My FH5 Log: The first Porsche

The Porsche saga began 75 years ago with the 356, the first Porsche car ever made. Penned by Ferdinand Porsche and running on Volkswagen mechanicals, inheriting its rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout from the original Beetle, the 365 is the genesis of Porsche that inspired its iconic successor, the 911.

Here in Forza Horizon 5, there are two decent 356 vehicles that are untouched by human hands and kept as if they had emerged from The Book of Genesis. Let's get to know about the two sides of the Porsche legend.

Let's begin with the 356 SL, a racing version of the 356, and the one that I've won from the Forza Horizon 5 Dia de Muertos Hot Season Playlist.

The 356 SL Gmund Coupe is no doubt the first racing Porsche in history and the first to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1951, class victory of course. The story of the first racing Porsche began when Ferdinand Porsche met the Le Mans organizers at the 1950 Paris Motor Show and they invited him to take part in the 1951 race. Rather than using steel from the production versions, they've used some aluminum for their racing 356 machines. It placed 19th overall and won the class for 1.1L vehicles.

Now, let's get to know the 356A, the genesis of Porsche redefined. Introduced in late 1955, the 356 A is a minor change from the original 356 with earlier models designated as Type 1 while the 1957 models and beyond were designated as Type 2. The 356 A was offered with a four-cam Carrera engine only available on spyder race cars. Engine ranges vary from 1300 1.3L Type 506 engine up to the 1600 1.6L Type 616 engine with dual downdraft Zenith carburetors, producing 59hp of power and 110Nm of torque.

Let's give these two 356 machines a quick lap around the Bahía De Plano just to see if they're still the stuff of legends that gave rise to the Porsche empire. Let's watch.

...and now the results...

356 A - 1m26.420s

#46 356 SL - 1m26.904s

What a close result. The gap between the two is nearly half a second apart but it's fun driving these two ancient marvels that made Porsche great.

Without the 356, there would be no 911 and Porsche would cease to exist as one of the greatest sports car makers emerged from the ashes of the Second World War. This is why the 356 is the genesis of Porsche worth knowing about and if you're asking what is the first Porsche ever made, you're looking at it.

Be it on the road or on the track, the legend of the Porsche 356 will never die. Here's to 75 more years of Porsche!

Forza Horizon 4: The flaw of Ford's rally history

Ford Motor Company was known for their success in the world of rallying thanks to the likes of the Escort, the Cortina, the Focus, and the Fiesta, but did you know that behind their recipe of rally success lies a hidden flaw from within? Let me introduce to the flaw of Ford's rally history known as the GT70.



Having acquired this unknown but failed Ford rally experiment in the middle of the recent Horizon Autumn Playlist, let's get to know about the car Ford tried to take on rallying and then failed.



Built in response to the likes of the Alpine A110 and the Porsche 911's success in rallying, the Ford GT70 draws inspiration from the Le Mans-winning GT40 race car while it was engineered to take on the World Rally Championship. Behind the fiberglass bodywork that weighs less than a ton, it's powered by the same 2.6L V6 engine from the Capri RS2600, producing 240hp of power, while mated to a five-speed manual. A working prototype popped up at the 1971 Brussels Motor Show and Ford originally tried to make 500 of these to comply with homologation regulations. However, only six were made and half went racing with disastrous results, therefore the GT70 program's scrapped for good.

In 2002, Ford France commission a restoration of the forgotten GT70 rally car and for this restoration, the old engine's been swapped by a 2.0L Cosworth BDG 4-cylinder engine producing 200hp of power, along with some minor tweaks. It made its appearance at the 2002 Goodwood Festival of Speed.



As a matter of fact, the GT70 we saw here is the restored one that popped up at the 2002 Goodwood FoS and although less powerful than the original GT70, it still is lively to drive because of its lightweight bodywork. It's about as lively as the competition the GT70 meant to take on and you can spend a brief moment of time getting to know its unanswered questions.



Unanswered questions aside, I took the GT70 for a ride at LEGO Valley to see how it's made. Roll the tape.

Rough but not bad.



The GT70 may be the  flaw of Ford's rally history but it's all part of a plan. With every success comes failure and with every failure comes success. That's how Ford's rally career rolls and right now, Ford's rallying career gambles with their current-generation Fiesta, the one that is not available in the US for reasons unknown.

Let's continue supporting Ford on their rallying commitment!

Forza Horizon 4: YOLO

The Toyota 2000GT is hailed as Japan's first supercar when it burst into the scene in 1967 and now that I won this iconic Toyota from the recent Horizon Winter Playlist of Series 20, let's get to know it first before taking it for a spin.



Built in collaboration between Toyota and Yamaha, the 2000GT is powered by a Yamaha-tuned 2.0L six-cylinder engine producing around 153HP while the whole body is made of aluminum and the suspension setup features double wishbones at both sides. Yamaha even contributed to the wooden dashboard of this car as well.

The 2000GT managed to clock a 136mph top speed at the legendary Yatabe test course while scoring some wins at Fuji and Suzuka.

The 2000GT appeared in You Only Live Twice, which is driven by Japanese agent Kissy Suzuki while being pursued by enemies and despite the lack of gadgets, she managed to summon help from the Japanese intelligence to end the chase. There is a known fact that because of Sean Connery's height, he's too big to squeeze himself in the Toyota and as a result, the people from Toyota gave the producers about two weeks to convert it into a convertible. Of course, being a new model, there wasn't any open-top 2000GT ever made and when it appeared in the film, an open-top 2000GT is nothing more than a one-off made exclusively for that Bond movie.

Toyota only made 300 2000GT units and the reason why they made few is because of such outrageous pricing which in today's money cost you over fifty million yen or over half a million dollars.



Now that you got your little talk about the 2000GT, let's take a ride on the streets of Edinburgh while being pursued by rivals on all sides to make things interesting. Let's roll the tape.

Mission accomplished.

Enjoy your new ride!

Forza Horizon 4: Napier's bones

Another oldie machine has unearthened in Forza Horizon 4 and this time, it's another pre-war vintage racer that has an airplane engine bolted upfront. Say hello to the Napier-Railton.



I know it's a pre-war vintage machine that I just won from the Series 20 Horizon Autumn Playlist in the game but just what really is the Napier-Railton? I mean, come on, is there so much to understand about a forgotten fossil unearthened by science?



Built in 1933, the Napier-Railton, forged by the minds of Brooklands driver John Cobb, Reid Railton, and the folks from Thomson and Taylor within the skunk works of the Brooklands track, this 24-litre, aeroplane-engined race car was made to achieve many speed records in Brooklands and around the world at its time. It managed to achieve a 24 hour record of 150.6mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1936 and the Brooklands Outer Circuit Lap Record of 143.44mph, which, as of present times, is unbeaten.

When the Napier-Railton retired its racing duties as well as the Brooklands in 1937, it got hired by a film company in 1949. Then, two years later, it got sold to the GQ Parachute Company, where they carried out successful parachute testing at Dunsfold before Bob Roberts acquired it for his Midland Motor Museum. It got overhauled in 1975 by Hodec Engineering at Old Woking in Surrey. Bob Roberts sold this to one-time Aston Martin Chairman Victor Gauntlett in 1989, then auctioned in 1991, and in 1997, it was found and bought by a Swiss classic car dealer, on loan to the Brooklands Museum, where it was currently displayed.



I have never seen a forgotten vintage racer that has very colorful backstory like this and upon further understanding about the Napier-Railton's backstory, I got a hold of it to see what this legend is made of and judging by the rumble of its 21-liter airplane engine, the Napier-Railton really is a monster of a machine that tends to intimidate the crowd with such noise. Since this was made to be a record-breaker in the straights, I think I find it to be difficult to make turns with it but who cares? Since this is a legend that bags an unbeatable record at a defunct track, it's time to demonstrate how this car is made for.



I've used the oval section of the LEGO Valley's Falcon Speedway to demonstrate the Napier's capabilities while getting challenged by other ancient racers along the way. So, let's get the party started, shall we? En garde!

The legend is real, after all.



