1952 "droop snoot" C type
Discussion
Sadly today it has become clear that the actual possibility of my car appearing at Retromobile is somewhere between -0% and +0%. In fact, I'll be surprised if it is ready for Race Retro at Stoneleigh in April the way things are going. Enough said; so much to get done, and nowhere enough time to do it in. Don't expect to hear from me for months now.
I was offered a new pair of original H8 sand cast SU's but the price was eye-wateringly high - over £2,000. Frankly, if it is for a project you are better going to Burlen and buying new since they've started remaking them at, if I hear correctly, about £500 the pair. As regards the C type head, they aren't that dear but be sure to have it crack tested or examined by someone.
No, for the first time in ages I shan't be going sadly. Friends here at the house in France. The meeting at the Phoenix is completely ad hoc but it is getting to be a nightmare to park now unless you arrive pretty early. We arrived last year at 10am and only just got into the car park. I do wish the pub owners would get someone outside and only allow interesting machinery to park in the car park because some of the cars are quite ordinary sometimes. I'm not implying mine here but when I see an Alfa 6C parked on the road I do wonder! It is an eclectic event and well worth going if you feel like it. The Phoenix was where the VSCC was founded in 1934 although they have moved on now because of more modern cars. Have a good time and post some photos!
Here is the Brontosaurus, a design done by Sir William that got as far as being driven by Norman but little else. It was scrapped.
As you'll see, it is nothing like the 1952 Le Mans C type. The answers to the overheating problems were found at the time and Norman Dewis did many hours afterwards at MIRA without overheating. There were actually three cars and #17, Stirling's car, was actually doing quite well until a chain tensioner snapped and blocked the oil way.
As you'll see, it is nothing like the 1952 Le Mans C type. The answers to the overheating problems were found at the time and Norman Dewis did many hours afterwards at MIRA without overheating. There were actually three cars and #17, Stirling's car, was actually doing quite well until a chain tensioner snapped and blocked the oil way.
Edited by lowdrag on Friday 9th January 10:21
No, that's the place that are building my car. I hope you have a good time at the Classic in 2009 because you are going to be quite alone - it's 2010! However, always open house here even if you are driving a DB7 (which we call a Jag in drag!) or even a later model. Quite eclectic we are! Drop me a line if you are going to be in in the area. Incidentally, the Saturday morning race at the le Mans 24 hour is a good 'un. Nigel is bringing the Hawthorn D type, his C type and his E type for the race!
Rich, that car will be more than tolerated it will be much welcomed here. You'll understand my thinking when I ask you to bring me out some more gas mantles and tell me what has happened to the home service and the light programme! On the subject of cheques I now sign mine Mickey Mouse - try it and you'll be surprised to see that the banks no longer check and it will go through! I even did it on the back of the credit card once
Ajax, the only real classic car events at the 24 hour race are the display at St. Saturnin on the Friday (see other thread here for that) where you'll meet many like minded souls and the second is the Saturday morning race usually at 10am. Nigel Webb, who was part of the Hawthorn memorial last weekend and who owns the 1955 race winning car he drove, is bringing his D type, his C type and his E type for that race. These days I normally get there for the classic race, go home, come back for the start of the 24 hours for a couple of hours, go home and then return at dusk and dawn plus the finish.
Ajax, the only real classic car events at the 24 hour race are the display at St. Saturnin on the Friday (see other thread here for that) where you'll meet many like minded souls and the second is the Saturday morning race usually at 10am. Nigel Webb, who was part of the Hawthorn memorial last weekend and who owns the 1955 race winning car he drove, is bringing his D type, his C type and his E type for that race. These days I normally get there for the classic race, go home, come back for the start of the 24 hours for a couple of hours, go home and then return at dusk and dawn plus the finish.
The car is coming along but oh-so-slowly unfortunately. Frankly, I am no longer thinking too much about the car or else it'll drive me nuts. I'll just wait until it is finished and await their call. The new centre tub to replace the old one that was badly made is superb apparently and they are very pleased with it. I just hope it will be here for Le Mans in June but I'm not counting on it. I've just today cancelled a rally I was hoping to do with it in May.
No, we had to make a buck and you can see the wire frame under the photos. Only three of this car were ever made by three different teams and each car is subtly different in various ways. You need to be a real anorak to understand the differences but then after years of study I guess it becomes second nature. If one of these cars was crashed there were no spares! The car has run but only for a minute since we haven't been able, until recently, to know exactly what size the raditar was so no water.
Edited to add: what a difference a day makes! The centre panel, with all its compound curves, now hand made and not wheeled. The man is a magician!
Edited to add: what a difference a day makes! The centre panel, with all its compound curves, now hand made and not wheeled. The man is a magician!
Edited by lowdrag on Tuesday 24th February 12:22
Canoehead said:
The car looks great.
Where did you source photos of the car (aside from the usual books)? Is Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust archive helpful?
I am new here. So hello then.
No, the DHT had very little on the car. It took a five year world wide search to be able to build this car and I have even now found more phots the other day. The car existed for so short a time that photos are so rare.Where did you source photos of the car (aside from the usual books)? Is Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust archive helpful?
I am new here. So hello then.
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