83 replies to this topic

[nicanary]

The Formula 5000 on the 'French' site shows a Lotus 43 which Ken converted not the Nike Mark 5- outside Hopkins garage near the Meddon Street workshop- as I am his daughter have the original photo(s)- one of only 3 Lotus 43 I believe & converted for Robs Lamplough. When Reg Gubbins collected for Robs he ordered a Nike Formula 5000 Mark 5 only one built so the US version could only be this one exported- see my new post re Nike info required for a register if you can help..

Thanks very much - your help is much appreciated. The enigma is resolved.

[CAROLE1]

 

A beautiful rear view of the Mark 6...

 

 

The FF Nike mk6 on track during the Speed trophy in Belgium 2014 (Pic by Patoc Photography)

Thank you- lovely pictures will keep you posted on full register as it progresses

Regards

[TonyClarke]

I have photos of my Nike FF 1600 in 1977 and have been trying to upload photos without success. Can anyone help me out and explain how to get them on the forum?  Also have photos of the Hermes cars I built with chassis by Ken Nicholls.

[CAROLE1]

Thank you to everyone who has contacted me on forum & by personal message- having trolled through more of Dad's records I have uncovered 135 customers some more detailed than others.. Have put together list so far of 106 cars- had forgotten the 16 chassis which dad built for Elden dispatched to them from 17/10/71- 20/4/72 complete kits of chassis frames, pedals, pedal boxes, bushes etc.

Don't think Elden ever credited him for this contribution but I believe they used various sub contractors for parts & then assembled the cars in Dartford- would welcome any info on any surviving cars photos/histories whatever if anyone has anything they can contribute the chassis numbers run from NE132-NE147 with an original prototype NE120 pos- don't know if they will be stamped with numbers.

Still have no details on F3 Nike Mark 11 of which 2 were built in 1971- monocoque with tubular engine bay & orthodox double wishbone suspension as described- if any one has fallen over one?

Otherwise the other Marks are coming together history wise & have photos of many of the individual cars over time with various owners. Mum & I are going to embark on the full accounts search soon going back to the beginning of Nicholls Eng & Dev Ltd which may uncover more details- but these are archived in the loft & will take some sorting so still all info gratefully recieved- helps to complete the picture.. 

Regards

[CAROLE1]

Hi Carole,

It's amazing what you can find out at the touch of a button !  The US Navy decommissioned the Londoinderry base on September 30, 1977. At that time it was the oldest US Navy facility in Europe !

RY

Sorry Richard- should have checked out myself- Ron actually left about 1972 returned to Baton Rouge Louisianna took the car back and sold it to another man there- but as far as I know is now in Colorado- or was in 1996- Thanks for your reply anyway..

[JimLarkin]

Carole1, sorry for the loss of your father. Creating a register of the Nike cars is a great idea.  Hope the following information helps a little.  I am racing a Nike 6NF 04 04 70.9.  I have owned this car since 1977.   For many reasons I did not get this car to the track until two years ago.  We have raced this car eleven times in the last two years. The car has finished each race it has been entered in.  The car and the driver are getting faster each outing. We finished second in the Club Ford class of the Midwestern Council Sports Car Club this last season. This club is located around Chicago, Illinois USA.  I would appreciate any information you have on this Nike race car. I will send pictures of the car soon.

[JimLarkin]

[StephenM]

Carole1,

In response to the posting on 6th March regarding the Mk2 sports racer you're looking for, it may be the car I bought as a rolling chassis in the late 70's. I've tried sending an email with some photos directly to you. If you've not received it, please let me know at maddalena@tiscali.co.uk.

Edited by StephenM, 11 April 2015 - 12:06.

[CAROLE1]

Carole1, sorry for the loss of your father. Creating a register of the Nike cars is a great idea.  Hope the following information helps a little.  I am racing a Nike 6NF 04 04 70.9.  I have owned this car since 1977.   For many reasons I did not get this car to the track until two years ago.  We have raced this car eleven times in the last two years. The car has finished each race it has been entered in.  The car and the driver are getting faster each outing. We finished second in the Club Ford class of the Midwestern Council Sports Car Club this last season. This club is located around Chicago, Illinois USA.  I would appreciate any information you have on this Nike race car. I will send pictures of the car soon.

