Why did I do it?
Its been as much as 15 degrees below freezing here, and no heating in the garage, so still not much getting done. … I think I may fit a woodburning stove in the garage before next winter.
Anyway, I don`t know why I did it, but I spotted a rather vintage looking hillclimb special for sale, and bought it. .. I think I must have been seduced by the rather nice looking aluminium body. I thought I might use the body on a much modified Riley nine chassis, give it a early Riley nine mag engine, (I`ve got a rebuilt one sitting in my lock up garage), and turn it into a VSCC racer. … However, looking at it now, and knowing how many other projects I`ve got “waiting in the wings”, I was probably a little hasty! … But there is always plan B.
The hillclimb special was reputedly built by an aircraft engineer back in the 60`s or 70`s. It is based on early 60`s Vauxhall Viva running gear, and has a 1200cc Viva engine and manual gearbox. (Possibly the most unexciting engine ever fittd to a race car!). … Plan B would be to change to MG Midget running gear, and fit a tuned 1275cc A series engine from a Midget. After all, the A series Midget engine can be tuned to give 120bhp, and the spaceframe chassis is well constructed and light. … Using pre 65 Midget parts would mean that it would qualify for pre 65 races, sprints and hillclimbs, and there are many events that include a class for pre 65 sports and racing cars. … And of course, the parts are more readily available, and the project is much easier.
Have a look at the pics and see what you think. … Suggestions and ideas are very welcome.
Well built and nice looking
Not sure about the Vauxhall Viva runnin gear
Why did I do it?
Possibly the most unexciting engine ever fitted to a racer!
One Response to “Why did I do it?”
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About the Author
Phil Smith is a vintage car enthusiast with many years experience of owning, restoring and using vintage, PVT and classic cars. A longstanding member of The Vintage Sports Car Club (VSCC), The Riley register and The MG Car Club. Makes he has owned include Alvis, Bentley, Lagonda, MG, Talbot and Riley, of course. Now retired, Phil satisfies his 'old motor urges' by competing in the MGCC Luffield Speed series in MG Midgets from the 60's and 70's. This blog will chart his return to vintage/PVT cars.
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January 31st, 2011 at 1:17 pm
why not just take the midget engine and bolt on the eaton super charger from a mini cooper s? should fly then! definatly ditch the viva rubbish….
or why not go abit unconventional, its probably too big and heavy to fit but why not the pilot v8? widen the body abit… its not as if you’d be ruining a genuine pre war racer is it? and you’d still meet the pre 65 standards.