20 replies to this topic

[rbm]

both pictures are of the Wilson GT sometime in the 1960s (we think), so where and when?





cheers Richard

[john winfield]

both pictures are of the Wilson GT sometime in the 1960s (we think), so where and when?





cheers Richard

Clutching at straws, could that be one of the Silverstone hangars just visible in the top picture? If so, we may be looking at the Silverstone infield, rather than the Paddock, for a national or international meeting using the full circuit.
I'm sure you've looked already but I can't find any other mention of the Wilson apart from that 1966 Croft entry you detail elsewhere ( http://www.bishopmil...co.uk/4595.html - like the sheep by the way ), and the Autosport for that meeting makes no reference, as far as I can see. My brother was there that day - I'll ask him to check his programme and see if he took any photos. Probably not, as it poured all raceday I think. (Not sure if the heats were the day before though).

Edited by john winfield, 18 May 2012 - 07:55.

[rbm]

John,

somewhat suprising that we have only found one set of results, as the car is very well built.

there apears to be a link between Wilson and the Wilson GT and Nine Mile Burn garage(where it was built?) near Edingburgh [which is also linked to David Murray of Ecurie Ecosse(?)]

also looks like an Oulton Park sticker in the back of the tow car?

cheers

[Mistron]

This car gets better! Nine mile burn is about a mile from my house in Penicuik! Not sure of an Ecurie Ecosse connection, but it's not too far from Callands farm owned by Major Thompson, Ecurie Ecosse backer at nearby Mountain Cross.

I assume this is the garage you mean:

http://maps.google.c...,159.24,,0,6.71


I would suggest you start your search looking at races at Ingliston, the local track outside Edinburgh, which opened in '66. Graham Gauld who posts here will be yor best bet, but you could also contact Edward Labinjoh, edinburgh classic Alfa dealer who raced the Jack Fisher GT and spyders at that time, it's a fair bet he'll have raced against it.

I'll ask a couple of older race fans locally if they recall the car

hope this helps,

Al.

P.S did you get the 'box sorted?

Edited by Mistron, 18 May 2012 - 17:23.

[bradbury west]

If you want info about cars in period , and later, at Ingliston etc you need to talk to Eric Bryce, the man who is the recognised photographer up there, and who has excellent photo archives and programmes. He was also a very close, longtime friend of Jim Clark as the various family farms were neighbouring properties. I have found him extremely helpful and delightful to talk to.
PM me for contact details if needed.

BTW there is an excellent photo website for cars raced at Croft, which I am at present unable to locate, detailing almost every car which raced there. I suspect Alan Cox will oblige
Roger Lund

Edited by bradbury west, 20 May 2012 - 22:19.

[Mistron]

as the various family farms were neighbouring properties.

I think this must be the chap who had an 'open day' at his farm in Chirnside in the mid- late 90s, lots of books, paintings and photos arranged over various converted barns, and a 500, a blue Cooper, I think? I think his daughter organised the day, and it was a very interesting and informal tour.

[Graham Gauld]

This car gets better! Nine mile burn is about a mile from my house in Penicuik! Not sure of an Ecurie Ecosse connection, but it's not too far from Callands farm owned by Major Thompson, Ecurie Ecosse backer at nearby Mountain Cross.

I assume this is the garage you mean:

http://maps.google.c...,159.24,,0,6.71


I would suggest you start your search looking at races at Ingliston, the local track outside Edinburgh, which opened in '66. Graham Gauld who posts here will be yor best bet, but you could also contact Edward Labinjoh, edinburgh classic Alfa dealer who raced the Jack Fisher GT and spyders at that time, it's a fair bet he'll have raced against it.

I'll ask a couple of older race fans locally if they recall the car

hope this helps,

Al.

P.S did you get the 'box sorted?

The Wilson I think you are talking about is Tim Wilson who briefly owned a Lotus 18 and ran it at Charterhall. He later had a Volkswagen dealership in Edinburgh and then went to Canada. He was a friend of David Murray of Ecurie Ecossse and later returned to Scotland. I recognise the car but do not associate it with specifically with Tim.

[rbm]

The Wilson I think you are talking about is Tim Wilson who briefly owned a Lotus 18 and ran it at Charterhall. He later had a Volkswagen dealership in Edinburgh and then went to Canada. He was a friend of David Murray of Ecurie Ecossse and later returned to Scotland. I recognise the car but do not associate it with specifically with Tim.

Graham,

That would fit in we have him in the Croft race as T.Y. Wilson.

we have also been told that the car was designed/built by Jo Marquart for Wilson and that it may have been raced by Alastair Mackintosh (?)

[Mistron]

Well, he designed something for someone in Scotland around that time.

From: http://www.btinterne...rson/Argo03.htm

Marcus Pye’s obituary from Autosport's Pit & Paddock:

Jo Marquart, who died aged 57, was one of the few racing car designers of the old school who adapted his skills to embrace the technical demands of successive eras

Born in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, Jo’s passion for cars was all-consuming. He never doubted that he would forge his career designing them.

He came to Britain in 1962 as a mechanical engineer, taking work with Scottish Omnibuses. While there, be helped a club racer friend, but a full-time job in the sport eluded him.........

