I had an interesting discussion on the grid at (race name deleted) with
the owner of a 356 coupe made before 1955. He was shifting at 8000. No
new technology in that engine, I am sure.
Grant Reynolds
Carl McLelland wrote:
> I have two vintage race cars, a 1960 Sunbeam Alpine and a Lotus 61 formula
> Ford. The first was never a race car until I bought it, restored it and
> raced it. The Lotus, obviously, was never a street car. So what does all
> this prove?
>
> If I could wind the clock back to 1960, drive that Alpine off the showroom
> floor and onto a race track, would it be any different than it is today?
>
> That I have prepared the Alpine period correct should have some bearing. I
> race it today as it would have been raced then. Heck, look at all the
> pushrod Porsches out there (not only vintage racing but other forms of
> racing as well). Remember that the management at Porsche back then was
> absolutely abhored at the thought of ANYONE racing anything other than a 4
> cam Carrera! A pushrod 356 series car was intended for going to the grocery
> store, and happy motoring on the weekends! It wasn't intended as a racecar.
>
> The Lotus has been raced off and on for 32 years. The Alpine is in its
> second season. As far as I'm concerned, both are race cars.
> Carl
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