Just seen on Antique Roadshow EBP970C 67 Monte

[LMM76C]

Carolyn Tyler had gained some good results on UK rallies as a driver in her own S.
Co-drove Rauno Aaltonen's sister Marjatta on the 66 RAC in a works car that was a bit of a last minute conversion of a Gp1 car into Gp2 (the only time the works did that?). Photo prior to the 66 RAC (with the question as to what it was doing in Manchester, when the RAC started in London? or is there another BR Piccadilly Station?):

Aaltonen Tyler.jpg

[woodypup59]

Manchester has a major station called "Manchester Piccadilly".

[LMM76C]

Yes, but is there another Piccadilly station other than Manchester and London Underground? Clearly it's not London in the photo because it says BR. Even if Aaltonen had flown into Manchester Ringway from Finland and was collected by Tyler, why go to the train station?

[Pete]

Wasn’t EBL owned and run by British Vita (from Manchester) at this point?

[LMM76C]

Yes that would explain it. British Vita serviced it on the 66 RAC (and bought it in 67?). The late start number would have effectively ruled out Abingdon servicing it because all their other cars were early start numbers. (Unlike works teams with multiple service vehicles running an achievable schedule, many private entrant's single service crew had no such luxury and had to chase on the road as fast or faster than the rally car to get to their next service point...if their luck held.)

The thought of MA flying into Heathrow with her brother to pick up her "works" car from relatively nearby Abingdon and being told "your train leaves from Euston and your co-driver will meet you at Manchester station - and you can learn to drive a Mini on the way back to Heathrow" rather appeals.

[Jeroen Booij]

Is anything known on this car's history of the early 1970s? I have come across pictures of a Mini based kit car wearing EBP 970C and wonder what's the story behind that.