3 replies to this topic

[Vitesse2]

Prompted by the Strange Story thread started by FLB, I read right through this site about Ruth Ellis and David Blakely.

http://www.crimelibr...classics2/ellis

I hadn't previously known he was the stepson of Humphrey Cook, nor that he actually built his own racing car, which was called the Emperor, along with another central character in the murder, Anthony "Ant" Findlater. This was seemingly a sports car and, if you read right to the end of the site there is a mention of the car now being in Westridge Museum on the Isle of Wight. There are some exact dates for races the car took part in, but does anyone have any more details about the Emperor? And how did it end up in a museum on the Isle of Wight?

Blakely's HRG, also mentioned above, is currently for sale:

http://www.race-cars...80/hrgw80ss.htm

After a bit of research, it appears that the museum concerned was the splendidly named Cothey Bottom Heritage Centre in Ryde. However, this seems to no longer exist - anyone got any details? And where is the car now?

[Rob29]

There was a movie made of the Ruth Ellis story.'Dance with a Stranger' I seem to remember the Blakley car featured in it,though can't remember what it looked like.

[bradbury west]

There was a movie made of the Ruth Ellis story.'Dance with a Stranger' I seem to remember the Blakley car featured in it,though can't remember what it looked like.

Which is due to air on Film4, UK at 12.05am tonight into Friday Morning, posted as Thursday screening in the listings.
Roger Lund

[simonlewisbooks]

Which is due to air on Film4, UK at 12.05am tonight into Friday Morning, posted as Thursday screening in the listings.
Roger Lund

50s sports car ace Cliff Davis (LOY 500, JOY 500 etc) was an adviser on the racing scenes (shot at Goodwood)and from a contemporary interview I think he remembered Blakeley as "a bit of a ****" ....