56 replies to this topic

[Hieronymus]

Can anyone please perhaps supply me with some detail on the British driver EDDIE HALL. I can’t find much about him on TNF or in a Google search. What I basically know is that Eddie competed in Bentleys and MGs and that he raced at Brooklands and at Le Mans.

What is of particular interest to me is the fact that he moved or briefly stayed in South Africa, where he competed in the first post WW2 motor race in that country. It was the 2nd Fairfield Handicap on 24 Jan. 1948, staged at the Snell Parade Circuit in Durban. Eddie finished 3rd on handicap and 2nd on scratch in this race in a Bentley 4,2-litre.

Some weeks later he also competed at the 4th Coronation 100 at the Alexandra Park Circuit in Pietermaritzburg. Using the same Bentley, he won on scratch and was classified on handicap.

Very little is being mentioned about his racing background in the South African press reports. They refer to him as a “British settler” and in a report of the Coronation 100 it is being mentioned that, “Eddie Hall drove consistently in the rain and obviously thought it a huge joke when he passed the troubled ERA of Basil Beall.”

I can’t find any further reference of races in South Africa where he competed in, apart from the above.

My questions then:

1) Where and when was Eddie born, date of death?
2) How successful was he as a driver, major wins, etc?
3) Was his move to South Africa only temporary, why did he go there?
4) Any other interesting background information on his life.

[RTH]

Rivers Fletcher was involved with him in this country

[Hieronymus]

Originally posted by Hieronymus
Some weeks later he also competed at the 4th Coronation 100 at the Alexandra Park Circuit in Pietermaritzburg. Using the same Bentley, he won on scratch and was classified on handicap.

...classified 5th on handicap.

Georgano's Motor Sport Encyclopedia perhaps contains some detail on Hall, but my copy is on loan, so I can't check for the moment.

[Vitesse2]

"As the years went by, balconies overlooking the circuit would become prized possessions during the five days in May when the motor racing world swept imperiously into Monte Carlo. And, for almost twenty years, a particular apartment on Boulevard Albert 1er would provide a warm welcome for the British press. Up until 1982 there would be a fight for places on the guest list of Mr and Mrs ER Hall.

Joan Hall had acted as team manager while her husband, Eddie, played the part of a highly successful amateur racing driver in the thirties. Once they had moved to Monaco not long after Eddie's retirement, Joan would use her organisational skills to mark out places on their balcony overlooking the course during race weekend.

There was rarely a spot left for Eddie. But that didn't matter. He would sit in his armchair until minutes before the start, then struggle to his feet, poke a youth - usually a distant relative - on the backside with his walking stick and tell him to answer the door. While the youngster scampered off to deal with the imaginary caller, Eddie would take the child's place on the balcony and no-one, least of all the boy, dared argue. In any case, the position would soon be vacated again. Several noisy and processional laps were usually enough for the old Titan and he would happily return to the comfort of his armchair.

Hall was never one to talk at length about the past. There was no need. The apartment was tastefully decorated with memorabilia which told of success at Brooklands and in the Tourist Trophy. There were photographs of that cheery, chubby face sipping champagne, Joan by his side. And, among the drawings by contemporary artists, one picture, by Brian de Grineau, told of a minor victory, which was to have historical significance for British motor sport as a whole. It showed Eddie Hall's supercharged MG Midget winning the very first race at Donington Park in the Midlands."

"British Grand Prix" by Maurice Hamilton, page 19

[Vitesse2]

Eddie Hall was one of the leading lights in British racing in the late 20s and 30s. He competed in every TT between 1928 and 1936, in MGs, Bentleys, a Lagonda and even an Arrol-Aster, usually finishing well up the order. His biggest win was the 1933 Brooklands 500, but I think he retired from racing here at the end of 1936, so his racing in SA must just have been for fun! Presumably the Bentley was the one he persuaded Rolls to build in 1934 and which he used to good effect in the TT, coming second three times in succession (1934-6).

