Help Me Find a Race Car!

Small British car, prefer a Spridget, 1962 or older preferred, but can be as new as 1972. Must be running, can need work, and must be under $8k.

Sounds like you're wanting to go vintage racing? If so, I'd hit up all the vintage racing organization websites. I just checked the CVAR (Texas based) site. There's one, but it's $2000 above your range. Might be worth a WTB post on all of them to tease out those idle cars.

-Rob

Darn, if you were looking Italian, Trans Am eligible, and $20k, I still have the car you are looking for.

In reply to alfadriver:

IIRC, your car is too new, no?

Here's one vintage racing group in the Midwest: http://www.vscda.org/

bravenrace wrote: In reply to alfadriver: IIRC, your car is too new, no?

If the car was brand new- like the Alfetta was in '75, it would be. But my car is the exact same car from '72-74, so it's eligible for all vintage racing that I know of. Especially the BS and U2/2.5 Trans Am racing.

jimbbski wrote: Here's one vintage racing group in the Midwest: http://www.vscda.org/

I was actually going to run with them- in Group 8. Not sure if it would fit B2 or X, since it really fits with both. But it would run.

HSR would be group 3, SVRA Group 8, etc.

In reply to alfadriver:

Well don't get excited about it or anything, but I like your car, and my wife has mentioned in the past how much she likes the shape of those cars. That would be key to spending more money.
At this time, I really am only planning on running the one race, because I don't have a competition license, and believe it or not, they don't require it! They approved my 88 CRX for the exhibition class, which is the class for everything that doesn't fit elsewhere. So I don't know if I'll be competitive or not. I'd like to eventually run in one of the main classes. The race is technically a re-enactment of the races they ran in the 50's, so its not considered real racing...except it is. The rest of the year I would do track events and autocrossing. I would eventually like to get a competition license, so I would want a car that is close to meeting the rule structure of other sanctioning bodies. What is the displacement of your engine, alpha? And do you have a link to an ad?

Never mind about the ad, I found it.

In reply to bravenrace:

Well, our plans were to autocross when not road racing, and then long term go to the Carrara Panamaricana as well.

I did manage to autocross it once- where found the bad clutch. But to do that well, I'd part with the locked axle, and properly set up a limited slip set up. AND re-design the rear end with a 3 link.

From the one event, I got a really nice list of stuff that needs tuned. I think if I was motivated back in 2012 when I finished the car, it would have taken about a year of autocrossing and track days for me to be really happy with it. It's got really good potential.

And being an Ohio guy that you are- I'd hook you up with my good friend near Dayton. He helped us for the '02-04 challenges, and is really good on the Alfas.

Anyway, something to think about.

Needs clutch to run.

Would like to re-do rear end- both limited slip and how attached to car (some already fabricated)

Would like to re-do fuelling- not happy with the SPICA racing pump, and would put a modified high perf pump in its place (Webers are always an option).

Have fire system to install, and passenger seat set up (if wanted).

I've been thinking of selling my MG Midget vintage racer. But I haven't decided to pull the trigger, yet. Races in CVAR. It is technically a 1974, but races as a continuation car because it is identical to earlier years.

What is the event you are contemplating? Maybe we can arrange a rental with an option to buy.

In reply to Basil Exposition:

Its in northwest Ohio, so I'm not sure that would work! (I'm basing that on the statement in your profile - "Vintage Racer in Corinthian Vintage Auto Racing in Texas" - But maybe that's not where it is based on the pictures that show snow?) But if you decide to sell it, please send me the information/pictures, price, etc..

Put-In-Bay? For some reason I thought you were in Texas. And, yes, I am. The snow event was in Hallett, OK in April-- freak thing. I'll send you the info when and if I decide to sell. I'm hoping to run COTA in November, so it would probably be after that.

