100 greatest driver cars book: help me with the ones I have to write!

[Cano]

100 greatest driver cars book: help me with the ones I have to write!

EDIT: finished cars are RED now, thanks to all who have contributed.


Help your fellow GTPer.

As some of you know, I work at car magazines here in Mexico, and the editorial house is publishing a “100 greatest driver/driving cars” kinda book; its pretty horrid with the list clogged with stuff like a VW Touareg and with such awesomeness as the Escudo Pikes Peak.

The problem is, its due in about one month, complete with pictures, words and a small technical data table, and I’m supposed to write and look for big pictures of about 30 of them. My list is as follows:

-BMW-Brabham F1 car (1000 hp)
-Bugatti Type 35
-Camaro ZL1 427 1969 <--- urgently need pics of. Big pics.
-Plymouth Superbird Hemi (bleh, other guy did it)
-Dale Earhardt&#8217;s (dunno how to correctly write the guy&#8217;s name) most famous NASCAR Chevrolet
-1970 Dodge Challenger HEMI
-Ferrari F1 2008
-Fiat 131 Abarth rally
-Ford T
-Ford Escort Cosworth
-1940s GM Suburban
-Hummer H1 <--- need just pics
-1940s Land Rover Defender <--- thanks Stumpy Dino!
-Lincoln Capri 1954 Carrera Panamericana
-1957 Maserati 250F (Fangio)
-Mazda 787B
-Mazda Miata
-1967 Mercury Cougar
-Mitsu Pajero EVO Dakar
-Mitsu Lancer EVO (general overview)
-Peugeot 205T16
-Peugeot 908 HDI Le Mans
-Second gen Pontiac Trans Am
-Shelby Cobra 427
-Toyota Supra twin turbo
-Volkswagen Touareg (Dakar race car)

Yeah, the list was handed to each of us collaborators in the book in random form, but I exchanged a few euro cars I don&#8217;t know whack about for muscle cars (you expected such), but there are things in there that I know nothing of.

But I also have more work to do (mainly photoshop and photography) so the time is eating me out, sooo I thought GTPlanet&#8217;s wise denizens could be a lot of help. Can you please, PLEASE help me find any data you can nab on any of those cars? History, the technical data, drive tests, famous owners (movie guys and stuff), famous stories, racing heritage, famous wins, weird factoids, heck, even pictures (bigger than 2000 pix, please, if you find interios, anegines and what not, pleeease post them) so I can save up quite some time and dedicate myself to write them down instead of investigating about them? It takes a freaking lot of time. Also, if you have driven any of these things, that input would be awesome indeed. And I know you all like cars and like to learn about them, maybe have investigated about many of these (many of you maybe even know some of them by memory), so it may even be a delightful experience.

In reward, I&#8217;ll make and scan (big size) drawings of any car each and every person that helps me wants, maybe the drawing will be a rough ballpen sketch with some colour pencil thrown at it, but you&#8217;ll have it, maybe if you really want it I can mail it to you so you can have the rough original, you&#8217;ll only have to be patient, of course, because drawing stuff also takes some time, but hey, we have the whole life ahead, but the book is just a freaking month away >.<

So, in advance I thank everyone here that might help me; I&#8217;ll be erasing the cars I get to finish trough time and thank the people that actually intervened in the making.

Thanks GTP.

 

[homeforsummer]

Here are a few images to get you started.

- Peugeot 908 HDI Le Mans: Pic 1 - Pic 2 - Pic 3
- Hummer H1: Pic 1 - Pic 2 - Pic 3 - Pic 4
- Mazda Miata: Pic 1 - Pic 2
- Volkswagen Touareg Dakar: Pic 1

 

[neanderthal]

im not sure what your request is.

you want to write a book on the 100 greatest drivers cars?


it seems pretty easy, just go to wikipedia and summarise what they say

 

[Dave A]

I take it nothing your writing in this book will relate to any personal experience driving that cars, it will all just be stories and quotes etc from other people. So in effect it wont be like a big book of performance tests, more a book of the cars history and what not?

