Interesting car selection

[lynxd67]

My car is now ready after it's "remodelling" last year and I got this photo today from the workshop. The low drag replica he built himself in his workshop and even went as far as to remake the alloy engine blocks! Anyone tell me what car that is on the trolley? I'm sure someone will get it straight away. It's another of his collection - most of the cars here are his. Mine's the one behind the Cobra and I have to say he did a fantastic job on it.

[Combover]

I'm not entirely sure which car you mean, the white car? It's a Cobra 260/289 type I think. No idea what the bare chassis is though. Looks impressive as heck! Does he race them all?

Edited by Combover on Wednesday 28th February 07:16

[The Wiz]

Are those both genuine Daytona coupes?

[lynxd67]

Well, the answer to the Daytona coupé is - er - yes and no. The owner of the garage has the right, signed by Carroll Shelby, to transform six 289 real Cobras into Daytonas and one car you can't see here - out of the picture on the right - is one being built at the moment. I have no idea what they do with the original body shells though - I hope they keep them! This is the fifth Daytona and so only one more can be built. So yes, they are real Cobras and the buck he has had made to build the Daytonas is millimetre perfect. If I get a chance one day I'll photograph it for you. But to answer your question, no they aren't original Daytonas no more than a Sanction 4 Aston Zagato or a Willment GT40 is original, but perfect and with all correct just the same. The car in white is a real 289 Cobra. The car nearest is one of his Daytonas and for sale if you have the money!

Incidentally, look again! The car opposite isn't a Daytona but a Jaguar E type low drag coupé replica built by his workmen there. The colour is confusing I'll admit. But no one yet has guessed the model of car in chassis form on the right on the trolley - I'll leave you to ponder a bit more before giving the answer but I did post this photo on another forum and someone got it in 10 minutes! I'll just say that it is one of Le Mans mythical cars being rebuilt to give you a clue.

[williamp]

lynxd67 said:

Well, the answer to the Daytona coupé is - er - yes and no. The owner of the garage has the right, signed by Carroll Shelby, to transform six 289 real Cobras into Daytonas and one car you can't see here - out of the picture on the right - is one being built at the moment. I have no idea what they do with the original body shells though - I hope they keep them! This is the fifth Daytona and so only one more can be built. So yes, they are real Cobras and the buck he has had made to build the Daytonas is millimetre perfect. If I get a chance one day I'll photograph it for you. But to answer your question, no they aren't original Daytonas no more than a Sanction 4 Aston Zagato or a Willment GT40 is original, but perfect and with all correct just the same. The car in white is a real 289 Cobra. The car nearest is one of his Daytonas and for sale if you have the money!

Incidentally, look again! The car opposite isn't a Daytona but a Jaguar E type low drag coupé replica built by his workmen there. The colour is confusing I'll admit. But no one yet has guessed the model of car in chassis form on the right on the trolley - I'll leave you to ponder a bit more before giving the answer but I did post this photo on another forum and someone got it in 10 minutes! I'll just say that it is one of Le Mans mythical cars being rebuilt to give you a clue.

One of Le Mans mythical cars being built? With a tubula spaceframe and a very long nose. Hmmmm... I was thinking of a Chevron, but maybe not.

Can I give up and have the answer, please?

Oh, great photo by the way

[lynxd67]

This one of yesterday's heroes, not a modern car at all, nor a replica but a real Le Mans car from a time gone by being rebuilt at the moment but it is one of the mythical Le Mans cars, just like the D type was in it's period and the Porsche's in the 1970's. And no - it isn't a Chevron..............

Waiting...........

[pugster]

Lola T70?, GT40?

[lynxd67]

No. This is a closed car with enormous Le Mans history. The make and model are world famous.

[lynxd67]

Oh, sorry! Yes, your second guess was right! This is the chassis of a GT40 which belongs to the same guy and which has been in bits for a while and is now being rebuilt. Well done!

[aeropilot]

Nice collection of stuff, and a nice 53 Chevy in the background......

I'd still love a 427 Cobra, even if it's a replica, although it would have to be an ERA one.

[pugster]

Pure guesswork on my part i'm afraid. Nothing more scientific than thinking that the lump in the back must be a ford or chevy.

