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Herdfan

macrumors 65816
Apr 11, 2011
1,349
7,896
The same for ships, in which case engines with generators provide all the electricity needed for the electric motors, and even smaller batteries.

I am not sure why semi-trucks don't use a similar system to train locomotives. Small diesel engine turning a generator that powers electric motors on all the wheels except the steers. You could even add motors on the trailer wheels.
 
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AlaskaMoose

macrumors 68040
Apr 26, 2008
3,585
13,429
Alaska
I am not sure why semi-trucks don't use a similar system to train locomotives. Small diesel engine turning a generator that powers electric motors on all the wheels except the steers. You could even add motors on the trailer wheels.
I wonder about that, too.
 

avro707

macrumors 68020
Dec 13, 2010
2,247
1,628
Reading the Top Gear piece on the first two Phantom VII models (one that went to an owner in my country), makes me wonder if such a car would make an interesting restoration piece:


I know quite a lot were built and the prices aren’t as crazy as the more desirable Wraith. But still a great thing and little else moves along like that.
 

cyb3rdud3

macrumors 601
Jun 22, 2014
4,043
2,719
UK
Reading the Top Gear piece on the first two Phantom VII models (one that went to an owner in my country), makes me wonder if such a car would make an interesting restoration piece:


I know quite a lot were built and the prices aren’t as crazy as the more desirable Wraith. But still a great thing and little else moves along like that.
My neighbour in the UK is very well known for doing RR restorations, very well known. I wondered the same, and can afford to buy one. He clearly told me that if you have to ask how much it would be to do that or get the parts, then you can't afford running it, let alone repairing it.
 

avro707

macrumors 68020
Dec 13, 2010
2,247
1,628
My neighbour in the UK is very well known for doing RR restorations, very well known. I wondered the same, and can afford to buy one. He clearly told me that if you have to ask how much it would be to do that or get the parts, then you can't afford running it, let alone repairing it.
From what I know the BMW engine is a relatively simple one (and not very highly stressed - only 338kW from 6.75L of V12) and the transmission is also a well known unit.

The rest I figured can’t be that difficult. Modern chassis construction, just a matter to find one that hasn’t been trashed.
 
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cyb3rdud3

macrumors 601
Jun 22, 2014
4,043
2,719
UK
From what I know the BMW engine is a relatively simple one (and not very highly stressed - only 338kW from 6.75L of V12) and the transmission is also a well known unit.

The rest I figured can’t be that difficult. Modern chassis construction, just a matter to find one that hasn’t been trashed.
I've had a BMW 5.0V12 in the past, even there the parts are a significant uplift. That one was based on 2x525 engines, and for some parts you could avoid the v12 tax by buying the 2x the 525 part. That is no longer.

Then chassis/interior, :) Good luck with the wiring...

But hey, go for it if you think you can do it. I foresee a car that won't be maintained at al. Plenty of them around already. See the same in the Rang Rover groups, even to the extend of people removing the air suspension as they don't like the price of active air shocks ;)
 

YoitsTmac

macrumors regular
Aug 30, 2014
248
512
The only “Italian spirit” car I can think of is the Dodge Hornet since it was made with Alfa, but doesn’t have a V8. I can’t think of any shared platforms that are Italian. Perhaps, as someone suggested, the designer of the car or something is Italian.

Edit: Maserati Ghibli?
 

vipergts2207

Suspended
Apr 7, 2009
4,414
9,884
Columbus, OH
The only “Italian spirit” car I can think of is the Dodge Hornet since it was made with Alfa, but doesn’t have a V8. I can’t think of any shared platforms that are Italian. Perhaps, as someone suggested, the designer of the car or something is Italian.

Edit: Maserati Ghibli?
That was my original guess when I thought it was from Italy.
 

quagmire

macrumors 604
Apr 19, 2004
6,984
2,488
Nice, should be an awesome car. Hope you opted for a cool color lol. I'm partial to reds and blues myself.

Red mist metallic.

It's literally a clone of this car, but mine is a coupe where this is the HTC.

Also obviously not debadged either. :)

Z06 Front Quarter.jpg
 

SteveManila1960

macrumors 6502
Aug 8, 2019
323
227
London
I have not owned a car for exactly 12 years this month. Relocated to Singapore and then the Philippines so no need.

