9 replies to this topic

[Leigh Trevail]

Back in October Colchester auctioneers Reeman Dansie sold off the personal collection of automobilia of Essex rally driver Bert Westwood. I know that Jeremy Woods purchased the photographs of Bert racing the Fiats pre-war; but who was successful in bidding for the post war pictures of the Healeys and XK120s. Could any TNFer enlighten me?

[berkeleybill]

Would this be A C Westwood from Clacton On Sea that drove the works Berkeley SE328 TBM 216 In the Leige Brescia Leige Rally of July 1958 ? If so a photo of himself and his navigator ,Robin Noel Richards with the car sold on ebay recently for £55.00. The ' Rally Pack' Including an ultra rare copy of the route 'Logbook' was sold for something just under £2,000.00. !!! I am most Interested In gathering more Info' on A C Westwood If It Is the said same person? I have a copy of the ebay photo In my computer I may be able to email It on a PM If required,( My computer skills are minimal !) Likewise feel free to PM me anytime ? Bill.

[Leigh Trevail]

Yes this is the same Bert Westwood, Bert ran Westwood Motors (later Westwood & Clarke) in Clacton. He was born in 1900 and died in 1997, his widow died earlier this year and his family sold his collection of automobilia. Before the war he race Singers and Fiats and after the war rallied a Healey and an XK120 and as you say a Berkeley. Robin N. Richards ran a garage in Walton on the Naze and later had a Ford and Simca dealership in Boreham, however he should not be confused with Robin Richards the commentator, this is a different man. RNR had business problems at Boreham and did a moonlight flit and disapeared off the scene. It is thought that he died in Plymouth in 2004, but no one seems that sure. And yes I would love to see the photo!

As an aside, fellow ECMC member Peter Wren also raced & rallied a Berkeley.

[berkeleybill]

Many thanks for that Info', especially the clarification on Robin Noel Richards, as In BEC circles It was erroniously thought that he was ' Robin Richards the commentator ' ! Yes I did know that Peter Wren was also a Berkeley 'Works Rally Driver ', competing In both the 'Tulip'and RAC International Of Great Britain In 1958. As another aside,most people don't realise that the ' dream team ' of Pat Moss and Ann Wisdom also drove Berkeley TBM 11 In the LBL Rally, Pat Moss mentions It briefly In her book ' The Story So Far ' .

[Leigh Trevail]

Bill......... Thank you for you help, I have managed to contact the vendor of the LBL Rally items but unfortunately he did not purchace any of the photographs.

Also were you aware that Peter Wren raced a Berkeley on the circuits as well as rallying.

[Ted Walker]

I think you will find that the photos were bought by dealer Andrew Currie. If so they will appear on the dreaded E Bay thing.

[Leigh Trevail]

Thank you Ted. I have just spoken to Andrew Currie.

[ReWind]

There are some photos showing Bert Westwood on Archbold Smith's Picasa site:

Bert Westwood with Iris Collins in Fiat Ballila


Bert Westwood & Nobby Bone in Bert's XK120


Bert Westwood in his XK120

[Leigh Trevail]

Thank you ReWind that is a really good site. The aluminium cones that the Fiat is lining up with would have been supplied by Bert. He had these fabricated and sold hundreds to the various motor clubs at 50 bob (£2-50) a dozen.

[berkeleybill]

Bill......... Thank you for you help, I have managed to contact the vendor of the LBL Rally items but unfortunately he did not purchace any of the photographs.

Also were you aware that Peter Wren raced a Berkeley on the circuits as well as rallying.

Leigh, no, I wasn't aware that Peter Wren raced a Berkeley on the circuits, I presume It was as a private entrant as I have no evidence of him racing a works car ? Bill.