8 replies to this topic

[TallGraham]

Hi
Ive just joined up and I was hoping somebody may have any information or be able to point me in the direction of any info on Jim/Jack Cardwell who raced in Kenya in the 1950/60's,Im especially interested in a Porsche 356 Carrera he raced,and in which,I believe he won the east African GT championship.
The reason being I have been restoring the car at my workplace as one of our own projects and we have a large amount of history on the car but most is after he owned it,it has been raced all its life ending up in the hands of John Lucas and campaigned by his daughter Caroline.
Any pointers on who to contact and any pictures of the car and Jim/Jack would be great

[David McKinney]

Welcome TG

I suggest you locate the 'search' button at the top of the forum main page and check for "cardwell kenya"

It will bring up three earlier threads

[D-Type]

I can confirm he was Jim Cardwell not Jack Cardwell

There was never an East African GT championship. There was an East African track driving championship - Jim Cardwell never won it, but his wife Lucille Cardwell won it in 1960 and 1961 and was 2nd in 1962 driving a Porsche Spyder, I think it was a 1500RS rather than a 1500RSK.

You could try visiting the Vintage and classic car club of Kenya website and e-mailing all the contact names. One of them may be able to help.

Edited by D-Type, 22 September 2010 - 22:34.

[LotusElise]

Jim Cardwell was mainly a rally driver. I'm not sure whether he rallied a Porsche, but it doesn't ring a bell.
Lucille, his wife, as mentioned earlier, was also a regular competitor and probably featured in your car's history somewhere. She often navigated for her husband.

[D-Type]

Nobody would have rallied a Porsche 356 on 1950's or even 1960's East African roads. They simply didn't have enough ground clearance. As an indicator, when they tried a GT class in the 1960 Safari, it attracted only two entries - a TR3 and a Fiat Abarth - neither finished. The 911's which came later were extensively modified and the real "car breaker" sections weren't used by then.

Edited by D-Type, 14 June 2011 - 22:12.

[LotusElise]

Nobody would have rallied a Porsche 356 on 1950's or even 1960's East African roads. They simply didn't have enough ground clearance. as an indicator, when they tried a GT class it attracted only two entries - a TR3 and a Fiat Abarth - neither finished. The 911's which came later were extensively modified and the real "car breaker" sections weren't used by then.

Didn't think so. I've seen those Safari 911s and they look like they're on stilts compared to a normal 911.

Jim Cardwell rallied Datsuns, a Mercedes and a VW Beetle.

[TallGraham]

Thanks for your replys and help,I have a few details and pictures of its early life ,I will scan and post them when I can,when it came to the UK in the 70's it raced a bit,but was best known racing in the Porsche open championship,by which time it was in pearlesent white with Fuchs alloys and a singing VW Type 4 motor!
Thanks again for the info,I willpost back in a day or so with some more info.

[Milan Fistonic]

At Duncan's behest I have checked through my Nakuru programmes and found the following entries for Mr & Mrs Cardwell.

December 21 1958

Race 3, 9 & 10 - Car No 2 - Mrs L. Cardwell - Porsche Spyder 1498cc - C.J. Manussis entrant

Race 6 & 7 - Car No 43 - Mrs L. Cardwell - Porsche Carrera 1498cc - W.J. Cardwell entrant

Race 7 & 9 - Car No 11 - N.J. Thomas - Porsche 1600S 1582cc - W.J. Cardwell entrant


December 10 1961

Race 4 & 8 - Car No 10 - Mrs L. Cardwell - Porsche Spyder 1498cc - W.J. Cardwell entrant

Race 4 & 8 - Car No 11 - G. Elvers - Porsche Carrera 1498cc - W.J. Cardwell entrant

Race 11 - Car No 11 - G. Elvers & Mrs L. Cardwell - Porsche Carrera 1498cc - W.J. Cardwell entrant

Race 11 was a 10 lap race for Touring and GT Cars with a pit stop and driver change after 5 laps.


March 4 1962

Race 4, 8 & 11 - Car No 10 - D. Lead - Porsche Spyder 1498cc - W.J. Cardwell entrant

[D-Type]

I can confirm he was Jim Cardwell not Jack Cardwell

There was never an East African GT championship. There was an East African track driving championship - Jim Cardwell never won it, but his wife Lucille Cardwell won it in 1960 and 1961 and was 2nd in 1962 driving a Porsche Spyder, I think it was a 1500RS rather than a 1500RSK.

You could try visiting the Vintage and classic car club of Kenya website and e-mailing all the contact names. One of them may be able to help.

Having now received copies of Milan's 3 Nakuru programmes (many thanks), I see that my memory is at fault. In addition to the track Driving Championship, there was also a GT Championship some years eg 1961 and 1962 but not 1958.

Edited by D-Type, 15 December 2013 - 22:31.