Tag Archives: Lloyd

Unchained – Mercedes Benz W114 / W115

In 1968 Mercedes Benz launched the midsize W114/W115 series which was to feature an all new chassis, distinguished by it’s semi-trailing rear arms and ball-joint front end suspension that would replaced the low-pivot swing axle and king pin/double wishbone front suspension dating back to 1945, on all new models until the introduction of multi point suspension in the 1980’s.

To keep things simple the W114 series were all powered by six cylinder motors and marketed as 230, 250, and 280 models according to engine size while the W115 series were all powered by four cylinder engines and marketed as 200, 220, 230, and 240 models, the exception being the five cylinder 3 liter / 183 cui OM617 Diesel 300 introduced in 1974 which counts among the W115 series vehicles.

Unchained, Mercedes Benz, W114/W115, Mercedes Benz World, Brooklands

The design was over seen by Chief Engineer Paul Bracq and was available as a 4 door saloon or attractive 2 door pillar less Coupe, a W115 220D pickup was also available in Argentina which had it’s own W114/W115 assembley line for a brief period in the 1970’s.

In 1974 the W114/W115 series received a face lift that included the ribbed tail lights to minimize occlusion of the tail lights with road dirt, US variants included unique sealed beam head lights and a variety of different bumper styles which thanks to the 1974 Department of Transport (DOT) 5mph impact edict grew significantly for the last two years of US spec production from 1974 to 1976.

Unchained, Mercedes Benz, W114/W115, Mercedes Benz World, Brooklands

Over 1.8 million W114/W115 series were manufactured in Germany, South Africa, Portugal, Venezuela and Argentina, the ultra reliable W114 / W115 saloons were and in some places still are, particularly popular among cab drivers.

In 2004 Greek Cabbie Gregorios Sachinidis donated his 1976 240D to the Mercedes-Benz Museum Collection after it had clocked up over 2.8 miles / 4.6 million kms, including 2000 trips from Greece to war torn former Yugoslavia where it served a medical support vehicle, to become the highest mileage Mercedes Benz known to date.

Unchained, Mercedes Benz, W114/W115, Mercedes Benz World, Brooklands

North Carolina born artist Geraldine O. Lloyd rescued the 1975 US spec W114/W115 4 door saloon, seen here at Mercedes World at Brooklands, from the scrap heap in 1994.

Over the next ten years her courage, strength and unbridled will to live helped her transform the car into the artwork “Unchained” as she battled cancer and transformed herself from empty-nester to world renowned artist.

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

Share

Bird’s Wyedean Win – Wyedean Forest Rally

On Saturday I popped over to the Forest of Dean to see the 40th Weir Engineering Wyedean Forest Rally for which 175 entries had been received.

The Wyedean started and finished at Chepstow Race Course and was run over 8 stages making a total of 43.42 stage miles that were linked by 98.37 road miles.

MG ZR, Gemmell, Beebe, Blaze Bailey, Wyedean Rally,

This was the first Rally I had been to since the 1985 Lombard Race Rally, during the course of the day I visited two stages the 3.26 mile Blaze Bailey on the eastern edge of the Forest of Dean near Soudley and 6.02 mile Mailscot near Staunton on the western edge.

Above co driver Matt Beebe directs enthusiastic spectators in their efforts to get driver Richard Gemmell and his MG ZR out of a mud trap that saved the car from a couple of hundred foot drop into an abyss on the last corner of the Blaze Bailey stage, the #243 crew recovered to eventually record a 100th place finish from the 120 crew’s who made it back to Chepstow.

Mini Cooper S, Lewis, Fife, Mailscot, Wyedean Rally,

Unfortunately I was not party to any radio communications during the event which made it impossible to follow what was going on in terms of positions and stage times so today’s blog will be limited to photographs of the winners of the 5 classes which split into a total of 16 sub classes each with a winner along with an overall winner.

The historic class was divided into four, winners of the H1a Class were Peter Lewis and Paul Fife in the 1963 #255 Mini Cooper S, seen above in the Mailcot Stage.

Datsun 240Z, Easson, Reynolds, Blaze Bailey, Wyedean Rally

Back in 1971 and 1973 Datsun 240 Z’s driven by Edgar Hermann and Shekhar Mehta respectively won the gruelling East African Safari Rally proving the model was no flimsy boulevard cruiser.

