Fun with ricers

[Tiger598]

New guy here. At first, this post might not seem like it belongs on this board -- it does -- just keep reading.

Every couple of days I take my '68 Sunbeam out for an evening cruise. I don't go looking, but if I run across one, embarrassing the riceboys is too much fun to pass up. A Sunbeam? It's a little British convertible about the size of an MGB. Find a light, pull up next to the Honda with the Folger's can tip. Hope he has his girlfriend with him.

The Sunbeam only weighs 2,450 pounds with me and the gas, but Ricemeister's expecting about 90 flywheel HP out of a bad British 4-banger. Look over until he runs up the revs. Nod to let him know you wanna go -- don't blip the gas 'cause that'd give it away.

On the green, part throttle to stay even with him until he's about through first gear and you're a little under four grand where the cam really comes to life. Then nail the throttle. The large-case Ultraflows that kept the idle quiet are makin some noise now. Run first to 7 grand, shift, back off the throttle and wait for him. Nail it again when he catches you, just to make sure his butt is beat (no flybys allowed). Shift to third if you have enuf road, back off the throttle, and check to see if he's turned off.

The beauty of it all -- Riceboy has no respect for American technology, and maybe even less for cars from the sixties. But that's what he just got stomped by. If he doesn't turn off quick and actually asks, I tell him about Carroll Shelby, who stuffed 289s into Sunbeam Alipnes to make them Sunbeam Tigers, just like he did when he turned the AC Ace into the Shelby Cobra.

If he wants to hear more, I let him in on a little secret. It isn't all that difficult (or expensive) to get 375, even 400 HP out of a 289 if you have the right combination, even with a flat-tappet cam and a carburetor(the carb actually makes it easier).

Who says you have to stop having fun when you turn 35? When it gets into your blood, it never leaves.