Category: Events

British Leyland hired a Caledonian Bristol Britannia

Caledonian Bristol Britannia used during the 1970 World Cup Rally
Caledonian Bristol Britannia used during the 1970 World Cup Rally

The trip home from the end of the 1970 World Cup Rally as remembered by Bill Price.

British Leyland hired a Caledonian Bristol Britannia  to transport spares/wheels/tyres and service personnel to Rio.

After  the last drop-off in Lima the aircraft, sometimes called “Brownings Bomber” returned to UK.

After the finish in Mexico City the crews and mechanics were due to travel home in the Britannia.

However, inboard to USA the aircraft suffered a bird-strike damaging the wind-screen and was diverted to Montreal.

All those due to fly were now booked on a Brannif DC8  to Montreal to connect with the Britannia which was having a new windscreen fitted.

A long flight home but a chance for the team to recover some sleep. Ran out of milk on the flight so chief mechanic, Doug Watts was obliged to have brandy on his corn flakes !!

At London it was straight into a London Hotel for lunch with Lord Stokes – pity we only came second !!

Bill Price

Display car needed

British Motor Museum logo

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

BMC Leyland Show

British Motor Museum logo

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

Triumph car 88 World Cup Rally

Triumph entered several cars in the 1970 World Cup Rally. These photos show a Triumph 2.5PI car reg number XJB 305H.

Ted Taylor has been busy scanning photos from his collection.

All these and more will be available for display for WCR50+1 event next year.

Car 88 was crewed by Culcheth/Syer. I think Johnstone must have said something to upset the cameraman – these are the only photos of them at Lisbon!

If posting on please acknowledge Ted Taylor Collection and the Historic Marathon Rally Group.

If you like Triumph cars you see more of our photos here. https://historicmarathonrallygroup.co.uk/tag/triumph/