It was therefore perhaps no great surprise that Jeremy Easson and Mike Reynolds won class H2b on Saturday with their #53 240Z built in 1974.

Mazda RX7, Scannell, Stevens, Blaze Bailey, Whedean Rally,

Nowhere near as noisy as it’s circuit racing siblings was the 1979 #48 Mazda RX7 crewed by class H3b winners Jake Scannell and Adrian Stevens which like the #53 Datsun is seen on the Blaze Bailey stage above.

Ford Escort RS1800, Elliot, Price, Blaze Bailey, Wyedean Rally,

The Ford Escort in MkI and MkII guises was a rallying staple through out the 1970s, winning the 1970 World Cup Rally in MkI form and the 1979 World Rally Championship in MkII form.

The #24 Escort RS1800 Replica above crewed by Nick Elliot and Dave Price won the H4 category and as we shall see was one of three MKII shelled Escorts to win awards on Saturday, the #24 started life as a far more mundane 2 door Ford Escort Popular.

Nissan Micra, Quinn, Carmen, Mailscot, Wyedean Rally,

Three classes were run for the Rally First starter series for novice crews running production cars with a few basic competition safety features.

The RF 1.0 class for cars running motors of no more than 1 litre / 61.5 cui was won by the 2001 #260 Nissan Micra S crewed by Nick Quinn and Neill Carmen seen above on the Mailscot Stage.

Volkswagen Polo, Handford, Davies, Blaze Bailey, Wyedean Rally,

Morgan Handford and Richard Davies took top honors in RF1.4 despite taking the longest route around the final corner of the opening Blaze Bailey stage in their 1999 #236 Volkswagen Polo 1.4 16V.

Volswagen Polo GTi, Smith, Houldsworth, Mailscot, Wyedean Rally,

Top starter class RF1.6 honours were taken by Mick Smith and Calvin Houldsworth driving their 2001 #220 Volkswagen Polo GTi seem above on the Mailscot Stage.

MG ZR, Riddick, Riddick, Mailscot Wyedean Rally,

The BTRDA kick Start 1400 series is run in two classes for slightly more sophisticated cars than the Rally First vehicles, but with tightly controlled stock restricted specifications on motors and suspensions.

Winners of Class 1400 C were the Scotish pair Keith and Mairi Riddick in their 2001 #227 MG ZX.

Vauxhall Corsa, Bennett, McNeil, Blaze Bailey, Wyedean Rally,

The slightly more liberal 1400 S class was won by #201 Vauxhall Corsa crewed by David Bennett and Alistair McNeil seen above on the Blaze Bailey stage following a much better line through the final corner than the #236 RF1.4 class winning VW Polo.

Ford Fiesta ST, Cook, Jones, Mailscot, Wyedean Rally,

Group N is an internationally recognised production based category that allows only safety modifications and a free choice of electronic control unit (ECU) for the motor, the success of the category can be judged by the fact it has remained largely unchanged since it’s inception in 1982.

Winners of the Group N3 class for vehicles with motors up to 2 litres / 122 cui on Saturday were Geno Cook and Ryan Jones who drove the #66 Ford Fiesta ST seen above in the closing gloom towards the end of the final Mailscot Stage.

 Mitsubishi EVO IX, Thompson, Murphy, Blaze Bailey, Wyedean Rally,

Russ Thompson and Andy Murphy won the over 2 litre / 122 cui Group N4 class driving the #10 Mitsubishi Evo IX seen on the Blaze Bailey Stage above.

Peugeot 205 GTi, Lloyd, Roberts, Mailscot, Wyedean Rally,

The top five classes, B10, B11, B12, B13 and B14 cater for a range of specialised vehicles which must retain FIA crash tested type body shells, which precludes the use of space / tube frame specials.

Winners of the up to 1600 cc / 97.6 cui B10 class were Thomas Lloyd and Sherrin Roberts in their formerly Grey 1987 #60 Peugeot 205 Gti running with non period LED fog lights.

Ford Escort Mk II, Elsmore, Harrold, Mailscot, Wyedean Rally,

Graham Elsmore and Stuart Harrold won the first three Wyedean Rallies from 1975 to 1977, the pair were also British Group One, similar to Group N, champions in 1977 and competed for works Ford, Triumph and Vauxhall teams in to the 1980’s.

