the.cern
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« on: 11 May, 2014, 07:43:30 PM » |
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I am watching 'For the Love of Cars' on Channel 4 and suddenly there it was, Richard's profile picture. It seems it is the eccentric 60's engine specialist brother and sister act, the Downtons.
It seems that they were the best contemporary engine specialist for the BMC A series engine. They significantly improved the performance of the A series engine over and above the improvements wrought by the brilliant John Cooper!!
Another bit of useless trivia ....
Andy
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Richard Fridd
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« Reply #1 on: 11 May, 2014, 08:22:28 PM » |
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Crikey, well spotted. Nothing wrong with useless trivia. However I thought Daniel and Bunty Richmond were married. Looks like they are having fun in the photo! http://mk1-performance-conversions.co.uk/downton.htm
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« Last Edit: 11 May, 2014, 08:25:17 PM by Richard Fridd »
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Richard Nevison Fridd Happy Lancia, Happy Life
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the.cern
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« Reply #2 on: 11 May, 2014, 09:34:11 PM » |
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You might well be right Richard, I was not taking it all in as I was so astounded to see the picture. Whatever the relationship it seems there was no doubt about their brilliance with the A series!!
Andy
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stanley sweet
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« Reply #3 on: 12 May, 2014, 08:23:17 AM » |
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I'd seen the photo before years ago in a magazine but couldn't remember who they were. They were married and in the programme were described as 'Victorian eccentrics'. Must admit I hadn't realised how much power they were getting out of their engines - far more than a Cooper version. It's been an interesting programme - and I'd trust that restorer a lot more than the other two who are buying old wrecks and doing them up (can't remember the name). Wonder if they'll branch out into foreign cars in a further series? This series is all British but sponsored by Alfa.
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1971 Fulvia 1.3S 'Leggera' 1999 Lancia Lybra 1.9JTD LX SW
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sparehead3
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« Reply #4 on: 12 May, 2014, 10:56:45 AM » |
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I have to say, this is one of the most watchable series on cars in a long time (and Lancia did get a mention last week in the Stag episode).
I'd quite like a mini - but have never driven one - my main experience being 5 up in one as a student and grounding on every speed hump !
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Regards, Steve Pilgrim
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stanley sweet
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« Reply #5 on: 12 May, 2014, 01:29:53 PM » |
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My sister had an old 850 as a first car in about 1980. Hand painted maroon, entire fibreglass bonnet and wings that tipped forward as one piece. Drove it a number of times and it just felt low and fast (?) like a go-kart (although I've never driven a go-kart). I remember the first time I had all 4 tyres replaced at the same time on the Fulvia and saying to my wife 'It feels great, like a big Mini'. Which I suppose a Fulvia is....
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1971 Fulvia 1.3S 'Leggera' 1999 Lancia Lybra 1.9JTD LX SW
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sparehead3
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« Reply #6 on: 12 May, 2014, 03:18:03 PM » |
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'It feels great, like a big Mini'. Like a modern mini ?
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Regards, Steve Pilgrim
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the.cern
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« Reply #7 on: 15 May, 2014, 04:51:53 PM » |
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I bought an 850 Mini for my daughter. I thought it was rather fun!
She named it Brian ............... after the snail on Magic Roundabout !!!!!!!!
Andy
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Dilambdaman
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« Reply #8 on: 16 May, 2014, 05:43:11 PM » |
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Takes me back to my misspent youth before I discovered Lancia. Mk1 998 Cooper in chrome yellow with black roof built with my next door neigbour who turned out to be a far better navigator than I a driver. Second picture is after I'd rolled it somewhere out Aldershot way. I hated that car more than any other I've owned! Robin
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« Last Edit: 16 May, 2014, 05:49:12 PM by Dilambdaman »
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Robin Lacey 3222
1932 Dilambda 1992 Y10 GTie 2012 Delta Mk3
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stanley sweet
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« Reply #9 on: 17 May, 2014, 09:19:49 AM » |
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Out Aldershot way? Wasn't ever a member of the Hart Motor Club were you? I used to sprint and do 12 cars under that club. I was in Camberley at the time.
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1971 Fulvia 1.3S 'Leggera' 1999 Lancia Lybra 1.9JTD LX SW
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Dilambdaman
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« Reply #10 on: 17 May, 2014, 09:17:49 PM » |
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Hi Stanley,
No, if you look closely at the front wing of the Mini you can see a Central Sussex Motor Club sticker. 1966- late 7os I was doing mainly ASEMC and Motoring News events.
Robin.
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Robin Lacey 3222
1932 Dilambda 1992 Y10 GTie 2012 Delta Mk3
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