However, lacking the means to build it himself, Jim scoured the internet until he stumbled upon Harper Sports Cars in 2013. Convinced that the Harper Type 5 was the answer to his automotive dreams, Jim flew to Cape Town to meet Craig, the builder behind Harper Sports Cars, and promptly ordered one.

Craig initially promised a 3-4 month build time, but fate had a different plan. Just two weeks later, Jim received a call informing him that one of Craig’s early builds was available due to lack of use. Jim seized the opportunity, and Craig traveled to Nelspruit to collect the car and bring it back to Cape Town.

The car, now named Roxy, was equipped with a Toyota Blacktop 20v motor and C63 transaxle with LSD. Jim enjoyed driving Roxy, especially during a year-long sabbatical when she became his daily driver, racking up 30,000 km in just 17 days out of the cockpit.

Jim’s passion for driving didn’t stop there. Encouraged by a friend, Sparky Bright, he joined the Algoa Motorsport Club and began racing in the local “Street car” class. Roxy’s performance on the track earned Jim several trophies and solidified his bond with his Harper.

Over the years, Roxy underwent upgrades, including a switch to a 2.0L turbo Toyota 3SGTE engine, boosting her power from 105kW to over 200kW. Despite changes in Jim’s employment that limited his time with Roxy, he continued to enjoy road trips between PE and CT and even participated in a 3050km round trip convoy to spectate at the 24 Hours of Ilimuna at Red Star Raceway in Mpumalanga.

Reflecting on his ten years of driving joy with Roxy, Jim has covered over 110,000 km and has no plans to stop anytime soon. Roxy has become a familiar sight on the roads of Cape Town, even attracting attention for her passenger, Theodore Edward Beare, the mascot of the Cape Town Toy Run, who sits in the passenger seat promoting charitable causes.

Jim’s Harper Type 5 is a testament to the fulfillment of a dream, the joy of driving, and the bond between man and machine. With each mile, Jim continues to write the story of his Harper, adding new chapters to a journey fueled by passion and a love for the open road.

The post Owner’s Spotlight: Jim Page’s Harper Type 5 first appeared on Harper Sports Cars.

Rear-Mounted Transverse Engine (Harper Type 5)

In a rear-mounted transverse engine setup, the engine is positioned at the rear of the car with its crankshaft aligned side-to-side, perpendicular to the direction of the car. This layout is commonly found in smaller cars and front-wheel-drive vehicles, including Harper’s Type 5 model.

The gearbox in a rear-mounted transverse setup is typically located either directly below or beside the engine. This design allows for a compact drivetrain layout, with the driveshafts transmitting power to the rear wheels. This configuration is ideal for maximizing interior space and is well-suited for everyday road use.

Inline Transaxle Setup (Harper Type 6)

In an inline transaxle setup, the engine’s crankshaft is aligned front-to-back, parallel to the direction of the car. The transaxle, which combines the transmission and differential into a single unit, is located at the rear of the vehicle. This configuration is commonly found in rear-wheel-drive sports cars and performance vehicles, including Harper’s Type 6 model.

The inline transaxle setup offers several performance advantages. By positioning the engine closer to the rear axle, weight distribution is improved, enhancing the car’s balance and handling characteristics. Additionally, this layout allows for a lower center of gravity, further improving stability and cornering prowess.

Gearbox Options

Both the Harper Type 5 and Type 6 utilize a combined transaxle design for their gearboxes, with the differential included in the housing. The Type 5 uses a normal front-wheel-drive gearbox, mounted transversely, while the Type 6 uses an inline transaxle.

A popular gearbox choice for Harper Sports Cars is the Audi 6-speed manual gearbox, known for its great performance combined with strong reliability. Both limited-slip and open differentials are used, with open differentials being adequate for road use. Automatic and semi-automatic (DSG Type) gearboxes are also available options, providing convenience and ease of use.

Performance and Driving Dynamics

The choice between a rear-mounted transverse engine (Type 5) and an inline transaxle setup (Type 6) can have a significant impact on a Harper Sports Car’s performance and driving dynamics. While the Type 5 offers a space-efficient design suitable for everyday road use, the Type 6’s inline transaxle setup provides superior weight distribution and handling characteristics, making it the preferred choice for performance-oriented driving.

In conclusion, the choice between the Harper Type 5 and Type 6 depends on the desired balance between space efficiency and performance. Whether you prefer the compact design of the Type 5 or the performance-oriented setup of the Type 6, Harper Sports Cars offers a range of options to suit your driving needs.

The post Exploring Rear Engine Configurations in Harper Sports Cars: Transverse Type 5 vs. Inline Transaxle Type 6 first appeared on Harper Sports Cars.

