12 replies to this topic

[dolomite]

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This is a photo I've found in one of my late father's albums. It shows him taking part in what as far as I know was his one and only motor race, at Silverstone sometime in the 1950s. The family legend is that he was racing in secret in a borrowed car without telling his parents, crashed and ended up in hospital with a broken arm, after which my grandmother forbade him from ever racing again.
I'd love to find out more about when this was and what the car was. It appears to be an Austin 7 special of some description. He may have been entered under his own name, Alf Samuels, or he may have used a pseudonym. I'm hoping some of you knowledgable TNF fellows out there may be able to help fill in the blanks. Any suggestions gratefully received - over to you chaps!

[dolomite]

Sorry about the double post - not sure why it did that!

[Allan Lupton]

I don't know, but I think I know a man who would!

[Mistron]

I'd drop Neil Carr-Jones an email at the 750MC. He's got to be the chap for a question like this, as he has all of the results for races over the years, and a No. 89 DNF at Silverstone can't be too hard to track down.

[dolomite]

Thanks Mistron, I'll give that a try.

[David Beard]

Can't help at all, but what a super photo!

[mikeC]

I cannot help much, except to confirm it is, indeed, an Austin Seven special. Based on a 1930-31 chassis (6'3" wheelbase, coupled brakes), it appears to have an Ulster exhaust manifold, which may or may not be significant - certainly a number of Ulsters lost their identity to 750 specials in the fifties. There are two survivors on the A7CA chassis register which have registration numbers ending 069 - BS 9069 and HY 1069 - neither of which appear to have original bodies, so could just possibly be this car...

[RogerFrench]

I knew a lot of A7 Specials in the 50s, but I don't remember this one, which, by the way, looks a lot less scruffy than most that I do!
To judge from the picture I'd think it was primarily a road rather than racing car, but it's certainly neat. Thanks for posting it, and I hope your question gets answered. Let us know if it does!

[ErleMin]

No longer Neil Carr-Jones at 750MC - now Giles Groombrige or Sharon Rolfe for membership (750mc.co.uk). Best bet is A7 guru, Ken Cooke. I have his email address if you send me a message.

Edited by ErleMin, 06 February 2012 - 16:44.

[austinharris]

I cannot help much, except to confirm it is, indeed, an Austin Seven special. Based on a 1930-31 chassis (6'3" wheelbase, coupled brakes), it appears to have an Ulster exhaust manifold, which may or may not be significant - certainly a number of Ulsters lost their identity to 750 specials in the fifties. There are two survivors on the A7CA chassis register which have registration numbers ending 069 - BS 9069 and HY 1069 - neither of which appear to have original bodies, so could just possibly be this car...

Think it's a Super Sports manifold rather than Ulster, it looks like it comes straight out rather than at an angle. Also looks like a Swallow radiator shell.

Nice special and a cracking photo.

[henryharris]

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This is a photo I've found in one of my late father's albums. It shows him taking part in what as far as I know was his one and only motor race, at Silverstone sometime in the 1950s. The family legend is that he was racing in secret in a borrowed car without telling his parents, crashed and ended up in hospital with a broken arm, after which my grandmother forbade him from ever racing again.
I'd love to find out more about when this was and what the car was. It appears to be an Austin 7 special of some description. He may have been entered under his own name, Alf Samuels, or he may have used a pseudonym. I'm hoping some of you knowledgable TNF fellows out there may be able to help fill in the blanks. Any suggestions gratefully received - over to you chaps!

I think this is Dave Rees in the 750 Formula Race at Silverstone on 26th July, 1952. 

I don't know what the results of the race were.

Edited by henryharris, 16 November 2014 - 15:55.

[Sharman]

Can't actually see if it is Dave or not but the style of dress looks right.

[dolomite]

I think this is Dave Rees in the 750 Formula Race at Silverstone on 26th July, 1952.
I don't know what the results of the race were.

Thanks Henry, however it's definitely my dad driving the car in the photo. Why do you think it's that particular race?

Edited by dolomite, 17 November 2014 - 18:41.