Tornado Talisman classic race car, FIA papers

Rare opportunity to purchase a race prepared Tornado Talisman.

Tornado were a small volume manufacturer producing a range of glassfibre bodied sports cars.   The Talisman was the last model produced before the company ceased trading in 1963; it has a traditional ladder type frame. independent front and rear suspension using Standard / Triumph derived parts and a Ford pre-crossflow engine and gearbox.   This car. 547 SYC. was amongst the last of the Talismans to be built and registered.   Production records are incomplete but it is thought that up to 180 were built between 1961 and 1963.

The Talisman was homologated as a GT in period F (they were successfully raced in period including at Goodwood) and this car is one of circa three known to have FiA HTTP papers so it is unlikely you will find another.   It was the subject of a complete rebuild and race preparation between 2007/9 and has had further development since.   Finished in period Aston Martin green the brief spec is: 

Throbnozzle Engineering 1360 pre crossflow; c 128 BHP.   One race since re-fresh.  

SCCR gearbox with ali tailhousing and remote mated to a magnesium bellhousing.

Lightweight diff housing with LSD and 4. 55 CW&P.  

Aluminium foam filled race fuel tank.

T45 cage.  

Lightweight bonnet and doors.  

Finished with period instruments. seat. switches. etc.  

Weighs c 630 kgs.   

Recently re-wired with aircraft spec lightweight loom.  

Independent rear suspension recently rebuild and re-aligned.  

Eligible for numerous series / events: pre63 GT. Equipe GTS. Ecurie GTS. HRDC. Masters. Spa 6hr. etc.  

A rare. smart and admired car - it does have the odd mark consistent with use; viewing highly recommended.

Road registered but not MOT'd or taxed.

New project forces sale.   

Open to sensible offers / discussions.   Potential to reduce the spec to meet a budget fugure (such as remove the LSD. replace the gearbox with 2000e. etc).   Please call me on 07798 793134

Funds must be cleared prior to collection.

Some extra detail on the spec:

First registered 1963.   Believed originally produced as one of four ‘touring' specification Talisman cars.   Purchased by me in 2007 with a view to restoration and rebuild to FIA specification.   Rebuilt across 2008/9. FIA HTTP papers acquired on completion – inspected by Jim Lowry.   Although little used due to family commitments the car has been subject to continued upgrade and development.

 ·         Original chassis – shot blasted and very localised rust repairs completed during rebuild.   Original chassis number clearly visible and matching to V5 details.   Lightened where possible

·         Front suspension – rebuilt.   Uses (stronger) Vitesse / GT6 uprights and front hubs.   Type 14 callipers / spitfire discs / race pads.   Adjustable front suspension – for FIA events the platform adjustment on the coil-overs would need to be locked.   Front anti-roll bar fitted (factory option and FIA legal)

·         Rear suspension – subject to very recent (this year) rebuild and re-alignment.   Uprights remanufactured.   Geometry sorted.   Lightweight. large capacity. diff case.   4. 5 diff with plate type LSD.   Adjustable coil-overs.   Currently fitted Alfin drums are not FIA correct – I have standard drums which can be substituted if anyone queried them.   The original independent suspension layout is very good – twin training arms and twin transverse arms with the drive shaft providing the top link.

·         Body – striped and rebuilt.   New lightweight bonnet. doors and boot lid from the original moulds (all moulds still exist for the Tornado).   Period Aston Martin green with Old English White strip.   At least one TT had a bonnet strip in period.   Lexan windows.   Recent new windscreen.

·         T45 cage with door bars on both sides

·         Cut down and leather clad race seat (looks period but has a proper foundation)

·         Period ‘ Cobra' style gauges. original speedo.   Aftermarket rev counter.   All (new) period style switches.

·         Engine – 1360 Ford pre-crossflow using 5 bearing crank for reliability and safety.   Steel ods. forged pistons. etc.   Shows 128 bhp on rolling road (have the report).   Revs to ridiculous amounts but no need to take it beyond point where the power starts to tail off.   Twin 40s (as original).   Runs points.   One race since re-fresh.   Huge radiator - does not get hot.

·         Gearbox – SCCR 2. 5 1st gear gearset inside a steel casing.   Magnesium bell-housing.   Ali remote and tail-housing

·         Recently professionally required to ‘aircraft' standard – lightweight loom with circuit breakers in reach of the driver.   Additional ‘kill' switch within reach of the driver.

·         Ali. foam filled. fuel tank with additional collector pot to avoid fuel surge.

Very predictable handling with few vices.   Scope for further development and improvement .

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