Forgotten movie cars - VW Scirocco in Karate Kid

Bruno von Rotz
06/30/2015

VW Scirocco II im Film Karate Kid von 2010

It is neither the most impressive scene of a car in a movie, nor the most glamorous sports car. Nevertheless, many moviegoers who watched the 2010 film "Karate Kid" with Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith will remember the car, a greenish VW Scirocco GTI from 1983.

The janitor (Jackie Chan) restores the car in his house for half the movie, only to maltreat it again with a large hammer towards the end.

Der VW Scirocco von 1983 wird im Film Karate Kid restauriert

Chan evidently enjoyed the two cars supplied for the film, as he is said to have integrated them into his car collection after filming had finished.

VW Scirocco GTI von 1983 im Film Karate Kid von 2010

The car, which was still a youngtimer at the time, can be seen again and again in the film, with the janitor mending it in many scenes and fixing one thing or another. The film itself is basically a remake of the earlier Karate Kid films with the main difference that kung fu is taught instead of karate.

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The thing with the mother-in-law's seat

Bruno von Rotz
06/29/2015

Notsitz beim Triumph Sportwagen der Nachkriegszeit

The Americans call it the "rumble seat", but in Germany the fold-out emergency seat in the rear, which usually offers space for two people, is often referred to as the mother-in-law's seat.

Notsitz bei einem Vorkriegs-Humber

Looking at the space in front of the two seats, one wonders where the mother-in-law would have put her legs.

Einstiegshilfen zum Triumph Notsitz

And how, the observer wonders, would the mother-in-law actually have reached her seat? She would hardly have stood on the fender and getting in via the rear bumper would probably not have been a good idea either.

Einstiegshilfen zum Humber Notsitz

In fact, most car manufacturers offered solutions here, installing a step here, a plate there where you could put your foot on. You just have to look a little closer. Then you can find your way into the seat, but whether you can actually sit there is another question ...

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What the end of freedom of panorama could mean for classic car drivers ...

Bruno von Rotz
06/28/2015

Triumph Italia vor vielleicht geschützter Architektur

Classic cars are popular photo motifs. Perhaps you have already photographed your own (or someone else's old) car in front of the Reichstag in Berlin, the Ferris wheel in the Prater in Vienna or the Pompidou Center? Or in front of another illustrious or simply photogenic building in the background? No problem, you could do this with impunity in the past, because the so-called "freedom of panorama" allowed you to take pictures of buildings that were actually protected by copyright without the need for an additional license agreement between the photographer and the architect (or the architect's heirs) (comprehensive explanations can be found on Wikipedia ).

Yes, of course, you say, that goes without saying, the opposite would be downright irrational and unrealistic. Well, the EU may decide to end this freedom of panorama on July 9, 2015. In the upcoming copyright reform, the different interpretations of freedom of panorama in the EU countries are to be harmonized. However, it will not be based on the liberal interpretation that Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, the UK, Norway or Switzerland (as a non-EU country) have, but on a very restrictive version that is currently the norm in France or Italy. According to the new provision applicable to EU countries (amendment 421), the commercial use of photographs, video material or other images of works that are permanently placed in physical public places would always be subject to the prior consent of the authors or other authorized representatives.

And anyone who now thinks that hardly any vacation photos are used commercially should now consider that most social networks such as Instagram or Facebook are, of course, commercial projects and the photographers or publishing parties would be liable to a warning under the new provision. For journalism (whether in print or online), for organizers of classic car events or for us as Zwischengas makers, the new provision would cause a lot of inconvenience and it is to be feared that nasty warning battles could begin.

We can still hope that the European Parliament will see sense and interpret freedom of panorama more openly

The issue is more serious than you might think. There are even websites "Pro Freedom of Panorama", for example here. And an online petition about it.

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Is that the answer?

Bruno von Rotz
06/27/2015

Morgan EV 3 2016 (© Morgan Motor Company)

No, this is not a vintage car and certainly not yet a classic, even if it looks like one. This is a Morgan EV3 concept car of the latest date and of course it immediately reminds us of the Three Wheelers that the English manufacturer built in the 1920s and 1930s. And of the modern Three Wheeler, which has been on sale since 2011.

Morgan EV 3 2015 - Prototyp auf dem Salzsee (© Morgan Motor Company)

The EV3, however, is an electric vehicle that should be able to travel around 240 km with 45 kilowatts of power and an unladen weight of 450. And it should probably be a lot of fun, just imagine the effect of the typical electric motor torque on the slender rear wheel. However, the question arises as to whether this three-wheeler is still as much fun without the characteristic two-cylinder roar. But perhaps that is a luxury question, as the EV3 is not yet available to buy. However, Morgan has announced that production is being considered for 2016 and that a complete test and development program is currently underway.

