Dreams of the early sixties - Ford's vision of the future Seattle-ite XXI

Bruno von Rotz
07/31/2012

Ford Seattle-ite XXI von 1962

Ford had gone out on a limb when it designed a six-wheeled car of the future for the semi-official Seattle World's Fair in 1962.
Not only did the Seattle-ite XXI lack a steering wheel, it was to be steered at the touch of a finger and the driving was to be supported by a computer that would inform the crew about the weather and traffic situation. Even the arrival time was to be displayed on the screen, a forerunner of the navigation system in use today.

Ford Seattle-ite XXI von 1962 - futuristisches Cockpit ohne Lenkrad

The Automobil Revue wrote the following in issue 29/1962:

"The automobile industry also has its own ideas about the traffic of tomorrow. Stylists are designing phenomenal vehicles which, running on six wheels, are operated only with buttons. The aim is not only higher performance, but above all greater safety. With four front wheels, the stylists hope to give the car more stability, and should a tire burst, this would no longer have catastrophic consequences. It goes without saying that they are also talking about cars that not only drive on the roads, but can also fly and serve as motorboats. There will be no more talk of gas-polluted air, as in a few decades' time vehicles will only run on nuclear power or solar energy. So it seems that by then the visions of the 1001 Nights fairy tales with their flying carpets and suitcases will have come true after all ..."

... or not?

The report in AR 29/1962 can of course be found in the Zwischengas archive, as can the high-resolution photos of the study.

Ford Seattle-ite XXI von 1962 - mit sechs Rädern

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Relative rarity - when F40 or Z1 occur in packs

Daniel Reinhard
07/30/2012

Ferrari F40 Promenade an der Silverstone Classic 2012

Collectors of classic cars often prefer vehicles that were built in small numbers. The Ferrari F40, for example, was originally planned for a production run of 450 units, but 1,315 were built due to high demand. Although this number is not insignificant, the probability of one F40 driver meeting another under normal circumstances is low. At the meeting of the F40 racers (pictured above) at the Silverstone Classic 2012, however, an almost unique number of 62 examples of this sought-after classic car came together.

Ferrari F40 sind aufgestellt für Promenade anlässlich der Silverstone Classic 2012

A limited number of BMW Z1s were also built, namely 8,000 vehicles. Because they are still relatively young, affordable and easy to drive, one owner will certainly be able to wave to another on a country road from time to time.

BMW Z1 Promenade an der Silverstone Classic 2012 - Z-Fest

At the photographed Z1 parade (Z Fest) in Silverstone on the occasion of the Silverstone Classic 2012 (July 20 to 22, 2012), however, there was no sign of rarity; even a Golf would have looked really exotic in this convoy.

BMW Z1 Promenade an der Silverstone Classic 2012

All photos: Jakob Ebrey Photography - Courtesy of Silverstone Classic.

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Once upon a time, 50 years ago in America ...

Bruno von Rotz
07/29/2012

Titelblätter 1962 von Road & Track

We look back at the year 1962. As readers of the renowned car magazine "Road & Track", we are informed about the news of the year, about the special cars of the time. It is a strongly European perspective that is published in the twelve issues of 1962.

MG B auf dem Road & Track Titelblatt von 1962

The lion's share of the cover pages shows European vehicles, with everyday testing primarily dominated by vehicles from England, Italy, ...

Ferrari 250 GT auf dem Titelbild von Road & Track im Jahr 1962

... Germany...

BMW 507 auf einem Titelbild von Road & Track im Jahre 1962

..., and France, but also Sweden.

Volvo P 1800 auf einem Titelbild der Zeitschrift Road & Track von 1962

It is almost a stroke of luck that the Chevrolet Corvette C2, an American flagship product, can be announced in the second half of the year, otherwise one would have to believe that the US vehicles from 1962 were of little interest to American readers.

Neue Chevrolet Corvette C2 auf dem Oktober-Titelblatt von Road & Track im Jahr 1962

Over the next few days, we will be reporting on individual aspects of the 1962 car year from a US perspective ...

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A case for two - it started with a Giulia

Bruno von Rotz
07/28/2012

Alfa Romeo Giulia Super von 1965

Hermann Josef Matula, called Josef by his friends, first appeared on local television screens in 1981 as a detective in the TV series "Ein Fall für Zwei". Hardly anyone would have dared to predict that he would don his leather jacket 299 more times to solve tricky cases on the edge of legality for his friend/partner, the lawyer. The 300th episode marks the end of the series and the departure of one of the few television heroes with petrol in his blood and Alfa Romeo written on his forehead.

For the first six years, Matula actor Claus-Theo Gärtner, a former rally driver who mostly drove his own stunts, was allowed to drive a white 1976 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super, which was already on the verge of becoming a classic at the time.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Super von 1976 in der Fernsehserie ein Fall für Zwei

This was followed by an Audi 80, which then had to make way for the current production vehicles from Alfa Romeo(75, 155, 156, 159). We will certainly miss the rough-and-tumble private detective with the spectacular driving style and, above all, have fond memories of the early episodes with the immortal Giulia.

