1958 Tighe Vincent Formula 500, Libre

History

Ivan Tighe built this unique race car to compete in the Australian Hill Climb Championship. It was powered by an air-cooled two cylinder Vincent engine. In 1964, Tighe beat his nemesis Bruce Walton to capture the Austrailian Hill Climb Championship.   

Voluminous period magazine articles, race results, detailed engine information, correspondence, etc. is available upon request. This is a highly documented piece of Australian racing history.

Description

The Tighe Vincent is powered by a period correct 1955 four stroke 998 cm3 Vincent OHV twin engine. Spark is from a Scintilla magneto, and fuel is fed through an electric fuel pump and twin Amal Mk.1 carburetors. Lubrication is via dry sump. 

The gearbox is four speed sequential, and also has reverse. Power is transmitted to the rear axle by chain.

The chassis is tubular steel with handmade alloy bodywork. The front suspension is adjustable double wishbone with telescoping adjustable steel coilover shocks. The rear is lower adjustable wishbone with a transverse leaf spring upper link. The Tighe is also fitted with an adjustable front anti roll bar. Steering is rack & pinion. 

The brakes are Girling hydraulic drum which are integral to the aluminum alloy wheels.

The Tighe was restored by John Streets to exacting standards of originality. It is in excellent condition, and currently located in Northern California. 

In August, 2022, the Tighe was a paddock crowd favorite at the new and hugely popular Monterey Reunion Hill Climb. The hill climb was held on the Sunday after the Reunion races with the cars starting at turn 11 and driving the course backwards finishing at the top of the famous corkscrew. Unfortunately a faulty clutch prevented the Tighe from making the climb that day, but it has already been repaired and the Tighe is ready for next year’s contest.

While the Tighe is excellent for hill climbs, you can also race it in Formula Junior and with other small bore formula car groups across the U.S. and abroad. 

The Tighe is a low cost, easy to transport, and easy to drive entry that is guaranteed to produce big smiles for both the owner/driver and for fans alike. Get in on the hill climb thing whether it be Mt. Equinox , Shelsley Walsh in England, Mt. Cotton in Australia, or the newest climb at the Monterey Reunion. We think it is going to be “the next thing, and you’ll want to have one of these cars early, especially a famous hill climb championship winner like the Tighe. 

Please contact us to see this unique piece of championship winning Australian motorsports history in person. We think you will be pleased and impressed.

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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