Hi Gang…

One of our good friends in Europe, Hans van Ingen Schenau, has decided to sell his LaDawri Daytona race car and I thought I would share the history of this beautifully restored car with you.  This may be the only LaDawri Daytona in Europe so hopefully the new owner will keep the car in Europe – and maybe bring import a few more American Specials too.  You never know.  This is happening with greater frequency in the past several years

So you ready?  Let’s take a look at what Hyman has to say about this Wildfire for sale.  And away we go….

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1959 LaDawri Daytona Vintage Race Car
ItalParts: Europe
Price: €85,000 (Euro)

This historic race car was originally built in 1959 but later titled in Colorado as 1961. The car was constructed by Ralph Brunning of Colorado Springs, CO in 1959 to compete in road races and hill climbs in the area. Mr. Brunning was well known for his success in winning the modified stock class at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb a record eight times. This car was possibly used by Mr. Brunning for one or more of his Pikes Peak Class wins.

LaDawri was one of the largest makers of fiberglass car bodies in the late 50’s and early 60’s.  The current engine is a 427 Ford side-oiler built and prepped by Valley Head Service (old line Southern California race engine builder) at a cost of over $20,000. Speedwell Engineering has built and installed a custom – vintage legal – front disk, rear drum braking system at a cost of nearly $7,000.

The transmission is a Ford 4-speed top loader – also rebuilt by a race transmission shop. The rear end is a Ford 9 inch nodular with heavy duty bearings and TrueLock locker. Axels are custom 31 spline. It has an extensive array of new Auto Meter gauges, Halon fire protection system, Accu-sump pre-oiler, and 20 gallon Fuel Safe fuel cell. The wheels are 15” American Mags with Goodyear racing tires.

The engine has been set back in the frame to produce a 45/55 % balance which allows the car to be driven hard into corners with no understeer. The car is currently set up and raced with VARA but also has 3 other race organization logbooks. The car can be made street legal with the addition of the 3” exhaust and 3” chambered Flow Master mufflers which are included with the sale but would need some reworking to attach to the current headers.

This is a very significant vintage race car that is part of a private collection of vintage race cars and Pebble Beach winners in Malibu, CA The car shows nicely as a race prepped vintage race car but has the expected paint chips and scratches from being an actively campaigned car. The new engine has only 2 easy break-in sessions and is now ready for serious racing. There are early publications, pictures and documentation of the car running back to the 60’s along with a race-prep book that is included. Additional pictures and information available by request.

History

Constructed by Ralph Brunning in 1959 – Mr. Brunning won his class at Pikes Peak 8 times – possibly one or more times with this car. Actively road raced – logbooks from, 4 sanctioning bodies and print history back to the early 60’s – significant race car from important driver/builder

Recent Competition History

Pikes Peak, Class wins with Vara and other organizations

Update: Car Is Now Completely Restored (2020)
Has a new engine, new carburettor, new clutch, new exhaust, restored drivetrain, all the bushes new, brake booster and new brakes.  Drove the rally La Leggenda di Bassano Juni 2018 and 2019.  For more info, please ask

Additional Photos of LaDawri Daytona

Summary:

We wish Hans the best of luck on the sale of his LaDawri Daytona and believe that the next owner will be thrilled with their purchase.  It’s a very special car.  You can visit Hans’ company, ItalParts, by clicking on the link below:

Click Here To Visit ItalParts

You can visit his LaDawri Daytona For Sale and contact Hans directly via the following link:

Click Here To Learn More About the LaDawri Daytona Race Car For Sale

In addition, to help with making a purchase decision, we have a buyer’s guide at your disposal via the link below:

Click Here To View Our Buyer’s Guide For American Specials

Hope you enjoyed the story, and remember…

The adventure continues here at Undiscovered Classics.

Geoff