Team Harper
#1
Posted 21 March 2006 - 15:31
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#2
Posted 21 March 2006 - 15:51
#3
Posted 21 March 2006 - 15:54
Originally posted by ian senior
Remember the Harper Chevron F2 team from 1974? Bob Harper was of a similar ilk to Teddy Yip - a wealthy Hong Kong businessman (supposedly one of Teddy's rivals) who suddenly arrived on the scene, put together a well funded and succesful F2 team, and then.... What happened to him after that?
I understand that Bob was very rich and fairly eccentric - after making his pile he returned to England to live in a big house somewhere on the South Coast complete or even replete with assorted Chinese servants in tow.
AFAIK Bob originally ran Marches but took umbrage when the works cars appeared with lots of "experimental" bits that weren't available to customers, and decided to switch allegiance from Bicester to the more straightforward guys in Bolton.
I have a vague recollection that Bob died young although may be wrong on that -- David Gordon's book will probably contain more info.
#4
Posted 21 March 2006 - 15:59
Originally posted by Herbert
Wasn't the guy's name Peter Harper?
Or did I get confused somehow? Perhaps he was called Bob nevertheless.
Meanwhile here is some Info about him from the Macau Grand Priy in 1978.
http://www.riccardop.../RP_macauGP.htm
#5
Posted 21 March 2006 - 16:08
Originally posted by petefenelon
AFAIK Bob originally ran Marches but took umbrage when the works cars appeared with lots of "experimental" bits that weren't available to customers, and decided to switch allegiance from Bicester to the more straightforward guys in Bolton.
Similarly, he threw away his Hart engines and got BMWs instead. Or perhaps it was t'other way round. Either way, you need some fair amount of money to do that kind of thing.
#6
Posted 21 March 2006 - 16:30
Peter Harper was one of the top Rootes group rally drivers in the 1960s - drove Sunbeam Rapiers and Alpines/Tigers IIRC.Originally posted by Herbert
Wasn't the guy's name Peter Harper?
#7
Posted 21 March 2006 - 19:31
#8
Posted 21 March 2006 - 19:47
Tom Pryce and Jim Crawford also raced the Harper Chevrons, I'm sure - when Quester had been relieved of his duties (primarily due to Purley scoring some useful second places).
I'm also fairly sure that Dave Morgan appeared at some stage, but may be wrong here.
What happened after 1974 though...?
#9
Posted 22 March 2006 - 09:13
Originally posted by MCS
Purley was the team's number one, with Dieter Quester alongside initially.
Tom Pryce and Jim Crawford also raced the Harper Chevrons, I'm sure - when Quester had been relieved of his duties (primarily due to Purley scoring some useful second places).
I'm also fairly sure that Dave Morgan appeared at some stage, but may be wrong here.
What happened after 1974 though...?
Don't think Morgan appeared, at least according to www.formula2.net. But we still have the question of what happened after the end of 1974....
#10
Posted 22 March 2006 - 10:01
Originally posted by ian senior
Don't think Morgan appeared, at least according to www.formula2.net. But we still have the question of what happened after the end of 1974....
You're right about Morgan, Ian. I was getting confused about his appearance in the Texaco Star at Enna the year before.
#11
Posted 22 March 2006 - 13:59
Originally posted by MCS
Purley was the team's number one, with Dieter Quester alongside initially.
Tom Pryce and Jim Crawford also raced the Harper Chevrons, I'm sure - when Quester had been relieved of his duties (primarily due to Purley scoring some useful second places).
I'm also fairly sure that Dave Morgan appeared at some stage, but may be wrong here.
What happened after 1974 though...?
Wasn't Tom out that year in the Baty Chevron, not Harper's ? Master James also put in the odd appearance in the Baty car IIRC.
#12
Posted 22 March 2006 - 14:59
Robert
#13
Posted 22 March 2006 - 15:04
Originally posted by VDP
Robert (Bob) Harper was the main distributor of Ford and Lotus in Hong Kong, and also Alfa Rome and BMW dealership, this company was sold in the seventies
Robert
Yes, I believe that's right. It was Harper International by that time and sold for a cool $HK146 million in 1972, which must have been more than enough to buy a few F2 cars. Australian racing driver and businessman Bill Wyllie (who has been mentioned on here before, but raced mainly in SE Asia) was involved with the company.