Counting back from the quote above, I'd guess Eddie must have been born round about 1900?

[Hieronymus]

Nice one, Richard!

I read the following on the Internet, that Eoin Young wrote about Hall:

He and his wife Joan had an apartment at Monaco just up from the track from Roy Salvadori's which is seven floors above the grid and where we watch these days. When the Halls were in residence we watched from the windows of their front room, among all the car models and the memorabilia. On one occasion, Eddie swept everyone else out of the room with his walking stick announcing that the viewing area was for the 'British Press'!

Also the following:

At Le Mans in 1950 he refused to get out of the car during pit stops even though his co-driver was suited and booted and ready to take over. Jenks was curious to know about Eddie's toilet arrangements if he never left the cockpit for 24 hours (he finished 8th as the only driver ever to complete Le Mans single-handed). Eddie beamed at Jenks. "Green overalls, old boy!"

[Udo K.]

Marius, I have the following records of Eddie Hall between 1923 and 1950:

1923: JCC 200 Brooklands 13th October: 9th Aston Martin
1925: JCC 200 Brooklands 29th September: 14th (and last) Austin 7
1926: JCC 200 Brooklands 25th September:17th (and last) Austin 7
1930: Brooklands 500 4th October: 2nd with Dudley Benjafield Bentley
1930: TT, Ards, 23rd August: 12th Bentley 4.0
1931: Brooklands 500 3rd October: 3rd MG Midget
1932: TT, Ards, 20th August: 3rd MG Midget
1933: Brooklands 500 16th September: 1st MG Magnette K3
1933: TT, Ards, 2nd September: 4th MG Magnette K3
1933: JCC International Trophy, Brooklands (date ?? 2nd MG Magnette K3 (Formula Libre Race)
1934: TT, Ards, 1st September: 2nd Bentley 3.0 (plus fastest lap)
1935: Mannin Beg, Isle of Man (voiturette race) 29th September: 3rd MG Magnette K3
1935: JCC International Trophy, Brooklands (date?? 3rd MG Magnette K3
1935: TT, Ards, 7th September: 2nd Bentley 3.0
1936: TT, Ards, 5th September: 2nd Bentley 4.0

nothing after that until the South African results from 1947 and 1948.

Then in 1950 Hall took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and finished 8th with T. Clarke in a Bentley.
So, did he really drive the whole race alone?

[Udo K.]

Originally posted by Vitesse2
Counting back from the quote above, I'd guess Eddie must have been born round about 1900?

.. and he died in May 1982 as far as I know.

[Hieronymus]

Thanks for your help, Udo. Fantastic!

About Le Mans 1950 - if he completed the race single-handed, it must be considered a major achievement. Where are the Le Mans experts on this forum? Perhaps they'll know the answer to this one?

[Vitesse2]

Udo: the 1933 International Trophy was on May 6th. I don't have the date for 1935 to hand though.

Hall's Bentley was 3667cc in 1934 and 1935, 4250cc in 1936.

I don't think Hall did Le Mans single-handed. I have Fraichard's book, written quite close to that year, and he doesn't even rate a mention in 1950.

[Stefan Ornerdal]

From Autocar, june 30: --- Eddie Hall brought the Bentley home in 8th place single handed---

From Motor, june 28: --- results at 10 a.m. --- in 8th place Hall-Clarke --- But there is no Clarke in the results...

Road & Track, september: No sign of Tom Clarke anywhere.

"The Le Mans Story" by Georges Fraichard has E.R. Hall / T.G. Clarke as 8th in the result appendix.

I have been wondering about this for years...


Stefan

[Vitesse2]

Hmm ....

Motor Sport don't appear to have sent a reporter to La Sarthe in 1950. Their entire report, including full results, fills slightly less than a page: half of that is results, but they too seem to say that he drove solo. But of course, they probably just copied from the weeklies.

[David McKinney]

Originally posted by Udo K.
Marius, I have the following records of Eddie Hall between 1923 and 1950:

1923: JCC 200 Brooklands 13th October: 9th Aston Martin
1925: JCC 200 Brooklands 29th September: 14th (and last) Austin 7
1926: JCC 200 Brooklands 25th September:17th (and last) Austin 7
1930: Brooklands 500 4th October: 2nd with Dudley Benjafield Bentley
1930: TT, Ards, 23rd August: 12th Bentley 4.0
1931: Brooklands 500 3rd October: 3rd MG Midget
1932: TT, Ards, 20th August: 3rd MG Midget
1933: Brooklands 500 16th September: 1st MG Magnette K3
1933: TT, Ards, 2nd September: 4th MG Magnette K3
1933: JCC International Trophy, Brooklands (date ?? 2nd MG Magnette K3 (Formula Libre Race)
1934: TT, Ards, 1st September: 2nd Bentley 3.0 (plus fastest lap)
1935: Mannin Beg, Isle of Man (voiturette race) 29th September: 3rd MG Magnette K3
1935: JCC International Trophy, Brooklands (date?? 3rd MG Magnette K3
1935: TT, Ards, 7th September: 2nd Bentley 3.0
1936: TT, Ards, 5th September: 2nd Bentley 4.0

I'm fairly sure the Austin 7 driver was R E Hall, not E R Hall

[Vitesse2]

Originally posted by David McKinney

I'm fairly sure the Austin 7 driver was R E Hall, not E R Hall

The Aston in 1923 is the works car "Bunny" - would that be RE as well? The index to Boddy's Brooklands says it was ER, but I'm not sure that can be relied upon, since it gives ER as driving an Austin 7 in 1926 and RE in 1925!

[David McKinney]

No, I think it would be our Eddie in the Aston Martin
He was a well-known hillclimber throughout the 1920s, and I'm pretty sure Astons were among his mounts. I'll have a look later

[David Birchall]

IIRC, his Bentley 3 1/2 - 4 1/4, was in the Cunningham museum so is now presumably in the Collier museum. His MG K3 is here in Vancouver and has been for 20 years or so-beautifully restored to road going state but rarely seen. A single seater body came with the car but there is some doubt as to whether it is the 'original' one from this car.
David B

[GIGLEUX]

In "The Motor Year Book 1951" covering the 1950 season only the name of Hall is given in the classification of the Le Mans 24-Hour race.

[Vitesse2]

No surprise there, Jean-Maurice - I've just checked the same book! But it is remarkable that none of the contemporary press make any mention of the achievement: even more bizarre when you consider the fuss made about "Levegh" a couple of years later - and he didn't even finish!

[D-Type]

Originally posted by Vitesse2
No surprise there, Jean-Maurice - I've just checked the same book! But it is remarkable that none of the contemporary press make any mention of the achievement: even more bizarre when you consider the fuss made about "Levegh" a couple of years later - and he didn't even finish!

There is one major difference - 'Levegh' was leading the race! Similarly, Sommer won in 1932 so his 21 hours of driving gets recorded.

[Vitesse2]

Indeed. But I don't remember anyone else attempting it, let alone achieving it.

[David McKinney]

I firmly believe pre-war British racing was held back by organisers’ assistance in running races on a handicap basis. This policy certainly denied Eddie Hall the honour of winning three TTs in a row in the Bentley 1934-36, as he was fastest on scratch on every occasion (though second on handicap each time).

My first record of him is in a Bugatti in 1922-23, then the Aston Martin in 1924 and a Vauxhall 30/98 1926-30. His activities at this time were restricted almost excusively to hillclimbs, in which he was very successful. He raced on the circuits from 1928 in Lagonda, Arrol-Aster and Bentley cars, before a winning association with MGs (Midgets, K3 Magnettes and an NE Magnette) 1931-35. His last races were in 1951 in a Ferrari 340, posting retirements in both the Le Mans 24hrs and the TT at Dundrod.

