6 replies to this topic

[chuckbrandt]

It appears that Carroll Shelby ran a Mitter Formula Junior in the 1960 Vanderbilt Cup.   Wondering if there are photos of the car ?  

 

Thanks, Chuck 

[68targa]

There is a photo in the 2008 Art Evans book  Shelby, the Race Driver, p166,  Shows Shelby and the Mitter before the race.  Copyright and all of that stops me from copying it here.

 

I just looked up the results for that Vanderbilt Cup formula Junior race and it had an interesting entry including Pedro and Riccardo Rodriguez, Jim Hall, Walt Hansgen, Charlie Kolb, Roger Ward, Jim Rathman, Ray Heppenstall, and Lorenzo Bandini.  The race was run in two heats and it seems that Shelby finished 7th in heat one and retired in the second.

[chuckbrandt]

Thanks, just ordered the book on amazon. 

[Simon Hadfield]

Not only that but the car still exists, owned today - and raced pretty regularly in current historic Formula Junior events - by Rudolf Ernst and it’s sitting in our store.
In fact the car was demonstrated at the Goodwood Revival this year in the Carroll Shelby celebration.

[Simon Hadfield]

Rudolf has a fair number of photographs of Shelby in and around the car.

[chuckbrandt]

Yes my friend sent me a photo from goodwood.   It looks like the Mitters I've seen.   I would very much like to see a photo of the engine in that car if it would be possible?  

 

Thanks, Chuck 

[Rupertlt1]

Chuck,

What number, colour was the Mitter? Who was the entrant?

There is a light coloured #53 car at Riverside, 1960, in the Petersen Archive which looks like a Mitter?

(Search on Riverside 1960, car pictured with an Auto Union in background; also 7 motor views, cockpit.)

 

The Mitter Junior, built in West Germany, uses the popular DKW

Auto Union engine mounted in front of, and driving, the front

wheels. Springing is by transverse leaf springs, front and rear

with lower A-arms completing the front suspension and a swing

axle at the rear. Koni tubular shock dampers are used all round.

The frame is a space design of chrome-moly tubing and the body

is fiberglass. The car is destined to be sold in Germany, Sweden,

Canada and the U.S. The U.S. representative is Vogue Motor

Imports, 1322 S. Wabash, Chicago 5, Ill. It will be interesting to

see how this car works out in competition, as it combines the

hottest F-Jr engine with front wheel drive.

Road & Track, July 1960, Page 78

 

Car and motor photograph included.

 

Update: #53 car at Riverside is that of Dean Mears, entrant R. G. Lewis & Co.

 

https://www.the-fast...la2/FJ60_W6.htm

 

Race won by #40 Jim Hall, Elva 100-DKW/Mitter

 

RGDS RLT  

Edited by Rupertlt1, 29 November 2023 - 04:44.