1275GT Rally Car - UWL 744K

[DaveC]

Just curious if this 1275GT rally car is still around.

It featured monthly for a while in Thoroughbred and Classic Car Magazine in the early 90's, and appeared on an episode of the old Top Gear driven by Chris Goffey and owned by Paul Howcroft, who later died in a motorbike accident.

It also features in Chris Harvey's book Mighty Minis.

It doesn't seem to show up on any internet searches though.

[rich@minispares.com]

its showing as SORN on the dvla site, so it, or its logbook is still in existence

its blue, if that helps

[Pete]

Yes that car was something to do with Jeremy Coulter wasn't it? It did an RAC support rally (Charrington's?) I seem to remember going through Clumber, and for some reason I seem to think John Handley drove it once?

[wantafaster1]

I'm sure I remember that on top gear, dark blue with some kind of white arrow on the bonnet, not too different from the Patrick motors.

[DaveC]

That's the one alright. Blue with a white triangle over the bonnet.

[Simon776]

It was originally Blaze and owned by BL UK Austin Morris Cowley Division.

I thought it had been exported but as Rich says, it is currently SORN so I guess that is not the case.

[GraemeC]

Might just be the reg/V5 that's on SORN, the car could easily be exported.

[cookie1071]

Recall it was Chris Goffey that drove it whilst he was on Top Gear?

[Simon776]

I think Chris drove UWL on the Furrows sponsored Telford Stages Rally (or something like that) with Paul Howcroft in the other seat.

[petom]

This is a not very good photo of the car. It won its class on the Tour De Fance 1985 with Mike Smith I believe. Mike then did the 1986 Rally D'Antibes in the car with Keith Baud. Unfortunately retired with Gearbox.

[YMJ]

its showing as SORN on the dvla site, so it, or its logbook is still in existence

its blue, if that helps

Rich. My first ever mini, ARK ***H is still showing on the DVLA system, although I stripped it bare for spares in 1984 and scrapped the shell. I wonder how many of these cars are sleeping or no longer exist? I suspect mainly the latter

[steady eddie]

This is a not very good photo of the car. It won its class on the Tour De Fance 1985 with Mike Smith I believe. Mike then did the 1986 Rally D'Antibes in the car with Keith Baud. Unfortunately retired with Gearbox.

Roger Tello would most likely know the answer?

[petom]

This is another photo of UWL 744 K at scrutineering on the Antibes Rally 1986 taking place on the harbour side at Juan Le Pins. One of a team of three GT's on the event. Mike Smith is seen pushing the car and also behind is HUS 718T being pushed by Alisatir Black/Ron Adam. Photo is courtesy of Tom Coffield Senior and Tom Coffield Junior.

[Smithmaps]

I recall the car when Jeremy Coulter had it, and drove it on one occasion.
I also trailered it down to Longleat for the Longleat Stages Rally in 1990, and the Coronation Rally at Pembury I recall.
I have several pictures, a couple enclosed.

[coopertim]

Fantastic picture Guy! Love John Brigdens car 487 FDA in the background!

Tim

[cookie1071]

I was at Longleat for that rally and should have some pics somewhere. Niall.

[acespeed72]

I have FDA in our workshop at the moment having engine and prep work last seen Croft Nostalgia 2016...

[Pete]

Is it staying a racer Andy?

[billycooper]

Is it staying a racer Andy?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/81018118@N02/8282283510

from 2012 :

1964 Mini Cooper S Mark I – 487 FDA
This Cooper S was in fabulous condition when it was spotted for sale on the 31st of October 2012 at an Auction by H&H selling Classic Cars. The car was made in 1964 and it was first registered in the UK, in the same year, on the 6th of March 1964. It has the original 1.3 Litre (1275cc) Straight 4 A-Series engine This particular car was purchased by Irish Rally Champion Frank Fennell during 1992 and the Cooper S won the Circuit of Ireland Stages and twice competed on the Killarney Stages. It was treated to an overhaul by Bill Richards in 1997 and the Mini has since been stored at the Fennell Museum in Co. Dublin up to the auction. ... but you probably know that !!

I remember Frank driving it, awesome driver, excellent 'craic', ex Vauxhall / Opel works driver, still competing in historics, could tell a story or two this car !, with all its different drivers and now a Classic touring car !

[billycooper]

1964-morris-mini-cooper-s-09_featured.jpg

im guessing this is Frank on the Circuit of Ireland in the early 90s, but could be wrong, looks like his stance in the car ! I stand to be corrected if wrong !, but a good pic anyway