Another small part of the British motor industry has come to an end with the halting of production of the Metrocab at Tamworth, Staffordshire. Somewhat stylistically challenged - think Morris Marina and Ford Granada with sawn off tail - the cab was always going to struggle against the pleasing TX1 rival from Manganese Bronze.
A down turn in the London cab trade has finished off the Metrocab once again. The company previously went down in 1991 when part of the Reliant motor group, known for the Reliant Robin three-wheeler made famous in the TV series 'Only Fools and Horses.'
Monday, January 15, 2001
Sunday, January 7, 2001
Project Blueyonder
Cycling Gold-medalist from the Sydney Olympics, Jason Queally, is to make an attempt on the World land-speed record for a human-powered vehicle. The record is currently held by the American Sam Whittingham at 72.24 mph.
Known as Project Blueyonder the vehicle will be built by Reynard, the company that designs the BAR Formula One car for Jacques Villeneuve and also provides chassis for the Champ Car series in the United States. Based in Brackley, Northants Reynard operates out of a state-of-the-art high-technology park close to Silverstone racing circuit.
Queally will make his attempt at high-altitude in either Nevada or Colorado in October. Coincidentally the absolute world land speed record was set by the British Thrust SSC Project on 15th October 1997, the first supersonic land speed record in the Black Rock Desert, near Gerlach, Nevada, by averaging 763.035 for two runs. Royal Air Force pilot Andy Green was the driver of the car, while Richard Noble was the project leader
Known as Project Blueyonder the vehicle will be built by Reynard, the company that designs the BAR Formula One car for Jacques Villeneuve and also provides chassis for the Champ Car series in the United States. Based in Brackley, Northants Reynard operates out of a state-of-the-art high-technology park close to Silverstone racing circuit.
Queally will make his attempt at high-altitude in either Nevada or Colorado in October. Coincidentally the absolute world land speed record was set by the British Thrust SSC Project on 15th October 1997, the first supersonic land speed record in the Black Rock Desert, near Gerlach, Nevada, by averaging 763.035 for two runs. Royal Air Force pilot Andy Green was the driver of the car, while Richard Noble was the project leader
Toyota to expand in the UK
After all the huffing and puffing that failure to join the euro would drive away foreign investment Toyota has announced expansion plans for it’s UK operation.
Demonstrating that short term currency fluctuations are not really a consideration when making long-term investment decisions Toyota will increase output at the Burnaston, Derbyshire, plant from 170,000 to 220,000 cars a year.
Demonstrating that short term currency fluctuations are not really a consideration when making long-term investment decisions Toyota will increase output at the Burnaston, Derbyshire, plant from 170,000 to 220,000 cars a year.
Wine trivia
The FT had a nice piece last week-end about the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) which apparently is the world’s biggest single buyer of beverage alcohol and the biggest single buyer of French wine. The LCBO dates back to the abolition of prohibition in 1927 and whilst it still exercises monopolistic control, the wine stores it operates are nowadays indistinguishable from modern supermarket-style outlets.
George Carman QC
Can’t let the week go by without commenting on the death of George Carman QC. A formidable advocate he was best known for his involvement in a succession of trials involving celebrities, which kept the tabloid press in copy for many a long year.
For me his masterly defence of Ken Dodd on tax evasion charges was the highlight of his career. “Some accountants are comedians, but comedians are never accountants” which Carman used in court was worthy of Dodd himself. Ken Dodd, the finest stand-up comedian of his generation, relaunched his career following the not guilty verdict with a barrage of jokes at the taxman’s expense – “they still write to me you know.”
The trial highlighted a little known clause in England’s unwritten constitution – you can’t convict a man as funny as Ken Dodd. Also make sure that George Carman QC is not appearing for the other side.
For me his masterly defence of Ken Dodd on tax evasion charges was the highlight of his career. “Some accountants are comedians, but comedians are never accountants” which Carman used in court was worthy of Dodd himself. Ken Dodd, the finest stand-up comedian of his generation, relaunched his career following the not guilty verdict with a barrage of jokes at the taxman’s expense – “they still write to me you know.”
The trial highlighted a little known clause in England’s unwritten constitution – you can’t convict a man as funny as Ken Dodd. Also make sure that George Carman QC is not appearing for the other side.
