Hi,

I had an Ink Black 16VT a couple of years back and am now looking for another - seems finding a 16vt isn't as easy as when I bought mine in 2007, where have they all gone to?!

I'm looking for one to turn into a dedicated track-day toy, as I've just sold my Lancia Delta integrale. I used that on the track, but it was just a little too prescious and parts far too expensive to race as regularly as I wanted. Are there many dedicated track-day Coupes out there, and any obvious pitfalls I should be aware of? I'm guessing a non-sunroof model is a must, to make installing the cage a lot easier.

Thanks and regards,

Kirk

have you considered the 20vt I say purely as they should be easier for parts

I have, for that very reason and the fact there's a lot more available for sale at any given time - but I just have a lot more personal experience and knowledge of the 16VT engines. I've also got a load of spares and parts for the Lampredi engine to start with, anyway.

Finding parts for even a 16vt is going to be a doddle compared to my integrale - that was a highly modified 8v that had had bizarre things done to it. It had Lotus designed brakes, a Group N exhaust system from Hormann and an ECU system from God knows what. Sourcing bits for any Coupe is going to feel like buying parts for a Ford Focus compared to that!

I bought my Coupe mainly as a toy I could club race but like all other club cars I have had I will keep it road registered. I made sure to get a non sunroof model, it may get a cage one day.

There were only a hundred and fifty 16vts on the road last year; a few more NAs.

But the NA turns out to be huge fun on the track...

150?! That's hen's teeth quantities...maybe I should be looking at a 5-cylinder then. I've owned a few 20VT Coupes, but for me the four-cylinder Lampredi's a more aggressive, involving drive. Not sure about a non-turbo, more reliable and everything but less room for fun tinkering in the future!

You can add one more n/a to the number Neil as I'm putting my car back on the road.....do you think it would be good for the odd track day then?

Well, I don't guarantee it's going to last for ever flat out in third and fourth at 7500rpm... and I'm no track hero, but I don't think it was disgraced by the big boys at Spa.

And I drove it there, hustled it around, and drove it back.

Check out alfamale on Octane (okay it's a 20VT engine). He's made a dedicated track car incl custom made GRP boot, bonnet and doors.

16VT is a tall order nowadays really and a bit of a shame in my opinion to turn one into a track car.

What difference does it make how many are left? 160 is quite a number really. There must be many parted out around for parts.

Inspiring read, that thread on Octane. Like it very much.

Did find one in the end.

It's a 20VT6 that requires a bit of attention but I liked the idea of the more readily available parts and upgrades. It is currently not firing on cylinder 4 though, so I suppose I still ended up with a four cylinder version in one way or another!

I think this year I will get it back to full health, renew anything and everything that looks a bit tired, use it a few times around Snetterton to see what I think it needs and then, this winter, start the prepping with gusto!