127 replies to this topic

[SJ Lambert]

Plug change!



Photo courtesy of Nathan Tasca.

[MarkBisset]

For those with an interest in Australian hillclimbing, Leon Sims is posting some stunning shots on his ‘Rob Roy Hill Climb History’ Facebook page/site.

 

He was donated vast numbers of happy-snaps, hundreds of which didn't make his book, which I must buy.

 

 

Reg Nutt, Cisitalia D46 Fiat, May 4, 1958 (Reg Nutt Collection)

 

https://primotipo.co.../cisitalia-d46/

Edited by MarkBisset, 08 September 2023 - 05:10.

[MarkBisset]

 

Take 2 sans ad https://primotipo.co.../cisitalia-d46/

Edited by MarkBisset, 08 September 2023 - 03:03.

[bradbury west]

 

 

 

Love this machine!!           

 

 

 

 

 

Is this powered by a Vincent V twin?  Any info on spec is welcome.

Many thanks

Roger Lund

[Ray Bell]

That's the Cooper-Irving, Roger...

 

There's a photo of it here at Collingrove Hillclimb with Lex Davison and Phil Irving. Undoubtedly it's a Vincent and someone here will have more details on it. It certainly gives the impression that it's an explosive car for tight hillclimbs.

[MarkBisset]

Roger,

 

As Ray said, the Cooper Irving - Cooper MkV Vincent-Irving S/c - away from home, perhaps Stephen can help with chassis number and any errors in this post.

 

free url upload

 

Lex Davison in a couple of meetings at Rob Roy - no idea of dates or times. (Leon Sims Collection)

 

 

 

And a couple of shots of Phil, fettling

 

 

Longford (G Noonan)

 

 

(L Sims Collection)

Edited by MarkBisset, 10 September 2023 - 06:33.

[GregThomas]

There's a picture and description of the power unit in Irving's book Automobile Engine Tuning published like most of his by Temple Press.

Visibly, the modern pics show an uprated clutch which I believe is from a UK firm who make them for Vincents from Suzuki components.

The original Vin clutch is a known weak point and the common in period swap for a Norton one would be stretched on a blown 1100.

The blower appears to be the original Merlin cabin blower.

[Ray Bell]

I wonder if that's a couple of Davison boys there, Mark...

 

Checking back through AMS I find a singular lack of technical information. What I did find is that Davison first ran it late in 1954 and his second (?) outing in the car at Rob Roy's November 2 meeting saw it sporting a supercharger for the first time. The report notes that the engine's capacity had been altered to put it into the 1,101-1,500cc class, but it's not until an issue some years further on I established that the capacity was 1,115cc. One report mentions it breaking its crankcase, I think that was at Collingrove.

 

It's obvious from the photos that at least a couple of different carburettor types were used and also different routing for the exhaust pipes.

 

My quest for AMS information, by the way, was limited to hillclimb reports and looking for a stand-alone story about the car, but I didn't go beyond December, 1958. There is a photo which I'm sure is this car on the cover of the January, 1956, issue at what appears to be the Wangaratta airfield circuit. And while there's an entry in the magazine's contents list of 'Wangaratta Results' I cannot find them in the magazine.

[bradbury west]

My thanks for the extra photographs and information. As a known non engineer I always enjoy seeing  devices created by the intuition and imagination of those who are. Talking of motor bike clutches reminds me that, IRRC, when he raced his original Bristol powered RedeX Special Jack Brabham  used a ‘bike flywheel and clutch to reduce reciprocating mass as the old Bristol items were a bit on the chunky side. I understand it helped the engine to rev more readily and possibly helped with more revs, although valves touching pistons was a high revolution issue, I believe, with that engine.

Rogr Lund

[SJ Lambert]

Highlight package from this year’s Rob Roy Revival

https://youtu.be/hNj...FmvHgP00f6z420I


I think an extended video with much more footage will be made available within the next few days.

[cooper997]

I only found out yesterday that VHRR Rob Roy Hillclimb was running today. Needing a day out, It was a good excuse and close to home.

 

The entrants were diverse in their vehicles of choice from old to fairly modern. There also appeared to be a decent number of ladies mixing things up with the lads.

 

My last visit to Rob Roy was in late 2021 and a lot has changed during the 2022/23 redevelopment. Not least that the MG Car Club of Victoria's Octundas have mushroomed to 3.