Heck des Morgan EV 3 2015 (© Morgan Motor Company)

We think an electric vehicle can hardly get any cooler than this sleek three-wheeler ...

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Invisible technology made understandable

Bruno von Rotz
06/26/2015

Motor und Kühlsystem des Triumph TR7

Of course, as a classic car owner, you look into the engine compartment from time to time, but a lot of the technology usually remains hidden from you and you may not care as long as no problem occurs. But if the engine suddenly gets too hot and the water thermometer shows alarming values, then you would suddenly be glad to understand a little more precisely what is working and how.

Geschlossenes und unter Druck stehendes Wasserkühlungssystem von BMC

In the past, large diagrams were used in the training of car mechanic apprentices to illustrate the functioning of the water cooling system, in the picture a closed system under pressure, for example. It's easy to imagine how the instructor or trade school teacher pointed to the individual components with a pointer and explained them, and as the owner who brought a vehicle into the garage, you were happy if the mechanic knew how the water cooling system worked. I wonder if modern mechatronics engineers still get this explained so clearly.

In any case, we had a lot of fun studying the old display board .

We have written a comprehensive article about engine cooling and problems and solutions for the upcoming SwissClassics Revue , which will appear on newsstands in the second half of July.

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Classic pearls of the future - Ford Focus RS

Bruno von Rotz
06/25/2015

Ford Focus RS von 2002 (© Ford Motor Company)

In 2002, a Ford Focus RS was presented for the first time, designed as the top performance model in the front-wheel drive Focus range, which had already been in production since 1998. With 215 hp, the Focus RS produced more power than any other Focus and was equipped with a range of motorsport accessories. The first Focus RS was only built for one year, 4501 units are said to have been produced. And it was only available in one color, namely "Ford Racing Blue". The British loved "their" RS, which followed in the footsteps of the Ford Escort RS 2000 and its predecessors in terms of design.

Ford Focus RS von 2009 (© Ford Motor Company)

It wasn't until 2008 that there was another RS, this time from the second Focus generation. It looked significantly more aggressive than its predecessor and this variant, now with 305 hp, was also only produced in limited numbers, with 11,000 units being produced in just under two years. This was followed by another 500 units of a sharpened RS500 variant with 350 hp, then there was another break.

Ford Focus RS von 2015 (© Ford Motor Company)

Once again, fans had to wait a few years. It was not until 2015 that the third version of the Focus RS, now also available in a four-door version, was announced. It is rumored to have well over 300 hp and visually the new variant is hardly inferior to its predecessors.

The Ford Focus RS was never cheap, always powerful and at the top of its class. That is why it is a cult car and deserves to be included in the group of classic pearls of the future.

More classic pearls of the future can be found in our constantly growing theme channel.

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Count Rossi's "roadworthy" Porsche 917

Bruno von Rotz
06/24/2015

Porsche 917 von Graf Rossi im Jahr 1975

The Porsche 917won Le Mans in 1970 and 1971 and was certainly not even remotely intended for use on public roads, even though it was considered a sports car according to the regulations of the time and even had license plates for overpasses. There were also really "normal" registered Porsche 917s, at least two of them. One cleared the German registration hurdles long after its active racing days, thanks to its laminated glass windshield and various other modifications, while the other was largely registered in racing trim in Alabama, i.e. in the United States, where it hardly ever appeared.

There was even a rumor that the authorities there would only grant the car a license plate if it never appeared there. Nevertheless, it met all the requirements for a small series vehicle there and did not have to withstand a collision with a wall, as France had demanded. In fact, it is said that no requested European country was prepared to approve the car at the time. At least not without extensive modifications.

Count Rossi, the owner of the car and also responsible for the sponsorship activities of drinks manufacturer Martini & Rossi, wanted to keep the car as original as possible. After all, a blue-grey metallic paint job replaced the previous Martini décor and the car was fitted with a huge silencer at the rear, which, according to Paul Frère, who wrote an entertaining article about the car for Road & Track magazine in 1975 (issue 1/1975), must have cost around 40 to 50 hp.

Heckansicht der Porsche 917 des Grafen Rossi mit grossem Schalldämpfer im Jahr 1975

But even so, there were still 500 or 600 left, which the 917 could shake out of its sleeve with its twelve-cylinder engine. Inside, there were two bucket seats and otherwise few changes to the racing car equipment. Cruising consumption is said to have been around 30 liters per 100 km.

