Stranded Opel

Daniel Reinhard
10/31/2015

Opel in Feldbergen (© Daniel Reinhard)

Traffic jams are always annoying. Even the calmest person will eventually run out of patience when traffic jams are almost nationwide. If you ignore traffic jams of less than four kilometers on the radio, you know that there's no point in getting anywhere. You switch to country roads and soon realize that unfortunately you were not the only one to come up with this dazzling idea. It's hardly any less tedious than before, rolling from village to village.

Some time ago, I passed Feldbergen on my way to the DTM race in Oschersleben (50 km from Magdeburg). A town in the middle of nowhere that I would never have discovered without all the traffic jams. The Opel garage Fischer von Feldbergen, the only garage in town, sells new and used cars and is built in the current Opel style.

Just 100 meters away, however, there is an older industrial hall with many Opel classic cars . Most of these cars are just vegetating and have certainly seen better days.

Opel Kadett und andere Opel-Modelle in Feldbergen (© Daniel Reinhard)

A short stop to take a few photos was no longer necessary after the almost endless drive. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a soul on site to answer my question as to whether Garage Fischer had anything in common with this "Youngtimer-Opel-Center" and what else might be in the hall? Subsequent inquiries by email were also never answered, so we are now left with these photographic relics, which we do not simply want to archive.

Opel-Schild in Feldbergen (© Daniel Reinhard)

We have put together a little picture magic sequence and invite our readers to take a look at the almost forgotten Opel vehicles...

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The Innocenti Mini and the beautiful woman

Bruno von Rotz
10/30/2015

Rosalba Neri und der Innocenti Mini 1000 von 1973

Photographing cars with beautiful women is still commonplace today. And if the woman is also well-known or famous, this naturally reflects positively on the vehicle. In 1973, Innocenti published some black and white photos of its Mini 1000 with Rosalba Neri.

Rosalba Neri und der Innocenti Mini 1000 von 1973 (h)

Who was this attractive lady? She was no stranger, as she could be seen in half a hundred films, often appearing not under her own name but as Sara Bay in the credits, which also had to do with the nature of the films. The list of films in which she took part includes not only spy thrillers and Roman sandal flicks, but also spaghetti westerns and erotic films. One of her most famous roles was Lady Dracula in a B-movie classic.

In the end, you wonder which car manufacturer today would have the courage to have their cars photographed with a versatile lady like Rosalba Neri ....

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Classic pearls of the future - Alfa Romeo 4C

Bruno von Rotz
10/29/2015

Alfa Romeo 4C von 2013 (© Alfa Romeo / Werk)

There are cars for which you can predict even before they are launched that they will probably also have a successful future as classics. The Alfa Romeo 4C is one of these vehicles. It was first shown as a concept study in Geneva in 2011, then returned as a standard coupé in 2013 and was followed by a convertible version at the Detroit Motor Show in 2015.

Alfa Romeo 4C Spider 2015 (© Alfa Romeo / Werk)

Both variants shared the same composite monocoque, the aluminum front and rear end and the engine from the Giulietta, which produced 240 hp in the 4C. With a dry weight of 895 kg and a ready-to-drive weight of just over a ton, the Alfa Romeo 4C is one of the lightest cars of modern times. However, at almost 1.9 meters, it was also quite wide, while the length could be kept under four meters.

Heck des Alfa Romeo 4C von 2013 (© Alfa Romeo / Werk)

There is room for two people and some luggage, but nobody buys a 4C for weekend shopping. It is also too expensive for that, even though it keeps a clear distance to the super sports cars from Maranello or Sant'Agata, which it is perfectly capable of following in curves.

Cockpit des Alfa Romeo 4C Spider 2015 (© Alfa Romeo / Werk)

With the Alfa Romeo name, the certainly successful design, the beguiling sound, the thrilling driving dynamics and the manageable number of units, the basis has certainly been laid to keep its value high in the future. And if the Coupé and Spider 4C can still be maintained and kept alive in 20 years' time, then there is certainly nothing to stop them from entering classic car heaven.

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Volvo electric vehicle 1976 - not yet ready for the future

Stefan Fritschi
10/28/2015

Volvo Electric Vehicle 1976 (© Stefan Fritschi)

Since the success of the Tesla at the latest, electric cars have left their shy niche and found their way into everyday traffic. At Volvo, a fleet of 300 all-electric C30s went into customer hands in 2010, and in 2019 the first all-electric car will be available to buy off the shelf. However, the Swedes experimented with an electric flea as early as 1976, but it never made it past the prototype stage.

