21 replies to this topic

[RS250]

I'm looking for some help researching the history of my 1972 Ensign LNF3.
I believe it may be one of Rikky von Opels works cars (he had 2). 
As most of us are aware, none of the Ensigns of this era had chassis plates but most had an Arch Motors number stamped on the rear nearside chassis.
My car is stamped "LN11  AM72  LN11 F3".
I have managed to trace most of the cars history dating back to 1988 but its the period from 1972 to 1988 thats proving to be a problem. 
Any information, advice, photos or even criticism (!) gratefully received.
Thanks in advance.
 
Ian.

[Stephen W]

LN11 could well be one sold to a privateer rather than a works car - that is unless the works passed off one of the then current 'works' cars as new and kept the brand new chassis for themselves!

[RS250]

Thanks for that Stephen. Any idea which privateer?

[Stephen W]

RS250 - there are several "in the frame".

[Giraffe]

During the 1972 British F3 season, the following drivers appeared in Ensigns.....

 

Von Opel/Walker/Trimmer in the works cars

Colin Vandervell

Jeremy Gambs

David Purley

John Littler

Mike Tyrrell

Mat Spitzley

Phillip Wood

Ken Sedgley

Ken Mackintosh

Bob Evans

Chris Marshall

Mike Wilds

Brendan McInerney

Stan Matthews

Cavan Riley

 

Good luck to you, Ian! 

[Alan Cox]

May be worth trying o contact Simon Hadfield as he has knowledge and experience of 'works' cars

[RS250]

Mr G - You forgot Lorina!

 

Alan - Funny you should mention that....

[Giraffe]

Mr G - You forgot Lorina!

 

Alan - Funny you should mention that....

Not in the 1972 season in a British F3 championship event, Ian 

[RS250]

hmmm.... ok, I'll give you that one.

[MCS]

During the 1972 British F3 season, the following drivers appeared in Ensigns.....

 

Von Opel/Walker/Trimmer in the works cars

Colin Vandervell

Jeremy Gambs

David Purley

John Littler

Mike Tyrrell

Mat Spitzley

Phillip Wood

Ken Sedgley

Ken Mackintosh

Bob Evans

Chris Marshall

Mike Wilds

Brendan McInerney

Stan Matthews

Cavan Riley

 

Good luck to you, Ian! 

 

When did Trimmer race a works Ensign in 1972, Tony?

[RS250]

Tony Trimmer did Brands Hatch and Thruxton in October '72.

I think he used the 3rd works car after Lotus pulled the plug on the 73s.

[Giraffe]

Tony Trimmer did Brands Hatch and Thruxton in October '72.

I think he used the 3rd works car after Lotus pulled the plug on the 73s.

Both the Lombard & Victory meetings at Brands that month, as well as Thruxton. Tony's last entry (a no-show) in the JPS was at Mallory on the 1st of the month.

Edited by Giraffe, 10 March 2016 - 16:52.

[charles r]

Various LNF3s at Brands and Snetterton, including, Mike Tyrrel's Antigua, Colin Vandervell's Potterton, Steve Thompson's Contac 400, Mike Walker's Works/Iberia versions. That's Brendan McInerney trying Mike Walker's Works/McKechnie example for size, with Rikky von Opel in the background -

Apologies for the Instamatic quality...

 

https://www.dropbox....3s 001.jpg?dl=0

 

Various shots of David Purley's LNF3 at Brands and Snetterton, note Charlie Purley's Mustang at Snetterton October '72 in the background.

 

https://www.dropbox....F3 001.jpg?dl=0

 

Stan Matthews' and Rikky von Opel's LNF3s at Snetterton 72

 

.https://www.dropbox....72 001.jpg?dl=0

 

Good luck with the project RS, the LNF3 was certainly the prettiest F3 of its time in my view.

Edited by charles r, 10 September 2016 - 15:15.

[MCS]

Both the Lombard & Victory meetings at Brands that month, as well as Thruxton. Tony's last entry (a no-show) in the JPS was at Mallory on the 1st of the month.

 

Wow, I didn't know that.  Oooh, I will have to go digging now!

 

Thanks Tony - hope all is well with you. 

 

Thanks also, RS250.

 

charles r - wonderful images  Thank you.

 

Great thread.

 

Edit:  Yes, I can see the entries now.  Still don't remember.  Interesting to note that Trimmer's erstwhile JPS team mate Bernard Vermilio had a GRD ride at the Brands Victory Race meeting entered by Scuderia Italia...

Edited by MCS, 12 March 2016 - 15:23.

[RS250]

Shameless thread bounce!
Sorry everybody but i'm looking for help again tracing my cars history.
Back in the mid 80s (possibly '86), Mike Flounders and Alan Goodman purchased 2 Ensigns after Mike Flounders tracked the cars down to a small garage in Sheffield.
They found at least 3 Ensigns there, 1 complete car and at least 2 more in bits.
Unfortunately this rings no bells at all with me, but I'm hoping that, as most of us here are in our 'late 30s', the Sheffield link may jog a memory or two, especially as there were so many cars there.
Cheers, and thanks for all the help and support I've received so far.

Ian.

[Stephen W]

A few Ensigns were hillclimbed at Harewood in the 1970s.

 

David Way (Green & Yellow), John Barratt (all White) and Peter Varley (mainly white) - with the latter still being used in the 1980s.

 

It may be that these were 'collected' as a source of spares when the became uncompetitive on the hills.

[RS250]

Thanks for that Stephen.
Any idea what motors they ran?
I'm thinking the engine bays will have been modified if they ran FVAs or BDAs rather than twin cams

Cheers

[Stephen W]

I think Way's car was still a Twin Cam. Varley ran a BDA whilst Barratt was either a BDA or FVA. Sorry I can't be more specific.

Edited by Stephen W, 16 September 2016 - 07:01.

[RTH]

This was mine 1983-90 Ex Brian Henton works development car

 

 

 

[RS250]

Good shed Richard!

I notice your car has the smaller, pre'73 radiators and an unusual engine cover - is this an original Ensign cover with the fin removed?

I only ever saw Henton run without an engine cover and with a conventional centre post wing rather than the previous (less efficient?) engine cover mounted wings.

Henton was certainly very quick in the development car in late '73 against all the March 733s that everybody switched to in the course of the year.

It sometimes seemed like him and Alan Jones in the GRD were the only non defectors.

Thanks guys, for all this very useful information.

Edited by RS250, 13 September 2016 - 18:38.

[Mallory Dan]

Jones & Henton were good drivers to say the least, as proved by later years!

[RS250]

Brian Hentons is a fascinating story definitely worth a book - I remember everybody laughing when, after winning the National F Vee championship he announced he would 'be in Formula One within 5 years even if I have to pay for it myself!'

Wasn't his GP debut in a Lotus 72 at Silverstone in '75?