Race Engine Forum UK

2 examples of my previous builds. The Ford pick up ran a mild 220bhp Rover 215ci V8 with handbuilt IFS based around Cortina components and a stainless steelsuspension rear based on a Jaguar diff and outer hub carriers.Owner fabricated steel pick up bed .

The 1963 Capri had a traditional tech engine pre crossflow Ford engine using period technology to produes a 110 bhp from a 1560cc engine.The front suspension used a mixture of Capri Mk3 and Escort Mk2 components to give a lowered uprated front suspension with more precise rack and pinion steering.
The paintjob was the result of 360 hours work over a 6 month period.

THese have both been 'fill in' cars whilst I strive to finish an early track style 1927 model T replica featuring one of Guys superb engines . I'll attempt to take some photos of the rolling chassis so Guy can see that I have ACTUALLY made some progress.

Hello Kev my friend

stunning cars! I am sure they are as handsome 'under the lid' too? (hint..)

So what classification do we give these? Are they Hot Rods? I'd like to see more of your craft here, it will inspire some, I hope.

GC

Firstly Guy, hint taken ! I'll sort some photos of the engines and chassis work so the work under the skin can be seen.

125 racer , the Track t is styled after Frank Macks 50's track roadster and features a beam dropped tube front axle with Transit spindles and Capri discs,steered by a bulkhead mounted side steet Transit box. The back axle is an Escort case with Capri 2.8i rear drums , 4:1 diff and Quaiffe ATB held in position with an equal length parallel triangulated 4 bar set up on adjustable coilovers.. The engine is one of Guys finest ,a 1600 Fiat twin cam ( very similar at first glance to an early Offenhauser race motor )with a Rover T25 turbo ,which will eventually run at 1 bar, coupled to an uprated GM180 (Trimatic ) auto.

A shot of the Model A underpinnings showing the fully adjustable tube front suspension based on Ford Cortina uprights.

Rear view of the same showing 4.1 ratio Jaguar centres section and shortened driveshafts with stainless steel hub carriers and lower arms. all adjustable for caster ,camber and toe.

Engine shot of the fully finished bay.
The Rover 215ci engine used a 286 duration camshaft, ported heads with reshaped stainless valves .The Holley 4 barrel 390 cfm carb with vacuum secondaries was mounted on a dual plane Edelbrock Performer manifold . The combination gives great bottom end response without restricting top end capabilities.
Stainless steel 4 into 1 manifolds dump into 2.5 inch bore collectors and on into twin system.
The finished engine was producing in the region of 220 bhp and gave 0-60 in 5.5 seconds which looked quite impressive in an old truck ! Top speed ,on paper was 132mph though aerodynamics , or lack of them, were noticeable in the 100mph region.

The dress up items include replica early 60's Moon Racing Equipment rocker cover breathers .The rocker covers are early Rover P6 with the Rover lettering tig welded over and the finning made continuous from front to rear.

The radiator was a scratch built replica but with a 3 row high performance core.


EDIT . Photo had disappeared so have re attached.

An early shot of the engine bay. Under the period 'kustom' dress items such as the Humber air filter modified to fit a 28/36 DCD Weber is a 1560cc Ford pre crossflow using a BCF2 cam ( similar to the old Cosworth A2 profile I believe ? ) and an owner modified head using period tuning books to recreate a hot 60's engine.

This one came up at 84bhp at the rear wheels.0-60 approx 8.5 secs ( when 'on song' ! )

Love the English V8, very nicely installed too. I have never seen one in a hotrod across the pond. Looks a lot like the Buick Nail Head. Might not be a coincidance.

Robert

Rover 215 built under license from GM same 215 aluminum block used in the early starfires and f85 olds, 215 CI/ 215 HP put one in a 73 vega GT quite some time ago. Excellent engine for swaps, some performance parts still available. Be Safe

Greg

Thanks for the kind words. Indeed based on the old Buick 215. Our Lord Stokes of defunct British Leyland ( or whatever it was called at that time ) purchased the rights and it has become a staple of Hot Rods and specials over here. They are now available in almost 5 litres and the quickest are running 9 second quarter mile times.