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1905 FIAT Land Speed Record Car (back) to life!

      

Its been 91 years since the last running of the 16.5 litre 6 cylinder Isotta Fraschini aero engine, but on a cold bright morning in December after only the 2nd attempt the rebuilt aero engine burst into life and powered the magnificent 1905 Fiat Land speed record chassis down the test track. Owner Mike Vardy together with some of the country's leading large aero-engine specialists were there to witness the culmination of many years of dedication in bringing together the two great Italian marques. Measuring nearly 17 feet long, most of which is positioned in front of the driver you have to be a brave sort to take on the challenge of this 300HP monster. First to drive the car was Mike Vardy with co pilot and well known Edwardian enthusiast Graham Rankin bravely sitting alongside, they reported that the torque engine was running well and the only problem encountered was a slight misalignment on the clutch. This sorted, it was the chance for Mark Walker and Duncan Pittaway to take the reigns and give Mike the benefit of their vast experience with these aero engined cars

Pubblicato:
giovedì dicembre 20th, 2012
Sconosciuto
02 Settembre 2015, 21:02
Keep it up Mike - without people like you the world would be a far less exciting place !
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Sconosciuto
13 Febbraio 2013, 17:45
I sold the motor to Graham 16 years ago sorry i didnt get to see it fired up for the first time.It is as every thing Graham
touches a lovely carefully thought out confection of carefully engineered components mad into what could have happened in period
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Sconosciuto
26 Dicembre 2012, 11:49
Did the valve cover not fit under the bonnet, or why is it missing ? And how is lubrication of the camshaft resolved ?
Apart from that: nice toy.
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Sconosciuto
24 Dicembre 2012, 23:38
Well, no original history available. And Fiat would never have used a IF-engine because they made their own strong aero engines. So to me it is just one more expensive contraption in the steampunk-style.
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Sconosciuto
24 Dicembre 2012, 20:19
The Trojan RE also utilised a chain driving forward to the rear axle. Well done on creating such a lovely car. Hope it'll be out in VSCC events soon.
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Sconosciuto
24 Dicembre 2012, 13:45
Mr.Vardy don't read all the comments, just enjoy Fly Swatter as it is.
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Sconosciuto
24 Dicembre 2012, 03:03
Might I suggest a new title : " The 1905 F.I.A.T. land speed record car that was never built now exists , with the wrong engine , 107 years after the factory did not build it , but it`s great fun ... " .
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Sconosciuto
23 Dicembre 2012, 15:44
All you need to do is correct the title.
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David Barker
22 Dicembre 2012, 22:38
[quote name="Ian Hagger"]I dislike wading into an area in which I am not an expert, and do not like to correct another's comments (having had mine corrected on numerous occasions) but I have to say that while this car never did exist, I believe FIAT drew up the plans. Moreover the plan did indeed show this unusual chain drive arrangement.[/quote]
You are quite correct sir! I was shown the plans by Graham when he first started the project and have a copy in my files.
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David Barker
21 Dicembre 2012, 20:08
[quote name="mike hortig"]for all your enthusiasm, this car never existed as do the strange arrangement of the chain drive ( never seen the driving chain behind the rear-wheel) . I would love to see pittway`s restauration of the real Fiat speed record car

mike[/quote]
Rather a negative outlook, and it seems that you have never seen the arrangement of the sprint car Raymond Mays built using an E.R.A. engine. That had chain drive from behind the rear wheels.
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Sconosciuto
21 Dicembre 2012, 19:23
I dislike wading into an area in which I am not an expert, and do not like to correct another's comments (having had mine corrected on numerous occasions) but I have to say that while this car never did exist, I believe FIAT drew up the plans. Moreover the plan did indeed show this unusual chain drive arrangement.
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Sconosciuto
21 Dicembre 2012, 13:55
What a super car (and was there ever a sexier looking aero engine?!). It would be interesting to know if Mike plans to run it in VSCC events as I'd love to see it. The pictures are great but it would be fun to hear it too! Was the first run captured on film for a Youtube video or two?!
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Sconosciuto
21 Dicembre 2012, 06:53
for all your enthusiasm, this car never existed as do the strange arrangement of the chain drive ( never seen the driving chain behind the rear-wheel) . I would love to see pittway`s restauration of the real Fiat speed record car

mike
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Sconosciuto
21 Dicembre 2012, 00:58
Certainly beats 9 reindeer and a sleigh!
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Sconosciuto
20 Dicembre 2012, 22:44
It's great to see this car running after so long - well done to all concerned, especially Graham whose brainchild it is.
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Sconosciuto
20 Dicembre 2012, 22:38
The Baron always referred to this machine as the "Fly Swatter". Wonderful to see it finished.
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Sconosciuto
20 Dicembre 2012, 17:20
Let me suggest this: they should organise a run against Mefistofele and Botafogo !
May the best Italian win !
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Bill Coates
20 Dicembre 2012, 16:49
Absolutely fantastic effort; my dreams would come true!
Bill Coates
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David Barker
20 Dicembre 2012, 14:49
Wonderful ! Well done men, I remember when Graham started the project years ago and it's great to see it come to fruition! How does it handle with that remarkable transmission/rear axle arrangement?
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Sconosciuto
20 Dicembre 2012, 14:22
I would have thought a chain guard might be a worthwhile precaution.
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Sconosciuto
20 Dicembre 2012, 13:46
If this car is to be "back" on the road, there are certainly some original period pictures showing it at the occasion of the mentioned land speed record ? I'd love to see some.
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Sconosciuto
20 Dicembre 2012, 13:45
One word sufficiently describes my response to this.

Wow!
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