76 replies to this topic

[Steve O'Brien]

I didnt know that thanks for letting me know I wonder how long it stood for, I know on many a tuesday night he was in the low 59's

Steve.

[ellrosso]

I have a Racing Car News report from Oran Park 1967 which has Scott-Davies in the Lola featured, plus I have a couple of shots from another 1967 OPark meeting in the oldracephotos.com library (I have'nt put them on site as they are not great focus). Ray is correct that he was not in the same league as Matich, Neil Allen etc. Denis Geary had some success with the car, but was still not quite up in the SR3 league. Geary advertised the car in a few issues of RCN in 1968 from memory so it did'nt shift quickly.
Regards ellrosso

[Giraffe]

Quote

Originally posted by Ian Smith - Diz
The car in the background is - I think - the Le Riche GT owned by [and presumably built by] Ken Le Riche.

It was subsequently acquired by Charlie O'Hara, an Irish boat builder based in Blackburn [don't ask]. Charlie once tried to sneak Derek Daly out in a Tuesday test without signing him on, but I soon kyboshed that idea.

One day at Oulton, Charlie became a surrogate father to Eddie Jordan squaring up on his behalf against Nigel Mansell's dad when there had been some kind of on track altercation. Quite why these two started scrapping still remains unclear, as IIRC the problem was to do with Mike Blanchet. Oh happy days.

By giraffe138

Here's another one for Ian Smith-Diz to identify for me; same evening on the Railway Straight at Aintree & I think it's Brian Hough in his TVR, but who is following him in the E-Type? Any clues, Ian?

[Ian Smith - Diz]

Quote

Originally posted by Giraffe



By giraffe138

Here's another one for Ian Smith-Diz to identify for me; same evening on the Railway Straight at Aintree & I think it's Brian Hough in his TVR, but who is following him in the E-Type? Any clues, Ian?

Tony,
I'm not sure now that the previous reference to the LeRiche GT is good. I saw a mustard yellowish blur and put two and two together.
Now I see a mustard yellowish blur that is an E Type. Was I confused by the earlier shot.
Anyway, the only two yellowish E Types I can remember were Dave Moore and Brian Murphy.

[Giraffe]

Worry not, your judgement holds good, Ian! It was the LeRiche behind whichever incarnation of Scottie's V8 Cortina is pictured, of that I am certain. The E-Type is indeed Brian Murphy! A bonus point has been awarded!
PS Have you remembered who I am yet? Ask Ron Cantor if in doubt; needs a fresh mind.....!

[Alan Cox]

Quote

Originally posted by Giraffe
It was the LeRiche behind whichever incarnation of Scottie's V8 Cortina is pictured, of that I am certain.

IIRC the Le Riche GT was, basically, a Lotus Eleven with a roof

[Giraffe]

asaplocks, on Jan 23 2009, 21:20, said:

G'day Giraffe. I passed your enquiry on to John yesterday and he has spent a while trying to place you. He feels that you might be one of the marshalls. Is this correct.

He is going to write and will be giving me the letter to "post" on this forum soon.

Eric

Any chance of you getting Scottie to give you a letter to post here, Eric? The reason I'm on TNF is I was googling John back in 2008 and came across this forum, so he's to blame!!!

Edited by Giraffe, 02 September 2009 - 10:40.

[Stephen W]

Alan Cox, on Jan 27 2009, 14:47, said:

IIRC the Le Riche GT was, basically, a Lotus Eleven with a roof

It is rather dull but this is the only photo I have of the Le Riche GT. Taken at Oulton Park April 1970.

[Giraffe]

By giraffe138 at 2009-09-02

Scottie in the ex-Terry Sanger Fraud Cortina V8 passing Ken Le Riche in the Le Riche GT on the Railway Straight at Aintree, Tuesday night practice circa 1970.

[Giraffe]

asaplocks, on Jan 23 2009, 20:20, said:

G'day Giraffe. I passed your enquiry on to John yesterday and he has spent a while trying to place you. He feels that you might be one of the marshalls. Is this correct.

He is going to write and will be giving me the letter to "post" on this forum soon.

Eric

Happy New Year Eric! Nearly a year has passed and yet to hear from John here! I hope you are both well!!!

