Avenue Drivers Club

The festive spirit was gathering pace, at Queen Square, Bristol yesterday, no sooner had I arrived and I was being proffered charity mince pies ! Extremely delicious they were too !

MG NA Magnette, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Among the many visitors to the Avenue Drivers Club meeting was what appears to be a 1934 MG K1 one of it’s club badges indicates that it may have spent some time in South Africa. 14 01 13 Further investigation has revealed this car is actually an NA Magnette.

Riley RMA, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The difference between a 1952 Riley RMA and 1952 Riley RME is indicated externally by the larger rear window of the later model which leads me to conclude the model seen here is the RMA.

Ford Thunderbird, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Appearing to have come past just for a cruise around the block was this 1958 Ford Thunderbird.

Austin Healey Sprite, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

These two Austin Healey Sprites were built in 1960 on the left and 1958 on the right.

Ford Consul 375, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The owner of this Ford Consul has only had the car for a couple of weeks, he told me he had owned many Mini’s before buying the four cylinder Ford.

Morris 1800, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

This 1966 Morris 1800 has attended many of the same show’s I have this year, it was bought and prepared for a local classic Rally on a very small budget, running to hundreds rather than thousands of pounds.

Citroën DS19, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

One of the first cars to offer seeing round corner capability was the 1968 version of the Citroen DS that was first seen in 1955. This DS19 was built in 1972.

Hillman Avenger, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Another classic from 1972 was this Hillman Avenger fitted with what appear to be period correct aftermarket Cosmic alloy wheels.

Crayford Ford Capri GT 3000, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Car of the day was this 1972 Crayford Ford Capri GT 3000, built in a period when Ford did not have time to satisfy a demand for convertible versions of it’s cars. Crayford took on the job fitting it with a white interior and walnut veneer.

Toyota Supra, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

When production of the Ford Capri ended in 1986 Ford left the massed produced Coupé market to the likes of Toyota and their Supra models the vehicles above were manufactured in 1989 on the left and 1992 on the right.

Ford Thunderbird, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

In 1990 I went to Connecticut for a week to attend a friends wedding, while I was there I hired a Ford Thunderbird similar to this 1992 example, I could not believe how big it was for a two door, at one point I found the car could carry 4 adults and two small children with a modicum of comfort from one side of town to the other !

Morris Marina Estate, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Above another reminder that the season of Goodwill is upon us took the form of this Morris Marina Estate which dates from circa 1973.

Finding out about the Avenue Drivers Club has been one of this years simple joys for me, what could be easier or more fun than rolling 5 mins down a steep hill and finding yourself having a couple of hours of fun looking at some of the huge variety of veteran, vintage and classic cars that come from your environs and enjoying a Coffee & Croissant with some of the owners ? My thanks and seasons greetings to everyone who has brought their cars along. Next meeting January 13th 2013 !

Thanks for joining me on this “Coffee, Croissant & Cars #7″ of ‘Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

Above another reminder the

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Coffee, Croissant & Cars #6 – Avenue Drivers Club

One of the simple joys I have discovered this year is the Avenue Drivers Club meetings at Queen Square in Bristol, part of the pleasure of these events is that they are only 5 mins away from where I live and the other is the ever lengthening list of acquaintances I’m making. Yesterday morning I woke up to find my car frozen shut for the first time this year, once I had ‘broken’ in deiced the windows I set off to pick up my friend Tim. On the way back into town we caught up with Rich in his MG BGT as he tried to navigate his way through a couple of diversions.

Bristol 403, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Sq, Bristol

After parking I Tim met several friends he had not seen in nearly a decade and we met Ted who brought out his trusty yellow 911 GT2. Ted kindly invited me to join him at the NEC for the Classic Car Show next weekend. Among the cars that I have not seen at the Avenue Drivers Club before is this 1953 Bristol 403.

Volvo P1800, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Sq, Bristol

The registration ST 1 was made famous back in the 1960’s by a TV series called The Saint about an international man of mystery played by (Sir) Roger Moore who drove a white Volvo P1800 on Minilite alloy wheels registered “ST 1” in the show, today the registration belongs to a Mercedes A190 Elegance.

Bentley Arnage Red Label, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Sq, Bristol

Among a handful of Bentleys that put in an appearance yesterday was this smart 2002 Arnage Red Label, romantically named after a 90 degree right hand corner that is one of the two slowest corners on the Le Mans 24 hour circuit.

