First version of the immortal 'Anglo-American Sports bastard', based on the Terraplane chassis. There was a new radiator 'using aeroplane principles', Andre Telecontrol dampers supplemented the standard shock absorbers and the whole ensemble was rounded off by rakish bodies. Engine retained splash lubrication and was mated to a standard three speed 'box via a Hudson cork clutch. The Railton Terraplane had superb top gear performance, and with a 0-60mph time of less than 13secs provided supercar acceleration for middle-class saloon prices - £499 for a tourer in '34.
Technical Specifications Engine: 4010cc (S8 SV) Configuration: Front engine, rear-wheel drive Production dates: 1933 to 1934 Number produced: 1379 all Eights
Post by Berry McPaper-cuts on Jan 26, 2017 9:26:02 GMT
TrabantP60 (600)/601 2-door saloon, estate car.
First seen as the 500cc Zwickau P50 (latterly Trabant P50) of 1958-62, and given 595cc engine in 1962 to become P60 (or '600'); this interim model replaced by restyled 601 in 1964. Always front-drive and powered by air-cooled vertical-twin two-stroke. Body initially of resin-reinforced papier machè and subsequently of Duroplast - which is plastic resin reinforced with natural fibres including cotton waste; it is therefore incorrect to say the 'Trabbi' has a glass-fibre body. Final run of cars, 1990-91, used 1.1-litre VW Polo engine.
Technical Specifications Engine: 595cc (S2 TS) Configuration: Front engine, front-wheel drive Production dates: 1962 to 1990 Number produced: approx 3,000,000
Post by Berry McPaper-cuts on Jan 27, 2017 8:24:43 GMT
When a friend of mine's husband died she made a small fortune on ebay selling off his Haynes Manuals - he was a car freak and had collected them. We still have a couple in the bookcase from when Mr FP had to do self- fettling.
VIGNALE-FIAT 500 GAMINE 2-door 2-seater open tourer.
Instantly called the 'Noddy Car' when briefly marketed in the UK, the Gamine was a rebodied Fiat 500F, rear engine, air-cooling and all. Small performance (like the 500F) which meant a 60mph top speed at most - noisy, crude but remarkably attractive. Dodgem car looks were perhaps the biggest hindrance to sales in stodgy Britain.
Technical Specifications Engine: 492cc (S2 OHV) Configuration: Rear engine, rear-wheel drive Production dates: 1969 to 1975 Number produced: n/a