The Oily Rag - British Saloon Car Club

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Under the sign, I could make out what appeared to be the top ropes and corner posts of a boxing ring, with a tall man in the centre of it, visible above the crowd. That was Jem! I made my way past stands of TVR, Lotus and Mercedes, practically devoid of onlookers and circled to come in around the back of the Marcos stand. As I approached the boxing ring, I realized that it was the diminutive Mini Marcos in its bright red livery and silver Minilight wheels that had captured the attention of all of these people. It was not the pretty and nimble Marcos Martina in Old English White or its brutal big brother, V8 Marcos Mantula in light blue metallic paint, or for that matter, the delicious offerings on the neighbouring stands, but this gallant little warrior, a victor of so many earlier battles, brought to life once again. Soon, I was able to meet Jem and introduce myself. He was a dashing and most gracious man, a true gentleman. It was a thrill to meet him in person. Jem was truly overwhelmed by the response of the crowd toward the Mini Marcos. I asked him why he thought it was that there was such keen interest, when it would seem entirely logical the greatest interest would be in the more exotic offerings, like the Mantula or those immediately beside and across the aisle. Simply put, he thought that it was because of the car's affordability and that given the public response, he should have done this earlier! I enjoyed my time with him and he had made arrangements for me to go out to the Marcos Works in Wiltshire to meet his son Chris and test the cars. The Marcos Works is housed in an array of large quonset huts on what was a second war airbase in Westbury in the west country. There, I was greeted by Chris and treated to a tour of the works. The main reception showroom was packed with Mantulas and photographs of Marcos cars and drivers and their racing exploits. It was breathtaking. Chris, himself was currently leading the British Sports Car Championship in a Mantula. In the centre of the showroom was the only Mini Marcos. It wasn't new. It was a 1960s version that they had bought back from a club member, having not even kept a copy for themselves and having only yet produced the Earl's Court Show car. I couldn't believe its diminutive size. We opened the doors and eased into the low seats with Chris behind the wheel. I was immediately impressed with the car and with its handling as Chris negotiated the trading estate roads (runways) out into the countryside. Despite this being powered by an 850, progress was brisk, handling precise and crisp and all things considered quite comfortable. It wasn't hard to accept that in 1966, a Mini Marcos powered by a rally-spec 1275 had seized the record for speed in the under 1300 hundred class on the Mulsanne straight at Le Mans at over 147 mph (that record stands to this date). Back at the Works, we traded the Mini for a Mantula. All I can say is WOW! But that's another story. It didn't take long to scribble out the deposit cheque and place the order for an exact copy of the Earl's Court car, less engine and in “knock-down” form in order to satisfy our government officials. Back in Canada, the car was assembled at Commonwealth Motors with a very nice 998 engine and prepared for its maiden trip. On June 11th, 1992 the car was completed and declared fit for the trip. There was no time for run-in or shake down because on the 12th, the little Marcos with my son Craig and I aboard set out for the “British Car Magazine” offices in Los Angeles and a day in the California hills with publisher, Dave Destler. That photo session and test drive resulted in a feature magazine article. Imagine a six-thousand mile trip over ten days that included two days in LA, driving on the Bonneville Salt Flats, a climb up Pikes Peak and hundreds of other great experiences in a car made of fibreglass, weighing only 900 lbs, built in a Quonset hut in Wiltshire and assembled in Oshawa, Ontario. And this was only the first of many adventures.
