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Many sports car purists consider the golden age of motoring to have taken place in the 1950’s and 60’s in Europe. It was in this era that England, Italy and a host of smaller countries and one-off manufacturers produced some of the most engaging open-topped roadsters in history.
At the same time, a large number of these one-of-a-kind automobiles had their mettle tested in races like Le Mans and the Mille Miglia, creating a pedigree that is difficult to match.
Sadly, many of these cars didn't survive past the 60’s, either meeting their end on the track or rusting away in a dank garage, forgotten and neglected.
Sports cars began to bloat up as safety regulations and creature comforts started to compromise low curb weights and tight handling.
For 2 brothers from the Netherlands, this era represents a moment in time that needed to be reproduced so that those who had not yet been born could experience the driving pleasure of these vehicles.
Paul and Tino Huet realized that most of the remaining racing cars from that vintage were far too valuable to even consider running flat out down a track or twisty mountain road, so they decided that they would build their own automobile to capture the spirit of the vehicles they loved so much.
The HB Special is based upon a Triumph TR6. The TR6 was a capable British sports car from the late 60’s – but the Huet brothers have brought it into the 21st century by radically tuning the suspension, engine, and re-bodying the car so that it resembles the dramatic, fluid styling of a 1950’s race car. With an independent front and rear suspension, 4 caliper front disc brakes and rack and pinion steering, the HB Special gives the driver exceptional handling and feedback.
Bumping horsepower to 180, the tweaked 2.5 liter 6 cylinder motor has 2 carburetors, a race exhaust and an oil cooler to keep this car at the front of the pack. Finally, the HB Special weighs only 1650 pounds – an astounding achievement made possible by the extensive use of materials like carbon fiber and aluminum.
Built in a special run of only 12 automobiles, the HB Special is nothing short of a time machine, transporting drivers back to an era where adrenaline and the wind in your hair were the rule of the day.
This strikingly beautiful car will make you question whether the progression from small, super-responsive thrill ride to modern, leather wrapped comfort was truly an evolution – or merely the blanding of the open road.