It’s The Latte Latte Delta Tea Break 2018

[Gerard C]

John, I think its time to warn Bob. L'heure est grave… Did he hear about the spy software infecting some Vauxhalls? It is said that on a certain day at midnight plus one minute the steering wheel will move slowly but surely from right to left… I hold this conspiracy theory from a Pug person

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

John, I think its time to warn Bob. L'heure est grave… Did he hear about the spy software infecting some Vauxhalls? It is said that on a certain day at midnight plus one minute the steering wheel will move slowly but surely from right to left… I hold this conspiracy theory from a Pug person

Somehow, I don't see Bob pulling to the left, Gerard!

[Gerard C]

I see what you mean, John. May be he could borrow Inspector Gadget extensible arms… Or exchange the right seat with the left one, a good method found on interhoueb'!

[bauble]

Seems to me that the sooner Brexit happens the better, I can't keep up with these continental meanderings. I used to know a chap called John Elwin, a fairly sensible sort, well known and respected on the UK racing scene, but clearly not the same person who posts on this forum. Unless, it is the same person badly affected by drinking French waters. Never a good thing to do!

"... as you swing to the left, and you swing to the right, remember the curfew must never ring tonight."


Cher Gerard, when my Vauxhall's front wheels turn left, it because I am power sliding round a corner.

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by bauble

Seems to me that the sooner Brexit happens the better, I can't keep up with these continental meanderings. I used to know a chap called John Elwin, a fairly sensible sort, well known and respected on the UK racing scene, but clearly not the same person who posts on this forum. Unless, it is the same person badly affected by drinking French waters. Never a good thing to do!

"... as you swing to the left, and you swing to the right, remember the curfew must never ring tonight."


Cher Gerard, when my Vauxhall's front wheels turn left, it because I am power sliding round a corner.

I think I get your drift...

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

I think I get your drift...

Dear Robert, can't I consider you as being a continental too? It happens that our continents share the same sea but not always the same see…

More serious, do you have a Gordini collector in your area? Its "just" to borrow a car during HF1 2019 GP demo.

[Gerard C]

John, an old bloke long time Capri driver - Patrice Faurie - sent me a race program with entry lists. Track is Montlhéry. Car 911 S Grp4. Year 1974.
I feel it refers to a totally different person. Unfortunately, this is confirmed by my mirror! Pffff…

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by justracing

These guys are better - Gordon Murray's Mk 1 Escort
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSiG7oNXC6w&t=19s
and for outright engineering fabrication skills these guys are incredible even if the project is somewhat insane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hCPODjJO7s

I've been watching Project Binky for a couple of years

[grantp]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

I've been watching Project Binky for a couple of years

I recall when you first posted a link.

If one was to cost their work as if it was a commercial project the entire thing would surely be one of the most expensive projects that could be conceived.

Totally and utterly bonkers, of course.

That said I think the main problem with so many projects is starting with an original source vehicle. It occurs to me that it might be no more expensive to start with rough measurements and some sheet metal.

[morninggents]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

I've been watching Project Binky for a couple of years

Me too. Love it. Latest episode out a few days ago, Gordon.

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by grantp

I recall when you first posted a link.

If one was to cost their work as if it was a commercial project the entire thing would surely be one of the most expensive projects that could be conceived.

Totally and utterly bonkers, of course.

That said I think the main problem with so many projects is starting with an original source vehicle. It occurs to me that it might be no more expensive to start with rough measurements and some sheet metal.

I think that there may be a possibility that it isn't the only job that the firm has

It may be "bonkers" but I admire guys like that, my brother spent months devising a perpetual motion machine that worked with leverage and free wheels and a chain back in the 70s, I told him it wouldn't work as it had all been tried for years. Eventually he admitted defeat

[Gerard C]

Fantastic link, thank you. On the mini, the belt tensioneer used to cable drive the relocated alternator is a must.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

I think that there may be a possibility that it isn't the only job that the firm has

It may be "bonkers" but I admire guys like that, my brother spent months devising a perpetual motion machine that worked with leverage and free wheels and a chain back in the 70s, I told him it wouldn't work as it had all been tried for years. Eventually he admitted defeat

'Bonkers' in the nicest possible way of course, Gordon. I admire the work as well but can only wonder about how much it would cost to build as a commissioned project.



And yes I would hope that the business has a lot of work. If not spending 4 years on getting as far as shown in the past 20 videos would make the cost of the entire project even more unjustifiable by any rational measure. (As an all absorbing obsession it is just about understandable in my opinion. There is still quite a way to go yet, however, so still time for things to get totally out of hand!)

