Eek! A bundle of snakes! | FerrariChat

Eek! A bundle of snakes!

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by Gatorrari, Sep 10, 2004.

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  1. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    Feb 27, 2004
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    Jim Pernikoff
    I decided to take this off the "official" Monterey thread and post it separately.

    On Sunday morning in the Laguna Seca paddock, I had the pleasure of hearing Todd Morici's 312/67 #007 being run up. This car was in early '68 trim, with 4-valve engine (introduced at Monza '67) and sponsor decals but no wings.

    While the engine was running, who should walk up, but Derek Bell, who had driven that very car "in anger" very early in his storied career.

    The sound of the classic V-12, especially when the throttle was "blipped", was simply incredible!
     
  2. speedy_sam

    speedy_sam F1 Veteran

    Jul 13, 2004
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    Sameer
    Nice... Did you get to meet him?
     
  3. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    I had a brief chat with him after they cut the engine but he was in a bit of a hurry. I don't really remember what we talked about!
     
  4. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    A bit of a closeup:
     
  5. Mule

    Mule F1 Rookie
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    Jun 25, 2003
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    Didn't they call it the "spaghetti exhaust" when it came out? I didn't hear it run, but it looked awesome.
     
  6. beast

    beast F1 World Champ

    May 31, 2003
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    Rob Guess
    Here are a couple of shots of the "Medusa" piped cars in action. I just wish F1 would go to something like this again ;)
     
  7. s_eric09

    s_eric09 Formula Junior

    Feb 7, 2004
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    George

    why does it have a wings on the second one and not on the first one? was the first one the real way it raced?
     
  8. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    The first car is as they raced in early 1968. At Monaco, Lotus introduced small front wings and an upswept engine cover. At the next race, both Ferrari and Brabham introduced small wings on the aft body; then Lotus upped the ante with a larger, suspension-mounted wing. Soon F1 looked like a Flying Circus!

    In Spain in 1969, both Lotuses suffered catastrophic failure of the rear wings, fortunately without driver injury. During practice at Monaco (the next race), the FIA abruptly banned large wings. Over the course of the season, teams developed smaller, body-mounted rear wings to replace them. The second car is as raced in late 1969, with small wing mounted, and the 1968 engine fitted to replace the unreliable 1969 unit.
     
  9. Boxer12

    Boxer12 Formula 3

    Jun 1, 2003
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    Have any similar pics of the flat 12 race cars? JC
     
  10. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    No, unfortunately the 1970-72 cars were the only ones where the engine was exposed, and there are (to my knowledge) none of those running in North America. Afterwards the engines were basically fully enclosed.
     
  11. iceburns288

    iceburns288 Formula 3

    Jun 19, 2004
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    Charles M.
    Anyone have these original pics? I need them... Thanks. :)
     
  12. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    #12 Gatorrari, Feb 10, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  13. iceburns288

    iceburns288 Formula 3

    Jun 19, 2004
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    Charles M.
    Thanks a ton mate! :)
     

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