Beater or Sleeper? GT6 Car of the Week Thread
- Thread starter McClarenDesign
- 6,930 comments
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- 830
- Michigan
- JackRyanWMU
- SpeedyDB55
There are roadsters, like the Mazda Miata or the Porsche Boxster, that will make people think you're a hairdresser when they see you in them.
And then there are roadsters that will make people think you've stepped straight out of a Cold War spy thriller. The BMW 507 clearly falls into the latter category. Its lines ooze style and sophistication, and while it's V-8 engine only puts out a "paltry by today's standards" 150 horsepower, its sound goes a long way in making up for it. And though it may prove that the Germans' penchant for naming cars after random combinations of letters and numbers goes back decades, ("Vhy name it afzer an animal? Itz jost ze machine, not ze living zing!") it doesn't diminsh it's coolness one degree.
This is where I would normally take this car to Ascari for testing. However, the repeated trips to Spain have pinched the budget a bit, and trips to tracks in "Polyphanyland" will be more affordable. And as good as Ascari is, its length makes repeated lapping something of a chore. (Doubly so in a car as painfully slow as the Volvo 240 Estate.) I decided on Deep Forest as a tryout, as it has both technical bits and high speed sections.
While I'm not sure if Deep Forest will remain my track of choice for testing (more on that next week), but I did come away with a best lap of 1:41.621 and very impressed with the old car's handling. In spite of having some body roll and a close to 60:40 weight distribution, the car drove with a precision and ease that puts some cars that are a half century younger to shame. It's handling was so predictable that all 12 laps I ran at Deep Forest were within 3 seconds of each other. I definitely had confidence in this car going into the 507/300SL track meet night.
Now, I knew there was something of a rivalry between the propeller badges and the tri-stars, but I had no idea how intense it would be on the track. Nowhere did that become more clear than on the last race of the night at the Nurburgring. I was crusing in second place, very happy and excited with my unusually high running position. Then, on a wet, dark, narrow stretch of the Ring, a 507 and a 300SL appeared on either side of me.
I had the feeling that being in the middle of a three-wide in these conditions was not going to end well for me....
....and I was right.
Looking at the battered car later, I recalled every hit it took from the wall and the other cars, and I couldn't help but feel pangs of guilt for what it had been subjected to. And it's for this reason that while this car is astronomically above Beater status, I can't call it a Sleeper. Tuning it up would likely ruin the essence of this car, and every race I took it in would have me cringing at the slightest ding to its metal. To me, this is one of those cars that is simply best left as it is, the kind of car I'll drive when I just want to go on a track and remind myself of the things that make driving great. And coming in at only 80,000 credits, this is a car that is worthy of being in any GT owner's garage, and is easy to find the means to put it there as well.
And then there are roadsters that will make people think you've stepped straight out of a Cold War spy thriller. The BMW 507 clearly falls into the latter category. Its lines ooze style and sophistication, and while it's V-8 engine only puts out a "paltry by today's standards" 150 horsepower, its sound goes a long way in making up for it. And though it may prove that the Germans' penchant for naming cars after random combinations of letters and numbers goes back decades, ("Vhy name it afzer an animal? Itz jost ze machine, not ze living zing!") it doesn't diminsh it's coolness one degree.
This is where I would normally take this car to Ascari for testing. However, the repeated trips to Spain have pinched the budget a bit, and trips to tracks in "Polyphanyland" will be more affordable. And as good as Ascari is, its length makes repeated lapping something of a chore. (Doubly so in a car as painfully slow as the Volvo 240 Estate.) I decided on Deep Forest as a tryout, as it has both technical bits and high speed sections.
While I'm not sure if Deep Forest will remain my track of choice for testing (more on that next week), but I did come away with a best lap of 1:41.621 and very impressed with the old car's handling. In spite of having some body roll and a close to 60:40 weight distribution, the car drove with a precision and ease that puts some cars that are a half century younger to shame. It's handling was so predictable that all 12 laps I ran at Deep Forest were within 3 seconds of each other. I definitely had confidence in this car going into the 507/300SL track meet night.
Now, I knew there was something of a rivalry between the propeller badges and the tri-stars, but I had no idea how intense it would be on the track. Nowhere did that become more clear than on the last race of the night at the Nurburgring. I was crusing in second place, very happy and excited with my unusually high running position. Then, on a wet, dark, narrow stretch of the Ring, a 507 and a 300SL appeared on either side of me.
I had the feeling that being in the middle of a three-wide in these conditions was not going to end well for me....
....and I was right.
- 134
- MT
- un4givn85
did i do that to you @JackRyanWMU
i thought i only spun greenbrains(is he on here?)
i saw a hole there and took it, never intended on taking anyone out, not that it did me any good in the long run lol, the ring is not my friend lol
i thought i only spun greenbrains(is he on here?)
i saw a hole there and took it, never intended on taking anyone out, not that it did me any good in the long run lol, the ring is not my friend lol
- 5,785
- Norman, OK
- McClarenDesign
Curious if the upcoming replays are going to be uploaded in black and white with lots of film grain, since you were after a 1950's theme
- 2,428
- England
- Lewis_Hamilton_
Haha, nice Brad 👍
You did take them both out unfortuantely (for them), but in your defence, on my screen, your car/connection jerked sideways a little bit. On any other circuit they would have been fine, but the Nurb is very narrow, particularly in that section, so the effect was amplified. It made a nice clear gap for me to squeeze through though, so thanks
You did take them both out unfortuantely (for them), but in your defence, on my screen, your car/connection jerked sideways a little bit. On any other circuit they would have been fine, but the Nurb is very narrow, particularly in that section, so the effect was amplified. It made a nice clear gap for me to squeeze through though, so thanks
- 2,121
- Chicago
- mustang622006
1957 BMW 507
part 2
part 2
There is nothing better on a classic sports car than a set of classic wires and knock-offs!
