Back in 2014 I had owned and raced the car for the previous 38-years and it had become time to give the ex-Works Competition GT, UPD 766.2, a re-fresh. The early work carried out has been covered in previous Blogs, but here we have the conclusion of the total rebuild and re-paint.
The most important objective in the rebuild was to retain the cars historical patina, whilst refreshing it to reflect how it would have been in 1969. Given that the car had been raced considerably by both its first owner Emlyn Newman and then Piers Weld-Forester before being entered as an official Works entry in the Nürburgring 400kms and Barcelona 12hrs, the interior of the car was to remain unrestored, showing all the wear and tear it was subject to over that period. Remembering that the car had been subject to a number of refreshes to its yellow paint for both its last two races in 1969 and again in 1980, the refresh again was not considered to compromise the original objective.
I think you will see that apart from some essential additions to meet current safety and Historic championship regulations, that the car has retained its original character and striking looks resplendent on its 'works' Unipower Yellow paint. The engine is still 1293cc albeit rebuilt internally and the gearbox rebuilt whilst retaining its original straight-cut gear ratios and LSD. The flywheel is original as is the 45 DCOE Weber from 1969, although various jets and chokes have been changed to reflect the tune of the engine, which with an improved permitted historic camshaft now produces 124hp on Swiftune's engine dyno. The complex but accurate (once setup correctly) gearshift mechanism was rebuilt for the first time with all new phosphor bronze bushing and the correct rose-joints.
The car has full FIA Appendix J, HTP Papers to compete in Category B - Group 6 (Prototype - Sports Cars), as well as HSCC Papers making it eligible for the Guards Trophy Championship.
You can see the car on the Club stand at the NEC Classic Motor Show 11th-13th November, along with two other pristine examples of both Road and Race cars.
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