[Hieronymus]

I am fascinated with all the replies.

The Le Mans solo-drive was a phenomenal feat and from the journal accounts quoted here, there seems to be enough evidence that he did the race on his own. Did AUTOSPORT perhaps have anything to say about Hall’s drive? Jenks’s question/comment to Eddie, with regards to his solo effort, is perhaps also confirmation that he did the race on his own. I doubt if he driver will claim or confirm that he drove solo, if it was not the case. Who was the “co-driver”, Clarke? Can he then be credited as a “Le Mans-driver” when it was in fact a non-race for him…?

Richard estimates that Hall was born circa 1900, so a solo drive for a 50 year old at Le Mans is no mean feat, I would say.

[Hieronymus]

Here is a photo (courtesy of Ken Stewart) that shows Eddie Hall driving his 4,2 litre Bentley at the 2nd Fairfield Handicap race in Durban, South Africa on 24 Jan. 1948.

[Vitesse2]

Originally posted by David McKinney
I firmly believe pre-war British racing was held back by organisers’ assistance in running races on a handicap basis. This policy certainly denied Eddie Hall the honour of winning three TTs in a row in the Bentley 1934-36, as he was fastest on scratch on every occasion (though second on handicap each time).

.... and in 1934 it's worth recording that he would almost certainly have won on handicap too had he not destroyed his tyres in his battle with Brian Lewis and had to stop again. Even in the rain late in the race he was still gaining on the MG of Dodson and lost by just 17 seconds after over six hours' racing. In the following two years he was slightly further behind the winning Rileys, but that's no disgrace, given that (in retrospect) the handicappers were consistently underestimating the Dixon-tuned cars.

It's also worth noting that his twelfth pace on handicap in 1930 in a Bentley improves to fifth on scratch. Slower only than the superb Alfa Romeos of Nuvolari, Campari and Varzi and the Alvis of Cyril Paul (who possibly had one of the best drives of his career to claim fourth on both scratch and handicap).

In 1932, Eddie was third on handicap in a supercharged 747cc MG Midget - the only survivor of its class. His time was marginally quicker than that recorded by Edgar Maclure in an unsupercharged Riley of twice the capacity: at the time, 750cc s/c cars were usually raced against unblown 1100s!

In 1933, Eddie came fourth on handicap and on scratch in an 1100cc MG K3. This time, he failed to win his class: but only because the class winner was also the overall handicap winner. That overall winner was Nuvolari - at the height of his powers and in a drive which was described as "safe as houses ... a proper marvel".

Tazio's time was beaten by a very small margin by Tim Rose-Richards' 2.3 litre Alfa, while Earl Howe's similar car slots into third ahead of Eddie.

In that company, you can see why Maurice Hamilton called him "the old Titan".

[Udo K.]

Originally posted by GIGLEUX
In "The Motor Year Book 1951" covering the 1950 season only the name of Hall is given in the classification of the Le Mans 24-Hour race.

In the book "Les 24 Heures du Mans - 1923-1882" published by the ACO, written by Christian Moty, Pierre Moty, Jean-Marc Teissedre and Didier Braillon, the 8th placed Bentley "Corniche" was driven by " R. Hall-T. Clarke"....

[D-Type]

Originally posted by Udo K.


In the book "Les 24 Heures du Mans - 1923-1882" published by the ACO, written by Christian Moty, Pierre Moty, Jean-Marc Teissedre and Didier Braillon, the 8th placed Bentley "Corniche" was driven by " R. Hall-T. Clarke"....

OT Just for interest did they include Ed Hugus in 1965? I would expect not as the ACO would give details as per the entry list..

[Udo K.]

Originally posted by D-Type
OT Just for interest did they include Ed Hugus in 1965? I would expect not as the ACO would give details as per the entry list..

No, he is not mentioned.

