Showing posts with label Brabham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brabham. Show all posts
Monday, 31 August 2015
Sunday, 1 March 2015
Sunday, 7 December 2014
Sunday, 24 March 2013
GALPOT Weekly #12/13
Welcome to GALPOT Weekly 12/13 a review of the last seven posts at "Gettin' a li'l psycho on tyres".
The week started with a look at a 1949 "Bonus Built" Ford F1 1/2 ton pickup, the first Fords to be built on dedicated pick up chassis rather than hitherto modified car chassis.
Tuesday's post featured this 1935 Singer 9 Special Speed that was used to compete on the 1936 Exeter Trial when it was only a few weeks old.
I recently spoke to a friend from Spain who confessed he had no idea that the Spain once produced the Worlds Most Expensive Car in the form of the Pegaso Z-102B like the one seen on Wednesday's continental curiosity post.
Americana Thursdays post featured this 1985 "Car of Tomorrow" Cadillac Sedan de Ville which to my mind bears a striking similarity to the marginally older Volvo 760 from just about any angle.
North Carolina heiress Mamie Spears Reynolds was just 20 years old when she bought this Ferrari 250 GTO in 1963 as you can read on Ferrari Friday's post on the trip to New York to buy the car she found more than she bargained for.
You could order a 176mph Vauxhall Lotus Carlton, like the one featured in yesterday's post, any colour you liked so long as it was Imperial Green.
After a dip in the 1972 World Championship for Manufacturers rankings Gordon Murray's Brabham Ford BT42, like the one featured today, restored the team to a forth place in the final manufacturers rankings in 1973.
Thanks for joining me on this GALPOT Weekly #12/13 edition of "Gettin' a li'l psycho on tyres" I hope you will join me daily in the week ahead. Don't forget to come back now !
The week started with a look at a 1949 "Bonus Built" Ford F1 1/2 ton pickup, the first Fords to be built on dedicated pick up chassis rather than hitherto modified car chassis.
Tuesday's post featured this 1935 Singer 9 Special Speed that was used to compete on the 1936 Exeter Trial when it was only a few weeks old.
I recently spoke to a friend from Spain who confessed he had no idea that the Spain once produced the Worlds Most Expensive Car in the form of the Pegaso Z-102B like the one seen on Wednesday's continental curiosity post.
Americana Thursdays post featured this 1985 "Car of Tomorrow" Cadillac Sedan de Ville which to my mind bears a striking similarity to the marginally older Volvo 760 from just about any angle.
North Carolina heiress Mamie Spears Reynolds was just 20 years old when she bought this Ferrari 250 GTO in 1963 as you can read on Ferrari Friday's post on the trip to New York to buy the car she found more than she bargained for.
You could order a 176mph Vauxhall Lotus Carlton, like the one featured in yesterday's post, any colour you liked so long as it was Imperial Green.
After a dip in the 1972 World Championship for Manufacturers rankings Gordon Murray's Brabham Ford BT42, like the one featured today, restored the team to a forth place in the final manufacturers rankings in 1973.
Thanks for joining me on this GALPOT Weekly #12/13 edition of "Gettin' a li'l psycho on tyres" I hope you will join me daily in the week ahead. Don't forget to come back now !
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Spirit of the 60's - Dyrham Park
On Sunday I ambled through the back lanes of Gloucestershire with a couple of friends to visit Dyrham Park a Neo Classic country mansion, that was built for William III's Secretary at War William Blathwayt, set in a 274 acre deer park.
The house was made over to the state in the late 1950's and the National Trust subsequently took over the running of the estate in 1961. That same year the Bristol Motor Cycle & Light Car Club organised a hillclimb on an 800 yard course that started at the Mansion house and went up the winding front drive towards the main gates of the estate.
To celebrate the centenary of what is now known as the Bristol Motor Club a Spirit of the 60's demonstration was organised at Dyrham Park to mark the six events that were organised from 1961 - 1966. Not all the vehicles present on Sunday, like Tony Wallens 1971 Lotus 69 were strictly of the correct period but they all added to flavour on another Indian Summers day.
Making his way through the hairpin to the start line is Chris Merrick in a Brabham BT18 / Buick V8 that once belonged to Bryan Eccles who set, probably for all time, the course record of 30.05 secs in 1966.
