Vintage DSR Indentity

[Craig71188]

I ran across an add for the DSR shown in the attached photos. The owner has little to no information on the car as he says he "sort of inherited" the car. I have note seen the car first hand nor met the current owner. I just wanted to see if anyone recognized the car/chassis builder so I had a better idea of what I am looking at.

Car was last run in Solo II as a B-Mod car.
Thanks.

[Rennie Clayton]

Appears to be a LeGrand of some variety to my untrained eye.

[chiphad1]

The body is definitely Legrand, but the chassis is definitely NOT!
Looks like a Kawasaki ZX-10 engine.

Chip Haddock

[Craig71188]

The owner claims the motor is a Kawasaki 1100 - no other particulars though.

[10rmotor]

That is definitely a zx10/11 motor from the early 90s. Any idea where and when it last ran? I do remember a car from socal that ran mid 90s at a few Las Vegas races, and in norcal at Sears Pt. It vaguely looks like this car.

[HayesCages]

Maybe you could have them look for the roll bar stamp?

[Craig71188]

The car is currently in Florida - not sure if it lived it's life there yet. The owner says there is a stamping in the rear frame, did not know if there are roll bar stamps. I am headed over to see it "live" tomorrow and should know more then.

[Dan Lipperini Jr]

Where in FL? I'm down here on vacation and can take a look with you if a second set of eyes might help.

Just an offer,

Dan

[Bob L.]

Single, center seat...not that old. Looks more like an old solo car. Had a couple up this way about 15 yrs back.

Bob L.

[Craig71188]

Where in FL? I'm down here on vacation and can take a look with you if a second set of eyes might help.

Just an offer,

Dan

Thanks Dan. It's over on the east coast - I'm going to squeeze in a look between the end of a meeting and a flight out tomorrow, so timing will be tight, but thanks for the offer.

[Craig71188]

I had a chance to look at the car firsthand yesterday. It appears to have been constructed off a monocoque FSV chassis, but I couldn't find a chassis tag nor a roll bar stamp. I did find one numbers block on the chassis (pictured below). I took a few cell phone pictures of the suspension/chassis hoping it might register with someone. It is s "relatively" short wheelbase car at just over 80".

[TED K.]

The car is a modified 1978 Wheeler FSV. I'm not sure of the S/N since the name plate was mounted on top center of the front crossmember and that appears to have been modified. But the front upper a-arms and the rear uprights ARE Wheeler. The original tub was three pieces of 2024 t3 alloy- 1 center approx 17' wide and 6" deep 113 1/2" long with 2 outer U shaped caps solid riveted to make an overall width of 24". The front ,rear ,main rollhoop and front roll hoop are steel all pull riveted to the tub. Included is a photo of the tub. If you discover any more info-such as roll bar no.- I would appreciate being informed , since I have compilled a history and have located 8 of the original 10/12 cars. I own S/N 010.

[uniform]

Looks like this one: http://www.race-cars.com/carsold/oth...10391643ss.htm

Does he still have the SV body?

[Craig71188]

Sorry, not the same car. This one appears to be one with a shortened wheelbase for DSR specifically.

[TeamFRD]

A cut up Wheeler = so sad.

[TED K.]

Just to clear things up-both cars are modified 1978 Wheeler FSV's.The car just sold by Owen G. on Race cars.com- owned shortly by Gary P.- is still full WB.[90"+] was run as a CSR w/ a 1500 Honda, and is S/N 3,4,or 5. The car that Craig is buying ,appears to be Jerry Boone's old car, and has a shortened WB [84"] and is S/N 8 A[ the other S/N 8 belongs to Tom P.] Originally driven by Terry Annis for Nelson Iron Works in Oregon. Later converted to CSR by Mike McD. and then to DSR by his crew chief but never finished. Then sold to Jerry who completed it w/ a Kawasaki ZX 11.

It is a shame to basterdize old race cars,but I hope their new owners do well by them.
If anyone has info on these cars or the other two missing Wheelers , I would appreciate adding it to my present Wheeler history.

Ted K. Wheeler FSV S/N 10
greyeagles@msn.com

[HayesCages]

Start a thread on the 'chassis history archives' here:
www.tentenths.com

Someone will know something.

[provamo]

YIKES!!!

we just had a chopped up Chinook FF and now two Wheelers on this site.........TRAGIC

[Craig71188]

I too would love to see old race cars preserved, of course, "back in the day" they were used up cars and no one anticipated they day when "vintage racing" would be as big as it is. I often recall a story told by Bob Johnson that drove for Carroll Shelby. Seems after running the season in the Cobra Daytona coupes, the cars went to Bonneville for some speed runs. After these were completed Bob had the opportunity to purchase the two cars that were taken along with the trailer and spares for $5000. As he said, at the time it was two used up aluminum cars covered with salt - who wanted to deal with that? Ah, 20/20 hind sight.
Yes, it is too bad the car was cut to make it into what it is today. The bright side is it does fit well within the current Solo II B-Mod rules and will survive and compete in an area where it has the potential to win again. I will get the car home, service it and get it safe to drive. We will take it out and run it and compare it to our current chassis and then decide whether or not to hang on to it or possibly sell it bring another driver into the class. It may just hang around the shop and be used for hill climbs & track days while we keep the other car autocross specific. Regardless, it will survive to race again.

[provamo]

I too would love to see old race cars preserved, of course, "back in the day" they were used up cars and no one anticipated they day when "vintage racing" would be as big as it is. I often recall a story told by Bob Johnson that drove for Carroll Shelby. Seems after running the season in the Cobra Daytona coupes, the cars went to Bonneville for some speed runs. After these were completed Bob had the opportunity to purchase the two cars that were taken along with the trailer and spares for $5000. As he said, at the time it was two used up aluminum cars covered with salt - who wanted to deal with that? Ah, 20/20 hind sight.
Yes, it is too bad the car was cut to make it into what it is today. The bright side is it does fit well within the current Solo II B-Mod rules and will survive and compete in an area where it has the potential to win again. I will get the car home, service it and get it safe to drive. We will take it out and run it and compare it to our current chassis and then decide whether or not to hang on to it or possibly sell it bring another driver into the class. It may just hang around the shop and be used for hill climbs & track days while we keep the other car autocross specific. Regardless, it will survive to race again.

well of course best wishes for success with your endeavors!!!