Morgan sports car up to 96 hp for sale

Bruno von Rotz
07/31/2011

Morgan Grand Sport 1955

One might wonder whether buyers of sports cars in 1956 really knew the Morgan brand and its products that well. In any case, this advertisement from the Swiss importer was extremely reduced, "reduced to the max" so to speak.

Inserat Morgan von 1956

The model range at that time had a lot to offer. In addition to the well-known Morgan Plus Four in a wide variety of configurations, there was also the Grand Sport coupé (see picture above), for example, although it did not sell in large numbers at the time.

Morgan Plus Four 1957

Presumably the importer had concentrated on one model and different engine options, but did potential customers know that?

Morgan Plus Four 1956

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Two cars, two generations, one concept

Daniel Reinhard
07/30/2011

Mercedes 300SL 1954 and Mercedes 300 SLS 2010, two cars, two generations, one concept: gullwing doors!

Mercedes 300SL 1954 und 300 SLS 2010

The 300 SL from the 1950s, also known as the "Gullwing", was THE sports car of its time and has lost none of its popularity to this day. Even today, people stop when one of these rare sports cars pulls up and their amazement is multiplied as soon as the doors open towards the sky.

Have you ever thought about what happens if you roll over in one of these cars? Well, with the 54 model you didn't even have these thoughts. After all, the car was built for driving and not for overturning. There is no emergency hammer hanging in the cabin, like in the Postbus.

But today's safety regulations are much stricter. You also have to offer a solution for this situation, so in the uncomfortable "down under" situation, you can blow the doors off the SLS in true James Bond style. This is what happened at the ADAC GT Masters at the Sachsenring on May 15, 2011: the Heico SLS driven by the German Robert Renauer rolled over after contact with an enemy - no problem, today's cars offer an enormously high level of safety for their occupants.

Ueberschlag am ADAC-GT-Masters am Sachsenring vom 15.5.2011 eines Mercedes SLS mit Robert Renauer.

But the explosive mechanism of the SLS gullwing doors did not work. As a result, the trapped driver had to be freed by crane.

Despite all the technical innovations in the SLS of 2010, I would prefer the original from 1954. The design of the Gullwing is so perfect that any attempt at a new edition, now or in the future, will almost certainly always fail.

Photo Copyrights: Daniel Reinhard, Bodo Kräling.

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Tribute to all marshals

Bernhard Brägger
07/29/2011

It's time to turn our attention to the marshals. This article is a kind of homage - a public tribute - to all those men and women who stand somewhere on a race track weekend after weekend and guarantee the safety of the participants. They warn of dangers, stop following vehicles in the event of accidents, secure the scene of accidents, rescue drivers from uncomfortable situations, provide first aid to injured people, extinguish vehicle fires, help recover crashed vehicles, repair demolished crash barriers, clean up the road of oil, glass splinters and vehicle parts lying around. And they do this late into the night, for sausage and bread, while the ladies and gentlemen of the racing drivers' guild have long been dining elegantly on white tablecloths!

It was the same at the Steckborn - Eichhölzli hill climb in the 1950s. With a broom, floppy hat and in his "Uebergwändli", the marshal calmly and thoughtfully goes about his work, while the uninjured driver and the owner of the land first inspect the damage done to the land, including the destroyed "Pflanzplätz".

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Pit stop @ Meylenstein July 2011

Balz Schreier
07/28/2011

Summer vacation, bad weather, not exactly the best conditions for the pit stop @ Meylenstein. Nevertheless, the reserved parking spaces filled up, not as quickly as back in sunny, warm May, but after an hour a few classic cars were already parked.

First two Alfa Romeos arrived, Giulia Sprint GT and 1750 Veloce, then a Fiat Dino 2400 Coupé, and the Corvette C3 Stingray was also there again...

Unfortunately, it started to rain heavily after eight o'clock...

Some were probably already on the road and were surprised by the sudden onset of rain, for example Jürg König in his blue Bugatti 49 from 1929 with Grand Sport bodywork: yesterday doing laps at Indianapolis in Oerlikon, today at the pit stop!

Many more photos can be viewed in the photo gallery . We very much hope that the sun will shine again in August!

