51 replies to this topic

[hipperson]

During the 1970s Hexagon of Highgate ran a selection of iconic cars in motorsport. My brother worked there for many years. In 1972 they produced a magazine and this is one page.
Does anyone recognise any of the vehicles or personalities ?
Is that their driver Nick Faure on a motorbike?




The photographer Nigel Snowdon was associated with the garage and some of these images may be attributed to him.

[Bjorn Kjer]

What do you mean ? Like Jag,Lister,Tojeiro,Maser,Lotus,Cooper?????????????????????????Or with reg nos, chassis nos. , who owned them begore , where are they now????????????????????????
But anyway , nice to see the pics!

[Dutchy]

They were all taken when the JCB series was at its height in 1972/3 and most were taken at Silverstone with a few at Crystal Palace. I can identify a few:
the Birdcage Maserati is the ex Camoradi longtail (the 1960 Nurbirgring 1,000kms winner) which was raced by Nick Faure for Hexagon. Later on it was written off by Hon. Patrick Lindsay and was rebuilt with a new chassis.
The D Type in Ecurie Ecosse livery was also part of the Hexagon team and was also raced by Nick Faure (and Michael Frainey).
The Lotus 16 is the Bill Wilks car later owned and raced by John Roberts, Bruce Halford, Anthony Mayman and now Philip Walker.
The 250F Maserati is chassis 2514 at the time raced by Neil Corner and then Tom Rose and Chris Mann. I can't recall where it is now but I'm sure David McKinney can oblige. 2514 incidentally was the first 250F to appear in English historic racing, in the hands of H.C. Spero.
I believe the Aston DBR1 is the 1959 Le Mans winner which was shared (I think) between Chris Stewart and Neil Corner.
In the top right is the Maserati 450S of Hon.John Fellowes.
The D Types in the middle right are the pair owned by Nigel Moores. He raced the blue one under the pseudonyms of Willie Eckerslyke and Paul Kelly while Bill Allen raced the black one.
The car pictured with its front off next to the Birdcage Maser is the spaceframe Lister which Nick Faure raced for Hexagon in rather shocking Camel cigarettes livery. Prior to that it was used by Gerry Marshall to win the last race at The Palace in 1972.
On the bottom row the Lister in the middle of the leftmost picture is, I think, the flat iron Lister HCH736 (?) owned by Gordon Lee and later Robert Cooper.
Finally the Costin Lister is the ex Mike Anthony car RB 25 which Dick Tindell raced for many years. It was later raced by Gerry Marshall for Geoffrey Marsh.

[David McKinney]

Originally posted by Dutchy
The 250F Maserati is chassis 2514 at the time raced by Neil Corner and then Tom Rose and Chris Mann. I can't recall where it is now but I'm sure David McKinney can oblige

Chap by the name of Ecclestone ;)

[David M. Kane]

Didn't they run John Watson in a Brabham BT-42 also?

[Dutchy]

Yes indeed

[RTH]

I seem to recall Frank Swanson was chief mechanic in the early seventies for the cars Paul Michaels owned and ran. My soon then to be brother-in-law Bill Nathan worked for Hexagon and went to most of the races in the days of the Brabhams and I think a Trojan.

[Gerald Swan]

A quick picture I took of John Watson in the Goldie Hexagon Racing Brabham BT42 at the '74 British GP.



Gerald.

www.lolaheritage.co.uk

[Alan Cox]

The spaceframe Lister was BHL 126(2) - as described by DCN in Powered by Jaguar - was the ex-Sargent/Lumsden Playford-bodied Le Mans coupe, sold to Coundley/Harvey/J A Pearce/Corner and then to Hexagon who had the roof removed and had it rebodied in Costin form for Nick Faure. Thence to Barry Simpson, Philippe Renault - who rebodied it in coupe form - and Steffan Svenby.

[Andrew Fellowes]

Photo top right. car nearest camera, Maserati 450S #4510, The Hon John who sometimes drove it to Silverstone, (Police were not impressed but failed to ever catch him). I think it went around the world just about with owners but its now back perhaps where it should be in the States.

