Car Spotting

[broadrun96]

Ok, why does it disturb me that he would have a F150 and El Camino and not a Ranchero

[flatlandsman]

Saw some lovely stuff at a Banbury car shows Sunday, one of the first XJ220's, a Tatra!! A lovely A610 Alpine, an original BMW CSL, a stunning very early Mk1 Golf GTI, and plenty of other stuff, crap town overall but they do put on some good stuff do the council last week was the Prodrive 40 year do, some great stuff there, if you like Subaru's ( I don't sadly)

[fieldodreams79]

Pick ups and a Bronco II with a light bar.

[joeb]

Perhaps not rare in other parts of the world, but a two-door Astra hatchback is certainly a rare car here.

[JHamilton]

Spire Motorsports hauler

[Gerard C]

The length of this artic! Phew.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

The length of this artic! Phew.

Gérard, I doubt that it is much, if any, longer than we see around Europe and the UK which if I remember correctly would be a 44 foot trailer. Yes, the tractor unit is probably longer but I think that the camera angle is possibly elongating the picture somewhat.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

The length of this artic! Phew.

Thats not a truck. These are proper trucks..... V8 Supercar teams convoy into Bathurst for the annual 1000K classic, complete with their obligatory B Doubles.

https://youtu.be/Xvv67lTxVOA


2024 Bathurst 1000 coming up next week.

[Gerard C]

Thanks E.B, those are not road trains but rather road centipedes! Couldn't imagine those on an open road and looking forward a contest for changing all the wheels in less than five hours!

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Gérard, I doubt that it is much, if any, longer than we see around Europe and the UK which if I remember correctly would be a 44 foot trailer. Yes, the tractor unit is probably longer but I think that the camera angle is possibly elongating the picture somewhat.

Probably the 53' flavor

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Thanks E.B, those are not road trains but rather road centipedes! Couldn't imagine those on an open road and looking forward a contest for changing all the wheels in less than five hours!

Want to see a proper road train? 3 trucks, not sure how many trailers, all connected but overall length 140 metres and 300 tons!

One of my favourite local TV shows, Outback Truckers. Basically a show all about interstate roadtrains here in Aus. One on a return journey the equivalent of Paris to Pakistan! At about the 30 minute mark in this video episode is where they hook the 3 truck 140 metre 300 ton roadtrain together.

https://youtu.be/GgQdyDY5V1M

[joeb]

Originally Posted by E.B

Thats not a truck. These are proper trucks..... V8 Supercar teams convoy into Bathurst for the annual 1000K classic, complete with their obligatory B Doubles.

https://youtu.be/Xvv67lTxVOA


2024 Bathurst 1000 coming up next week.

I would go see that parade!

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by E.B

Want to see a proper road train? 3 trucks, not sure how many trailers, all connected but overall length 140 metres and 300 tons!

One of my favourite local TV shows, Outback Truckers. Basically a show all about interstate roadtrains here in Aus. One on a return journey the equivalent of Paris to Pakistan! At about the 30 minute mark in this video episode is where they hook the 3 truck 140 metre 300 ton roadtrain together.

https://youtu.be/GgQdyDY5V1M

Maybe I'm being a bit thick here, but what addition power or possibly traction is created by joining the three trucks together; after all, their combined power output is still hauling exactly the same weight up the incline. In fact, after the connecting rod broke, they then were just pulling up the last truck with chains; that truck was no longer able to assist with boosting traction for the trucks in front.

In fact, I was surprised that they stopped right at the bottom of the incline rather than taking a run at it under their own power.

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Probably the 53' flavor

I’m never sure of the measure of these things, Is that 53 feet of full size plus the bit on top of the kingpin or does the 53’ include that bit.

I ask as I watch some of the towing/recovery YouTube channels and they mention 53’ trailers with containers, usually overturned in the videos?

[Mike Harte]

I believe that 53 feet will be end to end, so includes that part covering the hitch. Whilst I see that the UK has increased ours length to 45 feet now.

[Tel 911S]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

I believe that 53 feet will be end to end, so includes that part covering the hitch. Whilst I see that the UK has increased ours length to 45 feet now.

