Great racing cars from the past

[Chucaro]

The awesome Fangio's Mercedes W196R was sold few days ago for more than 22 million dollars.
I was a young boy back in 1954 but still remember the great Fangio.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/1041.jpg

Fangio used to have close racing with the other Argentinian Florial Gonzalez in the Ferrari 625
I have the pleasure to see many times Gonzalez racing back home :)

http://fivesgear.com/pics/Ferrari/91/57/7508_Ferrari-625_2.jpg

Back in the world championship after racing with Ferrari he whent to race with the beautiful Maserati 250f
Stirling Moss also drove this car in 1956

http://worldcarslist.com/images/maserati/maserati-250f/maserati-250f-03.jpg

[Bigbjorn]

Here is a streamliner W196 including a Fangio eyes view.

[Bigbjorn]

Another Ferrari 500M. This one in the Harrah museum in Reno.

[Chucaro]

He won in 1951 with the Alfa Romeo 159.
I do not remember which other cars raced against the streamliner W196
Stirling Moss also drove the W196

[

[Bigbjorn]

He won in 1951 with the Alfa Romeo 159.
I do not remember which other cars raced against the streamliner W196
Stirling Moss also drove the W196

[

Lancia, Ferrari, Maserati, Gordini all raced in1954 & 1955

[vnx205]

The awesome Fangio's Mercedes W196R was sold few days ago for more than 22 million dollars.
I was a young boy back in 1954 but still remember the great Fangio.



In that case, you might remember that in those days driving at speeds a little higher than was absolutely necessary was referred to by young petrol heads as, "going for a fang". :)

Although, that might have been peculiarly Australian slang.

[Chucaro]

Going back to the 50's (what a great decade :cool:) I use to go to the races and watch Florian Gonzalez and in one opportunity Fangio racing in the category Fuerza Libre (unlimited force).
Perhaps not many petrol heads know that there were Ferrari bodies fitted with Chevrolet engines and also Maserati bodies fitted with Jeep engines.
Here is one 1947 Ferrari with Chevy V8 engine raced by Fangio

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/1035.jpg

Another beauty is the Lancia D24 in which Fangio won the Panamerican race back in 1953

http://www.cosasdeautos.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Fangio-Lancia-D24-560x372.jpg

[Bigbjorn]

Chuck, from the look of the inlet/exhaust layout, that car has a pushrod ohv or side valve six cylinder engine not a V8.

Here are a few winners of the Indianapolis 500. A Maserati 8CM driven by Wilbur Shaw in1939 & 1940; the Kurtis Kraft driven by Bill Vukovich to wins in 1953 & 1954; the first "lay down" car which won in 1957 & 1958 built by George Salih; three A.J. Watson built winners, the centre one was driven by Parnelli Jones to the front engine car lap record of 153 mph in 1962; the KenPaul Special which won in 1960.

The KenPaul has an interesting history. Chick Hirashima is recorded at the Speedway as the crew chief. Smoky Yunick reckoned he was but the speedway wouldn't recognise his claim. Smoky never forgave or forgot a slight and was bitter about this for the rest of his life. There are currently four KenPaul Specials. Bob McConnell of Gaslight Auto Parts probably holds the moral high ground here as his (which he has restored as something else) probably contains more of the original car than the others.

[Cobber]

I wasn't alive in the 50's but it (and the 60's to an extent) really was the ultimate era for motor racing :cool:

My favourite for Grand Prix racing was the pre-war years, however this was very much a two horse race with Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union, at during the 1930's :)

[Chucaro]

Chuck, from the look of the inlet/exhaust layout, that car has a pushrod ohv or side valve six cylinder engine not a V8.
..........

You are correct Brian, by mistake I posted the Volpi Chevrolet "La Petiza"
6 Cyl, 3.857 cc, 100 CV at 3.600 rpm, max speed 200 km/h

The Ferrari was fitted with a Corvette engine and Florian Gonzalez.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/950.jpg

[Bigbjorn]

I wasn't alive in the 50's but it (and the 60's to an extent) really was the ultimate era for motor racing :cool:

:)

If God had meant racing cars to have rear engines He would have built them that way first.

[pop058]

If God had meant racing cars to have rear engines He would have built them that way first.

Enzo may disagree with you Brian :D

[Chucaro]

If God had meant racing cars to have rear engines He would have built them that way first.

A Porsche will be welcome in my garage :cool:

[Tank]

My favourite 2 Race Cars are the Ford GT40 powered by a passenger car engine, the 427 FE Ford big block, a simple OHV V8 originally designed for (the 427 that is) NASCAR racing, which ground Ferrari into the dirt at Le Mans, 4years in a row.
Number 2 was the rear engine Repco Brabham which won, I think at least 2 Manufacturers world championships, when all the other wannabe's were running front engined cars, well done Jack, Regards Frank.

[Bigbjorn]

Number 2 was the rear engine Repco Brabham which won, I think at least 2 Manufacturers world championships, when all the other wannabe's were running front engined cars, well done Jack, Regards Frank.

Repco-Brabham Championship years were 1966 & 1967 by when all GP cars were rear-engine. Perhaps you are thinking of Jack's championships in 1959 & 1960 in Cooper-Climax. In 1960 Ferrari, Lotus, and BRM were rear engine.

[Chucaro]

Just wonder how many people remember Bruce McLaren he have a fatal accident testing the M8A at ht e age of 32

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/817.jpg

[uninformed]

My favourite 2 Race Cars are the Ford GT40 powered by a passenger car engine, the 427 FE Ford big block, a simple OHV V8 originally designed for (the 427 that is) NASCAR racing, which ground Ferrari into the dirt at Le Mans, 4years in a row.
Number 2 was the rear engine Repco Brabham which won, I think at least 2 Manufacturers world championships, when all the other wannabe's were running front engined cars, well done Jack, Regards Frank.

not all 427 Frank, im pretty sure 1x289, 1x427 and 2x302.....and I doubt you could call the 427 a passenger car engine. While it in some guise may have ended up in some production models Im pretty sure it was designed to race from the drawing board.

[uninformed]

Just wonder how many people remember Bruce McLaren he have a fatal accident testing the M8A at ht e age of 32

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/817.jpg

absolute legend and genius

[Tank]

Repco-Brabham Championship years were 1966 & 1967 by when all GP cars were rear-engine. Perhaps you are thinking of Jack's championships in 1959 & 1960 in Cooper-Climax. In 1960 Ferrari, Lotus, and BRM were rear engine.
I meant that Jack was the first to build, race and win in a rear engine car, or so he said in a show I seen on Austar the other day, Regards Frank.

