LolaVisit-AceCafe-BeaulieuMuseum
Discussion
A few months ago I was invited to get a personal tour at the Huntingdon based hitech Lola factory. I combined this with last tuesdaynights Ace Cafe Classic Car meet and stretched it with a days visit at the wonderfull Beaulieu Motormuseum.
I invited a few palls, will tell the stories and show the snaps to share with you PH-lot. Enjoy!
Early rise, huge cofee, a quick EasyJet and a call with M3J and before I knew it I was up to my ears in automotive delight. John fetched me and drove up to the Pink Elefant's near Stansted to join the rest of the bunch. Great to meet some old friends (Wayne, Andy, Phil, John) and a new face (Darab). After a quick chat I hopped in Wayne mighty 460 Cid engined RAM Cob and we convoyed to H'don.
John leading our pack in his immaculate and fine E46 M3. Followed by Andy in his hardtopped - beautifull piece of work that - and thunderous 350 Cid Chevy powered Dax Cob. The red vert is Darab's rare 944 Porker turbo, a quick one that!
The M is a silent and very comfy traveller. Hitting the throtle makes serious progress accompanied by the finest 6pot scream. We had to guess the revs 'cause the counter was out. We did hit 7 allright.
Not much congestion on our way. I checked my cellphone every now and then and found a call from BossCerbera. Since the Cob is loud and the wind adds a bit of sound too we had to text. He had a few cars in his way but arrived only about 30 mins later to join the tour.
We could park our beasties in front of the Lola factory. While I was unmessing my hair - OMG! - Wayne explains his PERFECT Cob to Andy and John.
Big Holley Dominator sits on 7.7 litres of pure Yank madness. Nice 4 speed toploader copes well with the Ford collosal torquenumbers. Lifting means Houwitser quality backfires. There is nothing like it. My pick of the bunch easy. Well done Wayne, don't you change too much on this stunner.
We were visitors allright, ready to have a look inside.
Next: meet the group and inside Lola's.
I invited a few palls, will tell the stories and show the snaps to share with you PH-lot. Enjoy!
Early rise, huge cofee, a quick EasyJet and a call with M3J and before I knew it I was up to my ears in automotive delight. John fetched me and drove up to the Pink Elefant's near Stansted to join the rest of the bunch. Great to meet some old friends (Wayne, Andy, Phil, John) and a new face (Darab). After a quick chat I hopped in Wayne mighty 460 Cid engined RAM Cob and we convoyed to H'don.
John leading our pack in his immaculate and fine E46 M3. Followed by Andy in his hardtopped - beautifull piece of work that - and thunderous 350 Cid Chevy powered Dax Cob. The red vert is Darab's rare 944 Porker turbo, a quick one that!
The M is a silent and very comfy traveller. Hitting the throtle makes serious progress accompanied by the finest 6pot scream. We had to guess the revs 'cause the counter was out. We did hit 7 allright.
Not much congestion on our way. I checked my cellphone every now and then and found a call from BossCerbera. Since the Cob is loud and the wind adds a bit of sound too we had to text. He had a few cars in his way but arrived only about 30 mins later to join the tour.
We could park our beasties in front of the Lola factory. While I was unmessing my hair - OMG! - Wayne explains his PERFECT Cob to Andy and John.
Big Holley Dominator sits on 7.7 litres of pure Yank madness. Nice 4 speed toploader copes well with the Ford collosal torquenumbers. Lifting means Houwitser quality backfires. There is nothing like it. My pick of the bunch easy. Well done Wayne, don't you change too much on this stunner.
We were visitors allright, ready to have a look inside.
Next: meet the group and inside Lola's.
You do have a fine way to write it all down James, excellent bits there again.
I've 4 more snaps to go for tonight, the rest - 150 plus - will have to wait for there's loads of work to do over here.
Dans looker here. As said he fetched James and a big thumbsup for that.
