1986 GM/Huffaker Spice Buick GTP Lights

History

This 1986 Spice Buick, chassis number PSGTPL2, began its racing career as the GM-backed Huffaker entry officially sponsored by GM’s AC Delco division. The bold “AC Delco” livery in red, white, and blue, adorned the Spice. Drivers included Dan Marvin (who also partnered with Parker Johnstone in the Acura GTP Lights car) Terry Visger, Paul Lewis, and Jon Woodner. The Spice was initially powered by an injected 3.0 liter Pontiac engine driven through a Hewland DGB five speed gearbox. 

RacingSportsCars.com reports that at the first race of the season, the 1988 24 Hours of Daytona, the AC Delco sponsored Spice finished on the podium with a 3rd in class. Next up, at the Sebring 12 Hours, the Spice finished 6th in Lights. In April, 1988, the team of Visger and Lewis would again claim 6th at the 500 km at Road Atlanta. 

Unfortunately, at the next two races, at Palm Beach and Lime Rock, the Spice would DNF. However, at the Mid Ohio 500 km, the team bounced back with an excellent 2nd place. The season would end with a disappointing DNF at the Columbus 300 km. 

The 1989 season began again with the 24 Hours of Daytona. The Spice Pontiac was back on form, and back on the podium again with another 3rd place in GTP Lights. At the Road Atlanta 500 km the Spice would again finish on the podium in 3rd. The Spice would not appear again until 1990.

1990 saw the return of chassis number PSGTPL2 at Daytona for the 24 Hours. This time the car was sponsored by Fuji Films, and was finished in the green and white livery it continues to race with today. The car was still prepared by Huffaker Engineering. The driver lineup included David Rocha, Les Delano, Andy Petery, Oscar Manautou, and Craig Carter. The car was still powered by its 3.0 liter Pontiac engine. For the third time in as many years, the Spice drivers would again ascend the podium. However, this time it would be for 2nd place, not 3rd. 

At the Sebring 12 Hour, with Bob Lesnett, David Rocha, and Bruce Qvale behind the wheel, the Spice finished 9th overall in an over 50 car field, and 2nd in GTP Lights. At the Topeka 300 km, Rocha was joined by future GTP Lights Champion, Parker Johnstone, in the Spice. Unfortunately they suffered a DNF. This was followed by an accident at Sears Point which would keep the car out of commission for nearly 2 years.

When the Spice returned to the track in 1992, the engine had been upgraded to the 3.4 liter Buick V6 power plant. The restored Spice finished 6th in class at Road America, and 7th at Mid-Ohio. The Spice’s season, and period racing career would end with an engine problem at Watkins Glen at the end of June, 1992. 

1993 saw the demise of the IMSA GTP, and GTP Lights series in favor of the new World Sports Cars series. This new series mandated that the cars be open top, as opposed to the earlier closed cockpit GTP and GTP Lights cars. The Spice, like many other GTP/Lights cars was converted to open top. It reportedly ran only one race in that configuration, and was then parked.

The Spice was pulled out of storage in the early 2000’s and shipped to Huffaker for a full restoration back to its Fuji Film, closed cockpit, configuration. Upon completion, the Spice was track tested at Sears Point with all positive results. The car then remained on display, until the 2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. 

At the Rolex, for the first time in over two decades the Spice Buick was again at full song on the racing circuit. The car successfully completed all sessions and races. Many period IMSA racers came by during the event to say hello and share fond memories of the car, and racing against the Spice with the likes of Dan Marvin, Bob Lesnett, and Parker Johnstone behind the wheel.  

Description

The Spice is powered by a 3.4 liter dry sump Buick engine with one test day and one race weekend on it. The Buick’s power is driven through the car’s Hewland DGB five speed gearbox with single plate clutch and CV joints. Cooling is handled by the GM/Harrison aluminum radiator up front as well as a vented remote oil cooler in the engine bay. The gearbox also has its own separate oil cooler. The Spice has an MSD ignition system with Mallory Pro Shield spark wire insulators. It also has an EFI Technologies ECU, and a Braille lightweight battery. Of course the electrical charging system is AC Delco!

The powertrain is situated in the Spice’s aluminum honeycomb monocoque tub. The tub also incorporates a carbon fiber front tub stiffening structure that also offers additional cockpit protection. The car has pushrod front suspension and rocker rear suspension along with vented alcon disc brakes with ducting front and rear, and steel braided lines. Damping is done by adjustable coil over shocks, with pneumatic shocks up front. The Spice is also equipped with an on-board pneumatic jacking system. The car is currently shod with 2024 Hoosier racing slicks with one race weekend on them. 

In the cockpit the Spice is equipped with a full complement of AutoMeter gauges, including oil pressure, oil temp, and water temp. The tach is GM, with a tell-tale function. The car is also wired for cool suits, headlamps, and wipers. The rear lights are fully functional. Also in the cockpit are front and rear sway bar adjusters, and a brake bias adjuster. The steering wheel is removable for easy ingress and egress. The fire system is Lifeline, and the belts are Sparco, good through 2029. The seat is also vented with fresh air through an external NACA duct.  

The lightweight bodywork and paint are in excellent condition. The car also comes with many additional used bodywork sections from its earlier racing history. 

Spares will include the bodywork mentioned above along with a zero time Buick V6 engine, many other period spares, and jigs for making suspension pieces.

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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