Frank Sytner Group A BMW 635???.

[Jeremy Jackson]

Andrew, the pic of Sheene & Sytner on the grid fits for 1985 according to my programme and grid notes.

[chunterer]

Yes Sheene raced the ex Percy Supra in '85.

Dougal, no worries mate. I used to love Group A and this is why i got so into motor racing to begin with.

The TT shunted car of '84 was most probably rebuilt and judging by Andrew's picture at Silverstone, could well be it, as it just has the look of some tampering about it?! However i don't have the facts, sorry. If this is the case then it won't be the one you've got!

Out of interest, what's the colour scheme on yours at the mo?

[chunterer]

I suppose there is also an outside chance that Fearless Frank himself may know what happened to the 635's?

[jminsh]

Mike Newman still owns his ex BMW GB car

[Dougal M]

Hi Chunterer,
Below is the cars current appearance...

[Dougal M]

Sorry, having large amounts of operator problems (beginners incompetence) attaching an image..will try more!!!

[glyn parham]

here is a shot of Frank at the August Bank holiday round of 1984 at Brands Hatch.

[glyn parham]

Sorry about the quality of the photo, still a bit to learn about posting these on the forum.
BTW, many thanks to Snapper Baz and falcemob for resurrecting a thread in Motorsoprt Art & Photography which has allowed me to post this.
Glyn

[Woolley]

That looks like identical livery to the Donington one I have, although the amount of car in my picture makes it hard to tell. I'm failry sure the ETCC round I was at was '84, but not positive - it was the first 'proper' race I ever went to following the rallysprint the previous Autumn.

[Milan Fistonic]

Sytner first drove a 635 at Silverstone on 12 June 1983. This is what Autosport had to say about the car.

Frank Sytner pronounced himself well pleased with the way his BMW 635CSi ran at Silverstone in last Sunday's Group A race, and is looking forward to the rest of the season.
The race was not without its problems, though, as the car was a real handful to drive. "It was understeering through every corner," he said.
The car has been built with full ETC rounds in mind and has on-board jacks and a full quick refuelling system. Sytner plans to take in most of the remaining rounds of the British championship as well as the TT, where he will share the driving with Brian Muir. Muir, who was on hand with advice at Silverstone, has done most of the testing of the car.
But no amount of testing can throw up problems like a race can. The car is left-hand-drive, and Sytner could not read his pit board properly! "All I could see was the car's A-pillar and part of the board. On more than one occasion I thought I was on my last lap. We shall just have to get a bloody great board for next time..."

In the Autosport season review there is this about the car.

Sytner's car was prepared and run by Ted Grace Racing who, united with Malcolm Gartlan, made a welcome return to the series. Until Sytner's backing arrived - and effectively saved the car from being a permanent non-runner - it had been hoped to run the car for Brian Muir. Muir did get to drive the car - in the TT - but tragically died on his way home from that meeting after a heart attack.

[chunterer]

Malcolm Gartlan that was involved with Galaxies and ex Alan Mann Mustangs and Falcons in the sixties?

[chunterer]

Oh and Dougal, sorry you're having probs posting images, i'm not an expert unfortunately!

Hope you can get a couple on soon?

Glyn's post above may be helpful?

[Jeremy Jackson]

Couple of photos of Sytner, the first from the 1983 TT, the second from the BTCC race at Donington in May 1985 during the ETCC meeting. Hope they are of use.

[Jeremy Jackson]

Donington 85...

[driftwood]

I saw the 635 at Puke in 1990 in a club race -the owner had visions of granduer on its value when i spoke with him
ie wanted the $$$ A FULLY RESTORED CAR WOULD MAKE FOR WHAT LOOKED LIKE A VERY TIRED CAR !!
NOT SURE IF KENNY SMITH STILL HAS 1 635 TO SELL OR IF ITS THE CAR YOU NOW HAVE

[Steve Holmes]

Dougal M, I have a really good pic of your car at the 85 Welly street race, coming out of the hairpin, if you're interested in seeing it. Was this car later painted yellow?

You should speak to David Towe. You'll find his details here. He owns an ex JPS M3 and has a very good knowledge of the 635s and the M3s, and their woven histories.
http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...79#post1078079

Check out the 'Historics Awesome Stuff' thread under Australasian Touring Car area on this site.

[Mackmot]

My dad has been helping Mike Newman with his 635CSi this year. Its going to be out at Donington later this year. My dad used to mechanic for Mike back when he was racing in BTCC untill he set up a Formula Ford team with Jonathan Lewis.

I'll try to get some information about it. Has anyone got any pictures?