96 replies to this topic

[elansprint72]

The book arrived this morning and looks very interesting. A quick skim thro' the photos reveals that there were more than one showroom over the years; the Wickes picture above is clearly recognisable as one of them. They were at Chiswick, Edgeware and Nottingham; I'll have to read the book to get a clearer understanding of the where/when situation!

 

The final parts of the book deal with the rebuilds of a Bristol Blenheim bomber.

 

Evidently the publication was delayed by the passing away of Graham's wife just after work commenced on the book and then he suffered a stroke in early 2012, from which he is recovering, according to the author.

[MCS]

Maybe two locations on the High Road then.  Gary would know for sure.

 

The building that once was (near Gunnersbury tube) did look very similar in fairness.

[Alan Cox]

The final parts of the book deal with the rebuilds of a Bristol Blenheim bomber.

Covered in detail in this earlier book of Graham's

http://www.amazon.co...s=graham warner

[elansprint72]

Covered in detail in this earlier book of Graham's

http://www.amazon.co...s=graham warner

From the Postscript in new book it says that Graham wrote three books on the Blenheim, the linked one is number two; he also wrote regularly for FlyPast magazine and Classic Aircraft. I'd actually read some of his meticulous magazine copy without realising that it was the same GW!

The book looks like a cracking read and there will not be much decorating done in our house tomorrow.

[Roy C]

Maybe two locations on the High Road then.  Gary would know for sure.

 

The building that once was (near Gunnersbury tube) did look very similar in fairness.

When I worked in Chiswick in the '70s & '80s, the building that is now a branch of Wickes was the MLG BMW dealership.

 

The Chequered Flag showroom near Gunnersbury Station has been demolished and replaced by a block of flats.

Edited by Roy C, 07 December 2013 - 07:37.

[Gary C]

Strangely, after being brought up for the first 22 years of my life in Chiswick, then moving away, I now find myself in permanent employment not 500 yards from the Chequered Flag! (FYI, I now work on the site that was the famnous Chiswick Skidpan for London Transport - take a look for that on Youtube!)

  The showroom near Gunnersbury Station that Roy mentions was the second location in Chiswick High Road, the first being in the photo I posted earlier in the year.

[Roy C]

Strangely, after being brought up for the first 22 years of my life in Chiswick, then moving away, I now find myself in permanent employment not 500 yards from the Chequered Flag! (FYI, I now work on the site that was the famous Chiswick Skidpan for London Transport - take a look for that on Youtube!)

  The showroom near Gunnersbury Station that Roy mentions was the second location in Chiswick High Road, the first being in the photo I posted earlier in the year.

I worked in the IBM Building (now BSI) over the station, opposite the skidpan, with a great view of the spinning Routemasters.

[proviz]

Is there maybe some confusion between the TVR dealership near Gunnersbury Stn and the garage/petrol station of the same name further up Chiswick High Road? It was in the latter that Don Fenwick used to work on the Chequered Flag Lancia Stratos.

[Roy C]

I suspect they had various premises (and possibly owners) at different times along Chiswick High Road.

[bajoduaso]

Hello all,

 

I found this thread after moving house and discovering an old portfolio in the attic - the portfolio once belonged to the now famous draughtsman/art director Michael (Mike) Boone. ( http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0095520/ )

 

Among other film related drawings it contained a signed watercolour of the proposed "Chequered Flag" showroom - produced in 1965 for a shop-fitting company, Davies of London .W6

 

Hope you find this of interest.

 

 

[Paul Hurdsfield]

Davies were a long established and  well respected company in Shopfitting circles, with many prestige jobs in their portfolio.

Paul (retired shopfitting Joiner)

[bajoduaso]

Presumably this was the Chiswick branch of The Chequered Flag?

[Roy C]

Presumably this was the Chiswick branch of The Chequered Flag?

This is (was) the Chequered Flag near London Transport Chiswick Works and Gunnersbury Station.

