Tag Archives: Amilcar

VSCC Spring Start – Silverstone

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A couple of weeks ago I headed over to Silverstone for the VSCC Easter Spring Start meeting during which 11 races took place.

GN Ford Piglet, Doug Cawley, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

Dougal Cawley headed the opening lap of the Fox & Nichol Trophy in his GN Ford known as Piglet, but after 12 mins it was a surprised Rudiger Friedrichs who took the flag on his debut on the 1932 #138 Alvis Firefly seen above in third place.

Frazer Nash Targa Florio, Ian Dalglish, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

Eddie Lees won the race for Frazer Nash and GN cars from Martin Hunt both driving Frazer Nash’s, Tony Lees in COGNAC is seen above about to relieve Ian Dalglish in the #172 Frazer Nash of third place while Martin Stretton is seen with head lights blazing on a mission to make up ground from a fall to eight
place on lap 2, he finished an eventual 5th.

Lotus 18/21, Peter Horsman, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

After a first corner in which Connaught driver Micheal Steele was sent airborne to the detriment of his car but fortunately without injury to the driver, the Pre 1966 HGPCA race for Grand Prix cars was restarted and Peter Horsman in his 1961 #22 2 1/2 litre Lotus Climax 18/21 led all the way after starting 3rd on the grid.

Frazer Nash Fast Tourer, Chris Chilcott, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

Chris Chilcott and Andy Bush are seen dicing for fourth on the opening lap of Race 4 for pre war sports cars, aboard Frazer Nash and Riley respectively, Chris never made it to the end of the first lap and Andy retired on lap 6 of the 8 lap race leaving Jo Blakeney – Edwards to win aboard her Frazer Nash.

Amilcar Hispano Special, Tom Walker, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

Seen blasting past Astrophysicist Robin Tuluie’s #20 Riley Menasco Pirate above is the GP Italia Trophy race winner Tom Walker in his Amilcar Hispano Special.

Lagonda V12 Le Mans, Darren McWhirter, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

The longest race of the day, half an hour, was the Tom Cole Trophy Race for 1950’s sports cars, won by Darren McWhirtter in the 1954 #64 Lagonda V12 Le Mans seen lapping the 1952 #10 Nash Healey Le Mans driven by Sam Stretton.

Riley 12/4 Special, James Whitmore, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

The longest race of the day was followed by the shortest, the 5 lap All Comers Short handicap that was won by James Whitmore in the 1934 #156 Riley 12/4 Special seen leading a gaggle of earlier starters above.

Farrallac Allard Sports, Tony Bianchi, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

After early leader Lister driver Roberto Giordaneli out braked himself on the end of the Club straight on the opening lap, Tony Bianchi took the lead of the 50’s Sports and Sports Racing cars race in his Cadillac powered #7 Farrallac and holding off eventual winner Mark Lewis in his #100 Lister Chevrolet for four laps of the ten lap race.

Lotus 12, Andrew Smith, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

For the first 11 laps of the 13 lap Patrick Lindsey Memorial and Amschel Rothschild Trophy Andrew Smith looked set to finish 2nd in his #10 Lotus 12, seen above being followed by eventual third place finisher Frederick Harper in his Kurtis Roadster, until pole sitter and leader Philip Walker spun his Lotus 16 and had to settle for second.

Morgan Plus 8, Keith Ahlers, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

Keith Ahlers smoked the field in the the AR Motorsport Morgan Challenge Series race leading all 18 laps from pole and setting fastest lap of the race to win by nearly half a minute in his fire breathing #29 Morgan Plus 8.

ERA E-Type GP1, Duncan Ricketts, VSCC Spring Start, Silverstone

Three ERA’s took turns leading the final All Comers Scratch Race for Pre War cars but Terry Crabb aboard ERA 12C, Nick Topliss aboard ERA R4D both gave way to 3rd place starter Duncan Ricketts aboard the ERA E-Type GP1 who took the lead on lap 3 and help it to the finish 5 laps later.

Thanks for joining me on this “VSCC Spring Start” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a Packard. Don’t forget to come back now !

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COhen GN & AC – COGNAC Frazer Nash Special

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S.A. COhen was responsible for building the first iteration of today’s featured car using I believe a 1925 Frazer Nash chassis with a solid axle and chain drive as originally developed by GN.

COGNAC Frazer Nash Special, Mallory Park,

The triple carburetor 2 litre / 122 cui aluminium block iron head six cylinder AC motor, that lent it’s initials to the last two letters of the cars name, is of a design that dates back to 1919 and remained in production up until 1963.

