Random Picture: Harley Davidson ready for shipping

Spotted this over on Just a Car Guy, in 1916 when you ordered your Harley Davidson this was how it was shipped and you assembled it-

Capesthorne Hall Classic Car Show

Just like I did a few months ago I headed over to Capesthorne Hall in Macclesfield the difference this time was had my Scirocco on the Retrobeutes club stand. This was a one day show that although not massive had an awesome mix of cars, from a Renault Fuergo, Aston Martin DB5, XR4I, Fiat 500 Abrath, Ford Falcon, Mini’s etc

Trabant 8 wheeler!!!!

This popped up on Dep-O’s facebook page this week and as soon as I saw it I knew it was destined for here. There’s only a few sketchy bits of information dotted around a few website so heres the crux of what I could find.

Built in collaboration between East Germany and the Soviet Union and based around the humble Trabant mated to a RDA platform. Two were built before the project was abandoned.

Awesome and Detailed Summer Bash

With this event being so close, as well as me getting some work done there in the past on my Scirocco, I had virtually no excuse for not popping over to this at Awesome's work shop. In fact for those don't know Awesome specialise in modifying and customising anything from the VAG family album, and this was its annual open day.

Toyota EX-1

Toyota debuted this car at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1969 as the ultimate Grand Tourer. Designed to go fast over long distances it was fitted with a roof mounted spoiler which was electronically controlled to ensure stability at high speeds by lifting out of the roof.

Random Picture- More than the sum of its parts!!!!!

I posted this over on the Retrobeutes Facebook page and it created quite a stir, mainly trying to work out how many different cars were in it!!!!!

BMW E25 Turbo

Before the legendary, and personal favourite, M1 there was this concept built by BMW to celebrate the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, well actually both of them. Designed by Paul Bracq and built by Michelotti in Turin it had all the super car concept bells and whistles. Most importantly though weren’t those gullwing doors or even the wedge shape or the digital dash, but the newest toy on the block a huge Turbo bolted to the 2ltr, 4 cylinder M10 engine which was strapped mid ship. Producing 276bhp it was good for a top speed of 155mph.

Volvo 780

Until recently Volvo hadn’t had much luck with its large coupes, the Bertone designed 262C was an example of this and unfortunately the 780 also designed by Bertone, also sits in this “rare” category due to its lack of success. Debuted at the International Auto Show in Geneva in 1985 before becoming available in Europe in 1986 and the States in 1987.

Randon Picture- The Dog Sack

When I saw this I thought it couldn't possibly be real, I was wrong this was from a magazine article from the 50's, well it had to be didn't it, you had to have running boards to use it-

Gilbern GT

Giles Smith, a butcher from Church Village near Ponypridd in south Wales, wanted a glass fibre special. At the time the choice was quiet varied due to the explosion of component kits using this new the material in the 1950’s. However a chance meeting with a German ex POW Bernard Friese, who was working for one of these companies, the possibility of building a one off was raised. After some pushing by Bernard this car was then built in the back of Giles butchers shop. As it was nearing completion and a viewing by an amateur racing driver it was decided that it was too good for a one off. This was the start of GILes Smith and BERNardFriese’s Gilbern GT.

Gilbern Owners Club National Meet, Eddrig House, Wrexham

This event has been on my calendar ever since Gordon Johnston contacted about his T11 Prototype and saying there wasn’t enough Gilbern’s on the site. He was right, none of the Gilbern models were built in massive numbers which is probably the reason they don’t pop up at Classic Car shows that often. If they do their usually walked past with only the true petrolheads giving them the attention they deserve. After all this was Wales’s only sports car manufacturer. Gordon had told me about this national meet and a few weeks ago he called me again to confirm that his car would be attending. So partially wanting to see these cars, I also wanted to see the T11 in the flesh.