MY FEEDLY

A One-Off Citroën 2CV Twin-Engined 4×4 Desert Racer From The 1980s

This is completely custom-built Citroën 2CV is a twin-engined four-wheel drive desert racer that was developed by Frenchman Jack Hanon to compete in the brutal Rallye de l’Atlas, a 1,800 mile race across Morocco’s Atlas Mountains.

When Hanon built this vehicle he started by creating a new chassis by cutting and welding two Citroën Ami frames together. He kept the engine bays in place so that when complete the car would have two engines – one in the front powering the front wheels and one in the back powering the rear wheels.

Hanon opted to use Citroën GSA flat-four engines to power the new 4×4 2CV, both engines still have their transmissions, and they use a shared gear lever and a single clutch pedal.

If required the engines can be run individually to power the vehicle, this gave it an advantage over single-engined vehicles that would roll to a stop if they suffered an engine failure.

Glassfibre body panels were used on the front and back, the front clamshell opens to give excellent access to the front engine, suspension, and brakes.

The rear bodywork includes a large hatchback that swings up to give similarly good access to the rear engine and components. The front engine sits within a protective cradle made from welded tubular steel and there’s a matching rear nudge bar to protect the rear engine.

Thanks to the heavy duty, off road coil over suspension the Citroën is capable of maintaining high speeds over uneven terrain – it also has 12″ of ground clearance thanks to the independent nature of the suspension. The combined horsepower is 130 bhp, this may not sound like a lot but the low curb weight of the vehicle combined with its intended use would indicate that it’s more than adequate.

It’s likely that Hanon had been inspired by the Citroën Sahara 4×4 – a factory built twin-engined CV designed for use off road. Although the CV Sahara 4×4 was tough and capable it wasn’t developed for the rigours of off road racing in Africa – which is likely why Hanon decided to build his own from the ground up.

The full build took Hanon over 3,000 of work, all completed in his garage in the Paris suburb of Gennevilliers. It rolled out of the garage in the 1980s and it first competed in the Rallye de l’Atlas in 1985.

He would race the car extensively in Morocco for over a decade in the Rallye de l’Atlas and other events, he became so attached to it that he shipped it to Canada when he emigrated there with his wife.

Sadly, Hanon would pass away in the mid-1990s. His widow would keep his unusual car tucked away safely for 20 years before finally agreeing to sell it. It was then sold on to the current owner in 2014 who completed a full restoration back to 1985 specification and its original Coup de Coeur livery. The car has a New Hampshire, USA title and is currently resident in Holland.

If you’d like to read more about this vehicle or register to bid you can click here to visit the listing on Bonhams, it’s due to cross the auction block on the 11th of December and it has an estimated value of between £15,000 and £25,000 (approximately $20,000 to $26,600 USD).

Images courtesy of Bonhams

The post A One-Off Citroën 2CV Twin-Engined 4×4 Desert Racer From The 1980s appeared first on Silodrome.

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Chevrolet K5 Blazer Restomod – With A 480 HP LS3 Crate Engine

The Chevrolet K5 Blazer you see here has been modified with a brand new 376 cu. in. LS3 crate engine producing 480 hp – considerably more than even the highest power engine option was capable of back in 1969 when the Blazer was introduced.

Far from being just an LS swap, this Blazer has seen a comprehensive rebuild designed to allow it to better handle the almost 500 horsepower being produced at the flywheel. It’s now riding on new suspension, it has four wheel disc brakes with stainless steel lines, a new brake booster, and it has rebuilt front and rear differentials.

That LS3 crate engine is sending power back to a new 4L80E overdrive 4-speed transmission with a TCI trans controller, from there it’s sent backwards and forwards by the original rebuilt 205 transfer case with a custom adapter. It’s fitted with period correct steel wheels shod with Wild Country Radial XTX rubber made by Cooper Tires.

Inside the Blazer you’ll find the original green plaid highlander buckets with upgraded carpets, a Dakota Digital dashboard, a RetroSound Bluetooth radio, and a Vintage Air air conditioning system.

