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coventry climax

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Seems rare for sure.

Wikipedia says the Series 1 was actually designed around the Climax engine. ~Look Here~

Apparently they built about 100 of these cars but some also had MGA or side-valve Ford engines. For what it's worth, I've seen one with a Climax engine but never a Ford side valve.
 
TomMull said:
How special is the DOHC Climax in this Grantura?
Click to expand...

The engine in the photos is a FIAT/OSCA, not a Climax. A twin-cam Climax would be very special, although likely not original.

I suspect there are some innocent transpositions in the description. The Climax serial number is "FEWxxxxx" but most likely was "FWExxxxx", since the original engine would probably have been a Coventry Climax "FWE". I can't can't find any references to an FEW. The FWE was 1216cc, not 1261 as in the listing. The FWE was originally offered in the TVR and was the same as used in the Lotus Elite. Climax twin-cams were almost all (all?) racing engines up around 1500cc.

I think the engine in the car is probably a better choice than an FWE and is a great powerplant in its own right. Looks like a really nice car!
 
Thanks for the replies. The Osca would explain the downdraft also. I agree, the car is still quite nice. Tom
 
FWIW, I've seen a Ford engined Mk 1.

I suspect that most had the MGA engine however.

My Mk 3 had a 1622 engine. Although the other options were still on the books, I expect that they were a special order option.
 
Most early cars where fitted with Ford, or Climax power. There is one for sale on eBay UK at the moment.
 
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