38 replies to this topic

[O Volante]

Just found on the Primotipo site the story of New Zealand driver Angus Hyslop's 1961 FJ season in Europe, wonderfully illustrated with Bill Hanna's pictures.

 

Have a look yourself here: https://primotipo.co...nas-lens-part-2

 

No bad record! Being quite interested in NZ racing (not only) of that time, however, I started to think about Angus' car, accordingly a Lotus 20, with a Martin tuned Ford engine - type 105E, I would think. While the article mentions that NZIGP driver-to-Europe award winner Hyslop brought his F2 Cooper to Britain (of which only the documentation and the chassis plate on a different, new car returned to NZ) there is not a single word on the orgin and fate of the FJ Lotus!

 

A look in the Vercoe books and precious David McKinney notes suggests that this Lotus-Ford 20 has no further New Zealand connection. Anybody who knows more about it? Where did it come from, where did it go after the 1961 season? A new car build at Lotus or supplied as a kit? Is there a known chassis number?

Edited by O Volante, 28 January 2025 - 14:04.

[cooper997]

I can't currently offer a response to the questions raised and not privvy to the McKinney notes on what he states.

 

But to add something Angus related, what follows involves two 1963 mini- bios on him.

 

First one published in issue 318 11/4/63 Motoring News by Eoin Young

 

 

Second piece over 3 pages is from NZ's The Motorman - 8/63 issue by David Manton..

 

 

 

 

Stephen

 

 

[O Volante]

Many, many thanks, Stephen, that's very kind!

 

Nothing secretive about the McKinney notes. When the Vercoe books on NZ cars and later on NZ racing were published, David was not very happy with a lot of the presented information and interpretation. So in our correspondence, back in the 1990s still on paper, he provided sometimes extensive comments, corrections and additions on various topics ... Updated much of the content appeared later in print (not the least his 250F book) or in the net (see his contributions to Old Racing Cars, 10/10s, Roaring Season or on this site).

 

On Angus Ninian Hyslop David wrote, he hadn't impressed him with the Jaguar C-Type at first, but perhaps he had expected too much given the now ageing car. All changed with the switch to the Cooper-Climax single seater. Notably Angus' drive to third place in an ultra wet 1961 Lady Wigram Trophy (behind Brabham and Moss, but in front of McLaren and Hulme), David judged, had been simply outstanding! Nevertheless the NZIGP driver-to-Europe award was a surprise. Favorites had been Tony Shelly and Jim Palmer, but apparently for business reasons both could not go, and so the award went to Hyslop - at 32 a rather old up-and-coming driver, as duly noted by the NZ contemporaries. Of course, David also mentioned the tax cheat behind the export / import of Angus' Cooper-Climax - but not a word on the Lotus-Ford Formula Junior!

 

Perhaps David would know. Still much missed, the man!

 

Thanks again, Stephen

[opplock]

. Of course, David also mentioned the tax cheat behind the export / import of Angus' Cooper-Climax - but not a word on the Lotus-Ford Formula Junior!

 

 

 

This sort of dodge kept motorsport in NZ going. A number of motorcross riders (including two of my cousins) were questioned several years later over a scheme for importing MX motorcycles. Clapped out British bikes would be crated up and send to Australia for repair. By magic when the crates returned to NZ these bikes would have been transformed into CZs, Jawas and the like. The fun ended after a Customs official dealing with vehicle imports attended a meeting and went away scratching his head as he'd never heard of some of the competing bikes. Needless to say none had ever been imported. 

 

It still amazes me that no-one in authority questioned the need to ship bikes overseas for repair. No-one was ever prosecuted presumably due to lack of evidence or may'be the realisation that a kiwi jury was likely to think the perpetrators deserved a medal. 

[Ray Bell]

Apart from the underhanded activity, there was another means of reducing sums which might otherwise be payable...

 

The Scuderia Veloce Ferrari 250LM was one such. It was 'sold' to Andy Buchanan and then 'repurchased' a season or so later. From memory it had already crossed the Tasman once without leaving Scuderia Veloce's possession.

