Defining "Period Correctness"; now there's a non-volitile subject!
There is probably only one human in history who would have truly built
a "period correct" vintage racecar. Depending on your religious
beliefs you celebrate both his birth and death. Everyone else either
cheats (some blatantly) or "interprets" the regulations to fit his/her
needs, requirements and objectives.
In my application I race a 1960 series 1 Sunbeam Alpine. This car came
originally with a 3 main bearing, 1500cc engine. I race it with a
series 5, 5 main bearing, 1725cc engine. Is this "cheating", or
"period correct"? Yes, and no. This latter engine was 'OEM' for the
series 5 Alpine just as Zenith 32NDIX carburetors were 'OEM' on
Porsches beginning in 1958. Does this mean that a pre-58 Porsche
cannot use Zenith carbs? Obviously not. The Zenith's became 'OEM' on
the 356'A' series cars, thus should be allowed on all 356'A' series
racers. To go one step further, however, disk brakes were not
installed on Porsches until the 356'C' series cars, beginning in model
year 1964. Should these same brakes be allowed on the earlier cars?
That's a decision for the owner/driver of the car and the club he
races with. I say "no", but that's my decision. If you are racing a
pre-64 Porsche then it's YOUR decision.......
Many Alpines are out there using Weber carburetors. I'm using the
'OEM' Zenith single throat carbs. I'll be happy to install the Webers,
just as soon as someone shows me where the factory authorized them.
Lastly, with regard to my engine upgrade. I did this to help keep the
bottom end together; a 5 main bearing engine being stronger than a 3
bearing engine. I race with CSRG on the west coast. In making this
engine change, however, I reclassed the car from category 6 (cars
produced or as raced prior to 12-31-62) to category 7 (cars produced
and as raced prior to 12-31-67). This resulted in my racing (with
CSRG) in group 4 instead of group 3: where the car is now even less
competitive.
I'll use my accumulated prize money and sell my trophies to build a
cheater car. Until then, I'll try and stay within the rules.
My $0.02 worth.....
Carl McLelland
CarLynne Racing LLC
CSRG #247, 1960 series 1 Sunbeam Alpine
1969 Lotus 61 formula Ford
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