26r identities and other info

[1ela]

THIS PIC
I understand it to be taken in Portugal in 1965.
The cars history was written up in a mag a while ago?
I believe it was at Brands last year and I had a long chat with the bloke in charge (not the owner?)
Michael

[1ela]

FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY
While I am on, have a look at THE GREATEST GT car ever made - Lancia Aurelia B20 GT 4th series

[bigvalvehead]

Red S2 26R belonged to Carlos Gaspar and is now owned by Stephen Bond an active racer in the UK

Dave

[vstibbard]

Michael, re the Stanley Leong car, this is what I was advised by Rodney Seow who was a successful racer based in Singapore, it was a standard road going Shapecraft Elan that was bought by Stanley out of UK in late 1964, early 1965 as its first appearance in Singapore was 1965 Sports and GP event, at same time they bought a "kit of 26R parts" including wheels hubs wishbones etc, Rodney did the assembly in Singapore and added Wade Cams to the engine, the photo's that I posted show it racing in the Singapore Sport & GT Car (1967) race, it was raced throughout Asia by Stanley and also driven in some event including 1966 Macau by Rodney. I've seen reference to it have S1 26R rear end with rubber drive couplings.

It was raced in the 1967 Singpaore Sports & GT race driven by Stanley Leong.

The Shapecraft was sold on to Hong Kong based Walter Haskamp late 1967. I've tried to fond out where it went from ther but have drawn a blank..

Anyone know of Walter Haskamp?

[elj221c]

I took the attached photographs when it was owned and raced by Len Bridge, firstly white and later red after a rebuild. I think that it was then rebuilt again by/for Tony Griffin and resprayed in gold and raced very briefly at Thruxton. Unfortunately it was rolled and badly damaged two corners after I took the photograph of it passing the plastic padding sign.

Ian

Tony Griffin started racing his Elan in '77 against Len in the white Shapecraft. Tony's was an 'ordinary' 26R of '64 vintage which had previously been driven by Dave Preece. Tony sold the car to Tony Thompson after the '81 season after which he got into Chevrons in a big way. Tony G' car was an orangey yellow while he had it and it was this car that got TT properly into racing Elans. Tony G did lose a wheel at Thruxton after an outer shaft failure at one race but he didn't roll.

Len was still racing his now red Shapecraft in '83 when Tony G was racing his B19.

Sadly, I never got to take race day photographs in those days as I was gainfuly (?) employed in the pits. Equaly unfortunate is that I have large gaps in my race programs from the era.

[1ela]

vstibbard
Many thanks for that. Cars bought in UK at the time were exempt from Purchase Tax and this went on into the 70's, hence those Lotus adverts of getting your Elan or 7 kit delivered on Friday and driving it to the pub on Sunday afternoon - maybe someone out there actually did that. This would beg the question were any 26R's sold as kits and assembled elsewhere. I seem to rember that a 26R was twice the price of a road Elan but I am sure someone has all the details.
I suppose the Leong car was sold fully assembled and tax-free for export from UK?

Peter Dixon was racing a non-26R Shapecraft in the 80's or 90's. I think his aleigance changed to an ex-Le Mans Jowett Jupiter later.

What about the S.M.A.R.T Elan - any news or history anyone?

In 1971 or 72 a chap living near Bromley Hospital (South London/Kent border) had a very early racing Elan (not 26R) - Sorry to be vague on this one.

Michael

[1ela]

Correction

I should have said CARS BOUGHT IN KIT FORM WERE EXEMPT

[ardee_selby]

What about the S.M.A.R.T Elan - any news or history anyone?

Michael

There was this thread I kicked off a while back...

free-parking-f19/elan-t22177.html

Richard

[1ela]

Richard
Thanks for that link
Brilliant pic of Stirling's Cortina. Of course he also had SM7 on that two-door Cortina with Ogle modified bodywork (?)

The TVR attachment is on ebay for ?250,000 - more expensive than a 26R !

Michael

[ardee_selby]

The TVR attachment is on ebay for ?250,000 - more expensive than a 26R ! Michael

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1963-TVR-GRAN ... 35b8bdcc5a

"BALLPARK LANE"

Richard

[garyeanderson]

I hope so, less than 500 mk1,mk2 and mk2a made with Climax, MG and Ford power. Maybe 100 known to still exist. No one has ever faked one (why would you?) to my knowledge. You don't ever pass yourself on the road.

[ardee_selby]

I hope so,

Be quick!

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C243165

Richard

[garyeanderson]

I hope so,

Be quick!

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C243165

Richard

http://people.zeelandnet.nl/serel/

More info on that Grantura Mk2a 7/C/345 The C is original a Climax powered Grantura
http://people.zeelandnet.nl/serel/7c345.htm

Some info posted on the registry a few years ago about mine 7/B/493, The B is the MG - B series engine, in my case the 1622cc unit, the engine is original with the ultra close gearbox.
http://people.zeelandnet.nl/serel/7b493.htm

Larry Goldstein ( 7/B/477 ) told me his came over with mine, I think his may be running by now, long story but he got his original engine back after a long search. that advertised Grantura that you posted would be worth a lot more with a 1216 Coventry Climax reinstalled.

Gary

[1ela]

Here is one I owned earlier !

Whose yellow 26R? Silverstone 1965 I think.

[1ela]

R4 collection