[gubulawayo]

Hi All, if anyone is still following this thread, i can dig out any mention of Eddie Hall in the various Bentley Drivers Club Reviews that I have, there are at least 12 entries listed in the index, including an obituary. Not sure there is much re his South African racing but there is mention of his 1950 Le Mans entry. Regards Wayne

[arttidesco]

Hi All, if anyone is still following this thread, i can dig out any mention of Eddie Hall in the various Bentley Drivers Club Reviews that I have, there are at least 12 entries listed in the index, including an obituary. Not sure there is much re his South African racing but there is mention of his 1950 Le Mans entry. Regards Wayne

 

Only five years late to the party but does the mention in the BDC reviews of Eddies 1950 Le Mans entry give us any clue as to wether or not he drove the race solo ? 

Edited by arttidesco, 12 August 2021 - 12:01.

[raceannouncer2003]

According this link, he did:

 

https://www.racingsp...ml?sort=Results

 

Also, the Motorsport article only mentions him as driver.

 

Vince H.

[Doug Nye]

I am fascinated with all the replies.

The Le Mans solo-drive was a phenomenal feat and from the journal accounts quoted here, there seems to be enough evidence that he did the race on his own. Did AUTOSPORT perhaps have anything to say about Hall’s drive? Jenks’s question/comment to Eddie, with regards to his solo effort, is perhaps also confirmation that he did the race on his own. I doubt if he driver will claim or confirm that he drove solo, if it was not the case. Who was the “co-driver”, Clarke? Can he then be credited as a “Le Mans-driver” when it was in fact a non-race for him…?

Richard estimates that Hall was born circa 1900, so a solo drive for a 50 year old at Le Mans is no mean feat, I would say.

 

 

Edward Ramsden Hall was indeed born in 1900, on July 17 that year.  he passed away on May 12, 1982.  In later life he and his wife Joan provided wonderful hospitality for visiting drivers, team members and especially the press at their apartment in Monte Carlo, overlooking the Grand Prix circuit.

 

Here's a lovely shot from the wonderful Revs Digital Library, taken in 1964 by George Philips of 'Autosport' and showing BRM driver Richie Ginther being shown the preserved internals of (I think) Eddie's Le Mans Bentley, by Eddie himself and his wife Joan.  Nice people.

 

 

DCN

[arttidesco]

I am fascinated with all the replies.

 Who was the “co-driver”, Clarke? Can he then be credited as a “Le Mans-driver” when it was in fact a non-race for him…?

 

 

Did not spot this earlier, there is a thread on Tom Clarke / Clark I believe Eddie's 1950 intended or possibly otherwise 1950 co driver raced a John Falkners Aston Martin Ulster at Le Mans in 1935 finishing 8th and then in 1951 he raced the Bentley 4 1/4 Paulin he shared with Soltan Hay at Le Mans which was unclassified for having covered insufficient distance.

[RobMk2a]

ER Hall competed in a Bugatti ( I assume Brescia) XK 9765 at Greenhow Hill Climb 22nd July 1922 and also 1923. 

 

Rob 

[tsrwright]

I could do with some help regarding Eddie Hall's K3 Magnette. According to material I have, the car in which Hall won the 1933 500 mile race at Brooklands was acquired by motorcyclist Eric Fernihough  about March 1936 with Robin Jackson involved in the deal. There is very little information about this in Fernihough's surviving but mainly later car racing correspondence which I have. It seems that Fernihough got the MG plus £100 for his Railton which Hall then sold for £265 meaning the MG effectively went for £165. There is some correspondence with a Jack Woodhouse in Cologne in June 1936 about Ferni racing the car on the Continent that year. For me the trail then goes cold while Ferni concentrated on the world's motorcycle speed record. Then in late 1937 he bought the Dobbs Riley and was planning seriously to race it in 1938 but was killed in Hungary in April that year.

 

I seems obvious that Ferni disposed of the Hall car and it could be a 'Supercharged K3 MG Magnette special single-seater body, just overhauled, £575' on an undated RR Jackson List of Cars for Sale which is in his papers.

