People flock to old, rare and exceptional cars in Perpignan. Last Sunday, the 300th meeting took place. These cars are history and culture – and cars should be driven, not stand still.
Regular readers know the posts with photos from French car meets in Perpignan, France. We have a small house in France, and when we are there, I take the opportunity to pop in when the meetings are arranged - always the first Sunday of each month. The meetings are open to classics, youngtimers, rare and exceptional cars and are held at the Carré d'Or shopping center in the east of the city. There is no doubt that the meetings are very popular. Sunday's meeting was number 300 in a row.
I am not the only visitor who does not exhibit any car. There are many visitors - entire families looking at the beautiful cars. Fathers show cars that their grandparents drove around in. All work in RVA66 is done on a voluntary basis, and it's free for everyone to come and see. RVA66 stands for Rassemblement de Véhicules du 66 - collection of vehicles from 66 - department 66 is Pyrenees-Orientales.
Terje's cars has a separate page called Cars from A to Z. Here I enter pictures and descriptions of car models I have driven myself, or taken pictures of along the road or at meetings like this. Eventually, I can show different cars of the same model – different variants, year models and facelifts.
Here are the pictures from last Sunday. My wife and I took a Sunday trip here, walked for about an hour, went back and had Sunday lunch in a town square. The temperatures down here by the Mediterranean are currently lower than in Norway. A small consolation is that a glass of red wine costs NOK 32 and that the first cherries have gone on sale at stalls around the city.
German cars
BMW 700 Convertible
Had it not been for the small cars Isetta and BMW 700, BMW would not exist today. They were on the verge of bankruptcy during the 1950s when they bet heavily on large luxury models that people could not afford. The BMW 700 succeeded the Isetta-based BMW 600. It was a more grown-up car, but still with engines from BMW's motorcycle range – a 700cc 2-cylinder boxer engine. Besides the cabriolet, like the car in the picture, the BMW 700 could be delivered as a Coupé with a fixed roof and as a 2-door sedan.
BMW 2000 CS (1965-69)
Early coupe versions of BMW Neue Classe had a front reminiscent of a shark's jaw - hence the nickname "Sharknose". The nice coupé shape was carried forward in the BMW E9, but unfortunately without the tough front section. BMW E9
Mercedes Benz 190 "Ponton"
I was unsure whether the Mercedes-Benz 190 "Ponton" was offered in the same red color as the car in the picture, but after searching the color chart, I see that the color is probably called "Feuerrot". No doubt it must have been a bold color choice in the 1950s, but since Mercedes-Benz supplied cars that went into public service, this might have been a nice color for fire marshals and doctors making house calls. Mercedes-Benz W120
Volkswagen from Brazil?Volkswagen in Rat Look
Perpignan has a local importer of cars from Brazil and lately several nice cars have appeared from there. I also think the red Volkswagen originates from Brazil, because of the windshield. At one point, European Volkswagens got larger windshields, something Brazilian cars probably didn't get.
Ford Escort mk1 Mexico
English cars
An early version of the Jaguar XK120 RoadsterJaguar XK120 RoadsterThe interior of the Jaguar XK120Jaguar XK150
There is great interest in English cars in this French area. The finest car at the meet, in our opinion, was this early Jaguar X120 Roadster that appeared in the late 1940s (top photo series). A more modern X150 also took part in the meeting. Jaguar XK150
MG MGB V8
"Stylish color", my wife exclaimed when she spotted the lemon yellow MGB Coupé. Early V8 cars were fitted with Rover's 3,5 litre. Also notice the beautiful MG A in the picture below. MG MGB
MG MGA
Italian cars
I brought pictures of two Italian cars from the car meet at RVA66. The most special is probably the red Vespa 400. It has a 2-cylinder air-cooled stern-mounted scooter engine which, according to the specifications, should produce 14 horses and reach a top speed of 80-90 km/h. It can be registered as a heavy 4-wheel motorcycle (L7e) I think that if a new Ferrari and an old Vespa 400 are lined up next to each other in a place where most people travel, the Vespa will get the most attention. Autobianchi
Vespa 400Autobianchi A112 Abarth
French cars
Renault 12 (facelift)
One of the most boring cars at the meet (according to my wife) was this Renault 12. I took the photo to complement an earlier post about this model – Renault 12. The Renault 12 is more conventional than other Renaults of the same time. The aim was to offer a lot of car for little money – a successful concept that Renault succeeded well with.
Renault 5 – the original
The Renault 5 is highly relevant as Renault's new electric car for the masses – a car that has been given a retro design similar to the original cars that saw the light of day in 1972. Now the first model is being brought to light again. Renault 5
Renault Floride CoupéRenault Dauphine
This Renault Floride Coupé is pictured here on Terje's cars earlier. Floride is the first edition of this model. The next edition was called Caravelle. The reason why the Floride name was dropped was that the car was to be launched in the USA and there it was believed that Floride (Florida) would not work as a model name. I have also included a photo of a Renault Dauphine - one with an "Export" mark on the back - probably a model from 1964 or later which was also - or was to be - exported to the USA. Renault FloridaRenault Dauphine
New electric SUVs don't exactly ooze aerodynamics, but they shouldn't look at the dog's hair. Below is a picture of a brand new high-built car and a 20-year-old aerodynamic marvel for its time. The two cars have amazingly the same Cw value.
High-rise or low-rise electric car?Cw value 0,25 - Honda Insight 1 - upcoming classic with closed wheel arches and Kamm profile.
THE SECTION BELOW IS BEING REWRITTEN
THE AIR RESISTANCE INFORMATION IS NOT CORRECT.