[Bakeryman]

The  'Edgware Road' branch of The Chequered Flag was called "The Chequered Flag (Competition Cars) Ltd." while other divisions within the company were (Sports Car Specialists) and (Engineering) both at 492-6 Chiswick High Road, and (Midland) at 5-11 Arkwright Street, Nottingham.  I still have a letter dated May 1960 from Alan Foster at Edgware where they also had a workshop down Ballards Mews, a narrow turning off the Edgware Road a few hundred yards to the north.  There used to be a handy shop opposite the entrance to the Mews which stocked a vast range of rubber sections for just about everything on the road.  

[Gary C]

for spinning Routemasters and RT's, take a look at the video contained on this webpage;   http://www.classicbusdvd.uk/

[group7]

Can any one put serial numbers to the Cobras that were entered in the Martini Trophy, July 9th. 1966 at Silverstone ? Racing Sports Cars site shows four cars, two of which are listed as Chequered Flag entries.

 

Two cars are shown on the right column of photos in this link  https://www.gilescoo...e.co.uk/gallery

 

I read some where that Chequered ran a 289 car as well as a 427, but I'm not sure if at this event ?

 

I have a photo (cannot post here)  of the very wet grid at this race, in which there are a number of GT 40s and one Cobra.

 

This question was put forth on another forum I frequent.

 

Thank you for any information, Michael, in Canada.

[raceannouncer2003]

These two ?

 

http://www.racingspo...ts/CSX3006.html

 

http://www.racingspo...ults/HEM-6.html

 

Vince H.

[bill p]

Can any one put serial numbers to the Cobras that were entered in the Martini Trophy, July 9th. 1966 at Silverstone ? Racing Sports Cars site shows four cars, two of which are listed as Chequered Flag entries.

Two cars are shown on the right column of photos in this link https://www.gilescoo...e.co.uk/gallery

I read some where that Chequered ran a 289 car as well as a 427, but I'm not sure if at this event ?

I have a photo (cannot post here) of the very wet grid at this race, in which there are a number of GT 40s and one Cobra.

This question was put forth on another forum I frequent.

Thank you for any information, Michael, in Canada.

The Chequered Flag 289 is the famous GPG 4C (chassis no. HEM 6) built up by Tommy Atkins - it competes regularily at Goodwood driven by owner Grahame Bryant and Oliver Bryant with occasional guest drivers

Edited by bill p, 06 December 2017 - 00:02.

[Paul Parker]

 

Can any one put serial numbers to the Cobras that were entered in the Martini Trophy, July 9th. 1966 at Silverstone ? Racing Sports Cars site shows four cars, two of which are listed as Chequered Flag entries.

 

Two cars are shown on the right column of photos in this link  https://www.gilescoo...e.co.uk/gallery

 

I read some where that Chequered ran a 289 car as well as a 427, but I'm not sure if at this event ?

 

I have a photo (cannot post here)  of the very wet grid at this race, in which there are a number of GT 40s and one Cobra.

 

This question was put forth on another forum I frequent.

 

Thank you for any information, Michael, in Canada.

 

The 427 Cobra is CSX 3006 according to this:

 

https://www.conceptc...x?articleID=114

[Rupertlt1]

100 mph crash —

then he wins

Graham Warner, a 29-year-

old former jet pilot, crashed

into a safety bank at 100 m.p.h.

during practice at Brands

Hatch, Kent, yesterday but

escaped unhurt. He went on to

win the first race—the ten-lap

production sports car race—in a

Lotus Elite at 61.85 m.p.h.

Weekly Dispatch (London), Sunday 27 December 1959

 

In November 1960 David Hobbs acquired the Lotus Elite, 5649 UE, from the Chequered Flag Garage in Chiswick, that was to launch his racing career at international level.

The engine of the Elite was then modified by Cosworth to Stage III tune producing 108 b.h.p. and a Hobbs Mecha-Matic gearbox was fitted specially modified for racing.

Hobbs says "Chapman was not involved in the project, but our engine was blueprinted by some young tuner by the name of Keith Duckworth."

 

From November 1958: "Cosworth's new home was a former coaching stable at 41a Friern Barnet Road."

"Customers included Graham Warner of sports car dealer Chequered Flag, Ian Walker, and Elva proprietor Frank Nicholls."

First Principles — The Official Biography of Keith Duckworth OBE, by Norman Burr, Pages 50-51

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 12 June 2021 - 08:23.

