375mpg Opel could be yours

• 

A classic Opel that's been severely hacked about has currently made it to the market for a staggering 425,000 dollars. But then it's not your average Opel. This P1 is being advertised as 'Óne of thye most significant and milestone vehicles of all time' - no less.

What's its story? Well, this unusual pick up started life as an unsuspecting Opel Caravan estate of 1959-vintage, but broke a Guinness World Record when doing a 376 miles per gallon economy drive in Wood River, Illinois, back in '73. It came to life after employees of Shell's research facilities in Illinois made a bet whether a run like this would be possible or not. Instigator Ben Visser did anything to save weight and improve on the car's aerodynamics. He supposedly even insulated much of the body to attain a warmer drag of air... A chain drives the rear wheels, which are placed as close together as possible, making it look like a three-wheeler.

The original engine was tuned to secret spec but is believed to have been used during the record drive. Cosmopolitan Motors, who currently offer it for sale, say it's still fully functioning despite having laid dormant for some 35 years in the Talladega Motor Museum. Time for a new record run?

(Text Jeroen Booij, picture courtesy of Cosmopolitan Motors) 

Plaats een reactie...