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Chassis:
Chassis 002 was the second Howmet built and the first using a purpose-built McKee chassis. Bob McKee suggested for this car to be used at Daytona due to its slightly longer wheelbase. During the remainder of the season, it was used alongside the sister car. It was used by Thompson and Heppenstall to win the the SCCA at Marlboro. During the 24 Hours of Le Mans it suffered from engine problems and was eventually forced to retire after Thompson rolled the car. Howmet eventually sold both cars to Heppenstall for the symbolic amount of $1. He converted this car to 'Mk II' Spyder specification for the highly successful turbine world record runs in 1970.
Without the Continental engine, it was eventually acquired by American collector Chuck Haines, who had it fully restored by Bob McKee. He had an Allison turbine fitted, without waste-gates, so it could run but not competitively. The current owner acquired the car in 2005 from Haines and embarked on a quest to track down suitable waste-gates to bring it back to full running order. After a fruitless search he decided to offer the car in Christie's 2006 Le Mans Classic Auction. The bids failed to make the reserve but fortunately, after two years, the owner finally found the correct waste-gates.
After acquiring the Allison waste-gates, the car was fully restored to its Le Mans specification complete with the deflector bulge. The work was completed in time for the 2008 Le Mans Classic and a return to the legendary French track exactly forty years after it last raced. The Howmet TX has since been demonstrated during the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Classic Endurance Racing event at 2009 Le Mans Series round at the Nürburgring. The owner reports that the car is relatively easy to drive; all that is needed is to accelerate, brake and steer.
| Chassis details |
| Manufactured in |
1968 |
| First owner |
Howmet |
| Last known location |
ROFGO Collection |
| Appearances |
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| Most recent auction(s) |
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