Not contest. It's John. All the things he's done all over the world and all that vintage racing, cars etc. How did he find time for 100 grandchildren! Twas a fun time and I'm so glad I got through the parks before the federal animals went on strike!
Wookie interior option? [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr3sBks5o_8]Chewbacca sound byte - YouTube[/ame] Love the exterior though
Improves the engine compartment air flow? That engine must be a back breaker to work on in the car. Just looking at it makes me want to go take some Advil. Nice heat shields over the headers. The carbs end up getting cooler air with those plus that fan I suppose. Big ugly induction hoses leading to cold air from the front would be a lot better though.
Actually I don't think the engine fan does anything. I have seen a few Bizzarrini GT 5300s without the engine fan and it was normal that race cars did not have the fan. There are two small electric fans in front of the radiator controlled by one of the toggle switches on the dash that do a great job of keeping the engine cool. And the two air intakes in front below the headlights on each side send air into the passenger compartment for the Strada but on a race car these intakes are used to duct air to the carbs as staatsof suggested. Yes the heat shields help keep the air going into the carbs cooler. Plus they look really cool but they do block the view of the headers. There is a panel on the dash that one removes to access the distributor. This was a race car design so convenience was not that important. The battery sits below the brake boosters and to change the battery the car is put on a lift then the skid plate is removed and the battery sits on a removable shelf. I guess that when racing they changed the engine more often than the battery.
Dale, If I were to receive the restoration photos of 286 as you once promised then I could let you know if 286 is missing the skid plate or not.
The skid plate is the black piece with the air holes below the electric fans. It provides some protection for the radiator and other parts and also provides better under the car aerodynamics. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Ahh yes...we have a piece that is vaguely reminiscent of that. It was so beat up we put it on a shelf ...and left it there. Never quite equated that to a skid plate but I guess it's better than nothing.
It also improves the air flow under the car which could be important at 150 MPH and above. The skid plate does not protect the oil pan because the oil pan is the lowest item under the car and the skid plate ends at the oil pan.
What's up with the rockers on that car? Reminds me a bit of the zinc Miura. Image Unavailable, Please Login