Those who never met the Napier-Railton should need to meet this legend because with so much colorful backstory for a forgotten vintage racer, it really is one of the best of the British.

Enjoy your ride!

Forza Horizon 4: The Yardie

A historic British car made the rounds at the recent FH4 update's Summer Playlist and the car in question is the Rover SD1 Vitesse, a shooting brake packed with racing pedigree that can't be overlooked upon. Now that I got it, let's get to know more about this legendary British fastback almost nobody knows.

The SD1 naming is derived from the Specialist Division branch, although the SD1 carries different names depending on the specs, and when it was launched in 1976, it was coined as the last British Rover, the last Rover-badged vehicle made in Solihul, and the last to be designed by former Rover engineers. The SD1's design is highly reminiscent of the Ferrari Daytona and because this design is too complicated to fit in the most sophisticated rear suspension setup known, it uses a live rear axle instead and rear drum brakes. The V8 3500 was the SD1's first offering with numerous engine choices follow shortly.

Production of the SD1 ended in 1986 and it was replaced by the Rover 800 Series.

In its involvement in motorsports, the Rover SD1 has a wide resume of Group A touring car achievements with the big ones such as its 1983 RAC Tourist Trophy, the 1984 British Saloon Car Championship, six rounds of the 1985 European Touring Car Championships, five rounds of the 1986 FIA Touring Car Championship, 1986 DTM, and a class win at the 1984 Bathurst 1000.

This car popped up in TV shows like The Avengers and The Professionals.

Numerous motorsport success and long list of names aside, the SD1 is one of the most iconic British cars in history and it's too important to miss such a legend, despite numerous problems in store from the mechanical side. It may look like a Daytona on a Scirocco body but the Rover SD1 really is a timeless beauty worth beholding and when I look at this classic, it reminded me of somebody...

Yes, that Rover SD1 reminded me of these gang cars the Yardies drove on The Getaway and to match them, I've recreated their Yardie gang car out of the SD1 and to see just how much of a Yardie this SD1 is, I gave it a little Yardie magic underneath and gave it a spin, just to experience what's like being one of them.

A classic British shooting brake known for many names, numerous motorsport success, and being the Yardie car from The Getaway, the Rover SD1 is one of the most iconic cars in British history and it's hard to forget such a legend itself. Speaking of which...

I gotta go now. The Triads are on the loose with their R33 GT-Rs and since they mistook me for a Yardie, it's time for, you guessed it, a quick getaway from them as both sides are painting the town red. Get it?

Bye!

Forza Horizon 4: The Hillman Imp

The Hillman Imp? What's it all about this car from the years before the Brits entered the EU? No Gen-Z people of today heard about this relic from the past until Forza Horizon 4's Car Pass owners take a shot at this ancient piece of British motoring history. So, let's take a close eye on this ancient motoring icon by all means.



Introduced in 1963, the Hillman Imp received a bad reputation for its production issues despite being an enjoyable four-seater with an affordable price. Even with improvements two years later, its poor reputation remained the same.

This is the Mark II Hillman Imp shown in the game and while it was built in Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand, this version is offered in a choice of a 875cc or a 998cc petrol engine with the former producing about 55hp of power and similar amount on torque.

Despite its poor reputation, the Hillman Imp enjoys its modest success in motorsport with the most famous one being driven by Bill McGovern, which won the British Saloon Car Championship three times in a row from 1970 to 1972.

Production of the Imp ended in 1976.



Everyone driving the Imp in the real world faced several issues while driving one such as getting rusted easily, engine troubles, and so on, but despite that, its RR layout and low center of gravity made the Imp very enjoyable to drive and its motorsport success and its reputation of being used by the police made this Scottish-made Imp so special. So special, I've devised a little demonstration.



I went to the farm and summon some classic car drivers to take on the Hillman Imp and with me behind the wheel, the Imp is taking on the imp-ossible. Get it? Anyway, let's do this.

Gonna love those old-school UK hits. They're not afraid to get things dirty on country roads.



