Historical or useless car facts.
Discussion
I really like finding out about bits of info that have no real value other than to add a 'did you know' factor when I can't think of anything else to talk about, so I wondered if any of you guys had some bits I might like to read about.
For example:
I was told by a Mercedes enthusiast that the Mercedes logo uses the 3 lines to represents 3 times and the circle represents the world, so a properly serviced Merc should be able to go 3 times round the world or do the equivalent mileage.
Another Example:
The BMW logo came from BMW's historical past where they used to make propeller engines for war planes, the white represents clouds, the blue for the sky, the lines between represent the propeller and the circle for the shape made when the blades are turning.
It would be great to find out things like how your favourite manufacturer got to be called what their called, ie Ford was named after Henry Ford, Firestone Tyres after Harvey Firestone (who incidently had in his circle of friends Thomas Edison and Henry Ford) or things like something that they did before anyone else, ie mass produced cars or invented pneumatic tyres etc...
For example:
I was told by a Mercedes enthusiast that the Mercedes logo uses the 3 lines to represents 3 times and the circle represents the world, so a properly serviced Merc should be able to go 3 times round the world or do the equivalent mileage.
Another Example:
The BMW logo came from BMW's historical past where they used to make propeller engines for war planes, the white represents clouds, the blue for the sky, the lines between represent the propeller and the circle for the shape made when the blades are turning.
It would be great to find out things like how your favourite manufacturer got to be called what their called, ie Ford was named after Henry Ford, Firestone Tyres after Harvey Firestone (who incidently had in his circle of friends Thomas Edison and Henry Ford) or things like something that they did before anyone else, ie mass produced cars or invented pneumatic tyres etc...
Balmoral Green said:
TheKeyboardDemon said:
I really like finding out about bits of info that have no real value.
Wrong forum mate, you want the P&P. As for Mercs, the land, sea and air story makes more sense than 3 times round the world to me.
Kermit power said:
I have a sneaking suspicion that this may not quite be a "did you know" fact for a forum of car nuts which was originally started for TVR owners! 
TheKeyboardDemon said:
Doh.... I'm clearly not running on all cylinders tonite. 
I'll get my coat!!! Edited by TheKeyboardDemon on Friday 2nd February 23:18
A registration system allowing ppl to work out the age of a car by simply looking at it was first introduced in the UK in 1963 so the first batch of cars registered from 1st jan would have a reg mark ending in 'A' and this was followed by 'B' a year later. This lasted 4 years and then the 'E' plates ran for 6 months when a new system that advanced the plates in August was introduced to help the manufacturers sell more new models when they were launched.
roop said:
No worries, likewise, I wasn't having a pop. Nitrous Oxide essentially makes things burn better than if they were simply burning in air. Now, 100% Oxygen vs 100% Nitrous Oxide as an oxidiser - that's one I don't know. The chemists may come along and sort that one out later...
I thought that Nitrous Oxide did 2 things, first when it is vaporised it significantly cools the air in the combustion chamber which increases the air density and means you get more of it at the point of combustion, this allows more fuel to be added to the mixture, then the oxygen content is released at high temperatures which allows any unburnt fuel to burn in effect it then accelerates the combustion leading to a bigger bang therefore generating more force. Edited by TheKeyboardDemon on Saturday 3rd February 22:58
The Honda Accord was the first Japanese car to be produced in America and had managed to be the best selling car in of the year in America 15 times.
160 cars can drive side by side on the Monumental Axis in Brazil, the world's widest road. **Edit** (This is actually a myth, see Morningside's response below, how well we live and learn).
In 1910, magician Harry Houdini was the first solo pilot to fly a plane in Australia. He taught himself to drive an car just so he could drive out to the airfield then never drove again.
160 cars can drive side by side on the Monumental Axis in Brazil, the world's widest road. **Edit** (This is actually a myth, see Morningside's response below, how well we live and learn).
In 1910, magician Harry Houdini was the first solo pilot to fly a plane in Australia. He taught himself to drive an car just so he could drive out to the airfield then never drove again.
Edited by TheKeyboardDemon on Sunday 4th February 14:07
Edited by TheKeyboardDemon on Sunday 4th February 15:51
Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino, was founded by Giovanni Agnelli in 1899, and his family still run the company.
Henry Ford (1863-1947), first set up the Henry Ford Company in 1901, and later in 1903 the Ford Motor Company.
William Richard Morris (1877-1963), started off as a bicycle-repairer (in 1893) at Cowley St. John near Oxford. Later he went into the business of motorcycles in 1901, and subsequently built the first Morris 'Oxford' in 1913.
Was founded by Gustaf Larson and Assar Gabrielsson in 1925. Volvo is Latin for - "I roll"
Henry Ford (1863-1947), first set up the Henry Ford Company in 1901, and later in 1903 the Ford Motor Company.
William Richard Morris (1877-1963), started off as a bicycle-repairer (in 1893) at Cowley St. John near Oxford. Later he went into the business of motorcycles in 1901, and subsequently built the first Morris 'Oxford' in 1913.
Was founded by Gustaf Larson and Assar Gabrielsson in 1925. Volvo is Latin for - "I roll"
It’s death defying, it’s daunting and it’s downright dangerous. But England's John Evans balanced a 159.6 kg (352 lb) Mini on his head for 33 seconds at The London Studios, UK on May 24, 1999.
Click here for the full story.
Click here for the full story.
biker's nemesis said:
King Herald said:
Biker's Nemesis said:
Very nice. What's the story with the chassis. Did you do it all yourself.
All home brewed. Scares me to drive it now
Cheer's, I can appreciate all the hard work that has gone into your car.
John.
Edited by biker's nemesis on Monday 5th February 00:11
twincam16 said:
My Dad once owned one of the Viva test mules. It was a bit of an animal, apparently - nose-heavy, tail-happy and very loud - and finished in a dark blue colour with '1.6L' badges on the back 
The description sounds a lot like a capri, my neighbour had 1 in orange, I think he had a 2 litre injection though. twincam16 said:
TheKeyboardDemon said:
twincam16 said:
My Dad once owned one of the Viva test mules. It was a bit of an animal, apparently - nose-heavy, tail-happy and very loud - and finished in a dark blue colour with '1.6L' badges on the back
The description sounds a lot like a capri, my neighbour had 1 in orange, I think he had a 2 litre injection though. Was that another engine transplant? It was only the 2.8 V6 which had injection IIRC.
I've always fancied putting an Escort RS2000-style twin cam BDA in a road/rally-prepared Capri, especially as the lighter four-cylinder engines had more balanced handling, the Capri's aerodynamics were much better than the Escort's too. Could have made a brilliant road car.
The first of the Maserati Quattroporte's started leaving the production lines in 1963 after Pietro Frua designed a special order car (chassis number 103060) for Prince Karim Aga Khan which was based on the Maserati 500 WP. The Quattroporte bore a uncanny resemblance to the drawing of the earlier Prince's car.
Edited by TheKeyboardDemon on Friday 13th July 10:26
FunkyNige said:
TheKeyboardDemon said:
Rolls-Royce engines once held World Speed Records in the Air, on Land and on Water, simultaneously.
I couldn't find a date for this, so it might be urban myth.
1931 I think after a quick Google - I couldn't find a date for this, so it might be urban myth.
Land - Bluebird (Donald Campbell)
Air - Supermarine S.6B (George H Stainforth)
Water - Miss England III (Donald Campbell)
All with the Rolls Royce R engine apparently, one website called it the Lion engine.
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