Happy New Year

It’s been a great year on The Petrol Stop, lots of car shows from small club national meets right up to the massive Lancaster Classic Car at the NEC, lots of cars highlighted and at the end of the year a Free Magazine produced. Next year will be more of the same with more interviews, more strange vehicles and more free magazines (just click on the icon top right) and don’t forget if you know of a car that should be on here or you have an unusual car then get in touch.

Happy New Year to you all.

Heath

Sportswagon

Thanks to Kuba Rekas for the e-mailing pointing me in the direction of this 1973 camper concept. Designed to be a cross over before the term had been penned, it was a family vehicle that in the week was an extended estate that could seat 8, but at weekend could be converted to a full camper with beds, kitchen with that pop up roof. The design apparently had the involvement of Alex Tremulis who had a hand in the design of the Tucker Torpedo.

Merry Christmas

All the best to you and you families for Christmas

Fiat Vignale Samantha

Taking the Fiat 125s Vignale, an Italian coachbuilder whose credits have included Ferrari and Maserati, created this sleek coupe. It’s even said that it was penned by company owner Alfredo Vignale who wanted to create a luxury coupe for daily use. It was debuted at the 1967 Turin Motor Show to a fantastic reception and soon went into production.

Random Picture: Wagenhals Electric

I love reading old adverts and this one from 1913 just shows that electric vehicles are nothing new.

ARTZ Audi UR Quattro Kombi

ARTZ have somewhat of knack of building strange variants of production cars, we’ve already covered the Golf 928 on here, blending a humble Volkswagen with Porsche underpinnings. This though took the iconic rally/road car and turned it into a kombi / 3 door estate.

The Petrol Stop Magazine

Well following the preview a few weeks ago I am happy to announce that the first Petrol Stop magazine is now available and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I had creating it-

 

Please let me have some feedback either on here/facebook/twitter or Google+, and don’t forget to share it.

Heath

Startrax Oval Racing, Belle Vue, Manchester

I’ve been to watch racing a number of times, usually British Touring Car, but until this August I had never been to see anything more grassroots, to be honest I had no excuse as Belle Vue speedway is only about 7 miles from my house in Manchester. So on a sunny and warm summers evening I headed over for my first night of stock car racing and I was excited to see what it was all about.

De Tomaso Pantera GT5S

In the war of the rear wing in the 80’s the only company that gave the Lamborghini Countach a run for its money was De Tomaso with the Pantera. Designed by Tom Tjaarda, it debuted in 1970 at the New York Motor Show and soon went into, well for Modena standards, fast production of 3 cars per day!!!! Intially it was created in collaboration between De Tomaso and Ford, as Ford desperately needed a sports car to compete with GM on home spil, this relationship though only lasted until late on in 1973. Following this production drastically reduced as the car was taken out of the US. By the late 80’s it had evolved into the 1985 GT5S with its wider body kit and much required huge rear wing.

Mercury Dwarf Car by Ernie Adams

This just showcases what can be achieved in a garage when you really put your mind to it. The build it epic and the detail and craftsmanship is just staggering, take 6 minutes out of your day to watch something truly incredible-

Lamborghini Faena

Just like with the Porsche Panamera not being the first time the German builder had looked at four doors car, the 989 pre-dates it by 20 years, the Estoque wasn’t the Italian supercar makers first attempt either. Created by Pietro Frua over 8 months he took a 1974 Espada and extended its chassis by 7”s to accommodate those rear doors, it debuted in 1978 at the 57th Salone internazionale dell'Automobile.

Random Picture: Snow Dragster

This definitely needs some future investigation-

Colani L´Aiglon

Can this be anything other than a Colani concept car, an awesome take on the sports cars of the 30’s mixed in with Colani’s usual outlandish styling giving the colossal vehicle, some 23 feet long, an almost organic form.