[bradbury west]

Going through my own records here for my own project, I have come across a Wilson Ford GT, 1598cc entered for A Mackintosh at Snetterton of 16.10.66.
Roger Lund

[rbm]

Going through my own records here for my own project, I have come across a Wilson Ford GT, 1598cc entered for A Mackintosh at Snetterton of 16.10.66.
Roger Lund

cheers Roger.

[rbm]

Having now spoke to Alastair Mackintosh on the phone, we have a lot more information on the Wilson GT.

The Wilson GT was designed for Tim Y Wilson (who is also still with us) and Alastair Mackintosh by Jo Marquart as a closed GT car, powered by a ford pre-cross flow 1598cc engine through a Hewland MK3 box. The space frame was originally clothed in alloy, but this was deemed to heavy so replaced by fiberglass copy was made by a mate on top of his double bed in a 2 room flat.

Wilson and Mackintosh ran the car through to 1972 when it was sold on to a chap in Glasgow (any idears?) who chopped the car into a sipder and is thought to have fitted a Lotus Twin cam and Hewland MK6.

[rbm]

Alistair Mackintosh at Ingliston 4th September 1966

[Locheebob]

Having now spoke to Alastair Mackintosh on the phone, we have a lot more information on the Wilson GT.

The Wilson GT was designed for Tim Y Wilson (who is also still with us) and Alastair Mackintosh by Jo Marquart as a closed GT car, powered by a ford pre-cross flow 1598cc engine through a Hewland MK3 box. The space frame was originally clothed in alloy, but this was deemed to heavy so replaced by fiberglass copy was made by a mate on top of his double bed in a 2 room flat.

Wilson and Mackintosh ran the car through to 1972 when it was sold on to a chap in Glasgow (any idears?) who chopped the car into a sipder and is thought to have fitted a Lotus Twin cam and Hewland MK6.

I worked at Ninemileburn Garage in the mid 60's and not only recall this car but I also worked on it as an apprentice mechanic . It was alloy clad and I'm fairly sure it was originally blue. I used to stay back after work (for free) to polish and buff the car in prep for its days out. Archie Graham was the lead mechanic while Tim did the test driving (when traffic was light) on the main road at the front of the garage, Alistair did the track work.  The Wilson was a real go'er with a raspy note. For me it was a real privilege work in such a go-ahead garage; Tim got many of his ideas from the US. Tim (Young) Wilson did branch out in Edinburgh purchasing a mews garage In Circus Lane (Christie and Price) and later again establishing a garage near Dublin Street specialising in NSU cars such as the NSU 1200, TT and RO 80.

[Dick Dastardly]

BTW there is an excellent photo website for cars raced at Croft, which I am at present unable to locate, detailing almost every car which raced there. I suspect Alan Cox will oblige
Roger Lund

This is the link

http://www.racing70s...n/croftinfo.htm

[rbm]

I worked at Ninemileburn Garage in the mid 60's and not only recall this car but I also worked on it as an apprentice mechanic . It was alloy clad and I'm fairly sure it was originally blue. I used to stay back after work (for free) to polish and buff the car in prep for its days out. Archie Graham was the lead mechanic while Tim did the test driving (when traffic was light) on the main road at the front of the garage, Alistair did the track work.  The Wilson was a real go'er with a raspy note. For me it was a real privilege work in such a go-ahead garage; Tim got many of his ideas from the US. Tim (Young) Wilson did branch out in Edinburgh purchasing a mews garage In Circus Lane (Christie and Price) and later again establishing a garage near Dublin Street specialising in NSU cars such as the NSU 1200, TT and RO 80.

Under the red Dulux the original colour is blue as you can see on the door.

 

Unfortunately due to my wee little moment at Silverstone in April not much has progressed on the Wilson this year...

... so she is still sat in the back of the shed.

 

Richard

Edited by rbm, 13 August 2014 - 16:26.

[rbm]

I worked at Ninemileburn Garage in the mid 60's and not only recall this car but I also worked on it as an apprentice mechanic . It was alloy clad and I'm fairly sure it was originally blue. I used to stay back after work (for free) to polish and buff the car in prep for its days out. Archie Graham was the lead mechanic while Tim did the test driving (when traffic was light) on the main road at the front of the garage, Alistair did the track work.  The Wilson was a real go'er with a raspy note. For me it was a real privilege work in such a go-ahead garage; Tim got many of his ideas from the US. Tim (Young) Wilson did branch out in Edinburgh purchasing a mews garage In Circus Lane (Christie and Price) and later again establishing a garage near Dublin Street specialising in NSU cars such as the NSU 1200, TT and RO 80.

 

 so just to tie up loose ends. The Wilson GT at Nine Mile Burn Garage

picture from Jackie Marquart 

[Mistron]

By an odd co-incidence, a friend of a friend now has Nine Mile Burn Garage as the base for his caravan business.

 

My Want-o-meter for this car has just gone even higher up the scale!

 

Al

[E1pix]

 so just to tie up loose ends. The Wilson GT at Nine Mile Burn Garage
picture from Jackie Marquart

Fabulous image!

Jackie has done a tremendous job immortalizing Jo, including here:
https://www.jomarquart.com

RIP to my friend Bill Alsup. :-(

[Locheebob]

Thanks for the memories! Just as I recall; the Wilson GT, the garage & my 'old' boss. Much appreciated.

[Stephen W]

I am pretty sure the old garage building is still there at Nine Mile Burn - last time I passed it was a caravan and motorhome dealers.