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.