Desirable FAs

[hartcliffebob]

I,m in the market for another car. As far as a Toyota engined carburetor car what would be considered the most desirable cars? Something that will not be so hard to sell in the future. I'm hoping the FA's will make a comeback in VARA, at least they way it was before the market meltdown in '08. Thanks.

[Charles Warner]

Any reasonably modern atlantic can accept the Toyota 4AG. There were kits for the Swift DB4 and adaptors are readily available for the RT-4 Of course, anything later will accept the 4AG.

[quartzracer]

Charles old Reynard is on Ebay in the low twenties. Not as fast as some of the others, but neat cars Charles reworked/engineered the chassis plus he knows the history. Eric

[S Lathrop]

Look for a Ralt 40 or 41 FA. These were very good cars, easy to drive and setup. The design is relatively simple and easy to work on and repair. After that, a Swift 014.

I would avoid the 008 and 016 as they neither is a very friendly car. The first Swift Atlantic car can be a problem because of the construction technique of the tub.

70's vintage FA can be rebuilt to like new condition (aluminum monocoque construction). But you will not have the protection of a RT 40/41 or late model Swift.

[supersonicus]

Personally, I have a love affair for all Atlantics but imho the Swift 016 is the car to own. Consistent to set up, durable as hell, anybody can fit in it, safe, readily available spares and its fast.

Enjoy your search!

Regards,
Matt

[hartcliffebob]

Thanks for the info guys. At a VARA race last week in Fontana a FA driver told me that the 40/41 was the best and I had a good long look at one there. I have been searching all the regular sites for more info and general pricing etc. I would like a raised nose car and have looked at the 008 swifts. Good looking car but very pricey too if sold with a comprehensive spares list. I think the Ralts had a raised nose update. Anyway, I,m learning and it's exciting looking and hope soon to be a proud owner one of these fabulous machines.

[S Lathrop]

I would like a raised nose car and have looked at the 008 swifts. Good looking car but very pricey too if sold with a comprehensive spares list. I think the Ralts had a raised nose update. Anyway, I,m learning and it's exciting looking and hope soon to be a proud owner one of these fabulous machines.

Ever wonder why the Indy cars do not have raised nose cars? It is for safety reasons that they don't.

[Pop Chevy]

I like my 008, it's s good solid car and faster than I am. Parts are out there and the cars themselves can be bought at a reasonable price. As far as the Toyota , it is a good reliable engine and will last as long as you don't rev it to the moon. Valve springs are the weak link. I ran 3 events last yr complaining about lack of power, and found on teardown 3 broken inner springs. But the thing just kept on running !!! It wasn't real fast but it made me work on the chassis and get a good setup. IMHO,it's a good car for Vintage racing. I am told the Ralt's are faster, but I don't care. Guy's just wanna have fun !!!

[Dee]

Hartcliffebob,
I own the rt41 you looked at green #55 at auto club.
contact me and i will fill you in on these cars!
just remember to bring your wallet !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rick Kean]

Ever wonder why the Indy cars do not have raised nose cars? It is for safety reasons that they don't.

OK, here's a shot from Fontana last weekend, line art fom the Indycar tub specs, and a Swift 016 GCR side view. What's the difference between their raised nose heights? They both appear to be at close to their respective front hub heights.

Steve, are you referring to some other safety design aspect that Indycars possess, but a Swift 016 FA, for instance, doesn't?






Thanks

[S Lathrop]

Rick,

I have done a fair amount of engineering work with FA. My first experience was in the "70's with a Bobsey. I actually got that car to run competitively with the March which was the dominant car at that time.

My to worst experiences were with the Swift 008 and 016. Both times I was working with the cars when they were band new to the track. Overtime both cars worked out to be decent. I felt they both had the same problem, an imbalance between the mechanical grip characteristic of the suspension and the aero dynamic balance of the chassis.

In general, the Ralt was much easier car to get a setup that worked for any driver I had.

[hartcliffebob]

Yes, it seems the Ralt would be the way to go as for as when it comes time to sell, down the road. Always loved the look of the 008 swift but unless I find a super deal ( and there has been some on this site) I'll start looking harder at the Ralts but like DEE implied " Make certain yer wallet is good and fat". That could be a problem. It's obvious that I'm not a young man about to go out and run all you guys off the road. Just an older guy that wants to work on, own and drive an awesome, well known race car for a few years.