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Feb 21, 2018 11:25:16 GMT
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Hi All, I'm currently feeling inspired to get back into club motorsport, starting with some grass events like motorkhana and khanacross. Think 1st to 2nd gear and tight turns around cones. I have found a range of nice old cars which would make for some weekend fun. My main criteria are that it must have a manual transmission and be as lightweight as possible, but preferably with more than 50hp. My previous motorsport car was a 1990 Toyota Celica GT-Four ST185, and before that a VW Beetle. The car which I buy will be road registered and driven to and from events, but I won't need to drive it to work every day. Please give your opinions on the following vehicles:  1960 Morris Minor 2 door, requiring a bit of work. $2000  1984 Toyota Corona 2 litre 5 speed manual. This is probably the quickest and most sensible option for grass-roots motorsport. $1500  1964 Hillman Minx, with 1600cc "sports" engine and 3.9 diff ratio. The owner seems quite keen on it. This one is my favourite so far. $1500  1984 Toyota Corolla KE70. These are very popular as entry-level drift and motorsports cars. $2500  1964 Isuzu Bellet. A bit too rare for thrashing around the grass, but it just has so much style! $1800 I could also find another VW Beetle for around $3000, but I'm thinking of getting something different, as I already know how to drive Beetles on dirt. Any more suggestions? |
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Feb 21, 2018 11:30:20 GMT
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If you want to put that Bellet in a shipping container or even a RoRo for me that would be great.
I'd go for the Hillman, unlikely, but with potential.
Did you get the Austin A40 down there?
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Feb 21, 2018 11:39:42 GMT
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Feb 21, 2018 11:50:13 GMT
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Two things are now happening, my wife is planning a car shopping trip to Australia and I'm looking up if I can ship a car from Melbourne to the UK!  |
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Feb 21, 2018 12:53:55 GMT
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Woah, pretty envious of the choice of cheap Japanese tin you have over there! I'd go for the KE70, as they seem fairly well served by the tuning market so you can evolve it over time. Loving the Haflinger though, and the Bellet.
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Feb 21, 2018 13:44:40 GMT
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like BenzBoy id personally id go for KE70, but i want the bellet.
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Take the Next slot right coming up on the left.
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Feb 21, 2018 23:40:16 GMT
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I love the wavelength you are thinking on waveman... but, from a competition perspective, I can just about guarantee you that after one or two events you will want faster, more agile, and faster. I would pick something with more potential. The KE70 is probably the best bet out of the choices there.
Personally, if a Morris Minor is on the cards, I'd look at a Riley Elf / Wolseley Hornet. All the tuning potential of a Mini, but odder. But there is also lots of other things out there.
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I love the wavelength you are thinking on waveman... but, from a competition perspective, I can just about guarantee you that after one or two events you will want faster, more agile, and faster. Using an interesting old car, rather than the quickest car available, is definitely part of the fun for me. I've got form in this area.  Running the Beetle was always dirt cheap and good fun. I'm not racing for sheep stations, so for me as long as I have fun and I'm not dead last on the time sheets, I've had a good day. When I stepped up to the Celica GT-Four I did start going faster, but this also put me into the same class as the front running competitors in rally prepared WRXs and Evos. Having more power and rally tyres meant breaking suspension parts and cracking wheels, not to mention a gearbox! What I want is a car that will get me around the track and home again with a smile. Minis and their derivatives are outside my price range, but I'm leaning towards rear wheel drive anyway. |
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Here's a photo of my brothers old Morris Minor Autograss car. S2000 engine on 48's, 2 sped elite gearbox, Jeep axle because a group 4 Atlas couldn't last a race without twisting shafts or welding the slip together and a total home brew suspension set up. I guess what I'm saying here is buy a Toyota. 🙂  |
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Feb 22, 2018 11:46:08 GMT
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somthing which you can get replacement panels and parts / upgrades for easily has to be the top of the list for club competition to keep the costs down.
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Take the Next slot right coming up on the left.
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Feb 22, 2018 13:51:14 GMT
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Moggy Thou.
Easy to work on, parts availability is good.
The 2 door shown would be lighter and more rigid than the 4 door.
I'm guessing rust less of an issue in Oz.
In a mild state of tune they'll do the ton and can easily be everydayed.
Chris Rea races one.
Tiff Needell rates it;
'Bluebell' (4-door);
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Last Edit: Feb 22, 2018 14:15:33 GMT by MkX
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Feb 22, 2018 15:45:25 GMT
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If you're going for the Minor, then the easiest way to more power in Oz is to go for Datsun power. An A12 coupled to 3.9:1 rearend gears, telescoic rear shocks and Morris Major brakes (bolt on swap), will make for an entertaining package.
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1953 Minor (Long term project)
PT Cruiser
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Thank you to everyone for your advice and feedback! Since asking for opinions, I have not been idle. I have been prowling the classifieds and the auction sites, searching for a bargain. I sent messages to sellers of a wide variety of vehicles. I was all set to go and buy the Hillman Minx, but it was sadly sold before I could get there! I also test-drove a 1992 Honda CRX, which was the "Del Sol" targa roof version. The B16A2 engine was still very impressive, screaming to 8500rpm enthusiastically with a full 369,000km on the clock! But the seller wanted too much money for this, given the condition. What I have ended up with was an auction bargain which seemed too good to go past. The newest and lowest mileage car I have ever owned, and the first Ford.  2007 Ford Fiesta XR4, also known as the Fiesta ST. I bought it sight-unseen, so wish me luck! |
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