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Lemons race car choice

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J

Jerry

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Yes, that word is LEMONS, not Le Mons.
https://www.24hoursoflemons.com/

We just finished the last race at Thunderhill in Willows, CA. We had a lot of fun but with continual prolblems with our car, it was not much time on the track. We decided to use a simpler car for next year. I would prefer a small british car that has carburators instead of a computer. Do you have any suggestions? You are allowed to spend $500 for the car, Any amount on safety items.

So what kind of car would you look for?


Jerry
 
You won't find a small British car that runs (or could be made operable) for $500, even a TR7 coupe (which tends to be the cheapest LBC around). You're better off finding a very old Honda Civic or similar. Civics are very easy to cheaply tune for speed and they're fine handling cars as stock.

-William
 
Jerry
I'm going to pickup a 1969 AH sprite parts car that I got cheap (<500) If it can be made to run it might work for you. I has lots of rust but is complete and was parked because of a clutch problem. I pick it up on Wed. I was thinking about using it for my Bugeye (motor, trans, diff and disc brakes). Still need another year + before the B/E will be done. No reason you can not use it first and then I'll part it out. I'm in Modesto.

Paul
 
Paul,

Thanks for the offer. We had talked about a Sprite. Our team is torn by those of us in British cars, and those that want to put a honda motor into the car. All I know is that we spent a lot of time at the race track fixing modern issues. If was fun figureing it all out though.
I will talk to the rest of the group.
Jerry
 
If you weld in new sheet metal and things of that sort because the car is not safe without them, does that count as safety equipment?! :laugh:
 
I think you could use a TR7. Strip the inside of all non essintial parts and sell on Ebay. You can use that money to offset any upgrades plus the $500 allowed.
grin.gif
 
Jerry I ran lemons at MSR Houston and Nelson Ledges. For next year we are running a Datsun 510 and a Porsche 914.

I have seen many MGBs both GTs and roadsters, TR7s, Jaguars, and Sprite/Midgets running at Lemons.

Check out our team's Lemons website:

https://www.strangeracing.org/
 
Ahhh, Th' Ledges.... racin' during th' day, cow tippin' at night. :jester:
 
I was looking at some of the previous winners ( 24 Hours of Lemons results page ), and I think some of these guys are stretching the $500 rule to the breaking point. Not only are there TR7s in there, but quite a number of BMWs (including a 540i), PTCruisers, and worse. <span style="font-weight: bold">I'd like to see the world where operable 1994 & 1993 Miatas and Porsche 944s are $500.00 cars.</span>

Several of the cars (if they were in any way stock) should have been good parts cars for restoration projects as well, including several 1960s Mopars, a Corvair, every Japanese sports car ever made, and virtually every 4 cylinder British and Italian sports car since 1970. The only one missing that I can think of is a Jensen-Healey. :nonono:

If they really are serious about the $500.00 rule, I don't think you could go wrong with a solid Pinto from the southwest. They make very good race cars with minimal changes. An open element air cleaner and a cheap header are usually good for well over 100 mph.
 
I agree - just ask Tony about the $500 rule.
Then there's when the car dealers get into it.Most
of us will but a rusty old car that will cost at
least $1500 to get roadworthy.
I have a '74 Datsun B210 that fits the $500
requirement - It was given to me for $1.It's been
rolled,but drivable.It would still cost $$ to get
it going.
I bought an '84 Honda Civic years ago for
$450.I ended up with about $1750 into it,just to
make it roadworthy.

- Doug
 
Gotta 1.6 DOHC 130 h.p GSI Storm w/ 72K on it for sale for $500. Suprisingly fast little cars. More h.p and lighter than a SI Civic (mid 90's). Has newish tires too.
 
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