Modified Plymouth Superbird

As soon as I saw the first picture of this car over on Motorhome Magazine’s Open Road forumpage I was amazed, not just by the choice of car, being 1 of 1,935 Superbirds built, but also the story behind it.

Peugeot Quasar

Peugeot has had a number of attempts at building out and out sports cars with little success of them moving from concept to production. In 1984 this was their attempt to wow the buying public and lift the image of the company hot on the heels of the success of the 205 GTI. To be fair Peugeot let its designers think out of the box when they built this image of the future.

The Petrol Stop Magazine PREVIEW

As you may know we attend a number of events and car shows throughout the year, as such I’ve decided to combine all these features into a single FREE online magazine. This digital magazine will cover events such as Dubfreeze, the Manchester Classic Car, the Manchester Bike Show, Volkswagen Northwest and the recent Lancaster Insurance Classic Car Show as well as more club orientated events like the Scirocco Register and Gilbern Owners Club  national meets.

It will be available in the first half of December but here’s a preview of what to expect from its 80 or so pages.

Ferrari F40

Back at the end of the 80’s with the now aging Lamborghini Countach still giving Ferrari a run for its money in the poster department, Ferrari unleashed the F40. Looking back it was the ultimate track car that was road legal with none of the luxuries normally associated with the prancing horse. This was a stripped out tub that was built with one goal in mind 200mph and came perfectly timed for Ferrari’s 40^th birthday.

 

Lancaster Insurance Classic Car Show, NEC, Birmingham

Thanks to Lancaster Insurance I headed down to what is probably the largest indoor car show in Europe last Friday, the first time I’ve attended since 2008 and how it’s grown. Over those years it’s gone from filling three of the NEC’s massive halls to now spanning five. The quality and abundance of metal now on show has also improved from “just a classic car show that’s in doors” to showcasing the best of the best as well as club projects, rare gems and concept cars. Enough to make walking round this colossal show take six hours, and some of that was at some pace!!!!

General Motors Bison

General Motors really were on the money with the future world that this concept truck would drive in. They saw a world of standardised containers that would be automatically loaded, unloaded and stored by electronically controlled equipment to increase efficiency, way back in 1964.

Welcome to Prestige Keep Moving Car Insurance

Reward for being seen as a better driver!

I am happy to inform you that we have linked up with the Prestige Keep Moving Car Insurance Scheme - www.prestigekeepmoving.com/p/car-clubs.html- which is provided by a very large organisation called The A&A Group Ltd. They have a special car insurance scheme specifically designed for car enthusiasts and the Prestige brand brings 25 years wealth of experience in car insurance.

Historically, statistics show that car enthusiasts are better drivers and so this can be rewarded with cheaper premiums, but without detracting from policy cover.

Please ring them when your insurance renewal is due on 0800 330 8057 (or 0333 4001580 if ringing by mobile as this can be included in any ‘free minutes’) or click on the link at the top of the page. Please tell them that you were recommended by The Petrol Stop.

Also they're currently offering a FREE MOT with Halfords when you renew!

 

Enfield 8000

In the late 1960’s Enfield (yes the company that built the bikes) set up Enfield Automotive with the promise of bringing electric cars to the masses in partnership with the Electricity Council. Leading on from the Enfield 465, which had a limited run but was more of a test bed and forerunner to this final production vehicle.  Released in the public in 1973 it was fitted with a 48 volt motor that produced 8bhp was good for 48mph and had a range of 40miles. Add to that its lightweight and seating for four it was the original city car before the term had even been penned.

Megola

I’ve seen a few radial engines installed into bikes, these are usually custom builds using a large aircraft derived engine, but this was a production bike in 1921. What makes it even more interesting and unusual is the fact the engine is mounted to the front wheel.