Jim, Thank you for the info nice to know another Nike is racing- there are several in the States Mark 4 & 6 (& pos the Mark 5 too but she was not an original export). Apart from knowing she was one of the original (Baker imports) I don't know much more- but if you have owned since 1977 she was only 7 then as the serial no gives the manufacture date (the 6NF should be 6NE standing for 'Nicholls Engineering' but thats a mute point). I'm glad you are enjoying her & dad would be chuffed that shes still operational..

If you fall over any other Nikes let me know- I appreciate that the USA is a big country but know of cars that were & still pos are in Arizona, Colorado, Calafornia, Michagan & Georgia- so spread about..

Your photo posted seems to have foreshortened- is it possible to re-post? Or could you e mail direct to me carole.nicholls@mkl.co.uk so I can add to the growing album of photos I am amassing

Regards

[CAROLE1]

Carole1,

In response to the posting on 6th March regarding the Mk2 sports racer you're looking for, it may be the car I bought as a rolling chassis in the late 70's. I've tried sending an email with some photos directly to you. If you've not received it, please let me know at maddalena@tiscali.co.uk.

Recieved thanks & have sent you back original shots of the Mark 2 to compare chassis' & see if we have a match- looks plausible- although may be a Mark 7- as there were 15-20 of those & only one Mark 2..

[StephenM]

Carole,
Many thanks for the photos. I can readily see how the Mk2 with its original bodywork made a very pretty car. Unfortunately, it’s chassis and suspension are very different from mine.
Your reference to Don Tremaine did however prompt me to do an internet search and I consequently found this piece of nostalgia at http://www.newquayau...rnie-vid-01.htm . If you’ve not already discovered it, you’ll find a reference in the article to his success with the self built Nimrod Special as well as the mention of a John Waters at Launceston as its “present” owner. Hopefully the caption was written fairly recently and that its Newquay Auto Club author can point you in the right direct to find him and “your” car.
With your suggestion that mine might otherwise be a Mk7, do you have any drawings or images of that type? Incidentally, as I live near Bristol and occasionally spend weekends near Camelford, I would also be very interested if there is another remaining example to compare with in the South-West. Meanwhile, I’m also trying to locate the original Autosport advert for my questionable Nike, which I’ll copy to you as soon as I hopefully find it.
Kind regards,
Stephen Maddalena

[CAROLE1]

Thank you for all your info- checked out site- will have to contact John Waters & see if he still owns Mark 2 (the article was 2009 so possible).

Mark 7s came in a variety of shapes & sizes- very much built to customers specifications & although some became sports racers- others are auto grass & one even became a road car I believe- so dependant on bodywork & powertrain the chassis were built to suit applications as requested- so no definitive shape or size- I'm afraid!

If you dig out original ad I may be able to work out ownerships past/present!

Regards

[CAROLE1]

Jim,

Thank you for the latest picture recieved- the car looks fab & I hope you & her continue to improve on the racing front!

Regards

[CAROLE1]

To everyone out there am now actively searching for a Nike Mark 4/6 to go racing myself as I can think of no greater tribute to Dad- he would be wryly amused & it would be a final fitting chapter to the whole NIKE story.

If anyone hears of a car for sale- please let me know- am seriously planning this next adventure & have sold my old Ferrari Mondial to at least part fund this..

Waiting in anticipation- of post!

Carole

[Rupertlt1]

To everyone out there am now actively searching for a Nike Mark 4/6 to go racing myself as I can think of no greater tribute to Dad- he would be wryly amused & it would be a final fitting chapter to the whole NIKE story.

If anyone hears of a car for sale- please let me know- am seriously planning this next adventure & have sold my old Ferrari Mondial to at least part fund this..

Waiting in anticipation- of post!