It's a shame the TVR Speed 12 isn't on there, I've had several conversations with the owner and written a couple of indepth articles about the car and if I could find them I'd have been happy to have let you use parts of them as a source. I think Wikipedia is a good bet to get some general information and you can get ideas for more specific searches from that usually. Muscle cars arn't my forte, I like them but don't know much about them. With regard to the 205 T16, remember there was the road car and several specification of rally car from Dakar to group B. This might ghelp with that car.
http://www.rallye-info.com/carspecs.asp?car=101

 

[stumpydino]

my dad has a Series One Land Rover (they were not called defender, those came in the 80s) i shall sort out some pics and info for you later, but just to let you know now
so are you going to hunt around for each model in that list? quite a challenge in a month, im assuming your mag is an honest one that doesnt breach copyrighting with all kinds of net ripped images and text lol

 

[Cano]

lets answer all this:


Home for summer: Dude you pretty much rock; specially with the Peugeot. any interior shots or engine shots or anything like that of any of those cars? Those would also help A LOT.

Neanderthal: No, I don't want to write a book, I was given this list of cars to write for a book and I'm trying to get some help from GTP.

Dave A: Yeah, the book will pretty damn much be like that with the typical "its a monster" comment here and there, I freaking hate these proyects but work is work and this one will help me a lot to finish pay the Camera, hahaha.
And the TVR IS there, but it was not given to me, it was given to some guy who maybe doesn't know what that car is, I tried to negotiate it to no avail -_-
I'll check Wikipedia out for sure; as for Muscle Cars, well, I'm pretty expert at those so those are the least of my problems, in fact I've driven some of those (like the 77 Trans Am) so I can relate to some of those the most, most than any other car in the list anyway.
And thanks for the info on the Peugeot, pretty amazing history!!!it'll be hard to sumarize it.

Stumpy: Whoa, your dad rocks too. And of course you; I'd specially thank interior pictures, details (you know, headlamp mesh, winch, plates, tailights, logos, engine stuff, steering wheel, gear shifter, the such, just like a photoshoot) and engine shots, I know you are quite a capable photog so it should not be a problem, and the info will be like gold since I know about nothing about those. thanks dude!
And about the editorial house, well, I have access to all of those manufacturer's press websites so pictures are not that much of a problem if its a recent model, and incredibly, I HAVE LAT ACCESS!! I'll SSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOO enjoy that, and that will make racing car pics easier to find (I was worried about the BMW-Brabham, for example), and text, nah, we are all pretty capable writers, we just need some facts and anecdotes.


thanks to everyone that has jumped at this, excelent response so far (: I knew I could count on some people helping out here!

 

[Azuremen]

You should probably toss some version of the MR2 on there. Personally, I'd say the Spyder because it offered pure, light weight dynamics in a mid engine car at a budget price. Also has great fuel economy and a simple to drop top (10 second job from the driver's seat).

Why I'd suggest this over an Elise? Cost. It is a great driver's car because you can afford to break it, toss it around, and insure it. Something you can push the limits in without wondering how'd you pay for it if something went even slightly wrong.

If you do end up using an MR2, let me know - I can give you quite a few details on the cars off the top of my head.

 

[homeforsummer]

The third-gen MR2 is a great car but bear in mind that the first-gen MR2 did everything you mentioned there (apart from a soft-top that you can flip away in no time) a good 15 years beforehand.

Plus of course, one of his colleagues may already have an MR2 to be working on.

Cano: Will have a look for more pics when I get a moment 👍

 

[Cano]

You should probably toss some version of the MR2 on there. Personally, I'd say the Spyder because it offered pure, light weight dynamics in a mid engine car at a budget price. Also has great fuel economy and a simple to drop top (10 second job from the driver's seat).

