The 1957 Dope Dauphine

[Adey]

I envy you, your inventive nature. You could build a hot motor and listen to that instead

soon maybe.... I've got the tubular manifold here (albeit needing some work to be of use) an a spare cam that I've measured up as being a little hotter than fitted, but can be "hotted" up with ease. Was thinking maybe a big head skim and send it just for a few more ponies, maybe adding mappable ignition too. That said I have lots of ideas, I also have a spare small turbo sat on the work bench that would suit the small cc engine nicely, really like the look the self contained AMR superchargers too. I don't really want to build anything that will start breaking the next component though.

 

[Adey]

Just for some fun, this morning I put the Draggy in the Dope.... I didn't try to hard but 0-60 came in at 17.68 seconds and it ran a quarter in 20.41 seconds (I'm sure I can better these though) From what I can find the Gordini version did 0-60 in 24.8 seconds a quarter in 22.7 seconds. Happy with that lol

 

[Adey]

As I had the cleaning stuff out after cleaning the Twingo I gave the Dope some love too. Cleaned down and then re waxed for protection. Doesn't look too bad, you can see the difference where I grabbed a pic of the roof half done.

 

[Adey]

I've driven it a handful of times and only briefly for a long while now but I did manage to grab some quick pics where its parked up and in passing (so I will now bore you all with them) Honestly cant wait for RRG so I have a good reason to drive it and give it a decent run out

 

[Adey]

I gave the Dope a light machine polish (nothing to heavy ill remove the paint lol) and a fresh coat of wax in preparation for RRG next weekend. Then it rained. So I did the weird thing and took some pics

 

[DaveL485]

A wet car.

Enthralling content Adrian.

 

[Steve Swan]

Atmospheric tho.......

 

[Adey]

A wet car.

Enthralling content Adrian.

Hey Dave..

 

[Steve Swan]

@Adey I have been researching open engine lids on rear engined cars and found some interesting details. When testing the Fiat 850 Abarth it was found that propping the lid didn't make any difference to cooling (it was up front on these by then) but it did give it another 8mph top speed as it reduced aerodynamic drag. All interesting stuff. so in between mending things for other people and standing elbow deep in the parts washer for a couple of hours, my mind wandered to devising a system with 3 settings. Fully open for maintenance (whats that) propped open for minimal drag when racing (and a bit of posing) finally fully shut to keep out prying eyes (and hands) I am trying to keep it clever, simple and elegant (not necessarily in that order) I'll let you know if it works.

 

[Adey]

Gave the car a run out to the amazing show that is Retro Rides Gathering, this for me is the get too show every year. After a little persuasion starting in the morning she didn't let me down (I really should look into getting a decent carb on there) With the heating on and the bluetooth speaker blasting out tunes the wife and I had a gentle drive down. I say gentle, the sat nav took us down some very questionable roads and a few times we had some teeth breaking hits in pot holes there was also one instance of a full ground out with added F1 style sparks so I'm told lol. We got to the event, no breakdowns so a great win. I did however get stuck on the wet grass when we first got there, skinny tyres and a slight incline ended up with me sat going nowhere luckily a bunch of fellow Retro Cars Enthusiasts ran over and gave me a push (thank you so much if that was you ) I didn't get around to half the stuff I wanted to see but got a few pics from the stand. Id invited a chap called Colin Pace along as well, he also owns a modified Renault Dauphine, the thing is one of my all time favourite cars so it was amazing to see it in the flesh, and to be able to park next to it was amazing, its the total polar opposite of mine. Here have some pics. Also note how small they look even next to a Renault 5 GT Turbo.

 

[Adey]

Made by @hpojnk and looks awesome

 

[Adey]

woke it up

 

[Steve Swan]

Really funny watching all the wheel twirling. I was fixing an old mate's R10 last week and took it for a test drive, totally forgot how low geared standard steering is. and how short legged.

 

[Adey]

like sailing a boat lol

 

[Adey]

Sceeeeeeeeeeeene post.

For a long while I've wanted a roof rack, yes how very VW of me but then I am fond of the classic VW scene. A few months back I found one that looked suitable on ebay but it was a million miles from me in Liverpool. Luckily @Haz was about 5 min away (big thanks buddy) he collected it and kept hold of it Dean Martin was up there yesterday an kindly passed mine and dropped it off on his way home, meaning I now had my retro roof rack. I spent some time measuring up today and got it all bolted on. The front brackets need to be shortened a touch to keep it close to the roof but its seems pretty strong and hasn't come off with some aggressive yanking. I do have a cliché old suitcase to go on there but I actually want to use it as storage for shopping and stuff as the inside of the car has none.

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Sceeeeeeeeeeeene post.

For a long while I've wanted a roof rack, yes how very VW of me but then I am fond of the classic VW scene. A few months back I found a one that looked suitable on ebay but it was a million miles from me in Liverpool. Luckily @Haz was about 5 min away (big thanks buddy) he collected it and kept hold of it Dean Martin was up there yesterday an kindly passed mine and dropped it off on his way home, meaning I now had my retro roof rack. I spent some time measuring up today and got it all bolted on. The front brackets need to be shortened a touch to keep it close to the roof but its seems pretty strong and hasn't come off with some aggressive yanking. I do have a cliché old suitcase to go on there but I actually want to use it as storage for shopping and stuff as the inside of the car has none.

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That looks just about PERFECT

If you need to get rid of a car during the next months.. it cannot be this one..

 

[Adey]

@Big Steve - Raider thank you though I'm quite surprised at your choice to be honest. Out of the 2 I thought you would have picked the Twingo as the keeper.

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

@Big Steve - Raider thank you though I'm quite surprised at your choice to be honest. Out of the 2 I thought you would have picked the Twingo as the keeper.

Sell me the Twingo, and keep the Dope.

The Dope is just Soooooo you!! I could never carry it off like you do!!

 

[Adey]

Got a few little bits to sort on on the Twingo then I may post the advert.

I do love the Dope, very me, rough broken and battered but still plodding along and generally useful when needed

 

[Steve Swan]

Re-enforce the Roof rack and fit some solid fuel booster rockets and take it to Santa Pod