Sunday, 18 December 2011

GALPOT Weekly #9

Welcome to GALPOT Weekly #9, most weeks I manage to have my posts prepared a week in advance so this week I have been preparing the Automobiliart / GALPOT seasonal quiz, the experience has proved to be a strange mixture of sadism and masochism on the one hand the more difficult the questions the more fun the quiz on the other hand the more difficult the questions the more difficult it has been to establish the facts that constitute the answers. I hope I have struck a balance that ensures that everyone who reads the blog gets some pleasure from answering the questions.

Honda CR-Z, Bristol Honda

On to the last weeks blogs, I started the week with my very first mini road test, the model under scrutiny was the frugal Honda CR-Z a hybrid small on the outside comfortably spacious on the inside and on the evidence of the short test it should be a hit for commuters.

Opel Manta S, Atwell Wilson MM

It's hard not to like the type of car you first had the opportunity to drive at 100 mph, legally. Such is the case with the shapely Opel Manta S which I looked at on Tuesday, not exactly a muscle car but for us young Europeans wanting to be cool definitely an affordable fastback to aspire to.

Ford Consul Capri, Goodwood Revival

On Wednesday I looked at possibly one of the last vehicles designed in the opulent style of the optimistic '50's Project Sunbird which became the Ford Consul Capri was a pretty cool looking car for the 1950's but it's poor sales figures perhaps reflect the fact that it was not available to the public until 1961 by which time a less gregarious more functional style was beginning to take hold of the automotive markets imagination.


Pontiac LeMans Sport

I returned to look at a traditional muscle car on Americana Thursday a 1970 Pontiac Le Mans Sport not quite as cool as the Pontiac GTO of the period but most eyes in Europe would probably not be able to tell the difference, I, a Two Lane Black Top fan, certainly struggled to identify it correctly.

Ferrari 375 MM Vignale, Peterson Museum

On Friday courtesy of Geoffrey Horton I was able to take a look at story of the Ferrari 375MM Viganle chassis #0286AM that Phil Hill drove with Ritchie Ginther on the 1954 Carrera Panamericana recording an average speed of 137 mph over the 572 miles of the last days stage of the event on which they recovered a second place finish after running out of fuel the previous day.

Lotus Climax 21,

The cute little Lotus Climax 21 Formula Junior car was the subject of yesterday's blog, the British Racing Green and yellow paintwork of which certainly resonates with some readers.

Ford GT40 Mk III, Goodwood FoS

Today's GALPOT blog is all about the road going version of Fords Le Mans sportscar racing programme the rare Ford GT40 Mk 3 of which only seven were built despite the success of the racing siblings of which 100 were produced.

Coming up next week I'll be reviewing the GALPOT year starting with a review of Museums visited tomorrow a review of Concours d'Elegance vehicles on Tuesday and moving on to motoring and sporting events towards the end of the week.

I hope you will join me daily for all this and more to come in the week ahead at GALPOT. Don't forget to come back now !

PS Don't forget ...

Automobiliart GALPOT Seasonal Quiz


Automobiliart, Paul Chenard

December 26th - January 2nd


Win a set of Paul Chenard Greetings Cards

Sports-GT cars set, Paul Chenard

Set 1 Sports & GT Cars

Phil Hill, Sharknose Ferrari Set, Paul Chenard

Set 2 Phil Hill World Drivers Championship 50th Anniversary Edition

1934 GP Season Card set, Paul Chenard

Set 3 1934 Season

1950s Grand Prix Engines

Set 4 Grand Prix Engines of the 1950's

or

Mike Hawtorns racecars Card set, Paul Chenard

Set 5 Mike Hawthorn's Race Cars

The Automobiliart GALPOT Seasonal Quiz will comprise 8 categories.

Overall winner chooses one set of Paul Chenard Greetings Cards from the five sets shown above.

The cards measure 15.24cm x 11.43cm, come in packs of 12 with 3 copies of 4 designs in each set, plus A6 envelopes.

Which set will you choose ?

