Mamba Developments

[jay weinstein]

Nice read..thanks for posting.
I had a set of 6" mambas on my 1275 S converted woody in 1972.
Loved those wheels.

[steve1071]

Thanks Mark, great read

[spraybeateer]

Thanks for the history on Mamba wheels! never new the story of them, we ran them on my mates
Autocross/Rallycross Mini in 1973,
I had a set on my 1275GT in 73 also, bought them from a guy in a Mews garage in Edinburgh! for the
GT that I bought damaged from a customer less the seats and wheels, had 165 Goodyear Rally Specials
on them .

[Charris780]

I’ve been trying to find some more information on the car in possible oval racing but not had any success yet. There were only two cars made, one that was raced by John and the other was made for “bing crosby”

[mk1]

I'll ask Jimmy Johnston if he knows anything of Bing.

[Charris780]

Thanks that would be great!

[Pandora]

I for one REALLY want to know how he got the nickname 'Bing Crosby'!

Did he look like him? was his name similar? Was he a song and dance man?

We need to know!!!!!

Al

[mk1]

I am fairly certain that it was no more exciting than his surname was Crosby.

[mk1]

I have heard back from JJ.

Sadly "Bing" Crosby died about 10 years ago. I have however been given another lead & will post any further info gleaned.

[Charris780]

That’s very sad to hear. If I can help at all in finding/contacting anyone let me know.

[jjt144@hotmail.com]

Hi everyone
John here, i have also been wondering if any body knows what happened to the first car that i drove.
The last time out it was super charged and ran on methanol.
Good days

[jjt144@hotmail.com]

Bings real name was Frank Hayton and he was the sales executive of a very big garage car agency just of st lane

[mk1]

Thanks for the info John.

Hopefully Bob may be able to shed a bit more light, I have contacted him & await his reply.

It's great to see you on the forum!

[mk1]

Reply from Bob, Looks like we have reached a dead end

"Bing was a great friend of mine through both the motor trade and motor sport. He was a partner at Swires of Guiseley with Morris Whaley and Chippy Stross. The garage was on the site of what is now JCT600. I do believe that Jack bought it from Morris after Chippy died. Bing died about 15 years ago but had been out of the sport for many years beforehand. He lived near Market Wheaton.

So, sadly, nothing more added.

[mk1]

Further message from Jim Johnstone,

I have had an idea which may help in the search for the Mambas.

There is a Harewood Speed Hillclimb facebook group page. It may be worth putting an appeal for information on that. Another possibility could be the British Hillclimb Group, of which Steve Wilkinson, the commentator at Harewood, is the driving force. Until I joined the group I had no idea what a fountain of knowledge Steve is. That could also be worth a try.

Kind regards

Jim

I don't do FB, so could someone who does have a look.

[Charris780]

I’ve messaged Steve Wilkinson, will post any info he has

[Scrump]

Hi, I came across this discussion whilst sat watching the F3 1l historic racing at Thruxton. My father was with me and telling me about the mamba he used to race, it had an A series engine with a 2l wade blower and ran on methanol. He thinks it was built by Scarborough Racing Developmemts.
He owned it from the late sixties and sold it in the mid seventies.
I have a few photos of it, one with me as a toddler stood in the cockpit and peering out over the side.
My father is Kelv Harris, I would love to know more about his old car if anyone knows.
How many mambas were built and how many were supercharged?

[big-un1967]

Fuel tank over drivers legs..................Now that doesn't sound terrifying

Mind you they used to put fuel tanks down the side of sills, and Lancia under the drivers seat on the 037 to fatal consequences.

Guess were all now safer for it

P