"SVTyler" (svtyler)
11/11/2015 at 10:35 • Filed to: None
5
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"SVTyler" (svtyler)
11/11/2015 at 10:35 • Filed to: None | 5
| 9 |
In 1968 or 69 (Bob believes it’s 1965 but the car shown in the picture is a 1967 Model. This can be recognized by the two slots over the front bumper and the non leaf spring setup on the rear. And also George Gallion was present. But he joined Opel in 1968) there was a big test day at the Opel proving ground in Dudenhofen. The engineers and Managers where all there to compare the Opel products with the competitors from Ford, VW etc.
At noon they all sat together to have lunch and Bob rushed in to call Hans Mersheimer (technical director): “Hans, someone in the US told me the Kadett is not safe. It can easily flip over when performing the J-Test.” “No, that’s impossible” replied Hans, “the Americans are always on the road with insufficient tire pressure. Our car is safe”.
“I’ll show you, but someone has to explain me what to do on the J-Test” said Lutz.
The J-Test is driving straight ahead with around 50 mph then applying the hand brake and turning the steering wheel to one side extremely. The car should not flip over in this situation.
Five minutes later Bob sat in that poor little Kadett speeding to 50, applying the hand brake and turning the steering wheel to the left. The Opel showed heavy roll and eventually flipped over.
Bob climbed out of the wreck, lighted up a cigar and waited triumphantly sitting on the Kadett for the engineers and managers to come back from lunch. Mersheimer was very embarrassed because Lutz had proved him wrong in front of nearly every important engineer of the company.
Source: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! via !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ’s !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
> SVTyler
11/11/2015 at 10:42 |
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Haha thanks for that! I have seen this picture before but I never knew the story behind it.
Funktheduck
> SVTyler
11/11/2015 at 10:48 |
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Alternate history:
Bob Lutz was a lover of all cars. He dragoned everyone he could. He was clearly ahead of his time because 60 or so years later, young people were just starting to take the after sex selfie.
LongbowMkII
> SVTyler
11/11/2015 at 10:51 |
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these pillars must be made of adamantium. or bullshit. either one.
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SVTyler
> LongbowMkII
11/11/2015 at 10:57 |
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I kinda thought so too but figured the pic and story were just too good not to share regardless.
Brian, The Life of
> LongbowMkII
11/11/2015 at 11:06 |
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I was a slow half roll and Kadett’s were very light cars.
willkinton247
> SVTyler
11/11/2015 at 11:10 |
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Did you happen to see my post on /r/oldschoolcool? ;)
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> SVTyler
11/11/2015 at 11:12 |
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Bobbed. Maximumly.
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SVTyler
> willkinton247
11/11/2015 at 11:17 |
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Small world out here in Internet land, isn’t it? Thanks for posting it, I’ve never seen the pic or the story before.
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willkinton247
> SVTyler
11/11/2015 at 11:19 |
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The picture of the airplane on the dry lake bed last night reminded me of this one, so I figured I’d go ahead and post it up. It’s such a great picture.