Appreciate you may not be able to divulge details but the GT40 isn't the one owned by A.N is it?

Great D-Type by the way. The short nose and long nose both look fantastic but the short nose wins me over every time.

[lynxd67]

Sorry no - this is another car completely which wasn't accidented but is being rebuilt as new. Here's the car you are talking about though

[pugster]

Thanks Lynxd67.

A crash that he was fortunate to walk away from by the looks of it.

Having only attended Le Mans for the "contemporary" 24 hours how does the classic compare?

I'm contemplating swapping over to the classic for the annual pilgrimage (budget doesn't stretch to both) so i would be interested to hear any comments you have on the classic as an event.

Thanks again.

[lynxd67]

Well of course you can do both since the Classic is every two years, normally at the beginning of July instead of June and there are considerable differences. Think of a Formula 1 crowd compared to the Goodwood Revival, A day powerboating or a lazy drift down the river in a canal boat. The Le Mans 24 hour has 200,000 spectators, enormous noise and bustle at all times of day and night, difficulty moving around on foot or on car; the Classic is more relaxed, gentle, and without wishing to be rude to anyone the old Brooklands motto of "the right crowd and no crowding" comes to mind. That isn't to say it hasn't changed and become less easygoing, far from it. In 2002 there were 30,000, in 2004 50,000 and last year 70,000 with every prospect of more at the next event. The Classic has become established as one of the three most prestigeous events of the year, far behind the style and sang froid of Goodwood, far from the glitzy brash charm of Laguna Seca, but up there as one of the foremost festivals of the classic car in the world. I'm going to the fourth this year at Watkins Glen the day after the Revival so I'll reserve comment on that one until I can say one way or another. Security has been heightened it is true - I drove my Lynx D type into every paddock without question in 2004 and parked it anywhere! However, the sight of a Bentley gloriously powering by, the blower howling, the sound of Cobra and Corvette engines with their basso profundo, the howl of a Bugatti, the bark of a Jaguar, the night racing as GT40 battles Maserati - this is the difference for me - the sheer variety of it all. To be able to get into the paddocks, now forbidden at the 24 hour, the relaxed easy going nature in the bars, for me it is a sheer delight. Perhaps it is because I am older and love classic cars (but then 10 years back I had a modern Ferrari too) that I love it so, but there again I love the 24 hour race for its vibrancy and the sheer devotion to duty of each team and driver. It takes guts, stamina and unbelievable effort.

I know you can't get to the places I get for some of these shots (we dine in air conditioned comfort over the museum for example) but here are a few taste bud sharpeners for you from last year's event. Please feel free to contact me for help or advice if you need.

[pugster]

Thanks once again Lynxd67. A nicely worded insight and comparison of the respective events.

As you rightly say it's different strokes for different folks when comparing the two events.
I still find the contemporary 24 hours a fascinating test of endurance (for teams and spectators alike!!) but the contemporary cars just don't hold as much interest as they once did. I've also found that the freedom enjoyed on my 1st trip (such as standing behind the hedge at the Mulsanne Cafe) has been clamped down to such a degree that the only areas readily available are the general admission areas. In the cotton wool age that we live i can appreciate why the ACO have clamped down on this but, for me at least, losing the opportunity to see the cars at flat chat down the Mulsanne whilst enjoying a pint (or two)at the Mulsanne cafe is part of the Le Mans experience that i really miss. A final point is really in agreement with your sentiments regarding the crowds at the contemporary event. It really isn't a elitist thing but the contemporary event has definitely more of an air of "laddishness" about it which i'm not sure existed to as greater degree maybe 15 years ago. This has never bothered me as some of the antics and creations i saw in the past were downright hilarious. However sometimes i have seen things that go way beyond my own comfort zone of "silliness".

The impression i get is that the classic really is a more laid back event (for now at least) so it will be good to get the opportunity to explore the paddock, the cars and hopefully some areas deemed out of bounds for the 24 hours. Also i imagine the fantastic variety of cars that are on the timetable allows for planning around seeing the cars you really want to watch.

Although i didn't need a great deal of convincing i think you have helped me make my mind up so thanks very much and roll on 2008!!

One final question if you dont mind - I understand that you can join the ACO? Do you know in your experience whether there are any real benefits of joining up, particulary when attending events?