Smart Roadster

[sng45]

I wasn't going to buy any more cars ( !!) but I quite fancy having a bid on this......

https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auct ... -roadster/

Has anyone got any experience of them ? I read that Gordon Murray, one of my heroes, has had one for fourteen years and in his monthly article in Classic Car magazine, says, that when he had the choice of anything from the Mercedes brochure, as part of the deal for working with them, he chose a Smart. This one looks interesting with the tuning bits !

Only problem is I'll be flying back from Italy at exactly the time of the auction, need to draft in a friend to bid for me !

[911hillclimber]

A good friend of mine is a Smart devotee, he has had about 7, inc a stock Coupe.
I have driven the Coupe and it handles fantastic, huge grip.
The worst thing of all early Smarts is the gearbox, chronic change.(auto)

He built a Smart for 2 with a Toyota engine and box for hill climbing.
Mad machine, would pull 12" wheelies off the start, but drove well at high speeds.

Unique cars and not a toy.

[sng45]

Sounds like my type of car !

[smallspeed]

I had a roadster coupe (stock) and it was a fun little car. Gear change can be improved considerably with a remap from someone decent
Personally I wouldn't buy that one because of the engine, and definitely not at that price - I'd get a good Brabus that would be as much fun and a lot easier to move on if / when required
If I was after one with a non standard engine i'd get one of the bike engine conversions from the company in nottingham (name escapes me) instead

[911hillclimber]

I think Z cars did the original, sold the design to another company how do the conversions.
There is this Coupe /bike conversion too:

With bike conversions, reverse is the BIG downfall.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... 5fsMCyngIV

And my friend's Smart/Toyota...

https://youtu.be/jCLgcUvhPSM