Closed Rally Car - Options?

I am thinking about getting another classic to participate in classic rallies - I have the Elva Courier - which is fun, lots of fun but I have to drive 3 to 5 hrs to get to any event -

A trailer is an option - as I have a Dodge Sprinter conversion van that will tow 5000 lb

But I was looking toward the same pedigree - and unique styling

So early 60's Bristols - Jensens - et al - Lotus Elan +4 - TVR S2

Volvo Amazon ?

Lancias always tickle my fancy but parts are - difficult

But I have a line on a pristine 1979 Mazda RX-7 two tone original owner - well it had to happen - Japan took over the
appropriately priced sports car market

I have had MGB GT's - and good support - styling is great

but I do enjoy the attention of a limited production car
that looks good -

I look forward to the comments - I posted a few more pictures of the Elva on flickr action shots from the summer

OK, here's my suggestion. An A35.
A keen little "proper Brit" with 50s styling.
Cheap to get parts for (mostly Spridget stuff) and you'll almost never see another one (in the US).

What about putting a hard top on a convertible?

Nial,

You finished it!Have you been hanging around Bob?

- Doug

How about a Cortina,or Anglia?

- Doug

Ok an Anglia or Cortina would be nice - I was offered a Lotus Cortina in high school - foolish to have turned it down

I like Series one Celicas - with the jdm twin cam

Escort - or Capri ?

Capri with BDA?

misses the comfort eqn - but

and yes the Courier is finis

I do need a tractor pulley for the generator (alloy) not riveted steel

nothing about the c40 generator holds up at 6K rpm

MK1 or MK2 Jag.
You can do a lot of things to a Jag.

And, with OD, drive it there and back.
Even without OD!

I like it - Race history - comfort - torque to get over the mountains

Larger - I live in the inter mountain west

Pickup and SUV rich environment and big long roads

the tables would be nice

How about a Sunbeam Harrington LeMans with overdrive.

Sorry - I was thinking of on/off road rallying,where you'd
want a car that was expendable.After re-reading your post,I got
what you were asking.
How much of a budget? Reliability?Where in Oregon are you
located?Portland has a few interesting car dealers.

- Doug

My choice would be the Volvo 122s. Plenty of rally history, plenty of parts (IPD) and plenty of support. Nearly indestructible.

Don

Yes, the Volvo 122 Amazon is a good suggestion. My first thought was a Mk II Escort, but there is also the Saab 96. If you want the British theme there is the Sunbeam Talbot Alpine which used to do well in these things, or the Ford Zodiac. Austin Westminsters used to compete on these things, too.

Well the alternate is interesting as there are a lot of forest roads -

I have a slower restored FJ62 LandCruiser for that and I am happy with it -

I used to drive a rally prepared Fiesta in the UP of Michigan

I liked my Fiesta - I drove a new Mini a few years ago and it reminded me of driving the Fiesta controllable understeer lots of fun in the woods - I hope the dealer didn't mind

Very Reliable - Bend Oregon

Price 30K or so

Oh all right I have thought of a Studebaker Supercharged Lark - interesting as Studebaker studied Mercedes front suspension as they were the original MB importer. I had a Dutch grad student living with me and we rebuilt his Studebaker V8 in the basement

the Jag is interesting - there might be one local

The Harrington is beautiful -

A Triumph Italia gorgeous

I love the British Italian connection - There are beautiful cars there

Fraser Nash - comes to mind

This is a interesting perspective



Notice --- Rant to Follow

Harington Lemans - you go to the top of the Sunbeam Registry

Triumph Italia - The heads bow at any Triumph meet

Abarth Porsche - Oh the P guys just [censored] their pants

Elva Courier - Part of the MGA Register - any MGA/MG event - park that whatever it is over there in the parking lot -

I really don't understand it - Lack of proper marketing I think

Fiesta = excellent choice!Cheap,reliable,expendable,-
fun to drive.

- Doug

Take a look at my two in the gallery...

Austin A40: you will find one or two in the US, I believe, and what Nial said about the A35 goes for this too. It's also a little bigger than the 35, especially wider, and if you get a Mk2 (1962 on) it has hydraulic brakes on the rear.

Ford Capri: I understand you got it as a Mercury, but it's all simple stuff and highly suitable for your purpose. Anything you can do to an Escort, you can do to a Capri, including stuff a V8 in if you want to!

Either of these cars will serve your purpose well and once you actually find one, it'll be are enough on the road to attract comment. I know my Capri does over here in Cyprus! It's a car many people remember fondly. Can take me 10 minutes to get into a shop, when I've parked right outside!

HERE'S one you won't see often!

Mickey Richaud said:

HERE'S one you won't see often!

Click to expand...

Nice! I remember those when they were current enough for the police to use, and I have actually driven one. I was young and foolish and the car was 15 years old, and I probably just-about had enough money to buy it, but a rare burst of sense saw me hand it back. Now I'm middle-aged and foolish, and would happily buy the same car today. Most of the P6s here have the 4 pot, and usually the single-carb version at that.

How about an XJ Jag? Series I / II XJ6's are bloody inexpensive.

If you're considering an RX7, then I might also suggest a Fiat / Bertone X1/9. The later ones even came with a bulletprrof Bosch jetronic injection, and there are a ton of "x-heads" in the Portland / Seattle area.

How about this awesome Simca. The Sunbeam guys are still big into the parts for these.

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1633373318.html

just saw that listed on BringaTrailer.com