82 replies to this topic

[RobMk2a]

Snetterton Scott Brown Trophy Meeting 

23rd July 1961

 

Event Four 

 

2 Blue Speedex Ltd JE Marsh Marcos GT 996cc 

6 Yellow Huddersfield MRT John Mitchell Marcos Saloon GT 997cc Reserve 

7 Blue Jack Gates Marcos GT 997cc

10 Blue JG Sutton Marcos GT 997 cc

 

Rob 

[Rupertlt1]

Snetterton Scott Brown Trophy Meeting 

23rd July 1961

 

Event Four 

 

2 Blue Speedex Ltd JE Marsh Marcos GT 996cc 

6 Yellow Huddersfield MRT John Mitchell Marcos Saloon GT 997cc Reserve 

7 Blue Jack Gates Marcos GT 997cc

10 Blue JG Sutton Marcos GT 997 cc

 

Rob 

 

Snetterton, Stanley Sears Trophy Meeting, May 14, 1961

8-lap sports car race

"Sutton and Gates gull-wing door Marcos G.T.s an impressive third and fourth"

 

So what is the car of Jack Gates?

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 15 January 2020 - 23:57.

[Rupertlt1]

"At the end of the season the car was sold to a

customer in London on behalf of Barry [Filer]. That customer

— who'd better remain nameless! — promptly

crashed it while driving it on the road. It was returned

to the Bradford-on-Avon works for a

comprehensive rebuild. It remained there for two

years waiting for the customer to pay the bill. It was

duly collected, however, in about 1966, and that was

the last Jem saw of it — or so he thought.

A little while later Jem was browsing around Chris

Lawrence's premises in Astwood Mews when he saw a

peculiar shape underneath a tarpaulin. On investiga-

tion it proved to be the ex-Stewart car. It still wasn't

totally complete since its accident, but all the parts

were there. Jem bought the car there and then for

£250, and it was then stuck away in his garage at home

until 1976."

Classic and Sportscar, November 1984, Page 76

 

This account points to 'G 128' being away from the racing circuits 1963-1976/7.

 

We are left with the question did Diggory drive it pre-registration in 1960?

There are only three sightings (so far) of Diggory with a Marcos:

Oulton Park, Saturday, 23 July 1960 (with Marsh, Moss; #61 with cycle wings)

Oulton Park, Saturday, 1 October 1960 (entry for Costin, DNS)

Snetterton, Sunday 8th October 1960 - with Ford motor. Identified as #164 earlier in this thread.

See: https://forums.autos...n/#entry7407612

Could Diggory have been #104 at this event? The Marcos in the background of the photograph could have retained the number from the last event of 1960?

There is no evidence to connect Diggory with 'G 128' (and what we know to date suggests no connection).

Were Costin/Diggory shaking a car down for a Scottish customer? The jury is still out.

 

RGDS RLT   

Edited by Rupertlt1, 16 January 2020 - 18:23.

[Rupertlt1]

Ouston, 18 June 1961

Grand touring

1st— G.W. John (Marcos GT) 13m 32.8s

2nd— W. A. Thompson (Lotus Elite)

3rd— J. Wakefield (A.C.)

 

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[RobMk2a]

Snetterton, Stanley Sears Trophy Meeting, May 14, 1961

8-lap sports car race

"Sutton and Gates gull-wing door Marcos G.T.s an impressive third and fourth"

 

So what is the car of Jack Gates?

 

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Jack Gates - 150 BTM

 

https://historicmarc...er.com/150-btm/

[Rupertlt1]

Oulton Park, Lancashire and Cheshire Car Club, Saturday 27 May 1961

Practice day

"The qualifiers in the half

hour high speed trial in which

drivers were required to cover

a pre-determined distance were

J. R. Normanton (Austin) of

Hale; D. G. Milk (Lotus) of

Cheadle; C. A. Pashley (Simca)

of Manchester; R. G. Aldridge

(Marcos) of Luton, and P. T.

Middlehurst (Austin A40) of

Wigan."