Carole

 

To bring this story up to date: I was at a wet Wiscombe Park yesterday (1 August 2021), chatting to Carole1  — Carole Nicholls, #153 Nike Mk4, yellow. She said the car was found in France where it had been circuit racing, and returned to the UK (presumably since 2015).

I can't add much but this from Autosport, 27 November 1969, Page 54:

NIKE

Type No: Mk 6

Wheelbase: 7ft 6ins

Track front and rear: 54 ins

Price of rolling chassis with Hewland Gearbox: £1,000

Optional extras: None

Manufacturer: Nicholls Engineering & Development Ltd., 35 Meddon Street, Bideford, Devonshire

There is an accompanying photograph, with a much beefier single-seater in the background — wide centre-lock wheels, naca duct etc. Can supply to interested parties.

There was talk of a book/register — what is the state of play?

 

NIKE — '71 Formula Ford, SCCA

specs, 1600 cross flow engine, few

spares, new tires. Doug Hyde, 260-

0838.

The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) Sunday 20 Feb 1972, Page 157

 

RGDS RLT  

Edited by Rupertlt1, 02 August 2021 - 06:24.

[Tim Murray]

Carole’s beautiful little Nike at Llandow in 2019.

[Rupertlt1]

Found some stuff I posted in another place:

 

We had a call from Nicholls
Engineering in Devon last week
to remind us that the Lotus
42B which Bill Brack will be
driving in early F5000 rounds
was converted from assymetric
suspension at the Nicholls work-
shop and the bulk of the
conversion work was the Devon
company's responsibility. Nich-
olls became known last season
principally for the Nike FF,
which is now in production
mainly for export to the USA,
and this year there is the Nike
F5000 for Reg Gubbings.
Motoring News, 20 Mar 1969

Crash at Lime Rock, 31 Aug 1969?

Frank (sic) Nicholls has informed
us that the Nike FF is still in fact
in production and six cars were
exported to the United States last
year. In addition to the work on
their own cars, the Bideford firm
have done work for McLaren
Racing, Roy Lane, and Robs
Lamplough.
Motoring News, Jan 14, 1971

 

See also:

 

https://forums.autos...dpost&p=9050231

 

https://forums.autos...dpost&p=9029424

 

Charlie Gwinnell, believed to be a garage proprietor of Penhale Motors, Fraddon (1963); FTD Davidstow sprint, Sunday 20 June 1965, Cooper-J.A.P. 1,100 c.c.,  56.8 sec, from Roche, Cornwall. The Nike-Porsche sounds intriguing?

 

https://forums.autos...ke#entry9089374  

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 02 August 2021 - 09:16.

[Rupertlt1]

You may be right re Series start date but- I have taken info from Dad's notes & photo with 1965 on back showing '1st ever Formula Vee race Silverstone' which the Nike Vee raced in- perhaps they trialled at a meeting at Silverstone prior to official 1st Season? The protype car is definitely pre 1967 before Dad moved us & Nicholls Eng to Devon & his notes state built in 1965. The photo shows a line up of 5 Formula Vee cars numbers starting at 252- so backing up my theory that it may have been part of a bigger meeting? I couldn't have guessed the info without Dad's notes as I was only 3 at the time. There is another photo which I have recently had developed from old 120 negs showing the Nike solo & a mini moke style bike is sportinga 'D' suffix reg plate in the background (1966). The other 5 kits he sold after Jeff's car were supplied either as chassis only or with moulds made in fibreglass from original ali body- shes a pretty beast. His notes stated he had moved onto FF by 1967 due to scarcity of Vee parts & prototype Mark 4 was built in 1967 to back this up. As a self confessed anorak perhaps you may be able to trace 1 or more of these cars- if not written off or converted into something else by now? Workshop photos Devon 1967 show bare chassis (one of later kits?) with Mark 2 in background- this had been sold by then unless had returned for mods or repair..

