7866DF - Morris Cooper S - does anyone recognise the car?

[MiNiKiN]

I found some pictures of 7866DF a Morris Cooper S taking part in the 1963 Gaisberg hillclimb in Salzburg/ Austria.
Does anyone know who the driver was? What happened to the car after the incident...

Unfortunatelly I don't have a programme of that event, but obviously 7866DF was rather a DNF.
Further more I cannot for sure say if this is a real UK plate.

[Pete]

Yes it’s the Squadra Tartaruga car as driven by John Thurston amongst others, it was a very early 1071. I think I’m right in saying Steve Harris has been working on it recently!

[MiNiKiN]

Very interesting facts, thanks Pete. I suppose Steve Harris found some evidence of this former little mishap.
Unfortunately none of the programmes state who the driver at the 1963 Gaisberg hillclimb actually was.

JE-RF-1963-478-0032_7866DF_#49_crashed_HR.jpg

[Pete]

Almond Green / OEW car originally, was butchered a little bit when circuit raced in the late 60s as Minty was.

[AndyA2]

I had an ex Squadra Tartaruga car a Fiat Abarth Bialbero.
Amongst it's ex driver owners was Emil Knecht of Zollikon Zurich and Ernst Aeberli also of Zurich, who I met. Ernst won the 1961 +Swiss GT championship in the car ahead of second-placed Heinz Schiller in a Porsche 356 Carrera Abarth and the Abarth 1000 Bialbero of Peter Ettmuller in third. In light of this significant achievement Mr Aeberli was sent a congratulatory letter from Carlo Abarth.
The car was sold to Englebert Moll an ex works Abarth driver and collector. I trailered it to him and he showed us his amazing collection before buying dinner. The collection has now been sold to Japan via Austria (I believe) and my old car was last photographed being delivered near Suzuka. A long way from Devon.

[AndyA2]

2.jpg

The Squadra Tartaruga team logo.

[AndyA2]

8.jpg

The Bialbero with Ernst Aeberli at the wheel at what is now Zurich Aiport.

[MiNiKiN]

I am always amazed by how much you all know. All that contributes to this being a great forum.

[georgesheep]

Hello MiNiKiN

I came across this picture of my Royale RP21 Formula Ford at an end of season sprint at Wroughton in Wiltshire. Is the Mini in the background the one that you are interested in?. I can't remember the year but my FF was under a year old and that it was the year that Nigel Mansell was racing in FF as I remember my car finishing in 6th position to the race winner Nigel Mansell. I am sure that someone will be able to work out the year.

Regards Paul

[MiNiKiN]

An interesting find. It surely is post 1970 (because of Range Rover)

[Pete]

Not to be confused with the similar registration of the car belonging John Lewis

[MiNiKiN]

An interesting find. It surely is post 1970 (because of Range Rover)

7866DF seemingly had quite a long career in racing. 1963 Gaisberg......post 1970 Wroughton in Paul's photo. How many bodyshells lay inbetween?

[MiNiKiN]

Hello MiNiKiN

I came across this picture of my Royale RP21 Formula Ford at an end of season sprint at Wroughton in Wiltshire. Is the Mini in the background the one that you are interested in?. I can't remember the year but my FF was under a year old and that it was the year that Nigel Mansell was racing in FF as I remember my car finishing in 6th position to the race winner Nigel Mansell. I am sure that someone will be able to work out the year.
Regards Paul

Nigel Mansel started Formula Ford in 1976 until 1977 (as a quick read on Wikipedia reveals). 7866DF looks in really good nick for a 13 year old race car.