Des Hammill

Coventry Climax Racing Engines: the definitive is development history by Des Hammill is a book I have long wanted to read. I finally found a copy at the right price and was worth the shopping and waiting, Covers the history of the Climax manufacturing company's venture into engine
manufacturing. It started with the British government looking for a portable fire pump. This needed a light weight engine to power the pump, among other requirements. British car constructers saw the engines at a display in the London Motor show and saw the potential of the light weight engine as a race car power unit. Petitioning Climax led to motors built for use in small displacement category cars. But one use that caught my eye many years ago, and stuck with me because it seemed so attractive, was using a Climax engine to improve performance in Austin-Healey Sprites. This was part of an attempt by, I think, either Graham Hill or, maybe Jack Braham, to enter the automobile after-market. The text and pictures convinced me that that was a great idea and I would, if not for budgetary reasons, love to pursue doing such a car. Alas, rich relatives remembering me in their will is not in my possible future, So it goes!… (més)