The JR Inspired Pre War Racing Car Discussion

[john ruston]

Nearly Bob!
One replica Talbot and GO54 Talbot that’s the 1931 Le Mans Car.
The Alta is the supercharged 2 litre that was exported to Germany in 1938 and then taken to the States in 1946.
It stayed there until I bought it back in 2000. We won the Pre War race at the Ring in 2001 when I sold it to a Spanish friend of mine and he had Sam Stretton drive it for many years until it was recently sold to Belgium.
Only LHD car Alta built. Pity was the car didn’t show its potential in my friends ownership as he just prepared it to chug round so Sam did pretty well with it winning a couple of races and top tens and many.
Have asked Joe to send some pics

[bauble]

GO52/53/54!

[john ruston]

Not sure who owns that Leaf

The GO cars were 51/52/53/54
51 spent most of early thirties as single seater.

BGH 23 lapped Brooklands at 130 mph
In 2018 GO 52 lapped Le Mans in 5 min 48 Sec
If only I knew how to post pics

[rbs]

As requested!

[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

[Peter Mallett]

Thanks for this and for the historical insights.

[john ruston]

Cheers
That’s BGH21 on way to winning Flying Scotsman
Nine weeks later it won at Le Mans Classic

[john ruston]

Looked at that last picture and it’s me in a Hero rally 1000 mile trial with the top navigator Jeremy Haylock!
We nearly won it but screwed up on day three
Crappy driver!

[rbs]

The 2nd answer is correct, they were both taken at Whilton Mill Kart circuit. I do not think I have one of you on the 2018 Flying Scotsman, the only one I have seen.

[rbs]

A few of GO52 from 1000 mile trial 2017 & Silverstone Classic 2015.

[bauble]

From JR's collection;

[bauble]

... and.

[zefarelly]

51 (AvdC's) @ LMC 2010. my work PC wallpaper

Driver now 6'

[zefarelly]

Is that a Singer 9 ?

[john ruston]

1936 Singer Le Mans one and half litre 6 cylinder
They were raced but the main claim to fame were trials
Think they are extremely good road cars but to heavy for racing.
We may have a look at possibility next year
Until then it’s my golf club transport!

[zefarelly]

One presumes you don't park too close to the driving range.

[john ruston]

Been asked by a couple of people what are the cars shown in posts 35/36 by Bob on my behalf

Here we go
Talbot GO 52 1931 Works Car at Le Mans Classic
It’s won overall three times and nine one hour heats
Won Alpine Rally and many other events including Pre War Sports at Silverstone Classic

Tony Gaze 2 litre supercharged Alta 1937 We won 28 international races and beat hill record at Prescott with a very pedestrian guest driver!

Talbot BGH 21 1934 works car. I have owned it for 23 years and most original of BGH cars Raced in period and won Alpine Trial raced at Brooklands and South African GP
It’s taken part in all the Le Mans Classics, Mille Miglia ,won Flying Scotsman,Tour Britannia and host of other events

Side view is BGH 21 on its way to winning Flying Scotsman

Alta KMP 977 2 litre 1939 unique non supercharged car Won Pre War Sports at Spa and the most surprising of all the Flying Scotsman

Singer CXY56. 1936 One and half litre six cylinder
Deciding if we should race this car. Doubtful!

Lea Francais 1928 Hyper S one and half litre supercharged it’s the original 1928 works car driven by Willy Greens dad in TT and Irish GP
We should be racing this year . It will be interesting as may be quick for a Pre 30 car

That’s the competition side of Pre War fleet

Put in a picture of me driving Michael Birch’s 1934 with him as navigator
He won first heat at Le Mans Classic and second overall
I have owned the car on six separate occasions and May be seventh as he is having GO52 from me and I am taking JJ93 unless someone else wants it!!
You only get a works Talbot if you pass the suitable owner test.

[PBE]

Would I pass that test John?!

[john ruston]

Marginal but probably these days!

[E.B]

John, out of interest, and a long shot, but is that the Alta that Gaze brought to and used in Australia post WW2?

[john ruston]

That’s the one EJJ

It was also used by Gaze to map out the Goodwood circuit
There is a snippet on the nett of the car doing the Rob Roy hillclimb.
We could never work out the Gaze car colour as there were many layers when we restored it.We guessed RAF blue as that was one of layers and after finding the film found we guessed correctly
The car went to an Italian and I now understand it’s been moved on.
Pity as they are very special but need people to understand them before messing with engine and general set up.
Never known one of these old restorers that own up to the lack of knowledge and understanding! Some are brilliant at creating history
Mine are mostly with Gareth Burnett but the Leaf is being taken by both Gareth and Blakeney Motorsport.As far as I am concerned that set up worked and I did spend lots of money early on with these cars with other people.
As they say all education usually cost lots of dosh!

[E.B]

By sheer coincidence I am awaiting delivery of the Tony Gaze book.... "Almost Unknown: The Story of Squadron Leader Tony Gaze" It is scheduled for Wednesday delivery which is ironic.... would have been his 101st Birthday.
I was actually at Rob Roy just a few weeks ago.

[Peter Mallett]

It must be an age thing (I am getting old) because I'm quite enjoying this discussion. Just don't mention Bentley. 😄

[john ruston]

Your catching on Peter!
We have a no Bentley zone
That’s a separate thread . Could work out how many real VDP cars exist !

[john ruston]

I had a four and a half for six weeks . That was enough!

[John Turner]

It's not a racer but since both Talbot and Gareth have been mentioned and I don't think I've posted it before (although John & Peter may have seen it) this is something that I've sat on for nearly 20 years and 'saved' from my divorce, and was finally able to throw some money at - hoping to get it back post pandemic!