Classic Alfa Forums

junior wrote:This next posting is a bit different, but interesting. But I forgot what it was and wondered if anyone knew.

Dead cool is what it is! It actually looks like the Reacher Satcom terminal trucks our ground systems division build for the MoD. Made by Mowag I believe. This looks like a civvy version, and a well appointed one at that!

A quick Google suggests it is based on the Mowag Bucher II 6x6 platform.

Lauren

I see what you mean. Quite capable of getting you anywhere in the world by the look of the military ones.

Thanks for that. I am enlightened.

Have we really not had anything since last September?

Here we go, try this one.

Another head scratcher that one!

I can't figure out what's going on in front of the engine, but I can see it is in-line, and is probably 4WD, as I can't see any Renault-style gearbox up front. Rather more plumbing than I like to see in an engine compartment, is it a Diesel?

Utterly stumped

Lauren, you will kick yourself about the engine. It isn't a diesel. A lot of the pipework is crude air-con.
You are correct about the 4WD.

Would i be crazy in suggesting something by AC Keith?

power steering reservoir looks ford, engine appears V8.......so i'm still non the wiser

petrolhead wrote:Would i be crazy in suggesting something by AC Keith?

Wrong Shrew, but on the right lines

Yes Kev, it has a V8.

So it has 4WD, V8 power and a Classic British heavyweight .

Was it any good?


It looks like the motor used in the Cortina 8's, but they were german factory built and never awd as far as i know.

Unless its in a rare Ambulance/ van type conversion with 4wd, but I'm getting further away from AC which you said was along the right lines!

Is the motor ford, or possibly rover, aston?


I'm clutching! Lol!

Not a Range Rover, Surely not?

Yeah I like those I think I saw them at the auto sport show not a bad price either, very retro

Jensen Interceptor FF Keith? Recognise the rocker covers I think.....

Four wheel drive, early Maxaret Anti lock braking - great car. My boss had two and ended up going to court over the second due to the paint lifting off after a few months of ownership.

Ted

Of course!

You've got to be right Ted, well done mate.


The awd and British connection threw me, but the mention of Laurens connection with the engine, big block Chrysler yes, surely confirms it?

To the front of the class Ted. Well done.

My next big job. I love these cars and that Chrysler lump sounds fantastic.

Another for my dream garage

I love them too, but feel like i didn't do them justice with this puzzle,


should've done better



Crafty though Keith, quite crafty!

Sills replaced and ABS tubes checked and protected plus a few minor repairs.
Full bare metal re spray, sadly, I won't see it finished as we are only painting it. Owner will re fit trim, glass and bright work.

Keeping the theme.

Iso Grifo


Corvette meets Bertone yes?


i hope so now!

Oh bloody 'ell!

I thought the aircon pump was the front of the engine!

Yes, definitely kicking myself over that one.

Yup, it's an ISO Grifo - another classic Italian-American hybrid. That gold one is superb - I always liked the later Gandini front end treatment.

Apparently Ferguson Formula 4WD was also fitted to a Reliant Scimitar GTE (with a 5 litre Ford V8) and also found its way into 25 Plymouth Fury police interceptors in the US. The Interceptor FF was also the starting point for the GKN FF100, designed to smash the 0-100-0 record, which it did in the dry - and then in the wet!

Maxaret is an interesting system, all mechanical I believe. Uses pressure accumulators to regulate the pedal force or something???

Lauren

Well that one went quick !!
I prepped and painted this car in 1999 for Barry, the owner.
It is a beautiful car that is cherished, but used. I may be biased, but it still looks fantastic. It also shares the same headlining material design as early Suds

Thanks for the info update Lauren, you have an amazing knowledge on these development cars.

My turn - easy one.

Fitch Phoenix

You were right

How about this then Shrew with the Corvair engine?

In a hippy way.

That would be Six Pack,

Built by Norm Grabowski

Keith - the gold ISO looks awesome. Must be satisfying to see the finished car looking so good.

It is superb I have to say - I saw it at Auto Italia Brooklands a few years back. It's a 327 small block I think? Best engine for these cars - ISO shipped them in from Detroit, then completely disassembled them and had them blueprinted because the stock engines couldn't handle cruising for hours on unrestricted autostrada... I think ISO specified forged pistons as well.

Giotto Bizzarrini based his Strada 5300 (5.3 litre, geddit?) on the ISO Grifo A3C race car, which shares much of its mechanicals with the Grifo A3L. The engine is mounted so far back in the chassis that you access the distributor through a hatch in the top of the dashboard

How come the Fitch Phoenix was such an easy one to get? Has it got a starring role on TV or something? I only recognised it by its weird spare wheel bumps...

Lauren

Veesix75 wrote:Keith - the gold ISO looks awesome. Must be satisfying to see the finished car looking so good.

Thanks Tim, I do love it and she still looks good and I haven't had to do much work on her since.
Barry, the owner, also had me do some work on his Lele.
It was the 1971 Earls Court Motor show car and Barry has some photos of it with a model draped over it.
Lauren, I am led to believe this car has been fitted with an 350cu in engine.
The interior is beautiful, and original and the leather is so soft.
Glad you like it. Thanks.

Maybe i have an eye for bumpy things!

The Fitch Phoenix was featured in an episode of Chasing Classic Cars a while back Lauren.