Transmitter Man Phil's Beemer turbodiesel on the left. His gorgeous DT Longchamp later at the Ace cafe.
A few minutes after our arrival Sinclair parked his Alfa and joined the group in chitchatting cars.
FLTR: Phil, Darab, John, Sinclair, Andy, Wayne enjoying Andy Cob's upholstery.
Sinc's thinking: "Now would that be more reliable than my Cerb I wonder?"
The hardtop makes the Dax stand out lovely. Old Skool turbo 944 in the only proper colour for it, IMO.
More saturday.
I've 4 more snaps to go for tonight, the rest - 150 plus - will have to wait for there's loads of work to do over here.
Dans looker here. As said he fetched James and a big thumbsup for that.
Transmitter Man Phil's Beemer turbodiesel on the left. His gorgeous DT Longchamp later at the Ace cafe.
A few minutes after our arrival Sinclair parked his Alfa and joined the group in chitchatting cars.
FLTR: Phil, Darab, John, Sinclair, Andy, Wayne enjoying Andy Cob's upholstery.
Sinc's thinking: "Now would that be more reliable than my Cerb I wonder?"
The hardtop makes the Dax stand out lovely. Old Skool turbo 944 in the only proper colour for it, IMO.
More saturday.
bosscerbera said:
Hmmm.... Had quite a drive getting to Huntingdon. Cerbera was the right tool for the job..... 
Good to see you Dink, really enjoyed the Lola tour!
Cheers, I bet you did, food for thought I guess. A very well sorted system and all managed very well. Good to see you Dink, really enjoyed the Lola tour!
The 4.5 sounded brilliant BTW, good to see some mud on it too
The cookie-pic turned out wel: "Do you get the whole car on the picture?"
I love Monty Python
Klassiekerrally said:
We will be staying at La Maison des Senteurs, shame there's no place for us there in september...
We will envy all with our stay in the castle mate. 
Goodwood action:
Jackie Stewarts car that, borrowed from classicrallies.com:
"Lola’s continued success on American soil helped pave the way for Indianapolis 500 glory. In 1966 Graham Hill became the first Englishman to win the Indianapolis 500 driving the Mecom Lola. However, it was his team mate Jackie Stewart who stole the show, winning ‘Rookie of the Year’ honours after comfortably leading the race by almost two laps, before having to retire. Lola’s love-affair with the Indy 500 continued through to 2006, enjoying numerous race and championship wins with drivers such as Mario Andretti, Al Unser Senior, Mark Donohue, A J Foyt, Rick Mears and Nigel Mansell."
After our extensive factory tour, Glyn grabbed my cam and made an attempt to make a sharpish pic of our posse:
BossCerbera was outside, propably returning calls.
Too late for the teamsnap. Solo with the Stewart car enjoying a biscuit here.
A very nice car that, with appropriate Scottish upholstery. When will our Phil be racing a real Lola?
On our way to St. Neots to get James home - some excellent pics there mate! - we lost Andy due to 4 red lights. Lunch at the main square talking cars and enjoying the outreageous weather. Wayne had a particilar interest in Darabs Flaminia Zagato. It won't be long before that red stunner will be up and running again. So much looking fw to that!
On request: review of Dan's TVR 350i here.
Next: Ace Cafe yum.
Jackie Stewarts car that, borrowed from classicrallies.com:
"Lola’s continued success on American soil helped pave the way for Indianapolis 500 glory. In 1966 Graham Hill became the first Englishman to win the Indianapolis 500 driving the Mecom Lola. However, it was his team mate Jackie Stewart who stole the show, winning ‘Rookie of the Year’ honours after comfortably leading the race by almost two laps, before having to retire. Lola’s love-affair with the Indy 500 continued through to 2006, enjoying numerous race and championship wins with drivers such as Mario Andretti, Al Unser Senior, Mark Donohue, A J Foyt, Rick Mears and Nigel Mansell."