[RobertE]

I believe Stirling owned such an Elite fitted with the Hobbs gearbox; I know not where he acquired it, but if memory serves it was the road car in which he travelled to Goodwood on that fateful weekend...

[Rupertlt1]

The Stirling Moss road car Reg #. HRT 163D. Body/Chassis no.1789 and was fitted with a Twin-cam engine, make unknown.

Colour yellow. This is a 1966 reg no. so the car may have been re-registered that year on change of specification.

Car thought to be in the USA, last known owner was a Richard Richardson.

 

Chequered Flag, Chiswick High Road, and Cosworth, Friern Barnet, were some 13 miles apart (Edgware to Friern Barnet, 6 miles) — lending credence to a London motor sport cluster. The Cosworth Ford FJ motor debuted at Boxing Day Brands Hatch, 1959. One fully-developed motor was given to Graham Warner for a Chequered Flag Gemini, a second with lesser specification to Team Lotus for Alan Stacey. Following practice problems, the two motors were cobbled together in the #36 Lotus: "the 18 had finished a respectable fourth"

First Principles — The Official Biography of Keith Duckworth OBE, by Norman Burr, Page 55.

Two photographs of #36 on Page 68 (Courtesy Victor Thomas collection)

 

Conflict: says Lotus finished tenth here: http://www.the-fastl...la2/FJ59_47.htm

 

The event, for the John Davy Trophy, was described as: "Britain's first full-scale race for Formula Junior machines."

The two Gemini entries were for Graham Warner and Jim Clark. 

 

RGDS RLT  

Edited by Rupertlt1, 13 June 2021 - 07:43.

[RobertE]

Thanks; Stirling recalled a 'ding' to this car while staying at the Fleece Inn, but I'd thought that it was painted in the usual Mint Green.

[Rupertlt1]

A more intriguing version of the Boxing Day Brands Hatch 1959 story emerges, with Graham Warner crashing in the Gemini FJ:

 

100 mph crash —

then he wins

Graham Warner, a 29-year-

old former jet pilot, crashed

into a safety bank at 100 m.p.h.

during practice at Brands

Hatch, Kent, yesterday but

escaped unhurt. He went on to

win the first race—the ten-lap

production sports car race—in a

Lotus Elite at 61.85 m.p.h.

Warner, practising in his

own works car, a Gemini

Austin, was travelling down the

top straight when the flywheel

on his experimental engine

broke.

Birmingham Daily Post, Monday 28 December 1959

 

"The Gemini, with its full-race [Cosworth] engine, was also in trouble. The team mechanics

forgot to torque up the flywheel bolts, which came loose in practice, destroying the

bell housing and crank. So, by the end of practice, the 105E engine's racing debut was

looking like something of an embarrassment."

First Principles — The Official Biography of Keith Duckworth OBE, by Norman Burr, Page 55.

 

So the Gemini of Warner did not have an Austin engine? (Warner DNS.)

 

"So to the John Davy Trophy Race for Formula Junior cars, for

which everyone was waiting. One non-starter was Graham Warner,

the B.M.C. engine of his Gemini having lost its flywheel in practice,

causing the car to spin off and clout the bank backwards, damaging

the tail and Lotus-like rear suspension." 

Motor Sport, February 1960, Page 109.

 

Any other contemporary accounts of this event?

Does a Chequered Life, Graham Warner and the Chequered Flag, by Richard Heseltine, cover this?

 

See also: https://forums.autos...2/#entry3747723

 

RGDS RLT

 

 

Edited by Rupertlt1, 13 June 2021 - 07:21.

[Rupertlt1]

The Chequered Flag Racing Team was featured in Autosport, 27 February 1959.

FIRST SEASON

An Account of "The Chequered Flag" Stable's Activities in 1958 by Michael Beuttler 

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 13 June 2021 - 10:19.

[Roger Clark]

Mike Beuttler wrote similar article most years in the early 60s. 

[Rupertlt1]

The Austin Healey 100S of Graham Warner was registered OJW 303. Painted black (lower) and white (upper).

