Signage

[TSR53]

Thanks, anything to keep us gear heads in the thick of it.

For those that just can't be without Wild Kingdom, very much still alive after ALL these years...

http://www.youtube.com/user/WildKingdomTV

More nostalgia

http://www.wildkingdom.com/nostalgia/classic_clips.html

[TSR53]

Now, back to the original subject...

My thoughts on this are if one was to build a 'replica' vehicle, you should try to make it as close to the original as possible. Never try to pass your finished product off as the real deal, and always refer to your creation as a replica or 'tribute'.

This 'replica' building has been going on for years, specifically in the Porsche circles, focusing on the elusive, uber-rare, wild 1973 Carrera RS. I even owned a 1972 Carrera RS replica (MoF, it started life from Stuttgart as a lowly 911T 2.2 liter with a four speed) and didn't think anything of the silly Vitaloni Italian mirrors that came on it when I bought it. However, I did everything I could with creating the proper and EXACT decal replication, european turn indicators and hubcap details I could afford. It didn't hurt that the engine was mechanically injected and also was bumped up to the proper specification 2.7 liters too .

Just a side note: Here is a photo I took in 1989/90 of my 1972 Porsche 911RS replica next to the REAL 1984 Paris-Dakar winning Porsche that Jacki Ickx drove. It was the test bed for the 959 with fully adjustable all-wheel-drive. It had just come off a full restoration and was still needing replacement decals.

The nomenclature 'replica' is sometimes often overused and incorrectly abused. Proper naming really should be, 'themed replica tribute'. This way it will not really offend owners of the real deal and instead elevates the original real VIN'ed vehicles on a higher level.

There are even those who pattern their themed tribute replica on one specific car that raced with a very certain specific livery on say the 1970 Monte-Carlo Rallye.

You are your own person and can do anything you like with your own car, Land Rover, MINI Cooper, or Rose Bowl parade float. Just be truthful in representation.

So, say you wanted to do a specific year, Camel Trophy style 'themed tribute replica', you could use a Range Rover Classic, Discovery I or Defender 110 (as a support rig) and doctor this up nicely. Make sure to research, photos, (more research), more photos, obtain the proper Michelin tires to match your time period and fitment and most importantly, specify sand glow yellow paint .

[Les Parker]

Thanks, one and all. This certainly has been an intersting,if meandering stroll on a Bassetts (Liquorice type) journey.

I now feel justified in finishing off my Austin A35 van as a rolling tribute to Nick Parks wonderful creation of Wallace and Grommit.

Now :-

HOP 2IT !!!!