Home  
Site Partners: SpotterGuides Veloce Books  
Related Sites: Classic Cars Monthly Your Link Here  

Go Back   TenTenths Motorsport Forum > Historic Racing & Motorsport History > Motorsport History

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 5 Dec 2007, 16:33 (Ref:2082213)   #1
Gryphon
Rookie
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
United States
Sacramento, CA
Posts: 4
Gryphon should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
'57(?) Ford Corvair (British)

Any info or pics greatly appreciated. Found, then lost, one of these about ten years ago in Placerville CA. Fiberglass body. This one had marker lamps, possibly indicating participation at Silverstone. Haynes Museum claims they have the only remaining example. Would like to know more about these cars in general, and the current whereabouts of this one from my area in particular. Car had been in CA for at least 30 years when discovered ten years ago. Never titled or registered for road use as of 1997. Sorry, chassis no. not available. Thanks in advance.
Gryphon is offline  
Quote
Old 10 Dec 2007, 14:14 (Ref:2085567)   #2
John Turner
Race Official
Veteran
 
John Turner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
United Kingdom
Pontesbury, Shropshire
Posts: 13,203
John Turner will be entering the Motorsport Hall of FameJohn Turner will be entering the Motorsport Hall of FameJohn Turner will be entering the Motorsport Hall of FameJohn Turner will be entering the Motorsport Hall of FameJohn Turner will be entering the Motorsport Hall of FameJohn Turner will be entering the Motorsport Hall of FameJohn Turner will be entering the Motorsport Hall of FameJohn Turner will be entering the Motorsport Hall of Fame
Into the Motorsport History forum first, I think!
John Turner is offline  
Quote
Old 10 Dec 2007, 14:39 (Ref:2085594)   #3
Al Weyman
Veteran
 
Al Weyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
England
South of Watford (just)
Posts: 14,699
Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!
FORD!!!!! A Chevrolet surely, unless you mean a Ford Corsair http://www.fordcorsair.com/
Al Weyman is offline  
__________________
You can't polish a turd but you sure can sprinkle it with glitter!
Quote
Old 10 Dec 2007, 16:15 (Ref:2085719)   #4
terence
Veteran
 
terence's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Germany
Nordschleife
Posts: 12,853
terence should be qualifying in the top 10 on the gridterence should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
They did not come out untill 66/67 Al.I do know of the Corvair though ,a friend of my father had one ,long while ago now though.!Was'nt it a flat six, I remember it being rear engine,I think.
terence is offline  
__________________
Living the dream,Chief instruktor and racing on the worlds best circuits-The Nordschleife and Spa.Getting to drive the worlds best cars-someone has to do it, so glad its me.
Quote
Old 10 Dec 2007, 16:26 (Ref:2085735)   #5
Al Weyman
Veteran
 
Al Weyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
England
South of Watford (just)
Posts: 14,699
Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!
Yes a Chevrolet, I actually used to own one, condemed by Ralph Nader but will go down in history as the first use of a turbo charged engine option (I think). Had an amazingly dangerous heater that was rigged to a timer and could be set to warm the car up before you got in it , it was like a garage paraffin space heater complete with spark plug which was fine but it worked on volatile petrol!
Al Weyman is offline  
__________________
You can't polish a turd but you sure can sprinkle it with glitter!
Quote
Old 10 Dec 2007, 16:37 (Ref:2085746)   #6
KA
Veteran
 
KA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 5,402
KA has a real shot at the podium!KA has a real shot at the podium!KA has a real shot at the podium!KA has a real shot at the podium!KA has a real shot at the podium!
Quote:
Originally Posted by terence bower
They did not come out untill 66/67 Al.I do know of the Corvair though ,a friend of my father had one ,long while ago now though.!Was'nt it a flat six, I remember it being rear engine,I think.
Corvair production was 1960-69 according to Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvair

but that description in the first post doesn't seem to fit a Corvair particularly well at first sight- fibreglass body, Haynes Museum claiming they have the only survivor?

Could we be talking about a sports-racer of some kind- maybe a 50's Ford-engined special, rather than a production Chevy Corvair? I'm certainly puzzled
KA is offline  
Quote
Old 10 Dec 2007, 16:44 (Ref:2085752)   #7
terence
Veteran
 
terence's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Germany
Nordschleife
Posts: 12,853
terence should be qualifying in the top 10 on the gridterence should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Quote:
Originally Posted by KA
Corvair production was 1960-69 according to Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvair

but that description in the first post doesn't seem to fit a Corvair particularly well at first sight- fibreglass body, Haynes Museum claiming they have the only survivor?