 

https://www.racingsp...-Warner-GB.html

 

The car appears in 1957 at Goodwood driven by  Mike Mainwaring Evans:

 

https://library.revs...ARCHALL=OJW 303

 

https://www.racingsp...g_Evans-GB.html

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 14 June 2021 - 05:53.

[hatrat]

A more intriguing version of the Boxing Day Brands Hatch 1959 story emerges, with Graham Warner crashing in the Gemini FJ:

 

100 mph crash —

then he wins

Graham Warner, a 29-year-

old former jet pilot, crashed

into a safety bank at 100 m.p.h.

during practice at Brands

Hatch, Kent, yesterday but

escaped unhurt. He went on to

win the first race—the ten-lap

production sports car race—in a

Lotus Elite at 61.85 m.p.h.

Warner, practising in his

own works car, a Gemini

Austin, was travelling down the

top straight when the flywheel

on his experimental engine

broke.

Birmingham Daily Post, Monday 28 December 1959

 

"The Gemini, with its full-race [Cosworth] engine, was also in trouble. The team mechanics

forgot to torque up the flywheel bolts, which came loose in practice, destroying the

bell housing and crank. So, by the end of practice, the 105E engine's racing debut was

looking like something of an embarrassment."

First Principles — The Official Biography of Keith Duckworth OBE, by Norman Burr, Page 55.

 

So the Gemini of Warner did not have an Austin engine? (Warner DNS.)

 

"So to the John Davy Trophy Race for Formula Junior cars, for

which everyone was waiting. One non-starter was Graham Warner,

the B.M.C. engine of his Gemini having lost its flywheel in practice,

causing the car to spin off and clout the bank backwards, damaging

the tail and Lotus-like rear suspension." 

Motor Sport, February 1960, Page 109.

 

Any other contemporary accounts of this event?

Does a Chequered Life, Graham Warner and the Chequered Flag, by Richard Heseltine, cover this?

 

See also: https://forums.autos...2/#entry3747723

 

RGDS RLT

 

 

There is quite a story on this race at Brands on Boxing Day 1959 - I wrote an article on it for the FJHRA magazine and I also have a few photos of the rapid engine change between the Gemini and Lotus 18. If you would like a copy of the article PM me.

[Rupertlt1]

First Principles — The Official Biography of Keith Duckworth OBE, by Norman Burr

The book makes clear how close Keith Duckworth came to going bust (more than once) - with no support from the bank. The support from early customers like Graham Warner was vital on his way to the big time.

 

RGDS RLT

[JtP2]

The Stirling Moss road car Reg #. HRT 163D. Body/Chassis no.1789 and was fitted with a Twin-cam engine, make unknown.

Colour yellow. This is a 1966 reg no. so the car may have been re-registered that year on change of specification.

Car thought to be in the USA, last known owner was a Richard Richardson.

 

Chequered Flag, Chiswick High Road, and Cosworth, Friern Barnet, were some 13 miles apart (Edgware to Friern Barnet, 6 miles) — lending credence to a London motor sport cluster. The Cosworth Ford FJ motor debuted at Boxing Day Brands Hatch, 1959. One fully-developed motor was given to Graham Warner for a Chequered Flag Gemini, a second with lesser specification to Team Lotus for Alan Stacey. Following practice problems, the two motors were cobbled together in the #36 Lotus: "the 18 had finished a respectable fourth"

First Principles — The Official Biography of Keith Duckworth OBE, by Norman Burr, Page 55.

Two photographs of #36 on Page 68 (Courtesy Victor Thomas collection)

 

Conflict: says Lotus finished tenth here: http://www.the-fastl...la2/FJ59_47.htm

 

The event, for the John Davy Trophy, was described as: "Britain's first full-scale race for Formula Junior machines."

The two Gemini entries were for Graham Warner and Jim Clark. 

 

RGDS RLT  

 

 

In the mid 60s Lotus sold off Elite rolling chassis with no engines. Perhaps CC had stopped making the engine, quite likely with the sale to Jaguar. So possibly one of those cars. iirc the price was £400 each and there was something worth buying and storing with the benefit of hindsight.

[Roger Clark]

Mike Beuttler's Autosport article on the Chequered Flag's racing exploits in 1959 (29/4/60) says of Boxing Day Brands:

 

"There were three Geminis entered. Two cars, intended for export, were hurriedly taken off the production line, one with a BMC engine and the other with a Ford. 105E unit.  The third ws a private entry driven by Geoff Williamson.

