I like the way he is resting his stomach on that flagpole!
I will see if I can dig the article out.
From memory the article was claiming to get to the truth behind the story and had recollections from the team mechanic at the time.
More later...
Marcus
Another new member from Kent
Moderator: Miggs
OK I have found the article by Tony Dron in this months Octane.
The original story has been accepted as true up to last year when doubts were sown over its authenticity.
According to a former works mechanic Eugen Reichle the works cars were never painted white in the first place, so that means the white paint issue is challenged. A 1932 radio commentary (1 year before the Nurburgring race in question ) talks about the silver arrow. Further doubt over the white paint issue is caused by a curious lack of factory archive photos and a press release from a few days before the race again talking about a silver arrow.
The article is lengthy and goes into some detail but also says that one month later all three cars came in 10 to 12 Kilos under the 750KG weight limit.
Then again the article also goes on to speculate that the cars were repainted white just before the race. and so on and so on, fascinating stuff
Anyway worth a read.
Marcus
The original story has been accepted as true up to last year when doubts were sown over its authenticity.
According to a former works mechanic Eugen Reichle the works cars were never painted white in the first place, so that means the white paint issue is challenged. A 1932 radio commentary (1 year before the Nurburgring race in question ) talks about the silver arrow. Further doubt over the white paint issue is caused by a curious lack of factory archive photos and a press release from a few days before the race again talking about a silver arrow.
The article is lengthy and goes into some detail but also says that one month later all three cars came in 10 to 12 Kilos under the 750KG weight limit.
Then again the article also goes on to speculate that the cars were repainted white just before the race. and so on and so on, fascinating stuff
Anyway worth a read.
Marcus
Marcus
1967 RHD 911S
1958 Fiat Abarth Zagato 750 Competition Corsa
1956 356a "die Ratte"
1972 Mercedes 280S
2014 BMW X3 2.0SE
1974 914 2.0
992 C2S
1955 Continental Cabriolet
1968 Citroen DS21
1967 RHD 911S
1958 Fiat Abarth Zagato 750 Competition Corsa
1956 356a "die Ratte"
1972 Mercedes 280S
2014 BMW X3 2.0SE
1974 914 2.0
992 C2S
1955 Continental Cabriolet
1968 Citroen DS21
-
Bertroex
- DDK 1st, 2nd and 3rd for me!
- Posts: 2048
- Joined: Sat May 07, 2005 11:52 am
- Location: Brewood, Staffs
Hi Marcus,
I cought up with the article- sitting in a hotel on a training course woohoo.
Anyhow, interesting stuff and I can now understand Tony Dron's angle. By the way, Mercedes-Benz organised a SYMPOSIUM on this issue?!
Honestly
It seems that a good story was employed to possibly cover up a mistake in trying to paint the w25 the wed evening in White, thus the cars being over weight. As MB and A-U wanted to present their cars in the 750kg class (despite the race being a non-gp one), the only way to prevent a pr disaster and possibly a personal disaster for the people involved was to strip the paint and lead works. All relevant pictures disappeared etc etc.
the stuff of legends but... perhaps i am not willing to take this all too serious at this stage in my life
In that respect, Neubauers book makes good reading. Moreover, my copy came with a seal of the QE2 would you believe it. (no i didnt steal it)
Interesting stuff but erm, a SYMPOSIUM????
Bert
I cought up with the article- sitting in a hotel on a training course woohoo.
Anyhow, interesting stuff and I can now understand Tony Dron's angle. By the way, Mercedes-Benz organised a SYMPOSIUM on this issue?!
Honestly
It seems that a good story was employed to possibly cover up a mistake in trying to paint the w25 the wed evening in White, thus the cars being over weight. As MB and A-U wanted to present their cars in the 750kg class (despite the race being a non-gp one), the only way to prevent a pr disaster and possibly a personal disaster for the people involved was to strip the paint and lead works. All relevant pictures disappeared etc etc.
the stuff of legends but... perhaps i am not willing to take this all too serious at this stage in my life
In that respect, Neubauers book makes good reading. Moreover, my copy came with a seal of the QE2 would you believe it. (no i didnt steal it)
Interesting stuff but erm, a SYMPOSIUM????
Bert
-1968 912 SWB Targa LHD
-1976 911 Carrera 3.o Targa RHD
-1983 944 190bhp (augment automotive enhanced) RHD
-1979 280SLC manual LHD, 1989 500SL, 1997 SL500, 1989 Jag XJ-s 3.6, old BMW’s
-Ex 1976 911 2.7 Targa, 1979 911 SC, 1983 930,1993 964 C4 Jubi etc
-1976 911 Carrera 3.o Targa RHD
-1983 944 190bhp (augment automotive enhanced) RHD
-1979 280SLC manual LHD, 1989 500SL, 1997 SL500, 1989 Jag XJ-s 3.6, old BMW’s
-Ex 1976 911 2.7 Targa, 1979 911 SC, 1983 930,1993 964 C4 Jubi etc