Description
Autotune Gemini racecar – a replica of the Falcon-bodied Elvas seen in the 1950s & ’60s.
Specifications:
Built & registered in 1989 and correctly recorded as ‘Autotune’ on the V5C. Recently passed an MOT – valid until June 2018. Previously raced with success in the 750 Motor Club's Kit-car Championship - believed to be the Gemini that won the large engined class two years in a row: 1990 & '91.
Body/ chassis: Autotune spaceframe box section chassis clothed in a lightweight fibreglass body. Removable front clamshell (four bonnet pins) allows full access for quick maintenance & repairs track-side. Removable boot lid gives access to rear axle, fuel tank, pump & battery. Drop down doors. Full flat floor for improved aerodynamics.
Engine: Ford Essex 3 litre V6 with +0. 040” overbore, making just short of 3. 1 litres. Evidently little used since rebuild. Big valve heads, ports worked & polished, up-rated Weber 40 DFI5 twin-choke carb, large bore tubular steel exhaust manifolds leading to individual, side-exit, re-packable silencers. Lucas electronic ignition with high performance silicone HT leads (new). High pressure oil pump. High capacity (biggest that would fit) aluminium radiator (new) with single electric cooling fan. Power: circa 170 – 180 BHP. Torque: plenty!
Gearbox: Ford 4-speed Type 5 (the bullet-proof one!) as fitted to 3. 0 & early 2. 8i Capri/ Granada.
Rear axle & suspension: Ford Atlas, disc-braked, four-linked with adjustable Panhard rod. AVO coil-over spring/ damper units, adjustable for damping and ride height.
Front suspension & steering: double wishbone, adjustable camber top arms, adjustable anti-roll bar. AVO coil-over spring/ damper units, adjustable for damping and ride height. Ford Escort Mk 2(?) quick rack, 2. 5 turns lock-to-lock.
Brakes: Sierra Cosworth vented discs on front, with Sierra Cosworth four-pot calipers. Solid grooved/ dimpled discs on rear with hand brake facility – possibly Sierra again, or Escort RS turbo?
Wheels & tyres: currently fitted with 7J x 15 Ford fitment alloys and 195/ 50 road tyres (tyres are old and although tread is OK, would recommend replacement as the fronts are beginning to perish). Comes with seven spare wheels & track type Yokohama tyres – four matching alloys and three steels. Of these seven spares, there are probably four to make a decent, usable set, and the other three range from ‘spare’ to ‘emergency’ and finally to ‘desperate, last resort’ use!
Electrical & safety equipment: full instrumentation with ‘Elliot’ tacho plus fuel, volts, water temp & oil pressure gauges. Speedo fitted but inoperative (cable?). Large low oil-pressure warning light. Battery master cut-off and ignition switches, push-button start. Switches for fuel pump, cooling fan, lights, rear LED rain/ fog light, hazard flashers, plus steering column stalk for indicators, horn & high/ low beam. Full roll cage. Bucket seats (fixed) for driver/ passenger, each fitted with FIA spec four-point racing harness belts (barely used but out of date for racing purposes – OK for road/ trackday and possibly sprint or hill-climb use). Circa 5 – 6 gallon fuel tank mounted in rear boot area, along with Facet electric fuel pump (90 litres/ hour) and rear-mounted battery. Access to harness shoulder straps here also.
Weight: circa 700 kg.
Creature comforts: none! This is a very quick little car, but it will shake your fillings loose on all but the smoothest roads. But a hoot nonetheless!
Condition: club racer, not trailer queen! Expect the usual wear & tear associated with racing. The passenger side aeroscreen is cracked, but these are readily available should you wish to replace it.
There is a lot more info available on my website, along with 35 good quality photos. Please just click ‘For Sale/ Wanted’ on the main menu, and there you will find the info on the Gemini.
Price: £5950.