The free to enter Automobiliart GALPOT Seasonal Quiz will run from December 26th - January 2nd Entries close January 8th 2012, Winner announced January 16th 2012.

Full details on December 26th at GALPOT.

Looking for Automotive Seasonal Gift Idea's? Visit Automobiliart Now !

Sunday, 11 December 2011

GALPOT Weekly #8

Seems like only yesterday I started the first GALPOT weekly and suddenly I am on week 8, how time flies when your having fun.

Piaggio Ape Cross Country

This week started with a look at the Piagio Ape Cross Country, a youth orientated pick up based on a ubiquitous vehicle which not only keeps a large part of the Italian economy on wheels but also keeps a large number of passengers on the move on the Indian sub continent.

Opel GT, Goodwood Revival

Getting Smart on Tuesday I looked at the Opel GT a mini European Corvette which featured on the intro to the 1969/70 to the a well known secret agent TV series.

Ford Zodiac Mk 4, Goodwood Revival

On Wednesday I looked at a unique camper based on the Ford Zodiac Mk 4 featuring a camper addition built by the founders of the Ginetta sports car manufacturer.

Chevrolet Corvette, Mallory Park

Thursdays blog featuring the Martini Corvette used in endurance racing by the John H Daniel team was dedicated to my friend and Corvette fan Sebastian who got married yesterday.

Ferrari FF, Goodwood FoS

For Ferrari Friday I looked at the latest in stylish shooting brakes the 208 mph all wheel drive Ferrari FF.

Chris Goodwin, Lotus 23B, Goodwood Revival

Yesterday it was a return to a little light carceaology with a look at a Lotus 23 with some hill climbing history in Austria.

Aston Martin Virage, Castle Combe C&SCAD

Rounding out the week today I am looking at the bespoke Aston Martin Virage that was designed to use parts from Audi, Volkswagen, General Motor's, Chrysler and Ford prior to the latter taking over the marque in in 1988.

Coming up next week I'll be looking at the future of motoring with first ever GALPOT road test tomorrow, on Tuesday I'll be featuring a model of the type in which I first legally clocked 100 mph, and on Wednesday I'll be keeping warm looking at Project Sunbird.

I hope you will join me daily for all this and more to come in the week ahead at GALPOT. Don't forget to come back now !

PS Don't forget ...

Automobiliart GALPOT Seasonal Quiz


Automobiliart, Paul Chenard

December 26th - January 2nd


Win a set of Paul Chenard Greetings Cards

Sports-GT cars set, Paul Chenard

Set 1 Sports & GT Cars

Phil Hill, Sharknose Ferrari Set, Paul Chenard

Set 2 Phil Hill World Drivers Championship 50th Anniversary Edition

1934 GP Season Card set, Paul Chenard

Set 3 1934 Season

1950s Grand Prix Engines

Set 4 Grand Prix Engines of the 1950's

or

Mike Hawtorns racecars Card set, Paul Chenard

Set 5 Mike Hawthorn's Race Cars

The Automobiliart GALPOT Seasonal Quiz will comprise 8 categories.

Overall winner chooses one set of Paul Chenard Greetings Cards from the five sets shown above.

The cards measure 15.24cm x 11.43cm, come in packs of 12 with 3 copies of 4 designs in each set, plus A6 envelopes.

Which set will you choose ?

The free to enter Automobiliart GALPOT Seasonal Quiz will run from December 26th - January 2nd Entries close January 8th 2012, Winner announced January 16th 2012.

Full details on December 26th at GALPOT.

Looking for Automotive Seasonal Gift Idea's? Visit Automobiliart Now !

Sunday, 4 December 2011

Galpot Weekly #7

Another riveting week at GALPOT started with a visit courtesy of Geoffrey Horton to the Peterson Museum.

Pierce Arrow, PAM

Amongst the many photo's Geoffrey kindly sent me from the Phil Hill Tribute Night was this one of the Pierce Arrow in which Phil Hill learned to drive.

Vauxhall XVR, Goodwood FoS

On Tuesday it back to the swinging sixties at Goodwood Festival of Speed for a look at the Vauxhall XVR this manufacturers first ever concept vehicle designed by Wayne Cherry and David Jones.