• A Type: Inspired by Le Mans prototypes, the A Type features a front bonnet and a pointed nose, reminiscent of classic race cars.
• B Type: The B Type introduces subtle yet significant changes, such as a redesigned nose section for improved aerodynamics and easier assembly onto the chassis.
• C Type: The C Type is a refined version of the B Type, with more aggressive wheel flares and a sleek one-piece front section.

Chassis and Suspension: Every Harper car boasts a bespoke suspension system designed by Craig Harper himself. The front suspension features a double wishbone design with inboard-mounted dampers and springs, offering brilliant handling and exceptional tire life. The rear suspension has evolved from a McPherson strut to a Harper-designed upright with upper and lower control arms, providing adjustable coil-over dampers for optimal performance.

Cooling: Depending on the model, Harper cars come equipped with either a centrally mounted radiator or a more conventional front-mounted radiator to accommodate different interior configurations.

Gearboxes: All Harper models utilize a combined transaxle design with the differential included in the housing. Options range from a normal front-wheel-drive gearbox to an inline transaxle, with popular choices including the Audi 6-speed manual gearbox and automatic/semi-automatic options for different driving preferences.

Brakes: Due to their lightweight nature, these vehicles come equipped with standard production brakes for street use, ensuring sufficient stopping power. Additionally, a range of big brake upgrades are offered for track and racing applications.

Power: The power output of Harper cars is customizable, with the chassis capable of handling high power outputs. Power-to-weight ratios of up to 600bhp/ton are achievable, offering exhilarating performance.

Interior and Dashboard: While Harper cars were initially offered without a traditional interior to prioritize lightness, modern models now offer fully customizable interiors. Dashboards range from conventional to fully digital smart instrument clusters, with optional data logging capabilities.

Wheels: The recommended wheel size for Harper cars is 17 inches, with a 255 rear and a 225 front, ensuring optimal performance and handling. In essence, Harper cars are not just machines; they are extensions of the driver, offering a driving experience that transcends the ordinary and embodies the thrill of the track on the streets.

For more info on the Harper Sports cars please contact us at info@harpersportscars.com

The post Unleashing the Beast: The Harper Series by Craig Harper first appeared on Harper Sports Cars.

Vehicle maintenance and safety tips for Winter

1. Battery – In cold weather, your battery is less effective and will struggle to supply your cranking amps. Older batteries will show signs of stress on cold mornings, in some cases cranking the engine too slowly to start.
2. Wipers – Windscreen wipers become hard and cracked over time, so remember to have your wipers checked and changed if they don’t clear the water from your windscreen effectively. They should be quiet and leave no streaks.
3. Your tires are your only connection to the road surface, and the tread is designed to clear away standing water effectively. Inspect your tires carefully, if the wear beads are level with the tread surface, it’s wise to have the tires changed. call us if you don’t how to spot the wear beads- we can help you!
4. Winter in Cape Town is not cold enough to require antifreeze, but antifreeze also provides corrosion resistance, preventing your precious engine from rusting away on the inside. Always use the recommended antifreeze in your car.
5. Brakes are considered “life and Limb” parts- critical to your safety. If you hear an annoying squeaking sound, or worse, a deep grinding sound when you press the brake pedal, have them seen to immediately by a qualified professional. If the brake pedal changes it’s feel at any time, stop driving if possible. 
6. Your thermostat is extremely important and if your temperature gauge deviates from where you expect it to be, have your cooling system checked out immediately- it might save your engine from destruction. Thermostats are generally inexpensive so don’t scrimp here! The gauge should sit approximately in the middle of the gauge.
7. Spark plugs are the way the air/fuel mixture is ignited in your cylinders. Over time they become contaminated with combustion by products and they begin to misfire, leading to a loss of engine power and rough running/heavy fuel consumption. They are generally inexpensive and an easy fix.

Drive safe this Winter

The post Vehicle Maintenance and Safety Tips for Winter first appeared on Harper Sports Cars.

Specialised Welding and Brazing Services
At Harper Sports Cars, our team will weld Aluminium, Stainless Steel and Mild Steel. We will design and fabricate your oil catch tanks, water header tanks, boost intake pipes, turbo intake manifolds in aluminium, turbo exhaust exhaust systems in stainless and mild steel for all vehicles and boats.

Glass Fibre Repairs
team specialises in the repair and fabrication of all kinds of fibre glass and carbon fibre parts. Boat hull repairs and modifications, wheel house repairs, hull repairs, vehicle canopy repairs, vehicle spoilers, skirts and wings, we do it all in house.

