The Harper Type-5 in this test was provided by Craig Harper of Harper Sportscars and is Chassis Number 1.
You can’t go anywhere in it! It’s too uncomfortable, completely impractical and difficult to drive in traffic. Probably costs a fortune to run too.
Show anyone a picture of a Harper Type-5 and these are probably going to be the first thoughts rushing to their heads. Since I’m in the process of building my very own Type-6, I figured it’s probably a good idea to check if maybe they’re right. I mean, could I actually live with this thing once I have it? Would I use it, or is it going to end up sitting in the garage gathering dust?
When you look at the Harper, it is obviously a race car. There’s no roof, no doors, no windscreen. It’s flat on the ground and the only real “substance” to it is the massive wing on the back. Clearly this thing is about as sensible as wasabi flavoured undergarments.
the polar opposite of the kind of driving the Harper was designed for
I picked up the car from the Harper factory in Wynberg on Friday afternoon. Weather was beautiful, but I now had to face the prospect of driving a race car through peak hour traffic. On the N2. Next to busses, taxis and half-asleep businessmen in their beige commute-mobiles. I was about to embark on a drive, which was the polar opposite of the kind of driving this car was designed for.
Step onto the seat, grab the roll hoop in one hand and put your other hand on the side pod. Then you drop down into the carbon fibre bucket seat, sliding your feet down into the footwell. It’s a tight squeeze for someone my size, but surprisingly comfortable. Next the lap strap. Spend the next few minutes fishing behind your shoulders for the shoulder straps and click them into the buckle. As you pull everything tight, make a mental note to position the shoulder straps within reach before sitting down next time. As you realise that you’ve left your helmet out of reach from your current position, undo all the harnesses and grab your helmet – then start again.
You don’t get into a Harper so much as put it on. And much like my 2-year-old, I don’t think I have mastered the technique of getting dressed just yet. I’m sure it will become second nature soon though. Just as you very quickly learn how to modulate the clutch, even though it feels like the pedal only has around 2 inches of travel. It actually feels fabulous. Even sitting in peak hour traffic, I never felt like I was going to stall or accidentally launch into the car in front of me. It kind of makes sense since it is essentially a Toyota clutch from a normal mommie-mobile. But because the whole car feels so alien, it really is very surprising how easy it is to drive. Though you quickly become aware that EVERYONE is constantly staring at you. Cell phones pop out of everywhere to take pictures as you pass by.
Even though it is technically a fish out of water
The steering is quite direct, and made to feel even more so by the small diameter wheel. Feedback through the wheel is excellent and you can always tell what’s happening under you. The car feels very wide on the road – probably because it is very wide. You do learn where the outer limits of the car are pretty quickly though, and placing it accurately where you want it to be becomes easy. At peak traffic speeds, the Harper simply behaves like any other car. Even though it is technically a fish out of water, it handles the situation brilliantly.
Safely at home I tucked the Harper into my garage and contemplated what the next challenge would be.
So since I work Saturdays, I thought, why not make the commute a little more interesting and take the Type-5? Normally I would get stuck behind weekend cruisers on the highway doing between 80 and 100kph. The Harper commands so much attention though, these people were getting out of the way and waving me by just to see the Harper go! And Go, it does! With a little bit more open road ahead of you, there is space to let the turbo spool up. Once that happens, the torque curve starts gently sweeping upwards, and the shove on your spine swells. It’s not the on-off curve of old turbos that make them intimidating to drive, the boost simply rolls on gently and predictably. This makes the car a pleasure to drive, rather than scary.
Once on the boost though, you need to keep an eye on your speed, because despite being 2-inches off the deck, you can easily end up going much faster than you think. The Harper is so stable, and relishes being pushed, you genuinely don’t realise how fast you’re going. Cars in the mirrors just become very small, very quickly.
In the Harper you’ll arrive smelling like petrol and sporting crazy helmet hair
Obviously, this being a slightly special car, certain concessions need to be made for the daily commute. You have to ideally pack a spare shirt, some deodorant and hair products. Failing which you will arrive at work smelling like petrol and sporting crazy helmet hair. You also need to accept the fact that you need to pack a very light lunch. Anything bigger will not only mess with your crucial power to weight ratio, but it wouldn’t fit in the car. There are very few storage spaces. However, there is a lot of space for soft luggage in the side pods. Provided you can squeeze it between the gaps in the chassis frame.
My return run from work back home was met by less than ideal weather conditions. I ran into a rather nasty spot of wind on the N2, followed by a brief and uncomfortable shower near the airport. The shower wasn’t brief, but my discomfort was. The car was surprisingly stable, despite the semi-slick tyres. The little wind deflector on the dashboard also ensured that as long as I kept forward speed up, the rain wasn’t really hitting me. It was an incredibly odd experience sitting in the open, in the rain, and not getting wet.
Sunday morning. Weather looks perfect outside. Just enough cloud to dampen the sun. Nothing more than a gentle breeze. Warm, but not hot. This is open top sportscar weather. And today is the date of the Next Carbs and Coffee breakfast run. We’re not just running around the corner either. Our route would take us just over 200km on some of the twistiest roads in the province. Through some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Our group will include the Harper, some classic Italians, a legendary South African kit-car, a turbo-charged Swedish brick and a German SUV. Typical mixed bag for our runs.
Come back and read all about it in Part 2 next week!