Ford Zephyr 6, Mk3, Goodwood Revival

On Wednesday one of GALPOT's regular readers and staunchest supporters was thrilled to learn that his wife's favorite actress, Dame Judi Dench, starred in an episode of Z - Cars (pronounced Zed) a kitchen sink police drama that featured Mk 3 Ford Zephyrs like the one above as patrol cars.

Maserati 250 F, Paul Chenard

The evocative artwork of Paul Chenard, like the drawing of the Maserati 250 F motor above was featured on Thursdays GALPOT. Paul's work can be acquired direct from his Automobiliart.com site. Paul has kindly agreed to sponsor the Automobiliart Season Quiz which will start on December 26th, see details at the conclusion of this post, the winner will be invited to choose his prize from one of five sets of greetings cards.

Ferrari 456M, Silverstone Classic

Ferrari Friday featured the 456M the last Ferrari model built with pop up head lights.

Cristoph Burckhardt, Lotus 22, Goodwood, Revival

Yesterday GALPOT retold the remarkable story of the Lotus 22 and scandalous accusations in a German Magazine that lead to a £1000 pound bet between Lotus founder Colin Chapman and German journalist Richard von Frankenberg.

1956 MASERATI A6G/54 G.T. ZAGATO COUPÉ, Silvertone Classic

Galpot rounds out the week with a look at one of just 20 Maserati A6G/54 GT Zagato Coupé's.

Thanks for joining me on this weeks GALPOT round up if you have not already had a look at the full blogs summarized here I hope you'll find time to click on the links down lighted in grey.

I'll be starting the week ahead with a look at an Italian pick up with an unusual name tomorrow, Tuesday I'll be getting smart and looking at a TV star, and Wednesday I'll be looking at a camper combination that has a Ginetta connection.

I hope you will join me daily for all this and more to come in the week ahead at GALPOT. Don't forget to come back now !

PS Don't forget ...

Automobiliart GALPOT Seasonal Quiz


Automobiliart, Paul Chenard

December 26th - January 2nd


Win a set of Paul Chenard Greetings Cards

Sports-GT cars set, Paul Chenard

Set 1 Sports & GT Cars

Phil Hill, Sharknose Ferrari Set, Paul Chenard

Set 2 Phil Hill World Drivers Championship 50th Anniversary Edition

1934 GP Season Card set, Paul Chenard

Set 3 1934 Season

1950s Grand Prix Engines

Set 4 Grand Prix Engines of the 1950's

or

Mike Hawtorns racecars Card set, Paul Chenard

Set 5 Mike Hawthorn's Race Cars

The Automobiliart GALPOT Seasonal Quiz will comprise 8 categories.

Overall winner chooses one set of Paul Chenard Greetings Cards from the five sets shown above.

The cards measure 15.24cm x 11.43cm, come in packs of 12 with 3 copies of 4 designs in each set, plus A6 envelopes.

Which set will you choose ?

The free to enter Automobiliart GALPOT Seasonal Quiz will run from December 26th - January 2nd Entries close January 8th 2012, Winner announced January 16th 2012.

Full details on December 26th at GALPOT.

Looking for Automotive Seasonal Gift Idea's? Visit Automobiliart Now !

Sunday, 27 November 2011

GALPOT Weekly #6

A week of comic discovery has passed here at GALPOT.

Chevrolet Silverado

Starting with the Monster Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LT who's purpose seems to be to carry a giant ghetto blaster and a couple of tins of cafeinated beverages.

Race Ventora, Silverstone

On Tuesday GALPOT got serious about speed with the Pro ET Race Ventora, Britains equivalent of a 1970's Chevy Impala built for drag racing.

Ford Zephyr Farnham Mk2

The 'Three Graces' were the subject of Wednesday's edition of GALPOT including the delightful Abbot bodied Farnham camping combination.

Hudson Big Six, Model 53

GALPOT turned comic on Thursday with the discovery that this 1935 Hudson Suburban Sedan once belonged to the managing editor of DC Thompson in Dundee responsible for the Beano and The Dandy publications that had touched the lives of many youngsters in post war Britain.

