<VV> Datsun 1200s, Imps, NSU, VW - Slight Corvair
Sethracer at aol.com
Sethracer at aol.com
Sun Jun 10 01:54:23 EDT 2012
In a message dated 6/9/2012 9:49:54 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
clynn66 at bigpond.net.au writes:
I have owned 4 Hillman Imps including a GT and a full race 998cc job.
To add a bit more detail to that already provided, the engine is a
Covenrty Climax as used in the original Lotus Elite (1300cc) and formula 3 cars of
the 60s.
In the early 70's, I had two friends who raced Corvair powered Dune Buggies
at the Fremont California RURA closed course track. With jumps and plenty
of dirt, it was a great Saturday night activity. I worked on their Crew for
a summer or two, while I was still in school. There was also a class for
under 1200cc "Mini-stocks". The class was 95% old VW bugs, and a few
"ringers". The first year, a pair of Datsun 1200 sedans, driven by a couple of
autocrossers I knew, kicked VWs butts all year long. The next season, only
rear engined cars were allowed. Two Sunbeam Imps, driven by - guess who? - the
same two guys - Kicked VWs around the whole season, but not as badly as
the prior year. The next year, only Air-cooled, rear-engined cars were
allowed, The same two guys built NSU TTs and dominated again. The next year - the
last year for the track, as I recall, only 1200cc VW bugs were allowed.
The two guys went back to Autocrossing. PS - They won there, as well.
One of my friends won a race or two in the Buggy class, but it was
dominated by some of the Pikes Peak racers and guys who came up from Ascot in
Southern California. - Seth Emerson
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