[RA Historian]

Originally posted by Andrew Fellowes
Photo top right. car nearest camera, Maserati 450S #4510, I think it went around the world just about with owners but its now back perhaps where it should be in the States.

As I understand it, 4510 is now owned by Tom Hollfelder.

[hipperson]

Thanks for all that knowledge Dutchy.....another

[ian senior]

I think that's a Datsun 1300/1600 next to the guy on the motorbike....

[Dutchy]

OK, here goes........
Picture 1 shows the Hexagon D Type MWS 302 (XKD 502) leaving the grid at the last meeting at The Palace. To the left is Willie Grren in the JCB Maserati T61 Birdcage (one of the pair now owned by Nick Mason) with Gordon Lee's "flat iron" Lister Jaguar (ex Halford, Border Reivers) behind and the Corner Aston DBR1 alongside. I can't quite make out the car hidden behinf the D Type but it looks like the longtail Maserati Birdcage.

Picture 2 Silverstone on a wet day - yuk!

Picture 3 Nick faure in the D Type

Picture 5 Nosing ahead of the Maser is a Costin bodied Lister (Anthony Hutton or John Harper?) with the JCB Maserati alongside. I can't make out who's in the 250F farthest away but possibly Neil Corner.

Picture 6 l to r (I think) Paul Kelly (Jaguar D Type); Nick Faure (Jaguar D Type); Neil Corner (Maserati 250F 2528); Martin Morris (Jaguar D Type OKV 3). Row 2 unkown (Jaguar D Type); Bill Allen (Jaguar D Type). Row 3 John Harper? (ex Norman Hillwood Lister Jaguar?); Richard Pilkington? (Lago Talbot?); Gordon Lee (Lister Jaguar). Further back I can identify Frank Lockhart's Rover Special and the Aston DB3Ss of Clive Aston (DB3S/5) and Robert Cooper

[David Beard]

Originally posted by hipperson
During the 1970s Hexagon of Highgate ran a selection of iconic cars in motorsport. My brother worked there for many years. In 1972 they produced a magazine and this is one page.

Are you saying that Hexagon had something to with the preparation of all the cars shown? Or is it just a compilation of lots of cars from the JCB series?

[Alan Cox]

I would have said that Hexagon were involved with the Nick Faure cars, and that the posters posted were compilations of the JCB/Lloyds and Scottish series

[Dutchy]

The posters are all of the JCB series' of 1972/3.

[Jerry Entin]

Dutchy: In post #3 I believe you have misidentified the famous 1960 streamliner which is chassis #2451 as being the car Camoradi won Nurburgring 1,000 km with. The streamliner with the extended windshield isn't the car they used.

Lucky Casner at the Ring. In 1961 chassis#2472. He and Masten Gregory won in 1961 with this car. In 1960 they used #2461 with Moss and Gurney driving to win the Ring.
photo lent site Willem Oosthoek

[Dutchy]

Thanks for putting me straight on that - I should have referred to Joel Finn's book instead of using my (faulty) memory.

[David McKinney]

Camoradi of course won the Nürburgring 1000km twice, with Moss/Gurney in 2461 (no, not 2451) and with Gregory/Casner in 2472

[Barrie Hobkirk]

Hi Dutchy,

Nice investigative work but I think you will find Hipperson's posted photo item 6 shows Richard Bergel in the No 12 250F called 2526 at that time. Richard shared this car with Lord Angus Clydesale.

Isn't this fun?

Cheers,
Barrie

[RA Historian]

Originally posted by David McKinney
Camoradi of course won the Nürburgring 1000km twice, with Moss/Gurney in 2461 (no, not 2451) and with Gregory/Casner in 2472

Which can tie us into the Alan Connell thread, because 2461 was the car into which Connell shoe horned the Ferrari 3.0 V-12.

[Dutchy]

Originally posted by Barrie Hobkirk
Hi Dutchy,

Nice investigative work but I think you will find Hipperson's posted photo item 6 shows Richard Bergel in the No 12 250F called 2526 at that time. Richard shared this car with Lord Angus Clydesale.

