It’s always great to see beautiful classics up and running, so we were delighted to see this album by Lawson Auto Journey. They documented this Bangkok Sunday Morning Drive Event at Benz Rajchakru featuring a host of perfectly preserved European classics from the ‘50s to the ’90s.
We’re not sure when and where the drive took place, but what we can do is try and explain a little bit about each of the vehicles that participated. And please show the original photographer’s facebook page by clicking the Lawson Auto Journey hyperlink above and liking his page or at least album.
MGA Cabrio
MG helped to pioneer a more ‘modern’ lightweight roadster with this – the MGA. The car it replaced, the MG TF 1500 Midget looked positively vintage in comparison. MG sold 101,081 units of the MGA between its 1955 launch and the end of production in 1962.
The MGA convertible had no exterior door handles, was a body-on-frame design and used the straight-4 “B series” engine, sending power to the rear wheels via a four-speed gearbox.
It got independent suspension on all four corners with coil springs and wishbones at the front and a rigid axle with semi-elliptic springs at the rear. Steering was by rack and pinion. The car pictured has the wire-spoked rims, but there was also a steel-disc option.
Mercedes-Benz R107 350 SL
Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth
Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce
The Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce (also known as 2000 GTV) was introduced in 1971 together with the 2000 Berlina sedan and 2000 Spider.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Lotus Elan (M100, modified)
This modified Lotus M100 Elan takes the classic convertible two seater sports car and modernises it with new body panels, a spoiler, larger rims, a larger exhaust finisher and daytime running lights. Its headlights too have been changed to look more rounded and retro. They appear to be fixed upright, but perhaps can still be retracted.
The Alpina C1 was based on the E21 323i and featured a 2.3-litre engine at first but later took on a 2.5-litre motor. It had a top speed of 213km/h and only 35 of these cars were made. This is one of THE RAREST Alpina models ever build. However, some sources say up to 400 were produced. Very strange…
Mercedes-Benz W108/W109
This is essentially the S-Class before it was called that. The W108/109 is differentiated by its wheelbase and it was built between 1965 and 1972. Engines ranged from a 2.5-litre to a 6.3-litre all of which were petrol models.
Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet
Mercedes-Benz CLK 230
This CLK was the most youthful classic of the bunch. Built in the 90s, the CLK was essentially a C-Class platform with 2 doors and the looks of a W210 E-Class. One generation before this CLK, Mercedes-Benz offered the E-Class Coupe. The current E-Class Coupe returns Mercedes-Benz to its roots in this regard.
Bentley Eight
MINI Cabriolet & 3-Door
Porsche 911 Classics
Mercedes-Benz A124
Volvo P1800
What happens when you combine Swedish engineering with Italian design work? The Volvo P1800 is what happens. It was related to the Amazon and Roger Moore drove it in The Saint between 1962 and 1969. Fun fact, the grille design on the P1800 influenced the grille on the Inscription model of the S90.
The rest of these cars are pretty special too, check em out below. And click their names for more information.
