Mystery Morris Minor racer

racing fxgt · 19 Jul 2002, 08:20 (Ref:337120)

No information on this car just that it is Irish and a v8

TimD · 1 Aug 2002, 11:12 (Ref:347776)

Someone out there must know more about this car.

Any takers?

Andrew Kitson · 1 Aug 2002, 20:37 (Ref:348126)

I have seen a photo of it before - just can't put a name or any other info to it. If I stare at it long enough something may come!

Andrew Kitson · 4 Apr 2003, 14:57 (Ref:558417)

I've gone right back in our archives to dig this one out!
I have a feeling I know who it is now as I was chatting to Mike Bennion at Silverstone today. He raced a V8 Morris in the mid/late 60s and explained that the exhausts protruded sideways as in this shot. I asked him if the headlights were moved to the grill and yes they were! The car was blue but painted orange later with different exhaust system.
I will e-mail Mike a link to this thread as he seemed delighted that it could be seen on the web! He will confirm if it is or not but it looks promising. So if it is, it's not Irish afterall but Northampton based.

D-Type · 6 Apr 2003, 23:22 (Ref:560948)

Going OT. In period (say 1958) people raced A35's. In Historic racing they tend to race Moggie Minors. Why?

TimD · 7 Apr 2003, 06:29 (Ref:561127)

Moggies and A35s are both used in historic racing to a greater or lesser extent, but you're right - the balance has shifted. It used to be more A35s than Minors, but nowadays it's the other way about.

Can I suggest that it's something to do with the relative survival rates of the two cars?

Minor racer · 11 Jun 2003, 17:18 (Ref:628501)

Speaking from experience (Donington 25th May!), A35s tend to roll over easier than the Morris, especially if they get out of shape in the Craner Curves!

Andrew Kitson · 11 Jun 2003, 18:16 (Ref:628579)

Mike Bennion phoned me a while back to confirm that it is his car in the photo. Looks a bit of a beast!

John Madden · 23 Nov 2005, 22:43 (Ref:1468901)

In the '70s I owned an A35. Black and immaculate. Got T-boned by a Triumph Twin powered mini bike. Rolled. Bike got under the back wheel. Sued the biker for damages. In court his lawyer suggested A35's rolled easily. I countered with the story that Graham Hill once used one to learn the Nurburgring, thus A35's do not roll more easily than other vehicles. Got my money. Most cars don't roll unless you treat 'em bad.

**John Turner** · 24 Nov 2005, 13:33 (Ref:1469334)

I'm sure I took a picture of this car in the paddock at Silverstone, mid to late 60's. I'll have to dig it out. However, I have found an entry for Mike Bennion, in race 8 of the Cornthwaite Trophy meeting 1st July 1967. it carried competition number 106 and was entered as a Morris-Ford with a 4638cc, V8. It lined up with another real beastie, the Austin A40 Chevrolet V8 (4638cc) of Brian(?) Tarrant. I believe Tarrant tragically died in this car many years later.

Edit:- Welcome, John, and I'm sorry, I appear to have steered the thread back to its original topic, not realising initially how old it was!

jonners · 24 Nov 2005, 15:13 (Ref:1469402)

am certain that photo was on the cover of CCC (rip)...

driftwood · 29 Nov 2005, 20:50 (Ref:1473405)

Dont Forget Nick Manns Minor Turbo Rover Sprint Hillclimb Car !!
There Was A Space Frame Special Saloon/donington Gt Bda Car In The 80`s Raced By James Funnel I Recall

Dan Rear · 1 Dec 2005, 09:42 (Ref:1474548)

James Funnell had a garage on the A47 in East Leicstershire, heading out towards Peterboro'. I think he specialised in Moggies, there were always a load of them in various states of disrepair outside the garage !

ppreciousmoggie · 18 Apr 2009, 18:02 (Ref:2443935)

Is anyone still interested in finding out where this car is? because we have it. restoration almost complete.
Precious

driftwood · 18 Apr 2009, 20:42 (Ref:2444049)

suggest u post fotos here so we can all go oooh and ahhh and also get in touch with Joe ward ( baby bertha owner ) tony hazlewood ( daf 33 owner) so u can run the car with them at some demo events