So I want to buy a vintage race car... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cscmc1 · #1 05-03-2011, 10:12 PM

I am about this >< close to pulling the trigger on an older sprint car. It's been sitting for quite a while, but looks to be essentially complete. No telling whether the engine is seized up (I suspect so), but at the price, it's hard to go wrong. It's got Hilborn fuel injection (with the nifty old velocity stacks) on a small block Chevy. The distributoer (or magneto) is missing, as are some fuel lines and coolant hoses, and mice have nested in the radiator (and elsewhere), but boy is she nifty. It's got kock-off mags on the front, too.

There's a cheap speed shop up the road from me, and I have a rapport with the owner (from my Mustang days). Could be a fun resto project just to make it run. Soooooo tempting!

Hatterasguy · #2 05-03-2011, 10:50 PM

Go for it, it will cost you a fortune but be a blast.

Next your going to need a nice enclosed trailer and a truck to tow it!

G-Benz · #3 05-04-2011, 11:45 AM

If you EVER fire that thing up in your neighborhood, expect a visit from the local law enforcement!

cscmc1 · #4 05-04-2011, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Benz

If you EVER fire that thing up in your neighborhood, expect a visit from the local law enforcement!

My neighbor's a deputy... and loves cars, too.

Seriously, though, I was looking at Youtube, and there are guys who build streetable sprint cars. One indicated that the headers have muffler inserts, so that's always an option to play in residential areas.

iwrock · #5 05-04-2011, 12:50 PM

I wonder how hard it would be to title one in California....

cscmc1 · #6 05-04-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwrock

I wonder how hard it would be to title one in California....

I have been wondering the same. IL's DMV is a bit of a PITA, so it might not be worth trying it. I suspect it would need lots of work, incl. working front brakes (it has rears only as configured now), but it might be worth looking into. Maybe IN is less strict; I could have my brother title it there for me.

Hatterasguy · #7 05-04-2011, 01:20 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89U2RO5UJa0&feature=related

Anything is street legal, just don't get caught!

Txjake · #8 05-04-2011, 01:29 PM

run it on the street.......cooler than a T Bucket

of course, too, we need pictures...

iwrock · #9 05-04-2011, 02:33 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OucEsyt020c&feature=related

Hmmmm.

That would make an epic statement when pulling up to the club!

Pooka · #10 05-04-2011, 02:40 PM

www.harryshotrodautotruck.com might be a good place to start shopping in order to find out how much this project might cost to get on the road.

I have been buying stuff from Harry since they day he opened and these guys are eat up with hot rods and performance. Their web site is a great place to look around if the only auto parts you are interested in are Hot Rod parts.

They have been in business since about 1974 or 73.

panZZer · #11 05-04-2011, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pooka

www.harryshotrodautotruck.com might be a good place to start shopping in order to find out how much this project might cost to get on the road.

I have been buying stuff from Harry since they day he opened and these guys are eat up with hot rods and performance. Their web site is a great place to look around if the only auto parts you are interested in are Hot Rod parts.

They have been in business since about 1974 or 73.

Some around here who have had wholsale/commercial dealings with him know him as a snake-like one of my old bosses.
And hes pretty much as commercial as a supeshops was-or still is where they are still open. The internet revolitionized how people find old parts, but i still spend a couple days at each pate swap meet, got a load o holley 94 carbs this yr -and a cool 30's gm artillery wheel to hang air hoses on. Thats the kind of stuff peole dig now,vintage 70 yr old. OP--what kinda body is it got on it--is this Old sprint car--or 70's era?

cmac2012 · #12 05-04-2011, 03:24 PM

Only difference 'tween the men and the boys, is the size and price of their toys.

Don't know if I'd want one of those but I do have a 40 year long hankering for a Meyers Manx with either an 1800 cc VW engine tricked out, or a Corvair or a Porsche power train.

1200 lbs - 200 hp. Oh yeah, I'm nutty too.

JohnM. · #13 05-04-2011, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

Don't know if I'd want one of those but I do have a 40 year long hankering for a Meyers Manx with either an 1800 cc VW engine tricked out, or a Corvair or a Porsche power train.

1200 lbs - 200 hp. Oh yeah, I'm nutty too.

I'm not a buggy fan, but this one caught my eye a few weeks ago, it has the coolest looking front end I have ever seen on a buggy. Mmmmm

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1128826

cscmc1 · #14 05-05-2011, 09:52 AM

We have a tentative deal worked out. Now it's just down to finer points (like whether certain parts will be included and whether I can count on help transporting it). Here are 2 pics, though they don't show the "good stuff." Hopefully I can run out there with a decent camera and shoot a few photos before too long.

Txjake · #15 05-05-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cscmc1

We have a tentative deal worked out. Now it's just down to finer points (like whether certain parts will be included and whether I can count on help transporting it). Here are 2 pics, though they don't show the "good stuff." Hopefully I can run out there with a decent camera and shoot a few photos before too long.

You gotta put a Jan Opperman wing on it, esp if you street drive it. Dont take off the Hillman injectors either, you can easily make a squirt pump system to prime them from in the cockpit to start it. Let me know if you change your mind....