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Cymber
United Kingdom
966 Posts |
 Posted - 06/07/2008 : 22:18:53
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At the VSCC Loton Park hillclimb I saw this very well turned out car which is obviously based on one of the six cylinder MMM cars but which one? I have tried to look up the details of this car but have failed miserably so could someone please enlighten me. I have read references to it in the past but all I can remember is that it was built by the Bellvue Garage which was in the Manchester area.
Maurice Blakey. |
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David Allison
United Kingdom
665 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2008 : 08:31:26
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The car was built by Wilkie Wilkinson, based on the idea of an NE - that of a lightweight unsupercharged car.
Ultra lightweight offsett single seater clothed in a very skinny alloy shell (almost completely open) like the Riley special Wilkie built for Hector Dobbs - the two cars both compete in VSCC events now.
The was run on 6 Amal motorcycle carbs and was very successfull in sprints, hillclimbs and handicap races.
The Dobbs Riley has been left more alone by time but has a larger 2 litre engine - although I think a 2 litre might have been used pre-war the car until recently had always run a 1750 cc engine.
Also on 6 carbs (Wilkie was I think investigating theories put down by Fred Dixon) and similarly successfull the Riley was always the slightly faster of the two cars.
The MG has recently been fitted with a blower - which is in my opinion a shame.
I know its all very well for me (because I have a blown car) but it is a shame that so many cars originally run normally aspirated have now grown blowers where there were previously none.
Bellvue Garage was owned by the Evans family and I always thought they were based in London (have to check that when I get home tonight) perhaps someone more knowlegable than I can help?
Regards David |
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Ray Masters
United Kingdom
575 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2008 : 09:31:19
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Quite right, David, Belle Vue garage was in London and was run by the Evans family.
Maurice is obviously getting confused with Belle Vue in Manchester. This was a long-gone zoological park and gardens etc.(a great place when I was a kid & sorely missed by many from far afield ) but there is still a Belle Vue speedway team based close to the old zoo site. |
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John Reid
United Kingdom
707 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2008 : 10:13:45
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Bellevue Garages were on the corner of Althorp Road and Bellevue Road, in Wandsworth, London SW17. The premises are now a wine bar/restaurant with the entrance in Bellevue Road. I suggested to the owner that he gets some period photos to reflect its previous life, but not much interest shown.
The tall garage doors at the end of Althorp Road are still there - wonder if there are any Triple-M bits gathering dust in the cellar! John R |
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George Eagle
United Kingdom
3275 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2008 : 10:27:06
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The car is based on an N chassis but supports K type axles/brakes. I was told Wilkie cut and welded the fron axle to reduce it to the standard track for an N type. The welding certainly looked very neat and has obviously stood up to the stresses and strains of racing.
When I last saw the car it was in Peter Gregory's workshop, and as David states, a supercharger was added. The rebuild was to the usual high standard achieved by Peter Gregory.
The car is obviously very light and must be very competitive - pity it was not entered into the Triple-M race at Silverstone.
George
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Edited by - George Eagle on 07/07/2008 10:28:15 |
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McEvoy
United Kingdom
252 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2008 : 12:10:33
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| Don't wish to be too pedantic but maybe it will be of interest to history buffs John is correct Bellevue Garage that was originally established by Bertie Graham Evans a senior partner in the estaate agent business Edwin Evans & Sons was at numbers 4 & 6 Althorp Road and it was through their property associations that they bought some adjacent houses 18 & 19 Bellevue Road that were converted into a racing workshop complete with a Heenan & Froude dynamometer. As a lad living very near there I used to cycle past to school - I hasten to add not in the Bellevue years but much later but knew of its historic MG significance and little knowing that years later I would meet Kenneth Evans and be entertained in his London flat to be told of the Bellevue exploits. I do have one or two Bellevue papers inc. their sheet outlining how to convert your N type to full TT spec. Drop me an e-mail if you would like a copy - Bob |
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John Reid
United Kingdom
707 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2008 : 12:28:00
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Bob, thanks for the interesting history on Bellevue Garages - I shall pass it on to my sister who lives in Althorp Road, to complete her MG education!
John R |
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Toni Evans
New Zealand
1 Posts |
Posted - 23/04/2009 : 20:35:08
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I would be very interested in hearing anything else about the EVANS family and Bellvue also any old pictures.
I have the Internet site on the racing scene but looking for more on Bellvue garage.
We are descended from a brother of Bertie Graham EVANS
Regards Toni |
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JDoe
United Kingdom
85 Posts |
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Vitesse
United Kingdom
234 Posts |
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Rodney Collins
United Kingdom
424 Posts |
Posted - 28/04/2009 : 16:07:52
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Just looked at the pictures young miss Evans was a very attractive lady. I bet she was a big hit in the pits.
Rodney |
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MaGic_GV
United Kingdom
868 Posts |
Posted - 30/04/2009 : 09:22:22
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Just so we know what we're talking about, here's a pic of the car at Loton last year...
While, just to add to the sum of human knowledge, here is an ad for Bellevue from an old Brooklands programme (1932, some years before the Bellevue special came about!
Have a nice day folks
Graham
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