1969 Crosslé 14F Restoration
Discussion
Evening All,
For the last 6 months or so, this has been the latest restoration for this year.
A bit of history on the car.
This Crosslé 14F Formula 2 car was built in 1969, were it would then compete in races up until it was put into the Crosslé museum in the mid 1990’s. The car was then purchased by an American gentleman and was then shipped to California. Here it went under a substantial restoration before competing in many SCCA races with relative success. It was then sold to a gentleman in Wisconsin, where it was raced for a few years until he put it up for sale.
Back in 2005 we came across this car on an American internet sales site, and after having talked to the owner, along with many pictures, we decided to buy it and ship it back to the UK. These are the pictures of the car from the original advert.
These were taking the day it arrived about a month later.
It needed some work to get it race worthy for the UK and meet the championship regulations. This consisted, of amongst other things, new wheels and tyres, a new fire system, a new exhaust, a new seat, a new set of drive shafts, a new bell housing and new seatbelts.
The photos below after of the car when this was all completed, and it then was race in this spec for a few races.
The car was then put aside to focus on other projects.
Last November we dragged the car out of storage to get it ready for the 2012 season, only to find all the oil had decided to fill the try under it as the seal on the front of the engine had become leaky. Since we had not really done much work cosmetic wise to the car since it was bought it was decided to strip the car and get the chassis jigged and re painted, rebuild the engine, and have the body repainted.
Here are a smallish selection of photographs of the strip and rebuild.
The Strip.
Then engine out – to be sent away for a thorough rebuild. Many horrors we found, including two cracks in the crank
The chassis was then sent off to be blasted and repainted.
The Rebuild.
Every so often the assistant would go missing, but would be found having a nap.
The engine has run and sounds lovely. The car will be now going to have its set up done and then go for a first test.
This is how she looks at the minute, sporting her now colour scheme.
We hope to get out in the HSCC Classic Racing Cars Championship before the end of the season.
Cheers,
JM
For the last 6 months or so, this has been the latest restoration for this year.
A bit of history on the car.
This Crosslé 14F Formula 2 car was built in 1969, were it would then compete in races up until it was put into the Crosslé museum in the mid 1990’s. The car was then purchased by an American gentleman and was then shipped to California. Here it went under a substantial restoration before competing in many SCCA races with relative success. It was then sold to a gentleman in Wisconsin, where it was raced for a few years until he put it up for sale.
Back in 2005 we came across this car on an American internet sales site, and after having talked to the owner, along with many pictures, we decided to buy it and ship it back to the UK. These are the pictures of the car from the original advert.
These were taking the day it arrived about a month later.
It needed some work to get it race worthy for the UK and meet the championship regulations. This consisted, of amongst other things, new wheels and tyres, a new fire system, a new exhaust, a new seat, a new set of drive shafts, a new bell housing and new seatbelts.
The photos below after of the car when this was all completed, and it then was race in this spec for a few races.
The car was then put aside to focus on other projects.
Last November we dragged the car out of storage to get it ready for the 2012 season, only to find all the oil had decided to fill the try under it as the seal on the front of the engine had become leaky. Since we had not really done much work cosmetic wise to the car since it was bought it was decided to strip the car and get the chassis jigged and re painted, rebuild the engine, and have the body repainted.
Here are a smallish selection of photographs of the strip and rebuild.
The Strip.
Then engine out – to be sent away for a thorough rebuild. Many horrors we found, including two cracks in the crank
The chassis was then sent off to be blasted and repainted.
The Rebuild.
Every so often the assistant would go missing, but would be found having a nap.
The engine has run and sounds lovely. The car will be now going to have its set up done and then go for a first test.
This is how she looks at the minute, sporting her now colour scheme.
We hope to get out in the HSCC Classic Racing Cars Championship before the end of the season.
Cheers,
JM
Edited by johnnymaestro on Monday 2nd July 22:41
bertie said:
That is absolutle fabulous, I soooo want one, even just to look at!!
Couple of questions ....
First am I right in thinking that the chassis top left hand tube was designed to also be the water pipe? I notice it bends out at both engine and front end to what looks coolant connections?
Second, if I may be so bold, what sorf of money do these things go for?
Epic job
Couple of answers.Couple of questions ....
First am I right in thinking that the chassis top left hand tube was designed to also be the water pipe? I notice it bends out at both engine and front end to what looks coolant connections?
Second, if I may be so bold, what sorf of money do these things go for?
Epic job
Yes. In period the water used to run through the chassis rails. This however is now not allowed any more, hence why they are blanked off. There are still some cars in the USA that do use the chassis rails, so in buying one it would be another thing on the list to alter.
See the photos of this BT29 for sale at the minute. It still uses the rails.
http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/brabham/12991050...
Have a look here to see what other types of F2/FB cars are up for sale or at the moment.
http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/fbs.htm
Edited by johnnymaestro on Wednesday 18th July 14:36
bertie said:
So much want!!! Fantastic thanks.
