Vintage racer
Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 10:54 am
I had a good look around at a LAGONDA RAPIER SPECIAL , 1100cc twin sequentially supercharged racer over the weekend . It turns out 170bhp at 8,000rpm and runs on methanol with R40 in the sump . Awesome little beast when you think it was built in 1934 
I have to say though , I was very envious of his workshop --- every sort of welder , cast iron framed lathe , huge cast iron framed milling machine with digital control . Basically , you can't buy parts off the shelf so making them is the only way to keep it competing. The driver is 70 yrs but still finishes top or occasionally 2nd in class .
Sorry to say , I was so facinated looking at it that I forgot to take photos
It's a 4 cylinder twin overhead cam engine and is beautiful to see , especially under the bonnet. Colour , pale blue .
If you do a google search for the above car name , there's info on it but also a youtube at PRESCOTT.
Big advantage racing vintage cars is they don't lose money . He tells me it's worth over twice what he bought it for some years ago ----- whereas I've spent a similar sum on mine buying building and modifying but it's only worth probably a third to half of that ---- if you can find a guy to buy a fully developed car with good competitive history but too lazy to build one
Hindsight's a great thing aye
I have to say though , I was very envious of his workshop --- every sort of welder , cast iron framed lathe , huge cast iron framed milling machine with digital control . Basically , you can't buy parts off the shelf so making them is the only way to keep it competing. The driver is 70 yrs but still finishes top or occasionally 2nd in class .Sorry to say , I was so facinated looking at it that I forgot to take photos
It's a 4 cylinder twin overhead cam engine and is beautiful to see , especially under the bonnet. Colour , pale blue .If you do a google search for the above car name , there's info on it but also a youtube at PRESCOTT.
Big advantage racing vintage cars is they don't lose money . He tells me it's worth over twice what he bought it for some years ago ----- whereas I've spent a similar sum on mine buying building and modifying but it's only worth probably a third to half of that ---- if you can find a guy to buy a fully developed car with good competitive history but too lazy to build one
Hindsight's a great thing aye