Engine swaps
Are you tired of your vehicle always breaking down, or is it standing without spare parts? Please ring us to discuss how we can assist you to bring your vehicle back to life. We specialise in engine and gearbox swaps for increased reliability and power upgrades. V8 twin turbo? No problem.

Our guarantee to you
All our specialist work gets the same 3 Month, RMI backed warranty that our service line offers. No unqualified technicians are employed and all work is signed off for quality assurance.

Special Projects and Manufacturing
Bring us your concept, our team is able to complete the design and build it for you. From food carts, coffee carts, vehicle canopies, racing parts, spoilers etc, we can do it all. Please ring us to discuss your needs and we can explore ways to satisfy them.

Your sincerely

Craig Harper

The post Our Custom Car Projects and Services first appeared on Harper Sports Cars.

Craig Harper simply had a burning desire to create a practical road going race car – one that was equally comfortable on the street at legal speeds as it was absolutely on the limit on a race track.

Craig has worked hard to instill this passion for the automobile in to his team at Harper Sports Cars. As a team we now offer this passionate, but highly disciplined approach to the general public – for all general vehicle service and care.

Harper Sports Cars are now based in the Noordhoek Valley, 35km from the worlds most beautiful city – Cape Town. We are active in several social upliftment programs and learner-ships, offering specialised training in all areas of vehicle design and manufacture.

Harper Sports Cars are R.M.I. and M.I.B. approved.

Setting and maintaining the highest world class professional standards possible.

We would love to hear from you about your passion project and where we can help you advance or complete your special project, as well as assist you with the matter of bringing your creation to the street for your daily pleasure.

The post The History of Harper Sports Cars first appeared on Harper Sports Cars.

The post Relocating the Steering Wheel first appeared on Harper Sports Cars.

Motorsport Precision at Street Prices

We were forged in the furnace we call Motorsport. Here, the consequences of failure are far more serious than simply pulling to the side of the road and calling for assistance. We have developed the Harper Sports Cars Service Promise. This is an approach to every task that strives to reduce the chances of human error causing a failure for our client.

This approach to our work has become so second nature to us that we can now offer this exacting and precise attention to detail direct to you, giving you the peace of mind that when we carry out any work on your vehicle, you are getting Motorsport Quality, at competitive, street related prices.

Performance, efficiency and safety are paramount in our ethos.

Visit our Website to read more about our services.

The post The Harper Sports Cars Service Promise first appeared on Harper Sports Cars.

Benefits

When we first are taught to drive, the emphasis is on obeying the rules of the road, parking, hill starts and other fairly mundane driving duties. But what happens if the car you are driving suffers an unexpected tire failure at highway speeds, an animal runs out in front of your over confident child when they have had their license for just 3 weeks, or you hit a patch of spilled diesel, mud or ice on the road?

The advanced driver training with Harper Sports Cars offers real value by teaching you how to drive your car on the limit, when it’s sliding around and barely in control. Very few people ever are able to experience their vehicles in this situation, so when they encounter an emergency situation, they are not ready for what happens next and often freeze up or use exaggerated inputs to deal with the situation. ABS is great, but it can’t save you in every situation.

We start all our courses on gravel roads, in cars we provide and on routes that test your ability to remain in control of the vehicle while trying to cover the route as quickly as possible. It’s educational and great fun. It’s essential for newly licensed drivers, great as team building or as a fabulous gift. Should you wish to go big, we will set you up with a qualified instructor at a local race Track, taking you to the next level- flat out on dry tarmac.

Please book your driver training experience with us now! Singles and groups welcome. Pure education blended with a fun competitive approach guaranteed.

Visit our Experiences page to see more on driving experiences with Harper Sports Cars

The post Advanced Driver Training with Harper Sports Cars first appeared on Harper Sports Cars.

We hosted an exclusive 2017 Driving Tour in South Africa – namely,

The 2017 Passes Project

Picture the scene:
15 high performance Sports Cars,
25 passionate motoring enthusiasts,
3000kms of fantastic driving roads, and
15 of the worlds best driving passes.
All over 3 Days and 2 nights under the crisp stars of the open Karoo in South Africa.

This was the Inaugural Passes Project of 2017. We intend making this kind of experience a regular feature. So please contact us so we can book you onto our next slot. Bring your own cars or drive ours. We have a varied and eclectic range of mainly sports cars, but also some older sporting classics. You can expect to swop cars and share your impressions each evening around the African Fire with fellow enthusiasts.

We promise there will be plenty to talk about. We can even arrange special guest speakers, in fact, we can arrange just about anything. We will eventually have our own Race Track in the desert, for you to absolutely gas it in complete safety.

Watch the Tour Movie here:

Read more about our Driving Experiences 

The post 2017 Driving Tour in South Africa first appeared on Harper Sports Cars.