Solved - NEH 1202: Hirsch Sports Car Special - 1960's

Carnut · July 12, 2011, 05:30:05 AM

What's this car, what's its power source and when was it built (roughly) - for 1 point?

Carnut · July 21, 2011, 06:30:05 AM

Let's see what the Experts know then....

Carnut · August 10, 2011, 06:38:35 AM

Up to the Pro's..

Wendax · August 10, 2011, 07:07:14 AM

Corvette engined?

Carnut · August 10, 2011, 08:09:15 AM

Quote from: Wendax on August 10, 2011, 07:07:14 AM
Corvette engined?

No.

Wendax · August 10, 2011, 08:17:56 AM

At least an American V8?

Carnut · August 10, 2011, 08:20:49 AM

Quote from: Wendax on August 10, 2011, 08:17:56 AM
At least an American V8?

Yes!

Carnut · August 11, 2011, 05:49:29 AM

Perhaps a front view might help?

fyreline · August 11, 2011, 09:15:10 AM

It didn't help. Love the Halibrand wheels, though.

Carnut · August 11, 2011, 10:11:04 AM

Quote from: fyreline on August 11, 2011, 09:15:10 AM
It didn't help. Love the Halibrand wheels, though.

Yes, it only tells you what it's not, but it's a start!
Halibrands are terrific on this type of car, yes.

Otto Puzzell · August 11, 2011, 10:19:16 AM

The scuttle and dash shape suggest this is based upon a newer car. Is it based on a GM product?

Oguerrerob · August 11, 2011, 11:14:55 AM

The rear view looks like GT Cobra

Carnut · August 11, 2011, 11:39:01 AM

Quote from: Otto Puzzell on August 11, 2011, 10:19:16 AM
The scuttle and dash shape suggest this is based upon a newer car. Is it based on a GM product?

It's not actually based on any other car, although it does of course use many proprietary parts incl engine and transmission, suspension etc. It has its own tubular frame however.

Quote from: Oguerrerob on August 11, 2011, 11:14:55 AM
The rear view looks like GT Cobra

Indeed it does.
Here's another view of this very attractive car:

SACO · August 11, 2011, 11:53:09 AM

Hirsch Mustang ?

Otto Puzzell · August 11, 2011, 01:53:04 PM

SACA beat me to it.

QuoteThe car has a hand laid fiberglass body, with a tube frame. The front end and steering are Fiero, the rear is Datsun 280Z. Engine is a 1966 Mustang 289 V8 four barrel, with Ford 5 speed trans. It titled as a "1960 Hirsch".

SACO · August 11, 2011, 02:14:14 PM

Sorry !

SACO

Otto Puzzell · August 11, 2011, 02:49:06 PM

No worries

Carnut · August 12, 2011, 05:28:40 AM

Quote from: SACO on August 11, 2011, 11:53:09 AM
Hirsch Mustang ?

Hirsch is correct but I don't know about it ever being called a Mustang; think The Ford Motor Co. might have had something to say about that..
That was only part of the question answered however as I also asked for the car's power source and roughly when it was built. As it's a Friday and I'm feeling generous I'll give you a point however for coming up with the right name.

Quote from: Otto Puzzell on August 11, 2011, 01:53:04 PM
SACA beat me to it.

QuoteThe car has a hand laid fiberglass body, with a tube frame. The front end and steering are Fiero, the rear is Datsun 280Z. Engine is a 1966 Mustang 289 V8 four barrel, with Ford 5 speed trans. It titled as a "1960 Hirsch".

That's more like the information I was looking for so I think I'll give Otto a point as well.
Apparently the car was made by some Los Angeles guys as a prototype intending to put it into production but realised it was not going to be feasible before anything got going.
I don't know why it's titled as a "1960" Hirsch as most of the parts used are from much later and it certainly doesn't look as early as 1960; I wonder if that's a typo somewhere along the line.

Here's another photo of the car (with Cobra slots) which just about exhausts my supply of pics!

woodinsight · August 12, 2011, 05:40:00 AM

According to my info the car was built in Orange County CA in the late 1960s

Carnut · August 12, 2011, 05:42:40 AM

Quote from: woodinsight on August 12, 2011, 05:40:00 AM
According to my info the car was built in Orange County CA in the late 1960s

Yes, that looks much more likely to me. I would say it's definitely not 1960.
Orange County, south of LA according to my info!

DeAutogids · August 12, 2011, 07:24:48 AM

Supposedly the steering is from a "Fiero", which, if true, make it a lot newer then that? Also, the rear suspension is supposed to be Datsun 280Z, again making it a lot newer?

Carnut · August 12, 2011, 08:14:10 AM

Quote from: DeAutogids on August 12, 2011, 07:24:48 AM
Supposedly the steering is from a "Fiero", which, if true, make it a lot newer then that? Also, the rear suspension is supposed to be Datsun 280Z, again making it a lot newer?

That's right, there's lots that doesn't ring true.
Thought maybe they had been replaced down the years by these later parts.
The history of the car is something of a mystery however, and even its Owner, a Mr Tom Pawlak, doesn't know much.

Oguerrerob · August 12, 2011, 08:18:27 AM

another picture with the name on it

Carnut · August 12, 2011, 08:45:36 AM

Thanks!
In fact my puzzle pic had the name on before I cruelly removed it..:

Otto Puzzell · August 12, 2011, 09:07:05 AM

You'll find many hot rods and customs that are titled per the chassis or running gear. Almost never are they titled per their newest components. Could there be a 1960 chassis underneath? Of course. Could be a T-bird, Corvette, or most anything else, given the level of work done here.

The DMV in California states:

QuoteCalifornia law describes a custom-built car as one that's "built for private use, not for resale, and is not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer."

This one seems to fit that bill, even if the builders later planned to enter series production. THe DMV website goes on to explain:

QuoteRestored cars, even if you manufactured parts, aren't custom-built. Modification to body, engine, vehicle systems, or the vehicle's interior also don't qualify. You could add a miniature version of the Caesar's Palace water fountains to the rear deck and your car will still qualify as a regular car, registration-wise.

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Solved - NEH 1202: Hirsch Sports Car Special - 1960's