#14
Posted 22 March 2006 - 16:05
Originally posted by Mallory Dan
Wasn't Tom out that year in the Baty Chevron, not Harper's ? Master James also put in the odd appearance in the Baty car IIRC.
Yep, you're right Dan (I'm not with it today, I've just been informed ;) )
#15
Posted 22 March 2006 - 16:07
Unfortunately you are right.Originally posted by petefenelon
I have a vague recollection that Bob died young although may be wrong on that.
From AUTOSPORT, March 28, 1985:
And this questionWe regret to report the sudden death of Bob Harper from a heart attack last week.
Harper, 54, was a larger than life individual based in Hong Kong who was a leading light behind the development of the Macau Grand Prix for many years. In 1974 he brought the Team Harper name to Europe with a Mike Earle managed European Formula 2 team for David Purley, Dieter Quester and Tom Pryce. Business commitments meant that he had to return to Hong Kong the following year but through Macau, and his tremendous hospitality, he kept in touch with the many friends he made in racing. They will be saddened, as we were, to hear of his untimely death.
is answered, too.What happened after 1974 though...?
#16
Posted 22 March 2006 - 16:22
http://www.wylliegro...nal-profile.htm
#17
Posted 22 March 2006 - 23:27
Bob Harper was never a driver but an entrant and I believe started on this route when he entered a Ford Zephyr in the first Macau GP in 1954, thereafter he continued in like vein until the 1970's with wins by Dieter Quester and Riccardo Patrese.
Thereafter he ventured into Europe in 1974 with a F2 team managed by Mike Earle, spending some Stg150,000.00 to set the team up. The teams greatest success being a win by David Purley at Salzburgring.
To me however, his greatest achievement was the staging of the RACE OF GIANTS as part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations of the Macau GP in 1978, wherein he invited 17 of the greatest drivers in his view to race on the circuit, driving Zakspeed Escorts. No prize money, just all expenses paid.
The race was won by Jackie Ickx, with Mike Hailwood second and Bobby Unser third.
#18
Posted 23 March 2006 - 09:20
#19
Posted 02 April 2006 - 11:57
Originally posted by Adam F
This profile of Bill Wylie gives quite a lot of detail on Bob Harper and his businesses in Hong Kong.....
http://www.wylliegro...nal-profile.htm
Bill Wyllie passed away in the past few weeks back in Western Australia.
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#20
Posted 02 April 2006 - 15:45
I happened to come across a reference to this yesterday; Morgan failed to qualify because Peterson kept switching between his and Dave's chassis leaving his new team mate no time to get sorted.Originally posted by MCS
I was getting confused about his [Dave Morgan's] appearance in the Texaco Star at Enna the year before.
#21
Posted 13 February 2008 - 13:04
I met all the persons mentioned as driving for Dad in Macau and Europe, and many more, like Stirling Moss. Cars and racing them were my fathers all consuming passions, and he managed to live them well. I am quite surprised and happy that there are people still commenting on him and his exploits after all this time. If you want any more information I may be able to help, however I can comment that my father did race cars, intially in hill climbs in Hong Kong and then in Macau. His last race was in Macau in 1954, the year I was born, for that reason. The car he raced was called the "Beast" and was a hand made car, looking slightly like a Vanwall but with a V8 engine, that if I recall, drove like a pig around corners but went very quickly in a straight line.
#22
Posted 13 February 2008 - 17:33
#23
Posted 13 February 2008 - 18:47
What about some more information about his pre-European ventures? I don't think 'suddenly arrived on the scene' would be a very accurate description, would it?
