29 replies to this topic

[richie]

His name came up in conversation recently.

What is known about this sports car racer?

[Ted Walker]

I think he was best known for driving Diva GTs in the 60s

[Doug Nye]

Known as 'The Racing Gran'pa' - we did a track test on his Diva GT at 'Motor Racing' magazine down at Brands Hatch very soon after I joined them in December 1963, if I recall correctly. It was certainly one of the first occasions on which I remember being 'at the heart of the action'. Nice bloke, slightly built, quite sharp-featured, business partner or friend of engineer Don Sim who was deeply involved with the little Diva GTs. Probably not as old as he appeared to 18-year old me...speaking presently you understand as a Gran'pa myself...

DCN

[richie]

It never ceases to amaze me, that someone somewhere has usually got the answer.

Thanks guys.

Was he successful Doug?

[Doug Nye]

In club racing - very. Doug Mockford had won the John Davy Championship for his performances at Brands Hatch during 1963. One of his closest rivals, driving a hite-painted Marcos 'wooden wonder', was a 21-year old Essex boy - named Jack Oliver...

DCN

[richie]

Known as 'The Racing Gran'pa' - we did a track test on his Diva GT at 'Motor Racing' magazine down at Brands Hatch very soon after I joined them in December 1963, if I recall correctly. It was certainly one of the first occasions on which I remember being 'at the heart of the action'. Nice bloke, slightly built, quite sharp-featured, business partner or friend of engineer Don Sim who was deeply involved with the little Diva GTs. Probably not as old as he appeared to 18-year old me...speaking presently you understand as a Gran'pa myself...

DCN

What became of Doug, I was told he died some years ago- do you know when?

I've just made contact with Jim Moore of Kincraft fame, who indeed had a garage and showroom in Thornton Heath in the 60's, started his racing career as a driver of 2 Diva GT's in 1964, helped to develop the car with Don Sim and Norman Surtees (brother of John).

[ReWind]

Maybe he was one of these:

Mockford, Douglas, Born Oct 20 1916 in Hailsham R D, Sussex, Died 1969 in Sutton R D, Surrey

Mockford, Douglas Arthur, Born May 01 1923 in Haywards Heath, Sussex, Died Jan 06 1999

Mockford, Douglas Clarence, Born May 11 1925 in Lewes R D, East Sussex, Died Oct 17 2001 in Queen Victoria Hospital, Lewes, Sussex

[David McKinney]

Top one

"Our" Doug Mockford was born on 20 Oct 1916

[sterling49]

In club racing - very. Doug Mockford had won the John Davy Championship for his performances at Brands Hatch during 1963. One of his closest rivals, driving a hite-painted Marcos 'wooden wonder', was a 21-year old Essex boy - named Jack Oliver...

DCN

........and this not so young man, watched them race, riding to Brands on my trusty Claude Butler ! I remember the Divas well, great cars. John Davey just happened to be our local Ford Dealer too.

[pete53]

A very pleasant unassuming man. My friend's father used to frequent his garage and, on learning that me and my friend were racing enthusiasts, he very kindly took us along to Brands and Lydden to see him compete. I was very sad to learn of his death only 2 or 3 years later. Many of you may remember him appearing in adverts in Motoring News for, if I remember correctly, Duckhams Oils.

[richie]

A very pleasant unassuming man. My friend's father used to frequent his garage and, on learning that me and my friend were racing enthusiasts, he very kindly took us along to Brands and Lydden to see him compete. I was very sad to learn of his death only 2 or 3 years later. Many of you may remember him appearing in adverts in Motoring News for, if I remember correctly, Duckhams Oils.

Where was his garage and did his death have anything to do with motor racing?

I came across a Doug Mockford in Heathfield East Sussex 6 years ago but only learnt this week that they were not and the same person. I made an assumption in 2005 when I thought I'd met his relatives only to discover this DM was similar in name only.

[pete53]

Where was his garage and did his death have anything to do with motor racing?

I came across a Doug Mockford in Heathfield East Sussex 6 years ago but only learnt this week that they were not and the same person. I made an assumption in 2005 when I thought I'd met his relatives only to discover this DM was similar in name only.

I seem to recall that he had a heart attack although I am not 100% sure on that - it was a long time ago. I never personally went to his garage but it was somewhere in the vicinity of Croydon or relatively nearby. My friend's dad was a copper and he was stationed out that way hence him using Doug's garage.

I do have some old copies of Motoring News from 1969 ( the apparent year of his death) and will look them up to see if I can find his obituary.

[pete53]

I have just located Doug's obituary that appeared in Motoring News in the September 4th 1969 issue. Contrary to what I said in my previous posting, the actual cause of death was lung cancer. He was 53 years old.

His garage was situated in Gloucester Road in Croydon.

