28 replies to this topic

[cur10k]

I'm trying to find out more of the early history of a 1964 Cannon GT which I have purchased.

It was built by Mike Cannon better known for the Cannon trials cars popular in the 60s.

It may have been driven by Colin Taylor at Brands Castle Coombe & Thruxton & maybe also by John Alexander

There is also a suggestion that in ran in the Motoring News GT Championship & may also have appeared at Oulton, Rufforth, Croft & Ingliston.

Subsequently it was hillclimbed before falling into disrepair.

The car has Lotus 23B & 26R components & it presently fitted with a precrossflow Ford engine

Anyone know of the car?

Thanks

[bill p]

I'm trying to find out more of the early history of a 1964 Cannon GT which I have purchased.

It was built by Mike Cannon better known for the Cannon trials cars popular in the 60s.

The car has Lotus 23B & 26R components & it presently fitted with a precrossflow Ford engine

How about some photos of your purchase??

[Mistron]

I assume it is the pale blue one?

lovely unusual car. I'm very envious. I looked at it a couple of years ago but not enough pennies in the pot!

Graham Gauld was trying to track down some info here for the last owner. don't think any info really came to light though

[cur10k]

I assume it is the pale blue one?

lovely unusual car. I'm very envious. I looked at it a couple of years ago but not enough pennies in the pot!

Graham Gauld was trying to track down some info here for the last owner. don't think any info really came to light though

Yes its the same car. See pics!

[Derwent Motorsport]

Looks like it's in the company of some other interesting cars!

I've quite a collections of Ingliston, Croft and Rufforth programmes but I can't remember this car competing. It's so unusual that I think I would have remembered.

[cur10k]

Been trawling through some old Autosport mags. Found references to the car at;

Brands in Sept 1966

Oulton Park in March 1967 Class winner

Lydden Hill in March 1967 3rd in class

Also now have a photo of it racing at Snetterton -- see below

Still looking for more!

Edited by cur10k, 24 July 2010 - 20:58.

[cur10k]

Been trawling through some old Autosport mags. Found references to the car at;

Brands in Sept 1966

Oulton Park in March 1967 Class winner

Lydden Hill in March 1967 3rd in class

Also now have a photo of it racing at Snetterton -- see below

Still looking for more!

The car seems to have been used in grass track racing in the 70s. I now have a pic & the car carries a sticker from the Kentish Border Motor Club. I've done a google search for that club with no success.

Anyone know it it still exists?

[CoulthardD]

The car seems to have been used in grass track racing in the 70s. I now have a pic & the car carries a sticker from the Kentish Border Motor Club. I've done a google search for that club with no success. Anyone know it it still exists?

They are not listed in the Blue Book.

DC

[Graham Gauld]

They are not listed in the Blue Book.

DC

Reference my own enquiries I had been told Mike Cannon had gone to Australia and I contacted Tim Schenken who is high up in CAMS but he could not come up with anyone who knew him.

[cur10k]

Reference my own enquiries I had been told Mike Cannon had gone to Australia and I contacted Tim Schenken who is high up in CAMS but he could not come up with anyone who knew him.

Thanks Graham. I'm now in touch with the 2nd owner of the car & he & another contact have assured me that Mike Cannon died in Australia around 4/5 years ago.

Hoping to get more info shortly

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Graham Gauld
.....I contacted Tim Schenken who is high up in CAMS but he could not come up with anyone who knew him.

Well, that would be a pretty good reason why...

[Ted Walker]

Posts 6 and 10 show a Fred Scatley photo (copyright Ferret Fotographics) Taken i think at Snetterton. Im sure Mike Cannon died several years ago.

[simon drabble]

It seems that the problem you are going to have is that it competed after the Appendix K cut off therefore making it ineligible for FIA races. However dont dispair as this would probably be a very competive car for HSCC HRS where Ginetta's do very well

[cur10k]

Recent pic, rebuilt & repainted in Cannon duck egg blue!

[Nick Wa]

I seem to recall Mike's wife was Australian.

[RS2000]

They are not listed in the Blue Book.
DC

If a grasstrack club, they wouldn't be. The blazers of Colnbrook fortunately don't control all UK motorsport. I think NASA was also not active in the south east then (or now?) and the governing body was SEGTA (South East Grass Track Association).

[cur10k]

If a grasstrack club, they wouldn't be. The blazers of Colnbrook fortunately don't control all UK motorsport. I think NASA was also not active in the south east then (or now?) and the governing body was SEGTA (South East Grass Track Association).

Thanks, couldn't find them on Google. Do they still operate?