They were loaned the #32 Ford Escort Mk2, seen hanging it’s tail out on the Mailscot stage above, by event sponsor Rob Weir, Graham and Stuart repaid Rob’s kindness with an up 2 litre / 122 cui class B11 victory.

Ford Escort Mk II, Phelps, Manuel, Blaze Bailey, Wyedean Rally,

Over 2 litre / 122 cui B12 class honours were won by the #61 Ford Escort Mk2 crewed by Tim Phelps and Elwyn Manuel, their car is powered by a 2.4 litre / 146 cui motor who’s origin I was not able to determine during the course of the event.

Mitsubishi EVO IX, Elsmore, Edwards, Mailscot, Wyedean Rally,

Graham Elsmore’s son Nik is a proper chip off the old block, he was 1999 BRTDA Gold Star champion and shared the #21 Mitsubishi Evo IX above with Matt Edwards to finish 5th overall and win the B13 class for vehicles over 2 litres / 122 cui with four wheel drive.

Ford Fiesta ST, Payne and Williamson, Mailscot, Wyedean Rally,

The events Press officer Andrew Haill kindly explained that despite finishing behind 2 other B14 competitors James Payne and Carl Williamson driving the #3 Ford Fiesta ST above on the Mailscot stage were awarded the top honours in class B14 because the top three overall finishers are excluded from class awards.

Ford Focus WRC 07, Bird, Davies, Blaze Bailey, Wyedean Rally,

Clear overall winner of the 40th Weir Engineering Wyedean Forest Rally with five stage wins and 3 second fastest times was 2005 ANCRO National champion Cumbrian Paul Bird and his Welsh co driver Aled Davies driving his 2007 #1 Ford Focus WRC.

Paul, the head of Paul Bird Motorsports who run PBM Moto GP and British Superbike teams, has finished 2nd twice on this rally before was thrilled to win the event at the third time of asking.

Paul finished last season with two straight rally victories, which has now become three and he will be looking to make it four on the Malcom Wilson Stages Rally on March the 7th.

If you have never seen a forest rally in person I can heartily recommend it, your fellow spectators are unfailingly friendly, kids seem to love the sport, one six year old on Saturday managed to detain his Dad on the stages for many hours beyond the original two Dad had planned for the visit and most National Forests in the UK can be visited for free, though there maybe charges for car parking, as for example the reasonable £6 being charged for Forestry parking on the Mailscot Stage.

Thanks for joining me on this “Bird’s Wyedean Win” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at King Richards ’67 Plymouth Belvedere. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Prototype Family Restoration – Allard Palm Beach MkII #72/7000Z

At the 1956 Earls Court Motor Show Allard showed today’s featured car, the prototype Palm Beach Mk2, seen in these photo’s displayed by the Allard Owners Club at Silverstone Classic.

Allard Palm Beach Mk II, Allard Owners Club, Silverstone Classic

External differences from the original Palm Beach included hidden door hinges and vents behind the front wheels and more comprehensive grill ornamentation.

Allard Palm Beach Mk II, Allard Owners Club, Silverstone Classic

Internally the four cylinder motor option was dropped and a Jaguar six cylinder was available to complement the base models 120 hp Ford Zephyr six cylinder motor as fitted to the prototype.

Allard Palm Beach Mk II, Allard Owners Club, Silverstone Classic

In November 1956 today’s featured car was registered for the road and used as a demonstrator and later by Allard Motor Companies Brian Howard. In 1969 it was sold to the Hemsworth family where it remained until 2012.

Allard Palm Beach Mk II, Allard Owners Club, Silverstone Classic

The car, one of just six MkII’s built upt o 1958, was offered for restoration to Sidney Allards son Alan and grandson Lloyd having not turned a wheel since 1976 and being kept outside for several years.

Allard Palm Beach Mk II, Allard Owners Club, Silverstone Classic

Two years on and the restoration of the aluminium bodied prototype Palm Beach Mk II is complete with Lloyd Allard having been credited with doing most of the dirty work.

During the restoration a resurrection of Allard has also taken place now known as the Allard Sports Car Company with the initial aim of manufacturing a continuation Mk III Palm Beach and continuation Cadillac powered JR as raced at Le Mans in 1953 and through out the USA in later years.