Not to derail basil but what do you run? I occasionally work corners for CVAR

Basil Exposition wrote: Put-In-Bay? For some reason I thought you were in Texas. And, yes, I am. The snow event was in Hallett, OK in April-- freak thing. I'll send you the info when and if I decide to sell. I'm hoping to run COTA in November, so it would probably be after that.

I'm not particularly in a hurry, since what I'm running this year is set. That said, I could buy a car tomorrow. But your car looks to be what I'm looking for, so please do let me know if you decide to sell it.

bmw88rider wrote: Not to derail basil but what do you run? I occasionally work corners for CVAR

See my profile for pics. Thanks for doing the corner thing. Much appreciated!!

If you want to travel or ship to/from CA:

sprite http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/4929149997.html

mgb gt blown motor http://modesto.craigslist.org/cto/4921566525.html

bump your budget and you have turnkey http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/4932639509.html

Fits most of your parameters, but probably not the way you're leaning...

http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/cto/4879086476.html

TVR?

http://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/4873167952.html

Vintage road racing car , 1970 era, TVR/2000 Car has a Ford 2000cc motor worked heads, cam, Duel Webber carbs, four speed trans, TVR tube frame, Allum. body. Raced east coast from the 70s till end of 80s. Car has been in storage since then, but is brought out every year and maintained and run engine.

POSSIBLE WILL TRADE ?

Need minor work, body has new paint. PLEASE NO TEXTS......

'67 Midget

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/cto/4909378150.html

Hello I have a 1967 mg midget the car is real solid and it has many new parts it has a 4 cylinder that runs strong the motor was rebuilt a couple years ago and was not driven much the car also has a 4 spd trans that was also rebuilt recently It also has a new radiator and a rebuilt rear end and a new drive shaft the interior is very solid the gauges work the car has a new soft top on it and the seats are in good condition the floors and frame has all been gone through and is in great condition It also has new breaks on it and new tires it has a rare set of one lug race rims the car runs drives stops and handles very well all bling era break lights work along with dash lights the car has all paperwork and I have manuals and recites with it to I am asking for your best offor I will also consider trades If you have any questions you can email me or call or text any time thanks Tyler

There was this Midget racecar for sale a few weeks ago on Ebay . I don't think you could get a much better package for $8k.

You'd have to eventually do something about the flares since most vintage clubs won't allow them but they appear to be easily removable based on the description. As long as the safety gear is current and the engine doesn't have anything illegal for vintage you'd be set.

Unless you want a project, get a complete car. I wanted a project and ended up buy a very solid old G-Production Sprite (absolutely positively no rust). It was complete but needed gone over and the safety equipment was a few decades out of date. I paid $3300 for the car and had another $5000 into it (not include my safety gear and tires) by the time it hit the track for the driver's school last spring. I installed a full cage, new fuel cell, new harness, new seat, all new rubber and plumbing throughout, new bearings, new brake parts, new front spindles (I found a crack in one of the axles), and new electrical stuff.

I had a lot of fun with it but it wasn't the easiest or cheapest way on track. On the plus side the car is exactly as I wanted it.

I'd shy away from a street car if possible since chances are you'll be dealing with rust repairs before you can do anything.

Woody wrote: TVR? http://longisland.craigslist.org/cto/4873167952.html Vintage road racing car , 1970 era, TVR/2000 Car has a Ford 2000cc motor worked heads, cam, Duel Webber carbs, four speed trans, TVR tube frame, Allum. body. Raced east coast from the 70s till end of 80s. Car has been in storage since then, but is brought out every year and maintained and run engine. POSSIBLE WILL TRADE ? Need minor work, body has new paint. PLEASE NO TEXTS......

Well that's interesting. I guess they took a TVR tube frame and built a race car around it?

In reply to atm92484:

Yeah, I really want to buy a complete car, ready to race. I don't mind going over it and fixing a few things, but I don't have the time for another project.

How about this one on racing junk?

In reply to fanfoy:

I would likely have to remove the fender flares, but I may look into that one. Thanks!