[Steve O'Brien]

I was up in the loft the other day and came across a photo of Scotty and my dad on the grid at Aintree sometime in 68 just before the start of what must a Libre race they are standing next the Chevron B5 BRM and the V8 Cortina.

[Giraffe]

Steve O'Brien, on Jan 9 2010, 17:56, said:

I was up in the loft the other day and came across a photo of Scotty and my dad on the grid at Aintree sometime in 68 just before the start of what must a Libre race they are standing next the Chevron B5 BRM and the V8 Cortina.

Is there any chance of you scanning and posting it, Steve? I'd love to see it???

[Steve O'Brien]

Are you still in the Liverpool area.

[Giraffe]

Steve O'Brien, on Jan 9 2010, 22:42, said:

Are you still in the Liverpool area.

Often Steve, but not as we speak................

[Steve O'Brien]

Ok only asked as I dont have a scanner, maybe if you know your coming over this way we could meet up.

[Giraffe]

Almost exactly 2 years since I joined TNF and opened this thread, I have today received some great pics from Steve O'Brien of his dad Harry with Scottie and the first of the V8 Cortinas.
This shot was taken on 18th May, 1968 at the Aintree Spring Meeting, the first meeting that I ever marshalled at......


By giraffe138 at 2010-01-20

More to follow......

[Steve O'Brien]

Thanks Tony, for those that dont know them Thats John Scott-Davies on the right with my dad Harry O'Brien on the left

[Giraffe]

The Cortina was entered in three races that day, and this is the GT race. Steve has this first pic as Ray Davies at the wheel, but Ray was entered in the Formula Libre event and this is Scottie at the wheel. Car #74 close to the camera is the Lotus 23 GT of John Nicholson.


By giraffe138 at 2010-01-20

Another pic of the same grid with a young Steve O'Brien tending to Scottie. Chevron #75 is not in the programme, but is interesting in that it is not a B6 or 8, but is either a B3 or 4, but I know not who.


By giraffe138 at 2010-01-20

[Giraffe]

Here, the GT race leaves the grid with Phil Silverston's Chevron B8 leaving the picture ahead of the GT40 of Bob Vincent. The famous Aintree commentary bus in the background.


By giraffe138 at 2010-01-20

Harry O'Brien leaves the grid in the Saloon car race, with the Lotus Cortina of Tony Sugden behind him.


By giraffe138 at 2010-01-20

The fearsome O'Brien/Scott-Davis sits in the Aintree paddock.


By giraffe138 at 2010-01-20

Edited by Giraffe, 20 January 2010 - 21:55.

[Giraffe]

By giraffe138 at 2010-01-20

A classic picture of Harry O'Brien negotiating Copse Corner at Silverstone in the Cortina at the Notts C.C. meeting June 3rd, 1968.

Many thanks to Steve O'Brien for letting me post these wonderful photos on his behalf.

[PHP]

Racer95, on Mar 16 2008, 19:14, said:

I also recall John Scott Davies racing the ex Lumsden/Sargeant low drag Jaguar E type 49 FXN. It was at a Notts Sports CC Silverstone meeting and was in a very tatty condition wih headlight cowls missing and a dreadful orange colour! Went like stink though! Think I have a paddock photo somewhere

Very interested to read this as I am currently doing a book on the Lightweight Es and certain other significant competition E-types. Would it be possible to see a copy of your photo, please? I can give you an email address. Do you know if anyone ever tracked down John Scott-Davies? I would very much like to interview him. Thanks.

[Giraffe]

asaplocks, on Jan 23 2009, 20:20, said:

G'day Giraffe. I passed your enquiry on to John yesterday and he has spent a while trying to place you. He feels that you might be one of the marshalls. Is this correct.

He is going to write and will be giving me the letter to "post" on this forum soon.

Eric

This did not transpire and I have just sent asaplocks an e-mail. I do however have Mark Scott-Davis' phone number in Brisbane where he is a car dealer.

[Jagjon]

Steve O'Brien, on Jan 24 2009, 17:18, said:

They sold the car at the end of 1968 I thought Scotty was still abroad in 1970. does anyone know what year he had the ex LeMans Sunbeam Tiger always remember it in his showroom in Smithdown Rd.