#24
Posted 13 February 2008 - 20:04
#25
Posted 14 February 2008 - 09:04
Riccardo sent me this photo (photographer unknown) of his 1977 Macau race winning Chevron.Originally posted by philippe charuest
is it possible to see some pictures of those harper chevron F2
#26
Posted 14 February 2008 - 12:57
Copyright Gérard Gamand
#27
Posted 14 February 2008 - 18:01
#28
Posted 14 February 2008 - 18:32
Copyright Gérard Gamand
#30
Posted 16 February 2008 - 18:24
Originally posted by Mallory Dan
Wasn't Tom out that year in the Baty Chevron, not Harper's ? Master James also put in the odd appearance in the Baty car IIRC.
Correct, I ran that car, built it and went to Salzburgring, Tom put it on pole. The Schnitzer BMW engine had a problem and they told us they had a flyer to race with. Spent all night at the Schnitzer factory because the new engine would not fit straight in. In the race the engine failed us......
James famously drove the car at Rouen, pulling a "famous F1" driver stunt by jumping out of the car during the race at the start/finish and waving flags to get the race stopped because he felt an earlier accident was causing unsafe conditions.
Brian
#31
Posted 16 February 2008 - 19:19
#32
Posted 13 August 2008 - 07:29
Any help would be gratefully received...hopefully Robert Junior may still be around here somewhere
#33
Posted 13 August 2008 - 14:05
Sorry to inform you, but most of my fathers personal effects were lost/disappeared when he went to Melbourne and subsequently passed away. I would myself have liked to have some pictures of these times. But very happy to see that the car is being restored. Any idea when it would be viewable and where?
Robert Junior
#34
Posted 13 August 2008 - 14:23
The owner is based in Adelaide but I know little more than that at the moment. I'd be happy to send you his contact details if you would like to be in touch with him yourself?
#35
Posted 13 August 2008 - 14:26
Tha t would be great to contact him, please. Thank you for your help here, and sorry I could not supply more.
Robert
#36
Posted 13 August 2008 - 14:32
#37
Posted 13 March 2010 - 16:28
Dear All who have been discussing Bob Harper and Team Harper, I am his youngest son. Most of the facts you have discussed are correct, but I thought I would add some. My father left Hong Kong not long after he sold Harpers and moved to Perth, Western Australia. He then lived there for some years before moving again to Melbourne, Australia where he passed away in 1985.
I met all the persons mentioned as driving for Dad in Macau and Europe, and many more, like Stirling Moss. Cars and racing them were my fathers all consuming passions, and he managed to live them well. I am quite surprised and happy that there are people still commenting on him and his exploits after all this time. If you want any more information I may be able to help, however I can comment that my father did race cars, intially in hill climbs in Hong Kong and then in Macau. His last race was in Macau in 1954, the year I was born, for that reason. The car he raced was called the "Beast" and was a hand made car, looking slightly like a Vanwall but with a V8 engine, that if I recall, drove like a pig around corners but went very quickly in a straight line.
Robert hoping you can help us, we have restored the Team Harper Lotus 23 driven by Albert Poon that won the 1963 Singapore Grand Prix, the 1964 Macau Grand Prix and the Johore Grand Prix in 1963 and 1964. We are in the process of painting the car in its original livery as it was raced at the 1964 Macau Grand Prix and are hoping to confirm the correct Team Harper colors. Do you have a color photo of it or know the Team Harper colors during this period? We have letters about the car from Bob Harper and Bill Wylie and the books, "Color and Noise" and "Snakes and Devils" and want to celebrate this history.
Appreciate any help you can provide
#38
Posted 13 March 2010 - 16:33
The TEAM HARPER CHEVRON BMW B27 of DIETER QUESTER at ROUEN in 1974.
copyright GERARD BARATHIEU
David Purley in this silent film in a Libre race at Brands - 1974?
http://www.britishpa...rd.php?id=74445
#39
Posted 20 May 2010 - 21:47
Robert hoping you can help us, we have restored the Team Harper Lotus 23 driven by Albert Poon that won the 1963 Singapore Grand Prix, the 1964 Macau Grand Prix and the Johore Grand Prix in 1963 and 1964. We are in the process of painting the car in its original livery as it was raced at the 1964 Macau Grand Prix and are hoping to confirm the correct Team Harper colors. Do you have a color photo of it or know the Team Harper colors during this period? We have letters about the car from Bob Harper and Bill Wylie and the books, "Color and Noise" and "Snakes and Devils" and want to celebrate this history.
