Tag Archives: Spring

E Type – Healey Silverstone #E80

Following the production of 51 D Type Healey Silverstones up until 1950 production of the E Type’s commenced with the latest E specification Healey chassis slightly larger body and distinguishing intake in the bonnet/hood.

Healey Silverstone, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

The earliest known owner for chassis #E80 featured today was M Reed in 1950.

Healey Silverstone, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

Dudley Hely is known to have started racing the car in 1952 starting with an appearance at Goodwood in May that year in the BARC Handicap, result unknown.

In September 1952 Dudley drove #E80 to it and his only known victory at Silverstone on the National Circuit.

Healey Silverstone, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

Dudley scored to 2nd place finishes in handicap events at Goodwood and Silverstone in 1953 and continued racing the car at both venues until 1956 when a bad crash with fatal consequences for the driver saw #E80 written off.

The wrecked car was subsequently broken up with the salvageable parts, that included; the chassis, front suspension, back axle and body, kept in storage for 40 years.

Healey Silverstone, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

By 2006 restoration of #E80 was well underway and in 2008 current owner Neil Collins raced the car carrying it’s original registration number at the Goodwood Revival meeting.

#E80 is seen in these photo’s just after Mr Collins arrival at the recent VSCC Spring Start meeting at Silverstone where he was spectating.

Healey Silverstone, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

Sharp eyed contributor Tim Murray pointed out to me some weeks ago that the Healey Silverstone #D6 which featured here some weeks ago is currently fitted with an E Type bonnet/hood with the distinctive air intake.

My thanks to Neil Collins and Tim Murray for their contribution to today’s “E Type” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I will be looking at a 1919 Indy Car. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Phizackerley Coachworks – Delage DIS Colonial Phizackerley Tourer

Today’s featured Delage DIS Colonial Tourer was built in 1927.

Delage DIS Colonial Tourer, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

It is powered by a 2198 cc / 134 cui variant of the Delage push rod overhead valve four cylinder engine.

Delage DIS Colonial Tourer, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

According to the blurb on display with this vehicle the body sits on a “Colonial” chassis which is both slightly longer, wider and has a higher ground clearnace than the regular DI, DIS and DISS Delage’s.

Delage DIS Colonial Tourer, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

It would appear the powered chassis was originally shipped to Australia.

Delage DIS Colonial Tourer, Classic Motor Show, NEC, Birmingham

Once it got to Sydney coach builder Isaac Phizackerley built and fitted the Tourer bodywork.

Delage DIS Colonial Tourer, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

Phizackerely originally founded the Isaac Phizackerley’s Cycle Works in the 1890’s manufacturing bicycles and cycle tyres.

Delage DIS Colonial Tourer, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

In 1902 Phizackerley built at least two De Dion-Bouton powered single cylinder 6hp cars in 1902 one with an open two seat body and the other with an open four seat body.

Delage DIS Colonial Tourer, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

There after the company seems to have focused on building bodies for chassis from third parties several of which came from Delage in the 1920’s.

Delage DIS Colonial Tourer, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

The car seen in these photograph’s at last years Classic Car Show in Birmingham and at this years VSCC Spring Start was not registered for use on British roads until the 11th of July 2002.

Thanks for joining me on this “Phizackerley Coachworks” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be visiting Wales for my first Rally Cross meeting. Don’t forget to come back now.

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VSCC Spring Start – Silverstone

A couple of weeks ago I headed over to Silverstone for the VSCC Easter Spring Start meeting during which 11 races took place.

GN Ford Piglet, Doug Cawley, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

Dougal Cawley headed the opening lap of the Fox & Nichol Trophy in his GN Ford known as Piglet, but after 12 mins it was a surprised Rudiger Friedrichs who took the flag on his debut on the 1932 #138 Alvis Firefly seen above in third place.

Frazer Nash Targa Florio, Ian Dalglish, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

Eddie Lees won the race for Frazer Nash and GN cars from Martin Hunt both driving Frazer Nash’s, Tony Lees in COGNAC is seen above about to relieve Ian Dalglish in the #172 Frazer Nash of third place while Martin Stretton is seen with head lights blazing on a mission to make up ground from a fall to eight
place on lap 2, he finished an eventual 5th.

Lotus 18/21, Peter Horsman, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

After a first corner in which Connaught driver Micheal Steele was sent airborne to the detriment of his car but fortunately without injury to the driver, the Pre 1966 HGPCA race for Grand Prix cars was restarted and Peter Horsman in his 1961 #22 2 1/2 litre Lotus Climax 18/21 led all the way after starting 3rd on the grid.

Frazer Nash Fast Tourer, Chris Chilcott, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

Chris Chilcott and Andy Bush are seen dicing for fourth on the opening lap of Race 4 for pre war sports cars, aboard Frazer Nash and Riley respectively, Chris never made it to the end of the first lap and Andy retired on lap 6 of the 8 lap race leaving Jo Blakeney – Edwards to win aboard her Frazer Nash.

