EBL 56C

[spoon.450]

What does that make ABW 85H…..( now EBL 56 H )………..

[Smithmaps]

1979 Trentham Stages entered by Graham Brown.

[spoon.450]

Thanks for posting the picture Guy. It’s great history. EBL 56C as a mk1 in 1979 ….possibly it’s original shell ??
Old photos are brilliant and extremely important to a car’s history.

[Smithmaps]

Graham Brown bought the original 1966 Group 1 and ex 66 RAC shell from the managing directors son of Vitafoam, (William Simpkin) who had bought the car from Vitafoam for £1.
It had been rallycrossed by Hopkirk in Vitafoam's ownership, converted to dry suspension, and used as a 1400cc test bed.
Here is an early shot in Graham's ownership. He did not reshell it, but rallied it seriously in National events up until its road accident in 1979. It was re shelled into a Mk3, as that was all that was available in 1980, and he intended to continue serious rallying. It should be noted that both dashes and the original 1966 wiring made it into the Mk3, and were a major part of the restoration. Graham had also retained the Brocade interior, and the 1966 Aley Roll cage, plus a superb Irvin lap and diagonal drivers belt inscribed with Paddy's name, probably a special after his Monte win. The Irvin four point was present, plus lots of other stuff. EBL now contains those original components.
In reality, he became so serious about rallying, he quickly moved on to a Chevette and sold the Mini, but said he never really enjoyed rallying so much from that point on.

This picture is Graham in the car as he first bought it in about 1969.

[spoon.450]

Fantastic photos, history and information Guy... thanks for sharing on the forum. This is extremely interesting....and gives the current car much more credibility for me as it fills a massive gap in the history timescale. The un arched car in the most recent photo looks in very good condition for an ex rally cross car. Where do you stop, but do you know what happened to the original ?? shell that was discarded in 79 ?.....and what was the road accident ?
Thanks Dave

[Pete]

I knew Vita bought it and ran it for Rauno’s sister on the RAC but as for rallycross this is the only photo I have of a Vita rallycross car with Rhodes driving, different car? There’s some colour rallycross footage somewhere of it though I’ll try and find it.

[Smithmaps]

I don't believe that is the same car, for one thing EBL had its ex 66 RAC cage in it. I attach a photo of Hopkirk in it at Lydden in 1967.

The road traffic accident occurred when Graham Brown turned into a petrol station, and was hit by a fast overtaking car. The shell was badly bent, front and drivers side, and was junked. Graham said to me, " by then you wouldn't have wanted it! It had had a new front, a new back a new roof and a new floor! He said it was in a terrible state from continuous rallying".
Little did he know I would have wanted it, but by then it was far too late! At that point though, it was definitely the 66 RAC shell. The loom still in the car was a group 1 loom, which comprised a standard loom and a Lucas Comps loom taped alongside each other. The 3 coil regulator was still in place on the inner wing from the dynamo too, despite the later fitment of an Alternator.
Graham recalled all the holes in the floor, where the group 1 lines protection had been fitted to the floor.

By 1982 it had been much modified, but luckily, it had all been done in plastic additions. I stripped back all the plastic wire, and with Graham Brown's memory for advice, I managed to repair and restore the original loom and dashes, which are fitted to the car today.
A long long job, but worth every mind bending minute.
Note a great colour picture of under the bonnet on the 66 RAC is on the front cover of RYs book.

[Smithmaps]

To give an idea of the task, here is a photo of the wiring coming out of the Mk3 shell

[Smithmaps]

Here is the same loom restored and installed in the car as it remains today.
This is in my view, a major and significant part of a Works Mini.

[Smithmaps]

Note,
The photo I posted above of the car from the side with Dunlop stickers on the rear is not a recent photo. It came from Graham Brown, and was of him competing the car when he first owned it, probably 1969 ish. This was definitely the ex rally cross, ex 1966 RAC car.

[Pete]

I seem to remember the original car was hit by a Triumph Stag! That must have been alot of work just to get the loom out of the bent original and into the Mk3 let alone to do it all again back into the Mk1. These old competition cars really did lead a hard life but it’s refreshing to see some continuity and hear how they survived one way or another.

[surfblue63]

1966 RAC Marjetta Aaltonen/Carolyn Tyler

[surfblue63]

1965 RAC

1965 rac ebl 56c.jpg

[surfblue63]

1966 RAC

[surfblue63]

1965 Coupe des Alpes

[surfblue63]

1966 Castrol Danube Tony Fall/Rev Rupert Jones

[surfblue63]

Picture moved thanks to Guys input.

[surfblue63]

1989 Pirelli Classic Marathon

1989 pirelli classic ebl 56c.jpg

[Smithmaps]

The Geneva picture No 64 is in fact the 65 Geneva, and is EBL55C.
EBL 56 C was no 75 on the 66 Geneva Rally.
The later pics on the Marathon are in fact mine, taken with a Nikon camera I borrowed from Paddy.
My car at the time too.
A great week in my life.
Guy

[surfblue63]

Thanks Guy. I have moved car 64 to the correct thread.