 

This topic came up in a Google search for background on Hall which found a Christies auction notice in March 1999 when the car was sold for £196,602. There is no mention of Fernihough's ownership but it is said that the car was number 3016 and after the 1934 Mille Miglia it was sold through University Motors to an Australian, Lyster Jackson.

 

Pardon my not knowing anything much about MGs; can anyone add any more to the little I know about Fernihough's involvement with this car? If anyone has one a good photo would be useful for the Fernihough book which is coming along slowly but surely -  I haven't yet looked in the usual places.,

 

 

Terry Wright

[Vitesse2]

The Triple M Register has several pictures of the car - although mostly post-WW2 in Australia.

 

https://www.triple-m...chassisno=K3016

 

However, AFAIK K3016 has never been a single-seater, so the sales list is a red herring. I think Eddie owned more than one K3 as well.

 

Unfortunately, I seem to have mislaid my copy of Karl-Joachim Wiessmann's The History of MMM Competition Cars, which might have further clues ...

[Roger Clark]

According to Mike Hawke's K3 dossier:

 

Eddie Hall drove K3006 in the 1933 BRDC 500.  He raced it extensively from 1933 to 1935 when it was sold to a Mr MacArthur of Sligo Ireland.  It was fitted with a single-seater body (ex-K3015 in 1938/39.

 

Hall drove K3016 in the 1934 Mille Miglia when it was works owned.  It was sold by University Motors to Lyster Jackson of Australia.  He first competed with it in 1936.  

 

Hall also drove K3002 during 1933.  It was sold to Lane's Motors of Melbourne Australia in 1934.  Robin Jackson drove it in the 1933 Brighton Speed Trials so it might have been sold by him.

 

I couldn't find any mention of Eric Fernihough in Hawke's book.

[cooper997]

The ex Eddie Hall K3 with longtime owner/racer/race mechanic, Otto Stone on the mag cover.

 

I don't know whether Matthew Magilton, Richard Townley and Tim Shellshear frequent TNF any longer, but they might be worth asking to help join the dots with MG, Hall and Fernihough.

 

 

 

Stephen

[arttidesco]

About Le Mans 1950 - if he completed the race single-handed, it must be considered a major achievement. Where are the Le Mans experts on this forum? Perhaps they'll know the answer to this one?

 

Just treated myself to an early Christmas present Le Mans The Official History Of The Worlds Greatest Motor Race 1949-59 by Quentin Spurring. Quoted from an item reported on the 1950 race headed Solo All The Way " Wealthy Yorkshireman Eddie Hall will forever hold the distinction of being the only man ever to complete the Le Mans 24 Hours driving solo." In the results Eddie is shown as the driver alongside Tom Clarke the latter whose name appears in just discernable itallic denoting Tom did not drive the car. Good enough for me unless anyone has the pit observers notes from the race showing Tom did infact drive the car    

Edited by arttidesco, 18 August 2021 - 09:00.

[tsrwright]

Thanks for the generous responses and further information. It seems certain from the correspondence I have that from at least March 1936 until April 1937 Eric Fernihough owned K3006. For example, on13 March 1936 he wrote to  RJ 'Jacko' Jackson at Abingdon who was checking out the engine of ER Halls' 1087cc Magnette which was 'very sticky'. He had bought the car he said and would like to come and look at the engine while it was down,

 

On 8 and 14 May EF wrote to Jack Woodhouse in Cologne seeking continental race invites - from other letters I gather Woodhouse helped arrange entries for people and received a commission on appearance and prize money ... He wrote, 'This is the MG Magnette with which ER Hall scored so many successes and is reputed to be the best Magnette ever made, for road racing'. He also wrote,' This Magnette has ... been the pet of the MG works, and has been most successful, winning the 500 miles race amongst other big events, 3rd in the International Trophy here last year, very successful at Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, for which it still holds the sports car record ...  holds the record ... for Craigantlet ...'