(UPDATED 03.07.2022/XNUMX/XNUMX) /TERJE
Same aerodynamics
Honda Insight mk1 is highlighted today as a future classic. Honda's early hybrid concept was presented before Toyota introduced the Prius. But it is not the hybrid solution that makes the car 'cool' today - it's the futuristic design. Those who drove around in an Insight at the beginning of the millennium signaled "environmental protection for all the money". Today's Bmw iX, on the other hand, is a bulky and heavy SUV – almost 5 meters long, almost 2 meters wide with a net weight of over 2,5 tonnes. Stated drag coefficient is only 0,25 cw. It is amazingly the same as the Honda with "fenderskirts", Kamm profile and a hint of "boat tail".
The BMW i4 M50 is not only an exceptionally beautiful car - it also has very low air resistance.
BMW's new electric cars
A cw value of only 0,25 is nothing less than impressive on such a high-built SUV Bmw iX! The xDrive50 has a battery pack of a whopping 105,2 kWh, two electric motors with a total of 523 horses and a range of 630 km according to WLTP combined. Right now, there are approximately 1500 iXs on Norwegian roads. BMW i4, however, is currently a rare sight. But now it is being rolled out in full. Many have chosen this gorgeous Gran Coupé as their next car. The drag coefficient is 0,24 - and thus on par with competitors such as Tesla and Xpeng P7. The battery pack in the top model M50 is 80,7 kWh and gives a decent range of 510 km (WLTP). Two electric motors provide 544 horses with operation on all wheels. If you look at the air resistance, alone, it makes a difference whether you choose the high or low car.
Measured effect of aerodynamics
All it takes is a bit of headwind and a wet road before the range is noticeably reduced. It is clear that air resistance also plays a role, but it is difficult to quantify in terms of consumption and range. If we consider models that are delivered in both high-built and low-built versions, we see that the factory figures for range are affected to a very small extent. This can partly be explained by the fact that the test cars are driven indoors in laboratories where the effect of air resistance is calculated - not measured.
Volkswagen ID.4Volkswagen ID.5 (Source: vw.no)
If we compare the WLTP figures between the high-rise Audi e-tron and the more coupé-like Sportback edition, we see that the difference in range is only 8 km in the Sportsback's favour. We see similar relationships between Volkswagen ID.4 og ID.5, and between Volvo XC40 og C40. Although parts of the WLTP measurements are driven at higher speeds than we have in Norway, the differences in air resistance do not have a significant impact on range. US EPA (Environment Protection Agency) tests all cars in terms of MPG (miles per gallon). A measuring unit has been introduced for electric cars MPGE where the electricity consumption (kWh) is converted to fuel. The cars are tested both in city driving and motorway driving. Here, the difference between motorway consumption and urban consumption can tell how favorably the cars cope with high speeds - and thus give an indication of the aerodynamic properties. The EPA results show that some models withstand high speeds better than others, but there is no significant difference between high-built and lower-built variants of the same make/model.
As a curiosity, it can be mentioned that Porsche Taycan with 2-speed gearbox actually achieves further range on the motorway than in the city.
Porsche Taycan 4S
How much is range affected by aerodynamics?
Teaslike.com shows tabular ranges given different speeds. If we choose 2019 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD with 19 inch wheels, the table shows that the range shrinks by 28,7% by increasing the speed from 100 km/h to 130 km/h under favorable conditions. Corresponding figures for Nissan Leaf (unconfirmed origin shared on a forum page) – shows that the Leaf mk1 with a 30 kwh battery reduces the range by 32,7% at the same speed increase. Assuming the same driving conditions, the difference between the two cars will only amount to 4% of the range. The Nissan Leaf 1 has a drag coefficient of 0,28, while the Tesla Model 3 has 0,23. Air resistance is just one of several factors that affect range, such as tire characteristics and weight. Perhaps the difference in range would have been greater if both cars ran on the same tires and were rigged up with the same weight? Maybe not? The effect of aerodynamics is difficult to measure in practice.
Cw for popular electric cars
The very best:
Mercedes-Benz EQS: 0,20
Porsche Taycan Turbo: 0,22
Tesla S (current model): 0,208 (In 2012 Tesla S had 0,24)
Good:
Tesla Model 3: 0,23
Xpeng P7: 0,236
BMW i4: 0,24
Comparison: Audi
– e-tron: 0,28, range: 405 km
– e-tron Sportback: 0,26, range: 413 km (+2%)
With a camera mirror, the drag coefficient is reduced by 0,01
Tesla
– 2021 Model Y LR: 0,25, 70 kwh, range 507 km
– 2020 Model 3 LR: 0,23, 70 kwh, range 560 km (+10%)
– 2021 Model 3 LR: 0,23, 80 kwh, range 614 km
Volkswagen
– ID.4: 0,28, range 514 km
– ID.5: 0,26, range 519 km (+1%)
– ID.4 GTX: 0,29, range 478 km
– ID.5 GTX: 0,27, range 487 km (+2%)
Volvo
– XC40 (408 HP): 0,34, range 421 km
– C40 (408 HP): 0,319, range 437 km (+4%)
Andre
Polestar 2: 0,278
Ford Mustang Mach-E: 0,285
Hyundai Kona: 0,29
Jaguar I-Pace: 0,29
Xpeng G3: 0,29
Hongqi E-HS9: ~0,34
In comparison
Ferrari 488: 0,324-0,330
The Volvo C40 is a low-built coupé version of the XC40.