The first generation Chevy Blazer has been seeing a rapid rise in value in recent years alongside other classic four-wheel drives like the Ford Bronco, International Scout, Series Land Rovers, Land Cruisers, and Range Rovers.

For many years the classic car collector community largely ignored four-wheel drives however this seems to be changing rapidly, and we’re seeing some restored and restomodded examples sell for sums well in excess of $100,000 USD.

The Chevrolet K5 Blazer was first released in 1969 to compete with the International Scout and the Ford Bronco, both of these models had proven wildly popular and had become a common sight on American roads and off-road trails.

Much like the Scout and the Bronco the Blazer utilizes body-on-frame construction with a front mounted engine sending power back to a central gearbox and transfer case to either the rear wheels or both the front and rear wheels. This basic architecture was used by almost all four-wheel drives in the world at the time.

Just a year after it was introduced in 1970 the Blazer was already outselling both of its key rivals, this is thought to be because it offered a slightly longer wheelbase combined with some of the trappings of road car luxury like automatic transmissions and air conditioning.

Both two and four wheel drive versions were available and a variety of engines could be chosen from the 250 cu. in. (4.1 litre) inline-6 all the way up to the range topping 350 cu. in. (5.7 litre) V8. Transmission options included both a 3-speed TH-350 automatic and either a 3 or 4-speed manual.

The first generation Blazer was replaced by the second generation model in 1973, by this time almost 80,000 examples of the first gen Blazer had been built. Due to neglect, rust, and many decades of low values the surviving Blazers are now seeing significant increases in value, and restomodded examples like this generate a lot of attention.

If you’d like to read more about the Blazer you see here or register to bid you can click here to visit the listing. It’s due to roll across the auction block in January and at the time of writing it has no price estimate.

Images courtesy of Mecum

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from Silodrome https://silodrome.com/chevrolet-k5-blazer-restomod/
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For Sale: A Mercury Cougar XR7 From James Bond’s “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”

This is a 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 convertible that had a starring role in the classic James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service starring George Lazenby and Diana Rigg.

The most famous car chase scene in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (watch it below) involved the Mercury Cougar XR7 being driven by Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg) through a Swiss mountain village. The car chase joins in with an ice racing event (keep your eye out for the Mk1 Ford Escort) and she eventually escapes.

Genuine Bond cars are wildly popular with collectors and enthusiasts, they combine the passions of both cinema and classic cars – passions that are shared by many of us. The most famous Bond vehicle is the Aston Martin DB5 of course, though there are many other lesser known vehicles like the Honda three-wheelers from “Diamonds Are Forever”.

It’s believed that three identical Cougar XR7s were ordered for filming, though some say there were four and one was destroyed leaving the three that are known to exist today.

These Cougars were ordered with 428 cu. in. 4V Cobra Jet Ram Air V8 engines, C-6 Select Shift automatic transmissions, red paint (Ford #2008-A), dark red leather bucket seats, a 3.50 conventional rear axle, color keyed floor mats, a black power top, F70X 14 belted raised white letter tires, Ram Air induction, a centre console, power front discs, tilt steering, power steering, hood pins, AM radio, and styled steel wheels.

The 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 you see here was shipped to England as a special order, it was used for the barn scene which was filmed at Pinewood Studios. This resulted in the car being very well preserved as it wasn’t used during chase scenes or otherwise damaged during filming.

The distinctive James Bond Cougars are known for their rear ski racks fitted with two pairs of matching Kneissl skis – the must have brand of the era. It’s clear that the Mercury Cougar would have been a rare car in Switzerland, in fact it would have been a rare car anywhere in Europe.

Exactly why a 428 cu. in. (7 litre) V8 American muscle car with a live rear axle was chosen to film a chase scene in Switzerland through tight snow covered streets and out across a frozen lake isn’t clear, though it’s safe to say that the stunt drivers earned every penny of their wages.

The Cougars that were used during filming featured prominently in four major scenes: the opening scene on the beach, the bullfight, the ice race and chase, and the barn/proposal scene.

