Guess the Car

A few days ago we tested your knowledge with some photos of a Syrena. (The Syrena was made in Warsaw and in Bielsko-Biala from 1956 to 1983. Over 500,000 cars were manufactured.)

So...what do you think about this car?

If you think you can identify it, write in your comment.

Good luck.

And the winner is -

Arunas got it right. Yesterdays blog post asked to guess the
make of the mystery car and we have a winner. The answer
is the FSO (Fabryka Samochodow Osobowych) Syrena 104.
A Polish car that boasts 40 hp from it's 3 cyl 2 stroke 842cc
engine. Mate that to a 4 speed trans and front wheel drive &
it's go go go. Today we have the same in model version from
http://www.miniautohobby.blogspot.com
For other rare cars check out the site -
http://findrarecar.co.cc

Guessing Game

Okay folks, are records show thousands of you read our posts.
Can anyone name this car ? Make a comment - It's not hard.

A trio of Fairthorpes

Fairthorpes live right on the line -- almost too big to be classified as a minicar -- but considered small by the drivers of most other sports cars.

The early versions of the Electron Minor were fitted with a Triumph 948cc engine. The same engine that was used in the Triumph Standard Ten (also referred to as the Triumph Sedan). Later versions were bumped up to the 1147cc engine that was standard in the Triumph Herald. Along the line several Ford engines found their way into Fairthorpes, and the run ended up with the engines used in Triumph Spitfires.

(The Electron was something altogether different -- fitted with a 1098cc Coventry Climax engine -- making it a strong competitor on UK tracks in the late 50's and early 60's.)

But both of these cars have a common ancestor -- the Fairthorpe Atom. A fiberglass microcar that sported engines such as an Excelsior two stroke, a BSA 250cc and a Gold Flash 650.

MINUTIA is in the mail

I know. You've heard it before. The check is in the mail (the oldest lie of all time).

But it's true...the new issue of MINUTIA is in the mail.

Check it out. A great article on Bond Minicars by Malcolm Bobbitt -- part 2 of Carl Goodwin's story about the racing Abarths of Team Roosevelt -- some terrific photos of the Bantams at Amelia Island -- plus lots more.

Car of the Future - again

There have been many cars designated as "Car of the Future" upon looks alone.
This little streamliner has more than looks. A novel drive system that powers the
Back wheel with electric power for short cruises and the front wheels with a small
diesel engine for extended drives. get the facts about this cool cruiser at the site -
www.rqriley.com/xr3.htm

Hmmm....Am I Crazy Enough to Try?

It's hard to resist thinking about potential projects.

What if I...?

Would it work to...?

What about...?

I saw this picture of a "Blown Berkeley" (or should I refer to it as a Gasser Berk?) on the H.A.M.B. -- and it made me think about that engineless Berkeley body that has been waiting for just the right moment.

How about a Flathead Ford in an English Microcar?

Starlite star bright

Two versions of the Nu Klea by Kish in Lansing MI. Production never really
got under way because of problems with funding the project. The red Starlite
model has quite a nice sporty look to it.

Caution: I brake for Panda Bears

If you were driving this car, you had better keep away from the Pandas. (Go ahead -- look it up. A Panda Bear's diet is almost entirely bamboo shoots.)

This single-seat electric-powered concept car that went on show in Japan is unlikely to win prizes for its looks, but it is literally greener than its rivals; the ‘BamGoo’ has bodywork made entirely from bamboo that can be thrown on the compost heap when it comes to the end of its life. (Or -- feed it to a Panda Bear.)

The 60-kg eco-friendly car has been built at Kyoto University, using a local bamboo weaving technique. The car can run for some 50 kilometres (30 miles) on a single charge.

600 vs. 600

Ocelot: Racing Car or Racing Kart?

I wish I knew more about this photo -- but the caption is all the information I have on this little racer.

OCELOT -- That's the name of thie weird job that Bill Krause drove in exhibition lap at CSCC Riverside races. The tiny kart-like job weighs only 250 pounds and is said to have maximum speed of 80 mph. (MOTORACING photo by Bill Norcross.)

But it is certainly a change of pace for Bill Krause to be driving a little car like this one. His usual rides were more like the Maserati pictured below. (Laguna Seca in 1960)

The TITAN of microcars

Titan inc. sounds like it would build something like a Hummer.
They went the other way, naming thier car the Elf.

Volkswagen L1 -- Today's version of a Messerschmitt

Volkswagen displayed their L1 Concept Car at this year's Frankfurt Auto Show -- describing it as a futuristic economy car. But the future looks a lot like the past -- tandem seating and a swing-away canopy sure make this futuristic car look like a Messerschmitt.

What do you think?

Peugeot Packs Four People in a Microcar/Scooter

Peugeot's designers have clearly been sharpening their pencils. The BB1, unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show manages to "cram" four people in an 8.2 foot-long minicar. (Actually, it seems to be a cross between a microcar and a scooter -- complete with a handlebar steering mechanism.)

The models look happy -- but we've got to wonder where they put their legs when the doors are closed.

EGGciting Concepts

Here are some concept cars that continue the thought that the Isetta designers had.

ONE SWEET RIDE

We've featured a Pea car. an Orange car, now how 'bout some Egg cars.

Beep beep'm beep beep, yeah

Baby you can drive my car
Yes I'm gonna be a star
Baby you can drive my car
And maybe I'll love you

Beep beep'm beep beep yeah

Written by Lennon and McCartney back in 1965. This has to have something to do with the fact that all four of the Beatles owned Austin Mini's. (See the "Yeah, yeah, yeah" blog posting.)

We did a little hunting around and found a few more images of the Beatles and their little cars.

Ringo getting out of George's Mini

Paul driving a Mini Moke

John getting a ride in George's Mini

John and Yoko posing in front of their Austin Maxi (after the accident)

George and his Mini

Buy Two Birds In One Auction?

Is that how the saying goes -- or was it "killing birds with stones" -- or maybe something about a "bird in hand" -- maybe it was "a bird in time saves nine"...?

Oh well. It's something like that.

At any rate, if you are interested in birds -- and we mean the kind of birds you can drive -- check out the upcoming Bonhams Vintage New England, Imported Motorcars and Automobilia auction to be held on September 26th in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Lot #435 is a 2000 Corbin Sparrow Electric Car (that's one bird), and lot #436 is a 1941 American Bantam 65 Super Roadster (that's the other bird). And they booth look pretty good -- some fine cars to feather your nest with.

Pink or Blue

Which Russian model would you choose. Hey, I mean the cars!

Get Small in Mamaroneck

This will be the 36th anniversary of the Car Show & Flea Market at Harbor Island Park, Mamaroneck, NY -- and the second year that the show will feature a Micro Car classification.

The weather forcast (so far) calls for mostly sunny skies, with temperatures between 63° and 80° -- perfect weather to come out with your car, or just come out to see the cars.

The Kiwanis club of Mamaroneck • Harrison • Rye are the sponsors of the show. The gates open for cars at 9:00 am, with judging beginning at 11:30 am.

The show is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, 2009 (Rain date: Sunday, September 20).

Yeah Yeah Yeah

Since the Beatles are coming out with a new compilation set - Here's ours.
We have Paul in his Mini - John in George's Magical Mini and
finally Ringo's Radford Mini that he bought from Brian Epstein.

Talkin' TINY

The PUMA - Personal Urban Mobility & Accessibility is a small bodied Segway.

Smartcycle

Which has more cc's

'ere's a MInI blokes

Yesterday we featured a MINI of today - Here's one of tomorrow

I wouldn't say Mini

Now how do I describe this - I better not.