Conclusion
There is no significant advantage in consumption and range between high-built and low-built variants of the same model/brand - at least not within Norwegian speeds. A comparison between two different brands/models with similar battery capacity, weight and engine power can give us a clue as to how aerodynamics affect range. Tesla Model Y LR has, for example, 86 km better range (WLTP) than Volvo XC40 Recharge 408HK. Since the two models are comparable in terms of battery capacity, weight and engine power, the difference in range can largely be attributed to Volvo's drag coefficient of 0,34 versus Tesla's 0,25.
What is good and what is bad? None of the electric cars mentioned in this post have poor aerodynamic properties. In this company, even the Ferrari 488 would have "high" drag and poor aerodynamics.
The Ferrari 488 has a relatively high drag coefficient compared to today's electric cars (Photo: @whatmaddiecooks)
BMW's legendary "bubble car" had a front door, a fabric roof that could be opened and a bench where two people could sit quite comfortably. If you were to bring luggage with you, you attached it to an external luggage rack. With a length of only 2,3 metres, what you can take with you is limited, but still impressively well packed - and very stylish.
BMW's roots
The Isetta was developed and put into production by the Italian company ISO Rivolta, which later built large, beautiful sports cars such as Iso Rivolta and Iso Grifo and more. One would think that the Isetta would be successful on the Italian market in the early 50s, but it didn't happen. Iso therefore offered license production with other car manufacturers. One of several companies that started license production of the ingenious car concept was BMW. In the 50s, the BMW plant made a loss. The large models 501, 502, 503 and 507 were great cars, but expensive to produce, and priced far too high for the market. The Isetta saved BMW from bankruptcy. It also paved the way for models that many still remember and associate with BMW.
Got a BMW touch
When BMW took on the license production of the Iso Isetta, they made several moves in the powertrain. They put in a new 250 engine from their own motorcycle production and redesigned the transmission/cardan. The result was less internal noise and less vibration. The three-wheeled BMW Isetta 250 was a success on the domestic market. One factor that contributed to the success was that the cars could be registered as motorcycles and driven without a driving licence.
The only door is at the front – emergency exit through the roof (Photo: @whatmaddiecooks)
Isetta 300
The car in the pictures is a 1961 BMW Isetta 300. It was recently spotted in Fulham, London. What we know about the car is that it was sold at auction in 2017 through Classic Car Auctions - a place for the sale of finer classic cars. The car has been completely rebuilt with a top score for condition. The Isetta 300 got a 300 cubic meter engine with slightly more horses - but with the same top speed as the Isetta 250. We are talking about 13 HP and a top speed of 85 km/h. The car pictured has the steering wheel on the left. BMW had its own assembly plant in England where they produced right-hand drive cars. On these cars, the door opens to the right, instead of the left. The disadvantage of right-hand drive cars was that the driver then sat on the same side as the engine. When the car weighs only 340 kg and has 3 wheels, weight distribution is important for stability. The Isetta 300 could also be delivered in a 4-wheel version. In later models – 400 and 600 – 4-wheel drive became standard. Note that the rear windows on the Isetta 300 are shaped like a normal car, not as extremely "bubble car" shaped as its predecessors.
Sofa where two can sit quite comfortably (Source: Classic Car Auction)
The steering wheel follows the door when it is opened (Source: Classic Car Auction)
Expensive fun
When you study the beautiful BMW Isetta in the pictures, you might think that it would be cool to have one like that in the garage. These cars are ideal for passionate DIY mechanics. All of the parts (apart from the interior) can be bought new. The problem is the price. There are currently 23 cars for sale in German mobile.de. The prices are from NOK 350 to just under half a million for polished copies. Cars that are fully drivable, but not polished, are sold for just under NOK 000. The asking price for the car in the pictures was NOK 200 plus fees and costs in 000. From what we can see, this must have been a bargain.
Isetta in modern cars
The Isetta became the salvation for BMW in 1955. They continued to develop the model, including the Isetta 600, which was a 4-seater version with a front door and a rear door on the right side. A quasi-concept that was neither a bubble car nor a car. Far more successful was the BMW 700 – a car with technology from the Isetta, but in a shape that was continued in modern BMWs – the "Neue Klasse" and -02 series. In today's model range, there is little from BMW that reminds of the light constructions from the 50s. The BMW i3 is probably the model that has garnered the most recognition from BMW nostalgics - not least among BMW's own employees.
Isetta Microlino – Isetta year 2022
A new car brand with modern battery technology inspired by the legendary BMW Isetta. The car has been fully developed in Küsnacht, Switzerland and exists today as prototypes. Work is now underway to establish production in northern Italy. The Microlino is a 2-seater with a 220-litre boot, or in the Microlino people's own words: Space for 3 beer cases! The car is equipped with a 15 HP electric motor and can reach 90 km/h and is registered as a 4-wheel motorcycle (L7E). With the largest battery pack, the stated range is 200 km. Estimated price is 12 euros. Advance sales have begun, and interest in the Isetta successor is high. A year ago, the factory had received 500 reservations.
Microlino Protype 3 (photo: Microlino-car.com)The interior of the Microlino (photo: microlino-car.com)
It's not every day you come across a BMW M8 Coupé. Especially not disguised as M Town Taxi.
Let's start with the car
The BMW M8 has 4 seats and is offered as a 4-door Gran Coupé, 2-door Coupé or Cabriolet. The engine, a twin-turbo V8 of 4,4 liters, delivers 625 horsepower. The gearbox is M-Steptronic from ZF, the same series that is used in Rolls Royce, among others. There is no doubt that the M8 belongs to the supercar segment. Yet it is discreet like a Swiss wristwatch where only initiated connoisseurs nod in approval. What piqued my interest was that the beautiful BMW was wrapped in yellow foil and marked "M Town Taxi".
