This wonderful iconic race car, that had been lost since 1979 is due to be unveiled during 2025. The full re-commissioning started just after Pete of Spec 'R' passed away in January 2024. And as Peter's brother had purchased the car fully from Pete when he got terminal cancer in 2019, his brother also bought out the 50% share of the car that another party had in it from 2017. Chris paid for all the components and items needed for the car, this allowed Pete to concentrate on doing his Spec 'R' work faster. So on behalf of Pete, I wish to say sorry for any delays in Pete not always getting his work out in time. Un-be-known to many, he had the cancer some time before being fully diagnosed, and was continuously ill. Anyway, his work was still GREAT, and he loved the work he did, and his customers.
Every original component of the LT40 Hart Escort has been fully, and sympathetically restored, so the car remains as to how it made it's race debut in 1974 and 1975 at the Tricentrol Super Saloon Car Championship. Although the car has always been Tahiti Blue, the original colour was the gel coat finish when made in 1973, to save weight. The car is now sprayed and oven baked by Chris, Petes brother in Tahiti Blue. The Brian Hart BDA engine was fully rebuilt by Julian Godfrey Race Engines himself, with Peter's brother paying for all of this, including replacing the Iron block with the latest alloy block, saving 20 kilo's. The engine has been Dyno Tested with the BHP being approx what it was when original in 1973/4. Chris alongside Martin Jones rebuilt the ZF gearbox, and Chris rebuilt the Le-Mans BMW CSL rear axle. All the magnesium components have been crack tested, as have the wheels, spaceframe and other components. The F1 calipers have been fully rebuilt, and assembled with all new Think Automotive hoses replacing the old copper pipes. Corbeau Seats replaced the originl seat with an exact copy, but now made it six point. The fuel pumps have been replaced with alloy high pressure Bosch units.
Weight saving has got the car down to an incredible 496 kilos, and with 271 bhp will make the power to weight respectable, especially as it is a normally aspirated enginne running Lucas fuel injection.
The original owner racer Geoff Wood found the LT40 Hart Escort to be hot, fumey and noisey with the engine inside the car, next to him. So what Chris has done has lined every alloy panel with heat and thermal noise insulation, and covered the outside of each alloy panel with anti glare matt black felt. There is now an alloy bulkhead fitted where the exhaust manifold passed through the footwell on the passenger side. There are now fitted extractor vacuem pipes to rid the cockpit of fumes and heat. Some heat has been diverted to the screen in case of a wet race. Total weight put on by adding all of this is just 1.2 kilos.
The half doors sit over F1 style safety pods, as was desighned by Len Terry. Chris has infilled with the latest material, used in Le-Mans cars.
I can add a few images here, and add a few more later to wet your appetite.
Many thanks go to all the help given by Ray West Racing at Thruxton, Mike Quaife, Julian Godfrey Race Engines, Scott Reed, Rod Birley, John Cross, Advanced Paint Supplies @ Shepperton Studios, Think Automotive, Minilite Wheels, Corbeau Seats, Martin Jones ZF, AP components, BMW Motorsport Spares in Germany, Hugo CSCC, Ricky Parker-Morris (RIP), Cyril Malem (RIP), Ross at Devizes, Gary Rhodes, BOSCH technical, McLaren Woking, Andy F3 at Castle Combe, and the man himself at Goodwood for future testing.
The Ex Geoff Wood LT40 Hart F2 Tricentrol Super Saloon in it's first Tricentrol race.
The LT40 Lowline Escort at the 1975 Silverstone GP support race.
The 'Lowline' Hart Escort LT40 Super Saloon in the Silverstone paddock. Notice the half doors sitting over the F1 style safety pods.
The LT40 Hart Escort in it's final guise, raced by Andrew Grover in 1978/79. This was at Goodwood in 1978 in Andrew Grovers team colour of Dark Blue with a yellow roof.
The LT40 Hart Escort Super Saloon being tested at Goodwood Circuit 1978, driven by Andrew Grover.
The LT40 Hart Escort winning a race in the Wendy Wools Championship at Castle Combe. The ( Lowline' ) is low and corners flatter than most.
Leading the class again and settinng up the new class lap record lap time of over 100 mph. The LT40 with the right driver started to win on a very regular basis.
The LT40 Hart Escort Super Saloon being towed out of the barn after being stored complete since 1979 to 2017.
Inspections begin on the LT40 Hart Escort 'the Lowline', after being found stored in a barn for 43 years.
Peter of Spec 'R' Alloy.
Peter Fulke-Greville of Spec 'R' Alloy with the Chairman CSCC Hugo Holder, taking the screen surround off, allowing access to the engine.
Authenticating the ex Geoff Wood LT40 Hart F2 Escort Tricentrol Super Saloon. Left to right, Cyril Malem CTG F1 racing original builder, Hugo Holder CSCC Chairman, Peter Fulke-Greville Spec 'R' Alloy, Ricky Parker-Morris racer, friend and editorial editor.
The LT40 Hart Escort laid bare, showing the Len Terry designed F1'F5000 chassis and components, and fifty years of farm barn dirt all over it.
Showing Geoff Wood with the LT40 hart Escort Tricentrol Super Saloon, lined up with the top Super saloon racers of the time.
Graham Wood sitting in his dads old car that he had not seen for fifty years.
The BMW CSL Le-Mans rear axle fitted to the LT40 Hart Escort. Notice the rare F1 inboard brakes, the F1 uprights. The rear wheels are 14in wide on 13in Minilites.
The LT40 Hart Escort in it's last colour scheme
The Len Terry F1 designed spaceframe for the LT40 Hart Escort Tricentrol Super Saloon. Being alighned, prepared and ready for paint.
Now painted and ready for re-commissioning.
The LT40 Hart Escort being re-commissioned in 2024 by Chris F/G.
The LT40 Hart Escort having the F5000/F1 front suspension fitted by Chris.
Some of the prepared body panels being lined up on the LT40 Hart Escort
The LT40 Hart Escort Super Saloon now starting to resemble it's old self of 1974.
The LT40 Hart Super Saloon having the body panels fitted.
Now crack tested and prepared, the original Minilite wheels for the LT40 Hart Escort. 14in wide at rear, 11.5in wide at the front.
The LT40 Hart Escort, 'the Lowline'.
Showing the interior nearly finished for the LT40 Hart Escort Super Saloon.
The LT40 Hart Escort showing the fresh Hart engine fitted in during Dec 2024. It's getting there.
The LT40 Hart Escort showing how far back the engine is, to comply with the championship rules. This car when finished will weigh approx 496 kilos, down from it's original 508 kilos. The extra alloy bulkhead is shown between the fuel tank and ex-manifold lower section.
Engine now fitted, showing it behinnd the windscreen, alonside the driver. Alloy panels cover it, with added insulation for sound and heat.