Amilcar Hispano Special, Tom Walker, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

Seen blasting past Astrophysicist Robin Tuluie’s #20 Riley Menasco Pirate above is the GP Italia Trophy race winner Tom Walker in his Amilcar Hispano Special.

Lagonda V12 Le Mans, Darren McWhirter, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

The longest race of the day, half an hour, was the Tom Cole Trophy Race for 1950’s sports cars, won by Darren McWhirtter in the 1954 #64 Lagonda V12 Le Mans seen lapping the 1952 #10 Nash Healey Le Mans driven by Sam Stretton.

Riley 12/4 Special, James Whitmore, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

The longest race of the day was followed by the shortest, the 5 lap All Comers Short handicap that was won by James Whitmore in the 1934 #156 Riley 12/4 Special seen leading a gaggle of earlier starters above.

Farrallac Allard Sports, Tony Bianchi, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

After early leader Lister driver Roberto Giordaneli out braked himself on the end of the Club straight on the opening lap, Tony Bianchi took the lead of the 50’s Sports and Sports Racing cars race in his Cadillac powered #7 Farrallac and holding off eventual winner Mark Lewis in his #100 Lister Chevrolet for four laps of the ten lap race.

Lotus 12, Andrew Smith, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

For the first 11 laps of the 13 lap Patrick Lindsey Memorial and Amschel Rothschild Trophy Andrew Smith looked set to finish 2nd in his #10 Lotus 12, seen above being followed by eventual third place finisher Frederick Harper in his Kurtis Roadster, until pole sitter and leader Philip Walker spun his Lotus 16 and had to settle for second.

Morgan Plus 8, Keith Ahlers, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

Keith Ahlers smoked the field in the the AR Motorsport Morgan Challenge Series race leading all 18 laps from pole and setting fastest lap of the race to win by nearly half a minute in his fire breathing #29 Morgan Plus 8.

ERA E-Type GP1, Duncan Ricketts, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

Three ERA’s took turns leading the final All Comers Scratch Race for Pre War cars but Terry Crabb aboard ERA 12C, Nick Topliss aboard ERA R4D both gave way to 3rd place starter Duncan Ricketts aboard the ERA E-Type GP1 who took the lead on lap 3 and help it to the finish 5 laps later.

Thanks for joining me on this “VSCC Spring Start” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a Packard. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Saharan Adventurer – Delage DIS

In 1923 Delage launched it’s DI range of four cylinder cars.

Delage DI-S, VSCC, Spring Start, Silverstone

Initially these were powered by 30hp side valve 2,120 cc / 129 cui motors.

Delage DI-S, VSCC, Spring Start, Silverstone

In 1924 50hp DIS Sport and DISS Super Sport variants with overhead valves, aluminium pistons, Zenith carburetors, magneto ignition and thermosyphon cooling were offered.

Delage DI-S, VSCC, Spring Start, Silverstone

The DI, DIS and DISS were all equipped with a four speed gearbox and four wheel brakes, all considered advanced for this class of vehicle.

Delage DI-S, VSCC, Spring Start, Silverstone

The DI series were considered to have exceptional performance, comfortable suspension, light steering and good road holding while being rugged enough to handle the comparatively primitive roads of the day.

Delage DI-S, VSCC, Spring Start, Silverstone

The 1924 Delage DIS seen here in the Silverstone paddock at last month’s VSCC Spring Start meeting was first registered in the UK on the 23rd of October 1924.

Delage DI-S, VSCC, Spring Start, Silverstone

This particular Delage took part in the last 17 day Trans Sahara Run in 2010 from Tunisia to Benin, it’s finishing position is not known, if you know any results for the event please do not hesitate to chime in below.

Thanks for joining me on this “Saharan Adventurer” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I will be presenting the race winners from the races at VSCC Spring Start meeting. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Glass Side Windows – Healey Tickford

In 1950 Donald Healey and Samuel Elliot fell out over their Healey Elliot 2 door saloon car which resulted in Donald turning to Tickford to build further 2 door bodies.

Healey Tickford, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

Tickford was founded as a builder of horse drawn coaches in the 1820’s by Joseph Salmons on Tickford Street, Newport Pagnell and diversified into building coachwork for cars in the late 1890’s.

Healey Tickford, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

The design for the 5 seat 2 door bodywork for the Healey Tickford is credited to Winston Chater, it was heavier than the Elliot body in part due to the replacement of the perspex window’s of the earlier model with glass items, and the introduction of a proper boot / trunk.

Healey Tickford, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

Healey Tickfords were built on three different versions of the Healey Chassis starting with the C Type in 1950, the BT Type in 1951 and the last on the F Type chassis in 1954.

Healey Tickford, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

The introduction of the BT chassis saw the additional triangular vents either side of the main radiator intake.