 

The purpose of all of this was to use up opportunities for 'temporary residences', deferring the actual payment of the import duties until it could be shown that the vehicle was 'wearing out' and therefore losing some of its value with each such movement. The despatch of the Ferrari to New Zealand the first time, if I have the story straight, was to conform with the time limitation involved, not so it could be seen by the Kiwis.

 

Of course I'm sure that David McKay was covering costs to some extent by asking for good appearance money from NZ promoters.

[opplock]

 The despatch of the Ferrari to New Zealand the first time, if I have the story straight, was to conform with the time limitation involved, not so it could be seen by the Kiwis.

 

 

 

I for one am very thankful that it was shipped over. To my 10 year old self the sight of the 250LM in the paddock at Levin was probably akin to someone seeing Concorde fly over Biggin Hill - in 1960. Even better seeing and hearing it on circuit. I'd seen Loti and Coopers but a Ferrari was until then something seen only in books.  

[MarkBisset]

Mr Volante,

 

Try here, I'm not saying its in there, I haven't looked: https://tentenths.co...ad.php?t=111947

 

 

 

William John Hanna, Angus Hyslop and Ross Neils Pedersen (Hawkes Bay Digital Archives Trust)

 

Pre-trip gig, doubtless the Kiwis can tell us more...

 

m

Edited by MarkBisset, 02 February 2025 - 03:28.

[cooper997]

This is about as much as the 1962 NZ GP programme could muster on Angus within this DTE feature.

 

 

 

O V...

As for the Lotus 20, there's no shortage in the classifieds of Autosport during September 1961 issues. Listed under 'Formula Junior'; 'Lotus' and 'Racing Cars'.

 

I've noted your reference of the Martin-tuned engine, but this 29/9/61 advert makes me a little curious...

 

1961 Lotus 20, Cosworth 997cc engine, in first class condition. Ready to Race - 16 Acre Road, Kingston. Kingston 6423.

 

Going by a quick google of the address suggests a bedsit for an up and coming racing driver to rest his weary head. But who?.

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

Mr Volante,

 

Try here, I'm saying its in there, I haven't looked: https://tentenths.co...ad.php?t=111947

 

 

 

William John Hanna, Angus Hyslop and Ross Neils Pedersen (Hawkes Bay Digital Archives Trust)

 

Pre-trip gig, doubtless the Kiwis can tell us more...

 

m

 

Mark, the Air-India presence makes me think it's more a post 1961 DTE gig associated to the 1962 NZ Internationals. They ran a couple of adverts in the 1962 NZ GP programme and one quotes an office at 11 Commerce St Auckland

 

Ron Flockhart had organised an arrangement with them for flights. Having Air-India signage on his Lotus 18 and Cooper Mini as often as he could at the 1962 races and more often than not tried in Australia where the officials usually made him cover sponsor logos.

 

 

Stephen

[MarkBisset]

 

Hyslop aboard the Tourist Motors of Hawkes Bay Cooper T53 Climax 2.5 at Ardmore during the January 2, 1962 NZ GP weekend. Seventh in the race won by Moss' Walker Lotus 21 Climax. (Bay of Plenty Times via Bryan Miller)

 

 

 

Cheers Stephen,

 

Enjoyed the articles posted, I’d forgotten I had a crack at him a few years ago: https://primotipo.co...d-angus-hyslop/

 

He and John Youl are somewhat similar in that both achieved a lot in slightly out of date - but not much - Coopers that were very well prepared and driven! Both inherited the ‘Family Seat’ and when duty called off they went to do just that. Hyslop was born in 1928, and Youl 1962, so neither were youngsters by todays standards in 1962.

 

m

 

 

 

On the way to sixth in the January 20, 1962 Lady Wigram Trophy. Moss up front again: Moss, Brabham, Surtees, McLaren, Salvadori, Hyslop, not bad!

 

(Peter Basire)

Edited by MarkBisset, 01 February 2025 - 06:44.

