I've written several times about Clancy Schmidt and all the adventures I've had with him over the years - in the past I wrote about his chump car "the Frite" a Ford Zetec motor in a Sprite that he ran for a few seasons....the car lived up to it's name in that it had too much HP for it's chassis...he even lengthened the chassis to try and tame it's terrible handling. Finally he sold the car to Gordon Fitch, who took it from there......here's how Gordon describes it.....Excerpt from the club newsletter
Rise of the Phoenix 3
Maiden journey occurred last Saturday, Nov. 25, thanks to the excellent mentoring and hand holding from Clancy Schmidt, Scott Schmidt, and Mark Metzger, who created the original version. You will have to ask Clancy about the origins, but when I acquired the remains of his "Frite" creation last January, it was at least its second incarnation, having survived at least two fires. After stripping the drivetrain and all other usable bits and pieces, many of which originated in other vehicles as well, the "body" went to the crusher, to be replaced by another which was soon powder coated and ready to begin its third life. Only 11 months later it now lives again. Hopefully all four of the responsible parties will be at the tech session to explain how it happened.
You can check it out for yourself at our "tech" session scheduled for Saturday, December 16 at 10 am at the Fitch garage, 721 Indiana Street. Coffee, donuts and a car widows and orphans discussion group which will be available in the "non-garage" portion of the house, hosted by my patient and long suffering wife, Eileen. Hope to see you there.
FROM FRITE TO fOLLY: RISE OF THE PHOENIX
Progress on the conversion/remodel of the Schmidt Frite to the Fitch Folly is finally back on track with the insertion of the drivetrain (Ford Focus SVT engine, Mustang T-5 transmission, Ford 8 inch narrowed rear end) into the Spridget body. This required a drastically shortened drive shaft, work completed by Meinholdt Welding/Machine Shop in Topeka, highly recommended. Current work includes plumbing the engine install, (fuel lines, clutch line, electrical, exhaust,throttle,radiator, etc.). Also all electrical connections, which are many, due to the ECU running it all, install ing boot and bonnet panels, rear fender flares, front fenders and valance, front lighting (Frite didn't have this), seats and seatbelts, instrument panel fabrication and installation of instruments, and probably a lot more that I haven't remembered or thought about yet. Then the testing/revamping begins, hopefully in time for the Garnett Grand Prix Revival in October.
Conclusions so far: I undertook this adventure because:
1. I have never undertaken anything quite like this before.
2. There is considerable learning potential in the fabrication, understanding how ECU engine management works (no more points and condensers) how AN fuel connector/hoses are made, etc.
3. Figuring out how to put it all together presents mental and physical challenges that I need as I negotiate old age. All of my expectations/goals have been met and exceeded so far, but only because of the expert advice, guidance, and help of fellow club members like Clancy Schmidt and Alan Miller, both of whom you see in the pictures, and the eternal patience of my wife, Eileen. To me, this is why our club is so important and what it is really about, people, not just cars. Stay tuned for further developments.
I'll be going to the meet up next sat, I hope I get to drive it a bit, but that may ne asking a bit much. Just FYI, Gordon (the builder) is in his 80's!
Well, I went to see Fitch's Folly, and it's an interesting car, to say the least - it's as close to a race car as it can be and still be streetable....
The car has pretty large flares in the rear, fiberglass flares that are screwed on, and replacement front fenders also in fiberglas with pretty good flares on them, it's running 14" wheels so it needs the extra clearance. The wiring is laid out just like a racecar, everything exposed and neatly labeled.
The engine is a stock 2.0L Ford Zetec, but the fuel injection system is an aftermarket supplied by Jenvey, and it runs an aftermarket ECU. The engine starts and runs like any modern engine and it idles smoothly......the exhaust header is amazing (I'll have pics later) and was built by a guy who does custom race headers for Porsche - the factory - not just the race cars! He has a 15" wide Kirkey aluminum racing seat for a driver's seat - I couldn't begin to get my fat but into it - and it's set fairly high.....Gordon intends to autocross the car and he wanted to be able to see the cones easily - I doubt he weighs much more than 125lbs (he's in his 80's, remember) so he fits the car perfectly.
With 165 hp at the rear wheels as measured on the dyno and weighing 1600lbs, the car will be wicked fast.....I can't wait to drive it, but I don't know if I will ever get he chance unless they swap the seats - the passenger seat is a more friendly 18" wide!
Pics in this article written in the Lawrence British car club newsletter.....
My friend Clancy just bought the Frite back from Gordon.....no idea what he's going to do with it, maybe autocross it or run it on some track night events at Heartland?