Researching Alan Eccles -race driver

[lags]

This is a "kind of" different request for information ..... :-

I am attempting to research the history of a 1958/59 XK 150 [registered AE 34] that I own ..........

I have now discovered that the first owner was one Alan Eccles, who owned Hilltop Garage in West Bromwich - and the original supplying dealer was Ashmores of West Brom.. This information has come from talking to a Bob Eccles [no relation but also a West Brom. race driver of the 1960's].

Many here, I guess, will know much more than me:- but Alan Eccles was, it seems, the fairly well-known race driver and team owner who was active between the 1950's and 1970's [ish]. I believe he ran Coopers, Lotus, Cooper-Chevrolet etc etc. Later, Gerry Ashmore drove his cars [of the same Ashmore that supplied this road car to him presumably]. It was suggested that the still-fitted towbar was to transport the Cooper 500 to meetings.

My request is whether anyone could point me in direction of any researcher or photograph-keeper that might have any information on Alan and his Jaguars?? Finding a paddock picture with my XK in the background would obviously, however unlikely, be a "Holy Grail" !!

many thanks in hopeful anticipation

[John Turner]

Welcome, lags.

I've been unsuccessful in finding anything out; anyone out there who can help?

[chunterer]

Ditto John.

The only Eccles I could think of who lived in the Wolverhampton area was Roger Eccles?

But we never let anyone down.

Come on folks!!

[lags]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Ditto John.

The only Eccles I could think of who lived in the Wolverhampton area was Roger Eccles?

But we never let anyone down.

Come on folks!!

thanks for that ..

I think [not absolutely sure] that Roger Eccles was actually Alans son ??

[NICK ALLISON]

I remember an Eccles (possibly Alan ) at Silverstone at the first race meeting I attended driving a fearsome blue Cooper V8 that left tyre smoke lingering around the startline for at least two laps, and usually racing racing hammer and tongs with a similiarly fearsome Lotus V8 .If I remember correctly it was the August Bank Holiday meeting 1963 organised by the Nottingham Sports Car Club who are still organising sprints etc.
This may help.

[eamonn ledwidge]

I seem to recall Alan Eccles name as an entrant for Gerry Ashmore when he raced (very successfully) in Ireland at Dunboyne and Phoenix Park - period 1959/1963.

If it is possible to get sight of the programmes from that era it may help. Will ask a pal back home if he has access. I note that Gerry Ashmore is retired and living in France - see reference in driver section of oldracingcars.com. He may be the best source of information, if you can contact him.

[allenbrown]

Ted Walker at ferret foto is the man to talk to.