Reading between the lines

[DavidLaver]

I was tempted to post this even without the passing comment of a Merc main dealer and factory approved classic specialist that his favourite car is a Lancia Stratos (and a picture of). 

Like many road tests of 50s and 60s Ferraris you don't need to read far between the lines to see that they are not actually all that nice.  Swing axle suspension keeps the speed down on the curves and nerves at the brakes keep speeds down on the straight.  Steering kicks.  The engine isn't that responsive and makes a lot of heat and noise in the cabin.  Ergonomics poor.  Oil takes an age to warm and gets diluted by unburnt fuel.  Luggage difficult to extract.  Lovely to look at for sure, but once you read how poor it is aerodynamically it rather spoils even that.

http://www.classicandsportscar.com/news/csc-features/gunning-a-mercedes-benz-300sl-gullwing-in-the-alps?utm_source=Silverpop&utm_medium=EMAIL&utm_campaign=CLS%20email%20newsletter%2027%20June%202013%20(1)&utm_content=Blog_main_header_1

An Aurelia is the obvious comparison, but would an Aprilia have kept pace with them?

David

[simonandjuliet]

Quote from Anthony Smallhorn during some recent correspondence:

Possibly the greatest compliment ever paid to the Aprilia was Stirling Moss, to me (Anthony S), on Tower Bridge: "My dad, and I, thought it the best car we ever owned"!
 
We were No 8, he was No7, and he came up especially to say it.
 
The other great compliment was Ron Gammon, keeper of MGs, to Stirling:  "You haven't tried to overtake that thing going down hill, have you?"  There was no comment.

This was during the time YRV 700 was being used on the Pirelli Classic Marathon in the late 80's early 90's

[Richard Fridd]

From The Automobile http://www.jeanknowscars.com/features/style/pirelli-classic-marathon-rally/viewall/

[DavidLaver]

Aurelia header photo to a piece about the 25th anniversary of the Endurance Rally Association.

http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/news/octanenews/289915/endurance_rally_association_celebrates_25th_anniversary.html?CMP=NLC-Newsletters

While I'm here "Lancia Stratos HF LOUD Sounds! - Rally Legend" which makes good background music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmZOXTFLE_Y

...and a couple more.  Can you tell just by listening if its wet wales or mountains?  Aside from the nature of the echoes my favourite is the slight stutter when scrabbling for grip accelerating on iffy tarmac.  Rendevous has a bit of that on cobbles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zSmlhl7-yc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSXDQoYQtDM

David