[cooper997]

Here's what ESY has to say about his fellow kiwis racing in Italy. There must be a mistake with reference to the meeting being held July 16, because there's also a reference to FJ racing being held at Solitude at the same time. That German meeting was on the 23rd, unless I've mucked it up.

 

 

3/8/61 Motoring News

 

 

Stephen

 

 

[MarkBisset]

Stevo,

 

You haven't mucked it up MN has.

The F2 Register has the race date as July 23: two heats and a final won by Bandini Lotus 20 Ford, Davis Lola Mk3 Ford and Hyslop's Lotus 20

 

m

[cooper997]

A couple of May 1961 Goodwood Whit Monday meeting entry lists with Angus included.

 

 

 

 

and a part of Patrick Benjafield's 26/5/61 Autosport report.

 

 

 

Stephen

[O Volante]

Many, many thanks again for all the comments and additional original materials! The more you learn about a topic, it seems, the more you want know ...

 

Mr. Opplock & Ray: a special thread on tax-fiddling in racing seems a very reasonable purpose. The memory of Reg Parnell and the Scuderia Ambrosiana Maseratis is immediately flashing up!

 

Mark: as I said, reading your ANF articels triggered of this request. However, nothing additional at 10/10th.

 

Stephen: working through contemporary adverts is hard, but sometimes rewarding work! Without access to the relevant magazines unfortunately not option for me ...

 

Keep on! A piece read here long time ago, an almost forgotten note there ...   

[cooper997]

Here's the August 1961 Brands Hatch entry list and filled out grid lineup.

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[Rupertlt1]

Note Bill Pinckney from Balsall Common. Friend of David Hobbs.

Presumably DNS.

See also: https://forums.autos...c/#entry8974791

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 05 February 2025 - 10:13.

[GazChed]

According to the Fastlane/Formula 2 .net website Bill Pinckney was a did not arrive. Twenty six cars qualified with Dizzy Addicott a non starter. The results show the first twelve finishers with Angus Hyslop in twelfth, eight non finishers and the other five unknown. Don't rely too much on that grid as it was often difficult to hear the commentator with over twenty Formula Juniors revving on the grid. Much easier to copy them off TSL these days when you get home. Yes I still do it !

[Doug Nye]

So impressive to see seven future Formula 1 drivers on that individual FJ grid.  Happy days...just perishing perilous, that's all.

 

DCN

[Ray Bell]

As evidenced by the eight non-finishers?

[GazChed]

Of the eight non-finishers five have reasons for their retirement of which four are accidents. Incidentally Doug I must have found another couple of future Grand Prix drivers as I make it nine. They are Trevor Taylor, Peter Arundell, Frank Gardner, Bob Anderson, Tony Maggs, Denny Hulme, John Love, Mike Parkes and Mike Spence.

[cooper997]

Here's the September 1961 Crystal Palace national (British) race meeting entry liists with Angus involved

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[O Volante]

No steam here anymore?

 

Again, many thanks, Stephen!

[O Volante]

Was the Hyslop Lotus 20 in 1961 ex-Peter Ellis? That's my latest assumption!

 

As I said, it all started with the article at Primotipo https://primotipo.co...as-lens-part-2/

 

In the narrative, the first start given for Angus in Britain was at the BARC Whit Monday Meeting at Goodwood on 22 May 1961. 

 

However, there is also the tailpiece picture, identified to be at Snetterton on 14 May 1961, the weekend before Goodwood! 

 

The programme for that meeting at Snetterton can be found at Programms Covers Project https://www.progcove...erton610514.pdf In the entry of both the Formula Junior races on that day you find under #1 Peter Ellis with a green Lotus, engined with a 998cc motor!

 

According to Autosport's season survey, Ellis raced a Lotus 20 to 3rd place at Silverstone on 29 April, 1961, at the National races. 