After our extensive factory tour, Glyn grabbed my cam and made an attempt to make a sharpish pic of our posse:
BossCerbera was outside, propably returning calls.
Too late for the teamsnap. Solo with the Stewart car enjoying a biscuit here.
A very nice car that, with appropriate Scottish upholstery. When will our Phil be racing a real Lola?
On our way to St. Neots to get James home - some excellent pics there mate! - we lost Andy due to 4 red lights. Lunch at the main square talking cars and enjoying the outreageous weather. Wayne had a particilar interest in Darabs Flaminia Zagato. It won't be long before that red stunner will be up and running again. So much looking fw to that!
On request: review of Dan's TVR 350i here.
Next: Ace Cafe yum.
Edited by dinkel on Saturday 14th June 17:21
Cheers Darab, it was a pleasure. We'll meet again for sure. Wayne was quite interested in your Fab Red Zag, make sure you'll drop him a line for him to enjoy this Lancia in a bit bigger format
And for sure we all want to see:http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
After the Lola-visit we found ourselves a sunny spot at the square in St. Neots to have a quick lunch, chat some cars and make a few snaps. Dan brought James home and we convoyed (back) to London to team up at the Ace Cafe. We said goodbye to Wayne and his big Cob, worried a bit about Andy we had lost, I jumped in with John's M3 and away we went. Phil skipped lunch to fetch his DT at his brothers.
Except for TC we all headed for the City in senseable pace . . . I finally had the time to talk with John for a little longer which was good.
I soon found out what an amazingly huge area London is: as big as our Randstad really. Darab chased us and we made sure he stayed on our tail.
Ace Cafe:
Phil Transmitter Man's pride and joy. And what a joy! Great car that. Recently headlight-conversion did the car good. Extra illumination feature when in R - it's a 3-speed auto - made us all grin but it worked. Very well done.
Phils De Tomaso Longchamp GTS is a rarely seen car - only 395 built - and Phil keenly explained to everyone who was asking about this Dinks favourite since I was 10 years old. Oh yes, me had a taste for GTs since when they were produced, since '73 and up till '89. Ghia's Tom Tjaarda designed 2+2 was a coupe version of the Deauville model and had a shorter wheelbase which makes it a very impressive car: 72 inches wide! You may mistake this DT for a Maserati Kyalami where it is based on. The Masser has the 4.7 or 4.9 quadcam in where the GTS has t unbreakeable 351 Cid Ford Cleveland, which gives 330 brake. No worries about performance here. Phil has a 6.6 litre in built and looking at the massive rear wheels I think they will cope with the torque to come! This car is a delight and as I sat myself in the fully leather upholstery I felt the urge to slam the door, turn the key and drive off to bloody wherever.
I must do a full photoshoot when it's all a 100%. Keep me posted Phil.
When I walked around Phils DT I bumped into this stunning four-and-a-quarter litre Bent. Well, 4,257 litres to be exact. Packed in a straight six overhead cam engine with two SU carburetors producing 125 horsepower. Bentley introduced this car in 1936 and untill 1939 1240 examples were produced. The chassis is all steel and inspite of the cars massive appearance it could reach 60 in just 14 secs and tip about a 100. All in proper silence of course. In the office the chauffeur had servo assisted four wheel mechanical brakes at his disposal as well as unusual features like a foot pedal operated centralized lube system, sliding sun roof and shock absorbers with adjustable pressure. The levers for the latter can be seen on the Bents steeringwheel. Magnificent car this and a proud owner.
Another great Brit brand and a proud owner here: Jensen Interceptor. There rolled quite a few of those at the Ace park. This one is a late model as explained by the owner. The FF - Ferguson AWD - had an all vented bonnet where the last series had vents as seen here. I looked it up and much to my surprise this big GT is 200 kgs lighter than the DT, both carrying a Yank V8. A huge 440 Magnum here. Phil and I learned the SP-models - only 232 built - were actually sixpacks, with the higher compression engine and the bigger three twin barrel carbs.
