Social get-together and classic car pit stop @ Meylenstein June 2011

Bruno von Rotz
06/30/2011

Audi Quattro, Mini, VW Käfer Pritschenwagen, Mercedes Benz R107 und Bentley am Boxenstopp @ Meylenstein am 29. Juni 2011

Is it the common theme, the hobby that unites people? In any case, there is always a lot of conviviality and relaxed get-togethers at classic car events. There are few events where the atmosphere is as peaceful as at classic car meetings. You could experience this again recently in Salzburg, when more than 20,000 spectators came to see the 160 or so classic cars at the Gaisbergrennen. Or at the OiO a few weeks ago, when half a canton only "spoke" classic car.

AC Cobra, Morgan +8, Audi Quattro (Mouton/Pons) beim Boxenstopp Meylenstein vom 29. Juni 2011

But it also takes place at smaller events, such as the "pit stop @ Meylenstein" last night. Despite the comparatively adverse weather conditions, a good number of classic car enthusiasts came together to discuss potential purchases, experiences of participating in rallies and problems with their vehicles. With a warm bratwurst in their stomachs and their eyes fixed on incoming vehicles, they were able to meet new people and intensify old acquaintances.

Maserati 3500 GTI Sebring und Morgan Plus 8 am Boxenstopp @ Meylenstein vom 29. Juni 2011

That's exactly why informal classic car events like the "Pit Stop @ Meylenstein" work, next time again on July 27, 2011.

Porsche 356 S90 am Boxenstopp @ Meylenstein vom 29. Juni 2011

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In retrospect, modernization does not always mean better and more beautiful

Bruno von Rotz
06/29/2011

Modifizierter Mercedes Benz 230 SL von 1971

In AR 45/1971, under the title "Mercedes Benz 230-280 SL modernized", a conversion of a Mercedes pagoda roof convertible was described. Karl Schaller was the name of the self-appointed vehicle designer who set out to improve what was, from today's perspective, an almost timeless Mercedes vehicle. He turned the convertible into a coupé, replaced the roof superstructure, which he considered too delicate, with a flat roof and also gave the vehicle a tailgate. The front was also redesigned and was now more powerful and foldable. At the time, AR wrote of a "sporty, aggressive look".

Modifizierter Mercedes Benz 230 SL von 1971 mit Heckklappe

The plastics specialist had spent 1600 hours on the transformation of the 230 SL, and series production was considered possible. But nothing came of it, and we are probably grateful for that today, because looking back we love the nostalgic shape of the 230 SL as it left the factory and see no reason for improvements. However, the vehicle is always an interesting contemporary witness, whether it still exists? In this form?

Modifizierter Mercedes Benz 230 SL mit neuer Fronthaube

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What color would you have liked your Aston Martin DB 5 to be?

Bruno von Rotz
06/28/2011

Farbpalette Aston Martin DB 5 1964

Well, Aston Martin 's color selection for the DB 5 in 1964 was not as extensive as one might have expected, at least not for the "standard colors". After all, the colors had resounding names such as "Aegean Blue", "Caribbean Pearl" or "Goodwood Green", and seven of the ten available colors were metallic paints.

Even from today's perspective, the colors can be considered extremely pleasing, the least popular today is probably the "Fiesta" red, although the new V12 Zagato was (almost) exactly in this color at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este ...

Farbpalette Aston Martin DB 5 1964 (Titelblatt)

A detailed article on the Aston Martin models DB 4 to DB 6 can be found here, including the color brochure, further sales documents, many pictures and even more facts.

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Announced and not built - Aston Martin DB S from Touring

Bruno von Rotz
06/27/2011

Aston Martin DBS C Touring - Aufnahme in den Presseinformationen

On October 18, 1966, Aston Martin announced the two-seater Aston Martin DB S at the London Motor Show (Earls Court). The car had been designed by Touring and was also to be built there. The basis of the DB S was a shortened DB-6 chassis (17.5 cm shorter). The engine, gearbox and suspension were to be adopted one-to-one. It was hoped that the weight would be reduced by 400 lbs (181 kg). Thanks to less weight, a height of only 123 cm and 325 hp engine power (Vantage engine), a top speed of 265 km/h was expected, which was certainly an impressive figure for the time.

