Chasing down the history of an extremely obscure car

The car is the Vairmark and was driven by Kingsley Chan with some success in the 60s and/or 70s. I can't find any mention of it on the internet, but I know where it is and am curious. Sadly, the logbooks are missing or destroyed. It features a Corvair motor, and used Lola fiberglass up front. That's about the extent of my knowledge. 

Start digging through old issues of SportsCar Graphic?

Seth Emersons corvair powered Lola?

Or Frank Gardners John player special v8 corvair?

wvumtnbkr said:

Seth Emersons corvair powered Lola?

Or Frank Gardners John player special v8 corvair?

 

 

Thanks! I've only seen it under a tarp, but given the profile, I think that it's closer to this: 

1962 LaBoa corvair special?

Or, just Laboa cox corvair.

https://bangshift.com/general-news/ebay-pick-of-the-week-1962-laboa-mkii-corvair-special/

wvumtnbkr said:

1962 LaBoa corvair special?

Or, just Laboa cox corvair.

 

https://bangshift.com/general-news/ebay-pick-of-the-week-1962-laboa-mkii-corvair-special/

I wonder. Scanning the internet, it sounds like there may have been more than one made, or at least a second set of body panels made. Thanks for the tip!

Here's some pics. Anyone recognize?

Hmmm...  it's a little weird that a few of the corvair racers are right hand drive.

That certainly looks different than the laboa.

Cool car!

That place looks like the Island of Misfit Toys...

In reply to wvumtnbkr :

IIRC, with the SCCA Runoffs held at Road Atlanta BITD, having right-hand drive was seen at an advantage.

In reply to David S. Wallens :

Seems like a missed opportunity for a center seat since engine is in the back.

Perhaps the class rules stated that it had to be a traditional 2-seater sports car layout?

It appears to be in quite good shape and deserves someone to do right by it. Not sure if that's going to be me or not.  

Looks like a great find and love the other cars your buddy has. Unfortunately most of my searches are just finding your post here and on facebook. Not finding much at all for vairmark special corvair d sports racers #711 or named Chan

In reply to johndej :

Thanks for trying! Funny how in the digital age, everything gets recorded 10,000 times, but not so much then. Such a shame that the logbook's gone.

If it was raced with the SCCA there should be a number in the format of XX-XXXX stamped on the roll bar somewhere.  The first two digits identify the SCCA region that issued the log book.  They may have some records on the car.

from :

https://www.facebook.com/groups/corvairracers/posts/wondering-who-made-headers-like-these/2915390925138542/

Kingsley was a member of Autocross Competition Team (ACT). We ran all the Northern California Autocross events. Many of us ran Corvair powered specials back then. Do you have any photos or other info? Louie Lira was another member. He might have some info.

Yup, no center-seaters in SCCA Sports Racer competition. The theory, at least initially, is that Sports Racers were an evolution of very modified street cars.

I just happen to have the 1976 SCCA GCR here on the shelf, so some related reading. 

Info on seat placement:

And the introduction page on the SCCA’s Sports Racing category:

David S. Wallens said:

And the introduction page on the SCCA’s Sports Racing category:

Well, that kills my plans for a steam powered sports racer.

In reply to APEowner :

Sames. 

Are you guys saying that there might be an issue with using the fuel tank as an armrest?

Kreb (Forum Supporter) said:

Are you guys saying that there might be an issue with using the fuel tank as an armrest?

 

Safer to use the fuel tank as a seat like Formula Vee. 

Kreb.  If you pass on this I might be interested.  I've been thinking that I want my next race car to be something unusual from the '50s or 60s.