Classic Cars put to good use!

WHIP IT!

Thought you guys might find this interesting.

This site is decicated to "the mobile starting gate" used in the sport of harness racing. Alot of vintage old cars are used for this purpose all over the world. They are fitted with hinged 'wings' which close as the car speeds away from the horses, signalling the start of the race.

Incidentally, the one used in Ireland (not on this site) is a 1973 (I think) Cadillac. I'll try get my hands on a pic.

Check out the slideshow here:

http://mobilestartinggates.spaces.live.com/default.aspx

S.I.R

hmmm interesting indeed.



using the caddy purely for the v8 im guessing ??


or that its so ugly that it gets wreaked its a Good thing ? :rolleyes:

WHIP IT!

S.I.R wrote: »

hmmm interesting indeed.



using the caddy purely for the v8 im guessing ??


or that its so ugly that it gets wreaked its a Good thing ? :rolleyes:

I couldn't tell you to be honest. In fact, I have no idea whatsoever what you mean by 'V8'

The caddy we've just imported here for racing was already modified to use as a starting gate.

I think the older cars are used because their design allows them to handle the weight of the gate and starter (man standing at back of the car) at the back, they're generally automatic and - they look cool!

Kevin_Herron

The trotting track in Portmarnock used to use a Canadian Mercury Meteor coupe!
It was a 428ci. WFI 357 was the reg.

Anybody remember it?

WHIP IT!

I remember it very well Kevin! But I wouldn't have known what I was looking at at the time.

I'll see if I can dig out a pic for you

MercMad

Kevin_Herron wrote: »

The trotting track in Portmarnock used to use a Canadian Mercury Meteor coupe!
It was a 428ci. WFI 357 was the reg.

Anybody remember it?

.....................yeah I remember it too, you could always see it from the train for years later. I am actually sitting 200 yards from that place right now.

Wasn't it a dark red colour at one point ?

Max_Damage

WHIP IT! wrote: »

In fact, I have no idea whatsoever what you mean by 'V8'

It's a type of engine configuration.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V8

carchaeologist

Kevin_Herron wrote: »

The trotting track in Portmarnock used to use a Canadian Mercury Meteor coupe!
It was a 428ci. WFI 357 was the reg.

Anybody remember it?

Thats a 1975 tipperary north reg,wouldnt mind seeing a picture of that!
How long since that car was used?

Max_Damage

I put the reg. of that Mercury into Cartell but nothing came up. Most have been scrapped before 1993.

American cars on old Irish plates always make for interesting viewing. To date, I've only ever seen 5 of them.

Kevin_Herron

You're mixing in the wrong circles Max!!

It was originally imported by Pat Grace of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame. It was originally a gold colour.

Not only was it scrapped before '93 but it wouldnt have been taxed for donkeys years before hand.

carchaeologist

Was it one of these?This is a 75 model,if it was imported surely it would have been an earlier one though?

Kevin_Herron

No it was '68. I've had a quick look but I cant find any pics of the car- I'm positive I have some though.

carchaeologist

This is a 68,well the caption said it was anyway!

Im not very good with american cars...;)

WHIP IT!

Kevin_Herron wrote: »

No it was '68. I've had a quick look but I cant find any pics of the car- I'm positive I have some though.

I'm trying to source a pic for you at the minute Kevin.

Funny how, as a kid I used to see this car every week but never give a second thought to where it came from or whether it was "vintage" or "classic" in any way - to me it was just "the starting car"!

WHIP IT!

Sorry to bump up an old ones lads, but thought this related story might be of some interest to anyone who found the original thread interesting!

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/news/iss1108/pompanohummer1107.html

Looks cool dunnit! :pac: