This section is for those cars that will give inspiration on what can be done with loads of enthusiasm a lot of time and some considerable skill or are just unusual, these cars do not fit into the other sections as they are not based around tuning companies and in some cases are the result of more modern ideas and techniques.
I thought that the first images on here should be the original inspiration from Alec Issigonis the designer of the Morris Minor
I thought I would start with something a little unusual and this is the 1953 Morris Motors Fire Engine and was for use in the factory production line, its now in the Heritage Motor Museum at Gaydon Warwickshire.
This is also a similar conversion in
New Zealand
This is not the sort of vehicle I would normally put on here but because its a rather special vehicle powered by a 948cc Morris Minor engine I think it deserves the attention as it's a home built Dragster that holds a very special place in the history of Santa Pod.
Strip Duster was built by Harold Bull in 1965 on a shoestring budget of £35, the engine itself cost a grand total of £1:00 but of course was extensively modified to include a rebore to 998cc, modified cylinder head, twin SU's and a Rootes type blower, the original transmission was from a Morris 8.
The rear axle was a Morris Minor 4.55:1 ratio, the front axle also contained Morris Minor components and even the brakes were Morris Minor so you can see that Strip Duster was really just a Moggie underneath with a few extra's.
In case you are still wondering why I consider Strip Duster to be such a special vehicle it's because it holds a unique place in history, as on the 11th April 1966 the very first meeting at Santa Pod took place and the very first pass was done by Strip Duster, so there you are the first Dragster to run at Santa Pod was a Morris Minor at heart.
Below is a photo of Harold and some pictures of Strip Duster if you click on Harolds picture it will link to the website that gives the history of the man and vehicle. And many thanks to Jane his daughter for letting me use the images and information.
This car is so well known I really had to include it, and there are even video's of it on You tube, its 0-100 time was 6.9 sec's & 0-150 time was 17.2 sec's when tested by Autocar in the 80's.
JLH Motorsport are possibly the most innovative of the current companies that deal with upgrades and modifications and the quality of their workmanship is top notch.
They undertake all types of work from simple upgrades through to total rebuilds incorporating their latest products which are fully tested before being sold to the public at large.
These range from their own designed disc brake conversions which are a straightforward bolt on design through to their latest Zetec engine conversions with coil over front suspension kits and 5 link rears, they do of course undertake normal works on standard cars as well.
The photo's show one area of their workshop with awaiting projects and the 2 Traveller's are completed customers car's o/s the workshops, if you click on the logo it will take you to their website were there is far more detail on what they do and what they produce.
This is an article on the Miller Minor from Classic & Sportscar 1985
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