 

On 28 May 1936 Eric received a telegram from PRAESDAC Berlin offering 350 Reichmarks appearance money for the Eiffelrennen but he couldn't accept because he was 'mechanicing' at the IoM TT for Cotton motorcycles. In 18 June there was a letter from Robin Jackson who had been to see Hall and resolved a problem about his commission on the transaction.

 

K-J W has K3006 in the hands of AP MacArthur at Bangor on 20.6.36. However Adam has pointed out to me that the Formula Libre Black Book shows Macarthur competing in a KN Magnette, not a K3 during 1936.

 

At this point I checked further in to the material I have and found these two items:

• Thomson and Taylor receipt dated 6 April 1937 'Received from E C Fernihough 1 K3 Magnette with spare parts as per invoice.'
• Carbon copy of invoice, hard to read but it does say 'One racing Magnette, late property of ER Hall ... sold for £400 less 10% as agreed NETT £360 E.F.

The Black Book has MacArthur in K3006 at Cork on 22.05.37 so I guess that all makes sense. Any references to the car in Ireland in 1936 must be wrong.

 

I don't even have a photo of the car and wonder about K-J W saying of  K3006 '3/34 New AIACR body and fuel tank fitted.TT body fitted to K3016. I know what the AIACR is but what is the AIACR body? Was it a single seater ?

 

Still on MGs but slightly off topic, can anyone direct me to a photograph I have seen somewhere but cannot now find of Goldie Gardner on the autobahn at Frankfurt 1937 and what looks like Ferni standing beside him?

 

Terry

Edited by tsrwright, 19 August 2021 - 05:48.

[Michael Ferner]

I don't even have a photo of the car and wonder about K-J W saying of  K3006 '3/34 New AIACR body and fuel tank fitted.TT body fitted to K3016. I know what the AIACR is but what is the AIACR body? Was it a single seater ?

Could be AIACR minimum body dimensions, as in different to TT. Also, I would suggest that "PRAESDAC Berlin" was probably shorthand for Präsident des Automobil Clubs von Berlin, i.e. President of the Berlin AC.

[Vitesse2]

'AIACR body' presumably refers to the rule in the International Formula that cars' bodywork - whether a single-seater or two-seater - had to measure at least 85cm wide and 25cm high at the cockpit. This measurement is specified in both the 1934-37 and 1938-40 formulas.

 

K3006 pictures at Triple M: https://www.triple-m...chassisno=K3006

[Vitesse2]

Could be AIACR minimum body dimensions, as in different to TT. Also, I would suggest that "PRAESDAC Berlin" was probably shorthand for Präsident des Automobil Clubs von Berlin, i.e. President of the Berlin AC.

Great minds think alike?

 

I think you're probably partly right on the telegram too, although as it refers to the Eifelrennen rather than Avus I'd suggest it's Präsident Deutsches Automobil Club. Berlin would just indicate the sender's location. In the days when telegrams were a way of doing business there were printed directories of registered telegraphic addresses - in Britain it was Sell's Directory, but presumably there was a German equivalent.

[cooper997]

I've just opened a folder of liberated pages (not by me) from early The Autocar and The Motor.

 

A (Friday) March 25, 1938 dated page with "Enthusiasts Gather" heading with "The Inter-varsity Speeds Trials at Syston Park" shows various photos.

 

The Fernihough example states...

"Third fastest

The first appearance with a racing car of the famous  motorcycling Eric Fernihough was at last Saturday's trials. His unsupercharged Riley made third fastest time of the day. Fernihough was at Cambridge."

 

 

Stephen

[tsrwright]

Great minds think alike?

 

I think you're probably partly right on the telegram too, although as it refers to the Eifelrennen rather than Avus I'd suggest it's Präsident Deutsches Automobil Club. Berlin would just indicate the sender's location. In the days when telegrams were a way of doing business there were printed directories of registered telegraphic addresses - in Britain it was Sell's Directory, but presumably there was a German equivalent.