Aston Martin DBS C Touring - Seitenansicht - bei Fotoshooting

But the model was never built after all. "266/2/L" remained a one-off, just like "266/1/R", the previous similar prototype, which was even equipped with a 365 hp Vantage engine (C specification) and was presented at the Turin Motor Show in 1966.

To avoid confusion with the four-seater DBS model presented later, the Touring models were subsequently renamed DBSC. According to contemporary commentaries, the DB S was clearly superior to a DB4 GT: faster, smoother steering, better brakes. The car also offered a large tailgate and was therefore more practical. Both cars found private owners.

Aston Martin DBS C - Heckansicht des Sportwagens - Aufnahme während Fotoshooting 1966

Incidentally, David Brown is said to have spoken out against series production due to the lack of elegance of the two designs. This is quite understandable; depending on the viewer's perspective, the coupé does have somewhat strange features. However, this decision must have been made relatively late, as there was already relatively detailed press information available at this time . Incidentally, parallel production was planned with the DB 6 Saloon and Volante, which remained in the range.

We have also published a detailed report on the vehicles Aston Martin DB 4 to DB 6 , which is not only of interest to Aston fans.

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The romance of highway rest stops

Bruno von Rotz
06/26/2011

Aotubahnraststätte um 1975 - Werbeaufnahme

The postcard photo is around 35 years old, or even older. It was intended as an advertisement for a highway service station that was probably newly opened at the time. The Alfa Romeo GTV, still a long way from classic car status at the time, was not there by chance, but had been deliberately positioned for the photo, as it not only partially blocked the access road to the service station but was also parked against the direction of travel. Of course, the blonde couldn't be missing either. The picture exudes a calmness that seems rather unusual for the (nowadays) usual stress of traveling.

P.S. As reader Nünlist informs us, the location photographed is the then newly opened Gunzgen SO service station on the A1 in the direction of Bern. Thank you for your comment!

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A big BMW 507 meeting took place over 40 years ago

Bruno von Rotz
06/25/2011

BMW 507 Trefffen vor 40 Jahren mit Graf Albrecht von Goertz

Almost 40 years ago, Automobil Revue published a short note about a meeting of BMW 507 vehicles. The wording, slightly adapted, sounded like this:

"A meeting of BMW 507 owners recently took place in eastern Switzerland. Around twenty of these former luxury sports cars of the Munich brand had gathered near Winterthur from Germany, Austria, the USA and Switzerland. The most prominent guest was Count Albrecht von Goertz, the designer of the BMW 507 and 503.
The most important task of the organizing "BMW 507 Club Europe" is to centralize the spare parts that are still available and to rebuild the most common components. Of the 253 cars produced between 1956 and 1959 , around 140 still exist, 13 of which are in Switzerland."

The club "BMW 507 Club Europa" doesn't seem to have made it over to the Internet era, at least we couldn't find it straight away; it may also have been integrated into the BMW Veterans Club. And we will take a closer look at the 507 population in 2011 in a forthcoming article.

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In memoriam Peter Falk alias Inspector Columbo with his Peugeot 403 Cabriolet

Bruno von Rotz
06/24/2011

Peugeot 403 Cabriolet von 1961

Who doesn't know him, who hasn't been able to catch a glimpse of him at least once? Inspector Columbo probably stumbled across most screens in the world in his gawky way. And his Peugeot 403 Cabriolet was (almost) always there (see photo, it does not show Columbo's car but is a contemporary advertising shot). Columbo's car was clearly not in "mint condition", but was a genuine used car and an unconventional one at that.

Yesterday, Peter Falk, the actor who played Columbo, died at the age of 83. A good reason to watch another episode of this unconventional crime series, which was filmed from 1970-1977.

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Juan Manuel Fangio was born one hundred years ago today

Bruno von Rotz
06/24/2011

Juan Manuel Fangio mit Louis Rosier in Le Mans 1951

There is hardly a racing driver from the forties and fifties who is and was better known. Juan Manuel Fangio (speaking to Louis Rosier in the picture, Fangio is the man in the coat on the left) was alreadya legend during his lifetime, winning five Grand Prix world championship titles and also being successful in sports cars. But above all, he survived while many of his (slower) colleagues lost their lives on (or off) the racetrack. He died in 1995 at the ripe old age of 84.