Morris Minor 1000, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Sq, Bristol

Proof positive of the Simple Joy nature of second Sunday Avenue Drivers Club meetings can be seen on the faces of the occupants of this 1965 Morris Minor 1000 Tourer.

Porsche 911 GT3, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Sq, Bristol

At the more expensive end of the spectrum was this 2010 Porsche 911 GT3, which for some reason was running on 2003/4 registration plates.

Chopper, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Sq, Bristol

Just as Ted was observing that there were not many motorcycles present this work of customised art turned up, cant imagine what riding it on cobbled streets must be like with what looks like a seriously masochistic saddle.

Lotus 7 Series 4, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Sq, Bristol

Again probably not the most of comfortable vehicles to drive across the streets was this 1972 Lotus 7 Series 4 complete with period Cosmic alloy wheels.

Lancia Aprilla, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Sq, Bristol

David Roots’s Lenham ALFA Romeo was parked up next to this pristine 1959 Lancia Aprilla.

13/11/12 Correction the vehicle above is a Lancia Appia not Aprila as stated above.

Jensen 541, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Sq, Bristol

Looking photogenic as ever was this Jensen 541 which I showed a detail of in last months Avenue Drivers Club blog.

Chevrolet Fleetline, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Sq, Bristol

Harking back to 1948 was this Chevrolet Fleetline with what appears to be a non standard two tone paint job.

Ford Consul Mk II, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Sq, Bristol

Another ’59er was this customised Ford Consul Mk II with fetching period sun visor.

Bentley 4 1/2 litre Vanden Plas, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Sq, Bristol

You would not know it looking at it but this 1929 4 1/2 litre Bentley Vanden Plas has survived not one but two fires, the second of which melted the front bulkhead and original radiator core. It has since been restored using photogrpahs of it’s original body over a period of ten years.

John the owner of the 4 1/2 litre Bentley Van Plas was telling me that the owner of this 1965 Sunbeam Tiger used to go to school with the owner of the Bristol 403 at the top of this post and that they met for the first time since yesterday. As I said the Avenue Drivers Club is a great place to meet old friends and make new acquaintances.

Thanks for joining me on this “Coffee, Croissant & Cars #6” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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From the Good Guys In White Hats – Dodge Charger

The second generation Dodge Charger was launched in 1968 with a commercial cartoon urging customers to visit “those great Dodge boys they’re the good guys in white hats.”

Dodge Charger, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

The new body was designed by a team that included Richard Sias who was responsible for the overall profile.

Dodge Charger, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

Engine options included a standard 5.2 litre / 318 cui V8 a 3.7 litre / 225 cui straight six, a 7 litre / 426 cui Hemi or a 7.2 litre / 440 cui Magnum was available for the top of the range R/T versions. This particular car appears to be powered by a 6.3 litre V8 which was available with either 290 hp 2 barrel carburetor or 330 hp 4 barrel carburetor variations.

Dodge Charger, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

The dual scallops on the bonnet / hood

Dodge Charger, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

and front doors added to the performance “Lets stir things up a bit” appearance of the car despite there complete non mechanical or aerodynamic functionality.

Dodge Charger, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

Among the options for the Charger was air conditioning, cruise control, electric door locks, tachometer, rear window demister, and a wood-grain steering wheel.

Dodge Charger, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

Safety options included head restraints for the front seats, lap belts for center seat passengers, shoulder belts front and rear and a padded steering wheel.

Dodge Charger, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

The integrated rear spoiler mimicking aerodynamic devices seen on Can Am and sports car racers of the period further enhanced the competition bred appearance of the Charger, the paired round rear lights were added at the suggestion of Styling Vice President, Elwood P. Engel.

Dodge Charger, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

Around 96,100 Chargers were built in the 1968 model year, 75% of which were fitted with factory option Vinyl roofs. 17,000 top of the range R/T Chargers were built of which just 500 were fitted with the fabled 426 Hemi.

Dodge Charger, Avenue Drivers Club, Bristol

The ’68 Charger, which share the same platform with the Dodge Coronet, is probably most famous for it’s movie appearance in Bullitt, which features a couple of hit men in a black Charger R/T dualing for tarmac with Steve McQueen driving his green Mustang GT. By all accounts the R/T was the superior machine.

Thanks for joining me on this “From the Good Guys In White Hats” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you’ll join me again for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Coffee, Croissant & Cars #4 – Avenue Drivers Club

Last Sundays Avenue Drivers Club meeting filled Queen Square with another staggering selection of motor vehicles.

