chicane said:
Most of these racers were not "L"'s.
Well, most of the total number of cars that hit the track over 35 years ago. But most ran Gp 4 & 5, not Gp2. But missing L-ness is much more an issue with what bona-fide historic privateer cars currently survive, especially Gp1 and Gp2 cars. Not an important detail for someone who wants to race at premier events. But a very important detail for this forum crowd (since most haven't even seen one of these on a track, recently let alone "in the day.") I do not think many folks who've never seen one of these on the track or off, recently or in the day would plunk 6-large to start racing I do think those who would plunk 6-large would only consider it if the car were a shoe-in for the premier events in the States, Europe, or the UK.
For racing at premier events (like Goodwood or Monterey Historics) the following are more important details:
Most of the 6-figure historic race CS"L"s (especially privateer cars) have documented race history in yurrop. As far as I know this one still doesn't.
ALL 6-figure race cars raced in yurrop have a "wagenpass" (or equivalent) which states the purpose-built nature of the original car (i.e. "for racing"), providing trace-ability. This one does.
Remember Gp1 and Gp2 were ETC (yurrop/UK only) which did not allow for truly substantial changes that were not homologated, meaning the car could not run unless it had those bits after they were approved by the FIA for use. So plain-jane coupes post 1971 could not be competitive legally once the L's were introduced, since they didn't have the benefit of lightening that homologation provided, and substantial engine mods were not "free" (open, or allowable) apart from what may have been bolt-on. Either way, the extra weight of the chassis was hard to overcome. Thats not to say that no one ran non-L's, this one is one example that did run. But its not a slam-dunk that most Gp1 and Gp2 cars were non L's. Maybe a true statement though, after all Gp1 and Gp2 were going before the L's were homologated.
But to run at a "premier event", L or no, it still needs to have a readily prove-able historic period race history. CCA or VARA won't cut it for premier events. If the owners since it came over to the states had either taken the effort (or been able) to reconstruct its history, it'd be different. And THAT dear friends, is what has always driven the prices of 6-figure racing coupes, enough prove-able history to obtain an invite from someone like Steve Earl (pooh-bah of the Monterey Historics.)
But we know the eBay ad has prompted some of us to contact the seller, personally I still doubt
I'll be able (or willing) to spring the coin the owner must want, whatever the dollar number really is. But someone will, they always do.
Your mileage may vary.
