>Roger:
>
>Another interesting special run in the early Watkins Glen races was
>Cunningham's Bu-Merc. I have heard conflicting opinions that it consisted
>of a straight eight Buick engine grafted on to a Mercedes chassis. Other
>people have claimed that it consisted of a Mercury engine on a Bugatti
>chassis. My recollection of the early Glen races is too hazy at the moment,
>although I think the first version is correct. This tallies with the
>prowess of another Buick Special that I saw in Chile in the 50's, based
>essentially on a 38 Buick sedan that had been cut down and endowed with a
>rather pretty two-seater body and cycle fenders. But the mechanics were all
>Buick, including torque tube drive, 3 speed box, etc. At that time it had
>the measure of a lot of fine European sports cars, including some XK120
>Jaguars. It appears that the very torquey engine was a real assett in tight
>circuits and I still remember the ease with which the Buick rumbled past
>the Jags out of the curves in the Parque Cousino circuit in Santiago.
>
>Perhaps you have better information on Cunningham's Bu-Merc, and on its
>career.
>
>Sergio
>
>
>Dr. Sergio Montes
>Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering
>University of Tasmania
>Hobart,Tasmania,Australia Fax: 61-03-62-234611
>e-mail: Sergio.Montes@utas.edu.au Ph: 61-03-62-202113 (Office)
The Bu-Merc was seen in the garage area at Watkins Glen two years ago and
it definitely had the straight 8 Buick motor. It was a pretty sanitary
looking special and was quite successfull in its time, though I believe the
Ardent Alligator, (Ford-Riley), won more races. I wish more of the old
specials would show up, and wish SVRA would encourage the racing of pre-war
and early post-war cars,(not that I could likely afford to buy and race
one!).
Cheers, Paul Meis, Team Escargot
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