ianc Posted December 4, 2023 Report Share Posted December 4, 2023 Having read Tom Purves' article in the latest TR Action, I decided to watch the race - and what a cracker it was! The way the "family cars" handle and the speeds they achieve are amazing, and also puzzling. What, for example, is under the bonnet in the Standard Vanguard, which was pretty quick in the corners, but really showed its torque on the straights as it pulled away from the extremely rapid Alfa and A40. I'm guessing that it has a full-race TR4 engine with 89mm liners - but does anyone know for sure? Ian Cornish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave McDonald Posted December 4, 2023 Report Share Posted December 4, 2023 It had a 6 cyl engine Ian. Probably similar spec to TR5/6s raced in CSCC Swinging 60s race series. Dave McD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ianc Posted December 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2023 Thanks, Dave, that would make sense. In the late 1960s, Vic, a friend of mine, was running a Bedford Dormobile (the beast with sliding doors and steering column change), but needed something better as he had fathered twins to add to the three kids. I suggested a Vanguard, and we found a Vanguard 6 somewhere in north London. I went with him to collect the Vanguard and had to drive the Dormobile back - not a pleasant experience as the gear change mechanism was worn out, making it very difficult to select appropriate gear., and the doors would open and close at their own volition. Glad to say that Vic was delighted with the silky smooth 6-pot Vanguard, which had more grunt and doors which stayed shut (a safety feature)! Ian Cornish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john.r.davies Posted December 5, 2023 Report Share Posted December 5, 2023 (edited) Ian, Not long ago, no less a person than Doug Nye devoted his column in MotorSport to the St.Mary's, and was most concerned that modern 'tweeks' gave the contestants far more power and performance than was ever available in their day. He felt that this betrayed the concept of 'Historic' car racing. The actual technical regulations for the St. Mary's are taken from the Historic Racing Drivers Club, whose A35 Academy class specialises in that model. When it first appeared, I was pleased that another cheap, available classic car, in the same league as small chassis Triumphs, was being promoted as an entry class for motorsport. But I was rapidly shown to be wrong as race A35s came on sale for many times the price of even a full race Triumph. See this price list just for parts! A35 Academy (moto-build.com) But what are the A35 Race Regulations? Are they too liberal? I can't tell you, or rather I'm too scared to be able tell you! I tried to link to the HRDC's own website and got this message from my firewall! Edited December 5, 2023 by john.r.davies Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Hogan Posted December 5, 2023 Report Share Posted December 5, 2023 All is not what it seems with that Vanguard. I will say no more but check out dates of manufacture and eligibility rules. Hoges. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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