Patrick James » Blast From The Past

Subaru Backs Vulcan… No Not Spock!

Patrick James — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:00:45 +0000

I’ve had that strange “Wonderful Feeling” all day so I decided to share this story, even though it’s not exactly(!) car related… but I thought it was interesting nonetheless! If anyone ever built model aircrafts it will be of particular interest… NewCarNet is reporting on an unusual restoration story:

A recently restored Vulcan bomber from Britain’s Cold War nuclear strike force took to the skies again last week.

And Subaru (UK) Limited is supporting the project to keep Avro Vulcan XH558 in flight-worthy condition.

The plane, the only Vulcan still in working condition, had a successful maiden-flight at Bruntingthorpe Proving Grounds.

With funding from the government lottery commission, and many of the companies who produced the original components being reformed, the restoration was the culmination of a massive team effort by Dr Robert Pleming, David Walton and generations of dedicated engineers.

READ ARTICLE:

by Patrick James.

Step Back In Time… Ferrari Vandenbrink GTO.

Patrick James — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:00:31 +0000

The gurus at TopGear are giving us a wonderful look at the Ferrari Vandenbrink GTO:

“Time to party like it’s 1962: the Vandenbrink GTO is set to enter production and evoke all those happy tri-nostrilled memories of the original Ferrari 250 GTO.

We saw drawings of the 599 GTB-derived GTO back in May and while we were impressed with its faithful recreation of the 60s icon, we have to admit we were sceptical that it’d ever reach the road”

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“And now for something different….”

Patrick James — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 11:00:35 +0000

“And now for something different….” Here is a blast from the past, with a difference courtesy of Jalopnik. For those of us old enough to remember, here is a look at the iconic Morris Minor’s family tree!

Electric Cars… A Vintage Concept!

Patrick James — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:00:42 +0000

With all the interest in finding a Green alternative to petroleum powered engines, major car companies are now looking at the possibilities of the electric car “once again!”. The concept of an electric car is not a new idea at all, in fact the electric powered car pre-dates cars running on combustion engines.

BEVs (battery electric vehicle) were among some of the earliest automobiles. Following the invention of electricity, in the years between 1832 and 1839 (exact year is uncertain), Scottish businessman Robert Anderson invented the first electric powered carriage. It was of crude design and yet a century-and-a-half ahead of its time. The introduction of the electric starter motor by Cadillac in 1913 contributed to the success of the internal combustion engine, making it easier to start and less dangerous. This innovation contributed greatly to the downfall of the electric vehicle, as did the age of the mass-produced and relatively inexpensive Ford Model T.

BEVs are more energy efficient than the internal combustion engine, the fuel cell, and most other types of vehicles. BEVs produce no exhaust fumes and minimal pollution if charged from a renewable energy source. Electric cars have had problematic issues with expensive battery costs, restrictive travel distances between battery recharging, long charging time, and short battery lifespan, which have limited widespread demand.

With the environmental issue becoming an ever-more apparent concern, it may be that Robert Anderson’s time has come and that one day in the not-so-distant future an old concept will see electric cars being the norm’ on every street.