The Ian Fleming Foundation (IFF) which looks after 40 screen-used James Bond vehicles is the global authority on Bond vehicles, they think that perhaps four were used during filming with one being destroyed in the chase scene. They know that one of the other cars is currently based in Spain, one is in their own collection, and the third car is the one you see here – now being offered for sale for the first time in 30 years.

This car has just come out of a full nut-and-bolt restoration including all new paint, a rebuilt engine, and a thorough reconditioning of the vehicle from front to back. It’s now due to be offered at auction on the 16th of December with an estimated hammer price of £100,000 to £150,000 ($133,640 to $200,460 USD).

If you’d like to read more about it or register to bid you can click here to visit the listing on Bonhams.

Images courtesy of Bonhams

The post For Sale: A Mercury Cougar XR7 From James Bond’s “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” appeared first on Silodrome.

from Silodrome https://silodrome.com/mercury-cougar-xr7-james-bond-on-her-majestys-secret-service/
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After The Race – McLaren F1 GTR Replica Hoods For Your Wall

This series of McLaren F1 GTR replica hoods have been created by the team at After The Race to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the popular McLaren win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995.

The McLaren F1 GTR finished 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 13th places in the 1995 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, beating custom-built prototype sports racing cars.

This feat was made all the more impressive by the fact that the McLaren F1 was never originally intended to be a racing car, rather it was developed by Gordon Murray to be the ultimate expression of the “driver’s car”.

After The Race is a boutique Belgian company that utilises the artistic talents of Edmond “Pogo” Thonnard – a man recognised as being one of the founders of European street art, along with others like Keith Harring, Banksy, Jef Aérosol, and Speedy Graffito.

Each hood is made from steel, Edmond then uses paint, oil, rubber, and other ingredients to create each hood (or door), and there are no stickers or vinyl emblems used.

In this series the hoods have been painted using the livery of the original race cars, with some added patina to showcase the car’s achievements on track.

Visit The Store

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from Silodrome https://silodrome.com/after-the-race-car-art/
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Monster Underneath – A BMW E9 With An S54 M3 Engine Producing 300+ BHP

Although it looks mostly stock from 20 paces, this BMW 2800 CSA has been completely rebuilt – it’s now powered by an E46 M3 S54 engine with 300+ bhp and not a single, nut, bolt, washer or body panel has been overlooked.

Monster Underneath is a new film about this extremely quick BMW E9 built by Fuel Bespoke Design – with additional hands-on help provided by the talented team at MotoRRetro in Sydney, Australia.

John Ward is the founder of Fuel Bespoke Design and he frequently works with Vaughan Ryan and Georgio Rimi of MotoRRetro – the three men have worked shoulder to shoulder on some genuinely impressive machinery over the years, this BMW E9 is just the most recent example of their work.

“The whole purpose of this project was to reimagine this iconic 70’s classic with all the modern engineering of today’s automotive era, so starting with the powerplant I made the decision to go with the E46 M3 3.2 litre 330HP S54 motor, the transmission would be the E36 M3 5-speed manual which was much slimmer than the E46 manual box and would fit in the E9 tunnel without modification.” – John Ward

The purpose of this film is to tell the story of the car and to introduce John, Vaughan, and Georgio to many viewers for the first time. These three will be featuring in future films, so this is a good opportunity to get to know them and their extraordinary automotive and motorcycle work.

If you’re based in Sydney or its surrounds you can enroll at MotoRRetro for a wide variety of hands-on classes that will teach you the art of shaping vehicle body panels using traditional tools, they also teach welding to a professional level, and a slew of other skills.

If you’d like to read the full article on this BMW you can click here.

Visit MotoRRetro here – Visit Fuel Bespoke Design here

A film by Machines That Dream.

The post Monster Underneath – A BMW E9 With An S54 M3 Engine Producing 300+ BHP appeared first on Silodrome.

from Silodrome https://silodrome.com/custom-bmw-e9-car/
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Delage D8S Cabriolet Special - 1935 by Perico001 Coachwork by...