Why I'd suggest this over an Elise? Cost. It is a great driver's car because you can afford to break it, toss it around, and insure it. Something you can push the limits in without wondering how'd you pay for it if something went even slightly wrong.

If you do end up using an MR2, let me know - I can give you quite a few details on the cars off the top of my head.

No MR2 in the list, If I remember correctly there was only the GT2000, the GT1 and the Supra in the list. What I’ll see, tough, is if I can change the Supra for the AE86, a more important, cultural, cooler car than the Supra. I’ll negotiate and let you all know

And remember, I did not make the list, these cars were just given to me to write them. If I had made the list the book would have been much cooler

Thanks Home for Summer, try to look for engine/interior/weird pictures, hahaha

 

[stumpydino]

just a few of my own pics of some in that list, they were just snapshots so dont expect amazing lol
205T16
cougar
250f the actual fangio car
'48 series one land rover
my dads series one
the first land rover, 'centresteer'
trans am
im still working on the pics of my dads landie, cant get it out the garage at the mo but i can do close ups easy enough, oh plus the engine in it at the moment is later and has some other unoriginal bits so i might leave that out, or try getting shots of the other series one we have...shall post later

 

[buickgnx88]

Is the '77 Trans Am on the list simply because it was featured in Smokey and the Bandit?

 

[Cano]

just a few of my own pics of some in that list, they were just snapshots so dont expect amazing lol
205T16
cougar
250f the actual fangio car
'48 series one land rover
my dads series one
the first land rover, 'centresteer'
trans am
im still working on the pics of my dads landie, cant get it out the garage at the mo but i can do close ups easy enough, oh plus the engine in it at the moment is later and has some other unoriginal bits so i might leave that out, or try getting shots of the other series one we have...shall post later

freaking woerk connection wont let mee se not a single one, but thanks dude, I'll check them out later at home. And oh got damn, you have TWO land rovers...

 

[Cano]

Is the '77 Trans Am on the list simply because it was featured in Smokey and the Bandit?

It’s there because:

1 – They wanted to put a Pontiac in but the GTO was already featured in a previous book and they didn’t want to repeat info (that’s why they let out such significant cars as the Mazda Cosmo and the 240Z, too) so they were going to put in the Fiero!!! I was like OMGWTFLOL so I told them “Trans Am yo!” and that’s it.

2 – Yeah, Burt Reynolds FTW.

3- Mostly because it was the only muscle car of its era with some kind of real muscle going for it, with cool looks, it kept the Detroit muscle alive in some very dark smog eras, and for that alone it deserves to be there, with that car Pontiac singlehandedly kept the flame alive.

 

[Azuremen]

The third-gen MR2 is a great car but bear in mind that the first-gen MR2 did everything you mentioned there (apart from a soft-top that you can flip away in no time) a good 15 years beforehand.

Plus of course, one of his colleagues may already have an MR2 to be working on.

Cano: Will have a look for more pics when I get a moment 👍

Yeah, I have an 87 as well. The difference is the chassis is stiffer, the wheel base longer, and the car weighs less

Sorry about that Cano, kind of spaced on what you were asking.

The Twin Turbo Supra... I am assuming the 2JZ-GTE powered model that everyone loves to sack ride. The only thing about that car that strikes me as great is the 2JZ was good for nearly a 1000 HP on stock internals, I believe. That, and it was sold when all the other overly priced Japanese sports cars were in the market.

The Miata is an obvious choice, being on of the most pure roadsters on the market for nearly 20 years. And having thrashed one at auto-cross, I have to agree. More neutral than my MR2, and easier to push right up to the limit and enjoy. Cheap to buy and maintain, reliable, and large aftermarket support. Probably the car of choice to start doing competitive racing in the US with, with its solid Autocross performance and the Spec Miata races.

