15 replies to this topic

[Sharman]

Those of you who were beyond the mewling and puking stage in the late,late, 50s up to the 70s will remember Albert and his Mk1 Jaguar. I have recently stumbled on the fact that he was responsible for other cars too. As he has now gone from us does anybody know his antecedents, his works and if there are any traces left behind in the shape of family or records?

[D-Type]

Any idea of what country he raced in or where he might have been based?

[David McKinney]

The United Kingdom

[Mistron]

The Mk1 Jaguar was featured in one of the UK classic car magazines a couple of years ago, along with a short biography of the driver

[sterling49]

I saw Albert race the Jag a few times, not sure now, but I think it was green in colour?

[Sharman]

I saw Albert race the Jag a few times, not sure now, but I think it was green in colour?

Two tone!

[sterling49]

Ah yes, now I remember, I could never imagine one in a showroom in the colours he used

[petestenning]

He used to drive it on the road to the circuits, i was always being overtaken by the Jag on the way to Snetterton often.

[Tim Murray]

There are a few Richard Styles photos of the car on the 'Snetterton memories' thread, posted by Andrew Kitson:

Saloons on the grid, August 1968. On pole Roger Taylor, Terry Croker's Anglia, Albert Betts' Jag then the Minis of Dave Cuff and Terry Harmer.

Albert Betts' Jaguar, June 1969

Albert Betts in 1970..a regular at Snett with his two-tone Jaguar, now owned by Don Law.

[Gregor Marshall]

5th April 1964

10th April 1964 Autosport - "Stalking AW Betts class-winning Jag 3.4 is Gerry Marshall's cheeky Newtune Mini Cooper. Marshall had a frustrating time overtaking the Jag into the corners and then being re-passed along the straights"

I'm sure I have a few more but good to see he kept the same Jag going.

[Sharman]

I have found that Albert had a partner, Bryan Austin and the business in Clapham was contimued by Albert's son Paul. I also gather that AB prepared Mk11s and Etypes for clients, Any memories jogged, or maybe Bryan Austin and Paul Betts are within the ken of the forum?

[Allan Lupton]

I have found that Albert had a partner, Bryan Austin and the business in Clapham was contimued by Albert's son Paul. I also gather that AB prepared Mk11s and Etypes for clients, Any memories jogged, or maybe Bryan Austin and Paul Betts are within the ken of the forum?

Well in 1995 Paul Betts in an Jaguar XK140 must have raced at Silverstone because my records include a (not very fast) time for him that year.

[Sharman]

Well in 1995 Paul Betts in an Jaguar XK140 must have raced at Silverstone because my records include a (not very fast) time for him that year.

Thank you Allan i will look to see what I can find. my informant tells me that Albert and Bryan did a number of projects for clients including putting Corvette engines into both e types and Mk 11's. My particular interest in Albert's creations is E Type Registered E141 which was once owned by a friend and then passed to Reg Woodcock. The current owner has asked for my help in establishing its life before 1974. I believe it was a race car from the 60s onwards. Are there any photographs to substantiate this.

[Sharman]

I have now found that the E Type E141 was built by Albert in the 1960s, so far as I can ascertain its original Racingowner was Brian Spicer who was a surgical instrument manufacturer. I have found a photograph showning the car along with others at Snet in 1969. Brains wracked please.

[Sharman]

I have now found that the E Type E141 was built by Albert in the 1960s, so far as I can ascertain its original Racingowner was Brian Spicer who was a surgical instrument manufacturer. I have found a photograph showning the car along with others at Snet in 1969. Brains wracked please.

It goes on. There is a photograph of E141 in company with about 50 other Es taken outside Bill lyons office in 1961, this makes me think that these were possibly dealer cars as the chassis number I have is 850066, which means that almost the whole of E Type production to that date is lined up. I am trying to access Jaguar factory records but am meeting with difficulties, the obvious place to go would be Jaguar Heritage but there seems to be a particular problem there, I was told to shut up and listen. When I asked did replacement E Type Tubs have a chassis number, the "expert" said "I don't know" and I got the impression that he wouldn't tell me even if he did know.
There are numerous photographs of the car in road going form and in "marque racing mode".
The trail leads me from Brian Spicer who first shows in 1965 and was still racing the car in 1969 (any later offers) via John Harper to Bill de Selincourt followed by Reg Woodcock, then to Pearson Engineering and on to the present owner.
Any thoughts on earlier life and who first took delivery?

[Sharman]

No apologies for bumping.
New information tells me that Albert drove the E at Thruxton does anybody have confirmation of this?