"CAcoalminer" (CAcoalminer)
01/09/2016 at 12:10 • Filed to: None
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"CAcoalminer" (CAcoalminer)
01/09/2016 at 12:10 • Filed to: None | 1
| 19 |
On November 8th, 2015, Angad Paul, CEO of Caparo, was found dead outside of his London apartment after falling eight stories. Unfortunately, he left behind a wife and two children. His death has been pronounced a suicide and many link it to Mr. Paul’s recent financial troubles.
It’s interesting to think about what Caparo could have been in light of the recent success of companies like BAC. If they hadn’t suffered from mishaps early on (a T1 being tested by Jason Plato for the British TV show Fifth Gear caught fire at speed; a Caparo’s throttle stuck open at the Goodwood Festival of Speed; a major suspension failure was reported during testing by a Dutch journalist), I truly do wonder how successful the company would have been. Just looking at the statistics and individuals involved, I would say quite successful.
Conceived as the ultimate Formula 1-inspired road car, it packed a 575-hp, 3.5-liter V8 that revved past 10,000 RPM in a carbon-fiber, two-seat chassis that weighed barely more than 1000 lbs. With F1-style aerodynamics that generated 1500 lbs of downforce at 150 mph, a 0-60 sprint under 2.5 seconds, and up to 3g of grip, the T1 promised to be the ultimate no-compromises street-legal supercar. Engineered by McLaren F1 veterans Ben Scott-Geddes and Graham Halstead, it had the bona-fides to be the best.
In fact, way back in November of 2007, the T1 actually set a Top Gear lap time of 1:10.6, over 3 seconds faster than the current leaderboard champion, the Pagani Huayra, but that time was disqualified as the car apparently wouldn’t make it over a speed bump in the real world.
Anyway, I find it fascinating to contemplate how a few things working out in a different manner may have changed the company’s fortune in a significant manner.
Above all else though, I hope you are resting in peace Mr. Paul and that your wife and children are living enjoyable lives while always keeping you in their hearts.
Everyone have a safe and joy-filled weekend and always be thankful for those close to you!
davedave1111
> CAcoalminer
01/09/2016 at 12:17 |
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You should probably clarify that Caparo Industries was an industrial (mostly steel) conglomerate, that the cars were a sideline, maybe even a vanity project, and that it was the collapse of the main business that led to the car company shutting up shop.
MultiplaOrgasms
> CAcoalminer
01/09/2016 at 12:26 |
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Companies like Caterham, BAC and Ariel are successfull because their products, well, work. If your biggest claim to fame is awful built quality even by british low-volume sports car manufacturer standards I’d be not the slightest bit surprised that the business didn’t really take off.
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CAcoalminer
> davedave1111
01/09/2016 at 12:34 |
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You’re correct.
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CAcoalminer
> MultiplaOrgasms
01/09/2016 at 12:35 |
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I understand that.
My point was that it is interesting to think how successful the company could have been had it not experienced the setbacks it did early on.
E92M3
> CAcoalminer
01/09/2016 at 12:53 |
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Well shit. I had that car as a desktop wallpaper many years ago. RIP!
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MultiplaOrgasms
> CAcoalminer
01/09/2016 at 13:24 |
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Eh, didn’t the T1 cost something like 200,000+ GBP?
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CAcoalminer
> MultiplaOrgasms
01/09/2016 at 13:33 |
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Yes, £190,000. What is your point?
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MultiplaOrgasms
> CAcoalminer
01/09/2016 at 13:49 |
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A lot of money for a car that you cannot drive outside of a videogame where the concept of reliability doesn’t exist.
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CAcoalminer
> MultiplaOrgasms
01/09/2016 at 14:01 |
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What do you mean you can’t drive it? It is a street legal vehicle. In fact, here’s one for sale that you could drive tomorrow if you wanted:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/us…
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MultiplaOrgasms
> CAcoalminer
01/09/2016 at 14:17 |
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Did anyone ever drive one of these on a public road?
BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
> MultiplaOrgasms
01/09/2016 at 14:24 |
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Yes. It’s completely street legal. Top Gear was stupid for disqualifying it.
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MultiplaOrgasms
> BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
01/09/2016 at 14:43 |
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The rule stated that the car must be able to clear a speed hump. The particular T1 that completed said lap did not have adjustable ride height and was therefore incapable of doing so and not eligible for the board.
Chasaboo
> CAcoalminer
01/09/2016 at 15:25 |
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Car looks lame.
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BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest.
> MultiplaOrgasms
01/09/2016 at 16:01 |
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I doubt some of the Koenigseggs or Paganis could either, yet they never said anything about them.
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CAcoalminer
> MultiplaOrgasms
01/09/2016 at 16:02 |
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I would assume so as they’ve sold at least 15 since 2012.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/…
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CAcoalminer
> Chasaboo
01/09/2016 at 16:03 |
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Is that all you really have to say?
pip bip - choose Corrour
> CAcoalminer
01/09/2016 at 17:33 |
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poor bugger.
nothing is worth committing suicide for.
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CAcoalminer
> pip bip - choose Corrour
01/09/2016 at 17:34 |
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Very true.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> CAcoalminer
01/12/2016 at 16:17 |
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Damn. Sad to read this.