20 replies to this topic

[bschenker]

Search photos of Frank Williams (Racing Cars) Ltd, from the year 1969, on the 361 Bath Road in Cippenham, Slough

[EDWARD FITZGERALD]

For Chippenham read Reading, I went to look at it in 72, I think there is a phot in the Marlboro guide of 72 or 73.

[David McKinney]

But Cippenhan is in Slough, not Reading

[EDWARD FITZGERALD]

David I stand corrected , 1972 trip was to FWR at 36 Bennet Road , Reading , photo on p 172/173 0f Marlboro Grand Prix Guide 1973.

[bschenker]

This is wat's for I search photos!

[Terry Walker]

According to Google Map, the green arrow marks the spot:

[Terry Walker]

And here is the Reading premises:

[RS2000]

Presumably both locations have altered since FW occupation?
Talking to Jimmy Fuller at the end of last year, he recalled running his F3 BT38 out of "a lockup behind Frank Williams' premises" in 1973 and on one occasion, when leaving, finding the side access road blocked by a Transit crewed by 2 extremely rough-looking types who asked him: "ere mate wozza DFV?". He innocently pointed to 2 just inside FW's open door, which were then promptly "re-posessed"...

[RS2000]

The excellent book on Piers Courage contains an annecdote about FW's Cippenham location, attributed to Max Mosely. Access from the Westbound M4 (Junction 6) involves a 270 degree bend that was a favourite. Jochen Rindt is, I think, claimed to have been able to power slide his road car the entire length of the bend one handed.
Maybe with his manager cowering in the passenger seat?

[bschenker]

Terry Walker reply No.6

I saw already this Google Earth map, surely it’s gave changes, but this is the place. There I have in May 1969, retired the Brabham Cosworth BT24-3, therefore I would find a photo.
In the announcement for the Piers Courage book, in the Autocar or Motorsport, was a photo of the inside, however would like to find one from the outside

[Shockabuku]

361 Bath Road is now being used by the "Trade Sales" car dealership.

[briggsy]

Just around the corner from 361 was the race shop of Winkellman Racing,based under the Slough Ten Bowling Alley. I remember Frank visiting often and also the rumble of balls above our heads as we worked,we new it was late when the balls stopped.
Later I moved into Franks old flat at 361 for a short time in 1972.

[Doug Nye]

I believe the Jochen Rindt M4 sliproad story (Huntercombe Spur, Slough West, you can find it on Google Earth if anybody's that interested) is perfectly true. He regarded it as perfectly normal to take a line off the Motorway - westbound - in his Alfa, sling it broadside and then just balance it on throttle and steering effectively flat-out all the way round the 270-degrees of the climbing turn... I never actually saw him do it, but so many people described it to me from Roy Winkelmann and Frank Williams themselves on down - or sideways - that I have always believed it.

Oh, by the way, for those who live in Slough today...don't try this at home.

DCN

[DOHC]

Originally posted by EDWARD FITZGERALD
David I stand corrected , 1972 trip was to FWR at 36 Bennet Road , Reading , photo on p 172/173 0f Marlboro Grand Prix Guide 1973.

From that same guide:

Frank Williams with his Polytoys (!) is currently the smallest of the recognised F1 racing car manufacturers. But he is an experienced racing manager, and an even better sponsor-seeker, young and dynamic. He started out winth an old VW-transporter and an equally ancient Formula 3 Cooper which he rented out while he sold spare parts to his racing colleagues as a kind of travelling salesman. When he rented out the Cooper it was always in the hope that the client would damage the car so that the deposit placed would be forfeited. This happened now and again so that Frank could make ends meet (the deposit was always far greater than the damage to the car). Later he tried his luck as a racing driver himself but usually finished off track because he took too many risks and so he decided in 1967 to abandon driving and concentrate in future on making money and directing a racing team.

The rest is, as we know, history.

[ChrisJson]

361 Bath Road is now being used by the "Trade Sales" car dealership.

It´s the big parking lot you see to the right of the arrowed building
so it seems that none of the original buildings still stands.

Christer

Edited by ChrisJson, 06 December 2012 - 18:37.

[ChrisJson]

And here is the Reading premises:

36 Bennet Rd is actually the right part of the building on south side of the
road nearest to the juntion with Reading Relief Rd. It´s currently occupied
by the Custom Metalcraft Ltd, a company describing themselves working
as sheet metal work contractors.

Christer

Edited by ChrisJson, 06 December 2012 - 19:01.

[ChrisJson]

Speaking of Frank Williams, does anyone know where the
famous flat in Harrow was located?

It was the home of several young drivers in the early ´60s
including Williams, Courage, Crichton-Stuart, Horsley and Lucas.

It was also (or rather the garage) the place where Frank started
his successful racing car trade.

I´ve tried the search function but haven´t found the answer.

Christer

[Tim Murray]

It was in Pinner Road, Harrow, but I don't know the number.

ETA: Google throws up several sources which give the address as Flat 6, 283 Pinner Road, Harrow, eg:

http://www.telegraph...-greatness.html

Edited by Tim Murray, 06 December 2012 - 20:30.

[ChrisJson]

Thank you very much, Tim!

Christer

[ChrisJson]

So to sum it all up!

Frank Williams (Racing Cars) Ltd


?/? 1966-?/? 1968

Flat 6, Adrian Court
283-295 Pinner Rd
Harrow

Brought by present owner 06/25 2004 for £225000.
Looking rather shabby in Google Maps picture from
2008 but a Mr Kishmorekaria of Sandkot Ltd have
received a permission to rebuild and renovate
the building on 10/17 2012.


?/? 1968-?/? 1972

361 Bath Rd
Cippenham
Slough

Now a large parking lot with no buildings. Used by
Trade-Sales.co.uk The Car Supermarket.


?/? 1972-?/? 1977

36 Bennet Rd
Reading

Now occupied by Custom Metalcraft Ltd


And now on to Williams Grand Prix Engineering!!


Christer

[eurocardoc]

I can recall that Sir Frank had the end lockup to the rear of the building housing the F2 Brabhams. Also on site, Howden Ganley ran the Proto tools distributorship. Just around the corner was the Lyncar factory. Buzz Buzaglo ran the Grob Racing FF Eldens from that 361 location also. I remember a very handy hardware store on the other side of the road and can attest that a BMW 2002 took that entry onto the M4 very well indeed!