42 replies to this topic

[Hieronymus]

We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the GSM Dart next year. This South African sports car was the brainchild of three local men Bob van Niekerk, Willie Meissner and Verster de Wit.

The car made its racing debut at Gunners’ Circle in Cape Town on 1 January 1958 in the hands of Van Niekerk and Meissner. For the next decade or so the Dart featured in numerous races in South Africa.

There was also a brief flirtation with the car on the British racing scene. Backing was received from a chap by the name of John P. Scott and his partners. They put up the money and Bob assembled a car single handed in less than ten days. The car raced for the first time on 18 April 1960 at Brands Hatch’s Easter Races. Bob won the 1000cc class.

The car was known as the GSM Delta in the UK. During the course of 1960 it competed in several British races at circuits like Goodwood, Aintree and Silverstone. The was also an outing at Clermont-Ferrand where Bob finished 2nd in class at the 6 hour race.

We would very much like to get some journal/newspaper reports or even photos on the races that the GSM Delta contested in England. Perhaps AUTOSPORT will have something.

Apart from the Brands Hatch date, we also know that Bob raced on 21 May 1960 at the Martini 100 at Silverstone. Unfortunately we the dates of the other events are unknown.

If anyone can please perhaps assist it will be very much appreciated. More information on the GSM Dart/GSM Delta is on the club’s website at

www.gsmclub.co.za

[D-Type]

I think it was renamed 'Delta' in the UK in deference to Daimler who were using, and presumably had registered, the name 'Dart' for their V8 engined sports(-ish) model that was later renamed the SP250

[David McKinney]

Originally posted by D-Type
I think it was renamed 'Delta' in the UK in deference to Daimler who were using, and presumably had registered, the name 'Dart' for their V8 engined sports(-ish) model that was later renamed the SP250

Sorry Duncan - the Daimler was called the SP250 for the same reason as the GSM would become the Delta - "Dart" was a Dodge trademark at the time. In fact, I think I'm right in saying the Daimler change became between the car's public announcement and the first sales

[D-Type]

I'm sure it was Daimler Dart on the Eagle centre spread.

In all seriousness, I think I can remember references to Daimler 'Dart' in a couple of magazine articles.

[Paul Rochdale]

[URL=http://imageshack.us][IMG]http://img72.imagesh...839/gsmdeltaro3

I took these pics at a Brands Hatch meeting in about 1987 or 88 in an HSCC Classic Sportscar Championship meeting. As your website rightly says, these cars were built for a short time at the Windsor Garage in West Malling High Street here in Kent, where I was the local bobby for eleven years. I also recall seeing about the same time another GSM car at the Fourways Garage in nearby Borough Green but this one was in need of restoration.

If it helps to date the meeting more accurately, Sir Stirling Moss was racing his red Lola sportscar. His car had 'Richard Berry Racing' signwritten on the sides.

[Paul Rochdale]

[URL=http://imageshack.us][IMG]http://img72.imagesh...839/gsmdeltaro3

Doncha just LOVE this system. I haven't a clue what happened there.

[Paul Rochdale]

[Hieronymus]

Thanks for thge photo Paul.

Stirling by the way tried his hand at a Dart/Delta at the time Bob van Niekerk was in the UK. This is a story on it's own. Apparently Bob arrived at Stirling's place late at night. Stirling salready in his pajamas jumped into the car and drove it through London for an hour or so...

[Paul Rochdale]

So I take it these cars are known to you?

[fyrth]

And still being used in the UK today for modest club competion - Sean McClurg winning the Aldon/HSA Speed Championship for 2006!

Have a look at http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/

[Hieronymus]

Robert Young (ry6) asked me to post this photo. It is John Truter's Dart at the 1966 Polly Shorts Hillclimb in Pietermaritzburg. This was probably the fastest Dart that raced in South Africa...fitted with a modified Lotus Cortina engine.

[ianselva]

When I was an apprentice at Fords at dagenham in 1960 we had a GSM Delta in the workshop . I cant remember whose it was although we used to prepare the Rally Zephyrs there so it may have been Jeff Urens or even something to do the Boss, Patrick Hennesy.

[Hieronymus]

Rob Young sent me some more photos to post here. Here is the Dart Anglia of Kirkman/Jute in action at the Rand Daily Mail 9 Hour race in November 1962 at Kyalami.

They won their class in this race.

[Hieronymus]

...and this is John Truter's Bramhill Dart.

[barrykm]

In the early to mid-60s John Rowe pedalled a quick Dart-Peugeot at the Roy Hesketh circuit, I'm not sure whether he took it further afield in SA.

Rob should be able to provide a picture?

[Gav Astill]

Maybe of interest is the fact that a GSM is currently for sale in the UK. Its the later 'Flamingo' model, and is being sold on behalf of its current owner, one Gordon Murray (yes, that one!).

See;

http://www.racecar.c...p?VehicleID=206

[Hieronymus]

Interesting Gav!

