Zonda to Applecross?

[northo]

Is this sensible?

[KB_S1]

northo said:

Is this sensible?

No.

Are Zondas ever sensible?

Is there a short test run you can take it to 'safely' test its ability to keep its chin and belly off the tarmac?
What is the lowest car GetCarter has ever driven over there?

[James B]

My parents grounded their DB6 on that road many times on their last trip there. It's not particularly low but the long wheelbase and the exhaust being the lowest point was an issue on a number of occasions. In the end they actually wore a hole in the centre section flexible pipework which was somewhat inconvenient. I think they fixed it in the end with a cut up coke can and some jubilee clips!

I'd be surprised if the Zonda would come through the trip unscathed but it's a stunning road so may be worth the risk!

Good luck

James

[GordonF430]

toying with taking the 430 there.

Have done it many times in the Atom and Elise, and they were fine

[paulqv]

woudnt takea zonda or anything very low up the hill! dont know the coast road but the hill is very narrow in places!
the gearbox in my W8 passat was making curious burning smells after going up in first and sencond in December, was very icy and slippy when I did it though!
Paul

[GetCarter]

Hi Ed

I've driven a Caterham R500 round it (about 20 times) and didn't ground - but you have to take a wide line on the twiddly bits at the top of the bealach. It'll be worse in the Zonda I'm sure. It's a close call, as the extended front end could easilly ground if a driver didn't realise how low it was.

ETA - I am, of course, entirely at your disposal to test it.

Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 30th June 12:27

[naetype]

Given the pointers above makes me recall Top Gear in an underground car park in Paris.

Is it someone wanting to go up there in a rental or are you wanting to give it a try?

[erdnase]

I'll test it for you, Northo - drop the keys off anytime this week

[BigAlinEmbra]

erdnase said:

I'll test it for you, Northo - drop the keys off anytime this week

Dammit, this was going to be my ploy!

[sherman]

I would say there is no hope of getting a zonda over the hill but you should be able to get it round the coast road as long as you are careful.

[Famous Graham]

GetCarter said:

Hi Ed

I've driven a Caterham R500 round it (about 20 times) and didn't ground - but you have to take a wide line on the twiddly bits at the top of the bealach. It'll be worse in the Zonda I'm sure. It's a close call, as the extended front end could easilly ground if a driver didn't realise how low it was.

ETA - I am, of course, entirely at your disposal to test it.

Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 30th June 12:27

There's some pretty steeply inclined bends just past your place too, as I recall?

[northo]

Thanks chaps- the drivers have decided against! Steve , PM me if you fancy a few shots of the Zonda- the drivers are great and would appreciate some good local car chat.

Bealach na Ba video

Ed

Edited by northo on Saturday 5th September 16:58

[scoobyc]

don't suppose they're coming further north are they ed?

[900ssduke]

GordonF430 said:

toying with taking the 430 there.

Have done it many times in the Atom and Elise, and they were fine

Took the 360 there a couple of years ago. The pass is fine. I got a bit enthusiastic chasing some bikes round the coast route and scraped the front spoiler a few times. Nothing a bit of care would have avoided.

[nigelonich]

northo said:

Is this sensible?

Realistically youd be lucky to average 10mph therefore no.

You need a Unimog for the fleet for these roads. Now that would be a USP item, who hires them out!?

[CDP]

Me and a mate took a 1.4 Polo TDI up there and still enjoyed it.

In this case the road is far more important than the car.

An Elise would probably have been perfect.

[deevlash]

evo took an SLR over it

[CDP]

deevlash said:

evo took an SLR over it

But it wasn't their SLR

[GetCarter]

northo said:

Thanks chaps- the drivers have decided against! Steve , PM me if you fancy a few shots of the Zonda- the drivers are great and would appreciate some good local car chat.

Ed

Sorry - only just saw this... but did meet the drivers at the Torridon Hotel yesterday - had a chat. Their arrival in the Zonda was upstaged as 5 helecopters arrived, landing on the front lawn!

[SSC!]

GetCarter said:

Sorry - only just saw this... but did meet the drivers at the Torridon Hotel yesterday - had a chat. Their arrival in the Zonda was upstaged as 5 helecopters arrived, landing on the front lawn!

A few of us will be over your way on the 25th of July if you fancy catching up Steve. Planning lunch at the Inn again.

Cheers

Ave