Like sticking a Mickey Mouse figure on a Patek Philippe watch.
BMW M8 Competition
The key lies in M Town
It started with an advertising campaign in 2017 called "Too much". All the features started with BMW M drivers doing embarrassing and awkward things to comments like "Too immature", "Too wicked" and always end up with the final line "Too much". One year later, the campaign was followed up by the "M Town Where Too Much Is Just Right" campaign. Through several advertising videos, we get to see life in an imaginary city. A place for people who live out their passion for fast cars, where there is no shame in giving a little extra - which some might consider "too much". The commercials show special cars serving the city, such as The M2 LAPD police car with push guard at the front - and taxis with more. All the cars are taken from BMW's M family.
On social media
M Town is not just an advertising campaign. BMW has created a community in the form of a social network. Registered members can appear online with their BMW M cars or imaginary dream cars. BMW Norway currently has 2 yellow taxis in circulation. Real cars dressed up as M Town cars help to keep the virtual car environment alive. BMW has chosen a modern form of marketing. Uniformed police cars, taxis and security cars from the world's coolest city shed light on events such as ice skating at Golsfjellet and track driving at Rudskogen. When the virtual becomes really, the cars from M Town come into their own. Hashtags such as #M_Town and #MNation are used on social media.
The city's best taxi
Even driving-loving residents of M Town occasionally choose not to drive themselves. Then it's good that there are taxis that can give the same adrenaline rush you get behind the wheel of your own BMW M. Chauffeur-driven BMWs in the M series perform spectacular maneuvers and perfect drifting. Please note that this service is virtual and only available within M Town's city limits. Unfortunately, these special taxis cannot be hailed elsewhere. But imagine being delivered home late at night with a pirouette in the courtyard!
BMW M4 Competition
Facts about the BMW M8 Coupé
Weights and Measures
External dimensions - L, W, H: 487 x 191 x 137 cm
Wheelbase: 283 cm
Front track width: 162,7 cm
Rear track width: 163,2 cm
Net weight: 1885 kg (without driver)
Payload: 425 kg
Number of seats: 4
Drivetrain
Petrol engine: 4,4 liter V8 twin-turbo
Power: 625 HP @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 750 Nm @ 1800-5800 revs
Gearbox: 8 steps M Steptronic (ZF torque converter)
Drive: M xDrive (4WD)
Performances
Top speed: 250 km/h (restricted)/305 km/h (M Driver's Pack)
0-100: 3,2 seconds
Price
NOK 2 ex. foiling (source: bmw.no)
Foiling appears to be done by Marco Reklame As (source: facebook)
The classic M3 (M30) is an honorary member of the city
M Town has opened as a branch at BMW Welt in MunichThe Safety Car for the city's race track is the new BMW M3.BMW M2 Coupé as Safety Car.BMW M4 Competition. Beautiful taxi in perfect working order
When I have taken photos from car meets and exhibitions, I want to show several cars of the same model before they are published. Then it becomes more legitimate to write a story about models not knowing. But what do you do when you've only managed to take one picture? Here are 5 cars from carspotting that I haven't found a match for.
Ferrari Testarossa
Ferrari Testarossa
The Ferrari, which was produced between 1984 and 1996, became super popular. "All" royalty and celebrities wanted a Testarossa.
Miami Vice
There was a wait of several years. Many got to know the car through the TV series Miami Vice. Ferrari had donated two cars to the production company. They were in black metallic with a cream colored interior, but were repainted because white probably suited Don Johnson better. The last two sales went for 175 and 000 dollars respectively.
Several celebrities have owned - or own a Testarossa. Elton John is said to have received one from the record company MCA Records. It was red with a "tan" interior. It is said that Elton John regularly drives all his cars. Also the Testarossa which was eventually auctioned off - and which has probably been auctioned off at least once more later. Other celebrities behind the wheel of the Testarossa are Mick Jagger, Miles Davis, Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, Rod Stewart, OJ Simpson, Tom Selleck, MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice.
Facts about the Ferrari Testarossa
Engine: 4,9 litres, 12 cylinders (boxer), 48 valves, naturally aspirated, dry sump, 390 HP at 6300 revs, 490 Nm at 4500 revs. 0-100 in 5,8 seconds.
About the pictures
The main picture was taken near the old control tower at Fornebu on the occasion of one of the Norwegian Sportscar Club's spring rallies at Fornebu. The bonus picture is taken of the traffic on the E18 exiting at Holtet in Bærum. Car spotting and car spotting.
Lotus spirit
Lotus Spirit Turbo
It is hard to imagine that the Lotus Esprit, the cool James Bond car, has become a proper old car.
There is no getting away from the truth. Beneath the handmade fiberglass bodywork hides one old car, technologically low-tech by today's standards. I heard one owner state that "you don't buy an Esprit because of performance - you buy it because it's an Esprit".
Engines
The Esprit model was produced in several series from 1976 to 2004. The first cars were equipped with mid-mounted 2,2-liter inline-four engines developed by Lotus itself. Performance was a modest 160 HP. The Esprit was never a supercar until 1980 when it got a turbo and 210 HP. Eventually, Lotus managed to extract 300 HP from the turbo engine. In 1996 – twenty years after its introduction – the Esprit got V8 engines. The twin-turbo engine produced 350 horses and lifted the Esprit into the supercar class.
Heavy on the steering. Poor turning radius. Low stance and very direct contact with the road. "Everything" is communicated to the driver. This is a car that takes some getting used to.
