Kick Those Shoes Off and Relax. It's the Delta 2017 Tea Break

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

Gerard, I have seen both those cars, & you are correct, they are Magnum's. The Castrol/DTV car aroused my interest as I remember them well from the Group 1 days in England. I tried to research it on the internet & it appears to have originally been prepared for rallying (I may be wrong) & to have passed through auction a few years ago.

Being RHD I'm also curious about the origins of the Arvor car. I think I read somewhere that it now has an engine that has done many km's in a Bedford CF van. That amused me, as in my early days at Lotus the 2-litre engine was being developed for the Elite/Éclat & one test engine was fitted to our works CF van, which spent a hard life day in, day out collecting parts from suppliers. Highly unlikely but would have been fun if that one had found its way into the Magnum!

Two other engines were fitted to HC Viva's that knocked-up a high mileage on the Lotus test track at Hethel. When their job was done, the blue car had the original Vauxhall engine re-fitted & sold, whilst the metallic green one was supposed to be personal transport for Colin Chapman, but he allegedly took one look at the salmon pink interior & said "no thanks".

It was duly re-united with its original Vauxhall 1800 engine & became a pool car where it was extremely popular & much preferred to the alternative Mk3 Cortina's.

There you go VIVA GT - one for you too!

Thanks John, very interesting.

Originally Posted by bauble

Perhaps I should change my monicker to AstraMk5.

Oi! Don't try and muscle in on my patch sunshine!

Originally Posted by Gerard C

John quite right again. As to engines origins, I've been told that the Capri 3 litre had been genuinely designed as a diesel engine (hence the hollow pistons and Héron's type heads) to be used in Fire Dpt Transit's (performance wise it shows!).
We did the 1976 24 hrs of Spa with a Bertone Grp1. When rain invited itself in the Sunday morning then started a total mess on the track. Everyone, including all works teams staff, went to the pits' wall to applause as deserved a guy playing with its Vauxhall: Gerry Marshall himself ! Unbelievable. He was driving absolutely sideways in the straight each lap he achieved crossing the deep puddles. What a souvenir. Nobody could match him on the wet. He was on another planet, really. 1976 was a special edition, the last to welcome Grp 1, Grp 1 B and Grp 2 as far as I can remember. With our private and very much damaged Alfa we had to fight against Vernaeve, Guy Pirenne, René Metge sharing a Dolly. We never spoke to each others during this race but I met Guy Pirenne spannering our 911 almost 30 years later during VdeV series races! Little planet isn't it?

Gerry Marshall was my hero. (Hence my log on name and previous choise of road cars...)

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

I see there is a UK preparer now building 'brand new' GpA 205s for rallying. Apparently they are now historic......

Starting this year we have the Youngtimer GTI Cup, reserved to under 2 litre cars, Group N, Group A and F2000 homologated before 31/12/90. Cars issued from one make series accepted under same conditions of period.
So your 205 is very much welcome. I'll try to find a GT Turbo Cup like mine was back in the days but unfortunately the very good 505 are not accepted (2.2 l plus turbo).
May be a good thing if you consider what happened when 505 T series was invited at Monaco or Le Mans !! We were many to take a line of credit to go through the Hunaudières or be pictured turning La Rascasse. A life time dream for some.

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by bauble

Perhaps I should change my monicker to AstraMk5.

Well, if it means you will be a little less course(a)...

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

John quite right again. As to engines origins, I've been told that the Capri 3 litre had been genuinely designed as a diesel engine (hence the hollow pistons and Héron's type heads) to be used in Fire Dpt Transit's (performance wise it shows!).
We did the 1976 24 hrs of Spa with a Bertone Grp1. When rain invited itself in the Sunday morning then started a total mess on the track. Everyone, including all works teams staff, went to the pits' wall to applause as deserved a guy playing with its Vauxhall: Gerry Marshall himself ! Unbelievable. He was driving absolutely sideways in the straight each lap he achieved crossing the deep puddles. What a souvenir. Nobody could match him on the wet. He was on another planet, really. 1976 was a special edition, the last to welcome Grp 1, Grp 1 B and Grp 2 as far as I can remember. With our private and very much damaged Alfa we had to fight against Vernaeve, Guy Pirenne, René Metge sharing a Dolly. We never spoke to each others during this race but I met Guy Pirenne spannering our 911 almost 30 years later during VdeV series races! Little planet isn't it?

I think Gerry was every fans' favourite in Britain - I've seen him racing everything from FF Lotus 61, Mini, TVR, Lotus Elan, various Vauxhalls, Escort Mexico to Aston Martin & he entertained every time.

Theoretically I own an Alfa GT Junior but it went 'missing'...

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Gerry Marshall was my hero. (Hence my log on name and previous choise of road cars...)

