Meanwhile back on boats. Whilst I was thinking that the yacht designers should be investigated for manslaughter rather than the captain it occurred to me what a double edge sword the captain is facing.
He can't blame it on the designers because if he does the next question is when did you realize this design flaw and did you take steps to mitigate this known risk like being super cautious about any predicted storms. No wonder he is not answering any questions even though it's probably not his fault.
Of course the Italians will do everything in their power to protect their own and the money is on the side of the yacht builder in a country which is renowned for its corruption.
No ABS/Airbags + a bit floaty at 160k - but we survived !?
160 kph. My friend's mother bought one of the early HQs with a 202 automatic and it frustrated the hell out of us that no matter how long the straight was we could only get it to 99 miles per hour.
But compared to the HZ, the HQ felt like a Torana.
Our HZ wagon had a trimatic 202 with some asthmatic little carb that was only good for about 75mph
.
No ABS/Airbags + a bit floaty at 160k - but we survived !?
160 kph. My friend's mother bought one of the early HQs with a 202 automatic and it frustrated the hell out of us that no matter how long the straight was we could only get it to 99 miles per hour.
But compared to the HZ, the HQ felt like a Torana.
Our HZ wagon had a trimatic 202 with some asthmatic little carb that was only good for about 75mph
.
Nice drift.. a 202 with a yella terra head 350 Holley & extractors could nearly keep up with a slant hemi. Many years ago I raced my old father in law in his old valiant safari. Your shout son !
No ABS/Airbags + a bit floaty at 160k - but we survived !?
160 kph. My friend's mother bought one of the early HQs with a 202 automatic and it frustrated the hell out of us that no matter how long the straight was we could only get it to 99 miles per hour.
But compared to the HZ, the HQ felt like a Torana.
Our HZ wagon had a trimatic 202 with some asthmatic little carb that was only good for about 75mph
.
Nice drift.. a 202 with a yella terra head 350 Holley & extractors could nearly keep up with a slant hemi. Many years ago I raced my old father in law in his old valiant safari. Your shout son !
Thread drifts can be fun!
My very first car, an Eh wagon after an engine swap. We had to handmake an inlet manifold as blown red motors weren't that common. Had to up the fuel delivery to a 650 Holley with oversized jets, it averaged about 1 mpg when you put your foot down.
Awesome fun though
!

Ah the joys of points and carburetors. Still got a 455 Buick convertible with both (idle and unloved in the garage). Boats take up too much time.
HQ Premier Wagon 253 V8/Holleys = wonderful noise ! - down the Moonbi Hill ( no speed camera to prove it ! )
Deep metallic blue - Was Vice Commodore's Courtesy Car for Tickle Belly Creek Cruising Yacht Club - must be a photo somewhere ?
This thread is drifting more than a HQ wearing a set of crossply tyres in the wet!
sorry, I'll leave now![]()
Here we go!
Hope the boat builder who shot his mouth off about the crew early in the piece is personally sued in addition to his company hopefully bankrupting them both.
It is quite apparent now (from pictures taken by passengers returning to the boat after dark on the night in question) that neither of the doors he originally spoke about were open as he had said must have been the case to sink his "unsinkable" yacht.

Here we go!
Hope the boat builder who shot his mouth off about the crew early in the piece is personally sued in addition to his company hopefully bankrupting them both.
It is quite apparent now (from pictures taken by passengers returning to the boat after dark on the night in question) that neither of the doors he originally spoke about were open as he had said must have been the case to sink his "unsinkable" yacht.

looks like the builder is not going ahead with the legal action:
"But, after details of the action were reported, the manufacturer said it had not 'authorised' its lawyer to pursue it. They added that the claim has ordered to be withdrawn."
However looks like Hewlett Packard Enterprise is suing the widow in a new US$4 billion ?claim.
surgeradio.cl/opiniones/she-keeps-crying-shes-racked-with-survivors-guilt-and-a-month-on-from-the-yacht-disaster-that-killed-tycoon-and-his-daughter-mike-lynchs-wife-is-being-pursued-for-3-billion-by-tech/116030/
Ah the joys of points and carburetors. Still got a 455 Buick convertible with both (idle and unloved in the garage). Boats take up too much time.
Have a '67 Plymouth sitting in mine - 440 bored and stroked to 505 cubic inches, with a 1050 Holley Dominator, but upgraded from points. Plant the right foot and the earth shifts on its axis - or at least, used to. Also idle and unloved now. Well, still 'loved', but not receiving the attention it needs. Fishing and Surfing are the culprits on my side.
Marine Accident Investigation Branch, Interim Report, 14 May 2025: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6821ea1aced319d02c9060f2/2025-Bayesian-InterimReport.pdf