Random Picture: Coach Building

Back from a time when cars were built, not assembled, by time served craftsman who fitted and adjusted parts to fit by hand with traditional tools-

Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona

One of the last truly beautiful Ferrari’s, possibly until the recent 458, Ferrari’s through the 80’s could be described as aggressive, purposeful, full of attitude but never beautiful with those angular body kits and wings. The 90’s were also a dark time with Ferrari building bland and safe cars. But back I the early 70’s before the time of the simple wedge there was the 365GTB, a car whose flowing lines and sheer presence were perfection from any angle. That interior shouts quality, performance and lets you know you’re not in just some sports car but a Grand Tourer capably of whisking you from London to the Italian Lakes in comfort and at speed. The only addition needed to enhance the experience would be aviator sunglasses, leather driving gloves and a manly moustache; okay the last one might be optional.

Lancaster Insurance Classic Car Show, NEC

Well a big thank you to Lancaster Insurance for my complimentary tickets for this years event at the NEC, I'll be attending on the Friday so if you see me walking around in my white logo'd up hoodie give me a shout for some free The Petrol Stop sticker.

Porsche 916

Could this be the car that all Porsche enthusiast really wanted the 914 to be, after all the 914, to some anyway, was not really a Porsche as its heart was a Volkswagen flat four. This was despite it also being offered with a Porsche derived flat six. It was always on the edge of both marques not really fitting in to either. Personally I love it, its 70’s styling, mid engined layout and removable top meant it was a true sports car of the age. Porsche though realised the buying public wanted a little more, the result was the 916 program.

Nissan Boga

Spacious, family crossover looks, 1.5ltr frugal engine, solar powered ventilation system, sounds just like any modern concept and to a degree it even looks like one. This concept though was built in 1989 as the future of the city vehicle, it even had automatic closing doors. Think they nailed it with this one, well even if it was 20 years later. Not much information on this just a good example of what was a concept now in use a daily vehicle.

Peugeot 205 T16

GroupB the very name sends tingles through the nervous system of all true petrolheads. The closest thing us mortal drivers can get to one of these insane monsters is also the reason why they were allowed to compete in the first place, homologation. That means 200 had to be built by the factory and sold.  Now in Peugeot’s case it was the 205 T16. Although apart from the name, the front lights and maybe some of the interior this car bears virtually no resemblance to the car on which its based upon.

Random Picture: VW SP2 Parts

The ultra rare VW SP2, well over on the Europe side of the pond

Seat Raider / Anibal Podadera

With Seat’s first fully independently designed and built car from Fiat, the Ibiza in the bag and selling well Spanish Francisco Podadera proposed a coupe version to take in the Toyota MR2 and Fiat X1/9. Not only did he propose it he also built prototype, which apart from having its rear roof and seats removed also had a severe nose job that added those much needed 80’s pop up lights and 6”. As you can see the body was also seriously re-worked and replaced with fiberglass.

Random Picture- Alfa Romeo T33/6/12

The old saying goes “never bring a knife to a gun fight” well Alfa Romeo we’re hoping to take on Ferrari and Porsche with a rocket launcher. This was a secret project built in 1970 to take the GT crown. However it was a short lived story for this 6 wheeled, 5ltr, V12 monster as it was stolen from its garage at the Sebring circuit where it had been testing. The chassis was found a few weeks later but the engine went down in local folklore as being fitted to a hot rod and dominating all its races a few years later!!!!!
 

*edit 20/02/14- Trust me not to pick up on the dates, April 1^st yeah it’s a Photoshop, still cool looking though

Covini B24 Turbocooler

We’ve already covered the more recent 6 wheeled Covini 6CW, this though harks back to the start of the company. Unveiled at the Geneva Car Show in 1981, it was built as an experimental mule to test new car technologies such as air-liquid cooled intercoolers. It was also fitted with a diesel engine which at the time made it the fasted diesel powered car of the time when it hit 200kph!!!!

Airomobile Experimental Sedan

In the 1930’s with streamlining at its height all manner of vehicles were being built. One of them was this 3 wheeler built by Lewis American Airways Inc, in 1937. Conceived by owner Paul Lewis who wanted to build a cheap car for the masses with a price tag of just $300. His idea was a 3 wheeler, why? As its chassis doesn’t twist unlike a 4 wheeler, which means less bracing and therefore makes it cheaper to build.

