38 replies to this topic

[VDP]

In many entries I have see Robert Lamplough entered mostly with outpassed or modified cars in F1, F2 and F5000. Who was or is he ?

Robert

[David McKinney]

Usually known as Robs
He still pops up from time to time - in outdated cars which are more acceptable now

[Jeremy Jackson]

He also has (or did have) a decent collection of WW2 aircraft; P-51D & Spitfire to name a couple, think he had a Sea Fury at one time?

[ian senior]

Also had/has a brother, Peter, who was a promising F3 driver whose career was cut short by an accident.

[Rob29]

Originally posted by Jeremy Jackson
He also has (or did have) a decent collection of WW2 aircraft; P-51D & Spitfire to name a couple, think he had a Sea Fury at one time?

He certainly had a Sea Fury,which I saw him take part in the Reno Air Races of 1988 with.

[Peter Morley]

Originally posted by VDP
In many entries I have see Robert Lamplough entered mostly with outpassed or modified cars in F1, F2 and F5000. Who was or is he ?

Robert

An extremely wealthy enthusiast, baed in Hungerford, UK.

In period he bought many cars - such as non (or small)-wing 3 litre BRM (not sure which model this would be), Lotus 49, 72 & more recently a replica 33.
He had a Ferrari GTO and just about anything else you can think of.

The Lotus 21 that was driven so brilliantly by Flavienm Marcais at Monaco this year apparently belongs to him (is it the ex-Chris Smith, US GP winner? that was recently auctioned).

He bought many cars from Lotus when they were a few years old - like both 43s, that he converted into F5000 cars, and did a deal to buy the 4WD indycars and some other cars (that was eventually resolved in his favour in court).

Early 90's he bought the Allard J2X project, with the intention of racing at Le-Mans - but it was too slow and he sold it after entering it in a couple of races.

He raced some of the cars in period and occassionally races them in historics - when he has been known to provide some off track entertainment with one of his planes.

His aeroplane collection is possibly even more impressive - Spitfire, Hurricane, Mustang what more could you want!!

[Barry Boor]

From a mutual friend who must remain nameless, it would appear that Robs married VERY well.

I have spoken to him once or twice at historic meetings, to pass on greetings from the aforementioned friend, and he seems a very friendly and approachable chap.

Does anyone know if he is going to be at Oulton Park in 2 weeks, as his friend may be keen to meet him?

[Gary C]

isn't he one of the co-ordinators of the Goodwood FoS & Revival Meetings??

[T54]

In the 1960's, Robs appeared to be a used car dealer who indeed later married one of the richest women England. Today, Robs is a consumate enthusiast and was (is) quite a decent driver.
Along other interesting cars, he owns the sole remaining Lotus 33 with the V8 Climax, used to own some pretty fabulous cars such as a Ferrari 375-plus and other beautes.
I personally saved him from spending a few pounds with a well-known British crook car "restorer" (from what I call today the "gang of 3" ) when he asked for my advice in purchasing a car mis-represented as the Trevor Taylor Brabham-BRM sports car, formerly of Team Rosebud.

I also loaned him a racing car for the 1995 Monterey Historics in which he did a lot better than I would have been able to do myself, and I never had anything but a positive relation with him.
I also remember that he flew a bit low over the Pebble Beach lawn the same year with a Hawker Sea Fury, which cost him a few words with the authorities and a flying ban. I hope he recidivates at Goodwood in 3 weeks.

I also know that he lusts after a Jungmeister...

T54

[David Hyland]

Slightly OT, how should one pronounce Robs' ;) surname: is it "Lamp-low" or "Lamb-plough" or "Lamp-luff" or "Fanshaw" or something else?

Thanks,
David.

[T54]

You should ask DCN...

[Rob29]

Originally posted by David Hyland
Slightly OT, how should one pronounce Robs' ;) surname: is it "Lamp-low" or "Lamb-plough" or "Lamp-luff" or "Fanshaw" or something else?

Thanks,
David.

Lamp-low is what I have always heard from Brands Hatch to Reno.

[David Hyland]

Thanks, Rob29.

[David McKinney]

Originally posted by Rob29
Lamp-low is what I have always heard from Brands Hatch to Reno.

Never heard that.
Always Lam-plough
(Unless that's what you meant)

[Macca]

I remember he had a Ferrari 315S with pontoon-fendered body at the first Silverstone (Christies) Festival in 1990, and the BRM he had was a P133 which IIRC was at the 1999 Revival. He also has a F2 Lotus 35-BRM, and he is on the 'other' forum ( X-Te*ths). It used to be one of the (many) high points of Coys to see Robs do his Saturday evening air display in his Spitfire.

