Chelsea Autolegends – Sunday 2 September 2012

[ColinMarr]

I signed up for this event at the last minute and I didn’t regret it. This was the third such Chelsea Hospital based event and it was just as good as the earlier ones. It seems to attract a most extraordinary mixture of cars, from rare and venerated vintage machines to (dare I say it!) examples of exotic and somewhat vulgar bad taste that only lots of money can acquire.

There were many Lancias there spread around the field – these ranged from Aprilia through to Integrale and included a Delta S4. I took lots of photos and will include some in posts under different headings.

One of the themes this year was Pininfarina designed cars. Lancias in this section included David Bieda’s 2000HF, an Aurelia B24 from Thornley Kelham and quite out of context (unless it was designed by Pininfarina, and I think not!) was a gorgeous Beta 1600 Saloon. See photo below. In pale yellow this car stood out for its cleanliness of line and lightness of touch. It was interesting to see how people walked passed some of the exotica and stopped to look at this now rare car.

More to follow.

Colin

[ColinMarr]

Footnote to the above: I forget there was one Lancia that pre-dated the Aprilia. This was the part-restored rolling chassis of the ex-Ron Barker Astura Special – the “ShortArstura”. It is very short with some four-feet having been taken out of the wheelbase. Apparently the original engine has been rebuilt and it will be fitted with a blower. The new bodywork has yet to be made.

Colin

[coltom]

Ditto Colin's comments - I also attended this with my integrale and it was indeed a well organized and entertaining day out.

Colin

[ColinMarr]

Here are some more photos from AutoLegends in September. The Gulf Ford Porsche stand had some mouth-watering cars including the two shown in the photos below. I just happened to notice that both of these cars are fitted with Cibie headlamp units identical to those fitted to most Fulvia Zagatos.

I know that these units are difficult to come by now, so if you are desperate you might keep an eye open at breakers yards to see if the odd Gulf GT40 or Porsche is being broken for spares. (Dream on ….)

Colin

[ColinMarr]

Another car of interest at Autolegends was this single-seater special with Augusta front suspension. See photos below, where it is described as a Norris Special with an Alta engine from 1936.

Colin

[ColinMarr]

Also from Autolegends - the photo below is of an immaculately presented Delta S4, which was exhibited with other exotic rally cars. This car was said to be ex-Miki Biasion from 1986 and part of the Enda Garvey collection.

Colin

[ColinMarr]

And finally, here’s another picture of the “short-Arstura” that was mentioned earlier - this time in competition. This is a copy of one of the photos on the display stand at AutoLegends.

Colin

[DavidLaver]

Brilliant stuff !!   

There are a few specials with Augusta front suspension.  I got talking with someone who looked after one at Goodwood one year and they were suffering brake judder.  I went into lots of detail about how the alloy drum and its liner corrode and how it might be round cold but that it will change shape with heat and did my very best to pursued them to finance the batch of new drums for the rest of the Augusta owners to benefit from. One day I might find someone with deep enough pockets to kick start that project.

The Beta would be the one I would stop to look at as well.

David