That's a cracker Curt!
Now, also copied from where I posted on another forum...
Not UK/EU and not quattros but I can relate a tale from pre-quattro days that still makes the hairs on the back of my neck bristle, one my own experience, the other a friend's experience.
I was on my way between spectator points on my first ever National Championship round and it just on dusk. We were in my Torana GTR XU-1 and struggling to even stay close to the 60MPH speed limit on these narrow, windy country roads. I noticed some bright lights coming up behind me and figured it'd be one of the front running cars, on it's way to or from a stage. It was catching me like I was standing still and in a short while I could HEAR four cylinders and two Webbers roaring up behind me. In a flash it was on my bumper, around me and off in to the distance. I didn't even bother giving chase as it was just plain unsafe for me to try.
So, what was this high-revving, throaty screamer?... the Nissan Team service van, an "Urvan" or Nissan E20!!!
I was only in recent years that I learned all about those vans. The motor was the full house Nissan L20 (plus a bit) that was used as a swap-out "hot spare" for the rally cars. They also ran the same diff centre and suspension components as the works cars!
A similar story from some years before was told to me last year. A group of spectators were waiting for the front of field to enter the section of stage they were on. It was dark and late at night. They heard the roar coming in the distance and all played that game of guessing what the car was. Many guesses from Datsuns to BDA Escorts but jaws dropped as a Nissan Works van shot down past them and through a T-junction and then off in to the night.
Those of you who have ever driven a van might appreciate the stories even more
The car in the above picture is currently for sale in the UK for £55,000!!!
"Torana GTR XU-1?" you say... 3300cc I6 GM Holden. This is identical to mine: http://gallery.sendbad.net/data/medi...xu1%201972.jpg - I wish I'd kept it stored away instead of trading it... they are worth a fortune now. Ah, 20-20 hindsight is a wonderful thing. They were competent race and rally cars too in the early 70's, winning the ATCC and the ARC in that era. The were dubbed "giant-killers" as they wiped the floor with the V8 opposition. They still are great cars: http://www.johndolphin.net/photos/da...ia/98/9944.JPG