Well that was all of the build, BUT why was it done????
BP holds a biannual competition for schools-- colleges--ETC the idea is to Build A Car. say why you built it and it will be judged to See if you have achieved your goal.
The basic idea behind the SPIRIT project was that the competition was to be held near the 100 th anniversary of the first ever car journey compleated in 1888 by Bertha Benz and her 2 sons, Benz himself was not interested in driving, only making things. Bertha did all the test driving for her husband, and latterly the sales. SORRY LADS,
So the idea was to build a car in the spirit of the era Not a replica.
The competition sponsored by BP in cooperation with the army school of engineering is held at the army school, and lasts 3 days It involves testing of every feature of the car by the army school a maneuverability competition against the clock driven by the students, and a lot of test driving by the judges. SPIRIT was never still for a moment everyone wanted a drive even the judges had to wait in line?
On the second day I was asked if i would mind if the car could be considered as a exceptional entry and be given a award for excellence in engineering outside of the competition as they ha never had a entry of its standard.
So we came away with a big cash prise and bookings for 2 TV appearances £ of the boys were offered BMW dealer apprenticeships and one for GM.
Later the car appeared on the BP stand at the Birmingham motor show. and at many other venues.
Mercedes wanted to have the students drive it over the original journey made by Bertha but it met with luke warm responce from the college.
How ever it served its purpose and a lot of lads found that they could achieve more than they thought they could.
BRIAN