Classic Cars magazine

[omicron]

June 2004 edition (Miura on cover).

6 page Stratos feature "It came from space and conquered earth"

[chris.richard]

Interesting article, amazing quality photos. But I cringed at the "fakes" jibe - I suppose that's what a "reproduction" is if you were to try and pass it off as an original.

[omicron]

The photos took all day. Taken in a cove studio in Leighton Buzzard. These have curved walls so its quite eerie as you can't tell where the roof starts and the wall finishes.

In a few issues there is a Hispano Suiza we look after going through the same style feature.

[Cloggie]

Have to agree with comments from Chris about the article, photos, ... and the use of the term "fakes." (I know this is a term quite often used by the Lancia Stratos Owners Club when describing any Replica Stratos....)

My personal opinion is that we all need to be clear about what the definitions are of "fakes" and "replicas."

A "Fake" is a fraudulent imitation, counterfeit, forgery, phony, or a sham..... with the intention to deceive for commecial gain....

A "Replica" is something closely resembling another, carbon copy, copy, duplicate, facsimile, image, likeness or reproduction..... with the intention to share this with a larger audience. (and almost ALWAYS at a commerical loss!)

In other words, "Fakers" do it for money regardless of the car, and "Replica" owners / builders do it for respect in the car itself.

I wish all the original owners would recognise that it is wrong to confuse "Fakes" and "Replica" because in fact it's the replicas (and the people who build/own/display them with passion and pride) that will significantly contribute to making their original cars more popular and therefore more sought after.

"Fakers" will ultimately reduce the value of the Stratos as they look to decieve the market, destroy the value of the car, and ultimately damage its reputation.

Within the Stratos Enthusiasts Club, made up of both Original and Replica owners (but no Fakers!) we believe that it's all about respect for the ethos and history of the Stratos, and not about trying to deceive anyone....

I'll climb down off my soap box now........

Cheers, Nico/

[roger001]

Well said.

[chris.richard]

Hear Hear!

[Bernard]

Again............WELL SAID Nico

Bernard

[ANDYG]

Are you busy next year Nico??
I hear we may be looking for a new Prime Minister! - or at least, due for a change!!:D :D

[vojx]

:D :D :D

[David May]

Very precise and concise. I'll think I'll have that signwritten on the side of the car...
Dave May

[Speedmade]

Is this magazine still available on the news stands?
Could someone possibly get me a copy?

Thanks,
Reed H

[Chris J]

It was still there last Friday (21st.)

[SUSIT]

Originally posted by Speedmade
Is this magazine still available on the news stands?
Could someone possibly get me a copy?

Thanks,
Reed H

I will have a look in my local store this evening and if its available will get you a copy. Send me a pm or email with address for posting.

Regards from a sunny but cold Inverness

Stephen

[rutthenut]

Confused me when I saw a Classic car mag on the shelves after seeing this posting. It had a Miura on the front cover, but I couldn't see any Stratos feature in it.

That's because there are two 'Classic' car mags out this month with a Miura on the front cover!

Sussed that when I saw them both on the shelf at Smith's - so promptly bought a copy of the one I wanted...

Good article, great photography especially.

[tryphon]

Anyone notice how difficult it is to spot a true standard and original Stradale?
Even the car in the feature has a lot of non original parts.
They could have tried to find a plain vanilla one if they wanted to feature a proper car.

[Swamprat33]

would it be possible to point out some of the non-original items as I have not noticed anything odd.

This could be because I have never seen a 'real' Stratos, to see if it is also original.

[colin artus]

The wheels for a start.

[tryphon]

- Gas caps
- Wheels
- Absent rear body section locks
- Gear lever
- Gear lever surround
- Gas pedal
and less serious: windscreen

I'm sure a close inspection would reveal a lot more.

[omicron]

This is basically how we bought the car in 1985.

The knob is from a Fulvia series 2, but the original wooden knob is with the car and can easily be refitted. Personally I prefer the Fulvia knob to the wooden one.

The wheels are Tecnomagnesio 15" wheels, but the original Stradale wheels are with the car

It has a does have a Triplex replacement screen rather than the original Glaverbel screen which was very thin.

What is wrong with the gas pedal?

The fuel fillers are incorrect, does anyone have any originals. Martin is willing to buy an original pair. The ones on the car are lockable.

[tryphon]

The gas pedal should be rubber coated.

Also the gear lever cover is incorrect, it should be rubber.

As for the gas caps they are near to impossible to source but if you're willing to go into expenses (they must surely not be cheap given the rarity) PM me and I'll let you know where you can get a pair.
If I was you I'd rather fit Monza caps, they look much nicer, are easier to operate, all Group 4 cars had them and are easy to source.

I'm sure much of the suspension has been converted too, right?

[tryphon]

Please note that I'm not criticising the quality or state of the car featured in the magazine, au contraire, it does look fantastic. However for a feature such as the one in Classic Cars the car presented should have been fully original so people reading the magazine could use it as a reference.

The problem with the Stratos Stradale, as most know already, are the shortcomings the cars had when they left the factory some of which are quite dramatic. I certainly second all those who have addressed them, as I did. These cars are meant to be driven and used. All those keeping them in their original state either don't use them or don't know what a car should drive and feel like.

In any case anyone owing a Stratos and wishing to modify it should, in my opinion, ALWAYS keep the original parts removed for posterity and authenticity.

Tryphon

[chris.richard]

tryphon, how the **** did you tell from those photos that the windscreen was Triplex, not original?:confused: :confused: :confused:
I salute your eye for detail, and depth of knowledge.:cool:

[Andrew Way]

Come on tryphon, we're all dying to know.......

[tryphon]

The original Glaverbel item has the identifying white imprints on the upper left corner. They're fairly easy to spot. The car featured doesn't have them, easy.

[abstamaria]

In the discussions on Martin's car as it appeared in Classic Cars, there was interest in gas caps. I was missing one, so just had a new pair made from scratch here in Manila, using the remaining original as a model. The new caps came out very nicely, and, after some more fine sanding and finishing, look pretty good. They should be fairly easy to duplicate in your home countries as well too. I was toying around with Monza caps, but that would require cutting out the openings in the bodywork. Andy