Unlike so many of today’s Starlets, she had style, class and...Grace! [emoji41][emoji173]️ Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Istoria Opel - Pagina 6 (clubopel.com) Today, before the launch of new vehicle models, their prototypes travel thousands of kilometers in extremely difficult conditions, many of these tests taking place on test tracks specially built for this purpose. Opel has several units of this type, the largest of which is located in Dudenhofen, about 50 kilometers away from the main plant and the Opel International Technological Development Center in Russelsheim. At Opel, difficult tests have a long tradition 60 years ago, in 1951, the company began to use its first fully equipped test center, located in the immediate vicinity of the russelsheim plant. Thus, Opel became one of the first car manufacturers in Germany with such a modern testing unit. The construction of the unit with an area of 150,000 m2 took five months. After completing the works, Opel moved some of the tests he performed on public roads, thus protecting the prototypes from unwanted attention and inquisitive glances. In addition to a high speed track with a length of 1,500 meters and a "usual" roadway, it was necessary for Opel models to be tested on paved surfaces. At that time, the test center had numerous special test surfaces, including a bumpy track and an asphalt surface with numerous serpentines to test the chassis, wheel suspensions, dampers and steering system. In the test area there were also areas covered with gravel and macadam, as well as surfaces with fine sand and passage through the water. The large number of sections with steep slopes, with a degree of inclination of up to 30% - important for testing the transmission, the performance of the movement in the ramp, as well as the departure from the spot and the brakeeffect re - represented a kind of central axis on the test circuit. The skating portion, a slippery area arranged on a concrete surface, was intended to allow Opel experts to check the geometry of the direction, to establish the skating angles and to test the under-steering and over-steering in tight turns. 1920: Opel race track for testing models, motorsports and promotional events Opel began testing vehicles in Russelsheim in 1903. The small oval-shaped area located in the perimeter of the plant, used mainly as a circuit for testing vehicles and bicycles, soon became too small. Thus, in 1920 the car manufacturer inaugurated the 1.5 km long racetrack from "Schonauer Hof" in the southern part of the production unit. The track was also used for motorsports and cycling races, and Fritz von Opel's experiments with a rocket-powered vehicle were carried out in the same place. The short-range curves (up to 32 degrees) on the oval-shaped racetrack allowed to reach speeds of 140 km/h, turning the motor bomb into one of the few routes in the world that could run at the highest speeds of the weather and in the first permanent race track for motor vehicles and motorcycles in Germany. Promotional events were occasionally held on the same track, such as the 1924 presentation of more than 100 units produced in a single day from the 4/12 hp model, known as "Laubfrosch" (brotacel). The circuit can still be visited today, representing a destination for hiking and walking enthusiasts. From 1966 to the present: The Dudenhofen High Performance Testing Center In 1966, Opel built a new test ing center in Dudenhofen, with the role of successor to the test unit inaugurated by Opel in 1951 - where the development centers are currently located, such as the electromagnetic compatibility study laboratory, the accident simulation center and other test benches. In Dudenhofen, ingenious combinations of roads and trails with a total initial length of 33 km have been built to test the endurance and reliability of vehicles in extreme conditions. In the last ten years, the area of the tracks in the test centre has increased by 50%, so there are currently about 60 kilometers of test tracks, from surfaces for measuring comfort and noise levels, "torture" tracks, hiking trails and up to the high-speed circuit. Innovations in technology and engines also influence the infrastructure and day-to-day activities of Dudenhofen. For example, the new power station in this perimeter currently comprises 18 different types of fuel and charging stations for electric vehicles have been provided. Reducing the environmental impact plays an important role in testing running trains as well as activities in the test centre. For example, 90% of the water used in the car wash is recycled. For example, the system controls traffic and track access permits and provides accurate information on weather conditions. Another novelty is the event management team, which also allows the public access to the area. And it does this with great success: at present, the Dudenhofen test centre is visited annually by up to 10,000 people during events and training courses for drivers. The development of the chassis in the perimeter of the Pferdsfeld Test Center Since 2005, the Dudenhofen Test Centre is complemented by the Pfewdsfeld Center, located near Bad Sogrnheim, in Rhineland-Palatinate. That area was part of the German air base and the former runway was adapted to allow testing to be carried out. While resistance tests and prototype tests take place in Dudenhofen, specialists at the Pfordsfeld center are working mainly on the development of chassis.
This pic reminds me: PSA - it is a good idea to periodically clean the rosin from your violin/viola, to help preserve the performance of the strings and the instrument's finish.
Fred Larsen's record-breaking supercharged Chrysler powered Modified Roadster is a fine match for this young damsel, probably arranged and photographed by Dean Moon (Fred's boss) sometime in 1961. Ed Roth painted Fred’s car a different color every year that he ran it. Fred and MaryLou Larsen Collection
Welcome to August 10, 1947, S.C.T.A. meet held at Harper Dry Lake. Yucky skies were a bad omen as the meet was soon canceled. Car number 614 belonged to Jim Rawding of the Clutchers and we don’t have a speed on him. On the right is Charles Dimmitt’s modified Lincoln Zephyr. He was in charge of the Mobile Patrols. To his right is the number 104B Roadster of Johnny Johnson. John’s ride was Merc powered and timed at 122.95 mph. The number 611C Roadster was run by Bill Jenks who became famous for spun fuel tanks he built at Moon.
The Jalopy Journal