Liverpool Echo, Saturday 27 May 1961

 

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[Rupertlt1]

At least one Marcos ran at Boxing Day Brands, B.R.S.C.C., 26 December 1960: #79, Marcos GT, registration 8853 JH.

Was it the only one?

 

There is also a #133 Marcos at left here:

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

Diggory ran at Oulton Park, B.A.R.C., 18th March 1961, in his Cooper Monaco - did he enter/drive the Marcos also?

 

RGDS RLT 

Edited by Rupertlt1, 16 January 2020 - 20:11.

[RobMk2a]

133At least one Marcos ran at Boxing Day Brands, B.R.S.C.C., 26 December 1960: #79, Marcos GT, registration 8853 JH.

Was it the only one?

 

There is also a #133 Marcos at left here:

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

Diggory ran at Oulton Park, B.A.R.C., 18th March 1961, in his Cooper Monaco - did he enter/drive the Marcos also?

 

RGDS RLT 

 

 

Brands Hatch Boxing Day 1960 Event 1 Grand Touring and Production Sports Car Race 

79 Speedex Ltd Dvr J Marsh Marcos GT 997 - however line against the entry in programme DNS? 

 

Brands Hatch 1st August 1960Event 1 The Wrotham Trophy 133 Speedex Limited Dvr WF Moss Marcos GT 997 

 

Oulton 18th March 1961 Event 3 7 lap handicap race B No. 67 Julian Sutton in a Marcos Ford 997 Blue 3rd place best lap 2:13 on lap 6. 

Edited by RobMk2a, 17 January 2020 - 22:07.

[Rupertlt1]

I have but will check. 

Bill Moss Marcos Brands Hatch 1st August 1960

Julian Sutton in a Marcos Ford at Oulton 18th March 1961 

 

Do you have the race # for Sutton?

 

Was the Diggory Marcos painted, like the Diggory-Gwyniad FJs, a "creamy yellow colour with a black stripe running down the middle of them"?

Certainly looks like it in the pics.

 

Like this car here: https://classicmarco...hn-mitchell.jpg

 

Driver John Mitchell: https://www.racingsp...itchell-GB.html

 

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Edited by Rupertlt1, 16 January 2020 - 23:42.

[cooper997]

That's a great piece of 1960 Snetterton film history Rupert has added to post 50. Thank you for that.

 

In a totally unrelated ferret through the 29/3/68 issue of Autosport yesterday, I ended up looking in the classifieds and found the Barnet Motor Company, aka London TVR Centre advert lists the following amongst their stock. I have no idea on which car, but may as well be recorded here.

 

"Gull-wing Marcos Ford. Fitted fully modified Ford engine, twin Webers, etc. This is an ideal beginner's race car, or can be used on the road. First class condition mechanically. Can be yours for     £385"

 

Stephen

[Rupertlt1]

Oulton Park, Saturday 10 June 1961

"In the seven-lap race for

cars up to 1,000 c.c. Michael

Jackson was again the winner.

E. J. B. Mitchell in a Marcos

was disqualified for having a

push start."

"Notable absentees were the

Gwyniad and Monaco cars

belonging to Jim Diggory, of

Wrexham."

Liverpool Echo, Saturday 10 June 1961

 

This is the first appearance for John Mitchell in a Marcos that I can find.

 

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Edited by Rupertlt1, 17 January 2020 - 00:27.

[Rupertlt1]

Nurburgring 1963:

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=BUNv-D3y97o

 

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[bradbury west]

At least one Marcos ran at Boxing Day Brands, B.R.S.C.C., 26 December 1960: #79, Marcos GT, registration 8853 JH.[/size]
Was it the only one?[/size]


Diggory ran at Oulton Park, B.A.R.C., 18th March 1961, in his Cooper Monaco - did he enter/drive the Marcos also?

RGDS RLT[/size]

The programme entry shows only the one Marcos, as above. Interestingly there is also a TVR Grantura 1216cc For Mrs M L Wheeler.

