Allan visits Redline Performance Cars to examine a very special and very individual sports car

I’m sure most of us have done it; stood entranced outside a car showroom, our imaginations playing riot as we examined the object of our lust — perhaps the new Jaguar, a Ferrari or the latest Lamborghini. Mostly we did this when we were kids, but even today I sometimes feel those same, guileless sensations when I’m looking at some classic cars.

Christophe Christianson was no different. “I remember pressing my nose against the plate glass showroom windows of Dutton & Foreshaw Ltd, a Jaguar dealership in Bath, England, during the latter half of the ’50s. The awesome futuristic lines of the latest development of the long nose, full finned Jaguar D-Type sat there beckoning to every passer-by¦ It looked as if it had just arrived from outer space!” Christophe could easily imagine himself behind the wheel of such a sports car, perhaps taking the chequered flag at Brands Hatch or Le Mans.

If your mind is fully concentrated on the task at hand, drifting the Redline through corners is great fun

Many years later, Christophe was finally able to own a D-Type Jaguar, one of a string of thoroughbred sports cars — including a race-prepared Ferrari 275GTB/4 — he would eventually own during almost 40 years of building, racing and restoring cars. That early passion for the sports racing cars so much in vogue during his youth was, more recently, re-ignited when he caught his first glimpse of a Redline Sports.

“Here was a car I could not quite identify,” Christophe said. “What I did know, it was exquisitely beautiful… perfect from every angle.” Having just sold his house while awaiting a contract on a parcel of land, Christophe suddenly realised he had the funds to really indulge himself by commissioning his own Redline car. With the approval of his partner, and a hand-shake with Kevin Hunt at Redline Performance Cars, the deal was sealed.

Christophe: “The adult and little boy in me could only wait with impatient anticipation for the arrival of our latest family member — a Redline Roadsport crafted to exactly my requirements, authentic in most respects to an era of sensational road/racing.”

Christophe’s Redline Road Sport

One of the main attractions (for some), of the component car is the ability to modify, customise and tweak the manufacturer’s specifications to your own taste — something that would be virtually impossible to achieve with the majority of production-based cars.

It was Christophe’s desire to relive the spirit of the late ’50s and early ’60s sports racers that had so stirred his imagination as a young boy, and that desire led him to Redline Performance Cars (RPC). Already an admirer of the Redline’s styling — based on the Lola Mk1, the Redline captures the features of many other period racers — Christophe felt he could easily use the Redline as the base for the car he really wanted to own. A deal was struck with Kevin Hunt, and Christophe was soon discussing his wish-list with Kevin.

Like Christophe, Kevin was immediately enthusiastic as the changes Christophe wanted to make were completely in line with the vision Kevin has for his cars. That vision is to build a vehicle that faithfully follows the spirit of the era from which these cars were inspired, in detail. From the authentic D-Type Jaguar front indicator lights fitted to this version, to the aircraft electrical switches and ignition switch from the late ’50s, early ’60s, every detail was meticulously researched.

One of the biggest changes Christophe wanted to make from the standard Road Sport was the addition of a hinged rear section. This was achieved at RPC by manufacturing a new mould. It was carefully done so as to ensure repeatability on future cars with this option. Along with the fabrication of a custom-shaped fuel tank, a full-size spare wheel could now be fitted in the previously unused space in the car’s tail. Christophe took his love of fine detailing out even further with an ingenious jack-holder and a beautifully crafted stainless steel toolbox, both of which slot neatly into the rear compartment. Additionally, he also plans to have a red leather holdall specially made to fit into the tight space in the Redline’s compact tail.

Seeking authenticity

Once again with the road/racer idea firmly in mind, Christophe specified Redline’s racing suspension set-up for his car, which also includes a semi-solid mounting for the engine. To maintain authenticity, Redline’s optional independent rear suspension was never considered — a live axle being chosen instead. Front braking is provided by Cortina discs and callipers, fitted with Pagid race pads, while the rear features finned alloy drums which have been beautifully cast and machined.

From the authentic D-Type Jaguar front indicator lights fitted to this version, to the aircraft electrical switches and ignition switch from the late ’50s, early ’60s

The remaining mechanical specification includes a Redline-modified Toyota 3SGE engine and a five-speed close-ratio gearbox driving through a 3.5:1 final drive. The 3SGE’s more normal fuel-injection set-up was ditched in favour of a pair of 45DCOE Weber carburettors — everything in the car’s engine bay was then finely detailed, and polished alloy is everywhere in sight.

Christophe’s attention to detail can also be seen in the Redline’s cockpit, which is luxuriously finished in soft, red leather and crackle-finished alloy. Period mirrors and mounts, bracketry, instrumentation and top quality leather trim all work together to reflect the personality of this truly impressive car. Throughout RPC’s build process, Christophe was on hand — polishing, advising and admiring the car as it slowly evolved into being — his insistence on accuracy and attention to detail a constant inspiration to Kevin and his staff.