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Indianapolis Oerlikon 2011 - a bit of Le Mans in Zurich

Balz Schreier
07/27/2011

Once a year in Zurich Oerlikon, historic vehicles are allowed to rev their engines on Switzerland's oldest open race track. The engines are started punctually at 18:00, but interested parties are already in the Rennbahn-Stübli or in the infield of the track hours beforehand, discussing their latest discoveries over a beer or reminiscing about last year. This is 'Indianapolis in Oerlikon', the name of the event, reminiscent of the biggest race of its kind: the Indianapolis 500. We were there for the 9th running of this event:

As a visitor, you are immersed in a very special world here: the open cycle racetrack, built around 1912, the first prestressed concrete construction in the world, offers a very special nostalgic ambience for the 50 or so historic vehicles that will be doing their laps in three heats. Once you are at the top of the bends, you can see how steep they actually are: 44.5 degrees seems more like 60 degrees! It's unbelievable that vehicles are even driven through here!

18 motorcycles, 9 sidecars (with Morgan Three Wheeler) and 21 historic road and racing cars are lined up in two rows on the inside. Most of the time, the drivers and owners sit or stand right next to their vehicles and are always open to questions and brief discussions:

If you want to take photos of the cars here, you'd better arrive early, as the interior fills up quickly! Formula cars such as the Maserati 250 F, Cooper T45, Lotus 59, racing cars such as the Sauber C1, prototypes such as the Sbarro ACA Spider and special cars such as the Enzmann 506, to name but a few, have a magnetic effect...

Word of the fascination of Indianapolis in Oerlikon must have gotten around: 4021 visitors came to the event this year. A record! We are naturally delighted for the organizer and hope that this can continue for a long time to come.

You can meet celebrities everywhere, in the Rennbahn-Stübli, between the parked classic cars or at the bratwurst stand. There was also a very special guest for younger visitors this year: Marcel Fässler, the first Swiss overall winner of the 24-hour race in Le Mans, was also on site, handing out autograph cards, answering questions and finally doing a few laps twice in an Audi Quattro from 1985 (Urquattro):

That same evening, he traveled to Belgium to compete in the 24 Hours of Spa race there the following weekend.

But there were also motorcycle legends in the crowd: including Luigi Taveri, 82 years old, three times world champion in the 125 cc class in the 1960s, 143 times at the start in the motorcycle world championship, 30 victories, 89 podium places:

Time passes pretty quickly and you soon realize that the sun has long since set and you've been riding under floodlights for quite some time. These different lighting conditions of day, dusk, sunset and floodlit atmosphere are also unique here.

For just 10 Swiss francs, you can take part in this fantastic event. So will you be there in 2012 for the 100th anniversary of the racecourse and the 10th birthday of "Indianapolis in Oerlikon"? We'll certainly be there again!

We from Zwischengas will of course be back at the Meylenstein pit stop tonight!

Photo gallery

Many photos of Daniel Reinhard can be enjoyed in the separate photo gallery !

Start list Indianapolis in Oerlikon 2011

Start no.	Car
27	Morgan Three Wheeler Aero Super Sports, 1929 1100 ccm, 60 HP
28	Morgan Three Wheeler, 1930 1300 cc, approx. 120 hp
32	Amilcar CG Kompressor, 1927 1100 cc, over 100 hp
33	MGK1, 1931 1125 cc, approx. 120 hp
34	Maserati 8 CM, 1933 2992 cc, approx. 250 hp
35	Maserati 250 F, 1956 2493 cc, 270 hp
36	Cooper T45 Formula 1, 1958 2022 cc, approx. 180 hp
37	Lotus 22 (Formula Junior), 1962 1100 cc, 130 hp
38	Cooper F1, 1965, 1965 1500 cc, 8cyl, 185 hp
39	Tecno F3, 1969 998 cc, 120 hp
40	Lotus 59 Formula 2, 1969 1600 cc, 260 hp
41	March 703, 1970, 1970 1600 cc, approx. 200 hp
44	Alfa Romeo 6c 1500 Sport, 1928 1750 cc, approx. 75 hp
45	Bugatti 49, 1929 3300 cc, 135 hp
46	Riley Special 12/4, 1934 1478 cc, 55 hp
47	Alvis PKC 731, 1936 3.6 liter, 150 hp
48	MG Wagner Sp1, 1959 1800 cc, approx. MOPS
49	Enzmann 506, 1960 1600 cc, 90 hp
50	Jaguar Type D, 1961 3781 cc, 275 hp
51	Lotus 23, 1963 1600 cc, 200 hp
52	Jaguar C-Type, 1963 3.4 liter, 200 hp
53	Sbarro ACA Spider (prototype), 1968 996 cem, 103 hp
54	Sauber C1, 1970 1000 cem, 130 hp

