Fantasy Junction

Description

1963 Bobsy-Alfa SR-2
Engine no. 1315*012998*
Red with Black Interior

The Bobsy Sports Racer was the brainchild of Jerry Mong, who designed and manufactured his first car, a mid-engined aluminum bodied car in 1961. After constructing two SR-1s, the SR-2 appeared in 1963, which featured an aluminum space frame, and could be powered by a number of four cylinder engines, ranging from one to two liters. The cars were extremely light, and also quite competitive. Indeed, Chuck Dietrich drove an SR-2 to the 1963 Sports Car Club of America G Modified National Championship, a season which included 9 wins. Production records indicate that only four SR-2’s were built – later models, up through the SR-7, were produced in greater quantities. In addition to the sports racers, Jerry Mong would go on to design and build race winning formula V’s and Formula Fords.

This particular car is believed to be the Chuck Dietrich SCCA Championship car, and has been extensively restored at great expense. It is powered by a 1325cc twin cam Alfa Romeo engine, mated to a Hewland Mark VIII transaxle. The car has an all aluminum tube frame with aluminum bulkheads and interior panels. A steel cage and roll bar have been added to the original design to increase driver protection. Original Bobsy magnesium uprights, front and rear, are used as are the original Airheart brakes. The car was initially restored in 1990 at an approximate cost of $75,000 for Courtney Whitlock, an avid racer and vintage car collector who has a sizable collection of vintage cars. He raced the car from time to time for the next eighteen years. The engine was replaced in 2006 for an undetermined amount, and a further $25,000 was spent over the past two years, to get the car in its current condition.

The initial restoration was performed by Jack Beck at Orion Engineering, and included the entire engine, lubrication system, instruments and controls, cooling system, electrical system, Hewland transaxle, driveshafts, suspension, steering, braking, fuel, body, chassis, interior, and safety systems. Mr. Whitlock raced the car in a number of vintage events, including at Heartland International, the Monterey Historics, Hallett International, Road Atlanta, Waterford Hills, and Road America. In 2006, the engine was replaced with a completely rebuilt engine with 13.5 to 1 compression ratio JE pistons, Speery Valve Works Autodelta Grind cams, 45DCOE Weber carbs, Carillo rods, head work, and a tuned exhaust header. It reportedly makes 125hp, and has approximately 16-18 hours on it.

The current owner purchased the car in January of 2009, and performed all required work to get the car race ready. This included fitting a new clutch, rebuilding the transaxle, new ring and pinion, new brake and clutch master and clutch slave cylinders, rebuilt brake calipers with new pads, and a new battery. The underside of the fiberglass body and all panels were repainted with heavy duty enamel. The fire system was recharged, and the wheels (original magnesium Bobsy wheels) were crack tested to verify their integrity. New tires were fitted which comply with the requirements of the Wine Country Classic and the Monterey Historics. The car was run a total of seven times during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, including at the 2009 Wine Country Classic and the 2010 Monterey Historics. The car is quite competitive, and ran in the same class as Sir Stirling Moss in his Porsche RS 61, in addition to running against Lotus Elevens and Elva Mk. V’s. The car comes with two log books, one from Mr. Whitlock’s ownership, and one from the current ownership. These log books cover all of the races the car participated in since 1991.

The car also comes with a very thick binder containing period articles, schematics and relevant information about specifications and instructions for the various components, photos, and invoices for restoration, preparation, and service work. There are five extra Bobsy wheels also included with the car.

The car displays very nice cosmetics. The paint and bodywork are in fine shape, with a few small chips and cracks. The original Bobsy wheels and tires are in great shape. The interior is very tidy, with a pair of bucket seats and nicely polished aluminum panels. The car has the requisite safety equipment including electrical cutoff switch, two fuel cells, safety harnesses, and plumbed in fire extinguisher system. The chassis and suspension are clean and nicely detailed, as is the engine. After the car’s initial restoration, it was shown at the Walter Mitty Concours de Elegance at Road Atlanta where it placed First in Class and First Overall, the car also placed First in Class and Second Overall at the Chicago Historics at Road Atlanta.

This is a very rare opportunity to acquire a widely eligible historic race car that can run against some of the great vintage race cars of the period. It has been comprehensively restored and prepared in a no expense spared fashion, and is extremely well documented and event-ready. It would be very difficult to find a more correctly restored and cared for example of this significant period race car.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608