5 replies to this topic

[M bennett]

   I would like to understand more about Anthony Brooke and what, if any, is his connection to Brooke Bond Oxo in the Surtees era.

      Anthony Brooke was the buyer of a Lotus 12 #354 in 1957 ( plus Lotus 16 "B1). An original letter from him dated 1957 has just surfaced where he writes about his experiences with both cars. I bought of EBay recently a Christmas Card of his from 1958, with more words about his Lotus 12. 

     The 1957 letter had his address in Ramsgill, Harrogate, N Yorkshire. I understand he was maybe part of the Brooke Bond Tea family.

      I wondered then if his motor racing interests extended forward to the Brooke Bond Oxo sponsorship of the Surtees cars some 15 years later?

      I would be very interested to learn more about Anthony with a view to adding more to the HLR information I have so far.

   

  Regards   Mike Bennett  HLR  Lotus 12 Registrar

   

[Tim Murray]

In this earlier thread it was confirmed that Anthony Brooke was the grandson of Arthur Brooke who founded the Brooke Bond tea company:

Lotus 12 & 16 of Anthony Brooke

[M bennett]

Thanks Tim  I also found this little treasure trove of Anthony's Lotus 12 and Lotus 16 documents - I presume from his estate. I wonder what happened to them? Would make a wonderful addition to the HLR records on these cars.

 

               https://www.christie...92-details.aspx  

 

           Christies auction in 1997? 

 

         Are we correct in assuming that Anthony Brooke was responsible for the continued sponsorship into the Surtees Team in the early 1970s.?  IE he was the man in the family with the Motor Sport interest.

 

       Mike B

[Tim Murray]

In his obituary of Brooke in Motor Sport WB noted that he had been transport manager in the family business, so presumably had some say in how the business was run:

https://www.motorspo.../anthony-brooke

I’ve not found anything directly linking him to the BBO sponsorship, however.

[Steve L]

Didn't he own and race the Vauxhall Villiers for a very long time?

[Vitesse2]

Didn't he own and race the Vauxhall Villiers for a very long time?

Yep. And here he is in it at Barbon, May 14th 1983. Photo turned up in a Facebook group an hour ago!