Lenham

[AMICALEMANS]

I open this thread to know if somebody knows about this car entered in Le Mans in 1975, as a Lenham by a french guy named José Thibault, a "garagiste" from Chateauroux. He was also responsible later for the Ugly Chevron with a Sthemo body based on a B36, with Roc engines.

The car was fitted with an FVC engines.


http://img511.imageshack.us/my.php?i...enham29ym5.jpg

This car could be a P69 or P70 chassis from the Lehman sportscar. I think that one of this chassis came in France imported by Darnval, the importator for Lenham.

If there are some Lenham specialist here, they will be happy to know that one Lenham ran Le Mans (only 79 laps ! )

[John Turner]

Into the main forum first, to attract the largest number of readers/posters, then when we have some real history, we can put it back to the chassis archive.

I also think that we should develop the histories of all the Lenhams. I seem to recall being told last year that 7 were built - 5 spyders and 2 coupes. Is that right?

[rbs]

Dave Methley the Marcos prpeation expert has been racing one of the coupes over the last few years,it was for sale in Autosport recently.

[MONDELLO MAN]

I was at LM in 75, and the Lenham was a truly amazing sight , it must be high on the list of Most Ill Prepared Le Mans entries , I took some photos of it , I will try and find them .How much was Lenham I dont know.

[strider]

It doesn't look like any original Lenham that I ever saw.

[AMICALEMANS]

ok, what i know for the moment...
this car was in France in a little french garage, so i think it the chassis of the P68 or P69 which came in France thru the importator who also try to make car under the name of Darnval (the first Darnval was a Lenham !) The guy from Darnval is still alive and i will try to have a contact with him. I will ask him about Lenham and this particular Le MANS car ; I am sure that the car (body only and preparation) was made in France in Chateauroux by José Thibault. This guy is also responsible for an awfull Chevron Roc with Sthemo body some year later !

[AMICALEMANS]

Look at the first Darnval (the grey car ) http://gtfrance.free.fr/darnval.html
it was a Lenham !

[AMICALEMANS]

If you read french :
http://kitcar.bb-fr.com/Le-circuit-c...VAL-p11388.htm

One of the 2 guys from Darnval is Vincent Mausset www.granocean.com

[skycafe]

? I see the entry listed in 1976, but not 1975?

robert

[AMICALEMANS]

So soory, i made a mistake : it was in 1976...

[skycafe]

No problem, my list of faux pas (and that may be one right there in that spelling) is as long as my posting list

Being from the wrong side of the Atlantic, I don't know anything about Lenham. Can anyone point to more info?

I liked the engine turned chassis side panels in the photo and the headlight blisters give the car a sort of funky look too.

robert

[AMICALEMANS]

You will find here a big pic of the Darnval LM3 at Le Mans in 1972, but despite the Darnval sticker on the front, this car was a LENHAM ! But wich one ? (if you can read french, the text explain why)
The engine was a Repco V8


http://forums.motorlegend.com/vb/sho...242#post375242

[Art Tidesco]

Originally Posted by AMICALEMANS

You will find here a big pic of the Darnval LM3 at Le Mans in 1972, but despite the Darnval sticker on the front, this car was a LENHAM ! But wich one ? (if you can read french, the text explain why)
The engine was a Repco V8


http://forums.motorlegend.com/vb/sho...242#post375242

Vincent Mausset of Darnval makes clear in point 4 of the linked article that there was no LM3 but that there was a collaboration between Darnval and Lenham that used a Lenham chassis with Spyder cut down Lenham GT body fitted with a 3 litre Brabham Repco V8.

As an aside it would appear this car is incorrectly referred to as a Repco powered LM2 in some sources for the 1972 four hour LM race.

[Art Tidesco]

More period info on the Lenham Repco prior to Darnvals involvement here :- http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/ar...ng-cars-lenham