What's the most impressive car you’ve ever seen on Irish roads?

[WhipLash]

Well yesterday I saw a 00 D Merc E55 AMG, what a car! Wouldn't mind a spin in that, but I'm not so sure it would still be in one piece afterwards ;) Although I'm sure an Alpina tuned BMW would be an much better thrill.

Also I saw Michael Schumacher being escorted down Pearse St. in an Alfa 166. Not a spectacular car, but himself inside was!

Still, its nothing compared to the cars over in Monaco...

So what’s the most impressive car you’ve ever seen on our roads then?

[BeCos]

I've seen an E55 AMG also, dark blue I think it was 00D 555. Anyway I saw a Diablo on the M50 about 2 months ago and about 6-7 year ago a Jaguar XJ220 parked in Malahide.

Also saw a Red Ferrari 360 Modena in Howth, and a Lotus Carlton in Kildare. I guess every now and then an unusual one crops up. It's much nicer to see them moving in the flesh.

I remember the first Escort Cosworth I saw really struck me as outrageous......superb but outrageous.

I still think a very impressive sight is a Lancia Delta Integrale, the 16V Evo model, in red, traveliing towards you from a distance just looks spectacular!!!

Old cars also give me a buzz, like a real old Merc from the 60's, or an Alfa GT Veloce, a Jensen Interceptor, ar absolutely anything American pre 1970 especially a Mustang!!

[WhipLash]

Originally posted by BeCos
I've seen an E55 AMG also, dark blue I think it was 00D 555

Yes BeCos, that's the same one I saw in the city centre yesterday. Anyone know the performance specs of this beast?

[Junior]

The Full specification for the E55 AMG :)


*On the road price from £60,540 Sterling

ABS with Brake Assist
Adjustable steering column
Airbag for driver and passenger
Alarm system with interior protection
AMG body styling
AMG instrument cluster with ivory dials
AMG single piece alloy wheels 8J x 18 235/40, 9J x 18 265/35
AMG sport steering wheel
AMG sports suspension
Automatic anti-glare rear view mirror
Automatic climate control
Automatic transmission - 5 speed with Speedtronic cruise control
Catalytic converter
Eighty litre fuel tank
Electric folding mirrors
Electric front seats with memory
Electric windows
Electric operated heated door mirrors
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)
Exit lights in doors
First aid kit
Front centre armrest
Front seat belt tensioners
Headlamp wash
Heated front seats
High level brake lamp
Illuminate vanity mirrors
Leather seating - two tone
Leather steering wheel and gearshift
Locking wheel nuts
Magazine pockets
Maple wood trim
Metallic paint
Occupancy sensor for passenger seat
Outside temperature gauge
Parameter steering
Radio - Mercedes-Benz Audio 10
Rain sensor
Rear centre armrest
Rear reading lights
Service indicator
Sidebags - front
Sports seats - front
Third head restraint with 3 point diagonal belt
Tinted glass - blue


Further More
[/quote]


The driving force behind the E55 is the new V8 engine block with 3 valves per cylinder and twin ignition. At AMG this power plant is completely rebuilt, from the cylinder head cover to the sump. In the same way as an engine is prepared for racing; not on a production line, but in two days of meticulous hand-crafting by highly qualified experts.


[/quote]

And Finally some reality figures


Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz
Model: E-Class 4-door
Type of car: Saloon
Engine capacity: 5.5
Trim: E55 AMG
Fuel type: Petrol
List price: £60540
Width: 1799
Length: 4818
Insurance group: 19


Mechanical: 3 years
Corrosion: 30 years
Paintwork: 1 year


Miles per gallon: 23
Engine power: 354 Bhp
Acceleration: 0-60 in 5.7 secs
Max. speed: 155 mph


[Edited by Junior on 17th August 2000 at 13:03]

[Justin]

I have seen and been for a drive (of the warp variety) in a Lamborghini Diablo for a short, terrifying trip to the darkest regions of the human soul. It makes a Scooby feel like it is made of lead and powered by a rubber band. It makes a sound like bottled earthquake. It is the coolest and least practical car I have ever seen, about 4 feet high and 8 feet wide with gullwing doors (you need a garage with a high ceiling).

I do not have words to describe this car adequately: riding a tidal wave powered by a volcano with a Ride of the Valkyries soundtrack and the muscles in your face freezing in alternate fierce expressions of terror and glee is a pretty poor approximation. I have never been this terrified in a car which wasn't actually crashing at the time. I now know that, without a doubt, if I win the lotto or otherwise happen to find a spare £130k I don't need I will buy it without hesitation at all. There is nothing like it - everything else is a mere mode of transport.

[Junior]

At the moment I'm undecided, I've seen a Ferrari 360 Modena twice now, once at a show and once on the road and by christ was it impressive...Although I have seen and 'played' in a Maserati Ghibli Cup, remarkable for the fact that it is only one of four in right hand drive. I'm not so sure about scoobys being impressive anymore after last weekend where I managed to keep a Scooby Turbo at bay from Gowran to Thomastown in parts with ease, the driver then stopped fer directions from me .. and asked what I was driving .. hmm.

I think the most impressive car I've seen and been in has to be <for now> A Metro 6R4

[the_sap_man]

A Ferrari owner's club came to Ireland from the UK a few years ago, and paraded their machines through Galway during the Oyster festival. It was superb. Nice bunch of people, for the most part, very willing to have a chat about the cars.

Around the same time, I was driving through Oranmore and I saw something exotic out of the corner of my eye parked in front of a house. I turned around and went back to have a look and sure enough, in front of a modest bungalow were parked a Lotus Esprit and a Ford GT40. I presume the GT40 was a replica, as I believe these things go for $200-300k. Not being an expert, I couldn't tell the difference, but it looked great.

Also, a certain Irish 'Captain of Industry' is an avid Ferrari collector and keeps most of the cars in a property he owns in south Dublin. Though I wasn't there myself, a friend of mine once took a look over the wall to try to see some of this exotica. There were four or five of them out of the garage at the time. What a nice site to look out the window at when you're having breakfast! Seemingly, when Ferrari were taking orders for the F50 they only offered them to seasoned collectors so as to stave off the speculators. I believe this man was the only one to be offered the option in Ireland.

[BeCos]

Who is he ?..........go on givew us a clew!!!

[Junior]

Whip you industrial Magnet that you are .. you'd better not be holding back on us or there will be trouble :D

I'd hazard a guess at Dr Tony O'Reilly ??

[the_sap_man]

No, it's not AJF. But I'll give you this much, he has a family member in politics.

[WhipLash]

Originally posted by the_sap_man
No, it's not AJF. But I'll give you this much, he has a family member in politics.

Hey SapMan, we're not that good at trivia, give us an easier hint ;)

[Junior]

Right so it's not Whip , and I'm certain it's not anyone in my family so thats most of the Waterford folk in Dublin covered <inbreeding is great after all :D >

One wonders who would have a 'property' in South Dublin....more so than an estate or a house ... I can't name too many Irish Industrial magnets besides Mick <to his pals > Smurfit ..

So anymore hints there Sapman ??