Fantasy Junction

Description

1963 Crossle 5S Sports Racer

s/n C5S-63-1

Unassembled and in Gelcoat

John Crossle built his first racing car, the Crossle Mk. I, in 1956 for use in the 1957 season. Winning came quickly for Crossle, notching his first victory with the Mk. I in March of 1958. After considerable success with their junior series formula cars, the decision was made to branch out. The remarkable 5S was the first in a line of Crossle sports racing cars. Initially Two were built during the winter of 1962 and campaigned during the 1963 season. Partway through the 1963 season two additional 5S Crossles were produced powered by a variety of different engines.

The car presented here was the first produced and was equipped with a 1.5L Coventry Climax engine and driven by John L’Amie. L’Amie evidently used this example to win the 1963 Gold Leaf Trophy at Phoenix Park while the John Crossle himself used the sister car, s/n 2, to win The Harp Trophy.

Sometime during the 1960s that car found its way into the hands of Charles Farley who campaigned the car for sometime, then performed a comprehensive restoration. After restoration the car spent time in the Transport Museum in Belfast, Ireland, still under the stewardship of Mr. Farley until he sold the car to Ben and Ken Murillo of Northern California in 1985.

By 1986 the Murillos had a handle on the car and achieved a convincing win in the 4th running of VMR Fall Classic two hour endurance race beating several Lotus and Chevrons of the same production year. The Murillos continued to race the car in Sports Car Club of America and vintage racing events through the late 1980s before dismantling the car for a complete restoration.

Many new parts were sourced and considerable fabrication work was performed on the suspension, chassis, body panels, firewall, and under panels before the efforts were redirected and the car placed in storage.

At this time, much opportunity exists for the budget minded racer with restoration abilities. This car represents both a fun project and an outstanding entry level vintage sports racing car. We have photographed in detail everything that accompanies the car. The car comes with a Lotus twin-cam head (which has evidently dropped a valve and is lightly damaged) with two side draft Weber carburetors, and a block. There is no oil pan or internal lower end components. There may be other items missing, but what is photographed comes with the car, and there are duplicates of several items.

Previously interested parties have researched the history with Crossle Cars who confirm the car as authentic. Once restored this car will be a welcome entrant to Classis Sports Racing Group, General Racing (Monterey Historics and Wine Country Classic), SCCA Vintage, HMSA, VARA, SOVERN sanctioned races here in the US, in addition to series in European, South America, Australia and New Zealand.

With the car comes a bill of sale between Mr. Farley and Mr. Murillo, a newspaper article featuring the car, period competition photos, documentation from the Transport Museum the original Irish registration book, and 22 pages of invoices detailing work performed in the late 1980s.

$37,500/Offers and interesting trades considered.

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