Some of you may remember I stumbled across a Berkeley B105 earlier this year at the Silverstone Classic, this 1959 example heading for the assembly area belongs to Neil Barber.
Steve Hillcox in the 302 cui Mustang Fastback can is seen above preparing to leave the assembly area for his run up the narrow 800 yard course.
Following the Suzuki Pace Car heading for the sweeps on one of the demonstration runs are Jeffrey Allen in his 1967 Mini Cooper, Steve Dowling in his 1959 Austin A35 and David Valsler in his Turner which he found in Ohio.
John Robbins above negotiates the hairpin in his 1967 VW Notchback ahead of Colin Gale in his 1966 Austin Healey Sprite.
I believe this is Ron Clements in his 1933 Morgan Super Sport which bears a quote from two time Le Mans winner Sir Tim Birkin on the side "Better to die at full throttle than to live behind a desk." Sir Tim died from as a result of burns sustained while racing a Maserati in the 1933 Tripoli Grand Prix.
One of the slower passes up the hill had they been timed would possibly have gone to former British Saloon car stalwart Vince Woodman on this Honda monkey bike,
though without doubt had the event been timed he would have been in the running for top tin top with his 3.4 litre 1973 Cologne Capri seen here rounding Neptune before the finish straight.
Somewhere between 4-5000 spectators are thought to have been entertained by over one hundred cars that each made several runs up the hill, apparently at one point the gates had to be closed because the A46 Bath Road had become blocked. At 4 pm the course car passed for the last time bringing an entertaining day to an end.
Thanks for joining me on this Dyrham Park edition of 'Gettin' a li'l psycho on tyres' I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don't for get to come back now !
The house was made over to the state in the late 1950's and the National Trust subsequently took over the running of the estate in 1961. That same year the Bristol Motor Cycle & Light Car Club organised a hillclimb on an 800 yard course that started at the Mansion house and went up the winding front drive towards the main gates of the estate.
To celebrate the centenary of what is now known as the Bristol Motor Club a Spirit of the 60's demonstration was organised at Dyrham Park to mark the six events that were organised from 1961 - 1966. Not all the vehicles present on Sunday, like Tony Wallens 1971 Lotus 69 were strictly of the correct period but they all added to flavour on another Indian Summers day.
Making his way through the hairpin to the start line is Chris Merrick in a Brabham BT18 / Buick V8 that once belonged to Bryan Eccles who set, probably for all time, the course record of 30.05 secs in 1966.
Some of you may remember I stumbled across a Berkeley B105 earlier this year at the Silverstone Classic, this 1959 example heading for the assembly area belongs to Neil Barber.
Steve Hillcox in the 302 cui Mustang Fastback can is seen above preparing to leave the assembly area for his run up the narrow 800 yard course.
Following the Suzuki Pace Car heading for the sweeps on one of the demonstration runs are Jeffrey Allen in his 1967 Mini Cooper, Steve Dowling in his 1959 Austin A35 and David Valsler in his Turner which he found in Ohio.
John Robbins above negotiates the hairpin in his 1967 VW Notchback ahead of Colin Gale in his 1966 Austin Healey Sprite.
I believe this is Ron Clements in his 1933 Morgan Super Sport which bears a quote from two time Le Mans winner Sir Tim Birkin on the side "Better to die at full throttle than to live behind a desk." Sir Tim died from as a result of burns sustained while racing a Maserati in the 1933 Tripoli Grand Prix.
One of the slower passes up the hill had they been timed would possibly have gone to former British Saloon car stalwart Vince Woodman on this Honda monkey bike,
though without doubt had the event been timed he would have been in the running for top tin top with his 3.4 litre 1973 Cologne Capri seen here rounding Neptune before the finish straight.
Somewhere between 4-5000 spectators are thought to have been entertained by over one hundred cars that each made several runs up the hill, apparently at one point the gates had to be closed because the A46 Bath Road had become blocked. At 4 pm the course car passed for the last time bringing an entertaining day to an end.
Thanks for joining me on this Dyrham Park edition of 'Gettin' a li'l psycho on tyres' I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don't for get to come back now !
