6 replies to this topic

[Racer.Demon]

Today, the 8W team were contacted by the current owner of the Aston-Butterworth NB41, American James Canedy, who was pleasantly surprised to find an 8W article devoted to his car. As a token of appreciation he sent the picture below, along with some additional information that is now published on the site.



James has become very much informed on the car's history while it was still in its original F2 guise, yet he wants to know more about what happened to it after Dickie Metcalfe turned it into a sports racer and eventually sold it on to the next owner, Brian Shaw.

Can anyone help?

[bobbo]

Sorry I can't help on its history, but what a PRETTY little thing it is!!

Wow!

Bobbo

[Garagiste]

Likewise. That is just gorgeous!

[Racer.Demon]

Meanwhile, Jim Canedy has come up with additional information himself. Perhaps this might lead some of you to more.

Mattijs,
Thank you very much for your interest. I would appreciate it if you would
post a request for information on the Aston-Ford. I have attached a period
photo of the car as raced after 1957. The series of owners included Bill
Aston, Dickie Metcalfe, Kenneth Brian Shaw, Graham Bovet-White, Mike Mullen,
and James Canedy. A very short list for an old race car.
The story of Bill Aston and Montgomery-Charrington is well documented on
your website and all race results can be verified by chassis number in F2
configuration. The F2 car was purchased in 1957 by Metcalfe. It was taken to
Maurice Gomm of Gomm Metals to rebody the car. He was responsible for
Tojeiro and Lola designs. The Aston has a very similar body to the Lola Mk I
that was created several years later.
The chassis required minimal modification. A Climax 1098cc engine was
installed along with an MG gearbox. Classic and Sportscar January 1983 ran
an article about the car and referenced that Metcalfe raced the car in
handicap events at Goodwood and Silverstone between 1958 and 1961 "finishing
well". I have not been able to find finishing results for these races.
According to the article, the car was sold to Brian Shaw through Connaught
cars in 1964. A Ford Kent engine with Sharrock supercharger was installed
and remains with the car today. Shaw reportedly ran it in sprint and
hillclimbs with reasonable success. I have not been able to document any of
these results.
In 1974 the car was purchased by Graham Bovet-White. He has been kind enough
to supply photos and information. He won the Brighton Speed Trials in 1977,
and the Birkett 6 hour handicap event at Siverstone in 1980.
The car was imported to the United States in 1993 by Mike Mullen who ran the
car in regional events including the Copperstate 1000.
James Canedy acquired the car in 1997. It was mechanically refurbished and
cosmetically restored. Care was taken to maintain the original body and
mechanical parts intact. A roll bar, updated hydraulics, and fire system
were installed as required. The car has been run at Road America and Mid
America Motorplex.
Any information about dates, locations and results of races between 1957 and
1993 would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Jim Canedy

This is the picture he is referring to in his e-mail:

[Racer.Demon]

More information! Jim Canedy found a UK telephone number belonging to a Robin Montgomerie-Charrington - now what's the chance that is not the NB42 owner of yore, presuming he moved back from the States...

Would someone in Britain dare to investigate? The number is 0171 584 7835.

[Vitesse2]

Anyone live near SW10? This was the only one I could find - note that the number is similar, but not identical (0171 numbers were changed some time ago)

Name:
R.A Montgomerie-Charrington

Tel:
(020) 7376 7838

Address:
4/47 Milmans Street
London
SW10 0DA

[Racer.Demon]

I'm happy to report that several days ago Jim Canedy has been on the phone with 88-year-old Robin Montgomerie-Charrington. The information provided by Richard was correct!

The two had a long chat about Bill Aston, Archie Butterworth and how the Aston car came to be - it was because Bill and Robin both got rattled by the heavily-vibrating Coopers they owned! The US link came about through Montgomerie-Charrington's wife who once helped out in France by getting in a late entry under her name in US colours. Another story centers around the help of some very famous three musketeers from Italy helping him into the race. Apparently, he was oozing with stories like these.

Montgomerie-Charrington promised Jim to send him more information and photos. Hopefully these will arrive soon. We have also asked permission to publish his stories in detail in this thread and on 8W.

So watch this space?