The rear view of the Diplomat StarRider shows the changes made to the bodyshell to represent the coach version, the Jeffs vehicle alongside being the kit built as per the instructions as a standard 33-seat bus. The toilet cubicle, an unusual fitment on a vehicle of this size, is behind the blacked-out window over the wheelarch. I have always thought that the StarRider was the most stylish body ever produced on the Mercedes chassis, especially in coach form, and although this is an early resin kit first released in 1997 it captures the shape well.

Porsche 993 (911) Carrera Cabriolet(1993-98) Engine 3600cc Flat 6 268bhp

Registration Number SMY 911 X

Production 68,029

PORSCHE SET

www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623690528015...

The 993 designation is the companies internal name for this generation 911. The external design of the Porsche 993, penned by Englishman Toni Hatter, used the basic bodyshell architecture of the 964, but with changed external panels, with much more flared wheelarches and a smoother front and rear bumper design, an enlarged retractable rear wing, teardrop mirrors, but keeping the doors and roof panels.

The Carrera represented the "base model" of the 993, and was available in rear and all-wheel drive versions. It was equipped with the naturally aspirated 3.6 liter M64 engine, further developed from the 964 and combined with a new dual-flow exhaust system now incorporating two catalytic converters. In contrast to the 964 were the numbers Carrera 2 or 4 were used to differentiate between two and four wheel the numbers have been dropped and the models are simply referred to as C2 and C4.the cars can be distinguished by the Carrera 4 having clear front turn signals and rear red lenses instead of orange on the 2W

Diolch am olygfa anhygoel, 62,399,647 oblogaeth y Lloegr honno dros y Mynyddoedd

Thanks for a stonking 62,399,647 views

Shot 30-07-2017 exiting the 2017 Silverstone Classic REF 129-585

Quite possibly one of the most beautiful sports cars of all time, and one of those machines that harps back to the good old days of early low-down seventies supercars.

Making its debut at the 1972 Paris Auto Show, the Maserati Merak entered production just over a year after the similarly designed Bora. The Merak and the Bora share the front part of bodyshell up to the doors, but front ends are differenced mainly by the use of dual chrome bumpers in place of twin trapezoidal grilles, but the similarities end at the B-pillar. Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign was commissioned the transformation of his last work the Bora into the Merak. Unlike its bigger sister the Merak doesn't have a true, fully glassed fastback, but rather a cabin ending abruptly with a vertical rear window and a flat, horizontal engine bonnet pierced by four series of ventilation slats. Giugiaro completed the vehicle's silhouette by adding open flying buttresses, visually extending the roofline to the tail.

The main competitors of the Merak were the similarly Italian, mid-engined, 3-litre and 2+2 Dino 308 GT4 and Lamborghini Urraco P250. However unlike its transverse V8-engined rivals the Merak used a more compact V6, that could therefore be mounted longitudinally. Having been designed during the Citroën ownership of Maserati (1968–1975) certain Citroën hydropneumatic systems were used in the Merak, as for the Bora. In specific the braking system and the clutch were both hydraulically assisted and operated, and the pop-up headlights hydraulically actuated. After 1976, when the French manufacturer gave up control of Maserati, the Citroën-derived parts were gradually replaced by more conventional systems. In 1977 Alejandro de Tomaso purchased Maserati and the Bora was discontinued after a production run of less than 600 cars, while the Merak remained on sale for six more years.

Specifications as to the car's performance are based largely on the models. The original Merak was powered by a 3.0L 187hp engine with three twin-choke Weber Carburettors, giving a top speed of 149mph. In 1976, the Merak SS was released after the 42nd Geneva Motor Show, which featured a 217hp engine. The final version of the Merak was the 2000GT, which entered sales in 1977 after the Turin Auto Show. This car was largely downgraded from other models for the Italian market after laws were introduced penalizing cars with engines over 2,000cc. As such, Maserati developed a 1,999cc engine producing 168hp.

Production of the Merak ended in 1983, with 1,830 examples built. Sadly the car isn't held in as high esteem as the larger Bora, although more Meraks were produced. Most points of contention with the Merak are that it is fitted with a V6 rather than the Bora's V8, and thus many argue that the car isn't a super-car in the traditional sense. The Merak did re-enter the limelight briefly on Top Gear, where Jeremy Clarkson bought himself a Merak for the same price as a Mondeo, but ended with his engine disintegrating!

The Porsche 993 is the company's internal name for the version of the Porsche 911 model manufactured and sold between late 1993 and early 1998, replacing the 964. Its discontinuation marked the end of air-cooled Porsches.

Like previous and future generations of the Porsche 911, there were several variants of the car manufactured, varying in body style, drivetrains, and included equipment. The Porsche 993 was replaced by the Porsche 996.

The external design of the Porsche 993, penned by Englishman Toni Hatter, used the basic bodyshell architecture of the 964, but with changed external panels, with much more flared wheelarches and a smoother front and rear bumper design, an enlarged retractable rear wing, teardrop mirrors, but keeping the doors and roof panels.

Often described as Britain's first supercar (a little late, Italy beat us to that like 5 years earlier!), but the Aston Martin V8 and the derivative Vantage helped keep the company afloat during those dark years of bankruptcy and recovery, even though it almost committed corporate suicide by developing the overly complicated Lagonda!

The original Aston Martin V8 was a coupé manufactured from 1969 to 1989, built to replace the Aston Martin DBS, a more angular car that killed off the DB6, and by extension the iconic design that had eminated through the James Bond DB5. As with all traditional Aston Martins, it was entirely handbuilt, with each car requiring 1,200 manhours to finish. Aston Martin's customers had been clamouring for an eight-cylinder car for years, so Aston Martin designed a larger car. The engine was not ready, however, so in 1967 the company released the DBS with the straight-six Vantage engine from the DB6. Two years later, Tadek Marek's V8 was ready, and Aston released the DBS V8. With the demise of the straight-six Vantage in 1973, the DBS V8, now restyled and called simply the Aston Martin V8, became the company's mainstream car for nearly two decades. It was retired in favour of the Virage in 1989.

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage on the other hand took the original bodyshell of this 60's sports coupé, and completely re-engineered it to create something that was not of this earth! The first series had 375hp, and series specific details such as a blanked bonnet vent and a separate rear spoiler, of which 38 of these were built.

The Vantage name had previously been used on a number of high-performance versions of Aston Martin cars, but this was a separate model. Although based on the Aston Martin V8, numerous detail changes added up to a unique driving experience. One of the most noticeable features was the closed-off hood bulge rather than the open scoop found on the normal V8. The grille area was also closed off, with twin driving lights inserted and a spoiler added to the bootlid.

Upon its introduction in 1977, the car's incredible speed and power was taken up with acclaim, and, as mentioned, was dubbed 'Britain's first supercar', with a top speed of 170 mph top speed. Its engine was shared with the Lagonda, but it used high-performance camshafts, increased compression ratio, larger inlet valves and bigger carburettors mounted on new manifolds for increased output. Straight-line performance was the best of the day, with acceleration from 0–60 mph in 5.3 seconds, one-tenth of a second quicker than the Ferrari Daytona.

The Oscar India version, introduced in late 1978, featured an integrated tea-tray spoiler and smoother bonnet bulge. Inside, a black leather-covered dash replaced the previous walnut. The wooden dashboard did find its way back into the Vantage during the eighties, giving a more luxurious appearance. The Oscar India version also received a slight increase in power, to 390hp. This line was produced, with some running changes, until 1989. From 1986 the engine had 403hp.

1986 saw the introduction of X-Pack was a further upgrade, with Cosworth pistons and Nimrod racing-type heads producing 403hp. A big bore after-market option was also available from Works Service, with 50mm carbs and straight-through exhaust system giving 432hp, the same engine as fitted to the limited-edition V8 Zagato. 16-inch wheels were also now fitted. A 450hp 6.3L version was also available from Aston Martin, and independent manufacturers offered a 7L version just to up the ante.

In 1986, the Vantage had its roof cut off into what would become the convertible Vantage Volante, basically identical. In 1987 The Prince of Wales took delivery of a Vantage Volante, but at his request without the production car's wider wheelarches, front air dam and side skirts. This became known as the 'Prince of Wales Spec' (or POW) and around another 26 such cars were built by the factory.

The Prince was obviously very specific about his motorcars!

304 Series 2 Vantage coupés were built, including 131 X-Packs and 192 Volantes. Volante's are often considered the most desirable of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage range. In all, 534 V8 Vantages were constructed during its 12 year production run, with the car being replaced in 1989 by the Aston Martin Virage, as well as a new generation V8 Vantage which remained somewhat faithful to the original design of the 60's (if not a little more bulky) and was the last Aston Martin design to incorporate a traditional style before changing to the style laid down by the DB7 in 1993.

However, the Vantage did find its way into movie fame as the first Aston Martin used in a James Bond movie since the DBS used in On Her Majesty's Secret Service in 1969. In 1987's 'The Living Daylights' (the first film to star Timothy Dalton as 007), Bond was treated to Q-Branch's Aston Martin V8 Vantage, complete with missiles, lasers to separate pesky Lada's from their chassis, and a heads-up display to assist in warding off evildoers. It also came with a 'Winter Pack', which included skis, a rocket propulsion and spiked tyres for better grip. The car however met an unfortunate demise after getting stuck in a snowdrift, forcing Bond to activate the self-destruct, engulfing the car in a fiery explosion. But at least everyone's favourite secret agent had finally been reunited with his faithful Aston Martin once again!

There is some slight incongruity with the film though, as at the beginning of the movie, the car is a convertible Volante, yet for the rest of the movie it's a hardtop regular Vantage. This confused me somewhat, or perhaps whilst Bond had the car shipped he had a roof welded on in the meantime!

Today there are a fair number of Vantages roaming the countryside, their popular design, pedigree Bond Car status and sheer raw power keeping them truly afloat. In fact, these cars are much more prominent than the Virage that replaced it, of which you barely see any!

One of the most influential designs of recent decades, the Audi Quattro brought four-wheel drive into the motoring mainstream. Introduced in 1980, the Quattro was based on the outwardly similar Coupé's bodyshell but used a different floor pan to accommodate its four-wheel-drive transmission and independent rear suspension. The engine was a development of the five-cylinder, 2.1-litre, single-overhead-camshaft unit first seen in the 200 saloon. Equipped with a KKK turbocharger, it produced 200bhp in road trim with considerably more available in competition tune. Phenomenally fast and sure-footed on the road, the Quattro excelled in international rallying, winning the Manufacturers' Championship for Audi in 1982 and 1984 and the Driver's Championship in '83 and '84, but its enduring legacy would be the demonstration of four-wheel drive's advantages for passenger cars. Since then Audi has gone on to apply its quattro 4WD system to many other models but only the original (or 'Ur') version is spelled with a capital 'Q'.

The Sport version of Audi's sensational Quattro was launched in the autumn of 1983, three years after the original's unveiling at the Geneva Salon had taken the motoring world by storm. Developed as a 'homologation special' for Group B rallying, the Sport had a shortened wheelbase and was fitted with a new, lighter, all-aluminium version of the five-cylinder engine boasting a twin-cam 20-valve cylinder head. Running on Bosch HI-Jetronic fuel injection, this extensively revised engine developed a claimed 306bhp and gave this quite remarkable road car a top speed of around 250km/h (155mph).

In addition to the shorter wheelbase, the Sport was readily distinguishable by virtue of its steeper windscreen rake (requested by the works rally drivers to reduce internal reflections from the dashboard instruments), extended wheelarches, and wider wheels. With the introduction of the Sport, anti-lock braking made its first appearance on a Quattro-equipped Audi.

While the Quattro Sport met with mixed fortunes in international rallying (by this time the opposition all had four-wheel drive), it did score one notable success in 1985 when works driver Michèle Mouton won the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, setting a record time in the process. Audi built 214 examples of the Sport, though only 164 were actually sold to customers for road use, the rest being reserved for competition purposes.

This particular Audi Quattro Sport has had only three owners. Sold new in Switzerland, it was delivered to its first owner on 18th December 1985, having undergone its pre-delivery service on 24th April '85. In 2005, the car was bought by Mr Claude Girod, the well-known Audi Quattro collector, who sold it to the current vendor in 2010. The Quattro has always been maintained by Mr Girod, who knows these cars well and would be happy to continue servicing it and provide assistance to the future buyer if required.

Finished in red with grey/beige leather interior, this car has never been crashed and is presented in generally excellent condition. The Sabelt safety harnesses (with their bag) are still present, as is the tool roll and the original service booklet. The original wheels have been repainted, and are shod with new period-correct Michelin tyres (235x45x15).

