Thread: Great racing cars from the past

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Here's a freshly rebuilt Chev Big Block from a McLaren CanAm car photographed earlier this year at Van Dyne Engineering, Los Angeles.

Just wonder if that engine can be fitted in a Rangie?

Originally Posted by Chucaro

Just wonder if that engine can be fitted in a Rangie?

Engine would fit. They are not all that bulky. However the necessary driveline might be a problem.

Here are a few more old race cars. These are from Steve Truchan's collection at Gary Bridge and Iron Works, Gary, Indiana.

The blue car was built by Steve's father commencing 1943. It has the first Miller 220 engine.

Check the size of the blower on the black car.

One of my favorire years was 1961.
There were fantastic drivers and great cars.
Phil Hill on the Ferrari 156, Stirling Moss and Jim Clark with Lotus Climax
Jack Brabham and Bruce Mc Laren on the Cooper Climax, Graham Hill on the BRM Climax,



Jim Clark on the Lotus Climax


Graham Hill

Here are a few more from Gary Bridge & Iron Works.

The Indy roadster with the big block Chev hanging out offset was found by Steve being used as a dirt track Super Modified. Steve and his crew restored it to Indy roadster spec but decided to leave the big block in place rather than replace with the correct Offy 270. Steve says it looks good and goes like hell so left it as was.

The car with the small block Chev hanging out fully offset between the axles is what is called an "Oswego Modified" by dirt trackers, after Oswego Speedway in NY state.

Here are some engine bits either new and awaiting machining or damaged awaiting repair. Note the big Offy crankcases with extra holes in them. Gary Bridge cast repair pieces, weld them in and re-machine the case. Also a couple of Indy roadsters undergoing extensive restoration.

Juan Manuel Fangio have his first competitive car back in 1938. It was a 1934 Ford body with a 1937 Ford V8 engine, 3923 cm3., 80 H.P. a 3600 rpm., top speed 170 kph.
Perhaps not a "great car" but with a heaps of history



I guess that one of Fangio's early cars that was a jewels was the Alfa Romeo 158 "Alfetta"



Looking at the "comfort" in the cockpit not wonder so many people have serious inures on them


The donk

This one is really from the past. A 1903 Premier built for the Vanderbilt Cup races but did not race as it was too heavy even after drastic lightening.