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Post by JSB33 on Nov 21, 2022 4:01:20 GMT -5
Frua for me as well.
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Post by jager on Nov 21, 2022 6:39:19 GMT -5
It's fascinating to see these one-off designs like the Frua and wonder what might have been had Jaguar been brave enough to put one of them into production. I guess its easy to rave about them now in hindsight, but how would Jaguar's tweed coated buyers have responded back in the day.
It's great that Matrix are brave enough to do what Jaguar wasn't and produce a limited run of these.
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Post by reeft1 on Nov 21, 2022 6:43:27 GMT -5
Frua over Bertone by a country mile. Agree this is very Maseratiesq which is not a bad thing.
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oldirish33
Member
"All Jaguars run on Guinness!"
Posts: 3,339
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Post by oldirish33 on Nov 21, 2022 16:49:36 GMT -5
That is fantastic. I agree with the Maserati association, it's what I'd say if I had to guess. Superb model, love the colour too. Thanks Tom! Yes, Maserati was definitely the butter to Frau's bread and a major influence in their designs. I like the BRG, but have decided to get the light blue one as well. I will compare both when I have them in hand and keep the one I like best.  I think that out of those 3 I would take the Frua. I would put the original above the Bertone though, it's just too fussy as you say. Considering the fact that the originals styling roots go back to the early 1950's, its probably not a fair comparison and the 3.8S was never as pretty as the Mk2. Definitely a hint of what was to come when you consider the car Jaguar introduced a couple years later, the XJ6. Loved the comparison photo of the Frua and Bertone Jaguars! Jaguar "Mexicos"?  Yes a Mexico is an apt comparison. I think that out of those 3 I would take the Frua. I would put the original above the Bertone though, it's just too fussy as you say. My thoughts too. I have never been a big Bertone fan, their cars were always too sharp edged and angular for my tastes. The Stratos was an exception of course! Seems to be the consensus Jeff. It's fascinating to see these one-off designs like the Frua and wonder what might have been had Jaguar been brave enough to put one of them into production. I guess its easy to rave about them now in hindsight, but how would Jaguar's tweed coated buyers have responded back in the day. It's great that Matrix are brave enough to do what Jaguar wasn't and produce a limited run of these. I don't think bravery had anything to do with it Ian, money or a lack of it did. By 1966, Jaguar was forced into an unhappy marriage with BMC/British Motor Holdings when Pressed Steel that made their bodies, was purchased by BMC and the only way to insure continued body production. Development money was always tight before, but now it became worse as development money that should have gone to Jaguar was hemorrhaging into BMC to keep Austin and Morris propped up . The fact that Jaguar considered the FT Bertone shows they had an interest for the small coupe in their range, but a lack of finance killed the idea early on. You also have to remember that Jaguar at the time was already well committed to what would become the XJ6 in 1968 and I would argue a much better looking car than either the Frua or Bertone coupes. One has to wonder though if these coupes didn't have some influence on Sir William Lyon's desire to produce the XJ Coupe. As for a show of bravery, one only has to look at the XJS too see they weren't afraid to buck tradition. Unfortunately their economic fortunes never allowed development and production of some of the other interesting ideas and concepts under consideration in the 60's, 70's, 80's and through the Ford years. Frua over Bertone by a country mile. Agree this is very Maseratiesq which is not a bad thing. No, its a pleasant design which has held up well over half a century later. |
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oldirish33
Member
"All Jaguars run on Guinness!"
Posts: 3,339
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Post by oldirish33 on Dec 16, 2022 12:05:12 GMT -5
Maranello Blues - I have a fondness for the red Ferraris with the blue stripes and wheels of the Maranello Concessionaires team. While relatively modern Ferrari races cars (yes, I know its now twenty years old) are not in my usual collecting vein, I do have a fondness for the Ferrari 360. That has more to do with the 360 being one of two Ferraris I have driven, but I also like its design. When this Maranello Concessionaires version of the Ferrari 360 N/GT came up for sale, I knew I needed to make it part of my collection. Ferrari 360 N/GT - 2003 Magny-Cours 500 Km - Auto Barn
The Ferrari 360 N/GT was developed to compete in the FIA GT Championship in the N/GT class. It was a further evolution of the Ferrari Challenge, which itself was a major reworking of the 360 Modena road car. The N/GT was the fastest of the Ferrari 360s, powered by its 3.6L V8 engine which produces 540 HP, the car has a top speed of 190 MPH. Somewhat overshadowed by the Ferrari 550 GTS, the 360 N/GT was a tough competitor in a class that included the Porsche 911 GT3 and Lister Storm.  This car (Chassis #2010) was built in 2002, the Michelotto tuned car was run in two rounds of the FIA GT Championship by UK based Team Velox. Velox would operate the team the next two seasons under the Maranello Concessionaires banner with sponsorship from Ferrari UK. Over its active racing life, the car was driven to six podium finishes. Its primary drivers were Ulsterman Tim Mullen and Brit Jamie Davies. This is the car as it appeared at the Magny-Cours 500 Km race in 2003 by Mullen and Davies. They finished 6th overall and first in class.  Most of the Auto Barn models from this era were made for them by BBR and this one which was new in the box appears to be in a BBR style box/base with Auto Barn labeling. It was a nice eBay find for new Spark money.