Mini car with an unladen weight of one ton

In 1976, Volvo built two test vehicles that were not given a proper name.

Vorstellung der beiden Volvo Electric Vehicle Prototpyen 1976 (© Werk / Volvo)

They were simply referred to as "Elbilsprototype" (electric car prototype). An orange-red model had four seats, a yellow one had two seats with a large load compartment. It was probably no coincidence that the latter was yellow, as an electric delivery van would have been ideal for the postal service, as the respective routes were predictable and therefore calculable.

Volvo Electric Vehicle 1976 mit Batterie-Pack (© Werk / Volvo)

The range was obviously not very long. It is not stated in kilometers, but in hours: around two hours of operation at a cruising speed of 50 km/h is promised. The clever calculator comes up with a range of 100 km. That's not exactly a lot when you consider that the batteries will have to be plugged in all night. Developers at the time were still dreaming of today's fast charging stations.

Volvo Electric Vehicle 1976 unterwegs (© Werk / Volvo)

The top speed is given as 70 km/h. The weight of the batteries is put at 300 kg with an unladen weight of around one ton. That was quite a lot for a tiny car with an exterior length of just 2.28 m (Smart I: 2.50 m). If you now add four full-grown people or two passengers plus cargo, the batteries would have run out of breath even faster. Contemporary press photos show ten car battery-like accumulators that are pushed under the car from the front. The control electrics are located under the hood above. The thyristor-controlled electric motors are installed with the rear axle.

Shoebox as the ideal shape

The four-seater was shown at the presentation of Volvo's future electric strategy in Gothenburg. Unfortunately, it was locked, but at least photos of the interior were possible through the open tailgate.

Interieur des Volvo Electric Vehicle 1976 (© Stefan Fritschi)

It shows a very simple interior with an aluminum panel as the center console, which houses all the switches and displays. The exterior shape, including the windows, is extremely flat and represents the best possible use of traffic space. A few years later, the functional form celebrated its happy birthday in the Fiat Panda, albeit in a much more original form. This may have stood in the way of the Swedish experimental car. It was not perceived as a serious automobile. The two prototypes were extensively tested in Gothenburg city traffic at the time, and apparently the results were not very promising. The driving performance was sufficient for limited use in the city or as a delivery car. However, the short range, the limited number of charging cycles and the long charging time of the lead batteries stood in the way of series production at the time.

The car is normally housed in the Volvo Museum in Gothenburg. And it is unfortunately not drivable at the moment. Those responsible joked that it was probably an electrical problem...

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It's not quite like it was back then ...

Bruno von Rotz
10/27/2015

Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9 1987 im Prospekt

Do you know this feeling? You owned a car early in your life as a new car and many years later you are sitting in a car of the same type that has survived the 20 or 30 years well and wonder if this is exactly how you remembered it?

Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9 1987

Well, sometimes a little disappointment sets in, because of course you had a particularly good mental picture of the trips you took back then, and any defects that were already there at the time were ignored. In addition, decades of use and over 100,000 km naturally leave their mark, which can also be felt on a car that has been continuously maintained. One thing or another creaks, the mechanics have gained considerably more play, one function or another may no longer work exactly as it should. And finally, our demands have increased significantly over the last 30 years, with gaps being just one small keyword. A lot has already been optimized and perfected in the automobile, especially in the last two decades, and if we are now sitting in an old car, then it needs one or two additional compromises.

So you might be a little disappointed, but of course this doesn't take away from the driving pleasure and pride of ownership of an older car, because it has so much more to offer than modern quality and perfection. For example, a light-footedness that has long been lost in today's cars. Or the simplicity with which the old car can be maneuvered and steered through narrow streets? Or the tangible technology that visibly and perceptibly provides propulsion and noise. Wonderful, who would want to swap it for one of the perfect modern vehicles?

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When in doubt in racing, it is better to be exciting than historically correct down to the last detail

Bruno von Rotz
10/26/2015

Poll 44 - Historischer Rennsport mit neuen Fahrzeugen?