 

A week later, again at Silverstone for the International Trophy, Ellis with his 998cc Lotus Ford is a reserve entry for the Formula Junior under #41. Some lines above with #7 and #8 there are Cooper Ford entries for Kiwis Hulme and Hyslop. See here https://www.progcove...stone610506.pdf In the race, Denny and Peter both retired, Angus apparently a dns or perhaps a dna ...

 

If I put these pieces together, especially as I can't find any mention for Ellis with a Lotus 20 after May, this plot seems to appear:

 

- due to the links between NZIGP and Cooper, a car should be prepared for the new Driver to Europe

- when the New Zealanders arrive, there is no car for the DtE

- worse, for some reason, there is no chance to get a Cooper, neither buy or build (like McLaren or Hulme did)

- because time is on, the New Zealanders look elsewhere

- they find and purchase Ellis' Lotus, including the entry at Snetterton

- and so on ...

 

Any comments? Facts, please? Hard evidence?

 

In any case, happy Easter to all of you!

Edited by O Volante, 19 April 2025 - 18:40.

[68targa]

I have had a quick look at some of my programmes and notice that Peter Ellis was entered at Brands Hatch 3 June 1961  - Lotus Ford  #60.   

[O Volante]

Many, many thanks for your help, Targa,

 

but what a stupid omission, as the programme is easily available at the Programme Covers Project https://www.progcove...rands610603.pdf !

 

I must have overlooked that one during my original check of the Formula 2 Register data. A second check may be useful ...

 

Anyway, for the plot suggested by me the find is rather inconclusive. As indicated by the marking in the programme shown above, and stated by the Formula 2 Register, Peter Ellis was a DNA at Race 3, the John Davy Trophy at Brands Hatch on June 3, 1961. Angus Hyslop, on the other hand, was at Rouen on that weekend, racing his Lotus 20 to an 11th place finish alongside Denny Hulme's Cooper, who retired. Interestingly the Tyrrell twins, Tony Maggs and John Love, raced their Coopers at both events ...

Edited by O Volante, 25 April 2025 - 16:03.

[O Volante]

Did my check of source material.

 

The Ellis-Hyslop-Lotus hypotheses stands. The entry at Brands Hatch on 3 June 1961 was the exception, and still I can find no mention of Ellis racing the Lotus 20 after May 1961!

 

Apparently big story of the day were the Tyrrell plans to race Saturday in France, Sunday in England, later rather usual practice in Formula 3 ...

[RAP]

I have compared our records for Ellis and Hyslop in May 1961.

 

Ellis

7 May Brands Hatch dns (2^nd on grid)

22 May Crystal Palace dna

3 June Brands Hatch dna

no entries after this

 

Hyslop

14 May Snetterton – no confirmation whether he started

22 May Goodwood 1^st

28 May Roskilde 1^st

4 June Rouen 11^th

 

^{Richard Page Formula One Register}

[cooper997]

Just to throw a spanner in the works, just llooking in the various May 1961 Autosports...

 

5/5/61 issue runs Tim Parnell's advert for 1 race meeting old (Aintree) 1961 Lotus 20 Cosworth - no price. Parnell, Derby address.

 

Then in 12/5/61 issue probably the same car gets advertised under the Parnell/ Ashmore partnership 1 meeting old, BRG £1495 and whole team being changed to F1 This time with Ashmore, West Bromich address.

 

The Aintree meeting in question is 22/4/61 and R H H Parnell enter 3 cars.

 

The 2 following May issues have no Parnell / Ashmore Lotus 20 reference.that I can spot.

 

 

Stephen

[O Volante]

Many thanks again, Richard and Stephen! I appreciate your help very much.

 

The comparison result is no 100% proof, but surely very strong circumstancial evidence:

 

Angus Hyslop with a Lotus 20 wearing racing number 1 on a photo shot by one of the NZ travellers.

 

In the programme for the event where the picture was taken, the number 1 entry for both FJ races is a Lotus 20 for Peter Ellis.

 

Plus now a full racing schedule in spring for Ellis, that after one point of time peters out in several DNAs. And at the same point, the Kiwis' racing tour starts ...

