Duets and trios - and their connections
09/25/2018
Even at events, you rarely see two similar or identical classic cars together. Sometimes, however, it happens that two close relatives come along one behind the other. These encounters are photogenic. However, it is very rare to have the opportunity to photograph such duos ten or more times in one day, as was the case last weekend at the Steckborn-Eichhölzli Memorial hill climbon Untersee in north-eastern Switzerland (we reported on this in detail).
Two Opel Kadett C Coupés, both late facelift versions (picture above), drove one behind the other.
The Porsche 356s (of which there were other groups) also came from the same era and were only slightly apart in terms of year of manufacture.
It was the same with the two VW Golfs, both of which were from the first edition, even if they were no longer quite in factory delivery condition.
The two Ford Capri represented the full breadth of the first generation, one narrow and true to the original, the other wide and with a racing look.
Even a longer look at the next duet is not enough, the relationship can only be found under the plastic dress of the TVR Griffith, which used the same Ford V8 289 engine as the Cobra behind it.
The same was true of the Sunbeam Tiger, which, like the TVR Griffith, was also powered by a Ford V8 289 engine, but otherwise had little in common with the Blackpool sports car.
The relationship is closer again with the Jaguar E-Type, with a later example driving in front of an early Series 1 Coupé.
And at Morgan, the family resemblance has of course been part of the program for almost a hundred years, even if the engines under the hoods of different lengths have changed time and again.
Cobras always look like Cobras, regardless of whether they come from Shelby, AC or replicas. However, there can be differences under the hood, as some replica manufacturers also used the Rover V8 once developed by Buick as a power unit.
The "Bertone" comes here as a trio. From the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint, it morphed into the GTV 2000 between the 1960s and 1970s.
And from the staid Fiat 600, Maestro Abarth once conjured up hot racing cars that still inspire to this day.
Incidentally, this was just a selection of the many duets and trios at the Steckborn Memorial 2018 hill climb.