Delage D8S Cabriolet Special - 1935 by Perico001 Coachwork by Henri Chapron
Chassis n° 39332

Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais 2020
Bonhams
Parijs - Paris
Frankrijk - France
February 2020

Estimated : € 800.000 - 1.200.000
Unsold

In its day, the Delage D8 was the only French car that could be mentioned in the same breath as the 32CV Hispano-Suiza in terms of elegance and engineering excellence. Founded in 1905 by Louis Delage, the company had commenced production with a single-cylinder De Dion-engined runabout and within a few years was offering multi-cylinder designs. The publicity value of racing was recognised right from the start, a Delage winning the Coupe Des Voiturettes as early as 1908 and Louis himself taking the 1911 Coupe de l'Auto. Victories at the Grand Prix du Mans and the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race were achieved prior to WWI. In the 1920s the company became a major force in Grand Prix racing, and in 1924 set a new World Land Speed Record mark with a 10.7-litre V12.

Four-cylinder DI and six-cylinder DM models formed the mainstay of touring car production in the 1920s, and then at the 1929 Paris Salon Delage launched the Maurice Gaultier-designed D8. A magnificent 4.0-litre overhead-valve straight eight featuring an X-braced chassis and servo-assisted brakes, the D8 was destined to attract the creative attentions of Europe’s finest coachbuilders. The impressive list of D8 owners includes King Gustav V of Sweden, King Alexander of Yugoslavia, and Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia as well as leading businessmen, politicians, and film stars of the day.

As development progressed, higher-performance D8S and D8SS versions became available. Engine power was raised from 120 to 145bhp, weight reduced, the chassis lowered and the rear springs altered, the results being an increase in top speed to over 100mph (160km/h) and a marked improvement in both roadholding and handling.

Along with many other manufacturers of quality cars, Delage was badly affected by the economic downturn of the early 1930s. Despite a favourable reception for its new range, Automobiles Delage went into receivership in April 1935 and shortly thereafter was taken over by Delahaye. From then onwards, Delages were built to Delahaye designs but retained their own superior short-stroke engines and hydraulic brakes.

This magnificent and luxurious D8S Cabriolet was ordered from Henri Chapron on 11th May 1934 by the UK Delage concessionaire, J Smith & Co Ltd of Albemarle Street in London’s fashionable Mayfair district for their customer, a Mr Maquel. An official certificate, signed by Madame Chapron on 20th December 2019, confirms these details and states that it was delivered with body number ‘4624’. Further more, Mme Chapron states that this car seems to be the only D8S completed by Chapron with Cabriolet Special coachwork, which featured an ingenious method of concealing the hood when the latter is down (see below).

This Delage D8S is exceptional for several reasons. The D8S is the best chassis ever produced by Delage; more importantly, this car’s stunning body by Chapron, one of the finest coachbuilders of the 1930s, achieves a perfect balance between luxury and refinement. Wonderfully elegant, Chapron’s body completely conceals the hood when the latter is folded down, while the rear compartment has a fitted cover, making this often-problematical area of a convertible car a triumph of streamlined packaging. It also has a sumptuous red leather interior featuring an exotic wooden dashboard of great beauty.

On January 28th 1976, chassis number '39332’ was purchased by a car collector from Houston, and in the early 1990s was completely restored by specialists Blackhawk in Danville, California. Damaged by winter freezing, the original engine (number '136’) was replaced by engine number '132’, an excellent unit taken from a well known D8S that had been displayed since the 1960s at the Musée du Bec Hellouin in Normandy, France.

On 11th November 1994, '39332’ re-crossed the Atlantic, finding a new home as part of an important European collection where it has remained for the last 25 years. Carefully maintained and in running order, it underwent a complete overhaul in 2017. Never displayed in public for the last 25 years, it is simply a potential class winner at prestigious Concours d'Élégance all over the world, including Pebble Beach. Equally suited to continental touring or the concours lawn, this elegant D8S cabriolet will turn heads wherever it appears.
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