2.133 cc

5 Cylinder

306 hp @ 6.700 rpm

Vmax : 250 km/h

214 ex.

Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais

Bonhams

Estimated : € 330.000 - 400.000

Parijs - Paris

Frankrijk - France

February 2017

Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.1 (1963-66) Engine 1558cc S4 DOC Production 4012

Registration Number HTT 678 D (Devon)

FORD UK SET

www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623665118181...

The history of the Cortina Lotus began in 1961. Colin Chapman had been wishing to build his own engines for Lotus, mainly because the Coventry Climax unit was so expensive. Colin Chapman's chance came when he commissioned Harry Mundy (a close friend and designer of the Coventry Climax engine and technical editor for Autocar) to design a twin-cam version of the Ford Kent engine. Most of the development of the engine was done on the 997cc and 1,340cc bottom end, but in 1962 Ford released the 116E five bearing 1,499 cc engine and work centred on this. Keith Duckworth, from Cosworth, played an important part in tuning of the engine The engine's first appearance was in 1962 at the Nürburgring in a Lotus 23 driven by Jim Clark. Almost as soon as the engine appeared in production cars (Lotus Elan), it was replaced with a larger capacity unit of 1558cc

Whilst the engine was being developed, Walter Hayes (Ford) asked Colin Chapman if he would fit the engine to 1,000 Ford saloons for Group 2 homologation. The Type 28 or Lotus Cortina or Cortina Lotus (as Ford liked to call it) was duly launched. Ford supplied the 2-door Cortina bodyshells and took care of all the marketing and selling of the cars, whilst Lotus did all the mechanical and cosmetic changes. The major changes involved installing the 1,557 cc engine together with an Elan close ratio gearbox, he rear suspension was drastically altered and lightweight alloy panels were used for doors, bonnet and boot. Lightweight casings were fitted to gearbox and differential. All the Lotus factory cars were painted white with a green stripe (although Ford built some for racing in red, and one customer had a dark blue stripe due to being superstitious about green). The cars also received front quarter bumpers and round Lotus badges were fitted to rear wings and to the right side of the radiator grille.

Initially, the engines were built by J. A Prestwich of Tottenham and then Villiers of Wolverhampton. In 1966, Lotus moved to Hethel in Norwich where they had their own engine building facilities

To homologate the car for Group 2, 1000 were required to be built in 1963, and the car was duly homologated in September 1963. In the same month, in the car's first outing, in the Oulton Park Gold Cup, the car finished 3rd and 4th behind two Ford Galaxies, but beat the 3.8-litre Jaguars which had been dominant in saloon car racing for so long. Soon Ford were running cars in Britain, Europe, and the USA, with Team Lotus running cars in Britain for Ford, and Alan Mann Racing running cars in Europe, also on behalf of Ford. The Cortina Lotus was able to beat almost anything except the 7-litre V8 Ford Galaxies, and later, Ford Mustangs.

Diolch am 98,629,774 o olygiadau gwych, mae pob un ohonynt yn cael eu gwerthfawrogi'n fawr.

Thanks for 98,629,774 amazing views, every one is greatly appreciated.

Shot 09.10.2022, at Bicester Heritage, Autumn Scramble, Bicester Aerodrome, Bicester, Oxon 166-159

Nº 23.

Jaguar XK Coupé.

Escala 1/60.

"Coches en miniatura" - "El Periódico" (España).

Welly/Nex.

Año 2015.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Jaguar XK

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"The Jaguar XK series (XK, XK8 and XKR) is a series of grand tourer cars produced by British car maker Jaguar Cars since 1996. The series was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show on 5 March 1996, and the last car came off the production line on 23 July 2014.

The first generation of the series, the XK8, replaced the XJS, and was available as a coupé and convertible. The XK8 was the first 8-cylinder vehicle produced by Jaguar since the Daimler 250, introducing the Jaguar AJ-V8 engine.

The second generation XK was launched in 2006 (as a model year 2007). The new XK introduced an aluminium monocoque bodyshell, and is available both as a two-door coupé and two-door cabriolet/convertible, with just the engine and associated mechanicals being carried forward."

(...)

- XK8/XKR (1996–2006)

- XK/XKR (2007–2014)

"The newly designed XK was unveiled in 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany. Jaguar's chief designer Ian Callum (who was also responsible for working on the Aston Martin DB7 and Vanquish coupés) claimed that the inspiration for the shape of the new XK came from his admiration for British actress Kate Winslet's curves. The X150's grille was also inspired from the famous 1961 Jaguar E-Type.

The standard XK model has an unlimited top speed of 158 mph whilst the XKR an unlimited top speed of 174 mph. An even faster variant, the XKR-S model was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2012. The XKR-S gained an additional 40-horsepower over the XKR bringing the 0-60 mph time down to only 4.4 seconds and the top speed up to 300 km/h (186 mph) - making it the fastest Jaguar yet after the Jaguar XJ220. A convertible version of the XKR-S was released in 2012.

Production of the XK ceased in July 2014 without a replacement model until F-Type."

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_XK

Ref. 26-1611.

Audi 80 GL (1972-1976).

Escala 1/43.

Testauftrag >S<.

Schuco.

Made in Germany.

Production year: 1976.

"Schuco no. 26-1611 Test order S, from the 1976 series "For test drivers". Apart from actuality, what was special about these modellautos, that they could be divided into about 15 to 20 individual parts and thus the slogan test assignment got a special significance! (...)"

Source: www.autostadt.de/de/eshops/audi-80-gl.html

(original text in german language)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AUDI 80 (B1)

"The Audi 80 was developed by Ludwig Kraus and was presented in 1972.

It quickly became the bestseller in the lower middle class.

With a facelift in September 1976, the style of the Audi 80 was aligned towards that of the Audi 100, which had just been launched.

The Audi 80 GL was the top model in the series. Front-wheel drive, negative steering scrub radius and diagonal brake circuit distribution provided for driving safety even in adverse conditions."

Engine: 4-cylinder inline engine

Displacement: 1,297 cc to 1,588 cc

Power: from 55 hp at 5,500 rpm to 110 hp at 6,000 rpm

Series: 07/1972-09/1978

Production: 932,403 cars (without US models)

Source:

www.audi-me.com/me/brand/en/company/audi_history/Evolutio...

www.audi-me.com/me/brand/en/company/audi_history/Evolutio...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Audi 80 (B1) (1972-1978)

"This model debuted in Europe in 1972 as the Audi 80, and in 1973 in Australia and North America (Canada and the USA) as the Audi Fox, and was available as either a two-door or a four-door saloon (sedan).

It effectively took the place of several models that Audi had discontinued (the F103 series, which included the first model designated as an "Audi 80"), and provided the company with a viable rival to the Opel Ascona and the Ford Taunus (Ford Cortina in the UK), as well as more upmarket offerings including the Alfa Romeo Alfetta and Triumph Dolomite."

"The Audi 80 B1 was only the second modern-era Audi product to be developed entirely under Volkswagen ownership - Audi chief engineer Ludwig Kraus had famously been disparaging about the outgoing F103 series, referring to it as the "bastard", owing to its Auto Union/DKW bodyshell and Mercedes-Benz engine.

The B1 was a clean break from the Auto Union era, being equipped with.a range of brand new 1.3- and 1.5-litre SOHC inline-four petrol engines - the first appearance of the now legendary EA827 series of engines, whose descendants are still used in VW Group vehicles to the present day."

(...)

"On the home market, two- and four- door saloons were available in base trim (55 or 60 PS, called simply Audi 80 and 80 S, respectively), as L models (LS with 75 PS engine) or as a more luxurious GL (85 PS only).

In September 1973, Audi added the sporty 80 GT (two-door only) featuring a carburettor 1.6 litre engine (code: XX) rated at 100 PS (74 kW; 99 bhp)."

(...)

"Audi's design and development efforts paid off during the 1973 European Car of the Year competition where the 80 won ahead of the Renault 5 and the Alfa Romeo Alfetta.

A facelift in autumn 1976 brought about a revised front end in the style of the newly introduced Audi 100 C2 with square instead of round headlights, 1.6- instead of 1.5 litre engines (still of 75/85 PS) and a new 80 GTE model with a fuel-injected version of the 1.6-litre (110 PS (81 kW; 108 bhp)) replacing the former 80 GT."

(...)

"The B1 platform was dropped from the European market in 1978, although it was sold into the 1979 model year in North America."

(...)

---------------------------

Audi 80 B1 (80/82)

Also called

Audi Fox

Production

1972–1978

1,103,766 built

Body style

2/4-door sedan

5-door wagon

Layout

Front-engine, front-wheel-drive

Platform

Volkswagen Group B1 platform

Engine

1.3 L I4

1.5 L I4

1.6 L I4

Transmission

4-speed manual

3-speed automatic

Dimensions

Wheelbase

2,470 mm (97.2 in)

Length

4,175 mm (164.4 in)

Width

1,600 mm (63.0 in)

Height

1,362 mm (53.6 in)

Chronology

Predecessor

Audi 72

Successor

Audi 80 (B2)

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_80

More info:

www.speeddoctor.net/2012/audi-80-b1-1972-78/

W111

2.192 cc

120 PS

2.729 ex.

Bonhams : the Zoute Sale

Sold for € 103.500

Zoute Grand Prix 2017

Knokke - Zoute

België - Belgium

October 2017

'In the design of the 220 SE coupé, practical considerations have sometimes been given up for better looks, but the car gives passengers as well as the driver a fine feeling of safety, based in fact on first-class road-holding, excellent brakes and precise steering, not to mention the extreme comfort of the wide, well-upholstered individual front seats.' – Car & Driver.

Mercedes-Benz debuted four new models at the Frankfurt Show in 1959 - the 220 SEb among them - all of which shared the same basic unitary-construction bodyshell and all-round independent suspension. Longer than their predecessors, these elegant newcomers featured a wider radiator shell, wrap-around windscreen, wider rear window, and vertically positioned twin headlamps. The new 220 SEb retained the fuel-injected, single-overhead-camshaft engine of the previous 220 SE, though maximum power of the 2,195cc six was increased by five horsepower to 120bhp (DIN). Top speed was now 107mph (170km/h) with 60mph (97km/h) attainable in under 14 seconds. Coupé and Cabriolet models appeared in 1960 and 1961 respectively, minus the already dated-looking tail fins of the saloon. More modern in style, the luxurious 220 SEb Coupé and Cabriolet were better appointed too, being equipped as standard with a rev counter and leather upholstery, while four-speed automatic transmission with floor-mounted gearchange lever was avaiable as an option. Front disc brakes were fitted from the start of production, a benefit not enjoyed by the 220 SEb saloon until 1962. By the time production ceased in October 1965, fewer than 17,000 220 SEb Coupé and Cabriolet models had been manufactured, and today these stylish and luxuriously equipped Grand Tourers are highly prized.

Delivered new via the Mercedes-Benz sales organisation in Switzerland on 29th May 1963, this 220SEb Cabriolet has been in the vendor's private collection since 1999. We are advised that the previous owner's widow stated that her husband was the sole owner in Switzerland, but here are no documents surviving from this stage of the car's life.

Since 1999, restoration and maintenance have been documented by invoices and photographs. Having commenced in 2003, restoration of the bodywork was completed in 2009 using original Mercedes-Benz panels as far as possible, while any unobtainable panels were made by hand (no off-the-shelf panels were used). The car was then repainted in the original colour (DB 190 graphite grey) with subsequent cavity sealing. These works are documented by numerous photographs in addition to the invoices. The mechanicals were fully tested and, where necessary, reconditioned; since then, only regular maintenance has proved necessary as no repairs have been needed. A list of the works carried out is available on request.

The bumpers and sill trim strips were newly chromium-plated during the restoration; the remaining trim is described by the vendor as in a good-to-very-good original condition. The red leather upholstery is still largely original as are the nicely patinated door panels and carpets. All wood trim was re-veneered, and the interior also features a period-correct Blaupunkt Frankfurt radio with MP3 adapter and Hirschmann electric antenna. The rebuilt convertible hood is made of original-specification 'Sunland' fabric with horsehair padding, while the tonneau cover is new (shrunken original with car). An original power steering system as well as the obligatory hazard-warning flasher has been retrofitted. The wheels are shod with new Vredestein Sprint Classic tyres (185/80 R14) and the battery likewise is new. In March 2017, a cosmetic and mechanical overhaul of the engine ancillaries was carried out, though no repairs were found necessary. Driven regularly and ready to enjoy, this elegant Mercedes-Benz soft-top is offered with copy data card, German 'Historic' registration papers, and TüV.

