oldirish33
Member
"Aging is mandatory, Maturing is optional!"
Posts: 2,902
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Post by oldirish33 on Nov 27, 2022 12:50:09 GMT -5
While not a big Corvette fan, I have always liked the Cunningham Le Mans cars and they look great together as a set with the Camoradi car. Nice add!
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Post by reeft1 on Nov 27, 2022 13:29:27 GMT -5
Cool car and back story
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Post by Alfaholic on Nov 28, 2022 0:52:55 GMT -5
I'm interested to see how well the argument "I need another one in order to fill up the transporter" went with Mrs Jager . Nice model nonetheless.
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Post by jager on Nov 29, 2022 9:17:33 GMT -5
Great looking and important car, looks even better in a group. What a fantastic car and model, highly desirable. While not a big Corvette fan, I have always liked the Cunningham Le Mans cars and they look great together as a set with the Camoradi car. Nice add! I'm interested to see how well the argument "I need another one in order to fill up the transporter" went with Mrs Jager . Nice model nonetheless. Thanks guys. I think this picture sums it up well.
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Post by Tom on Nov 29, 2022 13:12:57 GMT -5
Yes, it does. If only Ixo would release those...
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Post by JSB33 on Dec 1, 2022 3:48:18 GMT -5
Fantastic!
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Post by jager on Dec 1, 2022 23:10:27 GMT -5
Yes, it does. If only Ixo would release those... With 4 cars to model, you'd think the Corvettes would be quite interesting to IXO. However, they seem to have lost interest in LM cars (don't want to pay the ACO the licencing fee?) and are more focused on rally cars, so I don't see that happening any time soon. Thanks Jeff. I figured the only thing you'd like more than this is a transporter full of GT40's.
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Post by jager on Dec 1, 2022 23:14:29 GMT -5
IT seems that 95% of racing cars from the 1950’s are works of exquisite beauty. The 1953 Bristol 450 forms part of the other 5% that are just dead ugly! Nevertheless, as a piece of automotive history I quite like the Bristols, so when a local supplier messaged me to ask if I'd be interested, I took the opportunity to grab the one Bristol that was missing from my LM collection. The 1953 Bristol 450’s began life as the 1952 ERA G-type Formula 2 car. The G-type was initially planned to run using a custom built ERA engine, but when funding became a problem the design was adapted to incorporate the popular Bristol straight-6 engine, also used with some success by Cooper, Frazer Nash and AC. However, engine modifications resulted in engine failure in all three of the G-type's Grand Prix outings. At the end of the 1952 season, the project was sold to the car manufacturing arm of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. In late 1952, Bristol made the surprise announcement that the G-Type was to be redesigned as a two-seat sports car, for entry into the following year's Le Mans race. Over the following few months the G-type was comprehensively redesigned and rebuilt by Bristol's new motor sport department. The Bristol 450 coupes appeared at the 1953 24 hours of Le Mans and stood out with their aerodynamic teardrop styling with double-fins on the tails that carried over from Bristol’s aeroplane business. Using its aircraft expertise, Bristol had developed the 450’s enclosed bodywork in a wind tunnel and optimized the design for a low coefficient of drag. There were other clever tweaks too, like the white roof to keep the enclosed cockpit cooler during the summer heat at Le Mans. Two cars were entered at Le Mans, with a third held back as a spare. Unfortunately for Bristol, both were out before half distance with near-identical failures. Graham Whitehead had taken over the #37 Bristol from Macklin after only 29 laps when the balance weights became detached from the crankshaft. This caused the rear wheels to lock at high speed, in turn causing the car to veer off the road, crash and catch fire. A similar problem also resulted in the retirement of the sister #38 Bristol on lap 70. Bristol returned to Le Mans with the ‘450’ in 1954, finishing 7th, 8th & 9th outright and 1st, 2nd and 3rd in class, a feat they repeated in 1955 using modified cut down spyder versions of the 450 coupes. Car : 1953 #37 Bristol 450 Team : Bristol Aeroplane Company Drivers : Lance Macklin (GB)/ Graham Whitehead (GB) Qualifying : 35th Result : DNF – Engine / Accident Model : Bizarre (BZ099)
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Post by Tom on Dec 2, 2022 0:29:41 GMT -5
They aren't beautiful, but they're very distinctive. Nice model too.
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oldirish33
Member
"Aging is mandatory, Maturing is optional!"
Posts: 2,902
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Post by oldirish33 on Dec 2, 2022 13:30:51 GMT -5
While today's eye suggests the car was soundly beaten with the ugly stick, I try to think back to what a sensation this car would have made in the early 50's. I didn't appreciate until recently how much the Le Mans coupes resemble the Bristol production coupe at the time. Like fine red wine, one doesn't immediately acquire an appreciation for its subtleties. Nice add!
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Post by reeft1 on Dec 2, 2022 13:40:51 GMT -5
I knew without looking that was a Bizarre. Sadly missed brand as they made some cracking models.
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Post by Scalainjridesagain on Dec 4, 2022 5:13:01 GMT -5
I've never seen that so can only assume that its rather hard to come by. As per Paul you just know it's a Bizarre
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Post by JSB33 on Dec 4, 2022 7:42:57 GMT -5
At least they tried.
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Post by jager on Dec 4, 2022 9:10:41 GMT -5
They aren't beautiful, but they're very distinctive. Nice model too. Very true Tom. Once you know what they are, there's no mistaking them. While today's eye suggests the car was soundly beaten with the ugly stick, I try to think back to what a sensation this car would have made in the early 50's. I didn't appreciate until recently how much the Le Mans coupes resemble the Bristol production coupe at the time. Like fine red wine, one doesn't immediately acquire an appreciation for its subtleties. Nice add! Interesting observation Jerry. I wonder if the racer inspired the production version or visa versa. I knew without looking that was a Bizarre. Sadly missed brand as they made some cracking models. You have a good eye Paul. This one has aged quite well since its more than 10 years since Bizarre disappeared as a producer of Le Mans models. I've never seen that so can only assume that its rather hard to come by. As per Paul you just know it's a Bizarre I thought you would have had a few Bristols in your collection Andy, especially the '54 and '55 models when they were Top 10 finishers. I have two spare '54 cars I acquired from the same seller if you're interested. It's a pity more manufacturers in the 50's didn't follow Bristol's path Jeff. We could have some cracking cars if they did.
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Post by Alfaholic on Dec 5, 2022 0:33:26 GMT -5
Yes, it definitely is no stranger to the ugly stick but a wonderful model nonetheless. The wheels alone are worth the price of admission.
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