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Will the Mini Marcos return to its former glory?

Bruno von Rotz
07/26/2011

Mini Marcos Kit Car als Restaurationsbasis

Recently, a colleague showed me his newly purchased Mini Marcos. It was still standing in front of us without an interior and not really in presentable condition. But, said the proud owner, the car should soon be back to its former glory and look something like this:

Mini Marcos von 1966 (Werksfoto von damals)

The Mini Marcos was launched in 1965. The design came from Malcom Newall. The polyester body was sold as a kit and could be fitted over Mini elements and components. The car was not a great commercial success, but it was certainly competitive in GT racing. In 1966, the Mini Marcos was the only British car to finish the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Production at Marcos was stopped in 1975 and the model was licensed to Harold Dermot, who presented it as the Midas Kit Car at the 1978 Performance Car Show in London.

We are now eager to see how the restoration project for this Mini Marcos from the early 1970s develops.

Mini Marcos vor altem Gemäuer

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When racing drivers were still starving - an episode from the life of Jo Siffert

André Dubs
07/25/2011

Seitenwagengespanne am Solitude Revival 2011

The coincidence of Jo Siffert's recent 75th birthday, the 40th anniversary of his death this coming fall and the Solitude Revival , which took place on the weekend of July 23-24, prompts me to write down an episode from the very early days of Jo Siffert's racing career ...

My friend and narrator of this authentic story, the now 84-year-old Fritz Häfeli from Seengen, was already passionately interested in everything to do with racing motorcycles as a boy. When it came to restoring the American station wagon that sidecar rider Edgar Strub from Olten had bought from Dr. Wander (Ovomaltine), a certain Josef from Fribourg joined Edgar and Fritz twice a week as active help. The 16-year-old apprentice bodyworker made the journey between Fribourg and Olten in a 350cc machine with a self-made license plate attached to the rear wing.

In the mid-1950s - Fritz Häfeli no longer remembers the exact year - Edgar Strub entered his sidecar team for the international Solitude race. His passenger was none other than the aforementioned Josef, later better known as Jo Siffert. For the trip from Fribourg to Olten, Josef had been given 5 francs for fuel by his colleagues. The Norton team was transported in the now repaired station wagon.

For dinner in the Solitude event's race park, there was a tin of white beans warmed up on the fuel stove, as well as half a Servelat (typical relatively small Swiss sausage) for everyone. Thirst was quenched with tea.

The Strub couple set up camp for the night inside the car, while Fritz and Josef settled in on the roof rack . This was upholstered with a bale of straw "borrowed" from the Glemseck bend and a "military sheet" spread out on top. Two sacks filled with cleaning threads served as pillows.

In the middle of the night, Jo poked Fritz, who was lying next to him, in the side and asked if he couldn't sleep either. Fritz replied that he had just been thinking about biting off one of his ears because he was so hungry. Jo replied that he hadn't had anything proper between his teeth since Thursday and was literally starving. Edgar Strub's spiteful voice could be heard from inside the car, telling them to shut up. Fritz quickly whispered in Josef's ear that breakfast would be served soon!

This consisted of a halved "Gerber-Chäsli", some bread and, of course, tea again. Strub/Siffert at least managed to finish the race in the top ten.

Finally, on the way home, near Balingen, Strub suddenly stopped and asked Fritz Häfeli to get some apples from a nearby tree. He had already seized this good opportunity on the outward journey.

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Waiting at Solitude

Bruno von Rotz
07/24/2011

Warten am Ende des Laufes - Solitude Revival 2011

The Solitude is a race track with a long tradition; motorcycles first raced in Stuttgart as early as 1922 and the transformation from hill climb to circuit took place in 1925.

