Ideas for my next competition classic car - complex!

[BMWChris]

If you dn't want to read it all skip to last 2 paragraphs!

I currently compete in spints / hilclimbs with the MGCC in My Midget which gets me into the classic events such as Harewood, Goodwood and Prescott. I also rally the car with the HRCR and, while we are no where near consistant enough, we set a few good times. I also use it for 12 car rallies and autotests with a local club.

Or rather I did... The MG has a number of issues. It is not especially reliable (though I've rebuilt the engine so it should be ok now...) but the biggest problem is that I live in Norfolk which is a long way from all the other events. The events typically start at 8am. The Midget can't cruise at more than 60 and is hard work to drive for 4 or 5 hours at a time. Normally I drive down the day before and stay in a hotel. This means that the event becomes a weekend rather than a day and adds to the cost.

Recently I've done a few events in my Boxster. This has alowed me to get up early on the morning of the event, drive at speed and arrive fresh enough to compete, impossible in the Midget as the journey would take 50% longer and I'd arrive a bit frazzled.

So I'm looking for a car that is eligable (ideally competetive) for a hillclimb championship that visits the "classics" and, ideally uses some kind of target time system, and comfortable and reliable enough to travel at 90 on deserted dual carridgeway.

For the rallies the car must have been registered before Decemeber the 31st '81. To be garanteed eligability it shouldn't have more than 4 cylinders and 2 chokes those these rules are often waived so that might not be a deal breaker. No turbos under any circumstances.

The ideal car for the stages is small and nippy though cars with suspension that can soak up holes will regain speed on some stages. MGBs, Midgets and Escorts all set good times. I'd prefer to keep the car close to standard for reasons of reliablity and hassle.

Neither the rallies or the hillclimbs require specific safety equipment though I do like the cage in my car (and I think the security might be worth a few seconds on the stage)

So I want: a pre '82, small, reliable, comfortable, responsive car that can cruise at 90 for several hours and be competitive in a hillclimb class. But just incase you had an idea I've got a last proviso - it can't cost more than £3500 all in.

I've got an idea but its not to good for the hillclimbing. What can the PH super brain come up with? I need car and hillclimb championship please.

Ta

[Roman]

BMW E21 - (4cyl 316, 318 or 320)

Porsche 924

Esprit

Talbot Sunbeam - this one's raring to go!:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1981-TALBOT-SUNBEAM-TI-WHITE...

Chevette/Kadett C

X19

Midas
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MIDAS-GOLD-KIT-CAR-CLASSIC-N...

Edited by Roman on Saturday 2nd October 16:06

[garethj]

BMWChris said:

pre '82, small, reliable, comfortable, responsive car that can cruise at 90 for several hours and be competitive in a hillclimb class.

Really tricky - my 1987 Polo would do 90 but it wasn't exactly a comfortable cruise. Small cars from pre 1980 just didn't cruise at those speeds.

A few ideas for you to filter out:

Alfasud Sprint
Suzuki Whizzkid
Matra Bagheera
Lotus Eclat
Reliant Kitten (533kg!!)
Talbot Sunbeam
TR7
RX7
Toyota Corolla

Edited by garethj on Saturday 2nd October 15:45

[BMWChris]

Thanks so far. Some interesting ideas. Roman gets closest to my thinking with two cars: the 924 which is eligable for the Porsche speed championship (though about 35bhp short of being competitive in their bottom class) and the BMW (though I was thinking of an 02) but I don't know a hillclimb championship the BMW would be competitive in.

The Sunbeem looks fun but, even with a 5 speed box it might be a bit much on the journey.

I'd rather be able to get there at speed than be competitive so anything truely small (e.g. whiz kid or x19) is out. As is anything likely to be unreliable (Italian, most British)

German or Japanease probably a fav but how many late seventies Toyotas are there?

Edited by BMWChris on Saturday 2nd October 16:17

[plasticpig]

Dolomite Sprint. May be a bit big but I saw a really fast one at Shelsley a few years ago and there are ones which rally as well.

My other suggestion was going to be a MK1 Golf GTI but anything decent seems to be well above 3.5K

[davepoth]

And Dolly Sprint will cruise at 90 all day. It's a bit heavy though, as has been mentioned, but a carefully fettled standard motor with standard cams should be fine for over 130bhp. Standard was 127, as the factory couldn't get the quality control right. They actually made a set of badges saying "Dolomite 135" for the BHP they were aiming for. Blueprinted engines should be able to make over 150bhp, again with standard components.

[Zad]

Mk 2 Escort with a fettled Crossflow?

[85Carrera]

Saab - this one is sold but about the right price

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C161624

[BMWChris]

85Carrera said:

Saab - this one is sold but about the right price

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C161624

Would have been perfect (or near enough for me to ignore my preference for RWD)

[BMWChris]

Zad said:

Mk 2 Escort with a fettled Crossflow?

4hrs at 90? Might be a bit much for me and the car

[BMWChris]

davepoth said:

And Dolly Sprint will cruise at 90 all day. It's a bit heavy though, as has been mentioned, but a carefully fettled standard motor with standard cams should be fine for over 130bhp. Standard was 127, as the factory couldn't get the quality control right. They actually made a set of badges saying "Dolomite 135" for the BHP they were aiming for. Blueprinted engines should be able to make over 150bhp, again with standard components.

not sure I'd have the confidence in it - reliability wise.

Also (as with all suggestions) which championship?

[Joe T]

How about some early Jap stuff

Toyota Celica TA22 TA23
Mitsubishi Lancer Pre 83
Early Corolla

[Caruso]

Another vote for the Fiat X1/9. They can be easily made lighter and tuned.

[Zad]

BMWChris said:

Zad said:

Mk 2 Escort with a fettled Crossflow?

4hrs at 90? Might be a bit much for me and the car

I was thinking more in the direction of one witha 5 speed Sierra gearbox, or does it all have to be contemporary?

[braddo]

Whatever you choose, if you also use some cheap foam earplugs or noise cancelling earphones during the motorway drive you'll find yourself arriving much fresher (almost all the cars you'll be looking at will have a lot of cabin noise).

Or give the midget longer gearing and a hardtop?

[a8hex]

taller gearing would hurt its track performance surely.

[rallycross]

VW Scirocco Gti mk 1 (cheaper than a golf, but rarer and rustier)
Alfa Sud ti or Sprint 1.5 -
Celica Gt twin cam or newer liftback model
BMW 323

Just going to be luck what you can find in budget and not too rusty.

Edited by rallycross on Tuesday 5th October 10:26

[Penguinracer]

BMW 2002 or Porsche 912

[braddo]

a8hex said:

taller gearing would hurt its track performance surely.

Indeed, but that's the dilemma the OP faces - pick a car for travelling to the event (the 924's probably the most comfortable option offered so far) and it's long geared and full of insulation. Pick a car that will be more competitive at the event (small, stripped of excess weight and short geared) and the journey will be wearing.

The OP's decision may lead to a compromise which makes both the trip to the event and the event itself frustrating.

Personally, I'd look at a Dolomite Sprint and some earplugs.

[AJAX50]

Polo G40 could work, tuning potential is limitless.