I was at the March 61 Oulton opener, and if memory serves me aright, John Hine was there in a Marcos, the first I had seen as a callow youth, and possibly John Mitchell, whom I always recall from his garage in Honley, Huddersfield., and Jonspeed mods.
I had hoped to have been more forthcoming but my programmes ex the DRW team , via friend of Geoff Oliver, only covered the races where Geoff Oliver raced, rather than Jack Murrell. I was generously loaned the BRSC Northern programmes some years ago, but only scanned the covers and the entries for my own preferred marque. With hindsight I should have scanned all the pages. I wonder where those programmes are now?
Roger Lund.

And while still in early 1961 at Mallory we had GM jones in a 1216 Marcos, and J Woolfe, in a 1216 TVR Grantura, if that helps.

Edited to amend April 61 to March, and spellings.

Edited by bradbury west, 17 January 2020 - 23:13.

[Rupertlt1]

Thanks. So who was the driver at Boxing Day Brands? (Unfortunately J. Sutton could be one of two.)

 

Oulton Park, B.A.R.C., 18th March 1961

"I was at the April 61 Oulton opener"

 

Are these two separate events? (I know it is a long time ago.)

 

Hine in April 1962 here: https://forums.autos...n/#entry8982534

 

We are looking for a #104 Marcos? I am fairly convinced that (yellow) #104 was acquired by John Mitchell.

 

I think we can be fairly certain Diggory never drove 'G 128' - but always difficult proving a negative.

Matteo Panini tells me that Jem Marsh says he did in his book. Scan on its way.

 

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Edited by Rupertlt1, 17 January 2020 - 17:23.

[RobMk2a]

Richard Page reports:

 

Autosport, 24 June p869

ULSTER TOPICS

Kirkistown

“… there was disappointment when it was announced that … the Marcos… had not arrived”

 

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Bill Moss was entered at Brands Hatch BRSCC 29th May 1960

 

Event 2 Sports Cars up to 1000cc A 164 1st WF Moss Marcos GT 997cc. 2nd 108 JA Murrell DRW MkII 3rd 107 JM Beatty Lotus VII. 

 

Event 6 165 J Marsh Marcos GT 1172cc not in first 4 places. 

[RobMk2a]

Rupert I have edited post 58. 

 

Also of interest 

 

Aintree Circuit Club 21st May 1960 Jem Marsh Marcos 

 

Goodwood 3rd April 1961 Fordwater Trophy 114 DAN Byrne Marcos DKW 980 Blue dns? 

 

Snetterton 14th May 1961 73 Blue J Gates Marcos GT 997 & 74 J Sutton Blue Marcos GT 997 

 

Oulton Park 17th May 1961 135 John Mitchell Marcos Yellow 

 

Goodwood 22 May 1961 135 J Sutton Marcos Ford 997 Blue dnf 

 

Oulton Park 10th June 1961 116 Gordon Jones Marcos GT Climax Green & 8 John Mitchell H MRT Yellow. 

 

Aintree 7th August 1961 Astley Trophy 81 GM Jones Marcos Climax Green 86 Huddersfield MRT Dvr EJB Mitchell 977 (cc not my typo) Yellow 1st Class 2  & 87 Speedex Castings & Accessories Limited Dvr J Gates Marcos Ford 997 Blue ( I have a photo from John Holroyd shows 81 as 888 BYE it also looks like Gates is in 150 BTM and Mitchell has a stripe on the roof). 

 

Oulton Park 9th September 1961 53 GM Jones Marcos Climax 1220 Green 1st Class 2 

 

Oulton Park 26th August 1961 750 Motor Club Chester Motor Club co promoted restricted meeting -  Event 4 Unlimited Sports Cars 70 Mitchell J Entrant Huddersfield Racing Team Marcos 997 (Diggory was in his Lister Jaguar). 

 

Mitchell also entered event 5 in the Marcos 

 

 

Snetterton 15th July 1962 Autosport World Cup 

15 SJC Monoprio Marcos 997 & Reserve O Orange? 27 Ashley Smithy Garage Dvr D Rees Marcos GT 997 - I think this a later car. 

