Wow, thanks!
Although, it's quite bumpy if I recall correctly. I could re-upload it without the bumps if you would like.
If we were running the previous pick which was the Auto Union Streamliner, I'd probably ask for the smooth version, But I think we'll manage with a few bumps in the Isuzu.
Where's the fun in that? I pride myself on the torture these people endure. It's a gift.
Well to be fair, I was the one who REALLY cranked up the levels of torture last week.
But enough about me being ever so slightly sadist, it's time for another 2 car review.
(PT) Criusing for an (AU) bruising.
Let's throw ourselves into the deep world of car culture, we see many forms of car culture everyday, from the plain jane runabouts, to high end automotive pornography, to sleepers of the streets, to loud as hell eye sores.
And then we get to THAT corner of the culture, the oddballs.
Many cars from different countries, different eras have ended up here for being one of few things
Too far ahead of its time.
Too different to the status quo of its time.
Too dangerous.
Too ugly.
Too uncool.
And in this group we find our first car for today, the 00' Chrysler PT Criuser.
Now incase you're not up to speed as to why lots of people don't like the PT Criuser let me break it down.
Back in the early 2000's, Chrysler was going through a Retro phase with both the PT Criuser and Prowler and unlike the retro styled Ford Mustang that debuted a few years later, the PT didn't do a brilliant job in the looks department.
So it's not a looker and the convertible versions isn't much better either, so is it quick?
The one we have is the non turbo 2.4 litre 4 cylinder that makes around 150hp ( fun fact: The Chrysler Neon never came equipped with this engine in non turbo form.) and that engine sends the power to the front via a 5 speed manual gearbox (there was a 4 speed auto option so we got lucky here.
).
We struggled to get past 120mph due to the not so great aerodynamics and the engine would be running out of power quite abit before redline.
So with all that considered you'd be forgiven for thinking that the handling wasn't much cop either.
Here's where the PT surprised me, it's actually not terrible at handling, courtesy of a curbweight of 1,270kg and a 57-43 weight distribution making the PT surprisingly responsive.
The gearbox is also quite short too so you can use them all to the fullest.
As crazy as it might sound, if you can live with the fact that the PT is ugly as sin, it's a relatively inexpensive choice to start early on with and can do quite well.
Shame we didn't get the Turbo'd GT Criuser to work with.
Verdict: Sleeper
👍
And now we wind the clocks back almost 80 years to our next car, The 1937 Audi Auto Union Type C Streamliner.
The Type C like its predecessors, the Type A and Type B ran supercharged V16 engines from as low as 4.4 litres in the Type A all the way up to 6 litres with boost pressure going up too in the Type C.
The Streamliner version was originally built for the AVUS race track in Germany which used the Autobahn and a heavily banked turn at one end of the track.
How heavy? Try 43 degrees, no wonder it was nicknamed "The wall of death".
For context, Daytona's banking is around 31 degrees and Indianapolis has around 11 degrees of banking.
Back to the Streamliner, like its Grand Prix counterparts, they were tricky to drive, but quick, Drivers inducing wheelspin at over 100mph wasn't uncommon.
Long before his tragic speed attempt, Rosemeyer drove a near 550hp version around the Nurburgring in a single gear to prove the engines flexibility and low down torque. 👍
The car we have is also very tricky to drive fast and it will fight you all the way and if it wins at the wrong time, you could end up like this...
But if you can tame this monster, it will reward you with monstrous speed as it'll nearly hit 200mph at Spa.
Now the verdict in this case will vary depending on the drivers ability to tame it, So for me it's a Sleeper.
👍
) and we held on strong.
