Modifications
Modifications Endorsed by the Club
The modifications fitted to some of the cars at the Gordon-Keeble Car Centre in Brackley under the guidance of Ernie Knott, the owner of the garage and founder of the Owners’ Club.
Modifications
AR = Anti- roll bars
AT = Automatic Transmission
B = Revised bumpers
BA = Burglar alarm
BC = Modified Tandem Brake system
BR = Standard Bumpers (rechromed) (date completed)
BS = Brake Servos Restored or Replaced, (date completed)
C = Manuel Choke control
CL = Central locking
CR = complete rebuild, Body off Chassis & Respray, Mechanical overhaul (date completed)
E = Enlarged wheel arches
EG = GKCC Extractor grills
EK = Keywest Extractor Grills
EM = Electric door mirrors
ER = Engine Rebuild, (date completed)
EX = Exhaust non-standard
F = Face level ventilation
G = 5 speed gearbox
GR = Gearbox Rebuilt / Replaced (date completed)
H = Heater (matrix) modification
HW = Heated rear window
I = Electronic ignition
L = Locking fuel filler caps
LD = Limited slip differential
LS = Lockheed Servos
M = Modified Clutch (Date required)
N = Negative earth conversion
NR = New Body Respray (date completed)
PS = Power assisted rack steering
R = Rack and pinion steering
RL = Retrimmed in Leather RM = Radiator Matrix Modification
RP = Power assisted Rack Steering
RS = Retrimmed as Standard
RT = Retrimmed with Cloth or Velour
S = Revised Seating (cars 1 to 37)
SB = Stainless Steel Brake Hoses
SE = Stainless Steel Exhaust Standard
SF = Stainless Steel Fuel Tanks
SN = Seating Non-standard
SR = Sunroof, Folding or Glass
SS = Servos replaced or restored (date required)
STD = Standard (May have BR, CR, ER, GR, NR, RS, SE, SF, SR, Z)
TF = Through flow ventilation
UL = Unleaded cylinder head conversion
UW = Uprated electric windows
V = Vinyl roof covering
W = Wheels; Wide or Non standard
WF = Wood facia replacement
Z = Body off, Chassis rebuild only
The items shown above in italics were listed for the Gordon-Keeble Mk2 version
The Chevrolet 327 cubic inch V8 engine, known as the small block version, is widely regarded as one of the best engines to emerge from America. It is simple, robust and easy to work on yet with a compression ratio of 10:1, it will still run on unleaded fuel even though originally designed for 5 star (101 octane). Minor modifications will result in a significant power uplift and a more involved rebuild can increase the power output from a “modest” 300bhp to over 400bhp without destroying tractability. However, replacement with the later 350 version is probably a better line to take with ultimately a genuine 430bhp, always bearing in mind the rest of the transmission! There are many parts suppliers in the UK and internet access to the heart of the system can be found in the links section where engine parts are available. Many parts are available through the Club.
The car as originally manufactured did require some development which was put on hold as a result of the financial stringency under which they had to operate at that time. With the improved steering using the rack system, the potential performance becomes apparent even before any engine modifications are undertaken. Power upgrades need to be accompanied by brake and suspension improvements to compete with modern vehicles which have benefited from 60 years of progress.
Get In Touch
+44 (0)7973 685 453
Location
United Kingdom
info@gordonkeeble.org.uk
Need more information about the Gordon-Keeble Owners’ Club? Contact us anytime with your enquiries. We’d love to hear from you!