One of the many autographs that I obtained while wandering around the paddock at Goodwood on Easter Monday 1955 was that of Tom Kyffin who had been driving the ex-Alan Brown 'Barchetta' Cooper-Bristol. Tom was a very smart and friendly chap who added the title 'Equipe Devone' to his autograph which I thought a nice touch. I followed the fortunes of Equipe Devone for a while, their drivers also included Bruce Halford, David Watts and Rodney Nuckey, usually in sports and formula 2 Cooper Bristols. Kyfinn (which I was told was pronounced Kuffin) also raced the ex-Peter Collins Aston-Martin DB3S in 1956 and a Lister-Jaguar in 1957 before appearing to disappear from the scene. I didnt follow motor racing too closely during the early 1960's and would be interested to know if Tom or Equipe Devone were involved at all. I asked Bruce Halford about him in the 1980's and he said that Tom was still living in the West Country somewhere at that time. I believe that Tom's mother was closely connected to the Wills tobacco company, which perhaps explained how he was able to go motor racing in such comparitive style.The friendly Tom Kyffin was someone I clearly remember from that sunny Easter day in 1955 and I have often wondered what became of him and his little team.
What became of Tom Kyffin and Equipe Devone?
Started by
Eric Dunsdon
, Feb 24 2012 15:02
14 replies to this topic
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#2
ReWind
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Posted 24 February 2012 - 18:31
I know that Thomas Trevor Kyffin was born in Sandbanks, Dorset, on 14 September 1931.
He was the youngest child of John Trevor Kyffin (1894 – 1969) & Margaret Joyce de Winton Wills (1898 – 1976). (Source)
If someone has access to Burke’s Peerage we should learn more. Likewise with www.192.com in case Tom Kyffin is still alive.
In the early 1960s there was an actor called Thomas Kyffin. Since I don’t know how old he was I cannot say whether he is/was identical to the race car driver of the 1950s.
He was the youngest child of John Trevor Kyffin (1894 – 1969) & Margaret Joyce de Winton Wills (1898 – 1976). (Source)
If someone has access to Burke’s Peerage we should learn more. Likewise with www.192.com in case Tom Kyffin is still alive.
In the early 1960s there was an actor called Thomas Kyffin. Since I don’t know how old he was I cannot say whether he is/was identical to the race car driver of the 1950s.
#3
llmaurice
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Posted 24 February 2012 - 19:38
One of the many autographs that I obtained while wandering around the paddock at Goodwood on Easter Monday 1955 was that of Tom Kyffin who had been driving the ex-Alan Brown 'Barchetta' Cooper-Bristol. Tom was a very smart and friendly chap who added the title 'Equipe Devone' to his autograph which I thought a nice touch. I followed the fortunes of Equipe Devone for a while, their drivers also included Bruce Halford, David Watts and Rodney Nuckey, usually in sports and formula 2 Cooper Bristols. Kyfinn (which I was told was pronounced Kuffin) also raced the ex-Peter Collins Aston-Martin DB3S in 1956 and a Lister-Jaguar in 1957 before appearing to disappear from the scene. I didnt follow motor racing too closely during the early 1960's and would be interested to know if Tom or Equipe Devone were involved at all. I asked Bruce Halford about him in the 1980's and he said that Tom was still living in the West Country somewhere at that time. I believe that Tom's mother was closely connected to the Wills tobacco company, which perhaps explained how he was able to go motor racing in such comparitive style.The friendly Tom Kyffin was someone I clearly remember from that sunny Easter day in 1955 and I have often wondered what became of him and his little team.
Wasn't he associated with Aston Martins and the Torbay Speed shop in the mid '50s ?
#4
Doug Nye
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Posted 24 February 2012 - 20:36
Wasn't he associated with Aston Martins and the Torbay Speed shop in the mid '50s ?
Yes - I believe so.
DCN
#5
bradbury west
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Posted 24 February 2012 - 21:22
The Times announced his engagement in Nov 1952. His fiancee hailed from Teignmouth. Ancestry has marriages in 53 and 67. Electoral Roll shows a S Devon address about 5 years ago. His mother may have been the sister of Sir John Wills of the tobacco firm.
Roger Lund
Roger Lund
#6
Vitesse2
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Posted 24 February 2012 - 23:46
A bit of juggling on 192.com suggests he moved to Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset and is still there. 2012 Electoral Roll and Directory Enquiries entries.The Times announced his engagement in Nov 1952. His fiancee hailed from Teignmouth. Ancestry has marriages in 53 and 67. Electoral Roll shows a S Devon address about 5 years ago. His mother may have been the sister of Sir John Wills of the tobacco firm.
Roger Lund
Assuming it's the right chap, then this is him: http://www.burnham-o...e/kyffins.shtml
#7
LittleChris
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Posted 25 February 2012 - 00:57
Better hurry up if you want to contact him since, according to the website, he's looking to move on !
#9
Eric Dunsdon
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Posted 25 February 2012 - 10:06
Thanks to all for those replies.
Yes, I recall that Bruce Halford's Cooper-Bristol was sometimes entered by The Torbay Speed Shop. He also raced a Riley under the Equipe Devone banner.
Tom Kyffin had some minor successes with the ex-Collins DB3S in 1956. The chap from Burnham bears some resemblance to the young driver that I spoke to in 1955. If its the same person, I wish him well with his move abroad.
Thank you all again.
Yes, I recall that Bruce Halford's Cooper-Bristol was sometimes entered by The Torbay Speed Shop. He also raced a Riley under the Equipe Devone banner.
Tom Kyffin had some minor successes with the ex-Collins DB3S in 1956. The chap from Burnham bears some resemblance to the young driver that I spoke to in 1955. If its the same person, I wish him well with his move abroad.
Thank you all again.
#10
Gabrci
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Posted 25 February 2012 - 10:19
Why don't you call him, Eric? I'm sure he would love to speak to someone that remembers his racing career. If it's indeed him, that is 
#11
Adam6748
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Posted 08 January 2014 - 13:53
Hi Eric and all, this certainly made for interesting reading for me; the research posted in here regarding his whereabouts and past activities is mostly accurate. He now lives in Turkey enjoying sunnier climes in his latter years. If you'd like to get in touch with Tom or would like any further information, please just let me know. I'm his son, Adam.
Edited by Adam6748, 08 January 2014 - 22:31.
#12
Bjorn Kjer
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Posted 08 January 2014 - 14:58
I PM'ed you Adam.
#13
bradbury west
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Posted 08 January 2014 - 17:41
Welcome to TNF, Adam. It is reassuring to see that the system here works.
Roger Lund
Roger Lund
#14
Eric Dunsdon
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Posted 10 January 2014 - 09:21
Hi Eric and all, this certainly made for interesting reading for me; the research posted in here regarding his whereabouts and past activities is mostly accurate. He now lives in Turkey enjoying sunnier climes in his latter years. If you'd like to get in touch with Tom or would like any further information, please just let me know. I'm his son, Adam.
Hello Adam. Sorry, I missed your post of Jan 8th. Thank you for responding with the news of your dad. Its nice to hear that he is well and enjoying life. I well remember him fro that sunny Easter Goodwood in 1955. Please pass on the best regards of an old Equipe Devone supporter.
#15
SWFilmArchive
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Posted 21 March 2014 - 11:18
The system does indeed work as I'm a Project Officer from the South West Film and Television archive in Plymouth and have been trying to trace Tom Kyffin to discuss some wonderful footage we have here from him. Then I found this forum and hey presto all becomes clear!
Adam - I've PM'd you with details and my contact details.
Well done everyone!
