Tag Archives: Crystal Palace

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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Another Maxi Powered Prototype – Gilbern T11

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Last year when I was wondering around the car park at Crystal Palace for the Motorsport at the Palace event I stumbled across this stunning car which at first glance thought might be one of 80 Piper GT’s but in fact turned out to be a much rarer but contemporaneous prototype Gilbern T11.

The T11’s body work was designed by Trevor Fiore, who designed the similarly rear engined Monteverdi Hai, like the Diablo prototype that became the AC 3000 ME was powered by a Austin Maxi 4 cylinder motor mounted amidships in the steel chassis.

Gilbern T11, Motorsport At The Palace, Crystal Palace

It turns out that three chassis were built but the body work was never completed for any of them despite being tested up to 120 mph at Castle Combe.

The cancellation of the T11 was due to a combination of factors including expansion at the Gilbern factory and uncertainty over future regulations governing sports cars.

Gilbern T11, Motorsport At The Palace, Crystal Palace

The example seen here is the only one ever finished, owner Gordon Johnston ended up making a fresh body for the car alongside devising interior trim and many other ‘minor details’.

Gordon eventually completed and registered the worlds only Gilbern T11 after eight years work, as a 1970 model in 2009.

Thanks for joining me on this “Another Maxi Powered Prototype” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow for a look at an MG XPAG powered special. Don’t forget to come back now !

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