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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 >
THE STORY OF ROY WINKELMANN RACING
Aug 10th
A KING OF FORMULA 2 STEVE HOLE TELLS THE STORY OF ROY WINKELMANN RACING
Another of motorsport’s best-known ‘unknown’ teams was the eponymous Roy Winkelmann Racing squad.
Born in 1930, Winkelmann thrived on being slightly mysterious and began racing a Cooper-Bristol in the early sixties before setting up his own team, first in sportscars in 1961 with Danny Collins driving a Corvette at Goodwood followed by a Lotus 23 in sports-racing events.
What better way than to show the Roy Winkelman Racing livery than to promote a great scale model company and their lovely 1/8-scale Winkleman Lotus 59B F2 car (powered by Cosworth More >
THE GINETTA G10 (AND G11) STORY
Aug 3rd
STEVE HOLE tells the story of the GINETTA G10 and G11 models. Similar cars with a V8 engine used in the G10 and a 1800cc B-Series in the G11. Plus comes news of a G10 Continuation model from Ginetta Cars.
The news that Ginetta Cars has announced a ‘continuation’ G10 model intrigued me. I think it’s great that Lawrence Tomlinson is recognising his company’s magnificent heritage which stands at a marvellous 74 years and counting.
L-to-R – The Walklett brothers – Ivor, Doug, Bob and Trevers
Certainly, even though Ginetta is one of the revered kitcar marques I still think that the exploits More >
