For inclusion in the D-Production category of SCCA racing, Joe Huffaker converted five Jensen-Healeys for club racing. Over the course of the 1973 season, Lee Mueller became the D-Production champion and the Jensen-Healey won it’s first season.
Huffaker Engineering was based out of San Rafael, California and had close ties to the Qvale group which initially developed the Jensen-Healey road car. Much of the their development focused on upgrading the engine power as the rest of the car was engineered well from the onset.
To raise the stock 140 bhp to nearly 200 bhp, Huffaker fitted new engine internals such as forged pistons, De Long racing camshafts and stronger valve springs.
The stock suspension which was borrowed from the Vauxhall Viva was kept virtually stock expect for the fitting of Koni shock absorbers and adjustable anti-roll bars. The brake system included an adjustable front and rear bias proportioning valve and the stock power steering assist was removed.
In their September 1974 edition, Road & Track reported on the full test of the Huffaker Jensen-Healey. As driven by Lee Mueller they reached 0-60 in 7.2 seconds and a marked improvement in every area of performance around Riverside. The race car was 23 seconds faster than the road-going counterpart. R&T also reported that a complete racing car was available for $11,400 compared to the street car which listed at $6290.1
Sources & References
1. Wakefield, Ron. ‘Two Jensen-Healeys’ Road & Track. September 1974
In Detail
| submitted by | admin |
| type | Racing Car |
| built at | San Rafael, California, USA |
| production | 5 |
| price $ | $ 11,400 |
| engine | Lotus Inline-4 |
| position | Front, Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| fuel feed | Twin Stromberg Carburettors |
| displacement | 1973 cc / 120.4 in³ |
| bore | 94.0 mm / 3.7 in |
| stroke | 68.6 mm / 2.7 in |
| power | 146.2 kw / 196 bhp @ 7000 rpm |
| specific output | 99.34 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 215.86 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 210.2 nm / 155 ft lbs @ 5000 rpm |
| body / frame | Unitary Steel Monocoque |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| wheel type | Magnesium Minilite |
| front tires | Goodyear Blue Streak |
| rear tires | Goodyear Blue Streak |
| front brakes | Discs |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| r brake size | 44.4 x 228.6 mm / 1.75 x 9 in |
| front wheels | F 33 x 17.8 cm / 13 x 7 in |
| rear wheels | R 33 x 17.8 cm / 13 x 7 in |
| f suspension | A-Arms w/Coil Springs, Koni Shock Absorbers, Adj Anti-Roll Bar |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Coil Springs, Koni Shock Absorbers, Adj Anti-Roll Bar |
| curb weight | 908 kg / 2000 lbs |
| weight distro | 50 % / 50 % |
| wheelbase | 2336.8 mm / 92 in |
| front track | 1404.6 mm / 55.3 in |
| rear track | 1384.3 mm / 54.5 in |
| length | 4114.7998 mm / 162 in |
| width | 1607.8 mm / 63.3 in |
| height | 1122.7 mm / 44.2 in |
| transmission | Chrysler 4-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 3.12:1, 1.99:1, 1.3:1, 1:1 |
| final drive | 3.73:1 |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~7.2 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~17.3 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~15 seconds |
| fuel capacity | 45.42 litres or 12 gal. |
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