Memories of a Super Transit
Page 24
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WAS MOST interested to read an article in Bird's-Eye View (CM, July 7) about truck racing and was pleased to read at the end of the report of a Transit fitted with a Cosworth DFL.
You may be interested to know that even this idea of "rapid transit" is not new. In the late Sixties Ford's AVO organisation produced for demonstration purposes a white panel Super Transit which was powered by a Cosworth DFV, probably producing 450 horsepower.
Although my memory is rather hazy I think the engine was mated direct to a five-speed Newland transaxle and was supported by F5000 suspension. The vehicle appeared standard from the outside, bar wider wheels, but upon opening the rear doors, one found the cargocarrying capacity restricted by the engine in the middle of the floor.
The vehicle was consigned to various promotional jaunts, usually race meetings (fourwheeled not, four-legged) or Ford-supported events, although it was occasionally exercised in anger. I recollect it was usually run at places like Santa Pod and think times in the 10-11sec bracket were eventually obtained.
Unfortunately I don't know what happened to the van. I think that there may have been one copy made.
Hopefully my memory is not too faulty.
T. C. WATSON Whitley Bay Tyne and Wear