Seat’s small commercial vehicle not only changed Spanish life, it also played an essential role in the competition of the time
In addition to transforming the life of the Spanish street, the 600 also played an essential role in the competition of the time. Names like Baturone, the brothers Manuel and Jaime Juncosa or Fernando and Luis de Baviera, Miguel Brunells, Jaime Sornosa ‘Correcaminos’…’.
The preparation, “trucaje” as it was said at the time, had many levels. There were those who started by removing chrome trim (such as the front sideburns) and wheel covers, flipping the tires and securing the rear hood half open; if it was from below it improved aerodynamics and little cooling, and if it was from above it cooled the engine but worsened the oil temperature (well, we found out later). And to make more noise, and give a feeling of speed, a more open exhaust was put on it.
But other drivers were already taking more serious steps, such as lowering the suspension slightly, which allowed a lot of stability gains, making the car noble and easy to drive: the rear springs were cut and a leaf was removed from the front leaf spring. The next step was touching the engine with a displacement of 633 cc and 18/20 CV. This one, whose compression ratio of only 7.5:1, with a camshaft with a smooth distribution diagram and with improved breathing, lent itself perfectly to getting a few more horses out with real preparations that did improve the performance. planning a cylinder head, a higher crossover camshaft, a carburetor that improved breathing and independent exhaust manifolds. Things got more serious, and when the original 62mm pistons were also changed. in diameter by others from 64 with a deflector, the displacement went from 767 to 817 cc and they already enjoyed 35 hp power and about 130 km/h at the top.
If there were resources, you could rely on the improvement kits (not cheap, by the way) from experienced Italian builders such as Conti, Nardi and especially Abarth; an Abarth 1000 Corsa had 100 hp and almost 200 km/h; a real bomb. In Spain, native trainers also came out, such as the Juncosa brothers in Barcelona or Antonio Madueño, the soul of Autotécnica, in Madrid. And there were even people who replaced the original engine with that of a 127 or a 1430.
One of the most famous pilots of that 600 is Jaime Sornosa, “Roadrunner”, who tells us: “The 600 allowed me to run with a tight economy. You started with a Group 1, the stock car, which was cheap. My first test with a 600, we are talking about 1966, was the climb to the Cruz Verde, in El Escorial, which I won in the national competition» Then the popular “Correca” continues: “according to availability and what the economy allowed, you have prepared little by little.”
Jaime Sornosa drove many races with a Group 2 of 820cc: «I was prepared by the late Eduardo Villacieros, uncle of the current driver Miguel Villacieros, and I really enjoyed him because he allowed me to face stronger cars. At Jarama I remember a fight with Lucas Sainz’ Ford Escort – the famous Pekenike and brilliant driver who was champion of Spain – which I ended up beating.
“Correca” tells us about its history with that 600: “As for tires, I started with some Cinturato Pirelli street bikes and when I switched to Michelin competition bikes the change was huge.” From the 600 on, apart from being able to defy and overcome more powerful cars, there is a feeling for the Madrid driver that has not been erased: “he had impressive stability”. There is no doubt that he has a very special memory of the Six Hundred, to the point that it is difficult for him to talk, as if he were a good and old friend, about some of its drawbacks: “well, the gearbox, what the series was, to perform it was delicate ».
Different times, different races, many unforgettable stories for those who saw and experienced them, with a steering wheel in their hands or on the edge of the asphalt.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
