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Great Auclum
United Kingdom
31 Posts |
 Posted - 16/01/2015 : 22:37:41
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Can anyone help to identify the car below? I believe the photo was taken in the early 50s - probably 1950 - at Great Auclum. The reg is a bit blurred but is is something like WS5235.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Steve
Steve Lovegrove
Great Auclum Historian |
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Colin Butchers
United Kingdom
1487 Posts |
Posted - 18/01/2015 : 10:44:31
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Could possibly be J G Martin in his 746cc blown J2. Martin competed at Great Auclum in 1949 but I don't have the 1950 Programme to check. If it is Martin, the chassis number has never been identified. Even the late great Michael Hawke was puzzled.
Colin B. |
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Great Auclum
United Kingdom
31 Posts |
Posted - 19/01/2015 : 13:36:10
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Thanks Colin - that's not a bad shout but I don't think it is Jim Martin. He didn't compete at Great Auclum after 1949 and the extension to the banking (as seen in the photo) was made after the 1949 meeting but before the 1950 event. I have several photos of Jim Martin at Great Auclum and elsewhere - I may post them if there is interest...
Cheers, Steve
Steve Lovegrove
Great Auclum Historian |
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Colin Butchers
United Kingdom
1487 Posts |
Posted - 20/01/2015 : 10:32:43
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Thanks Steve,
I would certainly like to see a photo or two of Jim. All those I have seen so far have not been good prints. and do not show the car very clearly.
Colin. |
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Great Auclum
United Kingdom
31 Posts |
Posted - 20/01/2015 : 10:49:03
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Your wish is my command Colin!
Steve Lovegrove
Great Auclum Historian |
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Colin Butchers
United Kingdom
1487 Posts |
Posted - 21/01/2015 : 10:21:57
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That's great Steve. Thanks. All we now need is the chassis number !!!
Colin B. |
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Great Auclum
United Kingdom
31 Posts |
Posted - 21/01/2015 : 13:56:45
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So... going back to WS5235: Assuming that the photo was taken at Great Auclum on 23rd July 1950 - and that the car is an MG or MG special, there are several contenders for the identity of the driver:
1. Ivor Olley - unlikely but perhaps Oliver can rule him out
2. Harry Lester
3 EW Filer
4. Geoff Coles
There was a "special" entered in class one in 1950 called the Barnes Special - does that ring any bells with anyone.
Thoughts anyone?
Steve Lovegrove
Great Auclum Historian |
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O.Thomas
United Kingdom
755 Posts |
Posted - 21/01/2015 : 14:02:25
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| My guess would be E W Filer. Definitely not Coles or Lester. |
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Great Auclum
United Kingdom
31 Posts |
Posted - 21/01/2015 : 14:39:46
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At the risk of answering my own question, I am starting to favor SE Barnes. During 1949 Barnes entered a number of speed events in a 747cc MG. SE Barnes entered the 747cc "Barnes Special" at Great Auclum in 1950 and his entry number was car no.2 - if you look closely, there is the top of a number showing on the side of the bonnet - either 2 or 3.
Steve Lovegrove
Great Auclum Historian |
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Cathelijne
Netherlands
746 Posts |
Posted - 21/01/2015 : 16:43:53
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According to the -indeed- late great Mike Hawke, S.E. Barnes actively campaigned J2700 in the late 1940s and early '50s, but that was registered WN 5807 ... So ... not a match, is it? Or could the registration in the picture have been read incorrectly?
Mike has Mr Barnes and his J2700 down for several events, but the final one he mentiones (BMC&CC Tewin Water Speed Trials, 6 August 1951) has an accompanying note saying "In this last event Mr Barnes may have been driving a special fitted with the 750cc engine from J2700."
According to the Register, J2700 is still about. Perhaps the current owner can help? He may even hold pictures of the car from the 1940s/'50s.
By the way, none of his presumed Great Auclum entries are included in Mike's work.
Not much help, I'm afraid!
Regards,
Cat
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Colin Butchers
United Kingdom
1487 Posts |
Posted - 22/01/2015 : 10:19:18
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S E Barnes entered a blown 747cc M.G. at Tewin Water on the 18th June 1950 and recorded a time of 20.8 secs. He was there again on the 7th August 1950 with a car described as "Barnes M.G." with a 747cc engine but no suggestion that it was blown. His best time was 21.70 secs. Finally he was back again on the 6th August 1951 with what is shown in the Programme as an unblown 750cc M.G. and recorded a time of 21.0 secs which gave him 2nd in the 750cc Sports Car Class.
Steve, it looks likely to me that the car at Great Auclum on the 23rd July 1950 was the unblown Barnes special. The latest photograph shows no sign of a blower. In all probability, the "special" was J2700 lightened with skimpy cycle wings , no blower and only one headlamp.
Colin B. |
Edited by - Colin Butchers on 22/01/2015 10:24:01 |
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Great Auclum
United Kingdom
31 Posts |
Posted - 22/01/2015 : 11:11:32
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Thanks Cat and Colin - I think the Barnes Special/J2700 is the best bet at this stage. I love this detective work!
Cheers
Steve
Steve Lovegrove
Great Auclum Historian |
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Cathelijne
Netherlands
746 Posts |
Posted - 22/01/2015 : 13:07:33
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| But what about the registration number non-match??? |
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Great Auclum
United Kingdom
31 Posts |
Posted - 22/01/2015 : 13:22:10
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That certainly is a problem! I am wondering if the driver is SE Barnes with another special - but probably no not J2700. Did J2700 have a blower?
Steve Lovegrove
Great Auclum Historian |
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Cathelijne
Netherlands
746 Posts |
Posted - 27/11/2015 : 21:59:28
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Hi Steve,
Have been emailing, but have not heard from you for ages! Would you get in touch with me, please?
Many thanks!
Cat
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WS5235
Forum Locked
