7 replies to this topic

[Simpatico]

Hi Everyone

Whilst surfing about reliving my 70s childhood on a "Look-In" fansite I came across an early cover with this contraption on it. It took me ages to notice the LOTUS badge, and BARNARD?

Can any of you knowledgeable types tell me anything about it?

At the Le Mans Classic last year they had a little parade of some pint sized kiddy racers that I didn't fully understand (couldn't get the gist of the French commentary). Would this be one of those?

Edited by Simpatico, 27 May 2009 - 18:43.

[Peter Morley]

Hi Everyone

Whilst surfing about reliving my 70s childhood on a "Look-In" fansite I came across an early cover with this contraption on it. It took me ages to notice the LOTUS badge, and BARNARD?

Can any of you knowledgeable types tell me anything about it?

At the Le Mans Classic last year they had a little parade of some pint sized kiddy racers that I didn't fully understand (couldn't get the gist of the French commentary). Would this be one of those?

The following was reported at the 1967 London racing car show:

The Barnard is a race car in miniature powered by a choice of lawnmower engines giving it a maximum of anywhere between 15 and 60 mph. Although it is designed for children, there is sufficient seat and pedal adjustment for the old man to drive it. A full program of track testing has just been completed by Tom Barnard, who is seven, and the price in kit form is $420.

[RStock]

Hi Everyone

Whilst surfing about reliving my 70s childhood on a "Look-In" fansite I came across an early cover with this contraption on it. It took me ages to notice the LOTUS badge, and BARNARD?

Can any of you knowledgeable types tell me anything about it?

At the Le Mans Classic last year they had a little parade of some pint sized kiddy racers that I didn't fully understand (couldn't get the gist of the French commentary). Would this be one of those?

I don't know anything about the car , but seeing that tells me how much my own childhood sucked . I was lucky to have a rusty old bicycle .

[Simpatico]

Aha, so the Lotus badge is a red herring then! Thanks for the info, here's something about the designer and this "formula 6" malarkey, will do some more digging;

Chicken Pate News

**link now fixed*

Ooh found a bit more on Tom Barnard (snr), someone on here will know him for sure;

Barnard Biography

Edited by Simpatico, 29 May 2009 - 21:51.

[timf5000]

The Barnard cars were available as sports "D-Type" cars and single seaters with full bodywork. The single seaters were raced as Formula 6 in the early seventies with the Rochester Motor Club. My brother and I both raced them as did Ian Flux. The engines were Briggs and Stratton 5hp. A couple of years ago I found a Barnard for sale local to my mother's and bought it. When I stripped it to re-paint and tidy it I found that it was the actual car in which we started our racing lives!!

[timf5000]

Sorry, forgot to say the races were for 10 to 18 year olds but there was also an Adults championship as well

[hipperson]

Here you are chapter and verse......

Clive Chapman was pootling about in this car at our charity bash last Sunday..





And here from Clive....

'....Built by Tom Barnard (Lotus Mark IX driver of old). Presented to ACBC/yours truly at Hethel around 1970, I guess. Many miles along East Carleton Manor driveways. Restored 2007 by me and Arthur and Magnus since when many more miles along driveways. Has won many ‘Grand Prix’ on last corner of last lap, having started from the pit lane.....'


Michael

[Simpatico]

Brilliant, thankyou Tim/Michael. TNF triumphs again

So the car in the pic is in Gold Leaf colours, well that would explain the Lotus badge. So is that Clive in the car? Has a look of him.

BTW fixed the Pathe news link above, check it here.

Edited by Simpatico, 29 May 2009 - 21:52.