 

"Graham was travelling down the main straight at top speed when the flywheel flew off, locking the transmission and spinning the car off the track and into one of the extremely hefty earth banks in front of the main grandstand.

 

"Lotus, meanwhile, had damaged the engine in their new Junior when the sump plug came out, so both cars were taken to the paddock, and we offered them our engine.  There were bits of Junior everywhere as the two chassis became more and more bare.  But they made it, including changing crankshafts, with seconds to go!

 

"Gemini's fortunes in the actual race did not really show anything.  Williamson, after water-in-the=fuel problems in practice, spun his twice on the very treacherous surface.  Jimmy Clark's wouldn't restart on the line due to a flat battery; this necessitated a push start, by which time the field had too good a start on him and he finished second in the end"

 

Immediately below this article there was a note saying that Geoff Duke was to return to Motor Racing as number 1 driver for Graham Warner's team of Gemini FJ cars.  He had apparently lapped Oulton Park at "times comparable with those of John Surtees."  Other drivers in the team were to be Graham Warner and Australian Tom Hawks.

[Roger Clark]

There is a 5-page article by Graham Gauld on the 1959 Boxing Day Junior race in Historic Motor Racing magazine, volume 1, number 4. It features several excellent photographs by Graham. He was there with the Border Reivers team.

[bradbury west]

In the mid 60s Lotus sold off Elite rolling chassis with no engines. Perhaps CC had stopped making the engine, 

OT a bit, I am not sure when  CC ended the formal build run, plus spares etc,  nor the total actually built for Chapman, but I  always  remember  that quite a lot of FWEs were fitted by Jack Brabham Motors  to Sprites and Midgets, plus some Heralds, along with a couple of other  installations  from 62/63 ish, so probably accounting for the run out of the build, and several found their way into Elevens or 17s. The Lotus Sales Register lists all the Elites  sold, with or without engines, so the total can be tallied. Roger Nathan put one in the back of an Imp to try it for racing, probably  one ex his Elite,  but reverted to the Imp motor,  and others were no doubt using them, often in single,seaters on the hills,   grey cells going slow, but probably not new  units. Walter Hassan may have mentioned  something about the end of the FWEs in his book.

Roger Lund

[Charlieman]

A quick summary from Nowhere to Hide, by Paul Lawrence:

Bob King maintained CC engines and established a company called Racing Preparations. He badgered CC/Jaguar about spares and in 1964 they offered him all of their spares and drawings for production engines. The V8 F1 engine was not included. King/Racing Preparations received massive quantities of parts and assemblies, sufficient for complete engines to be supplied. The book mentions FPFs but the business was originally an FW specialist.

[D-Type]

Nearly all the Lotus Elevens & 17s, Cooper Bobtails, Lolas, etc in historic racing now have 1220cc engines, presumably FWEs,  replacing the original 1100cc FWA ones.  So there must be  good supply of FWE engines from somewhere. 

[bradbury west]

OT a bit, I am not sure when  CC ended the formal build run, plus spares etc,  nor the total actually built for Chapman, 

Roger Lund

 I have found an article in my files listing total FW build as 1988 units of which 1355 were FWE  variants.

RL

 

 Ah the nostalgia of Bob King at Alperton Viaduct, Wembley,  who entered Lanfranchi in a Lotus 24 with a 2.7 FPF in period.

[steveg3731]

Just a question from the Graham Warner time in the 70's - does anyone know what happened to the burnt Stratos shell ??

[cooper997]

More than 40 years ago I sent off a letter to The Chequered Flag and amongst the brochures received was their "The Fabulous Flag Stratos' information/brochure of the 2 cars. Folding out to a poster.

 

This is the back page.

 

If it's anything like rebirthed works Minis and Escorts then It has made a miraculous recovery sometime in the last 45 years. Probably in works guise, pre 'Chequered' life.

 

 

Stephen

[BRG]

Neither Chequered Flag Stratos has survived AFAIK.   The first (chassis 1513) burnt out in Wales as shown in the brochure and its successor (chassis 1637) was destroyed in Donegal.  If there had been enough left to resurrect it, I am sure someone would have done so by now!