I bought another beemer to tune and see if I could give that Mercedes a run for her money, the numbers:
Stock: 147hp/362pp
Tuned: 203hp/401pp
MB 300: 212hp/402pp
This looks to be a much better match up.
I got a good line up for the Nurb, 3 or 4 other classics and another 507.
Tsukuba 5 lap:
stock: P10 / total 6:20.308 / best 1:14.072
tuned: P02 / total 5:53.702 / best 1:09.472
MB 300: P03 / total 5:46.693 / best 1:08.829
Blowin by another old timer at the Nurb.
Goodwood TT:
stock: 1:05.325
tuned: 0:59.709
MB 300: 1:02.932
Nice sunset PD
Nurburgring 2 lap:
stock: P2 / total 19:40.216 / best 9:41.075
tuned: P1 / total 18:04.073 / best 8:48.395
MB 300: P1 / total 18:24.434 / best 9:08.555
Riding off into the sunset.
So with a mild tune including trans and suspension the 507 was a pretty good match up with the 300.
Taking the checkers!
I love these cars, I could drive them all day, as a matter of fact I think I will...till next week
- 5,785
- Norman, OK
- McClarenDesign
- 134
- MT
- un4givn85
i could do that, but my wife would kill me, lol
it worked just fine, even on wifi in the back of the house, up until about two weeks ago, the router is 4 or 5 years old, so its a bit tired i bet
it doesnt matter, i have a new one that will be here saturday.
i think you got away with that because i was your closest competitor at the time lol
- 6,392
- Pennsylvania
- wat3rm370n
Oh I like this 507.
We use it in our Mixer Makeshift Shuffle league.
Driving it stock, on comfort soft tires.
It's surprisingly competitive with the stock Cosmo 67 & stock Alfa Sprint Speciale 63.
It's more stable than I expected it to be, and the acceleration isn't bad.
As you see, I've driven it in the rain at Autumn.
We use it in our Mixer Makeshift Shuffle league.
Driving it stock, on comfort soft tires.
It's surprisingly competitive with the stock Cosmo 67 & stock Alfa Sprint Speciale 63.
It's more stable than I expected it to be, and the acceleration isn't bad.
As you see, I've driven it in the rain at Autumn.
- 5,785
- Norman, OK
- McClarenDesign
-McClarenDesign's-
Super Best Friends Super Aguri Super Review of the Car of the Week
"The roads are getting proper death traps. If you ask me, the racetrack is safer than the road between Farnham and London." -Mike Hawthorn
Super Best Friends Super Aguri Super Review of the Car of the Week
"The roads are getting proper death traps. If you ask me, the racetrack is safer than the road between Farnham and London." -Mike Hawthorn
Week 4: 1957 BMW 507 vs. 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
Before we begin this week's review, I thought that I'd take this time to share a letter that we received at our offices.
"Dear McClarenDesign,
After reading your article about the Volvo 240 GLT Estate, I decided that it might be a suitable vehicle for my teenage daughter as well. You had made a few observations that I thought seemed reasonable enough, eventually equating the car as a form of "automotive birth control", nearly ensuring my daughter's virginity well past her time in college. Saving on auto insurance rates and possible traffic violations was merely the icing on the cake. Having survived the Chernobyl-like reaction to her gift, I thought that it'd be smooth sailing afterward. And although my name isn't Prost, Gordon, or McRae, the notion of entering the car into a race years from now seemed like a fun hobby to enjoy my retirement years.
I can't believe how wrong you were. After showing the car off to her boyfriend, Chuck, I'd hoped that he'd be repulsed enough to head for the hills, warning other lads with similar hormones to turn back lest they suffer the ridicule of being seen in it as well. Although I hadn't added the feces as you had, the presence and charisma of the car was thought to be enough. Instead, Chuck took the liberty to replace the engine with a small-block American V8, then replaced the Olive Green paint and nearly every other original component. Over the course of one weekend the car had been completely transformed into something "hip" and "boss" (although I have no idea how that car attained an executive title by merely swapping a few parts and giving it a new color).
That weekend eventually lead to the next, where he proceeded to destroy the countless hours I'd spent teaching her how to drive correctly, and replacing that with complete hooliganism called "hooning". Instead of neatly parking the car in the driveway, I spent the entire week counting down the minutes until I'd hear the screaming tires of her approach, completely sideways around the corner and utterly reckless into the driveway! By this point the typical forms of punishment had lost their effectiveness, and I'd logistically placed my wife and myself in a position where confiscating the car would inevitably cause one or both of us to lose our employment. By following your advice, I'd opened Pandora's Box!
