Non-Volvo car chat megathread

[BlackBart]

You know me - I had to do more reading on the history of the Canadian American series...

It was run under FIA Group 7 regulations, which was for 2 seat sports racing cars. It said you must have fenders, a windshield, 2 seats, 2 doors, headlights, taillights, a roll bar, dual braking circuits, a self-starter, and use commercial gas. That's it.

No minimum production number. No limits on engines, tires, aerodynamics, or dimensions.

It was the first use of effective wings and turbocharging, ground effects, and aerospace materials.

The manufacturers included Lola, Chaparral, Ferrari, BRM, Shadow, Nissan, Toyota, Isuzu, McLaren, and Porsche.

The series lasted from 1966 to 1974. The fuel crisis and Porsche dominance ended it.

Winning manufacturers:

1966 Lola
1967-1971 McLaren
1972-1973 Porsche (Porsche withdrew in early 1974)
1974 Shadow for the rest of the season

Here's the Lola T70 making good noises..... (some of the early Lolas used Ford engines)

[BlackBart]

Here's the McLaren M1A

[BlackBart]

Then the evolution to the McLaren M8 with the big block Chevrolet with the staggered intake trumpets. I read that there were versions up to 8.8 liters (??)

[BlackBart]

The Chaparral 2E designed by Jim Hall with the ginormous wing. I've seen pics of this wing so steep that it must be stalling, I don't know enough about attack angles. Seems more like a sheet of plywood that just pushes down with enormous drag. Small block Chevrolet power.




And the controversial "sucker car," the Chaparral 2J. It had skirts and a snowmobile engine on the back to run two big fans that created negative pressure underneath the car. I think it was banned based on making too much dust and spitting gravel at cars behind.

[matthew1]

Then the evolution to the McLaren M8 with the big block Chevrolet with the staggered intake trumpets. I read that there were versions up to 8.8 liters (??)

My god. Just listen to that engine. Incredible.

[BlackBart]

A variation of the Porsche 908 with the 3 liter flat 8 engine. I love this engine - small displacement, high revving, and has a similar induction howl to the flat 6, but with an 8 cylinder rasp. It's interesting to compare the 917 NA flat 12 engine to the flat 6, as it has the same noises, but with more harmonics, like comparing a 6-string to a 12-string guitar sound.




And then the 917-30 with the flat 12 growl and whistling turbine noises and blow-off valve popping......
The Goodwood hillclimb demonstration

[BlackBart]

As long as we're talking flat 12s, here is the Tipo 33 Alfa Romeo.....
Carlo Chiti, NA, 3-liter, 4 valves per cylinder, 500hp at 11,500 rpm.
Imagine if this was an American V8 - that's 183 cubic inches, no turbo, 500 horsepower.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/alfa- ... eads-only/

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Up to $7000 with no internals! Lessee, what is my old Volvo block worth?


These appear similar to a Can Am car, but limited displacement and more rules in the World Sportscar Championship and World Championship for Makes. Those are the kind of cars that ran Le Mans, Daytona 24, Sebring, Nurburgring, etc.



Various Tipo 33 Alfa Romeos -
In 1968, the Tipo 33/2 took 1-2-3 in the 2-liter class at the Daytona 24. They won Le Mans the same year.
In 1974, a 33TT12 won the 1000km at Monza, and the infamous Targa Florio in Sicily.
In 1975, Alfa won 7 of 8 races and the World Sportscar Championship, as well as the Targa Florio again.
In 1977, Alfa won a second World constructors title, winning all 8 races.

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2-liter aluminum V8

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3-liter flat 12

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[matthew1]

Pretty!!

[BlackBart]

Pretty fast!

That car begat the Tipo 33 Stradale, or "street." A little bit longer for legs, a little less power from the engine.

And hips.

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[BlackBart]