Footman James Manchester Classic Car Show Pictures

You may have seen the write up of this show from a few weeks ago-

Manchester Classic Car Show

The pictures can now be seen on the Footman James Manchester Classic Car Facebook page as well-

Footman James Manchester Classic Car Facebook

Ferrari Pinin

This is one of those “what if” concepts, what if Ferrari built a luxury four door saloon? This concept was built by Pininfarina to celebrate the design studio’s 50^th Anniversary, better than a cake I suppose!!! It was also Sergio Pininfarina dream to build an Italian car that could compete with the likes of Jaguar and Mercedes.

The car was built on the chassis of a 400GT but unfortunately only had a mock up flat 12 engine so it was show and no go. It was debuted at the 1980 Turin Auto Show and after Enzo Ferrari showed interest in it, it was toured around the world’s best car shows and even did a customer tour in the US. However this was to no avail and the Pinin remained a pure concept.

Random Picture: 6 Wheel Mazda 323

6 wheel drive, 4 wheels steer, 2 rotory turbo engines and massive amount of awesomeness. Thats about all I could find out about the New Zealand racer, if you know more get in touch-

Record breaking attempt Porsche 935

Well record breaking is only slightly true, the car really helped break a record. But what a car to help you hey!!! We’ll get back to that huge wing arrangement on the back in a minute or so, let’s start with the car, Porsche modified one of its 800bhp racing monsters for the record attend. They were not the only German manufacturer to lend a helping hand. Volkswagen loaned them their Ehra-Lessien test track, you know the one James May topped out the Bugatti on, as it had a 9km long straight. So what record could possible need an 800bhp racing porker wearing one hell of a rear wing and really long straight? Cycling

Ferves Ranger

 In 1966 Ferves (Ferrari Veicoli Speciali) introduced the world to the prototype of the Ranger, a small off road vehicle, at the Turin Motor Show. As you can probably guess from its proportions it’s based on the Fiat 500, utilising its 499cc engine with 22bhp mounted out back as well as steering and suspension as well as the brakes out of the Fiat 600. When it was put in to production the following year it was offered in two versions the Ranger and the Cargo. The Cargo, despite its small engine, could carry loads up to 300kgs.

3 to 1 Supermodified

When I first saw a picture of this car I thought it was just some fun and the middle wheel had just been stood there for effect. But when I really started looking at it in detail it became clearer and clearer that this racer did actually have three wheels mounted on one side and as such needed much more investigation.

Random Picture: The Hot Wheels Car

I would love to get some more information about this car as its looks like a 70's Hot Wheels car built for real and how cool is that, just a name would let me do some research on it and possible do a full write up. Get in touch on Facebook, Twitter or Google+

Lamborghini Jalpa

I love Lamborghini’s particularly rare ones so when I spotted this on the Lamborghini stand at the recent Manchester Classic Car Show I knew it deserved some attention. I say rare but the Jalpa was the most successful V8 car Lamborghini had produced until the recent batch, selling 410 examples between 1981 and 1988. Which means it stays in the “little known” category of Lambo’s which it a shame as it’s a well-proportioned mid engined sports car.

TVR White Elephant

When I first saw this on the TVR Owners stand at the recent Manchester Classic Car Show it stopped me in my tracks and why wouldn’t it just look at it. It had just come out of a full restoration. Resplendent in that beautiful pearlesant white paint it just stood out a mile in the dark room setting.

Manchester Classic Car, Eventcity

Although there had been indoor classic car shows staged at Eventcity in Manchester, Passion and Power was earlier this year, this was the first outing for the “Manchester Classic Car Show”. Looking at the adverts for it in the local press and on the web it looked like it was going to be a good inaugural event. Ran over the weekend I dropped in on the Saturday morning and I knew I was in for a treat when in a fenced off area six or so classic rally cars came driving past the entrance, including a shot wheel based Audi Quattro!!!!