Attached you will find the invoices for my daughter's care while she's pregnant. Being that it's your article that caused this problem, it's only fair that you should foot the bill while I'm left to figure out what I'm going to do with the pink monstrosity that the car has become, nevermind the Tampax sponsors that will want to know why she's unable to drive for them for the next nine months. I'm also canceling my subscription, as that money will now have to go towards purchasing diapers and formula. My only hope is that this notice, and subsequent legal notices, will be enough to prevent you from ruining the lives of other fathers throughout our great country.
Sincerely,
Sir Robert of Wanktonshire-upon-Goscruyerself"
Well, "Sir Robert", let this be a lesson to you that if you aren't willing to go through the feces of following simple instructions, you deserve to be buried in them afterwards, along with any other consequences. Please give my fondest regards to Charles and your daughter, as I'm sure they'll be happy knowing that you kept your hands clean. My only hope is that they don't ask you to assemble the crib.
You might remember that we'd received a lead on this week's car whilst testing last week's, the Buick Regal GNX. I should also probably apologize for being a tad late with this week's review, but it is with good reason. You see, rather than being asked to test one car for the week, we'd been given two. Along with a fist full of airline tickets, hotel reservations, itineraries, appointments, meetings, demands, deadlines, disclaimers, waivers and about the same warning as Pearl Harbor.
Despite harming an endangered species, one of only five hundred and something-er-other, I'd managed to somewhat redeem myself after putting in a frantic performance. You might also remember that this was despite the injuries I'd received at The Ring the week before, to which I'd like to give my thanks to both the antiquated live-axle rear suspension, and the beauty of leverage in motion. My shoulder also offers it's appreciation for the gentle touch of the restraint system, and the Med-Evac pilot thanked me for putting his son through college.
According to Polyphony Digital (via Translator-san):
Translator-san
When we originally started doing this, the cars that we had were already owned, so thrashing them about with wanton abandon became second nature. From road car to race car, we'd attempt to extract the maximum performance in order to provide you the most comprehensive and complete understanding about every facet of the cars. In the process, we'd also managed to extract the maximum amount of tolerance from our bank managers, spending almost enough money to air condition hell. Twice.
So when the Devil walks up to you in your moment of triumph, and offers you the chance to stay on top of that plateau... you take it. And it's in that same spirit that we've agreed to accept the offer from the tiny white-haired Devil, and spend the week as members of his traveling show. But instead of being your typical carnies, we'd be part of the main attraction. Thankfully we didn't have to sign in blood, but before you all start whinging about us being "sell outs" or "Beelzebub's lapdogs", let me be the first to remind you that if you don't sin, then Jesus died for nothing.
Performance (as purchased): January 16, 2014, Silberblau Metallic (Blue)
Displacement: 3,168 cc
Max. Power: 147 HP @ 5,000 rpm
Max. Torque: 174.4 ft-lb @ 4,000 rpm
Drivetrain: FR
Length: 172.4 in., Height: 50.2 in., Width: 66.1 in., Weight: 1240 kg
Tires: Comfort (Soft)
Performance Points: 362
Mileage: 266.3 mi.
Honestly, after seeing the 1957 BMW 507, can you blame us? Hell may have seven levels, but behind the wheel of this car they instantly become Heaven. When we originally agreed to the offer, we were under the impression that we'd be humiliated by driving karts and wearing clown suits, or even worse, something from Chrysler. Thank god we were wrong, because having a car you can aesthetically admire is just as important as the way it performs. If the car performs like a figure skater on crutches (read: Lancia Stratos), at least you won't be embarrassed to be seen in it. It's also been my personal experience that visually appealing cars offer entertainment value even when still, providing countless hours of curiosity about its design philosophy or appreciation of various styling details.
For both this and the other car we're testing, you can thank Max Hoffman. But before I tell you about Max, you first need to know about the state of motoring in America and Europe during the 1950's. Two decades ago you could walk into nearly any pensioner's home and hear countless tales about how much better life was when bombs were raining down from the skies in the middle of the night. But after the boys had their fun, many returned home with an education in engineering and little concept of "down time." With no one left to shoot and a wealth of knowledge, many on the west coast used that knowledge to strip down cars to the essentials, removing interior pieces, exterior pieces, and anything that didn't make it go faster. While the moonshiners were using their talents to turn left, the west coast boys took to dried up lake beds in epic quests for top speed. As time would pass, this would be the Americana that would be written about in text books across the nation.
And then there was Max...
Although I'm no longer considered a "Very Serious SLS AMG", it certainly wasn't for lack of trying. The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing" has no doubt inspired many of the people designing cars today, and most assuredly will in the future. Having both this and the aforementioned BMW together is like sleeping with Dovima on Friday, then Dorian Leigh on Saturday. I know that in spirit, as well as on paper, they're miles apart but you simply can't go wrong with either one. With the fantastic German countryside and a convertible, the BMW offers a fantastic experience. Likewise, with it's innovative doors and feminine curves, it's absolutely impossible to remain incognito behind the wheel of the Merc. Which may explain exactly why there aren't any current owners that list "ninja" as their occupation.
Being a "Very Serious SLS AMG", it's here that I'll kindly ask you to forgo any references to the 300 SLR. Although this car bears an uncanny resemblance, and even though it was penned by the same hand, the two are different. Blame the marketing department for that one, but please keep in mind that this is entirely separate. Thanks to the events at Le Mans in 1955, Mercedes-Benz spent the next 30 years away from competition, and it's for that exact reason that this car will not be driven at Le Mans. I might be criticized for having some father's daughter get "knocked up", but I'm not about to insult the families who are still affected by those that were lost on that day.