Edited by RobMk2a, 17 January 2020 - 23:10.

[bradbury west]

Apologies to all for the error in year. I was at the 1962 opener too. The 61 event being the first race for the E type.
Roger Lund.

[Rupertlt1]

Chris McLaren #62 here:

 

http://www.stilltime...otus-elite.html

 

Can anybody identify this? Could it be:

 

Oulton Park, B.A.R.C. National Spring Meeting for Sports Cars and Supporting Events, Saturday 6th April 1963

 

D.C. Alderson in the Lotus Elite?

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 20 January 2020 - 17:29.

[RobMk2a]

Chris McLaren #62 here:

 

http://www.stilltime...otus-elite.html

 

Can anybody identify this? Could it be:

 

Oulton Park, B.A.R.C. National Spring Meeting for Sports Cars and Supporting Events, Saturday 6th April 1963

 

D.C. Alderson in the Lotus Elite?

 

RGDS RLT

Yes 50 Ecurie RCS RacingTeam DC Alderson in the Elite (one of 7 that ran including 3 Team Elite 62 Limited, John Whitmore, Jon Derisley & J Payne RD Jennings dns). . 

 

Four Marcos entered. 

60 Ashley Smithy Garage Dvr David Rees Marcos Ford 997 Orange 

61 URFA Light Industries Dvr GW John Marcos Ford 997 Red 

62 C McLaren Marcos Ford 997 Red

63 Equipe Elan Internationale Dvr J Green Marcos Ford 997 Blue

 

My interested was this was supposed to be 38 Tommy Entwistle's first race in his new Mk3 but DNS. 

Edited by RobMk2a, 20 January 2020 - 21:36.

[Rupertlt1]

Chart from Marcos book by Jem Marsh:

1st in 1000 c.c. GT Class	Driver	Fastest lap:—
June 1960	Brands Hatch	Bill Moss	1min 6s (old circuit)
June 1960	Snetterton	Bill Moss	2min 2s
June 1960	Snetterton	Bill Moss	2min 1s
July 1960	Goodwood	Bill Moss	1min 50s
July 1960	Oulton Park	Bill Moss	2min 9s
July 1960	Snetterton	Bill Moss	2min 2s
July 1960	Snetterton	Bill Moss	2min 2s
July 1960	Oulton Park	Bill Moss	2min 9s
Aug. 1960	Brands Hatch	Bill Moss	2min 4.4s (new circuit)
Aug. 1960	Silverstone	Bill Moss	1min 18s
Sep. 1960	Snetterton	S. Diggory	2min 3s
Sep. 1960	Snetterton	Chris Meek	2min 0s

Here we have Diggory and Chris Meek at Snetterton in September?

When does Meek appear? What about October?

Thinking about #104 it has to be at an event with some 100 cars?

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 22 January 2020 - 13:38.

[Michael Oliver]

Do you have the race # for Sutton?

 

Was the Diggory Marcos painted, like the Diggory-Gwyniad FJs, a "creamy yellow colour with a black stripe running down the middle of them"?

Certainly looks like it in the pics.

 

Like this car here: https://classicmarco...hn-mitchell.jpg

 

Driver John Mitchell: https://www.racingsp...itchell-GB.html

 

RGDS RLT

Rupert, I think you are spot on with this. The Mitchell car appears to be painted in the Diggory livery of a kind of custardy yellow with central black stripe. I have a colour photo of his Lotus 18 F1 car which has exactly the same livery as the colour photo of the Mitchell Marcos.

[RobMk2a]

I have found Diggory at

 

Oulton BARC 27th August 1960 -

Event 3 7 lap Handicap for closed cars

 

31  Marcos Ford 998 Red 

 

30 Colin Escott in Diggory's TVR Climax 1220 also Red. 

 

10th September 1960 Rufforth 

103 SJ Diggory Marcos Ford 

 

1st Oct 1960 

Oulton Park Lancashire & Cheshire CC 

SJ Diggory Marcos Ford Dvr F Costin. 

