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Return of the Connew ... story!


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#651 MCS

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Posted 09 May 2018 - 13:36

MCS, I'm sure that you can walk into the reception area at Cosworth and I'd be pretty sure that they would be quite happy for you to look at the car.

Please don't mention the lack of oil tank......

 

Well, my plan is one day next week, so I will report back.  Thanks Barry.

 

What oil tank...?

 

Mark



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#652 swintex

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Posted 09 May 2018 - 13:53

Well, my plan is one day next week, so I will report back.  Thanks Barry.

 

What oil tank...?

 

Mark

Not sure, but I think it's made of the same material as the brake pipes  ;)

 

Richard



#653 Stephen W

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Posted 10 May 2018 - 07:09

Not sure, but I think it's made of the same material as the brake pipes  ;)

 

Richard

 

Unobtainium per chance?



#654 swintex

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Posted 10 May 2018 - 19:58

Actually, nonfrabricatum, I believe.

 

R

 

PS: the Cosworth and Hewland internals may well be unobtanium.

 

For lightness, you understand.



#655 cooper997

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Posted 11 July 2021 - 06:39

March 1973 Road & Track ran a review of the 1972 F1 GP season with Werner Buhrer illustrations of each car

 

Here's the Connew

1973-R-T-Connew-TNF.jpg

 

 

Stephen



#656 Nemo1965

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Posted 11 July 2021 - 07:54

http://members.atlasf1.com/barry_boor

I offer a multitude of apologies to those who have seen and heard far too much about this racing nonentity during my 2 years at TNF, but there just may be one or two people left on the planet who might like to read it and marvel at the unbelieveable stupidity exhibited by a small band of loonies more than thirty years ago.

 

Didn't Mark Twain say: 'Sometimes nothing can stop you from making mistakes. It is called enthusiasm.'



#657 bradbury west

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Posted 11 July 2021 - 09:14

Excellent find, Stephen. Many thanks for posting.
There are many of us, I am sure, who realise that the history of motor racing is not based on a handful of major marques  and   “champion” drivers.  If anyone wants to talk about success or failure in Formula One they need look no further than the likes of Toyota with their 400 plus people in their team and design office etc, plus many others who can be listed in that series and most others. Peter and his team set out to design and build  an appropriate car and  present it for a race,  with the proverbial five eighths of bugger all in core resources, success or otherwise being dependent from that point on so  many outside  and extraneous factors.

The more you read about what they achieved, and with what they had, and to hear Peter and Barry tell the full story, you realise just what a huge success they  actually were.

Usual disclaimers…. Other than being an arch Connew supporter,

Roger Lund



#658 John Ginger

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Posted 11 July 2021 - 09:50

The Connew was a tad before my time (1 season to be exact) and like many others found the story fascinating… a group of mates making it to F1 with a car they designed and built themselves…

I would most certainly call that a success

#659 Barry Boor

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Posted 05 September 2023 - 13:31

I am now able officially, to confirm that the above F.1 failure will be making a (static) public appearance at the Formula Ford Festival in October this year.

 

I guess that most TNEffers who might have wanted to see the car, have probably already done so, either at Goodwood in 2017 or Race Retro in 2018 but for anyone who hasn’t that’s where it will be - in a marquee in the paddock, along with a number of much more famous racing cars.

 

Mr. Connew and I will be in attendance and look forward to saying hello to anyone who cares to drop in.



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#660 Gary C

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Posted 05 September 2023 - 15:18

Sounds good. Plus, the Fford Festival is one of the best meetings of the year.

#661 ensign14

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Posted 05 September 2023 - 16:31

 the Fford Festival

Is that the one at Pembrey?



#662 glyn parham

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Posted 05 September 2023 - 17:53

Look forward to seeing you both in the tent Barry.
Glyn

#663 Barry Boor

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Posted 05 September 2023 - 18:00

Brands Hatch, Ens.



#664 Vitesse2

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Posted 05 September 2023 - 18:24

Can you hear that whooshing noise, Barry? :lol:



#665 Bikr7549

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Posted 05 September 2023 - 20:38

I am now able officially, to confirm that the above F.1 failure will be making a (static) public appearance at the Formula Ford Festival in October this year.

 

I guess that most TNEffers who might have wanted to see the car, have probably already done so, either at Goodwood in 2017 or Race Retro in 2018 but for anyone who hasn’t that’s where it will be - in a marquee in the paddock, along with a number of much more famous racing cars.

 

Mr. Connew and I will be in attendance and look forward to saying hello to anyone who cares to drop in.

 

I am confused by your word 'failure'. The Connew certainly seems to me to be a success in every way!