Random Picture: Colonia Speditor Granada

Take a Colonia Speditor which is a 6x2 tractor unit fitted with a horizontally mounted “underfloor” engine and replace the cab with a Ford Granada estate body and this is what you get. Kind of reminds me of a homemade Steinwinter Truck.

Turbo Sonic Dragster

When I first saw this on The Guild of Automotive Restorers website I thought it was a film prop for some B movie the truth was that this thing was real custom built to race, apparently. Built by Dick Dean and others out of the garages of George Barris as you can probably imagine it was fitted with a jet engine and is wrapped in total 60’s custom car excess and paint. The literature of the time described as -

VW Corrado Magnum Kombi

No not a version for a European version of the 80’s moustache wearing PI, but a “shooting brake” estate version of the VW Coupe. Only two prototypes were built by Marold Automobil GmbH in 1989 for VW so they could assess them for possible limited production of 200. The concept was…..erm…..well…whom I kidding who would want an estate version of a GT car when it’s parked next to a Golf with the same engine in the showroom. Thankfully VW didn’t go ahead with this version, probably due to the same reason above.

BMW Alpina 318i Kilometer Marathon Car

With the current trend in making cars as efficient as possible with figures of 60+mpg now getting to be the norm among new cars it’s hard to believe that over 30 years ago a BMW topped out at 88mpg. A competition was staged in 1981 by Auto Motor Sport and Shell for teams to go head to head for the most fuel efficient car over 1km. In total 120 team put cars forward, the most striking though was a BMW E21 318i tuner Alpina gave one hell of a nose job to.

Ford Country Squire Camper

Back in the late 50’s Ford were keen to find out what campers wanted out of a station wagon. The result was this unassuming Country Squire in 1958. To the uninitiated it looks like a normal car with a boat on it, but Ford had been playing with fitting everything a potential camper could want while transporting the whole family day to day.

BMW 328

When I saw this parked up in a line-up of Vintage cars at the recent Chatsworth House Country Show I just couldn’t take my eyes off it. It seemed out of place surrounded by pre 40’s cars with high waistlines and tall radiators. Its sleek ageless lines and sweeping streamlined low slung body whose design is credited to Peter Szymanowski, who became BMW chief of design after World War II, is just so beautiful to behold.

Curtiss Wright 2500 “Bee” Air Car

A whimsical dream or true possible future of the car, well in 1959 Curtiss Wright decided to develop a ground effect vehicle, to you and me a sort of hover craft. There was even interest from the military so much so that two vehicles were built. But unlike the pre-development marketing images the sleek lines were replaced with a rounded off box and it was big, very big 8’ wide and 29’ long and still only had room for two.

Random Picture: 6 Wheeled Jaguar XJS

Not been able to find much out about this 6 wheeled Jaguar but it certainly is unusual so ticks that box for inclusion on here.

Aston Martin Lagonda Series 2

It was a time of the wedge, the 1970’s lead to some of the most iconic cars such as the Lotus Esprite and the Lamborghini Countach. However the wedge sprawled out to luxury car Aston Martin who decided to stretch it and modernise is fleet of elderly cars. The result was to bring take the existing Aston Martin Lagonda, Series1 which was more of an elongated DB5 with a nose job and radically update it for the Series 2.

Stiff Speed Tumbler

Posting on this site means I go looking for website that verge on the odd in terms of cars, however once in a while you come across a site that just blows you away. That’s what happened with Stiff Speed. I was originally looking for pictures of retro cars for another forum that I help administer Retrobeutes, but as I scrolled down I just got intoxicated with it. The fact most of the pictures are scanned in “real” photos with their time honoured fading. They show car scenes such as hot rodding and drag racing with a mixture of choppers thrown in for good measure, through various decades with what was the cutting edge styling and modifying of the time which today just seems nostalgic.