Quite normal Viva, perhaps I'm not often enough out, but I never saw that before neither since. Cant be blotted out of my memory. Driving on the wet is a matter of skill and dare, engine power isn't much help ! This guy has what we call "la vista" everything seems so easy when he's at wheel. But we all know how difficult it is in reality.

Chapeau bas, Monsieur Marshall, if Bob allows me some latin words !

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

I think Gerry was every fans' favourite in Britain - I've seen him racing everything from FF Lotus 61, Mini, TVR, Lotus Elan, various Vauxhalls, Escort Mexico to Aston Martin & he entertained every time.Theoretically I own an Alfa GT Junior but it went 'missing'...

Yes, he doesn't drive, he's playing with the car. May be with his neighbor's nerfs too! Is the missing Junior a Scalino (boîte aux lettres in latin!) ?
The 1300 has not a fantastic power to weight ratio but still good looking. And ergonomics are … terrible !
Do you know how Bertone's built up their fast car reputation?

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Yes, he doesn't drive, he's playing with the car. May be with his neighbor's nerfs too! Is the missing Junior a Scalino (boîte aux lettres in latin!) ?
The 1300 has not a fantastic power to weight ratio but still good looking. And ergonomics are … terrible !
Do you know how Bertone's built up their fast car reputation?

My Junior was a 1970 step-front model. It had gained a 1750 engine by the time I owned it.

I think it's the best-looking car there ever was, so 'right' from every angle. Don't suppose I'll ever be able to own another...

[Gerard C]

Sure, what a nice shape.
I still wonder how they had this coupé homologated as a Grp1, so room for 4 adults ! Same thing applies to some others, Mazda Savanna for instance.
Bertone 2 liter was a weapon, for road or track use, with a lot of torque, 4 discs, 5 speed and lsd all coming as standard and indestructible too. I started real racing with a Group 1 2002 TI and when the Bertone arrived we saw quickly that we were done. Not mentioning the Hemicuda's!

[bauble]

What we need to put a stop to this love-in between Jean and Gerard is a new thread;



Vos chaussures de rejoindre votre chambre et vous détendre

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by bauble

What we need to put a stop to this love-in between Jean and Gerard is a new thread;



Vos chaussures de rejoindre votre chambre et vous détendre

Quite right Le Bauble ! Anyway we were finished. Well almost …

[gary396]

Continuing the Fench theme with a 2018 date for your diaries - Le Mans Classic 6-8th July 2018.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by gary396

Continuing the Fench theme with a 2018 date for your diaries - Le Mans Classic 6-8th July 2018.

Mon Dieu! Je dois entrer dans mon journal.......

[delta]

Back to motor racing . First Mallory breakfast of 2017 tomorrow .Wish me luck 😬

[SJWBallistic]

Hi Iain
What are you out with at Mallory?
Have you had time to fit that Dellorto to the Arnott yet?
Speak soon
Stuart

[delta]

First of the Delta's . Hope to do few laps first thing and get away . Busy busy busy .

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by delta

Back to motor racing . First Mallory breakfast of 2017 tomorrow .Wish me luck ��

I'll wish your arteries luck....

Originally Posted by delta

First of the Delta's . Hope to do few laps first thing and get away . Busy busy busy .

Not too busy to have a 'Mallory fry up', though!

[terence]

One of the pleasures of Mallory Mike.

[delta]

Testing went well . Damp and misty track . Breakfast very disappointed. Hey ho

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by delta

Testing went well . Damp and misty track . Breakfast very disappointed. Hey ho

Was the breakfast expecting more from you?

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by delta

Testing went well . Damp and misty track . Breakfast very disappointed. Hey ho

That's a shame. I see to remember hearing that all the old café staff left / retired when the circuit closed, so is that a factor?

Originally Posted by terence

One of the pleasures of Mallory Mike.

Not any more by the sound of it! Like the P&O Ferry Brasserie brekkie- no longer worth looking forward to.....

[grantp]

Originally Posted by delta

Testing went well . Damp and misty track . Breakfast very disappointed. Hey ho

You should have said - I could have rolled up and offered a second opinion - at least about the breakfast ... not the testing obviously.

Are they back in the game for the whole of the year or just a few days?

[delta]

Originally Posted by grantp

You should have said - I could have rolled up and offered a second opinion - at least about the breakfast ... not the testing obviously.

Are they back in the game for the whole of the year or just a few days?

Back in two weeks G P . See you then

[grantp]

Originally Posted by delta

Back in two weeks G P . See you then

It's in my diary!

About to browse for Damart supplier.

[Mike Bell]

Mmm, think due a walk on the beach tomorrow...

Today-
"Around 794lb (360kg) of cocaine with a potential value of £50 million has washed up on two beaches in Norfolk."

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Mmm, think due a walk on the beach tomorrow...

Today-
"Around 794lb (360kg) of cocaine with a potential value of £50 million has washed up on two beaches in Norfolk."

Spliffing good idea!!

Pay for a lot of racing, wouldn't it?