[Tank]

not all 427 Frank, im pretty sure 1x289, 1x427 and 2x302.....and I doubt you could call the 427 a passenger car engine. While it in some guise may have ended up in some production models Im pretty sure it was designed to race from the drawing board.
In 1966 the 3 Ford Gt40"s that crossed the line in 1,2 and 3 were 427 engined cars, previous years had been failures with the 289, Carrol Shelby fitted the 427's which were designed for and raced in NASCAR, 500 production cars with 427's were sold to the public in full size Fords Galaxies, for homlogatition, Ford sold many more than the required 500, unlike Mopar who didn't have to comply with the 500 Homlogation rules. They were also available in early Ford Fairlaines (Thunderbolt) and Factory drag (later) fairlaines, Regards Frank.

[Bigbjorn]

Just wonder how many people remember Bruce McLaren he have a fatal accident testing the M8A at ht e age of 32

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/817.jpg

Here's a freshly rebuilt Chev Big Block from a McLaren CanAm car photographed earlier this year at Van Dyne Engineering, Los Angeles.

[Chucaro]

Here's a freshly rebuilt Chev Big Block from a McLaren CanAm car photographed earlier this year at Van Dyne Engineering, Los Angeles.

Just wonder if that engine can be fitted in a Rangie? :D

[Bigbjorn]

Just wonder if that engine can be fitted in a Rangie? :D

Engine would fit. They are not all that bulky. However the necessary driveline might be a problem.:D

[Bigbjorn]

Here are a few more old race cars. These are from Steve Truchan's collection at Gary Bridge and Iron Works, Gary, Indiana.

The blue car was built by Steve's father commencing 1943. It has the first Miller 220 engine.

Check the size of the blower on the black car.

[Chucaro]

One of my favorire years was 1961.
There were fantastic drivers and great cars.
Phil Hill on the Ferrari 156, Stirling Moss and Jim Clark with Lotus Climax
Jack Brabham and Bruce Mc Laren on the Cooper Climax, Graham Hill on the BRM Climax,

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/810.jpg

Jim Clark on the Lotus Climax
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/811.jpg

Graham Hill

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/812.jpg

[Bigbjorn]

Here are a few more from Gary Bridge & Iron Works.

The Indy roadster with the big block Chev hanging out offset was found by Steve being used as a dirt track Super Modified. Steve and his crew restored it to Indy roadster spec but decided to leave the big block in place rather than replace with the correct Offy 270. Steve says it looks good and goes like hell so left it as was.

The car with the small block Chev hanging out fully offset between the axles is what is called an "Oswego Modified" by dirt trackers, after Oswego Speedway in NY state.

[Bigbjorn]

Here are some engine bits either new and awaiting machining or damaged awaiting repair. Note the big Offy crankcases with extra holes in them. Gary Bridge cast repair pieces, weld them in and re-machine the case. Also a couple of Indy roadsters undergoing extensive restoration.

[Chucaro]

Juan Manuel Fangio have his first competitive car back in 1938. It was a 1934 Ford body with a 1937 Ford V8 engine, 3923 cm3., 80 H.P. a 3600 rpm., top speed 170 kph.
Perhaps not a "great car" but with a heaps of history :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/797.jpg

I guess that one of Fangio's early cars that was a jewels was the Alfa Romeo 158 "Alfetta"

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/798.jpg

Looking at the "comfort" in the cockpit not wonder so many people have serious inures on them
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/799.jpg

The donk

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/800.jpg

[Bigbjorn]

This one is really from the past. A 1903 Premier built for the Vanderbilt Cup races but did not race as it was too heavy even after drastic lightening.

[Chucaro]

This one is really from the past. A 1903 Premier built for the Vanderbilt Cup races but did not race as it was too heavy even after drastic lightening.

Love the timing gears on that one :D

[Bigbjorn]

Love the timing gears on that one :D

I had a close look at them. They are cycloid form and cast.

[Bigbjorn]

Here is another one from Van Dyne Engineering. An historic racer class midget that has Kurtis-Kraft identification. Arlen Kurtis won't confirm these cars as K-K's unless they are taken up to Bakersfield for his inspection. This car uses a Ford Focus engine, highly modified, which was the class engine for a USAC beginners or nursery class. This amuses me as these are modern engines that are putting out more power than an Offy Midget was in the 1950's. This one has some extra crankcase ventilation. You could see through two of the holes to the ground underneath the car.

[Chucaro]

Brian, do you know the power of that engines and max rpm?
Which are the max speed on them?
Can we compare with the formula Ford?
Cheers

[Bigbjorn]

Brian, do you know the power of that engines and max rpm?
Which are the max speed on them?
Can we compare with the formula Ford?
Cheers

When they were used in the beginners class there were restrictions as to modifications like in Formula Ford. Now they run in historic class there are no restrictions and I believe they are running up to around 8000rpm and over 220 hp. They are methanol fuelled. The cars sans driver weigh in from 800 to 1000 lbs so the performance is impressive, lightning acceleration. The top speed varies according to the final drive ratio which can be changed from track to track and even according to track conditions. Hence my amusement at this being regarded as a beginners class.

If the car pictured is a genuine Kurtis-Kraft then it was built in the late 1940's-early 1950's and would originally have housed a 110 Offy or Ford V8-60.

[Chucaro]

It is a big difference to the Formula Ford 1600cc engines which tuned up develop 125 bhp at 7,000rpm.
Must be a lot of fun racing one of those :cool:

[Bigbjorn]

It is a big difference to the Formula Ford 1600cc engines which tuned up develop 125 bhp at 7,000rpm.
Must be a lot of fun racing one of those :cool:

I don't know what Ford that engine came from. I was told it was a "Focus". The black plastic cam cover does not belong. It was put on loose to keep the crap out. Don't understand that as the engine is rooted. Maybe the owner hopes to salvage and re-use the head.The normal fitment is a polished aluminium lid. These engines are from cheap passenger cars and I reckon the sort of outputs these tuners are getting with methanol and 16:1 compression ratios, wild cams, and Hilborn fuel injection are testing the engine's durability.

[rick130]

Brian, there were a coupe of famous Formula Ford Kent 1600 engines back in the eighties that had been ventilated, patched and rebuilt.

The most famous was 'Patch', owned by Minister Engines and won a number of FF Festivals in the UK over successive years.
It had been a customer engine that had let go, so they sold the customer a new short engine and used the remains of his blown block as a development hack and it ended up being an awfully quick engine.

In the mid nineties the UK and most of Europe went to the then 1800 Ford Zetec engine as the control engine for Formula Ford.
The Kent engine was relegated to regional Championships and club racing.
We continued with the 1600 Kent engine until a number of years ago, where I think the new engine is a Ford/Mazda 4V DOHC 1600 ?? (been out of the racing scene for too long now)

The Kent 1600 is still used at State Championship level.