What I like about this car is the bold styled front, just as in the 70s Aston V8.
I am particulary fond of cars that come with big glass on their backs. The 3000M TVRs, the P1800 Volvo estates and the Lamborghini Espada come to mind.
This interior belongs to the Peb Beach concours state early Interceptor which was uber-immaculate.
This had to be the most tidy 383 - or any Yank lump - I've ever seen in my life.
Compared to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta the Jensens are huge.
A very pretty car this, perfect colour.
I learned that the Stag is UKs fav classic car. The 2.5 V8 is often replaced by the easier RV8.
In the Netherlands it's the MGB in various guises you will see the most often.
I found a few out of focus snaps - dunno why - of our posses cars: bugger!
A few of them worked out well: here's Darab's 944 T with Andy's stunning Dax in the background.
Brilliant M3 is just converted to proper 5 speed box. John loves it.
Dan's TVR had a lot of eyes laid on.
More Ace later.
Excellent correction Warren. 
What do I know, I just listen to the guys and look things up. You drove stuff like this.
The way it left the Ace - in all silence - left Dan and I speachless: mega impressive car and easily in my evenings top 5.
But now the unavoidable question: where were you? I thought we were going to meet . . .
What do I know, I just listen to the guys and look things up. You drove stuff like this.
The way it left the Ace - in all silence - left Dan and I speachless: mega impressive car and easily in my evenings top 5.
But now the unavoidable question: where were you? I thought we were going to meet . . .
Transmitter Man said:
Al,
I'm surprised you didn't post more photo's from later that evening at the Ace.
:cough:I'm surprised you didn't post more photo's from later that evening at the Ace.
I can't post all at once now can I? Expect more, 150 snaps to go mate
AdvocatusDiaboli said:
Some photographs from my end:
The Flam is behind that mint 2.5.Funny, Phil and his two mates were discussing the quality of the Danmark 4 litre Jensen showing up. I thought it was brilliant and ran off to the owner to chat. Snaps of that one later.
Oh well, it happends all the time . . . More often lately . . . Alzheimer light I guess. I snapped the Lancia for you
But here's that Healey-Jensen first:
Gorgeous thing. The DK-owner did a grand Europe tour and sat his car here for the night.
Redtagline at just over 4k, must be quite relaxing to drive this.
Jensen Healey probably with the 2 litre Lotus in.
Weather was wonderfull and around 8 the place was packed.
A well sorted Delta joined the classic car club.
When the owner opened the bonnet crowds gathered.
A few Rollers rolled in, nice white vert here.
Adjusting the suspension / damping while driving the Bent: Warren, can you enlighten us please?
For a few pounds the food is a bargain here: and pretty good too! I had a few draught pints and enjoyed them to the max, can't remember the brands though. Thanx Phil for the treat, thanx Dan for the mug - my size of coffee that - and thanx Andy for the XL. Nice Eclat 2.2 here.
At a a glance I thought this was a Buell bike. It whizzed by but I found it parked up the street when Dan, Andy and I went for a stroll to spot all those cars that didn't fit in the packed parking. Awesome bike.
:cough: Lovely! Filters were on the passengerseat.
Big filter is on the 350 Chevy A real crowd pleaser.
More . . .
But here's that Healey-Jensen first:
Gorgeous thing. The DK-owner did a grand Europe tour and sat his car here for the night.
Redtagline at just over 4k, must be quite relaxing to drive this.
Jensen Healey probably with the 2 litre Lotus in.
Weather was wonderfull and around 8 the place was packed.
A well sorted Delta joined the classic car club.
When the owner opened the bonnet crowds gathered.
A few Rollers rolled in, nice white vert here.
Adjusting the suspension / damping while driving the Bent: Warren, can you enlighten us please?
For a few pounds the food is a bargain here: and pretty good too! I had a few draught pints and enjoyed them to the max, can't remember the brands though. Thanx Phil for the treat, thanx Dan for the mug - my size of coffee that - and thanx Andy for the XL. Nice Eclat 2.2 here.
