1971 triumph GT6

In reply to fasted58:

That Midget might be perfect if it wasn't on Ebay and in Colorado. No way I can act that fast on it.

In reply to Gary:

Gary, and insight into this?

Bravenrace, Not sure how flexible your schedule might be, but if you can spare the time to head to the Jefferson 500 vintage races at Summit Point, West Va, in the middle of May, you will find a whole fleet of Triumphs including at least 5 GT6 competing in the Kastner Cup race. If you make it, visit us at the blue and white GT6 (number 56), and we can tell you all the horror stories you might want to hear .

And, as a FYI - there is a print ad in the most recent issue of CM for a Spitfire vintage racer asking $5500(NMNA)...

Cheers

In reply to ggarrard:

Thanks, I will try to do that if I can. As far as the Spit in CM, I saw that one and while I can't remember why, I ruled it out for some reason. It was probably distance, but I'll look again.

In reply to bravenrace:

When you get tired of not finding a spridget, you know where you can get an Alfa Romeo....

I posted it with vscda, and was told that they have a really good U2 Trans Am series. Which is where this car would fit.

bravenrace wrote: In reply to Gary: Gary, and insight into this?

At Lime Rock last Labor Day weekend I was admiring the Spitfire in the paddock and pointing out some of the nice features to a friend who had come to the event with me. Mike Silverstein came over and started talking with us. He must have thought I was in the market for a race car. I wasn't, but we talked for awhile. He told us a story of how Automotive Restorations had done work on the car and then the owner met with some sort of misfortune and couldn't pay for it, and signed it over to him. I have no way of confirming if that was the truth. But anyway, that's what led to him saying he'd be willing to let it go for $12,500 on the spot, to recoup the cost of the work. Also, he didn't say it, but I surmised it, that because the 2014 season was drawing to a close he really didn't want to haul it back to the shop and store it for the winter, so that may also have contributed to his motivation. But I can say that the workmanship in the car is superb. It's a turn key racer, ready to go, and supposedly has a Rick Kline engine (which should be very hot, but possibly a grenade). But in terms of a vintage race car, all the heavy lifting has been done. If I had been looking to go vintage racing, I would have paid $12,500 for it. But I wouldn't pay $19,500. So I think if he was willing to drop to $12,500 last year, he should be willing to do the same now. The car is the same. The only difference is now is it's the start of the 2015 season. If he really wants it gone, then what was an acceptable sell price for him then should be an acceptable sell price now. I've been reading that vintage race participants are shrinking, not growing, so I don't see a strong demand for this car.

Another comment: If I was looking to buy a vintage race car, the only thing that would give me concern with this one is the engine. The Rick Kline engine is no doubt a screamer, but probably overkill for a novice racer. If you have the ability to build up a reliable 1296 Spitfire engine, see if he'd be willing to sell it less the engine.

alfadriver wrote: In reply to bravenrace: When you get tired of not finding a spridget, you know where you can get an Alfa Romeo.... I posted it with vscda, and was told that they have a really good U2 Trans Am series. Which is where this car would fit.

I'd be interested in your car if it was complete and ready to run.

bravenrace wrote:

alfadriver wrote: In reply to bravenrace: When you get tired of not finding a spridget, you know where you can get an Alfa Romeo.... I posted it with vscda, and was told that they have a really good U2 Trans Am series. Which is where this car would fit.

I'd be interested in your car if it was complete and ready to run.

Clutch replacement + fire system install would be it just to go racing. The rest of the issues are my personal taste. The passenger seat isn't needed.

I guess the harness could use a swap.

Maybe Andre from Ottawa would be willing to part with his Fiat 124 race car. Minor body work required:

http://classicmotorsports.com/forum/classic-cars/in-racing-it-happens/88046/page1/

And he made a comment back in February that he might give up racing:

http://classicmotorsports.com/forum/classic-cars/the-frozen-chosen/98939/page1/

In reply to Gary:

Gary, if the car is now owned by Mike Silverstein, why is it listed on the Automotive Restorations website? Are they selling it for him?