 

Bob


Edited by Bikr7549, 05 September 2023 - 20:39.


#666 Sterzo

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Posted 05 September 2023 - 21:12


I guess that most TNEffers who might have wanted to see the car, have probably already done so, either at Goodwood in 2017 or Race Retro in 2018...

Brands Hatch 1972 for me, but it's about time I saw it again.



#667 Lee Nicolle

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Posted 06 September 2023 - 02:46

I am now able officially, to confirm that the above F.1 failure will be making a (static) public appearance at the Formula Ford Festival in October this year.

 

I guess that most TNEffers who might have wanted to see the car, have probably already done so, either at Goodwood in 2017 or Race Retro in 2018 but for anyone who hasn’t that’s where it will be - in a marquee in the paddock, along with a number of much more famous racing cars.

 

Mr. Connew and I will be in attendance and look forward to saying hello to anyone who cares to drop in.

For us TNFrs it is the most famous car of the period. 

I would love to see it but am literally half a world away from it.

I was at Goodwood 2017 but missed it,, probably because it was June 2017.

Even then by chance, I saw a sign that said Goodwood circuit so turned off for a look. There was a drive day/ test day happening at the time.



#668 Porsche718

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Posted 06 September 2023 - 04:11

Anybody have a working link for the original BB article?



#669 Barry Boor

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Posted 06 September 2023 - 07:25

http://www.barryjboor.co.uk/

 

and this is the story of the rebuild:

 

http://www.barryjboo...storation1.html


Edited by Barry Boor, 06 September 2023 - 07:26.


#670 Porsche718

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Posted 06 September 2023 - 08:17

Thanks Barry :wave:



#671 RTH

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Posted 07 September 2023 - 12:33

http://www.barryjboor.co.uk/

 

and this is the story of the rebuild:

 

http://www.barryjboo...storation1.html

You are just the man now Barry  for a self published book on the subject . Maybe 1000 copies softback along the lines of those by  Michael Hipperson and Gary Critcher  the publisher printer is in Cambridge  and you sell them  via your own website mail order from home  at the cover price plus P&P  - you probably will not sell as many as Harry Potter  but it would  engrave the story on history for eternity  ....... and there will never be another !



#672 Macca

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Posted 20 September 2023 - 20:51

Work in progress, in 1/55 scale, but not using jelutong for the airbox:

IMG-0435.jpg

Paul M

#673 Gary C

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Posted 21 September 2023 - 05:37

Good idea, RTH, a book is eminently doable!

#674 FrankB

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Posted 21 September 2023 - 19:50

You are just the man now Barry for a self published book on the subject . Maybe 1000 copies softback along the lines of those by Michael Hipperson and Gary Critcher the publisher printer is in Cambridge and you sell them via your own website mail order from home at the cover price plus P&P - you probably will not sell as many as Harry Potter but it would engrave the story on history for eternity ....... and there will never be another !


You could certainly put me down for a copy.

#675 Ralf Pickel

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Posted 22 September 2023 - 05:07

You could certainly put me down for a copy.

Same here ! :clap:



#676 John Ginger

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Posted 22 September 2023 - 07:15

...and me :)



#677 alansart

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Posted 24 September 2023 - 13:42

An illustration of the PC1 produced earlier this year :)

52781560463_3ab8059abd_b.jpgConnew PC1 - Austrian GP - 1972 by Alan Raine, on Flickr


Edited by alansart, 24 September 2023 - 13:44.


#678 WonderWoman61

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Posted 24 September 2023 - 14:16

From GP Rejects, the story of the Connew's driver, Francois Migault.
https://gprejects.co...rancois-migault

#679 Tim Murray

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Posted 23 October 2023 - 04:57

The Connew at Brands Hatch yesterday:

IMG-2972.jpg

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#680 Tim Murray

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Posted 23 October 2023 - 05:01

It was good to catch up with Peter Connew and Barry Boor again. Here’s Peter in the red jersey, with Ralph (arttidesco):

IMG-2973.jpg

#681 Tim Murray

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Posted 23 October 2023 - 05:04

Barry between me and Peter:

IMG-2980.jpg

#682 Roryswood

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Posted 23 October 2023 - 07:21

Put me down for a copy

#683 Gary C

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Posted 23 October 2023 - 07:34

What's the Marlboro car on the left?

#684 Tim Murray

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Posted 23 October 2023 - 07:44

F3 Ralt, Gary. It’s for sale, if you fancy a new project. 😉

#685 Barry Boor

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Posted 23 October 2023 - 08:22

No engine in it yesterday.