The Porsche 917 with chassis number 917.030 belonging to Count Rossi is a particularly interesting specimen from a technical point of view because it was equipped with one of the first anti-lock braking systems (ABS from Teldix) as early as 1971, which added around two seconds per lap during test drives, but was never used in racing.

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Are motorcycles the better classic cars?

Bruno von Rotz
06/23/2015

Egli Kawasaki MRD-1 1982 (© Bruno von Rotz)

A motorcycle actually has a lot going for it, especially as a classic car. It takes up relatively little space, is (usually) technically straightforward and (usually) costs significantly less than a car in the same performance and exclusivity class.

The fact that people prefer to use their motorcycle only when the weather is nice and warm does not really distinguish it from the classic car they have grown to love.

Matchless G50 1961 (© Bruno von Rotz)

So there seems to be a lot to be said for the motorcycle as a classic car. What's more, even early motorcycles had enough power to easily keep up with the traffic. A Honda 750 Four, for example, delivered an easy 67 hp as early as 1969 and was therefore good for a top speed of around 200 km/h.

Even the fact that reliability decreases with increasing mileage is not really a problem. Even vintage cars are known to be driven a few hundred or perhaps 2000 kilometers a year at most, which does not push a motorcycle to the limit.

So the safety consideration remains. Of course, a motorcycle is much less safe than a car. However, the difference between an old and a new motorcycle is much smaller than that between a car from the 1950s and a modern car, even if a modern motorcycle has ABS and various other electronic aids. The natural enemy of motorcyclists is primarily cars and commercial vehicles that overlook them. And in this respect, an old "Töff" with its poorer lights and probably less conspicuous paintwork is certainly somewhat worse off than its modern descendant. And the fact that a style-conscious owner with dark leather gear and a nostalgic jet helmet is sitting on it doesn't increase safety either.

So there are many arguments for and against the motorcycle as a classic car. Utility arguments are hardly the deciding factor, even if a motorcycle cannot carry more than two people and a small amount of luggage. Most vintage cars are just as two-seater and they don't offer a generous trunk either.

To each his own, is probably the Solomonic summary ...

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Classic cars sell for the highest prices at auctions

Bruno von Rotz
06/22/2015

Frage der Woche - wo ist der Oldtimer am meisten wert?

" Where are classic cars the most expensive?", we asked two weeks ago and the answers surprised us a little.

Apparently, the constant record-breaking reports from the auction houses are having an effect and 39% of Zwischengas readers are convinced that you can get the highest price for a classic car at an auction.

The classic car fair came in second place. 21% of respondents believe that the best prices can be achieved there.

In third place, at 18%, came advertisements on the Internet (e.g. on Zwischengas), followed at a slight distance by dealers, who 14% think could generate the highest price for their classic car. Only then, and well behind, is the advertisement in the printed magazine, which only 3% of respondents consider to be the best channel when it comes to achieving the highest selling price.

2% of readers thought that there were other channels that would be significantly more lucrative.

The question was asked on a "net" basis, i.e. the aim was to assess the means by which the seller would achieve the highest amount in their wallet. The sales margins, around 10 to 20% for an auction house and roughly the same for a dealer, had to be "deducted". The advertisements on the Internet and in the print magazine naturally come without such a margin, apart from the insertion costs. Trade fair sales also only involve the rental costs for the space, but no value-dependent percentages. At the end of the day, of course, it very much depends on the car that is to be sold. A 300 SL is certainly a different issue than an Opel Kadett A.

For the sake of completeness, here are the results:

Frage der Woche - wo ist der Oldtimer am meisten wert?

A next "Question of the Week" has already been asked. This time we want to know how much classic car owners are prepared to pay to take part in events.

Previous Questions of the Week and their results canbe found here .

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Would you have recognized this brand emblem?

Bruno von Rotz
06/21/2015

Markenzeichen ohne Schrift

Sure, we recognize the BMW propeller straight away and almost everyone is probably familiar with the Mercedes-Benz star. But what about less popular car brands and their emblems and coats of arms?

Would you have recognized the brand logo shown above straight away, even if the lettering was missing?

Markenzeichen mit Schrift

Are we able to clearly identify them when clear clues are missing?

For our latest quiz, we have "neutralized" some more or less well-known trademarks to give them to our readers to recognize.

At first glance, the task seems simple, but is it really that easy?

Put it to the test and try to recognize the ten emblems in our new quiz....

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