Hi, I think the LeMans Tiger fastback was in 1967.
I seem to recall a little showroom at what seemed like the back of Lime street station.
My pal had a Triumph TR4 and had a deal with JSD for a 1963 3.8 FHC E type.
I well remember the ride home down past Halewood Ford factory to Runcorn and back to NWales.
The spare wheels for the Tiger were sold to a guy who built a special, and which I later owned and passed onto a chap (Bob?)from Coventry who fitted a 3.8 from Forward Eng and called it the Leviathan, but that would be 1970's.
It had a Rochdale body quartered and stretched to look typical D type era. It must have been quick as it weighed little, but was wide tracked, I think Jaguar saloon IRS. I remember those unique mag wheels.
The Ford V8 ex Terry Sanger etc was with John Harris at his garage somewhere near Garstang I think, again late 1970's.
JSD a very approachable chap as were most in those days, remembered in these photos:- Bob Vincent's GT40 and later owned by Robin Darlington more successful in the Kincraft, & often in F. Libre race was the Cooper -Cobra.

[Jagjon]

PHP, on Dec 4 2010, 16:42, said:

Very interested to read this as I am currently doing a book on the Lightweight Es and certain other significant competition E-types. Would it be possible to see a copy of your photo, please? I can give you an email address. Do you know if anyone ever tracked down John Scott-Davies? I would very much like to interview him. Thanks.

A chap called Wright ran it at Loton Park hill climb a few times. I would have to look up his name Bob or Michael?
He came from Much Wenlock near Ironbridge and was a Jaguar man, XK's etc although I think he later hillclimbed a GT40.
JSD may have bought the E type from him, it's around the same time. I don't recall that colour though.

[Steve O'Brien]

Hi, I think the LeMans Tiger fastback was in 1967.
I seem to recall a little showroom at what seemed like the back of Lime street station

Id forgottern all about that place it was in Bolton St as you say just by Lime St Station, my dad had it for a while in the sixties, the Sunbeam Tiger was in Smithdown Rd Bolton St is still there but the showroom has long gone.

[Aintree61]

Giraffe, on Dec 5 2010, 17:22, said:

This did not transpire and I have just sent asaplocks an e-mail. I do however have Mark Scott-Davis' phone number in Brisbane where he is a car dealer.

Hi Giraffe, You seem to have a much better memory than I. Do you recall Scotty and the E type going for a 'swim' at Oulton Park? I'm not too clear on it but I should be. I accompanied him from the circuit and on the way back the Ford with which he was towing the trailer started to catch fire. I was sitting alongside John and my feet started to get hot. He pulled over and produced an empty can from the boot and managed to get some 'Oulton' water from the E type to put out the small fire under the front nearside of the Ford. Regarding Jim Charnock, I used to go to his small showroom up near Parliament Street on Saturday's and on the odd occasion I'd go to Oulton Park when he was racing his Chevron or Brabham and, of course, to Aintree. I recall Harry O'Brien, Jim and Scotty when they were in the Aintree Racing Team. Tuesday nights were the best times I have had. Didn't Scotty race or own a Cooper Zerex (or similar)? I did have a picture of him driving it on the GP Circuit, which he signed, but I'm afraid it went walk about when I moved. I used to be a bus conductor at the Ribble in Hawthorne Road, Bootle in 1964, where Scotty's Dad was senior driver. He did those long-distance coach trips during the summer being away for some days. During the off-season he and the other 'Big Wheelmen', as they were known, would get very easy turns on local buses and one day when I was on overtime I was with Mr. Scott-Davies (no-one ever dared to call him by his Christian name). On seeing my small Scuderia Ferrari lapel badge we had a chat and he told me about John being a racer and arranged for me to meet his son. Changing tac slightly I used to chat to John Bridges a lot (another hobby of mine being HGV's) whose family ran Bridges Transport of Preston. Funny thing is, I never met his brother Charles (Red Rose Motors) at a race meeting. Then I approached him at an historic commercial vehicle rally I'd organised in 1992 and we have stayed in touch ever since, in fact he is a member of a road haulage enthusiasts' club that my wife and I run. Aintree was a great place to be to see such drivers as mentioned and someone else who was a hero - 'Willie Eckerslyke'. Sorry if I have waffled on but I thought I'd share this with TNFers before my memory goes altogether.

[Giraffe]

Out of the blue I have received an e-mail from John Scott-Davies' granddaughter, Amelija Van Zeyl, to which I have responded. Hopefully I will shortly be able to update this thread.