 

[socomplayer2]

If noone minds i think i am going to add in the VW gti. Its relatively cheap, quick, handles like a good woman and is pretty reliable. I know i am biased because I have one but i know its not just me who loves them

 

[Sage]

Guys, he&#8217;s not asking your opinions about what you think are good cars &#8211; he&#8217;s asking for help on researching the cars on the list he was given.

 

[stumpydino]

freaking woerk connection wont let mee se not a single one, but thanks dude, I'll check them out later at home. And oh got damn, you have TWO land rovers...

nuts, might be cos its deviantart i dunno...
and yea, two series ones lol, my dads is a '54 86", the other is a 107" pickup we got recently for a project involving a v8 and various range rover parts

 

[slidesquad#1]

This site pretty much sums up the technical details about the Evo's (I thru IX) pretty well. LOL at the first 2500 Evo I's selling out in 3 days.
http://www.strikeengine.com/mitsubishi-evo/mitsubishi-lancer-evolution-information-specs.html

There's the rally history as well of course, but I'm assuming that info might be a bit easier to come by.
Edit: straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak. http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/corporate/museum/motorsports/e/90s/90.html
Bit old, but I think it might be helpful nonetheless

 

[Cano]

The Miata is an obvious choice, being on of the most pure roadsters on the market for nearly 20 years. And having thrashed one at auto-cross, I have to agree. More neutral than my MR2, and easier to push right up to the limit and enjoy. Cheap to buy and maintain, reliable, and large aftermarket support. Probably the car of choice to start doing competitive racing in the US with, with its solid Autocross performance and the Spec Miata races.

Dude, if you have really trashed one of these, input on how it drives, precission, power, cluth feel, suspension, braking, you know how that is, but also reliability, city driving, etc.

Please (:

 

[Cano]

just a few of my own pics of some in that list, they were just snapshots so dont expect amazing lol
205T16
cougar
250f the actual fangio car
'48 series one land rover
my dads series one
the first land rover, 'centresteer'
trans am
im still working on the pics of my dads landie, cant get it out the garage at the mo but i can do close ups easy enough, oh plus the engine in it at the moment is later and has some other unoriginal bits so i might leave that out, or try getting shots of the other series one we have...shall post later

dude, your picture on your dad's series one is AWESOME, I will use it for sure, maybe even for opening if:

1 - You allow me, hahaha

2 - you provide me with the big-size original, with a number plate. Come on, its a mexican book. mexican. hahaha.

the cougar is a 70, lol, I need a 67.

I'll also use the Fangio car, surely. thanks dude (:

and I hope the new project PU involves a blown big block... you said something about a V8...

 

[Cano]

This site pretty much sums up the technical details about the Evo's (I thru IX) pretty well. LOL at the first 2500 Evo I's selling out in 3 days.
http://www.strikeengine.com/mitsubishi-evo/mitsubishi-lancer-evolution-information-specs.html

There's the rally history as well of course, but I'm assuming that info might be a bit easier to come by.
Edit: straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak. http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/corporate/museum/motorsports/e/90s/90.html
Bit old, but I think it might be helpful nonetheless

Thanks man, I'll sort the stuff later, its biiig and I'm stuck with Photoshop right now... freaking thing is killing me.

 

[buickgnx88]

If I were you, I'd change the '67 Cougar to the '68 Cougar, since this was the first year it came optional with the legendary 428ci. Cobra Jet V8.

 

[Cano]

If I were you, I'd change the '67 Cougar to the '68 Cougar, since this was the first year it came optional with the legendary 428ci. Cobra Jet V8.

Intresting point, maybe I will, I still have not investigated stuff about it; I also like the Cougars with the Boss 302 but those were 70s.

 

[Serge.D]

Mazda 787B motor.

 

[Cano]

holly heck, that's a big rotary; any chance of getting me that picture in BIG ASS size? at least 1600?

 

[Venari]

Well, I own a '68 Cougar, if that helps. It's not exactly original or in article-worthy shape, but I have fun driving it.