The statements come from car testers who viewed the Esprit with today's eyes. One thing everyone agrees on. The interior. Everything is covered in genuine leather - handmade English quality - designed like a "man-cave". It is not only comfortable, but gives a real good feeling.
The picture was taken at one of the Norsk Sportsvogn Klubb's spring rallies in Fornebu. It is a Turbo Esprit with an estimated 210 HP. Car spotting.
BMW 503
BMW 503 Coupé Series II – 134 produced
Only 413 of this BMW model were produced. There should be one other BMW of the same model somewhere in Norway, but the probability of meeting any of them on the road is very small.
A beautiful baroque angel
BMW's distinctive 50s models 501 and 502 were colloquially called baroque angels. First appearing as a 503 model, the 1956 Coupé model was a 2-door, 2+2-seater GT model that was offered with only one engine option. The engine was taken from the BMW 502. 3,2 liter V8, 2 carburettors, 140 HP and 4-speed manual gearbox. There is no doubt that under the beautiful costume was a baroque angel - a very beautiful baroque angel.
Little profitable
Production continued from 1956 to March 1959. Considering the gorgeous design and motorization, the model could certainly have been produced well into the 60s. But BMW stopped production due to poor profitability. A total of 413 cars were produced. Of these, 270 were Coupés with a fixed roof and 143 cabriolets with electric raising and lowering of the canopy.
Expensive car
A simple search on mobile.de after BMW 503 tells about prices between 200 - 250 euros for coupés and 000 - 400 euros for cabriolets. There are several factors that dictate a high price - few copies, built as a quality car, beautiful and lavish for its time. It's a wonder these cars didn't do better. The BMWs could not keep up with the American cars of the time in terms of chrome and external dimensions - but neither could the Mercedes-Benz SL. Despite that, the SL sold well in the US in the 500s.
About the picture
The picture was taken at one of the Norsk Sportsvogn Klubb's spring rallies in Fornebu. The car is a Series II Coupé with a fixed roof – a variant of which only 134 were produced. Car spotting.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
It was typically Italian to make a model with many bodies. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta was initially a compact family car, but could also be delivered with special bodies.
The Giulietta Spider follows a genuinely minimalist roadster concept. Under the hood is a 1,3-liter aluminum engine with wet cylinder walls, DOHC and single Solex carburettor (Normale) or twin Weber (Veloce). It produced 80 HP in the Normale and 90 HP in the Veloce version – enough to give a lot of driving pleasure in a car that weighs only 860 kg.
Lived on as the Giulia Spider
The Giulietta range (2- and 4-door) was produced from 1954 to 1965, but the Giulietta Spider was called Giulia Spider when Alfa Romeo started producing the legendary Giulia in 1962. The "New" Giulia Spider got a 1,6 liter engine and an extra air intake on the hood. Otherwise, there were few visual changes between the two models.
Prices
The Giulietta Spider is a real classic, which is also reflected in the prices. They are between NOK 500 and one million mobile.de.
About the pictures
The white Spider is one of the last cars produced as a Giulietta. It is a "tipo 101.03" - as the registration number indicates. The photo was taken at one of the Norsk Sportsvogn Klubb's spring rallies in Fornebu. Car spotting.
The dashboard – Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Opel Kapitän
Opel Kapitän P2
1959 was a good year. Lolita topped the charts with "Seemann". Mercedes-Benz launched a brand new model and Opel got a new Kaptein.
It has been a long time since an Opel could measure up to a Mercedes. It could do that in 1959 when both came with completely new models. Mercedes' new W110 and W111 – the so-called "find Mercedes" was perhaps the best mass-produced car of its time. The year before, Opel had launched a brand new Opel Kaptein with large fins and panoramic windows at the front and rear. The P1 looked like an American, but was too strong a diet for sane Europeans. Many complained about poor visibility through the panoramic windows and tight access to the back seat because the rear window actually curved into the door opening. It sold so poorly that the management at Opel began to design a new Kaptein – the P2 – which came already the following year in 1959.
Most beautiful Opel ever
It was no secret that the P2 was designed on the same platform as the P1. The two cars had the same wheelbase, while the new one was a little wider, a little longer – and a little less American. The new Opel Kaptein was not only beautiful – it also sold better than all the Kapteins both before and after.
Facts Opel Kapitän P2
Production time: 1959-1963
Engine: 2,6 liter inline six.
90 HP at 4100 rpm
191 Nm at 1900 revolutions
Front suspension: Double A-arms
Rear: Rigid rear axle with leaf springs
Brakes: Drums
0-100: 16 seconds
Top speed: 150 km/h
Consumption: 1,21 litres/mile
Source: Auto Zeitiung test of Mercedes 220SE against Opel Kapitän
The picture was taken in the parking lot at the Bendix meeting at the Bendix house (old Lunner Dairy). Car spotting.
See
Aston Martin ONE-77Aston Martin DBSAston Martin DB4 GTFerrari GTO 288
The German car brand Glas is long gone, but the memories live on with many car enthusiasts. Glas produced everything from minicars to luxurious sports cars with V-8 engines in the period 1953 to 1968.
What did our BMW have without Glas? Here is the top model 1700!
Created Goggomobile
It was the German Hans Glas who started the production of agricultural machinery in 1860 with great success. Later (1951), interest in the production of scooters and minicars arose. 2 - the wheels came first and were named "Goggo". It was a huge success and car production started in 1955. Small cars with 250 ccm engines placed in the back were completely up-to-date so soon after the war. Both the model selection and engine sizes were increased and the "Goggomobil", as the models were christened, sold very well both at home in Germany and on the export markets. Already in 1957, a larger model with the designation "Isar" appeared. With panoramic windows and gorgeous colours, it became very popular.
