Tag Archives: Morris

Buckler Framed – Smith Special Mk2

Over the coming Saturday’s I’ll be looking a few vehicles built by Buckler of Reading including today’s Smith Special Mk2 500 Formula 3 car for which Buckler built the space frame in 1950.

‘500’ Formula 3 was a low cost formula devised by a group of enthusiasts working for the Bristol Aeroplane Company during the 1939-45 war. After the cessation of hostilities the group organised an event at the wartime Silverstone Aerodrome in 1946 which had to decamp to the nearby grounds of Lord Hesketh where a hill climb was run for open wheelers with 500 cc / 30.5 cui motorcycle motors.

Ken Smith built his first Smith Special in 1948 to run in the class and after this was damaged at Brands Hatch in October 1950 Ken ordered a new one off frame from Buckler in Reading to build the Smith Special Mk2.

Smith Special Mk2, de la Roche, Oulton Park

The 9′ 10″ car with the chain drive Norton transmission was powered by a mid mounted Norton twin cam shaft motor fed by two two fuel tanks one a 1 1/2 gallon gravity tank over the motor and another 7 1/4 gallon saddle tank mounted over the drivers legs from which fuel was directed to the gravity tank by a fuel pump.

The suspension featured upper transverse leaf springs and lower wishbones, the road wheels, front brakes, steering box, steering column and track rods were sourced from a FIAT while the brake master cylinder and rear brakes were sourced from a Morris.

Smith Special Mk2, de la Roche, Oulton Park

Ken Smith drove the car from 1951 to 1954 during which time if it finished it usually finished in the top six, more often than not in the top 3 which included several wins of which the 1953 Autosport Non production Car Trophy was it’s last in Ken’s hands.

These photo’s show the car being driven by present owner Richard de La Roche at the Oulton Park Gold Cup meeting last year, more detailed information on the Smith Special can be found on this link. I hope to be returning with a fuller history of ‘500’ Formula 3 towards the end of the year when the ‘500’ Formula 3 class cars will returning to Castle Combe for the first time since 1955 to compete for the “Bristol Aeroplane Company Motor Sports Club Challenge Trophy”, owned by the Bristol Pegasus Motor Club, on Sunday the 5th of October.

Thanks for joining me on this “Buckler Framed” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a Formula One car built by one of New Zealands most accomplished race car drivers. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Badge Transformation – Morris 1/2 Ton Pickup

The design for today’s 1972 (Nineteen seventy two) Morris 1/2 ton pick up, seen at a recent Avenue Driver Club meeting, dates back to the original incarnation of the Austin Cambridge which in A40 guise first saw the light of day in 1954.

Morris 1/2 ton Pickup, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The Cambridge was updated in 1954 when it became the Austin A50 Cambridge and again in 1957 to become the Austin A55 Cambridge which stayed in production until the arrival of the Austin A55 Cambridge Mark II fitted with an all new Farina (as in Pinin) body.

Morris 1/2 ton Pickup, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The Austin Cambridge 1/2 ton pickup was first marketed in 1957 with the latest A55 panels incorporated into the cab with a 4 cylinder 51 hp B Series motor.

Morris 1/2 ton Pickup, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

From 1962 the Pickup was fitted with a unique to type grill and the 61 hp B Series motor from the Farina A60 Cambridge launched in 1961, and Australian spec A55 Cambridge Mk II which was launched in 1959. 1962 also saw the first of these vehicles marketed with the Morris name.

Morris 1/2 ton Pickup, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The Austin variant of the 1/2 ton pickup was dropped after Austin and Morris part of the British Motor Corporation was further merged with Leyland to become British Leyland in 1968. While the Morris variant continued in production until 1973. Despite having no further significant upgrades since 1962 the Morris 1/2 ton was still marketed with a “New, Tough and Versatile” strap line as late as 1968 !

