The home of the Historic Marathon Rally Group. The Historic Marathon Rally Group (HMRG) is a friendly UK-based network of enthusiasts dedicated to reuniting historic rally cars, competitors, service crews, and supporters from around the world. Our mission is to celebrate and promote the legendary Marathon Rallies and Classic Car Endurance events of the past while fostering a shared passion for motorsport history.
The Triumph 2.5PI as used by Paddy Hopkirk has come into view again after a very long rest.
At last I can release some pictures of the works Triumph 2.5PI of Paddy Hopkirk. Which we have finally got to a safe place XJB 302H. Still in amazing condition been hidden away since 1977 still has the maps inside it from a Scottish event
Tim Cousins via facebook 10 October 2020
Triumph 2.5PI XJB302H image28
Triumph 2.5PI XJB302H image27
Triumph 2.5PI XJB302H image26 – Kevin James Card says that “The car is a time capsule it has only original equipment. There are two map lights in either end of the centre consul. The relays are 6ra all lines are inside. The have used some parts from the other triumph cars like the tr6 stag etc.”
Triumph 2.5PI XJB302H image25 – I’m not sure the fia would pass them now. They are standard with lambs wool covers glued on. As you might guess just a little crunchy now. My friend Nobby said that they probably still have paddy’s DNA on them.
Triumph 2.5PI XJB302H image24
Triumph 2.5PI XJB302H image19
As found the car is still in amazing condition been hidden away since 1977 still has the maps inside it from a Scottish event
Triumph 2.5PI XJB302H image10 – – It has been said that the wiring was done by John Smith of Lucas.
Several engines were found with the car. Some photos of the oily bits on the next page.
This post is closely based on post to our facebook group by Ted Taylor.
Today is the appropriate day because this is the day it all happened – and the World Cup Rally came close to having an appalling incident though what happened was bad enough.
At the time of my organising WCR40, out of the blue Ted received a massage from Marcelo E Virgili about the Cowan/Coyle.Ossio accident.
He wrote “In 1970, I lived in Salta, Argentina, and worked as a surgeon in Emergency Services of Hospital San Bernardo there. I had just graduated from medical school the year before.We received the ambulance that brought Andrew Cowan, Brian Coyle and Ulderico Ossio, from the site of their accident in the tortuous roads along the slopes of the Northwestern Andes Mountains.”
The following is what Andrew said to Marcello which I have edited a very little for easier reading (though his English is excellent …… better than my non existent Spanish!)
I had just taken the driver’s seat from Ulderico Ossio We were driving along a straight road at more than 100mph and catching up with Jean Denton’s Austin 800. My vision was obscured by the dust lifted by the car’s wake – the typical red dirt from the Calchaqui Valleys. I slowed down to 70mph to take a turn. Coming out from that turn the sun, which was just coming up over the horizon, hit me right in the face and I couldn’t see another turn immediately following … and we went straight over the cliff.
news clipping showing the photos
The news clipping showing the photos talks about the accident and their ensuing medical care. I am endeavoring to get it all translated into English.
Marcello says that eventually Andrew, Brian and Ulderico were air-lifted to Buenos Aires and they all made good recoveries. They sent him a case of good Scotch!
the doctors from the hospital
The picture of medical team are the doctors from the hospital where Macello worked – he is in the youngest one in the first row on the left in the glasses. I did pass this on to Andrew at the time and had hoped Andrew would still be with us so that he and Marcello would perhaps meet up at WCR50.
Another account of this crash written by Brian Robins in his book ‘The Great Rally’ follows over the page.
