Fantasy Vehicle

[Stearmen]

I am in the process with the same chap who built this in starting another replica of sorts. However, mine will only be a 4 cylinder special, as the 6 cylinder engines which this replica has are not very plentiful and the straight 8 engines impossible to find. I have a chassis, engine and running gear, which is the first part of the project. It will always be a special, but, being that the last original sold for 750K, I can not see me owning an original! I am restoring all the mechanical parts and he will produce the body.
Ben

To bad you are on the wrong side of the pond. Over here, a Pontiac straight 8 is not to hard to find. And straight 6s are a dime a dozen, although I would want a Dodge aluminum Slant 6. A few young Hot Rodders are rediscovering the Slant 6, they really sound great with minimal muffling!

 

[Smithy]

To bad you are on the wrong side of the pond. Over here, a Pontiac straight 8 is not to hard to find. And straight 6s are a dime a dozen, although I would want a Dodge aluminum Slant 6. A few young Hot Rodders are rediscovering the Slant 6, they really sound great with minimal muffling!

I don't think Ben's problem is finding any old straight 6 (he could pick up a Jag 4.2 for not terribly much), rather he wants a pre-war engine and preferrably a Triumph one, hence he's gone with the 4.

Ben, what's all this with a Dolomite replica eh? I thought it would have been a Riley Brooklands

Seriously though, lovely project. Any chance of a Roots blower on there?

 

[Ben Stephens]

I don't think Ben's problem is finding any old straight 6 (he could pick up a Jag 4.2 for not terribly much), rather he wants a pre-war engine and preferrably a Triumph one, hence he's gone with the 4.

Ben, what's all this with a Dolomite replica eh? I thought it would have been a Riley Brooklands

Seriously though, lovely project. Any chance of a Roots blower on there?

Thats right, I would like a Triumph built straight 8. Now, there is one engine not in a car, so if any one can lend me 100k, I might get it!

Smithy, I have gotten very into Triumphs recently, not outright sports cars like Riley, but, with Healey as technical manager they did very well in the Monte Carlo rallies as well as a lot of other smaller rallies. Also, to make a replica Brooklands, just an engine now will cost me over 7k before re-build, let alone chassis and running gear, and then, you turn up at Prescott and park next to other replica Brooklands!


Also, Triumphs normal models are a lot rarer, the Monte Carlo I have at the moment is only one of six on the road!

Kindest regards

Ben

 

[Smithy]

Thats right, I would like a Triumph built straight 8. Now, there is one engine not in a car, so if any one can lend me 100k, I might get it!

Smithy, I have gotten very into Triumphs recently, not outright sports cars like Riley, but, with Healey as technical manager they did very well in the Monte Carlo rallies as well as a lot of other smaller rallies. Also, to make a replica Brooklands, just an engine now will cost me over 7k before re-build, let alone chassis and running gear, and then, you turn up at Prescott and park next to other replica Brooklands!


Also, Triumphs normal models are a lot rarer, the Monte Carlo I have at the moment is only one of six on the road!

Kindest regards

Ben

Ben,

When did you get the Monte Carlo? And you are right about rarity, I don't think I've ever seen one in the flesh. Do you still have the Kestrel as well?

Once again good luck with the Dolomite replica and yes you are right, it will be a little less common than the Brooklands replicas!

 

[Ben Stephens]

I have had it for about a year and a half, I have got rid of the Kestrel, the frame was getting a little weak and I could see some rather large impending bills!

The thing I like about the Monte Carlo is that it was built for competition use, it has Twin spares, twin number plates, suspension adjustable from the dash, 17 Gallon fuel tank etc. It was one of Donald Healey's creations.

Kindest Regards

 

[Smithy]

I have had it for about a year and a half, I have got rid of the Kestrel, the frame was getting a little weak and I could see some rather large impending bills!

The thing I like about the Monte Carlo is that it was built for competition use, it has Twin spares, twin number plates, suspension adjustable from the dash, 17 Gallon fuel tank etc. It was one of Donald Healey's creations.