More speed and prestige
From 1961 there were even more cars. Then came new models with engines with 4 cylinders and larger bodies. The model series was named "Glass" and the series consisted of a number of variants. Engines in different sizes and open and closed bodies gave car buyers great opportunities to find the car of their choice. All the "Glass" models were both elegant and technically advanced. Engines with an overhead camshaft were considered very advanced in the early 1960s and led to many mentions in motor magazines in many countries. Good driving characteristics and sports variants gave a number of victories in car races. A model that was both beautiful and advanced was the Glas 1500 which was introduced in 1963. It was upgraded to the Glas 1700 in 1964 with more equipment and more horses under the hood. A more sporty version of this model came in 1965. The designation was Glas 1700 TS and under the hood there were now 100 horses that gave a top speed of 170 km/h.
Taken over by BMW
Progress with both family cars and more sporty variants tempted Glas to invest even more in fast and luxurious cars. But the factory failed and was taken over by BMW in 1967.
Data Glas 1700:
Length: 441 cm
Width: 161 cm
Height: 139 cm
Top speed: 150 km/h
Engine: 1682 ccm, 80 hp
Common to all the vehicles in the museum is a documented Norwegian history of previous owners and use.
Old pump with oil mixture. You adjusted the mixture with a wheel on the side before refueling your moped, Saab, Wartburg or DKW.
Not all at once
The goal for this Sunday trip was the Norwegian Vehicle History Museum. About a year ago, the museum was opened near the Norwegian road museum at Hunderfossen. The museum manages a large reservoir of cars where only a selection is shown to you at any one time. It gives the opportunity to create separate exhibitions on varying themes. If you visited the museum last year, you will find new things there this year. That makes the place a good destination for Sunday trips - with a freshly washed nice car. The place north of Lillehammer is well suited for day trips from all over the interior. If you come from the Oslo area, you can drive on quiet roads via Feiring and Toten, or highway 4.
Where nice cars meet
On the opening date of 9 June 2019, beautiful vintage vehicles from all over Norway showed up. Several arrived in motorcades. Nice vintage cars still appear in the large car park outside the museum. Since it is no longer free to hold car meets with the public present, the car clubs now organize outings where a limited number of cars drive together and meet in places like this. Also last Sunday, a group of great donors turned up. A group of stylish Jaguars and another group of fat, humming BMWs. A bonus exhibition for us other Sunday drivers 🙂
Outside the Norwegian Museum of Vehicle History
All photos are taken outside. I took more photos than the ones shown here. They will eventually be archived in the Car catalog together with other fine cars.
Where are you going to drive on Sunday?
The old Mobil station with the service man's bike parked outside is a nice place to photograph the fine car.Jaguar XJS convertible. Timeless elegance.Great Englishmen at Hunderfossen. Lotus Esprit and Jaguar XK150 convertible."The Leaping Cat"Daimler XJ6 Long Edition with vinyl roof.A sign for Jaguar enthusiastsA happy Opel Rekord P1BMW 2002Very stylish BMW 1602Beautiful W123 station wagon on a Sunday trip with motorcycles on the trailer.
See
Photo Saturday – Mustang and MercedesCulture on a SundayExcursion to Hadeland Glassworks
Parked outside "Allerud VGS" - NRK's new TV series is recorded here (formerly Norske Skog, Oksenøya).
Rumors say that BMW will not make any sequels to the i3. We are talking about Norway's fourth best-selling electric car in the first half of the year - and 7th place on the sales lists for August. We have run the latest version. - Will it be the last, right?
It is Auto Express who first published the news. A senior manager at BMW has stated that they may not continue BMW's "i" series. They are considering using the "i" technology in existing models. Will the i3 go down in history as a pioneering project?
Appears unchanged
Behind the wheel of a brand new BMW i3, I marveled that it still looks almost exactly the same as it did when it was launched as a 2014 model. I liked it then, and I like it now - not least because the battery capacity is now twice as high. The range has also doubled. Outside, there are only minor cosmetic changes. On the technology side, I noted the adaptive cruise control and improved infotainment system.
Environmentally friendly from the start
The BMW i3 is not like other cars – for better or for worse. When BMW developed the i-series, they wanted to create something new and different. By using carbon-reinforced plastic and aluminum, BMW managed to create an electric car that weighs no more than a regular petrol car of the same size. By comparison, the Renault Zoe weighs 200 kg more, the Volkswagen e-Golf 300 kg more, and the Hyundai Kona 400 kg more. Low weight means lower consumption and greater range.
BMW i3 facelifted front.
Another point that was emphasized in the i3 project was environmental considerations throughout the car's entire life cycle. These are factors that have contributed to the i3 looking the way it does. Parts of the interior are supposedly based on recycled plastic bottles. The Cw value is 0,29. It's not best in class, but decent for a tall small car.
Gives a premium feel
The tall body gives a good sense of space. The decor still feels futuristic. Everything you put on gives a feeling of quality. The steering wheel, for example, is soft and easy to hold. The interior style seems Scandinavian and sober. You get the feeling of sitting "on" the seats, instead of "in" them - with surprisingly good support. High-quality and color-coordinated materials contribute to a feeling of well-being. It is very alright to be inside an i3, so to speak.
From this point of view, nothing has changed since 2014.