 

9th Oct 1960 

Snetterton 

Diggory Entered the Marcos for Colin Escott 

 

10th Feb 1961 

Diggory offers the Marcos (and his TVR) for sale. Part of the 'mass sale' to fund the Gwyniad project. 

 

In 1961 Diggory mainly enters his Cooper Monaco (also Lister and Aston Martin). 

Edited by RobMk2a, 23 January 2020 - 21:46.

[Michael Oliver]

I have found Diggory at

 

Oulton BARC 27th August 1960 -

Event 3 7 lap Handicap for closed cars

 

31  Marcos Ford 998 Red 

 

30 Colin Escott in Diggory's TVR Climax 1220 also Red. 

 

10th September 1960 Rufforth 

103 SJ Diggory Marcos Ford 

 

1st Oct 1960 

Oulton Park Lancashire & Cheshire CC 

SJ Diggory Marcos Ford Dvr F Costin. 

 

9th Oct 1960 

Snetterton 

Diggory Entered the Marcos for Colin Escott 

 

10th Feb 1961 

Diggory offers the Marcos (and his TVR) for sale. Part of the 'mass sale' to fund the Gwyniad project. 

 

In 1961 Diggory mainly enters his Cooper Monaco (also Lister and Aston Martin). 

 

Odd that, perhaps he changed his racing colours at some point. The photo I have of the Lotus 18 was, if I remember correctly, taken at the Silver City Trophy meeting in August 1961 but the livery is very distinctive and the same as the one on the Mitchell car.

 

I've also found another entry for the Mitchell car which I think is referred to on the Marcos Register site but not on this thread so far:

 

Snetterton Motor Racing Club 30th September 1961

 

Event 2 Molyslip Trophy Race for Grand Touring Cars

 

#6 White, Speedex Ltd (Dvr J. Marsh) Marcos GT 997cc
#7 Yellow/Black Huddersfield Motor Racing Team (Dvr E.J.B. Mitchell) Marcos GT 997cc

 

Event 4 The Autosport 3 Hours

 

#1 Blue entrant and driver Jack Gates Marco GT 997cc
#2 Blue entrant and driver J.G. Sutton Marcos GT 997cc

#6 White, Speedex Ltd (Dvr J. Marsh) Marcos GT 997cc
#7 Yellow/Black Huddersfield Motor Racing Team (Dvr E.J.B. Mitchell) Marcos GT 997cc

 

Also, in the 'Longbacon Photos Sought' thread, in the video posted by Charles Helps, there is some footage from a meeting at Linton-on-Ouse (if I've got the sequencing of the films correct) which shows a #115 Marcos GT, which looks to be green or blue at 17:59 and I think it appears again a bit later.

 

Finally, I have a photo of the Marcos GT of G.M. Jones competing at the BRSCC's 1961 Boxing Day meeting at Brands in the Peco Trophy C race for cars 1001-1600cc. He was #94 and the engine capacity is given in the programme as 1,098cc. Jem Marsh was also entered in this event #84 in a Marcos GT with an engine capacity of 1340cc, not sure if this is a later car though? Jackie Oliver is also entered by Ecurie Freeze in the Peco Trophy (A) race for cars up to 1000cc (it actually says 3000cc in the programme but I am sure this is a misprint as all cars listed are sub-1000cc!). He was #6 and engine capacity is given as 997cc. He finished 4th.

Edited by Michael Oliver, 25 January 2020 - 00:48.

[bradbury west]

It may be worthwhile along the way to check with Ernie Unger about the Ecurie Freeze / Jackie Oliver period and a Marcos. I recall from conversations that he ran the team and developed the Marcos inter alia. I have always found his recall to be very good.
Roger Lund

[Michael Oliver]

Following on from my mention in post #73, there is a report of the Linton-on-Ouse meeting, which took place on Sunday 9th July. It was Gordon Jones in the sports and GT (Climax-engined GTs) race and he finished 1st, ahead of John Kennerley's Lotus Elite and the TVR of J. Brown. John Mitchell was also present at this meeting. He was unplaced in the Unlimited Sports race but second in the later Sports and GT Unlimited event.