[Wortho]

Lancia D24 and D50, so sexy. I got to see Fangio's D24 and D50 in Italy, I find the photo's and see if I can scan them in.

[Chucaro]

Lancia D24 and D50, so sexy. I got to see Fangio's D24 and D50 in Italy, I find the photo's and see if I can scan them in.

Fangio did not have much luck with the Lancia reliability but was a nice car :)
Here is the great man on one Lancia
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/697.jpg

[Wortho]

He won the Carrera pan America in it and Lancia got a 1-2-3.:D

[Chucaro]

He won the Carrera pan America in it and Lancia got a 1-2-3.:D

Yes, he won that race in 1953
Tha Lanciia team was Fangio, Bonetto,Piero Taruffi, Eugenio Castellotti y Giovanni Bracco.
Taruffi come second and Castellotti 3rd in a Lancia D23.
Bonetto have a fatal accident in that race :(
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/692.jpg

With Bonetto but he did even not have the chance to drive the Lancia in Le Mans. The Lancia break down when Bonetto was driving.

[Eevo]

the TD5 was a great racing engine.

oh wait, no it wasnt, it was the land rover v8 that Jack Brabham raced with :)

[rick130]

the TD5 was a great racing engine.

oh wait, no it wasnt, it was the land rover v8 that Jack Brabham raced with :)



This engine being based on British/American Rover V8 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rover_V8) /Buick 215 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_V8_engine#215) block[4] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repco#cite_note-4) is a common misconception, as the Rover/Buick V8, although quite similar in appearance and size, had 5 cylinder-head-studs per cylinder (14 studs per head with 6 shared studs in-between-cylinders) configuration that cannot accommodate the 6 stud (18 studs per head with 6 shared studs in-between-cylinders) Repco RB620 heads. The difference in block design originated in Oldsmobile (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile)'s intention to produce the higher power, turbo-charged Jetfire. GM (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors)'s later use of parts diagrams drawn for Oldsmobile (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile) in Buick (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick) parts catalog further fueled the confusion.


Repco - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

:angel:

[Eevo]

and lots of info that says it is,
the reference that states it isnt, isnt available for viewing.


Brabham BT19 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Repco's 620 series engine is a normally aspirated unit with eight cylinders in a 'V' configuration. It uses American engine blocks obtained from Oldsmobile's aluminium alloy 215 engine. Oldsmobile's 215 engine, used in the F-85 Cutlass compact car between 1961 and 1963, was abandoned by General Motors after production problems. Repco fitted their own cast iron cylinder liners into the Oldsmobile blocks, which were also stiffened with two Repco magnesium alloy castings and feature Repco-designed cylinder heads with chain-driven single overhead camshafts. The internals of the unit consist of a bespoke Laystall crankshaft, Daimler connecting rods and specially cast pistons. The cylinder head design means that the engine's exhaust pipes exit on the outer side of the block, and therefore pass through the spaceframe before tucking inside the rear suspension, a layout which complicated Tauranac's design work considerably.[17] The engine is water-cooled, with oil and water radiators mounted in the nose.
The 620 engine was light for its time, weighing around 340 lb (154 kg), compared to 500 lb (227 kg) for the Maserati V12,[18] but in 3 litre Formula One form only produced around 300 brake horsepower (220 kW) at under 8000 revolutions per minute (rpm), compared to 330–360 bhp (250–270 kW) produced by the Ferrari and Maserati V12s.[19] However, it produced high levels of torque over a wide range of engine speeds from 3500 rpm up to peak torque of 233 pound feet (316 N·m) at 6500 rpm.[20] Installed in the lightweight BT19 chassis, it was also relatively fuel efficient; on the car's debut Brabham reported that the BT19 achieved 7 miles per gallon (40 L/100 km), against figures of around 4 mpg (70 L/100 km) for its "more exotic rivals".[14] This meant that it could start a Grand Prix with only 35 gallons (160 L) of fuel on board, compared to around 55 gallons (250 L) for the Cooper T81-Maseratis.[11] The engine had one further advantage over bespoke racing engines: parts were cheap. For example, the engine blocks were available for GB£11 each and the connecting rods cost £7 each.[17]



and re studs:

Oldsmobile and Pontiac each used an all-aluminum 215 on its mid-sized cars, the Oldsmobile F-85, Cutlass and Jetfire, and Pontiac Tempest and LeMans. Pontiac used the Buick version of the 215; Oldsmobile had its own. The Oldsmobile version of this engine, although sharing the same basic architecture, had cylinder heads and angled valve covers designed by Oldsmobile engineers to look like a traditional Olds V8 and was produced on a separate assembly line. Among the differences between the Oldsmobile from the Buick versions, it was somewhat heavier, at 350 lb (160 kg). The major design differences were in the cylinder heads: Buick used a 5-bolt pattern around each cylinder where Oldsmobile used a 6-bolt pattern. The 6th bolt was added to the intake manifold side of the head, one extra bolt for each cylinder, meant to alleviate a head-warping problem on high-compression versions. This meant that Oldsmobile heads would fit on Buick blocks, but not vice versa. Changing the compression ratio on an Oldsmobile 215 required changing the heads, but on a Buick 215, only the pistons, which was less expensive and simpler. For that reason, the more common Buick version (which looks like a traditional Buick vertical valve cover 'nailhead' V8) has today also emerged as more desirable to some. But the Olds wedge-shaped/quench combustion chambers/pistons are more compatible with modern low-octane/low-lead motor fuels than the Buick 'hemisperical'-shaped combustion chambers and domed pistons. Later Rover versions of the aluminum block and subsequent Buick iron small blocks (300 with aluminum, then iron heads, 340 and 350 with iron heads) went to a 4-bolt-per-cylinder pattern.

[Eevo]

i found this paragraph.

Surplus engine blocks of the Oldsmobile (6-bolt-per-cylinder) version of this engine formed the basis of the Australian Formula One Repco V8 used by Brabham to win the 1966 Formula One world championship. No other American stock-block engine has won a Formula One championship.

[Yorkie]

two of my favourites, bit later than your selections. :p

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/641.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/642.jpg

:cool:

[disco63]

Had the good fortune of navigating in the 1995 round Australia rally in an Escort Twin Cam,and then i bought it and spent way to much on it . I made it to rally Qld recently and watched the BDA Escorts as well as the other classics.Always put a smile on my face.

