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I
bought this 544
in 1963 and used it to get through undergrad and grad school. I
have been racing it for over 20 years. Won the SCCA East Coast
hill climb championship with it last four years. Last race this
year was the Turkey Bowl at Summit Point. We were lucky enough
to get a first, a second (nosed out by an Elan 10 feet from the
checker) and a third in the Enduro. Having more fun with it then
anyone is entitled to! We run up and down the East Coast and get
in at least 10 races as well as hillclimbs when we can. We even
got on Speedvision during their coverage of the Zippo Gran Prix.
The racecar sports a B18 power plant, heavily modified
with two 42 Weber carburettors, Stahl headers and hours
and hours on the flow bench for the head. Engine
is good for 12 hours of race time before it needs refreshing,
since it turns 7800 RPM.
The
stock transmission only one season before rebuild. The rear axle
is a 4:10 locked unit, modified to take Ford axles and brakes.
Suspension upgrades consists of: Front sway bar and special
springs all the way around. All bushings replaced with plastic.
John is using front discs from a 122 with special race pads, and
a bias valve installed to adjust brake line pressure.
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