Isn't this fun?

Cheers,
Barrie

Thanks Barrie, I must confess to an element of doubt when I posted my reply. Without wishing to be rude, I'm suprised to see Richard Bergel on the front row of the grid. Also the car looks very much more like a proper lightweight than I remember - it surely looked different by the time Bobby Bell had it?

[Dutchy]

Originally posted by RA Historian


Which can tie us into the Alan Connell thread, because 2461 was the car into which Connell shoe horned the Ferrari 3.0 V-12.

Having done what I should have done in the first place and referred to Joel Finn's book I can say the Hexagon Birdcage (2451) was the Le Mans streamliner which was brought to the UK by Bob Owen. After its days with Hexagon it ended up in Peter Kaus's collection and I was entirel incorrect in saying it was written off by Hon. Patrick Lindsay.

Which brings us to 2461, the longtail, which looked very similar to the streamliner. After its Nurburgring 1000 kms victory it had the long tail fitted for Le Mans and as RA Historian says it was the car that Alan Connell fitted with a Ferrari V12 (how?). That is the car that was destroyed in UK historic racing and has since been remanufactured as a normal Birdcage for Dieter Holterbosch.

2472 was also mentioned, the 1961 Nurburgring 100kms winner. That was rebodied by Drogo with a very strange effort and was eventually reclaimed by the Maserati factory who retained it at the time the book was written.

[David Beard]

Originally posted by Dutchy
The Lotus 16 is the Bill Wilks car later owned and raced by John Roberts, Bruce Halford, Anthony Mayman and now Philip Walker.

You don't think it might be the Halford car now owned by Joaquin Folch-R?

[Dutchy]

I think so but I couldn't swear to it because IIRC Bruce Halford had two of them at one time so it's entirely possible they could have become muddled, as these things invariably do.

[David McKinney]

Originally posted by Dutchy
2472 was also mentioned, the 1961 Nurburgring 100kms winner. That was rebodied by Drogo with a very strange effort and was eventually reclaimed by the Maserati factory who retained it at the time the book was written.

...and subsequently in the collection of Matteo Panini, who had it at the Goodwood Revival meeting in 2001

[David McKinney]

Originally posted by Dutchy
Without wishing to be rude, I'm surprised to see Richard Bergel on the front row of the grid

Another driver might have put it on pole, against a bunch of sportscars

[Dutchy]

Originally posted by David McKinney

Another driver might have put it on pole, against a bunch of sportscars

I suspect practice was partially wet, looking at the make up of the grid.

[RA Historian]

Originally posted by Dutchy



Which brings us to 2461, the longtail, which looked very similar to the streamliner. After its Nurburgring 1000 kms victory it had the long tail fitted for Le Mans and as RA Historian says it was the car that Alan Connell fitted with a Ferrari V12 (how?). That is the car that was destroyed in UK historic racing and has since been remanufactured as a normal Birdcage for Dieter Holterbosch.

How? Probably with a lot of grunting, cursing, and a big effing hammer!

Seriously, Connell did manage to put the V-12 in the car and ran it this way in 1961 and 1962, actually winning an SCCA National (back when they really were Nationals) at Daytona in January, 1962. See photos of this car on the Alan Connell thread.

I recall seeing this car (or its remanufactured successor, as Dutchy says) advertised at auction about two years ago. I do not know if it sold or what happened to it.

[MartinS]

Originally posted by RTH
I seem to recall Frank Swanson was chief mechanic in the early seventies for the cars Paul Michaels owned and ran.

During his time with Hexagon, he was a race engineer and test driver and was involved with such historic and Formula One racing cars as the D-type Jaguar, John Watson’s 701 F1 and the Brabham BT39 and BT44 F1 cars.
For anyone that knew him, or of him, he sadly passed away of cancer at the beginning of August whilst working on the British Steam Car Challenge. Since his death, I have been looking for photos and documentation, and came across this post with reference to Hexagon. The picture in post 12 above (picture 3) is, I think, my father leaning over the car and Nick Faure whilst he was driving the D-Type.
I have a couple of pictures of the d-type - one outside Hexagon and the other on the track (can confirm the location later) which I will post if anyone is interested in seeing them. His website gallery also includes a couple of great shots for anyone interested.
Regards
Martin Swanston

[RTH]

Sad news indeed.