[Chucaro]

Had the good fortune of navigating in the 1995 round Australia rally in an Escort Twin Cam,and then i bought it and spent way to much on it . I made it to rally Qld recently and watched the BDA Escorts as well as the other classics.Always put a smile on my face.

Then again in 2010 one was sold for $ 90000 (http://aussieexotics.com/forum/lotus-for-sale/ford-escort-lotus-twin-cam-ebay-8063.0.html) :eek:

Beautiful machine, I use to have Cortinas GT Mk1 and MK2 :cool:

[PSI250]

two of my favourites, bit later than your selections. :p

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/641.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/642.jpg

:cool:


Someone that speaks my language!!
except group B is my specialty!

audi quattro s1, youtube for some awesome engine sound vids!
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/643.jpg

and the supercharged and turbocharged S4
http://images.rallymoments.com/photos/2804/-Lancia-Delta-S4-Martini.jpg

[rick130]

and lots of info that says it is,
the reference that states it isnt, isnt available for viewing.


Brabham BT19 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brabham_BT19)

Repco's 620 series engine is a normally aspirated unit with eight cylinders in a 'V' configuration. It uses American engine blocks obtained from Oldsmobile's aluminium alloy 215 engine. Oldsmobile's 215 engine, used in the F-85 Cutlass compact car between 1961 and 1963, was abandoned by General Motors after production problems. Repco fitted their own cast iron cylinder liners into the Oldsmobile blocks, which were also stiffened with two Repco magnesium alloy castings and feature Repco-designed cylinder heads with chain-driven single overhead camshafts. The internals of the unit consist of a bespoke Laystall crankshaft, Daimler connecting rods and specially cast pistons. The cylinder head design means that the engine's exhaust pipes exit on the outer side of the block, and therefore pass through the spaceframe before tucking inside the rear suspension, a layout which complicated Tauranac's design work considerably.[17] The engine is water-cooled, with oil and water radiators mounted in the nose.
The 620 engine was light for its time, weighing around 340 lb (154 kg), compared to 500 lb (227 kg) for the Maserati V12,[18] but in 3 litre Formula One form only produced around 300 brake horsepower (220 kW) at under 8000 revolutions per minute (rpm), compared to 330–360 bhp (250–270 kW) produced by the Ferrari and Maserati V12s.[19] However, it produced high levels of torque over a wide range of engine speeds from 3500 rpm up to peak torque of 233 pound feet (316 N·m) at 6500 rpm.[20] Installed in the lightweight BT19 chassis, it was also relatively fuel efficient; on the car's debut Brabham reported that the BT19 achieved 7 miles per gallon (40 L/100 km), against figures of around 4 mpg (70 L/100 km) for its "more exotic rivals".[14] This meant that it could start a Grand Prix with only 35 gallons (160 L) of fuel on board, compared to around 55 gallons (250 L) for the Cooper T81-Maseratis.[11] The engine had one further advantage over bespoke racing engines: parts were cheap. For example, the engine blocks were available for GB£11 each and the connecting rods cost £7 each.[17]



and re studs:

Oldsmobile and Pontiac each used an all-aluminum 215 on its mid-sized cars, the Oldsmobile F-85, Cutlass and Jetfire, and Pontiac Tempest and LeMans. Pontiac used the Buick version of the 215; Oldsmobile had its own. The Oldsmobile version of this engine, although sharing the same basic architecture, had cylinder heads and angled valve covers designed by Oldsmobile engineers to look like a traditional Olds V8 and was produced on a separate assembly line. Among the differences between the Oldsmobile from the Buick versions, it was somewhat heavier, at 350 lb (160 kg). The major design differences were in the cylinder heads: Buick used a 5-bolt pattern around each cylinder where Oldsmobile used a 6-bolt pattern. The 6th bolt was added to the intake manifold side of the head, one extra bolt for each cylinder, meant to alleviate a head-warping problem on high-compression versions. This meant that Oldsmobile heads would fit on Buick blocks, but not vice versa. Changing the compression ratio on an Oldsmobile 215 required changing the heads, but on a Buick 215, only the pistons, which was less expensive and simpler. For that reason, the more common Buick version (which looks like a traditional Buick vertical valve cover 'nailhead' V8) has today also emerged as more desirable to some. But the Olds wedge-shaped/quench combustion chambers/pistons are more compatible with modern low-octane/low-lead motor fuels than the Buick 'hemisperical'-shaped combustion chambers and domed pistons. Later Rover versions of the aluminum block and subsequent Buick iron small blocks (300 with aluminum, then iron heads, 340 and 350 with iron heads) went to a 4-bolt-per-cylinder pattern.


Yep, the Repco was based on the Olds block, not the Buick/Rover block. ;)

[Chucaro]

Going back to the great cars of the past I think that the German Gran Prix 1957 have to be one of the most awesome races in the history of F1
I love to see how Fangio drift the Maserati and also have a look the pit stop for tyre changing and fuel.
Fangio come out of the car for a drink!! :eek:
After the pit stop he broke the lap record in almost every lap!!

1957 German GP @ the Nurburgring. Fangio's greatest drive ever

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[jerryd]

Hi Chucaro, a few years ago while still living in the uk I had the pleasure of meeting Tony Brooks, Phil Hill, Stirling Moss and Gonzalez at an event at Silverstone :) I happened to have my scrap book with me (as you do) and persuaded Tony Brooks and Phil Hill to sign a couple of pics. Gonzalez refused as he hadn't driven that type of car :D and Stirling Moss had wandered off.

Phil Hill won the championship in that Ferrari Sharknose in 1961 I think, the same day that his team mate Wolfgang von Trips was killed at Monza. Chris Rea made a film "La Passione" a fantasy type movie about the Ferrari Sharknose, while making the movie he stumbled across a museum dedicated to Von Trips. They said he could use footage they had on condition he donated the replica sharknose he had built to the museum. A sort of trade off that benefited all :)

Here's a snippet from that movie

Chris Rea - Only To Fly - YouTube

Stirling Moss says that if he were running a Grand Prix team, and could have any two drivers from history in his cars, they would be Jimmy Clark and Tony Brooks. "I suppose that my choice of Tony would be a surprise to some people, but to my mind he is the greatest 'unknown' racing driver there has ever been - I say 'unknown', because he's such a modest man that he never became a celebrity, as such. But as a driver, boy, he was top drawer."

