Nice old cars other than x-fire
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How to be environmentally friendly before the days of Elon
1927 Isotta Fraschini 8A S Roadster
Isotta Fraschini is an automaker that’s largely unknown today, but back in their pre-Depression heyday they were globally recognised as a leader in the production of luxury automobiles – second only to Rolls-Royce in fame and reputation.The company started life in 1900 as a small Italian outfit that assembled and sold early Renault automobiles, by 1904 the company was producing its own car and by 1905 Isotta Fraschini had built and entered a monstrously powerful 17.2 litre (1,050 cubic inch), 100hp car in the first Coppa Florio road race running from Brescia through Cremona and Mantova before arriving back in Brescia in time for appertivo.
Isotta Fraschini flourished in the 1910s and 1920s due to the booming American economy, movie stars and business tycoons would regularly be seen driving the opulent Italian automobiles – which did the marque no harm in building its reputation and competing with Rolls-Royce.
The car you see here is a 1927 Isotta Fraschini 8A S Roadster, it was originally ordered by silent film star Rudolf Valentino who was in the process of filming the movie Cobra – the coachbuilders at Fleetwood who had been tasked with bodying the 8A S felt that the cobra hood ornament would be a nice touch. Sadly, Valentino died suddenly of complications from appendicitis in mid-1926 and as a result he was never able to take delivery of the car, which instead passed on into slightly less famous ownership.
By the late 20th century the 8A S Roadster had found its way into the private collection of the Browning family of Utah (heirs to the Browning firearm fortune), in the early 2000s the car changed hands again – this time landing in the possession of noted classic car collector Judge Joe Cassini who commissioned a body off, frame up restoration.
The car is now in concours condition and has been shown extensively in the USA, its next major outing will be the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance due to be held on the 24th of October to the 26th in Savannah, Georgia before moving to Hilton Head Island for the 1st and 2nd of November 2014.
I thought it was a Rolls-Royce armoured car. Has that look...
When I first saw it I didn’t know what the heck it was . I’ve never seen one before or heard of but thought the chopped look of what appears to be a soft top was pretty cool. Not to mention the opera window in the back. Looks better from the door handle forward than back . Interesting build for sure.
Miller 91 race car ,
In the late 1920s, automobiles designed by Harry Miller dominated the line-up at the annual Indianapolis 500 race. Equipped with the new 1.5-liter engine in 1926, Miller's Front Drive bristled with technological innovation and was arguably the most advanced race car of its time. With no driveshaft underneath, the driver sat low in the chassis - nine inches lower than in a standard rear drive. This, combined with Miller's already narrow body design, greatly reduced the new car's frontal area. Between 1922 and 1928, 83 percent of the cars that qualified at Indianapolis were Millers. The race was won by Miller front-wheel drive cars in 1926, 1928, and 1929.
Regulation changes for 1926 limited the size of motors to only 91 cubic inches (1.5 liters). However, with a centrifugal supercharger, the twin overhead camshaft Miller motor could produce 250 horsepower, with a top speed of 171 mph.
The Miller 91 FWD racecar sold for $15,000. Ten were built.
This is the car that won the Indianapolis 500 race in 1928. It was driven by Leon Duray, who purchased two of the 91 FWD and raced them in Europe, as well. Leon Duray set a single-lap speed record of 124.08 mph in 1928 that was not bettered for nine years - the longest-lasting record in Speedway history. He also shattered the records at Monza in this car when he took it to Europe to compete against the leading Alfas and Maserati of the day.
Pretty good power from a 1.5 litre in 1928 .
In the late 1920s, automobiles designed by Harry Miller dominated the line-up at the annual Indianapolis 500 race. Equipped with the new 1.5-liter engine in 1926, Miller's Front Drive bristled with technological innovation and was arguably the most advanced race car of its time. With no driveshaft underneath, the driver sat low in the chassis - nine inches lower than in a standard rear drive. This, combined with Miller's already narrow body design, greatly reduced the new car's frontal area. Between 1922 and 1928, 83 percent of the cars that qualified at Indianapolis were Millers. The race was won by Miller front-wheel drive cars in 1926, 1928, and 1929.
Regulation changes for 1926 limited the size of motors to only 91 cubic inches (1.5 liters). However, with a centrifugal supercharger, the twin overhead camshaft Miller motor could produce 250 horsepower, with a top speed of 171 mph.
The Miller 91 FWD racecar sold for $15,000. Ten were built.
This is the car that won the Indianapolis 500 race in 1928. It was driven by Leon Duray, who purchased two of the 91 FWD and raced them in Europe, as well. Leon Duray set a single-lap speed record of 124.08 mph in 1928 that was not bettered for nine years - the longest-lasting record in Speedway history. He also shattered the records at Monza in this car when he took it to Europe to compete against the leading Alfas and Maserati of the day.
Pretty good power from a 1.5 litre in 1928 .
1928 Renault Reinastella
Originally named Renahuit, the Reinastella was unveiled at the 1928 Paris Motor Show. The sophisticated elegance and luxury of this prestigious model made it the “Queen of Billancourt”.The roaring twenties
The 1920s. Blithely unaware of the looming crisis, the rich gave free rein to their euphoria by buying luxurious cars. Hispano-Suizas, Rolls-Royces, Daimlers, Packards, Reinastellas… At the wheel of these exceptional vehicles, the elite had fun, dreamed the days away and inspired the dreams of others.The Reinastella was one of these prestigious vehicles. A masterpiece of beauty and elegance, it was the worthy heroine of a decade that adored Josephine Baker, the Moulin Rouge and the Charleston.
A star is born
The Reinastella marked the start of the Stella series, a constellation of prestigious models produced until 1933. Recognizable by the star riveted to the radiator grille above the famous lozenge, the Reinastella illustrated the golden age of classic bodywork.Sitting lower than its legendary cousin, the 40 hp, the Reinastella had a long bonnet, giving it the elegant styling of a luxury vehicle, on which the greatest body designers of the time could express their talent. It was acclaimed from its first appearance.
Its size was its most impressive feature: 5.30 meters long and 2 meters wide. It also weighed 2.5 tons! When it made its market debut, it was the biggest car ever produced by Renault.
Stylish and innovative
Less sporty than a Hispano Suiza or Rolls Royce, the Renault Reinastella placed the emphasis on comfort, strength and price, with a level of performance that was more than respectable. The Reinastella was the 1st Renault to be fitted with an 8-cylinder engine of 7.1 liters. It had a top speed of 140 kph, as highlighted in adverts of the time: “The Reinastella easily exceeds 130 kph and delivers the highest averages. On even the longest journeys, this sumptuous vehicle outshines the most luxurious trains for comfort, speed and safety”.The radiator of the Reinastella also set an example. For the first time, it was placed on the front of the bonnet. All future Renault models adopted the same layout.
In 1933, a lighter version appeared on the market: the Reinasport. As suggested by its name, it was a sportier version, designed to compete with models from the UK and US. It was also more economical and, like its cousin the Nervastella, better adapted to the economic conditions that emerged in the wake of the 1929 crisis.
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