I get my fix from You Tube there is a guy who specialises in ground up restoration of E31 BMW's among other cars and in the past I had one. 1993 V12 850i. I just love a cruiser and it is my favourite car ever.

If I could wave the magic wand it would be to own and drive one of the cars he has restored.
 

cyb3rdud3

macrumors 601
Jun 22, 2014
4,043
2,719
UK
Ding ding ding.

Especially since they benchmarked it against the 458 and tore a 458 engine down during development. So very much has Italian spirit.

:)
The Chevrolet Corvette is an astonishing car, really is. I'd love to have one. But I do think you are pushing it with this whole Italian spirit thing. And by doing that bringing down what is a fantastic car on its own.

It is a Chevrolet, it has as much to do with Ferrari as a Pontiac Fiero. Yes, it has copied a few things from an 8-year-old car, but that is the thing with a spirit, you can't copy it.
 

avro707

macrumors 68020
Dec 13, 2010
2,247
1,628
get my fix from You Tube there is a guy who specialises in ground up restoration of E31 BMW's among other cars and in the past I had one. 1993 V12 850i. I just love a cruiser and it is my favourite car ever.
Sreten! :)

Brilliant channel - the Alpina B7 restoration was extremely satisfying especially when Andreas Bovenseipen drives it again. That car was extremely gone and now is beautiful again and runs beautifully.

I agree with you, E31 8 series V12 is great, very timeless car and a lovely big smooth V12. Those are just effortless engines. I would love the Alpina B12 5.7 version of it. Also listen to the M73 5.4L in the 750L7 - it is just turbine smooth, the gearshifts also the same.

The Quattroporte GTS restoration looks interesting as well, partly because I see an identical car daily near my office, though it is very pristine. I had not realised the Ferrari F154AM engine used a lot of shared parts with the Alfa Romeo 2.9L V6 - that’s quite useful. It appears Ferrari designed a very solid engine there.

Another channel I watch did a restoration of a Monegasque Ferrari F355 GTS, also very interesting because the F355 is another of my old favourites, though I prefer the closed top cars with standard exhausts.



Edit: iPhone auto incorrect is annoying.


The Chevrolet Corvette is an astonishing car, really is. I'd love to have one. But I do think you are pushing it with this whole Italian spirit thing. And by doing that bringing down what is a fantastic car on its own.

I also think Chrevrolet is pushing the connection a bit too much. They don’t need to. And besides Ferrari has moved on so much. Yes the 458 was a brilliant thing with an amazing engine but look now at the 296 model, that is incredible- so accomplished and well sorted. That car also has a very interesting engine layout which seems to have been built with racing in mind, 120° V6 engines aren’t the usual find on road legal cars.
 
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quagmire

macrumors 604
Apr 19, 2004
6,984
2,488
All I’m going to say is when I brought up Italian spirit, I was simply using it as a way to throw off people and not make it obvious the car I bought.

Didn’t mean to imply I somehow own a Ferrari or make the car something it’s not.

I do not like the Corvette fans that try to mimic the “exclusivity” that surrounds Porsche, Ferrari, Lambo, etc. Corvette is about the masses. I don’t care that your Corvette is “1 of 1”. It's a mass produced vehicle with 100K+ C8's driving out there. Now have a 1963 Stingray in fantastic condition? Then come talk to me about rarity and exclusivity.

I had to deal with that for the past 1.5 years listening to people talk that GM will only make 10,000 Z06's total, that I wouldn't get one unless I was on lists 5 years ago while I was on the hunt. F that.
 
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avro707

macrumors 68020
Dec 13, 2010
2,247
1,628
Anyone want a 6.7L V16 BMW sedan?


A 1990 prototype has emerged from hiding with the enormous prototype V16 engine (derived from the earlier Goldfisch). The 16 cylinder never made production at BMW but it's pretty amazing to see something like that given how long the V16 engine is. The car itself looks awkward, it was based on an early development mule.

More stunning is that Bugatti is bringing its own 8.3L V16 to production soon, a collaboration between Cosworth, Bugatti and Rimac. At first everyone thought it was a typo and it was really a W16, but no, the photos emerged of a real V16. Crazy!
 
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