Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

My dad picked this up at the weekend:

#jealous

It is.

But, while I accept that "because I can" is a valid reason, I can't really imagine why you would want to build a fast car that is a) powered by 4 rotor Wankel engine rather than a more efficient Otto cycle engine, or b) based upon a Volvo 142.

Wouldn't you end up with a much better result by starting with something with decent suspension, like a Merc 124 or a Jaguar XJ40?

Alternatively, if making something highly unlikely go fast is your thing, why not start with something even shitter? Like a Morris Marina?

He's Swedish

^^I'd rather have a mint mk1

http://cdn.stanceworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/scirocco-image-ronal-racing.jpg

pea

I prefer the Mk.2

that's me 5th from the front. such an awesome little car.

That's beautiful.

What a line up! Looks like great fun!
What's your verdict on the car?

What a line up! Looks like great fun!
What's your verdict on the car?

absolutely astounding little car.

he paid quite a bit for it (too much imo) and i was a bit concerned about how a freshly restored car would be set up and how it would cope with a day of hammering.

the guy that restored it knew what he was doing, as the little beast was so perfectly balanced. almost neutral handling - slight understeer. the perfect combo of handling and power for my ability.

it didn't miss a beat all day, either.

madgewick/fordwater/st mary's is what it's all about - flat out from madgewick to fordwater, then a little bit of poo comes out as the wind blows you around when you head into st mary's in 4th.

bring on the next one.

the only problem was the racing seats he fitted to the car and my powerful chassis not being entirely compatible. i didn't think i'd be able to drive it when we got there, but i managed to squeeze in and with my head wedged solidly into the roof lining and my knees up near the indicator stalk i got three or four sessions in in the afternoon. i struggled between 5th to 4th, which wasn't ideal, seeing as there's only one corner that you need 3rd!

the best outcome of the day was over the dinner table. i straight up told baroness fredo that he mgb is as good as sold and that i was using this year's bonus to buy something to track. she asked, "something with a roof?", to which i tactically answered yes. she then said that the best part of owning a classic car was the holidays and the weekend drives through the country with the top down (i agree, fwiw).

there seemed to be only one solution - two cars.

she said if i put this year's bonus towards the mortgage, she'd be happy with me spending next year's on a racing car!!!

BANG! a three year battle was finally won and I am going to spend the next 13 months car shopping. 2 doors, small(ish) and up to 5/6k. a bmw 2002 is the leader.

Not surprised you had to shoehorn yourself in. You needn't have pointed out you were 5th car back I can see the shape of your "powerful chassis" riding shotgun.

i'm driving!

RHD or LHD?

Or is Lurch your passenger?

rhd

Awesome news BRM! Glad the day was good and that you're now on the look out for a track car! 2002 would be a great choice. Anything else taking your fancy?

I don't think it is.
Time Attack drivers generally wear helmets and earplugs, not Ear Defenders from B&Q. I do generally 'stay away', but even I know that TA cars generally also have a lot more aero development than this thing.
It looks more like a Time Attack Enthusiast car.

Start reading from the new photos. That car is no more. You aren't the only one who felt the way you did. Completely parted out and rebuilt.

It's been a long time - Novak Racing's GC8 - NASIOC

Worth £250K? Will go up in price for sure Clicky \/ \/ \/

Could be a good investment no?

Is that how much they're asking? I would have thought it would have been more and judging by a. the way ALL classic car prices have gone up in the last 2 (or so) years and b. the way Ferrari prices have gone up, I would have thought that this will go up too.

Yes, went and had a look at it today. They want 250 for it! Only a few left two as many have been butchered to make 250 gto replicas (same engine etc)

Considering what all other varients of 250's go for, 250k sounds good value. I'd expect that this will get dragged along and values should rise.

Thats what im thinking too, didnt a GTO go for like 38million or something ridiculous like that

Yeh, an ex-Stirling Moss GTO went for $35million to be the worlds most expensive car. Chris Evans paid £12million for his GTO and apparently paid about €6million for his 250 California Spyder. Crazy money!

So these are the last remaining of the GTO variations that are not bonkers money yet, surely the only way is up then?

I would think so. Plus you have to look at what cars are below them in terms of pricing. The values of those cars means that this has to be worth considerably more. A good 330 is over £100k now and even previously cheap Ferraris like a good 400/412 has gone up in Value. I would have thought that this will continue, especially whilst banks and other investments aren't earning money like the used to.

emails old man