Coachwork by Henri Chapron

Chassis n° 4219414

The 1961 Paris Salon de l'Automobile show car

The Zoute Sale - Bonhams

Estimated : € 180.000 - 250.000

Unsold

Zoute Grand Prix 2023

Knokke - Zoute

België - Belgium

October 2023

Just as it had done 21 years previously with the revolutionary 'Traction Avant', Citroën stunned the world again in 1955 with the launch of the strikingly styled 'DS'. The newcomer's startling appearance had been determined by the requirements of aerodynamic efficiency, while beneath the shark-like, low-drag bodyshell there was all-independent, self-levelling, hydro-pneumatic suspension plus power-operated brakes, clutch and steering. No European car would match the DS's ride quality for several years, and the fundamental soundness of Citroën's ahead-of-its-time hydro-pneumatic suspension is demonstrated by its survival in top-of-the-range models until relatively recently.

Other models offered alongside the original DS were the ID (a simplified, cheaper version), the cavernous Safari estate and the two-door Décapotable (convertible). One of the most stylish cars of the 1960s, the latter was the creation of that most celebrated Parisian coachbuilder, Henri Chapron, who called his first such model 'La Croisette'. A native of Nouan-le-Fuzelier in the Sologne region of France, Henri Chapron founded his coachbuilding company in 1919 at Levallois-Perret, Paris. Unlike so many fashionable French coachbuilders, Chapron carried none of the mental baggage that came from having graduated to cars from building horse-drawn carriages; consequently, his work had a freshness and innate sense of proportion that was well suited to chassis of quality.

Chapron's interpretations of the Citroën DS and ID were quite different from the regular production versions. Chapron added fins to the rear wings as early as 1965 and launched his own version of an upmarket DS at the Porte de Versailles Salon de l'Auto in October 1964 using the name 'Majesty'. At first, Chapron's décapotable conversion was not approved by Citroën, forcing him to buy complete cars rather than rolling chassis, but eventually the factory relented and went on to produce its own usine version on the longer chassis of the ID Break (estate) model.

Chapron continued to build his own Le Caddy and Palm Beach cabriolets together with various limousines and coupés. Chapron's second take on a soft-top DS, Le Caddy first appeared in 1959 and represented a considerable improvement over La Croisette. Whereas the latter had used saloon-type rear wings, necessitating a covering strip for the join between the wing and the redundant rear 'door' panel, Le Caddy used a much neater one-piece wing. The saloon's front doors were used until 1960 when longer ones were adopted, resulting in a further improvement in the design's proportions. Only 28 examples of the Le Caddy cabriolet were built between 1959 and 1968. Needless to say, they are all highly desirable.

In August 1961 this DS19 was despatched by Citroën to Henri Chapron for it to be modified into a 'Le Caddy' convertible to model-year 1962 specification, and the completed car was duly exhibited at the 48th Paris Auto Show from Thursday 5th to Sunday 15th August 1961. According to the Chapron certificate on file, this chassis was delivered to Henri Chapron, 114-116 rue Aristide Briand, on 4th August 1961.

When it arrived at the factory in Levallois-Perret, the car was given the Chapron number '7459 '.

This car is the 10th 'Le Caddy' cabriolet out of the 28 built by Henri Chapron. The car was originally painted in 'Or Longchamp' ('16288') and had a 'Sweet Calf Peggy' interior, black soft-top and soft-top cover in 'Sweet Calf Peggy', same as the interior. After the Paris Auto Show, the car was delivered to a Mr Ricard who lived in Paris. In accordance with his order, the car came with a hardtop, 'Radiomatic' radio, and a mirror on each of the two front wings. (The hardtop is no longer with the car).

Fully restored some time ago, the DS is now presented in the Chapron colour 'Bleu Royal', while the interior is trimmed in natural leather. The current vendor purchased the car around 12 years ago. Sold with a French Carte Grise de Collection and a Chapron certificate, this stylish Le Caddy represents a wonderful opportunity to own a superb example of Citroën's and Chapron's 20th Century motoring icon.

Vauxhall VX1800 Estate FE (1976-78) Engine 1758S4 OC Production 25,185 (incl. VX 2300)

Registration Number RPG 83 R (Guildford)

VAUXHALL SET

www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623863172810...

The 1972-76 Victor FE was updated for 1976 dropping the Victor name, the new car had a number of trim changes but bore the same bodyshell and running gear as the FE Victor. Available also as the VX 1800 or VX 2300 and in both saloon and estate form. Originally designed independently at Luton but with the demise of the VX and arrival of the Carlton ( a rebadged Opel Rekord) German design prevailed

Many thanks for a fantabulous 37,380,100 views

Shot at the Black Country Car Show, Himley Hall 06.09.2015 Ref 106-963

47 142 is seen here on the Down Filton Main at Lawrence Hill, on July 17th 1979.

She is pulling a rake of MOD Warflats, each carrying Bandvagn 202s.

She was built by Brush as D1735, entering service in May 1964.

86A Cardiff (Canton) 23/05/1964

87E Landore 06/1964

86A Cardiff (Canton) 07/1964

82A Bristol Bath Road 05/1965

D05 Stoke Division 17/06/1968

D16 Nottingham Division 10/1968

D05 Stoke Division 02/1969

D02 Birmingham Division 11/1969

BS Bescot 05/1973

CF Cardiff (Canton) 05/1973

Renumbered 47 142 04/1974

BR Bristol Bath Road 06/1974

CF Cardiff (Canton) 11/1974

LA Laira 02/1977

BR Bristol Bath Road 11/1977

TI Tinsley 10/1987

Named The Sapper, with the regimental badge of the Royal Engineers on a plate above the nameplate, at MoD, Long Marston, Warwickshire on 3/10/87 and removed in 7/93

Store 12/07/1993.

TI Tinsley 02/12/1993

Returned to Service 02/12/1993

Store 13/06/1994

Unofficially named TRACTION at Tinsley on 26/11/94.

CD Crewe Diesel 10/1995

Store 04/09/1996

CD Crewe Diesel 24/10/1996

Returned to Service 24/10/1996

Withdrawn 28/04/1998.

The loco was moved to Brush Traction at Loughborough about 20/10/96 for removal of all reuseable parts, and afterwards, sold to V.Berry of Leicester in 5/98 for final disposal.

The shell was moved by road to the yard of Leicester Heavy Haulage, where it was noted on 16/6/98, and was later disposed of by Vic Berry, although it had still not been cut up by 10/7/98.

This bodyshell was apparently broken up by Vic Berry at the new site by St. Mary's Mill Lock at Aylestone in Leicester during 9/99.

buymeacoffee.com/bristolian

I hope you enjoy looking through my Flickr images. Please consider helping me pay for my Flickr subscription, and to replace my scanner with something that'll produce better images from the past.

I'd like to rescan all of my older uploads in the fullness of time.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

The Jaguar XJ (XJ40) is a luxury sedan manufactured by Jaguar Cars between 1986 and 1994. Officially unveiled on 8 October 1986 it was an all-new redesign of the XJ to replace the Series III, although the two model ranges were sold concurrently until the Series III was discontinued in 1992. The XJ40 used the Jaguar independent rear suspension arrangement, and featured a number of technological enhancements (such as electronic instrumentation)

Development:

Throughout the 1970s Jaguar had been developing "Project XJ40", which was an all-new model intended to replace the original XJ6. Scale models were being built as early as 1972. Due to the 1973 oil crisis and problems at parent company British Leyland, the car was continually delayed. Proposals from both Jaguar's in-house designers and Pininfarina were received. Eventually, it was decided an internal design would be carried through to production and, in February 1981, the British Leyland board approved £80 million to produce the new car.

Jaguar historians claim that the XJ40 was the last car which company founder Sir William Lyons had contributed to during its protracted development phase. The previous generation XJ had been the final Jaguar to be developed wholly under Lyons' leadership - although he continued to take an active consultative role within Jaguar design, long after had retired from the day to day management of the firm following its merger in 1966 with the British Motor Corporation.

During development, the XJ40 pioneered significant improvements to the way Jaguar designed, built, and assembled cars. Among these improvements was a 25 per cent reduction in the number of bodywork panels required per car (e.g. three pressings needed for a Series 3 door compared with one for a XJ40 door), resulting in not only a more efficient assembly process, but also a weight saving and a stiffer structure. Greater attention to panel gaps improved the drag factor (reduced from 0.849 Cd to 0.762 Cd), while also improving the fuel economy and lowering wind noise inside the cabin.

Mechanicals:

AJ6 4.0 L engine (in a 1990 Daimler)

Initially, only two engines were offered across the XJ40 models: a 2.9 L and a 3.6 L version of the AJ6 inline-six. In 1990, these were changed to 3.2 L and 4.0 L versions. In 1993, the XJ12 and Daimler Double Six (both equipped with the Jaguar V12 engine) were added to the available models.

During the development of the XJ40, British Leyland had considered providing the Rover V8 engine for the car, which would have eliminated the need for future Jaguar engine production. The XJ40 bodyshell was allegedly engineered to prevent fitting V-configuration engines such as the Rover V8; this delayed the introduction of the V12-powered XJ12 until 1993.

The automatic gearbox used in the 2.9 L, 3.2 L and 3.6 L six-cylinder cars was the four-speed ZF 4HP22. On the 4.0 L, the four-speed ZF 4HP24 was used. A stronger automatic gearbox was required for the V12-equipped cars, and the four-speed GM 4L80-E was selected. The manual gearbox fitted to early cars was the five-speed Getrag 265, while later cars received the Getrag 290.

The automatic transmission selector was redesigned to allow the manual selection of forward gears without accidentally selecting neutral or reverse. This new feature was dubbed the "J-Gate" and has carried over to more recent Jaguar models.

Exterior:

The curvaceous lines of the outgoing Series XJ were replaced by the more angular, geometric shape of the XJ40. The nose of the car would accommodate either matched pairs of round headlights, or rectangular single units; the latter were fitted to the higher-specification Sovereign and Daimler trim levels, and also to all cars for the US market.

The bumper is a visually distinct black-rubber-covered bar that runs the full width of the car and incorporates the sidelights and indicator lights. The bonnet is hinged at the front. Window frames are either chromed or black, depending on model. Rain gutters, door mirrors, and door handles are also finished in chrome. All XJ40s have a chrome surround for the windscreen and a single windscreen wiper.

Early low-specification cars were fitted with metric-sized steel wheels and plastic wheelcovers. From 1991, the wheels were changed to non-metric sizing.

[Text from Wikipedia]

This Lego miniland-scale 1986 Jaguar XJ6 (XJ40) has been created for Flickr LUGNuts 85th Build Challenge, - "Like, Totally 80s", - for vehicles created during the decade of the 1980s.

Chassis n° 1E1944

Coachwork by Lynx

This car started life as number 3 short nose D Type built by LYNX in 1977. The car was then converted by LYNX into a LYNX XKSS in the 80s.

Bonhams : The Autumn Sale 2020

Estimated : € 250.000 - 350.000

Sold for € 184.000

Autoworld

www.autoworld.be

Brussels - Belgium

September 2020

"The factory fire in February 1957 extinguished the career of the XK SS, a road-going sports car based on the D-Type. As a result of the hiatus in production, and dislocations of plans for new product lines as important as the 3.4 saloon, the XK SS was abandoned. It was a cruel fate for a car that was a true thoroughbred, made in the image of the Le Mans winner, and one of the classic might-have-beens of motoring history." – Eric Dymock, The Jaguar File.

One of the rarest Jaguars of all, the XK SS was a spin-off from the D-Type racing programme. To satisfy the FIA's sports car regulations, the D-Type had been built in numbers greatly exceeding the demand for such a specialised piece of racing equipment, and conversion to road trim was viewed as the best way of clearing unsold stocks, hence the XK SS. The idea of a road-equipped D-Type is credited to Jaguar works driver Duncan Hamilton, who fitted a windscreen and hood to his ex-factory 1954 Le Mans car ('OKV 1') in 1956.

Modifications to make the D-Type acceptable for road use included installing a seat and door on the passenger side; removing the division between driver and passenger; fitting a full-width wraparound windscreen; and heat-shielding the side-exit exhaust system. A mohair hood and detachable side screens provided weather protection, and, as twin fuel tanks and the spare wheel occupied the boot space, a luggage rack was provided on the tail. The 3.4-litre XK engine remained pretty much to racing specification, producing around 250bhp, which, in a car weighing just 18cwt (914kg), made for electrifying performance. Production commenced during the winter of 1956, but the loss of a number of bodyshells in the fire at the Brown's Lane works in February 1957 severely curtailed the XK SS programme, with the result that only 16 had been made when production ceased in November of that year.