His Lotus 33 isn't the only survivor - all the newbuilt cars R8, 9, 11, 14 and the rebuilt 25/33 R13 still exist. His car is listed by Allen Brown and mentioned in this thread as a replica 'R10R', but he bought the whole tub of the car crashed by Clark at Brands, together with the two type 43 rolling chassis and the never-used second Indy type 42 and loads of bits for £2500 in 1968 (according to the late Andrew Ferguson's article in 'Historic Racing' magazine), so it's a lot more original than Cedric Selzer's 25/R5 which was rebuilt round a few surviving bits IIRC.

(but Robs' car is the only 33 currently seen racing)



Paul M

[T54]

Never heard that.

It's really lamp-lough...

Paul, I am aware that a few cars "surfaced" lately, but at this time, I believe that there is only ONE genuine "25" and one almost genuine "33" around. I believe that the others carry tall stories in their collective exhaust pipes.
I was once at C&G and the subject of Selzer's "25" came up, and I mentioned the story of the "surviving bits". They had a good laugh.
Regards,

T54

[David Beard]

Robs on the grid at Goodwood, 2001

(my photo)

[Allen Brown]

Robs posts on 10 Tenths from time-to-time. Lovely bloke.

[Allen Brown]

Originally posted by Macca
... His car is listed by Allen Brown and mentioned in this thread as a replica 'R10R', but he bought the whole tub of the car crashed by Clark at Brands, together with the two type 43 rolling chassis and the never-used second Indy type 42 and loads of bits for £2500 in 1968 (according to the late Andrew Ferguson's article in 'Historic Racing' magazine), so it's a lot more original than Cedric Selzer's 25/R5 which was rebuilt round a few surviving bits IIRC...

Which just shows that you can't believe everything you read...

[T54]

And...in case any of you decides to build a 1.5-liter Lotus-Climax, I still have an extra HD-5 in excellent condition which I got years ago from...Robs.
Applicants may line on the right side of the aisle.

T54

[Dennis Hockenbury]

Originally posted by T54
Paul, I am aware that a few cars "surfaced" lately, but at this time, I believe that there is only ONE genuine "25" and ne almost genuine "33" around. I believe that the others carry tall stories in their collective exhaust pipes.

I shall preface these remarks with the admission that I have no expertise or detailed knowledge of the 25/33 series of Lotus F1 cars, but am an enthusiast of the Lotus marque among several others.

I have just finished reading the latest work by Eoin Young, "Jim Clark and His Most Successful Lotus". An enjoyable book with wonderful pictures principally sourced from Ted Walker's extensive archive.

A major focus of this new work is the story of Lotus 25/R4 - 33/R13. 25/R4, Clark’s 1963 championship mount was crashed in 1965 by Attwood at Spa in the wet, wrapping the car around a telegraph pole and was destroyed in the subsequent fire.

The story goes that Tim Parnell, the car owner in 1965 purchased a new replacement chassis from Lotus, and the car was renumbered as 33/R13 and so it was recorded in various publications.

After passing through many hands over the years, the remains of the car were purchased by the late John Dawson-Damer and the chassis was of the 25 design and not the 33.

Apparently Parnell had rebuilt the original 25 chassis thus saving the expense of a new replacement, but using the newer 33 model designation to improve the start money and resale value for the car.

With good photography of the chassis as purchased by Dawson-Damer, the tub certainly looks like a 25 chassis to my untrained eye, and the supporting narrative by Young is very convincing.

This thread seems to have contributors who have significantly more knowledge of these issues than myself, so I will ask several questions.

Does the story of 25/R4 as presented by Young conform to the knowledge of this car?

Given that the car was rebuilt by the Parnell team in 1965, does this damage the "originality" or provenance of this chassis from being acknowledged as 25/R4?

Thanks in advance for your help on this.

[T54]

I shall preface these remarks with the admission that I have no expertise or detailed knowledge of the 25/33 series of Lotus F1 cars, but am an enthusiast of the Lotus marque among several others.

I would suggest that you ask Dick Crosthwaite, at least you will get a honest and qualified answer.
In the case of this car and if the story is true, the car should retain its original identity. But let first verify that the story is not as tall as that of a certain Aston Martin project 214 car chassis 0195...
Regards,

T54

[Doug Nye]

Originally posted by Gary C
isn't he one of the co-ordinators of the Goodwood FoS & Revival Meetings??

No. He is not. He is a genuine ex-Goodwood racer - i.e. 1966 and earlier - and an enthusiastic and valued supporter of the event.