Thanks for joining me on this “Badge Transformation” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me tomorrow for a look at a Lamborghini Jarama. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Coffee, Croissant & Cars #08/13 – Avenue Drivers Club

The eight weeks since I last visited the Avenue Drivers Club seem to have flown by in no time at all, I guess there is nothing like being busy when your having fun.

Lotus Esprit, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Amongst Sundays potpourri of attendees was this immaculate 22 year old Lotus Esprit that would surely have won a Concours d’Elegance, if one had been run. The current owner told me that the car was originally sold to a customer in Singapore, and that he has had the car for 14 years during which time he has driven it just 4,000 miles.

Plymouth, Road Runner, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Regular readers will know that I have been a MOPAR fan since I saw the original version of “Vanishing Point”, above is a 1970 First Generation 335hp Plymouth Road Runner.

AC, Aceca, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Slightly more modest was this 1958 Bristol powered AC Aceca.

Morris, 1/2 Ton, Pick Up, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

When I took the photograph above I thought I was looking at an extremely late Austin A60 Pick up, closer inspection reveals it actually carries a Morris badge and is a vehicle that was marketed as the Morris 1/2 ton. This particular one was manufactured in 1972 the year before production ceased, the cab design dates back to the 1957 Austin A55 Cambridge 4 door saloon/sedan.

Ford, Sierra, XR4i, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

In 1983 Ford launched the Ford Sierra XR4i to top the new jelly mould bodied series of cars that had received a mixed reception since their introduction the previous year. The 2 door XR4i was powered by the same fuel injected 2.8 litre Cologne V6 as the late Ford Capri 2.8i.

Ford, 7Y, Eight, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The owner of this 1938 Ford “7Y” Eight took the car over from his sister over 40 years ago, he told me how amongst many ways Ford had saved on the costs of manufacturing the car, they built it with 6 3/4″ head lights instead of the 7″ head lights used by their competitors and that the fabric panel in the roof along with wooden floor boards all saved on the use of steel.

Colt, Sigma, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

The Colt Sigma above caught my eye primarily because it was built the year I left school in 1977. It’s condition is testimony to the fact that if one looks after any car it can be made to last well beyond two score years.

Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Coupé, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Parking up next to a 60th Anniversary edition Corvette was this fifty year old 1963 split rear screen Corvette Sting Ray Coupé, without doubt my favourite of the sixty year Corvette production run.

Daimler, V8 250, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Looking like it had driven straight out of the film set of “Withnail and I” was this 1968 Daimler V8 250, though the film of course used a similar bodied Jaguar Mk II.

Plymouth, Road Runner, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

In 1971 the Plymouth Satelite won the US Car of the Year award, this is it’s big “bro” the 1971 Plymouth Road Runner 440 Six Pack, with a air grabber scoop in the bonnet/hood, the 7.2 litre motor was good for 390 hp when it left the factory.

Mazda, MX5, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

On a lighter note some cute adornment found on the dash of an Mazda MX5, disappointingly the only thing missing is a plastic Jesus, however since the magnets on said absent item are known to mess with the radio maybe the omission can be forgiven.

Jaguar, E-Type, Series III, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Vying strongly with the Daimler V8 250 for the patina of the day award was this 1973 Series III V12 E-Type Jaguar. Apparently the car was delivered new, painted Azure Blue to Victor Gauntlet the petroleum magnate who is best remembered as Executive Chairman of Aston Martin from 1981 until 1992.

Alfa Romeo, Giulia, Spider, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Among the many soft tops present was this 1964 Alfa Romeo, Giulia, Spider sharing the same engine Alfa Romeo 105 series Giulia saloon / sedan.

Porsche, 911, Cabriolet, Flachbau, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Porsche 911’s with flachbau (flat built) noses, inspired by the 1976 Porsche 935 racing program, are a relative rarity this cabriolet dates from 1988.

