Minty - 1964 Aurora Gears Racing /Newtune 1071 Cooper S

[Pandora]

I was wondering that the other day, Pete, Does Trevor's 'brother' car to yours still exist? (and if so, how many of them..... ) if it does ,I'm sure you'll track it down and have a big 'first time together since '65' or whenever already planned!

Not being road registered makes it a lot less likely to have survived, and also trickier to track. I'd imagine it probably just disapeared down various ever 'lower' levels of club racing 'till fixing is was not economic and it'd be weighed in? probably gone by the mid '70s? The people who'd know are sadly few and far between now, and you are probably the guy who asked the most questions about which cars went where..... you'll have to wrack those memories of what Wizzo, Norman, Harry etc mentioned in passing years ago. Unless Anita T remembers. at least to set you off in the right direction.

But that won't stop you tracing it's demise in forensic detail, I'm sure.

Al

[Pete]

It’ll be more down to spotting the tell tail fuel tank vents in the rear panel on another car. I’ve posted a few photos of race and rally cars over the years that you can clearly see were ex works rally cars for example, like the one I spotted recently of the distinctive JCB sponsored racer of Roger Enever he ran in 1968 that’s got all the evidence of being a lightweight Abingdon works car in a former life. So it’ll be down to pictures more than anything if I find where Trevor’s went. I’ve still got to find my car’s history from 1966 onward yet, in it’s white guise, and orange in the late 60s / 70s. Took years to do with the Unipower.

[Pandora]

yup, I know that feeling! but when you get the breakthrough connection that joins up the chain, lots of things click into place and open up the chase again.

I remember it well with 'Pandora' - I had it tracked back(with a few false leads and interesting dead ends on the way) to Ron Riley, who had died in a crash in a different car at Silverstone, and the trail petered out - had he sold it? had his wife simply cleared it out afterwards? Then a lead on the old TNF forum put me onto the original builder (Roger Phillips) who a decade or so earlier was trying to find the car and had only traced it up the the same point as me, but from the other way! Chain complete, original builder back in the car. Job done!

To me, it's a hugely enjoyable (but very frustrating at times) hobby. Jennifer dabbles with geneology, and to me it's just the same (but more interesting, as you don't generally get to chose your relatives on how fast or cool they are )

A

[Pete]

Still advertising them in December 1964..

[Pete]

Bungee hook is on!

[Nick W]

When I was a kid I nearly took my eye out with a bungee strap...I always avoided them since

[Pandora]

Without wishing to sound like a grumpy old man.... Aren't modern Bungees absolutely useless?

Don't know if it's rubbish rubber, poor weather resistance or UV damage, but they loose all 'boing' in no time at all.

'fings weren't like this in my day.........' etc. etc.

Al

[Pete]

They softened them after Nick’s near miss is what I heard.

[Pandora]

Aye, it'll have been us 'elf & safety buggers at it again!

A

[MiNiKiN]

Without wishing to sound like a grumpy old man.... Aren't modern Bungees absolutely useless?

Don't know if it's rubbish rubber, poor weather resistance or UV damage, but they loose all 'boing' in no time at all.

'fings weren't like this in my day.........' etc. etc.

Al

I have some 30+ years old bungees in the garage - they are definately no harm, as they lost all their springiness - not everything olden is golden

[steve1071]

Talking to an old motor engineer in Rotherham today, he recalled the Taylor’s garage and said there was a bit of a circuit nearby where they used to test the race cars. Now a Morrison’s just off the M18 apparently for anyone that knows the area.

[Pete]

I’ll have to ask if Anita wants to tear round Morrison’s car park in it!

[steve1071]

I’ll have to ask if Anita wants to tear round Morrison’s car park in it!

She could join the ‘Rotherham Corsa massive’ one Saturday evening!

[Nick W]

Was it called the "Steering Wheel garage", did MGs at some point?

[steve1071]

Was it called the "Steering Wheel garage", did MGs at some point?

I believe so Nick, later Ace, then Freeways.

[Pete]

Yes the first garage was the Steering Wheel then opened a second one called Ace Garage. Standard dealer.

[Hunty]

Fantastic project Pete and great to see the story unfold Looking forward to seeing it in Yorkshire later this year

[goff]

Talking to an old motor engineer in Rotherham today, he recalled the Taylor’s garage and said there was a bit of a circuit nearby where they used to test the race cars. Now a Morrison’s just off the M18 apparently for anyone that knows the area.

Haaaaa Morrisons , I live in Maltby , Hellaby next door where Steering wheel garage was , Yes the bit of land is still there a bit overgrown with mainly hawthorn trees growing , Anita's parents owned a bungalow next to the land a few hundred yards from the garage , Don't know why it as not been built on or who owns it ?? , Maybe greenbelt , They were Ford agents and then Citroen before it closed altogether and became a filling St , Fina i think but it has been remodled a couple of times since , I knew Mike " Anita's Brother " quite well , used to go to the workshop asking him questions in the late 60s early 70s , Anita Married Dave Mathews who owned Kingsforth Garage at Thurcroft BMC/ Leyland agents , John Houghton from Biota fame also from Thucroft ,Dave Mathews and John Houghton's parents owned M & H Mining and Tunnelling 60s/70s , They where all connected , Mathews done really well , Sold out to a big concern for a few million , He now owns a island in the Caribbean , His son married Pippa Middleton , Kate's Sister , Talking Of Biota's , I was talking to an old chap about four years ago who said he has the original drawings for the Aluminium Biota !!!!! gave me his Phone No and said i could have them !! Must phone him up before its to late , a couple of photos added

[Old English White]

Haha, you sound like me Goff. You can remember every detail of all that stuff from donkeys years ago but you can't remember whether you've had your breakfast or not - or where you put your specs down

[Pete]

Thanks Goff. Yes Anita learned to drive on that land she told me, but I didn’t know they offered that service as a driving school! Mike was the engineer of the family and he and Trevor built the Aurora at the garage and did it’s initial testing on there. Family photo ..