Tag Archives: course

Belated Birthday Present?

Hi there,

I think I found your belated birthday present. Unfortunately, it’s called a Sherpa (just “Sherp” in Russian [ Шерп ]) and I can’t afford it; these things run about $50’000 each according to what I read. But it does look like fun! Of course, you would have to have the owners’ handbook translated from Russian. But if they sell enough, they will probably do it themselves! But think of the positive side: you could run through the Bayous with this, even in the floods, and come out right side up!

Here’s the gadget:

Good luck!

Dad

2016 Mini Clubman Special Reports

Hi again,

I ran across the following advert and reviews and thought – considering our background – they belong here. This is a new concept for me – a 6-door Mini! And no, it is not a stretch limo: two on the left, two on the right, and two behind (the famous bread-van doors are still with us). My guess (no, I didn’t read the information yet but it is stated in one of the videos) is that it is larger and more expensive that the prior versions – typical BMW marketing practice, I guess. A 2 liter turbocharged engine helps with convincing a potential buyer as well (in the Cooper S version).

Anyway, here are the videos.

The first one is “The MINI Clubman Revealed”

The next video is “New MINI Clubman Cooper S Review”, and you can see how much Nederlands you remember :)) (there are English sub-titles available)

And just in case you didn’t catch all the Dutch above, here is another extensive English review “2016 Mini Clubman Cooper S Review – Inside Lane” (Inside Lane is a UK cart magazine)

Go out and buy one tonight? Well, maybe tomorrow afternoon…


By the way, I was looking for a pic of something like the Mini we had in those days and found the one below, also a 1963 Austin Mini Clubman (but left-hand drive) that has been meticulously restored by a German guy (who apparently lives in Osnabrueck judging by the license plates) and is for sale for € 17,900. Here are a few pictures, and I hope the owner does not disagree with me publishing them here. His advert is at http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C652844. The vehicle appears to be in perfect condition! Better than ours ever was! 😀

The main differences (aside from the lhd) are the colour – he has used something called “surf blue” – ours was a bit lighter and was a BMC standard colour in South Africa, and the license plates – ours were OIL-505 (and of course, South African).

Austin Mini 6379628
mini-5-1687x1265
davidsbirthday-com-1963-mini-clubman-estate-6-1687x1265
davidsbirthday-com-1963-austin-mini-clubman-15-1687x1265

MB Goes After The Porsche Market

This is an interesting development. I picked this up just after New Years and I have to say I think MB has a chance with this. Of course, this one is an AMG development, but who knows what MB will put on the assembly line?

mercedes-amg-gt

The official (German) text follows, with a loose translation…

Mercedes AMG GT

Dieser Sportwagen soll zum neuen Porsche-Jäger Nummer eins werden. Mit dem Mercedes AMG GT steht ab März eine heiß ersehnte Premiere an. Der rassige Gran Turismo wird wahlweise von 462 oder 510 PS befeuert, ist maximal 310 Stundenkilometer schnell und soll mindestens 130.000 Euro kosten. © Daimler

[ Translation: This sportscar is expected to become the top Porsche chaser. The Mercedes AMG GT is due for an anxiously awaited introduction in March. The racy Gran Turismo will be delivered with either a 462 or 510 horsepower engine (your choice), should go up to 310 kmh (194 mph) and should cost at least EUR 130,000 (about US$ 155’000 at today’s exchange rate). ]

What a bargain, 1.25 mph per $1,000!