Ferrari Mondial T Cabriolet

For Ferrari Friday GALPOT looked at a 1990 Mondial t the last incarnation of the V8 2+2.

Lotus Ford 20

Yesterday there was an element of Irish comedy as GALPOT discovered the reason behind the curiously high mounted mirrors on his recently acquired Formula Junior Lotus 20.

Matra Bonnet Djet VS, Goodwood Revival

Today GALPOT goes French Revolutionary with a look at a 1966 Matra Bonnet Djet VS, which I was surprised to discover lays claim to being the worlds first mid rear engine production sports car in the world.

My sincerest thanks as always to everyone who has made the first two months of GALPOT's new home such a tremendous success. Looking at the sitemeter stats after two months on line on the new wordpress home it looks like GALPOT will receive it's 10,000th hit in the next day or so.

Thanks for joining me on this weeks GALPOT round up if you have not already had a look at the full blogs summarized here I hope you'll find time to click on the links down lighted in grey.

There are some exciting developments planned for the week ahead at GALPOT which will start with a look at the recent Phil Hill Tribute night held at the Peterson Museum. Tuesday GALPOT will be looking at one of three Vauxhall XVR concept cars built in the middle of the swinging sixties, and on Wednesday a British built Ford that could be said to be related to the Edsel. GALPOT has an important announcement to make on Thursday in preparation for the festive season of goodwill.

I hope you will join me daily for all this and more to come in the week ahead at GALPOT. Don't forget to come back now !

Monday, 21 November 2011

GALPOT Weekly #5

Another busy week at GALPOT, thank goodness I got the spam filter fixed somehow I'm attracting between 500 and 2000 spam posts a day !

FIAT Fiorino

The week started with a beat up old pick up truck from FIAT the Fiorino.

Vauxhall 101 Super, Atwell Wilson MM

On Tuesday I looked at the Lincolnesque Vauxhall which is said to have over 101 improvements over the previous Victor model from which it takes its name.

Ford Zephyr 6 Farnham, Goodwood Revival

The Abbot bodied 1953 Ford Zephyr Farnham estate / station wagon was the star of the GALPOT show on Wednesday, as Kim said on the GALPOT Facebook page the front of the Zephyr looks a little like a Mercedes Benz 180, though the Ford is actually the older car.

Dodge Sierra, Goodwood Revival

On Americana Thursday GALPOT had a look a humungous 1958 Dodge Sierra, just the kind of monster I'd love to take on a leisurely cruise along Route 66 in.

Dino 308 GT 4, Tour Britannia, Castle Combe

Bertone only designed one Ferrari the 308 Dino which was featured on Ferrari Friday.

Lotus 19, Goodwood Revival

The Ferrari theme continued yesterday with a look at possibly the only Lotus ever to race with a Ferrari engine the Lotus 19B chassis 952 which now has an original spec Climax engine installed.

BMW 327/28, Palo Alto

I rounded out the week today with some photo's by Geoffrey Horton of the BMW 327/28 Pillarless Coupé one of only two such cars known to have been built.

I've just finished watching Tony Stewart round out a tremendous victory at Homestead Miami over his championship rival Carl Edwards. Kudos to all the fans of the Big 14 what an achievement to win the Cup as an owner driver. Commiserations to Carl who has earned my admiration for the way he competed and handled his defeat having drawn with Tony on points and lost on tie braking victories. Can't wait until the new season starts at Daytona in February.

Thanks for joining me on this weeks GALPOT round up if you have not already had a look at the full blogs summarized here I hope you'll find time to click on the links down lighted in grey.

Tomorrow the GALPOT week will start with a look at a Monster Silverado, on Tuesday I'll be looking at a Pro ET Vauxhall Ventora and at Ford's Three Graces and on Wednesday and look out for a truly Comic Discovery on Thursday.

All this and more to come in the week ahead at GALPOT, I look forward to you joining me daily. Don't forget to come back now !