At a a glance I thought this was a Buell bike. It whizzed by but I found it parked up the street when Dan, Andy and I went for a stroll to spot all those cars that didn't fit in the packed parking. Awesome bike.
:cough: Lovely! Filters were on the passengerseat.
Big filter is on the 350 Chevy
A real crowd pleaser.More . . .
Edited by dinkel on Sunday 15th June 19:16
Thanks Warren, you know the owner of this one?
Big Healey 4 litre on SU's in the Jensen.
I'm a sucker for these old lumps.
I hope I'm not the only one
Frogeye Sprite just came from a gathering.
Nice 'n rough hillclimbing thing.
Sex on wheels, like Phil says: Everybody loves the Ginetta.
Dangerous curves. This would be just the thing for me . . .
More to come . . .
TheStoat said:
More pics Dink?
Off course, the engine bay:Big Healey 4 litre on SU's in the Jensen.
I'm a sucker for these old lumps.
I hope I'm not the only one
Frogeye Sprite just came from a gathering.
Nice 'n rough hillclimbing thing.
Sex on wheels, like Phil says: Everybody loves the Ginetta.
Dangerous curves. This would be just the thing for me . . .
More to come . . .
No snaps tonight folks, I'm knackered!
http://www.klassiekerrally.nl/index.php?page=spa-s...
Class vid by Wim, Spa6 will be more crowded with folks and cars.
Great effort Wim, thumbs up!
http://www.klassiekerrally.nl/index.php?page=spa-s...
Class vid by Wim, Spa6 will be more crowded with folks and cars.
Great effort Wim, thumbs up!
It's the big guns that draw crowds but every now and then there's something else, a car no one knows or saw before that spices up events like these. This is a Beemer 700 DeLuxe.
These rather tasty Michelotti designed 2+2 cars were built between 1959 and 1965 and propelled by a 700 cc version of the R67 bike boxertwin. With 30 brake the tiny one will get you at 60 in 30 secs. Only 630 kgs, 75 mph, 2.592 cabrio's were built. TomTom to get this at the Ace Caf
The guy had the original brochures in his boot. Note the plate. The engine . . .
. . . is in the back. Where TF is the airfilter?
Big 30s Yanks up next.
These rather tasty Michelotti designed 2+2 cars were built between 1959 and 1965 and propelled by a 700 cc version of the R67 bike boxertwin. With 30 brake the tiny one will get you at 60 in 30 secs. Only 630 kgs, 75 mph, 2.592 cabrio's were built. TomTom to get this at the Ace Caf
The guy had the original brochures in his boot. Note the plate. The engine . . .
. . . is in the back. Where TF is the airfilter?
Big 30s Yanks up next.
We did Ben, you allright mate?
The Ford you mean John? Here's Pilot period bro's:
Huge they are, they came in great colours too.
Dicky seat with picknick gear.
Loving that backlit stuff. Check the windscreen.
Nice office, but I'm not trusting the redline there.
This is actually what a mid 30s Yank engine looked like: big lump of iron.
Former HotRodder Kings ride.
THAT Bent, leaving us in awe and without a trace of sound here.
Around 8 things were getting a bit busy resulting in parking everywhere.
Black beauty Big Healey.
Black spoke knock offs, rally style car me thinks.
Black seemed to be in fashion that hour.
Very stylish sleek '69 Chevy Camaro RS Convertible.
:cough:
A looker with a soundbyte for sure.
99 to go
The Ford you mean John? Here's Pilot period bro's:
Huge they are, they came in great colours too.
Dicky seat with picknick gear.
Loving that backlit stuff. Check the windscreen.
Nice office, but I'm not trusting the redline there.
This is actually what a mid 30s Yank engine looked like: big lump of iron.
Former HotRodder Kings ride.
THAT Bent, leaving us in awe and without a trace of sound here.
