Hehe, my dad's car is pictured in the back of that book (although it has changed alot since then). He has a signed copy by Ron Champion. I'll dig out some pics in a bit, it is a modified Caterham with a 400+bhp turbo-charged Cosworth engine in it, weighing in at under a ton as well. It is also the car I had my first driving lesson in!
Pics from various times, it was built in '98 and has changed alot since. I don't know, I guess petrol-heads must understand why there always needs to be something added/tinkered with. I don't think my mum does though! Anyway, I'm afraid I haven't got a recent recent pic, but the ones taken on the Atlas-Sahara rally (with the miserable old buggers club stickers down the side, which before you ask is some kind of charity team thing that my dad was in) are from a couple years back, the blurred one was from a track day at Brands Hatch just over a year ago (well you try and take a decent pic down the long home straight when it's going that fast! ). It has just returned from another one to Monaco and back as well...
I have a JBA Javelin in the process of a rebuild, at present going with a Twin Cam 2.0 or possibly a 3.0 Essex, but the plan is eventually to go V8 ( is there any other choice really )
It was sold to me as a convertable Capri ( I also have a 2.8i ), but found out fairly soon it wasnt when I noticed that all the panels were fibreglass and the chassis was tube steel. Ripped out the 2.0 pinto, gearbox etc, and working on what to do next.
Of course I also plan on building a locost at some point if I can get a V12 engine for it ( It's a dream I've had for a few years )
Thanks Lithanwif, it's good to know I'm not alone - in having a wild crazy obsession for, lets be frank , a big boy's toy.
Notwithstanding the fact that, thereby we enjoy awesome power/weight ratios, amazing handling and (those of us enclosed in tri-angulated tubular steel) increased crash-survivability. Also in my case, exellent off-road fun and close contact with the elements (i.e. it never gets stuffy in my Fug ).
I wasn't aware of Capri kits, but sounds fine given it's rear wheel drive. Had a little google, the Javelins do look the business, well mean with that monster front grill. I also like the look of the Falcon Sports SR's.
Locosts yeah, they look right racy too, and must handle well being so low.
But a V12...mmm, mmm, big respect to you Lithanwif.
I'm having to manage with a mild-street 1600 air-cooled flat-4 VW.
As you said, its power to weight...but the idea of a v12 in a & chassis just appeals for some reason.
Jav doesnt look that good just now, It's down to bair chassis for welding and powder coating...need to make sure I never need to rebuild again so I can move onto the next project. I want to upgrade my 2.8 to swaymar setup.
I'm not familiar with this, but if it means more power/torque I'm all for it.
Yeah, stripping back to the metal (been there) and 'doing it right' is a real tedious hassle. But well worth it in the longer term IMO. I found doing a bit every day, no matter how little, was the way for me. Keep it going!
Swaymar engine uses the same block, but increases the stroke...effectivley giving you a 3.2 engine. Leads to major increases in BHP, and since the stroke is moved from 2/3 to 3/4 it removes a fair amount of the vibration from the Cologne V6 engine.
Now that the nerdy stuff is out of the way, I also want a port and polish, better valves, a turbo kit... thats about as much as I can do and keep the engine original ( I mean original engine, not truly original )
Of course thats after the Jav is finished. I would also like to do a back to metal repsray while the engine is out.
Then take it off the road so it never gets damaged.....aye right!