Okay, I'll have to remember that... '70s Porsche's handle poorly!
What do photos of crashed 'Vettes have to do with handling?Knowing your excellent library of older magazines, I'd appreciate seeing comapritive articles from back then.
Chevrolet Corvette Crash Pictures
'76 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five Limousine, '95 Lincoln Town Car.
Andreas Preuninger, Manager of Porsche High Performance Cars: "Grandmas can use paddles. They aren't challenging."
The point is that as soon as Fleet has posed a proposition, nothing needs to be further discussed, because it is true. And when proven to be "untrue" he changes the subject, rather than admitting.....there is really no fun in that any more once you have gone through this process for a number of times. But if you want to treat yourself to the "Fleet experience", be my guest.
It already started with the comparison between the 911 and the Corvette, nobody sofar had come with the 911 as the "best handling classic" and it is simply introduced for the discussion to prove that "US cars" handle better than "European cars". It simply is not going to result in a productive discussion.
"I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting, but it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously." Douglas Adams
The original 917 was an evil handling car and only really changed with the advent of the Langheck. An E type can be made to handle but if you look at it the proportions are wrong - the track isn't wide enough. I'd go with the Elan for rear wheel drive and the Cooper S (mine was bored to 1293 and a stage 2 Alexander conversion) in FWD. As regards the Europa, it wasn't a great success and was unreliable but I did see one racing last year at Silverstone though
And two of my favourite photos from that meeting
I wonder what was proven "untrue?" Motor Trend did not say that the Porsche was the "best handling" car, they just said that the Corvette handled just as well, if not even better, than a car with a reputation of excellent handling.
As I replied to Kitdy, I never made the claim that U.S. cars handle better than European cars, so I have nothing to "admit." But I will just assume you are joking around.
'76 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five Limousine, '95 Lincoln Town Car.
Yep. Had a full works-replica Hillman Imp rally car for a season back in 74.
Often had to add sandbags in the front to make it more controllable ( and that was with the full works "Monte" front suspension )
They were all the same.
The works A110s improved things by putting the radiators up the front and putting MASSIVE rubbers and huge camber on the rears Same as the 911 did through the 80s
THe problem with the standard Europa in competition was a classic Chapman "make somethign do two jobs" so the soughnuts would wear VERY quickly because the drive shaft was contributing the the suspension !! The works Type 47 was competitive in the late 60s lowdrag. We have one competing in classic series at KNockhill and it still shows up the "big boys" when the tracks a little damp and power is less of the issue
Last edited by Matra et Alpine; 04-12-2009 at 04:16 AM.
"I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting, but it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously." Douglas Adams
Have to say I also owned a modified IMP GT in the late 1970s and thought it possessed brilliant handling and controllability for typical suburban conditions and speeds
In my memory it still remains one of the most engaging & enjoyable-to-drive cars I've driven, just so much fun in the city
Brilliant pic and a typical Imp stance
They were superb wee cars and with a really well prepped engine were quick.
Hence why so many "imp specials" were created which cleand up in club racing !
Mate competes in historic rally with Clan Crusader
VERY practical car that was built just 20 miles form my home ... BUT was never really able to knock the Mini off it's perch ! Best looking was the Singer Chamois version with the sports coupe roofline
a stand often repeated these days by Rod Jolley's Cooper T45/51, which, in spite of its central engine layout, is a very regular three wheeler....
"I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting, but it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously." Douglas Adams
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