Yes, I think that is right. Ferni had a number of telegrams from this address advising of autobahn closures for records.

 

T

[tsrwright]

I've just opened a folder of liberated pages (not by me) from early The Autocar and The Motor.

 

A (Friday) March 25, 1938 dated page with "Enthusiasts Gather" heading with "The Inter-varsity Speeds Trials at Syston Park" shows various photos.

 

The Fernihough example states...

"Third fastest

The first appearance with a racing car of the famous  motorcycling Eric Fernihough was at last Saturday's trials. His unsupercharged Riley made third fastest time of the day. Fernihough was at Cambridge."

 

 

Stephen

Thanks Stephen I may have the report but not a good copy. If there is an original page with a pic of the Riley could you please do a good scan of the photo and email me tsrwright@gmail.com

Edited by tsrwright, 20 August 2021 - 11:42.

[tsrwright]

'AIACR body' presumably refers to the rule in the International Formula that cars' bodywork - whether a single-seater or two-seater - had to measure at least 85cm wide and 25cm high at the cockpit. This measurement is specified in both the 1934-37 and 1938-40 formulas.

 

K3006 pictures at Triple M: https://www.triple-m...chassisno=K3006

I can see and read that post-war it was definitely single seater and also read that a single seat body was fitted 1939 from K3015.

 

I am just trying to find out what form it was when Eric had it in 1935-6. I'll try Shelsley as that was the last place Hall ran it I believe.

[Jagjon]

I can see and read that post-war it was definitely single seater and also read that a single seat body was fitted 1939 from K3015.

 

I am just trying to find out what form it was when Eric had it in 1935-6. I'll try Shelsley as that was the last place Hall ran it I believe.

In the early 1980's a friend of mine bought the ex Eddie Hall  - Lovell-Butt  MG K3  from Ireland /Eire  & I have some photos of it on my trailer as it was brought to Holyhead.

I believe it was sold to an MG collector in  Canada  so it may well have been restored to sports car later.   As it stood in about  1982  it was a single seater in blue  body red wheels  & had some JCB stickers on it so presumably raced in a VSCC event number 6 in a roundel.

If anyone wants a photo send me email as I long since gave up trying to post photos on here.  

 

I just looked at the Triple M register photos & it is 3006  the car in the  PDWelch collection now back to 2 seat body.    The photos  I have are identical to the car in 1952 as raced by Lovell-Butt.

I have side on, from rear, from front & a cockpit view.

Edited by Jagjon, 24 August 2021 - 13:47.

[tsrwright]

Still looking for a picture I can publish of the (ex) Eddie Hall MG K3006 as a single seater either before or after Eric Fernihough owned but didn't race it March 1936- April 1937 approx. I see there are 15 boxes of Eddie Hall papers at the Beaulieu museum but there is no chance of me having a look.There are pictures online that have been suggested eg at Craigantlet 1948 but they are not of useable quality. Any offers appreciated via here or email tsrwright@gmail.com.

Edited by tsrwright, 26 February 2023 - 07:05.

[john winfield]

Interesting thread.  Tsrw, can't help you I'm afraid, but now I know something of 'ER Hall', a name I only recognise from the trophy awarded at late season Brands Hatch F3 races in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

[tsrwright]

Still looking for a small usable picture of the ex Fernihough ex Hall MG K3006 in single-seater form probably in Ireland 1937 onwards. I have one that may be it at Craigantlet 1948 number 35; there are a lot of pics from that meeting online which I could use but I don't know which car is which. Could somebody please have a look at https://gallery.jalb...r/album/1114911 and tell me if they can identify the car? Or does somebody have a programme and can tell me the number that year? I have the hillclimb 'black book' but it only lists the championship contenders. Many thanks.

Edited by tsrwright, 01 April 2023 - 04:44.