Bowin P6
Encyclopedia
Bowin P6 was a Formula Ford
& Formula 2 class of race car which was designed and built by John Joyce founder of Bowin Cars
.
built to full 2-litre specifications, with alloy-stressed panels and finished in stove enamel
. It incorporated a fully detachable rear cross beam to facilitate engine
maintenance, permitting removal of the engine and gearbox as one unit. The body was a full aerodynamic wedge, incorporating side radiator
s. 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 P6 was steered by a lightweight rack and pinion
designed by Bowin, with an energy absorbing steering column
surmounted by a leather-covered steering wheel
. It had 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 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 822 lb (372.9 kg) with 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 fitted with antisurge baffles, a deaireator system, alloy pipes, hoses and fittings, and an alloy oil cooler. Fuel was contained in alloy tanks mounted in the mid-section of the car for better weight distribution
. The P6 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 finished 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.
Options for the P6 were:
Formula Ford
Formula Ford is a single seater, open wheel class in motorsport which exists in some form in many countries around the world. It is an entry-level series to motor racing....
& Formula 2 class of race car which was designed and built by John Joyce 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 space frameSpace frame
A space frame or space structure is a truss-like, lightweight rigid structure constructed from interlocking struts in a geometric pattern. Space frames can be used to span large areas with few interior supports...
built to full 2-litre specifications, with alloy-stressed panels and finished in stove enamel
Vitreous enamel
Vitreous enamel, also porcelain enamel in U.S. English, is a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 °C...
. It incorporated a fully detachable rear cross beam to facilitate engine
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
maintenance, permitting removal of the engine and gearbox as one unit. The body was a full aerodynamic wedge, incorporating side radiator
Radiator
Radiators are heat exchangers used to transfer thermal energy from one medium to another for the purpose of cooling and heating. The majority of radiators are constructed to function in automobiles, buildings, and electronics...
s. 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
Shock absorber
A shock absorber is a mechanical device designed to smooth out or damp shock impulse, and dissipate kinetic energy. It is a type of dashpot.-Nomenclature:...
, and fully adjustable spherical bearings throughout. The front suspension was a double-wide-based wishbone design, with Armstrong adjustable dampers
Shock absorber
A shock absorber is a mechanical device designed to smooth out or damp shock impulse, and dissipate kinetic energy. It is a type of dashpot.-Nomenclature:...
and fully adjustable spherical bearings throughout. The coil spring
Coil spring
A Coil spring, also known as a helical spring, is a mechanical device, which is typically used to store energy and subsequently release it, to absorb shock, or to maintain a force between contacting surfaces...
units for both front and rear were mounted inboard with "Bowin variable rate spring control".
The P6 was steered by a lightweight 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
Steering column
The automotive steering column is a device intended primarily for connecting the steering wheel to the steering mechanism or transferring the driver's input torque from the steering wheel.-Secondary functions:...
surmounted by a leather-covered steering wheel
Steering wheel
A steering wheel is a type of steering control in vehicles and vessels ....
. It had 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
Inboard brake
An inboard braking system is an automobile technology wherein the disk brakes are mounted on the chassis of the vehicle, rather than directly on the wheel hubs...
on the gearbox to reduce unsprung weight. The wheels were magnesium
Magnesium
Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and common oxidation number +2. It is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and ninth in the known universe as a whole...
, with 10 by 13 in (25.4 by 33 cm) in 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 822 lb (372.9 kg) with 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 fitted with antisurge baffles, a deaireator system, alloy pipes, hoses and fittings, and an alloy oil cooler. Fuel was contained in alloy tanks mounted in the mid-section of the car for better weight distribution
Weight distribution
Weight distribution is the apportioning of weight within a vehicle, especially cars, airplanes, and trains.In a vehicle which relies on gravity in some way, weight distribution directly affects a variety of vehicle characteristics, including handling, acceleration, traction, and component life...
. The P6 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
Tachometer
A tachometer is an instrument measuring the rotation speed of a shaft or disk, as in a motor or other machine. The device usually displays the revolutions per minute on a calibrated analogue dial, but digital displays are increasingly common...
(0–10,000 rpm), oil pressure, water temperature, and oil temperature.
All suspension parts were finished in new Bowin satin finish, and the other parts were cadium plated and stove enamelled
Vitreous enamel
Vitreous enamel, also porcelain enamel in U.S. English, is a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 °C...
. The body was painted in a colour of the customer's choice.
Options for the P6 were:
- cam-adjustable magnesium rack and pinionRack and pinionA 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...
- integral P.8 Magnesium front upright and hollow rotating drive shafts on roller bearings
- stainless steel brakeBrakeA brake is a mechanical device which inhibits motion. Its opposite component is a clutch. The rest of this article is dedicated to various types of vehicular brakes....
hoses - wings