Monday, January 1, 2001
Roaming around in 2000
I keep saying I am going to slow down a bit but looking back at 2000 proves me wrong. March saw me in Canada with a trip to Ontario including a Hot Rod show in Toronto, the Canadian National Car Museum in Oshawa, a trip to Parry Sound on the Georgian Bay with side trips to Huntsville, Bracebridge and Gravenhurst. Also a search for the lost railway station at Depot Harbour with fun driving off the blacktop in a Dodge Grand Caravan.
May and a quick trip to Dublin with the day job. A farewell gig for the band Temple Myst in Hastings, also a trip to Hastings Rock FM to line up some gigs for next year. June and the usual trip to Le Mans for the 24 Hour race. A rare moment of peace cycling between the track and the Bar des Sports in Arnage.
July/August and off on the Grand Tour of Europe taking in France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland. Highlights included a visit to the Smart car factory at Hambach, the Musée Schlumpf in Mulhouse and the stage finish of the Tour de France also in Mulhouse. A trip to Berne and a ride through the Emmental to Lucerne with a magical view of the lake took care of Switzerland. To Austria via Liechtenstein and we enjoyed the rosti and a trip on the Achenseebahn steam mountain railway.
To Munich and the BMW museum. Then the Zeppelin Museum at Friedrichshafen - highly recommended. On to Stuttgart and visits to Porshe and Mercedes. Then to Hockehheim to see Rubens Barrichello win the German Grand Prix for Ferrari.
To Luxembourg to see the city and the Moselle river and on to Nurburgring to see the fabulous Nordschleife circuit. To Zandvoort for the Marlboro Masters of Formula Three via the Spa-Francorchamps circuit and the Airborne Museum at Arnhem.
September and back in Germany in Berlin for a week at Lotusphere 2000, a software conference. Visits to the Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie and a canal trip in the autumn sun.
October 12 and never to be forgotten as my house ships two feet of water in the great Lewes flood. Get on the plane for Canada once more and visit Wasaga Beach on Lake Huron and the splendid Welland Canal.
November and off to Macau for the Grand Prix and a short rest in Hong Kong. Another business trip to Dublin in time for Christmas to round off the year.
May and a quick trip to Dublin with the day job. A farewell gig for the band Temple Myst in Hastings, also a trip to Hastings Rock FM to line up some gigs for next year. June and the usual trip to Le Mans for the 24 Hour race. A rare moment of peace cycling between the track and the Bar des Sports in Arnage.
July/August and off on the Grand Tour of Europe taking in France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland. Highlights included a visit to the Smart car factory at Hambach, the Musée Schlumpf in Mulhouse and the stage finish of the Tour de France also in Mulhouse. A trip to Berne and a ride through the Emmental to Lucerne with a magical view of the lake took care of Switzerland. To Austria via Liechtenstein and we enjoyed the rosti and a trip on the Achenseebahn steam mountain railway.
To Munich and the BMW museum. Then the Zeppelin Museum at Friedrichshafen - highly recommended. On to Stuttgart and visits to Porshe and Mercedes. Then to Hockehheim to see Rubens Barrichello win the German Grand Prix for Ferrari.
To Luxembourg to see the city and the Moselle river and on to Nurburgring to see the fabulous Nordschleife circuit. To Zandvoort for the Marlboro Masters of Formula Three via the Spa-Francorchamps circuit and the Airborne Museum at Arnhem.
September and back in Germany in Berlin for a week at Lotusphere 2000, a software conference. Visits to the Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie and a canal trip in the autumn sun.
October 12 and never to be forgotten as my house ships two feet of water in the great Lewes flood. Get on the plane for Canada once more and visit Wasaga Beach on Lake Huron and the splendid Welland Canal.
November and off to Macau for the Grand Prix and a short rest in Hong Kong. Another business trip to Dublin in time for Christmas to round off the year.
PunchBuggy vs. Slug Bug
Crystal wrote:
Grin...where I grew up in Washington state, we called it Slug Bug (which is much easier to say than punchbuggy!). And boy did we use to slug each other hard. The best was when we would drive by a VW parts place and there would be ten of them in the lot.
Ahhh memories of growing up in the 70s...chuckle.
Crystal
"We write to taste life twice" ~ Anais Nin
Grin...where I grew up in Washington state, we called it Slug Bug (which is much easier to say than punchbuggy!). And boy did we use to slug each other hard. The best was when we would drive by a VW parts place and there would be ten of them in the lot.
Ahhh memories of growing up in the 70s...chuckle.
Crystal
"We write to taste life twice" ~ Anais Nin
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