Just to reinforce what I said about him being a very pleasant and unassuming man the MN obituary finished by saying .." Doug enjoyed his racing tremendously and was always one of the friendliest competitors. A very talented driver despite his age, off the circuit Doug was always happy to help other competitors ..."

[David McKinney]

219 Gloucester Road, in fact

[Bloggsworth]

Isn't life odd - I know I met him several times when I worked at Diva but for the life of me I can't remember his face.

[pete53]

Isn't life odd - I know I met him several times when I worked at Diva but for the life of me I can't remember his face.

Would there be any copyright issues in uploading a picture from a 41 year old issue of MN? If not I could give it a go.

[ReWind]

Maybe he was one of these:

Mockford, Douglas, Born Oct 20 1916 in Hailsham R D, Sussex, Died 1969 in Sutton R D, Surrey

Most likely a silly question: What does "R D" mean?

[David McKinney]

In New Zealand it means (or used to mean) Rural Delivery

My guess is that in this instance it stands for Registration District

[bradbury west]

Would there be any copyright issues in uploading a picture from a 41 year old issue of MN? If not I could give it a go.

I am always a champion of copyright, but your suggestion would surely be seen as fair use for explanatory or educational purposes if you cite due source and any credits. You can always delete it after 24 hrs.
Waiting to be rebuffed.
Roger Lund

Edited by bradbury west, 18 November 2011 - 19:56.

[pete53]

I am always a champion of copyright, but your suggestion would surely be seen as fair use for explanatory or educational purposes if you cite due source and any credits. You can always delete it after 24 hrs.
Waiting to be rebuffed.
Roger Lund

Thanks for that Roger. I will try and get a picture or two up over the weekend - the quality won't be great but better than nothing.

[richie]

Isn't life odd - I know I met him several times when I worked at Diva but for the life of me I can't remember his face.

I've been talking to Jim Moore recently who ran a garage & showroom in Thornton Heath in the 60's and said he worked and helped to develop the Diva GT, along with maker Don Sim & Norman Surtees in 1963. Do you recall this? I'd happily put you in touch if you are interested.

I'm hoping to hear from Don Sim c/o Diva Cars web site unless you know how to reach him.

[pete53]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
1. Motoring News May 1967 with Doug, and the Diva Valkyr he raced in 1966, advertising a Duckham's product


Uploaded with ImageShack.us
2. Motoring News Sept.1969. This photo accompanied Doug's obituary, but there is no indication where or when it was taken.

As I said in a previous posting, I don't want to breach copyright, so if it is felt that using these pictures is inappropriate I am happy to remove them.

[bradbury west]

I've been talking to Jim Moore recently who ran a garage & showroom in Thornton Heath in the 60's and said he worked and helped to develop the Diva GT, along with maker Don Sim & Norman Surtees in 1963. Do you recall this? I'd happily put you in touch if you are interested. I'm hoping to hear from Don Sim c/o Diva Cars web site unless you know how to reach him.

I would welcome contact details by pm please, ulterior motive/vested interest. I have checked on Ancestry dot co. and on my older Electoral Roll stuff and I cannot find Don , not helped by the fact that his initials were A J D, ( from his entry in the 1960 6 hr Relay race programme) so if anyone recalls his first name I may be able to help more. The Diva site is a nice little memento site.
Roger Lund

[Bloggsworth]

You need the Anthony Newley Lookalike site. I would estimate that Don Sim was 15 to 20 years older than me, which would put him at around 82 to 87.

[bradbury west]

Not really period shots, but at HSCC Brands in 1989, I think.


Photos copyright Roger Lund, all rights reserved.

[Bloggsworth]

Most likely a silly question: What does "R D" mean?

Rural District, as in Rural District Council.

[Amphicar]

Rural District, as in Rural District Council.

It was a reasonable question for anyone younger than 40 to ask. RDCs were all abolished in 1974, together with UDCs (Urban District Councils), MBCs (Municipal Borough Councils) and CBCs (County Borough Councils).

[richie]

Just been hearing a story where Doug Mockford, John Bloomfield and John Miles were in the top three at Cadwell Park in the 60's racing Divas and Jackie Oliver was fourth in a Marcos being frustrated unable to beat them with the oil pressure light on at the end.

It was a case if you can't beat them, join em- so he did and raced Divas for a short time.

Edited by richie, 29 January 2012 - 11:13.

[bradbury west]

Known as 'The Racing Gran'pa' - we did a track test on his Diva GT at 'Motor Racing' magazine down at Brands Hatch very soon after I joined them in December 1963, if I recall correctly. DCN

I would welcome a scan or copy of that track test if anyone has one to hand
Roger Lund

[Jagjon]

I would welcome a scan or copy of that track test if anyone has one to hand
Roger Lund

Motor Racing track test no 29 by John Blunsden. quote life begins at 40, Doug Mockford took part in his first race aged 40 in 1959. The Diva was registered SXY 111.
email me for scan. onemorealfa@yahoo.co.uk