I was fortunate enough to help restore the Stovebolt here in the PNW several decades ago...I believe it was the first (or possibly second ) restoration after the car had been retired from active racing. Our shop took it to Laguna Seca, for one of the vintage racing events there, and I won the coin toss that let me drive it into La Mesa for display for the afternoon. A fifteen minute drive was NOT enough, it's the quickest car I've ever driven, by a large margin (around 320 hp at that time, probably not much more than 1500 lbs wet ) I could put my fingers on the ground from the driver's seat, without stretching (avoiding the hot sidepipes ) When the progressive linkage on the six pack manifold opened the outer pair of carbs, the thing just leaped forward. Driving it was one of the high points of a gearhead life., I can only imagine what it would be like to own.
I remember seeing Simon driving this car at Gurston Down a few years back, great to see it being used properly and not just sat in a "collection" somewhere.
Totally agree. Thumbnail image was from him getting it very sideways at Gurston Down. It must get some looks when it pulls up next to people at traffic lights!
Quite a few legends in American race car engineering came together to construct this car in V-8 form. The car was supposedly wrecked during filming and Tom Carstens purchased it in bent condition. Carstens wanted it for the chassis and independent suspension. He had Vic Edelbrock's shop build a then new small block Chevy V-8 for the car. Once the mill was done, Carstens commissioned Eddie Kuzma, a legend in race car fabrication, to fit the small V-8 to the HWM chassis. It's noted that Ted Hallibrand fitted the quick change rear to the car. Carstens then had Bill Pollack drive the car at the 1956 Pebble Beach Road Race where the car failed to finish. Pollack was a driver of considerable skill and is seen now as he was then, a force equal to Tatum, Shelby, and Phil Hill on track. A very nice special and its great to see the car out and running so many decades after it was originally raced.
Possibly showing my age, but this has to be my favourite competing hill climb car today. I have a photograph in my office wall, taken by Dennis Wood, and signed by both Stirling Moss and Simon Taylor. Will not part with this in my lifetime. Thanks to Simon as custodian of this great piece of motoring history.
Thanks!
Thank YOU Roy. That's very kind of you.
I was fortunate enough to help restore the Stovebolt here in the PNW several decades ago...I believe it was the first (or possibly second ) restoration after the car had been retired from active racing. Our shop took it to Laguna Seca, for one of the vintage racing events there, and I won the coin toss that let me drive it into La Mesa for display for the afternoon. A fifteen minute drive was NOT enough, it's the quickest car I've ever driven, by a large margin (around 320 hp at that time, probably not much more than 1500 lbs wet ) I could put my fingers on the ground from the driver's seat, without stretching (avoiding the hot sidepipes ) When the progressive linkage on the six pack manifold opened the outer pair of carbs, the thing just leaped forward. Driving it was one of the high points of a gearhead life., I can only imagine what it would be like to own.
Great to hear Scot. 👍
It was great to see Simon enjoying the Stovebolt last Sunday. 😎
I remember seeing Simon driving this car at Gurston Down a few years back, great to see it being used properly and not just sat in a "collection" somewhere.
Totally agree. Thumbnail image was from him getting it very sideways at Gurston Down. It must get some looks when it pulls up next to people at traffic lights!
I've seen this car at Riverside at VARA events in the 1980's. Loved the looks of it and glad to have found it again.
man, the i love this old man's religion ! DOWN WITH TRAILERS!!!!
Quite a few legends in American race car engineering came together to construct this car in V-8 form. The car was supposedly wrecked during filming and Tom Carstens purchased it in bent condition. Carstens wanted it for the chassis and independent suspension. He had Vic Edelbrock's shop build a then new small block Chevy V-8 for the car. Once the mill was done, Carstens commissioned Eddie Kuzma, a legend in race car fabrication, to fit the small V-8 to the HWM chassis. It's noted that Ted Hallibrand fitted the quick change rear to the car. Carstens then had Bill Pollack drive the car at the 1956 Pebble Beach Road Race where the car failed to finish. Pollack was a driver of considerable skill and is seen now as he was then, a force equal to Tatum, Shelby, and Phil Hill on track. A very nice special and its great to see the car out and running so many decades after it was originally raced.
Simon and I were in the same class at Prescott once (I was in my GT40 replica). A true Gent and oh do I love that car!
Possibly showing my age, but this has to be my favourite competing hill climb car today. I have a photograph in my office wall, taken by Dennis Wood, and signed by both Stirling Moss and Simon Taylor. Will not part with this in my lifetime. Thanks to Simon as custodian of this great piece of motoring history.
man, i love that sound
It's a great sounding car, and it looks good too. One of my favourites.
One of my all time favourite race cars, my dream is to race an in period vintage v8 car around the UK’s hillclimbs 😎
Now there is a man that enjoys his motorsport, with a underlying steely resolve every time he breaks that timing beam
Ein ,interessantes Auto wieder von Chris perfekt vorgestellt 😉
Danke Erich, es hat Spass gemacht
Erich, your question yesterday on Prescott commentary. The answer is Wilhelmsfeld am Odenwald. Chris