1965 Beach MK4

Gene Beach started his racing career in an MG TD during the close of the 1950s. He had retired from the military and had served during World War II. His P-47 Thunderbolt had crashed and left Beach with a broken back. After the war, he worked in several jobs including draftsman and architect, before finding his true passion - racing.

Beach designed a car for Don Kearney with power coming from a Panhard engine. By 1959, he had teamed up with Henry Grady and set out to build cars under their own name. The two, Grady and Beach, complimented each other's skills-set rather nicely. Beach was an expert with chassis construction, while Grady excelled in engine design and tuning. Their first creation was named 'Begra' which was formed from the first letters of their surnames. Though geographically separated by over 250 miles, the two were able to create their first H-Modified racer. A Fiat 600 had been purchased as a parts car with Beach working with the chassis and Grady modifying the Fiat engine. The chassis was modified to handle the stresses of racing and every effort was made to reduce the overall weight. A new aluminum body was created by using a tree stump to hammer out the design. The Fiat body was sold back to the dealership. Fiat drum brakes could be found at all four corners and a Fiat four-speed unit was used to send power to the rear wheels. The Fiat suspension was modified and placed in the front and the rear. The engine was modified to displace 748-cc by enlarging the bore and stroke. Hillman pistons and other modifications improved horsepower by over 40 horsepower. This radical increase in power meant that the 800-pound racer was among the fastest on the racing circuit. Still, more power was needed to compete in the national circuit.

Beach and Grady sold their Begra MK1 to Jerry Morgan and used the proceeds to purchase their next project - a Saab. The duo had hoped to purchase a Saab GT but funds were not available, so they settled on a 750-cc unit. Grady brought the engine up to GT specs and increased the horsepower by over 50. The engine was fitted into the MK1 racer and was raced during the 1960 season. The engine and car were again a formidable contender, but it did have its shortcomings. A Fiat 850-cc unit was later adapted and raced by Paul Kneeland. In total, there was only one Begra MK1 produced.

At the close of the 1961 season, Beach and Grady parted ways, though Beach produced four more vehicles wearing the 'Begra' name. These additional vehicles were known as the Begra MK3 and were powered by either an Abarth TC engine or a Saab 750cc unit. The body was comprised of fiberglass and sat atop of a chassis that had benefited from knowledge gained in the prior vehicles. They were suspended in place by an independent suspension in both the front and rear. Disc brakes could be found in the front while drums were used in the rear to stop the vehicle. The configuration was similar to the prior MK series with the driver sitting in front of the engine. In 1962 and 1964, a Begra MK3 won the SCCA Southeast Division in the H-Modified division.

By 1963 Beach had begun work on the next iteration of racers which he dubbed the Beach MK4. He was given assistance by Wayne Purdy, who was well-known for his mechanical prowess. The MK4 varied from the prior vehicles in many ways, including suspension and brakes. The Fiat components were abandoned in favor of Austin Healey Sprite components. The outward appearance of the vehicle was very similar to its predecessors with the most notable difference being the front of the vehicle, as the nose had been lowered in an effort to improve aerodynamics. Mounted mid-ship was a BMW 700-cc engine that sent nearly 70 horsepower to the rear wheels. Production was still low with only two examples being constructed. These were followed by the MK4B in 1964; followed by the MK4B Series II and MK4C. A variety of engines were used during the MK4 series, including Datsun, MINI Cooper, Sunbeam, and more.

The final iteration of Beach sports racers was the MK8. There were only two ever created. An MK8 was raced at the 1965 Sebring race where it had been prepped for endurance competition. Its body was fiberglass and the overall weight was just under 1300 pounds. Mounted mid-ship was a Lotus twin-cam engine which had been further tuned by Cosworth. The suspension was independent with disc brakes providing the stopping power. At Sebring, the MK8 was forced to retire prematurely due to mechanical problems with the suspension. A second MK8 was later produced built with Volkswagen running gear. It raced at Sebring in 1967 and was forced to retire due to suspension problems.

Beach developed a passion for Formula Vee competition during the 1960s and decided to create the MK4B SRV. It used the same basic chassis but complied with Formula Vee requirements. It was outfitted with Volkswagen components, including the suspension, running gear, gearbox, and engine. Overall weight was still around 800 pounds and expectations were high for the little racers but unfortunately podium finishes for its drivers would never be ascertained.

Beach produced other Formula racers during the 1960s and had mild success throughout the years. The Formula cars were seen by Beach as an opportunity to mass-produce vehicles and to provide some solid income for other racing endeavors. His Formula Vee cars were dubbed the MK5. Production of these racers lasted from 1962 through 1968 and conformed to racing requirements and was outfitted with mainly Volkswagen components. The frame was a square tube that was easy to construct and not very expensive. By 1965 Beach had sold over 150 FV racers competing in the United States and Europe.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2007

This Beach MK4 B2 originally competed in SCCA as a D sports racer.