Appreciate any help you can provide
I have a photo taking in the 1964 Singapore Grand Prix (actually really the Malaysian Grand Prix at the time, the 1st Singapore GP didn't take place until 1966 when Singapore gained independence) and it shows the car to be white. If you go to the Singapore Grand Prix thread there are instructions on searching the Singapore national archive for images, if you just put in 'Poon Lotus' the image should come up. If you have any problems, come back to me as I have a copy of the image here.
I am researching 23s at present and would welcome the opportunity to find out more about the history of your car. I know that Poon's original 23 was an early model with a pushrod Ford engine but not sure which one!
Thanks
Michael
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#40
Posted 20 May 2010 - 22:10
Correct, I ran that car, built it and went to Salzburgring, Tom put it on pole. The Schnitzer BMW engine had a problem and they told us they had a flyer to race with. Spent all night at the Schnitzer factory because the new engine would not fit straight in. In the race the engine failed us......
James famously drove the car at Rouen, pulling a "famous F1" driver stunt by jumping out of the car during the race at the start/finish and waving flags to get the race stopped because he felt an earlier accident was causing unsafe conditions.
Brian
That is one hell of a post. Don't remember Tom Pryce getting an F2 pole. What a shame the engine let him down.
Never understood why Hunt was doing Formula Two, albeit only very occasionally. Maybe, as is now rumoured, he needed the money.
Irrespective, how dearly I wish they were both still with us.
Edited by MCS, 20 May 2010 - 22:13.
#41
Posted 21 May 2010 - 08:48
Tom did take pole, from Laffite, for the 1974 Salzburgring round.That is one hell of a post. Don't remember Tom Pryce getting an F2 pole. What a shame the engine let him down.
#42
Posted 24 October 2014 - 10:17
David Purley in this silent film in a Libre race at Brands - 1974?
http://www.britishpa...rd.php?id=74445
Andrew, has anyone commented on this unusual film clip elsewhere in the forum? I stumbled across it yesterday, outside TNF, and it had me thinking.
I assume that the David Purley / Harper car on pole is an F2 Chevron, or did they run Atlantics too? Perhaps it's the F2 car having a 1974 end of season libre outing - the weather looks a bit bleak!
I'm struggling to identify the other cars and drivers. March in the middle of the front row....Val Musetti? Alongside, another Chevron I assume, but I don't recognise it. Is that a Brabham that begins to go sideways and triggers the accident? Anyone have any ideas or further information?
#43
Posted 24 October 2014 - 10:58
Yes John, its the Harper F2 B27. Musetti ih his FAt March, and Peter Williams 'Coin Monthly' FAt B27 I think. Couple of then brand new FF2000s also
#44
Posted 24 October 2014 - 10:58
Yes John, its the Harper F2 B27. Musetti ih his FAt March, and Peter Williams 'Coin Monthly' FAt B27 I think. Couple of then brand new FF2000s also
#45
Posted 24 October 2014 - 11:46
Yes John, its the Harper F2 B27. Musetti ih his FAt March, and Peter Williams 'Coin Monthly' FAt B27 I think. Couple of then brand new FF2000s also
Thanks MD. I don't remember the 'Coin Monthly' Chevron, although I must have seen it race. And the Val Musetti / quick March was a guess on my part - I remember him usually having sponsorship from ice cream firms, restaurants etc.
Apologies, OT, this is meant to be a Team Harper thread isn't it?
Edited by john winfield, 24 October 2014 - 11:47.
#46
Posted 25 March 2015 - 06:21
I'm aware team harper took 2 zakspeed escorts does anyone have and detail on these cars please. Or indeed photos?
Thankyou
#47
Posted 25 March 2015 - 12:37
I knew Bob Harper in the '60s I was doing some of his work in Singapore, mainly a Lotus 47 that Steve Holland drove,Bob like Teddy liked his scotch and food.....Great Times!