c.1950 RA4 Vanguard Formula Libre Grand Prix Monoposto

Chassis no. RA4

Footnotes

A wonderful showcase for Kiwi ingenuity that deserves to be more widely recognised, the RA4 Vanguard was built in 1950/1951 in Christchurch, New Zealand and first appeared at the 1951 Lady Wigram International meeting at Christchurch. It is one of five or six innovative single-seaters built by Hec Green and Jack Brewer. The RA4's inspiration appears to have been the pre-war Auto Union Grand Prix car; indeed, its trailing-arm front suspension is as used by Auto Union but sprung by rubber bands, a medium used extensively in aircraft landing gear. The rear suspension was an unusual low-pivot swing-axle arrangement, with springing by hydraulic oleo struts from the tail wheels of Curtiss P40 Kittyhawk fighter aircraft. Adjustments could be made from the cockpit via a system of pulleys and levers. Messrs Green and Brewer obtained the Auto Union specifications from the UK where a booklet on the German GP cars prepared by Army Engineers was issued after the war. They were both aircraft mechanics during WW2, hence the aircraft practices.

The supercharged engine was based on a modified Standard Vanguard unit, boasting larger cylinder head studs; cross drilled crankshaft; and a Hec Green-designed and ground camshaft. It was fed by a pair of SU carburettors via a Wade aircraft cabin blower, which was chain-driven from the front of the crankshaft to provide 14lb of boost. Fuel was a methanol blend, with the engine producing over 200bhp, while detonation was kept in check by water injection. The transmission was a three-speed sequential transaxle of the makers' own design and manufacture, based on Cisitalia drawings. This proved well up to the task and is still in the car today.

Despite a lack of development, the RA4 performed well at many international and local meetings in NZ from 1951 through to 1960 when it was outclassed by the 'new' mid-engined Coopers... Its history includes the International Lady Wigram Trophy in 1951, 1952, 1953, 1958 and 1960; participation at various road circuits; and the New Zealand Beach Racing Championship.

The car was restored and rebuilt in 2009 with input from Jack Brewer. It comes with a huge history file containing contemporary news reports, race cards, etc and a VCC NZ logbook. A spare engine (condition unknown) and a spare supercharger are included in the sale.

The RA4 is without doubt one of the most revolutionary of post-war Grand Prix cars and has never been offered for sale before outside NZ. It has an FIA Historic Technical Passport issued in 2020, has been invited to Goodwood, and has run at the Chateau Impney Hill Climb. This is a wonderful opportunity to own a unique Grand Prix car eligible for some of the world's most prestigious Historic motor sports events.