COGNAC Frazer Nash Special, Tony Lees, Chateau Impney

My understanding is that COGNAC was originally fitted with a two seat body that originated from an Amilcar with the radiator coming from a Hampton of a type I have not yet identified, if you know which model Hampton is shown in this linked image please do not hesitate to chime in below. and that the tail was modified to fit a spare wheel across the back of the car.

COGNAC Frazer Nash Special, Mallory Park,

It appears that the tail of the Amilcar body was modified to fit a spare wheel across the back of the car.

COGNAC Frazer Nash Special, Tony Lees, Mallory Park,

I am not sure exactly when S.A. Cohen competed with the car, the only report I have found so far describes him suffering with a slipping clutch at the Lewes speed trials in the June 1937 issue of MotorSport.

COGNAC Frazer Nash Special, Mallory Park,

A chap called Duchy at the Nostalgia Forum recalls his father owned the COGNAC Frazer Nash Special and used it as a road car in the mid 1950’s and that it was not converted into the single seater form seen here until the 1970’s.

COGNAC Frazer Nash Special, Tony Lees, Chateau Impney

Ron Footitt is the man responsible for converting the COGNAC Frazer Nash Special into a single seater for vintage racing in the 1970’s.

COGNAC Frazer Nash Special, Mallory Park,

I have seen several accounts of the story that Ron wanted his ashes scattered onto a racing circuit upon his death and that COGNAC’s next owner Freddie Giles obliged at Oulton Park, after winning a race he is said to have scattered Ron’s ashes from a glove on his slowing down lap.

COGNAC Frazer Nash Special, Tony Lees, Mallory Park,

Current owner Tony Lees is seen testing COGNAC at Mallory Park soon after he bought it in 2013 and at last years Chateau Impney Hillclimb.

Thanks for joining me on this “COhen GN & AC” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow far a look at the last in the current series of ERA’s. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Major Reliability Leap – Hispano Amilcar Special

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The motor powering Robin Baker’s 2 speed, chain drive 1930 Hispano Amilcar Special is a 1916 Hispano Suiza V8 aircraft engine.

Hispano Amilcar Special, Robin Baker, VSCC Prescott

Marc Birkigt’s HS8 design with a swept volume of 11,760 cc / 717 cui originally produced 140hp and was only accepted for use by the French Military after it had passed a 50 hour full speed test, more than three times longer than any comparable test held hitherto.

Hispano Amilcar Special, Robin Baker, VSCC Loton Park,

After demonstrating it’s major leap in reliability a new SPAD S.VII fighter was quickly designed around the new motor which helped the Entente, British, French and Russian, air forces regain air superiority during the 1914-18 war.

Hispano Amilcar Special, Robin Baker, VSCC Prescott

By the time production of HS8 motors ceased in the mid 1920’s they were producing 300hp and they had been built under licence in 21 different factories under licence in Spain, France, Britain, Italy, and in the United States where they were recognised as superior to the Curtiss OX5 V8.

Hispano Amilcar Special, Robin Baker, VSCC Loton Park

By 1930 I believe the only Amilcar chassis being built large and substantial enough to carry a 185 kg / 407 lbs HS8 would probably have been a C8 which would have originally been fitted with a 2 liter / 122 cui or 2.3 litre / 140 cui straight 8.

Thanks for joining me on this “Major Reliability Leap” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be visiting the Avenue Drivers Club. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Aircooled Aero Power – Amilcar CGSs

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The chassis for today’s featured Amilcar CGSs was built in 1926, it was probably supplied with a 35hp 1,074 cc / 65 cui 4-cylinder engine.

Amilcar CGSs, David Baker, VSCC, Prescott,

It would appear that some where prior to September 2012 owner David Baker acquired a 2,986 cc / 182 cui aircooled Glode Dayton aero engine and had it fitted to the Amilcar CGSs he is seen driving at Prescott in these photographs.

Amilcar CGSs, David Baker, VSCC, Prescott,

The 50hp aircooled Globe Dayton was built in Dayton Ohio in 1930. It uses a number of proprietary parts including a Ford Model A crankshaft, connecting rods and pistons, 1928 Nash rocker arms and was equiped with either a Ford A or an aero carburetor.

Amilcar CGSs, David Baker, VSCC, Prescott,

It would appear that there are only two known examples of the Globe Dayton which is also known as a Dayton Aero Four-In-Line, Globe Motors of Dayton Ohio today is better known for the production of subfractional horsepower electric motors.

Amilcar CGSs, David Baker, VSCC, Prescott,

David Baker competes with his aircooled Amilcar in VSCC events both on the track and off road.

My thanks to Onelung at H.A.M.B. for pointing me in the direction of information about the Globe Dayton Motor on the Memaerobillia site.

