me, my friend and a fast pagoda 320sl

[Rodolfo]

Yesterday we had a terrific day, me and Erik (Van der Cruysse).

Erik was so friendly to assist me collecting a car in the Netherlands.

To our big surprise we were invited to have a testdrive in a modified Pagoda.

Motor and suspension was from a modern donor car E320, 6 inline. The Ecu was modified, and a manual 5-speed coupled.

Result:

The thing was bloody fast and terrific road holding.

I cannot say where the car was, I guess, it was a private project.

Some pictures:

[Rodolfo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k48CdNqRb2s&feature=youtu.be

[kampala]

Rudy,

Nice to see --- is it a one-off or are they building one for YOU 

Love the grin on Eric's face.

[GGR]

The rear end set-up looks quite impressive! Given the ground clearance the car seems to be set up for off-road or dust-road rallying.

[Rodolfo]

I was mostly impressed by the road behaviour of the suspension. Very impressive and still comfortable. Like an AMG.

[ja17]

The E320 engine is a good choice. Lots of power, easy to work on, longevity and excellent fuel mileage.

[stickandrudderman]

Actually I prefer the 300 but nonetheless if I were to modify a pagoda like that I would find the actual task of completing the work much less onerous that deciding which engine I would like; there are so many options all with their own redeeming features.

[GGR]

Two interpetations on the same theme, both at quite a sustained pace:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k48CdNqRb2s&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr2JneittqQ&list=RDSr2JneittqQ

I like both! We may have the sencond one drive the first one with some interesting results!

[114015]

Nice car, nice drive ...!

 I do not like this kind of music so much, though ....

Maybe I am too much old-school ....


Achim
(still without racing Pagoda)

[Shvegel]

Speaking as a for mechanic for a US Pro Rally team (much lower level than WRC) I hope they plan a skid plate over that cast aluminum oil pan. The rest looks pretty well sorted. 

[ja17]

Hello Pat,

Is your rally team going to run the Ohio Forest Pro Rally this spring?

[JamesL]

Actually I prefer the 300 but nonetheless if I were to modify a pagoda like that I would find the actual task of completing the work much less onerous that deciding which engine I would like; there are so many options all with their own redeeming features.

I've always thought the 2.6 from the 190e or 2.8 from the w202 c-class would be a lovely choice. Loved my 2.8

[Peter van Es]

I know the guy who owns that garage of the Dutch Pagoda rebuild, Jan Altena -- http://altenaclassicservice.nl. He supports a number of cars for rallying and has done a few conversions. He's not a Pagoda specialist though, but he is a reputable, nice guy.

As you can see from the video, the car is prepared for long distance rallies across rough terrain, and for performance/endurance -- not for originality. The brake lines and fuel lines are routed through the body. The fuel tank is enlarged. The mud flaps indicate rough terrain.

In this state (with this engine, dashboard and number of lights) the car would not be allowed in proper classic car rallies. It would be ok for the Carrera Panamericana, or something like the 2019 Peking to Paris rally.

Peter