He’s amused, even entertained by the Morgan Three Wheeler and the sheer novelty factor that it possesses, but he’s positively overjoyed by the Caterham.
Yeah, we could see that being the case. Can’t go wrong with either one, but they really are apples and oranges in spite of their pairing here. Certainly, we know which one we’d go with.
Here’s an entertaining clip of an, ahem, lightly tuned Deux Chevaux outbraking, outcornering, and generally making an embarrassment out of Miatas, E36 M3s, and other regulars that one might encounter at a (British) track day. But that’s okay; we say there’s no shame in getting passed by hands down the coolest car on the track.
Interesting steering wheel grip by the driver (including some things your driving school instructor told you never, ever to do), but he’s fast, lacks power steering, and is driving a freaking Deux Chevaux, so no complaints from us.
Hat tip to Peter!
Yea or nay? Let’s hear your thoughts, opinions, and (to the extent available) from your personal experiences.
The earlier Coupé was available with a row-your-own gearbox but the latter (and by all accounts improved) GranSport only with paddle shifters it seems.
You’ve probably heard or read about the Classic Car Club of Manhattan, whose proprietors are active in the automotive online media space; now here’s the original that spawned it.
Does Florida have corners? Yes! Well, sort of. Read on to learn more…
The Ozello Trail (start from US 19, just south of Crystal River, Citrus County, FL)
Florida has a real shortage of roads that are both twisting and paved. A rare exception is the Ozello Trail, which twists and turns to follow the highest ground out to the settlement of Ozello. It’s an old fashioned road in other ways, including a rock causeway right across the mouth of the estuary. Along the way you pass through woods, open marshes, past fishing camps and fishermen’s cabins, and at the end is Peck’s Old Port Cove, a pretty good place to stop for a seafood lunch.
I’ve heard motorcyclists refer to the trail as the “Little Dragon,” and that’s clearly an exaggeration although the occasional sand and gravel on the road must be exciting for bikers. Far be it from me to accuse anyone of speeding…
It’s not a technical road by any means, but I found I was comfortable with the 35-45 mph speed limit (I’d only want to go much faster if the road was closed to oncoming traffic and someone had moved the local tortoises clear of the road), and a couple decreasing radius turns got interesting, especially when I started sliding on a bit of sand and gravel. After a very gradual beginning, an especially “interesting” turn happens after the second bridge. You crest the bridge and immediately hit a 90 degree turn. Today there was sand on the road as well…
It’s enough that you pay proper attention to the road, and acquaint yourself with your car’s handling. My S6 felt big, with a touch too much roll, and a bit of understeer until I hit the gas. What great time. Can’t wait to go back.
Hat tip to reader Walter for sharing this report!
Recurring contributor Philip sent in this photo of a W123 Mercedes-Benz coupé and bunker in Hamburg. The bunker is an anti-aircraft flak tower that was used by the Luftwaffe to defend against Allied air raids during World War II (source).
Thanks for the photo as well as the impromptu history lesson, Philip!
Colorado is a vastly underrated state for driving. Of course, it helps if you have AWD, forced induction, and – as in the case of this particular video – six figures worth of metal, rubber, and glass to handle the famously mile-high altitude and whatever mother nature throws at you.
Video starts to get going around 3:14 (though the filmmaker(s) regrettably decide to crib straight from the Top Gear playbook during one interlude).
“Le Mans” (1971) is on Youtube from start to finish. If you don’t already own it, be sure to get it while it lasts— you just know this will be yanked offline at any minute.
Happy viewing— and hat tip to The Chicane!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7iMcXWiS1AI
Motoring Con Brio 