A couple of pics from my old scrapbook of cars :) hopefully you can see the signatures

[Chucaro]

Thank you for the post, there were great times in motor sport.
The majority of the drivers in the 50's and 60's were top sport man people and with awesome skills to control that cars.
It will be a dream to see Fangio, Hill, Moss and Jean Behra on the new F1 cars

[jerryd]

Great video Chucaro :)

Unfortunately Collins was killed the following year and then Hawthorn the year after that :(

This is a must see video too

Racing Legends - Stirling Moss - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UtRWhPQVAY8#at=419)

[Chucaro]

Vary nice video, it is now in my collection.
Drivers back then used to died like flies, do you remember Alberto Ascari?
He was racing for Ferrari and lost his life testing one in Monza in 1955.
Ironically his father was a great driver as well and lost his life in simmilar circumstances :(
Alberto Ascari was one of the drivers that gave Fangio a run for his money.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/604.jpg

[Bigbjorn]

Here are a couple that should be familiar to Australian motor racing fans.

What important races did these cars win?

[VladTepes]

Great racing cars? Aston Martin DB3S


This is a 1954. 3.0 litre 6 cylinder DB3S @ the 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/599.jpg



This is a 1956 DB3S being fully rebuilt in Brisbane.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/600.jpg (http://s1326.photobucket.com/user/Landyvlad375/media/RACQ%20Motorfest%202013/RACQMotorfest050_zpsf97bb49d.jpg.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/601.jpg (http://s1326.photobucket.com/user/Landyvlad375/media/RACQ%20Motorfest%202013/RACQMotorfest053_zps26bc44c4.jpg.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/602.jpg (http://s1326.photobucket.com/user/Landyvlad375/media/RACQ%20Motorfest%202013/RACQMotorfest055_zpsa4989564.jpg.html)

Is it a REAL Aston Martin DB3S ? - no, and yes, and no. Close enough.

It's really an Aston. It started out as LML-717, a DB2/4 which was found TOTALLY rusted out etc, purchased from ebay in 2002.
It is being totally rebuilt - parts of the chassis are from -717 but as it was in poor nick most of it has been rebuilt / re-manufactured.
The engine and gearbox are from the DB-2/4 and are being completely overhauled to suit the 'new' DB3S.
Some steering and suspension components are ex -717.
ALL DB3S panels, petrol tank, etc etc etc have been hand-formed from scratch by the (very talented) owner.

[Bigbjorn]

Going back to the great cars of the past I think that the German Gran Prix 1957 have to be one of the most awesome races in the history of F1
I love to see how Fangio drift the Maserati and also have a look the pit stop for tyre changing and fuel.
Fangio come out of the car for a drink!! :eek:
After the pit stop he broke the lap record in almost every lap!!

1957 German GP @ the Nurburgring. Fangio's greatest drive ever (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8GewTBczsQ)

http://www.maserati.it/mediaObject/COM/Passion/News/2011/06/Manuel-Fangio-/fangio2/resolutions/res-690x376/fangio2.jpg

Peter Collins, in his early days with Ferrari, started getting out of the car and jumping up onto the pit counter at pit stops. This is because in one of the renowned Ferrari comic opera pit stops, the fueller completely missed the big funnel and dumped a churn of fuel into the cockpit and all over Collins. The fuel mixtures used then would just about eat your skin and trousers off.

A prominent collector and restorer of GP cars in the UK reckons there are now more Maserati 250F competing in historic racing than Maserati ever built. This has long been the case with many types of Bugatti. The Bugatti world is rife with fakes and a well known Australian Bugattiste told me that anyone contemplating purchase of a Bugatti should regard it as a fake until positively proven otherwise.

[Chucaro]

Here are a couple that should be familiar to Australian motor racing fans.

What important races did these cars win?
Looks like a Talbot Lago or a Ford at the 1953 GP, Albert Park ?
Bill Wilcox raced one.

[Chucaro]

You can get Maserati Kits (http://www.tipo250.co.uk/) and race them.

Gallery (http://www.tipo250.co.uk/gallery.html) :cool:

[Chucaro]

Brian, this is another interesting car like the Talbot. Do you know it?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/598.jpg

[Bigbjorn]

Looks like a Talbot Lago or a Ford at the 1953 GP, Albert Park ?
Bill Wilcox raced one.

One is the Lago-Talbot in which Louis Chiron won the 1948 French GP and Doug Whiteford won the 1952 & 1953 Australian GP's at Bathurst, NSW, and Albert Park, Vic..

The other is the Delahaye which John Crouch drove to win the 1949 Australian GP at Leyburn, Qld.

[Bigbjorn]

Here are some more froggy woggy ones for the snail munchers amongst us

[vnx205]

For those who felt they didn't have anything to prove, there was this little beauty.
http://www.pictures-of-cars.com/Austin-7-Racer.jpg

Or you might prefer it in this format.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/588.jpg

Or this
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/589.jpg

If it was good enough for this driver, it should be good enough for anyone. :D
http://www.brock05.com/afterpb/BrockoriginalAustin7racecar.jpg

[Chucaro]

Looks like that not body was able to provide the brand of the car that I posted. :)

It is an OSCA Tipo G 4500
Specs:
Configuration 60º V12
Location Front, longitudinally mounted
Construction light alloy block and head
Displacement 4.472 liter / 272.9 cu in
Bore / Stroke 78.0 mm (3.1 in) / 78.0 mm (3.1 in)
Compression 12.0:1
Valvetrain 2 valves / cylinder, DOHC
Fuel feed 3 Weber 40 DCF Carburettors
Aspiration Naturally Aspirated
Power 330 bhp / 246 KW @ 6200 rpm
BHP/Liter 74 bhp / liter

View of the engine

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/571.jpg

[Bigbjorn]

Looks like that not body was able to provide the brand of the car that I posted. :)

It is an OSCA Tipo G 4500
Specs:
Configuration 60º V12
Location Front, longitudinally mounted
Construction light alloy block and head
Displacement 4.472 liter / 272.9 cu in
Bore / Stroke 78.0 mm (3.1 in) / 78.0 mm (3.1 in)
Compression 12.0:1
Valvetrain 2 valves / cylinder, DOHC
Fuel feed 3 Weber 40 DCF Carburettors
Aspiration Naturally Aspirated
Power 330 bhp / 246 KW @ 6200 rpm
BHP/Liter 74 bhp / liter

View of the engine

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/571.jpg

Alf Harvey's OSCA. I thought it had gone to the Donnington Collection years and years ago. Prince Bira brought it to Australia and ran it at Orange in 1955. Notoriously unreliable. Repco did a full rebuild of the engine and solved the oil scavenge problem that had dogged it from day one. It won a heat at the AGP in 1958 at Bathurst and was running well in the GP until it spat a spark plug right through the bonnet. I was there aged 17. The first AGP I spectated at. Three mates and I drove down from Brisbane in an Austin A40, with stuffed front suspension and shocks, that used nearly as much oil as petrol.

