Mystery Morris Minor racer

[racing fxgt]

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

[TimD]

Someone out there must know more about this car.

Any takers?

[Andrew Kitson]

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]

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]

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

[TimD]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[driftwood]

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]

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]

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

[driftwood]

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

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by ppreciousmoggie

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

Yes please!! bring em on

[ppreciousmoggie]

we are working on the photos, we have ones when we first got it and recent ones, should get them on by beginning of week. we will also try and get hold of who suggested . thanks
Precious

[Graz]

Originally Posted by Dan Rear

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 !

I remember a Morris Minor special saloon in the GT race in the Phoenix Park in 1985. Could never remember the chaps name who drove it...until now!

[ppreciousmoggie]

Hello
for all those interested, I have posted photos of the Bennion Morris V8 on a new thread. mike Bennion Morris v8 restored.
hope you like them, and any more information on this car racing history or personal stories would be great. We are hoping to do an article about it and mag.
Precious

[driftwood]

i have found an old magazine auto perfomance from the mid 80`s with an article on teh Nic mann turbo Minor I will scan it later so if anyone seeks a copy i can mail it to them
Mike Bennion morris V8? i thought he had the sit up n beg Ford pop known as the Berpop circa 73-5 ish

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by driftwood

i have found an old magazine auto perfomance from the mid 80`s with an article on teh Nic mann turbo Minor I will scan it later so if anyone seeks a copy i can mail it to them
Mike Bennion morris V8? i thought he had the sit up n beg Ford pop known as the Berpop circa 73-5 ish

The father of the Berpop (The Berpoppa!) was another Mike, Mike Berman...

[driftwood]

aha confuseddotcom rules again !!

[Gerry Taylor]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

The father of the Berpop (The Berpoppa!) was another Mike, Mike Berman...

Mike was an engineer that lived in a village called Oadby, in Leicestershire. He was a great character and I spent a lot of time with Mike in the days of the BERPOP. In development we took it to Silverstone down the M1! Believe me it was one of the hairiest rides I ever had! The look on other drivers faces as Mike floored it and passed all the cars that "thought" this was some old Ford Pop coming up behind them. Then he prepared it for competition, and as far as he was concerned that was it! You see the fun for Mike was in the creation, not in the racing, that's why other people drove it mainly at Mallory Park. Mike did engines for me for a while. Damn good engineer/designer. Now he runs a Fancy dress Company in leicester. If you see him, tell him I said hi!

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by Gerry Taylor

Mike was an engineer that lived in a village called Oadby, in Leicestershire. He was a great character and I spent a lot of time with Mike in the days of the BERPOP. In development we took it to Silverstone down the M1! Believe me it was one of the hairiest rides I ever had! The look on other drivers faces as Mike floored it and passed all the cars that "thought" this was some old Ford Pop coming up behind them. Then he prepared it for competition, and as far as he was concerned that was it! You see the fun for Mike was in the creation, not in the racing, that's why other people drove it mainly at Mallory Park. Mike did engines for me for a while. Damn good engineer/designer. Now he runs a Fancy dress Company in leicester. If you see him, tell him I said hi!

He also used to have an indecently fast (Black & Silver?) Jaguar Mk VII or Mk IX road car with Wolferace wheels that frightened my Viva GT on the Oadby bypass many years ago...

[snett fan55]

Not too close to topic but anyone know the origin/ownership of a Morris Minor "woodie" that was being driven in anger at a recent track day at Snetterton,about six weeks ago?
Colour was maroon,engine and supension was far from standard ,judging by the way it took Russell bend.My son took pics on his phone,but I don't know how (or if )I can download a pic to the forum.
I loved the days when "Q" cars were the thing,mini's with 1300 engines and the early Capris fitted with Corsair engines were my favourites.Of course ,these were home built and for the road so not strictly the subject of this thread.
Promise to provide a pic when I can workout how to,although it may be some time......