Biehl Chassis

H Modified

Introduction

Engine: 750cc Moretti

Builder: John Biehl

Current Owner: unknown

"One of the most beautiful of the 750cc powerplants is the Moretti. This little mill is built like a jewel, designed for competition, and raps like a Ferrari in full bay.

The John Biehl Moretti Special goes several steps further in producing a competition machine. The wiring and mechanical layout of the Biehl car shows the results of many hours of cold calculation and planning. All mechanical and electrical components are quickly accessible for the inspection, maintenance and repair. Weight has been designed out, resulting in a minimum of drilling and obvious paring. Instrumentation and creature comfort has also been kept to the bare necessities -- except for an excellent driver's seat, which would certainly pay off in long races where driver fatigue is equally as important as mechanical breakdown.

Wrapped around the engineered chassis is a beautiful streamlined aluminum body shell. Obviously designed for very low drag, it was also designed with an eye to quick pit stops -- the complete hood assembly being removable for access to all wiring and mechanical components up front."¹

Click to go to the
H Mod Yahoo group

Four photos from the
book¹ will be added after
they are scanned.

"This roll bar would be
frowned upon under
present day [1959]
racing procedures.
Bar is quite high and
has no fore and aft
braces. It's exactly
high enough to catch
the driver's head."¹

"With hood removed,
all vital components
are completely accessible
for easy Maintenance."¹

"Cockpit features an
excellent seat, one
which would be a
great asset during
a long race."¹

John's car was apparently built with parts from a previous race car that he wrecked. This happened during the Index of Performance race at Torrey Pines on either October 25, 1955 or January 14, 1956.

"the Moretti (750cc) owned and driven by John Biehl, a long time early San Diego SCCA driver. He went in too deep going into turn 9 and went off towards the electrical transformers that were protected by a high, and evidently very strong, fence. John was okay, but the car was not. He later used the pieces to run an H Mod car."²

"A sorry photo of the
Moretti (750cc) owned
and driven by John Biehl."²