Car Trivia

[David Withers]

Sorry, it's none of those. Here are some more clues...

The two sports cars, though of different makes, were very similar to each other - one almost a clone of the other.

The Triumph was of much earlier vintage, a super little car somewhere around the size of an Austin Seven.

[Alec]

Hallo David,

'Super 7'?

Lotus and Cateram.

Alec

[David Withers]

That's the answer, Alec. Your turn to set a question, if you wish.

The Lotus and Caterham are "Super 7" or "Super Seven" (both forms of the name were used).

The Triumph Super Seven was built from 1927 to 1932 as an upmarket alternative to the Austin 7. One notable difference was that the Triumph had hydraulic brakes whereas the Austin was on cables. Info from http://www.pre-1940triumphownersclub.net/7and8.html

[TedTaylor]

Dizzy a nice one - well done (even if it wasn't Tina Turner).

Ted

[Mike Stevens]

Not a car, but Colchester made a Triumph 2000 lathe.

Yes, I know, behind the times again (been doing PI jobs over the weekend), but for interest, the Colchester lathe factory is now a Tesco, and (I believe) the end of the Triumph car factory is now a hotel. I say believe, I know there's a hotel there as I've stayed in it. The believe bit is that it's built over the end of the old production line. That was what I was informed by someone I met in the hotel who used to work in the factory!

Now you can get back to your 'other' trivia!

Cheers,
Mike.

[David Withers]

Dizzy a nice one - well done (even if it wasn't Tina Turner).

Ted

No, Tina Turner didn't quite fit. She may have been fast (or slow, even) but probably not particularly small?

Thanks for the compliment, anyway. I suppose this one was better than the "hole in the dashboard" that I came up with last time.

[Alec]

Hello all,

In 1953 Duncan Hamilton and Tony Rolt won the 1953 Le Mans race for Jaguar.

What rather extraordinary preparation did the two drivers do the day before the race?

Alec

[Mike Stevens]

They thought their car was not going to be allowed to start due to numbering problems, so they went to the 'Le Mans' party on the Friday night and didn't get any sleep!

Cheers,
Mike.

[Alec]

Hello Mike,

That was a quicker correct answer than I expected.

Not only were they up all night, they were on a good 'bender'

They were only told at 10 am, a mere 6 hours before the start, Duncan Hamilton had to have a couple of Brandies before he felt fit enough to drive. (According to his book 'Touch Wood')

Over to you Mike?


Alec

[Mike Stevens]

Hi Alec,

I was lucky. Not only was I already logged in, but it didn't take too many hits via Google to find the answer. Lunchtime at work eh?

I've been making a new rear parcel shelf this evening and only just got to the computer.

A question then. This is a 'bit' more Triumph based and should be easier.

During development, what engine formats and capacities did the Stag go through and why?

(And no, you can't phone a friend!)

Cheers,
Mike.