[justracing]

Originally Posted by grantp

If one was to cost their work as if it was a commercial project the entire thing would surely be one of the most expensive projects that could be conceived.

I think that's the whole beauty of the project. It is a demonstration of lateral thinking in problem solving and highly skilled fabrication in finding a practical solution, the only constraints being the physical limitations of the base vehicle. One of the latest episodes which tackled the alternator location and drive was an exercise in mechanical ingenuity, it just shows what standards can be achieved without financial limitations.

[grantp]

Originally Posted by justracing

I think that's the whole beauty of the project. It is a demonstration of lateral thinking in problem solving and highly skilled fabrication in finding a practical solution, the only constraints being the physical limitations of the base vehicle. One of the latest episodes which tackled the alternator location and drive was an exercise in mechanical ingenuity, it just shows what standards can be achieved without financial limitations.

Agreed.

However it's one thing designing a clever solution rather than eliminating the constraint by looking at a different starting point for the design but whether that solution is practical in use remains to be seen. I really hope it is but that particular solution seems to offer a number of points for possible failure - perhaps more than I can recall seeing in any previous video in the series.

Still, at least the front of the car was designed, way back in the series, to make access fairly easy!

[Lancsbreaker]

Originally Posted by morninggents

Me too. Love it. Latest episode out a few days ago, Gordon.

You guys are really bad........Had a look at the link and spent the last hour or so watching the first 4 episodes.......and I see there are "quite a few" more ...... I'll have to ration myself

[Mike Harte]

I've watched all the episodes so far, and from an engineering/preparation point of view, it's fascinating.

However, from a human being's point of view, I am left thinking, 'Why?'. I came to the realisation about 40 years ago that a car on the road was just for transporting you from point A to point B. And I want that journey to be as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

I fail to understand why someone like Gordon Murray wants to spend an absolute fortune having a car that will just about resemble an original, but is in reality nothing like it. And just to use it, probably, just when the sun shines.

I understand that it is being done because it can be. But I just cannot see the point, because when it rolls out of the workshop it will not be, and will never be, a true representation of any Escort ever produced anywhere in the world.

[justracing]

Because he can and it's a passion.
I don't understand a lot of connoisseurs hanging multi million pound pieces of artwork on their study wall or drooling over a sculpture or stamp collection but I can understand GM's desire to own and drive such a vehicle as this very special Escort. Whatever floats your boat I guess.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by justracing

Because he can and it's a passion.

Now if it had been a 105E...……

[Mike Bell]

Joking apart, anyone that has time, just google SEMA show Las Vegas 2018 and look at some of the creations there. Blinky or GM’s Escy would be a perfect shoe in......

Funny how your own outlook can change with age. 20 years ago I wouldn’t have taken even a first glance at a restored boggo Mk1 Escort L. Now I would walk past a field full of AVO models to appreciate it’s originality and simplicity......

[Peter Mallett]

Remember Custom Car Magazine? And how we used to think modifying a car simply involved jacking up the rear end and slamming wider wheels on it?

If you were really clever you stuck a bigger engine in and fitted some webers.

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Remember Custom Car Magazine? And how we used to think modifying a car simply involved jacking up the rear end and slamming wider wheels on it?

If you were really clever you stuck a bigger engine in and fitted some webers.

Custom Car Magazine !!!!!!! some of my mates that I raced with back in my Hot Rod days were sponsored by CC, good old days and I remember Roger Fennings (editor ?) getting my wife to translate at a meeting we were doing in Germany in about 1971/2
Gone are the days of actually getting paid for the traveling expenses and the ferry by the organisers, also money for winning and places
People like George Polley actually lived by their race winning and it was their full time job, on his passport his occupation was "Racing Driver"

[Peter Mallett]

It was a brilliant mag for those of us of a certain age. I remember the articles on Rees Fish carburetors (whatever happened to those?) and David Vizard and the A series engine mods (he eventually published a book). Great for those who ran Minis. Of course the Anglia was also well catered for with the 1500 lump improvements and the Classic struts. They never really covered anything for the rear end though. Nowadays there must be a conversion kit somewhere for uprights.

All a bit innocent when compared with the stuff happening in the USA at the time though.

Edit: Reece-Fish

[John Elwin]

I remember well the annual trek to Ally Pally, Crystal Palace, or wherever the Custom Car Show happened to be held that particular year.

More than a few Airfix kits got hacked about to emulate the real thing too.

[Peter Mallett]

And of course you could buy your "bullet hole" windscreen stickers, not to mention the tyre marker pen.