20 years since the horror weekend of May 1, 1994

Daniel Reinhard
04/30/2014

Roland Ratzenberger im Simtec S941 in Imola im Jahr 1994 (© Daniel Reinhard)

Roland Ratzenberger' s big dream of Formula 1 was brutally ended in just his third race. The likeable man from Salzburg joined the premier class in 1994 and was signed by Nick Wirth for six races as the second driver in the newly founded Simtec team.

He was unable to qualify for the first race in Brazil and only made his first start in a Grand Prix at the second race in Aida (Japan). It was to remain his only Grand Prix start, as he lost his life on April 30, 1994 at his third race in Imola, during the San Marino GP. After the front wing of his Simtec S941 broke in qualifying, the car became independent and crashed at high speed (over 300 km/h) into the wall of the fast "Villeneuve" right-hand bend just before the Rosa corner. Roland had no chance and died on the spot as a result of a broken neck.

He was the first fatality at a Formula 1 Grand Prix since the 1982 Canadian GP, when the young Italian Riccardo Paletti was killed on his very first start in a Formula 1 monoposto.

Roland Ratzenberger came to sports cars via Formula Ford (in 1985 he won 11 of 19 races and became German, Austrian and European Formula Ford champion and in 1986 he won the then prestigious Formula Ford Festival at Brands-Hatch), Formula 3 and Formula 3000. In 1992, he took third place in the 24 Hours of Daytona. In 1993, he won the turbo class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Toyota SARD and finished fifth overall.

The memorial plaque in Salzburg's Maxglan cemetery still commemorates him today with the words: "died in an accident on April 30, 1994 during training for the Formula 1 race in Imola - he lived for his dream"

Roland Ratzenberger im Jahr 1994 (© Daniel Reinhard)

Share this article with your friends!

When sports cars are no longer sportier

Bruno von Rotz
04/29/2014

Porsche 911 von 1967

"One of the reputations that has suffered most during the post-war years is that of the sports car," it was written in a car magazine. And it went on to explain that the sports car was suffering from fast saloons that were winning rallies instead of it, and that sports cars had to be designed so uncompromisingly due to the specialization and focus on racing that they would become mid-engined projectiles that no longer had anything to do with what road car drivers wanted to buy for everyday use.

Yes, these lines were written in a test report in the English magazine "CAR" in November 1968, and the writer explained the original concept of the sports car as follows: "A sports car was a car that drove faster, cornered better and braked more efficiently than any saloon car in the same price category, by exploiting a weight advantage, lower drag and smaller dimensions, as well as other refinements."

And obviously the creators of CAR already felt in 1968 that these advantages of the sports car no longer existed, despite the existence of great cars such as the Lotus Elan, Jaguar E-Type or Porsche 911. Of course, fast saloons such as the Ford Lotus Cortina, the Jaguar Mk 2 or the Alfa Romeo Giulia already existed back then.

But what are we supposed to think about sports cars today when the possible advantages in terms of handling, aerodynamics or driving performance have long since become irrelevant due to the density of traffic and legislation, and even the blandest saloon with a turbo diesel engine is barely slower on average than the most expensive super sports cars on most journeys? Well, despite everything, the sports car has remained desirable to this day, but today it is probably primarily lifestyle and aesthetic arguments that lead to the purchase of a sports car. And this is also interesting: today, Porsche builds more off-road vehicles and four-door cars than low-slung, flat, two-door coupés and convertibles ...

Share this article with your friends!

Are racing cars really the next "big thing"?

Bruno von Rotz
04/28/2014

Alpine M64 von 1964 - angeboten von RM in Monaco 2014 - Foto Courtesy RM Auctions

Colleague Peter Ruch recently predicted that racing cars are the next big thing. In his article (on Radical Classics) , he discusses the offerings at the RM auction in Monaco and recommends one or two cars as classics with the potential to increase in value. He is particularly certain that the 1974 Hesketh 308 will go for well over the estimated price of 350,000 euros. Is he right?