Thanks for joining me on this “Prototype Family Restoration” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you’ll join me again for bank holiday Maserati Monday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Perfect Car For A Wedding #7 – Ford Escort Mexico

Today’s Ford Escort is has a multipurpose history going back to 1973 when it was built along with 19 others for Motor Circuit Developments (MCD) to take part in an ad hock celebrity series of races.

Ford Escort Mexico, Oulton Park, Gold Cup

The Ford Escort Mexico was a not so limited edition special built to celebrate the success of Hannu Mikkola driving FEV 1H, which I looked at last week, and his team mates in the 1970 Daily Mirror World Cup Rally that covered 16,000 miles in 25 days.

Ford Escort Mexico, Oulton Park, Gold Cup

Built at Ford’s Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) plant in Aveley Mexico’s came with a strengthened competition spec unitary body shell known as the type 49, by all accounts a much copied item these days. The Mexico like FEV 1H was powered by the Kent cross flow motor albeit only the 1600 cc / 97 cui version with an 8 valve head which produced 96 hp.

Ford Escort Mexico, Oulton Park, Gold Cup

Ford of Britain and John Webb of MCD introduced the idea of celebrity racing in 1970 inviting pro’s and celebrities alike to race Ford Capri’s which helped broaden the appeal of motor racing well beyond seasoned anoraks like your truely. When I was first taken to a race meeting at Brands Hatch in 1973 Ford were promoting the 3 litre / 183 cui Ford Consul GT executive saloon in celebrity races, round the world yachtsman Chay Blyth winning on that occasion.

Ford Escort Mexico, Oulton Park, Gold Cup

For the 1974 season a batch of 20 Celebrity Escort Mexico’s, all registered in 1973 was upgraded at AVO to racing spec with a safety cage, three point harnesses on both front seats, battery cut off switch, fire proof rear bulkhead with the only concessions to performance being uprated Bilstein dampers and RS 4 spoke alloy wheels.

Ford Escort Mexico, Oulton Park, Gold Cup

This particular Celebrity car is known to have been driven to a win by Radio and Television presenter Noel Edmonds. Lella Lombardi, Tony Lanfranchi, Patrick Neve and Richard Lloyd also drove XNO272L through the course of the 1974/1975 seasons.

Ford Escort Mexico, Oulton Park, Gold Cup

After it’s celebrity racing career was over MCD director John Webb took the car over and used it until the early 1980’s, even used it on his wedding day. For a period during the 1980’s this car was kept in storage until it was dusted off and put on display. John sold the car in 1990 and the current owner acquired it in 1992 since when he has used it on classic car tours, holidays with an occasional sprint and hillclimb thrown in for good measure.

Thanks for joining me on this ‘Perfect Car For A Wedding #7’ edition of ‘Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres’ I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I will be marking the 500th edition of ‘Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres’ with a look at a Kurtis. Don’t forget to come back now !

PS Just noticed that according to the WordPress Post Counter this is my 500th blog. I’d like to sincerely thank everyone who has contributed to, followed and especially recommended what has become the GALPOT journey of discovery.

Share

The Super Hugger – AJ Rivers Simoniz Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Replica

Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Castle Combe TB

While I was whizzing up to Castle Combe in the teaming rain a couple of weeks ago, I went flying past a rumbling cloud of spray that turned out to be this Chevrolet Camaro like the one once owned by former saloon car driver and race team owner Richard Lloyd.

Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Castle Combe TB

It turns out the wide tyres were having trouble cutting through the water lying on the motorway and the Chevy was aquaplaning at speeds far lower than those I was travelling at in my borrowed Kia Picante with skinny tyres.

Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Castle Combe TB

This is an early second generation 1970 Camaro,

Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Castle Combe TB

fitted with a 5700cc / 350 cui V8 rated at 360 hp as part of the

Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Castle Combe TB

Z28 performance package, a peak in the story of muscle car performance which with the onset of the 1973 fuel crisis would never be matched in the remainder of the 20th century.

Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Castle Combe TB

The Chevrolet Camaro Z28 had a successful career in British Saloon Car racing, Frank Gardner used one to win the 1973 British Saloon car championship outright.

Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Castle Combe TB

For 1974 the British Saloon Car Championship was open to vehicles in a much lower state of tune known as Group 1 regulations and several Camaro’s and one Plymouth Barracuda fought for top class honours, some of the Chevy’s including one run by Richard Lloyd, if I remember correctly, ran with either a 7 litre / 427 cui or a 7.4 litre 451 cui motor.

Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Castle Combe TB

Back in 1973 while Richard was still running his car with a 5.7 litre / 350 cui motor he was scheduled to run in an event called the Avon Tour of Britain, that went round the entire country taking in races at many of the best circuits, rally stages and even a drag strip.

Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Castle Combe TB

Richard fell ill prior to the event so he drafted in his team mate from the Spa 24 hours, up and coming British Grand Prix driver, James Hunt into the Simoniz Camaro at the last minute, James promptly ended up walking away with the victors trophy.

Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Castle Combe TB

The car seen here is a replica of Richard’s AJ Rivers entered car that was built up for the 2005 Tour Britannia a mini Avon Tour of Britain for mostly historic vehicles.

Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Castle Combe TB

Richard and his former entrant Alan Rivers competed in the Tour Britania from 2005 – 2007, but in 2008 Richard lost his life in a tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of several other well known figures from British Motorsport.

Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Castle Combe TB

In memory of his friend Alan Rivers used the car one last time in the 2008 Tour Britania, before it was acquired by Stuart Scott and Steve Wood.

Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Castle Combe TB

Stuart and Steve have entered this vehicle in every Tour Britannia since,

Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Castle Combe TB

clocking class wins in 2010 and 2011.

Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Castle Combe TB

Stuart hopes to take the Camaro to the Historic Festival at Lime Rock CT in September.

Thanks for joining me onto day’s Z28 edition of ‘Gettin’ a lil psycho on tyres’, I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow when I’ll be going Dutch. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Three Time Winner – McLaren Offy M16

09 07 03 022sc

The McLaren M16 was designed by Gordon Coppuck in 1970 and took essential design queues from the Lotus 72, that was dominant in Formula One, including the chisel nose and side mounted radiators.

09 07 03 023sc

On it’s Indy debut in 1971 M16’s of Revson, Donohue and Hulme qualified 1st, 2nd and 4th for the 500, the race was won by repeat winner Al Unser with Peter Revson coming home a career best 2nd. Mark Donohue driving for the private Penske team said of the M16 that it “…obsoleted every other car on track…” and proved it with a win in 1972.

Image343sc

In 1973 Johnny Rutherford, seen driving the M16C/5 here at Goodwood Festival of Speed, took pole position again in his works M16 though the Eagles of Johncock and Vukovich Jr took first and second in the race that was called early due to rain. The following season driving the same car Rutherford started 25th on the grid and went on to win the first of his three Indy 500’s.

Indy75 022s

Photo Ed Arnaudin

In 1975 Rutherford drove the #2 Gatorade M16E/1 qualifying 7th and coming in second.

Indy75 005s

Photo Ed Arnaudin

Lloyd Ruby drove the #7 Allied Polymer Group M16E/2 qualifying 6th and finishing 32nd in 1975 and in 1976 Rutherford dominated the Indy 500 with a victory from pole in this ex Ruby chassis. Cliff Hucul raced this same car at Indy from ’77 – ’79 qualifying a best 18th in ’79 and finishing a best 22nd in ’77.

Indy75 009s

Photo Ed Arnaudin

Bob Harkey seen in the #33 Dayton Walther M16C/2 here in 1975 qualified 23rd for the Indy 500 and after 18 laps handed the car over to Salt Walther who’s own M16 had experienced turbo failure after 2 laps. Salt was flagged in 10th at the conclusion of the rain affected race. In 1976 David Hobbs nade his fourth and final Indy start in this car starting 31st and finishing 29th.

In 1978 Jerry Karl modified M16C/2 fitting a Chevrolet stock block motor, Karl made three starts in ’78, ’80 and ’81 recording best start positions of 28th in ’78 and ’80 and a best finish of 14th in ’78. This car still fitted with a Chevy stock block but now with orange #15 bodywork as used by Peter Revson resides in the Matthew Collection.

My thanks to Steve Arnaudin for scanning his Dad’s photographs and to everyone who contributed to the M16 thread on The Nostalgia Forum for providing the chassis details.

Hope you have enjoyed today’s chisel nose edition of ‘Gettin’ a lil’ psycho on tyres’ and that you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share