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Jack
Canada
2 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Dec 2012 : 22:50:46
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| Hi.Born 1946 and live in Vancouver B.C. In 1963 I bought a 1952 blue Hillman (oil burner with front springs lowered and over sized rear wheels) and later a 1954 black Hillman (immaculate, new chrome,1957 type full dish Chevy hub caps without emblems, wide white walls and good sounding AM radio...engine had broken rings... completely rebuilt engine myself for grade 12 graduation day). In 1964 bought 1958 brown and white Sunbeam Rapier convertable (rebuilt transmission and engine myself... 60 thou. off head, 12 lb. off flywheel, ISKY type full race cam profile ground by Shadbolt, 7000 rpm redline used at will). In 1965 bought a 1958 immaculate light blue and white Sunbeam Rapier hardtop with engine and overdrive in parts... installed convertable's engine into hardtop. In 1966 put a deposit on an Alpine but cancelled deposit and bought a 1965 Wimbledon white Tiger. Early 1967 race prepared Tiger with factory optional parts as well as proven beyond factory parts and raced at local 1.8 mile Westwood Road Racing Circuit. D production Tiger was untouchable as prepared by any car of any class present,also, on a drag strip type start with 2.88 rear axle ratio, no car raced has ever beaten the Tiger off the line. In 1970 the Tiger engine was rebuilt with Holley 500 carb., 289 2bbl. manifold, 271 hypo hyd. cam and steel shim head gasket, anti-pump lifters with dual valve springs and BF Goodrich 60 series T/A radials on the factory aluminum rims. Note, I had a traction bar off to make a manufacturing jig and as yet / never installed posi-trac. Theoretically and immediately proven at 3200 rpm sidestepping the clutch, short shifting and power shifting at 3600 rpm showed 8 ft. of not quite straight rubber from both wheels and a car/s in the rear view mirror every time. If run out to 5500/6000 rpm, shifted into 2nd gear at 70 mph, 3rd at 100, 4th at 130. Note, after engine modifications the throttle feel at 3200 rpm had to be careful, too little created bog, too much created smoke and wheel spin as far as you wanted to go. On a hot summer day, in 1977 at Kamloops, B.C. Canada, climbing out of a circular on ramp onto the uphill trans Canada hiway, a big block Challenger, windows down, on my right, let loose. Side by side I could hear his engine and carbs sucking air until I pulled 4th at 130 mpr and pulled away, uphill. ps. I can easily get carried away with Tiger performance, however, I am well aware of the subfloor/suspension similarities of all the Rootes Group cars that I have owned. I have many memories of enjoying, rebuilding and competing in all of them. From Jack and Kathy |
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Fastback Thomas
Belgium
423 Posts |
Posted - 10 Dec 2012 : 14:44:12
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WOW, what a story love the tiger as well! always enough power on tap ;)
Owned and improved a lot of rootes cars!
Do you still own a rapier?
Thomas
P.S. Post some pictures always great to see!
'68 sunbeam rapier fastback {B341006846 OD/LHO}
I like a car that looks normal but really knocks your socks off!!
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Jack
Canada
2 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2012 : 17:33:48
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| Hi Thomas, It is a pleasure to receive a response from a club member. At the time of owning all the Rootes group models I was busy growing up to be an adult (not sure that I made it) and enjoying life in these cars, but unfortunely, it never occured to me to take pictures except later of some Tigers which I will post soon. Some of the pictures in the gallery are very close in color and condition, and bring back memories as if I am still living with these cars.I was also very technically minded about Rootes group cars and the similarities in the engineering that ran between them, and how it could be used to advantage. I study history of all cars and found a suspension engineer that worked with General Motors and Rolls Royce who, I believe, probably developed the Rootes group suspension (will look up again/ can anybody else confirm?). To answer your question, I don't own any of these cars at this time but would enjoy anyone of them, as is or have toyed with the idea of any one with a small block Ford V8 (have previously installed a 289 4bbl. 4 spd. in an Austin Healey and a 302 in an Alpine). P.S. My wife Kathy, viewed the Gallery pictures and was atracted to the Sunbeam Fastback "style" (I.D. by lic.pl. #UMU 526F). Can anyone supply specifacations for this model, as I am a little rusty on later models than I owned? Jack and Kathy |
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1922
United Kingdom
549 Posts |
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Fastback Thomas
Belgium
423 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2012 : 21:20:33
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UMU's owner martin, is also on the forum.. His car still is a big example as how I hope mine will become once it's finishe... Lowered all round looking clean!
Yesterday me and my grand dad came home as we had to transport something with the rapier (he uses it as his daily for the moment.. ) and I parked it in the corner on our driv way.. When he was about to leave we were standing outside talking about random things, watching the fastback (white with rostyles as on the H120) and I just couldn't help saying how good they look! Every time I see her I fall in lov with her again... Just can't wait till I get mine finished...
'68 sunbeam rapier fastback {B341006846 OD/LHO}
I like a car that looks normal but really knocks your socks off!!
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Introduction