I'm now in touch with the 2nd owner & hopeful he can provide more info.

[simon drabble]

Which series are you looking to compete in?

[glyn parham]

The car seems to have been used in grass track racing in the 70s. I now have a pic & the car carries a sticker from the Kentish Border Motor Club. I've done a google search for that club with no success.

Anyone know it it still exists?

I remember Kentish Borders car Club in the sixties & early seventies and always assumed that they folded or merged with another club by the early eightie as that is the last time I heard of them. I believe they were similar to Borough 19, Bexley Light Car Club and mabny other motor clubs in Kent and organised rallies, driving tests etc. Perhaps Sterling can put his memory to good use and recall more about them.

Could the John Alexander who drove the car be Iain Alexander who lived in Tonbridge and also raced Divas until emigrating to Australia in the mid sixties? Just a long shot that could well be very, very wrong.

Glyn

[cur10k]

Which series are you looking to compete in?

Simon, I'm based in Scotland & presently compete on hills & sprints with a 1961 Turner BMC.

My intention would be to use the Cannon next year on the Scottish & Northern Championships with maybe a venture to the vintage meetings at Harewood & Barbon.

I had thought of getting the Cannon to the Bo ness Hillclimb Revival this year but I have the Turner entered & getting two cars there will be too difficult!

Bob

[cur10k]

I remember Kentish Borders car Club in the sixties & early seventies and always assumed that they folded or merged with another club by the early eightie as that is the last time I heard of them. I believe they were similar to Borough 19, Bexley Light Car Club and mabny other motor clubs in Kent and organised rallies, driving tests etc. Perhaps Sterling can put his memory to good use and recall more about them.

Could the John Alexander who drove the car be Iain Alexander who lived in Tonbridge and also raced Divas until emigrating to Australia in the mid sixties? Just a long shot that could well be very, very wrong.

Glyn

Glyn, I'll enquire of the 2nd owner re John/ Iain Alexander & let you know. Thanks

[simon drabble]

Simon, I'm based in Scotland & presently compete on hills & sprints with a 1961 Turner BMC.

My intention would be to use the Cannon next year on the Scottish & Northern Championships with maybe a venture to the vintage meetings at Harewood & Barbon.

I had thought of getting the Cannon to the Bo ness Hillclimb Revival this year but I have the Turner entered & getting two cars there will be too difficult!

Bob

as a former Turner owner you have my vote! Think about HSCC - they have some northern rounds.....

[cur10k]

as a former Turner owner you have my vote! Think about HSCC - they have some northern rounds.....

Simon, you might like this pic -- taken at Bo ness last year;

[simon drabble]

Simon, you might like this pic -- taken at Bo ness last year;

nice I had a 1650 just like that which was out at the Classic this weekend. What engine are you running?

[cur10k]

nice I had a 1650 just like that which was out at the Classic this weekend. What engine are you running?

Simon, its an A series out at 1410cc built by Peter May, Runs on split 45s & puts out about 135brake.

[RS2000]

Thanks, couldn't find them on Google. Do they still operate?
I'm now in touch with the 2nd owner & hopeful he can provide more info.

Autograss in Kent now seems to be under the NASA national umbrella.
Thinking about dates, I'm not sure "grasstrack" had the "respectable" form it has now in those days. Maybe it was Autocross (an MSA controlled discipline) it was used in then?
If it was autograss, an older member from this club might possibly be able to help:
http://www.invictakentautograss.co.uk/

[cur10k]

Autograss in Kent now seems to be under the NASA national umbrella.
Thinking about dates, I'm not sure "grasstrack" had the "respectable" form it has now in those days. Maybe it was Autocross (an MSA controlled discipline) it was used in then?
If it was autograss, an older member from this club might possibly be able to help:
http://www.invictakentautograss.co.uk/

Thanks RS2000. I've now emailed that club

[cur10k]

I remember Kentish Borders car Club in the sixties & early seventies and always assumed that they folded or merged with another club by the early eightie as that is the last time I heard of them. I believe they were similar to Borough 19, Bexley Light Car Club and mabny other motor clubs in Kent and organised rallies, driving tests etc. Perhaps Sterling can put his memory to good use and recall more about them.

Could the John Alexander who drove the car be Iain Alexander who lived in Tonbridge and also raced Divas until emigrating to Australia in the mid sixties? Just a long shot that could well be very, very wrong.

Glyn

Glyn,

Emailed 2nd owner. He does not recognise the names John or Iain Alexander. I'll keep digging!

[Mistron]

getting two cars there will be too difficult!

Bob

I'll drive it there for you.......