1971 triumph GT6

bravenrace wrote: The Spit is sold.

That's truly a bummer. But let's keep looking. Keep the spirits up!

In reply to Gary:

Yeah. He actually said it was no longer available, so I don't actually know if they sold it or not. Its still listed on their website, but maybe they just haven't taken it down yet. He (David Bate) did say they wouldn't have sold it for anything close to $12.5k, so it probably didn't matter anyway.

Furthering Alfadriver's Fiat theme.. There's a Fiat Abarth spider race car linked via www.dailyturismo.com.

Cheers Gordon

Hi Braverace, if you're looking for a Spitfire project car, I know one in Kingston, NY that's going back on the market in a few weeks. I looked at it in the fall and if I had room to store it, it's be mine right now. It's an old SCCA car with all the good stuff already done to. racing axles, welded diff, full cage tied in to the front shock towers, one piece glass hood, suspension mods etc. It needs an engine and tranny, a non race prepped engine comes with it, fuel cell, paint and I'd replace the all the hydraulic parts. The asking price was $1500, less than the cost of the axles. PM me if you're interested, I'll send you some pictures and the contact info (NFI, being sold by a fellow Brits car club member).

I have to agree with the others here, a GT6 (and I own two for the street) make lousy race cars. The Spitfire chassis just can't handle the extra power and the closed cockpit get really hot. if you want to get one, a few weeks ago a long time GT6 racer in the midwest was selling his, he was tired of swimming upstream. Again, if you're interested, I'll get you the contact info.

Too bad about Kent Bain's car, he had a few Spits for sale last fall. Everyone was fast, reliable and usually ahead of me. They weren't cheap but his shop does a 1st class level of restoration and prep.

Contact me if you have any questions, I'd be happy to help out.

mike h

Update, I found the ad, with a few pictures for the Spitfire race car in Kingston, NY.

http://www.vrgonline.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=269

mike h

In reply to OFracing:

Mike, Thanks for the lead. That one, while it looks like its well worth the money, is too much of a project for me. I need to find something that is at least running. Thanks again.

I guess it's all about timing!

I knew of two beautiful VSCDA Bugeyes that sold last fall.

First race of the season is first weekend in May. I will keep my ears open...

bravenrace wrote: Well. I guess the voice of experience has spoken. Back to looking for a spridget race car...

My friend Steve (I believe the aforementioned GT Steve) has run one for 25 years and has done well with it and as also mentioned the build has all been documented. So if you really like GT6s I wouldn't shy away from one. With that said a Spridget or Spitfire is a great choice as there is huge support for them and being light and low powered they are easy on tires which means easy on the wallet. Alfas are pretty, handle well and I don't see the owners doing a bunch of wrenching trackside so probably a good pick but I honestly do not know them well........but I do like them. Can't go wrong with a Datsun (biased view) old improved touring 240/280Zs can be had cheap but go through tires quicker than a 510. If you don't mind seeing 9 other BRE themed 510s in your group they are great cars.I love my 1200 but it is one of the less popular models. Vintage Formula Vees are a good value as well. End of the day I'd say stick with the Spridget.

 Tom

In reply to bravenrace:

Sometimes you can get lucky. We've picked up this TR7 for a really great price which we're converting to a TR8.

Here's how the car was raced in Canada in the day.

Nice work! But I think we're looking for something more plug and play for this exercise. The "b-man" is pretty anxious to hit the track this season.

We are enablers!

Elvas sighting...

http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/4973858615.html

The number in the ad belongs to the aforementioned Automotive Restorations.

http://nwct.craigslist.org/cto/4975260820.html

In reply to Woody:

That's bootittiful!

Yeah, Woody, wow, nice find.

In reply to Woody:

Thanks Woody. I wish it was a little bit closer. I wonder how it compares with this one - http://www.wirewheel.com/1962-Triumph-TR-4-Vintage-Race-Car-due-in-soon.html

Bravenrace, they both look fantastic. While I can't speak from experience, I've heard a lot of good things about racing TR4s.

By the way, did you see the Spitfire Mk IV race car for sale in the classifieds in the latest issue of Classic Motorsports? It looks ready to race and the price is very attractive ($5,500 or best offer). It's in Florida, but so is the TR4 you pointed out.

Road Trip!

Also, that Elva Courier that Woody pointed out looks to be a real bargain at $8K even if it needs some TLC. It would be much more expensive if it was ready to race now (I've seen $40K+). Strong MGA drivetrain. Great handling. Mark Donohue began his racing career with one. But with the work required, you probably wouldn't be racing this one this season. I've always fantasized about Elva Couriers. Well, sort of.

Gary wrote: Mark Donohue began his racing career with one.

He actually started out with a Corvette but he quickly switched to the Elva and later the TVR V8s and Cobras. The Couriers have technically inferior suspension to the TVR (one of which I raced) but gained due to their weight, which was a significant advantage..

In reply to wspohn:

Actually, Donahue was a test driver for Griffith (as was my buddy Mike Mooney), and raced Griffiths, as was my buddy Mike Mooney. The Griffith, while being V-8 TVR, was and entirely separate brand.

In reply to wspohn:

You are correct. Donohue's first car was indeed a Corvette. He struggled with it and ultimate gave up. He began making significant progress with his career when he switched to the Elva Courier.

Regarding TVRs, there were very few of them in SCCA racing in the States in the sixties and seventies. I remember only one racing here in the Northeast and I think it was a Vixen driven by Ray Walle from NJ. I can't remember if a TVR ever made it to the Runoffs. In fact you see more TVRs in vintage racing today than in period. I do like them though. Very distinctive looking. In fact there is a nice one for sale on CL in PA.

http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/4948691200.html

What do you guys think about this one?

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/4987294743.html

Looks rather well worn for the money. Probably not a bad base for a build, though.

However, that car made me remember this ad - I've seen the car advertised for a few months now. I know it's not quite the right side of the country for you but it may make a better starting point for a race car.

In reply to BoxheadTim:

I think you are correct on both counts. Looks like a good car, but too far away. :(

Gary wrote: Regarding TVRs, there were very few of them in SCCA racing in the States in the sixties and seventies. I remember only one racing here in the Northeast and I think it was a Vixen driven by Ray Walle from NJ. I can't remember if a TVR ever made it to the Runoffs. In fact you see more TVRs in vintage racing today than in period. I do like them though. Very distinctive looking.

They only made 90 of the Mk 3 (with the good suspension and chassis) and some Mk 4 - I don't recall exact figures, but they were never that common.

This is mine - I used it for awhile as a test bed for my prototype 1950 cc DOHC MGA Twin Cam engine (much easier to get at everything than in the MGA).

Ended up running it with a 3 main MGB and HRG head:

In reply to wspohn:

That had to have been a difficult car to get in and out of, no? I just know my M's, which are bigger than the earlier cars, weren't easy to get into even without a roll bar or cage.
I'd like to vintage race a TVR, but I don't think I want to have to deal with fiberglass damage to unobtainium parts.