Category Archives: 7. Miscellany

1967 Honda RA300 F1 Car

HondaRA300

The V12 powered, 1967 Honda RA300 F1 car – spectacular, don’t you think?

Check out the exhaust headers, isn’t that a work of art?  Somehow, I do believe that even though my Honda S2000 only has one-quarter of the cylinders, there is some of the RA-300’s DNA in it somewhere.  After all, up until just a few years ago the S2000’s F20C engine was the most powerful normally aspirated engine per liter of displacement available.

It is sad that modern Honda Motors is so far removed from their rich heritage of F1 racing as shown in the image above.  Unfortunately all Honda makes these days are mini-vans and economy boxes.

Than again…  You never know…

The planets are slowly aligning themselves again over at McLaren.  First, Ron Dennis has made a much-needed return to re-organize the F1 Team.  Second, Honda is making a return to F1 in 2015 supplying engines to the McLarn F1 Team.

So, today on what would have been the eve of Ayrton Senna da Silva’s 54th birthday one can’t feel but optimistic that indeed the glory of yesteryear might return.  With some luck, who knows…  Maybe some of that glorious magic of the MP4/4 or MP4/5 might return.  Maybe from that Honda might start making real cars again, like the S2000 and NSX.

Finally, check out these videos.  They speak for themselves!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKQfcaYJyXk

 

1952 Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet

This weekend I visited my friend Cator’s fabrication shop where he keeps his 1952 Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet.  We were done working on one of his other hot rods trying to wire up a Hemi with fuel injection when I asked to uncover the Merc and take a few pictures

According to Cator, these are very rare cars to begin with – only about 1200 of these two door, two-seater, convertibles were sold.  Cator went through great lengths to make this awesome ride a reality and boy does it pack some serious heat!  Given it’s rarity, I am sure many folks reading this post will have something to say since this car is far from stock. Then again just like me, Cator built this car for his personal use and enjoyment.

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The black paint is flawless and shows the amount of work that went in the  bodywork to make it look this smooth…

Yes, this 1952 Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet is powered by a seriously hot Chevy 350 with triple carburetors.  Cator built this car before we had a chance to convert him to fuel injection!  That is why his current hot rod will be powered by that late-model fuel injected Hemi.  But I digress…

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The spring loaded star was a little off center because I bumped it when I took the car cover off…

The grill and bumpers are all original to the car.  There is some serious bling going on here!

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My iPhone did not do this amount of chrome justice – the smooth black firewall and all that chrome is stunning…

The engine is mated to a GM transmission and this runs to a 9″ Ford rear end with a solid axle.

This Merc is fully decked out with an air ride suspension.  Check out how low to the ground it can be lowered!  It is also equipped with a nice AC system that blows very cold air!  The interior is outfitted with plenty of leather.  And, the canvas top is fully lined – the top’s frame is completely hidden from view and according to Cator, makes the ride very quiet.

I need to get Cator to bring this bad boy to Cars & Coffee.  I’ll have another set of pictures soon…

Pallet Hauler

On my way to work one day last week, I saw this pallet hauler shown here.

While I am not a fan of automotive emissions tests or road certificates, this is one time when I wish the state of South Carolina had one.  I’ve seen this truck before, but never with the disaster of a trailer in tow.  No lights, no license tag, nothing…

Once I pulled ahead of this truck – not hard to do mind you – I glanced at the two occupants who were completely oblivious of the bad weather, wet road conditions and the fact the truck was crawling in the left lane.  The tires on this truck (and trailer) were about as smooth as the proverbial baby’s butt.  The trailer is something else too:  those uprights were flopping and swaying back and forth.  Truly an accident waiting to happen.

On this very same road, I see on a daily basis folks driving high-end Mercs, Bimmers, Porches, and even a Tesla Model S.  Makes one wonder what kind of insurance this bubba has on his white truck…