The price is quite generous, even if I compare it to South African "funny money". For R135 000 you can't even buy a decent 1400cc saloon car these days.

[ry6]

When next in South Africa I will ask John Rowe if he has pix of that Dart-Peugeot.

John is still racing!

Currently he builds off road cars in his home workshop and still takes part in these testing events!

Since the early 60's he has raced sports cars (an interesting Lotus 7 type bodied Lotus 15) ; a Lotus Elan ; saloon V8 CanAm Chev Firenza (Vauxhall) ; F2 - a F2 LDS-Brabham with Ford twin cam ; saloon Escort 1600 ; F1 Brabham-Repco ; Chevron B8 and B21 (I think) ; Lotus 23 and probably some others.

[barrykm]

Originally posted by ry6
When next in South Africa I will ask John Rowe if he has pix of that Dart-Peugeot.

John is still racing!

Currently he builds off road cars in his home workshop and still takes part in these testing events!

Since the early 60's he has raced sports cars (an interesting Lotus 7 type bodied Lotus 15) ; a Lotus Elan ; saloon V8 CanAm Chev Firenza (Vauxhall) ; F2 - a F2 LDS-Brabham with Ford twin cam ; saloon Escort 1600 ; F1 Brabham-Repco ; Chevron B8 and B21 (I think) ; Lotus 23 and probably some others.

Thanks Rob, I look forward to seeing thoe pics sometime.

A side issue, I cannot now recall who owned the F1 Brabham, was it Jack Holme, Gordon Henderson, or John himself?

[ry6]

The car was a Brabham BT20 Repco and when John raced it it was owned by Jack Holme who ran the Team Ecosse.

I think this was the ex-John Love car.

Peter de Klerk drove it for Jack in one of the South African Grands Prix of the time.

[Hieronymus]

Some more splendid photos supplied by ry6...

Jo Eckhoff's fast Dart-Peugeot at Novelty Hillclimb

[Hieronymus]

Bernie Podmore - Dart Ford April 1961 at Novelty Hillclimb lifts a wheel.

Bernie raced a Lotus Cortina in SA saloon events ; a Lotus 20 in the Springbok Series of Grands Prix and was passenger to Jack Rowlands on the Isle of man side-car event in 1957 when they finished 8th. He had been there to spectate when Jack asked him to be passenger, He had never been a passenger on a side car combo before that!

[Hieronymus]

A gaggle of Darts and a Sunbeam Alpine at Westmead circa 1962. Note the similarity.

[Hieronymus]

Originally posted by barrykm
In the early to mid-60s John Rowe pedalled a quick Dart-Peugeot at the Roy Hesketh circuit, I'm not sure whether he took it further afield in SA.

Rob should be able to provide a picture?

Barry

Here's a photo that Rob kindly provided -

An understeering John Rowe (Dart Peugeot) leads an oversteering George Rees (Dart Anglia) at Angles Angle, Roy Hesketh Circuit. September 1962.

[Hieronymus]

Car #14 a Dart Alfa at the start of the 1958 Rand Nine Hours at Grand Central.

Drivers Tony Kotze and F. le Roux.

The car next to it is a Renault Frigate of Ferris/Moyes.

Photo by Mike Compton .

[Hieronymus]

John Truter awaits the start of the six hour race a Roy Hesketh circuit.

He and Neville Smith went on to win the race.

This durable Lotus Cortina engined Dart raced for many years and had an outstanding record in endurance racing and even sprint events.

Photo by Michael Compton

[Pist-N-Broke]

Originally posted by Paul Rochdale

185 AYR is actually 7337 MT and belonged to Geoff Uren

[Eclectic]

A friend of mine has recently bought an old heap that may have a connection with GSM.

It has no engine or gearbox, ali over steel, and has a similar windscreen, but stylistically earlier.

I will try to post a picture, but I am new here.




More pictures can be found on www.flickr.com and search under Pantera Rosso.

A story came with the car that Willie Meissner may have been involved and it may be a
predecessor of, or prototype for the GSM.

Are either Bob van Niekerk, Willie Meissner or Verster de Wit still alive?.


Any help identifying this delightful heap will be much appreciated.

[Hieronymus]

Bob van Niekerk is the only one left of the threesome...

[barrykm]

Originally posted by Hieronymus


Robert Young (ry6) asked me to post this photo. It is John Truter's Dart at the 1966 Polly Shorts Hillclimb in Pietermaritzburg. This was probably the fastest Dart that raced in South Africa...fitted with a modified Lotus Cortina engine.

John was quick up the hills in that car - I recall being rather too close to road one one occasion (Sarnia, nr Pinetown, about '69 I think) and I damn-near got taken out as he flew past.

[mahleu]

I've just bought myself a Flamingo. Getting it as soon as the brakes have been sorted, there's a book called "Dart- The GSM Story which has the whole story of how the cars came to be and what went wrong. It's also got lots of anecdotes which make for some funny reading.