In reply to bravenrace:

Sorry, I wasn't clear. Michael Silverstein is doing business as Automotive Restorations, Inc. Its his company and either he or the business owns the car. He seems to be an OK guy, at least from my brief encounter. I just can't confirm the back story he gave me on the car last year. If you call him maybe he'll tell you about it.

In reply to Gary:

Okay, I'm clear on it now. Thanks!

That 124 looks like a light hit... they make very pretty race cars too. Mayhap he would make you a deal?

Just thought I'd poke my nose in where it does not belong

Gary wrote: In reply to bravenrace: Sorry, I wasn't clear. Michael Silverstein is doing business as Automotive Restorations, Inc. Its his company and either he or the business owns the car. He seems to be an OK guy, at least from my brief encounter. I just can't confirm the back story he gave me on the car last year. If you call him maybe he'll tell you about it.

That is one serious restoration shop right there. Think Pebble Beach quality stuff.

I recently sold a very nice '71 GT6 race car. Zero time motor, fresh paint, etc. The buyer is the well known guy from Pittsburgh / Florida who has a Group 44 car, a Kastner car, etc. He has sufficiently deep pockets to successfully campaign these cars.

I completely agree with Mr. Suddard's comments; these are very fragile cars. I switched to Spitfires, which are quite the opposite; they are much more reliable in race trim.

Concerning the car the original poster considered. It would take considerable effort to make it a competitive racer. The carbs & transmission would need to be replaced, and basically brought back to original type. Roll cage, fuel cell, seat belts, brakes & suspension, cooling, etc. all add up very quickly.

And when you talk to the owner of any "race" car you're looking at, make sure they show you real, current time sheets. Current tech, etc.

Good idea to ask anyone who purports to be an expert how many races their own car has finished, DNF'd, placed, etc. Lot's of folks out there who talk but don't have the real experience.

This car came up for sale on CL last summer for $4,800. The seller lives in Scituate, MA and raced with the Vintage Racer Group. The body looked a little rough in the CL pics, but nothing that couldn't be made right with a little TLC. And, it had raced in 2013 and was also licensed for street use. I was interested (for street use) but procrastinated and the ad disappeared. Would have been perfect for bravenrace.

http://www.vrgonline.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=43&pos=4

Gary, Bravenrace... Only comment I have regarding the Automotive Restoration Spitfire is the indication it has 4 wheel disc brakes, otherwise it's a nice looking car. Not sure it would be eligible for VARAC events in Canada as I don't think Spitfires came with 4 discs back in the day.

Every sanctioning group is different so it's best to know what may or may not fly for you.

In reply to ggarrard:

That is true. I believe that car also has a Ford Sierra gearbox. It does have a log book and has a racing provenance, but I don't know with which organization. The Vintage Racer Group is pretty lenient, but some are quite strict about being true to period. Whenever buying a race car one must perform the proper due diligence.

I have driven one of Kent Bain's Spitfires. He owns Automotive Restorations. Wicked fast and lots of fun. Cheap and easy to work on too. The dif and trans are essentially the same as the GT6, but the 4 cylinder engine and lighter weight of the whole car put less stress on things than a GT6.

In reply to Tim Suddard:

Thanks for the information Tim. I emailed them about it, so we'll see. One question, since I've never driven one. Is there a more modern car you could compare it's straight line performance to? Just curious.

I stand corrected. As Tim said, Kent Bain is the owner of Automotive Restorations. Mike Silverstein must be his salesman. There wasn't a title on Mike's business card.

Forum member OFracing from New York has been racing a '63 Spitfire for years in the Northeast. Maybe he will join-in and share his experience and any issues related to racing early Spits.

Bravenrace, we are enablers!

The Spit is sold.

In reply to bravenrace:

With the pair of Fiat 850s in the project thread- have you considered one of them?