[Myhinpaa]

1513 (ex-works) back at Chequered Flag in Chiswick after the fiery accident on the '76 Welsh Rally.

 

 

(Photo from Martin Holmes.)

 

Then Cathal Curley wrote off 1637 on Atlantic Drive during the '79 Donegal Rally.

 

 

(Photo from Dungannon Motor Club/David Smyth.)

 

1637 was the works Safari entry for Vic preston Jr. in '75, brought back from Kenya in '76 for Graham Warner.

After the Donegal accident a Stradale version was used to reshell 1637, ch.no and OYU 353R reg. was transferred.

 

1513 seems to be gone for good but there has been rumours(??) about a Stratos in Italy/Japan with 1637s original reg.no. (TO L80932)

[BRG]

1513 (ex-works) back at Chequered Flag in Chiswick after the fiery accident on the '76 Welsh Rally.

 

 

(Photo from Martin Holmes.)

 

 

But more to the point, does any part of that Lancia Beta saloon in the background still exist??

[John Ginger]

But more to the point, does any part of that Lancia Beta saloon in the background still exist??

Probably not, I remember doing the 'corrosion checks' back in the day, general rule was that the clean ones used to fail (floor corrosion etc) and the rough ones (on top) used to have solid floors, saw many a heartbroken owner as their pride & joy was 'written off' by the manufacturer

Photo's bring back some memories

Sorry to drift off topic

[Gregor Marshall]

The Chequerued Flag had another Lancia Stratos, chassis 1826.
My late Dad bought it through his Marshall Wingfield business (he did a lot of trade with The Chequered Flag) on the 30th March 1976 for £8,075 and sold it to The Chequred Flag on the 31st March 1976 for £9,100, so a nice little profit.
It was UK road registered MYN52P but I don't know if it was exclusively a road car or a proper rally car, but timing-wise if ready for the 1976 season.
As a slight aside Dad, also bought and sold two other Lancia Stratos cars, chassis 1904 and 1515, also in 1976. I can see who 1904 was sold to, but 1515 does not seem to have been sold through the books... 
Both of these cars were also UK road registered and I have the registration numbers and engine numbers.

Edited by Gregor Marshall, 17 November 2022 - 12:44.

[BRG]

Stratos chassis no 1826 seems to have been around a bit.  It was re-registered in Italy and used in rallies in 1982, then it turns up again in the hands of former F1 driver Erik Comas from 2015  under a French registration, then under a new UK plate and finally on a UK personalised plate COM4S.  Comas has rallied it quite a lot.

 

I think the other two may be road going Stradale models with no competition history.

[BRG]

1637 was the works Safari entry for Vic preston Jr. in '75, brought back from Kenya in '76 for Graham Warner.

After the Donegal accident a Stradale version was used to reshell 1637, ch.no and OYU 353R reg. was transferred.

 

I was wondering about this until I realised that a Stratos bearing the chassis 'number' CF3 is in fact this car.  It was used by Andy Dawson, Russell Brookes, Billy Coleman Bjorn Waldegaard, John Watson and Derek Daly before being sold on to the Earl of Normanton and subsequently has been in the hands of Steve Perez who has rallied it extensively since 2005.

[Myhinpaa]

The reshelled 1637 OYU 353R/LOV 1 is being referred to as "CF3" but it seems to have retained 1637's ch.no.

It's also been registered in Germany as SLS-MY 74 and later on UK plates as 41 HF.

 

1716 have been mentioned as a possible donor for the reshell after Curley's crash in Donegal, but this is unconfirmed.

 

As SLS it finally had a good result on the Robin Hood in 2008, Waldegaard gave it a go just for fun....

 

Here's another photo of 1637, "Stratos 2"

 

 

https://peter.bryan....lancia-stratos/

[Tim Murray]

Slightly o/t, but I remember being fascinated by the Chequered Flag Stratos when the service crew was fettling it at some event or other. They were revving the engine, and each time it decelerated after being revved the intake system emitted a series of clear musical notes of decreasing frequency. I never noticed this on any other Stratos.