I'm not a total bastard.
If ever there were an example of poor timing to launch a car, 1955 was it for Mercedes. Yet despite this, they still managed to turn out nearly three times as many as BMW did with the 507, and remain solvent while doing so. Imagine how the sales of the Camry would do should one if their cars fly off the banked surface of Talladega and into the crowds. Instead of "win on Sunday, sell on Monday", you'd have "blood on Sunday, and none on Monday", and as I've mentioned before, Mercedes has paid their penance for what happened even though they weren't the direct cause of the incident.
Much like the BMW, this is a car that one could spend an entire lifetime admiring without one single regret. With the doors opened or closed, it's shape reeks of creating an aerodynamic cocoon while in motion, a safety blanket of security to keep you pointed straight and true. Even the badging on the rear trunk indicates a level of sophistication that is overlooked on nearly every car today. Rather than being a billboard, block-lettered notice of what the idiot in front of you is driving, the Mercedes star is like the centerpiece of an art exhibit, inviting you to have a look around without being bland or bold. It really is sad that more car makers don't take pride in this rearward advertising, perhaps because they know deep inside that they haven't done their job properly, so there's no possible way that anyone has any chance of ever seeing it unless it's at the supermarket.
According to Polyphony Digital (via Translator-san):
Translator-san
If you've ever had the chance to see either of these cars, it's not because of their manufacturer. Had it not been for Max Hoffman, you'd likely have missed both of these, as well as countless others. You see, while the SoCal kids were inventing drag racing and re-inventing uses for dried up lakes, and the moonshiners and hillbillies were still turning left on beaches and brickyards, the sophisticated gentlemen racers like Phil Hill enjoyed the cars that they had discovered while away from home during the war.
Enter Max Hoffman, an Austrian immigrant with impeccable timing and taste. While kids were tearing the parts off their parents cars on the opposite side of the country, he was busy making costume jewelry until 1947 where he was able to convince Jaguar that he had enough capital to finance a dealership, and enough charisma to sell fleas to cats and dogs. Having lived in America during the WWII, he saw the opportunity to fill a niche market among the east coast's elite, those that could afford the cars they fell in love with 3 years prior. First it was Jaguar, then Volkswagen, then Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Alfa Romeo and Porsche. Perhaps the only man with more influence across the pond was Luigi Chinetti, and even then that was exclusively with Ferrari.
Performance (as purchased): January 19, 2014, Weißgrau (Grey)
Displacement: 2,996 cc
Max. Power: 212 HP @ 6,000 rpm
Max. Torque: 202.5 ft-lb @ 4,500 rpm
Drivetrain: FR
Length: 178.0 in., Height: 51.2 in., Width: 70.5 in., Weight: 1295 kg
Tires: Comfort (Soft)
Performance Points: 402
Mileage: 174.2 mi.
It was Hoffman's genius that's directly responsible for the cars we have here today, although it nearly killed one of them. When Max phoned the Stuttgart offices of Mercedes early in 1954 and inquired about a road version of the SLR, he was told that they simply didn't make one yet but were thinking about it. Rather than wait, Max ordered a thousand of them before the project had been given the green light. At the time, a thousand cars for a foreign market was unheard of, and could potentially mean an increase of sales within that market. By ordering a thousand 300 SLs, Max had assured them that it already was, and the only thing stopping more sales was Mercedes itself.
Like any decent arms dealer, Max knew that the only one that ever truly profits from war is the one building the weapons. That same year, he managed to convince BMW that what they needed to compete with the upcoming 300 SL was a roadster. After all, many troops/eventual boy racers loved the handling characteristics of European roadsters, and even though they were low on power, the looks and handling was enough to sell. Like every car salesman, Max over-promised that it could be built using a few simple techniques and would cost next to nothing to build.
Like every sucker signing for an auto loan today... they fell for it.
Upon finishing with the Buick, we'd expected to return to our hotel for rest before the flight home. However once our appointment with the tiny little man was finish, we were immediately whisked away to the French Riviera for our first race the next day. We'd also expected that since we were the main attraction in the show, that we'd have our accommodations supplied for us. What we didn't expect was the manner in which we were tossed out the next morning, nor the fact there would be marks visible to everyone. Here, a black eye and a broken nose clearly states: bad credit.
£31,250 later and free of any legal wrongdoing, we finally arrived at the track to find the Super Aguri crew already working on the car, once again ensuring our safety. They even brought along a specialized team of auto detailers, ensuring that not only would we be safe, we'd look pretty too. Then it was straight to the driver's meeting, where we were educated about the track, the rules, recommended strategies and expected behavior. We were also reminded that one of the aluminum-bodied SLs, of only 29 ever built, recently sold for over $4.6 million at auction. As for the Bimmer, the Devi's own only went for only $904,000, so at least our damages would be kept to a minimal.
As we were close to beginning our first race, the Super Best Friends expressed some concerns with the scoring officials about the tyres. Through my helmet, I couldn't hear exactly what it was about, but it looked serious and several other teams looked concerned as well.
