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14 Feb 2006, 09:16 (Ref:1522394) | #1 | |||
The Honourable Mallett
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Droop Snoot MGB
This is posted in the Historic Racing Now forum but its here to be knocked down by out history experts. It was prompted by a picture of the restored BMO 512B and its prototype nose.
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14 Feb 2006, 09:34 (Ref:1522413) | #2 | ||||
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Quote:
Quote:
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14 Feb 2006, 09:40 (Ref:1522417) | #3 | ||
The Honourable Mallett
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Yes but they ran two cars at Le Mans so only one wore that nose. Hence the pics with the conventional nose.
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14 Feb 2006, 10:17 (Ref:1522439) | #4 | ||
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If it's the same car I'm thinking of, I may be wrong, but wasn't there one at the Top Hat meeting at Mallory last year? if I remember right it was a dark red colour.
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14 Feb 2006, 10:31 (Ref:1522451) | #5 | ||
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There were three there but I don't recall this one at all. Last time I saw it was Silverstone for the MGCC International meeting in July.
All Comps department MGB's were Tartan Red. The reason for this goes back to the early days of the Mille Miglia where they discovered that rail crossings and streets were cleared if the police saw a red car coming. Any other colour and lights turned red etc. |
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14 Feb 2006, 10:51 (Ref:1522462) | #6 | ||
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I think that's the shade of red it may have been.
i haven't got the programme to hand so I couldn't tell you which race or number it was on the day. It was pointed out to me by the observer on the post as I wondered what it was. |
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14 Feb 2006, 10:53 (Ref:1522466) | #7 | ||
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Well maybe its the Pia Bianchi car then.
I was too busy with clutch/gearbox problems to go wandering the paddock. |
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14 Feb 2006, 12:47 (Ref:1522532) | #8 | |||
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I can tell you however, that both BMO 541B and DRX 256C were entered at Sebring for the 1965 event with conventional MGB noses. The first had a 2004 cc engine and was entered as a prototype to get away from the competitive up to 2-litre class (as I said on another thread!) and the second was entered (as you said!) in the GT category before the BGT was produced. (For those interested, my source for all this info. is 'The Works MGs' by Mike Allison and Peter Browning). |
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14 Feb 2006, 12:58 (Ref:1522544) | #9 | ||
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14 Feb 2006, 13:16 (Ref:1522567) | #10 | ||
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John,
I'm working from memory but I recall a pic in the Mc Comb book (which is approximately 2000 miles from me) that showed two cars in the Le Mans pits. Also got the Allison book which is likewise a long way from here. |
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14 Feb 2006, 13:43 (Ref:1522590) | #11 | ||
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Graham Turner has an original painting of DRX 265C at Le Mans for sale on his website.
http://www.studio88.co.uk/acatalog/O..._Mans_325.html Last edited by John Turner; 14 Feb 2006 at 14:08. |
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14 Feb 2006, 14:13 (Ref:1522614) | #12 | ||
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14 Feb 2006, 14:14 (Ref:1522615) | #13 | ||
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A rather desirable item, Alan, and as an original painting probably good value at £850.
I think that this particular car, the last of the Le Mans works entered MGBs (1965) is still owned and raced by Barry 'Sideways'-Smith. (Peter, sorry but I just cannot find any evidence of other 'B's at Le Mans, works or private, other than those I've listed.) |
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14 Feb 2006, 14:31 (Ref:1522624) | #14 | ||
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This was on a French MGB site and shows DRX 265C with a normal front end and also with the Le Mans streamlined front. It seems to have been restored in standard trim.
http://mgcf.free.fr/retromobile2002.htm |
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14 Feb 2006, 14:43 (Ref:1522630) | #15 | ||
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As far as I can tell, they only raced them with the special nose at Le Mans so either nose would be an accurate reflection of their contemporary racing appearance.
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14 Feb 2006, 14:54 (Ref:1522637) | #16 | ||
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I think I prefer Whizzo's version. It looks in lovely condition.
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14 Feb 2006, 16:00 (Ref:1522686) | #17 | ||
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Its DRX 255C and Barry still owns it.
The front was removed post Le Mans, then it was crashed (as I said above) the dmaged wing was replaced with a steel one and that is how it was until the first Le Mans Historic event when Barry got caught up in someone else's accident. I don't know if he restored it fully or restored it to its post Le Mand condition. As I said John, I'm working from memory and I'll accept your word for it. As to the aesthetics, I'm a bit of a traditionalist so I'm not keen on the snoot. |
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14 Feb 2006, 18:26 (Ref:1522817) | #18 | ||
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Yes, you are right, it is DRX 255C; a photo confirms this, although the results sheet in the Allison/Browning book says DRX 265C. Even more confusing, is that one of the Sebring cars is DRX 256C. I'm going to do some double checking, here, with other source books. However, I can say that I have found absolutely no reference to any other 'B's running at Le Mans than the three singleton entries for the years 1963 to 965.
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21 Feb 2006, 14:15 (Ref:1528047) | #19 | ||
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I think they did put the streamline nose up again several years ago to bring it back to Le Mans specs. I made a picture of drx255 in its garage close to Brooklands somewhere mid 90ties and then it had the normal flat nose on.
Before and after the shunt of Barry in LE Mans the car remains beautifull and still has bags of patina! Esper |
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