Don Simms Twin Cam History: One of 407 Twin Cams built in Australia in 1970, out of a total of just under 800 that were built there between 1970 and 1972 (this was in addition to the 1263 built in the UK between 1967 and 1971). This car was built in September 1970 and was painted "Hot Orange" when new. I purchased the car in NSW Australia in November 1992 with 95821 miles on the clock and in pretty poor condition. I shipped it to New Zealand in August 1993. When purchased, the car was registered in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), with the Rego Number YVI-690. I was unable to find out anything more on the cars history in Australia, despite contacting both Ford Australia and the local registration authority. Unfortunately in Australia cars don't come with ownership papers like we have in NZ, and each Australian State has its own registration system, with no central registration database. When you buy a car all you get are the details of the last owner and nothing more! The car is registered with the Ford RS Owners Clubs in Australia and NZ, plus the UK AVO Owners Club. The car has featured on the front cover and in an article in the AVO Owners Club Newsletter "HAVOC". In 1994 the car was given a good tidy up, including plastic media blasting the bodywork and repainting it "burnt orange", a very close match to the original colour. Most of the mechanical components were either replaced or overhauled at this time. I regularly use the car (at least twice a week) driving the 20 miles to my work. As well I have enjoyed using the car in the odd motorsport event. While not set up or modified for Classic Racing the car has plenty of potential in this area and is a lot of fun to drive at speed on the track. Specifications Body Shell: Original Ford Australia "Heavy Duty" Type 49 shell. The car has all of the original features of a Type 49 shell, including: rear stone deflector, battery in boot, flared front guards, front quarter bumpers, strengthened front and rear suspension pick up points, rear engine brace and firewall attachment and strengthening, gearbox mounting strengthening, twin radius arms on the axle and most importantly the correct ID Tag on the engine bay firewall bulkhead and the Chassis Number stamped on the RH side strut strengthening plate. The car is still fitted with square headlights (all Australian Twin Cams were built from new with square lights). Many of the surviving Australian Twin Cams have had these replaced with the incorrect round type over the years. The car has the personalised plate "1970 TC". Engine: Original 1558cc capacity. Standard Lotus bottom end, pistons and rods (125E type). Standard "big wing" baffled sump. The head has been extensively ported and polished and is fitted with Cosworth L1 cams, QED Q55 double valve springs and has new valves, guides, seats, "buckets" and sleeves. The original Weber 40DCOE31 carbs are still fitted, but are suitably re-jetted and choked to match the output of the cams. A new high capacity oil pump was fitted in 1994 when the engine was done up and this is connected to the original oil cooler. Ignition is by original Lucas distributor/points and has no problems reving the engine to its 6500RPM red line. The exhaust manifold is a custom-made 2 and a half-inch diameter, 4 into 1 type, with a standard muffler and resonator. The radiator is the original large header tank type. I have never had the car on a dyno, but estimate the engine to be producing approximately 130BHP at the flywheel. The car has done a standing quarter mile in 16.2 seconds, 0.6 seconds better than in the original Twin Cam road tests of the late 1960s/early 70s. Given that a standard engine (when new) produced approx. 110BHP I am satisfied that this engine is producing more power than it did when new. The car is fitted with its original air cleaner, trunking and air box. I only know of 3 other Twin Cams in NZ that have this very rear and original item still fitted - out of the 40 plus Twin Cams that I know survive in NZ. Running Gear: The clutch is standard (hydraulic operation) as is the gearbox (original 2000E, 3 rail, "Bullet" box). The diff currently fitted is the original 3.77:1 ratio. I did have a 3.88:1 ratio LSD unit in the car but found it of no practical use on the road, although on the track it does make quite a difference. Brakes, Steering and Suspension: Brakes are standard Twin Cam 9.625" diameter solid discs at the front and 9" x 1.75" drums at the rear. The brakes are servo assisted. Currently the car has the wrong servo fitted, but I have the original one and intend to fit it in the future. The original Twin Cam steering rack and suspension is fitted, but with nolathane bushes throughout and 1.5" lowering blocks fitted to the rear springs. Wheels and Tyres: The car sits on 13" aluminium Minilight replica wheels and 185/65 profile directional tyres. Interior: The interior is original, but with new carpet/underfelt and the addition of a period (1970s) racing seat on the drivers side. The original dash, steering wheel and rear centre console is fitted. The car has an AM/FM stereo cassette player fitted, with 4 speakers, although it is almost impossible to hear when driving on the open road due to engine and road noise! Security Features: The car has a remote operated alarm with door, boot and bonnet switches. A hidden ignition kill switch is also fitted.