1958 Ratel Sports Racing Special For Sale

The Ratel. This Sports racing car is a unique and fascinating survivor from the halcyon days of racing in North west America and Canada. Originally conceived by sucessful formula junior builder and racer Peter Ray, the car was taken over and developed further by Gord Henderson and raced well into the 1960s.


Powered by a 2. 6 litre Ford Straight 6 engine, breathing through triple SU carburettors on bespoke tubular manifolds and tuned by legendary engine builder Bud Child the car was immediately  both competitive and plauged by reliability problems. The first  season saw plenty of  development work leading to much improved reliability and performance all to the detriment of clutch and brake linings. Henderson raced all over the region citing Westwood, Portland International and Riverside as those he remembered most fondly. 


At the end of his seasons on the Can-Am circuits of the mid 60s aftwr numerous hair raising exploits, Henderson went on to a successful career as an aerial photographer, flying helicopters all over Canada. The Ratel was taken over by his brother in law before being stored in 1969 for thirty years and this accounts for its remarkably original preserved state.


The all alloy body hides a well designed and built multi tube spaceframe carrying torsion bar front suspension with live rear axle suspended by transverse leaf spring à la Cooper  with telescopic shock absorbers all round, rack and pinion steering and front disc brakes. All suspension and transmission components being from the BMC or MG models of the period.


Sitting low in the cockpit between side exhaust on your left and pannier style fuel tank on your right you certainly feel in the heart of the action and the car starts and sounds well.  The engine is now silenced for the road but still emits enough cachophany to remind you that you are in a car designed and built to go racing. 


It is now correctly registered for road use and can be driven to vintage events quie happily but would proably prefer to be enteted for those events for which it was designed.  A test drive is recommended! 


Offered with a small spares package including the original bottom end ( a fresher engine has been fitted) and the original wide rear wheels banded especially for Henderson to provide extra grip and fitted with period Firestone Green Spots (sadly now rather smooth!) 



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