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Bristol 402 rallying


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#1 cdrewett

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Posted 02 June 2010 - 08:52

I have a rather scruffy photograph of my father and Wyndham Hewitt competing in a rally in France in a Bristol 402 drophead, possibly the only time a 402 competed in anything other than a Concours. The rally plate reads Rallye Automobile Aix en Provence and their competition number is 65. I guess the year is 1951 because the following year they won the Aix-Madrid rally in a Frazer Nash Mille Miglia.
But the records show that there wasn't an Aix-Madrid Rally in 1951 so I guess it was just in France.
I know this is all a bit obscure but Christopher Balfour's brilliant Bristol book is about to be reprinted and he is keen to get the record straight and so am I.
Does anyone know where the rally went and how they got on?
Chris

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#2 arttidesco

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Posted 02 June 2010 - 11:28

I wish I could help on your quest to find answers on your fathers 402 and wish you luck getting the information you require,

Hope you do not mind me making a follow up Bristol enquiry, co incidentally I have been researching Zambian Motor Sport recently and the winners of class B up to 2 litres in the 1500 mile 1955 Ndola Rally in Northern Rhodesia were Mr. and Mrs. Glasby in a Bristol 401 !

Has anybody heard of Mr & Mrs Glasby and their Bristol before, or seen any pictures ?



#3 David McKinney

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Posted 02 June 2010 - 12:08

Eric Glasby was a very well-known driver in Southern Rhodesia (as was), starting with MGs before the War and making a big name for himself in local saloon races in the '50s at the wheel of a Morris Minor

He must have liked Bristols, as he later raced an AC, a Tojeiro and a Cooper, all powered by Bristol

His son Ivan moved to Australia many years ago and is closely associated with old racing-cars there. In fact last time I saw him he was racing a ... Cooper-Bristol

#4 Fred Gallagher

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Posted 02 June 2010 - 16:07

Maybe not relevant but Wyndham Hewitt competed on the 1953 Sestriere Rally with Alex von Falkenhausen in a Frazer Nash.

Glad to hear that the Bristol book sold well - I think it's excellent.

Fred

#5 arttidesco

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Posted 02 June 2010 - 16:14

Eric Glasby was a very well-known driver in Southern Rhodesia (as was), starting with MGs before the War and making a big name for himself in local saloon races in the '50s at the wheel of a Morris Minor

He must have liked Bristols, as he later raced an AC, a Tojeiro and a Cooper, all powered by Bristol

His son Ivan moved to Australia many years ago and is closely associated with old racing-cars there. In fact last time I saw him he was racing a ... Cooper-Bristol


Thanks David, my head is spinning @-) how did you know about Eric Glasby who I have just Googled and found out took part in the 1962 Natal GP in a Cooper Alfa Romeo ?

#6 David McKinney

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Posted 02 June 2010 - 17:40

Thanks David, my head is spinning @-) how did you know about Eric Glasby who I have just Googled and found out took part in the 1962 Natal GP in a Cooper Alfa Romeo ?

I know lots of things :)



#7 arttidesco

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Posted 02 June 2010 - 21:34

I know lots of things :)


I thought I knew alot of things then I joined in the fun at TNF and now I am not so sure :drunk:


#8 cdrewett

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Posted 13 November 2011 - 11:40

I have a rather scruffy photograph of my father and Wyndham Hewitt competing in a rally in France in a Bristol 402 drophead, possibly the only time a 402 competed in anything other than a Concours. The rally plate reads Rallye Automobile Aix en Provence and their competition number is 65. I guess the year is 1951 because the following year they won the Aix-Madrid rally in a Frazer Nash Mille Miglia.
But the records show that there wasn't an Aix-Madrid Rally in 1951 so I guess it was just in France.
I know this is all a bit obscure but Christopher Balfour's brilliant Bristol book is about to be reprinted and he is keen to get the record straight and so am I.
Does anyone know where the rally went and how they got on?
Chris


The mystery is solved. I've found a copy of Auto Course with all the rally results for 1951. It was the Aix-en-Provence Rally in May 1951 and they came 3rd in the 1100cc-2000cc class and 4th overall on the Mont Ventoux stage. So the 402 wasn't just a Hollywood boulevard cruiser.
Chris

#9 fbarrett

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Posted 14 November 2011 - 23:07

...making a big name for himself in local saloon races in the '50s at the wheel of a Morris Minor.


Hmmm. Are saloon racers anything like cafe racers?

Frank

#10 arttidesco

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Posted 15 November 2011 - 00:25

Hmmm. Are saloon racers anything like cafe racers?

Frank


No !

And they are nothing like the Sedan racers in the USA either :wave:


#11 Bob Riebe

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Posted 16 November 2011 - 19:24

No !

And they are nothing like the Sedan racers in the USA either :wave:

Would that make salon racers ladies in curlers and facial mask?