Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: DaveB on March 01, 2012, 07:55:10
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This wouldn't be any 'o you guys would it? ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yuvsPTP6hA
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Now we are talking....that was great. That's a ride his kid will remember. For such a heavy car he had that rear end waving in the wind quite well.
Fortunately my car is definately headed for a couple of those sessions - once I find some time to work on it and get it running - how else can you tell if it will be reliable for the 800 mile journeys with the wife - both dressed in white?
A session like this will show you when motor mounts are past their prime, when rad and oil hoses should be replaced and when brakes need some touching up. I maintain that this sort of hooliganism doesn't really damage the car (the burnout isn't probably the best for the rear end) but does test the limits in a controlled situation.
My old BMW 2002 was the king of the Gymkana for one whole season way back in the early 90's (mind you I was competing against Jaguars and MGs).
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sorry but a 40 year old car isnt as durable as a newer one. This suspension parts brakes etc are more fragile just like parts are more fragile when humans get older. I have spent way to much keeping my car nice to abuse it there- thats what the carrera with warranty is for!
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That ain't no way to treat a lady... ::)
Forget it ???, however, I think Peter would like it! I recall Peter once saying " Give it some welly. ;D
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Took mine up to 190 kph last Sunday (real GPS kms too). I think it was pushing 6,500 RPM at that stage.
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Great to see these cars exercised. I remember when many of these cars used to partake in this kind of activity. I never saw one break down. This is not abuse, as long as the cars are healthy and maintained well. They are built to take it. Tires may suffer a bit ;D
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Took mine up to 190 kph last Sunday (real GPS kms too). I think it was pushing 6,500 RPM at that stage.
Standard engine etc? Ive not pushed mine much past 90 mph, i.e. 150 ish kph
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Yes, engine is completely standard; and I believe it has an SE sedan injection pump too, not the SL one, and a slightly tamer US camshaft. i have a euro spec camshaft sitting ready to be installed, and I suppose that that, and maybe an SL pump, would take it up to 200 kph.
190 kph is almost 120 MPH. I am running a 3.69 rear differential.
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And ignoring all traffic laws in France and Switzerland... or where you by accident in Germany?
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Gee I don't remember now Peter! ;D it all went so fast. I did resolve to take it easier in the future. The only run I still need to make is in the Earl Camino (off topic mode on): been tuning the engine a bit and all 7,4 liters, and 500 newtonmeters, if they're still all there, are now quite peppy, so I wonder what its top speed is like. I did get it up to 170 kph very quickly the other day, so it's going to be interesting to try it out on the Autobahn. Thing with that car though (off topic mode off) is you should never apply the gas pedal more than minimally if it's not going perfectly straight, or the rear of the car will pass you before you can say "oops". No gymkhana's for Camino's (funny name, BTW, gymkhana).
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Hello Cees,
Sounds like the El Camino will pass most things on straight roads except fuel stations and tire stores! I am sure that the "Classic American Iron" is quite a spectacle there in the South of France ! Gymkhana, most often called "Autocross" these days.
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The 230 sl belongs to Mike H, and that's him driving. The car has specially made pistons. The venue is the MBCA Houston Autocross.
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That looks like fun. I particularly like the "style points". I'd like to see us have an event like that at the PUB.
The SCCA events here in NE Florida won't let you run with no roof if you don't have a roll bar. They also insist you remove the wheel covers.
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In the middle ages of the last century, and in the middle of this country, gymkhana was thought of as a smaller, tighter course that might involve a 3-point turn into or out of a "parking spot" and other novel challenges, all meant to test piloting skills. Autocross was the term for longer-legged, faster courses, which is where 'parking lot racing' seemed to go over time. At least some of the change must have been due to the fact that the relatively little and lightweight european cars were good at gymkhana but were supplanted over time by bigger, faster cars. Classic case in point would be the Tiger which originated as the nimble but mild 4-cylinder Sunbeam Alpine. [We never saw an AC Ace until it showed up as a ground-pounding Cobra.] Minis could do it all, thus proving themselves, literally, exceptional.
"Gymkhana" used to be done on horseback: an exhibition of equestrian skill. I imagine it was not done very much here in the States. We do still have dressage and western trick riding, which might be traceable descendants of gymkhana. And I guess the rodeo events of barrel-racing and calf-roping might squeak in as analogous to autocross.
There were time/speed/distance rallyes in those days too, even out there in the boonies. I gather a few survive these days near our left and right shores. And in fact, some folk in Minnesota are starting one up this summer, God love 'em. Sounded like it might be a fine time; I ran across the posting here in Events.