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Ecurie Cinque


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#51 Dick Willis

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Posted 06 January 2014 - 10:50

September 2009, Tasmania, Jim Robson, stepson Mark and the current owner of the Stewart MG.

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Had a card from Jim at Christmas, he is still going well in Tassie and looking forward to his 98th birthday soon.



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#52 blktbs04

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Posted 06 January 2014 - 11:21

Thanks Ray, so tell me re your sentiment about the Marina motor we think it may be seized, in your opinion what would be the most desirable replacement? I was thinking about dropping an MG motor in to keep it in the spirit of what Gordon would have done. Oh & no I'm not going to put a VW motor into it ;-)

#53 Dick Willis

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Posted 07 January 2014 - 01:52

Gordon told me he used the Marina motor simply because he happened to have one, it helped of course that it was from the BMC/Leyland family. If you want to make the car more like the Stewart MG there would be a lot more things that would need changing though.



#54 blktbs04

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Posted 07 January 2014 - 02:06

Hi Dick thanks yes we suspected that as it was Gordon's last build that it was probably a matter of using what was at hand. I love what you have done with the Stewart MG it looks fantastic! how familiar are you with my car? 



#55 Dick Willis

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Posted 07 January 2014 - 03:04

I am quite familiar with your car, see previous posts on this thread.



#56 275 GTB-4

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Posted 07 January 2014 - 23:09

For those who are unfamiliar with the car behind Ecurie Cinque, following is it's history in brief ;

The Stewart MG, also well known as the Wheeler Fortune, was built by Gordon Stewart of Sydney and his helpers in the early 1950's to the order of chemist Mr. Les Wheeler at considerable expense. It was noted for its revolutionary and advanced design with its highly modified MG TC engine located behind the driver and all independent suspension by Morris Minor torsion bars. Its sleek alloy body featured a cut down MG radiator shell on its long nose.

Its first competition appearance was at Mt. Druitt in 1955 and it raced there and at Bathurst and Orange in 1955/56 in the hands of Les Wheeler. Frustrated by reliability problems and on advice from his bank manager Les handed the car over to Gordon Stewart who continued to develop and race it. From 1957 to 1964 the Stewart MG was a regular competitor at NSW races and hillclimbs but because of the rapid pace of development of racing cars in that period, great success eluded it. Highlights however were clocking 142 mph at Bathurst in 1957 and lapping in 2.58.9 there in 1963, fastest ever by an MG special at that time, in all it appeared at Bathurst 14 times.

As several MG TC engines had been destroyed by 1957 an MGA engine was then fitted along with a supercharger and the car has continued to use this power source ever since.
Gordon moved to Coffs Harbour in 1965 and the car finally achieved some success there in local hillclimbs taking an FTD in 1971.

With the popularity of historic racing in the late 1970's Les Wheeler again took over the car and attempted to run it at the 1979 Amaroo historic meeting with Gordon Stewart driving but various problems prevented it from racing. Shortly afterwards Bernie Leimeister then of Dapto learnt that the car could be for sale and bought it with the intention of racing it and taking it with him when he moved to Queensland and later passing it to his son, Dean. However neither had even started the car but fortunately kept it intact and under cover but by 2007 it was really quite tatty and in need of a full strip down and rebuild.

Late in 2007 I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase this famous old car and subsequently gave it a full rebuild to its 1960 format. Since 2008 it has made several appearances at Historic meetings and hillclimbs but, true to its reputation, it has yet to display its full potential.


Hi Dick, someone close to EQ said to me that car was blue with a "proper grill" before it was red. Cheers, Mick

#57 Dick Willis

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Posted 08 January 2014 - 08:55

Mick, time for you to do some revision, have a look at posts, 5,6,7,8,9,23, 37,43 on this thread.



#58 ellrosso

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Posted 08 January 2014 - 08:58

One from Bathurst mid 50's.5327_C_Bath_55_zpsc64fe0fb.jpg



#59 275 GTB-4

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Posted 09 January 2014 - 04:21

Mick, time for you to do some revision, have a look at posts, 5,6,7,8,9,23, 37,43 on this thread.

 

Thanks Dick for setting me some homework.... :up:  but it was more about the "proper" grill remark

 

edit: private message sent  :)
 


Edited by 275 GTB-4, 09 January 2014 - 08:11.


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#60 Dick Willis

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Posted 24 February 2015 - 10:08

With many references to Jim Robson.plus pics,on this thread I regret to report that Jim passed away in Tasmania last Sunday after a short illness. He had recently turned 99, having had a most interesting career as previously detailed.



#61 Ray Bell

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Posted 24 February 2015 - 12:47

Max told me last week that Mark had been in touch and said Jim was near his last...

What a loss this is, a man of great strength of character and devotion to the sport.

#62 GMACKIE

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Posted 24 February 2015 - 19:35

Sad news indeed. R.I.P. Jim.



#63 rms

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Posted 24 February 2015 - 20:29

The commitment of Jim, Paddy, and Mark to the continuance of Silverdale hillclimb was absolutely selfless.

 

Rest well, old mate.