I'm sure you are much more knowledgable re Vees but pretty sure Dad's notes are accurate- he was usually precise..I will see if we have an old programmes for Silverstone races on file to confirm Vee race existence in 1965 (pos 66)- it looks to be summer meeting from the clothes being worn. Please advise if you uncover any further evidence & thank you for replying- all info gratefully recieved..

 

The first Formula Vee race in England was billed as follows:

 

BRITISH AUTOMOBILE RACING CLUB

SUNDAY SILVERSTONE

18th JUNE

FORMULA 3, SPORTS, SPECIAL G.T. RACES

B.A.R.C SALOON CAR CHAMPIONSHIP RACES

FRED. W. DIXON MARQUE RACES

FORMULA VEE

(FIRST FORMULA VEE RACE IN GREAT BRITAIN)

PARACHUTE JUMPING

FREE FALL DISPLAY BY

THE RED DEVILS

Birmingham Daily Post, Friday 16 June 1967, Page 4

 

Formula Vee had been running in the USA since 1960 so it is possible that cars were being made for export prior to 1967.

Does anybody have the entry list for Silverstone, 18th June 1967? (21 cars were entered.)

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 02 August 2021 - 15:56.

[barrykm]

Carole’s beautiful little Nike at Llandow in 2019.

 

Indeed, a super-looking car, and with a great story behind it 

Edited by barrykm, 03 August 2021 - 04:16.

[Rupertlt1]

Croft Autodrome, Nottingham Sports Car Club, Sunday 17 September 1972

Ford Drivers

in good form

By DAVID WILLIAMS

"Formula Ford drivers

kept alive a rather tame,

but bitterly cold meeting

at Croft Autodrome

yesterday."

"Peter Harrington (Cougar)

won a very hard-fought

Formula Ford race by a

comfortable margin after

Doug Bassett (Nike) spun.

Interest then centred on

the battle for second, third

and fourth places, eventually

resolved in favour of

Darlington driver John

Simpson (Lotus), ahead of

Bassett and Peter Clarke's

Crossle. But a postage stamp

could have covered all three

at the finish."

Newcastle Journal, Monday 18 September 1972, Page 3

 

Doug Bassett was from Nottingham.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 03 August 2021 - 08:12.

[Rupertlt1]

Mallory Park, Rothmans Formula 5,000 European Championship Meeting, Sunday 18th June 1972

Formula Ford (10 laps)

1. D. Bassett (Nike) 10-11.2

2. K. Bailey (Titan)

3. F. Sytner (Merlyn)

Daily Mirror, Monday 19 June 1972, Page 27

 

Surely a high spot in the history of Nike? Did Doug Bassett have the fastest lap and record?

 

79.51 m.p.h.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 03 August 2021 - 15:15.

[Rupertlt1]

Croft Autodrome, Nottingham Sports Car Club, Sunday 28 April 1974, wet

"JOHN SIMPSON (1600c.c. Nike Mk 10) won the Formula Ford "B" race at Croft last Sunday to become the first local driver to win a Formula Ford event at Croft this season."

"He clocked an average speed of 72.32 m.p.h."

Pictured car #52.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle, Saturday 4 May 1974, Page 15

 

Results — Formula Ford first race: 1. Duncan Hall (Hawke) average speed 67.12 mph 3. Allan Wilson (Elden): 3. Danny Campbell (Hawke)

Formula Ford second race: 1. John Simpson (Nike) 2. Mick Starkey (Merlyn) 3. Mike Wrigley (Hawke)

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 03 August 2021 - 12:15.

[Rupertlt1]

Snetterton Whitsun Cup Car Races, BRSCC, Monday 26th May 1969

#60 Barrie Jackson, Nike, 1598

 

Oulton Park, Les Leston Trophy Meeting, BRSCC, Saturday 5th July 1969

#134 Barrie Jackson, Nike Mk IV - Healey, White

 

Mallory Park, Guards Holiday F5000 Car Races, Monday 25 May 1970

#47 Amp of Great Britain Limited (dvr: Lou deMarco) Nike Mk. 6, 1600

 

Silverstone, Super Sports 200, BRDC, Sunday 21st May 1972

#60 Douglas Bassett, Nike Mk 6-B.R.M., 1600 Blue

 

RGDS RLT

[arttidesco]

Sorry I cannot add anything in terms of information but here are a couple of pics :-



Carole1 in her Mk4 at Shelsley Walsh in 2019 ....



and Peter Hannam, consulting his settings, with his Mk6 at a Castle Combe test day in 2016.