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Sign of things to come - Kimberly Cooper Special
Today's blog, on the 50th anniversary running of the ' Indy 500' in 1961, comes courtesy of photographs by Ed Arnaudin and Phillippe de Lespinay.
Photo by Ed Arnaudin for lager version click here.
AJ Foyt recorded his first of four victories at Indy in 1961 driving the Bowes Seal Fast Special, a Trevis Roadster, outrunning Ed Sachs and Roger Ward both driving Watson Roadsters.
Also on the grid of the 1961 Indy 500 was a small car built in England driven by an Australian who started 13th and came in 9th, perhaps not a stunning performance but none the less a significant marker for the future designs that would appear at Indianapolis.
The #17 Kimberly Cooper Special, was the smallest car in the field powered by the smallest engine a 270 HP 2750 cc / 167 cui 4 cylinder Coventry Climax which gave away around 150 HP to it's Offenhauser powered opposition. Uniquely that day in May the Cooper had it's Coventry Climax engine mounted behind the driver.
Despite it's power disadvantage which showed in straight line speed the Coopers lighter weight and rear engine configuration gave two time, reigning, World Champion,Jack Brabham a superior handling car going round the corners.
Had the team not made an unscheduled third stop, spending over 8 minutes stationary over three stops 'Black Jack' wound have been in a competitive position at the end of the race.
Cooper never returned to Indianapolis. The marker they had put down with the rear engine layout was taken up by others and by 1969 all Indy 500 qualifiers had engines mounted in the back, a development that was met with some resistance by both organizers and fellow competitors, who were less than thrilled by all manner of new comers turning up and eventually sweeping up the victory spoils.
In 1963 owner Kjell Kvale, believing some hopelessly optimistic performance figures for a 6 cylinder Aston Martin engine had Joe Huffaker install it in 'Black Jacks' 1961 Cooper T54 for Pedro Rodriguez to drive. Due to poor straight line speed Pedro Rodriguez was bumped in qualifying for the 1963 Indy 500.
The unique T54 then passed through 3 hands and by 1977 it had morphed into a Chevrolet powered sprint car. Fortunately many of the original parts that had been replaced in the morphing process had been kept.
Photograph courtesy of Philippe de Lespinay
In 1990 Philippe de Lespinay and Robert G Arnold managed to purchase over 70% of the parts belonging to the T54, along with it's original equally storied engine, giving Thomas Beauchamp, Gene Crowe and Quincy Epperly the task of restoring the Cooper back to it's 1961 specification using as all of the recovered original parts, including all of the surviving body panels.
Photograph courtesy of Philippe de Lespinay
During the restoration Jack Brabham found time to visit the shop in California and inspect the work in progress.
Photograph courtesy of Philippe de Lespinay Monterey 2006
Thirty years after first driving the T54 at Indianapolis Jack Brabham took a belated fairy tale victory to win the 1991 Monterey Cup.
Photograph courtesy of Philippe de Lespinay
Since then the T54 has appeared at the Petersen Automotive Museum, the Marconi Automotive Museum, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and in 2006 was selected as the star of the 2006 Rolex display at Monterey.
In July Philippe will be bring the Kimberly Cooper Special also known as the Cooper Coventry Climax T54 to Goodwood Festival of Speed, where I look forward to seeing the car for the first time in the flesh and meeting Philippe.
My thanks to Steve Arnaudin for scanning and sending his Dad's photos, to Phillipe de Lespinay for permission to use his photos more of which along with the complete story on the restoration of the T54 may be seen here.
Hope you have enjoyed today's rear engine edition of 'Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres', and that you will join me again tomorrow. Don't forget to come back now !
Correction in an earlier edit of this blog I incorrectly stated Pedro Rodrigueuz had crashed the Cooper Aston Martin, this was definitely not the case and a case of labelling error by a third party, apologies for any confusion caused.
Photo by Ed Arnaudin for lager version click here.
AJ Foyt recorded his first of four victories at Indy in 1961 driving the Bowes Seal Fast Special, a Trevis Roadster, outrunning Ed Sachs and Roger Ward both driving Watson Roadsters.
Also on the grid of the 1961 Indy 500 was a small car built in England driven by an Australian who started 13th and came in 9th, perhaps not a stunning performance but none the less a significant marker for the future designs that would appear at Indianapolis.
