Miscellaneous Car News

that was an oil fire, a dry sump hose no doubt gave way. I'd wager that the car was restored 10-20 years ago and the hoses not changed since. People think that because they don't put miles on a car, the rubber hoses will last indefinitely.

btw a handheld fire extinguisher will not put out an oil fire.

 

you're biased

Bob Wallace may disagree to some extent but I agree, I've only driven a Countach a short distance but the experience wasn't as pleasant as I had hoped

 

I change my hoses every 5-6 years Ian, more often you think ??

 

Since you 2 blokes are around,have you had a look at the resto of the 250GTE on vintage,great job.

 

5-6 years is good policy.

 

"A dry sump hose" gave way, well, unless it was one of the dry sump Miuras (There are 3, and that wasn't one of them) I suspect it's a carb fire! And you are right, how many 20 year old restos do you see with the original hoses?

I haven't spent much time in a Miura, its was noisy but rode very nicely, sort of felt like a 246 or 308 with 50% more power. It did seem to have a certain degree of fragility about it though, like the structural integrity was not quite there.

I was staggered how docile a Countach is to drive though. All the controls are nicely weighted and the steering is pin sharp. It's very confortable, handles beautifully and the standard of engineering is so far ahead of any of the stuff Ferrari were making in the 1970s. Elektron castings, rose jointed suspension, spacefame, all alloy body and the engine doesn't sit 3 feet above the ground like a Boxer. Plus, it's about 150-200 kg lighter than a BB. The Countach to drive is the 5000 Quattrovalvole, 455 HP and made nicely (i.e. still a bit rugged

 

As an aside, most people simply won't spend the money on the necessary maintenance. You only have to go to a car show to see the OHOSs on ageing XWXs with the old hoses as Ian says. If they car is driven 500 kms a year, I suppose that's the justification for not throwing money at it. How many Itlalian cars from the 1970s have functioning air conditioning for example?

I'm always amused when I suggest to a customer that you really must replace the tyres and the fuel hoses and they worry about the cost, then drive off in a new BMW, S-Class, Range Rover that's depreciating every two weeks more than the cost making the car safe again!

I don't wish to suggest that's what happened to the Miura in question, we will probably never know.

 

Sorry Mr Fussy, oil cooler hose. Having observed both happen, that looked more like oil to me. But regardless, a lovely car ruined for the sake of a few hundred dollars of simple maintenance.

Have you driven a 400 or 4000 'tach? I found them very heavy, very hot, unbearable on a warm day. I would love to own a Periscopa though.

 

Yes , beautiful isn't it? Love the colour.

 

Hard to say, I wonder if the owner jumped out of the car leaving the ignition on, and the fuel pump running? Looked like a fuel fire to me.

Driven a 400S, 5000 and 5000Qv, all good, the later car being the most refined. Never a periscopo though. Didn't find them hot, but I was surprised that their reputation of being tough to drive and uncomfortable (Gleaned from numerous road tests) to be unfounded.

 

Greetings Cyril ... however you certainly know how to 'wring out' an Espada so it decides 'enough is enough' the next time the OWNER drove it. . BTW Julie has finally finished paying off the bill for that little exercise ... but I seem to have lost your postal address!!.

It's little things about some of the older cars that you notice ... I remember how unbelievably solid and stiff the pedal box for the Espada was .. much tougher than 'fly by wire' in the 575.
The first time I saw a Miura was in Chamonix in winter 1975 ... it drove very nicely on the snowy roads and looked incredibly good to my 27yo eyes!!

Phil

 

Filly, how lovely to hear from you, you old fart! And the best to the lovely Julie please.

Remember, the fastest and best performing Espada is the one you drive that isn't your own! Just send the bill to the remand centre. Thanks! And the pedal box was stiff because you never used more than 15% of the travel, unlike me, that used 100% lol.

Chamonix......name dropper!

 

I nearly bought an Espada instead of the 365,Carl.
The mag articles I read gave them the thumbs up over the 365 for various reasons.
The main reason I went for the 365,in the end,was the club.
The Ferrari club was the strongest by a country mile,the Lambo club was a little haphazzard,indeed I was a member when it WAS strong but due to some internal shenannigans,it started to fall apart.

 

FIXED

 

Good car that Espada, just make sure, you get a GOOD one!

 

And never, never, never let Carlene Jones drive it ... or any other car that he hasn't paid the full money for .

Our Espada now lives in QLD now. Owned by a chemist IIRC

 

Filly, you'll be amused to know that Simon gave me a drive of his 365 GT/4 2+2....and after a while threw me out..........................for driving too slow!

 

Exactly!

 

Peter Giddings Racing-Cars Index

 

Dropped my son's car into the workshop tonight, noticed a beautiful '63 "China Eye" Bentley there. This is the car, released in 1961, that arguably inspired the Ferrari 330GT.
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Great looking car, there was a green one for sale in Sydney a couple of years back for about $60k

 

Where is Whom when you need an expert?

 

I had asked about that car and was reliably Whomformed that it was full of rust