The Sleeper Car

By Richardd Adams: February 2013

And nothing like what the Sleeper name may suggest, waking them is what driving dreams are made of…..and you won't find them on You Tube.

A “sleeper” is a car that has somewhat higher performance than the unassuming exterior suggests. Sleeper cars are termed such because their exterior looks little or no different, from a standard or economy-class car, yet they are "all go and little show".

While appearing to be a standard or neglected car, mechanically they are modified to perform at elevated performance levels. 

Cars with external visual elements that give the impression of higher performance, are not true sleeper cars.

1952 Nash-Healey with 3.8 litre Twin Cam Jaguar power

  In 1971, the builder visited a local junk yard and came home with the body of a 1952 Nash-Healey Roadster.  Being a life-long Jaguar enthusiast, he got the idea of reviving the Nash-Healey by using all Jaguar running gear. 

He installed a 3.8 liter engine, transmission and front suspension from a ’62 Jaguar Mark II, and a rear suspension from a ’67 Jaguar XK-E. Now the Jaguar engine was set up to haul a 2000 kg family saloon in a sporting way, but now with a lightweight low profile 2 seater body fitted ........... this cat can sprint!

1953 Hillman Minx Californian with Chevy V8

 It appears completely standard and like a good sleeoer, it gives no clues as to what lies within. So it may not handle that well, or stop on a dime, but it can put down rubber.... lots of it.

This modest looking 1953 Hillman Minx is said to be a closet hot rod, as it is now powered by a tuned Chevy 350 V8. The owner estimates the output to be around 375-400hp range, which is a 10 times that of the original small four cylinder.

The remaining drive train has also been upgraded with a Muncie 4-speed and the steering from an Australian Ford Falcon.

1966 Ford Cortina GT V8

Fitted with a 331 cubic inch Ford Windsor V8 built by the Mustang Ranch in California. The engine feeds through a T-5 gearbox with a Hurst shifter and a 8” Ford rear axle, with new Richmond 3.55 gears and a True-Trac limited slip diff. That puts all that power to the wheels. 

Handling has been improved with a rebuilt steering box, Koni adjustable front coil-overs, Koni sport rear shocks, a 50mm (2") front sway bar, and  re-bushed control arms. The Tarox front disk brakes has braided steel brake lines and a dual brake master cylinder with front rear bias control. This setup halt things quickly. Finishing off with Superlite wheels and Toyo Proxes RA1 tires.  Not your ordinary 4 cylinder Lotus Cortina!

1970 Classic Mini with Yamaha R1 Motorcycle Motor

This 1970 Mini has been fitted with a full ’03 Yamaha R1 enginr, including the 998cc, 11,500 RPM, 155 HP four and a sequential six speed. Be warned this car is FAST and scary. It sits parked next to a 500 hp Camaro, yet the Mini scares the owner more. 

Once the engine gets into the power band, you better hold on for your dear life.     .

Love it, love the idea of it, love the execution. It is an utter riot!

VW Beetle WRX STi Turbo

If you believe that with its never breathless  44 bhp 1.3-liter air-cooled engine, the 1970's Volkswagen Beetle is a challenging car on the road, then imagine what it would be like to control a Bug fitted with a 282hp (210kW) 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer engine from a Subaru Impreza WRX STi

This a sleeper is not to be messed with. But then you will not know that .... until it blows your weekend track car away.

1973 Ford Escort Mk1 V8

This 1973 Ford Escort Mark1 is now powered by a 500 hp TVR aluminum V8, which is said to be lighter than a Ford Zetec 4-cylinder. It has some track day wear and tear is road legal and has Lotus Exige 320mm AP racing brakes fitted. Wow!

Not your run of the mill track day Escort ........no, it’s a lot more earthshaking ....

1977 Toyota Celica Hot Rod

This 1977 Toyota Celica has been thoroughly restored and includes many impressive modifications including a recent Honda S2000 drive train. The coupe body style is unassuming and the trimmed bumper set-up keeps the proportions favorable. Performance, well, a whole lot better!

1991 Alfa Romeo SpiderV8

This 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider has been given an entirely different personality thanks to a Ford V8 transplant. With power brakes and steering it is extremely easy to drive and a sleeper for sure.  A heavy duty Chevy rear end, a bulged hood and power windows and mirrors make this a fun daily driver.  

Clean and rust free, this car is fully sorted and finished……. with plenty of tire smoking torque.

Mini Clubman with Rover V8 engine

The car has been modified several times, rebuilt after a serious crash and had all kind of engines. The latest incarnation project includes an engine/gearbox transplant. The Rover V8 speedboat engine fits under the Clubman bonnet. 

Gearbox is originally from an Austin Princess. It is of Mini design, located underneath the engine. Surprisingly the Rover block and Princess gearbox fitted pretty easily (?) together with only a few adapter plates. A new final drive was specially designed and machined for this engine, ratio is around 1 : 2,7.

Ford Granada Koenigsegg Twin Turbo V8

Putting aside the1980s aero body bits, the only other interesting bit about the exterior of this Granada are the license plates.

Pop up the hood, however, and it's an entirely different story, as this family car has been fitted with 4.7-liter Ford V8 from a Koenigsegg CCX supercar and that is good for a whopping 1,700-horsepower (1290kw)! That is twice the power of a Grand Prix car!

Add the rear suspension from a 2003/2004 Ford Mustang Cobra with a Porsche braking system and you entitled to some track side underwear changing fun!

Lets start again, A sleeper is ?

Well, if you not driving it, then they could be all around you ......... able to mortify your runabout GT.