Thanks for joining me on this “Aircooled Aero Power – Amilcar CGSs” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for Ferrari Friday. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Lowered Single Seat – Amilcar CGSs Monoplace

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According to official DVLA records the chassis for Clive Temple’s Amilcar CGSs was first registered in the United Kingdom on the 23rd of March 1928.

Amilcar CGSs Monoplace, Motorsport At The Palace, Crystal Palace, London.

I have not been able to determine what kind of body if was originally furnished with but it seems unlikely, though not impossible, to have been the single seater seen on the car today.

Amilcar CGSs Monoplace, Motorsport At The Palace, Crystal Palace, London.

The 1,074 cc / 65 cui 4-cylinder motor fitted to this car is equipped with a supercharger to boost the power from an initial 35hp, originally a Cozette supercharger was offered as an option.

Amilcar CGSs Monoplace, Motorsport At The Palace, Crystal Palace, London.

The rebuild of this car is credited to the current owner Clive Temples late father Colin Temple, Paul Jaye, Duncan Ricketts and Derek Chinn.

Amilcar CGSs Monoplace, Clive Temple, VSCC Prescott

Since writing about Terry McGrath’s 1928 CGSs a couple of weeks ago it has come to light that André Lefèbvre and his co driver known only as Despaux won the 1927 Monte Carlo Rally in a two seat Amilcar CGSs.

Amilcar CGSs Monoplace, Clive Temple, Motorsport At The Palace, Crystal Palace, London.

André Lefèbvre is also credited with contributing to the design of the Citroen Traction, 2CV and DS and HY models.

Clive Temple is seen driving his CGSs at Presott and the Motorsport At The Palace sprint run at Crystal Palace in London.

Thanks for joining me on this “Lowered Single Seat” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for Coffee Croissants and Cars at Bristol’s Queen Square. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Supercharged Six – Amilcar CO

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The Amilcar CO was a production two seat racing car, very much in the mould of the contemporary but larger Bugatti Type 37, designed by Edmond Moyet and put into production in time for the 1926 racing season.

Amilcar CO, Matthew Blake, VSCC, Prescott,

Power came from a development of the Amilcar C6 models 1094 cc / 67 cui six cylinder motor which in this application featured a twim cam hemi head, crankshaft running on roller bearings, dry sump lubrication and two stage Roots supercharger which added up to over 100hp.

Amilcar CO, Matthew Blake, VSCC, Prescott,

Despite costing more than the larger capacity Bugatti Type 37 it is believed 40 CO’s which were capable of over 170 kmh / 10 mph were built.

Amilcar CO, Matthew Blake, VSCC, Prescott,

During 1926 it is said that the C6 and CO models recorded over 70 victories with works driver André Morel leading the way winning the 1100cc race (Gran Premio del Vetturette) run concurrently with Italian Grand Prix and Charles Martin finishing 4th overall and first in the 1100cc class in the JCC 200 mile race at Brooklands.

Indeed an even faster single seat MCO variant of the CO would continue winning 1100cc events well into the 1930’s with Le Havre Amilcar agent José Scaron being a regular winner.

Seen in these photographs is the 1926 CO, first registered in the UK on October 24th 1938, driven by Matthew Blake at Prescott.

Thanks for joining me on this “Supercharged Six” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at Shaun The Sheeps Land Rover. Don’t forget to come baahck now !

08/02/15 Thanks to Tim Murray for pointing out the 1100 cc race at Monza was run concurrently with the Italian GP over the first 40 of the 60 laps run for the Grand Prix and that Charles Martin did not win the JCC 200 mile race at Brooklands as originally stated.

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La Bugatti du Pauvre – Amilcar CGSS

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In 1924 Amilcar started manufacturing its doorless CGS (Grand Sport) model with a boat tail body, front and rear brakes, powered by a 30hp 1,074 cc / 65 cui 4-cylinder engine that featured an aluminium cylinder head, to compete against the similar but rear wheel brake only Salmson VAL 3.

Amilcar CGSs, Terry McGrarth, VSCC, Prescott,

The front wheel brakes of the CGS were particularly innovative and advantageous because they featured a sliding rod system within the front kingpins that allowed the driver to keep a constant pressure on them.

Amilcar CGSs, Terry McGrarth, VSCC, Prescott,

Two years later Amilcar introduced a lowered GSSs, surbaisse, variant which featured larger brakes, a bigger oil sump and an increased power output to 35hp thanks to the development of a new camshaft.

Amilcar CGSs, Terry McGrarth, VSCC, Prescott,

The CGSs is said to have been very successful on the track, the only results I have been able to confirm are three third places on the Mille Miglia recorded in 1927,28 and ’31.

Production of the CGSs continued until 1929 with around 4,700CGS models of both types built, Terry McGrath’s example seen here was built in 1928.

Thanks for joining me on this “La Bugatti du Pauvre” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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