Into the first turn on the first lap, many ahead jockeyed for position while I remained hesitant. Hearing that you might have tyre issues seconds before the green flag is a nightmare, and before I begin testing the limits of what this $900,000 car can do, I wanted to first make sure that they'd stay on. As the other drivers fought with each other ahead, it became apparent that an opportunist approach would probably be the best strategy, at least for the opening lap. We'd started on the harder of the two compounds, and as such we anticipated a slow start compared to everyone else for that very reason. Heavyweight fighters going 12 rounds have more room to battle than here at Monaco, so waiting for the mistakes would be easy and I could focus on staying clean, tidy, and getting to the pits as quickly as possible.
The thinking behind our strategy was that a standing start would be the absolute slowest lap, baring any track debris or Safety Car periods. As such, we wanted to spend the maximum time on the preferred driver, whilst those that pitted last would face the uncertainty of slipperier rubber. Meanwhile we... I could focus on my rhythm, while theirs would be ruined, and I could theoretically make up more time. It was focusing on these specifics that caused me to miss a braking point, and hit a barrier head on at the entrance to the pits. Finishing the race 7th was bad enough, but having the humiliation of having the incident televised was far worse. (Edior: Idiot's antics below.)
The next day at Spa we found ourselves soaked to the bone on the grid, endlessly waiting for someone to make up their mind as to whether or not we were racing. After a few hours, and with no sign of improving conditions anytime soon after, the Devil decided that the show must go on. Despite minor modifications required to de-tune the various 300 SLs, and thus bring them closer to the specs of the 507s, the Mercs were still much, much faster. Overall, it's a much better performance package, and even choking the engine a little isn't going to stop the suspension from helping the cars exit corners faster than I can. Even the aluminum cars, nicknamed "Chromelines" for their liveries, still had to manage the rain. The Mercs having a few kilos and a slippery surface helped the 507 keep up, but it still wasn't enough to pass without a lot of planning ahead of time.
By the end of the first lap, I'd managed to start catching up with the lead pack, abandoning the race strategy of before and opting to stay out just a little longer. With the surface what it was and getting worse, having the softer tire at the end might equal a position or two in the final results, and since I was with the lead pack I wasn't losing any time. When I did pit, everything went as expected without any reason for alarm, and I thought that I had finished the race towards the top. Minutes later I found out exactly what my Super Best Friends were Super worried about with the tyres in Monaco, as I had been penalized heavily and relegated to an 11th place finish. I hadn't hit the pit entrance... but this wasn't exactly any better, either.
Apparently when the tyres are delivered, they are in no way marked as to which compound is which. I didn't believe it at first, but one of the mechanics showed me the dilemma. In today's F1 each tyre has a colored barrier on the outside indicating exactly which compound that specific tyre is. Like today's F1, we too were required to use one set of each compound, but both compounds looked completely identical and without any distinguishing markings. Some of the drivers complained that we should've been using rain tyres at Spa instead of traditional ones, to which the Devil's reply was that we were replicating 1957, not 2007, and that after Monaco we should be thankful to have returned at all. Considering my stellar performance getting into the pits, I felt it best that I remain silent on the matter. This could be one of those times my wife was telling me about, where everything that I say does nothing more than make matters worse.
At Brands Hatch on Wednesday, I felt in the car the same way I felt in the driver's meeting, awkward and clumsy like I'd just discovered my first pubic hair. I've never been good here, and the copious amounts of sand in the fender wells are my witness. The moment that I'd take one turn, and slowly at that, I'd be thrown off completely by the next. The previous two races had rustled my confidence, and it was obviously affecting my driving. Drudging on, I was able to complete a lap or two with a senior citizen level of precision, but I considered the fact that I was still on track and in the race a victory itself. When I arrived in the pits, I couldn't believe the cheers and smiles. Had they not been watching? Were they on drugs? And if so, now would definitely be a good time to share them. It wasn't until they pointed to the monitors displaying everyone else's penalties that I realized this time, I could be... lucky? The FIA scored me as finishing in 2nd, but as far as I was concerned, I drove like 16th and should've finished 22nd. The team might be happy, but I couldn't be. It wasn't that good.
Although the organizers were doing their best to replicate the 1957 Formula 1 season, concessions had to be made. The Nurburgring Norsdschleife had another venue running the on the day we wanted, Brands Hatch had to stand in for Aintree, Spa Francorchamps for Rouen-Les-Essarts, and Indianapolis was completely out of the question since most F1 teams didn't go due to the cost and distance. Here at Monza were weren't able to race the original circuit, the high speed oval having been redesigned in '54 and the 1957 configurations wasn't an option either.
Monza is a flat-out circuit, and as such the pedal was to the metal for a goodly majority of each lap. Since the conditions were ideal, we again elected to pit on the first lap along with a group of other like minded individuals, again ensuring the maximum amount of time on the preferred tyre compound. The chicanes at Monza have always been tricky, and here the BMW's suspension showed again how the Mercedes' suspension was better. The trouble with the chicanes was clearly driver error, as the car felt very stable and an absolute joy to drive. I may have finished 7th, but compared to the other races, it was an honest 7th.
On Friday afternoon, we found ourselves exactly where we left off, at the Nurburgring. Just like Spa, Mother Nature decided that instead of racing, we should be building an Ark instead. Starting in fourth, I kept pressure on the cars in front, usurping third, then second before taking the lead at the exit of Flugplatz thanks to the conditions. While driving in the rain provides a tremendous challenge, it also has a tendency to reveal a driver's true nature, and considering how quickly I was able to take the lead, I thought I might have a chance to win if those same cars could hold off the other cars behind me. This seemed like a perfectly reasonable solution, often employed by German Formula 1 World Champion and grocery-getter Sebastian Vettel, so how hard could it be?