[Rupertlt1]

Still no sign of #104 and/or Chris Meek at Snetterton?

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 27 January 2020 - 12:54.

[RobMk2a]

Following on from my mention in post #73, there is a report of the Linton-on-Ouse meeting, which took place on Sunday 9th July. It was Gordon Jones in the sports and GT (Climax-engined GTs) race and he finished 1st, ahead of John Kennerley's Lotus Elite and the TVR of J. Brown. John Mitchell was also present at this meeting. He was unplaced in the Unlimited Sports race but second in the later Sports and GT Unlimited event.

Jackie Stewart was in his Marcos at Charterhall  on the same day (if it helps to eliminate G 128 from any identification). 

 

(As an aside John Kennerley's Elite had a larger 1460cc engine and John Brown's lightweight TVR has just been restored (with a FWE)). 

[RobMk2a]

I have a photo of the cycle winged Marcos No 61 at this meeting (looks like it is fitted with Twin Webers) - does anyone know who was entered in a TVR No. 57. I think it is 23rd July 1960. Thank you Rob 

I now have the programme 23rd July 1960

 

42 Speedex Marcos Driver WF Moss 

57 KN Aitchison TVR 1600 

61 SJ Diggory Marcos 948 

[RobMk2a]

Not sure if these entries have been added

 

Brands Hatch 

BRSCC

3rd July 1960 

 

Event 2 Sports Cars Up to 1,000cc 10 laps 

 

128 Speedex Ltd (Dvr WF Moss) Marcos GT 997cc 

 

Also 126 J A Murrell DRW MkII 997cc 1st fastest lap 63 sec 70.86 mph 

 

Event Seven 1172cc Sports Car Race 10 laps 

105 Speedex Ltd (Dvr JG Marsh) Marcos GT 1172 cc dns 

Edited by RobMk2a, 08 September 2021 - 20:56.

[Rupertlt1]

Silverstone, Clubmen's Championship, G.P. Circuit, Saturday 7 October 1961

Grand Touring and Production Sports Cars (10 laps):

1,000 c.c. class:

1. Marcos (J. Marsh), 19min 23sec. 81.54 m.p.h.;

2. Austin-Healey (W. Jones), 19min 51.4sec.;

3. Austin-Healey (A. Tester), 20min 45sec.

Fastest lap: Austin-Healey (J. Gaston), 2mins 1.2sec. 86.94 m.p.h.

 

Diggory 2nd in the Formula Libre (10 laps)

in the single-seater #221 Lotus-Climax, 2,490 c.c.

behind Bill Moss in the Gemini-Ford FJ.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 29 January 2024 - 11:29.

[Geoff E]

Silverstone, Clubmen's Championship, G.P. Circuit, Saturday 7 October 1961

Grand Touring and Production Sports Cars (10 laps):

1,000 c.c. class:

1. Marcos (J. Marsh), 19min 23sec. 81.54 m.p.h.;

2. Austin-Healey (W. Jones), 19min 51.4sec.;

3. Austin-Healey (A. Tester), 20min 45sec.

Fastest lap: Austin-Healey (J. Gaston), 2mins 1.2sec. 86.94 m.p.h.

 

 

Presumably "10 laps" is what was in the programme.  The race time and speed suggest a race distance of 26.3 miles suggesting only nine laps were raced.  If it were really 10 laps, the fastest lap speed would be slower than the average lap.

[GazChed]

I have looked up both Motor Sport (November 1961) and racingsportscars information on this race and it was definitely over ten laps. However , it was a multi class race so Jem Marsh was lapped by the overall winner, Graham Warner (Lotus Elite) therefore only completed nine laps and this is where the apparent discrepancy comes in. J Gaston set fastest lap but did not finish in the first three in the 1000cc class.

For the record, Warner's winning average speed was 91.41 mph.

Edited by GazChed, 29 January 2024 - 22:55.

[Rupertlt1]

Diggory in the #221 Lotus:

 

https://www.stilltim.../abu/abu306.jpg

 

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