My brother-in-law Bill Nathan worked at Hexagon at the same time and of course knew Frank very well. I did not know of this news and I don't think Bill does either ( he is out of the country at present )


Stuart has a lovely photo of the Hexagon set up in the paddock at the British GP at Silverstone with the Brown Brabham BT 37 which he took at the time and has posted before . You can see Frank bending over the rear of the car next to John Watson and Paul Michaels.

[MartinS]

Richard
You can read more of him in his obituary in the Times Online. The steam car website also set up a book of condelences following his death. If you would like me to send you links to the obituary and/or the steamcar press release for Bill, please let me know and i will send them to you via PM.
I'd be most grateful of a copy of the photo you mention - if it's posible, could you please pass the request onto Stuart?
I will PM you an email address if needed.
Regards
Martin

[RTH]

Martin here is the link


photo : Stuart Dent

Yes please do post up the links many of us would like to look at it I am sure.

By complete co-incidence we both met another former Hexagon GP mechanic at Rye House only 3 weeks ago , his name I think was Glen something ?

Is this the Steam Car project we are talking about ?

http://www.steamcar.co.uk/

[MartinS]

Many thanks Richard (and Stuart)

Yes, that's correct.
If you look on the Steam Car Website you can follow the links to the press release and condolences.
And here is the obituary

Thanks again
Regards
Martin

[RTH]

Martin

do please post the photos you have, specially interested in anything showing any of the Hexagon premises

[MartinS]

Richard
These are both of the d-type owned and raced by Hexagon. I spent some time as a child rambling around the workshops at the back of the dealership - I even got to sit in Rod Stewart's lime green Lamborghini Miura and his 1927 Rolls Royce.


There are also a couple on my dad's gallery HERE.
Enjoy
Martin

[Bloggsworth]

Where's John Watson's Brabham - Oh, there it is.

I used to live at No.21 North Hill, right next door to Hexagon, the pub was on the other side of the forecourt - They welded up the exhaust on my Merlyn one Saturday morning - nice people.

[Paul Parker]

I attended that final Crystal Palace meeting in September 1972 and I seem to remember seeing the so called Boeing Lister that looked like an ersatz Indy roadster.

I also recall the Hon. Patrick Lindsay approaching an unfortunate owner of a Talbot Lago in the paddock that had suffered a spectacular blow up resulting in large holes in the block.

His spontaneous and rather loud comment was "You've got windows, dear boy!"

[Bloggsworth]

Would that be XP or Vista?

[RTH]

Originally posted by MartinS
Richard
These are both of the d-type owned and raced by Hexagon. I spent some time as a child rambling around the workshops at the back of the dealership - I even got to sit in Rod Stewart's lime green Lamborghini Miura and his 1927 Rolls Royce.

Martin

I had the lime green Muira here, Bill and my sister drove it back from the south of Spain after Rod's gardener had put it off backwards in to a stone wall. later it was repainted black.



This picture was 1982

[MartinS]

Originally posted by RTH


Martin

I had the lime green Muira here, Bill and my sister drove it back from the south of Spain after Rod's gardener had put it off backwards in to a stone wall. later it was repainted black.



This picture was 1982

Wow - isn't that amazing - a car I remember sitting in as a small boy once (but probably only because it belonged to Rod Stewart) and there it is again!

Originally posted by Bloggworth

I used to live at No.21 North Hill, right next door to Hexagon, the pub was on the other side of the forecourt

I spent time in there as well - I remember going to a party there and some old guy was wittling rabbits out of green olives in the kitchen!

Does anyone know if the original poster is still about - I'd love to get a copy (scan) of the magazine containing the pages he has included in the earlier posts to see if there are any others of my dad?

