David's
Spyder Special
This
Spyder Special has impeccable pedigree;
bearing an uncanny resemblance to the
elite Porsche 550A racing spyders which
first saw combat in 1956. Though lacking
an original and often temperamental
four-cam engine, the substitute is a
Raby Aircooled Technology two-litre
914 Type IV engine, rebuilt in 2006
to somewhat unconventional standards,
with 257 electronically fuel-injected
horses propelling just 1250 pounds of
car. The engine in turn is mated to
a Type 901 five-speed gearbox (ex 914),
with Quaife torque-biasing differential.
The flywheel weighs just seven pounds,
with a copper-faced 911S aluminium clutch
pressure plate.
The
chassis is a custom-built space frame
utilising a mix of chassis components,
some from a Porsche 356, others from 914
and 911S. All of the ancillaries (lights,
switches, grills, instruments, etc.) are
ex-Porsche 356 or 550. The hand-fabricated
aluminium body is by Kent-based racing
car specialist, Lewis Barrow. Several
safety extras have been incorporated to
bring the car into the 21st century, with
a four-link de Dion set-up and Panhard
rod replacing the rear swing axle arrangement.
Four-wheel disc brakes and rack and pinion
steering also are non-proprietary.
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