Healey Tickford, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

The Healey Tickford built from 1950 to 1954 would prove to be the most popular of the Riley powered Healey’s with 222 examples built.

Healey Tickford, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

Today’s featured Healey Tickford, seen during last weeks VSCC Spring Start meeting at Silverstone, was built on a BT chassis in 1952 and first registered in the UK on October 15th the same year.

Thanks for joining me on this “Glass Side Windows” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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As Seen On TV – ERA R7B

Austin and Arthur Dobson were to wealthy brothers who raced between the great wars of the twentieth century.

Arthur the younger, considered the more talented and more successful made his racing debut at the wheel of a FIAT 508S in the 1935 RAC Tourist Trophy from which he retired out of petrol.

ERA R7B, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

By 1936 when he bought today’s featured ERA R7B Arthur was a busy racing driver also running a Riley TT Sprite.

Arthur was so busy he let Cyril Paul drive R7B in it’s first three events before taking the wheel himself.

ERA R7B, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

In August 1937 Arthur won the Junior Car Club 200 at Donington running a works entered ERA C with a 1.1 / 67 cui motor while Charles Brackenbury raced the 1.5 litre / 91.5 cui R7B and Carlo Pintacuda finished the same race in 7th place.

Later in October Arthur drove ERA R7B to a second place finish half a car length behind B.Bira driving another ERA known as R2B or Romulus at Crystal Palace, the event was notable for being the first to be screened on British Television by the steam powered British Broadcasting Corporation.

ERA R7B, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

Arthur continued racing R7B through 1938 scoring a third place behind the Maserati 6CM of Franco Cortese and 4CM of Armand Hug at Modena.

Arthur followed this with a 6th place in the 1938 Donington Grand Prix, R7B was the first non Auto Union and non Mercedes Benz to cross the finish line only 6 laps down on Tazio Nuvolari who drove the winning D-Type Auto Union.

ERA R7B, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

1939 would prove to be Arthur’s final season as a racing driver in which he continued to race R7B and at the 1939 Albi Grand Prix in France he crashed the first ERA E-type.

During the 1939/45 war Arthur was briefly a Pilot officer, the termination of his commission might have been related to the brothers love of the occasional tipple of the falling down waters though the reason has not been identified.

ERA R7B, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

After 1945 Arthur Dobson found himself in “straitened circumstances” having spent his fortune and only attended three more race meetings before his death in Battersea aged just 65.

His great ERA rival B.Bira died similarly anonymously after suffering a heart attack at Barons Court tube station five years later.

ERA R7B, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

While in the care of H L Brooke between 1945 and 1948 R7B lost it’s unique chrome radiator, an item that was not restored until after P Mullins bought her in 2002.

Ken Hutchison had the 2 litre / 122 cui motor fitted in 1948/49 by Robin Jackson who was also responsible for upgrading the brakes to hydraulic operation.

ERA R7B, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

R7B was bought by current owners Ms S & Ms F Wilton in 2014 and is seen in these photographs at the start of ERA’s 80th Anniversary Celebrations at the VSCC’s Spring Start meeting the same year.

Thanks for joining me on this “As Seen On TV” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres I hope you will join me again for Mercedes Monday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Zweitakt Dreizylinder – Mitter DKW

Born to a family expelled from his birth place, Krásná Lípa in Czechoslovakia, Gerhard Mitter grew up in Stuttgart and trained as a mechanic.

Mitter, Rudolf Ernst, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

To finance his racing activities Gerhard sold DKW three cylinder two stroke engines to his fellow Formula Junior competitors.

Mitter, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

The related Wartburg and unrelated Saab 3 cylinder 2 stroke motors were also campaigned in Formula Junior.

Mitter, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

From what I have been able to establish Gerhard built his first DKW powered Formula Junior car in 1959 racing it to at least one third place finish, at the Eifelrennen meeting on the Nürburgring in July 1959.

Mitter, Rudolf Ernst, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

It would appear Gerhard sold this car to Herbert Ott for the 1960 season and built today’s featured DKW powered car for himself.

Mitter, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

From the data available it would appear Gerhard drove his Mitter (60) DKW to wins at Rottach-Egern and Berchtesgaden (Hill Climb) before switching to a rear engined DKW powered Lotus 18 with which he won the hill climbs at Freiburg, Deggendorf and Pirmasens to secure the 1960 German Formula Junior championship.

Mitter, Rudolf Ernst, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone,

Gerhard went on to win three consecutive European Hill Climb Championships driving for Porsche from 1966 – ’68 he also drove a Porsche with Udo Schütz to win the 1969 Targa Florio, three months later he was killed at the wheel of a Formula 2 BMW during practice for the German Grand Prix.

Rudolf Ernst is seen in these photo’s at the wheel of the #93 Mitter DKW at last years VSCC Spring Start meeting at Silverstone.

Thanks for joining me on this “Zweitakt Dreizylinder” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a sweet sounding Shadow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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