BMW, 530D, Touring, Avenue Drivers Club, Queen Square, Bristol

Finally drawing the biggest crowd in the shortest period of time were the flashing blue lights on this 2010 BMW 530D Touring, no crime had been committed, the gentlemen of the Avon Constabulary were merely demonstrating some of the features on their car. One is unlikely to be pursued by this vehicle unless one is in the process of committing, or one has committed a serious crime as the car is being run by the Armed Response Unit.

Thanks for joining me on this “Coffee, Croissant & Cars #08/13” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Slick & Economical – Austin Mini Pick Up

Between 1961 and 1982 there were very few changes to the Austin Mini Pick-Up except in 1978 when the model was marketed as the Mini 95.

Austin Mini - Pick-up, Malta Classic Car Museum, Qwara

The 1961 Sales brochure reads “The slickest and most economical means ever of transporting a 5-cwt.(254-kg.) load!

Austin Mini - Pick-up, Malta Classic Car Museum, Qwara

Ingenious design and practical body styling have been successfully co-ordinated to produce this revolutionary runabout, ideally suited to the needs of the smaller business.

Austin Mini - Pick-up, Malta Classic Car Museum, Qwara

Such tradesman as plumbers, builders, painters or nurserymen will find that within the compact proportions of the Austin Mini 1/4-ton Pick-up are approximately 19 3/4 sq. ft, (1.83m.²) of floor space and a totally enclosed cab with saloon car comfort for two people.”

Austin Mini - Pick-up, Malta Classic Car Museum, Qwara

The portion of the brochure devoted to the van went on “Similar to the world-beating, incredible Austin Mini Saloon, both of these new light commercials have all the identical features for ultra-safe, speedy and dependable delivery service.

Austin Mini - Pick-up, Malta Classic Car Museum, Qwara

Over the 21 years of it’s production life an estimated 58,179 Mini Pick-ups were built with the Austin, Morris and after 1976 Leyland badges.

Today’s featured example is on display at the Malta Classic Car Museum in Qwara.

Thanks for joining me on this “Slick and Economical edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me agian tomorrow for a look at the last of this month’s Tuesday featured Wolseley cars. Don’t forget to come back now !

Share

Cops Car – Wolseley Six Eighty

The Wolseley 6/80 was introduced in 1948 as an up market verison of the Morris Six MS both of which also shared the same body work from the front windscreen back with the Morris Oxford MO.

Wolseley 6/80, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

The Six Eighty like it’s Six MS sibling is powered by a 72hp overhead cam straight six motor which gave the car a tested top speed of 85 mph in ideal conditions.

Wolseley 6/80, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Due to export priorities the Six Eighty was a rare car on British roads in period. Wolseley Six Eighties became well known as the favoured mode of Transport of the men in blue in no small part thanks to the rapidly expanding medium of television for which shows including The Invisible Man and films like Gideon’s Day, The Naked Truth and Town on Trial, all made in 1957.

Wolseley 6/80, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

The 6/80 came fitted with a heater, rear window blind and twin roof lights for rear seat passengers.

Wolseley 6/80, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Twice as many 6/80’s were built as Morris Six MS between 1948 and 1954 with the final total thought to be 25,281.

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

Share

Easiclean Wheels – Wolseley 14/56

Also known as the Fourteen Series II the Wolseley 14/56 was presented to the public in June 1936 and replaced the earlier ‘New Fourteen’ that had been in production since 1935.

Wolseley 14/56, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

The beautiful example seen here is thought to have been built in 1938 and has had just two owners the first family had it in storage for many years before recommissioning it with engine and suspension overhauls.

Wolseley 14/56, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Along with Easiclean pressed steel wheels the 14/56 could be ordered with a hand operated ‘Jackall’ hydraulic pumping system which could raise the front and or rear wheels off the ground for ease of maintenance and the frequent wheel swapping necessitated by comparatively poor quality tyres available at the time.

Wolseley 14/56, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

Wolseley was being integrated into the Lord Nuffield’s Morris empire by 1938 but despite this had the 14/56 was powered by a superior motor to the equivalent Morris.