Richard - would you be willing to ask Bill (when he returns) if he has any other pictures showing my dad/hexagon he'd be willing to scan/copy for me?

Thanks very much

Regards
Martin

[hipperson]

Martin....U have PM

[MartinS]

Another Hexagon/D-type photo which was taken while it was being loaded up for its 1st Hexagon race meeting! Paul Michaels is at the wheel, pushing (from left to right) are Howard Reader, Tom Leach, my Dad and George Kalimerakis. Mike Franey was the driver for that race only, he qualified on pole and then the engine blew up while he was leading the race.

Regards
Martin
p.s. If anyone has any other images (or knows anyone who has) that have my dad in, I'd be most grateful for copies if possible, along with any documentation to go along with them, i.e. dates and names.

[MartinS]

I'm on a mission!

I am trying to contact the following people who were associated with/working for Hexagon at the same time as my father, and wondered if any of you out knew of the where-abouts of any of these names :

Mike Franey
Tom Leach
Howard Reader
George Kalimerakis
Nick Faure

If anyone knows how to contact any of the above, or is willing to point them in the direction of this post, I'd be most grateful.

Regards
Martin

[Gregor Marshall]

Originally posted by MartinS
I'm on a mission!

I am trying to contact the following people who were associated with/working for Hexagon at the same time as my father, and wondered if any of you out knew of the where-abouts of any of these names :

Mike Franey
Tom Leach
Howard Reader
George Kalimerakis
Nick Faure

If anyone knows how to contact any of the above, or is willing to point them in the direction of this post, I'd be most grateful.

Regards
Martin

Martin - I am 99.9% sure that both Mike Franey and Nick Faure are BRDC memebers, so if all else fails you could send them letters c/o the BRDC.
Not sure of any helpful links on the other three though, sorry.

Incidentally on one of the other threads about unchanged circuits Crystal Palace came up which my late father won the last ever race driving a Hexagon Lister Jag and beating Willie Green in another Hexagon car. That came about as Dad was supposed to drive a Birdcage Maserati at a previous meeting and the engine blew on the warm-up lap (IIRC) and he was a promised another race, hence Crystal Palace.

[MartinS]

Gregor
Thanks for the pointers, and for taking the time to respond.
Are the cars over on this gallery the ones you are talking about?
Regards
Martin

[Gregor Marshall]

Originally posted by MartinS
Gregor
Thanks for the pointers, and for taking the time to respond.
Are the cars over on this gallery the ones you are talking about?
Regards
Martin

No problem, hope it helps.

The only picture that is "recognisable" is Lister Jaguar that has Camel Hexagon on it but I'm failry sure it didn't have Camel on it at the time.
I'll check the DVD I have tonight and also I have many photos of Listers that Dad raced and owned (his Lister-bodied (BHL13???) lived in our centrally heated garage at home!!) so I don't want to get them mixed up as I can think of four that he raced.

Also, I'm sure my Mum was at a lunch with Paul Michaels a few months ago; does he live in CA now?

P.S. Have sent you a PM.

[Bloggsworth]

Originally posted by MartinS
I'm on a mission!

I am trying to contact the following people who were associated with/working for Hexagon at the same time as my father, and wondered if any of you out knew of the where-abouts of any of these names :

Mike Franey
Tom Leach
Howard Reader
George Kalimerakis
Nick Faure

If anyone knows how to contact any of the above, or is willing to point them in the direction of this post, I'd be most grateful.

Regards
Martin

Mike Franey is now a top notch high performance driving instructor, and is used by McLaren and BMW amongst others. I haven't seen him since about '72, but it may be possible to contact him through McLaren, but he keeps himself in the background. The best method may be to leave a message at McL asking him to contact you.

[Gregor Marshall]

Martin

Apologies, think I've come up blank, only found two photos that I can't identify car/driver/loation accurately.





The silver helmet is definitely Dad and I think the blue helmet is too. Maybe someon more experieinced and with more knowledge of Listers can tell us what car this is.