Spec-R BARN FIND!Rare Geoff Woods Mk1 Hart Escort Special Saloon

[Trevor Ford]

Does anyone have a large format copy of this photo or remember what the sponsor sticker behind the door was ? Cheers

[morninggents]

I can't open the image.

[Neil Duke]

Seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth.Terrible shame,as it should be out racing again.Does anybody know anything?

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Neil Duke

Seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth.Terrible shame,as it should be out racing again.Does anybody know anything?

Knowing the people behind the project, it is not surprising.

[Neil Duke]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Knowing the people behind the project, it is not surprising.

That is a shame,I might have bought that.

[Mikemcclaren]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Knowing the people behind the project, it is not surprising.

Looks like the Escort will be gone forever!!
Spec-r has a winding up notice on companies house and from what I hear is shutting at the end of the month!!
Hope no one has anything on order with them!!
Reel shame if it is true as I was really looking forward to seeing this all done in the flesh but I know how much money these things cost to restore and the current economic situation for small businesses like spec-R
If anyone knows more about the state on the car, please up date us on here??
I haven't been on here in ages due to various reasons and was expecting to see some progress but now fear the worse!!

[Speedy norm]

Am assuming it is not the property of the company but the families? Therefore should not be classed as one of the companies assets. Hopefully it can be removed and given a safe haven until funds are found.

[Mikemcclaren]

Originally Posted by Speedy norm

Am assuming it is not the property of the company but the families? Therefore should not be classed as one of the companies assets. Hopefully it can be removed and given a safe haven until funds are found.

Well let's hope so!! Think problems will arise as the title suggests Spec-R found it and I would imagine it is Spec-R's money that has been put into it ifany work has progressed further.
It a shame that we have not had any updates in ages and I fear the fact that there is no pictures to show the state of the restoration so far only means one thing!!

[Mike Harte]

This is the 3rd time Companies House has issued a strike-off notice in the last 2 years; the current one has been temporarily suspended awaiting annual statements.

[Mikemcclaren]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

This is the 3rd time Companies House has issued a strike-off notice in the last 2 years; the current one has been temporarily suspended awaiting annual statements.

Looks like he hasn't posted any accounts for a long time!
Fingers crossed it all gets sorted out quickly.
Let's hope the rumours of him closing down at the end of November are not true.
I for one would love to see the Escort back to its former glory.

[morninggents]

Seems like this one has flown the coop since the attempt to boost it's value a few years back. A shame as it was an interesting car in it's time and certainly worthy of the interest in it's rebuild. Like MikeMcC, I would also like to see it completed.

[Mikemcclaren]

I have some very sad news to share, unfortunately Peter from Spec-R passed away peacefully on Tuesday 9th at 12.30 surrounded by his family.
He will be missed greatly amongst the car community!!!
Peter had been battling some health issues for a while, but in typical fashion soldiered on!!! Rip in peace Peter fulke-greville

[SPECR]

The Ex Geoff Woods LT40 Hart Mk1 Ford Escort that competed in the 1974 Tricentrol Super Saloons, is at the start oif its long restoration.
The legendry Len Terry F1 race car chassis desighner, along with Cyril Maylem of CTG Racing, built this space framed beast, using all Fi technology and parts.
Using a Hart F2 engine, 5 speed ZF, BMW LeMans rear drive train and weighing in at only 508 kilos, making this Escort quick.
The car was developed over the years of 1974 to it's retirement in 1979, where it was stored for forty years and lost to history in a wooden barn, sitting high up on a shelf.
Certain work has been completed on this very rare one off car, every rivet, nut and bolt stripped ready to rebuild. Some of the top engineers in the UK have offered their services. Julian Godfrey, Scott, Ray West, Robinson are just a few that we will publish during the rebuild, and of course will be always remembering Pete of Spec 'R' Alloy Fabrications.
We will keep you notified of the cars progress and it's future unveiling.

[GWOOD1170]

Back in the day Len Terry always had a scale model made of his spaceframe chassis designs as a quick reference for building the full size chassis.
The original steering wheel from the escort, always an Astrali !

[911thillclimber]

Looking forward to this restoration and the adventures unfold!
Good luck with it all.