Testing an XK SS in 1957, the esteemed American motoring journal Road & Track recorded figures of 5.2 seconds and 13.6 seconds for the 0-60mph and 0-100mph times respectively, which are none too shabby even by today's standards. With an estimated top speed in excess of 150mph, the XK SS remained the fastest catalogued Jaguar sports car for many years.

Like many other legendary sports cars, the Jaguar XK SS inspired a number of imitations. An acknowledged master in this highly specialised field is the Sussex-based firm of Lynx Engineering, which enjoys an international reputation for accuracy and quality second to none. The car we offer is the third chassis manufactured by Lynx and the first of the exclusive series of only nine such replicas built to Jaguar XK SS specification (see email correspondence on file from Lynx and the company's co-founder Chris Keith-Lucas). Its history is known from new; indeed, this XK SS served as Chris Keith-Lucas's wedding car!

Built in the late 1980s, this XK SS takes its identity from a 1967 Jaguar E-Type, chassis number '1E1944', which was registered in the UK as 'PEH 670F'. Of riveted aluminium sheet, the coachwork conforms to the original method of construction. Unlike the original, however, the Lynx XK SS is powered by a larger, 3.8-litre XK six fitted with triple-Weber induction and a stainless-steel sports exhaust system. (Its original engine was a 4.2-litre XK unit taken from a Series 1½ E-Type.) Finished in British Racing Green, the car also features competition wheels and a nicely patinated black leather interior.

Previously owned by Roland Urban, founder of the French Jaguar Drivers' Club, the XK SS was completely overhauled in the early/mid-2000s and was purchased by the current vendor in 2008. In 2009 the engine was overhauled by Paris-based Cecil Cars, while earlier this year the car received new tyres and the carburetion system was overhauled as part of a general check over (see invoice on file for €4,617 from Prestige Garage in Vence, South of France). Offering breathtaking performance with classic Jaguar style, this beautifully executed XK SS re-creation comes with valid French Carte Grise.

BR Research Department (Derby RTC) Class 24 No. 97201 Experiment: SLW catalogue No. 2406.

This is an example plucked from the middle of production and clearly vindicates our efforts to make a number of subtle enhancements to this 4mm scale model in the light of customer feedback and operational experience. Have a close look and see if you can spot the numerous upgrades…

It is worth mentioning that this RTC loco introduces a completely new period-accurate bodyshell (Crewe production series with late exhaust retaining the original cab front doors). We sincerely believe this representation will quickly establish itself as the definitive model of the now-preserved machine once railway modellers get them running on their layouts. Optional nameplate transfers included (shown applied).

See www.sulzertype2.com for details

No commercial reproduction without permission.

Bonhams : the Zoute Sale

Sold for € 195.500

Zoute Grand Prix 2017

Knokke - Zoute

België - Belgium

October 2017

'The new engine turned out to have enormous marketing power. It became a real status symbol to have that little word 'turbo' on your rear deck, and this fashion spread right across the motor industry.' - Peter Morgan, 'Original Porsche 911'.

A 'modern classic' if ever there was one, Porsche's long-running 911 sports car first appeared at the 1963 Frankfurt Show as the '901' but shortly after production proper commenced in 1964 had become the '911' following Peugeot's complaints about the use of '0' model numbers. The preceding Type 356's rear-engined layout was retained but the 911 switched to unitary construction for the bodyshell and dropped the 356's VW-based suspension in favour of a more modern McPherson strut and trailing arm arrangement. In its first incarnation, Porsche's single-overhead-camshaft, air-cooled flat six engine displaced 1,991cc and produced 130bhp; progressively enlarged and developed, it would eventually grow to more than 3,0 litres and, in turbo-charged form, put out well over 300 horsepower.

Much of the Porsche 911's development had resulted from the factory's racing programme, and it was the then Group 4 homologation rules, which required 400 road cars to be built, which spurred the development of 'Project 930': the legendary 911 Turbo. In production from April 1975, the Type 930 Turbo married a KKK turbocharger to the 3,0-litre RSR engine, in road trim a combination that delivered 260bhp for a top speed of 250km/h. But the Turbo wasn't just about top speed, it was also the best-equipped 911 and amazingly flexible - hence only four speeds in the gearbox - being capable of racing from a standstill to 162 km/h in 14 seconds.

The Turbo's characteristic flared wheelarches and 'tea tray' rear spoiler had already been seen on the Carrera model while the interior was the most luxurious yet seen in a 911, featuring leather upholstery, air conditioning and electric windows. The Turbo's engine was enlarged to 3,3 litres for 1978, gaining an inter-cooler in the process; power increased to 300 bhp and the top speed of what was the fastest-accelerating road car of its day went up to 257 km/h. Originally sold only as a closed coupé, the Turbo became available for the first time in both Targa and cabriolet forms in 1988.

More refined than hitherto yet retaining its high performance edge, the Turbo sold in the thousands, becoming the definitive sports car of its age. When Porsche revealed that the original 911 would be replaced by the new Type 964 in 1990, dealer stocks of the existing Turbo model sold out overnight. Production of the Type 930 ceased in September 1989, and there would not be another 911 Turbo until the Type 964 version was launched in September 1990. In total between 1975 and 1977 only 1.625 EU-examples of the 3.0 litre Turbo were built which makes this series almost as rare as the 911 2.7 Carrera RS with 1590 examples built.

This Type 930 Turbo was built for the German market and delivered to Porsche dealer Otto Glocker in Frankfurt where it was purchased by its first (Belgian) owner, Mme Padevain-Dupont in 1976. Incidentally, 'Dupont' was her husband's name, and - apparently - at that time a wife needed her husband's authorisation to buy a car! Madame Padevain was born in 1911 so she was already 65 years old when she bought the 911. The car was taken straight to Belgium and has belonged to the first owner's family ever since. The accompanying Porsche Certificate of Authenticity confirms that the engine and colour scheme of Sienna Metallic over 'Brown-Beige' leather are matching. Moreover, it lists the purchase price of 66.500 DM.

Always well looked after by its lady owner, the car was taken to Monaco in 1993 by Madame Padevain and registered there as 'L106', which we can still find on the windscreen. The history file contains a map of Cannes and a parking card from Monaco where the Porsche was kept for many years by Madame Padevain's family.

Sadly, in 2000 Madame Padevain died and the car's ownership passed to her son; documentation on file shows that the Porsche had 122.000 km recorded at that time. While in Madame Padevain's son's possession, the car was treated to a complete overhaul, which was carried out by D'Ieteren Porsche in Belgium. At the same time the 911 was repainted in its original colour and the interior re-trimmed. The restoration was carried out between 2000 and 2009; expenditure on mechanical work alone amounted to over 600.000 Belgian Francs (all invoices on file).

Once the restoration had been finished, the son, who by this time was approaching old age, hardly drove the car. It was then registered in his name and taken back to the South of France where it stayed until last year. Today, this beautiful car is presented in its original specification and in unmolested condition - the latter a rare attribute among early 911 Turbos - with only some 148.000 km recorded on the odometer. The last service was carried out in September 2017. The car is offered with an extensive history file containing the aforementioned restoration invoices including all invoices since 1976 up to now; Porsche Certificate of Authenticity and Certificate of Conformity; and the original service booklet, the latter stamped on six occasions between 1976 (1.319 km) and 1994 (98.417km). All books and tools come with this exceptional Type 930 Turbo, together with the original Porsche pouch and the 2 original keys.

The Porsche 993 is the company's internal name for the version of the Porsche 911 model manufactured and sold between late 1993 and early 1998, replacing the 964. Its discontinuation marked the end of air-cooled Porsches.

Like previous and future generations of the Porsche 911, there were several variants of the car manufactured, varying in body style, drivetrains, and included equipment. The Porsche 993 was replaced by the Porsche 996.

The external design of the Porsche 993, penned by Englishman Toni Hatter, used the basic bodyshell architecture of the 964, but with changed external panels, with much more flared wheelarches and a smoother front and rear bumper design, an enlarged retractable rear wing, teardrop mirrors, but keeping the doors and roof panels.

Bonhams : the Zoute Sale

Estimated : € 40.000 - 80.000

Sold for € 43.700

Zoute Grand Prix 2019

Knokke - Zoute

België - Belgium

October 2019

A 'modern classic' if ever there was one, Porsche's long-running 911 arrived in 1964, replacing the 356 and providing the Stuttgart manufacturer with a product worthy of comparison with the finest sports cars from Britain and Italy. The 356's rear-engined layout was retained but the 911 switched to unitary construction for the bodyshell and dropped the 356's VW-based suspension in favour of a more modern McPherson strut and trailing arm arrangement. In its first incarnation, the 911's single-overhead-camshaft, air-cooled flat six displaced 1,991cc and produced 130bhp. Although widely acclaimed, the 911 was necessarily expensive, a shortcoming that Porsche addressed by offering the 912 which, though outwardly identical, was powered by the 356's 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine. As installed in the 912 the latter produced 90bhp, some 40 horsepower less than the 911's six, but this deficit was offset by significantly reduced weight, resulting in a better-balanced car with greatly improved road manners. The 911 gearbox was used, offering a choice of four or five speeds. Despite being down on power, the 912 had a respectable top speed of 191km/h. Porsche officially began production of the 912 on April 5, 1965 with a little over 30,000 produced (all on the original short-wheelbase chassis) between 1965 and 1968, and today the 912 is a relative rarity when compared with its better-known sibling.

This desirable early matching-numbers Porsche 912 was sold new in the beginning of 1966 in the USA via Porsche Car Pacific of Burlingame, California. Being one of the early 1966 examples produced it features the typical and desirable early series 3-clock dashboard, the Enamel badged wheels and thin engine support. We are advised that the body of this car with chassis prefix '35' was produced by the Porsche factory itself where the vast majority was produced by Karmann.

Its first owner was Mr George Papageorge of San Jose (later Nipomo), California, who would keep the car until 2013 when it was sold to the current owner who unfortunately passed away and was never able to drive this car meaning this effectively is a '1 registered owner from new' car. A copy of the original Porsche Kardex is on file together with a State of California Certificate of Title and the 2013 bill of sale. EU duties have been paid. Still in its original (professionally repainted) colour scheme of Bahama Yellow with black (original) interior, this remarkably original Porsche 912 has led an easy life, as a single look will confirm. Even the carpets in the passenger compartment and boot appear original, and we are advised that there are no signs of welding or accident damage. The odometer reading is circa 51,000 miles. We are advised by the vendor that the engine starts instantly and runs well, while the transmission is said to be in good working order. In addition to the aforementioned documentation, the car also comes with its original jack, service book, factory options book, and Blaupunkt radio instructions.

Entering Leicester with the terminating 2L56 service from Lincoln is East Midlands Trains Class 156, 156411.

Based on the earlier designs of the Class 151, the Class 156 was an express variant created for longer distance operations on the then British Rail Regional Railways sector. 114 units were constructed by Metro-Cammell (now owned by Alstom) at their former Washwood Heath works in Birmingham, with the primary goal of replacing the last few 1st generation DMU units from the 1950's and early 60's on longer distance trains.

The original Class 151 was designed as a competitor against BREL's Class 150 as a new unit for the 1980's. The Class 151 however had many flaws that made it somewhat inferior to the Class 150, and thus was not chosen for mass-production. In response, the Class 156, Metro-Cammel's second attempt at a widespread unit for BR operation, was conceived upon much more conservative principles. The bodyshell was made of steel instead of aluminium, and the cab design was deliberately similar to the BREL Class 150 to ease union acceptance.

The vehicles are powered by 6-cylinder Cummins NT855-R5 diesel engines through Voith T211r hydraulic automatic transmissions and Gmeinder final drive units. They have a top speed of 75mph.

Unlike the Class 150 units, the 156's have a single-leaf sliding door at either end of each coach. This reflected the expected longer journeys with fewer stops that the Class 156 was supposed to operate. As with the Class 150, all the doors are operable by passengers when released by the guard using one of two passenger door control panels; they are energized using a carriage key to turn a rotary switch situated on the cab bulkhead. Units operated by Abellio ScotRail have additionally been fitted with door-control panels near the centre sets of doors for the convenience of the guard.

The first 100 units were all ordered by the Provincial Sector of British Rail, and carried the sector's livery of blue and beige with light blue stripe. Twenty units, numbers 156401-419/422 based at Tyseley depot, were later repainted into Regional Railways Express livery after the rebranding of Provincial.

The last fourteen units, numbers 156501-514, were ordered by Strathclyde PTE, and carried an orange and black livery. This was later replaced by a carmine and cream livery, reminiscent of the 1950s livery carried by Mk.1 coaching stock.

