16 replies to this topic

[Auclum]

I am writing a history of the hillclimbs that took place at Great Auclum near Reading, Berkshire between 1938 and 1974. As part of my book I am producing short driver profiles and their cars.

I would like some help with a car that was driven by Major Charles Lambton at GA in 1955 and 1956. 

The car in question is a 1172cc Ford-engined Overton Special. The car was entered as a sports car. The Overton was owned previously by Henry Taylor.

I have tried various ‘specials’ groups and drawn a blank.

Any help will be much appreciated.

[Rupertlt1]

Norman H. Overton, car registered BWE 3 (driven by G. R. Liddell) believed to be Mk3?

Also EPP 290 — both 1953 — looks like there was more than one?

Earliest reference to car I can find is 1952 1951. Trading from the Chesham garage early 1950.

Sometimes Captain N. H. Overton.

1954: "Mark II driven by Mr. Taylor of Stevenage." Car dates back to 1951.

Mk. III offered for sale from the Chesham garage, 8 h.p., Bucks Examiner, Fri, 23 Apr 1954, Page 11. Former owner Peter Liddell, of Amersham.

1954: "latest contrivance" referred to as MkVII. Also ref to Mk6.

H. C. Taylor (Overton Special) seen on the Chiltern C.C. Chiltern Hills Trophy Trial, 5 December 1954. Taylor "in the other Overton."

See Revs library for end 1954 version (8 pics).

OVERTON MOTORS, LTD., Broadway Garage,

Chesham, Bucks.—We have been commissioned

by the present owner of Overton Special Mk. V

to sell this very sucessful Special as he is about

to emigrate to Australia. Overton Special Mk. V,

1,172 c.c. Trials and Autocross Special. This car

complies with the current regulations for Trials and

Autocross events and has proved itself on many

occasions during 1954. Winner of the Guy Fawkes

Trial, class awards in Rallies and Driving Test

Meetings, it has "wiped the board" in 1954 Auto-

cross events, gaining F.T.D. on five different events,

against all comers. This car has been completely

overhauled by us recently in readines for the 1955

season. 1,172 c.c. Ford engine, alloy cylinder head,

twin Zeniths, alloy induction manifolds, lightweight

4 branch exhaust, tubular chassis, high compression,

highly tuned engine, terrific acceleration, Girling

brakes, late type axles, Goodyear De Luxe tyres.

Special rad. Many other extras, Very potent

machine just waiting to collect more awards. Price

£195 o.n.o. Can be viewed and tried at Overton

Motors, Ltd., Broadway Garage, Chesham. Bucks.

Tel.: Chesham 234. This car has just won the

British Trials Drivers' Autocross Championship for

1954.

Autosport, 15 April 1955, Page 478

(The Autocross Championship was won by N. H. Overton.)

H. C. Taylor (Overton Special) was entered on the 1955 Guy Fawkes 200 Trial, 30th October 1955.

1957: N. H. Overton, Candyfloss Special, 1,172.

1958: "This fine effort was quickly repeated by N. H. Overton in his new and rather stark blown Overton Mk 17."

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 29 November 2024 - 09:25.

[Geoff E]

Norman H. Overton, car registered BWE 3 (driven by G. R. Liddell) believed to be Mk3?

Also EPP 290 — both 1953 — looks like there was more than one?

 

BWE 3 was first registered in Sheffield in 1935.

 

EPP 290 was first registered in Buckinghamshire in 1938.

[Rupertlt1]

Norman H. Overton was a member of the North London Enthusiasts' Car Club.

Jacobean Trophy Trial, Sunday 24 February 1952, 2nd Class Award.

LONDON M.C./S.O.D.C. AUTOCROSS, Dunstable, Beds, 30th May 1954

B.T.D.: B. Bowman (Overton Mk.6) 43.6 sec

Basil Bowman also seen on the Jacobean above — LMU 5 — but is this the same car?

https://library.revs...hy-trial/447667

A member of the Brighton & Hove Motor Club.

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 28 November 2024 - 09:55.

