Original Sidewinder rebuild (Read 44,167 times)

[craige]

[sidewinder]

postimg.org/image/z9f90btpn/

[sidewinder]

I have pulled the beam axle, springs - towers and accesories out of the Sidewinder and am proceeding to install an original style independant arm setup, going to lose about 35kg doing so. The original torsion bars as far as I can see in photo's must have run along the chassis rails, any one out there know if the torsions were VW or Valiant or some other brand? Want to get it right. It had a pretty trick sway bar set up probably a VW torsion bar by the look of the photo. Will post some photo's soon.

[The Observer]

Awesome great to hear. Was a cool car,and I'm sure it will be back on the pace with the changes.

[sidewinder]

SNZ has created a new racing class called Classic Stockcars Catagory 3. It is for Stockcars 1985 on which includes Spaceframes, Flat chassis, etc and are able to participate together as a group. I am not sure what the cut off year is as the new rules dont really say? So it is sort of open it seems. The cars need to have a racing history ie, NZ1, NZ2, NZ3 or some sort of title, or a past successfull? driver who it seems can use a later car if their original isnt in their ownership. It is demonstration racing and non contact to preserve the cars and the drivers. Drivers must be over 45 years old and engines must be 2 valve and up to 241.5 cu which can be modified ( 4 bbl carbs, etc, etc allowed) and from 241.5 cu in and up to 310 cu in standard engines and 2 bbl carbys. Engine measurements on an honesty basis - no measuring or seals required.
We are not able to participate with Historic Stockcars Category 2 up to 1985 consisting of Flat chassis only.
We need to get some numbers together so we can all have a race at various venues near you (sometimes).
The Sidewinder falls into this Classic Class and needs some mates to race.
Who is interested? Fire up your Classic throw on your helmet and lets get it going. Post a reply to enable contact.

[angela12]

Hi would just like to clarify a few points in the above post
Yes SNZ in conjunction with the Waikato Golden Oldies Delegate and the Central Classic Stockcar & Speedway Club Delegate have made a new class which is for classic stockcars
Anthony has stated some of the rules that SNZ have put in place and some rules from our Central Classic Stockcar & Speedway Club.
Our club is going to cater for this class as well as the Pre 85 class.
These are our rules
General Rules:
All vintage vehicles were possible need to have proof of history and be restored to era appropriate appearance.
All vehicles that wish to do laps on any track in New Zealand that is registered with this club need to be green sheeted and authenticated at the beginning of your season.
All competitors must be over the age of 45 and any exemptions must be applied for to the committee in writing and exemptions are on a year by year basis
Any Exemption’s given by this club will be issued on a form and this form must be attached to the log book of the vehicle at all times.

Class 3 Classic Stockcars Rules:
Class 3 Cars are to be restored to era appropriate specs and photo evidence is required.
Class 3 has been designed for 1, 2, 3 NZ cars or unique cars with history or a car that have you owned or raced in your career.
All Class 3 cars must have been restored and authenticated before it is given approval to compete on SNZ Tracks. No exemptions for this class will be given.
Racing Rules:
Class 3 is non-contact
Any competitor may only win 1 race per night
Any competitor who wins a race must start at the back of the field for the remainder of the night

These are SNZ Rules
Category 3 From 1985 or spaceframe design, pushrod engines only - Classic

• The onus is on the competitor to prove eligibility.
• In General the running of Historic Stockcars will comply with the current rules of Speedway NZ. Additions/amendments are in Green
• All cars must be registered with SNZ and run a SNZ Logbook/VIN Tag
• Competitors must hold a Speedway NZ General Membership (2013/14 fee = $40)Which is a Demonstration Licence
• Competitors must join a Speedway NZ affiliated Historic Club.
(There are also spec rules, if you want these contact the Club)

So we understand that there are not many cars for this class at the moment but this class should grow over the next few years now the rules are in place. We feel that there is no need for another club as to go to SNZ track you have to Affiliated to SNZ which our club is. SNZ has indicated that they only wish there to be 3-4 clubs in NZ, Northern Club(Waikato Golden Oldies), Central North Island (CCSSC) and a club in the south Island in the future.

This class has not been designed for every Tom, Dick & Harry to put any car out on the track. This is why our rules state that the car must be for 1, 2, 3 NZ cars or unique cars with history or a car that have you owned or raced in your career.
All Class 3 cars must have been restored and authenticated before it is given approval to compete on SNZ Tracks. No exemptions for this class will be given.
So anybody thinking of joining this class needs to contact the club to verify the car they have and if it qualifies. We do not want people to waste money buying cars that do not qualify. This is not a racing class, this is demonstration class for cars that comply. If you wish to race that is what stockcar and super stock class is for.

I Understand this is a large post but we want to get it right so thanks for your time, any questions please feel free to contact the club at [e-mail]

Regards
Angela Cromarty

[porry41]

goin to reply in next couple days to this but going to make couple ph calls 1st .these 2 clubs need to get there act together ..cheers L...

[Deleted]

my last stockie would have been good to restore, being the old seirra bodied car from wanganui back in the day

[porry41]

tin or fiberglass body gribbs .....L...

[sidewinder]

Front suspension and steering setup is coming on well thanks to John Durning who knows the car very well, going to create an original style bonnet next so will post some pictures soon. Looking forward to driving the Sidewinder again. Have contracted to Meeanee Speedway as 33b Superstock, was 33s in NZ Champs in 1988, Sidewinder didnt finish first race due to water hose coming off and blew a head gasket I beleive.Did the same thing on its first night out at Meeanee on 3rd race - Dajee Vue? But didnt blow a head gasket luckily. All sorted now heat wise as posted before, all about volume, Windsors need lots of water. Going to take Sidewinder out for a few laps sometime soon.

[sidewinder]

[sidewinder]

Building a new bonnet for Sidewinder, did have a fibreglass one originally but Lord knows what happenned to that or the mold? Had to build a frame and then sheath it with alluminium sheet, bit of a challange but getting there. VW torsion bars in and working well. Steering and paint next then stickers.

[porry41]

what are the cars in back shed .36/37 ford ....cheers

[sidewinder]

1936 Nash Ambassadors x2. Projects,one is a runner the other 80% complete was bought for parts but I'm of another mind as to pulling it appart as getting rarer. The wee car with 29b on it is my Kiwilite (1995 Dwarfcar) 1934 Ford coupe replica with Yamaha FJ1200 power, great fun to drive and quick.

[sidewinder]

Sidewinder with red chassis now, post more progress soon.

[sidewinder]

The other side

[The Observer]

Was the original sidewinder dry sumped back in the day? I know Ian Eastons gurney eagle was dry sumped so it could pull the big numbers, and I seem to remember this little hot rod being a little revver.

looking great, keep up the great work.

[sidewinder]

From what I have been told it had a 221 block with a Crower crankshaft (probably a 302 aftermarket crankshaft) to bring it up to 241 cubes. It had the Gurney Eagle heads and intake etc. Dry sumped i dont know but it wouldnt surprise me as it had all the good stuff on it. Must at least have had a windage tray no doubt. Thanks for the encouragement and good comments.

[sidewinder]

New bonnet, paint next.

[sidewinder]

The other side of bonnet.