[Chucaro]

That looks familiar, I also used to do this kind of things with my mates. The budget was very limited back then :D
We went to the race in a Plymouth 1954 model just to see Florian Gonzalez and other great drivers.

[Chucaro]

If someone is interested in cars art perhaps to put in a mug or T shirt in THIS LINK (http://www.wallcoo.net/paint/vaclav_zapadlik_automotive_art/index.html) are are 28 images at high resolution that are very nice for that purpose or for framing and place them in the shed or pool room

[Bigbjorn]

Here's a freshly rebuilt Chev Big Block from a McLaren CanAm car photographed earlier this year at Van Dyne Engineering, Los Angeles.

These photos are the heads, short motor, fuel injection gear of the CanAm engine in the other photo. Taken a couple of weeks earlier.

[Chucaro]

Heaps of nice classic sport cars in this film

Mille Miglia - the spirit of a legend (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0eIVfr5Dck)

If the above film it is to long the this doc is nice as well :)

Mille Miglia 2012 Brescia - 1000 Miglia Storica (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZM449jO_Qg)

[Bigbjorn]

Not exactly a race car, but a former race car. A Type 51 Bugatti offset monoposto GP car from 1930. A works team car that was given by Ettore to one of the team drivers. Rumour said it was in lieu of unpaid wages. He rebodied it to the roadgoing version in the photo. It has had a long string of distinguished or notable owners including Maurice Trintignant. The car is currently in the Nethercutt Museum, Los Angeles.

[Chucaro]

I wasn't alive in the 50's but it (and the 60's to an extent) really was the ultimate era for motor racing :cool:

My favourite for Grand Prix racing was the pre-war years, however this was very much a two horse race with Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union, at during the 1930's :)

Cobber, here are some nice pics of the 1938 awesome Auto Union with an supercharged 3.0 litre V12 engine, 420hp at 7,000 rpm.
It won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza and the Donnington Grand Prix back in 1938.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/521.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/522.jpg

[DasLandRoverMan]

Just to stir it up a little, how about the McLaren MP4/4. 15 race wins from a possible 16, aside the fact it looks pretty good too.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/398.jpg

[Chucaro]

I guess that being 1988 it is reasonable contemporary car and for that reason we did not mentioned it :)

Perhaps this vintage Mc Laren roadster will qualify :D

http://www.bajiroo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/classic-car-wallpaper-vintage-old-car-images-pictures-photos-bajiroo-4.jpg

[DasLandRoverMan]

I suppose it depends how you want to qualify 'great racing cars from the past'.

In terms of race victories to events entered, and still being a recognisable car the MP4/4 qualifies, whilst the Williams FW14B also deserves a mention as it was pretty much the most advanced car of its time, exploiting all the technology available and winning lots too.
Also quite distinctive to look at.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/474.jpg

Or if you insist on something without wings, how about the Lotus 49?

[Chucaro]

There are great cars as well, my comment was because we posted cars that were in the races more than 40 years ago and I have a lot of admiration for the the cars that you have posted and not to mention the Peugeot's, Audie's, Porsche's that have raced in the 24 hrs Le Mans.
Keep posting mate, I like them and like to share histories about racing as well :)

[disco63]

Hi I love the group "B" rally cars the next best was Possum Bourne in his group "A" Subaru Impreza. I'm off to the Goodwood revival in September .A guy in Brisbane has done a reproduction of a Maserati 250F running a skyline engine ,i saw it at Mt Cotton Hill Climb a couple of years ago,sound and looks fantastic.

[Chucaro]

Hi I love the group "B" rally cars the next best was Possum Bourne in his group "A" Subaru Impreza. I'm off to the Goodwood revival in September .A guy in Brisbane has done a reproduction of a Maserati 250F running a skyline engine ,i saw it at Mt Cotton Hill Climb a couple of years ago,sound and looks fantastic.


There is one manufacturer of replicas in UK (http://www.tipo250.co.uk/index.html)that install them a BMW engine

[uninformed]

In 1966 the 3 Ford Gt40"s that crossed the line in 1,2 and 3 were 427 engined cars, previous years had been failures with the 289, Carrol Shelby fitted the 427's which were designed for and raced in NASCAR, 500 production cars with 427's were sold to the public in full size Fords Galaxies, for homlogatition, Ford sold many more than the required 500, unlike Mopar who didn't have to comply with the 500 Homlogation rules. They were also available in early Ford Fairlaines (Thunderbolt) and Factory drag (later) fairlaines, Regards Frank.

my point was the 427 not winning 4 years in a row. I just checked my book, 66 and 67 = 427, 68 and 69 = 302. The 289 did very well over the years at many races. The 427 may have ended up in production cars, as they had to, but the designers had motivation from the racing world. No doubt a great car and great engine that were a formidable combination.

[uninformed]

Just to stir it up a little, how about the McLaren MP4/4. 15 race wins from a possible 16, aside the fact it looks pretty good too.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/398.jpg

is this Gordon Murry's design?

[Chucaro]

is this Gordon Murry's design?

Yes, together with Steve Nichols

[uninformed]

to me it is beautiful. I think Gordon described it as having the perfect wheel base to wheel track ratio.

[DasLandRoverMan]

The Wikipedia article on it is quite interesting.

Apparently the same idea as Murray tried with the Brabham BMW a year or two earlier, but was hurt by the engine being a slant 4. He said at the time the concept would better suit a V6, and the little Honda proved the point.

Speaking of Hondas, or more accurately the remnants of the Honda F1 team, what do we think to the BGP001 as run by BrawnGP for the 2009 F1 season?

http://www.f1-site.com/wallpapers/2009/test/all-team/f1/brawn-gp-f1-wallpaper-car-2009-4.jpg

Perhaps not notable as a car that was completely unbeatable, more one that is a symbol of the achievement of the team that fielded it, and indeed Ross Brawns ability to lead his team.
BrawnGP started their first race from pole, and finished 1-2, going on to win 6 of the first seven, and overall 8 Grand Prix from 17 entered, along with both drivers and constructors titles, the only team with a 100% win rate for both titles.

Impressive in that up until a few weeks before the first race that year there was still doubt over wether the teams cars would be there to compete.
Also notable as being the 4th incarnation of the team that began life in the late 60's as Tyrrell F1.

[rick130]

The Wikipedia article on it is quite interesting.

Apparently the same idea as Murray tried with the Brabham BMW a year or two earlier, but was hurt by the engine being a slant 4. He said at the time the concept would better suit a V6, and the little Honda proved the point.