[Gary C]

Interesting. Both the cars in the above pics have a completely different exhaust configuration than on the car I had.

[Rupertlt1]

Interesting. Both the cars in the above pics have a completely different exhaust configuration than on the car I had.

 

Gary, Did you ever discover the history of the car that you restored?

 

RGDS RLT

[Gary C]

Partly. From Ken I found out that it was shipped brand new at the end of 1969 to Chicago I think (will have to look it up). It was a Mark 4, chassis 6. I bought from an estate sale in Chicago so I don't think it moved around much during it's life. It had it's SCCA number stamped into the chassis but when I contacted them to try and get some history they were singularly unhelpful, never had a proper reply from them. Once I had dismantled the car on it's return to the UK I took the chassis down to Ken for a little remedial work and he confirmed that it had never been in an accident and that all the welding was his still. In regard accidents, I put that right at Silverstone a couple of years later!

[Gary C]

This was the first page I put up on my old website over 20 years ago!
http://www.users.glo...e_pix/index.htm

[Rupertlt1]

Partly. From Ken I found out that it was shipped brand new at the end of 1969 to Chicago I think (will have to look it up). It was a Mark 4, chassis 6. I bought from an estate sale in Chicago so I don't think it moved around much during it's life. It had it's SCCA number stamped into the chassis but when I contacted them to try and get some history they were singularly unhelpful, never had a proper reply from them. Once I had dismantled the car on it's return to the UK I took the chassis down to Ken for a little remedial work and he confirmed that it had never been in an accident and that all the welding was his still. In regard accidents, I put that right at Silverstone a couple of years later!

 

Gary, I have contacted Joe Cali, SCCA Archival Assistant, International Motor Racing Research Center, Watkins Glen, New York. I'll see what I can find. Where is the car now?

 

RGDS RLT

[Gary C]

It's still in the UK, I sold it about 8 years ago now.

[Rupertlt1]

It's still in the UK, I sold it about 8 years ago now.

 

Do you have a driver name from Michigan?

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 04 August 2021 - 08:51.

[Gary C]

No, absolutely nothing.

[Rupertlt1]

Nike (GB)

Like many who came early to the FF manufacturing

business, engineer Ken Nicholls' first car (named for

the winged Greek goddess of victory) was a front-en-

gined Formula Junior. The Bideford (later

Holsworthy), Devon-based firm also built a few sports

racers and Formula Vees before completing its first FF

(co-designed by Nicholls and Mark Erwood), the Mk4,

in '68. Subsequent models were the Mk6 ('70), the

Mk10 ('71-'74), Mk10B ('75-'76), and Mk10C ('77-

sometime in the early '80s).

Early Nike models exported to the U.S. were

called Bakers while the Nike frames were used in the first

Tony Clarke-designed Hermes.

Anatomy & Development of the Formula Ford, Steve Nickless, 1993, Page 105

 

For the Clive Baker FF see:

 

https://forums.autos...5/#entry9435634

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 24 August 2021 - 11:44.

[Rupertlt1]

Thanks for the info- mum has since found another note book of Dad's and this confirmed Ron bought from HC Folts (my uncle) who was also in the UK with the US Navy- so presumably took back to US as you suggest as in 1994 I have record/pics of it's then current owner in Colarado- pos still with him?

It was a Mark 4 (1969) FF- Do you know when the base closed in Londonderry- just out of interest?

Regards

 

See: https://forums.autos...6#entry10478658

 

#51 note from 1968: https://www.progcove...alace680803.pdf

 

Any more information re Hal Folts?

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 14 January 2024 - 08:06.