#686 Barry Boor

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Posted 23 October 2023 - 08:36

We had a lovely weekend.  Even on Saturday, which was very wet - rivers of water running through the marquee for much of the day due to the slope of the Brand’s paddock - we had plenty of people coming in to look at the car and talk to us.

 

On Sunday the car was reunited with Tony Trimmer who was the last person to drive it (F.5000 version) exactly 50 years ago.  Still as trim as ever, at 80 years old, Tony slipped into the car as easily as he did all those years ago.  Getting out wasn’t quite so easy but somewhat easier than for our elderly female cousin, for who, I had to remove the bodywork to enable her to be lifted out.

 

I must publicly thank Alan Bowles who invited us to take the car to Brands, organised the collection and return of it and produced the excellent graphic displays for people to look at and read, both of which we are delighted to be able to keep for future events - if there are any - in the future.

 

Following the restoration in 2017 the Connew was first seen in public at the Festival of Speed that year.  Now, six years later, it has made its fourth appearance.

 

You never know, it might pop up again at some point.



#687 Gary C

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Posted 23 October 2023 - 08:49

@ Tim Murray - if only!

#688 2F-001

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Posted 23 October 2023 - 09:04

It's always nice to see the Connew (and Peter and Barry) - such a story!

 

There was no history displayed with the RT3, so it wasn't clear what its backstory is.

There was also an ex-Cheever Indycar on display - and for sale (complete with drivetrain, at £200,000) - but what would one do with it?



#689 68targa

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Posted 23 October 2023 - 12:06

The Ralt RT3 for sale might be this one ..

 

https://racecarsdire...4/1982-ralt-rt3



#690 Barry Boor

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Posted 23 October 2023 - 12:07

Yes, it was that car.



#691 Gary C

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Posted 23 October 2023 - 13:20

Blimey, they couldn't have put any less detail in that ad if they tried!

#692 ReWind

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Posted 23 October 2023 - 14:49

They cannot even spell the late Walter Lechner's name correctly.



#693 Michael Ferner

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Posted 23 October 2023 - 19:02

An illustration of the PC1 produced earlier this year :)

52781560463_3ab8059abd_b.jpgConnew PC1 - Austrian GP - 1972 by Alan Raine, on Flickr

 

Lovely!  :love:  :love:



#694 Michael Ferner

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Posted 23 October 2023 - 19:06

They cannot even spell the late Walter Lechner's name correctly.

 

If it was Lechner's it would have had Jim Beam signange, not fags!  :smoking:



#695 Lee Nicolle

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Posted 25 October 2023 - 04:59

We had a lovely weekend.  Even on Saturday, which was very wet - rivers of water running through the marquee for much of the day due to the slope of the Brand’s paddock - we had plenty of people coming in to look at the car and talk to us.

 

On Sunday the car was reunited with Tony Trimmer who was the last person to drive it (F.5000 version) exactly 50 years ago.  Still as trim as ever, at 80 years old, Tony slipped into the car as easily as he did all those years ago.  Getting out wasn’t quite so easy but somewhat easier than for our elderly female cousin, for who, I had to remove the bodywork to enable her to be lifted out.

 

I must publicly thank Alan Bowles who invited us to take the car to Brands, organised the collection and return of it and produced the excellent graphic displays for people to look at and read, both of which we are delighted to be able to keep for future events - if there are any - in the future.

 

Following the restoration in 2017 the Connew was first seen in public at the Festival of Speed that year.  Now, six years later, it has made its fourth appearance.

 

You never know, it might pop up again at some point.

It should pop up on occasion, and interesting part of UK motorsport that looks the part for displays.



#696 D-Type

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Posted 25 October 2023 - 22:17

Was the Connew always red  Or was it a different colour in its Formula 5000 guise?  I don't recall ever seeing a photo of that phase of it's life.



#697 Barry Boor

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Posted 26 October 2023 - 07:18

When we set off for the French Grand Prix in late June 1972, the car was plain red. At Le Mans the yellow was added to reflect François Migault’s Shell sponsorship.

Charlie Purley, the owner of Lec Refrigerators paid for the rebuild of the engine so that son David could drive the car at Brand’s in the Victory race 51 years ago last Sunday, so the car was painted dark blue and red. (As an aside, Peter Connew hated that colour scheme.)

Finally, in answer to Duncan’s question, it was returned to plain red in 1973 although the red and yellow bodywork was stored away and it is that bodywork, repainted now of course, that is on the car now.

The plain red nose was destroyed after Tony Trimmer hit the Armco at Stirlings 50 years ago this week (I believe) but we still have the other cockpit canopy.