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Post by DeadCanDanceR on Dec 16, 2022 12:24:08 GMT -5
Very nice cavallino! |
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LM24HRS
Member
Paul - "Collecting Motorsport in Miniature; for the passion and its history".
Posts: 550
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Post by LM24HRS on Dec 16, 2022 13:44:29 GMT -5
I'm with you on Marenello blue Ferrari's Jerry. To be honest, would be nice to have more. Love the light blue wheels too. Very nice and good find.
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Post by Alfaholic on Dec 17, 2022 1:51:53 GMT -5
Absolutely fantastic Jerry. It's nice to see a lesser known Ferrari GT racer.
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Post by jager on Dec 17, 2022 8:17:53 GMT -5
Nice to see a modern interpretation of the famous Maranello Concessionaires livery, especially on such a quality model.
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oldirish33
Member
"All Jaguars run on Guinness!"
Posts: 3,339
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Post by oldirish33 on Dec 20, 2022 12:21:10 GMT -5
Very nice cavallino! Thanks Julio! I'm with you on Marenello blue Ferrari's Jerry. To be honest, would be nice to have more. Love the light blue wheels too. Very nice and good find. It is a very striking livery and nice to see the legacy team stay with the traditional livery highlights. Absolutely fantastic Jerry. It's nice to see a lesser known Ferrari GT racer. Thanks Martin! Nice to see a modern interpretation of the famous Maranello Concessionaires livery, especially on such a quality model. Thanks Ian! It's a pity that Le Mans was not part of the FIA GT Championship in 2003, or it may have run there. The car was acquired in 2005 by Maranello Motorsport Australia, so maybe it ended up in your country? |
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oldirish33
Member
"All Jaguars run on Guinness!"
Posts: 3,339
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Post by oldirish33 on Dec 20, 2022 14:58:43 GMT -5
Toly's Stratos - Aside from it being a Stratos model, the appeal of this US Series model from Spark is likely limited to that market and those collectors that still remember the irrepressible Toly Artunoff from his racing days. Toly was a larger than life figure in American sports car racing. National Champion in his SCCA division in his Morgan, driven the Targa Florio and a couple of Cannonball Baker runs, competed against some of the best road racers of his time. He created and built his own race course, Hallet Motor Racing Circuit and was a dreamy believer in the success potential of the Lancia Stratos outside rallying. A belief he held in a long run of races in his yellow Ferrari powered racer. Never hugely successful, his determination is what drew me to this car first, the fact that it was a Stratos was second. 1976 Lancia Stratos - 1977 Daytona 24-Hours - SparkVery few Stratos were ever road raced and this Stratos (Ch.#1559) is one of those few. It also has a thousand exciting stories to tell courtesy of its original owner, famed American racer Anatoly “Toly’ Arutunoff. Beginning with the story of Toly buying the car in the Fall of 1976 off the Lancia showroom floor in Turin, driving it to France, taking the ferry to England and then loading the car on the QE2. Arriving in Boston, Arutunoff then drove the car through heavy snow to his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The car was then raced until 1984, running in the 24 Hours of Daytona five times.  In the first run at Daytona in 1977, Arutunoff co-drove with Jose Marina and Brian Goelinct qualified 54th. A hole in the fuel tank ended their race, but a love affair with the car called the ‘Duck’ due to its yellow paint began. Besides Daytona, Toly ran the car 2.4L Ferrari engined car in the IMSA GTU class, hoping to better the numerous Porsches in the class. Races included Sebring, Road America, Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta, Talladega and Riverside. While competitive, but never hugely successful, the car was always a crowd favorite wherever it ran. It is seen here in its 1977 Daytona livery.  Sadly, Toly was struck by a car while stopped to help a stranded motorist and subsequently lost a leg. If the accident hadn't happened, who knows, now in his 80's he might still be driving the Stratos in vintage races. Rock on Toly!
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Post by Tom on Dec 20, 2022 15:12:56 GMT -5
A fantastic model and a great history. Love it.
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Post by reeft1 on Dec 20, 2022 18:22:40 GMT -5
Who cannot like a Stratos in any event. Gold star.
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Post by DeadCanDanceR on Dec 20, 2022 20:43:03 GMT -5
Great looking model! 💛
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Post by Alfaholic on Dec 21, 2022 7:02:24 GMT -5
I have it and love it - fantastic addition.
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