Vauxhall Viva SL, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

This 1968 Vauxhall Viva SL 90 has some go faster stripes, but not just any go faster stripes, these are replica’s of those that were originally supplied as part of the over the counter Brabham tuning kits that were available from 1968 to 1971 when the HB Viva was in production.

Lada 1200, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Like so many popular cars you do not notice them until they are almost all gone. This 1983 Lada is one of a fast disappearing breed, first time I have seen one slammed, modified with extreme lowered suspension.

Toyota GT86, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

This is certainly the first Toyota GT 86 I have ever seen on the road, it comes with rear wheel drive and even more unusually a 4 cylinder boxer engine !

Caterham Seven, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Continuing the sports theme was this 2007 Caterham 7 with a 50th Anniversary Paint option.

Alvis Silver Eagle, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Among the vintage vehicles present this 1931 Alvis Silver Eagle sold with the strap line “The Freedom of the air comes to the road with the Silver Eagle”

Riley Nine Falcon Special, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Staying with an ornithological theme further round the block I found this 1936 Riley Nine Falcon Special.

Crossley 2 litre Sports Saloon, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Only 25 Crossley 2 Litre Sports Saloons were built this one, chassis and engine #16/103 was the third built in 1934, and is thought to be the only one that is still road worthy.

Cadillac Allanté, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Cadillacs are rarities in Britain what ever the age this is a Pininfarina designed 1988 Allanté Roadster, the only option available for it when new was a ‘cellular phone’.

Dodge Charger, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Harking back to the zenith of the Muscle Car Era was this 1968 Dodge Charger, about the only option missing was Miss Daisey Duke !

Harley Davidson Road King, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

A little humour from the owner of this Harley Davidson Road King.

MGB GT, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

A couple of months ago I met Rich and Matt and related their tale of an adventure going to fetch a left hand drive Volvo 121 from Sweden, this is one of Matt’s cars a tidy 1971 MGB GT.

Bristol 412, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Finally as it was time to head home this 1977, Chrysler powered, Bristol 412 came purring past.

Thanks for joining me on this “Coffee, Croissant & Cars #4” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”. I hope you will join me again tomorrow with the first of my Goodwood Revival 2012 posts. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Coffee, Croissant & Cars #3 – Avenue Drivers Club

Last Sunday being the second Sunday of the month it was time to amble down St Micheal’s Hill towards Queen Square for another Avenue Drivers club meeting.

Porsche 993 GT2, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Where I was greeted Ted who brought along his DP Motorsports tuned Porsche 993 GT2 which came complete with matching yellow dash instruments. If your looking for photographs of old competition cars in action Ted’s Ferret Fotographics is a great place to start.

Lanchester, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Keeping the Lanchester flag flying at the Avenue Drivers Club was this 3 liter / 183 cui 1925 Lanchester 21.

Porsche Boxster, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

With signs of tyre rub on both sides to the bumper there was no doubt this Porsche Boxster prepared by Porscheshop and driven by novice driver Stuart Ings. You can see an in car video of Stuart in action at Oulton Park a couple of weeks ago on this link.

Jaguar E-type, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Flying the flag for Jaguar was this lush E-type.

Austin 10, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

This Austin 10 motor powers an Austin 10/24 Ripley sport that is a regular at Avenue Drivers Club meetings and was featured in GALPOT blog early last year.

Triumph GT6, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

I’ve been meaning to write a blog about this Triumph GT6 Mk II for some time, it was great to see and hear it last weekend.

BMW 840 Ci, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol, Queen Square, Bristol

BMW had originally intended their entry level 8 series cars to be powered by 3 liter motor’s however it would appear they decided better of it by allegedly chopping most of the 18 built up and introducing the 4 liter V8 powered 840 Ci instead. Above is one of the last built in 1999 with a 4398 cc / 268 cui V8 with 5 speed automatic transmission.

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

The Spirit of Starsky and Hutch is obviously alive and well in Bristol, for the second time in two days I saw a vehicle with a laser stripe ! Above on a humble Golf III.

Vauxhall, Nova, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol, Queen Square, Bristol

Entering into the ranks of classics, 20 years old this year, is the immaculate Vauxhall Nova Spin above, a badge engineered Opel Corsa which like it’s German badged counterpart was built in Spain.

