Historic 1971 Triumph Vitesse 

Trans/Am             Race car 

  Constructed at a cost of $75,000.00 in factory monies during 1970 this ex-Factory Trans/Am race car is a one off Factory race car from Triumph and British Leyland. Developed under the guidance of West Coast Triumph Racing Development head, Kas Kastner. Kastner wrote the book on Triumph Performance and was later highly instrumental for his heading the impressive Nissan GTP program that won many championships in IMSA.

  In an effort to market the Triumph Vitesse in America this British Leyland Engineering Department chassis was shipped to the Kastner/Brophy Racing shop (British Leland's West Coast Competition Arm) in California in 1970 to be converted into the one and only Triumph Factory Trans/Am Race Car. 

 Having competed in four races in 1971 with Triumph National Champion, Carl Swanson driving, British Leyland dropped the Vitesse line from it's production. As a result the project was dropped after the 1971 season.

 Multi-time SCCA National Champion, Ric Cline acquired the Trans/Am car and competed with it in SCCA Nationals for several years nearly winning the national championship twice in B-Sedan. Cline sold the Vitesse to Arno Frosh of South Carolina, who campaigned the car continually until 1988 in SCCA Nationals.

  Early in 1988 we acquired the Vitesse and restored it back to it's original colors, which you see in these photographs here. It was known as the "Candy Box" by it's competitors in Trans/Am. At the 1988 HSR Walter Mitty the Vitesse was re-debuted, where in finished in second. During that season the Vitesse won at Watkins Glen and at the IMSA World Challenge Vintage Gran Prix. It was won more than 50 Vintage Sports Car Raced through 2007, including an astonishing 7th. place overall at the Historic Trans/Am Race at Watkins Glen against 6 car in the under 2.5 liter class and 45 V8 Trans/Am cars.

  The Vitesse is highly competitive today, for it sports a 6 cylinder, 2.5 liter with triple 45mm DCOE Webers. The engine was constructed by master race mechanic Bob Wagner of Atlanta Imported. It produces 245HP at 8,000 RPM. Houseman constructed the 5 speed, dog ring gearbox and it is equipped with a Quaiff Diff. All mechanicals are fresh!

 Four wheel dics brakes and four wheel independant suspension, developed by Kastner, make this unbeatable through the turns. It still has it's original wooden dash and door panels. Check out the beautifully hand formed fender arches and fuel fill points. It is masterfully constructed and incredibly solid race car.

  There minor paint chips. Overall the car has never been in a crash and is in very fine condition. It is British Leyland Triumph White, with Porsche Guards Red and Ferrari Chrome Yellow in color. It has it's original design graphics as well as the original SCCA log Book, SVRA/HSR log books and it's original Trans/Am Homologation Documents.     

Spares include: 5 rear ends, 3 drive shafts, 1 nose, 2 doors, 1 radiator, 1 windshield, 1 transmission, many gears, 1 clutch, 1 brake rotor, 2 headlight covers, 1 seat, 1 exhaust system, 2 brake coolers, fuel pumps, 1 set of Panasport Wheels, 3 Revolution Wheels, 2 Cams, 2 MSD #6400 and an engine w/damage. Spare parts are still readily available! 

  We have owned, raced and Truly enjoyed this car all of these 20 years. We are sure that you too will have the same pleasures.  

  The Triumph Vitesse Race Car is being sold "As Is, Where Is" and Without Warranty. As with all racing vehicles competition is at your own risk! The seller will not be responsible for injury or death as result of the new owner and or his assignes competiting with this car. A deposit of $5,000.00 must be received within 5 days of the close of this auction and the balance is due within 10 days of the close of this auction. The buyer must pick this car up within 3 weeks of the close of this auction. Good Luck!