Retro cars?

[Andy R]

Well, I can't claim to own any exotic machinery All I have is my 24 year old Mercedes (or, more accurately, Mercedes badged Steyr Puch) 300GD G-Wagen.

I've owned it for about 10 years now (having wanted one ever since 1983) but the poor old thing now needs a bit of attention, namely new brake discs (no big expense) and complete new track rod and drag link (only because you can't replace just the rod ends like you can on everything else :roll: ) Oh - and pretty soon an exhaust system too....

The cost of all of this, plus the fact that diesel is practically £1.40/litre (and a litre doesn't take her very far ) and that road tax is now over £200 (although another year and I wouldn't have to pay that) means that it's very likely that soon her last trip will be the short drive to the scrap dealer.

Ironically, in spite of their great build quality and excellent off-road capability, very few people want them (especially 24 year old ones) - they're too slow, look too "militaristic" (well, that's hardly surprising, considering their history.....) and of course they use far too much fuel for these times.
I would love to be able to justify the expense of keeping and running her, but for me and most other people times are increasingly hard....

Anyway - the photo was taken last year, on a track known as the Rhullick road. "Rhullick" means burial ground.

 

[Dr S]

The Biz was very loud indeed but the nicest sounding cars were the Ferrari 512 LM and Porsche 917s leaving Arnage corner side by side, the Matra with the 12 cyl motor and the Howmet TX turbine car which sounded like nothing on this earth! The little SAAB 93 sounded great too with its tiny two stroke engine.
Le Mans Classic is the greatest collection of cars in the world, pure automotive porn and an unforgettable experience. Just got 102 weeks to in until the next one!

 

[frogracer]

Frogracer, you were on Honda (R)Evolutions weren't you? Sure I remember your cars.

Got a 1994 UK Prelude VTEC, just cant find owt worth changing it for!

Yes, that's me

I raced against an A110 Alpine (ex-works wide arch car) and OMG it was fast.

And that Iso 'Breadvan' is

 

[Defiant]

there are a few things that give me goosebumps

this is 1 of them,...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgO9V3k7TUw

 

[Dr S]

And that Iso 'Breadvan' is

Sorry to be a pedantic arse but the breadvan is on a Ferrari 250 chassis. Body was a one off by Drogo I believe and was built for Count Volpi. I think it looks stunning but the general opinion is that its a dog! Certainly sounded nice- those V12s on overrun make the most glorious music.
S

 

[frogracer]

And that Iso 'Breadvan' is

Sorry to be a pedantic arse but the breadvan is on a Ferrari 250 chassis. Body was a one off by Drogo I believe and was built for Count Volpi. I think it looks stunning but the general opinion is that its a dog! Certainly sounded nice- those V12s on overrun make the most glorious music.
S

Well seeing as we're being pedantic...

We're both right, the car was indeed bodied by Drogo because Ferrari wouldn't sell Volpi a current GTO, so Bizzarini developed the chassis with Drogo fashioning the body (to GB's design). The car was one of the first kamm tailed race cars, as I'm sure you know.

The body was designed by Bizzarrini, and not by Drogo who only executed it mostly on our premises as the car was needed there for other urgent work. I saw up to eight men in and under that car at the same time with arms and legs sticking out. We were not told about one mistake though. The main drive shaft had not been properly balanced by an outside workshop, just by a trifle.

Bizzarini didn't start Iso until 1962 however, so you are right that this is less Iso and more Ferrari.

Well Googled to both of us I think

 

[Dr S]

You won't find me Googling car stuff- it's quite often incorrect. I got the info from the depths of my memory- I've been cramming it full of pointless and useless information for years- it's nice for it to be useful occasionally.
Go on then- try and find the link between Breadvan and Serenissima Jet. It's worth a cigar!

 

[Defiant]

Go on then- try and find the link between Breadvan and Serenissima Jet. It's worth a cigar!

i don't smoke .........

 

[frogracer]

You won't find me Googling car stuff- it's quite often incorrect. I got the info from the depths of my memory- I've been cramming it full of pointless and useless information for years- it's nice for it to be useful occasionally.

It wasn't a slight on your knowledge at all, I knew a bit of what I was talking about but wanted to be sure.

Go on then- try and find the link between Breadvan and Serenissima Jet. It's worth a cigar!

I've no idea on this so I cheated, but is this a starter for ten?

The origins of the Breadvan began with the palace revolt that happened at the end of October, 1961. This dispute, between Enzo's wife and several key employees, forced many workers, including engineers Giotto Bizzarrini and Carlos Chiti, to find work elsewhere. So, they defected to Scuderia Serenissima, a race team run by Count Giovanni Volpi. After Enzo Ferrari found out, the team's 250 GTO order was canceled, and they were left to hunt used cars for the 1962 season.

Not resting on their laurels, the Scuderia Serenissima team went out on a limb to create an even better version of Ferrari's 250 GTO. Bizzarrini & Chiti were the same engineers that created the original GTO, so they easily had the necessary talents to develop an even better one for Count Volpi.

Scuderia Serenissima started work upon chassis #2819, one of the few competition SWB 250s built to contest LeMans which was also the direct predecessor to the GTO. Bizzarrini then added all the features of the GTO that made it successful. This included dry sump lubrication, a lower, more centered engine position and a radical body that was executed by Piero Drogo's coachworks.

 

[Dr S]

10 points and a cigar to that man!

That Google looks like a handy tool, it takes years of pouring over books to know that shit

The above extract also confirms that the Breadvan is based on a Ferrari chassis (#2819) and not a Bizzarini built and designed chassis (unless you consider the fact that Bizza designed it when in Ferrari's employ) and running gear making it a Ferrari through and through ( remember it was common practice for an outside carrossier to build bodies on built up chassis)

Jesus Chris I need to get out more often!

Heres a pic of Vanina Ickx at the classic to change the subject-mmmmmmmmmmmm shes lovely