1963 Bobsy SR2

Jerry Mong began producing racing cars near the close of the 1950s, with his first product being a mid-engined special. The next creation was a pair of racers which he and his brothers dubbed the SR1s. These were H-modified racers with DKW power, an aluminum body, an aluminum tube frame, and an independent suspension. A Saab powerplant was also used to modify these racers. The cars raced in SCCA competition during the 1960s, where they had moderate success.

With financial support from his uncle, C. Smith, Mong sold his tune-up shop and focused entirely on the race car business. His next racer, his third creation, was dubbed the SR2. It was based on the previous models and consisted of an aluminum space frame with an adjustable coil-over suspension. A modified Ford 105E 1100cc engine was mounted midship and matted to a Hewland transaxle. The increase in displacement size moved the car in the G-Modified class which was filled with racers powered by Coventry-Climax FWA engines. The car had been designed to accept engines up to two-liters in size. At various races, the engine was swapped out with a larger 1500cc Ford unit and raced in F-Modified competition.

Chuck Dietrich raced a Bobsy SR2 during the 1963 season in SCCA G-Modified competition. The combination of great driving and a potent car resulted in nine-wins and Dietrich winning the G-Modified championship.

In competition, the SR3 proved to be a very capable car. The cars were driven to an SCCA H-Modified championship in Daytona with the winning car being powered by a Saab powerplant. In second place was another Bobsy but with power from an OSCA unit. The Bobsy repeated its triumph two years later with John Ingleheart at the wheel and capturing the H-Sports-Racing (previously known as the H-Modified) class.

Production of the next new model would not occur until 1970. The Bobsy SR4 was a one-off prototype and was powered by a Lotus Twin Cam engine. It had disc brakes, an independent suspension, a Hewland gearbox, and a fiberglass body. The body was similar in many ways to its predecessor, but it also was very different. Proportionally, it appeared to occupy about the same wheelbase, track, and length. It was, however, square in design, whereas the others had been round.

Using the design principles and knowledge gained from the prior models, the SR5 production version was introduced in 1971.

Mong also developed a successful line of Formula Vee racers during the mid-1960s. The Bobsy Vanguard Formula Vee was introduced in 1964 and powered by a Volkswagen 1200cc engine and matted to a Volkswagen gearbox. The body was constructed from fiberglass and drum brakes could be found on all four corners. In total, over 100 examples were constructed during its lifespan which lasted until 1966.

The Vanguard racers won three SCCA divisional championships but were never serious contenders for the national championship.

Mong's second Formula Vee racer was the Bobsy Vega. Also utilizing a fiberglass body and Volkswagen running gear, its chassis was very rigid in comparison to its predecessor. It was very safe but SCCA declared the car Illegal. Two cars were constructed before the design was reworked, and the stressed panels were removed. In competition, they did not enjoy the same success as the Vanguard, and only about 20 examples were created.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2010