Works car found

[Qpmgibbs]

Hi

I came upon this thread whilst researching some of the cars my Dad owned.

He owned the GMM 51B until he sold it to a Clive Jones on 24th November 1978. At that time it was immaculate, having been restored before my Dad bought it. I remember the 'plumbing' running through the interior of the car and the switch gear and rev counter exactly as pictured in the pics above.

At that time it had a 970 'S' engine which rev'ed like crazy and sounded fantastic.

We had planned to re run the Monte route in it for a holiday but unfortunately he became ill and died later that year.

I have a letter that came with the car when he bought it which may add something to the story - I'll dig it out and share it with you.

It would be great to see the car again so I'll keep an eye out for appearances at shows this year.

Cheers

Mike

[mk1]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for another great detail from this very interesting story.

I can't wait to see a copy of the letter.

BTW, Welcome to the forum. Mark

[spoon.450]

Wow..great news Mike, thanks for adding. Clive Jones was a Northern soul DJ who ' blew ' the 970 engine before selling the car to Paul within the next year ( the engine has JUST been rebuilt !). Paul was put in touch with Clive Jones by another DJ, Chris King, the man behind the 90's KWS hit ' please don't go ' I'd guess your Dad bought the car from Alan Bell, who we have spoken to. This looks like being the hole in the cars history which we have been hoping to fill
Anything you can add will be appreciated. I'll contact you by PM to try and arrange a meeting.

Cheers
Dave

[Qpmgibbs]

It's great that this car is still around - hopefully I'll get chance to come and have a look soon.

I haven't had the time to dig into my store to fish out any documents/pictures yet (life keeps getting in the way! )

Here's a page from my Dad's diary showing the sale of the car to Clive Jones.

IMG_20170121_112912074.jpg

I'll add more when I can.

Cheers

Mike

[spoon.450]

Thanks for adding Mike. Look forwards to more

[Pete]

It's great that this car is still around -

Yes, it is as car and not a shell and it's a joke that it cant, and doesn't look like it ever will, wear the original number plate GRX 309D due to someone else applying for the logbook to stick on a replica.

Grrrrrr...

Sorry, I'll get me tablets from the cupboard.

And sorry for churning that up again.

[spoon.450]

It's great that this car is still around -

Yes, it is as car and not a shell and it's a joke that it cant, and doesn't look like it ever will, wear the original number plate GRX 309D due to someone else applying for the logbook to stick on a replica.

Grrrrrr...

Sorry, I'll get me tablets from the cupboard.

And sorry for churning that up again.

Yes Pete, you're probably right, but it seems less important as time passes for Paul's car to ( for highway purposes ) wear it's original registration of GRX 309D.
People now know the true history, and appreciate what Paul's car is, and realise that the car sporting GRX 309D, or allocated the V5C ( wherever it is now ? ) is not all that it was portrayed to be........

[Pete]

What's the current state of affairs with the car Dave, any ideas?

[spoon.450]

The car is pretty much untouched since last seen. Paul has had a few issues to deal with at work and has had to focus on other areas within his business for a short while, but work is due to start soon. He has however nearly finished his surf blue 1071, which may see daylight this summer .
The engine / gearbox assembly is rebuilt for GRX and I will push Paul for some pics.....watch this space......also looking forward to some old pics from Mike Gibbs, who I have been speaking to recently.

Cheers
Dave

[Pete]

Has Paul bought one of these?

https://www.amazon.com/Scalextric-Mini- ... B01CYE09RI

OK it's not of his specific car but might be something to play with while he's sorting the car out!

By the way has Paul taken it to the works Mini gathering this weekend??

PS, we'll really have to fix this thread since photobucket went t*ts up, obviously all my photo contributions are now unviewable. Might take some time to do though!! Then again my Unipower thread is now in the same predicament.

[LMM76C]

Has Paul bought one of these?

https://www.amazon.com/Scalextric-Mini- ... B01CYE09RI

I do hope not. Having examined one in a shop, yes the door number backing really IS yellow - it's not a freak photo effect. It's been commented about on TNF. Bizarrely the SUN part is correct (for the nearside), including the black numbers added by teams when the official SUN numbers failed scrutineering as not complying with FIA (or anyone else's) regs. (the offside was drawn on in pencil, possibly because BMC were late getting to Paddy's mobile shop to buy numbers? - Ford had full black numbers both sides).

Presumably some clown used the basic model of the 67 Monte winner that correctly had unique yellow number backing to denote running in the category that year alone restricted to 8 tyres per leg - and didn't have a clue that white was the norm. GRX309D in that 66 RAC iteration was never in public without 4 aux lights and front mud flaps either...

[spoon.450]

Has Paul bought one of these?

https://www.amazon.com/Scalextric-Mini- ... B01CYE09RI

OK it's not of his specific car but might be something to play with while he's sorting the car out!

By the way has Paul taken it to the works Mini gathering this weekend??

PS, we'll really have to fix this thread since photobucket went t*ts up, obviously all my photo contributions are now unviewable. Might take some time to do though!! Then again my Unipower thread is now in the same predicament.

Although invited, Paul hasn't taken his car to the ex Works mini gathering at Abingdon Pete, but was planning to go himself.

[Pete]

Paul hasn't taken his car to the ex Works mini gathering at Abingdon Pete, but was planning to go himself.

Ditto but am jet lagged to f*ck so haven't gone. Shame as a few of the old Comps boys have by all accounts.

[Pete]

Pictures on Facebook here :

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1400049 ... 216246816/

[spoon.450]

In the current MCR Cooperworld magazine it's nice that Paul's car is being recognised as ' a car ' and referred to as Paul's GRX 309D.
Thank you.

[NZmember]

Only because he wants everyone to think of his trailer being recognized as 'a car'

[JohnA]

[spoon.450]

Please..,let's not get this thread locked
In the near future we will have some interesting updates on Paul's original GRX 309D......

[mk1]

Please..,let's not get this thread locked

Hear Hear!

[NZmember]

Just jokin'