Alfa Romeo Giulia 1300 TI von 1969

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Nails at the Tour de France - Nails at the Monte Carlo Rally

Bernhard Brägger
07/27/2012

Nicolas bei Burzet auf Alpine A 110 1800 bei der Monte Carlo Rallye 1975

The facts of the 14th stage of this year's Tour de France are well known. On the difficult Mur de Péguère towards Foix in the Pyrenees, some "cycling fans" scattered nails on the road and around 30 riders were promptly affected by defects, including defending champion Cadel Evans (Australia). Evans had to change his rear wheel three times! Croatian Robert Kiserlovski crashed so badly that he had to abandon the race with a suspected broken collarbone. Evans was only able to catch up again due to the fairness of the other favorites around the Englishman Bradley Wiggins (Sky), who slowed down on the descent. The Foix public prosecutor's office immediately launched an investigation.

Such nail attacks are nothing new in sport on public roads - not even in motorsport. In 1975, the Monte-Carlo Rally made headlines around the world. Piles of nails lay on the asphalt of the special stage "Burzet-Burzet" in the Département Ardèche. Not carpet nails like at the Tour de France - no, really big nails with large heads, the kind used by craftsmen for all kinds of repair work.

Munari/Manucci auf Lancia Stratos bei der Monte Carlo Rallye 1975

Zwischengas reported on this nail attack in detail in the series "100 years of the Monte Carlo Rally" in the chapter "Rally Monte Carlo 1975 - Munari and the very last nail" . There are parallels to the Tour de France. But in 1975, the locals fought back against being forgotten "Le pays meurt - le rallye pass!" and used the media impact of the rally as a multiplier for their justified cause. At the Tour de France, morons wanted fun, just fun! Another chapter of our fun society can be written.

Bacchelli und Scabin auf Abarth bei der Monte Carlo Rallye 1975

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The incredible transformations of a Porsche 917

Bruno von Rotz
07/26/2012

Porsche 917 mit Chassis-Nummer 021/012 an der Le Mans Classic 2012

There are different kinds of adventurers: some climb high mountains, others fly dangerous, fast airplanes, others dive in the deep sea. But Achim Grossmann, a landlord in the spa town of Wildbad near Calw, had other plans. He wanted to buy his dream car, the Porsche 917, and register it for use on public roads. The same undertaking had already been attempted in 1975 in Germany for Count Rossi (Martini-Rossi), but had failed; the car was finally registered in the US state of Alabama on the condition that it would never appear there.

Achim Grossmann was more successful. After extensive conversion work - all windows had to be made of glass, parking heaters had to be installed to prevent the windows from misting up, the lighting system had to be adapted to the existing laws and, above all, a voluminous exhaust system had to be fitted to cut down on the coarse pronunciation of the racing car, and much more - the 917 was given the license plate CW K 917 in 1977 and from then on thundered along the country roads around Calw in virginal white.

This color had already been given to the racing car when it was built in 1969, later it was once white-yellow, later purple-green, yellow-red, had accidents and finally ended up with Manfred Freisinger, who sold the frame and body to Grossmann for DM 20,000 in 1975. He rebuilt the car with a new 5-liter engine.

In AMS 14/1977, Grossmann said that servicing and maintenance should not be much more expensive than for the Porsche Turbo, only the 24 spark plugs and the 40 liters of engine oil required an additional payment. When he grew tired of the vehicle, the next owner returned the former racing car to its original purpose. The 917 first went to the States and finally came to Switzerland, now back in its blue and purple livery. Finally, the current owner Vincent Gaye bought the car. He completely restored it (again). He also wrote a comprehensive book, which will be published soon. And the car took part in the Le Mans Classic 2012, the photos were taken on this occasion.

You can find out more about the history of 917-021/012 on the Porsche 917 Register page. And if you would like to see more pictures of the Le Mans Classic 2012, please refer to our extensive article on this topic .

Porsche 917 von 1970 mit Chassis-Nummer 021/012 an der Le Mans Classic 2012

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Originality for originality's sake?

Bruno von Rotz
07/25/2012

Alvis Speed 25 von 1936 - Karosserie von 2006

There is a considerable difference of opinion in the classic car scene when it comes to the sense or nonsense of maximizing originality. While some want to preserve the vehicles in their original condition and sometimes even go beyond this by restoring vehicles to "better than new", others are only interested in period authenticity and timeliness.

The penchant for originality can blossom in strange ways, for example when the car is prepared exactly as it left the factory for concours victories, as we recently saw with a Shelby Mustang GT 350. You weren't actually allowed to drive this car, because it was still fitted with the precautions for transportation from the assembly line to the dealer .

The second group, which thinks completely differently, also likes a "Special" built today, as shown in our picture. This is an Alvis Speed 25, whose chassis from 1936 once formed the basis for a proud police limousine. However, the bodywork was created with a great deal of craftsmanship in 2006, which is obviously documented on the side of the vehicle. Earlier "Specials" were also created in the same way, sports cars on shortened limousine chassis, modeled on the famous Grand Prix cars of various brands.