In the early 1990's, British Rail was looking to save costs on rural routes, and decided that operating two-car trains was too expensive. The company planned to convert a number of Class 156 units into single-car vehicles as Class 152. In the event, the decision was taken to do this with the Class 155 units instead.

The Class 156's entered service with Regional Railways in 1988, primarily on services in the Scottish Lowlands and Northern England. They were a major hit, with their extra capacity and express style seating being quite popular among passengers. The 156's plied their trade for many years until the introduction of the faster Class 158's somewhat demoted them to many slower workings, although many 156's retained express operations and would often work in conjunction with 158's.

One Class 156 however has been lucky enough to leave the UK on an excursion to Holland, this being 156502 from the Scottish Region. In summer 1989, in connection with celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Dutch railways, British Rail was invited to send an example of its latest rolling stock to be exhibited at Utrecht for two weeks. Class 156 unit number 156502 from Glasgow was selected; it was unusual as it carried the Strathclyde Passenger Executive (SPE) orange and black livery. On 16th June, 1989, the unit was driven under its own power by a Derby train crew from the Railway Technical Centre to the Netherlands. As the Channel Tunnel was still under construction, the train was carried on the SNCF train ferry from Dover Western Docks to Dunkirk, from where the unit was driven through France and Belgium to the Dutch border at Essen and on to Utrecht with help from SNCF, SNCB and NS train crews. The unit was exhibited along with various items of rolling stock from across Europe for around two weeks, after which it returned to the UK.

Today, all units remain in service with a variety of operators from Scotland to the North of England, Anglia and the Midlands. Many of the former Central Trains units from the original batch were offloaded following the mass introduction of Class 170's in the mid-2000's, and have found allocation elsewhere with East Midlands Trains and Northern Rail.

As it stands, East Midlands Trains operate 14 units on services in the East Midlands and Anglia. Northern Rail operate 40 to work around Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, York, Hull, Carlisle and Blackpool. Abellio Scotrail operate 48 units that work the entire length and breadth of Scotland, from their various services across the border to Newcastle and Carlisle, to the remote and rural operations of the West Highland Line to Fort William and Mallaig. Abellio Greater Anglia operate the smallest fleet of 5 units on various services in the Anglia region, including trains to Great Yarmouth. During the transfer of stock within First TransPennine Express, a small number of 156's were leased to the company to cover their operations around Liverpool in 2015, though it is understood that these units have either been or soon will be retunred to Northern Rail.

Volkswagen Golf GT Driver Mk.2 (1983-92) Engine 1595cc S4 8v 74bhp Production 6,000,000 (all Golf Mk.2's)

Registration Number D 437 CFP (Leicester)

VOLKSWAGEN SET

www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623738785355...

The second-generation Volkswagen Golf was launched in Europe at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show.and launched into the British marketplace March 1984. It featured a larger bodyshell, and a wider range of engine options than the Mark 1 and a more rounded style. During the life of the Golf MK2, there were a number of external style revisions. Notable changes to the looks of the Golf MK2 included the removal of quarterlight windows in the front doors, and the introduction of larger grille slats with the August 1987 facelift. The most notable was the introduction of so-called "Big Bumpers", which were introduced in the European market with an August 1989 facelift.

Diolch yn fawr am 67,009,228 o olygfeydd anhygoel, mwynhewch ac arhoswch yn ddiogel

Thank you 67,009,228 amazing views, enjoy and stay safe

Shot 22.07.2018 at the Curborough Sprint, Curborough, Staffordshire Ref 135-347

Spotted this Mini sailing into the Funny Beach at Marbella earlier this week (No Sangria consumed). Turns out that it was a fibreglass bodyshell mounted onto a jet ski.

Basis : Jaguar E-Type V12 Series 3 2+2 Coupé

Chassis n° UC1S73059BW

Estimated : CHF 170.000 - 220.000

Unsold

The Bonmont Sale

Collectors' Motor Cars - Bonhams

Golf & Country Club de Bonmont

Chéserex

Switzerland - Suisse - Schweiz

September 2019

"What we've done is give an E-Type Jaguar the total functionality of an XKR. The Beacham E-Type is destined for the classic enthusiast who requires reliability along with modern technology and all mod cons, plus a serious fun factor." - Beacham Ltd.

One of the biggest names in the classic Jaguar world, Beacham first caught the motoring public's imagination back in the late 1980s when the company, based at Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's North Island, began offering its comprehensively restored, re-engineered and updated Jaguar Mark 2 saloons. Since then Dr Greg Beacham's company has expanded its activities to include restoration and upgrades for the Jaguar XK150, Aston Martin DB4, various Rolls-Royce and Bentley models and, of course, the immortal E-Type.

Automotive technology, though, does not stand still and today, more than half a century since the E-Type's launch, there is a growing market for improved versions of this iconic model combining its beautiful classic looks with modern performance, handling and comfort. Beacham's approach is to build the V8 engine, driver train and running gear of the Jaguar XKR sports car into an original E-Type bodyshell.

Firstly, it must be said that the Beacham E-type is very rapid, travelling from 0-60 mph in around six seconds. Plus, it features superb steering and handling because it has been re-engineered from the wheels up. Externally the Beacham looks very familiar, the only real give-aways for the sharp-eyed being the contemporary Jaguar mirrors and door handles; the air scoop under the front bumper; and the bigger tyres and chrome wire wheels. (The latter are genuine, and original, Jaguar factory options.) However, it is beneath the skin and inside the cabin where the most obvious changes are to be found.

The Beacham E-type is crammed full of technology: ABS brakes, traction control, anti-dive suspension geometry and more. Included is a full complement of comfort and safety systems: power-adjustable steering wheel and side mirrors, all with memory function; climate control and electric windows; SRS/airbag systems; and a power-operated convertible roof. In addition there is a premium sound system and GPS, all set into a bespoke polished wood-veneer dashboard. Trimmed in supple new leather, the modern seats have all the power controls from current Jaguars.

A new sub-frame was devised to house the XKR V8 engine and front suspension, and the integration of the mechanical components must be considered a remarkable engineering feat. Underneath, the car is a work of art. The stainless-steel exhaust system is of the highest order, and everywhere there is evidence of the closest attention to detail. But exchanging modern technology for old involves more than fabricating new engine mounts and re-routing exhaust systems. Combining the electronics of modern engines, transmissions, and systems such as airbags and ABS with existing electronics is a startling achievement for a small manufacturer.

Based on a US-market Series 3 V12 2+2 Coupé, the example offered here was completed in 2015 and first registered in the UK on 21st July of that year, since when it has had two owners. Finished in dark blue metallic with tan leather interior, this E-Type has automatic transmission and features power steering, air conditioning, electric folding roof, ABS, electrically operated seats and boot lid, removable hard top, electric windows, trip computer, CD player, and an alarm. Only 1,144 km have been covered from new and the car is presented in commensurately good condition.

All bodyshell painting now finished, and odd small bits of overspray tidied with acrylic, which has surprised me by how invisible the touch-ins are compared to enamel. The paint layer build up around the where the cab module fits into the main bodyshell has been addressed, so it now fits tightly, and without an obvious join.

Having hummed and hawed at ways to get the bodyshell to slip on and off, without major surgery to some of the innards, I am going to ditch that idea. At least by building a shell there is not a single evident join in the entire body, and by fitting the interior from underneath the end result should look seamless.

The blinds are now in place all round, and the lining on the lower advert panels will be painted in prior to the lettering being applied.

Following withdrawl from Bakerloo line service in 1985, DM 10139 spent a number of years at Ruislip depot. It was reformed into unit 11172 (which had been used as a staff mess facility in the depot) at some stage while at Ruislip, replacing DM 10172 (does anyone know why?). The other 2 cars from its unit were sent for scrap. However, 10172, now separated from its unit, remained at Ruislip for some time afterwards.

10139 is seen in the sidings outside the depot on 19th March 1988. It had been heavily canibalised to keep the five active trains of '38 stock going. Note the broken windows, missing door and various parts dumped inside - there's even a guards panel visible in the third window from the front.

This car (together with 11172) eventually made their way to the Isle of Wight as spare vehicles. (They were provided as spare bodyshells in case one of the 18 other cars became damaged beyond repair). Although they were notionally allocated the unit number 483 010, they never carried passengers again. Their windows were plated over and they were painted blue with half-yellow fronts. They were initally stored in the siding at Sandown station before being moved to Ryde where the car bodies were removed from their bogies - the bodies spent the remainder of their time on the island languishing in the car park behind Ryde St Johns Road signal box. They were eventually scrapped circa 2001 following the reduction in the island's fleet size.

(Photographed from a passing Central line train).

Edsel Ford introduced the 'Mercury' in 1939 as a model to fill the gap between the basic Ford V8, and the luxury upmarket Lincoln Zephyr.

The 1949-51 third generation adopted a pontoon appearance, the bodyshell now shared with the 1949 Lincoln Cosmopolitan (the headlights and grille distinguishing the two vehicles); inside, the two lines would feature separate interior designs.

Models available in 1949 were; the 72 2 door Coupe, the 74 4 door Sedan, the 76 2 door Convertible and 79 2 door Wagon (wood panel sides).

In 1950, the high- end Monterey coupe was introduced, in the same vein as the Ford Crestliner, the Lincoln Lido and the Lincoln Cosmopolitan Capri. 1951 saw an update to the grille-indicator treatment

Engine; 155 cu in flathead V8

This rare classic Clan Crusader is chassis number 24 of a production run of 350 and was registered in Bradford in February, 1972, still carrying its original Rootes Group 875cc engine, it has travelled in excess of 200,000 miles. It appeared on display at Buckley town's Fun Day on 7th May, 2023.

Info below is by courtesy of The Clan Crusader's owners club:-

The Clan Crusader

The Beginning – 1971

The Clan Crusader is a fibreglass monocoque sports two-seater, powered by the Rootes Imp Sport engine, with suspension and main running gear from the same manufacturer. The Crusader was originally conceived by a group of Lotus engineers in the late ’60s. Paul Haussauer formed the Clan Motor Company and developed a prototype vehicle with the assistance of Brian Luff. The styling for the Crusader was by John Frayling.

Initial production of the first few cars started in a nursery factory in Washington, Tyne-and-Wear. They were completed and registered by July 1971. A purpose built factory unit was leased, taking advantage of government grants designed to improve employment in the area.

By the official start of production, in September 1971, five cars a week were being produced. This continued despite the coal miners’ strike the next winter, the knock on effect of which caused supply problems. This prevented, to some extent, the growth of production, the factory being capable of four times this throughput.

Approximately 350 cars were built by Clan Motor Company including 19 specifically for competiton use. Some at the beginning being sold in component form, i.e. bodyshell fully trimmed, all wiring, glass and piping fitted. (in the same way as Lotus Elans) to beat the 25% purchase tax. With the advent of VAT, component kits were dropped. In May 1972 the Crusader was successfully crash tested at M.I.R.A.

Production ceased in late 1973 due to the company’s financial difficulties, even though sales were still good. Several finished and part-finished cars were sold after the company’s closure.

1974 – 1981

The company and a large proportion of its assets were bought by Cypriot Truck manufacturer Mr. Andreas Kaisis. The stock and body moulds were shipped to Cyprus. Unfortunately the Turkish invasion of Northern Cyprus prevented the resumption of Clan production on the island.

In the meantime in Britain, the Crusader had been doing well as a competition car. Brian Luff who was involved in the Crusader’s early development produced a new mould tool by using an existing Clan body shell. Brian was able to supply body shells, panels and windscreen glass to people rebuilding or scratch building cars, mostly for competition use. Brian stopped building shells in 1981.

1982

The parts languished for several years in Cyprus before being brought back to Britain by Ian Hopper, a colleague of Paul Haussauer the ex M.D. of Clan Motor Company.

A new company ‘Clan Marketing’ was formed in the early 1980’s their aim was to re-introduce the Clan and develop the car for the 80’s and beyond. Two of the original unfinished cars that were shipped to Cyprus were returned and completed.

Initially making shells to take the engine from the Imp sport the company also produced a series of development shells and cars that were suitable for a range of engines including the Ford XR2, Peugeot 205, Fiat X1/9 and the Talbot Samba, approximately 10 were produced for the Imp sport.

Development work on a new Clan using a Peugeot engine continues. (see also ‘Present Day’ below)

Present Day

The Imp based mould tools from the Northern Ireland operation were purchased by two prominent Clan Owners Club members, Dave Excell and Dave Weedon. The “two Daves” can supply any fibreglass part from a small repair panel to a complete bodyshell.