 

Without access to the relevant sources (i.e. contemporary magazines) I can't really evaluate possible alternatives. 

 

In any case, on 14 May 1961, the day in question here, Chris Ashmore was also at Snetterton with a Lotus-Ford 20! According to the programme, race number 144 was entered by the driver. Autosport's 1961 FJ survey credits him with 3rd in the first FJ race of the day, nothing on race two...

[cooper997]

OV, If only the Kiwis or known Lotus folk would chime in.

 

Back in the July 2011 Motor Sport, Eoin Young has part 1 relating to his 1961 UK arrival. There's interesting tales and photos of his early days there and travels with Denny Hulme. Both fellow NZ lads,  Angus Hyslop and David Young are also referenced. But not enough to tell the source of Angus getting the Lotus.

 

But he kept a diary that year and it's shown in the feature. Which begs the question does ESY's family still own his possesions or have they been moved to  A N Other? Certainly hope the local tip wasn't the end for it.

 

I haven't tried viewing online MS issues in ages, but it might still be possible. Title of the piece is 'Fresh from the colonies' on pages 70-74

 

 

Stephen

[O Volante]

Exactly, Stephen,

 

my silent hope had been the name of Peter Ellis rings a bell among the Lotus 20 owners! In fact, Ellis died in 2019 - as noted in Autosport, 25 July 2019, p. 56.

 

I seem to remember that feature in MotorSport, but also to have passed it over as a repetition of the tale already told in Eoin's "It beats working" (1996) and later "Memories of the Bear" (2007). It's even possible he published the story elsewhere before that ...

 

The adventures of the five week journey by boat from Wellington to Southampton via Panama canal and the arrival in the "old country", presented in "It beats working" in the ususal ESY-style, are a funny read! Interesting for our topic is the aspiring motor racing journalist travelled in company of David Young, also from Timaru and his mechanic Colin Kyle. David, who had raced a C-type Jaguar in NZ, wanted to do Formula Junior and had ordered a car at Coopers. On arrival it turned out the car would not be ready for a month. "New Zealander Angus Hyslop had come over to race a Lotus 20 in Formula Junior, while Denny Hulme had a new Cooper with a Martin-Ford engine, cheaper than a Cosworth but more troublesome as it turned out. There was the suggestion that I would travel to the FJ races with David and his mechanic Colin Kyle when their car was ready, but nothing was firm, and when Denny Hulme aked if I wanted to go with him, I jumped on the chance." (p. 28)

 

"Memories of the Bear" states on the origins of the New Zealand driver Formula Junior cars that Denny build his own Cooper T56 at the Cooper factory in early 1961. "In his first three Formula Junior races at Silverston, Crystal Palace and Roskilde in May, Denny finished seventh each time! (p. 48) Nothing here on David Young and the shared journey, but Angus Hyslop is introduced as the companion for Denny and Eoin's European travels in summer 1961. "Angus Hyslop had driven well in a 2.5-litre Cooper-Climax in New Zealand and would have been a certainity for the Driver to Europe scholarship, but it was not awarded. He bought a Lotus 20 Formula Junior car and a Hillman Husky and set out to do the same races as Denny in Europe, benefiting from the Hulme experience the previous summer." (p. 49, definitely confusing the year when the DtE was not awarded!)

 

As source for both detailed narratives, Eoin mentions his diary. Unfortunately, he claims, he kept it only for 1961 and not later, "of my boat trip and my first year in Britain - but then every (sic!) colonial keeps a record for the first year overseas." (Working, p. 25) So it may be only one or two volumes we are looking for!

Edited by O Volante, 28 April 2025 - 14:00.

[O Volante]

O V...

 

As for the Lotus 20, there's no shortage in the classifieds of Autosport during September 1961 issues. Listed under 'Formula Junior'; 'Lotus' and 'Racing Cars'.

 

I've noted your reference of the Martin-tuned engine, but this 29/9/61 advert makes me a little curious...

