I'm a big fan of the TR8 and Fiat Abarth 131 both good Escort beaters in the right hands. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T1mkj9uiqw"]1980 Manx Rally - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke2QVVYqTH8"]MARK PARSONS TR7V8 Hamilton rally 1996 and others - YouTube[/ame]
Those TR7 V8's were wonderful cars. John Buffum drove one to great success in the US Pro Rally series. I'd love to have one of those. Fiat shipped 2 131 Abarth's here to run in the Pro Rally series. They did not have any success.
yes Chuck I forgot Buffum ran a TR8. Steve, If you think the TR8 was an oddball then look no further than the Rover SDi V8.....A huge car to throw around. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO2VX_tDmaU"]BBC Rally Sprint 1983 part 1 - YouTube[/ame]
I have a friend who had two TR7's back when they were new and to quote him "(&@$#?+, total junk". That being said I think he would change his mind with this video. His cars were both four bangers.
I forgot Buffum ran a TR7 before switching to the TR8. They were TR8's here & TR7 V8's over there. I saw John's TR7 on the Sunriser rally in '78. I agree those TR7's were not a very nice car. As I recall it was hard to keep a head gasket on them. A friend had a Rover 3500. Same as the SD1 over on your side of the pond. Lots of power, but it handled like a pig. I marveled at the fact they raced & rallied them.
I had 4 TR7's and one with a V-8 needless to say which one was my favorite! The problem with the head gaskets were they were filled at the docks with the wrong antifreeze so they never had a chance. Later on Saab used the same engine in their 9000's
I remember SAAB using that engine in the 99 when it first came out. SAAB figured it out & even turbo'd that engine with great success. Stag's had the same head gasket problem. That engine was basically 2 of those 4's joined at the crank. Couldn't keep a head gasket on those either. As much as I dispise TR7's I'd love a TR8 roadster.
The Stag and TR7 used the Dolomite Sprint engine whihc was a technical gem for its time. 2.0L 16v but without good maintenance the heads warped and blew the gaskets. There was a fix but it came too late. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpTG-rVvtsk"]Ken Wood - Triumph Dolomite Sprint - Rallying Highlights 2011 [HD] - YouTube[/ame]
Rally guys do drive anything, just like racers. A friend of mine did One Lap of America in a Yugo. Heck it was brand new & offered to them for free. Heck I'd have rallied one had they given it to me. :arf:
I have plenty of time this week to throw a few rally topics at you. Dave Metcalfe I used to follow, he was very talented but died in a road accident. Dave Metcalfe - Driver Profile : Rallye-Info.com [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApQBDfh_UGg"]Dave Metcalfe - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkUCbqFV2rY"]V8 Rally Car MADNESS! - Chevrolet Firenza HB PURE SOUND - YouTube[/ame] oh my that sounds great!
MUCH of fun going on in this one. :yesnod: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d2H5VvxqrA]Best of Historic Rally 2013 - YouTube[/ame] Can anyone tell me what model MG that is at 3:26? This one: