63 replies to this topic

[Randal]

I've been searching to find out what happened to the Wiggins Teape Camero that I used to watch at Brands Hatch back in the early 70's. I had a three year assignment in the UK and quickly took advantage of visiting my local track and watching the races.

It was really cool to watch Jimmy Stewart win a F1 race there.

Anyway I was always impressed with the Wiggins Teape Camero that managed to stay in front of many well driven and better handling cars.

What a great car to restore and bring back to historic racing, either here in the US or in Europe.

Anyone out there know what happened to the car?

The last bit of information I secured was that the car ended up in South Africa, never to be heard of again.

Thanks,

Randal

[sterling49]

Originally posted by Randal
I've been searching to find out what happened to the Wiggins Teape Camero that I used to watch at Brands Hatch back in the early 70's. I had a three year assignment in the UK and quickly took advantage of visiting my local track and watching the races.

It was really cool to watch Jimmy Stewart win a F1 race there.

Anyway I was always impressed with the Wiggins Teape Camero that managed to stay in front of many well driven and better handling cars.

What a great car to restore and bring back to historic racing, either here in the US or in Europe.

Anyone out there know what happened to the car?

The last bit of information I secured was that the car ended up in South Africa, never to be heard of again.

Thanks,

Randal

At the time you were in Britain Randal, this car was driven by Brian "Yogi" Muir, the Wiggins Teape Paperchaser....NCR...........oh and the Stewart you saw win, probably in a March 701 and maybe a Tyrell was JYS, one John Young Stewart, Jimmy was course his brother.

[Randal]

Wasn't it Jackie Stewart and I think he was driving a Tyrell. I remember it was a deep blue color, but unfortunately lost all my pictures from the day.

So any idea where the Camero ended up? It will likely be just as hard to find as my (perfect) S4 Elan, which I should never have sold before I left.

Randal

[Paul Hurdsfield]

I remember the Camaro was featured in 'Competition Car' magazine as Competition Car of the Month sometime in the early 70s, in fact I still have the poster somewhere.

[Tim Murray]

As Sterling says, it was John Young - 'Jackie' - Stewart, but he never won at Brands in a Tyrrell. He won the 1969 Race of Champions in the Matra MS80, and the same event in 1970 in the March 701. I'm guessing you saw him in the March, Randal, as it was painted a much deeper blue than the Matra.

[kayemod]

Originally posted by Randal

It was really cool to watch Jimmy Stewart win a F1 race there.

I thought that Jackie Stewart was quite brilliant in Rear Window , one of his best films.

[Tony Matthews]

Originally posted by kayemod


I thought that Jackie Stewart was quite brilliant in Rear Window , one of his best films.

And so much better than his cousin Andy who used to bore us rigid on New Years Eve, on a black and white nine-inch screen...

[Alan Cox]

Brian Muir raced the Wiggins Teape/Malcolm Gartlan Camaro twice at Race of Champions meetings in 1970 and 1971.

[Randal]

Race of Champions - right. The time frame was also when I was in the UK and watching Brands Hatch races.

So what happened to the car?

[glyn parham]

Race of Champions - right. The time frame was also when I was in the UK and watching Brands Hatch races.

So what happened to the car?

The car was sold to Terry Sanger who raced it in the BSCC in 1972 and 1973. The car then passed to Ali Hussein and there is thread on him at Ten Tenths which mentions his ownership of this car. Unfortunately I cannot remember what happened after Ali used it (I think it was involved in a big crash, but I am only working on memory here).

Glyn

[sterling49]

Originally posted by Tony Matthews


And so much better than his cousin Andy who used to bore us rigid on New Years Eve, on a black and white nine-inch screen...

he of "Scottish Soldier" and "Donald Where's your trewsers" fame? As rummages through CD collection..............

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Randal
.....So what happened to the car?

Good luck in your hunt for the car, I foresee it will be frustrating and rewarding at times, just let us know if you find it...

A shame we can no longer find its erstwhile driver. A real pity.

[Mr Plug]

Originally posted by sterling49


At the time you were in Britain Randal, this car was driven by Brian "Yogi" Muir, the Wiggins Teape Paperchaser....NCR...........

I stand to be corrected, but although Wiggins Teape did sponsor Brian Muir and the Camaro, the 'Paperchaser' was really the Capri that succeeded it - the first year that Wiggins Teape sponsored the BTCC. They set Brian and the Capri up as a sort of 'Hare' to chase (and very well he did that too!).

[Paul Hurdsfield]

Originally posted by sterling49


he of "Scottish Soldier" and "Donald Where's your trewsers" fame? As rummages through CD collection..............

Dont forget "Stop your ticklin' Jock"

There was also Frank Gardners SCA Freight Camaro at the same time, wasn't there?

[sterling49]

Originally posted by Mr Plug


I stand to be corrected, but although Wiggins Teape did sponsor Brian Muir and the Camaro, the 'Paperchaser' was really the Capri that succeeded it - the first year that Wiggins Teape sponsored the BTCC. They set Brian and the Capri up as a sort of 'Hare' to chase (and very well he did that too!).

You are probably correct on that matter, the Capri was a super car, and the field did chase him! So much of my memories blur these days

[Peter Darley]

Originally posted by Randal
I've been searching to find out what happened to the Wiggins Teape Camero that I used to watch at Brands Hatch back in the early 70's. I had a three year assignment in the UK and quickly took advantage of visiting my local track and watching the races.




Anyone out there know what happened to the car?

The last bit of information I secured was that the car ended up in South Africa, never to be heard of again.

Thanks,

Randal

The Malcolm Gartlan Racing - Wiggins Teape Camaro was sold to Terry Sanger, who changed the colour to red(ish), but kept the vinyl roof, and switched the engine to Webers.

Peter Darley

ex Team Manager Malcolm Gartlan Racing - Wiggins Teape

[David Lawson]

Here is a snap I took of Brian Muir in the Wiggins Teape Camaro at the 1971 Race of Champions support race, apologies for the tiny image with my trusty fixed 35mm Kodak Retinette 1B that I had at the time.



As usual John Fitzpatrick was snapping at his heals as he seemed to do all that season.

David

[Twin Window]

This is the only photo I took of the Z28 in Sanger's hands; at Oulton Park in September 1972 (supporting the F2 race)...



If David feels the need to apologise for his pic then I certainly do; taken on a Kodak Instamatic free with a bag of sweets (really), low light, a setting choice between 'sunny' and 'cloudy' and all the usual disclaimers!

[Peter Darley]

Originally posted by Twin Window
This is the only photo I took of the Z28 in Sanger's hands; at Oulton Park in September 1972 (supporting the F2 race)...



If David feels the need to apologise for his pic then I certainly do; taken on a Kodak Instamatic free with a bag of sweets (really), low light, a setting choice between 'sunny' and 'cloudy' and all the usual disclaimers!

Note the larger bonnet bulge to accomodate the Webers, as opposed to the previous picture at Brands

[simcaboy]

Note the larger bonnet bulge to accomodate the Webers, as opposed to the previous picture at Brands

Does anyone know what happened to the Wiggins Teape capri or does anyone have any close up pictures of this car?
Thank you for you patience

[Twin Window]

[thunder427]

Frank Gardners SCA Camaro was a Second Generation '70and1/2 Camaro 427'Big Block/Muncie car,his previous Camaro was a 1967 Camaro that was first raced in the USA,and was sponsored by Castrol when Frank Drove it,Later it arrived 'Down under' Raced in NZed,then languished,unused in Bob Jane's Race shop till puchased by a Mr John Pollard who had Bob Janes /Ex Holden Dealer Team( read;Peter Brock) Guru' John Sheperd to transform it into ,Whats known as a 'Sports Sedan',Looked great but never reached its full potental,Nice guy,BUT,Nice guys dont win races............the Camaro is back in England now,its new owner (I believe!!?)is planning a restoration along the Castrol Sponsored livery......its believed this was the first Camaro to enter competition in 1967,first race I believe was Sebring 12 hour...............now there is some research points for somebody,I have to go to Bed its after Midnight.................isn't life fun!!!...................regards427

[Peter Darley]

The ex Wiggins Teape Capri is now racing in America

[JacnGille]

I thought that Jackie Stewart was quite brilliant in Rear Window , one of his best films.