 

1961 Lotus 20, Cosworth 997cc engine, in first class condition. Ready to Race - 16 Acre Road, Kingston. Kingston 6423.

 

Going by a quick google of the address suggests a bedsit for an up and coming racing driver to rest his weary head. But who?.

 

 

Stephen

 

According to "Memories", p. 57, if not travelling, in summer 1961 Angus Hyslop, Bill Hannah and Denny were living at the Lamb Hotel in Kingstone-on-Thames ...

 

[cooper997]

O.V, you're a step ahead of me, because I don't have 'It beats working', although I have 'It still beats working' 

 

I imagime that Eoin got a few Kiwi dollars for same or similar stories in NZ Classic Car and / or Classic Driver over those later years. But I only have limited copies of both.

 

NZ's period 'The Motorman' was a very niche publication in its earliest days. Again my limited copies start in 1962. So unsure if Eoin was writing stuff Donn Anderson would publish back in 1961

 

The answer is somewhere, but finding that somewhere...

 

 

Stephen

[Rupertlt1]

DENIS HULME who, it will be remembered came over to this country last year under the same New Zealand "Driver to Europe " scheme that brought us Bruce Mclaren, is back in England for this season's events. Hulme's driving plans have not yet been decided, but this time he is paying his own way. Angus Hyslop is this year's selection by the organizers of the scheme—N.Z.I.G.P.—and he will be bringing over with him his own Cooper-Climax (1,910 c.c.) for use as a practice car. His main competition car, initially, will be a formula Junior Cooper which he has ordered.

Autocar, 31 March, 1961, Page 505

Hyslop winner at Goodwood, FJ Lotus-Ford, Monday 22 May 1961.

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 29 April 2025 - 13:30.

[cooper997]

Rupert's nice little find is the sort of needle in a haystack type snippet where things get revealed.

 

Given Eoin's July 2011 Motor Sport makes reference of John Cooper's comment when he and David Young thought they were collecting the later's Cooper FJ, "That was the first time we heard John Cooper say that the new car was still in the tube rack." One could imagine Angus received the same comment and thought he better ask around for an alternative to get his UK racing efforts moving. Hence taking the Lotus option.

 

 

Stephen

[Rupertlt1]

Goodwood, Monday 22 May 1961

Event 2 Formula Junior Scratch Race (10 laps):

1st—A. Hyslop (Lotus-Ford), 16 min, 12.4 sec., 88.85 mph

2nd—L. Terry (Driver B. Hart) (Terrier-Ford), 16 min, 35.4 sec

3rd—Team Thercel (Driver N. R. Hicks) (Caravelle-Ford), 16 min, 36 sec

4th—K. M. Francis (Lotus-Ford), 16 min, 57 sec

Fastest lap C. Meek, (Elva-Ford), 1 min, 35.8 sec., 90.19 mph

RGDS RLT

[O Volante]

Back next week! In any case, many thanks to all - not the least Rupert! Is there more?

[cooper997]

'A Hyslop' gets a mention in this May-June 1961 BARC Gazette Goodwood report

 

 

 

 

Stephen

[Rupertlt1]

That is where the results given above came from!

"At Goodwood Angus Hyslop, a

farmer from New Zealand on a driver-

to-Europe scheme similar to that which

brought Bruce Mclaren over in 1958,

led the race practically throughout, driv-

ing his Lotus 20 superbly. Brian Hart

(Terrier) and Bob Hicks (Caravelle) were

second and third after a fierce duel. A

new and very low Holbay-engined Elva

(the 1962 prototype), driven by Chris

Meek, had challenged Hyslop but collided

with the chicane due to brake

trouble. Although the car showed much

promise, it was rarely raced during the

rest of the year."

I also notice Saturday 3rd June 1961 at Brands Hatch, International Meeting, #60 P. Ellis, Lotus-Ford 997, is in the programme as a non-starter.

4th Reserve #85 Scuderia Birchwood (Australia) (Dvr.: B. Gubby) Lotus-Ford 997

RGDS RLT 

Edited by Rupertlt1, Today, 17:33.