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Race cars powered by
motorcycle engines
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Just when you
thought one engine was good well two is better as my dad thought. Here
are pictures of a race car my grandfather and dad built. My grandfather built the body and my dad built the frame and
car. My grandfather learned his trade starting out working for Autounion (not a bad place to start). The car was planned to run
with one motor in the 750cc class and with two run in the 1500cc class.
It didn't work because it shook itself apart. I thought you would enjoy these pictures.
Mark Seifried
A long forgotten use of 500cc motorcycle engines.
This 1959 Formula 3 race car was supposedly constructed by Jerry Whitfill,
Dan Gurney’s machinist for 40+ years.
The car apparently sat in the
rafters of the AAR warehouse after it was not completed in time to
compete in the
cancelled F3 series. It is powered by a Triumph twin set
to the front left of the driver.
http://bringatrailer.com/2011/01/10/distant-eagle-cousin-1959-whitfill-triumph-f3-special
Bring A Trailer link went away
Photos from http://www.500race.org/Marques/Whitfill.htm
I was a member of the Formula Racing Association in the mid sixties in Los Angeles. I had the pleasure of hauling one of
Harry Morrow's Cooper Formula 3 cars on our double deck trailer, to Willow Springs for a race. Harry was the owner of
Autobooks in Burbank and was the driving force of open wheel sports car racing in southern California. I was at a club
meeting at the Mobil Oil building in downtown LA when the SCCA regional executive, Chick Vandergriff of Hollywood
Sports Cars, told us the if we continued to hold races, we would be banned from SCCA events. I worked for a VW
dealership and drove the company Formula Vee. Years later, while have an adult beverage at some hotel bar, I discovered that
I probably had had raced against Digger at Willow or Ascot, yes ASCOT... I was at an advantage as I had done some ice
racing in Wisconsin and sliding was my style. I don't have any paper work, but I remember third in the heat, forth in the main
was worth about 75 bucks. Small world. dennis vf
The Whitfill Special was exported to Germany and raced at Goodwood.
http://bringatrailer.com/2011/06/13/bat-success-story-whitfill-racer-headed-to-goodwood
Links
http://www.500race.org
http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/cooper/1286179376/1286179376wd.htm
If your a motorsports fan or car guy, here are three sites that are a good way to waste time.
Jalopnik Hooniverse Bring a Trailer
1955 Cooper MK 9 Formula 3 class
Engine
Manufacturer: JAP 8/80 twin
Type: MK 9
Displacement: 1100cc
Horsepower: 120
Transmission
Manfacturer: Norton
Chassis
Front Suspension: Independent transverse leaf springs
Rear Suspension: independent transverse leaf springs
Shocks: Armstrongs Rebuilt
Brakes: Lockhead hydraulic
Wheels: Cooper Cast Electron
Located in New Zealand- For Sale - http://www.race-cars.com
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Modern Motorcycle Powered Cars
http://thekneeslider.com/motorcycle-powered-cars/
Amazon books
Goggle books
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