His BRM V12 is one of the most original, untouched, unspoiled, absolutely genuine period-finish Formula 1 survivors to be found anywhere in the world today. The same cannot be said for his Lotus 33 ;) - but we excuse Robs that because he is absolutely the real deal even if that particular car is a remake.

DCN

[FLB]

Originally posted by Peter Morley
Early 90's he bought the Allard J2X project, with the intention of racing at Le-Mans - but it was too slow and he sold it after entering it in a couple of races.

That car was at the Sommet de Légendes in Mont-Tremblant this past July. It wasn't run while I was there. It is (was at the time) owned by Jacques Rivard, a French-Canadian enthusiast. He was looking to sell it, although I don't remember the asking price. I have also seen it advertised in Racer, the American monthly.

[ian senior]

Originally posted by Allen Brown
Robs posts on 10 Tenths from time-to-time. Lovely bloke.

Would be nice if we could get him on here too. Could someone who knows him use his/her influence?

[hhh]

Robs is a good friend and a real car nut.
He started buying and racing Historic cars before most people, and although Mrs. L. may have bought a few cars as well, Robs didn't do too badly trading them over the years.
He did buy a load of BRM's many, many years ago and had them stacked 3 high in his warehouse.
Certainly one of the most original people around, lots of fun and always into doing something that is either not done or completely forbidden (like wearing a Luftwaffe uniform to the Goodwood party, or disturbing Lord Hesketh's prize-giving speach at Silverstone with VERY passes in the Spitfire).

Robs still races several cars, and does so very well.

[ensign14]

The only thing I know about Lamplough which has not been mentioned in this thread is that he was in the fateful F2 race at Hockenheim when Jim Clark was killed; and that he was the only driver to refuse to take part in the second part (Graham Hill excepted), which to me shows he was in it for the pure sport of it.

Married well? Hmm...does he have a daughter?

[David Birchall]

I met Rob Lamplough a few times in the eighties when he was racing his BRM P25 in N. America. He seemed like a really nice guy, I have a photo of myself sitting in the BRM at Portland while Robs looks on. But since I havn't got a scanner, never mind the technical know-how (Ray), I won't be posting the picture. Suffice it say, he is what we all wish to be....

[VDP]

Thanks a lot is Peter Lamplough a relative, he DNQ at Rotmans 50000 ?

Robert

[T54]

Here is a picture of Robs at the Monterey Hysterics a few years back. He still looks pretty much the same today.



Robs is at the left, Dave Morris in center. Robs drove Dave Morris's Brabham at Nassau in 1964, crashing it seriously after a piece of coral punctured a tire. Robs hit the only tree there, and can be thankful that the car was a right-hand drive as the trunk occupied the passenger seat. The local island resident kids in the tree watching the race fell like grapes. Robs enjoys telling the story. This was a reunion of sorts because these two gentlemen had not seen each other since that race.
Regards,

T54

[Rob29]

Originally posted by VDP
Thanks a lot is Peter Lamplough a relative, he DNQ at Rotmans 50000 ?

Robert

Peter is Robs younger brother. He did FF and F3,then seems to have retired in early seventies. I have no record of him at Rothmans 50000. Non qualifyers took part in 100km consolation race.He is not among 19 starters for that. Robs was 13th and last finisher.Or is that what you meant?

[VDP]

Yes Thanks

Robert

[coowilla]

Hi Robs

 

I own the AC Cobra you and your bother had in 1969-70. I have a photo in its crashed state and I was wondering if you could tell anything about its history? Long time ago I bought the car in 1974. I also believe the previous owner to you was Richard Nelson!

 

Any info much appreciated

 

Regards

 

coowilla 

[Rupertlt1]

Is this the man in question? What?

 

Bridgehampton Memorial Day SCCA National, 31 May 1964:

 

https://library.revs...466/default.jpg

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 23 September 2018 - 14:14.

[ensign14]

Well, here he is in 2016...

 

 

...and same man, same car, same venue, but two years later.

 

 

Distinctive plain black helmet.

[Bloggsworth]

Well, here he is in 2016...

 

 

 

Distinctive plain black helmet.

 

Nothing to detract from his violet eyes - Girls used to swoon over them...

Edited by Bloggsworth, 23 September 2018 - 15:38.

[Rupertlt1]

Yes, but what car is he driving at Bridgehampton? 

 

RGDS RLT

[RacingCompagniet]

Looks very much like a Cooper T59 Formula Junior.

[Rupertlt1]

A further search turns up this:

 

https://library.revs...024/default.jpg

 

Also this:

 

https://library.revs...312/default.jpg

 

"Tuned by Harry Marsh"

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 26 September 2018 - 14:31.