13 replies to this topic

[Morris S]

Hi folks,

 

Can anyone identify this (Italian) hillclimb ? Even better would be the date and the entrant/driver ?

 

 

This (Cooper Car Co) car was also the works entry at Sebring in 1965 being raced by Paddy Hopkirk and Warwick Banks on that occassion.

 

Many thanks

 

Pete

 

 

[275 GTB-4]

Hmmmm ...John Rhodes and Warwick Banks were the works drivers in that period....maybe contact the Heritage Group at Gaydon?

Edited by 275 GTB-4, 16 October 2013 - 22:22.

[D-Type]

Was this the period when selected hillclimbs were qualifying events for the European Touring Car Championship in addition to races?  That would explain the entry of a works Mini-Cooper and narrow the field down to qualifying events.

[Roger Clark]

In 1964, three hill-climbs were included in the European Touring Car Championship: Mont Ventoux (14 June), St Ursanne-les-Rangiers (23 Aug) and Timmelsjoch (13 Sep). Cooper entered Warrick Banks (1000cc) and Julien Vernaeve (1300cc). One of the cars was number 116 at Mont Ventoux.

Edited by Roger Clark, 19 October 2013 - 17:56.

[Roger Clark]

One of the cars was number 116 at Mont Ventoux.

And the other was 101 so it's not that.

[Morris S]

Thanks for your efforts so far chaps. I have a gut feeling it's Italy, I also have a feeling it may have been an ex works car by this time in the hands of a privateer (certain things on the car point to this). I've had a suggestion of Bolzano-Mendola as a venue , I realise there's not much to go on but does it look familiar to anyone ?

[Jean L]

In my files I have at Bolzano-Mendola 1965

n°122 Günther Insam  Austin Mini-Cooper S

n°126 DNA  Giovanni Marini Lancia Fulvia

n°128 Giuseppe Ossola  Alfa Romeo Giulia

[h4887]

4th July 1965: Insam was 7th in class and 59th overall.

[Morris S]

So if it was Gunther Insam , what do we know about him ? Anything ?

 

One coincidence is that Bolzano Mendola was a round of the world sports car championship in 1965 where 'VPK' was a works entry in the supporting 'sedan' race. Maybe it was sold on to a sports car competitor after the race ? BMC were known for selling competition cars after overseas races as it was usually more economical to sell them than bring them back. The '67 Sebring works Mini was also sold on after the race, U.S competitors were particularly keen to procure cars sent over to race from the UK. Steve Neal's '64 Arden racer also ended up in the U.S and is now being restored in Canada.

We're still assuming this is Bolzano Mendola 1965 but it's highly likely considering car 126 behind is a Lancia Fulvia !

[Tim Murray]

Full results here:

 

http://wsrp.ic.cz/wsc1965.html#14

 

Note that, as Jean said above, the Lancia Fulvia #126 was a DNA.

[bill p]

................. it's highly likely considering car 126 behind is a Lancia Fulvia !

 

 

Looks like an Alfa Romeo Guilia saloon to me

[Morris S]

Yes it does,  Could it be car 128 of Ossala ?  Just to confuse matters car 122 is entered as an Austin whilst 'VPK' is clearly a Morris Cooper S.

[azavagli]

But - if they are starting in your photo - why does not appare the n. 124 Roiatti with Morris Cooper S (at the arrive 44° and 3° of class) but the Alfa Romeo ?

[275 GTB-4]

Yes it does,  Could it be car 128 of Ossala ?  Just to confuse matters car 122 is entered as an Austin whilst 'VPK' is clearly a Morris Cooper S.

Morris, with your name you should realise just how easy it is to change an Austin Mini Cooper into a Morris Cooper and vice versa....just badge engineering.