On the road
The electric motor sits at the back and drives the rear wheels. The engine is unchanged from 2014. 170 HP feels absolutely ideal for this car. The battery pack lies flat between the axles. On the road, the i3 behaves like a tall and light vehicle with no particular sporting ambitions. I like the way it settles down a bit in the back when I throttle through the turns. I also noticed that the combination of narrow tires and rear-wheel drive can occasionally lead to unusual behaviour, for example on roads with studded ruts. I like the steering feel - how the road contact is communicated to the steering wheel. This is typical for BMW, and one of the features that makes the i3 fun to drive.
Bizarre tire dimensions
It is recommended to only choose recognized tires for your i3 – tires recommended by your BMW dealer. There are examples where too soft a rubber compound can cause the anti-skid control to kick in during normal driving. The same can happen if the tire pressure is not correct. The anti-skid control is on the verge of being oversensitive and intervenes early, which is easily noticeable on winter roads. The standard tire size is 155/75R19, while "our" i3 was 155/60R20 at the front and 175/55R20 at the rear. I have driven the i3 with both dimensions and really experienced little difference. Both felt quite soft (lots of rubber). The tires with the lowest profile provide a somewhat sharper sound image, especially at speeds above 80 km/h. But the 20-inch wheels suit the i3 very well.
Imperial Blue was the new color for the BMW i3 from 2018. Beautiful 20″ rims of the type Double-Spoke 430.
Drives with one pedal
One of the i3's great advantages is that you can accelerate and brake with the same pedal. If you release the pedal suddenly, it brakes more strongly than if you gently lift the accelerator. The concept is ingenious because it recovers all regenerative braking power – immediately. On cars with the option to control regenerative braking manually, you can combine braking and coasting. Both parts are important in order to get as many kilometers as possible out of the batteries. I missed being able to let the car roll freely without engine power, but I guess BMW has thought about this. In any case, BMW's one-pedal solution should be more economical than manual operation.
Comfort vs. Eco Pro
I prefer to drive in "Comfort" driving pattern, but switched a bit to "Eco Pro". Driving in "Eco Pro" is perfectly fine. Among other things, it reduces the climate system and ventilation - and perhaps the effect a little, too. According to the range meter, there is a lot to save by turning off the A/C and fan, but I would like to control this myself. I would only choose the strictest saving programme, "Eco Pro+", during an acute power crisis. It drastically reduces power and cuts engine power when the speed exceeds 80 km/h.
Range
For electric cars, range is alpha and omega. The joy of good seats, pleasant interior and driving characteristics quickly fades if the range is poor. I have driven the 2014 model pretty far down on power a few times in the past. It does not feel unsafe, as you can rely on the range meter - which some call the "guess-o-meter". I have not tested the range in the 120 Ah model, but still have an idea of where the practical range is. And I'm pretty sure the rangefinder is still reliable.
The door solution is reminiscent of the Mini Clubman mk1 (R55).
When I was allowed to borrow the car, the range was 210 km. By then, the car's owner had started at 324 km and driven 139 km mainly on country roads. The owner has had i3s since 2014 and knows well how to extend the range. Had she continued her trip on this dry and hot September day, she could have easily driven 300 km before charging. I myself drove 50 km with several stops and the sunroof up almost the whole time. Electric cars and sunroofs provide a high comfort factor, but reduce the range. 250 km of road driving should be fine without a particular focus on consumption. For me, it would be non-stop up to the cabin in Gudbrandsdalen. But hardly on cold winter days. Then the range can be reduced by between 30-50%. Therefore, expect to charge between 150-200 km in winter driving.
Cargo
I charged from 60% to 100% in 2 hours and 6 minutes with the house's private wall charger of 7,2 KW. The amount of charging corresponds to a range increase of 139 km - or roughly 70 km per charging hour. It is good! Along the way, you can manage quite well by charging from the 22 KW sockets via the Type 2 cable rather than using the fast chargers that are often contested. If you do not have access to charging stations and wall chargers, you can charge via a 10A connector. It should then take 17-18 hours to fully charge.
Outside the Henie Onstad center in Høvik.
BMW's own Wallbox (11Kw) charges to 80% in less than 3 hours. You can also fast charge with the 50 KW CCS connectors. Then the car can be charged to 80% in 45 minutes under summer temperatures. Other electric cars can now charge from 100 KW and 150 KW charging stations, but those fast chargers are not that widespread - at least not where I travel. Most fast chargers provide "only" 50 KW.
Place
Although the cabin gives a good feeling of spaciousness, the use of space is quite poor. Externally, it is the size of the Renault Zoe, but the has 5 seats – not 4 – and takes 78 liters more luggage than the i3. The back seat in the i3 is best intended for short people, and could easily accommodate 3 children. It is easy to fold down one or two rear seats and increase the cargo space. There is a tiny luggage compartment under the front hood, too. In terms of use, the i3 is well suited as the only vehicle for families of two or three people.
Nice cup holders.
Safety
According to NCAP from 2013, the i3 ended up in the middle between small family cars and superminis. Among other things, it was noted that the i3 at the time did not have modern safety assistance programs, such as adaptive cruise control and emergency braking below 30 km/h. However, the biggest objection was weak neck protection for the rear seat passengers. After the test, the test dummies were judged to be "marginal" in terms of survivability.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has also tested the BMW i3 – 2017 model. They came to the same conclusion. It is unknown whether BMW has strengthened the protection for the rear seat passengers on its new models.
Through the "i" series, BMW has proven that it has mastered modern battery technology and is in the race for the electric car market. The cars from 2014 are still rolling around on the roads. They have done that without any problems. The BMW i3 is still perceived as futuristic and special. It's fun to drive. The one-pedal solution makes the car extremely easy to drive. I am sure that if everyone had the opportunity to drive with one pedal, traffic flow would be significantly improved.