So about £60k seems to be the answer, right?
So if one did buy one, where could you use it and how good a driver do you need to be to get something out of it?
You are in the right sort of area price wise. It all depends on the condition/car type/ competitiveness etc.As with all these things.So about £60k seems to be the answer, right?
So if one did buy one, where could you use it and how good a driver do you need to be to get something out of it?
In the UK you could use it in the HSCC Classic Racing Cars C'ship,
http://www.hscc.org.uk/championships.html
Driving wise. With a good car set up/tuition etc I am sure you would find a level that you feel comfortable at while enjoying driving the car.
UPDATE
With the car set up correctly it has become a competitive car in its class this year with the highlight being the outright ‘Classic Racing Car’ winner at the 60th Anniversary meeting at Kirkistown. An added bonus being that the Crosslé factory was only half an hour up the road in Holywood, Belfast. It was also here that we met the man who actually built the car in period, which was nice.
Unfortunately though the car suffered a minor incident at the Oulton Park Gold Cup Meeting. The body and side pods were heavily damaged, along with the front left corner, steering rack, and radiator. Fortunately the driver was OK though apart a hyper-extension of the tendon in his right thumb.
Here are a few photos of the damaged parts.
So, time to repair the car for 2014.
The car was sent away to have on chassis tube replaced and the radiator mounts straightened back out. While the car was away the list of parts needed from Crosslé was created. This list included, new wishbones, radiator, body, side pods, track rod ends, and throttle pedal.
The car returned from having its tubes done and now is being put back together with the new parts.
Here are some photos of the car to date.
We hope to have it ready for it’s re-paint soon and then get it set back up ready for next season.
JM
With the car set up correctly it has become a competitive car in its class this year with the highlight being the outright ‘Classic Racing Car’ winner at the 60th Anniversary meeting at Kirkistown. An added bonus being that the Crosslé factory was only half an hour up the road in Holywood, Belfast. It was also here that we met the man who actually built the car in period, which was nice.
Unfortunately though the car suffered a minor incident at the Oulton Park Gold Cup Meeting. The body and side pods were heavily damaged, along with the front left corner, steering rack, and radiator. Fortunately the driver was OK though apart a hyper-extension of the tendon in his right thumb.
Here are a few photos of the damaged parts.
So, time to repair the car for 2014.
The car was sent away to have on chassis tube replaced and the radiator mounts straightened back out. While the car was away the list of parts needed from Crosslé was created. This list included, new wishbones, radiator, body, side pods, track rod ends, and throttle pedal.
The car returned from having its tubes done and now is being put back together with the new parts.
Here are some photos of the car to date.
We hope to have it ready for it’s re-paint soon and then get it set back up ready for next season.
JM
Edited by johnnymaestro on Wednesday 4th December 23:53
UPDATE
So after a incident at the Season opener at Donington Park, where the steering wheel decided to not to be attached to the car anymore, the car has since had a faultless year.
The only thing of note was at the Walter Hayes meeting in early November event, where the rev counter stopped working mid race. It transpires that the spade at the engine end had become loose, and after refitting and tightening, works perfectly again.
Thruxton
Oulton Park Gold Cup
Silverstone
The car has had its end of season checks and in the new year will have all fluids changed etc ready for the first meeting of 2015.
JM
So after a incident at the Season opener at Donington Park, where the steering wheel decided to not to be attached to the car anymore, the car has since had a faultless year.
The only thing of note was at the Walter Hayes meeting in early November event, where the rev counter stopped working mid race. It transpires that the spade at the engine end had become loose, and after refitting and tightening, works perfectly again.
Thruxton
Oulton Park Gold Cup
Silverstone
The car has had its end of season checks and in the new year will have all fluids changed etc ready for the first meeting of 2015.
JM
UPDATE
So, for 2015 we're now allowed to use Avon tyres. These are far stickier that the CR65s and will change the cars behavior a lot. The sidewall is smaller on the Avon tyre, and the ride height was greatly affected.The suspension needed re jigging, so it was back where is was before the swap.
New seat belts and oil ordered for changing nest week ahead on 2 races at Snett 300 next Sunday.
In other news, the Lotus 18 needs a gearbox refresh. While it is off, Part JCH001 in the work manual is now in place to keep it mobile
If you are at Snett next weekend then come and say Hi.
JM
So, for 2015 we're now allowed to use Avon tyres. These are far stickier that the CR65s and will change the cars behavior a lot. The sidewall is smaller on the Avon tyre, and the ride height was greatly affected.The suspension needed re jigging, so it was back where is was before the swap.
New seat belts and oil ordered for changing nest week ahead on 2 races at Snett 300 next Sunday.
In other news, the Lotus 18 needs a gearbox refresh. While it is off, Part JCH001 in the work manual is now in place to keep it mobile
If you are at Snett next weekend then come and say Hi.
JM
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