When they get bigger than that , it does make it difficult to get anywhere .This link shows one that is 250 feet long , and over 500 tons .https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cyxxz71w2jpo

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

I believe that 53 feet will be end to end, so includes that part covering the hitch. Whilst I see that the UK has increased ours length to 45 feet now.

I was once overseeing a movement that included a vehicle of nearly 60ft in length. We had to travel through the Dartford Tunnel, that meant having to close it for a period of time and have an escort through.

Guess when my bosses decided the move absolutely must happen - 3pm on a Friday!!

From Kenley, having to negotiate travelling the wrong way down one-way roads and multiple junction closures made all of the locals extremely happy on a Friday afternoon.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by ScotsBrutesFan

I’m never sure of the measure of these things, Is that 53 feet of full size plus the bit on top of the kingpin or does the 53’ include that bit.



I ask as I watch some of the towing/recovery YouTube channels and they mention 53’ trailers with containers, usually overturned in the videos?

Believe 53' is the length of the box front to rear wall. I think they can go longer and our moving truck from NJ to VA was 53' plus a 10' box hung on the back. And pulled by a massively long full sleeper old Kenworth in amazing condition. It was longer than our property was wide at both houses. Course that may be my parents having too much stuff and 4 kids. Oh and an Austin Healy Sprite was stuffed in it with more than a few spare parts, no gas in the tank and no oil in the engines that weren't installed in the car so they were fine with it

[joeb]

It was big, blue, and magnificent.

Had to snap a pic of the car phone too!

[Gerard C]

And a joy to drive even the elongated version! Anoraks here say it has to be Cardinal Red (color) but tbh its not that important. I guess they go for cheap in Hollywood because each time you can spot one in a movie it doesn't last for long.

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

I believe that 53 feet will be end to end, so includes that part covering the hitch. Whilst I see that the UK has increased ours length to 45 feet now.

That's right. The max total length of a rig is 75 feet. 8.5 feet wide.



W900 baby!

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

And a joy to drive even the elongated version! Anoraks here say it has to be Cardinal Red (color) but tbh its not that important. I guess they go for cheap in Hollywood because each time you can spot one in a movie it doesn't last for long.

I think we only got the long wheel base version towards the end. And it (Jaaaaaag) may well and truly be over now.

Do they drive as good as they look? How unreliable are they? You're French, you'll tell the truth. I really like an XJ but I know I shouldn't.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by joeb

I would go see that parade!

Last years one at Bathurst was a new improved version..... after all the new updated trucks convoyed into town hanging off the back they did the drivers parade and with the GM v Ford theme of the race all the drivers were in every model of corvette from 50's to the latest, Mustang of all sorts and a Cobra . Plus some other hangers on including one of the horrible little Capri soft tops posted here recently an MX5 (Miata) Crossfire and Mercs and even some hot rods. Plenty of variety..

Found a video hosted by an American NASCAR fan who was getting very excited. Ill see if I can find a link if anyone is interested.

Found it: The car bit starts at c 9:30 in but as said the B Doubles that run before are all upgrades from that last vid with more big cab Kenworths, Macks, plus Mercs, Freightliners etc. Plus fancier wraps.

https://youtu.be/_sQNZW4kCDw

EDIT:
Sadly the video of the trucks and cars only quarter screen in a corner of the NASCAR Fans video linked above
But I Found the original full screen version which is better. Doesnt have the close ups of the trucks pre convoy in the assembly area, shown at start on the above link.

Anyway this is a better full screen version of the convoy albeit without the NASCAR fans comments.. In this the cars start at about 6:30 in.
Hope that makes sense.

https://youtu.be/sEkEfESTHXk

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

Do they drive as good as they look? How unreliable are they? I really like an XJ but I know I shouldn't.

Yes its a real pleasure to drive. Unreliable they are and certainly when the maintenance schedule has been neglected. Nothing really bad but electric gremlins are there and cooling and ac systems can be an issue. If you find a restored example it will be fine.

[Gerard C]

https://www.motorcars-service.com/jaguar-xjs-service/
Female owner: https://www.toplinediagnostics.com
https://britishcarrepair.com/jaguar-...celock=desktop
Modern models oriented but in Atlanta: https://www.freedperformance.com/repair/jaguar/