Raiders of the Lost Wreck Compiled by Square Deal Jeff These are all listings that I have seen in the past two months so they should be reasonably current, but I like to keep this list updated. If you find that any of the vehicles listed below have been sold let me know. If you did not sell your car, please let me know before the deadline if you want to run the ad again. Prices are $CA unless indicated otherwise. Phone numbers are given if possible, but sometimes only an email address is available. Try not to get carried away! Austin - 1950 A40 Devon: green, new leather int, very good cond, chrome redone, orig engine, sunroof. $10,000 Anthony (XXX) XXX-XXXX Toronto, ON. - 1950 A90: convertible, LHD, US delivery model, sound unrestored original car, runs well, needs resto, but all there and always stored indoors $17,500 (US). (XXX) XXX-XXXX xxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx Located in Virginia. - 1952 A40: very good cond, running when parked 10 years ago, engine turns over. $4,000 David (XXX) XXX-XXXX Elmira, ON. - 1957 A35: 998cc, good runner, solid body, new brake shoes, new rear axle seals, new front tires, lots of parts, in dry storage. Colour grey. A very nice little car. Asking $7000 Mike (XXX) XXX-XXXX or (XXX) XXX-XXXX Milton, ON. 1961 A-H Bugeye Sprite: white, 4 speed, perfect condition, off frame resto, runs like new. $19900 (XXX) XXX-XXXX Moncton, NB. - 1962 A-H 3000 Mk.II: white, 5 spd with electric O/D, all original, 90% complete, exc running cond, 81K miles with only 2K miles on rebuilt motor. $22000 neg, (XXX) XXX-XXXX, Moncton, NB. - 1965 Westminster: Austin 6 cyl and twin carbs, magnificent sedan 16 page restor/service doc. Full leather int, burl dash&door caps, fold down picnic tables in rear. A mini Rolls Royce $11,500 (XXX) XXX-XXXX Vancouver, BC - 1972 1800 Mk II: 46K miles, body/interior all orig, looks and runs great, new hoses (2007) and clutch (2006). $7000, certified. Ryan (XXX) XXX-XXXX Paris, ON. Bentley - 1955 S1: Same owner since 1969. Painted 1965 - Willow Green Metallic GM 1408. Looks good from 20'. Int tear and rip free. Engine compart highly detailed. Stainless exhaust 1991. $32,500 Geoff (XXX) XXX-XXXX Full description and 50+ pictures at www.bramclassauto.com/showvehicle.php?action=show&id=1005 Toronto, ON. Ford - 1964 Corsair: RHD, Automatic, Daily Driver. $2850 Jason (XXX) XXX-XXXX (w) (XXX) XXX-XXXX (h) xxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx Southern ON. Jaguar - 1962 Mk II: Older bare metal repaint in 1981, Pearl Gray, some degradation around marker lights. Red int tear and rip free, normal cracking and fading. Detailed engine compartment. $25,000 Geoff (XXX) XXX-XXXX Full description and 50+ pictures at www.bramclassauto.com/showvehicle.php?action=show&id=1006 Toronto, ON. - 1964 S-type: needs full restoration or great parts car, $2,500 firm. (XXX) XXX-XXXX Williamsford, ON. - Jaguar XKE 2+2: Three dismantled cars, sell as lot only. View July 19th 10am. David (XXX) XXX-XXXX Elmira, ON. - 1985 XJ6: exc cond, 123K km. silver, from US. $5900. Brendan (XXX) XXX-XXXX or (XXX) XXX-XXXX. Toronto, ON. - 1987 XJSC: 12cyl, red on black, grand touring cabriolet, 2nd owner, winter stored, well maint, service history, no rust, recent tune up, updated AC. Great drive!! $13,500 Jim (XXX) XXX-XXXX xxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx Bond Head, ON. - 1987 XJ6: 6 Cyl, last year before Ford took over. Owned by an 85 year old man (one owner). Very well maintained, good cond. Blows cold air, beautiful wood int, great alloy rims, sunroof, power windows. White. Moving to home with single car garage. $2,500. (XXX) XXX-XXXX St. Catherines, ON. - 1988 XJS: exc cond, no rust, 90K miles. $15,000. David (XXX) XXX-XXXX Elmira, ON. Jensen-Healey - 1973: two cars, assembly required, no rust, tons of spares incl engines, trans, body panels, some NOS, package deal, $9,800 (US). (XXX) XXX-XXXX Harwinton, CT. Lotus - 1967 Seven: 16K km, $16,000. obo. (XXX) XXX-XXXX Bradford, ON. MG Also, check out www.mgtoronto.com for many more cars and parts - 1952 TD: 4 cyl, 4 spd manual, Arizona car, BRG, black int. Rebuilt from the frame up by "THE MG SHOP" in Tempe Arizona. New paint, upholstery, carpet and tonneau cover. Asking $22,000 - Serious enquiries Gail - (XXX) XXX-XXXX Ontario xxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
Page 1 and 2: The Oily Rag July 2008 Issue 82 And
Page 3 and 4: BRITISH SALOON CAR CLUB OF CANADA 2
Page 5 and 6: A Place of Fame in the Movies - and
Page 7 and 8: Car ‘C’ - RUST - Check the rear
Page 9 and 10: Counties Counters Cambridge... Club
Page 11 and 12: looked like a car show. For those f
Page 13 and 14: Latter in the Metro programme he dr
Page 15 and 16: Amsterdam - well what can I say, it
Page 17 and 18: Mini - 1961 Austin Countryman: 850c
Page 19: A Mini Marvel by Bob DeShane It was
Page 23 and 24: Sunbeam - 1948 Sunbeam Talbot: need
Page 25 and 26: The Mechanics, Toronto, ON, 416-233
Page 27 and 28: W O L S E L E Y By Norm Kear Anyone
Page 29 and 30: The View from Burlington By Tony Fo
Page 31 and 32: “No Noise Is Good Noise” Part O

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