 

Runs had already begun a bit before I arrived with a certain coolness in those hills surrounding the course. Taking until mid-day for the sun to appear.

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Occasionally a Datsun 1600 escapes from the forrest they have been popular in for decades.

 

On the startline...

 

 

MGCC have left their mark... or marque on Rob Roy! (base for the old Templestowe HC PBR brakeshoes)

 

 

 

Stephen

 

 

[cooper997]

Louise Raper launches George Reed So Cal Ford V8 special off the line

 

 

 

Conor Ryan on the startline with Elgaram Jaguar special

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Startline from the other side... Jon Scott Sprite

 

 

Brock HDT Torana tribute of Craig Waters

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

From nimble Hayward Hayabusa of Mike Barker running under 20secs, to what must be the thirstiest vehicle present yesterday, Brendon Thompson's 7686cc Ford Ftruck. Both having fun.

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

BRG in the hills...

 

 

Sean Batagol's Austin 7 special, no doubt encouraged by his grandfather, Barry.

 

 

 

Colin Sullivan's Elfin Streamliner

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Bill Redpath just away from the startline in the Redpath Olds

 

John Noble Supercharged MG K Type about to leave the startline.

 

 

Stephen

[GreenMachine]

Magic stuff, thanks Stephen

[cooper997]

Abby Wingett having a run in one of the Bill Hemming Elfin fleet.

 

 

 

The busiest car competing at Rob Roy. The Hunter's MG TF 160 had 4 drivers on the day for a bit of family rivalry. No 84 means Adrian Hunter is about to have a run. His 3 daughters, Paige (28), Emma (284) and Ashley (841).

 

 

Stephen

 

 

[cooper997]

Fintan McLoughlin Peugeot 205GTI

 

 

 

Georgia Hooper sharing the Chimeara with her dad, Alan Green

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

A couple more members of the early Ford V8 brigade...

 

Graeme Raper in the other George Reed special,. Monoskate -  the Raper's are custodions of.

 

 

 

Ray Sprague struggling for adhesion with those skinny tyres

 

 

 

Stephen

 

[MarkBisset]

Stephen,
 
Graeme and Louise Raper drive their 'George Reeds' so well don't they?
 
I had an hour early on Friday May 3, the just before the Rob Roy meeting, at Historic and Vintage Restorations in Blackburn. A schoolmate, Marc Clayton gave both cars - 'Monoskate' and 'So Cal' - a run on the 'Dyno Dynamics' dyno.
 
The idea wasn't fettling and power runs - max RPM used on Monoskate was 4200 - but rather to ensure both cars were tickety-boo after engine freshens.
 
My focus was Monoskate; Ford 'flattie' 4.3-litres, Offenhauser ally heads, two Stromberg 97 2-bbl carbs on a Weiand manifold, Hunt magneto and the rest. Power, "well over 200bhp" with Graham using 6000rpm when he needs to. Three speed Ford box with trick internals and a "lot of time sorting the suspension and brakes".
 
Mark

 

 

So Cal in front, Monoskate at rear

 

 

Source: Motor Manual Annual 

Edited by MarkBisset, 13 May 2024 - 04:06.

[Ray Bell]

Engine capacity when it was the So-Cal Special was 6075cc...

 

An Oldsmobile V8, if I recall.

 

In its original George Reed form (known as Skate 2 or Skate 3, I'm not sure which) it had a pre-selector gearbox behind the Ford V8.

[cooper997]

Mark,

 

Yes, Graeme & Louise certainly get plenty of enjoyment from their G Reed specials.

 

At the start of the run shown in post 121, Graeme came out of the blocks with rear tyres frying. And I think that's how he likes it!

 

I dare say they'll be back to the dyno for Historic Winton in a couple of weekends time.

 

 

Stephen

[Ray Bell]

Stephen, I'm not sure if you understood my post...

 

It related to 'The White Car', not Monoskate.

[SJ Lambert]

Rob Roy turned the rain tap on something fierce for round 5 of the Victorian Hill Climb Championship yesterday!!



Ian Smith photo.

[SJ Lambert]

Another couple from Darren House

[cooper997]

VHRR Rob Roy is on tomorrow (May 4). If I get my act together I'll head there early in the morning.

 

https://www.robroyhillclimb.com.au/

 

 

Stephen