There is a constant debate about what is "right" and "correct" in historic racing. Whereas 20 or 25 years ago, almost exclusively original vehicles were used in historic racing, nowadays completely rebuilt vehicles are competing more and more frequently, some of which hardly have a single part from that era. Although the cars comply with the homologation specifications of the time, in principle they are new cars that have incorporated a great deal of know-how gained over time.

When these cars compete against "really old" vehicles, they naturally have the upper hand. This does not seem to be in the spirit of the inventor and we wanted to know from our readers in the question of the week how they see this.

After all, or only 40 percent were against new cars and completely rebuilt vehicles competing in motor racing against proven originals.

26 percent can live with a mixture as long as equal opportunities are made possible, possibly by means of additional weights. And 33% take the view that there have always been newly built racing cars and that they should be allowed to compete as long as they comply with the regulations.

In other words, two thirds do not want a ban on replica racing cars and prefer exciting races to historical purism.

The results are shown here as a graphic:

Poll 44 - Ergebnis Frage der Woche - historischer Rennsport mit neuen Fahrzeugen?

The next "question of the week" is already in the air, this time asking how long a complete restoration actually keeps a car alive.

And, of course, you can view the results of the previous questions of the weekat any time on a dedicated topic page.

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The 400th Grand Prix for Sauber

Daniel Reinhard
10/25/2015

Peter Sauber mit Modellen seiner frühen F1-Autos (© Daniel Reinhard)

The Sauber team starts today in Austin (USA) for its 400th F1 race since its debut in South Africa in 1993. Only Ferrari (904), McLaren (776), Lotus (600) and Tyrrell (419) have more races than Sauber.
In the 23 years, 27 drivers sat in the cars with the type designations C12 (1993) up to the current C34 and together the Sauber drivers scored 808 world championship points.

What "clean" moments do the most successful Sauber drivers remember?

Karl Wendlinger (Austria, 1993-1995, 25 GPs, 11 points):

"Right in our first year in Formula 1, I experienced my big Sauber moment - in the fourth race of the season in Imola. The excitement began when I was on the grid in a surprising fifth place behind Alain (Prost), Damon (Hill), Michael (Schumacher) and Ayrton (Senna). Because of the rain, we started with a lot of wings - and I was able to keep up with Schumi and Gerhard (Berger). That was a great battle that I still remember well today. Because the rain stopped shortly after the start, we soon switched to dry tires - and drove on the straight with too much wing and too little speed. When lapping, Schumi got past Aguri (Suzuki), but not me. About ten laps before the end, I was in fourth place when an engine failure stopped me. Nevertheless, or perhaps because of this, I will never forget these duels and this race. Congratulations and good luck."

Sauber C14 von 1994

Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Germany, 1994-1996/2002-2003, 64 GPs, 42 points):

"As a Sauber driver for many years, I was obviously able to experience many highlights. But my best moment was definitely third place in the 1995 Monza race - behind Johnny (Herbert) and Mika (Häkkinen). It was the first podium finish in Formula 1 for the Sauber F1 Team and also for me. We celebrated this milestone like a Grand Prix triumph. I still remember it very clearly: the whole team was in a celebratory mood and the tears of joy were flowing and, of course, the champagne was flowing even more. It really got to me, everything was very emotional - a fantastic, inspiring moment that you never forget. So I'm all the more sorry that I can't be there for the 400th race in Austin. But I wish the team every success!"

Johnny Herbert (Great Britain, 1996-1998, 48 GPs, 20 points):

"Actually, there are many moments at Sauber that I haven't forgotten - too many, they were both good and not so good. The moment we're talking about here certainly happened in 1997, when we had a lot of good races. There was Imola, where we drove very strongly from seventh on the grid, battled against Williams and Ferrari for a podium place - but retired due to an electrical fault. And then there was the race at the Hungaroring. Yes, that was a really nice moment there. At first there was only tenth place on the grid. But in the end, Jacques (Villeneuve), Damon (Hill) and I had beaten Michael (Schumacher) in a truly great battle. That was fantastic. All the best!"

Nick Heidfeld (Germany, 2001-2003/2006-2009/2010, 125 GPs, 194 points):

"The first podium in 2001 in the rain in Sao Paulo, followed by a beer shower, was liberating - also against the background of the fantastic team success with P4 in the constructors' championship in 2001, together with Kimi (Räikkönen). The 2007 season with BMW-Sauber stands out for me. We were on the way up and the car suited me. I was able to exploit the potential and was on hand whenever there was a chance of a top three result. My highlight is the maneuver in Bahrain when I was able to overtake Fernando (Alonso) on the outside, wheel to wheel on the last groove. I have to smugly admit that I watch this moment every now and then - and am proud that I was allowed to drive this BMW Sauber car. As a driver who was able to drive the most races for Sauber, I am particularly pleased that this team can now celebrate the 400th."