Advanced Composite shells are available for the competition orientated owner.

www.clanownersclub.org

Crash damaged 31401 striped out awaiting the cutters torch at Doncaster works on 07/08/88. Its major components used to build a replacement, 31400, using the bodyshell of 31161. This too was withdrawn by July 1991 hardly justifying the expense !

Sharkbait Surfing School

The Ford Thames 300E is a car derived van that was produced by Ford UK from 1954 to 1961. The Thames (or Thames Trader) name was given to all available sizes of commercial vehicle produced by Ford in Britain during the 1950s and until the arrival in 1965 of the UK built Ford Transit.

The 300E was introduced in July 1954, based on the Ford Anglia / Prefect 100E saloon range. It shared its bodyshell and 1172 cc sidevalve four-cylinder engine with the Ford Squire estate car versions of the line. Oddly, the bodyshell was optimized for use as a panel van rather than an estate with its two, short passenger doors and shorter overall length than the saloons. Initially produced only as a single model with 5 long cwt (560 lb; 254 kg) carrying capacity, the range was later expanded with the introduction of Standard and Deluxe 7 long cwt (784 lb; 356 kg) variants. All three offered the same 66-cubic-foot (1.9 m3) load volume. Production totalled 196,885 examples comprising 139,267 5 cwt, 10,056 Standard 7 cwt and 47,562 Deluxe 7 cwt units.

300E production ended in April 1961

All-British Field Meet

VanDusen Botanical Garden

Vancouver BC Canada

youtu.be/ErEH1qcoGqs

See this train in the video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD4KORWMc2I

Seen working north through Alexandra Palace is Great Northern Class 321, 321409.

The Class 321's were never originally residents of the East Coast Mainline, but the recent reshuffling of stock, and the availability of 321 vehicles displaced from the West Coast Mainline by Class 350 Desiro units has seen them become regular performers of the Semi-Fast workings in and out of King's Cross.

The Class 321's made their debut in 1988, being built by BREL of York in a set of three batches of 117 units overall. The first batch were the Class 321/3's, of which 66 members were built to operate on the Great Eastern Mainline out of London Liverpool Street, replacing many of the original AC units that dated back to the 1950's. The second batch the 321/4's, were a set of 48 units built to operate on the West Coast Mainline out of London Euston and Birmingham New Street. The final batch, the 321/9's, were built to work trains in West Yorkshire between Leeds and Doncaster, of which three units were built.

The Class 321's design is based largely off the bodyshell of the MkIII coach, and have 1,300hp at their disposal, whisking them to 100mph. The success of these units have seen a selection of derivative units being built, including the Class 320's that work in the Glasgow Area, the Class 322's that were originally built for the Stansted Express but now reside in West Yorkshire, and the Class 456's that operate for Southwest Trains, being of the same design but powered by DC 3rd Rail.

Today, the fleet is still in heavy use on the London commuter networks, with Greater Anglia being the largest operator of the Class on trains out of Liverpool Street. Great Northern inherited a fleet of 13 Class 321's from First Capital Connect, which took these from Silverlink and London Midland after they were displaced from their usual West Coast Mainline stomping ground by the Class 350's. London Midland continue to operate 7 Class 321's in the peak periods for extra capacity, but are highly underutilised as the company pursues a standardised Desiro fleet.

Lancia Fulvia Sport S Series II by Zagato (1970-72) Engine 1298cc V4 DOC Production 2600

Registration: Number ETU 491 L (Bournemouth)

LANCIA ALBUM

www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623795824232...

The Lancia Fulvia debuted at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show powered by a 1298cc V4 engine of 90bhp. This is an example built by Zagota on the Fulvia coupe underpan.

The Sport was a fastback two seater based on Coupé mechanicals, built for Lancia by Zagato—where it had been designed by Ercole Spada. The Sport was commissioned by Lancia to Zagato as more aerodynamic and sportier version of the coupé, which could be used in road and track competitions.

The series 1 had its bonnet hinged to the right hand side, the rear hatch, which could be lifted electrically by an handful of centimetres to aid cabin ventilation, and the spare wheel, housed in a separate compartment, accessed from a rotating panel which held the rear number plate. The Series 1 Sport was introduced at the 1965 Turin Motorshow the first Sport had an all-aluminium alloy bodyshell and used the coupé's 1.2-litre (1,216 cc) engine. The interior featured a wood-trimmed dashboard and two small bucket seats designed by Zagato. Just 202 were made in total

The Series 1 Aport 1.3 was a 1966 upgrade of the Sport with a 1298cc engine from the Rallye 1.3, producing 87 hp. Early version retained the aluminium bonnet, doors, and spare wheel hatch. Whereas the first Sport was homologated as a two-seater, the car was now classified as a three-seater—or 2+1. The 1.3 can be distinguished from the 1.2 for its silver- instead of ivory-painted steel wheels, and the side mirror on the driver's side front wing.

The Series 1 line up was completed with the 1.3 Sport S An updated Sport 1.3 with 1,298 cc producing 92bhp These Sports were normally fitted with brake servos. It is recognizable by its larger hubcaps, decorated with Lancia flag logos instead of being plain.

The second series Zagota Sport was launched at the 1970 Turin Motorshow Changes included a 5-speed gearbox, revised suspension geometry, taller ride height, an alternator in place of the previous dynamo, a taller final drive compared to coupés, and wider tyres, the body was now all steel and seated 2+2 passengers The bonnet was now hinged at the front, and the spare wheel compartment hatch was deleted. Other changes included the lights, the moving of the mirrors from the wing to the door. The line up contained two models the Sport 1.3S and the Sport 1600.

The Sport 1.3S (1970-72)

The Series two car retained the same engine as the the Series 1 1.3S but now with a five speed gerabox. Very early versions of these Series 2 cars were fitted with Series I bodyshells with a separate spare wheel-hatch and smaller rear lights and aluminium bonnet and doors. Later versions have all-steel bodyshells, no spare wheel hatch, and larger rear lights.

The Sport 1600 (1971-72)

Was powered by a 1584cc engine from the HF, producing 115 bhp and a top speed of 118mph The 1600 was distinguished by a matte black radiator grille with chrome edges, black rubber over-riders on the bumpers, a matte black band on the engine bonnet, and new flush door handles. The interior had a oil temperature gauge, bucket seats with headrests and electric front windows as standard. Cromodora alloy wheels like those found on the 1600 HF were optional.

Diolch am 88,446,034 o olygfeydd anhygoel, mae pob un yn cael ei werthfawrogi'n fawr.

Thanks for 88,446,034 amazing views, every one is greatly appreciated.

Shot 10.10.2021 at Bicester Scramble, Bicester, Oxon. Ref. 122-212

Heading south past Hademore with the 1A24 Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston is this unidentified Virgin Trains Class 390 Pendolino.

Since their introduction in 2002, the Class 390 tilting Pendolino sets have revolutionised services on the West Coast Mainline, bringing about an entirely new level of speed onto a route notorious for its laboriously winding route. But with such a technological leap, the Class 390 has sadly paid the price for its image due to what it was replacing.

The idea of a tilting train on the West Coast Mainline was however not a new one to Alstom when they developed the Pendolino sets in the late 1990's, with the concept being toyed way back in the early 1970's. British Rail first pioneered the concept of the tilting train with the ill-fated Advanced Passenger Train or APT of the mid-1970's. The idea was to create a train that could shift its centre of gravity whilst moving around sharp bends at high speeds, similar to how a motorcyclist leans into corners. This was to not only allow the train to travel at higher speeds on winding track without fear of it falling over, but also to improve passenger comfort levels and stop people being pressed against the windows when taking corners!

The original APT was a Gas-Turbine unit that operated on the Midland Region out of London St Pancras, and was later followed by the Class 370 electric multiple unit that began trials on the West Coast Mainline from 1980. A truly brilliant concept, the APT showed the world that the idea of a tilting train could be possible, that is, when it worked. The Class 370 was marred by teething problems and reliability issues, mostly consisting of the fact that the tilting mechanism wouldn't work properly or there would be just general train faults. Coupled with the winter of 1981, the worst winter for many years, and the train's image was damaged beyond repair. Even while developments were looking promising, and with only a few million Pounds required to complete the project, the British Government pulled the plug and the APT was axed in 1986, with only one complete set remaining as a rather sorry museum piece. The train of the future had become a thing of the past.

But the developments of the APT were picked up by none-other than Fiat Ferroviaria, who, following the failure of their British rival, developed their own and much more successful tilting train, the ETR-401 Pendolino, which began operations in 1988. This was later translated into a fleet of 15 ETR 450 production units which became the first revenue earning tilting trains.

In 2000, Fiat Ferroviaria was acquired by Alstom, who has been building their legendary tilting trains ever since. This coincided with the formation of Virgin Trains following privatisation of British Rail in 1994. As part of Virgin Trains' franchise requirements in 1997, the company intended the replacement of the ageing BR stock of the 1960's with a new fleet of high speed trains that would reduce journey times and up travel quality. As such, Virgin turned to Fiat Ferroviaria and later successor Alstom to provide them with a derivative version of the company's latest tilting Pendolino, the ETR 460.

Fiat Ferroviaria supplied much of the content of the Class 390 units, including the bodyshell and the bogies, while final assembly was carried out at Washwood Heath. The tilting technology was developed by SIG Switzerland (later Fiat-SIG, today Alstom). Two electromechanical actuators are used per car to achieve the desired tilting angle on curved stretches of track. The train can tilt to a maximum of eight degrees, at which point one side of the cabin train is 380 mm higher above the track than the other. In contrast to other Fiat Ferroviaria tilting trains which use hydraulic tilting actuators, the electromechanical systems offers lower maintenance cost and higher efficiency.

The new trains were intended to run at 140mph, but the West Coast Main Line modernisation programme, which was an upgrade to the infrastructure to allow faster line speeds, ran over budget. Consequently, plans were scaled back, and in a manner reminiscent of the introduction of the InterCity 225, the lack of signalling upgrades resulted in the maximum line speed being restricted to 125mph. Although this (and 140mph) are well below BR's hopes for APT of 155mph, it does match the maximum speed of 125mph for the APT in passenger service (although one APT set reached 162mph in testing).

The fleet was introduced into passenger services from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly on 23rd July, 2002, to coincide with the opening of the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. Over the next few months they took over the Manchester services, and were soon introduced on routes from London to Liverpool Lime Street, Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton and Preston.

With the start of Class 390 operations, the writing was very much on the wall for the ageing sets of trains it was replacing, and thus the Class 390's image began to be somewhat tarnished amongst the railway purists. First to go were the Class 86's of the 1960's, proud high-speed locomotives that were once the mainstay of the WCML, withdrawn from service in 2003 following both the introduction of the Class 390's, and the Class 220/221 Voyager units on Cross-Country services. Next were the newer Class 90's of 1989, replaced in 2004 once Class 390's had been allocated to routes north of Preston. The final locomotive hauled trains were provided by the Class 87's of the 1970's, which held strong until final replacement in 2005, bringing an end to locomotive hauled services on the West Coast Mainline. From then on, the Class 86's have mostly been scrapped, whilst Class 90's were transferred to Anglia to replace their Class 86 fleet. Class 87's on the other hand have since been exported largely to Bulgaria, the few remaining here in the UK either being scrapped, placed in storage, or made into museum pieces. This left a great deal of animosity towards the Class 390's by the railway enthusiast community, who, even after 10 years, still have a strong hatred towards these trains.

The service improvements however are something that can't be taken away from the Class 390's as these trains have taken the original and comparatively sluggish 110mph top speed and translated it into the extremely fast 125mph running speed that BR had dreamt of for years. In September 2006, the Pendolino set a new speed record, completing the 401 mile length of the West Coast Main Line from Glasgow Central to London Euston in 3 hours, 55 minutes, beating the 4-hour-14-minute record for the southbound run previously set in 1981 by the Class 370 APT. The APT however retains the ultimate speed record for this route, having completed the northbound journey between London Euston and Glasgow Central in 3 hours 52 minutes in 1984 which included a 5-minute delay due to a signal fault.

Since then the Pendolino has become very much a staple of high speed train travel in the UK, and still looks good even 15 years after the first ones hit the test tracks back in 2001.

