HellCat and Wildcat

[Michael Burke]

Does anyone have any articles or ads that explain the difference between a 1960 WildCat and HellCat. I have ads that show dead axle WildCat's and a Karting World kart test showing a live axle WildCat. I have a 61SL and a 63SL HellCat and those frames are significantly different from the 1960 models. A friend has what may be a dead axle 1960 WildCat and I've been looking for info for him. I have ads from 1960, but they don't say or show what the differences are for the 2 models. They inply that dead axle and live axle versions of both models were available.

Thanks

Michael

[tim mclaughlin]

I have some somewhere. I have a 1960 Percival live axle gold medal model (from looking at the ad). I'll when I get back in town Monday.

[Andy Symons]

The stub (dead) axle Percivals in '58 and '59, from my research, were "Hellcats" with single engine and "Wildcats" with two. The conversion between models was simply parts addition or removal. In 1960 you start to see ads with live axle Percys. I don't have all the Karting Worlds from 60 but there are ads in the July and September issues and a test in the December issue. The July issue has an ad on the back cover. Custom Cars and Karts of October '60 also has an ad and it is about this time that the "live axle" is mentioned. The September '60 KW ad shows four models (the "Percival Big Four"); the Live Axle Gold Medal, Hellcat, Wildcat and Cubcat. My understanding was that the single engine Hellcat and dual engine Wildcat were still stub axle at this time but I'm not sure. The Custom C&K mag mentions "Percival's big breakthrough in live axle" but doesn't mention the Gold Medal model. Complicating things is their model M-6600 - a "Wildcat", which would fit the mold since it is shown with twin engine mounts, which is an enclosed live axle but is new enough to have replaced the "tower" steering support with the newer style narrow hoop. Check out the vintage archives if you haven't already. My interest is especially in the rear mechanical spot brake items for the stub axle wildcats - my 58?59? Wildcat is essentially complete except for brakes. Hope this helps - I love these old Karts with their Frank Kurtis legacy. Opps, 10AM, gotta get to the track! Andy

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