I'll be happy to know some background information on British driver Gillie Tyrer who was very active - and successful - driving two different BMWs, if I am not mistaken. during the late 40s and the early 50s.
![Photo](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d818387ca79ccfbec737f44e18332b53?s=100&d=https%3A%2F%2Fforums.autosport.com%2Fpublic%2Fstyle_images%2FTheo%2Fprofile%2Fdefault_large.png)
Gillie Tyrer
Started by
alessandro silva
, Apr 01 2003 10:00
6 replies to this topic
#1
Posted 01 April 2003 - 10:00
Advertisement
#2
Posted 01 April 2003 - 13:18
Not a full biography but hopefully this will help..
Gilbert Tyler was a Liverpool motor dealer who, post war, ran Litherland Motors a Frazer Nash/BMW dealer. I suspect this was relatively successful as he indulged in motor sport with some quality machinery.
His BMW 328 was the 1940 Mille Miglia winning car (Brodes/Roese) and raced with success at many circuits including Silverstone. He finished 4th in the Manx Cup on the IoM in 1947 (a race won by B.Bira). He also won the sand races at Coatham with this car.
In 1953 he teamed up with Peter Reece in a Singer SM1500 to compete in the TT. Possibly the last ever works entry for the marque I suspect.
He then moved onto the ex-Duncan Hamilton C type Jaguar (XKC0038) which is now owned by Sir Anthony Bamford. He also owned, from new, a D type (XKD517) which subsequently went to Border Reivers and became famous in the hands of an enthusiastic young farmer called Jim Clark..
This covers the decade from 1947 onwards, maybe someone can top and tail the story.
Gilbert Tyler was a Liverpool motor dealer who, post war, ran Litherland Motors a Frazer Nash/BMW dealer. I suspect this was relatively successful as he indulged in motor sport with some quality machinery.
His BMW 328 was the 1940 Mille Miglia winning car (Brodes/Roese) and raced with success at many circuits including Silverstone. He finished 4th in the Manx Cup on the IoM in 1947 (a race won by B.Bira). He also won the sand races at Coatham with this car.
In 1953 he teamed up with Peter Reece in a Singer SM1500 to compete in the TT. Possibly the last ever works entry for the marque I suspect.
He then moved onto the ex-Duncan Hamilton C type Jaguar (XKC0038) which is now owned by Sir Anthony Bamford. He also owned, from new, a D type (XKD517) which subsequently went to Border Reivers and became famous in the hands of an enthusiastic young farmer called Jim Clark..
This covers the decade from 1947 onwards, maybe someone can top and tail the story.
#3
Posted 01 April 2003 - 13:41
..and also Tyrer (sorry not Tyler!) took part in a non-Championship "Grand Prix" at Gamston Aerodrome in 1950. finishing 4th (?of 4) behind the Maserati 4CLTs of Hampshire and Parnell.
#4
Posted 02 April 2003 - 09:26
Originally posted by bill moffat
His BMW 328 was the 1940 Mille Miglia winning car (Brodes/Roese) and
Brrrrh! 1940 Mille Miglia was won by von Hanstein / Bäumer!!!
Brudes / Roese were third overall and second in their class.
#5
Posted 04 April 2003 - 18:55
Gilbert Tyrer, born 1911, started motor sport in 1935 using a Ford 8 sports tourer. From then on competed regularly in trials, rallies, sprints, hill climbs and races. Raced a Bugatti T51, BMW 328 ( actually more than of these according to DSJ’s ‘Nash history), the ex-works Mille Miglia BMW, XK120, C- and D-type Jaguars, also the Singer in the 1953 TT already mentioned.
This from a brief review in Autosport at the end of 1956, which also mentioned that in 1957 he would be racing an ex-works/ Ecurie Ecosse D-type.
This from a brief review in Autosport at the end of 1956, which also mentioned that in 1957 he would be racing an ex-works/ Ecurie Ecosse D-type.
#6
Posted 04 April 2003 - 20:46
Thank you, Bill and Pete.
#7
Posted 05 April 2003 - 02:49
This is the Gillie Tyrer entry in Motor Racing Directory 1957.
Driver. Successes - 1955: One 1st (production cars), two 2nds, four 3rds with C-type Jaguar.
1954: 22 events entered, 10 awards, six 1sts, one ftd.
1953: 14 events, seven awards, two 1sts, three 2nds.
Has won 231 awards since 1936.
Born Liverpool, 23 November 1911.
Garage proprietor, managing director, Litherland Motors (Liverpool) Ltd.
Address: Litherland Motors (Liverpool) Ltd., Hawthorne Road, Liverpool 21. Tel: Waterloo 2484.
Driver. Successes - 1955: One 1st (production cars), two 2nds, four 3rds with C-type Jaguar.
1954: 22 events entered, 10 awards, six 1sts, one ftd.
1953: 14 events, seven awards, two 1sts, three 2nds.
Has won 231 awards since 1936.
Born Liverpool, 23 November 1911.
Garage proprietor, managing director, Litherland Motors (Liverpool) Ltd.
Address: Litherland Motors (Liverpool) Ltd., Hawthorne Road, Liverpool 21. Tel: Waterloo 2484.