James Junior Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 Hi guys, I just got back from an amazing 8 day adventure of Europe having taken the Zed on the Petrolhead Nirvana Alpine South tour. I got some pretty good pictures during the trip so thought I would share them with the forum. I also got some video clips using a GoPro which I will post in the exhaust section so people can hear what a Cobra cat-back and Y pipes sound like from within the car. The trip was an incredible experience, very well organised and taking in some of the best driving roads Europe has to offer. I learnt so much about the car, its handling and capabilities and came away from the journey with a deep respect for the level of performance the 370 offers and its ability to keep much more expensive cars honest on twisting roads. There were some pretty serious cars on the tour and the Z was a minnow really, but gave a pretty good account of itself against some much more capable machines. My favorite comments came from the driver of a Mclaren MP4 that I chased flat out for miles through a tightly twisting forest section that did a good job of negating some of his considerable power advantage: 'Bloody hell you can pedal that thing can't you?! I couldn't shake you off, you were annoyingly quick!' The car also got a number of compliments about how good it sounded, so the Cobra exhaust clearly sounds as good to those in pursuit as it does to me as the driver. Here are the pictures - enjoy! Firstly, here is a map of the route we took: A quick stop off so one of the guys could top-up the oil in his R8 en-route to the Swiss Alps: Possibly the most amazing petrol station ever conceived - stunning views over Lake Livigno in Italy and 100 RON fuel: At Hotel Folgore at the top of the Stelvio Pass: Also near the top of the Stelvio: The next morning was an early start after a night at the Folgore - that is a puddle of pure ice in the foreground next to the Lotus 211. Focuses the mind before setting off at speed back down the pass: Waiting to enter the tunnel to head back to 'that' fuel station at Lake Livigno for a second tank of super 100 (I will also post a video clip of the Zed roaring through the tunnel in the exhaust section): More Lake Livigno: Just about to set off again for a play with the 911 - the Porsche and the Nissan were surprisingly closely matched in terms of performance: Parked up by the fuel stop waiting for everyone to fill their tanks: There were a lot of very nice cars on the tour - the 370Z was definitely the underdog in this company but throughout the tour kept many more capable cars honest: The whole group gathered at the foot of the Saint Bernadino Pass to cool down after a very fast run over the top - the Zed did a good job of sticking with the 911 and the Murcielago which was at a disadvantage on such a winding road: Chasing a Mclaren MP4 and Murcielago LP640 down Grimsel Pass with a 911 hot on my heels: Top of the Nufenen Pass: One lunch stop had no more room for parking, so a couple of us parked up in the neighboring campsite. The campers didn't seem to mind: Lotus 211 hot on our heels as the convoy headed out again: High on the Petite Route de St Bernard: On the Col D'Liseran (sheer drops scared the crap out of me!): About to head off on the 'Dawn Raid' - a dash up mount Ventoux in Provence as the sun was coming up: Amazing views when we reached the top: Underneath the Millau Bridge: In the heart of the Pyrenees: Great service at a filling station in Jaca: Kirstie enjoying my driving as always: Just kidding, of course she loves my driving: Missing open roads and sunsets already - I have the worst holiday blues after 8 days of this: We visited so many amazing places: 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davectr Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 Amazing pics, and some amazing cars! That is how to holiday 😄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnymonno Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 I'll second that Dave, what a fab holiday!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoker11 Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 Thanks for sharing what an amazing trip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Great trip and cool pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MITZ@CougarStore Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Thanks for sharing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogman Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Looks quality! May consider that route myself! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoundDog Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Looks like you had a wicked time. Excellent pictures thanks for sharing. The more I read about these road trips the more I want to do one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Looks awesome Great pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zebedy Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 i think what we all want to know is how much was the fuel bill in total. lol Great pics. Been to Switzerland myself years ago. Would love to do this run as you've just done. Fab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankeesiter Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Yes, what did it all cost? And was the return via. Brittany Ferries? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Junior Posted September 15, 2015 Author Share Posted September 15, 2015 It was brilliantly organised and we all were given satnavs with each days routes pre-loaded and walkies talkies to communicate between ourselves whilst on the road. There were two tour guides with us - one very fast to lead and another going at a more sedate pace. The pack tended to split up into those who wanted to go at maximum attack following the lead car and those who wanted to take a more relaxed pace with the chase car. The tour guides would radio back to others who were in convoy to inform of oncoming traffic or hazards, which allowed for overtaking in situations where vision was limited. The trip was run by Pete and Bachi at Petrolhead Nirvana - details of this and their other tours and prices can be found here: http://www.petrolheadnirvana.com/driving-tours/alpine-south/ There was a real sense of camaraderie out on the road and we would regroup for lunch each day and eat together at the hotels in the evenings. The people were great and I made a lot of new friends. I averaged 22 mpg over 2,850 miles of driving which gives you an idea of the pace we were setting. This equates to roughly £800 of fuel. I also polished off a set of brake pads and need to change all four boots. The ferry back was with Brittany Ferries which was surprisingly good quality - we all had our own cabins and there was decent food and lots to do on the boat. It was an amazing experience and I would strongly recommend it. t was so good I have already put my name down on the interest lists for 2016 for the Welsh Weekender, the Highland Fling and the Viking Tour! Happy to answer any other questions people have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikevv Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 I so want in on this. Just need a spare £4000 hahaha. Looks fabulous! Fuel wise that isn't so bad, I only manage 26 MPG in my 350z commuting so I can handle 22MPG for fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will370z Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Great pics and sounds like an awesome holiday. I recognise many of those roads and wish I was back there, awesome place. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiddenWomble Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Sounds like a fantastic experience, thanks for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Junior Posted September 16, 2015 Author Share Posted September 16, 2015 Thanks for your interest all - glad you enjoyed the pictures! When I get around to hosting some of the Go Pro videos on You Tube I will post them up if people are interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh2005 Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 They're amazing photos. Definitely something I want to do in the future, thanks for posting the link! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkidRisk Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Looks like an amazing adventure! I don't think your car looked out of place in that company, I would rather be in the Zed than the Lotus 211. I bet he was blooming freezing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankeesiter Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 I so want in on this. Just need a spare £4000 hahaha. Looks fabulous! Fuel wise that isn't so bad, I only manage 26 MPG in my 350z commuting so I can handle 22MPG for fun Don't need anything like £4k if you plan and do it yourself or with a small group. You could cut the costs by at least half. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
350zedd Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Nice photography, thanks for sharing your experience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
370Ad Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Thanks for sharing, some great photos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommoger Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Brilliant write up the Stelvio has been on my list for a while now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Great write up buddy, thanks for sharing routes and pix👠Sent from my Zed using Nangkang tyres front, RE040's rear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Miester Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Looks like you had a good road trip and the scenery looks ace..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nissanman312 Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Happy to answer any other questions people have. I have a few if you don't mind lol Looks like an awsome trip I did one similar myself this year thanks for sharing If you don't mind me asking ? Was there anything you think they could of done beter ? How many hours a day did you drive did you feel it was to many or just right ie plenty of relaxation time.? I see meals were included how did that suit? Or did you feel some nights you would of liked to do your own thing ? What sort of quality of hotels and parking Was provided This may seem a lot of questions but there is a reason lol Myself and a freind are taking a group out next year strictly at cost and mostly freinds or freinds of freinds. But it's somthing we would like to turn into a regular trip but also run tours as a business possibly in the future So I'm just interested to here your thoughts on the above Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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