Hesketh 308 F1 von 1974 - Foto Courtesy RM Auctions

Racing cars are indeed becoming increasingly popular among collectors, but not all types and models. Of course, Le Mans winners are sought after, because with them you are also buying a valuable Palmares. From this point of view, and we said something similar in our announcement of the auction, the 1964 Alpine M64 (pictured above) is really worth considering, especially as it seems to have been valued relatively favorably.

The problem that often exists with racing cars is the limited use that such a vehicle brings with it. Even if road registration is possible, it's hard to imagine going on vacation in a vehicle with an uncompromising design. Even short traffic jams turn into torture, and the car's cooling system is usually not up to the job.

Maintenance can be very expensive due to the many special parts and the generally high maintenance costs and requires real specialists if the material is to be kept in optimum condition. This is particularly true for high-bred Formula 1 monoposti and Group C generation cars. A Cosworth F1 engine, for example, can quickly cost over 100,000 euros/CHF. Ideally, you should have a racing mechanic to help with starting and at the racetrack. Even if there is little driving, there is always work to be done on the vehicles. And that costs money.

This is why racing cars are often only an option for well-heeled collectors who also have a good infrastructure. However, as there are not that many relevant historic racing cars overall, even this small group of collectors and enthusiasts is enough to keep prices rising, at least as long as historic racing and the corresponding events are in vogue.

Well, that's our opinion, but now it's up to you. We want to know from our readers whether they think racing cars are good investments and have therefore formulated a corresponding question of the week .

Lola T280 CanAm-Spider von 1971 - angeboten von RM Auctions an der Monaco-Verstegierung - Foto Courtesy RM Auctions

Share this article with your friends!

That should also be said! - Football and motorsport

Daniel Reinhard
04/27/2014

Fussballszenen

The football cup final in Bern in April 2014 ended once again with wild riots by fans. Personal injury and damage to property are commonplace in football. Nevertheless, football is extremely popular with the people. The sport inspires enthusiasm and people even accept all the riots. It is easy to win the support of the majority of the population for the construction of a stadium by democratic means.

This is in stark contrast to motor sport. It is frowned upon by the people, just as it is in politics. The construction of a race track continues to meet with stiff resistance. The few events that are still held on a regular basis struggle every year to obtain permits and gain public acceptance. Motorsport fans have no problems at all. There are no riots and excesses, never have been!

Zuschauer in Le Mans im Jahr 1982 (© Daniel Reinhard)

My father and I have been involved in motorsport since 1946 and together we have attended and photographed well over 1300 events all over the world. We have never witnessed any riots. Law enforcement officers were and are respected. And fights? Well, I can only remember one minor altercation between two drunks. There are also different camps of fan groups in motorsport, but they don't have to be kept separate in the stands, they sit peacefully next to each other.

In motorsport, it's only the engines that make the big noise, not the rowdy "fans". Nobody needs to have the slightest fear of riots or damage to property. The worst thing is a few drops of oil on the ground, but this is cleaned up if a cardboard box has not already collected the viscous liquid as a preventative measure.

Veranstaltung Indianapolis in Oerlikon (© Daniel Reinhard)

At the annual "Indianapolis" in Oerlikon, around 5,000 enthusiastic motorsport fans gather for the annual show run of racing cars and motorcycles.

The organizer observes the quiet times to the second. As a family man, you can easily attend the event with your children. There is also no need for an official ban on alcohol, the fans are aware of their responsibility and after the event everyone leaves the area quietly and without any damage.

It would be really nice if the public were a little more accepting of motorsport.

We from the Zwischengas team would also like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all motorsport fans for their behavior. This goodwill from each and every one of you helps the organizers, the participants and the media to pursue their hobby or their work. Without negative media reports, together we can revive the spark of hope for "pro" motorsport, albeit slowly and certainly only in small steps.

Share this article with your friends!

Vehicles from the sixties will increase in value the most

Bruno von Rotz
04/27/2014

Frage der Woche 3 - Wertsteigerung von Autoalterssegmenten

Last week, we asked our readers which vehicle age category they thought could increase in value the most over the next five years. The verdict is clear.

41% are convinced that vehicles from the sixties have the greatest potential to increase in value, followed by cars from the seventies (20%), cars from the post-war years up to 1959 (16%) and then the more recent cars from the eighties (13%).

