Our automotive world has become one of crazy extremes. We nowadays have totally legal road cars that will attain c.270mph (eg the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport and Hennessey Venom GT), yet intended legislation will automatically prevent all our chosen chariots inching a mere soupcon above the country’s speed limits, even the maximum of which is 200mph below what Bugatti man could otherwise opt to travel at.
It was while earning to fly Tiger Moths at Redhill in c.1960 that he purchased a couple of Rolls-Royce Merlin engines.
| Publication Information |
|---|
| Cover Price: Free |
| Page Count: 20 pages |
| Subject: Cars, Motorsport, People |
| Format: Digital (pdf) |
| Frequency: Quarterly |
| Publisher: British Motor Heritage |
| Merlin Magic |
Download British Motor Heritage’s Summer 2019 Motoring Classics Magazine below!
Motoring Classics Summer 2019
Our automotive world has become one of crazy extremes. We nowadays have totally legal road cars that will attain c.270mph (eg the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport and Hennessey Venom GT), yet intended legislation will automatically prevent all our chosen chariots inching a mere soupcon above the country’s speed limits, even the maximum of which is 200mph below what Bugatti man could otherwise opt to travel at.
Customising cars to taste has also become a minefield, with MOT tests becoming ever more finicky and some insurers even requiring prior knowledge of a switch from summer to winter tyres. All of which must surely be stifling the talents of Britain’s inveterate special builders. What better time then, to celebrate the wacky but wonderful 27-litre V12 creations of the late Paul Jameson, as we do on pages 4-8.
Of course, much of the aforementioned legislation is aimed at preventing drivers killing themselves or others, but while laws may curtail the excesses of bad drivers, they won’t make the culprits more skilled – only training will achieve that. How great then that bodies like the Under 17 Car Club exist to set youngsters on the right path from the moment they slip behind the wheel. We paid a visit to one of their meetings and were very impressed by what we witnessed.
Asked to list British coach-builders of the past, most enthusiasts could probably readily recall such names as H J Mulliner, Barker, Gurney Nutting and Thrupp & Maberly. However, there are numerous others who’ve contributed to our motoring memories, but about whom there have been less column inches, and in this issue we review the many and varied products of Thomas Harrington.
Our Missing Moniker on this occasion is Jensen, a company arguably as successful at building vehicles for other manufacturers (Austin-Healey, Sunbeam Tiger, Volvo P1800 etc) as for itself, and quite a technological trailblazer in its heyday.
For our Classic Character we have opted for Billy Cotton. Immortalised by his catch phrase ‘Wakey Wakey’, he was one of the great band leaders of his day, whose many other hobbies included motorsport. Coincidentally he was also the first owner of the 1957 Porsche 356A (‘UUL 442’) that Ian Scott Watson subsequently fielded for Jim Clark, setting him on a path to motor racing superstardom.
Happy reading!
Gordon Bruce, Editor
For all the latest news, offers and great tips … Motoring Classics
Classic Character: Billy Cotton (1899-1969)
The Cotton dynasty has bestrode the world of British light entertainment for a century. Its latest representative is popular radio and TV presenter Fearne, Billy’s great-niece. His own career began on the drums, while simultaneously holding down the job of London bus conductor. However, he was always a man in a hurry, and by 1924 was fronting his own dance orchestra, the London Savannah Band.
Merlin Magic: Gordon Bruce Recounts The Story of the Unforgettable Jameson Specials
In seven memorable years of testing cars for Motor magazine I was lucky enough to drive pretty much everything from an invalid carriage to James Hunt’s F1 World championship-winning McLaren M23. But the maddest motor of them all was the 1760bhp Rolls-Royce Merlin-powered six-wheeled special of the late Paul Jameson. This is the story of that extraordinary machine, plus the two other 27 litre monsters for which he was responsible. Fasten your seat belts and prepare to be amazed!
Missing Moniker: Jensen Motors
Mentioning the name Jensen to most enthusiasts will most likely recall the last of the Interceptors that was the company’s flagship model from 1966 to 1976, but the company had enjoyed a fascinating and largely successful history long before that.
Baby Drivers: Motoring Classics made a memorable visit to the Under 17 Car Club
Let’s face it, kids don’t like being told what to do – who does? But, given half a chance, they will willingly ape what their parents get up to, especially if it’s fun and exciting. Driving cars is a perfect example, and many of our readers doubtless took to the wheel way before their 17th birthday. However, with an ever decreasing number of suitable off-road sites, it is much harder for today’s budding motorists to experience the pastime before they’re officially licensed to do so.
News From BMH
Managing Director John Yea Reveals All.
Harrington’s Rich Heritage
Classic sports car fans will recall the Sunbeam Harrington Alpine, but many of you will probably have seen or ridden in cars or coaches built by Thomas Harrington Ltd without even realising it, such was the reach of this once prolific British coach-builder.
Motoring Classics in Motorsport
British Motor Heritage MD John Yea reports from the cockpit.
British Motor Heritage
British Motor Heritage Limited was established in 1975 to support owners and the marketplace by putting genuine components for classic British cars back into manufacture, using original tools wherever possible. Since 2001, when the company was acquired from BMW, it has been successfully run as an independently owned company.
British Motor Heritage is the largest organisation of its type in the world. With access to unparalleled knowledge, authentic production information and original drawings and patterns, the company manufactures previously unobtainable body parts for British classic cars.
It occupies a unique position since it assembles 32 derivatives of body shells and has built total production volume of over 7,000 for the MGB, MGR V8, MG Midget, Austin-Healey Sprite, Triumph TR6, Original Mini and Mini Clubman using original press tools and assembly jigs.
Website: https://www.bmh-ltd.com/
Tex Automotive
Tex Motor Accessories have been manufactured in England for over fifty years, and many of our products are still produced in our factory in Witney on the original tooling.
Since their first appearance on British cars in 1947, Tex products evolved over the years to keep in step with changing car designs. The current range includes wipers and mirrors that were original equipment on a huge range of Austin, Ford, Morris, MG, Triumph, Vauxhall, etc. from 1974 to 1983.
Tex are also major distributors of the Renovo car care product range (specialising in hood refurbishment) and Samco Silicone hose Kits.
Website: https://texautomotive.com/
Motoring Classics is the printed and online publication of British Motor Heritage and its retail trading arm.
Motoring Classics reproduction in whole or any part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.
The publisher makes every effort to ensure the magazine’s contents are correct but can accept no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions.
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