Willaims Track Day Car

[Daipac]

I have been toying with the idea of buying a cheap Williams and stripping it down for use on track days as I would like to start going to as many as I can throughout the year and I dont really want to keep taking the 172 around the track because of wear and tear, etc. Maybe I care about the 172 a bit too much but I am sure there are others who think the same about their cars.

Some questions......

1) How much would I be looking at for a Williams, doesnt matter if it is tatty or damage repair or just damaged, as long as it is mechanically sound ? Do you have any websites I can look at for damaged Williams apart from http://www.infinicar.com/www.infinicar.com ? I just want something I can really chuck around the track !

2) Will this be frowned upon by taking a classic to use just on track ? I would not want a good condition one as it would just be a waste of a good car.

3) Would it be better to go for a 16v ?

4) Is this feasible ?

Cheers for any info !

Dai

 

[king.stromba]

Quote: Originally posted by Daipac on 27 February 2004


I have been toying with the idea of buying a cheap Williams

No Williams is cheap

and stripping it down for use on track days as I would like to start going to as many as I can throughout the year and I dont really want to keep taking the 172 around the track because of wear and tear, etc. Maybe I care about the 172 a bit too much but I am sure there are others who think the same about their cars.

Some questions......

1) How much would I be looking at for a Williams, doesnt matter if it is tatty or damage repair or just damaged, as long as it is mechanically sound ? Do you have any websites I can look at for damaged Williams apart from http://www.infinicar.com/www.infinicar.com ? I just want something I can really chuck around the track !

Most of the cheaper Williams will be old and have worn suspension parts. ie. wont be mechanically sound. I picked one up for 2.5k, but have spent about a grand so far sorting the suspension. You wont get a Williams that handles like a Williams unless you spend the money yourself restoring it. And a Williams that doesnt handle like a Williams is as much use as a frying pan made of ice. A damage repair one may not handle properly if its had subframe damage. Accident damage is a big no no when buying a Williams. If you want the full Williams experience id bugdet at least 4k.

2) Will this be frowned upon by taking a classic to use just on track ? I would not want a good condition one as it would just be a waste of a good car.

Get a 2 or a 3, they are after all only copies of the original..

3) Would it be better to go for a 16v ?

They wont handle as well, will have the same problems, but will be cheaper and slower (just).

4) Is this feasible ?

Williams are not fast in a straight line so 1/4 miling wont be much fun. On tight tracks with lots of flowing corners the Williams will mix it with the best.

Cheers for any info !

Dai

 

[jon_r]

For 4k you can almost have a decent 7 replica for trackdays, i.e. you wouldnt need to get it registered. Youd have to build it though!!

I can guarantee itll be more fun than a Williams at a trackday.

 

[Martin]

Go for it, I am doing a similar thing with a view to doing quarter miling and track days. Youd think the Williams was a luxury limo the amount of sound deadning and interior Ive pulled out! I have spent around 4500 pounds on a car I bought for 4750 (i got ripped off) so its not cheap.

 

[TheJesus]

Get a nice 5k Williams and use the 172 as the track car, the Williams deserves better

 

[Daipac]

I am sure it is feasible to get a tatty old Williams for a cheap price, it will NOT be used on the road at all.

jon, is that right ? Got any links ? I have been in a Caterham, sh1t my pants ! LOL !

Martin, I take it that is your everyday car too or a 2nd NON-ROAD car ?

TheJesus, there is no way I would do that, I just prefer the 172, my opinion that is all. Besides, the 172s are too expensive to throw around a track on my budget.

 

[eves]

"""""Get a 2 or a 3, they are after all only copies of the original."""



Copies lol.... but rarer and more improved!! hehe

 

[Essex_lads_bro]

get a cup! problem solved! ;o)

 

[Daipac]

Too expensive !

 

[eves]

why not a valver ????

 

[Daipac]

eves, it is a good point, I did ask if it would be better to go for a 16v. I would prefer a Williams to be honest but a 16v would be a good backup.