Going into Aremberg I was reminded of how hard it is while doing my best impersonation of Danny Sullivan. In my rear view I could see that a Merc had slipped by and would soon be upon me. Try as I might, the high speed nature of the track combined with the superb handling of the Benz both conspired to stick me firmly into 2nd place. After the mandatory pit stop and requisite tyre change, I headed back out only to eventually discover problems with the BMW electrics. For some strange reason, the power momentarily cut out completely, handing me a guard rail and 3rd place. The Merc in the lead succumbed to similar fate an eternity later, only to recover precisely as I'd passed and once again overtaking me towards the end.
As I approached the podium to accept my third place trophy, I was halted by the marshals with the final results. Once again, a tyre change had cost us, and instead of third I had finished in seventh. Although disappointing, I can't very well blame the Super Best Friends Super Aguri, as they had absolutely no possible way of knowing which compound was which. I can't blame the car, as it did everything that could be asked, including the spanking of many other 300 SLs behind me (rule book be damned!). What I'm left with is to blame the squishy moron behind the wheel with fists of ham and nerves of wet spaghetti.
Technically I could also blame one Mr. Maxamilian Hoffman, for whom none of this foolishness would've been possible. But that wouldn't be right either because that would mean no Jaguars, Porsches, Alfas, BMW or Mercs in the US at all. At a time when America was falling in love with the automobile, it was Max that introduced us to the cheerleaders. While the rest of the country was dragging its knuckles, swigging something from a still after a left turn and racing in a straight line, it was Max that brought sophistication and class, as well as performance. Not just straight line performance, either. Elvis had a 507 and ditched the original engine in favor of a small-block American V8, thus inventing the Shelby formula before Shelby had even spoken to Ace.
So, "Sir Robert", if you've managed to pick up this review and have followed along thus far, if you're going to blame someone, blame your father for not explaining how to follow instructions! If you want to whinge about how terrible these cars are, I can assure you that you'll be in the minority. If you want to prattle on about how the 507 nearly bankrupted BMW, be my guest, but then you'll also be denying us all the joys of the Z4M, the Z8 and the "Very Serious" SLS AMG.
And if you'd like to bring this matter before further judicial review, I shall be more than happy to counter-sue for slander and liable. Good day, sir!
*The views and opinions expressed in this review do not necessarily reflect those of the manufacturer, the publisher, GTPlanet.net or it's members, nor anyone with an IQ above 3. If you have a history of epilepsy or seizures, consult a doctor before use. Certain patterns may trigger seizures with no prior history. Before using see the instruction manual included with your system for more details. For previous reviews, please visit: McClarenDesign's Very Serious SLS AMG Reviews of the Car of the Week N Stuff. Void where prohibited. All videos were filmed before a live studio audience. Car setup monitored by Dark Lion Racing's GT6 Tunes and Tricks app on Android, as administered by Super Best Friends Super Aguri. No goats were harmed in the making of this review that we are aware of. This product may cause significant hair loss, headaches, and damage to the immune system. Best wishes to Michael Schumacher! To advertise, contact McClarenDesign@gmail.com.
-Super Previous Super Reviews-
Insightful... but bollocks: Introduction To Failure (or How I went from a Very Serious SLS AMG to Super Best Friends Super Aguri)Week 1: '10 Peugeot RCZ
Week 2: '88 Volvo 240 GLT Estate
Week 3: '87 Buick Regal GNX
- 5,785
- Norman, OK
- McClarenDesign
Congrats to Lewis_Hamilton_!
The fastest man on #GranTurismoTuesday has earned this week's choice.
Drum roll please....
The '72 Alpine A110 1600s!
It's French....
The fastest man on #GranTurismoTuesday has earned this week's choice.
Drum roll please....
The '72 Alpine A110 1600s!
It's French....
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iainn
Premium
- 367
- Scotland
- yamazumi1966
Gah! Still haven't posted anything on last weeks 507!
So here goes, it's a beautiful car the 507.
A spin in bone stock form round Brands Hatch Indy took 60 seconds and felt pretty good, no oversteer or sliding around. Maybe due to being a bit underpowered by todays standards.
Another run round the Ring took 9:25 or thereabouts and was good fun.
I fancied a change from the time trials so went for an Arcade race round Apricot Hill with the Professionals. Didn't win in the end as I lost out on the start finish straight to a faster RX7, still managed 3rd though with some nice passes round the outside on the fairly grippy CS tyres.
Sweeping in to overtake on the outside at the hairpin.
Job done
A good choice this week again, now looking forward to another European classic.
Cheers
So here goes, it's a beautiful car the 507.
A spin in bone stock form round Brands Hatch Indy took 60 seconds and felt pretty good, no oversteer or sliding around. Maybe due to being a bit underpowered by todays standards.
Another run round the Ring took 9:25 or thereabouts and was good fun.
I fancied a change from the time trials so went for an Arcade race round Apricot Hill with the Professionals. Didn't win in the end as I lost out on the start finish straight to a faster RX7, still managed 3rd though with some nice passes round the outside on the fairly grippy CS tyres.