The Class 390 was put to the test however with 390033 'City of Glasgow', which was written off after the Grayrigg derailment of February 23rd, 2007. The accident had been caused by a points malfunction, which, after a failure to inspect by Network Rail, changed the direction of travel from normal and thus resulted in the entire set derailing and plummeting down an embankment at 95mph. The sturdy design and robust nature of the Class 390 has been attributed to the fact that only one person, an elderly lady, was killed in the disaster, whereas if the previous MkII carriages had been involved, the death-toll could have been much higher. As said, the unit was written off, and the less damaged rear carriages of the set now reside at the Crewe Training Centre and are used for the instruction of drivers and train crew. The subsequent destruction of one of the units led to Virgin Trains reinstating a loco-hauled service to cover its diagrams, this being in the form of a hired Class 90 (usually from Freightliner), a set of 9 MkIII coaches, and a Driving Van Trailer. This train operated covering diagrams until November 2014, when it was retired and transferred to Greater Anglia.

Since 2007 the Class 390's have had their fleet enhanced from the original 53 sets to 57 with the addition of 4 new units between 2011 and 2012. The introduction of these new sets coincided with the extension of 31 sets to 11-cars, with new carriages built and imported from Alstom's factory in Italy, the first routine 11-car InterCity train to operate in the UK since the 1970's.

Today the Class 390's continue to ply their merry trade, and remain vital parts of the UK's high speed network, bringing Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and London closer together than they've ever been before.

Unfortunately the actual model got lost in the tribulations of time.

---

In August 1962 production of the Taunus P1 came to an end. The car was replaced by the Taunus P4 which retained the “Taunus 12M” name, but applied it to a Ford’s first German built front-wheel drive model, powered by a modern compact V4 engine.

---

Ford Taunus P4 - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Production 1962–1966

Assembly Cologne-Niehl, Germany. Genk, Belgium

Powertrain: Engine 1183 cc V4 cylinder water-cooled

1498 cc V4 cylinder water-cooled

The Ford Taunus 12 M was a small family saloon/sedan produced by Ford of Germany between September 1962 and August 1966. The Taunus 12M name had been used for the car’s predecessor and it would apply also to subsequent Ford models which is why the 12M introduced in 1962 is usually identified, in retrospect, as the Ford Taunus P4. It was the fourth newly designed German Ford to be launched after the war and for this reason it was from inception known within the company as Ford Project 4 (P4) or the Ford Taunus P4.

More unusually, the car was originally designed not for production in Germany but to be produced in North America and sold as the Ford Cardinal, a home-grown competitor for the Volkswagen. A last minute change of strategy saw the US production plans cancelled, and in 1960 Ford of Germany received a fully developed modern new design which they adapted for German conditions in order to replace their own by now badly outdated Ford Taunus P1.

North American design

The 1952 Ford Taunus had received a stylish new body, but its engine was little changed from the (originally British designed) unit fitted in 1935 to the Ford Eifel and other underpinnings, including its rear axle and suspension, were little changed from those of the 1939 Ford Taunus G93A. By contrast, the P4, originally designed for large scale manufacture in North America, was technically innovative, featuring a newly developed compact V4 engine which would provide the basis for engines designed and produced by Ford of Germany for twenty years. The Taunus P4 was also a front-wheel drive design at a time when other German auto-makers were still avoiding what was then seen as an unnecessarily complicated lay-out.

The decision, taken only after the new model had been prepared for production, not to build the Ford Cardinal in North America was the result of a review of “marketing opportunities” in the US market. In 1960 a prototype was delivered to Ford in Cologne. The form of the model that emerged from the production line at Koln-Niehl two years later would be unchanged. The single all-red rear light cluster was seen as a tell-tale sign of the car’s US provenance at a time when rear-mounted direction indicator lights on European cars still tended to be separate from the other light units or at least to use separate bulbs. The dished steering wheel was another feature not normally found in European designs of the time.

The Taunus P4 came to market in September 1962: it enjoyed a reasonably positive reception. It was obviously a modern car. Its North American designers had come up with a car that was far larger and more spacious than the standard set by the Volkswagen which by now dominated the small sedan class in Germany. Unfortunately P4s suffered from numerous different teething troubles, however, suggesting that adaptation of the car to German conditions may have been a somewhat rushed exercise. Over its four-year model life the Taunus 12M was produced at an averaged rate of more than 150,000 per year which made a useful contribution to the sales figures, but did very little to trouble the market dominance in the small car sector of the Volkswagen Beetle which at this time was held back chiefly by shortage of production capacity.

The new V4 engine was mounted well to the front of the car, its centre ahead of the front wheels. It incorporated a balance shaft in order to try to compensate for some of the imbalance resulting from the unconventional positioning of the four crank pins in relation to the three bearings for the crankshaft. At this stage commentators nevertheless found the V4 unit “rougher” and noisier than comparable in-line units. The water pump and thermostat were housed in a sealed unit permanently protected by anti-freeze. The fan was thermostatically controlled which was still an unusual feature at this time. An eye catching feature introduced under the bonnet/hood in 1964 was color-coding on the rocker cover according to the engine type. 40 PS (29 kW; 39 hp) engines were coded green, 50 PS (37 kW; 49 hp) blue and 65 PS (48 kW; 64 hp) red. (The 55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp) version was replaced in the same year by the more powerful 65 PS (48 kW; 64 hp) unit.)

The modern compact V4 engine placed Ford of Germany in the hitherto unfamiliar position of setting the pace, and the company were able to sell the unit to other smaller European manufacturers. This was the engine that Saab later used for their 96 model after they abandoned their commitment to two-stroke power. Ford’s compact V4 engine also found its way into the unusual Matra 530 sports car.

Power was transferred through a single dry plate clutch to the front wheels. The four-speed manual gear box featured synchromesh on all four ratios, and was controlled by means of a column-mounted lever. The universal joints necessary to combine power transmission with steering and suspension functions involved a combination of engineering and materials technologies which at the time was still regarded as “leading edge” although front-wheel drive applied to lighter cars with s lighter and less powerful engines had become mainstream in Germany over the three previous decades, following the pioneering application of the various technologies involved in Auto Union’s DKW badged small cars.

Along with the innovative front wheel drive, an idiosyncratic feature at the front of the Taunus P4 involved the front suspension arms which were connected to the engine/gearbox block, thereby fulfilling an unconventional supporting function. Above them, the transversely mounted leaf-springs were linked to a cross-member which was attached to the floor pan, and thereby part of the monocoque bodyshell. In Autumn 1964 the various elements were rearranged and it became possible significantly to soften the front suspension: after this it was reported that the level of engine vibration reaching the driver was much reduced. However, these rearrangements also incorporated a weakening of the anti-roll control at the front of the car which now was in danger of leaning excessively when cornering. This effect was countered by the substitution of more firmly set up shock absorbers while two additional support connections were added at the front in order to make the steering and tracking more precisely controllable.

At the end of 1964 disc brakes replaced drums on the front axle. (Ford’s larger sister model, the Ford Taunus P3, had received this same upgrade the previous year.)

The Taunus P4 used a 6 volt electrical system which was by now becoming unusual in Germany, although at this stage the Volkswagen Beetle, too, had not yet migrated to a 12 volt electrical system.

Taunus P4s came as two or four-door saloon/sedans. A three-door station wagon was also offered: this did not use the “Turnier” appellation from the larger 17M station wagon, although the “Turnier” name would later become used by Ford of Germany for all their station wagons. The station wagon also provided the basis for a panel van. In addition Ford offered a factory built two-door coupé which was in effect simply a two-door saloon/sedan with a shortened roof-line and a steeply raked rear window. The coupe provided exactly the same interior space as the two-door saloon/sedan up to the level of the car’s waistline, but head-room for those on the back-seat was severely restricted.

The rear light units each had an all-red cover and contained only two bulbs. One of the bulbs operated as a conventional brake light. The other rear light bulb contained two filaments, one of which came one with the light switch and the second of which flashed when the turn indicator switch was used, so following traffic saw just a single light becoming successively and rhythmically brighter and less bright when the car was about to turn. The effect will have been unremarkable to North American drivers, but triggered comment in Europe. Here, even where single piece rear light units are fitted, rear indicator lights were and are normally included in their own separate part of the overall light cluster units.

The principal changes during the car's four-year production run took place under the skin, and received only muffled publicity since many involved suspension modifications which a slower and more careful development process might have made unnecessary.

A significant change in the light of subsequent developments was the transfer of production from Ford's German plant to a newly opened modern plant at Genk, in Belgian Limburg, an hour to the west of the company's Cologne head office. Initially the P4 was built exclusively at Ford's Cologne plant, but from August 1963 the P4 became Genk's first volume model and by the time the P4 was replaced three years later almost all the cars were being produced there. The Genk plant subsequently became the lead plant and then the sole plant for production of the Ford Sierra before being retooled for the launch of the front wheel drive Mondeo.

During 142 days in 1963 a standard specification Ford Taunus 12M travelled 356,273 kilometers (221,378 mi) round a disused race track at Miramas at an average speed of 106.48 km/h (66.18 mph). The resulting publicity will have been intended to counter the adverse impression created by the P4’s early teething troubles.

The Taunus P4 was replaced in 1966 by the Ford Taunus P6 which followed broadly the same architecture but was slightly larger, and therefore even more spacious than the Volkswagen, Germany’s top selling small car throughout this period.

By the time of its replacement the Taunus P4 had notched up sales of 672,695 during a four-year production run. The sales total was a significant improvement on the sales volumes achieved by its predecessor, but the overall market size was also growing during the early 1960s, and within its class the Ford 12M was pushed into third place on the domestic market by the reappearance in the segment of Opel, reviving with a new model the Opel Kadett which, like the Ford, appeared in 1962. The Kadett was replaced by an improved model after only three years by when the Kadett’s three-year production volume of 649,512 was less than 5% short of the total production achieved by the Ford over four years. (Wikipedia).

This is one of the 19 class 312/1 units built for the Great Eastern route services in 1975/76 by BREL at York Works. While normally used on 25kV AC, they could also be used on the LT&S line from Fenchurch Street which operated at 6.25kV until the 1980s. They were based on the Mark 2 bodyshell. This one still has the full train identification number display, over the cab windows.

Sold for £ 2.500

The Jaguar Land-Rover Collection

Brightwells Auctions

Bicester Heritage

Buckingham Road

Bicester

Oxfordshire

England

March 2018

Launched in 1958 at the Paris Autoshow, the new Humber Super Snipe was the first large Rootes Group car to use a monocoque bodyshell, replacing the pre-war design of its outmoded predecessor.

Losing its big separate wings of old in favour of a more modern unitised chassis and body, the new design was heavily influenced by the 1955 Chevrolet and was claimed to be the largest bodyshell built in the UK at the time – a strange boast but one which the marketeers thought significant.

Initially sold with a 2,6-litre 112 bhp straight-six, a year later the Series II arrived with an improved 129 bhp 3-litre unit which took the car’s top speed over the ton - not that its customers would have approved of such behaviour. Beautifully appointed with a build quality second to none, they were popular with bank managers and Government Ministers who needed to look sober and responsible - the Snipe couldn’t have fulfilled the task better.

Offered in a bewildering range of sub-models and face-lifts, these large Snipes were superbly engineered, but their rather formal image left them trailing in the wake of their more rakish competitors such as the Rover P5B and Ford Zodiac and they never proved as popular which is a shame as they are fine cars indeed.

This lovely mid-green Series II, with its luxurious leather upholstery has had 11 previous keepers according to the accompanying V5C. Its registration number is non-transferable and it has covered 4.200 miles since 2006 according to the DVLA MOT history. It’s most recent MOT expired in February 2013 and the car has covered only a handful of miles since then, the odometer showing a total of 82.792 miles with insufficient paperwork to prove its validity.

We have had the car running since its arrival onsite, although bidders are advised that the brakes are non-operational so we have been unable to drive the car.

Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk.2 (1983-92) Engine 1781cc S4 8v Production 6,000,000 (all Golf Mk.2's)

Registration Number P 365 MRO (Luton)

VOLKSWAGEN SET

www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623738785355...

The second-generation Volkswagen Golf was launched in Europe at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show.and launched into the British marketplace March 1984. It featured a larger bodyshell, and a wider range of engine options than the Mark 1 and a more rounded style.

The successful hot GTi model was continued with the Mk2 as a sporty 3- or 5-door hatchback. Like late Mk1 GTIs, it featured a fuel-injected and was later joined by the more powerful Golf GTi 16v marked by discreet red and black "16v" badges front and rear.

Many thanks for a fantabulous

45,246,013 views

Shot 11:10:2015 at the Midland Auto Club, Curborough Sprint - Ref 110-455

TVR Vixen S3 (1970-72) Engine 1599cc S4 Ford Kent Production 168 (723 Vixen S1 to S3)

Registration Number YVN 376 K

TVR SET

www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623722776067...

