The last time I wrote about this project, it was no more than a painted body shell, but as I write this, the car is all ready back with its owner and being given some gentle mileage to bed everything in. Hopefully the following pictures will show how the cars turned out, and ill endeavour to explain what was done to turn this car from wreck to racer.
Virtually every single component of the car was rebuilt or re-conditioned along with countless modifications to make the car suitable (and legal) for some weekend motor sport, such as sprinting/hill-climbing and track use. The boot and front end (including the valances) are fibreglass to reduce weight.
Sitting on its AVO dampers and stiffer springs (see previous posts) the suspension has also been put together with adjustable rear tie bars and a few other mods to prevent the dreaded 'tuck under' these cars are known for. With careful setting up of front and rear camber and tracking, the car is predictable and planted, and due to strengthening in the shell, along with the full roll cage, scuttle shake is totally banished.
On the inside, FIA legal Recaro bucket seats have been squeezed in (quite literally) along with four point harnesses. All the internal trim panels have been replaced with sheet aluminium (the boot being effectively 'fire-walled' from the main cabin) although the original dash board has been refurbished and retained. The original centre console now houses a battery cut out switch and extra gauges and switches.
The engine was rebuilt 'in house' with bigger valves, lightened and
balanced internals and many other internal modifications to produce a
unit that was docile enough to be drivable on the road, yet should give 50% more power than in standard form (despite its externally standard appearance). An oil cooler, electric fan and US spec radiator have been used to keep everything cool, and electronic ignition and electric fuel pump to keep everything reliable.
The wheels are currently refurbished GT6 items with road going yokohama tyres, the idea being that a second set of 'track' wheels and tyres can be purchased when needed to suit the cars future use.
I'm sure this wont be the last time this car appear on this site and I look forward in the future to further setting up the car and getting it ready for what ever events the owner decides to use it for.
