AUSTIN COOPER SEVEN – by Bill Williams.

June 7th, 2010

The idea of building, and using an Austin Seven Special for sporting events, had long been a passion for me, so in 1997 I began collecting parts.  I had a book on Building Austin Seven Specials.

Competing in the Chelsea Hillclimb 09

While waiting till I had enough bits to start the build, I read and reread the book over and over. My collection started with the main chassis, which I had plates welded to the bottom of each of the chassis rails, thus stiffening it.  I also had an extra cross member fitted to help support the body.  The front axle was from the big seven which lowered the front end. All three springs were de-cambered.  I used the friction shock absorbers from the big seven to stiffen the ride up a bit.
The brakes were from the big seven also, with a modified adjustment system for the rear wheels, for quick adjustments of the rear brakes. The brakes are operated via cable, working all four wheels. The hand brake was shortened and the gear lever extended, rather than fit a gear lever remote.


The engine is a two bearing type, with a 37 hi-compression head. The engine has had the block relieved, ports polished, tappets reshaped, double valve springs, race cam, lightened fly wheel, enlarged oil pump, and modified distributor. At present, I am running a single SU carburettor, on a free flow manifold.  I started with twins but the single is proving to be the best, all this is connected to a hi-ratio, 4 speed gearbox.
The body is nice and light.  I was given a book on building a ply wood dingy which came in handy. The body is the typical boat tail style of the early thirties. To help the body styling it was divided into three sections of equal length.  The bonnet was typical MG where it gave you access to the foot pedals and gearbox for servicing. The cockpit is of the close-up type, with the edge of the back wheel being the start of the boat tail back.  Behind the seat is a small amount of storage for tools etc. Read the rest of this entry »

Jean Bugatti’s influence Shapes the Bugatti T55 BC92

May 9th, 2010
Bugatti Type55

Bugatti Type 55

In the mid 1920s, the straight eight engined Bugatti Type 35 dominated motor racing by scoring literally thousands of victories. Capitalizing on the motor racing success, Bugatti decided to launch a road going version of the racer in 1927. Designated the Type 43 Grand Sport, the road car featured a 2.3 litre Type 35B supercharged engine, installed in a lengthened and widened chassis to accommodate four passengers. Despite its high price the suitably named Grand Sport was quite successful.

Bugatti Type 55

Storage for two spares as roads were rough in those days

By 1930 the competition had finally caught up with the small French racer, so it was time for a replacement for the aging Type 35, and a new twin overhead camshaft engine was designed to meet the increased demands. After being showcased at the Paris Motorshow late in 1930, the Type 51 took to the track and picked up where the ‘35’ had left off by racking up many wins.

Bugatti Type 55 Key

Unique key

After the success of the Type 43, it was no surprise that a road going version of the new Grand Prix racer would again be produced. Announced late in 1931, the Type 55 Super Sport was similar in idea to the Type 43, but much different in execution, and limited to two seats.

While the four seater Type 43 was a big hit, Jean Bugatti’s increasing influence pursuaded his father Ettore to do something different for the Type 55 road car. The twin-cam engine was carried over from the new racing car, but fitted in a ladder frame chassis similar to the ones used for the 4.9 litre Type 54 Grand Prix car.

Bugatti Type 55 engine

Plenty of grunt from the Bugatti supercharged engine

The chassis was slightly wider and a lot stronger, making it ideal for the road going Type 55. Jean Bugatti, at the age of 22, added his magic touch by designing an absolutely stunning looking two-seater Roadster bodywork that has gone into history as one of the all time greats. The other factory coachwork available was a similarly styled coupe body, but not surprisingly the Roadster proved to be the popular choice.

Read the rest in our latest issue of Historic Racing Drivers Magazine, on sale now!

Issue four has something for everyone!

April 18th, 2010

Chris Amon third from left on the Racing Darracq

Tony Roberts and Chris Watson

After a hectic couple of months of full-on racing and organizing events, issue four of the magazine is finally on the shelves and selling quick. Jack Quinn has been busy with organizing cars and displays at Hampton Downs for the very successful ‘NZ Festival of Motor Racing celebrating Bruce McLaren’. Don Packwood had some of his latest works on display in the marquee and looked fabulous alongside Peter Greenfield’s Alfa Romeo Tipo C, terry Roycroft’s Bugatti Type 535A and Anne Thompson’s Racing Darracq.

This was the first real major event for the course and was officially opened by  Tony Roberts Managing Director and Chris Watson Director Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, prior to the start of the F5000 race starring our very own Kenny Smith.

Kenny in his Lola T430 was unstoppable winning all races and showing his amazing skills behind the wheel.