Neither the pre-war vehicles (5%) nor the neo-classics of the nineties (2%) are expected to make any great leaps in value.

Antworten zur Frage 3 - Wertsteigerung von verschiedenen Fahrzeugalterssegementen

However, this estimate is presumably always linked to a certain extent to what each person prefers. However, this does not diminish the significance of the statistics, because people are more likely to buy what they prefer. And a large percentage of Zwischengas readers are also classic car buyers.

So let's leave it at that and then analyze in five years' time whether our readers were right.

Share this article with your friends!

Classic pearl of the future - Mercedes Benz 500 E (W124)

Bruno von Rotz
04/26/2014

Mercedes Benz 500 E (1990) (© Daimler AG)

It is actually already a classic today, even though it has only just reached youngtimer age. This refers to the Mercedes Benz 500 E, based on the model-maintained 124 series, which was built between 1989 and 1993.

The 500 E was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 1990. And it looked wide and flat, as its fenders were built slightly outwards and the chassis had been lowered by 23 millimeters. Fat 225/55 ZR 16 tires filled the wheel arches. In the engine compartment, a further developed five-liter V8 four-valve engine with Bosch LH-Jetronic injection did its job. The unit produced 326 hp, later 320 hp, which was enough to accelerate the saloon from 0 to 100 km/h in just over six seconds and in a few seconds more to 250 km/h, where it was then electronically limited.

Sports car performance for five people and plenty of luggage, as the utility value of the standard W124 saloon, which was also widely used as a cab, was not compromised.

Mercedes Benz 500 E (1990) (© Daimler AG)

However, the price prevented the sedan, which was built and finally assembled by Porsche, from becoming widely available. In 1990, the car cost DM 134,520; at the end of the production period in 1993, the price was DM 145,590. In terms of price, it was also able to compete with the leading sports cars of the time.

Incidentally, the model-maintained E 500 (1994) was then again produced by Mercedes itself and is therefore perhaps somewhat less exotic than the 500 E built by Porsche. However, it was not cheaper in Sindelfingen either and it was still fast enough. Nevertheless, a total of over 10,000 of these five-liter saloons are said to have been built, so they are not really that rare.

Saloons usually have a harder time in the collector's world than convertibles and coupés, and the 500 E is probably an exception here, as these models are already significantly more expensive than their less sophisticated and powerful brothers. A classic pearl ....

Heckansicht des Mercedes Benz 500 E (1990) (© Daimler AG)

Share this article with your friends!

Forgotten cars from TV series - Jim Rockford in the Pontiac Firebird

Bruno von Rotz
04/25/2014

Pontiac Firebird mit Jim Rockford am Steuer (1974)

Do you remember Jim Rockford, who solved a criminal case with varying degrees of mishap every week from a caravan in the TV series "Detective Rockford - Call Enough"? For six seasons in the seventies, he was repeatedly entrusted with tricky detective tasks and occasionally got hit on the nose.

The series came from the United States, of course, where it was called "The Rockford Files". The main actor was James Garner. Yes, that's right, the same James Garner who played the ultimately victorious American racing driver in the cult film "Grand Prix" and also appeared in Hollywood as Philip Marlowe or as a Western hero.

Pontiac Firebird von 1970

Now, as Jim Rockford, he drove a second-generation Pontiac Firebird. This was introduced on February 26, 1970 and replaced the curved design of the first generation with lines adapted to the times. In 1977, the front end was again significantly redesigned and it was this version that became almost legendary with the movie "Smokey and the Bandit".

Pontiac FIrebird von 1970 (Heckansicht)

Rockford drove several versions of the second-generation Pontiac Firebird, and what they all had in common was that they were practically always sprayed gold.

Pontiac Firebird mit Jim Rockford am Steuer (1978)

Share this article with your friends!

The long history of the folding roof cabriolet

Bruno von Rotz
04/24/2014

Today they are commonplace, but when Mercedes Benz presented the 170 series, i.e. the SLK, in 1996, the standard retractable metal roof seemed very innovative.