[Rupertlt1]

Winter Cup Trial, Herts County Automobile & Aero Club, Sunday 4 February 1951

N. H. Overton (1,131 c.c. Overton Special) 2nd Class Award.

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 29 November 2024 - 04:46.

[Rupertlt1]

C.W. Lambton competed at Prescott Hill Climb, Saturday 8 September 1956, in his Overton Special.

"Ford-powered Overton"

This was an International Meeting and therefore the only International appearance for an Overton?

B.O.C. archivist?

RGDS RLT 

Edited by Rupertlt1, 28 November 2024 - 13:07.

[Rupertlt1]

OVERTON SPECIAL 1

1,131 c.c. short-wheelbase. Ideal for Trials and

Rallies.

Awards winner last season.

4-speed box, alloy body, five very good tyres.

"Easy-Clean" Wheels, h.c. head, outside exhaust,

taxed end of year.

In trials trim and ready to enter now.

Whole car of 1937 Vintage, but built as Trials

Special 1950.

Only requirements—a good clean

First offer of £85 secures

CHESHAM MOTORS LTD,.

Chesham 234

Autosport, 28 September 1951, Page 414

 

Radcap Rally, North London Enthusiasts' Car Club, 16-17 June 1951

"Captain Overton's Singer 9-engined Overton Special next in 42.8 secs."

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 29 November 2024 - 05:14.

[Rupertlt1]

Silverstone, Eight Clubs, 6 June 1953

"Smart avoiding

action by the pit

staff as G.R.Liddell's

Overton Special

comes to the boil."

Autocar, 12 June 1953, Page 805

This is BWE3.

Does anybody have an entry list for this meeting?

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 29 November 2024 - 17:01.

[Rupertlt1]

On Sunday, Capt. Overton once

again stole the limelight with a

further success; he came home

the fastest man over the one

mile course of the M.G. Club’s

Autocross held in a field on the

Wyecombe-Oxford road near Sto-

kenchurch. Of 80 entries from

the M.G. Club and seven other

invited clubs, the event resolved

itself into a duel between Nor-

man Overton in the Mark V, and

C. H. Bulmer in a blown Buck-

ler. Finally Overton beat

the Buckler by 1/5th sec.

Buckinghamshire Examiner, Friday 26 March 1954 Page 12

21st March 1954:

M.G.C.C. (S.E.) Autocross, Water End Farm, Studley Green, Stokenchurch, Bucks. Start, 10.30 a.m.

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 29 November 2024 - 09:54.

[Rupertlt1]

"Motocourse" Chalkney Woods, near Earls Colne, East Anglian M.C., 3 January 1954

Both Norman Overton (Premier Award) and Henry Taylor "strange device" at this event.

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 30 November 2024 - 08:38.

[GazChed]

Would H.C. Taylor and Henry Taylor be the future Grand Prix driver ?

[Rupertlt1]

Would H.C. Taylor and Henry Taylor be the future Grand Prix driver ?

 

Yes, thought to be Henry Charles Taylor. Did he make his debut in an Overton?

I have him on the Clacton Rally, 26-27 September 1953, in a Morris Minor.

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 30 November 2024 - 10:44.

[68targa]

Edited by 68targa, Yesterday, 09:56.

[68targa]

 From Autosport 3 December 1954, p742

 

Edited by 68targa, Yesterday, 09:57.

[Geoff E]

OPP 579, again a Buckinghamshire registration, but not from pre-war days, being first registered around the end of 1951.

[Rupertlt1]

1955:

Chiltern C.C.—The annual Chiltern Hills Trophy Trial, held in the Marlow area on Sunday, December 4, was won by A. M. Erskine driving a Ford-Austin special. With his son as passenger, he completed five of the 12 sections, and scored higher marks than the other 13 competitors on several more.

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 30 November 2024 - 12:52.

[Rupertlt1]

TRIALS Special, Overton Mark II, basically Austin 7

chassis and good Ford 10 engine, twin carbs., high

compression head, special rear wheels, etc., etc.: £120.—

Taylor, Broom Farm House, Biggleswade, Beds.

Autocar, 27 August 1954, Page 66 (Supplement XX)

RGDS RLT