14 Dec 06 14:01
HB Special
Dutch classic car enthusiasts Paul and Tino Huet have created their own car. The Huet Brothers HB Special is an intriguing blend of old and new, a piece of exotica which, they claim, recreates the experience of driving a vintage Alfa, Bugatti or special-bodied Le Mans car at an accessible price.
The chassis is derived from the Triumph TR6 (1968-76), but with lowered independent suspension, upgraded front brake discs and rear drums, adjustable shock absorbers, an upgraded front anti-roll bar and a racing-type steering rack.
HB Special
The 2.5-litre six-cylinder engine is also sourced from the TR6, but its power has been boosted to more than 180bhp from the original 105-150bhp, with two SU carbs, a sports exhaust, oil cooler, modified camshaft and lightened flywheel. The original four-speed manual gearbox remains.
As you'd expect from the founders of the Netherlands Classic Drivers Club, the Huets are not aiming to offer the refinement of a modern car: the Special will have all the noise, unrefined ride and demanding handling characteristics of a classic. The HB Special's body, however, is a modern carbon shell, fitted around an aluminium cockpit with rollover bar; this helps keep weight down to just 750kg.
It's been styled to evoke cars including the Aston Martin DBR1, Maserati 300S and Ferrari 412S, and the other open-top racers that competed in the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and Le Mans races of the 1950s. It is, say the Huets, 'a car that is faithful to the original spirit of a classic racing car, but does not aspire to be an identical copy.'
The HB Special will be previewed at the Amsterdam Auto Show next month, and launched in March in Geneva.