Ferrari, F430, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol, Queen Square, Bristol

I first came across this wailing Ferrari F430 on my way to Sherborne Castle last month. The owner had just spent a considerable sum on a new exhaust, however the vacuum operated exhaust valve had been plumbed incorrectly and still needs sorting out, meantime the exhaust volume has been set permanently at volume 10 !

Suzuki RV 125 VanVan, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol, Queen Square, Bristol

Representation of two wheeled transport was very thin last week, however these matching Suzuki RV 125 VanVan’s reminded me of my schooldays, an older lad had one imported from Japan in the mid 70’s when RV 125’s were powered by two stroke motors.

TVR Cerbera, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol, Queen Square, Bristol

This 1997 TVR Cerbera powered by the larger 4578 cc / 279 cui TVR V8 motor turned up late in the morning just as I was leaving. The Cerebra name is derived from Cerberus the mythical Greek three headed beast that guarded Hades which is fitting for a car that is considered a three plus one thanks to it’s front passenger seat which moves further forward than the drivers seat to afford the rear passenger behind a little more leg room than on the drivers side.

Thanks for joining me on this Coffee, Croissant & Cars #3 edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Put The Family On The Road – Trojan 200

Trojan was founded by Leslie Hayward Hounsfield who in 1913 built a prototype vehicle with a 2 stroke 4 cylinder motor. Production never got under way due to the commencement of hostilities in the 1914 – 1918 war.

Trojan 200, Avenue Drivers Club

After World War 1 Trojan reached an agreement with Leyland Motors to produce cars and vans at a surplus facility where Leyland had been contracted to maintain military vehicles. With over 17,OOO private and commercial vehicles built this agreement came to and end in 1928.

Trojan 200, Avenue Drivers Club

Car production declined at Trojans own factory despite the introduction of new models but sales of vans continued until the 1950’s. Peter Agg acquired Trojan in 1959 and amongst the changes he initiated was the production of the Heinkel Kabine under license which commenced in 1960.

Trojan 200, Avenue Drivers Club

The Heinkel Kabine was designed by Heinkel Flugzeugwerke and built by them from 1956 to 1958 when they licensed Dundalk Engineering Company in Ireland to manufacture the car. Quality issues saw the license quickly withdrawn and transferred to Trojan who sold the vehicles with the strap line “Put The Family On The Road”.

Trojan 200, Avenue Drivers Club

Today’s featured car was built in 1963 entry is effected through a front hinged door, similar to the Italian designed Isetta, but with out the benefit of the steering being attached to the door.

Trojan 200, Avenue Drivers Club

The car is powered by an air cooled single cylinder 4 stroke motor attached to a four speed gearbox which, unusually for a bubble car, included a reverse gear.

Trojan 200, Avenue Drivers Club

Around 6000 Trojan 200’s were built by Trojan up until 1965. Trojan diversified into building Elva sports cars from 1962 until 1965 before building 200 McLaren racing cars until the early 1970’s. The company went on to build it’s own Formula 5000 cars and a one off Grand Prix car, the Trojan 103 in 1974.

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

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Diamond Jubilee – Austin A40 Somerset Coupé

Welcome to the Diamond Jubilee edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”.

Austin A40 Somerset, Malta Classic Car Museum

Today’s featured car is an Austin A40 Somerset was launched in 1952 built on a chassis with separate body.

Austin A40 Somerset, Malta Classic Car Museum

The 42 hp motor was described as providing “a virile performance to excite the young enthusiast and a smooth flexibility that enables it to be handled with confidence” in the sales brochure.

Austin A40 Somerset, Malta Classic Car Museum

Running on the low octane fuel of post war austerity Britain the claimed top speed for the A40 Somerset was 69 mph though a convertible was independently tested in 1953 with a top speed of 74 mph and rest to 60 mph time of 28.6 secs.

Austin A40 Somerset, Malta Classic Car Museum

This particular vehicle, seen at the Malta Classic Car Collection, was delivered to a customer in Malta and legend has it that in 1952 Queen Elizabeth II drove it, though it is unclear if this was during a state tour or a private visit to Prince Phillip and or his friends who had been stationed on the British Protectorate.

Austin A40 Somerset, Malta Classic Car Museum

Since finding out that this model was marketed as a ‘Coupé’ I have been unable to find out why. Somethings are obviously set to remain a mystery.

Thanks for joining me on this “Diamond Jubilee” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I will be looking at one of my favourate models a Citroen 2CV. Don’t forget to come back now !

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