Also in this issue we have a story on the ‘Top Gear Rally’ organized by Jack Quinn which traveled from Invercargill to Auckland stopping at Christchurch, Wellington and Napier finally arriving at the ASB Showgrounds for the start of the ‘Top Gear’ show. Funds raised along the way went to the Prostrate Cancer Foundation and many thanks to Shell for their sponsorship and support on refueling stops along the way and Cadbury’s for their Moro promotion and the chance to win tickets to Top Gear Live.

Jack loads the Alfa ready for the trip to Philip Island

We also have a story on Jack’s trip to Australia and Philip Island for the ‘Classic Festival of Motorsport’, where NZRDM took Peter Giddings 1931 Alfa Romeo Tipo P3 to the event and Jack got to drive compete in the car.  Also NZRDM took Warren de France’s little 1951 Ferrari 212 over for the event. Sir Jack Brabham was a guest at the event and a dinner in honour of his winning the second world title in 1960 and his upcoming 84th birthday was held. Read the rest of this entry »

Latest Magazine a must read!

April 4th, 2010

HRDM CoverThe latest issue of Historic racing Drivers Magazine is on the press and looking hot. We held back the magazine so we could include a story on Philip Island and the Classic Festival of Motor Sport where Jack Quinn takes the wheel in the Alfa P3. We also have a great story on the NZ Festival of Motor Racing Celebrating Bruce McLaren. The event was a huge success at Hampton Downs although Pukekohe was disappointing with the pits being inadequate and letting in rain and the fact that the  pit crews had to leave their vehicles on the outside of the track with all their gear on the inside. I question whether the Pukekohe event is necessary.

HRDM

We have a story on the Top Gear Rally which was a great success raising funds for charity.

We still have hundreds of great photos to share with you so keep an eye out here.

Also this issue features Lionel Rogers Bugatti T55 which has just landed in New Zealand and a story on Bill Stone’s Mallock U2.

Jack Quinn also attended the Victorian launch of the new Ferrari 458 Italia and shares his excitement about this great car.

Finally our artist Don Packwood has done a stunning painting of an Alfa Romeo Tipo C which features in the centre of the magazine.

Don’t forget to register so you are in the draw for the prizes each issue and is you would like to subscribe you can do so by clicking on this link subscribe to HRDM

NZ Festival of Motor Racing off to a Great Start

January 23rd, 2010

Main pit marquee littered with historics

Friday the 22nd January and it’s with much excitement that I make my way down Auckland’s Southern Motorway heading towards New Zealand’s newest race track, Hampton Downs. A few spots of rain and dark clouds are rolling in from the west but the forecast is for sunny patches.

Historic Racing Drivers Magazine marquee

The new course at Hampton Downs is very impressive. Purpose built for all types of motor racing, the course has modern apartments that front the finish line. A tunnel under the track takes you through to the inner track and the pit areas that have been set up for the event.

I finally find our very own Jack Quinn and a very impressive display that Jack has organised with Don Packwood, our resident artist. Our marquee has some pretty impressive cars under it including the 1906 Racing Darracq, Peter Greenfield’s Alfa Tipo C and the Bugatti 35A of Terry Roycroft.

All these cars are actually going to be on the track for a demonstration during the day.

The event which celebrates Bruce McLaren has attracted cars from all over the world and Saturday racing looks like it’s going to be competitive.

Practice day went without incident and I’m about to head off to the track to soak up the first race day so watch this spot for more pics and action tonight.

NZ Festival of Motor Racing 2010 celebrating Bruce McLaren

January 6th, 2010

By Jim Barclay, Festival Chairman

The ‘NZ Festival of Motor Racing celebrating Bruce McLaren’ will be held at two motor racing race tracks near Auckland, New Zealand in January 2010.  Tickets for the Festival are already on sale – look for information on the Festival website www.nzfmr.co.nz

The first event of the Festival will be held on the brand new race track at Hampton Downs Motor Sport Park (see www.hamptondowns.com ) from Friday 22 Jan 10 until Sunday 24 Jan 10.  This three day event will see practice and qualifying for each of the 10 race classes on Friday, followed by two races per day for each class on Saturday and Sunday.
The second event of the Festival will be held at Pukekohe Park Raceway from Friday 29 Jan 10 until Sunday 31 Jan 10.  This three day event will follow the same pattern of practice, qualifying and two days of racing as undertaken on the previous weekend at Hampton Downs.
Cars in the Festival
The track licence for Hampton Downs specifies there will be a maximum of 45 cars on the gird in any one race whereas the maximum for Pukekohe is 40 cars. Read the rest of this entry »