His unspectacular driving style, which was extremely fast but at the same time gentle on the material, was also unique. But his departure at the zenith of his success was also impressive. Adriano Cimarosti wrote on the occasion of his 60th birthday in 1971: "One day he realized (in 1958, he was already 47 years old) that a race was exhausting him far more than before, that his concentration was increasingly tiring, that everything was no longer as easy as before. 'It's time,' Fangio said to himself, and put down his crash helmet for good. That was also greatness."

This retirement from active motorsport is particularly noteworthy because just one year earlier, he had delivered a race at the Nürburgring that went down in the annals of motor racing. In that race, he made up a 45-second deficit after a refueling stop, improved the lap record from the already unofficial best time from practice by an incredible 8 seconds to 9:17.4 and won what was probably his most spectacular race ever.

We are fortunate to be able to publish a review of his life, written by Adriano Cimarosti.

Still not read enough about Juan Manuel Fangio? A search of the extensive Zwischengas archivereveals 645 articles/pages that report on Fangio in some form or another. Even the coming weekend will probably not be enough to read it all!

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Stories with and around the VW Beetle

Bruno von Rotz
06/23/2011

VW 1200 (Käfer) von 1961 mit offenem Rolldach

Almost every family history includes a VW Beetle sooner or later, including mine. In 1961, my father bought his first car, a gray-blue metallic-colored VW Beetle 1200, built in 1958. The sturdy Beetle did its job for over eight years, during which time it had its fenders replaced several times, and there wasn't much else to repair, even after half a rollover in winter.

After a few years, the original color gave way to a shade of white, sprayed on by the owner. The "indicators" had to make way for more modern indicators. At that time, the vehicle did not have seat belts, so it would not have been possible to transport six or more people at the same time. We children often stayed in the recess behind the rear seats so that the older ones could be accommodated in the "normal" seats. Many a pass was climbed and many a journey undertaken with the roll-top roof open. The Beetle never got too hot and when others were steaming with exhaustion, it drove on tirelessly. However, it wasn't really that fast, the recommended speeds of 120 to 140 km/h on the still unrestricted Swiss highways were beyond its capabilities. I actively helped my father with the "do-it-yourself" maintenance - there's no other way to explain how I managed to empty the entire contents of the oil filter over my clothes.

VW Käfer aus den Siebzigerjahren

In 1969, Beetle number one had to make way for a slightly modernized successor, a brand new white VW 1300. Well, the old car didn't leave us straight away, it stood outside the house for a while and was supposed to protect the new beauty during the winter. Soon we children took over the old Beetle, stuck Herby stripes over its hood and played car racing. Our version of the "Le Mans start" looked something like this: Race to the car on "go", roll down all (two) windows, open the sunroof, put it in gear and roar off, with lots of "hum-rum" coming from the vocal organ. Later, my father let me drive around the meadow in a gravity-driven Beetle. That was my first "real" driving experience.

Soon the '58 Beetle was no longer any good as a winter car and ended up in the scrapyard. After five years, the new one gave way to a Datsun, and by the mid-seventies only die-hard fans were still buying a Beetle. I wonder if it is still among the survivors, now with classic car status?

Do you also have a Beetle story to tell? We are curious!

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Isuzu Bellet MX 1600 - unknown low-flying aircraft from Japan

Bruno von Rotz
06/22/2011

Iszuzu Bellet MX 1600 von 1970, an der Tokyo Motor Show 1970

The design is attributed to Tom Tjaarda , and the Isuzu Bellet MX 1600 was first presented at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1969. Similarities with the de Tomaso Pantera are probably not entirely coincidental, and the layout also has comparable frame data. The four-cylinder engine (DOHC 1.6-liter with around 120 hp) was installed as a mid-engine, coupled to a Hewland FT200 transmission.

This vehicle was capable of a top speed of 220 km/h , said the Isuzu people at the 1970 Tokyo Motor Show, where the 110 cm high car was shown a second time in a slightly modified form (headlights now always visible). A small series was announced at the time, but whether it was ever built is beyond our knowledge.

The fast creation never made it to Europe, what a pity!

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