Announcement

**admin** · 03-02-2014, 02:45 PM

**neilbardsley** · 03-04-2014, 04:07 AM

I've been searching for a while for a Abarth racing and found this. Two of them going for it. It takes a while before the fun starts but after about 5 mins the other Abarth appears. There is a dangerous cut as they pass a back marker!

2012 Sonoma Historic Group 5 Race

I also found the results for the race. I thought that I saw a speedster/roadster getting away at the being of the race.

**JTR70** · 03-04-2014, 10:03 AM

Great video! Thanks for posting it Neil!

**356** · 03-05-2014, 01:17 PM

**Pat** · 03-06-2014, 01:23 AM

Thanks for the video--cool!

I have a question about the performance of the 4 cam cars versus the opposition of the day. Were Morgan's faster than the 4 cam cars? Alfas?

**Steve Heinrichs** · 03-06-2014, 01:27 AM

Hi Pat,

While I cannot answer your question specifically vis a vis other cars----the new book has each Abarth Porsche race from the beginning through about 1966 with the chassis number, pilot/co-pilot, start number and results. So---we'll see how they did!

Steve Heinrichs

**neilbardsley** · 03-06-2014, 09:08 PM

I'm not a historian but that never stopped me before ...

If you look at Le Mans

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1961_24_Hours_of_Le_Mans
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1962_24_Hours_of_Le_Mans

1962 Abarth 10th, not in top 25?
1962 Abarth 7th, Morgan 14th.

Now I think it's fair to say that in period the Abarth was the quickest 356 and maybe quicker than the Morgan. However, my sample is only race. The Le Mans circuit and that hilly/twisty circuit, in the video, are quite different. Who knows how they would of faired around Brands Hatch for example? You imagine the Morgans might like that ciruit more than Le Mans?

I think it's also fair to say with the improvements in pushrod engines / cars that now other 356's are can be quicker than the Abarth in historical races?

PS have a look at this thread. 4 cams can't be development much from the original but pushrods have.

http://porsche356registry.org/356talk/14/29118.html

**Pat** · 03-07-2014, 12:38 AM

The reason I asked is that in the video of the Abarth car, the Morgan keep pulling away. One day many years ago I was driving my 356B coupe on a very twisty and hilly road and came upon a Moggie in front of me -- he tried to pull away but couldn't thanks to my excellent (you bet!) driving. It seemed like I had better acceleration and cornering ability the coupe. I will never forget that day--it was fun for about a mile!

**neilbardsley** · 03-07-2014, 12:49 AM

Originally posted by Pat" post=16652

The reason I asked is that in the video of the Abarth car, the Morgan keep pulling away. One day many years ago I was driving my 356B coupe on a very twisty and hilly road and came upon a Moggie in front of me -- he tried to pull away but couldn't thanks to my excellent (you bet!) driving. It seemed like I had better acceleration and cornering ability the coupe. I will never forget that day--it was fun for about a mile!

Clearly down to your driving skills! One of those moments then you wish you a camera!

Mrs B asking me to slow down when in the Black Forest last year trying to keep up with an 911 IB and nice 914

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu59nLqa3Cg

and not liking the corners

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGrV9pjKGIg

**356** · 03-09-2014, 01:17 PM

**jstenner** · 03-09-2014, 06:00 PM

I've always loved the design of the GTL EXCEPT for one thing. I want to re-design the front fenderwell opening! It would be perfect if it hugged the tire more closely and the peak didn't break the body line/crown of the fender.