Of course, such vehicles are a thorn in the side of originality fanatics and such conversions are also a constant talking point with the authorities when it comes to classic car privileges and technical approvals .

We don't want to be judges here, because we love them both, the original limousines and sports cars, as well as the specials, regardless of whether they were created then or now - the main thing is that there is no cheating!

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Were car buyers more interested in technology in the past?

Bruno von Rotz
07/24/2012

Durchsichtszeichnung des Hillman Imp von 1964

If you study old sales brochures and leaflets, you will always notice detailed explanations of the technology, see-through drawings and illustrations of engines, suspensions and other individual parts, whereas today it is almost predominantly emotions that are stirred up.

This leads to the conclusion that car buyers used to be more interested in technology and design-related differences between different cars. However, it must also be said that technology used to be served up more obviously and the differences between the various manufacturers were greater. From the buyer's point of view, it made sense to compare the mechanical components.
Today, when half the car industry will soon be based on three or four component platforms and the chosen technology solutions offer hardly any differences, the interest has shifted almost exclusively to image and design. But thank goodness there are still the old brochures of the earlier cars, for example the Hillman Imp from 1964, where you can find cross-sections of the car, individually illustrated axle designs and an engine illustration. Wonderful!

Faltprospekt Hillman Imp von 1964

Of course, as always, the entire Hillman Imp brochure( in German) is available in the Zwischengas archive. And anyone interested in the car can find a comprehensive portrait of the HIllman/Sunbeam Impon Zwischengas.

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Opel Kadett - now more than ever "the car"

Bruno von Rotz
07/23/2012

Opel Kadett in Rot von 1971

Opel marketing was quite self-confident at the beginning of the 1970s, as evidenced by the term "Open Kadett - the car". While the Kadett usually ranked behind its Volkswagen counterparts in Germany and competed closely with Ford models, the Rüsselsheim model repeatedly made it to the top of the sales charts in Switzerland.

Opel Kadett L in Blau von 1971

In 1971, GM Switzerland wrote the following blatant copy:
"Still the same sporty, elegant shape - why change it? - but with such decisive improvements that the new Kadett is hardly recognizable when driving.
The new range is more attractive than ever before: more powerful engines, improved chassis, refined equipment. ... Take a close look at the new Kadett, test drive the model of your choice - you will be surprised. The Kadett has always been "the car"in its class. Now it's even more so!"

Opel Kadett Kombi von 1971

This sales-oriented text was found in the 1971 brochure, which can of course be found in its entirety in the Zwischengas archive and in which the entire Kadett range was explained on 16 pages.

Die verschiedenen Opel Kadett-Modelle von 1971

In addition to the sedan and the station wagon - photographed in bright colors - it also included the Opel Kadett Rallye , to which we dedicated an extensive report in the last few days.

Opel Kadett Rallye von 1971

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All weathers and magnificent vehicles at the 19th British Classic Car Meeting St. Moritz

Bruno von Rotz
07/22/2012

Jaguar Mk 2 am British Car Meeting St. Moritz 2012

The participants and spectators at the 19th British Classic Car Meeting in St. Moritz really couldn't complain about a lack of variety, especially when it came to the weather. From heavy rainfall to fog and sunshine, the rally offered a wide range of weather conditions and there was even a considerable amount of snow on the roadside.

The rally route on Saturday led from St. Moritz over the Flüela Pass to Davos, Tiefencastel and back over the Albula Pass. At the start of the British Classic Car Meeting, the traditional brand Jaguar formed the largest field of participants with over 60 vehicles, including rarely seen cars such as the S.S. 90 and the C-Type with chassis number XKC045, which raced in Switzerland at the 1954 Bern Grand Prix with the Swiss driver Ivo Badaracco at the wheel.

A challenge for the drivers and vehicles was sometimes the fog, but also the heavy rainfall on the narrow serpentines and when crossing the Albula and Flüela passes. The two sunny sections and the beautiful scenery compensated the previously soaked drivers of the open-top roadsters for their exertions.

The winners of the rally were Marco Trevisan in an Austin-Healey 100S "Sebring" from 1955, followed by Benno Zehnder in a Jaguar XK 140 OTS from 1955 and Harry Landis in a Jaguar XK 120 SE from 1952. The best classified pre-war participant was a Riley Racing Six Special from 1935 in 11th place.

In the Concours d'Elegance in eleven classes, Bentley Carlton Bentley from 1938, Bentley R-Type DHC Mulliner from 1953, Bentley Azure from 1996, Rolls-Royce Shilver Ghost from 1926, Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn from 1954, Rolls-Royce Phantom VI from 1990, Aston Martin V8 Volange S1 from 1984, Jaguar Mark V Saloon from 1951, Jaguar E-Type S3 from 1973, Heleay Silverstone from 1949 and Alvis Speed 20 SB each won the first prizes.

Many pictures, ranking lists and further information can be found on the British Classic Car Meeting website.

Jaguar E Type am British Classic Car Meeting St. Moritz 2012

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