Car Spotting

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Great Chris, was Grand Prix Olazur I think. I'm amazed to see you are able to spot a Tarashi Urania, never heard about this! Well done again.
Malcolm thanks again for the pics, comments and link. The reading gives info "BMW R75 engine installed behind the front axle" for the first version. The one pictured must be a latter version -post '48?- with front overhanging-engine and tubular frame. How much did Diddi pay for the BM engine is another story! Loot may be?



As to bonnet bulge or other mods, they were common in period, a race car being in constant evolution. For example, one of Dad's Gordini was seen RHD then LHD and he even used it for Concours d'élégance (La Baule je crois, Mom respecting the dress code).

It's always good to look back at these minor GPs and some of the lesser known cars that competed in these races. It's amazing how it turned up in some random car park! Anyway what an effort that must have been, that reading gives an insight into how much work was put in. Maybe the BM engine was giving out on the cheap, they weren't big on racing at the time.

It's also nice to find out how different people used different modifications for certain cars. Any reason why your dad changed from RHD to LHD?

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Any reason why your dad changed from RHD to LHD?

Yes, new bride, wanted to keep both arms busy!

[joeb]

Drop Top Rover. In all honesty it was way too hot for that.

[broadrun96]

A few things spotted

VW with some scaffolding in the back seat. Although this one looks like it's optioned out of scaffolding

This thing might be as expensive as the 911, the base model starts at 155k and this thing is heavily modded, I didn't catch the sticker but I would guess over 200k

And some car parts with better paint then they ever had new, local coffee shop on my way to work. Sorry but hooks at the top mean those are the single dumbest seat backs

[joeb]

That Porsche looks like it has slicks on

[Mike Harte]

I know it doesn't count, but I saw what looked like a very well turned out red 1960s vintage Ford Thunderbird, which I think was a 4 door version, and it sounded absolutely gorgeous at it drove away. I was very surprised how low to the ground it was and so I assumed that it had been modified; that is until I looked them up a few moments go and that does seem to be the norm for them.

[Gerard C]

More likely four seat than four door may be?

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

More likely four seat than four door may be?

Probably was quite roomy in there. However I can't tell how many doors it has

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

More likely four seat than four door may be?

The late sixties series 5 Thunderbird had a 4 door option / variation.... the rear doors were suicide doors hinged at the back.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by E.B

The late sixties series 5 Thunderbird had a 4 door option / variation.... the rear doors were suicide doors hinged at the back.

Merci Chris, never saw that before. Rear doors a la Continental are said "antagonistes" down here. We had a few in Europ, Ford Vedette and Simca 8 for instance. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simca_8
Sorry Mike, I got it wrong, you saw a four door Square Bird…

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by E.B

The late sixties series 5 Thunderbird had a 4 door option / variation.... the rear doors were suicide doors hinged at the back.

The late 60s crew cab flavor. THey were competing with the Toronado/Riviera/El Dorado. Cool cars. Big but cool.

[Gerard C]

Ya, very cool and the size does not matter. The idea to put a coupé or four door in cabriolet guise is brilliant. When you think that in Europ designers have been hunting any evidence of overhang…

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by joeb

Drop Top Rover. In all honesty it was way too hot for that.

They’re everywhere.

[Gerard C]

Nothing like Mumbai design. Still wonder why they stopped the Nano thou…

[Peter Mallett]

Here's something you don't see too often in the UK at least. One of these was the subject of a Clint Eastwood movie and of course Starkey and Hutch made them famous in the 70's.

[Gerard C]

Gran Torino! They go for cheap if you forget the inacurate painting https://www.akakce.com/oyuncak-araba...238393348.html
Do you see any of these in your streets or dustbins:https://www.citroen.fr/ami ? They can be bought from supermarkets or Fnac. Perfect stupido look. So French.

[S griffin]

Can't beat a good Gran Torino. Don't see many of those around. But that's the case with a lot of cars no longer in fashion.

That's funny that you can buy those Citroen things in a supermarket. Shame, they have made some good cars.

[joeb]

Someone had a trip in style

[Alfaholic]

Just a Ford Cortina Mk2

But this one is a little bit more special than the standard 1600E

[Gerard C]

Nice home made trunk badge. And the Alan Mann Racing colors are always appreciated.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by joeb

Someone had a trip in style

Did they though? I guess poor taste and risky decisions could be a style all its own.

[S griffin]

At least they could bring plenty others with them. As long as the car is practical, it don't matter about how enjoyable the trip is if you know what I mean

[joeb]

This was in my parking lot this morning. In good shape on the outside but couldn't see through the tint. Mid 80s I believe

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by joeb

This was in my parking lot this morning. In good shape on the outside but couldn't see through the tint.

May be they were sparing money from the motel? Next time, what about a selfie?

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

May be they were sparing money from the motel? Next time, what about a selfie?

Ha! My grandmother had an 82 Accord that looked very similar (not with the tinted window) but was full of rust. So to see one of similar vintage but no rust was pretty amazing! The car was registered in Louisiana, but had a california dealer license plate holder. So Cali car makes sense for no rust.