78 V8 Bastard - to save or to put to sleep
Discussion
Hi,
Found a 78, just like the one sold on eBay but in dark Blue with the Buick V8 conversion partly completed and then left to rot in a shed for 15 years. I am trying to decide if it is worth the effort, maybe a SCCA car? Will a V8 Espirit fit in any SCCA classes? The body is straight but the interior is disasembled and blue as well - ugly. Without sounding like a bastard myself is there any historical examples of an Espirit race car with an aluminum interior and V8 power that could be replicated? Thoughts? comment? Price for the car is $3500 US, but that seems high for the amount of work involved. Thinking of offering $2000, selling the Buick to a sandrail guy for $1000 and then putting in a current age model high RPM V6 or V8 turbo and using it as a track car.
Found a 78, just like the one sold on eBay but in dark Blue with the Buick V8 conversion partly completed and then left to rot in a shed for 15 years. I am trying to decide if it is worth the effort, maybe a SCCA car? Will a V8 Espirit fit in any SCCA classes? The body is straight but the interior is disasembled and blue as well - ugly. Without sounding like a bastard myself is there any historical examples of an Espirit race car with an aluminum interior and V8 power that could be replicated? Thoughts? comment? Price for the car is $3500 US, but that seems high for the amount of work involved. Thinking of offering $2000, selling the Buick to a sandrail guy for $1000 and then putting in a current age model high RPM V6 or V8 turbo and using it as a track car.
I have raced SCCA for the last couple of years. I get this all the time -- where can I race my Esprit??
The only officially classed Esprit is in GT2, which are tube frame cars and are high $$$. Plus the Buick/Rover V8 would have to go.
You could run a conversion car in SPO. That's Special Production over 2.5 liters. The cars must meet Production class safety specs, but powertrain is pretty much unlimited.
The Rover V8 is a good alternative motor for the Esprit. It is light, and can make good power (400+ hp) in 4.0 liter and up form.
I'd buy the car for $2500 for sure. The motor is worth $500, the car at least $2000 just for the body shell.
But, be advised that you are looking at least another $10,000 for an SCCA build.
E-mail me off line if you want to talk race cars -- youngj@mvalaw.com
Jeff
The only officially classed Esprit is in GT2, which are tube frame cars and are high $$$. Plus the Buick/Rover V8 would have to go.
You could run a conversion car in SPO. That's Special Production over 2.5 liters. The cars must meet Production class safety specs, but powertrain is pretty much unlimited.
The Rover V8 is a good alternative motor for the Esprit. It is light, and can make good power (400+ hp) in 4.0 liter and up form.
I'd buy the car for $2500 for sure. The motor is worth $500, the car at least $2000 just for the body shell.
But, be advised that you are looking at least another $10,000 for an SCCA build.
E-mail me off line if you want to talk race cars -- youngj@mvalaw.com
Jeff
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