55 replies to this topic

[Rupertlt1]

Tony, Many thanks. Strange that the car was entered at Boxing Day Brands, 1961, as "Sartor GT" — I have a scan of the programme page from Rob Pennington if anybody would like - will go to Racing Sports Cars idc.

RGDS RLT  

Edited by Rupertlt1, 18 April 2021 - 08:11.

[DUFFY]

Hi Rupert,

 

My image of the page from Car Mechanics, April 1962 is so poor I can not read it properly. 

 

But I think it was a one-off special called the Sartor GT that showed a lot of promise that Tunex Conversions Ltd in conjunction with Heron produced it as a kit of parts called the Diva?

 

Tony.

[AlCox]

Hi all, 

 

Her's some photos of the Diva as it stands today.

 

https://www.prewarcar.com/heron-europa

 

It was John Parkinson driving but apparently the Sartor reference was just an editorial error on the day!

 

Best, Al

[Rupertlt1]

This is best efforts for the article in Car Mechanics, April 1962:

 

Diva G.T.

Seen for the first time at Brands Hatch

on Boxing Day, the Diva G.T. —

originally a one-off — showed

much promise that Tunex Conversions

Ltd., Oak Grove Service Station, Penge, in

conjunction with Heron Plastics of Green-

wich, propose to market it as a kit of parts.

The Heron glass fibre body, which pro-

portionally complies with International For

mula Appendix "J", cloaks a Don Sim

designed fully triangulated space frame of

18 gauge  ??????????????????  mild steel tube

that weighs only 54 lb? The rear axle on this

prototype is a modified A35, located by

Watts linkage and wide base "A" bracket,

but subsequent cars are to incorporate

independent rear suspension by fore and

aft Watts linkage and transverse radius

arms, adjustable for geometry. This should

give an efficient suspension without the

need for long radius arms, allowing more

room at the rear for luggage and the spare

wheel. The drive shafts will not form any

part of the suspension and most of the

????? will be of proprietary manufacture.

Front suspension is independent by

tubular wishbones and thin? anti-roll bar,

nickel bronze welded, and adjustable for

camber. Steering is by rack and pinion with

wood rim steering wheel, and coil spring

damper units are used all round. 5.30 x 12

Continental racing tyres, mounted? on 12in

pressed steel wheels, with 8 in x 1? in

brake drums operated by twin master

cylinders should produce ample stopping

power, since the all-up weight with oil,

water and 6 gallons of fuel is only ??? cwts.

Price, with 105E Ford unit, tuned to 85

b.h.p. in kit form comes out at £360.

Ford 105E or 109E can be specified, with

105E or Sprite gearbox to choice. Close

ratio gears are available if required.

On the prototype car several interesting

new ideas are being tried in the course

of a development programme for ????

Tunex Conversions. For instance, twin

petrol tanks each with its own filter and

pump are fitted, so that either, or both, can

be selected at will. This ensures an abundant

supply of fuel whilst racing, so that fuel

starvation brought about by surge in the

tank on the fast corners of twisty circuits

is avoided. Another idea is the low pressure

oil cooler that is opreated by electric pump.

On cold days this can be left switched off,

until the sump temperature climbs above

??-100 deg., then switched on.

With an experimental engine linered to

850 c.c., the car could be entered in

National and International events. A choice

of five axle ratios and a quickly removable

body enables the correct crown wheel and

pinion to be inserted for varying types of

race circuit. The wheel base is 5ft 9ins and

the track 3ft 10½ in. Overall length is 11 ft

and width is 4ft 6in.

END

 

RGDS RLT  

[DUFFY]

Hi Rupert,

 

Thanks for the "Car Mechanics" update.  So,

 

3 DLH has a "fully triangulated space frame" built-in 1961. Still racing in 1963.

 

692 ELC has a "rigid square chassis" built-in 1962.

 

Same car?

[Rupertlt1]

Here is 3 DLH at Snetterton, 17 March 1963:

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

RGDS RLT