I like Harvey better.

[Alan Cox]

Photo copyright Tim Blackburn

[AJB]

I stand to be corrected, but although Wiggins Teape did sponsor Brian Muir and the Camaro, the 'Paperchaser' was really the Capri that succeeded it - the first year that Wiggins Teape sponsored the BTCC. They set Brian and the Capri up as a sort of 'Hare' to chase (and very well he did that too!).

I'm sure that the Wiggins Teape Camaro was referred to in their advertisements at the time as "The Papermaker's Pacemaker"

[Twin Window]

That would fit with the strapline they used for their sponsorship of the series; 'The Wiggins Teape Paperchace'.

[sterling49]

Photo copyright Tim Blackburn

A super photo, that close, but no nerfing, I wonder if the lads in the current BTCC could do as well?

[petestenning]

A super photo, that close, but no nerfing, I wonder if the lads in the current BTCC could do as well?

I doubt it they are not skilled enough , let me just qualify that they are skilled at todays i cant get through lets shove them aside and blame them for getting in the way, also there is more money/prestige in todays touring cars than the more gentlemanly period back then .

I also believe that the races were more spectacular with the Escorts 3 wheeling there way behind a v8 .

[sterling49]

I would have been standing just a bit further up the hill, just under the bridge, there was rarely an accident, they usually reserved those for the famed traffic jams at Paddock

[glyn parham]

I doubt it they are not skilled enough , let me just qualify that they are skilled at todays i cant get through lets shove them aside and blame them for getting in the way, also there is more money/prestige in todays touring cars than the more gentlemanly period back then .

I also believe that the races were more spectacular with the Escorts 3 wheeling there way behind a v8 .

Very true, but there were one or two drivers who didn't care too much for the slower cars in the old group 5/2 races and left their mark when lapping the slower traffic.

Nothing better than watching a three wheeling Mk1 Escort through Paddock or Clearways, who remembers Mike Crabtree in the 1969 Motor Show 200 race and his recovery drive after a pit stop (cannot remember why he stopped now), there was even a large photo on the wall of the old Paddock bar of him entering South Bank and he was leaning almost horizontally as if willing the car to get round.

Glyn

[glyn parham]

The Camaro parked next to the old petrol station at the top of the paddock after Saturday practice for the ill fated Victory meeting.
http://img44.imagesh...ge=71muirao.tif

Glyn

[sterling49]

You have some great photos tucked away there Glyn

[Robin Fairservice]

I would have been standing just a bit further up the hill, just under the bridge, there was rarely an accident, they usually reserved those for the famed traffic jams at Paddock

I often used to flag at post 11, just up the hill, and the exciting part was when Mini's flew over post 10!

[jeffBarley]

The Malcolm Gartlan Racing - Wiggins Teape Camaro was sold to Terry Sanger, who changed the colour to red(ish), but kept the vinyl roof, and switched the engine to Webers.

Peter Darley

ex Team Manager Malcolm Gartlan Racing - Wiggins Teape

......The diagonal bar on the main hoop was swopped round so that Terry could move his seat further back.. And after Terry sold the car it changed hands a few more times and became almost unrecognisable with a completly removable front end and pretty well modified.... then found and shipped back to the USA by David Tom where the car was restored.. I still have the original cowl induction hood with terry's "red" paint over the original penske blue and the inprint of the original "CAB" stick-on licence plate..

[oldtransamdriver]

So who first built/raced this camaro in the USA?

Robert Barg

[Peter Darley]

So who first built/raced this camaro in the USA?

Robert Barg

The Camaro was built in Germany by Peter Rheinhardt, ex Penske.

[oldtransamdriver]

I'm confused - if this was an ex Penske car, it would have already been a race car. What did Rheinhardt do to it? Was he a racer?

Incidentally, I was a spectator at the Oulton Park 72 F2 race weekend in Sept. - only race I have managed to see in the UK or the continent.

Robert Barg

[Peter Darley]

I'm confused - if this was an ex Penske car, it would have already been a race car. What did Rheinhardt do to it? Was he a racer?

