Reliving the good old days with Historic FF

[john ruston]

After 30 years away it has been decided that we at Top Nob return to FF!
What is the best chassis to buy these days?
We can sort engine and is it a sensible idea?
Really wanted a late 64 F1 car but that's daft.
Reliving past glories.
Always said this old coggers racing was for eccentrics and those with early brain fade.
We can now prove it and give me something to whinge about on here!

[zefarelly]

You could do worse than ask Pete Alexander about a Macon. He's got a few pots to his name.

[john ruston]

Thanks mate
Don't suppose he wants a race prepared Guelitta?

[ralt-racer]

Hi John

chassis are not so important but a Merlyn MK20 would possibly be the current pick of the bunch for value, you could of course go for a Lotus 69 but be prepared to pay for one if you can find one. Simon H has both so could probably comment more accurately. I've been fortunate to win the championship in a Merlyn Mk20 an Alexis MK14 and also a Jomo JMR7 all of which are good cars. I actually don't think it matters too much.

Engines are a bit of a lottery and for no apparent reason either but most are within a reasonable amount of the top ones, Neil Bold can build a new one for a reasonable sum which will be on it. We build our own and have won two of the championships with them so its not out of the question but it took an awful lot of effort and expense to get there would have been cheaper to have bought one from Bold but no where near as interesting or satisfying.

As Zef said ask Pete he's a top man,

Good luck and I hope to be back in one next season all being well so we may see each other on track..

Benn Simms

[Chris Sharples]

John,

Like Ben says, recently people have been successful in a whole range of marques.

There is a list of cars on the historic ff website at

http://www.historicff.co.uk/for-salewanted/

This includes Elden, Macon, Alexis and Merlyn cars. If you wanted to build one up there is a Hawke that would be very interesting.

Chris

[356sc]

Originally Posted by john ruston

Always said this old coggers racing was for eccentrics and those with early brain fade.
We can now prove it and give me something to whinge about on here!

Blimey that is a bit of a departure from your current "collection", look forward to seeing what you end up with!

[john ruston]

You do make odd decisions when your guided by a small Irish person.
Alternative is to complete the Chevron B40 F2 that is in bits in corner of workshop.
I don't think he will be that quick against these YOUNG whippersnappers.
That statement could be controversial.Take it Will you are reserve driver ?

[Alan Morgan]

...or you could go Historic FF2000 and enjoy the best food in the paddock!

I'm sure Iain could sort you out with a Delta.

[apriliadriver]

Originally Posted by john ruston

Thanks mate
Don't suppose he wants a race prepared Guealitt?

And for those without an Italian dictionary that's "Alfa Romeo Giulietta" - I hope it is a Sprint coupe, John ?
One of the best cars to go first-time racing with - great drum brakes, wonderful handling, even better in the wet than the dry, no vices, and sends you a telegram before adhesion is lost.

Eligible for entries in just about everything, anywhere. Just the thing to buy your 18-and-something year old who wants to race Historic.
Nick

[grantp]

Originally Posted by apriliadriver

And for those without an Italian dictionary that's "Alfa Romeo Giulietta" - I hope it is a Sprint coupe, John ?
One of the best cars to go first-time racing with - great drum brakes, wonderful handling, even better in the wet than the dry, no vices, and sends you a telegram before adhesion is lost.

Eligible for entries in just about everything, anywhere. Just the thing to buy your 18-and-something year old who wants to race Historic.
Nick

I thought John was talking about spare management capacity.

A race prepared Gauleiter.

[john ruston]

We need another car so that we can ask Andrew Kitson to do an original painting!
Notice he's advertising on here so needs the commissions.

[PeterMorley]

Benn will win in anything, best wait until he stops doing F.Ford if you fancy winning.
If you aren't trying to win go for whatever you fancy - or fancied at the time, the formula did a great job of levelling the cars.

A Lotus 24 Formula Ford would make an interesting (expensive) addition - it was called the Dulon LD3 at the time!
The American ADFs looked rather different and would be unusual.

[zefarelly]

Engines are more my thing, I've done quite a few flow tests on FF heads in recent years, they're all over the place given that they all claimed to be off 'winning' or competitive motors.

what amazed me most was different ports having completely different flow graphs in the same head. I can't believe it was deliberate.

[terence]

Do Ford still produce the new engines? I know there was so much demand a few years ago that they went back into production.

[zefarelly]

SCCA make cranks, Ford make new blocks, no shortage of rods, pistons are available, SKY have cams, new heads are only available in Aluminium and not as good as iron IMO. consumables are all available.

[Duddha]

I wish I could join the FF grid, my personal choice would be a Mallock FF. Front-engined and the look is just fantastic ! Not sure about the performance but it's different.

[delta]

Originally Posted by Alan Morgan

...or you could go Historic FF2000 and enjoy the best food in the paddock!

I'm sure Iain could sort you out with a Delta.

Come on John you know it makes sence. We would love to have you on board.

[356sc]

Originally Posted by john ruston

Take it Will you are reserve driver ?

If small Irish person won't fit, happy to volunteer!!

[one-two]

Blimey. Good for you. You could also consider FJ - reassuringly competitive at the sharp end. Not that I was ever there! Best wishes, Robert

[Nick JM]

Now what is this single seater malarkey?

If the truth be told (and I don't scare myself) I wouldn't mind a try out !

[Nick JM]

Any useful tips/hints/ words of wisdom?..

Not that I eevt any of the former on here!!!