Kindest Regards

No pressure Ben but if you feel inclined it would be lovely if you started a thread charting the build. I for one would love to see the pics.

 

[Ben Stephens]

I actually think that is a good idea, as, it is nice to have encouragement.

It will be quite a long term project, with work and finance, I am expecting 5 years.

 

[Ben Stephens]

HEre is the Triumph I have on the road

The Shell Petrol Station @ Brooklands, Weybridge. UK by John(cardwellpix), on Flickr


Open Day .. 1940s - Brooklands, May 2012 by John(cardwellpix), on Flickr

I now have two tyres the same on the rear!

 

[Auld Edwardian]

I would not mind a modest Packard Twelve or Super Eight from the late 20's or early 30's.

 

[Smithy]

HEre is the Triumph I have on the road

The Shell Petrol Station @ Brooklands, Weybridge. UK by John(cardwellpix), on Flickr


Open Day .. 1940s - Brooklands, May 2012 by John(cardwellpix), on Flickr

I now have two tyres the same on the rear!

What an absolute cracker Ben! You must be pleased as punch with her.

 

[Ben Stephens]

Back on topic, this is a real fantasy vehicle of mine

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C324593#

I wonder how much it is ;-)

 

[John in Covina]

I'd like one of those Nash Statesman Sedanettes from about 1949 simply the most wicked precursor to a fastback. And it is a Nash so you have to love it while you hate it.

 

[Rathdown]

Back on topic, this is a real fantasy vehicle of mine

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C324593#

I wonder how much it is ;-)

Ben, I suspect you are looking at the sunny side of £200k for an LG Rapide (cheer up, for £50k less you can own an M45 Rapide, ever bit as much fun in the "Dornford Yeats" idiom) or you can get a copy of "Bussman's Honeymoon" (aka "Haunted Honeymoon") made in 1940 and starring George Montgomery as Lord Peter Wimsey. An LG Rapide figures in the opening sequence of the film.

 

[Ben Stephens]

I reckon you could be looking at more than 200k now for a Rapide, especially from a dealer in London.

Still, always a car I have hankered after!

 

[Two Types]

it would have to be the Triumph Reknown:

My father owned one in the early 1960s. It seemed to be a rather grand car for a man in his early thirties who worked in a shoe repair shop. But in those days I suppose people were getting rid of old fashioned looking cars and replacing them with the new sleek models. Dad always just bought cars that were on their 'last legs'. When they broke down, he scrapped them. He once bought a car with coins he had saved up in a large bottle!

 

[Two Types]

... or a Tatra:

 

[Smithy]

I reckon you could be looking at more than 200k now for a Rapide, especially from a dealer in London.

Still, always a car I have hankered after!

You'll like this Ben. Through work I've been dealing with an English fellow who lives half the year here in Oz and the other half back in England and who happens to collect Lagondas - needless to say he's not short of a few bob!

They are some of the most beautiful prewar automobiles.

 

[Ben Stephens]

Does he need someone to drive them whilst he is away? ;-)

 

[Swing Motorman]

I keep coming back to this thread, and today the title struck a different chord in my mind. Maybe rather than a vehicle one dreams of owning, a "fantasy vehicle" could be a machine one owns that drives him to dream?

In that interpretation, my "fantasy vehicles" are undoubtedly my growing fleet of 1:29th scale PCC streetcars.

They may be models, but they so easily bring back the memories of working on the real things!


-Steven

 

[Stearmen]

I keep coming back to this thread, and today the title struck a different chord in my mind. Maybe rather than a vehicle one dreams of owning, a "fantasy vehicle" could be a machine one owns that drives him to dream?

In that interpretation, my "fantasy vehicles" are undoubtedly my growing fleet of 1:29th scale PCC streetcars.

They may be models, but they so easily bring back the memories of working on the real things!


-Steven

You are spot on with what I had in mind when I started this thread! Basically money is no object when it comes to your dream vehicle. The crazier the better. Motorman, I could picture your trollies going up the mountain to my mansion. Every one is invited to that party!