Incidentally, I was a spectator at the Oulton Park 72 F2 race weekend in Sept. - only race I have managed to see in the UK or the continent.

Robert Barg

Rheinhardt used to work at Penske, but left for Europe due to personal reasons. He brought with him a part completed car which he finished in Germany.
The car was bought by Malcolm Gartlan Racing for Brian Muir to drive.

[Martyn Hey]

Rheinhardt used to work at Penske, but left for Europe due to personal reasons. He brought with him a part completed car which he finished in Germany.
The car was bought by Malcolm Gartlan Racing for Brian Muir to drive.

Was it one of the Camaros that the team dipped in acid to reduce weight and had to fit a vinyl roof to disguise how thin the roof really was?

[Twin Window]

The Camaro was built in Germany by Peter Rheinhardt, ex Penske.

...and also ex-Team Rebaque, if my memory serves. Top bloke!

[Peter Darley]

Was it one of the Camaros that the team dipped in acid to reduce weight and had to fit a vinyl roof to disguise how thin the roof really was?

I couldn't possibly comment !

[jeffBarley]

Rheinhardt used to work at Penske, but left for Europe due to personal reasons. He brought with him a part completed car which he finished in Germany.
The car was bought by Malcolm Gartlan Racing for Brian Muir to drive.

My information is that this car was complted in the US and did actually run in one T/A event.. Rhieinhardt (who was ex-penske) bought the car to Europe.. We will all have seen the period article in Motorsport Mag

[jeffBarley]

I couldn't possibly comment !

I have never found any information to suggest that it was dipped but i do know that weight was put back into the bottom of the car in a very unique way.. my guess is that it was dipped, but don't know for sure..

[Jagracer]

Hi In 1979 A good friend of mine called Brian Morrison owned the Camaro and raced it. He used to store it & race prep it at my workshop in Northallerton, North Yorkshire. I am still in contact with Brian & rang him today to find out some information.
Brian purchased it from Doug Emms in 79 & raced it that year & in 80 & 81 he then sold the car to a Fred Henderson in Wiltshire, the last time he heard anything about it was 3 years later when it was advertised for sale in one of the racing magazines, from there he lost track of it
Brian now races a 240Z Datsun Hope that has been of help
Cheers Phil Bradford

[sterling49]

Fred Henderson that rallied Celicas??

[Aero Z-28]

I recall seeing a picture of the car later in its life where it had a tilt front section of bodywork on it and the back had enormous flares and round tail lights. I do not have a copy of that photo. Is that what it looked like when your friend Brian Morrison owned it or did that happen later in the car's life?

-Jon

Hi In 1979 A good friend of mine called Brian Morrison owned the Camaro and raced it. He used to store it & race prep it at my workshop in Northallerton, North Yorkshire. I am still in contact with Brian & rang him today to find out some information.
Brian purchased it from Doug Emms in 79 & raced it that year & in 80 & 81 he then sold the car to a Fred Henderson in Wiltshire, the last time he heard anything about it was 3 years later when it was advertised for sale in one of the racing magazines, from there he lost track of it
Brian now races a 240Z Datsun Hope that has been of help
Cheers Phil Bradford

[Jagracer]

I recall seeing a picture of the car later in its life where it had a tilt front section of bodywork on it and the back had enormous flares and round tail lights. I do not have a copy of that photo. Is that what it looked like when your friend Brian Morrison owned it or did that happen later in the car's life?

-Jon

Will get back in touch with Brian & find out for you & see if he still has some Pictures of it & I will look through my Pic's as I think I have one somewhere Will get back to you
Regards Phil

[Tim Murray]

... he then sold the car to a Fred Henderson in Wiltshire ...

Fred Henderson that rallied Celicas??

I think it must be a different Fred, as the rallying Fred, of Colway remould tyres fame, was based in Durham.

[Jagracer]

Will get back in touch with Brian & find out for you & see if he still has some Pictures of it & I will look through my Pic's as I think I have one somewhere Will get back to you
Regards Phil

Spoke to Brian Morris (not Morrison my mistake) Yesterday (27th) yes when he had it the whole front was modified to lift off completely or tilt up & it did have the round lights on the back. Hope that helps Cheers Phil