The Trident Ventura V6 of Captain C.J.W.Marriott and Captain J. Dill of the 17th/21st Lancers on the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally. This car survives and will be on display at the Historic Marathon Rally Show on May 31st this year.
XJB 306H, one of four Austin Maxis that took part the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally, sponsored by the Evening Standard and driven by Ireland’s Rosemary Smith and co-driven by Alice Watson and Ginette de Rolland. This intrepid trio finished 10th overall, won the Ladies Class and won the Class 2 category for 1301cc/1600cc.
1970, and here are Brian Culcheth and co-driver Johnstone Syer in their Bristish Leyland works Triumph 2.5PI XJB 305H, on their way to Mexico and a truly memorable 2nd place World Cup finish. Unfortunately, this car no longer survives.
SMO 223G was a BL works service and recce car for the 1968 London to Sydney Marathon. Fortunately these Austin and Morris 1800 ‘Land Crabs’ were strong, and a good few survived the event and are still around today. You’ll see a number of them at the Historic Marathon Rally Show on 31st May at Gaydon.
Car 72 on the London to Mexico event of 1970 was the Peugeot 504 of Majors Preston and Bailey of the British Army Motoring Association, also sponsored by Paris Match and Kerridge. Major Mike Bailey (now retired) will be just one of the personalities appearing at the Show on 31st May!
Apart from the Trident Venturer V6, The Royal Hussars & 17th/21st Lancers gave their backing to another car in the 1970 World Cup Rally, this time car 70, an Austin Maxi driven by Captain Gavin Thompson, H.R.H. Prince Michael of Kent and Captain Nigel Clarkson. Gavin Thompson is confirmed as one of the personalities attending the Show.