S2-1
That drive in a Rolls was above expectations
I never could have imagined this would be such a relaxed drive.
As you can see, there is an Autobianchi virus active here
We got infected when my sister bought an first series A112
My wife accompanied me twice in this car...
...and never ever after.
...way too much noise, no airco...
She was comepletely done with it.
My name is Michiel Aalberts, 46 years old
I always wanted a Classic car.
So I went searching for one. And a lot of brands and models passed by.
As beautiful they all were, I couldn't find the perfect fit.
But then I saw a Rolls Royce
As I focused on this brand, I found some very nice things...
...specific details about this brand...
...and my passion only grew.
And while I was looking for the type I wanted...
...and came to realise...
...For the money, needed to buy a nice Citroen DS...
...also a Rolls-Royce comes in sight.
For me, this was a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
A Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II even.
This is the modernised version and already contained a lot of details of...
...the next model, the Silver Spirit.
This model was only 3 years in production.
When I found it in the UK, it had extraordinary low mileage.
It also proved it had just a few former owners.
I am only the fifth owner.
The first owner was mister Craven, Professor at the University of Cambridge...
...where he completed a project for space travelling.
And he rewarded himself with a Rolls-Royce customised on his specifications.
But he mostly used it for touring on Sundays...
...and every now and then a tour with collegues from university.
Other than that, it was not used.
A few years later, Professor Craven died. The car had to stay in the family.
It went to his son and for his company he used the car the same way.
But sadly, short after, he also pased away.
His mother kept the car in the family and now she drove it.
She was not able to drive it herself so she asked her gardener to drive it.
And her also took care of it.
In the sense, he bought it to the garage to keep it in good condition.
So, from then, it was only for private use by it's owner.
The Rolls-Royce was built exclusivily for important people.
Or those who thought they were.
And important people needed to be on the backseat.
So, all luxury and comfort are concentrated on the backseat.
The suspension for the rear axle is based on the same principles Citroen used.
So, it is very comfortable.
It stabilises and levels the car during the ride.
So the owner found herself riden around on her backseat...
...while her gardener was driving.
This way she visited het events, Bridgeclubs, Openings
She was driven.
My first experience driving the Rolls...
...was way above expectations.
I could not think of such a relaxed ride.
The comfort cannot be expressed in just words.
Rolls-Royce describes this as ' 'Lost ability'
It shows when passing a traffic threshold. You notice it but it still is smooth.
Like steering... You steer but just lightly feel the response and the wheels are responding flawlessly
On the other hand... Pay attention to the speed when you take a steep curve.
If you don't, trees and ditches might attract the car too much.
Keep in mind this is a 40 year old car that was built with the technology of the time.
Normally, one should look under a ladies'gown...
But as we lift this hood, we discover a 6 3/4 liter V8 engine.
We see an airconditioner. We see hydraulics that is used for the brakes and the rear suspension.
Important to me, when I bought this car, was the brand, the attraction.
And when I compare the build with other cars...
Everything is leather, Conolly leather.
It comes from cows that lived in meadows without any barbed wire to prevent marks.
The dashboard and doors were made with Walnut veneer
Actually, everything you see characterizes the extra value of it.
More than with other brands.
This car is now about 40 years old and need maintenance. And got a lot already
You have to count that in for a hobby like this.
The pleasure of this car is riding it. Owning and riding it.
In the early days, all cars needed some kind of mascotte. An arch image.
For Rolls-Royce this is the 'Flying Lady' Also known as 'The Spirit of Extasy'
Historically it is not much more than just a decoration of the radiatorcap
It had to be removed to check and refill the cooling fluid in the radiator.
The best you can do it touring this unique part of the Netherlands.
And the highway can also be fun but different.
On the highway you cruise an average of 100-110 km/h
You might go faster but there is no need to.
This car doesn't breath stress.
You will get there.
My name is Jan Lagerwij
As you can see behind me...
...there is an Autobianchi-virus around here
The virus started when I was a teenager and my oldest sister bought a first series A112
That was her first car
but it also was a real Italian car:
The body wasn't very good. I couldn't wait to work on that car.
My sister also had some friends helping her who were a bit older and more experienced than I was.
so I stood there and watched.
Every now and then I was given the chance to do something...
And sometimes secretly take the key...
...turn it...
...let that little engine run...
and even drive a litle bit
From that moment on...
I caught the Autobianchi virus
As you can see behind there, there's another Autobianchi
I was so lucky to find it, together with my lovely wife.
She just adores the little car.
My name is Trudy Lagerwij and I own a very cute car. It's the Bianchina
I never heard of the car but it is so adorable
My husband owns an Autobianchi, a very fast one
"the black thunder" I use to call it... It is the big brother.
When we bought that car, I thought...
I would like to get something similar...
...until I ran into this little car.
In Holland the brand Autobianchi has been...
...fallen a bit into oblivion.
Especially the A112 was...
...in the sixties and seventies quite popular
it were nice fast little cars. Cheap.
The brand disappeared in, I believe, the early eighties.
The A112 was the last real Autobianchi.
Then the brand was taken over by Lancia and dissolved.
Because the cars had a bad quality, not many Autobianchi's survived.
That's why younger people absolutely don't know the brand
I remember very well when I got into my sister's A112 and secretly drove it a bit...
...the temperament of the engine in the little thing
That nifty response when you push the acellerator down...
... and the handling of the car.
It gave me the senstation of driving a kart.
I'm quite skilled, I'm a technician But I was never educated in car mechanics...
...or body work or anything
I teached it myself by trial and error.
This A112 Abarth was untouched and posessed all of the known A112 inconveniences
I'm especially talking about rust.