Felipe Massa (Brazil, 2002/2004-2005, 53 GPs, 27 points):

"My time with the Sauber team was very special because I was able to start my Formula 1 career there. I spent a total of three years there, lived in Switzerland and learned a lot as a driver. We achieved several good results. In my very first season, I scored points in the second race. My outstanding Sauber moment came in the 2005 Canadian race, when I finished fourth. But it wasn't just this race that impressed me, I also have fond memories of many other good performances in my years at Sauber."

Robert Kubica (Poland, 2006-2009, 57 GPs, 137 points):

"I have great memories of my time at Sauber. One of my most important and best moments was the first podium finish in Formula 1, which I celebrated with the BMW Sauber team in Monza in 2006. I finished third - and that in only my third race as an F1 driver, after being promoted from reserve to regular driver. I am convinced that this third place was an important success for my future career. It also showed the potential that was in the car at the time. My victory in the Canadian race two years later is undoubtedly the moment that will remain unforgettable - not only for me, but also for the team. I wish everyone at Sauber all the best."

Kamui Kobayashi (Japan, 2010-2012, 58 GPs, 122 points):

"My very first podium, and at my home race in Suzuka in 2012 to boot - that was obviously my moment at Sauber and will probably remain one of my fondest memories forever. To finish third and stand on the podium in front of all my fans was amazing and astonishing - and it really did me good in our difficult times after the Fukushima disaster in 2011. I can hardly put into words what a special moment that was for me. The team worked very hard for this moment. We really enjoyed working and fighting together - even in less successful times. It's the teamwork that counts in the end - and we always gave our best."

Sergio Pérez (Mexico, 2011-2012, 37 GPs, 80 points):

"Congratulations to the Sauber team on the 400. It was my first team in Formula 1 and together we celebrated some great moments. My highlight was the first podium in Malaysia in 2012 - also because I managed one of my best races to date there. I'll never forget how I was able to put pressure on Fernando (Alonso) in the Ferrari and how victory was even within reach. We then celebrated another second place in Monza that year. It was a race day where everything came together and the car ran perfectly. I paid a lot of attention to my tires, which helped me to move up from twelfth on the grid. We had the speed for attacks and duels, everything remained fair - and I stayed ahead of the two Ferraris. It was a really enjoyable Monza race, a great moment."

Magnus Ericsson am Lenkrad des Sauber C34 (© Daniel Reinhard)

Marcus Ericsson (Sweden, 2015, 31 GPs, 9 points):

"My heartfelt congratulations on your 400th Grand Prix. That's a great achievement. I am very happy to be part of the Sauber F1 Team and also that everyone in the team appreciates my skills. I think that my greatest Sauber moment is still in the future. Because next year I will also be racing for the Swiss team and hope that there is more to come. Until then, my first Formula 1 points at the Australian Grand Prix are certainly my highlight so far, especially as that was also my first race for Sauber. It was also nice for the team. And as I said, I'm looking forward to even more."

Felipe Nasr (Brazil, 2015, 15 GPs, 25 points):

"My best Sauber moment so far is my first Formula 1 race in Melbourne. Fifth place was a very special moment for me. It was an outstanding result for us. Everyone in the team was relieved and happy about this result. I have very fond memories of it. It's a great achievement that Sauber has been in Formula 1 for 23 years. I am proud to drive the 400th race for the Swiss team in Austin."

And these are all Sauber drivers since 1993:

Karl Wendlinger, JJ Lehto, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Andrea de Cesaris, Jean-Christophe Boullion, Johnny Herbert, Nicola Larini, Gianni Morbidelli, Norberto Fontana, Jean Alesi, Pedro Diniz, Mika Salo, Nick Heidfeld, Kimi Raikkönen, Felipe Massa, Giancarlo Fisichella, Jacques Villeneuve, Robert Kubica, Sebastian Vettel, Pedro de la Rosa, Kamui Kobayashi, Sergio Perez, Esteban Gutierrez, Nico Hülkenberg, Adrian Sutil, Marcus Ericsson, Felipe Nasr.

