1959 Gsm Other Red 2 door roadster

1959 GSM Dart dster

On offer is this GSM Dart # SA 5917.  GSM Darts were constructed in both & South Africa.  All cars built in South Africa carry the SA prefix in their chassis numbers.  GSM VINs are simple to dissect, this was the 17th car built in 1959, hence V.I.N. SA 5917.  They are capable, well-balanced, small-bore sports cars and they are RARE.  There were and 65. 

HISTOR

5917, the car on offer, had a number of South African owners and was used in competitive SA track events until acquired by John dger , originally of Capetown, SA circa late 1999-early 2000.   itect J. dger emigrated to the USA some years prior to take a position with a firm in , RI.   dger had owned & appreciated GSM # SA 6312 when he lived in SA.  He wanted to continue GSM motoring on this side of the pond.  GSM 6312 was not available, but he managed to track down 5917, owned by S.P. Steyn of fort, SA.  It took some time + effort, but in 1999, S.P. finally agreed to sell.  dger purchased and then imported the car in 2000 (all importation papers accompany the car along with other past life documentation).   dger registered the vehicle in RI and drove it around for several years.  In 2016, having had his fun and fearing a failing head gasket, dger opted to sell. An friend, who’d watched these cars win quite a number of races in their day, sent me a sales sheet he’d found posted somewhere in the , RI area.   I acquired GSM Dart 5917 in April of 2017.

NOW THAT WE OWN IT – NEXT STEPS

The  head gasket problem turned out to be a firing order mix-up such that, shortly after my purchase, I was on the road & up to speed.  is oft the collector car case, it did not take long to know that more than just the firing order needed attention.   a long-time vintage racer, my intent was to restore the car to be both street legal and vintage race capable.   my pal recalled, GSM Darts & s compiled an impressive list of competition successes at events in , rope & SA circa 1958 – 63, (GSMs manufactured in UK could not use Dart.  Daimler owned the name for their SP250 hence became the model name for UK produced examples).   Their reliable 105E engine/drivetrain, light weight, rigid tubular steel chassis and 50/50 front-rear weight balance made them potent small-bore competitors.  So, with this background the stage was set.  I’ve always enjoyed the restoration process and hands on collector car restoration craft.  This was a labor of love and a well enjoyed project.

RESTORATION

we dug in, it became clear that a complete frame up restoration was in order.  The car had done quite a few races and battle scar patch ups of the main chassis tubes were prevalent, though it measured properly it was structurally less than perfect.   rt 5917 came including cutting the fiberglass body off the frame.  About 4 years later, the job was done.  The visual result speaks for itself & is shown in the photos.  The operational results are very rewarding: capable quick and no bad manners on track or off.  The frame up restoration is backed up by a Power presentation documenting the process along with a large file detailing parts, materials and specialist services employed.    This is a full transparency “no surprises” offering. We will supply these documents, engine dyno sheets and other content data to anyone interested who makes a reasonable offer (any offer can be made pending receipt of this detailed information).  The proof really is in this pudding. 

RESULT

GSM SA 5917 has done more miles than it’s new GPS signaled speedometer reflects.  At a guess, about 1500 rewarding road miles.  It’s done 3 race events without issue or incident and has proven it’s on track prowess.  It has passed inspections and is road registered in the State of Connecticut.  

IN CONCLUSION – PLUS POINTS & EXTRAS

To accomplish this dual-purpose use pattern, we incorporated a bolt in roll bar that is easily removed for street use. With the roll bar fitted, there is a 5-point competition belt set for the driver which mates with the competition 3” lap belts installed for both driver and passenger.  Also fitted and plumbed is a lon fire suppression system, a fuel cell, dual fuel pumps, race tech approved inspection catch tanks, tow point and the like.  Included is a rare, restored, original GSM factory constructed and easily installed hardtop.  Original side screens come with the car but have never been fitted.  There is a set of new, custom offset Minilite alloy wheels with kang race tires installed with the car. There is also a spares kit that accompanies the car including brake pads, spare lugs and misc. small parts.

TO CONCLUDE
The restoration was not done for resale. There is no stone left unturned, and no short cuts taken.  The car was restored to last & to be enjoyed over years to come.  We procured & fitted strong components for reliable competition use including a billet steel crankshaft, JE pistons, Carillo rods, Quaiffe limited slip differential, enhanced cam & valve train, period correct appearing instrument upgrades, Aeroquip fuel/brake/oil plumbing, custom billet alloy front hubs and much more.  This was a no expense spared build/restoration. The finished car has got to be the best or one of the very best GSMs in existence.  A thorough look at the results and receipts will confirm this assessment.  Funds expended (not to mention the value of hundreds of hours of hands-on effort) far, far exceed the asking price.  This machine deserves your attention and a new enthusiast curator. 

WH SELL NOW

The car is terrific after its no expense spared, 3-year, frame up professional restoration.   ving recently completed the project, now’s really not the time to sell.   wever, life’s surprises have intervened, mother nature is not on my side and failing health mandates sale.  

PHOTOS

The photos displayed show the car with & without the hard top.  They include a shot of the engine on the dyno, body stripped of paint, the restored chassis in bare metal before powder coating, the o Accusump added after track tests, and the VSCCA window sticker putting the car on track after passing tech inspection 2X.In addition, there are photos of the car after having climbed Mount Equinox at speed and on track at Lime k.   We include these with the overall photos to illustrate a little of the car’s capability, depth and the quality of the restoration this car has just undergone.  It’s done, tested, well sorted and ready to provide years of reliable use & enjoyment.