I have sent this or a similar message to several of you who were =
seeking information on a car, driver or race history. Perhaps it would =
be helpful if I were to broadcast it. =20
Automobile Quarterly, published 4 times a year for the last 36 years, is =
an excellent source of information on nearly any car of note. It's =
features are well researched, written and photographed. Subject matter =
covers cars, marques, tracks, designers, drivers, race results, =
restoration and automotive art. Many specials and one offs are covered =
as well.=20
Complete sets sometimes show up for sale in Hemmings, Auto Week, =
etc.............. or find someone who has a set and will share his =
research library...... Good luck!
----------
From: paul meis[SMTP:pmeis@bgsm.edu]
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 1997 4:27 AM
To: vintage-race@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: Watkins Glen Specials
>Roger:
>
>Another interesting special run in the early Watkins Glen races was
>Cunningham's Bu-Merc. I have heard conflicting opinions that it =
consisted
>of a straight eight Buick engine grafted on to a Mercedes chassis. =
Other
>people have claimed that it consisted of a Mercury engine on a Bugatti
>chassis. My recollection of the early Glen races is too hazy at the =
moment,
>although I think the first version is correct. This tallies with the
>prowess of another Buick Special that I saw in Chile in the 50's, based
>essentially on a 38 Buick sedan that had been cut down and endowed with =
a
>rather pretty two-seater body and cycle fenders. But the mechanics were =
all
>Buick, including torque tube drive, 3 speed box, etc. At that time it =
had
>the measure of a lot of fine European sports cars, including some XK120
>Jaguars. It appears that the very torquey engine was a real assett in =
tight
>circuits and I still remember the ease with which the Buick rumbled =
past
>the Jags out of the curves in the Parque Cousino circuit in Santiago.
>
>Perhaps you have better information on Cunningham's Bu-Merc, and on its
>career.
>
>Sergio
>
>
>Dr. Sergio Montes
>Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering
>University of Tasmania
>Hobart,Tasmania,Australia Fax: 61-03-62-234611
>e-mail: Sergio.Montes@utas.edu.au Ph: 61-03-62-202113 (Office)
The Bu-Merc was seen in the garage area at Watkins Glen two years ago =
and
it definitely had the straight 8 Buick motor. It was a pretty sanitary
looking special and was quite successfull in its time, though I believe =
the
Ardent Alligator, (Ford-Riley), won more races. I wish more of the old
specials would show up, and wish SVRA would encourage the racing of =
pre-war
and early post-war cars,(not that I could likely afford to buy and race
one!).
Cheers, Paul Meis, Team Escargot
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