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THE STORY OF ALAN FRASER ENGINEERING AND THE FRASER GT
Oct 19th
STEVE HOLE TELLS THE STORY OF THE FRASER GT
Alan Fraser had a very interesting automotive story within motorsport and the specialist car industry. Although his parents were Scottish, Alan was born in Hildenborough, Kent in 1930.
He earned the nickname ‘the little hurricane’ due to his fast and carefree driving style. It was 1953, when the 23-year-old Fraser started the Alan Fraser Racing team based at Mountains Garage, Hildenborough, right by the side of the A21. His team logo was always a Stag emblem, a tip of the hat to his Scottish ancestry.
By the time the Hillman Imp arrived in 1963, More >
THE STORY OF THE LANDAR R6 AND E.A. RADNALL COMPANY
Oct 5th
STEVE HOLE tells the story of the little-known sixties LANDER R6 kitcar and the company behind it.
The Lander R6 was a little-known, yet pretty cool sixties kitcar built by a company with a real racing car history that could trace its origins back to the late nineteenth century.
Founded by an enterprising chap called Ernest Randall in Dartmouth Street, Birmingham in 1895, the operation was officially known as E. A Radnall Company.
Under-rated Landar R6 kitcar
Back then cycling was becoming a very popular pastime in the UK and old Ernest had been a handy Penny Farthing racer. He started to produce a More >
THE STORY OF TRIDENT CARS
Sep 14th
STEVE HOLE TELLS THE STORY OF TRIDENT CARS – Images by Carol Hardy
The original Trident was a model for TVR, with styling by Trevor Fiore (original name Frost). It was built by Italian styling house, Carrozzeria Fissore
TVR, owned at that time by Grantura Plastics, run by Arnold Burton, had gone into liquidation and Bill Last of Viking Performance, a TVR dealer, for the East Anglia area (Woodbridge, later Ipswich) and familiar to the specialist car scene, purchased the last of three Trident prototypes (a convertible), with the intention of productionising it. Last also produced tuned engines for Elva, for a More >
THE HISTORY OF SMITHS INSTRUMENTS
Sep 6th
[title] SMITHS INSTRUMENTS
STEVE HOLE rounds up the story of SMITHS INSTRUMENTS whose gauges have been used in kitcars for many, many years.
The company was founded in London way back in 1851 by Samuel Smith, who set up a jewellery shop in Newington Causeway in South East London. He specialised in chronometers and other scientific instruments.
The company grew quickly but Smith died in 1875 aged just 49. The business had re-located to a much grander address on The Strand in London’s West End.
Smith & Sons merged with their new next-door neighbours, diamond merchants, Charles Frodham and by 1895 they had re-located More >
THE STORY OF THE FERVES RANGER
Aug 31st
STEVE HOLE looks at the story of the FERVES RANGER. Pix by Carol Hardy unless marked otherwise.
A great little paddock car!
Although designer Carlo Ferrari had a famous surname he wasn’t related to Enzo’s family, a point proven when he had to call his fledgling Turin-based car company FERVES, a portmanteau of FERrari VEicoli Speciali (Ferrari Special Vehicles).
His brilliant little Ranger was unveiled at the Turin Motor Show of 1966 and met with very strong critical acclaim. Best described as quirky it was based – like so many Italian Etceterinis – on Fiat mechanicals – 499cc, 18bhp twin-cylinder engine from the More >
BRIGHT SPARK!
Aug 24th
Burton Power now has stocks of the DLB198 Lucas 0.8 Ohm resistance coil for high-energy electronic ignition systems and Ford models with electronic ignition systems that use distributors.
The DLB198 Lucas coil delivers a high-performance, faster spark, that produces up to 40,000 volts!
The coil can also be used as a replacement coil for Lucas Rally electronic ignition kit FL302K and electronic ignition kits FT295K and FP299K.
Order as part number DLB198 at just £24.95 (inc VAT). For further details contact Burton Power on 0208 554 2281 or visit www.burtonpower.com ENDS.
THE SHIELD
Aug 24th
DEI has been at the forefront of heat control for many years and now the development technicians at DEI have collaborated and used their wealth of experience to develop the absolute best turbo shield on the market! It is, in all likelihood, the most technologically advanced turbo shield ever!
The GEN-3 Onyx Black Turbo Shield combines recently developed advanced textiles to provide what is needed to control turbo heat. A silicone-coated Onyx Black outer layer with multiple stainless steel and silica inner layers are combined to produce what is, without a doubt the strongest, most heat-resistant shield available.
Outer Shell The outer More >
STAY TOASTIE THIS WINTER
Aug 24th
New from Machine Mart this compact mobile heater features a foldable, space-saving design but is made from a tough and durable metal casing to deal with any bumps and scrapes when in use.
The MGH2 has three heat output settings up to 4.2kW and features a flame failure device, anti-tilt switch and oxygen depletion sensor to ensure safe usage.
The unit comes supplied with a hose and regulator. Four castors are also included to allow for easy movement.
This heater is a relatively inexpensive unit to run on a ‘pay as you go’ basis and it is great for instant warmth in the More >
HURON AUTO RACE DEVELOPMENTS
Aug 24th
STEVE HOLE tells the story of the short-lived Huron Auto Race Developments, a real ‘one that should have been’ if ever there was one.
Kingston-on-Thames High Street was a hotbed of motorsport activity in the sixties. There was V.W. Derrington and TDC Components virtually next door. Opposite was a large Heron Service Station and behind that was the promising Huron Auto Race Developments operation set up in 1971 by Canadian businessman Jack Smith and his friend Roy Ireland along with Swiss designer Jo Marquart, ex-McLaren and GRD.
The team unveiled a sports racer in 1971 called the M4A and shortly after a Formula More >
THE BRANDS HATCH BEACH BUGGY RACE – CHRISTMAS 1971
Aug 17th
CHRISTMAS CHEER – BEACH BUGGIES AT BRANDS HATCH -DECEMBER 27, 1971
When I was searching through the archives the other day (Carol says I spend too much time in those filing cabinets!), I came across a dusty file with a faded label on it. I thought it was just another collection of tat but a closer look revealed the words ‘Brands Hatch beach buggy race 1971’.
Hurrah. I have been looking for that file for years – clearly, I must still learn to replace stuff from whence it came in the filing system. I moan at everyone else for that misdemeanour! That More >