In addition to single-pedal driving, BMW has developed special solutions to increase the range, for example by using new materials to reduce weight and using narrow tires with low rolling resistance. But developments in battery technology make such measures redundant. One can compare with computers. Today no one has focus on disk space or bandwidth. These things no longer represent any limitations. As the car manufacturers can deliver "sufficient" battery capacity, weight, air and rolling resistance will not matter as much as before. Therefore, I am afraid that the rumors about the "i" series disappearing from the BMW range may be true. In a few years, the "i" technology will probably find its way into regular BMW models. Perhaps a 2-series with a blinded grill?
If I wanted something more from the i3, it would have to have even better battery capacity. Then I can drive to the cabin in Gudbrandsdalen without a charging break - both summer and winter. Hope BMW gives the i3 another round!
A high ceiling and no center console give a good sense of space.
Facts
Weights and Measures
Length/width/height in cm: 401, 178, 158
Wheelbase in cm: 258
Own weight: 1270 kg
Total weight: 1710 kg
Trailer hitch (for retrofitting only)
Performances
Engine power: 170 HP
Torque: 250 Nm from 0 revolutions
Top speed: 150 km/h
0-100: 7,3 seconds
Battery capacity: 120 Ah
Range
WLTP: 285-310 km
Practical consumption summer: 250-300 km
– winter: 150-200 km
Charge/capacity
Gross battery capacity: 42,2 kwh
– net: 37,9 kWh
11KW wall charger: 80% in 3 hours.
50KW fast charger: 80% in 45 minutes.
2,3 KW 10A home charger: 100% in 17-18 hours
Practical test: from 60%-100% in 2 hours with a 7,2 KW wall charger.
Prices
I3 standard: NOK 320
Metallic varnish: NOK 5
Equipment package "Charged": NOK 9 (recommended)
Equipment package "Charged Plus": NOK 19
Equipment package "Fully Charged: NOK 49
All equipment packages include winter wheels.
BMW i Wallbox 11Kw incl. installation: NOK 17
– lockable Wallbox: NOK 18
Delivery time: Within 3 months.
About the car
Owner: Private
Mileage: 6392
Source: bmw.no
PHOTOS
Click on the images to see in an even larger format!
As a 2-seater, you can take quite a bit of luggage with you.BMW i3 facelift
See
Winter driving is no problem for the i3.Blue BMW kidneys for the i3Driving with one pedal
Freude am Fahren. That statement says something about the owners' attitude towards their cars. BMW is not just a means of transport – it is a driving machine. BMW will never sacrifice driving pleasure. You will never come back after a test drive and say "this was a bad car". This applies to the i3 as well as the new 5 series.
BMW meeting at Bjerke
On Sunday arranged BMW Car Club Norway BMW meeting at Bjerke Travbane. I was present when new donations arrived at the staging area. For me, the sound of BMW's straight sixes is one of the most beautiful things there is. But for a while it was the V8s that dominated the soundscape at Bjerke. Beautiful - both for ears and eyes.
But BMW's heritage is also light vehicles. Motorcycles, Isetta, Glas, - and the gorgeous 02 series. My favorite is the 1502 which came in 1975. It was an entry-level model presented the year before the entire 02 series was replaced by the 3 series (E21). It had a 1,6 liter engine, like the 1602, but BMW had taken out fewer horses and removed some chrome. The BMW 1502 became a new entry-level model for potential BMW buyers. Perhaps some of the BMW owners at Bjerke experienced their first BMW trip in the back seat of a 1502?
02 series
I took pictures of a great BMW 1502 in the middle of the parking lot. Undoubtedly a classic. It was in a green color which I think the car was presented in at the time. Today I am not able to tell the difference between 1502 and 1602 just by studying the visuals. It may seem that both 1502 and 1602 are almost out of the way. I wonder if they have been converted to - or become donor cars for 2002 projects?
Almost impossible to tell the difference between BMW 1502 and 1602.
The slightly more affordable BMW 1502 was popular in Norway.
BMW 2002 on BBS rims
sharknose
Another great BMW classic is the large, graceful 2-door coupes nicknamed "Sharknose". I took pictures of a 3.0 CS in period color. It has the same outline as the original Karmann design from 1968, but the front end is more similar to today's BMWs.
BMW 3,0 CS. Perhaps the most beautiful BMW ever made?
Z1
A BMW you don't see very often is the Z1. Subsequent models in the Z series, from the Z3 upwards, gained quite a lot of popularity, but not the Z1 – at least not here at home. Perhaps too special with a body made of plastic over the frame, and doors that lowered ned instead of striking out. I think the Z1 looks fun and mischievous with its short overhangs. The engine is the straight six from the 325i. With a net weight of 1250 kilograms, it should be enough to give a real Freude-am-Fahren experience.
BMW Z1 with the inline six from 325/525 and doors that fold down into the bodywork
Futuristic. Doors that fold down into the bodywork and the short rear overhang.
3 series
BMW must have had Freude am Fahren in mind when they created the first 3 Series cars (E21 and E30). Today, they appear beautiful, simple and smooth-running. Although, there is perhaps something uncertain about the cars that have been lowered the most, and given wide wheels that submerge in the fender arches. In addition, many E30s have completed 30 years on the road. Anyway, it sounds great and looks great.
PHOTOS
Many owners of The Ultimate Driving Machine had found their way to Bjerke Travbane this Sunday.
The BMW 323i was the top model of the E21 series.
Almost all fat E30s were lowered and had wheels like that. It looks very good!
The 8 series was either available with a V8, - or as here with a V12.
THE SECTION BELOW IS BEING REWRITTEN
