History of Reliant Kitten V8

[Si Frowen]

Gents,

It looks like I will shortly be completing a deal to buy the above car, which is a spaceframed Reliant Kitten fitted with a 4ltr TVR V8... Please see the advert below which has pictures:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2368358.htm

Apparently it has been a race car for around 20 years and used to run fairly successfully in Modsports. From a little bit of Googling (and fromsearching on here), it would appear to be this car (with some modifications to the boxed wheelarches) which was run by a chap called Brian Scholey in 1991 at Knockhill and Oulton, and in the 1994 Lynton Trailers Combe GTs:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/retromotoring/5218722901/in/set-72157600075852516/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/retromotoring/5219309576/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spenderone/1163059775/

I was wondering if anyone on here remembers the car or can fill me in on its history in any way? The car was running last year in the Scottish Sprint series and before that came up from Cornwall. Thanks!

Si

[chunterer]

si I had a car in mind until I looked at those images!!

The one I was thinking of was a far more obvious looking Kitten silhouette - a bit like the famous Ginger Marshall car - that ran a Rover V8. The one i'm thinking of ran in the NW Sports Saloons and maybe also Special Saloons towards the end of that latter series. Can't recall whose it was, but it's not going to help you anyway I guess?!

Your car imo, resembles a Starlet more than a Kitten apart form the rear light area?

[andy97]

What do you intend doing with it?

[Si Frowen]

Chunterer, did you mean the car in the Flickr links above?

Andy97 - you might see it, I'll be running it in the RAFMSA Challenge series (normally found at CSCC events!) and maybe a few SMRC/NSSCC/NWS&S/SEMSEC type races

[big andy]

what do you want to know about it the guy who assisted him at race meetings lives on my street?

[Si Frowen]

Well just a bit more about what it has done, where it's been and raced... A bit of history really! The car is mainly Lotus/Triumph at the front and Jag at the back end, it has been built really 'substantially' shall we say but is of really good quality

[andy97]

Si, it will be good to see the car out - I grew up watching Wendy Wools Special Saloons & thoe things fascinate me (although I doubt I'd be capable of driving one!).

[Si Frowen]

I don't know if I will yet! It has a 7ft wheelbase and a 6ft 6" track...

By the way you have PM

[Si Frowen]

Some pictures of how it was before it was restored into the red car in the ad:




There are a few TVR Tuscan bits on it too, all info welcomed

[big andy]

looks like a bargain si get it bought and get to mallory for the special saloon race august bank holiday

[Si Frowen]

He's dropping it into my workshop tomorrow night...

I'm already planning to do Mallory - needs a bit of work though!

[andy97]

That is a beast. I'd be afraid, very afraid! But seeing as you are used to twin RB199s I guess it shouldn't be a problem.

[Si Frowen]

Well it arrived, and it is definitely the Brian Scholey car! Pics if you are into that sort of thing...






I'm going to be busy for the next few months, and possibly scared after that

[big andy]

looks good si will you be doing nsscc in it

[leecostelloracing]

a cant help but looking at that car an thinking thats the utter dogs ******** what a creation i did see it on ebay an wished i had a spare amount for it its awesome top machine

[andy97]

Lee (sorry to be O/T briefly, Si) but I assume that you have seen the thread about a Modsports/ Special Saloon/ Thundersaloon Revival race at Mallory Park on August Bank Holiday Monday on the "Historic Racing Today" forum & elsewhere. I know that you have an Escort - please e-mail the CSCC to register your interest, assuming you are interested?

[Si Frowen]

Andy, other than chatting to you I haven't confirmed that I am interested - who should I email?

[andy97]

Si, e-mail Hugo at the CSCC. If you can give a bit of the history of the car then that would be useful. We have had some very encouraging interest so far, from original car owners, as well as some interest from people with "similar cars". (I have had e-mails from 10 people with originals & 2 or 3 more with cars of a similar ethos). We are looking to start sending invites to the Mallory race out sometime after Race Retro, although I suspect there will be gaps on the grid that we'd like to fill with suitable cars for a while after that. We are hoping for about 18 cars.

There is also a chance of another race for these sorts of cars later in the year, before we sit down & think about what can be done next year.

[Si Frowen]

Sent!

[Aysedasi]

I'm another who loved the old Wendy Wools SS's - I think the car looks awesome Si!

[Si Frowen]

I seem to have neglected this thread over the last month or so, but in mitigation I have been working on the car quite a lot! Rear end nearly rebuilt, engine nearly serviced, dash made, paintwork in the process of being sorted, wheels acquired so that I can fit List 1B tyres, the list goes on... Pics in a few weeks or so when it looks a little more complete!

I would just like to thank Jeremy Jackson who has provided me with a little more history of the car, by emailing me these photos he took at Donington in 1987 (hope you don't mind me reposting them here, please say if you do!) - the car even has Wendy Wools stickers on the flanks Can you get those anywhere??

[rallycrosscraig]

the original looks great, nice to see its being put back to use.

[DUDE 16]

Well well, my old Kitten, I bought this car pictured in met grey in 1990. Raced it in the Lynton, Gresham challenges. Raced evey year (full season) until 1997.
I made the rear wing which was a chopped Lotus Espirit rear wing with end plates.
Took lots of weight off the car, lighter wheels, body, etc.
This car lapped at Croft three seconds a lap faster than Clarkson in a Diablo on a track day.
Lapped Knock hill in under one minute.
Happy days.

[Si Frowen]

Well you must be Brian! Good to hear from you Would love to chat more about the car if you don't mind? I'm at Lydden on 6 April or if you don't mind PMing me your email address or phone number?

[stuart thompson]

I was at the oulton meet shown in the photos in the o.p I remember it was a very cold day. I was there supporting the BMW C.C race.