The #17 Kimberly Cooper Special, was the smallest car in the field powered by the smallest engine a 270 HP 2750 cc / 167 cui 4 cylinder Coventry Climax which gave away around 150 HP to it's Offenhauser powered opposition. Uniquely that day in May the Cooper had it's Coventry Climax engine mounted behind the driver.
Despite it's power disadvantage which showed in straight line speed the Coopers lighter weight and rear engine configuration gave two time, reigning, World Champion,Jack Brabham a superior handling car going round the corners.
Had the team not made an unscheduled third stop, spending over 8 minutes stationary over three stops 'Black Jack' wound have been in a competitive position at the end of the race.
Cooper never returned to Indianapolis. The marker they had put down with the rear engine layout was taken up by others and by 1969 all Indy 500 qualifiers had engines mounted in the back, a development that was met with some resistance by both organizers and fellow competitors, who were less than thrilled by all manner of new comers turning up and eventually sweeping up the victory spoils.
In 1963 owner Kjell Kvale, believing some hopelessly optimistic performance figures for a 6 cylinder Aston Martin engine had Joe Huffaker install it in 'Black Jacks' 1961 Cooper T54 for Pedro Rodriguez to drive. Due to poor straight line speed Pedro Rodriguez was bumped in qualifying for the 1963 Indy 500.
The unique T54 then passed through 3 hands and by 1977 it had morphed into a Chevrolet powered sprint car. Fortunately many of the original parts that had been replaced in the morphing process had been kept.
Photograph courtesy of Philippe de Lespinay
In 1990 Philippe de Lespinay and Robert G Arnold managed to purchase over 70% of the parts belonging to the T54, along with it's original equally storied engine, giving Thomas Beauchamp, Gene Crowe and Quincy Epperly the task of restoring the Cooper back to it's 1961 specification using as all of the recovered original parts, including all of the surviving body panels.
Photograph courtesy of Philippe de Lespinay
During the restoration Jack Brabham found time to visit the shop in California and inspect the work in progress.
Photograph courtesy of Philippe de Lespinay Monterey 2006
Thirty years after first driving the T54 at Indianapolis Jack Brabham took a belated fairy tale victory to win the 1991 Monterey Cup.
Photograph courtesy of Philippe de Lespinay
Since then the T54 has appeared at the Petersen Automotive Museum, the Marconi Automotive Museum, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and in 2006 was selected as the star of the 2006 Rolex display at Monterey.
In July Philippe will be bring the Kimberly Cooper Special also known as the Cooper Coventry Climax T54 to Goodwood Festival of Speed, where I look forward to seeing the car for the first time in the flesh and meeting Philippe.
My thanks to Steve Arnaudin for scanning and sending his Dad's photos, to Phillipe de Lespinay for permission to use his photos more of which along with the complete story on the restoration of the T54 may be seen here.
Hope you have enjoyed today's rear engine edition of 'Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres', and that you will join me again tomorrow. Don't forget to come back now !
Correction in an earlier edit of this blog I incorrectly stated Pedro Rodrigueuz had crashed the Cooper Aston Martin, this was definitely not the case and a case of labelling error by a third party, apologies for any confusion caused.
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Heavyweight - Jaguar E- Type 3.8 Coupe
Call me a hopeless romantic but there is something I find irresistible about the notion of walking into a showroom purchasing the fastest vehicle they have in stock, adding a couple towing eyes, a fire extinguisher roll cage and 5 point harness and ignition cut out switch and heading down to the nearest race track.
This kind of racing used to be called stock car racing in the US and Production racing in the UK.
Today's stunning 1961 E-type 3.8 litre Coupe has been kept in more or less original trim since new.
It still has an all steel shell and opening panels.
Until recently the current owner; ex power boat racer, Michael O'Shea has been racing a 1958 XK150S, he has a decades experience racing Jaguars and a couple of years racing a Cooper - Maserati.
Michael first started racing karts at 12 but did not start racing cars for another 34 years.
Racing has been in Michael's blood all his life his Dad was the mastermind behind the O'Shea Racing Organisation which ran a car for a then unknown, future world champion, Jack Brabham.
