Well, yesterday we had a dry day and a chance to do a bit more driving. The conversion is superb in context of what the P6 is – a 50 year old car. There clearly is huge reserves of grip, it’s just a question of how comfortable things feel getting towards that point. The handling is still utterly predictable, which is the main thing - the bar doesn't change this. What becomes obvious now is that the next limitation is at the front tyres. You can certainly feel the sidewalls moving, I’m guessing going for the Vitesse alloys with the bigger tyres pretty much addresses this. Also as has been stated you need to re-educate yourself quite a lot as to what to expect entering a bend. You don’t need to ask your passengers to brace themselves either.
How to describe it? Well, comparisons between anything modern is just completely pointless, everything is now engineered towards wide low profile tyres and a much firmer ride. The nearest in my (limited) experience would be something like an mid-80s Mercedes E-class with a fair bit more balance towards understeer. Perhaps more like a 250D or 300D with the heavy motor out front… Maybe the HD springs can push the balance a little rearwards?
I took it along a local road that follows the Rhein (Irchelsrasse between Teufen and Berg am Irchel) which is about as close to a handling circuit as you can find around here. Every year we get motorcyclists killed because the corners are blind and tighten as they progress. Well the car felt great, until I had a reality check and I could barely keep up with a young woman in her mid-90s Ford Fiesta…. The car handles and has power but with only 3 automatic gears, you simply can’t accelerate out of the slow corners.
One thing I do miss compared to my old P6 is the PAS, not because of the assistance on the move but because the 4.5 turns lock to lock and massive wheel really does make the car more ponderous than it could be. The PAS box is 3.25 turns and this makes a massive difference. (the SD1 only 2.7!).
I think the bar, HD rear springs, gas dampers (which ones?) and PAS (with smaller wheel) is about as far as I’ll go. I don't think any surgery or radical springs are on the cards. I do still want it to ride like a P6. I will certainly put back my 14” alloys as the wider rim gives noticeably better control for the standard tyres. Keep the Rostyles for shows.