As we can see here...
...the car looks quite spic and span.
The engine has been completely taken apart.
Everywhere you can see all kinds of Abarth logo's
The Abarth was the sporty edition of the A112.
Abart was the tunerfor FIAT
It has a 1050 cc engine with a double body carburetor.
And produces about 70 HP.
Soon after we got engaged, I got my motorcycle driving license
Riding a bike was actually my passion.
When we bought the house we didn't have any room left in the garage because there were four cars.
So, obviously there was no space left for a motorbike.
But we were lucky to find this car. It is so adorable as you can see.
And well...
What else could you need? A car that fits in the space and...
No need to wear a suit to get on the motorcycle.
It gives all the freedom.
As soon as you get in you leave everything behind. If you feel bad you just go for a drive.
You have to drive relaxed, you have to, because it will only go for about 80/90 Km/h with headwind...
...and maybe 100 with tailwind. Other trhan that, it is a fantastic little car.
Some details on the car make me lose my mind.
Like this mustache over here. That really is a cute little mustache.
When we bought it had some crackle on the mustache.
On a fair in Utrecht (NL) we were lucky to find this mustache.
We bought it instantly because when you are searching you never find it
Also very nice are these eyelashes, they were not originally on the car...
...but they are so cute. They now are part of the little car to make it more exciting
Yes, I love bling bling so wherever it is possible it should shine
And now I have the most beautiful car in Holland
Only 9300 of these cars were built.
It was quite an expensive car for it's time. in 1968 it cost 5000 Dutch guilders (€ 2270).
It was really a car for the posh people.
Doctor's wives or the doctors themselves.
This one is from 1968
Yeah. It really is fantastic to drive a car like this.
The brand Autobianchi already existed before WW2
After the war and especially in the 1960s, Autobianchi became the test brand of the FIAT company
The A112 was a test model for the Fiat 127
It's a very cosy drive, really relaxing...
...and once you're in the Bianchina you just forget about the world.
You become one with your car, fantastic!
The driving sensation of an A112 can best be described as...
...driving a kart.
Short and quick responses...
...agile...
...just great
There are only very few Autobianchis left that are in a shape to go...
...and are allowed on the open road.
The average Autobianchi clubmember is hard to define. There is no sterotype.
It might be a mechanic or a dentist.
They have only one thing in common: A passion for Autobianchi.
I am Felix de Jonck, 46 years
Owner of a Bahama Yellow Porsche 912...
...built in 1969
Nicer balanced as a 911...
Smoother drive as a 911...
... but identical looks.
Lots of fun and a fantastic car to drive.
I turned 40... and...
...I was thinking and trying to find the car I always dreamt about...
...and...
...I found it in the classic lines of the 911.
So I started to investigate...
...to find what's for sale.
Someone tipped me...
...about a car.
It was not for sale or something but...
but just resting there, a nice car.
I went looking for it...
...and I liked it and within a day the deal was there.
And a few hours later it was mine.
Great
I saw the color, Bahama Yellow...
...Fuchs rims...
...nice enginesound and...
...it was a good find.
In a few hours we agreed on the price...
...and after that... euphoric.
And there it starts...
...a new interiour...
...clockwork...
...new steeringwheel
It's about personalisation
It must fit like a suit....
... making little changes
All in accordance with the time
The old classic looks has to stay.
I went for these looks...
...so I stay with these looks
But...
...it must get something personal
Last week I bought a switch...
I searched about 5 years for it...
...and last week I bought it!
Finally found it.
One can be very happy.
My wife accompanied me twice in this car...
...and never ever after.
Way too much noise... and ...
Uncomfortable.... no airco...
...sh was completely finished with it.
The 912 has a much better balance
The 912 behaves much better...
...because the engine is placed a bit more to the front and...
...that makes it responds sharper on the steering...
... less breaking out in the back.
And also while driving straight... the front is less fluttering.
The front axle is much more stabilised...
... even on high speed...
...I can drive using only a few fingers at the wheel.
You just can't do this in a 911... impossible.
This things make it so nice
While the other guys are wrestling with their cars...
the 911... with their heavy 6-cylinder in the back...
... it's way easier in a 912
Classic cars still have a soul...
...these cars can touch you...
Not only that but, when I drive it, I get thumbs up and people aways smile at it
Not only for me, the emotion and the soul...
... everybody sees classic cars are more charming compared to modern cars.
Technics are fun. You're working on basic technics.
No computers...
...no connectors where a little bit of moist cause wierd problems.
No, it has carburators, you work on the ignition, setting the valves...
Just setting the valves...
..nothing like...
...vario-brake-hydro-pneumatic-valvelifters...
...just...
...nuts and bolts. Using your hands to make it work.
It gives more satisfaction.
You pulled it yourself and that makes you feel great.
In my youth there were just 2 cars I was mad about...
...the Chevrolet Corvette and the Porsche 911
And now, after years, i may posess such a car. That is...
...super.
A dream coming thruth... it's...
incomprehensible at first.
As it arrives.... finally... finally.
Ever since my childhood...
...I wanted one... finally... I have one..
...super.
The iconic design of a 911 or 912
...combined with a 356 engine.
Simple, but... well...
...super.
It's light... fast...
...brings that magic smile onto my face...
Always!
This event began at 7:30 AM when we left home and we arrived about 8:00
First we went for the technical inspection
The the insurance and paperwork is checked
Finally the gear we need and then we to wait to hear if we passed or not
That gives every time some stress.
We have to synchronise intensively...
...and respond instantly on what he tells me
Actually, the co-pilot is the boss in the car
It is about choosing the ideal route that leaves the less penalties.
Subtitles: Erik van Gerven
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