Yep, the lowline Brabham was hampered by Murray laying the little BMW over too far, can't recall which way now, but in long corners in one direction it had oil pooling problems which obviously hampered reliability and power.
The first iteration of the Brabham/BMW lowline didn't work, he had the rads at the back just in front of the rear wheels, the car looked like a dart, whereas everyone else had the radiators in long sidepods. (as they'd been for years in the tunnel cars)
He soon had to change the design as he found that even though they were using flat floors (tunnels had been banned) you were still able to generate downforce from increasing the floor area, so the Brabham sprouted sidepods early in the season.

He was able to 'perfect' the concept with the McLaren.
having a much bigger budget helped too, as did having two of the all time best drivers on your squad.

In my eyes the MP4/4 is a thing of beauty.

[DasLandRoverMan]

Ok, so not much love for the Brawn, how about the Tyrell P34?

http://f1ontemehoje.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/1977_patrick_depailler_ronnie_peterson_tyrrell_p34 _cosworth_interlagos_gp_bra.jpg

[Pedro_The_Swift]

This should fit right in here,,

turn the sound up to 11:cool::cool:

Honda celebrates the life of Ayrton Senna the best way it knows how - Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com/2013/07/26/honda-celebrates-life-ayrton-senna/#continued)

[DasLandRoverMan]

Awesome idea. On a par with the Shell/Ferrari Around the world advert.

Gotta love the sound of racing engines running at full chat, racing wheel to wheel or chasing the last few tenths on a qualifying lap.

It helps you understand Senna when he said this;


It was pure driving, real racing. And that...that makes me happy.

[DasLandRoverMan]

Found the Ferrari one for those who can't be bothered to look.

Ferrari Shell Commercial High Quality - YouTube (http://youtu.be/1_kwxzU4wL4)

[rick130]

It helps you understand Senna when he said this;


It was pure driving, real racing. And that...that makes me happy.


and IIRC he was actually speaking of kart racing when he said that ;)

[Bigbjorn]

Here is one from the 1920's. A Miller 91 front wheel drive. Conservative value? US$2,500,000.

The engine in the photo was sold "as is" at Milwaukee 2011 for US$250,000. Been in a shed for 50+ years.

Edit- That is a rear drive engine.

[Bigbjorn]

63517

63518

63519

63520

Here are a few more early ones. Photographed at Phil Reilly's shop in San Francisco.

[Bigbjorn]

Here is a Miller 91 front wheel drive engine. Considerable rework was necessary to turn the engine around and take the drive to the other end of the car. The large centrifugal blower had to be moved to the firewall end as it was blocking air flow through the radiator, and the cam tower and accessory (magneto) drive moved to the radiator end. Not just a matter of turning the engine end for end.

[Chucaro]

The Napier-Railton, a racer designed back in 1933 was an interesting car. It have a 12 cylinder 24 liter engine developing 500hp @ 2200 rpm it was capable of reaching 270 kph not to bad for a 1933 car.
Between 1933 and 1937 tit broke 47 world speed records.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/109.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/110.jpg

[DasLandRoverMan]

There was a thing on TV in the UK a few months back called 'The Petrol Age' in which Paul McGann started looking from the first cars and worked his way forward through the years, and one of the vehicles was the Railton, which was driven round (slowly) on some of the remains of Brooklands. He wasn't allowed to play, but it did sound bloody awesome, even just rumbling round at tickover.



and IIRC he was actually speaking of kart racing when he said that ;)

Indeed he was, I think partly in reference to the fact that F1 was becoming hugely commercialised at the time, and he spent more time making sponsors appearances etc than actually driving the car, none of which was present in karting, just man and machine against others.

Watching an on board lap of him (or any of the other really great drivers) does help you understand it though.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

The Napier-Railton, a racer designed back in 1933 was an interesting car. It have a 12 cylinder 24 liter engine developing 500hp @ 2200 rpm it was capable of reaching 270 kph not to bad for a 1933 car.
Between 1933 and 1937 tit broke 47 world speed records.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/109.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/110.jpg

so its a W12 configuration??

here a vid Arthur ;)
Napier Railton - YouTube

[Bigbjorn]

Yes, Napier Lion from WW1. Rated HP 450 @1925 rpm. Bore 5 1/2" Stroke 5 1/8"

[Chucaro]

Thanks for the video Pedro. :)
The engine was designed in 3 banks of 4 cylinders each.
There is some good info HERE (http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/533/Napier-Railton-Special.html)
Napier designed some aircraft engines and this engine was based on the same idea.
Good info about the Napier Lion is HERE (http://www.cogg.co.uk/blog/napier-lion-king-of-engines-part-1.html)

When we talk about the Napier cars we also have to mention the Bluebird (1927) and the Irving-Napier “Golden Arrow.

http://worldcarslist.com/images/irving-napier/irving-napier-golden-arrow/irving-napier-golden-arrow-06.jpg

Napier engine

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/108.jpg

[Pedro_The_Swift]

and speaking of Senna--

for the conspiracy theorists amongst us,,:angel:

5/5 the death of Ayrton Senna - what NatGeo did not tell - YouTube

[Pedro_The_Swift]

as for winning cars--
that Golden Arrow of Arthurs raced once and secured The Land Speed Record.

a 100% winning ratio.;):D

[Chucaro]

[FONT="Book Antiqua"][COLOR="DimGray"][SIZE="4"]and speaking of Senna--

for the conspiracy theorists amongst us,,:angel:



It appears to me that they were exonerated just because a "technicality" on the spaghetti law :angel:

[Bigbjorn]

Milwaukee Mile, 2011. Kurtis Kraft KK500H, 1958, Bugatti Type 37, and a couple of unidentified Indy roadsters.

The KK500H is owned by a good friend, Bob Sirna. It has a lot of history. Raced as shown in 1958 as the DA Lubricant Special with a unique independent front suspension.

In 1959 Smoky Yunick converted it to a four bar car with beam axle front and ran it as the Reverse Rotation Special with the 270 Offy turning opposite to normal to hold the left front wheel down when power on accelerating out of the turns. With only a few laps to go, running second and able to catch the leader, Duane Carter stalled the engine at the last pit stop. Bye bye victory. I would love to hear a recording of Smoky's comments, the least of which would have been m-f-s-o-b. It ran at Indy a few more times without success and Bob bought it from a guy in Denver where it had sunk to the depths of being used as a dirt track modified.

Much money later Bob had restored it to original specs. No drawings existed of the original suspension. It was recreated from photos and memories.

[Chucaro]

Brian, Frank Kurtis made a car with a Cummins 401 CID engine back in the very early 50's and I do not remember if was that rolling chassis the base for the KK500.
A.J. Watson was another important designer and builder.

