Elektron Desmodromic Fuel Injection

Mercedes W196 

Swiss Style British Built - Alvis TD21 Drop Head

Among the more handsome vehicles to be built in Britain in the late 1950's was the Alvis TD21, like the 1959 example seen here at the recent Silverstone Classic.




The TD range, available in 2 door saloon or drop head form came with an Alvis 3 litre / 183 cui 6 cylinder motor with 7 bearing crankshaft which produced 115 hp.



The bodywork was designed by Swiss company Hermann Garber working with the Park Ward coach works who took on the production of the beautifully proportioned panels which were mounted on a separate chassis.



With either 4 speed manual, sourced from the Austin Healey parts bin, or 3 speed Borg Warner automatic transmission the TD had a top speed of 103 mph.



The TD21 was upgraded to Series II spec in 1961 with external changes including integrated front fog lights and internal changes including all round disc brakes and ZF 5 speed manual gearbox. From 1958 to 1964 1070 TD21's of both types were built.

Thanks for joining me on this Swiss style edition of 'Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres', .I hope you'll join me again tomorrow when I'll be visiting Oulton Park for some classic and historic races. Don't forget to come back now !

Nissans Fairlady - Datsun 240 Z

BRDC are the initials of the British Racing Drivers Club and signify that the owner of this vehicle, well known rally and racing driver Barrie 'Whizzo' Williams, is a member.



The Datsun 240 Z, featuring styling cue's taken from the E-Type Jaguar, was in production from 1970 - 1973.



Unknown to me until I wrote this, in Japan 2 litre / 122 cui in line 6 cylinder versions of the 240 Z, known locally as the Nissan Fairlady Z, were available with single and double overhead cam options.



For the rest of us the 150 hp 2.393 cc / 146 cui single overhead cam six cylinder is the more familiar motor. This vehicle is easily identified as a second series model by the Z in the circle on the C pillar.



Amazingly in 1971 and 1973 Datsun 240 Z's driven by Edgar Hermann and Shekhar Mehta respectively won the gruelling East African Safari Rally proving this was no flimsy boulevard cruiser.



In 1996 Nissan launched a programme to buy 240 Z's back and restore them to factory specifications and sold them for $24,000.

Hope you have enjoyed today's Fairlady edition of 'Getting a lil' psycho on tyres' and that you will join me again tomorrow. Don't forget to come back now !