Around 8 things were getting a bit busy resulting in parking everywhere.
Black beauty Big Healey.
Black spoke knock offs, rally style car me thinks.
Black seemed to be in fashion that hour.
Very stylish sleek '69 Chevy Camaro RS Convertible.
:cough:
A looker with a soundbyte for sure.
99 to go
Suddenly red was en vogue:
E-love.
Another Jensen turned up, a bit tatty but lovely just the same.
The low eveninglight made it impossible to make some proper ones . . .
. . . Big H's never seems to fail to snap pretty.
Moody one of a fav.
And a nice vert too!
This pony carries a 351 Cleve just like Phils DT.
More . . .
E-love.
Another Jensen turned up, a bit tatty but lovely just the same.
The low eveninglight made it impossible to make some proper ones . . .
. . . Big H's never seems to fail to snap pretty.
Moody one of a fav.
And a nice vert too!
This pony carries a 351 Cleve just like Phils DT.
More . . .
Oh yes, I remember that smart red one:
A bit better lighting here. Bumper in green suits the car fine.
Ace Caf was packed that evening:
Little hill wasn't high enough to get a full park overview, all sorts of wheels are brought in. Check the BX. Amazing they still exist!
I've a weak spot for these old Japs.
The night was open for 7s as well, never saw an original and quite a few showed up.
The G-car with better light on it.
A 1750 GTV for me please.
Daimlers like these don't tick any of my boxes, but hey: lots seemed to like it so there you go.
A tidy Sprite's office.
Oh yes, a Merc looker.
Cruising the USA coast to coast in a Pagoda please. Wheels are from a later model me thinks.
The Jensen Healey TC.
Andy's Cob drew a crowd. What a car!
Next: bikes.
A bit better lighting here. Bumper in green suits the car fine.
Ace Caf was packed that evening:
Little hill wasn't high enough to get a full park overview, all sorts of wheels are brought in. Check the BX. Amazing they still exist!
I've a weak spot for these old Japs.
The night was open for 7s as well, never saw an original and quite a few showed up.
The G-car with better light on it.
A 1750 GTV for me please.
Daimlers like these don't tick any of my boxes, but hey: lots seemed to like it so there you go.
A tidy Sprite's office.
Oh yes, a Merc looker.
Cruising the USA coast to coast in a Pagoda please. Wheels are from a later model me thinks.
The Jensen Healey TC.
Andy's Cob drew a crowd. What a car!
Next: bikes.
GSA it is, I saw a BX there: Gandini design!
Did you know there was a GS with a Wankel in? Not very succesfull . . .
Today I spotted a beige - very period - GS (pre 80s, GSA was produced since 1980).
Yesterday I was with a gf who lived in a neighbourhood packed with 30 year old Saabs, a bloody nice CX and a mint Volvo 544.
Re: Citroen-ish cars.
What was the last one then? The AX? The Visa? I love the 1st model C5.
Did you know there was a GS with a Wankel in? Not very succesfull . . .
Today I spotted a beige - very period - GS (pre 80s, GSA was produced since 1980).
Yesterday I was with a gf who lived in a neighbourhood packed with 30 year old Saabs, a bloody nice CX and a mint Volvo 544.
Re: Citroen-ish cars.
What was the last one then? The AX? The Visa? I love the 1st model C5.
The Ace has such a top atmosphere, folks are great.
Little cute Sprite, light is getting low, switched to 400 ASA.
Up for grabs these days, we bumped into Alex Euroboy here.
Now this particular 308GT4 didn't sound too healthy . . . running on 5 pots something . . .
There's a topic running wondering which carbrand consistantly made / makes the most beautifull cars: Lancia for me.
Flavia! T-shirt material.
The tatty Spitfire hid a hopped TR6 2.5
THE DB for me.
Best sounding 80s V6 hands down.
Try to do a crappy shot of an E just won't work.
B'lieu treated us on a customized car 'n bike show:
More . . .
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