 

[jon_r]

you wont get a caterham for 5k, you start to get into the early westfield teritory.

However if you wanted you could build a reasonable Locost for 3/4k, and a good one for 6.

The alternative is a Tiger, another seven replica, their new model, called the Avon i think could be build for around 5k to a good standard - obviously you then have the chance to pick and choose your engines and if it isnt going to be road legal you can save the cost on windscreens, weather gear, heaters, lights etc. http://www.mytigeravon.co.uk/http://www.mytigeravon.co.uk/

 

[eves]

cool cause youll prob be able to get a decent valver for the price of a tatty willy

 

[Daipac]

There must be some tatty but mechanically sound Williams out there surely ? I do want a Williams if I can get one but maybe I am hoping for a miracle ?

 

[eves]

lol.....good luck mate!

 

[ReNWiLL]

Quote: Originally posted by TheJesus on 27 February 2004

Get a nice 5k Williams and use the 172 as the track car, the Williams deserves better

I think I like you

 

[ReNWiLL]

Quote: Originally posted by eves on 27 February 2004


"""""Get a 2 or a 3, they are after all only copies of the original."""



Copies lol.... but rarer and more improved!! hehe







You too !

 

[telford_mike]

Quote: Originally posted by Daipac on 27 February 2004


Besides, the 172s are too expensive to throw around a track on my budget.

Nah - all it does is wear out brakes & tyres - they cost the same whatever car youre driving.

 

[weight]

Daipac - how much are u willing to spend?

 

[Daipac]

It was the price of the car if I wrap it up that scares me a bit Mike.

weight, around £1500-£2000 max.

 

[telford_mike]

Quote: Originally posted by Daipac on 27 February 2004


It was the price of the car if I wrap it up that scares me a bit Mike.

weight, around £1500-£2000 max.

Might be better off getting a Mk2 Golf GTI or similar, or a Pug 1.9 or a valver then.

 

[Daipac]

My opinion may all change I think after my first track day in the 172, at the moment it is unknown territory. I am sure it is safe as long as you are sensible as was said before.

 

[weight]

valver with decent brakes

 

[Tom]

Im with weight on this one i would get a valver.

 

[jon_r]

or a mk2 escort.

 

[telford_mike]

Quote: Originally posted by Daipac on 27 February 2004

My opinion may all change I think after my first track day in the 172,

It will mate, it will.

 

[Daipac]

Mike, I have no doubt it will ! LOL ! Hopefully we can get interest in the Pembrey track day, that would be good. Going to have tuition there.

Like I said, my opinion may change when I have done a few track days in the 172. It would just be nice to have something that I didnt care about damaging when going around the track.

The 172 will still be taken around the track this year and then I will maybe look at getting something at the end of the summer.

Cheers guys for the help !

 

[jon_r]

RWD!!!!

 

[Daipac]

1992 RENAULT CLIO 1.8 16v, 1992,
J reg. Metallic Blue, e/w, r/c/l, alarm/immobilizer, mint bodywork and alloys, sports exhaust, drives superb, T&T expired, hence. £990. no offers.

http://erc.qmuc.ac.uk/cliosport/gallery/full/1077893954__media1.jpg

?????????

 

[telford_mike]

Quote: Originally posted by Daipac on 27 February 2004


It would just be nice to have something that I didnt care about damaging when going around the track.

The whole reason that trackdays work is that everyone is worried about damaging their cars. Therell be Nobles, loads of Porkers, Ferraris etc. Its the fear of accidents that keeps everything (relatively) sensible. This is a good reason to avoid those cheap trackdays where every baseball-capped loony can turn up and have a go in his Nova or whatever.

 

[Daipac]

Mike, I am sure I will find that out when I finally get on the track ! I am itching to do it now ! Been speaking to some guys at work and they have been winding me up a bit, I think that is what made me think about this !



Do you think you will get much interest from guys around your area for the Pembrey track day ? Will have to book soon if we are going to do it ?




<----------- PS 1400th post !