Could we be talking about a sports-racer of some kind- maybe a 50's Ford-engined special, rather than a production Chevy Corvair? I'm certainly puzzled

KA,My refference was to the Ford Corsair.I also remember my fathers friends car as having rust in it!!
terence is offline  
__________________
Living the dream,Chief instruktor and racing on the worlds best circuits-The Nordschleife and Spa.Getting to drive the worlds best cars-someone has to do it, so glad its me.
Quote
Old 10 Dec 2007, 19:55 (Ref:2085938)   #8
Al Weyman
Veteran
 
Al Weyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
England
South of Watford (just)
Posts: 14,699
Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!
Maybe he means this car here (scroll down) The Convair, a fibreglass sports body on a Ford Pop chassis. http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/ford_based_specials.htm
Al Weyman is offline  
__________________
You can't polish a turd but you sure can sprinkle it with glitter!
Quote
Old 10 Dec 2007, 20:39 (Ref:2085973)   #9
terence
Veteran
 
terence's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Germany
Nordschleife
Posts: 12,853
terence should be qualifying in the top 10 on the gridterence should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Weyman
Maybe he means this car here (scroll down) The Convair, a fibreglass sports body on a Ford Pop chassis. http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/ford_based_specials.htm


Hmmm nice!
terence is offline  
__________________
Living the dream,Chief instruktor and racing on the worlds best circuits-The Nordschleife and Spa.Getting to drive the worlds best cars-someone has to do it, so glad its me.
Quote
Old 10 Dec 2007, 21:13 (Ref:2085994)   #10
D-Type
Veteran
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
United Kingdom
Coulsdon, Surrey
Posts: 585
D-Type should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
The Corsair was heavier than the Cortina with similar engine and running gear so it seldom appeared in races or rallies at a level above 'racing the family car' but Ford did set some long distance records at Montlhery or Nardi. I think they were in the 'Ford publicist' class rather than true International Class Records.
There could never have been a Ford Corvair or Chevrolet would never have been able to to use the name.
D-Type is offline  
__________________
Duncan Rollo

The more you learn, the more you realise how little you know.
Quote
Old 10 Dec 2007, 23:03 (Ref:2086063)   #11
Al Weyman
Veteran
 
Al Weyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
England
South of Watford (just)
Posts: 14,699
Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!
Hey hang on D-Type, don't for get it was also blessed(?) with that wonderful Ford contraption the V4 that graced many a Transit van, that thank God never found its way into a Cortina! Well I say that but funny enough a mate of mine had a genuine Lotus Cortina which had been fitted with the 2 litre V4 and it actually went quite well, he towed me all the way back from Ramsgate in my old Splitty VW camper when it expired on the way to LeMans and it was the fastest that old tub ever went in its life!

Last edited by Al Weyman; 10 Dec 2007 at 23:05.
Al Weyman is offline  
__________________
You can't polish a turd but you sure can sprinkle it with glitter!
Quote
Old 11 Dec 2007, 17:27 (Ref:2086648)   #12
D-Type
Veteran
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
United Kingdom
Coulsdon, Surrey
Posts: 585
D-Type should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
I was writing from memory.

On checking I find that the original Corsair used the same 1500cc engine as the Cortina and later it had 1.7 litre and 2 litre V4 engines, while the Cortina 1600E and 2000E used in line engines.

The records were set with the 1500 car at Monza.

There was also a much later Austarlian Ford Corsair that was a rebadged Nissan
D-Type is offline  
__________________
Duncan Rollo

The more you learn, the more you realise how little you know.
Quote
Old 11 Dec 2007, 17:28 (Ref:2086649)   #13
VIVA GT
Veteran
 
VIVA GT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
England
Leicestershire
Posts: 5,647
VIVA GT is going for a new world record!VIVA GT is going for a new world record!VIVA GT is going for a new world record!VIVA GT is going for a new world record!VIVA GT is going for a new world record!VIVA GT is going for a new world record!VIVA GT is going for a new world record!VIVA GT is going for a new world record!
Quote:
Originally Posted by D-Type
The Corsair was heavier than the Cortina with similar engine and running gear so it seldom appeared in races or rallies at a level above 'racing the family car' but Ford did set some long distance records at Montlhery or Nardi. I think they were in the 'Ford publicist' class rather than true International Class Records.
There could never have been a Ford Corvair or Chevrolet would never have been able to to use the name.
I seem to remember that Ford Motorsport also used Corsair estates as rally service barges back in the Escort days. These were quite trick machines, with Minilite wheels and (more importantly) 3 litre V6 engines in place of the V4. (This was before they started to use something bigger like the Transit).
I'm sure the racer we're looking for history on will be a Ford based special as mentioned earlier in the thread, it was a popular (no pun intended) thing to do in the 50's, re-body a Ford saloon chassis...
VIVA GT is offline  
Quote
Old 11 Dec 2007, 17:52 (Ref:2086664)   #14
terence
Veteran
 
