News - Page 7 of 24 - Historic Marathon Rally Group

Ford Capri GVX40H nearing completion

Michael Ryman has been working hard on the restoration of his Ford Capri, GVX 40H. The car is the Team Dunton Capri Mk1 that competed in the 1974 UDT World Cup Rally.

The car also ran as car 69 in the London to Mexico 1970 and is believed to be the only surviving car in the world to have competed in both World Cup Rallies. She ran as car no2 in 1974, with same crew .

Beyond thrilled to have received this 1970 photo of my Capri from a chap who works at Ford’s R&D centre at Dunton, Essex, where the car was built by a 22 man team in January 1970. Today, the car is running again after a 33 year lay up and restoration….and, judging by the recent photos I took in the workshop, looks pretty much identical to this shot. Happy Days indeed.
Michael Ryman 09 October 2020

Display car needed

The Historic Marathon Rally Group are a part of the Competition car display at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon 6TH September. A couple of free car display passes are still available for this event.

Any make of MARATHON, ABINGDON WORKS, OR INTERNATIONAL RACE OR RALLY CAR is welcome to come. If you can get there, please contact us.

Full details of the event are on the British Motor Museum website.

New for 2020 – Abingdon Works Motorsport Celebration

There will be a special feature of ex-works cars prepared by the Abingdon Competition and Special Tuning Departments, a rare chance to see them together.

Some of the featured vehicles include Mini Coopers, Morris 1800s, MGBs, Austin Maxis, Austin-Healey 3000s and MG Metro 6R4s along with various experimental cars, prototypes and supporting vehicles.

There will also be the chance to meet the people involved in this golden era from the BMC Competition and Special Tuning Departments at Abingdon, Warwick Healey works and Downton Engineering.

This celebration is being run by the Mini Cooper Register, Historic Marathon Rally Group, Austin Healey, MG and Triumph Clubs.

Porsche to star in 2021

Following discussions over the last few days with the Owner, the Perth to Sydney Marathon 2021 organisers can advise that all being well, the fabulous Sobieslaw Zasada Porsche 911 S Car # 58 will be seen on the Perth to Sydney Marathon 2021.

Our fingers are crossed.

Route of the Perth to Sydney Marathon Rerun 2021

Here is another view of the car at rest but this time actually on the 1968 London to Sydney Rally.

Porsche 911S car 58 at the start of the 1968 London to Sydney Marathon Rally

Daily Express London-Sydney metal badge

Does anybody have a better photo of this badge. I understand that the above photo is of Ken Chambers badge and was taken by Máirtín Catháin. The badge is now in the care of his grand daughter.

John Vipond is looking to get his badge restored. This is how it looks now.

Hi, does anyone remember the badge that all competitors on LSM 68 were given? Mine is looking tired so I would like to have it re-enamelled. Could anyone provide me with a photo of one that shows the colours clearly please? Thanks in anticipation.

BMC Leyland Show

The British Motor Museum (BMM) at Gaydon had to cancel most of their activities this year. Now they have announced that they will hold a combined Mini/Metro and BMC/BL day on Sunday, 6 September 2020. https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/bmc-leyland-show

The Abingdon Works Motorsports Celebration that was due to be part of the BMC/BL day has been shelved until 2021. There will be a display of BMC, BL and associated Works competition cars as part of Gaydon’s event on 6 September.

The Historic Marathon Rally Group intend to be present with a fascinating and varied collection of Works and privateer- entered cars.

BMM are constantly reviewing how to make best use of their facilities during the current situation and updates can be found on their website https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/. Access to the inside of the Museum may be restricted by numbers on 6 September. There will be toilets and refreshments outside too. Admission will only be allowed with a pre-issued ticket which is £8 per car.

BMC & Leyland Show

A day for BMC, British Leyland and Rover Group vehicles.

START TIME:	10am, Sunday 6 Sept
END TIME:	4pm, Sunday 6 Sept
LOCATION:	Gaydon, CV35 0BJ