 

[Cano]

Well, I own a '68 Cougar, if that helps. It's not exactly original or in article-worthy shape, but I have fun driving it.

yeah, gray with black hood, big time Americans on low profile tires, I remember your car quite well, it has even been spotted in the "Did you see anything good today" thread... tell me, what's it like to drive? is it manual or auto?

 

[stumpydino]

dude, your picture on your dad's series one is AWESOME, I will use it for sure, maybe even for opening if:
1 - You allow me, hahaha
2 - you provide me with the big-size original, with a number plate. Come on, its a mexican book. mexican. hahaha.
and I hope the new project PU involves a blown big block... you said something about a V8...

yea uh i blanked it ages ago for something else, i will try to find the original, though i do think that is the full size it went to, was only a 5mp canon S2
as for the project, its only a rover v8 going in im afraid

 

[Cano]

the size is fine, I still use my S2 for mag stuff, I only wish you had the plates version.

And how come you made a wide angle shot with a S2? you got yourself the optional plug in wide angle? :0

 

[Pupik]

As per the Brabham-BMW Formula 1 car, when the engine exactly produced 1000 hp is a matter of debate: It was a 4-cylinder single-turbo motor that displaced 1.5 liters, that much is known. The engine was used regularly in a Brabham F1 car from 1982 until 1987.

The engine likely produced the magical 1000 hp somewhere between 1984 to 1986; even though it powered [Wikipedia]Nelson Piquet[/Wikipedia] to a driver's title in 1983, the Brabham BT53 placed 3rd in the Constructor's Championship. It was also not the most reliable car in 1984, even though Piquet claimed 9 pole positions, he only won one race, due to reliability issues.

The engines of the turbo era of F1 were quite fragile; boost exceeding 5.0 bar of pressure and 800-1000 horses in qualifying were not uncommon. But as the fuel was limited to a fixed amount from 1984 to 1988, the turbo engines were dropped another 100-200 horsepower in race trim to conserve the engine and the fuel. Note qualifying times versus the race laps times, and they were some of the biggest differentials the sport had seen before and since, with weather being equal from qualifying to race day.

The high water mark for horsepower was 1986; there were no restrictions on turbo boost. Elio de Angelis' fatal crash in testing and FIA's willingness to keep the gulf between big and small teams as small as possible, by promising a naturally-aspirated-only formula for 1989. This led to a gradual reduction in horsepower by reducing fuel capacity to 195 liters and boost to 4.0 bar in 1987, and 150 liters of fuel and 2.5 bar pressure for 1988. The boost pressure was regulated by FIA-spec pop-off valves that opened to equalized the pressure if it exceeded those amounts.

In 1987, Those engines produced roughly 900 in qualifying and 850-800 in race trim, depending on the circuit (less for places like Monaco, for example). Benefits in aerodynamics, suspensions, and exotic materials actually led to faster lap times than the year before, on the same circuits used as the years before. In 1988, the power was reduced to about 650-700 horsepower for the front-runners; few lap records changed from the year before, however.

The Brabham BT52 (1983) was the first non-ground effects car constructed by [wikipedia]Gordon Murray[/wikipedia], and it might have been the best all-round car in F1. In 1984, the McLaren MP4/2 was likely a superior chassis, and it was very highly advanced as well as powerful (the Porsche engines were not as fast in a straight line, but were darn good in all other places 'round the circuits). The Brabham BT53 was a derivative of the '83 car; by '85 the car was a bit of a stop-gap until the all-new BT55 was ready.

The BT55 was quite technologically advanced, but was not fully-tested and 1986 was a year of development. Bernie Ecclestone was getting less involved with the team, and more involved with the running of F1, which may have hampered its growth. The team disappeared at the end of 1987. However, the BMW engine did a spectacular job in the back of the [wikipedia]Benetton B186[/wikipedia], showing the talent and speed of [wikipedia]Gerhard Berger[/wikipedia].

So there's a start for you...I'm not exactly sure which car you are referring to, though.