Redline fury

For me, the Redline’s leather-lined cockpit was a tight fit — the hip-hugging seats having been specifically tailored for Christophe. However, once aboard, I was facing a series of period gauges and an impressive line-up of traditional toggle switches — all of which are mounted on a crackle-finish dashboard. Look around and the car is full of detail, from the perforated brackets holding the bullet-shaped rear-view mirrors, the snug fitting carpets, to the HPC-coated foot pedals.

Switch on the ignition, which uses an old-fashioned FP key — a lovely touch — and press the starter button and the Redline’s engine bursts into rude and boisterous life, breathing heavily through a stack of twin-choke Webers. Off to my left hand side, the exhaust pipe — cleverly crafted into the alloy sill panel — crackles and pops. One of the beauties of a modern replica of a ’60s sports racer (although the Redline is not really a replica) is that you know not to expect a jerky, highly strung driveline and a difficult-to-master gearbox change. With the Redline you simply slot it into first, pop the clutch and you’re off up the road — rather quickly.

As with all the Redlines we’ve driven since the first Stephen Beattie-designed and built car, this new example is absolutely exhilarating to drive. However, it’s not for the timid or the unadventurous — it is a car that likes to be driven. With its very firm suspension and solidly mounted engine, the Redline Road Sport captures every nuance of the road surface beneath its wheels and, in turn, transmits everything back through the steering wheel and the seat of your pants. On the open road, there are almost too many messages to translate, and care needs to be taken around tight, bumpy corners as the Redline’s combination of light weight and live rear axle means that injudicious use of either brakes or loud pedal will result in lost tyre grip.

If your mind is fully concentrated on the task at hand this can be a lot of fun, and drifting the Redline through corners provides a great incentive for driving focus.
In this, Christophe and Kevin have achieved a very genuine period feel to the car — and, in keeping with this ideal, you can’t expect this to be a sports car for the blue-rinse set, no, Christophe’s car is a real balls-to-the-wall road racer and definitely not one for the chicken-hearted.

With its incredible attention to detail, this car shows everyone just how far you can go — if you’ve got the readies — when it comes to building a component car. For the price Christophe paid for this Redline Road Sport, he could easily have bought a thoroughly modern production sports car. However, he wanted an individually crafted sports car — one that evoked the spirit of the classic sports racers he loves so much. There’s little doubt that his goal has been achieved.

With the Redline you simply slot it into first, pop the clutch and you’re off up the road — rather quickly

We’ll leave the final words to Christophe: “When Kevin handed me my authentic FP ignition key I fired my race-tuned engine into life. My heart raced as I drove her out onto the open road for the first time. As the engine screamed to 7000rpm, I traversed the close ratio five-speed ’box listening to the crackle from the exhaust as it rushed down the passenger side of the car, echoing and bounding off every tree. Full noise in fourth gear, I backed off thinking that I would save flat-out in fifth for another day.”

The Redline line-up

Currently, Redline Performance Cars offer three variants of its car — all are available as a kit or a fully built, turnkey car.

Redline Sprint

With its Porsche-beating power-to-weight ratio, the Redline Sprint is a proficient circuit racer — a car with a classic feel but with today’s safety features.
Redline Road Sport
Derived from the race-bred Redline Sprint, the Road Sport was designed primarily for road use and meets New Zealand Land Transport Safety Association Standards for New Zealand road registration.
Redline Sprint RS
Introduced in January 2004, the Sprint RS features revised front suspension geometry, independent rear suspension, and more weight bias to the rear (achieved by moving the battery and oil tank to the rear and moving the engine and gearbox back 150mm). Power for the Sprint RS is Toyota’s Altezza engine, producing just over 149kW (200bhp) in standard trim. This power plant drives through a close-ratio Toyota Supra five-speed gearbox to a Nissan Skyline limited slip differential.

Redline Roadsport

Engine: Toyota 3SGE twin-cam, four in-line
Max power: 123kW (165bhp)
Chassis: Powder-coated triangulated tubular space frame
Body: Fibreglass with alloy sills
Transmission: Toyota five-speed manual
Suspension: Front: unequal length double wishbones, coil-over shocks;
Rear: Ford live axle, trailing arms, coil-over shocks, Panhard rod
Steering: Rack and pinion
Brakes: Disc/drum (rear discs optional)
Wheels: 14×6-inch Minilite-type alloy
Tyres: 195/60 x 14

DIMENSIONS

Length: 3500mm
Width: 1560mm
Wheelbase: 2140mm
Track F/R: 1345/1345mm
Kerb weight: 650 kg
For further information contact:
Redline Performance Cars Ltd, Box 10 Waimauku 1250
North Auckland, ph 09 411 8723, fax 09 411 8631, email info@redlineclassics.net, www.redlineclassics.net