Solved - NEH 2521: Sturgess Formula 1300

[Carnut]

Identify this car correctly for 1 point:

ANYONE FOUND GIVING ANSWERS OBTAINED BY USING GOOGLE SEARCH BY IMAGE MAY BE BANNED FOR AN INDETERMINATE PERIOD!

[Carnut]

Experts?

[nicanary]

Dulon?

[Carnut]

Dulon?

No.

[WayneB]

It looks like a Lola T212

[Carnut]

It looks like a Lola T212

..but it's not a Lola

[nicanary]

Did this car take part in the European 2-litre sports car championship?

[Carnut]

Did this car take part in the European 2-litre sports car championship?

No.

[richard fridd]

Is it a Formula 100 (1300cc)

[D-type]

South American?

[shamrock]

a Nerus

[Carnut]

a Nerus

No,

South American?

no, but...

Is it a Formula 100 (1300cc)

...yes, Formula 1300

[nicanary]

Sturgess -Ford being driven by Mark Cole at Croft 1977.

(I let everyone else do the groundwork as usual. What was the South American "but" all about?)

Sorry, misread the posts . There is no "but". You were simply moving on to the third response... D'oh!

[Carnut]

Sturgess -Ford being driven by Mark Cole at Croft 1977.

Yes, you've got it!
You could also add that the car was originally built as an F100 racer but converted to the newly-created Formula 1300 in 1972.  Later on it was fitted with a Ford-Cosworth 1300 BDA engine.
Well done!

[woodinsight]

Just to add a little more information - the car was originally built in 1969

[nicanary]

Just to add a little more information - the car was originally built in 1969

I got the answer from the "racing70s" website which claims (?) that it was an Elden F100 built in 1972, which is patently the wrong year. I suspect that it was built, as you say, in 1969 and rebodied/engined in 1972.

[woodinsight]

Here's another couple of views of a Sturgess SL1/3
(I don't know if it's the same car - the tail is longer)
Does anyone know who built the Sturgess and how many were built?

[nicanary]

According to various sale ads, that IS Mark Cole's car, which was up for auction at Race Retro in 2012 but remained unsold. The chassis designation suggests that 3 at least were built, but this is the only car I can trace, and possibly the bodywork has been updated later, since apparently it was raced for most of the 70s.

Originally commissioned by Formula Ford racer Clark Sturgess, chassis designed by Peter Hampshier (sic) and bodywork designed by Tony Hilder.

[woodinsight]

According to various sale ads, that IS Mark Cole's car, which was up for auction at Race Retro in 2012 but remained unsold. The chassis designation suggests that 3 at least were built, but this is the only car I can trace, and possibly the bodywork has been updated later, since apparently it was raced for most of the 70s.

Originally commissioned by Formula Ford racer Clark Sturgess, chassis designed by Peter Hampshier (sic) and bodywork designed by Tony Hilder.

Thanks for that nicanary - I'd forgotten who originally commissioned the car.
I believe the spelling of Hampshier is correct.
Also, I haven't been able to trace any other cars built under the Sturgess name and wouldn't be surprised if this was the only one.

I'd award you an extra point for that information but it's not my puzzle....

[Carnut]

I'd award you an extra point for that information but it's not my puzzle....

Good idea!
The posting of any information which might be of interest and use is greatly encouraged!

[dzima1985]

The story
"Commissioned by Formula Ford racer, Clark Sturdgess, in 1969,  Elden Racing built a limited run of three Sports Racing cars designed for the Tarmac F100 championship of the 70s. This particular car, 'LS2', was raced successfully by Mark Cole, the Journalist and Broadcaster, in 1970/71.
In 1972, the car was uprated for Group 6 - Sports Prototype class. Following a period in storage, the car was purchased by the current owner in 1988 and underwent a totally rebuild and has since raced successfully in HSCC events in both it's original 1300cc and current 1600cc format.
Races with the HSCC have include Spa in 1994, with a number of lap record and class wins in the UK. In 1996 and 1998, the car competed in the HSCC's RJB Mining Historic Championship, coming 2nd on both occasions but a championship class win was secured in 1997. 
Weighing just 485 kilos, the car is currently fitted with a 170 bhp Ford Crossflow Kent engine, built by Tim Swadkin, and running a Mk 9 Hewland box. This quick and well-sorted sports racer is ideal for BARC's new Spirit of the 60's Series, GT series, Orwell Supersports or the Masters series and is likely to gain invitations entries to other significant historic motor sport events worldwide..."

[woodinsight]

I'd award you an extra point for that information but it's not my puzzle....

Good idea!
The posting of any information which might be of interest and use is greatly encouraged!

I sometimes award an extra point if it's warranted - especially for extra information when that's sadly lacking.
It could be a way to involve more Pro response with their in-depth knowledge to many solved puzzles.
Rookies, Experts and Pros could all benefit by gaining an extra point and everyone would gain that extra information that often remains hidden.
Personally I'm often disappointed by answers that are often just a Yes/Yup/Oui/Ja/Si/Da etc. without further explanation....

[woodinsight]

Dzima1985's reply is exactly what I mean - enlightening, open for further discussion and filling in some of the details that would not otherwise have been answered.

[nicanary]

I'd award you an extra point for that information but it's not my puzzle....

Good idea!
The posting of any information which might be of interest and use is greatly encouraged!

This could open floodgates but thank you all the same. Precedents can be a dangerous thing !

[RayTheRat]

Personally I'm often disappointed by answers that are often just a Yes/Yup/Oui/Ja/Si/Da etc. without further explanation....

I'm with you.  Especially when a highly modified photo has been posted and no unaltered photo accompanies the answer confirmation.  And I'm very happy to read whatever information is provided.  Learning new stuff is good!