Every cloud...... British Vita

[Austin Costin]

19990082_1411776488908492_5592247732079031474_n.jpg

[Austin Costin]

This is my British Vita Tuned Austin Cooper S when I picked it up nearly 20 years ago.
Thought it may be of interest.

[mini63]

19642733_1411776235575184_3761955237308560232_n (1).jpg

Is that a tow rope on the back of Burnett's van?
small beginnings....

[Austin Costin]

Sure is, we towed it back..

[Inno Cooper]

19642733_1411776235575184_3761955237308560232_n (1).jpg

With a fuelcap from a -64 Ford Corsair?
Sure looks like it.

[trevorhp]

This is my British Vita Tuned Austin Cooper S when I picked it up nearly 20 years ago.
Thought it may be of interest.

Wow!! Thanks for sharing your pictures
"It's like deja vu all over again".....KDK looked almost the same when we collected it
It's amazing to think it was at about the same time too
How many other 'Vita' improved cars are still out there?
I can now account for at least 4 there must be more

[mk1]

I would happily swap any of my Downton & Speedwell cars for a really nice Vita one.

I wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for the encouragement that Harry gave me back in the day when I was a callow youth.

[Austin Costin]

I really should copy some of the many receipts I have from BVRT and post them up, they make for great reading, the previous owner spent a fortune with them.

I think I sent Mark copies about 10 years ago.

I would love to know about other Vita cars out there.

[Austin Costin]

Interestingly, the boot badging/holes had the Austin Cooper scrypt with the Morris style "S" above. (you can just make it out in the pics)
I have seen the same on Whizzo's Vita racer, I remember the picture taken at Druids/Brands Hatch.

Was this a Vita thing ?

[trevorhp]

Interestingly, the boot badging/holes had the Austin Cooper scrypt with the Morris style "S" above. (you can just make it out in the pics)
I have seen the same on Whizzo's Vita racer, I remember the picture taken at Druids/Brands Hatch.

Was this a Vita thing ?

Well ...........according to Whizzo they changed the identity to suit the prizes on offer, provided by Austin or Morris franchises i.e. best Austin finish or best Morris
I have one picture with Austin on the front and Morris on the rear...hedging your bets here although looking at the range of pictures I have they also swapped the bonnets around too...blue chevron on white to white chevron on blue
I have evidence of both.

Whizzo told me of a race in '68 in Europe (but uncertain of exactly where) when the badges they had did not match the best prize on offer so the borrowed a set of appropriate badges from a local dealers forecourt....he still has the trophy they won on that day........ on his mantelpiece apparently.

[rich@minispares.com]

when the badges they had did not match the best prize on offer so the borrowed a set of appropriate badges from a local dealers forecourt....

first ever victory for a wartburg knight......................

[trevorhp]

when the badges they had did not match the best prize on offer so the borrowed a set of appropriate badges from a local dealers forecourt....

first ever victory for a wartburg knight......................


:

Probably the fastest Wartburg in the World

[trevorhp]

Full article here:

http://mk1-performance-conversions.co.u ... 221068.pdf

Pic of tank below.

Well I have confirmed that this Vita car did have a bag tank fitted and the holes are from the Aluminium cover required by Gp5 in 1968.
However I cannot find any reference to the manufacturer of these bag tanks !!!!

Anyone out there remember them or know who made them ?

[Austin Costin]

Out of interest, does your car have a removable/hinged lower part of its battery box ?

I believe this was done so the a dry cell/small type battery could remain in the original position, I think the fuel bag also utilised some of the battery box area too, but have never seen it myself and am just going by my understanding of what I have read.

[trevorhp]

Out of interest, does your car have a removable/hinged lower part of its battery box ?

I believe this was done so the a dry cell/small type battery could remain in the original position, I think the fuel bag also utilised some of the battery box area too, but have never seen it myself and am just going by my understanding of what I have read.

Thanks for the information

No its not hinged now
But the battery box is extended down and has some strengthening bars attached by brazing it appears to be to allow it to sit lower and miss the bag tank
The battery leads enter through the lower front edge, which I thought strange.
The aluminium cover definitely covered the battery too which must have made it difficult to gain access.
Maybe the hinged base allowed this
I need to look closer
Do you have a picture of this and I will look for clues on 320
The battery box base is almost non existent on HDK 443E
Thanks Trevor

[Austin Costin]

I would love to see some pictures at some stage Trevor, pleased I could shine a light in the right direction.

[trevorhp]

I would love to see some pictures at some stage Trevor, pleased I could shine a light in the right direction.

Hi
Does your car have a hinged battery box?

[GRAHAMC]

Hi, A lot of 1970s motorsport rubber fuel tanks were made by Marston Rubber in Wolverhampton but I believe they are long gone

[Austin Costin]

I would love to see some pictures at some stage Trevor, pleased I could shine a light in the right direction.

Hi
Does your car have a hinged battery box?

No it doesn't, my car was re shelled by Vita in 69/70 including many engine and suspension mods all of which I have the 17 receipts for work undertaken up unto 71, previous to this the car was comprehensively tuned by Felday Engineering from 67 to 69, again another 10 receipts for work undertaken, after 71 the work was carried out mainly by Langrop Engineering and then Sigma Engineering until it was parked up in his garage.

[trevorhp]

Hi, A lot of 1970s motorsport rubber fuel tanks were made by Marston Rubber in Wolverhampton but I believe they are long gone

Thanks for the information

Maybe not Graham.......

Company Profile
Marston Aerospace provides a wide range of heat transfer and fluids management products and services for the military and commercial aerospace markets, motorsport and electronics industries.

Formerly Marston Excelsior suppliers of Rubber fuel tanks to F1 etc.
John Handley lived closeby in Wombourne and his family business, John Handley Snr Bearings is located in Wolverhampton no coincidence there then