The Vixen was a hanbuilt, glass fibre bodied with a tubular frame chassis as used in the Grantura 1800S. he chassis used double wishbone suspension at both ends, and disc brakes at the front (with drums at the back.) and was significantly lighter than its mainstream competition.

The Vixen Series 1 was introduced in 1967 as an evolution of the discontinued 1800S with the same chassis with a change toa Ford (Kent) 1599cc engine, in the same trim as the unit from the Ford Cortina GT developing 88bhp. The bodywork was also slightly revised, with the bonnet having a broad flat air intake scoop. The rear of the car with fitted with the round Cortina Mark I tail lamps

The S2 followed in 1968 with the longer wheelbase chassis (90 inch) from the TVR Tuscan V8. The bonnet was restyled again, with some early cars having a prominent central bulge, and later cars having twin intake ducts at the front corners of the bonnet. The tail lamps were updated from the round Cortina Mark I style to the newer wraparound Mark II style, and the body was bolted rather than bonded to the chassis the interior was improved to give a more quality feel.

The Series 3 was introduced in 1970 The heat extraction vents on the flanks behind the front wheels were decorated with "Aeroflow" grilles borrowed from the c-pillars of the Ford Zodiac Mark IV and its Ford engine was now in the same tune as the Ford Capri with 92bhp,Instead of wire wheels, cast alloy wheels were fitted as standard.

The Series 4 followed in late 1972 using the TVR M Series chassis and Vixen bodyshell

Many Thanks for a fan'dabi'dozi 27,520,600 views

Shot 27:07:2014 at Silverstone Historic Festival REF: 103-215

.

Estimated : CHF 90.000 - 140.000

Sold for CHF 103.500 - € 94.288

The Bonmont Sale

Collectors' Motor Cars - Bonhams

Golf & Country Club de Bonmont

Chéserex

Switzerland - Suisse - Schweiz

September 2019

Legendary Texan racing driver Carroll Shelby's team had been campaigning Ford's Mustang 'pony car' with considerable success in North America, winning the SCCA's B-Production title three years running in the mid-1960s. Capitalising on his success, Shelby began manufacturing modified Mustangs, which were officially sanctioned and sold through selected Ford dealerships. Ford supplied Shelby with part-completed 'Sportsroof' (fastback) Mustangs, which were finished off at Shelby's plant in Los Angeles.

The first Shelby Mustang - the GT350 - arrived in 1965 powered by a modified version of Ford's 289ci (4.7-litre) small-block V8 producing 306bhp, with options of a 340-360bhp unit in competition trim or 400bhp supercharged. A four-speed Borg-Warner manual gearbox was the stock transmission on early Shelby Mustangs, though a heavy-duty, three-speed automatic soon became available as an option.

The running gear was appropriately up-rated to cope with the GT350's increased performance, incorporating the optional Kelsey-Hayes front disc brakes, stronger Ford Galaxie rear axle, Koni adjustable shock absorbers and alloy wheels. The first cars were supplied minus the rear seats, thereby qualifying the GT350 as a two-seat sports car! Outwardly there was little to distinguish Shelby's GT350 from the standard product apart from a pair of broad 'racing' stripes down the body centreline. On the open road there was, of course, no comparison.

When the factory introduced a 390ci 'big-block' V8 option on the Mustang for 1967, Shelby went one better, installing Ford's 428ci (7.0-litre) Cobra Jet V8 to create the GT500, one of the great, iconic muscle cars of the 1960s. Produced at the A O Smith Company's plant in Ionia, Michigan from 1968, the Shelby Mustang continued to be based on the stock version, receiving the latter's styling changes and mechanical improvements while retaining its own distinctive special features, until production ended in 1970.

One of the most famous of all Mustangs is that known as 'Eleanor', the Shelby GT500 that starred in the 1974 B-movie Gone in Sixty Seconds, which was remade in 2000 with Nicholas Cage starring as the car-thief central character. Indeed, such is the continuing level of interest in this type of car that production of the GT500 later resumed in the USA with Carroll Shelby's blessing, using recycled original Mustang bodyshells.

Restored in 2014 as an 'Eleanor' look-alike, this manual transmission GT500 currently displays a total of 3,775 kilometres on the odometer and is described by the private vendor as in generally excellent condition in most respects with good, slightly patinated, bodywork. Finished in grey with black leather interior, this imposing car is offered with restoration invoices and Swiss Carte Grise.

Austin Allegro 1300SDL (1973-75) Engine 1275cc S4 Transverse

Registration Number JBY 794 N

AUSTIN SET

www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/sets/72157623759808208...

The Allegro was designed as the replacement for the popular Austin 1100 and 1300 models by Sir Alec Issigonis.and was available as 2 and 4 door Saloons and a 3 door Estate. Powered by the BMC A series engine in 1100 and 1300cc versions or the E series engine in 1500 and 1750cc forms, with a sump-mounted transmission. driving the front wheels. The two-box saloon bodyshell was suspended using the new Hydragas system (derived from the previous Hydrolastic system used on the 1100/1300). Early Allegro models featured a "quartic" steering wheel, which was rectangular, with rounded sides. The quartic wheel did not take off, and was first dropped in 1974.

The SDL remained top of the 1300cc and 1500cc ange throughout the life cysle of the Series i Allegro

Shot at Tatton Park, Manchester, Classic Car Show 18:08:2012 REF 88-43.

A rear bodyshell of a US-built 1939 Ford 2-door, ‘5-window’ Coupe. I am not sure if this was originally a Deluxe or a Standard model; according to research, no '39 Ford coupe had any rear seat. The car still had a VIN plaque on the cowl. This example was in very rough condition, with most of the parts missing, very little trim, no front clip, no fenders, lots of corrosion, rust and harsh rot around all edges, also no floors, gutted interior (other than a driver’s sun-visor and some original dash gauges), no steering column or powertrain, and a harsh dent along the offside of the body. The original chassis was long since removed, and an inferior replacement frame was welded underneath. However, the owner is a very skilled sheet metal worker, fabricator and experienced auto body specialist who is confident he can transform this survivor into a serous kustom restomod someday. More power to him! The car over to the right of the picture, obscured undercover is the bodyshell of a 1957 Chevy 2-door post-sedan.

Spotted outside a specialist auto garage in North Yorkshire, U.K.

I was in the area of an agricultural-type commercial business/industrial park out in a fairly local location, arrived a little early for an appointment, and decided to have a short gander just on the chance - the off-chance that I might see something somewhat interesting around the corner here (I occasionally find “interesting” things in these such areas), saw an old neglected bulldozer, a late type 1 VW Beetle, and as it just so happened - there this ’39 Ford was! With a ’57 Chevy bodyshell next to it! Just goes to show - There are still lots of old cars about! Even this far into the 21st century, there are still so many interesting things still waiting to be discovered!

Class 18E, no. E18020, started life as Class 6E1, no. E2072, before being rebuilt to an 18E in 2001. The rebuild included the provision of Alstom micro processor technology. The basic bodyshell was retained but the locomotives are now single ended with the second cab being utilised to house equipment and a toilet for the crew. In this photograph, the second cab shows a blanked off window for the toilet.

To the right is a much later Class 18E conversion; no. E18.741.

150268 is one of the final batch of 85 two-car class 150 units which were built with front-end gangway connections and numbered in the range 150201-285. They had different interiors to the earlier class 150/1 units and were used on longer-distance services. The end gangways make them very similar in appearance to later batches of the electric class 317 units, also based on the Mark III bodyshell. 150268 is operated by Northern and is seen here in there livery about to depart from York on a service to Harrogate and Burley Park, 2nd May 2008.

Originally Charles Roberts & Company's wagon works was located at Horbury Junction southeast of Horbury, West Yorkshire, England. It became part of the Procor group in the 1970s as Procor Engineering Ltd. and, subsequently, part of Bombardier Inc.'s European railway businesses in 1990 as Bombardier Prorail, closing in 2005.

the plant produced bodyshells for the British Rail Class 60 during the Procor period, and British Rail Class 92 during Bombardier's ownership. During the Second World War the factory was involved in the production of the Churchill Tank.

The plant was involved in the passenger vehicle construction and refurbishment. In the 1950s tram bodies were constructed for Blackpool Tramways 'Coronation Cars', and Sheffield Tramways. In the early 2000s Bombardier Voyager trains were built at Horbury and at Bombardier's BN plant in Bruges, Belgium. Refurbishment of GNER's Mark 4 coach fleet took place at Horbury in the mid-2000s.

I am a major fan of night photography so the opportunity this posed to me was a pleasing one.

West Coast Railway Company class 57 no. 57313 sits in platform 2 at Nuneaton whilst setting down passengers working 1Z72 Avienmore-> London Euston statesman service on 09th March 2015. Fellow class 57 no. 57314 was dead on the rear.

The train took the branch towards Bedworth and Coventry before joining the main line to Euston.

The first Class 57s were built in 1997 for Freightliner, a Class 47 bodyshell was taken, stripped, rewired and then fitted with an EMD engine. In 2002, 12 further Class 47s were converted to 57s for Virgin Trains, these were numbered 57/3 and fitted with ETH. In 2003, four additional locos were ordered for dragging Pendolinos, these were fitted with Dellner couplings from new and the remainder of the fleet was retrofitted with Dellners in the same year. DRS now operate the majority of the class 57/0 and 57/3. First Great Western operate the Class 57/6 fleet and West Coast Railways operate a fleet of 57/0, 57/3 and 57/6.

W111

Chassis n° 111026-12-001948

Zoute Sale - Bonhams

Estimated : € 80.000 - 120.000

Sold for € 143.750

Zoute Grand Prix 2024

Knokke - Zoute

België - Belgium

October 2024

The 3.5-litre version of the 280 SE typifies the resurgence of larger-engined Mercedes-Benz models that began in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when the progressive easing of fiscal constraints, which had dissuaded customers from buying cars with large capacity engines, encouraged the German manufacturer to offer bigger, more potent power units. Thus the ultra-luxurious 280 SE coupé/cabriolet and 300 SEL saloon were chosen by Mercedes-Benz to launch its magnificent new 3.5-litre V8 engine in 1969. An over-square design featuring a cast-iron block and aluminium-alloy cylinder heads, each equipped with a single overhead camshaft, this all-new, state-of-the-art power unit produced 200bhp courtesy of Bosch electronic fuel injection and transistorised ignition. Thus equipped, the Coupé/Cabriolet was good for 205km/h (127mph) with 100km/h reachable in 9.5 seconds, a substantial improvement on the six-cylinder version's figures. Although the equivalent SEL saloon used the 'New Generation' bodyshell, the Coupé and Cabriolet kept the elegant coachwork that had debuted back in 1959 on the 220 SE and, as befitted top-of-the-range luxury models, came equipped with automatic transmission, air conditioning, power windows and stereo radio as standard. Significantly, the 280 SE 3.5 was to be the final model to feature this long-established and much admired body style, and today these last-of-the-line classics are highly sought after by discerning Mercedes-Benz collectors.

One of only 3,720 Coupé examples produced, of which 3,025 were left-hand dive, this most elegant Mercedes-Benz, the top-of-the line 280 SE 3.5 V8 Coupe, was originally delivered to the United States and ordered in the stunning 'Tobacco Brown' colour scheme it is presented in today. It was bought by the immediately preceding owner - a UK-based enthusiast - for his impressive private collection in France. While there the car was maintained by his personal mechanic and saw only very limited use. The current vendor purchased the Mercedes in October 2016, since when it has benefited from considerable refurbishment. In 2017 the body was thoroughly restored and treated to a full professional respray at a cost of €12,490, photographs and details of which are on file. In 2021 various electrical and mechanical repairs plus a service were carried out at a cost of some €6,680. Early 2023 ignition and fuel injection systems were inspected and repaired at a cost of €4,385. Repairs have also been made to the air conditioning, suspension, interior, etc at a cost of €9,990, while the overhauled Becker Europa stereo is now functioning correctly. The total spend on the aforementioned works was approximately €35,000. The related invoices are on file together with various smaller bills. It should be noted that the Mercedes has been professionally converted to European specification, not only deleting the reflectors but also installing a km/h speedometer, etc. The replacement automatic gearbox had been installed already before the 1990s it is believed.

Beautifully finished in a most attractive colour combination of dark brown and sumptuous tan leather interior, this stunning Mercedes-Benz comes with the desirable options of automatic transmission (column-mounted change), air conditioning, and electric tinted windows all round.

6th September 1994. 47337, carrying the unofficial name of "Taliesin", delivers 92015 and 92014 for storeage at MOD Kineton as 6X92 the 9:36 from Loughborough. The bodyshell of 47337 was subsequently used to make 57602.