I can’t claim to have ever heard of this competition car before, which looks like a updated version of the classic Lotus 11. This 1985 Shrike P15 S2000 is said to have been in storage until 2014, when it was pulled out and treated to a proper restoration at the hands of a professional race shop. This car looks ripe for vintage racing at Lime Rock and Sebring, and is listed here on craigslist for $24,000 in Stratford, CT.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Roger for the find. The world of vintage racing is one of the best enthusiast communities out there, in my humble opinion. I spent many Labor Day weekends at Lime Rock for the annual Vintage Festival, and the selection of historically significant race cars was enough to fill any gearhead’s heart and imagination with tales of late race heroics, overcoming a perennial racetrack nemesis for the fame and glory of the checkered flag. A vintage race car like this brings you back to those simpler times, when competition was always on the razor’s edge, with nominal safety equipment and high-tech gadgetry.
Of course, this Shrike merely looks vintage given it was built in 1985. That helps explain the reasonable asking price compared to competition cars from the 60s and 70s. Power comes from a 2.0-liter Ford inline-four (maybe a Zetec unit?), which is paired to a Hewland four-speed manual transaxle. That’s perhaps one of the best features of this refreshed track car, as the running costs should be downright reasonable.
That’s not to say the current owner didn’t spend a mint prepping it for track use. Race cars may be reasonably cheap to buy but their upkeep is a different story. Plus, there are still some exotic components on this example that would require costly repair if damaged, such as a carbon fiber nose panel, Wilwood brakes, Koni shocks, and Compomotive Turbo-Mag split rim wheels. Overall, it would seem near impossible to have this much fun in a car for under $30,000.
That’s a Sports 2000. Ford Kent (Pinto in the US) motor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_2000
I don’t believe so Josh. The 1600 is a Kent, and was the largest displacement of the Kent family (smallest was 1300cc I think). The 2000 was not known as a Kent
bt
It’s a Pinto motor; we had them in 1.6 and 2.0 variants in Cortinas and Sierras. Zetec should fit reasonably easily, but it depends what class you decide to race it in; there may be restrictions on engine modernity.
I never found these classes – Mallocks and so on – particularly interesting, don’t know why.
What kind of speeds are we looking at w this race car 🏎 🏁 ?
Can we please have some insight on the websites new changes- lots of bugs have been happening with broken pages and comments…. Seems like some articles are “missing” it says
Yep, we had some server issues and had to restore from a backup. I’m the process we lost some comments. We upgraded though and are working through all the bugs so things are going to run better than ever.
Well as far as a “vintage” racing car goes, for the dollar spent you would have a hard time finding a car that would be as much fun per dollar! The 2 litre Pinto is reliable as all get out, sounds fantastic, and moves you along pretty smartly. There is a thriving vintage S2000 community and fairly large fields – always someone to race with.
It looks good in the pictures. Depending on how fresh the motor and gearbox are, and how “tight”/straight/damage that tub is, could be easily worth the money. And the Shrike was aerodynamically creative with it’s all enclosed bodywork – many buried the back wheels, but I think only the Shrike and the Ocelot did all four.
FWIW, a homebuilt motor will not make the power – I understand these heads are extremely sensitive to the porting in and around the valves
best,
bt
(Owner, Lola 492)
I saw these race in period in UK and they are top cars. Very competitive and look great too.
OK so what are you going to do with it can’t drive it on the street ?
Did you even read the posting??
Get him, Bill!
Who in God’s name reads an article about a race car that’s for sale and then complains about not being able to drive it on the street?
That Pinto Four was a solid motor. Would throw a rocker arm if you spun them to high.
Just the thing to go to the grocery store in.
The seat, belts, fuel tank and fire system will all have had a 10 year life, all probably expired so quite a lot to change there before you get to things like battery, tyres, hoses etc. but who said racing was cheap?
These are really good vintage 2000 race cars. A complete rebuild will cost 10-20K, if that has been done, it is a good buy. The cars are bullet proof and very fast. In spec motor class, the horsepower is 140-150. You can change the gears for different tracks and that determines the top speed, but it is about the cornering speed that is so good about them. We put a big motor (200 hp) in a Sports 2000 in the 1980’s, and it’s lap times were as fast a TransAm cars at the time. We won 7 out of 11, 6 and 7 hour endros with the Crossle 42’s. Can buy more racing fun for the money. Tom