Wolseley 14/56, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

The overhead valve twin carburetor six cylinder Series II motor was upgraded from 1604 cc / 97.8 cui to 1818 cc /110.9 cui however for reasons that are not at all clear to me this particular car has an officially quoted 1701 cc / 103.8 cui motor.

Wolseley 14/56, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

The 14/56 remained in production until September 1938, by which time 15,000 example had been built, when it was replaced by the Wolseley 14/60 Series III.

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

Share

Nice Door Handles – Morris Marina ADO 28

With the merger of Jaguar with British Motor Corporation in 1966 the new merger was renamed British Motor Holdings and after a further merger with Leyland commercial vehicles the corporation became known as British Leyland Motor Corporation in 1968. British Leyland as it was known decided that the Austin and Morris brands should be differentiated in the early 1970’s with Austin vehicles being based around the front wheel drive (FWD) concept pioneered by Ales Issignosis with models like the Mini, 1100 and 1800 series vehicles while Morris vehicles would be more traditional with front engines driving rear axles (RWD) as they had on the Morris Minor and Morris Oxford models.

Morris Marina, Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet

The design of the Marina coded ADO 28 was started by Roy Haynes who’s CV included the design of the popular Mk II Ford Cortina, however a disagreement over a common floor pan to share between models as espoused by Roy led to him quitting and Triumph Designer Harry Webster finishing the job by which time the intended Macpherson strut front suspension had been abandoned in favour of Morris Minor style tortion bars and a new gearbox design was abandoned in favour of an existing item from the Triumph parts bin.

Morris Marina, Atwell Wilson Museum, Calne

All in all the development costs of the conservative RWD concept Marina ended up exceeding those of the more radical FWD Allegro which was developed to be Austin’s competitor in the small family car market. Production facilities at Cowley had to be upgraded which included some comedy as an overpass was built so that the motors could be sent from a plant on the opposite side of a municipal road to the assembly plant, no sooner had the overpass been completed than the municipality offered to sell the road which British Leyland did not think twice to accept.

Morris Marina, Qwara, Malta

On a positive note the AMC Ambassador inspired vertical hinged door handles were a huge hit with Lotus founder Colin Chapman who specified them for use on the Lotus Elite, Eclat and Esprit models, Marina door handles were also adopted by Scimitar for the GTE shooting break while British Leyland used the same handles on the Triumph TR7/TR8, Austin Allegro and they eventually even found their way, finished in matt black, onto the Land Rover Discovery Series I.

Morris Marina, Cotswolds Classic Car Club, Frogsmill, Andoversford

Marina cars were powered by a variety of motors most common of which for the UK market was a 57 hp 4 cylinder A series which did not do much for performance but kept the handling within safer limits than the heavier more powerful motors which promoted lane changing understeer / push which induced the odd brown trousers moment for some Marina pilots.

Morris Marina, Cotswolds Classic Car Club, Frogsmill, Andoversford

The Marinas seen here are in order top to bottom a ’72 Coupé at the Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet, ’74 Twin Carburettor saloon sedan at the Atwell Wilson Museum, a Maltese 1500 saloon / sedan with after market alloy wheels and waist trim in Qwara, a ’79 Estate and ’72 Coupé both at the Cotswolds Classic Car Club meeting held at Frogsmill, Andoversford and below a saloon / sedan with an unusually straight rear bumper seen at last years Classics at the Castle, Sherborne.

Morris Marina, Classics at the Castle, Sherborne

Although much derided for almost every detail apart from the door handles the undemanding early 70’s British public lapped up Marina’s painted in tepid colours like Russet Brown, Harvest Gold, and Limeflower Green for the car to peak at second in the sales charts behind the Ford Cortina in 1973 and remain in the top 3 or 4 until 1980. Eventually over 897,000 Marina’s were sold in the UK of which 745 are thought to remain on British roads.

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

Share