Low but certainly not slow - '83 BMMA Dolphine “Hitman”.
(Props to @NormanVauxhall for lending me the car!)
My job is one of tuning cars from different eras. But no matter how hard I try not to, I can never help going back to the 80s, an era full of truly beautiful cars. Sure, you might argue that during the 80s, when we were still suffering the consequences of the oil crisis of 1973 and the energy crisis of 1979.
But even if most cars did not have much go, they did have a lot of show. The Mk3 Stallion Saber, the more sober Mk1 Erin Berlose, the Kimura TKR-C and many more. But I decided to bring you a very particular and loved BMMA today.
Of course, the guy knew what he had and wanted no lowballers.
But we’re not here to showcase a stock Dolphine. This is the “Hitman” BMMA Dolphine.
Some of you might already be unsheathing their knifes and gun and poiting them at me. Slow down, I did not modify a pristine top end model, this is the humble 1.7 Gorizia trim. It wasn’t in the best of conditions and its previous owner thought that cars did not need to get their oil changed, so knowing that’s the least offensive thing I heard from the guy you can imagine the condition this thing was in.
I decided to go for a more subtle and sober, yet distinctively tuner look this time. A ducktail is in charge of the downforce at the back, lips at the front, an all around sober bodykit and coilovers to lower it all. Some of you might be thinking “ewww, low and slow”.
Not the case. I swapped the old, anemic 1.7 liter engine for a proper small block with mechanical fuel injection. 351 cubic inches of fury from a Maine Motors, developing 380 horses. And in the true American v8 fashion, it has power from the very beginning. Of course, that power is sent nowhere except the rear wheels, like I know you guys like it. Consider the interior stripped out as well, of course.
Let’s speak numbers here for a moment. 0-62 in 5.7 seconds through its 5 speed manual and limited slip differential. Over 1G of lateral grip in both tests. Tops out at 163 mph. Sounds good, eh?
You messed with the wrong guy, kid.
This might not be my most insane build, but I’m damn proud of it. I grew so attached to this car as I built it that I decided to make it my new daily driver. So if you ever hear a v8 rumbling and see a Dolphine approaching…you’ll know it’s me. Now, back to my next project…