Despite being one of the most infamous automotive disasters in history, the Scottish-made Hillman Imp is proven to be one of the most iconic cars ever made thanks to being as fun to drive as a Mini and such reputation made in motor racing and by law enforcement really slotted the Imp to a very special place in British motoring history and I truly respected such story after getting my glimpse on this local legend.

There are plenty of local legends in the United Kingdom like the Imp out there and they can't wait to be checked out by those who are getting their hands on.

Forza Horizon 4: All about the H1

Time for some blast from the past in the world of Forza Horizon 4 as today's retro feature is all about the cult classic offroader most enthusiasts called it a military vehicle everyone can drive, especially the high rollers who just can't get enough of its macho, Humvee-inspired looks. I'm talking about the Hummer H1.



So, what's it all about the Hummer H1? The offroader that is basically a Humvee for civilian duty?



Built from 1992 to 2006, the  Hummer H1 is based on the Humvee military vehicle built by AM General but retooled for civilian use due to high demand. Long ago, when it was first produced in 1992, it was called simply as Hummer but thanks to General Motors' acquisition of marketing rights of the Hummer name at the end of the 20th century, it was marketed as the Hummer H1.

The H1 Alpha is basically a revamped version of the H1 and it's powered by General Motors' specially-developed 6.6L Duramax Diesel V8 engine producing 300hp of power and 520ft-lb of torque, mated to a 5-speed Allison automatic gearbox. Apart from the engine, the H1 Alpha features special high-strength steel in the chassis frame, new steering gear, new axle differentials, new geared hubs, and other improvements compared to the previous H1.



In the world of Forza Horizon 4, there are two Hummer H1 Alpha variants to drive such as the wagon version of the H1 Alpha and the Open Top variant, the one that I just won on the recent Horizon Summer Playlist. Whichever of the H1 Alpha variant you're driving, you'll still enjoy the big, beefy, all-American V8 diesel engine pumping action to this hunk of American steel as well as its near-perfect offroad capabilities.

Driving one of these feels like you're part of the military because of the Humvee genes but this is not a war zone. This is Horizon and you are here because you want to show everyone who's the strongman starting with this Hummer and that meant setting yourself to a different kind of vehicular warfare with this American offroad classic that has been feared and respected on the road with its military pedigree that got the whole world noticed.



Speaking of which, let's enjoy these two H1 Alpha variants on separate locations just to get a taste of what is like to be on a military vehicle made to annoy your suburban neighbors. Let's get it.

So, what do you think? Do you like the way these Hummers roll?



The H1 is the result of what happens when an American military vehicle goes to a capitalist path to impress its new kind of soldiers on the streets and thanks to its weapons-grade stuff derived from the Humvee, the Hummer H1 is a strongman on four wheels and that's very macho indeed.

Enjoy your rides!

Forza Horizon 4: The Ferrari 512 S

Several moments ago, I managed to get a hold of the legendary Porsche 917 LH in the world of Forza and this Le Mans legend truly lives up to its reputation. Now, the recent series update on Forza Horizon 4 brought up its arch-foe, the Ferrari 512 S. I got a hold to its rival Le Mans machine and find out what's what.



First and foremost, just what's it all about Ferrari's Porsche 917 arch-nemesis and why this and the Porsche 917 became the centerpiece of another Le Mans legend told in the history books? Following Fiat's takeover, Enzo Ferrari began building this car that can take part in the 1970 World Sports Car Championship in Group 5. For homologation purposes, they made 25 of these.

It uses the similar tubular space frame as the P4 and the 612 while being powered by a 5.0L all-alloy V12 engine producing 550hp of power and capable of hitting the 340kph top speed. Its first appearance is at Daytona, where it won third place, and its biggest achievement is winning Sebring and Kyalami at the Manufacturers' World Championship in 1970 and 1971. Sadly, the Porsche 917s were proven to be too difficult to beat for the Scuderia's trump card.



I'm slightly a fan of vintage racers but getting behind the wheel of the 512 S reminds me back of one of my experiments where the mighty 917 LH trumped the 512 S in ye olde Le Mans but since this is far, far, away from now, it's best to take a spin round Britain's finest and by driving one, it's hard to say how much of a vintage racer the 512 S is because while it was built to be the antithesis to the Porsche 917 LH that I drove a while back, there are some similarities between the two and this is why I called my old friend to have a quick draw with its arch nemesis.



