Parson Maserati

[Broadclystboy]

A recent trawl through E-Bay resulted in an investment in the May 26 1961 copy of Autosport. It contained a report on the very first motor race I attended - the Whitsun Monday Crystal Palace meeting which was highlighted by 4 wins by Roy Salvadori - his entry in the previous days Dutch Grand Prix having been turned down. (The Palace was a 6d bus ride away in the legendary 137 - for me not Roy)

Hidden away in Racing Car classified adverts at the back was one for a Parson Maserati - a space frame sports car with a 1500 cc F1 Maserati engine. Web searching only uncovers a few sites stating current racing eligibility.

Has anyone got any more info on this vehicle?

[jamesholland]

I don't know if there is a connection , but I suspect there is......there was a Parson MG around in the mid fifties in the 1,500cc sports car category. It's still around and has a body similar to a Ferrari/Maserati of the period.

[John Turner]

I'm thinking that this is one for TimD when he spots this.

[RAP]

The Parson Maserati was usually driven by Stuart Young and entered by Weldangrind Ltd. Its registration was TYY 300. I seem to recall that Parson was a derivation of "Pa and son". A regular in UK events c 57 / 59 at Brands, Crystal Palace, Goodwood but not particularly successful as far as I can recall. Whether a rebuild of the earlier MG car or a new one I don't know.
RAP

[orouge]

See p288 of 'Maserati Sports Racing and GT Cars from 1926' by Richard Crump and Rob de la Rive Box, Foulis/Haynes 1983 ISBN 0 85429 302 7. Constructed and driven by Stuart Young of Weldangrind in early 1957. It had a 150S engine and 150/200S 4-speed gearbox.
I took a snap of it at Brands in '58 and will try and put it on here if you like.

[orouge]

[Broadclystboy]

Originally Posted by orouge

See p288 of 'Maserati Sports Racing and GT Cars from 1926' by Richard Crump and Rob de la Rive Box, Foulis/Haynes 1983 ISBN 0 85429 302 7. Constructed and driven by Stuart Young of Weldangrind in early 1957. It had a 150S engine and 150/200S 4-speed gearbox.
I took a snap of it at Brands in '58 and will try and put it on here if you like.

Hi

My browser does not see to have picked up the picture if you posted it - can you try again?

Many thanks

[John Turner]

The picture is there; you may have to change your browser settings to see it.

[Broadclystboy]

Absolutely brilliant - thanks very much

(You don't happen to have any pictures floating around of Roy Pierpoint in the Attila-Chevrolet do you.........?)

Regards

[orouge]

'Fraid not, at least not quickly. I think this might be the car at the Goodwood Revival '06, driven by Charles Cook:-

http://sjgphotography.fotopic.net/p33776325.html

Also you could try Ferret Photographic, though you probably have.

[orouge]

Originally Posted by Broadclystboy

Absolutely brilliant - thanks very much

(You don't happen to have any pictures floating around of Roy Pierpoint in the Attila-Chevrolet do you.........?)

Regards

I unearthed this one to-day. Taken at Madgwick , Goodwood on 18th May 1964 it shows Tony Lanfranchi (Equipe Elva, Elva BMW No9), Bob Olthoff (John Willment Automobiles Ltd., AC Cobra No20) and R.F. Pierpoint (Attila 3, 4700cc No5) rushing away from the start of the Whitsun Trophy Race for Sports Cars over 50 miles - 21 laps. John Bekaert also started in Attila 2 (1998cc). Neither of the Attilas featured in the first four from my notes of the results. Both were painted blue according to the programme. I can e-mail a copy of the programme pages if you are interested? I'm sorry it's not a better snap.

[Ted Walker]

Thanks for the "plug" orouge. I have shots of both cars available. If you are at Stoneleigh this weekend please visit my stand in Hall 3. Unfortunatly i cannot send images electronically.

[Broadclystboy]

Orouge
My thanks again for you triggering fresh memories of an era I thought was closed. My interest in the Attila stems from the privilege of watching V8s trying to thread their way around the Crystal Place. Some key moments:-
Jack Sears Whitsun 1963 trundling away from the pits in his Galaxie and trouncing the Jaguar 3.8s
Roy P and the Attila in September 1964(?). Standing by the entry to South Tower and nearly close enough to touch
1968(?). Admiring Martin Birraine's attempt to break out of the circuit through the sleepers at North Towers in his Nascar stocker - I'm still trying to find my negative
Thanks again

[Graham Clayton]

Here is the complete history of the Parsons Maserati:

http://www.barchetta.cc/english/all..../1676.150s.htm

And a photo:



Source: http://www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk/maser01.htm