 

[Clart]

Get a cheap valver, strip it, buckets, coilovers - few more mods - roberts ur fathers brother

 

[Daipac]

You paint a very enjoyable picture Mitsi ! LOL !



There was that valver on the previous page at £990. How much for all that inc. car ?

 

[Martin]

I run my car everyday, Im not bothered about not having interior etc. For 2 grand you will only get a heap of a Williams. I would go for a 16v if you are on a tight budget. Wont be that much slower than a Williams, as above with a cage and breathing mods.IMO

 

[TheJesus]

being serious Id use the 172, like its been said, its only brakes and tires at the end of the day. If your gonna buy a Williams and not bother with it you may as well get a valver, Williams should be kept and cherished as a dying breed, cos they will only get rarer. Id only consider buying a mint one m8.

Which wil be worth more in 5 years time, 172 or Williams??? Will be interesting to see.

 

[telford_mike]

Quote: Originally posted by Daipac on 27 February 2004


Do you think you will get much interest from guys around your area for the Pembrey track day ? Will have to book soon if we are going to do it ?

Nearer the time theyll find it impossible to resist the combination of alcohol, curry and a day on the track

 

[Daipac]

Quote: Originally posted by TheJesus on 27 February 2004


being serious Id use the 172, like its been said, its only brakes and tires at the end of the day. If your gonna buy a Williams and not bother with it you may as well get a valver, Williams should be kept and cherished as a dying breed, cos they will only get rarer. Id only consider buying a mint one m8.

Which wil be worth more in 5 years time, 172 or Williams??? Will be interesting to see.

If I wanted a Williams as my first car then I would have bought one when I was looking for my 172, I just prefer the 172 and would only use the Williams as a track day car if it ever came to that. I do not want a Williams that is mint to then thrash on a track. Dont really care how much it will be worth in 5 years time to be honest, cars would have moved on yet again by then and I prefer new cars.

Mike, ask around your lot up there and see what interest we get as we will need to book soon ?

Swansea Curry ! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm !

 

[dannyt]

A williams is a limited edition car, in fact its more like a work of art! I dont disagree to driving one properly and giving it a blast on the track every now and then, but to get one, even one which is a bit battered and destroy it even more in my eyes is disgraceful, why dont you spend the time restoring it and then getting the real feel out of it?

You should go and thrash the 172 which is not limited and still in production, so its always possible to get another one!!!

Anyway thats just my opinion but if I could afford the insurance for one then I know I would be keeping it as immaculate as possible, so that one day when the flying cars have been invented, I can bring the williams out of the garriage and show people what real driving was all about!!!

Danny

 

[Matbrown]

Dai,

You on MSN?



Mat.

 

[king.stromba]

Daipac, im not sure you really understand the difference between a cheap williams and a mint one. Im not trying to patronise, just trying to save you alot of ball ache. If you buy a cheap Williams and spend no money on it you will probably have one, many or all of the following:

1. A dodgy steering column that will allow the wheels to randomly steer around corners at their choosing.

2. Soft, rusty, long dead shock absorbers.

3. Uneven tyre wear leading to grip loss and spins

4. A rear end that will try to dispose of you in the senary at every corner

5. A whole in the manifold leading to power loss

6. Cr*p brakes

7. One or possibly two broken front springs

8. Bushes that are no longer functioning as bushes

9. Damaged subframe leading to pulling under acceleration AND braking

10. A rapidly over heating coolant system

11. A passenger side draveshaft seal leak, leading to gearbox terminal failure

12. A whole in the exhaust within the next 12 months if not already

13. A cam belt snap, if not done in last 30,000 miles

14. Leaking sunroof if you get a 3

15. Sticking calipers

16. Varios noises, clunks and bangs that are strangely unexplainable

In summary - A chocolate tea pot.

I assure you owning a Williams in this condition is NO fun atall. And i do not see the point of owning a track car that tries to kill you at every corner. I know because mine used to have alot of these faults and im gradually going bankrupt sorting the problems out. You have been warned.