Bowin P8
Encyclopedia
The Bowin P8 was a Formula 5000
and Formula 2 class of race car, which was designed and built by John Joyce, the founder of Bowin Cars
.
design of high-strength alloy and steel, utilising the latest techniques in assembly, with emphasis placed on ease of maintenance and repair. This supported a body which was a full aerodynamic wedge, incorporating side radiators
. The interior of the cockpit was covered in fully moulded seat and trim sections, making it exceptionally comfortable and roomy.
The rear suspension
incorporated twin radius arms, parallel links, Armstrong adjustable dampers, and fully adjustable spherical bearings throughout. The front suspension was a double-wide-based wishbone design with Armstrong adjustable dampers and fully adjustable spherical bearings throughout. The coil spring units for both front and rear were mounted inboard with "Bowin variable rate spring control".
The P8 was steered by a cam-adjustable magnesium rack and pinion
designed by Bowin, with an energy absorbing steering column surmounted by a leather-covered steering wheel. The brakes were Girling 9.75 in (24.8 cm) disc brakes with alloy caliper assemblies. The twin braking system was adjustable for length and had an adjustable-ratio balance control. The rear brakes were mounted inboard on the gearbox to reduce unsprung weight. The wheels were magnesium, with 10 by 13 in (25.4 by 33 cm) in the front and 12 by 13 in (30.5 by 33 cm) or 14 by 13 in (35.6 by 33 cm) in the rear.
It had a wheelbase of 93 in (236.2 cm), a track of 61 (front) and 63 (rear), and a weight of 800 lb (362.9 kg) (including the twin cam engine).
The transmission
was a Hewland
FT2000, providing five speeds and reverse, and it had an alloy adaptor plate. The hydraulic clutch
system was complete, up to and including the release mechanism on the gearbox.
The engine was water-cooled by twin, cross-flow, lightweight, side-mounted radiators, with a deaireator
control tank and pressure cap. The alloy oil tank was incorporated in the monocoque body and was fitted with antisurge baffles, a deaireator system, alloy pipes, hoses and fittings, and an alloy oil cooler. Fuel was contained in cells in the side panels. Each side had a capacity of 14 gal with a dedicated filter and breather. The P8 was supplied with engine mountings.
The electrical system was powered by a 12 volt, lightweight, aircraft battery, which had a master battery control. It powered a starter solenoid
via starter button and switches, as well as an array of instruments, including tachometer (0–10,000 rpm), oil pressure, water temperature, and oil temperature.
All suspension parts were in new Bowin Satin finish, and the other parts were cadium-plated and stove-enamelled. The body was painted in a colour of the customer's choice.
Formula 5000
Formula 5000 was an open wheel, single seater auto-racing formula that ran in different series in various regions around the world from 1968 to 1982. It was originally intended as a low-cost series aimed at open-wheel racing cars that no longer fit into any particular formula...
and Formula 2 class of race car, which was designed and built by John Joyce, the founder of Bowin Cars
Bowin Cars
Bowin Cars was an Australian designer and manufacturer of motor racing cars from 1968 to 1976.-History:The car company was founded by John Vincent Joyce , a successful designer and builder of racing cars and in later years gas appliances incorporating Low NOx Technology...
.
Specifications
The chassis was a high-rigidity monocoqueMonocoque
Monocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...
design of high-strength alloy and steel, utilising the latest techniques in assembly, with emphasis placed on ease of maintenance and repair. This supported a body which was a full aerodynamic wedge, incorporating side radiators
Radiator (engine cooling)
Radiators are used for cooling internal combustion engines, mainly in automobiles but also in piston-engined aircraft, railway locomotives, motorcycles, stationary generating plant or any similar use of such an engine....
. The interior of the cockpit was covered in fully moulded seat and trim sections, making it exceptionally comfortable and roomy.
The rear suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
incorporated twin radius arms, parallel links, Armstrong adjustable dampers, and fully adjustable spherical bearings throughout. The front suspension was a double-wide-based wishbone design with Armstrong adjustable dampers and fully adjustable spherical bearings throughout. The coil spring units for both front and rear were mounted inboard with "Bowin variable rate spring control".
The P8 was steered by a cam-adjustable magnesium rack and pinion
Rack and pinion
A rack and pinion is a type of linear actuator that comprises a pair of gears which convert rotational motion into linear motion. A circular gear called "the pinion" engages teeth on a linear "gear" bar called "the rack"; rotational motion applied to the pinion causes the rack to move, thereby...
designed by Bowin, with an energy absorbing steering column surmounted by a leather-covered steering wheel. The brakes were Girling 9.75 in (24.8 cm) disc brakes with alloy caliper assemblies. The twin braking system was adjustable for length and had an adjustable-ratio balance control. The rear brakes were mounted inboard on the gearbox to reduce unsprung weight. The wheels were magnesium, with 10 by 13 in (25.4 by 33 cm) in the front and 12 by 13 in (30.5 by 33 cm) or 14 by 13 in (35.6 by 33 cm) in the rear.
It had a wheelbase of 93 in (236.2 cm), a track of 61 (front) and 63 (rear), and a weight of 800 lb (362.9 kg) (including the twin cam engine).
The transmission
Transmission (mechanics)
A machine consists of a power source and a power transmission system, which provides controlled application of the power. Merriam-Webster defines transmission as: an assembly of parts including the speed-changing gears and the propeller shaft by which the power is transmitted from an engine to a...
was a Hewland
Hewland
Founded by Mike Hewland in 1957, Hewland is a British engineering company specialising in racing-car gearboxes. Hewland was the first company to manufacture a bespoke racing-car gearbox....
FT2000, providing five speeds and reverse, and it had an alloy adaptor plate. The hydraulic clutch
Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
system was complete, up to and including the release mechanism on the gearbox.
The engine was water-cooled by twin, cross-flow, lightweight, side-mounted radiators, with a deaireator
Deaerator
A deaerator is a device that is widely used for the removal of oxygen and other dissolved gases from the feedwater to steam-generating boilers. In particular, dissolved oxygen in boiler feedwaters will cause serious corrosion damage in steam systems by attaching to the walls of metal piping and...
control tank and pressure cap. The alloy oil tank was incorporated in the monocoque body and was fitted with antisurge baffles, a deaireator system, alloy pipes, hoses and fittings, and an alloy oil cooler. Fuel was contained in cells in the side panels. Each side had a capacity of 14 gal with a dedicated filter and breather. The P8 was supplied with engine mountings.
The electrical system was powered by a 12 volt, lightweight, aircraft battery, which had a master battery control. It powered a starter solenoid
Starter solenoid
A starter solenoid is the part of an automobile which relays a large electric current to the starter motor, which in turn sets the engine in motion...
via starter button and switches, as well as an array of instruments, including tachometer (0–10,000 rpm), oil pressure, water temperature, and oil temperature.
All suspension parts were in new Bowin Satin finish, and the other parts were cadium-plated and stove-enamelled. The body was painted in a colour of the customer's choice.