For causes unknown, a person named Salvatore Salerno selected to make use of a Willys “Hurricane” 2.6-liter inline-six cylinder engine to energy his home made sports activities automobile. The physique, a fiberglass Devin shell, was draped over a Triumph TR-3 chassis and the complete coronary heart of the Willys was pulled out and transplanted into the light-weight sports activities machine. That Hurricane engine pushed energy to the rear wheels by way of a 3-speed Borg Warner transmission, making a hellacious 90 horsepower. Perhaps that’s simply what he had mendacity round? Both manner, you’ll be able to go purchase it proper now on eBay.
The Fifties have been a wild time for sports activities automobile followers within the U.S. The post-war increase of European-style motoring sports activities introduced with it a cadre of small two-seat machines, and People completely adored them. Simply in case a tiny MG, Jaguar, or Porsche wasn’t your taste of motoring a cottage trade of American sports activities automobile producers popped up on our aspect of the Atlantic, too. I imply, positive, by 1959 you possibly can purchase a boorish V8-powered Corvette or Thunderbird, however should you wished one thing small, light-weight, and American, you went for a fiberglass-bodied “particular” of your personal manufacture.
Devin was indisputably probably the most well-known of the American sports activities automobile physique corporations, delivering tons of of fiberglass shells world wide from 1956 to 1964. The our bodies have been accessible in a wide range of sizes to suit any variety of chassis, and whereas early Devins have been Panhard-powered front-wheel drive machines, patrons had the choice to place no matter drivetrain configuration beneath the physique they wished. On this case an inline six from Willys.
No matter why the automobile was made the best way it was, it intrigues me. These little sports activities specials of the period all the time do. It might probably’t weigh greater than a moist seaside towel and doubtless has about the identical torsional rigidity, nevertheless it additionally most likely goes like stink in comparison with virtually every part else accessible on the time. A recent Porsche 356 made 70-ish horsepower, whereas an MGA was nearer to 80. The Salerno Particular fell wanting Jag’s XK150 which had double the facility, however actually didn’t come near matching the XK’s 3,000-pound curb weight.
OK, so we all know the automobile rips. However can we make it rip tougher with out ruining the ethos of the construct? As luck would have it, Willys made the next compression 3-liter model of the Hurricane inline-six engine you possibly can swap in with none additional adjustments. The three-liter Hurricane had a two-barrel carburetor and made a whopping 140 horsepower and 161 lb-ft (versus the 135 lb-ft of the two.6-liter). If you happen to wished some stump-pulling torque, the three.7-liter “Tremendous Hurricane” dropped horsepower to 115 in change for extra foot lubs, placing 190 of them to the bottom. Yeah, that will be fairly rattling rad. Perhaps too quick, now that I give it some thought, for the Triumph drum brakes.
Anyway, go purchase this factor so I can cease occupied with it. The automobile has some good patina and also you’ll positively by no means see one other one prefer it. The asking worth is a mere $44,900, which is fairly honest should you ask me. Simply promise me you’ll really drive the factor.
