Readly RF Feb 20

CORSAIR
turned to some bodywork.
“I really wanted to add my own touches when
it came to the bodywork,” smiles Perry. “Both the
front and rear spoilers are my own unique design
and are a complete one-off.” We have to say they
suit the lines of the car, so well. The smooth curves
on the front leading from the wings to the lower
valance continue the lines of the wings ‘V’ shape.
Mixing this in with the de-bumpered smooth front
panel, the black light surrounds and slated grill
(complete with V8 badge) gives the front of this
Corsair a real mean look, without being too over the
top. The same can also be said to that of the rear.
Step out back, and here you will see that ‘Perry’s
fair hands’ and eye for detail are displayed with
the rear spoiler. Although, it has a straight flat end,
it flows elegantly between the pointed rear lamps
right down to the flawless rear valance where, if
you crouch down you’ll spy the rectangle tailpipe
which releases the roar of the V8.
Well, you all know going by that badge on the
front that resting under the gleaming grey bonnet
lurks a throbbing V8 and this one looks right at
home! It’s a widely used engine that goes back
decades, with Perry’s choice being a fully rebuilt
3900cc Rover unit fed by a 390 Holly carb (with a
secondary vacuum.) Spent gases exit through the
twin four-branch tubular manifold before escaping
down the 2.5” twin stainless system. Mated to
the Rover lump is an LT77 5-speed box borrowed
from a Rover SDI propelling the prop to the fullwidth
Atlas axle with ZX slipper and +3.09 gearing.
“The power it produces is my most favourite thing
about the car, well, that and the looks and how
well it drives and handles with all the mods” adds
Perry. Hidden inside, under the covers are a pair
of fast road cams ensuring the valves are timed
to perfection. ARP bottom studs ensure things are
kept tightly together while 8Ibs has been shaved off
the flywheel. Sitting proudly on top of the carb is a
shiny pancake air filter. Elsewhere, some finishing
touches come by way of blue silicone hoses and
an alloy radiator (with matching shrouding.) The
slam panel and the homemade strut brace, helping
to keep the car on the straight and narrow. Getting
the Corsair sitting better than someone having their
portrait painted, is looked after by a coilover set up
at the front with coilovers and leaf springs out at
the business end, putting the car a reasonable 2.5”
closer to the ground.
The brake set up is another area where Perry
used his head, seeing the fronts gain uprated discs
and calipers from the experts at Wilwood and the
standard rear drums being binned in favour of a
more robust rear disc conversion making sure this
motor stops quicker than a Nunn walking into a pub!
Wheel choice now, you can take your pick
from no end of styles, and sitting snug under the
Corsair’s arches are one of the best looking OEM
rims (taken from a three-door Sierra Cosworth)
which look just perfect. Liking all of this? Wait until
you sit inside, as this is definitely one place you’d
love to be! Perry has gone for a pure race car look
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