Sweeping in to overtake on the outside at the hairpin.
Job done
A good choice this week again, now looking forward to another European classic.
Cheers
- 2,833
- Lincoln
- Victory_Reign93
- Linthium Reign
Now I have a reason to start working on my Alpine which was gathering virtual dust for quite awhile.
- 2,229
- Canada
- BaronBlitzRed
I was happy when I opened the front door to see a very different car waiting for me to try out today. The first thing I noticed was that it was blue. Hmmm, I could have sworn my name had a different colour. But hey, who's to argue with it, especially as everyone had left already. With the car being so light, I could have put in the post, but instead decided to drive it out to the COTW GT6 test track, The Stowe. First impressions, pretty nimble and actually fun to drive. I didn't even realise that I recorded a 1:02.452 in a bone stock car! Nice. We shall have to see what it can do elsewhere...
Cheers
Cheers
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- 830
- Michigan
- JackRyanWMU
- SpeedyDB55
First thing I decided the Alpine needed was a different coat of paint. While I consider a Grand National not in black to be unthinkable, I have no such qualms about the Alpine blue. I decided to use the "Lime Rock Green" from my Corvette Stingray.
Only other things I've bought for this car is an oil change....and a second set of tires. More on that later...
"Why'd they put the engine back here? Do they think they're Porsche or something?"
Only other things I've bought for this car is an oil change....and a second set of tires. More on that later...
- 2,121
- Chicago
- mustang622006
YES, I think this was the first car I bought in GT6...just because 👍
- 5,785
- Norman, OK
- McClarenDesign
Reminder-
Tomorrow is #GranTurismoTuesday! Starting at 10p CST we'll be racing online featuring this week's car, and all are welcome to attend. Just send me a message on the PSN.
Videos this week will likely have to wait until Wednesday, as I've just upgraded my setup and will likely need to work through some kinks. I'm also waiting for a few cords to arrive that will allow me to record without having wires run across the room.
Tomorrow is #GranTurismoTuesday! Starting at 10p CST we'll be racing online featuring this week's car, and all are welcome to attend. Just send me a message on the PSN.
Videos this week will likely have to wait until Wednesday, as I've just upgraded my setup and will likely need to work through some kinks. I'm also waiting for a few cords to arrive that will allow me to record without having wires run across the room.
- 2,428
- England
- Lewis_Hamilton_
If it's of any help to you, I can capture the replays too and happy to send either the raw video data (which is huge, several Gbs), or compressed bitrate for a 300-1000Mb video in 1080p to you. I have a pretty fast upload so it doesn't take much time to upload things to a host storage site.
- 5,785
- Norman, OK
- McClarenDesign
Thanks, Lewis! I've made a few upgrades, but my speed isn't the greatest (and for broadband, not the worst), so I'm gonna try my new setup out first and see what changes.
- 830
- Michigan
- JackRyanWMU
- SpeedyDB55
If Herbie the Love Bug had ever tired of the way he looked and decided he wanted to get the automotive equivalent of plastic surgery, I highly suspect he would have turned out looking like the Alpine A110. It's easy to see how the A110 could have been the "missing link" between the VW Beetle and the Porsche 911 had it been German instead of French.
My first impressions of this car weren't great. I find the sharper edges of its younger brother, the A310 much more attractive than this cars rounded edges, and the sheer number of round headlights up front teeters on comedic in sight. The four cylinder engine puts out less than 140 horespower, and the asthmatic wheeze it makes seems to say, "Even though I'm only pushing 750 kg, this is so hard for me to do!" But the engine's biggest problem, at first blush, was its position in the rear of the car. If fifty years of the Porsche 911 has taught us anything, its that having the heaviest part of the car dangling way out back is an excellent way to send the people who buy your car careening towards the guardrails.
Deciding that having cliff walls to both crash into and fall off at Deep Forest wasn't the best thing for my health in a rear-engined car, I decided to give Grand Valley East a try as my new test track. As I set off, I was quite certain that I would only need to confirm the car was a horrid fishtailer after a few laps and give it the "Beater" stamp.
But a funny thing happened...
Not only did the car not possess homicidal tendencies, it turned out to be a very capable handling machine! I found myself quickly racking up the laps at Grand Valley East, enjoying how easy the A110 was to modulate through the corners, experimenting with lines to try and shave tenths off my best time. I achieved a best time of 1:21.073, and not a single instance of snap oversteer even when I was pulling G loads that would have sent me into the wall and on to intensive care had I been driving a 911 from this car's era.
This is normally where I wrap up and sum up...but another funny thing happened...
The "guys upstairs" learned of the fact that this car had a rally heritage, and decided that I ought to take this French Alpine to the French Alpine. So instead of heading home to the cold and snow in Michigan, I was whisked with the car and a set of snow tires to lay down a fast lap at the cold and snow of Chamonix East. Now, whatever driving talent I have on tarmac, I have none on dirt, less on snow, even in an Evo or a WRX. The difference between me on driving hard on tarmac and driving hard on snow is like the same huge gap of artistry and talent that divides a Mozart symphony from a Taylor Swift song. So it was with much trepidation I took the Alpine out onto the course.
Rally fans standing this close with me on the circuit....they really are suicidal...
