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RPD4 dot com |
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Sporting Trials in the 1950's |
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Sporting Trials: The art of keeping the car between you and the ground whilst maintaining a sense of humour! |
reproduced with the kind permission of AUTOSPORT |
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This website is intended to bring together information about the early days of sporting trials in the 1950's with particular reference to my own car RPD4, the car that Eric Jackson used so successfully from 1958 to 1963 and that Rex Chappell used to great effect before him. It is the result of research by a number of people and is a work in progress, any additional information, photographs and
trials results will be gratefully accepted! I hope to expand this site to include separate pages for drivers and cars of the 1950's and 60's. I would like to especially thank, John Heppenstall, Don Griffiths and all the VSCC folk, both on the forum and at the library, who have contributed to this site. The Historic Sporting Trial Association has been formed to provide suitable events for sporting trial cars built between 1952 and 1974. Do you have, or know somebody with, an old Cannon, Alexis, Dellow or other trials special built to the old RAC National Trials Formula or 750 Motor Club rules. Our aim is to run a class for cars from the 1952 to 1970 era that are still in period specification and running period engines such as the 1172 Ford sidevalve and BMC A series. We propose to have a separate class for cars built between 1971 and 1974 running on 15" wheels. We are looking to hear from anybody that would have an interest in these events. At this stage, even if you do not have a car or if your car is not ready please don't hesitate to contact us: Martyn Halliday Tel 01403 250967 or Mobile 07739 464170 Ian Wright Tel 01732 529511 |
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Despite petrol rationing Trials was the first form of motor sport to be revived after the Second World War, the very first post-war event was run on the 10th September 1945 by Sutton Coldfield and North Birmingham motor club (Sunbac) and attracted fifty cars with eager crews. The cars were a mix of standard production cars to those with varying degrees of modification, M.G.s were very popular being light weight and relatively powerful with the addition of a super charger, at the other extreme were the large engined cars, Allards and V8 Ford specials. The results of the 1946 Fedden Trophy Trial shows that both types of car were successful:- |
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Fedden Trophy Trial 23rd February 1946
Roy Fedden Trophy: T.C.G.Butler (1287cc Ophelia) |
Ford V8 Special, C.A.N.May
Allard, R Threlfall |
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1947 marked the arrival of the light weight special, Ken Wharton, a garage proprietor and skilled engineer, had previously built lightweight sprint specials. The Full Moon Cup Trial, run by the Bristol Motor Cycle and Light Car Club, saw the debut of Ken Wharton's light weight trials special built using an Austin Seven chassis, Ford 10 running gear with the engine sleeved down to 1081c.c., and an Austin Eight rear axle. He won a first class award and was probably responsible for starting the evolution of the bespoke light weight trials car. By late 1947 Ford 10 specials were appearing in ever increasing numbers and won more prizes in the Davis Trophy Trial of September 1947 than any other make. |
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Concerned at the modifications being made to cars competing in Sporting Trials the RAC published a specification in 1949, this was the first Trials Formula it was updated in 1953 and many cars made to the 1949 formula could no longer compete without further modification. Many specials of the early 1950's were Austin 7 based. Photo courtesy Geoff Harrison, showing his father's car before the introduction of the engine position rule! |
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The RAC produced another trials formula in 1953 that finally put an end to some of the more extreme specials. At this time the first of Mike Cannon's specials start to appear. Here is Geoff and Mrs. Newman in an early Cannon in the 1954 RAC Trials Championship. |
reproduced with the kind permission of AUTOSPORT |
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By the end of the 1950's trials specials had completely eliminated production cars from Sporting Trials with Cannons being the dominant marque. |
reproduced with the kind permission of AUTOSPORT |
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In 1960 B. Sayer launched his own special onto the market, it is not known if any sold or if the original car survives but the Aberties certainly looks the business! |
reproduced with the kind permission of AUTOSPORT |
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Cannons were not exactly cheap as this advert from 1963 shows, compare the price to some of the other cars on offer! |
reproduced with the kind permission of AUTOSPORT |
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By the early 1960's there were other specials appearing as this scan from 1962 shows. Cars of particular interest are; HEL46, Lotus VI built for Horace Sinclair-Sweeney in 1953 and now owned by Martyn Halliday, and the rebuilt Cotton2, PPH6. |
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reproduced with the kind permission of AUTOSPORT |
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The Roy Fedden Trial of 1964 shows a variety of specials being used including B. Sayer in his Aberties. |
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reproduced with the kind permission of AUTOSPORT |
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Here is Horace Sinclair-Sweeney driving Lotus VI in 1953 Gloucester Trial. |
reproduced with the kind permission of AUTOSPORT |
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Mike Lawson competed for many years, he was a friend of Colin Chapman and used his cars, here is rear view of Lotus IV, LMU4, at the 1952 Kentish Border Car Club Sporting Trial at Wrotham. This car was restored by Martyn Halliday and now resides in the Barber Museum in the States |
reproduced with the kind permission of AUTOSPORT |
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At the same trial is Alastair Baring with his Dellow that now carries NPE797, the number of Doug Cotton's original Cotton. |
reproduced with the kind permission of AUTOSPORT |
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