15 replies to this topic

[Peter Morley]

I've just been sent these photos of a Jaguar engined Lotus Mark Nine (IX) fitted with a Jaguar engine and have been asked if we can possibly identify it.

The photos are from the Robin Hanauer Collection.

 

 

[Rupertlt1]

Looks like in the UK - Hillman Imp in background? Possibly a dragster - no radiator, stubby exhaust.

[Paul Parker]

I've just been sent these photos of a Jaguar engined Lotus Mark Nine (IX) fitted with a Jaguar engine and have been asked if we can possibly identify it.

The photos are from the Robin Hanauer Collection.

 

 

 

My God that must have been as far removed from ACBC's design philosophy as could ever be imagined.

 

The cast iron block XK engine and presumably accompanying antediluvian Moss gear box weighed over 6 cwt, probably more than the rest of the car.

[Paul Parker]

Looks like in the UK - Hillman Imp in background? Possibly a dragster - no radiator, stubby exhaust.

 

Given the wheel trims and stripes could this be the Singer Chamois version, it's decades ago so I might be mistaken.

[Rupertlt1]

Given the wheel trims and stripes could this be the Singer Chamois version, it's decades ago so I might be mistaken.

 

I wondered about that but it doesn't help much!

 

I suggest contacting this website:

 

http://www.oldstox.c...hDragRacing.htm

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 21 November 2014 - 13:25.

[Rob Miller]

I had to look up antediluvian (Moss gear box).

 

ridiculously old-fashioned

outdated

outmoded

old-fashioned

ancient

antiquated

archaic

superannuated

anachronistic

outworn

behind the times

primitive

medieval

quaint

old-fangled

obsolescent

obsolete

prehistoric

passé

out of the ark

fossilized

as old as the hills

old hat

creaky

mouldy

pas its sell-by date

horse and buggy

mossy

clunky

 

Was it really that bad?

[Mistron]

 

I had to look up antediluvian

 

ridiculously old-fashioned

outdated

outmoded

old-fashioned

ancient

antiquated

archaic

superannuated

anachronistic

outworn

behind the times

primitive

medieval

quaint

old-fangled

obsolescent

obsolete

prehistoric

passé

out of the ark

fossilized

as old as the hills

old hat

creaky

mouldy

pas its sell-by date

horse and buggy

mossy

clunky

 

 

A perfect description of Robin Hanauer....... (He's a friend of mine, so I can say that! ) I didn't know this car was still in his collection though. must ask him about it.

 

Al

[bradbury west]

Peter, have you spoken to Mike Brotherwood at all? I always understood he was well clued up in Nines
Roger Lund

[Ray Bell]

6cwt for a Jag engine and Moss box?

I would sincerely doubt that. Leave out the flywheel and crankshaft and it might be that light.

[Charles Helps]

A perfect description of Robin Hanauer....... (He's a friend of mine, so I can say that! ) I didn't know this car was still in his collection though. must ask him about it.

 

Al

As far as I know it is only the photo that comes from his eclectic collection.  He had another car last year that appeared to have some Lotus Mk IX connections but it was nothing to do with the car in the photos.

[Stephen W]

As well as the possibility of it being used as a dragster it may well have been intended for use as either a Hillclimb or Sprint car. The Chamois, if that is the car behind, ran from 1964 to 1970 and by that time the Lotus 9 wouldn't be holding much value as a competition car. Often people would sell the original engine/box and what was left would be sold as a roller for very little money. Putting a Jaguar engine/box into the car wouldn't be ideal but would be a cheap way of going racing.

[Sharman]

Rob Miller, on 20 Nov 2014 - 19:05, said:

 

I had to look up antediluvian (Moss gear box).

 

ridiculously old-fashioned

outdated

outmoded

old-fashioned

ancient

antiquated

archaic

superannuated

anachronistic

outworn

behind the times

primitive

medieval

quaint

old-fangled

obsolescent

obsolete

prehistoric

passé

out of the ark

fossilized

as old as the hills

old hat

creaky

mouldy

pas its sell-by date

horse and buggy

mossy

clunky

 

Was it really that bad?

 

...and it actually means before the Flood (Noah's that is not last wnter's)

[Ray Bell]

Therefore "Out of the ark" would be appropriate...

Not much came out of the ark that wasn't about before the flood. Noah's flood, that is.

[Mistron]

Hi Charles,

 

Yes, Robin just got back to me to confirm he had the photo whilst trying to identify the other car he had. The lucky boy has too many 'specials' to keep up with which one's which!

 

Al

[Peter Morley]

Someone went to quite a lot of trouble to fit the engine (apart from the aggro of lifting a Jag engine!).

The steering is very different to a normal Mark 9, the steering box is further forward (presumably to clear the engine).

Consequently the steering arms have been moved ahead of the axle and are bent to clear the dampers!

 

Do dragsters need much steering? Would one have required such re-engineering of the steering?

 

Roll over bar is rather substantial compared to anything Lotus would have fitted!

[Perruqueporte]

The inlet manifold looks to me like a one-off (i.e. not a MKX or E-Type triple-SU manifold), and the exhaust manifold is definitely a one-off.  Non-trivial expense to fabricate either of those.

 

As for all those blasphemous comments about Moss gearboxes, I don't know what to say!  They are wonderful gearboxes, if a little slow, and very very tough.  I compete with two machines fitted with Moss gearboxes, one of which has just completed its third abuse-filled season with me at the wheel, and is about to be rebuilt for the first time since it left Jaguar in the 1950s.

 

Christopher W.