Michael will be racing his car in the new HSCC Jaguar E-Type Challenge a series created to cater just for E-types on their 50th Anniversary.
My thanks to Jaguar World and Classic & Performance Car for additional information.
Hope you enjoyed todays Heavyweight edition of 'Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres' and that you will join me again tomorrow for Ferrari Friday. Don't forget to come back now !
This kind of racing used to be called stock car racing in the US and Production racing in the UK.
Today's stunning 1961 E-type 3.8 litre Coupe has been kept in more or less original trim since new.
It still has an all steel shell and opening panels.
Until recently the current owner; ex power boat racer, Michael O'Shea has been racing a 1958 XK150S, he has a decades experience racing Jaguars and a couple of years racing a Cooper - Maserati.
Michael first started racing karts at 12 but did not start racing cars for another 34 years.
Racing has been in Michael's blood all his life his Dad was the mastermind behind the O'Shea Racing Organisation which ran a car for a then unknown, future world champion, Jack Brabham.
Michael will be racing his car in the new HSCC Jaguar E-Type Challenge a series created to cater just for E-types on their 50th Anniversary.
My thanks to Jaguar World and Classic & Performance Car for additional information.
Hope you enjoyed todays Heavyweight edition of 'Gettin' a lil' psycho on tyres' and that you will join me again tomorrow for Ferrari Friday. Don't forget to come back now !
Wednesday, 29 December 2010
Black Jack & Le Car - Renault 5
The Renault 5 was a versatile super mini launched in 1972, in Europe many countries ran a one make virtually stock Renault 5 Championship which brought many drivers their first taste of semi professional competition including Austrian Formula One driver Gerhard Berger.
In the States this vehicle known as Le Car dominated the 1977 SCCA Showroom Stock class C division and gained added notoriety when La Conner Washington police department traded in one of its full size cruisers for three Le Cars.
In 1980 three time world champion Sir Jack Brabham was persuaded to come out retirement for the first time in 10 years to take part in a British Saloon Car Championship race at Brands Hatch which took place on the same day as the British Grand Prix.
Though the car was giving away 200 cc 12 cui to the class leading Toyotas VWs and Audi 80's prepared by GTi Engineering, one of which was driven by the equally recently out of retirement Stirling Moss, it must be assumed that Black Jack was game for a laugh with his old sparing partner from the late 50's early 60's.
The Renault was woefully uncompetitive having neither the power or the handling to keep up with the class leading Audis but come race day Sir Jack Brabham had an ace up his sleeve, falling further and further behind the pack on the long Brands Grand Prix Circuit much to the amusement and in full view of 80,000 spectators Jack decided to take a 1 mile short cut by using the club circuit link road and so finished ahead of Stirling Moss on the road even though he was of course obviously disqualified.
Hope you have enjoyed today's Black Jack edition of 'Gettin a lil' psycho on tyres and that you will join me tomorrow for a 6 cylinder edition tomorrow. Don't forget to come back now !
In the States this vehicle known as Le Car dominated the 1977 SCCA Showroom Stock class C division and gained added notoriety when La Conner Washington police department traded in one of its full size cruisers for three Le Cars.
In 1980 three time world champion Sir Jack Brabham was persuaded to come out retirement for the first time in 10 years to take part in a British Saloon Car Championship race at Brands Hatch which took place on the same day as the British Grand Prix.
Though the car was giving away 200 cc 12 cui to the class leading Toyotas VWs and Audi 80's prepared by GTi Engineering, one of which was driven by the equally recently out of retirement Stirling Moss, it must be assumed that Black Jack was game for a laugh with his old sparing partner from the late 50's early 60's.
The Renault was woefully uncompetitive having neither the power or the handling to keep up with the class leading Audis but come race day Sir Jack Brabham had an ace up his sleeve, falling further and further behind the pack on the long Brands Grand Prix Circuit much to the amusement and in full view of 80,000 spectators Jack decided to take a 1 mile short cut by using the club circuit link road and so finished ahead of Stirling Moss on the road even though he was of course obviously disqualified.
Hope you have enjoyed today's Black Jack edition of 'Gettin a lil' psycho on tyres and that you will join me tomorrow for a 6 cylinder edition tomorrow. Don't forget to come back now !
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)