[GWOOD1170]

Originally Posted by SPECR

The Ex Geoff Woods LT40 Hart Mk1 Ford Escort that competed in the 1974 Tricentrol Super Saloons, is at the start oif its long restoration.
The legendry Len Terry F1 race car chassis desighner, along with Cyril Maylem of CTG Racing, built this space framed beast, using all Fi technology and parts.
Using a Hart F2 engine, 5 speed ZF, BMW LeMans rear drive train and weighing in at only 508 kilos, making this Escort quick.
The car was developed over the years of 1974 to it's retirement in 1979, where it was stored for forty years and lost to history in a wooden barn, sitting high up on a shelf.
Certain work has been completed on this very rare one off car, every rivet, nut and bolt stripped ready to rebuild. Some of the top engineers in the UK have offered their services. Julian Godfrey, Scott, Ray West, Robinson are just a few that we will publish during the rebuild, and of course will be always remembering Pete of Spec 'R' Alloy Fabrications.
We will keep you notified of the cars progress and it's future unveiling.

I thought Tricentrol ran the series for 75/76 ? And who are "we" using Pete's profile ?

[Mikemcclaren]

Originally Posted by GWOOD1170

I thought Tricentrol ran the series for 75/76 ? And who are "we" using Pete's profile ?

I have to agree with your Who are we?? Statement!!
As we know it wasn't just Peter who found the car, there was a further person involved and this is where it gets complicated as Peter wasn't the person who found it!! Peter was the person who helped recover it and agreed to restore it for free for a share of the car!
I know that there happens to be a recording of the said conversation between Peter and the other party discussing this at great lengths!!
So at this stage for anyone to be claiming it's theres is wrong without speaking to the person who found it and I am sure anyone claiming the car will have to prove it is there's.
I know Peter's premises have been emptied totally and all the equipment and stock, everything has been taken without anyone applying for probate!! This is a criminal offence,so let's hope nothing has disappeared and that it is all in storage until such time that it's released from Peter's estate as I know of lots of people who are owed money and this will need to be paid back.
It's all well just going in and taking stuff but once Hmrç get involved I am sure that things will take a different turn!!!

[VIVA GT]

Oh dear, looks like this could get messy.
Let's hope not and let's hope the car is restored to it's former glory as planned, that there are no upsets and that everyone remains friends...

[Mikemcclaren]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Oh dear, looks like this could get messy.
Let's hope not and let's hope the car is restored to it's former glory as planned, that there are no upsets and that everyone remains friends...

As Peters brother, I am sure you are well aware what has gone on and what has been taken from the business that shouldn't have been until the estate was legally settled!

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by Mikemcclaren

As Peters brother, I am sure you are well aware what has gone on and what has been taken from the business that shouldn't have been until the estate was legally settled!

I'd just like to point out that I am certainly NOT Peters brother but was just commenting on what has been said.

[GWOOD1170]

Mike, i think you will find that the profile celes1 is Peters brother( though he probably used the spec-r profile for the last post) There are certain people that see the car as a cash cow and this makes our family (Wood) very sad .

[Mikemcclaren]

Originally Posted by GWOOD1170

Mike, i think you will find that the profile celes1 is Peters brother( though he probably used the spec-r profile for the last post) There are certain people that see the car as a cash cow and this makes our family (Wood) very sad .

I think you will find Peters brother has a few profiles and the one I mentioned is another, as is the one you have mentioned too!!
It's a shame the car was not just restored because of the history behind it and unique design and not just a way of making money which seems to be the case sadly!!

[SPECR]

Great news to all followers of this wonderful racing Escort.
After many years gathering dust, the chassis has been completely stripped and professionally prepared, treated and painted, not powder coated.

Once the Escort is fully renovated to its original 1974 spec, it will be unveiled at an event that will be organised in full memory of Pete Fulke-Greville of Spec 'R' Alloy.
This event will give Pete the farewell, from all of his friends, associates, followers and customers, that he didnt get after his death.

[Mikemcclaren]

That's good news about the car, however am I the only one who thinks that people should not be posting under specr's name as surely as Peter has passed and the business no longer exists that is shouldn't be allowed!
The fact is the forums have strict rules on posting and this surely is a matter for a moderator to look at!! Otherwise anyone could get hold of someone's username and password and log in and post what they like under the disguise of that person's user name!
Perhaps the moderators would like to comment on this matter???

[MGDavid]

I strongly suspect that mods do not read every post - have you reported to the mods using the triangular icon?