From sales sheet
under construction
Sebring 1965
Sebring 1967
Sebring 1967
Sebring 1967
(behind Chaparral 2D)
Sebring 1967
photo by Mike Massieu
Sebring 1967
We think that Beach built two of these coupes - one was destroyed in a fire but the other's
current location is unknown.
But there may have been more bodies.
From sales sheet |
under construction |
Sebring 1965 |
Sebring 1967 |
Sebring 1967 |
Sebring 1967 (behind Chaparral 2D) |
Sebring 1967 photo by Mike Massieu |
Sebring 1967 |
| Sebring 1967 - Hugh Kleinpeter and Gene Beach - photo
thanks to Glenn Dobkin |
== | |
|
|
|
|
|
Beach MK 8 1300SL sales sheet -
BEACH MARK 8
BEACH MK 8 1300 SL: Competition Components, Inc., builders of Beach Racing Cars, presents the Beach MK 8 1300 SL, road tested for safety and enjoyment in Grand Touring.
Featured on the MK 8 are: mid-mounted rear power unit, 4 speed synchromesh transmission, ample luggage space, and seat belts. The interior styling consists of bucket seats, full line of instruments - including tachometer, accessory switches and gearshift console. Featured as optional equipment on the MK 8 are radio, heater and air-conditioning. Engine and gearbox for the SL are VW 1300. Combining this with lightweight and easy handling, the Beach MK 8 gives snappy performance and universal service by all VW dealers.
The structure is a central tube frame, heliarc welded, with built in roll bar. The all fiber glass body is aerodynamically designed with racy styling and servicing accessib.ility in mind. Unbeatable in its class, the Beach MK 8 1300 SL presents a new concept in performance, roadability, and fun for a base price of $3100.00.
BEACH MK 8: For the racing enthusiast, alternative combinations of equipment are available at extra cost; from a 95 bhp tuned Ford engine to a 1600 cc twin overhead cam, 140 bhp unit with twin Webers. Five speed Hewland gearbox and limited slip differential are also available to order. The MK 8 can also be equipped with magnesium wheels. Maximum speed up to 150 mph with safety, comfort and handling rarely found in other sports cars for a base price of $3995.00. .
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS: 90" wheelbase, 50.4" frt. track, 49.7" rear track, 150" overall length, 56" overall width, weight (dry) 1275 lbs., 6/12 volt electrical system, 1-11 gal tank, unitized frame, independent suspension all round, glass fiber body w/choice of colors, 14 x 5 wheels (Magne sium optional), drum brakes-frt & rear, (optional disc brakes), dual master cylinders, fully finished interior.
COMPETITION COMPONENTS, INC.
2028 GENTRY STREET
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA 33515
Beach Mk8 GS Sales Sheet
BEACH MARK 8 GRAND SPORT General Specifications
90-in. wheelbase
49-in. tread
40.5-in. overall height
150-in. overall length
56-in. overall width
Weight (dry) 1075 1bs
12 volt electrical system
Two 11-gallon tanks
Unitized frame
Independent suspension all round
Glass fiber body with choice of colors
Airheart disc brakes, front and rear
13 x 5 American magnesium wheels
Rack & pinion steering
Dual master cylinders
Fully finished interior
The Beach Mark 8 Grand Sport Coupe (in production Jan/Feb 1965), is equally adaptable for street or racing use. Equipped with the rugged Ford Cortina GT, four-cylinder, five-main bearing engine of 1500cc with an out put of 85 bhp, it features a mid-mounted rear power unit, four-speed synchromesh transmission, full instrumentation including a tachometer, and more than adequate luggage space.
Performance in standard form: 0-60 mph in 7 secs; maximum speed 130 mph with approximately 25 mpg.
Unbeatable in its class, the Beach Mark 8 presents a new concept in performance, roadability, finish and performance, for a base price of only $3995.00 complete, with nationwide service by all English Ford dealers.
For the racing enthusiast, alternative combinations of equipment are available at extra cost, from a 95 bhp tuned Ford engine to a 1600cc twin overhead cam, 140 bhp unit with twin Webers. Five-speed Hewland gearbox and limited slip differential available also to order. Maximum speed up to 150 mph with safety, comfort and handling rarely found in other sports cars.
competition components, inc.
164 DREW STREET
CLEARWATER FLORIDA
Beginning Feb 22, 1965 we added this note: Engine specifications will be changed
From 1966 Road & Track magazine article
-
Last year, Gene embarked on one more automotive project - a GT coupe. He'd had the idea for some time and the final design proved to be an eyebrow-lifter. The little fastback was clean-lined, functional looking and its appearance promised performance. The coupe was completed in six weeks and tested the hard
way-at the Sebring 12-hr. The car was equipped with a Cosworth Ford twin cam 1600 engine, the back fenders were modified to allow the use of bigger tires and the axles were changed. Then off it went to the races.
As a result of changing U-joints from outboard to inboard, the car sheared an axle shaft early in the race and limped back to the pits. The crew labored over it and sent it out again in mid-afternoon. Then, bottoming badly on the bump after the esses, the coupe broke a hub carrier and retired for good. Gene gathered up the bits and pieces and took it back to Clearwater, buying it back from the party who had purchased it from him.
At the time the car was built, he had planned to put it into production, "But I didn't see any point in turning it loose if it wasn't right." lie disassembled it, intending to correct its flaws and rebuild it
to shining perfection. But the Vee business was booming, Gene was kept busy and the handsome body shell still collects dust in a forgotten corner behind a bunch of Vee frames.