Gordon Murray at ArtCenter recap...

[Peloton25]

Our long lost friend tvrfreak has put together an excellent webpage chronicling the presentation that Gordon gave at ArtCenter on the 17th of this month, as well as our impromptu meeting with Gordon Murray in the hospitality tent later in the day. I think he was tired of waiting for me to do it...

While he was taking pictures of the slideshow, I was next to him with my digital camera trying to record the speech that Gordon gave. Unfortunately my camera wasn't up to the task and the audio from Gordon's speech is muddy, faint and at times inaudible. Also, one of the segments of his speech ended up not being saved to my memory stick - I think I removed it from the camera too soon.

tvrfreak is trying desperately to get a copy of the video taped recording that ArtCenter made to hopefully be able to share with the group. I know that everyone here would love hearing Gordon's words from start to finish, so hopefully we can make that happen in the next few weeks. Keep your fingers crossed. I did get a decent video recording of Jay Leno's entertaining introduction of Professor Murray, and there is a link to that clip at the bottom of the page.

tvrfreak got F1 monster to host this for all of us to enjoy, and it will probably become a link off the McLarenFreak website once that is up and running. I'll add some more comments, and my photos of Leno's F1 later in the day if time permits. For now, enjoy what the man has put together and be sure to say thanks. Maybe we can squeeze a post or two out of tvrfreak if we are really nice assuming he remembers his password.

- Gordon Murray at ArtCenter -

>8^)
ER

[ArchangelGTR]

Excellent! Nice to know that enthusiasts like you two were there to capture the moment. Excellent job relaying it back!

Wonder how much the montage artwork is selling for?

[Thorst13]

Fun to read about your funday.
When I met Gordon it was only for a brief minute and he seemed to be a grumpy guy to me.....signed my "Driving Ambition" though....

[MalkaJB]

Thanks a lot tvrfreak for an excellent write up. The detailed breakdown of the event and the loads of pictures give you the sense of actually being there.

From the article:

"GM insists that all five of the LM cars were painted historic orange, in honour of Bruce McLaren's racecars. This just adds to the controversy, as some very credible sources have revealed that one or two have been painted in the livery of the Le Mans-winning car, GTR 01R."

I think that pretty much settles it. I don't think any source will be as credible as Murray himself.

Oh, and Peloton, has anyone ever told you that you look a little like Michael Schumacher from the side?

[amanichen]

Originally Posted by MalkaJB

"GM insists that all five of the LM cars were painted historic orange, in honour of Bruce McLaren's racecars. This just adds to the controversy, as some very credible sources have revealed that one or two have been painted in the livery of the Le Mans-winning car, GTR 01R."

I think that all 5 were originally painted orange, but the Sultan later had his "refitted" (by McLaren or otherwise) to look like the winning GTR. If the Sultan did get his redone, then it's probably confidential information that will not be given out. Remember, Murray and others can be truthful in saying they were all painted orange, but possibly withhold that two in Brunei were later turned black.

[Peloton25]

All the LMs Orange - bah, I'm still not convinced...

More on this later - I need to go live up to my name and turn over the pedals on my bicycle for a while.

>8^)
ER

[F1 monster]

This was added (to the Le Mans trophy slide) after the page was put up...
---------------------------------------
--> Revealing McLaren's tiny margin of 25,000 GBP on the sale of each racing car. An astoundingly low number, even though the cars were not especially cheap. Although, for a racecar, at 600,000+ GBP, they might well have been diamonds in the rough. The buyers were making an educated leap of faith, and it certainly paid off!
---------------------------------------

[SD F1]

[quote=F1 monster]This was added (to the Le Mans trophy slide) after the page was put up...

Thanks for your cool site Monster!

WG

[SD F1]

Wonder how much the montage artwork is selling for?[/quote]

If you have to ask...lol!


WG

[Peloton25]

Originally Posted by MalkaJB

From the article:

"GM insists that all five of the LM cars were painted historic orange, in honour of Bruce McLaren's racecars. This just adds to the controversy, as some very credible sources have revealed that one or two have been painted in the livery of the Le Mans-winning car, GTR 01R."

I think that pretty much settles it. I don't think any source will be as credible as Murray himself.

I wish that it settled it, but there are still more than 3 independent sources that claim differently, and two of them had nearly identical descriptions of the two black LMs. One of those sources was also able to confirm the #59 LeMans replica that we now know the Sultan owns prior to it becoming what I would call 'public knowledge', so I would say they just might know what they are talking about too.

I plan to ask Gordon to do a bit more research on this topic, as he didn't seem 100% confident when he was telling us that. There may be another angle on getting some info that I will have to explore. I know that a lot of people won't believe it till they see the cars - I'm normally like that too - but right now there is consistent credible evidence that two of the LMs were originally painted black/grey with graphics. The stories I have heard say nothing of them being refitted at any time either.

I'm not really trying to spark a debate, I'm just putting all the information we have out there and stating what I personally currently believe. As with most things relating to the F1, the truth will come out eventually - maybe I will even end up being wrong. <gasp>

Oh, and Peloton, has anyone ever told you that you look a little like Michael Schumacher from the side?

Nope - never heard that one. I think that shot is a little awkward too with my head being tilted at a strange angle. My chin normally protrudes a bit more than that. Candid shots are always a little but enough about me.

I'll add a little more to the story of the day later. Right now I'm starving!

>8^)
ER

[Stratoraptor]

Originally Posted by Peloton25

While he was taking pictures of the slideshow, I was next to him with my digital camera trying to record the speech that Gordon gave. Unfortunately my camera wasn't up to the task and the audio from Gordon's speech is muddy, faint and at times inaudible. Also, one of the segments of his speech ended up not being saved to my memory stick - I think I removed it from the camera too soon.

It would be nice to show us what you got. To a lot of us, something is MUCH better than nothing.

Even though he isn't here, I feel the need to express thanks to Mr. Khan for putting that page up.

[F1 monster]

Thanks conveyed to tvrfreak.

Peloton, Jay Leno wants you to know that your chin does NOT protrude!

[MalkaJB]

Originally Posted by Peloton25

I plan to ask Gordon to do a bit more research on this topic, as he didn't seem 100% confident when he was telling us that.

Oh you do, do you? And when will that be...next time Gordon happens to be in the neighborhood? Perhaps sometime in the near future, you will run into him again at the local Applebees.

Maybe while you do that, I'll give the Sultan a ring and find out what he has to say about the matter at hand.

All joking aside, what sort of contact info did Mr. Murray give you?

[jkbon]

nice job tvrfreak !

thank you.

[teflon]

tvrfreak, f1monster & peloton25:

Thank you for being there to capture the moment and thank you for sharing it with us.

Greg A