terence's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Germany
Nordschleife
Posts: 12,853
terence should be qualifying in the top 10 on the gridterence should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
They were also kitted out with the front struts from the MK3/4 Zodiac,a guy who lived next door to me was the head chaufer at Ford and brought the first Estate home one evening,so we had to take it for a run,did'nt we? Having that lump up front ,I thought it was going to understeer like a pig,the Boreham boys obviously knew what they up to[Forgive the understatement]
terence is offline  
__________________
Living the dream,Chief instruktor and racing on the worlds best circuits-The Nordschleife and Spa.Getting to drive the worlds best cars-someone has to do it, so glad its me.
Quote
Old 12 Dec 2007, 13:54 (Ref:2087226)   #15
GBRM
Veteran
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
England
Posts: 1,056
GBRM should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Weyman
Maybe he means this car here (scroll down) The Convair, a fibreglass sports body on a Ford Pop chassis. http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/ford_based_specials.htm
That picture is taken at Haynes Museum.
GBRM is offline  
__________________
Gregor Marshall
Quote
Old 12 Dec 2007, 16:46 (Ref:2087322)   #16
Farbrooke
Racer
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 162
Farbrooke has a lot of promise if they can keep it on the circuit!
Ford used Granada Mk1 and 2 as service barges - V6 - they tweaked the rear suspension so the drive shafts ran level when full loaded - the minilites used to crack at the wheel studs - once had to buy 4 steel wheels from the dealer in Carlisle - mid RAC rally
Farbrooke is offline  
__________________
Malcolm
Quote
Old 12 Dec 2007, 17:18 (Ref:2087347)   #17
Dave Brand
Veteran
 
Dave Brand's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
England
Hadfield, Derbyshire (UK)
Posts: 6,358
Dave Brand is going for a new lap record!Dave Brand is going for a new lap record!Dave Brand is going for a new lap record!Dave Brand is going for a new lap record!Dave Brand is going for a new lap record!Dave Brand is going for a new lap record!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Weyman
but will go down in history as the first use of a turbo charged engine option (I think).
Oldsmobile used a turbo in the F-85 Jetfire at the same time. I think the Corvair claims to be first on the basis that it was announced to the public a few days before the Olds.

As the Jetfire was a turbo version of the Buick aluminium V8, maybe they can claim to have been first to turbocharge a Rover V8.......
Dave Brand is offline  
__________________
Doing an important job doesn't make you an important person.
Quote
Old 13 Dec 2007, 13:25 (Ref:2087953)   #18
RTH
Racer
 
RTH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location:
Hertfordshire England
Posts: 438
RTH should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Ian Richardson built a super saloon Chevrolet Corvair with something like a 7 litre V8 in the back ( a dark bronze colour if I remember correctly ) which was a quick and successful racing car
RTH is offline  
__________________
Richard Hinton
Quote
Old 13 Dec 2007, 13:59 (Ref:2087968)   #19
Al Weyman
Veteran
 
Al Weyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
England
South of Watford (just)
Posts: 14,699
Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!Al Weyman has a real shot at the podium!
Quote:
( a dark bronze colour if I remember correctly )
How very 60's! Did it have matching beige interior and a beige vinyl roof?
Al Weyman is offline  
__________________
You can't polish a turd but you sure can sprinkle it with glitter!
Quote
Old 13 Dec 2007, 14:06 (Ref:2087975)   #20
GBRM
Veteran
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
England
Posts: 1,056
GBRM should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
I thought it was blue?? Dad bought it and it was blue when he used it and the sold it, am sure it was the same car. Will post a picture when I get home tonight.
GBRM is offline  
__________________
Gregor Marshall
Quote
Old 13 Dec 2007, 16:19 (Ref:2088043)   #21
D-Type
Veteran
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
United Kingdom
Coulsdon, Surrey
Posts: 585
D-Type should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Brand
Oldsmobile used a turbo in the F-85 Jetfire at the same time. I think the Corvair claims to be first on the basis that it was announced to the public a few days before the Olds.

As the Jetfire was a turbo version of the Buick aluminium V8, maybe they can claim to have been first to turbocharge a Rover V8.......
Or to turbocharge a Repco for that matter ...
D-Type is offline  
__________________
Duncan Rollo

The more you learn, the more you realise how little you know.
Quote
Old 14 Dec 2007, 00:49 (Ref:2088329)   #22
johnh875
Veteran
 
Join Date: May 2004
Australia
Victoria
Posts: 2,540
johnh875 should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Not sure you could call it a Repco at that stage D Type...
johnh875 is offline  
Quote
Old 18 Dec 2007, 13:53 (Ref:2091284)   #23
D-Type
Veteran
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
United Kingdom
Coulsdon, Surrey
Posts: 585
D-Type should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnh875
Not sure you could call it a Repco at that stage D Type...
I know - the family relationship between the Oldsmobile, Buick, Rover and Repco aluminium V8s is complex.
D-Type is offline  
__________________
Duncan Rollo

The more you learn, the more you realise how little you know.
Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
2004 british formula ford.. gomick Club Level Single Seaters 2 12 May 2005 12:55
british formula ford.... gomick National & International Single Seaters 2 8 Aug 2002 11:45
1999 british formula ford..... gomick National & International Single Seaters 16 11 Jan 2002 21:10
British Formula Ford 2001 Craig National & International Single Seaters 7 12 Apr 2001 07:55
british formula ford champs.... gomick National & International Single Seaters 9 7 Sep 2000 22:45


All times are GMT. The time now is 05:03.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Original Website Copyright © 1998-2003 Craig Antil. All Rights Reserved.
Ten-Tenths Motorsport Forums Copyright © 2004-2021 Royalridge Computing. All Rights Reserved.
Ten-Tenths Motorsport Forums Copyright © 2021-2022 Grant MacDonald. All Rights Reserved.