C2 Race mods

[Joseph S.]

Does anyone recognize these race mods I found on my 64 Tanker coupe. Rear strut rods are reinforced. Large plates for either a Roll Bar or Race harness welded to rear frame at centerline of the 1/2 shafts and inboard of the outer seat belt brackets. Supports welded for large side exhaust tubes. Brace at center of front crossmember, possibly for towing.

Does anyone remember the car from mid 60's? Possibly raced in Florida? Red ext / White & Red interior. FI Big Tank, Radio delete.

Thanks, Joe

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 Race mods

Interesting strut rods. I think the design is waaaaay overkill. Most of the static weight and dynamic loads are transmitted through the halfshafts. They are alway in compression. I think the strut rod loading can be either tension or compression depending on the dynamic loading.

Duke

[Joseph S.]

Re: C2 Race mods

I agree Duke, the owner or modifier must have had a Strut rod failure in the past and wanted to make sure it did not happen again.

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 Race mods

I've never heard of a "strut rod failure". However, it is common to find them bent from shops using frame lifts on the strut rods, which puts a big bending load on them.

The strut rods are designed to take only tension and compression loads, not bending loads, however these modified strut rods with triangulation as shown will take substantially more bending load and can likely be used to lift the vehicle without damage.

Duke

[Jerry G.]

Re: C2 Race mods

Not sure what kind of mods these are but they are not typical for C2 road racing mods. I would look for modifications in the rear that lower the center of gravity or the pivot point for the strut rods. If it was seriously road raced the entire frame would see bracing and reinforcment at critical locations etc.
I have an old C2 road race car that was modified by Ed Lowther (a factory driver for GM and Shellby). The amount of strenghning modifications are significant.

[Gary C.]

Re: C2 Race mods

Joe, send Jim Gessner and email v.vettefinderjim@verizon.net Jim often posts on the TDB.

Gary
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