The "zwischengas-team" also congratulates the Sauber team on its 40th Grand Prix and wishes them continued success.

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Forgotten cars from TV series - John Steed's Jaguar XJ 12 C - auctioned!

Bruno von Rotz
10/24/2015

Jaguar XJ 12C - versteigert von H&H Auctions

The TV series "Mit Schirm, Charme und Melone" was one of the most popular of its kind in the 1960s. No wonder, then, that resourceful producers in the 1970s came up with the idea of producing a hopefully equally successful successor in the form of" The New Avengers" . However, this only partially succeeded with the series broadcast in 1976 and 1977. While Emma Peel was replaced by Purdy and Gambit was added as a new extra, gentleman agent John Steed (alias Patrick Macnee) remained as a common element.

John Steed im Jaguar XJ 12 C im Jahr 1976

He was given a Jaguar XJ 12C (license plate NWK 60P) to drive. Chassis 2G1008BW was the 12th XJ 12 C to be produced and was still a pre-production car. Broadspeed was allowed to fit a body kit consisting of wide fenders, front spoiler and large wheels.

Heckansicht des Jaguar XJ 12C von 1976 - H&H Auctions

After the end of filming, the car, which Patrick McNeed did not enjoy due to its laborious steering, changed hands several times until it was parked in the 1990s. However, it was not possible to speak of careful mothballing, as today the car is in barn-find condition, i.e. in need of complete restoration.

Interieur des Jaguar XJ 12 C von H&H Auctions

However, this did not stop the highest bidder at the H&H auction at the Imperial War Museum Duxford from bidding six times the estimated price and paying £69,440 (96,520 euros or CHF 101,566).

Motorraum des Jaguar XJ 12 C von 1976 - H&H Auctions

This made the Jaguar XJ 12 C the high-flyer of the H&H auction, the results of which can be viewed online.

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Special rarities in Padua

Bruno von Rotz
10/23/2015

VW Golf GTI Zehnder in Padua

Since yesterday, classic car fans have been drawn to Italy again, as the " Auto e Moto d'Epoca " trade fair is taking place in Padua until Sunday. Around 4000 cars will be on display in the various exhibition halls and on the outdoor area, most of which are for sale or have already found a new owner after the first day. We will of course be reporting on this in detail, but as a foretaste we are already showing some cars here that you have almost certainly never seen at a motor show before.

For example, the VW Golf (pictured above) with Zehnder kit, original from the time.

LMX 2300 von 1973 in Padua

Or the LMX 2300 from 1973, manufactured in Italy. Not even a hundred of these sports cars are said to have been built between the end of the 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s.

Alfa Romeo Alfetta Turbodelta

And when was the last time you saw an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Turbodelta (left in the picture)? More likely a Montreal, but not this one. Because this car is the prototype that was shown in Montreal in 1967 (still with a four-cylinder engine). This car alone makes the trip to Padua a must for an Alfista.

Prototyp des Alfa Romeo Montreal von 1973

And then there is the Citroën 2 CV Soleil special model from 1982.

Citroën 2 CV Soleil von 1982

Or the Dodge Stealth (identical in construction to the Mitsubishi 3000 GT). Advertised for Euro 11'500.

Dodge Stealth von 1991

In general, it can be said that the cars in Padua are on average much younger than in previous years. But more about that in the detailed report.

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The day the DeLorean didn't land

Bruno von Rotz
10/22/2015

The sensation did not happen yesterday, October 21, 2015 (of course). Despite the enthusiasm and the many special events, Dr. Emmett L. Brown, Marty McFly and his girlfriend Jennifer did not land in Hill Valley yesterday, as the film "Back to the Future" had made it out to be.

Nevertheless, the media response triggered by the fictional movie date was enormous. Parties were celebrated and toys sold like they were on sale.

The actual main protagonist in the film, the DeLorean DMC-12, did not benefit much.

Its production ended in February 1982, but the "Back to the Future" film trilogy triggered a veritable hype about the car that continues to this day. And rightly so, because even in 2015, the stainless steel sports car with its gullwing doors still looks futuristic, even without the retracted swivel wheels.

And it would be a laugh if the Hollywood film industry, poor in ideas, didn't produce a part 4 at some point ... To be continued ...

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