BMC Brian Mc Cullough Forest Lake, Minnesota, USA (383 posts) Registered: 10/30/2007 02:27AM Main British Car: 1980 MGB '95 3.4L 'L32' SFI V6, GM V6T5 & 3.42 Limi |
VW Powered Titan AutoX'er!
So funny enough, my Dad decided he and his three sons (myself included) needed to purchase the old Titan race car/autocrosser that I understand he was the last one to drive. He co-drove with the owner and did quite a bit of maintenance to it at the time. Now I am not a fan of VW engines but I am all for leaving it in here from what I saw and once took a fun run in. Frankly, I want to install a more standard VW engine for the first season or two so I can get used to a car that just slightly (LOL!) out-handles and accelerates my MGs. :-)
Anyways, I hope to keep a bit of a record here on Britishv8 of our progress, although it will be slow. We'll also post a bit on my fb page but more in detail here and photos there and here. Here are a couple of the car as we received it. -BMC. If the image is a bit large, size your window down or open the photo in a new window. Sorry, the photos are pulled direct from the facebook link. |
Moderator Curtis Jacobson Portland Oregon (4576 posts) Registered: 10/12/2007 02:16AM Main British Car: 71 MGBGT, Buick 215 |
Re: VW Powered Titan AutoX'er!
Titan built very cool cars! Of course, this one has been altered quite a bit... but I bet it's still a lot of fun. Can you find a serial number on the frame? (Titan's serial number plate may be to the left of the instruments. I'd expect to see a five digit number.) The frame was probably built for Titan by Arch Motors. Arch would have stamped their own number into it: "AM" followed by a number. However, it looks like your frame has been modified around the transaxle, and that number may be gone. I'm sure Andy Antipas at the Titan register would be very happy to hear from you: he tries to track the whereabouts of every chassis. He can also help you find parts - suspension, etc. - if you need anything to keep it running.
Andy's Mk6 for reference: [www.britishracecar.com] Titan register: [www.titancars.com] |
BMC Brian Mc Cullough Forest Lake, Minnesota, USA (383 posts) Registered: 10/30/2007 02:27AM Main British Car: 1980 MGB '95 3.4L 'L32' SFI V6, GM V6T5 & 3.42 Limi |
Re: VW Powered Titan AutoX'er!
Thanks Curtis. I have looked at the Titan cars website mentioned and will be contacting them after I take more photos and see what we can find for numbers.
Looking further at the other Titan, I learned alot more the second time round! -BMC. |
Preform Resources Dave Craddock Redford,Michigan (359 posts) Registered: 12/20/2008 05:46PM Main British Car: 72 MGB V6 3.4 |
Re: VW Powered Titan AutoX'er!
Titan MK6 ???
Dave |
BMC Brian Mc Cullough Forest Lake, Minnesota, USA (383 posts) Registered: 10/30/2007 02:27AM Main British Car: 1980 MGB '95 3.4L 'L32' SFI V6, GM V6T5 & 3.42 Limi |
Re: VW Powered Titan AutoX'er!
Dave,
I'm not sure which one it is. I cannot find the serial number of the car. The photos of the serial numbers shown all show close ups- too close for me to tell where to look. -BMC. |
Moderator Curtis Jacobson Portland Oregon (4576 posts) Registered: 10/12/2007 02:16AM Main British Car: 71 MGBGT, Buick 215 |
Re: VW Powered Titan AutoX'er!
As I typed previously, the Titan number is most likely on a number plate. When you're sitting in the car and you're looking at the instrument panel, scan to the left and down. (The number plate was probably visible from the drivers seat.) I'd expect to at least find the two rivet holes that used to secure a number plate.
Arch Motors made frames for LOTS of different racecar builders. Regardless of make or model, Arch typically stamped their own serial number in the very back, lefthand, uppermost corner of each frame they built. If there's some sort of flat steel there for some other purpose - such as a suspension pickup point - that flat section is the most likely place. It may be covered up by paint. Collision repairs or other modifications may have removed the Arch Motors number. |
BMC Brian Mc Cullough Forest Lake, Minnesota, USA (383 posts) Registered: 10/30/2007 02:27AM Main British Car: 1980 MGB '95 3.4L 'L32' SFI V6, GM V6T5 & 3.42 Limi |
Re: VW Powered Titan AutoX'er!
I'll have to dig harder Curtis. I didn't see it but it may have been removed with the modifications that it has been through???
-BMC. |
|
BMC Brian Mc Cullough Forest Lake, Minnesota, USA (383 posts) Registered: 10/30/2007 02:27AM Main British Car: 1980 MGB '95 3.4L 'L32' SFI V6, GM V6T5 & 3.42 Limi |
Re: VW Powered Titan AutoX'er!
My Dad says it is a MK VI. I'll look for the numbers on it again this weekend.
-BMC. |
MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kingsport, TN (4511 posts) Registered: 10/23/2007 11:32PM Main British Car: 1979 MGB Buick 215 |
Re: VW Powered Titan AutoX'er!
Subaru engine swap , maybe?
Way back in the day, I got to autox a Formula Ford a few times. Always beat the owner. ;) What a blast it was to drive! I still haven't driven anything that would touch it performance-wise. |
Preform Resources Dave Craddock Redford,Michigan (359 posts) Registered: 12/20/2008 05:46PM Main British Car: 72 MGB V6 3.4 |
Re: VW Powered Titan AutoX'er!
I wonder if the car was converted to an air cooled super vee or just for autocross ? post some more pics Bri ! does it have a hewland mk-8 /9 gearbox ,is it upside down or rightside up,,,,inquiring minds want to know lol
Dave |
BMC Brian Mc Cullough Forest Lake, Minnesota, USA (383 posts) Registered: 10/30/2007 02:27AM Main British Car: 1980 MGB '95 3.4L 'L32' SFI V6, GM V6T5 & 3.42 Limi |
Re: VW Powered Titan AutoX'er!
Next time I dig it out I'll take specific photos. Right now it is resting elsewhere and we hope to have room this winter to place it in the main shop. I have a number of items I want to see improve before the first season. Wiring and engine certainly. Also would like to see some of the frankenstein rear re-build go the way of the trash and roll some decent bars and weld in place.
Bodywork should be improved as well but not at the moment. Dave has these panels in his spares so next Chicagoland swap meet I can pick them up from him for under a hundred bucks. LOL! Oh, yes, I believe it was rebuilt this way specific for autocrossing. Thats alright with me! -BMC. |