1961 Huffaker Genie Mk5 Sports Racer

History

Cooper showed the way to the future in the mid 1950’s with a mid engine sports car design called the Cooper T39 “Bobtail.” The success of that mid engine racing car design would catapult Cooper to back to back F1 World Championships in 1959 and 1960. 

This change from front engine to mid (or “rear”) engine design was keenly observed by Joe Huffaker in the San Francisco Bay Area. Moving on from his 1959 BMC Mk1 front engine Formula Junior design, by 1961 Joe was designing and building mid engine Formula Juniors and mid engine sports racing cars which he called “Genies,” after his wife, Jean. 

The Mk5 Genie was essentially a beefed up version of the MkIV to handle larger displacement and more powerful engines. Production of the MkV was limited to approximately 10 cars. They could be purchased completed, or as a roller. 

This particular Genie was originally sold by Huffaker as a rolling chassis. It is powered by a period correct full race Alfa 1600 engine. That configuration qualified the car to run every year of the USRRC (United States Road Racing Championship) series up to its final year in 1968. Today it is still eligible for historic USRRC races, including the Monterey Reunion.

The Genie has competed with CSRG, HMSA, and SVRA, including with prior owners David Martin and Tom Tuttle. Most recently the Genie has raced  at Laguna Seca and Sonoma Raceway. The car has also competed at prestigious events including the Sonoma Speed Festival and the Velocity Invitational. To see the car in action on track at Velocity, click on the link below and scroll down and see a photo of the Genie leading a pack of cars at Sports Car Digest.

The Genie is currently scheduled to race at the CSRG Sears Point Challenge October 9-11. It will be sold fully prepped for that event. The Genie can also be seen and inspected by appointment at Sonoma Raceway. Just let us know and we can make the arrangements with you.

Description

The Genie has a tubular space frame chassis with fiberglass body. The front suspension is by unequal length A-arms, with coil over shocks being used front and rear. The steering is transmitted through a BMC rack and pinion setup. The rear suspension is by parallel radius rods and inverted lower A-arm rear links. 

The Genie is powered by a 1600 c.c. Alfa twin cam engine with twin side draft Weber carburetors. Power is driven through a Hewland five speed gearbox. 

Approximately 15 of the MkIV and Mk5 Genies were constructed. This is one of them.

More information and photos to come.

All vehicle descriptions are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing. Corrections, and supplemental information, are always welcome. Buyers are responsible for confirming vehicle histories, condition, and authenticity to their own satisfaction prior to purchase. Motorsports Market is not the owner of the vehicle and assumes no liability for errors and omissions.

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