To Be OFFERED AT AUCTIONEstimate:
$90,000 - $140,000
- A unique post-war racing car conceived by famed race engineer
John Tojeiro
- Completed to a very high standard in accordance with Tojeiro's
original vision
- Hand-formed body to original designs by Coachsmithing of Blair,
Wisconsin
- 300-plus hp 302 cubic-inch GMC inline six-cylinder engine;
Muncie "rock crusher" four-speed manual transmission
- Accompanied by history files, dyno sheets, race reports, and
more
Motor racing's postwar era gave birth to an entirely new generation
of auto enthusiasts-one whose passion and drive was not necessarily
limited by what they could buy from an established manufacturer,
but rather what they could create with their own two hands. This
exemplary racing car, christened the Tojeiro California
Spyder-sometimes referred to by its chassis designation, TCAL 59-is
emblematic of that compelling time.
In 1959, legendary engineer and racing car designer John Tojeiro,
formerly of the Ecurie Ecosse racing team, began to design what
would be his last front-engine race car. The car would feature a
tube-frame chassis inspired by Ecurie Ecosse's Le Mans-competing
Jaguars. Further, the car was equipped with coil springs,
concentric tubular shock absorbers, and a De Dion rear-end. Its
beautiful exterior, penned by Tojeiro's good friend Cavendish
Morton, borrowed design cues from the Ferrari 250 California
spider.
Unfortunately, the car's construction was put on hold as Tojeiro's
focus shifted towards building the mid-engine Ecurie Ecosse
Tojeiro. And so the complete chassis, with its tubular frame and
suspension components, sat in the back of Tojeiro's shop until it
was acquired by enthusiast Gilbert Dickson of the U.K. Dickson, who
at the time managed the Tojeiro Registry, planned on completing the
project, but much like Tojeiro, work and other projects prevented
him from doing so.
The car's fortunes took a turn when it landed in the hands of
American auto-archaeologist, John Muller. While on a trip to the
U.K. inspecting a Tojeiro Climax, Muller noticed the chassis
hanging in the rafters of the shop-and knew he had to have it. The
car was soon purchased directly from Dickson and shipped to
Muller's home in Kansas City, Missouri. Muller would complete the
car over the subsequent years, utilizing preserved, original
components and the original chassis. The body was built by
Coachsmithing of Blair, Wisconsin using Tojeiro-built wire bucks,
later converted to wooden bucks for greater precision.
When drawing up plans for the California Spyder, Tojeiro originally
intended to use an American drivetrain of some kind. In keeping
with this, the car was equipped with a 292-cubic-inch GMC inline
six-cylinder engine. Later bored out to 302 cubic inches by Sissell
Automotive of Newbury Park, California, dynamometer tests revealed
a 300-plus horsepower, 325-foot-pound monster. This is mated to a
Muncie "rock crusher" four-speed manual transmission, which sends
power to a Jaguar-sourced heavy duty limited-slip De Dion rear
axle.
The combination of its gorgeous body, superior chassis
construction, and powerful drivetrain results in a potent racing
car. In a 2018 SVRA National Championship race, the California
Spyder posted the second-fastest lap time in a field of over 40
cars; this is an impressive feat for any cottage-built race car,
let alone one on its first outing.
Accompanied by a thorough history file containing letters, dyno
test sheets, a copy of race results, a copy of the racing logbook,
and photographs, the Tojeiro California Spyder "TCAL 59" presents
the unique opportunity to acquire a rare piece of motorsports
history-one conceived by a well-known racing engineer and finally
completed, to a very high standard, in accordance with his original
vision.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/0520.