USA Mistrals
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Mistral bodies were also manufactured in the USA and fitted with a wide range of engines and chassis.
In 1956, Californian Bud Goodwin licensed manufacture of the Mistral body from Microplas and sold it in the United States through his company Sports Car Engineering. Goodwin also sold a chassis to suit. After a few years he sold the Sports Car Engineering business to a company called Du Crest Fiberglass.
The most well-known US Mistrals were probably the Arciero Special, which was built in 1958 as a racing car, for Dan Gurney to drive. It was based on the shortened chassis and engine from a Ferrari 375MM,
Or alternatively the Mistral bodied Austin Healey chassis that was a stunt car in the 1960s Elvis Movie "Spinout".
There are photos of these two cars below along along with some other examples of USA Mistrals.
These photos were largely gathered from the Internet and I have limited information on these cars. I am happy to add references, photo credits and additional information on these cars if people are willing to forward these to me.
Arciero Special - Ferrari/Mistral
This information and photos of the Arciero Special are from Richard Smith's post on the "Dan Gurney and the All American Racers Fan Group" Facebook page.
Ferrari 374MM chassis 0362AM was shortened in 1955 and sold as an unfinished project to Arciero in 1957. It was finished using a Mistral fibreglass body in 1958 but not used by Dan Gurney until the Riverside 200 race on 12/10/58, when apparently he also raced 0478AM, which also apparently happened in 1959. We all know he was a great driver, but two cars at the same time? (see link to photo in the Peterson archives)
After Dan moved on to race in Europe, both cars raced a bit until 1961 and then 0478AM was sold on and subsequently preserved with the Sutton/Varneys body. 0362AM was eventually restored to its original Ferrari 375MM specification, however at one stage it was fitted with a Maserati V8.
The top photo is the “Arciero Ferrari 375MM Mistral body possibly Riverside 12/10/58”.. The picture was on a Pinterest page “The Golden Age of Motor Sports” posted by Al Huang.
The lower picture, when the car was painted gold, was posted on the above Facebook page by Tom Gee and is from later in the car's life when entered, but not raced at the 1964 Riverside 200.
"Elvis" Mistral
This is a still taken from the 1960's Elvis movie "Spinout". The body of the stunt car is clearly a Mistral, but it was doubling for an AC Cobra (Chassis no CSX3011) which was used in the film. Apparently both cars still exist. The Mistral stunt car on an Austin Healey chassis is in Florida.
Mistral, circa 1962. Beautiful sports racing body mounted on steel X frame chassis. Large engine compartment will accept multiple type engines. Rack and pinion steering, TR suspension and differential. $19,995. Source ClassicCars.com
An unusual use of a Mistral body here - fitted to a Porche floor pan and mechanicals
Dave Curto in California has a 1954 Porsche Pre-A pan with a Mistral body and has had the car restored by Redline Services.He says: The documents I have state it came from Europe (Germany) to New York City in 1957 purchased by Bryan Walker and was raced in the Kansas City region during the late 1950s and early 1960s.I have not found any actual race documents.. I found a blog which stated only two mistrals were ever made on a Porsche platform and I believe this is one of them.My car has aluminum side panels with a two piece Mistral body nose and tail.
Mike Seale’s Tatra special built in Bellingham, Washington, USA in 1959.The car was built by then college student Mike Seale. Running gear components were taken from a 1950 Tatra T-600 Tatraplan. Parts used included the engine, transaxle, suspension and brakes, wheels, fuel tank, and steering wheel hub. The chassis and remaining components were fabricated by Dr. Seale. He raced the car at Westwood in British Columbia. He entered and raced in a number of events in 1960 and 61 at times running respectably but didn’t finish many contests as various fuel system problems arose. The 4 cyl. Was taken out after the 61 racing season, the chassis and body were lengthened 6 inches and a 1959 Corvette 283 c.i. smallblock was fitted. It again, campaigned at Westwood, becoming the D sports champion in 62 and again in 63. Seales would go on to licence the car following the addition of lights, horn, etc. and the “gull wing” coupe configuration was adopted.Jeff Hammers purchased the car in 1976 and drove it on the street. He broke a ring gear in the transaxle at one point and replaced the Chev engine with an aluminum Olds unit.
Source Westwood Mountain High Circuit Racing – Alumni Facebook page.
Mistral body from The Wilson Collection Photo from Jooinn
From Junji Nakamura - another unusual Mistral
"I have taken some films at Lions Drag Strip in Long Beach, CA from 1958-60 and then again in 64. Our friend built a fiberglass sports car with a huge motor in it and raced in the sports car class at Lions".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEzV-iiBGT8 From MGAguru.com
Mistral for sale by Bonhams
Mistral Chev
Appears to be a TR powerd Mistral
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