Coldwell Engineering.
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Formed by Bill Needham in the 1960's & based in Sheffield at the heart of industrial northern England Coldwell had a very definate engineering bias, and seemed to have little time for the boy racer brigade. As well as manufacturing their own range of racing & tuning equipment including such items as GRP panels, inlet & exhaust manifolds, modified cylinder heads and at least one cast alloy A Series rocker cover carrying the COLDWELL name, they were also closely involved in the design and manufacture of racing cars both single seater & saloon. Of particular interest is Bill Needhams, Coldwell developed A series Twincam. This impressive machine was a regular competitor in GT races during the late 1960's & early 1970's. It is still in existance and has been seen at one or two mini events in the last few years. Another Coldwell survivor is the Coldwell Mink a F3 single seater that is currently under restoration. I have received a large number of pictures and some more info on the Coldwell Twincam from Nick Rogers of Min-e-bitz in Sheffield. Nick is a long time Mini fan and an excellent (& one of the few ramaining) sources of early second hand & NOS Mini parts. |
The Coldwell Twincam
Article taken from CCC regarding the Coldwell Twincam (Thanks to Paul C)
Twincam engine.
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Twincam engine. Designed & built by Bill needham, the Twincam was an almost unique project. Built mainly on good will & help from many friends & contacts it is said that it would have cost the same as a family house back in the late 60's. Quite a considerable amount for a 1 off Clubmans racing special. This is a photo of the fully developed engine. Featuring a 1071 Cooper S bottom end on a 190 gearbox casing. The top half however was a "bit special" featuring a one off twincam cylinder head, twin distributors & coils and ultimately fuel injection. |
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Coldwell twincam Head An image of the more or less bare twincam head. As can be seen this is a very serious piece of kit! Not a cut down Jag head as I have heard said but a completely new head casting designed by Bill Needham. |
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Twincam head combustion chamber view The Hemispheriacal chambers can easily be seen in this view, this has to be the most exotic head even placed on a Mini block! |
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Coldwell end cover. Every part of the engine was beautifully finished. All alloy castings apart from the head were cast within a few miles of Bill's base in Sheffield. At that time Sheffield had an engineering industry that could match anywhere in the world. Sadly, now it has a large shopping centre! |
Twincam in action
| A selection of shots taken when the Coldwell Twincam was a regular competitor at club events throughout northern England & the midlands! |
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Twincam Now.
| Following a light restoration after Bills retirement. The Coldwell Twincam has made a few appearances at car shows. Although it is running and to some extent sorted. The aim has to be to get this fantastic creation back on a track at a historic meeting one day! |
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Restored engine compartment. Still sporting it's final fuel injection system the Coldwell Twincam is running again. |
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Another view of the engine |
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And a third |
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The spartan drivers area. Note the magic wand gearlever this was grafted to the back of a Cooper S 190 gearbox casing as the weight saving over the standard Cooper or Cooper S item was invaluable. |
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External shot of the Coldwell Twincam. Some may say that he bodywork may need some attention, but it is truly staggering to find such a survivor after nearly 40 laid up. |