[Bigbjorn]

Brian, Frank Kurtis made a car with a Cummins 401 CID engine back in the very early 50's and I do not remember if was that rolling chassis the base for the KK500.
A.J. Watson was another important designer and builder.

KK was "Kurtis Kraft", 500 was a car built for the Indianapolis 500, and the A,B,C,. etc. indicated year of build, and another number after the year letter was the Serial No. as in KK500C-3. Bob's 500H does not have a serial no. as it was the only 500H. Wally Meskowsky and Quinn Epperley were other prominent car builders of the era.

Phil Reilly has a Quinn Epperley Bowes Seal Fast Special. Phil was fortunate to have an 83 y.o. Quinn still around and eager to do the restoration. Phil's business is high end restoration and preparation of historic race cars. Even so, he was happy to have the original builder do the job.

I have a photo somewhere of the Cummins Special but can't find it. It had a gigantic front of engine Roots blower.

[Cobber]

The 1980 Ferrari wasn't exactly a 'great racing car' but Gilles Villeneuve certainly knew how to get the most out of it :cool:

http://www.farzadsf1gallery.com/image_upload/post-38-1048286638.jpg

[Cobber]

Mercedes-Benz at the Grossglockner Hillclimb. 92 bends, 14 hairpins, 15 kilometres and a 1300 metre altitude difference :cool: Large portions of the climb closed each year due to snowfall ... !


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/48.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/49.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/50.jpg

[Chucaro]

The MB W125 and W154 were great cars.
Here is a nice clip about them:

Mercedes Benz W25, W125, W154 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdVdRMwwRXI)

[Bigbjorn]

Here is the Kurtis-Cummins from 1952

[Bigbjorn]

Packard Grey Fox 1903

[Chucaro]

1926 John Parry-Thomas Special powered by a 27-litre Liberty aero-engine. In April 1926, Parry-Thomas used the car to break the land speed record at 171.02 mph (273.6 km/h).

http://www.sportscardigest.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC_63371.jpg

[jerryd]

Looks like "Babs" without the bonnet :)


Technical

1918 V12 27 litre Liberty Aero engine (standard 350 bhp, modified up to 600bhp now at around 400 at a guess) fitted in a chassis based on a chain drive Mercedes; 1908 Mercedes chain drive gear box driving rear wheels; 23" wheels with 5" tyres; No front wheel brakes; Weight 35cwts; Max speed approx. 180mph.

History

The car was originally built in 1923 by Count Louis Zborowski as the fourth of his Aero engined Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang cars. Being the last and the largest he named it the Higham Special. Following the Counts death in 1924 the car was bought from his estate by John Godfrey Parry Thomas for £125. Parry Thomas was at the time one of the better designer-drivers in this country who had had some racing success and held several national records in cars of his own design.

Thomas raced 'Babs' at Brooklands in 1925 and made a failed attempt at the World Land Speed Record in the car that year. He modified the car (together with designing and building his own 8 cylinder 1500cc race car) during the winter and attempted the WLSR on Pendine Sands, South Wales at the end of April. On the 28 April 1926, Thomas and 'Babs' broke the record at 171.09mph. During the rest of the year Thomas continued to race his cars and at the end of the year lapped Brooklands in 'Babs' at over 125mph. In the meantime Campbell had taken the record to 174mph.

During the winter Thomas modified the now fast becoming outdated old car to make a final attempt on the record to generate enough publicity (and associated money - times haven't changed!!) to build a new car. While making an attempt on the record on the 3rd March 1927 the car went out of control at about 120mph and crashed end over end and slid upside down along the beach for 1/4 mile. Thomas was killed instantly, and following the crash the car was buried in the sand dunes.

In March 1969, 42 years after the car was buried, the car was dug up by Owen Wyn Owen, a Technical College lecturer for North Wales. Having restored other cars he thought it would be nice to get some pieces of the car to display in a museum as a tribute to Thomas. The car was, however, more complete than he imagined, but was badly damaged as a result of the accident and 42 years of salt water had corroded all the aluminium. Nevertheless the car was restored and was running within 2 years and since then has been fully rebuilt

[Chucaro]

Looks like "Babs" without the bonnet :)


Technical

1918 V12 27 litre Liberty Aero engine (standard 350 bhp, modified up to 600bhp now at around 400 at a guess) fitted in a chassis based on a chain drive Mercedes; 1908 Mercedes chain drive gear box driving rear wheels; 23" wheels with 5" tyres; No front wheel brakes; Weight 35cwts; Max speed approx. 180mph.



That one if I am not wrong was the Blitzen Benz. Back in 1910 reached speeds over 125 mph with its engine of 1300 cubic inch

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=592379&d=1233732751

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=592375&d=1233732692

[Bigbjorn]

Lotus 11

[Bigbjorn]

KK was "Kurtis Kraft", 500 was a car built for the Indianapolis 500, and the A,B,C,. etc. indicated year of build, and another number after the year letter was the Serial No. as in KK500C-3. Bob's 500H does not have a serial no. as it was the only 500H. Wally Meskowsky and Quinn Epperley were other prominent car builders of the era.

Phil Reilly has a Quinn Epperley Bowes Seal Fast Special. Phil was fortunate to have an 83 y.o. Quinn still around and eager to do the restoration. Phil's business is high end restoration and preparation of historic race cars. Even so, he was happy to have the original builder do the job.

I have a photo somewhere of the Cummins Special but can't find it. It had a gigantic front of engine Roots blower.

Here is a KK500S. The S stands for sports car. Basically a widened roadgoing version of the first Indy Roadster, the KK500A driven by Bill Vukovich to two victories in the 500. Production numbers are unknown as the records were lost. Some left the factory as finished vehicles and some as kits to be completed by the purchaser. They had considerable competition use and carried a variety of engines. Arlen Kurtis will still build you one. He had one well advanced and another chassis in progress when I last visited him in 2011.

Attached are photos of one he had in for a freshen up. It is only a few years old and was for sale, $140,000. One fetched that at the Amelia Island Auction in early 2011. Chev. small block 435 hp and weighs about a ton. I was taken for a drive around Bakersfield. Goes like hell and handles like a race car which is what they were designed as.

[Chucaro]

Looks as nice as the Cobra :cool:

[VladTepes]

Looks like the bastard son of a Cobra and a Lotus 7.

[Bigbjorn]

Looks like the bastard son of a Cobra and a Lotus 7.

More like their father. First one built about 1953. Well before Cobras and Loti.

Comment is often made about the "ugly" grille. The grille bars are actually structural members. The front suspension loads go into the two hoops in the chassis photo and the vertical bars are strengtheners.

[jerryd]

Here's Willie Green in his Maserati getting a tow home, taken at the 2004 goodward meeting :)