Graeme
26-01-2003, 02:14 PM
Some of the older Forum participants will recall that upon the death of Leyland's P76, thereupon also died Leyland's 'Force 7' hatchback coupe.
Of the reported 56 'Force 7V' cars produced at Leyland's Zetland NSW plant, all but ten were destroyed, the remaining cars being auctioned off in 1975, with one car previously having been shipped to Leyland's UK headquarters.
The schedule of manufacturing for the coupe/hatchback was to include the 'Force 7V' 4.4 litre V8-powered version (the only version actually produced) and later base model 'Force 7' six cylinder cars as well as a 'Tour de Force' luxury model.
There was also reported the possibilty of a limited production run of Bathurst specials, tentatively named 'Force 7R'. The 'R' designation was to be representative of the car's racing intentions and also of Repco's participation in developing the V8 power unit. Repco had been involved in the Brabham F1 cars of the late sixties and in another version of essentially the same engine then being run by John McCormack in Formula 5000; the five litre F 5000 engine was pumping out around 340kW of power.
Leyland inside info suggests the 'Force 7R' was intended to leave the showroom with around 185kW under the bonnet, compared to the 143kW of the 'Force 7V'. The engine would at the very least feature variations to the cylinder heads, carburettor and exhaust system, and apparently some dynamometer work had already been carried out on cylinder head flow design before the '7V's went to the crusher. With the '7R' engine then modified within the bounds of the prevailing Bathurst regulations, it was estimated that it should produce close to 260kW in race trim.
None of the '7V's produced were fitted with limited slip diffs but that item was also intended to be a part of the performance package along with a choice of diff ratios of 2.92:1 or 3.23:1.
Regrettably, just as with the Phase IV, XU-1 V8 and V8 Charger of 1972, the 'Force 7R' of 1975 was not to be..... and Bathurst was to remain a two-horse race.
Of the reported 56 'Force 7V' cars produced at Leyland's Zetland NSW plant, all but ten were destroyed, the remaining cars being auctioned off in 1975, with one car previously having been shipped to Leyland's UK headquarters.
The schedule of manufacturing for the coupe/hatchback was to include the 'Force 7V' 4.4 litre V8-powered version (the only version actually produced) and later base model 'Force 7' six cylinder cars as well as a 'Tour de Force' luxury model.
There was also reported the possibilty of a limited production run of Bathurst specials, tentatively named 'Force 7R'. The 'R' designation was to be representative of the car's racing intentions and also of Repco's participation in developing the V8 power unit. Repco had been involved in the Brabham F1 cars of the late sixties and in another version of essentially the same engine then being run by John McCormack in Formula 5000; the five litre F 5000 engine was pumping out around 340kW of power.
Leyland inside info suggests the 'Force 7R' was intended to leave the showroom with around 185kW under the bonnet, compared to the 143kW of the 'Force 7V'. The engine would at the very least feature variations to the cylinder heads, carburettor and exhaust system, and apparently some dynamometer work had already been carried out on cylinder head flow design before the '7V's went to the crusher. With the '7R' engine then modified within the bounds of the prevailing Bathurst regulations, it was estimated that it should produce close to 260kW in race trim.
None of the '7V's produced were fitted with limited slip diffs but that item was also intended to be a part of the performance package along with a choice of diff ratios of 2.92:1 or 3.23:1.
Regrettably, just as with the Phase IV, XU-1 V8 and V8 Charger of 1972, the 'Force 7R' of 1975 was not to be..... and Bathurst was to remain a two-horse race.