You can still buy replicas of Darts locally

[Hieronymus]

A couple of cars lined up in the old pit-lane at Killarney on 23 Sept 2007, during the 50th celebration weekend.

[bradbury west]

Originally posted by mahleu
I've just bought myself a Flamingo.

Is that the bigger coupe GSM? 1500cc engine? Did they ever race. I recall one for sale in Autosport in the 60s, ( I saw the ad. a few weeks ago) apparently the only one brought to the UK. The car reminded me of an Australian coupe, possibly from the late 50s, with the split rear screens, the name of which escapes me at the moment.
Roger Lund

[Hieronymus]

Roger

Have a look at the club's website. There are some good info and photos:

http://www.gsmclub.co.za

If any of the items on the website needs translation, please let me know...

The Flamingo was basically the Dart in GT format. I think they built something like 130 at Bob's factory in Paarden Eiland. They designed it to accept the Ford Essex V6, but there was a problem with supplies. It then was fiited with a 1760cc Taunus 4cyl engine. Soon this was replaced with a 1500 Cortina GT engine. Then the radical use of the Ford V8 3700cc...

I have a copy of the book, but it is out on loan, so I can't check all the minute detail.

[bradbury west]

Marius, thanks. It was the coupe with the Taunus engine and divided rear screen. When I have time I will go back through Autosport for you as there was a write up at the launch.
Roger.

[Stephen W]

The Sean McClurg GSM that is currently for sale at Paul Matty's showrooms.

[mahleu]

Originally posted by bradbury west

Is that the bigger coupe GSM? 1500cc engine? Did they ever race. I recall one for sale in Autosport in the 60s, ( I saw the ad. a few weeks ago) apparently the only one brought to the UK. The car reminded me of an Australian coupe, possibly from the late 50s, with the split rear screens, the name of which escapes me at the moment.
Roger Lund

it's basically the same chassis as the dart (with a few modifications including different suspension) with a coupe body. I think it's a lot prettier than the Dart with hardtop and it's a lot more practical. Mine initially had the Taunus 1.7 but it was bought sans engine in a bad state and it now has the Cortina 1.5. They made one prototype V8 which is still owned by one of the founders.

They weren't raced seriously but they definately were entered a few times, apparently the prototype V8 stuck in top gear in it's first race and managed to still finish 3rd.

Also interesting is the Sebring Dart Coupe http://www.gsmclub.co.za/sebring/

Here's what a
Flamingo looks like, the 3 fin tail is a bit love-it-or-hate-it, but it's definately bold.

I think it was renamed 'Delta' in the UK in deference to Daimler who were using, and presumably had registered, the name 'Dart' for their V8 engined sports(-ish) model that was later renamed the SP250

In the UK 'Dart' belonged to a bicycle company and in the US it belonged to Chrysler (I think). So the Dart became the Delta and the other Dart became the SP250.

Edited by mahleu, 03 May 2009 - 18:25.

[bradbury west]

The car reminded me of an Australian coupe, possibly from the late 50s, with the split rear screens, the name of which escapes me at the moment. Roger Lund

The car of which it reminded me was the Repco Record, see Autosport 22.4.60 p540
Roger Lund

[lynx]

Hi Everyone. I am trying to find infomation for my late friends wife. My friends name is David Jenner. In the old days he bought a GSM Delta in kit form from Keith Holland at West Malling. I helped him build the car. it had a 105 Ford engine dark green paint. and had the reg number 220 YKK. He lived near Gravesend Kent. he done a few Club Sprints and test days at Brands Hatch. he later sold the car. He died awhile ago. and his wife has asked me if I can find out if the car is still around. Regards Lynx.

[wheelie]

Hello to everyone!
Can someone recognise this car, please!

Thanks in advance!

A friend of mine has recently bought an old heap that may have a connection with GSM.

It has no engine or gearbox, ali over steel, and has a similar windscreen, but stylistically earlier.

I will try to post a picture, but I am new here.




More pictures can be found on www.flickr.com and search under Pantera Rosso.

A story came with the car that Willie Meissner may have been involved and it may be a
predecessor of, or prototype for the GSM.

Are either Bob van Niekerk, Willie Meissner or Verster de Wit still alive?.


Any help identifying this delightful heap will be much appreciated.

[Killarney]

Looks very similar to the Protea, although I don't think it is.

Bob van Niekerk is the only survivor, albeit not in very good health.

[mahleu]

My Flamingo may be for sale, and there's a Dart for sale in JHB. If anyone is interested drop me a PM.

[bradbury west]

Looking throigh some programmes which came my way I saw this.
Brands Hatch 2.5.1965; 7 GSM Deltas in one race. In another race at another meeting I recall 6 Divas, which must be rare for such small marques.


Roger Lund

Edited by bradbury west, 20 August 2010 - 21:10.