The rivalry between these machines as reenacted by Steve McQueen in the Le Mans film, it feels so far away now to me, but still, that doesn't stop me to conduct another one of my Forza Horizon experiments between the two machines.



Fighting on castle grounds, my little experiment is all about which one is the fastest. Everybody knows that the 917 is famed to kick Ferrari's butt at Le Mans but now that I'm experimenting these machines near castle grounds, it's time to put that little hypothesis to the test.

After a little experiment near Bamburgh Castle, I am shocked to say that both of these machines lapped in 0:58.926! Incredible! Even though they have different specs and performance, they have similar results in the end. I'm definitely scratching my heads now.



The 917 and 512 have made a massive mark the history of motorsports because of the famed rivalry that got Steve McQueen's attention to recreating it on the big screen. Witnessing such rivalry is like I had a choice between Ford V Ferrari or Le Mans but whichever rivalry we went into, it's great that we are fans of vintage racers like these.

Forza Horizon 4: The first racing Porsche

All of the greatest Porsches in the history of motorsport can be easily traced back to the first of its kind; the legendary Porsche 356 SL that I won from the recent Horizon Playlist on Forza Horizon 4 and now that I have it, I have a little X-file on that first racing Porsche in history.



The 356 SL Gmund Coupe is no doubt the first racing Porsche in history and the first to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1951, class victory of course. The story of the first racing Porsche began when Ferdinand Porsche met the Le Mans organizers at the 1950 Paris Motor Show and they invited him to take part in the 1951 race. Rather than using steel from the production versions, they've used some aluminum for their racing 356 machines. Four of them were turned into race cars; with two as prototypes and the latter half being race cars. With one 356 SL Gmund Coupe crashed during the race, this #46 356 SL Gmund Coupe placed 19th overall and won the class for 1.1L vehicles.



That's right, it's a 1.1L engine-powered car but it's a long story because having indulged in the first Porsche race car in history, I decided to jump into action by taking the 356 SL Gmund Coupe around Fortune Island and see if it can flex its muscles after several decades. Roll the tape.



The legend still flexes its muscles after a rough and dirty vintage racing down Fortune Island.



Having learned from driving the car, it's a great thing to know that I have finally gotten to know the first racing Porsche in history and if that didn't exist, the greatest racing Porsches in history might cease to exist as well and we have to give thanks to this legendary machine.

Forza Horizon 4: Wolfsburg heritage

The latest update of Forza Horizon 4 showcases us two iconic VW legends up for grabs; one is the Karmann Ghia and the other is the Type 3 Notchback. Gen Z players, look away now.



First off, let's check out the legendary Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. This handmade 2+2 coupe is the closest thing they'd get from a Porsche 356 despite not being a full-fledged sportscar. From its racy hand-finished body, bucket seats and 4-speed stick shift, tight road-handling suspension and its 7,000 US Dollar introductory price, it's east to be fooled into thinking that the Karmann Ghia is a sportscar, but in reality, it isn't. It's a lot more complicated than that. Under the bonnet lies a 1.5L flat-4, 4-stroke engine with a power output of 53hp, and with the mentioned gearbox, it's capable of just 82mph of top speed.



Lastly is the very rare Volkswagen Type 3 notchback, a much powerful, spacious, and luxurious alternative to the legendary Beetle. The notchback variant is by no means one of the rarest of the Type 3 body styles in addition of the fastback and the squareback station wagon. Early models were designated as the VW 1500 because of its 1.5L engine but later, the displacement's increased to 1.6L and renamed as 1600. They can be mated with either a 4-speed manual or a 3-speed automatic. This latter engine featured electronic fuel injection from Bosch.



Anyway, enough chitchat about these two VW legends because I went through different parts of the Horizon to sample these legends from the pages of Volkswagen's history books, Roll the tapes.




Enjoy these legendary VW machines when you got these from the latest FH4 update!