Peugeot 401 Coupé Transformable Eclipse 1935

However, the retractable fixed roof or hardtop existed much earlier. In 1935, around 100 Eclipse models were built on the chassis of the Peugeot 401 and 601 series, the roof of which could be slid into the boot.

And five years later, Chrysler presented the Thunderbolt Roadster, an aerodynamically shaped convertible whose roof could be retracted. However, only six examples of the Chrysler were built, four of which are said to have survived. Incidentally, they cost 6000 dollars at the beginning of the 1940s, certainly not a modest sum.

In the fifties, Ford made almost 50,000 customers happy with the Fairlane Skyliner, which had a retractable hardtop.

What all these designs, which are now at least almost 60 years old, had in common was that they had to keep the roof in one piece in the intended storage space.

With the SLK, Mercedes Benz then managed to divide the roof into two components, which reduced the required storage space accordingly. Since then, the designs have become increasingly sophisticated and space-saving, but also considerably more complex. Whether these roofs will still function perfectly in 50 years' time certainly depends on many factors, but the simple early designs were definitely simpler and therefore more durable.

Share this article with your friends!

Daytime running lights and their consequences for classic car and youngtimer drivers

Bruno von Rotz
04/23/2014

Klappscheinwerfer beim Ferrari 365 GTC/4

Daytime running lights have been mandatory in Switzerland since January 1, 2014, and since yesterday, offending drivers have also been fined. This means that cars built in 1970 or later now have to drive with their lights on at all times, either with specially standardized daytime running lights or with low-beam headlights. While France and Germany only recommend this, Austria even abolished it again in 2008.

Tagfahrlicht beim Mitsubishi Sapporo

Drivers of vintage and classic cars are somewhat unsettled and are looking for ways to avoid the disadvantages of this new obligation. For example, it is easy to forget to switch on the lights in old cars because there is no automatic system to help. The additional fuel consumption, which is estimated at 0.2 liters per 100 km, is also a thorn in the side, as is the risk of forgetting to turn off the lights when stopping during the day.

Klappscheinwerfer beim Porsche 924 Carrera GT

Owners of cars with pop-up headlights are particularly displeased. In many cases, they look less elegant with the sleepy eyes open and the additional fuel consumption is likely to be significantly higher than average due to the impaired aerodynamics.

Klappscheinwerfer beim Lombardi 850 Grand Prix von 1970

Some people are thinking about retrofitting LED daytime running lights that are as invisible as possible and are already falling into the next trap. Because fitting such modern light units naturally jeopardizes the vehicle's originality and therefore its eligibility for registration as a veteran or cultural asset on wheels.

Incidentally, it is not possible to prove whether daytime running lights really do lead to a reduction in accidents and their consequences across the board. Side effects on pedestrians and cyclists, who are now less visible in comparison, and motorcycles, which are no longer as conspicuous, have hardly been researched, for example ...

Share this article with your friends!

What do vinyl records have to do with classic cars?

Bruno von Rotz
04/22/2014

Vinylschallplatte

Well, in a narrower sense, of course, there are hardly any similarities between the nostalgic-looking records, which were scanned 33 times per minute by a needle on a turntable with a diameter of 30 cm and thus transmitted a music signal.

Nevertheless, there are interesting similarities between vinyl records and classic cars.

The vinyl record is currently being rediscovered, it is even being proclaimed the savior of the record store (!), contrary to the whole digital download trend. In terms of feel and aesthetics, the black disk offers music listeners something similar to what a classic car offers drivers. This fulfills a specific need, namely the consumption of music surrounded by a nostalgic aura. In addition, record covers also satisfy visual demands, just as classic cars do. And you can collect them.

What's more, a record still needs a playback device, i.e. an analog record player. Do you remember Thorens, Dual or Transrotor? Exactly! Great "toys"! Technophiles and discerning hifi/high-end enthusiasts are quickly reawakened.

It's probably no coincidence that many classic car drivers also have an affinity for analog sound technology ....

Oh yes, there used to be records in cars too ...

Share this article with your friends!

Zwischengas has been publishing a daily blog post here since 2010

For more entries, please use the navigation by year and month.