Yet even on the snowy surface, the Alpine seemed undaunted by the forces trying to send it and its rear spinning around. With confidence growing in the car, my second lap was much better than my first attempt, the third lap better still at 1:40.993.
Who needs four wheel drive?!
Well, seeing as I finally overwhelmed my meager rally skills on lap 4 and put the car into a snow bank, I probably do. Sadly, no pictures are avaliable of the accident as the negatives have been mysteriously destroyed there were no cameramen in position at the time.
However, none of that detracts from my verdict of the car. Even if you like the styling and don't mind the low horsepower, it's 100,000 price tag means it can't be a Sleeper. That said, I came away very impressed by this car for the simple fact that Alpine was able to make a Rear Engine car that didn't have a wonton lust to kill its driver decades before Porsche was able to do the same to the 911. And it's very rare indeed when the French are able to outdo the Germans at something.
Napoleon Bonaparte would love this car.
My first impressions of this car weren't great. I find the sharper edges of its younger brother, the A310 much more attractive than this cars rounded edges, and the sheer number of round headlights up front teeters on comedic in sight. The four cylinder engine puts out less than 140 horespower, and the asthmatic wheeze it makes seems to say, "Even though I'm only pushing 750 kg, this is so hard for me to do!" But the engine's biggest problem, at first blush, was its position in the rear of the car. If fifty years of the Porsche 911 has taught us anything, its that having the heaviest part of the car dangling way out back is an excellent way to send the people who buy your car careening towards the guardrails.
Deciding that having cliff walls to both crash into and fall off at Deep Forest wasn't the best thing for my health in a rear-engined car, I decided to give Grand Valley East a try as my new test track. As I set off, I was quite certain that I would only need to confirm the car was a horrid fishtailer after a few laps and give it the "Beater" stamp.
But a funny thing happened...
This is normally where I wrap up and sum up...but another funny thing happened...
Rally fans standing this close with me on the circuit....they really are suicidal...
Who needs four wheel drive?!
However, none of that detracts from my verdict of the car. Even if you like the styling and don't mind the low horsepower, it's 100,000 price tag means it can't be a Sleeper. That said, I came away very impressed by this car for the simple fact that Alpine was able to make a Rear Engine car that didn't have a wonton lust to kill its driver decades before Porsche was able to do the same to the 911. And it's very rare indeed when the French are able to outdo the Germans at something.
Napoleon Bonaparte would love this car.
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- 5,814
- Hillsboro Oregon
- XDesperado67
- XDesperado67
Must say I'm loving the Alpine.
Enjoyed the '73 in GT5 but its lack of grip compared to more modern cars prevented it from really being competitive except against other classics.
Not the case with the premium '72 in GT6.
Threw a quick FC suspension and LSD tune on the car and I have to keep checking that I'm still on CS tires with everything except ABS1 turned off because the car grips so well.
Added enough parts to bring it up to 450PP and been cruising to victory in the NA 500PP race at Bathurst.
Car will hit 150mph down the hill there at 450PP and could be taken up to 500PP with additional parts.
Looking forward to the CoTW lobby tomorrow as these should provide some very good racing.
Enjoyed the '73 in GT5 but its lack of grip compared to more modern cars prevented it from really being competitive except against other classics.
Not the case with the premium '72 in GT6.
Threw a quick FC suspension and LSD tune on the car and I have to keep checking that I'm still on CS tires with everything except ABS1 turned off because the car grips so well.
Added enough parts to bring it up to 450PP and been cruising to victory in the NA 500PP race at Bathurst.
Car will hit 150mph down the hill there at 450PP and could be taken up to 500PP with additional parts.
Looking forward to the CoTW lobby tomorrow as these should provide some very good racing.
- 5,785
- Norman, OK
- McClarenDesign
The Alpine is nice.... but....
WHO'S UP FOR A BONUS RACE TONIGHT?!?!?
Well be starting at 10p CST, so DO NOT BE LATE!
WHO'S UP FOR A BONUS RACE TONIGHT?!?!?
Well be starting at 10p CST, so DO NOT BE LATE!
- 5,814
- Hillsboro Oregon
- XDesperado67
- XDesperado67
@McClarenDesign will you be running the first few races with stock cars only or will full tuning be allowed?
Reason I'm asking is because just limiting by PP and tires but allowing for full tuning options might get you some unexpected results because of how the PP system works...
Reason I'm asking is because just limiting by PP and tires but allowing for full tuning options might get you some unexpected results because of how the PP system works...
- 5,785
- Norman, OK
- McClarenDesign
@McClarenDesign will you be running the first few races with stock cars only or will full tuning be allowed?
Reason I'm asking is because just limiting by PP and tires but allowing for full tuning options might get you some unexpected results because of how the PP system works...
Tuning will be allowed, but I'll likely run stock. I have an Anniversary car to play with, after all.
- 9,232
- Valongo
- Hcclipper
Quick question, is aero allowed, or we can't afford to have spoilers on them Alpines? Just wondering. In fact, I only bought this car today, so I only have a few hours to mess around with the modifications and such... Those X Bulls really distracted me (damm you, Adrian Newey, and your black mage powers...).
- 134
- MT
- un4givn85
f-yea buddy!!
that car is very nice
handles very nice, even if it has a bit of understeer imo
as for the tuning aspect for alpine, please, if you put a spoiler on it, it doesnt look quite so bad, and a stiffer suspension definitely wouldnt hurt