This year, the Solitude Revival is being held yesterday (July 23, 2011) and today (July 24, 2011) to pay homage to this long tradition. This shows why today's race tracks are no longer a good eleven kilometers long, but usually only four to six kilometers. While the Formula 1 cars in the 1960s lapped the track in just under 3 minutes 50 seconds (179 km/h average), in modern times (revival) with pace cars and safety regulations, 8 to 10 minutes or more is more likely. Of course, the spectators see nothing in between. And if the races are only two or three laps long, the field doesn't stretch out. So you have to wait.

Wartende Fahrzeuge im Start-Ziel-Bereich der Solitude - Solitude Revival 2011

We also had to wait between the runs, sometimes for quite a long time.

And the marshals also had to wait on the first day of the race, as did the photographers and journalists.

Wartende Photographen und Streckenposten am Solitude Revival 2011

The Beer Queen of Baden-Würthenberg also had to wait when the pre-war sports car ran out of gas on the hill.

Auch die Bierkönigin von Baden-Würthenberg muss warten am Solitude Revival, als dem englischen Vorkriegsoldtimer der Schnauf ausgeht ..

But the wait was worth it, where else can you see David Piper driving his green Porsche 917 ...

Porsche 917 gefahren von David Piper am Solitude Revival 2011

... and two Porsche monopostos (718 and 804) at full speed? And the field of vehicles also offered many other trouvailles, more about this in a detailed report

Porsche 718 am Solitude Revival 2011

Back to the waiting. The drivers also had to wait a lot, be it before the races, in the line-up, when returning to the "pits" or even on the track when traffic jams formed. But I am sure that the beautiful natural circuit made up for all the waiting.

Stau am Berg - Solitude Revival 2011

It should not be forgotten that the majority of the races at Solitude were actually motorcycle races, which is why a Norton and a BMW sidecar are shown here, as well as a picture of the atmosphere.

Norton am Solitude Revival 2011

BMW-Gespann am Solitude Revival 2011

Motorräder am Solitude Revival 2011

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Spoilt for choice - which VW Beetle should it be?

Bruno von Rotz
07/23/2011

VW 1200 und 1300 von 1973

In 1973, the Beetle buyer had a choice. They could opt for the VW 1200 or the VW 1300, 34 DIN hp from a 1.2-liter engine or 44 DIN hp from the 1.3-liter engine, respectively 115 km/h or 125 km/h on the freeway.

But it was not only the performance that differed, but also the equipment. The Beetle 1300 offered the following things that the VW 1200 lacked:
Complete interior lining, two sun visors, fuel gauge, coat hooks, folding rear seat backrest to enlarge the luggage compartment, sophisticated ventilation system and much more ....

Farbpalette für den VW Käfer 1200 und 1300 im Jahre 1973

However, the color was probably a really difficult choice, because how are you supposed to make a decision when there aren't at least five shades of silver and black on offer?

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Mercedes Benz W196 from 1954 with Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg at the wheel

Daniel Reinhard
07/22/2011

Mercedes Benz W 196 mit Nico Rosberg und Michael Schumacher

In the run-up to the German GP at the Nürburgring, the two Mercedes drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg were each given the opportunity to put a 1954 Mercedes Benz W196 car under the spoked wheels of the Nordschleife. Nico's single-seater was Juan Manuel Fangio's Spa-winning car and today has a 3-liter engine that can run on normal 98 octane petrol (with lead added).

The"Streamliner" has the original 2.5-liter racing engine. This requires special gasoline. The sensational, albeit unhealthy, smell immediately conveys the feeling of pure racing.

The "Schumacher car", the streamliner without a starting number, never raced; it was merely the test and training car of Messrs Fangio, Hermann and Kling.

Michael Schumacher am Lenkrad des Mercedes Benz W 196 Streamliners von 1954

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher had a lot of fun with the unusual seating position in the W196. The legs had to be spread wide apart to operate the accelerator and brakes on the right and the clutch on the far left.

Nico Rosberg und Michael Schumacher mit zwei Mercedes Benz W 196 von 1954 auf der Nordschleife

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