Vintage Formula Ford Racing, Titan MK6b
Restoration Just Finished - June 2009
Last summer I decided it was time to look for a new vintage racing car and class. I wanted a car that was reliable, fun and realatively inexpensive to campaign. I wanted a car class that is popular - racing is at it’s best when you’re in a class with plenty of other similarly matched cars.
The car and class I decided on is Formula Ford (FF). FF is exactly what I was looking for - plenty of cars in the class, fun, fast and reasonable expenses.
Borrowed from TheKentLives.com:
“Formula Ford originated in the UK in 1967 when the first Cortina powered Lotus 51s were built to replace F3 cars being used at the MRS driving school at Brands Hatch. Their cost, complete and ready to run, was one thousand pounds sterling. Engines were provided by Ford at the princely sum of fifty pounds each! Transmissions were Renault as used in the Lotus Europa and Colin Chapman, consequently, had access to a whole bunch of them! The class was adopted by the SCCA in 1969 and FF1600 soon became the most significant single-seat racing class in the world FF. It was not uncommon to see grids of up to fifty fairly equal cars take the green flag. The thousands of FF chassis produced over the following four decades far outnumber those of any other racing class. The original Ford Cortina engine that powered these rear-engined, tube-chassis cars was replaced when Ford introduced the sturdier, venerable Uprated or “Kent” version in 1971.”
After much online reading and talking to numerous FF drivers, I learned that the Titan MK6 was the model to have. From the Titan Registry website:
“The highly competitive nature of Formula Ford forced racing car manufactures to keep improving their cars. In 1970 CLE introduced the Titan Mk6 Formula Ford, which is considered one of the most successful Formula Fords ever to take to the track. Tom improved the front suspension of the Mk5 chassis by utilizing a two-piece upper wishbone, which fed suspension loads through more of the chassis. At the same time, he redesigned the bodywork to improve down force and clean up airflow. Based on the registry, we believe over 300 Mk6s were built between late 1969 and early 1974, which probably makes the Mk6 the most numerous formula ford ever produced.”
I found this 1970 Titan MK6b, updated with an MK6c nose section, in Utah. I made a marathon three day round trip drive from Oregon to bring the car home. As usual, ‘race ready’ cars never are. Problems started with first track test session and the oil pouring out of the bottom of the pan. It turns out the rear main seal was installed backwards.
Doug Esterbrook from Loyninngs did a great job getting the car into running order in time to make the Formula Ford reunion races at the 2008 Columbia River Classic in Portland. Despite the car and motor being tired, I had a great time, was reasonably competitive and most importantly the car made every track session.
I was hooked, Formula Ford was great fun and super reliable - puuuurrrffect!
It didn’t take long to decide to have Doug do a full restoration over the winter of 2008/09. For 2009 the car is virtually as new - restored frame, rebuilt engine & transmission, new body panels, all new plating, new wheels & tires, etc. Restoration photos are below.
The car came with the log books back to 1974. The Arch Motors number on the frame is 70/70. The original commission plate is missing, but the rivet holes are still in the frame.
History
If you have history, photos or other information on this Titan, I would love to hear from you.
2009 Formula Ford Race Schedule
July 3-5, Seattle Historics
July 10-12, Portland Historics
July 24-26, FF 40th Reunion, Road America
Aug. 7-9, SCCA Regional Portland
Sept. 5-7, Columbia River Classic, Portland
Sept. 25-27, CSRG Charity Challenge, Infineon Sonoma
Southwest Series Racing over the winter
1970 Titan Formula Ford Restoration Photos
