PAG 25, page 16
office and it was ‘Mr Barmy Army’ himself—Dave Millar.
“Now then young fellow…..what’s all this about the test / development chassis down at Pembleton being stamped No4. Our Kirsty owns No4 and at the moment it’s parked in our shed. (Kirsty car was built by Gerry Fosh —and for all you Pembleton historical fact collectors Gerry Fosh was the first paying customer of the Pembleton Motor Co.)
So …..apologies to Dave and Kirsty for the slight cock up with my last article. This of course left me with a problem….What was the number of the early works development chassis that was never built into a completed car. ?
It ‘s now obvious that poor old Crackleports recollection of those development days contains a couple of glitches as he told me the story in the first place so who else would know ? ..Yes the man himself Phil Gregory. A quick phone call to Pembleton Motor Co and I was in full possession of the facts.
The missing chassis is No6. (Phil of course also owns No1 and No007 is the Pembleton Demo car) So there you have it .The definitive ‘and now accurate’ first chapter in the development of the Pembleton ‘Grasshopper’, which was later to be renamed the Super Sport.
Did you also know that the chassis No used to contain the buyer / builders initials ? Now how exclusive is that !!!!! I think we are talking Rolls Royce, Aston Martin exclusive here.
Unfortunately the practice was stopped a few years ago when a couple of buyers gave back word at the last minute.
Anyone any idea who got the last initialled chassis ? I’d like to know to keep the record straight.
Thanks again to Michael Meakin for sending me details of another ‘Vintage Special’ The car is called Thunderbug and
despite the fact that parts of the engine are approaching 100 years old it’s still in regular action on the Hillclimb / Sprint circuit.
THUNDERBUG
‘Thunderbug’ is a vintage racing car special built and owned by Mark Walker. (The Walker brothers are renowned in VSCC circles for the construction of the most unorthodox, but highly effective cars using Edwardian and Vintage components) The chassis is from a 1922 GN cyclecar, the engine started life as a ‘V’ twin Riley of modest components until two cylinders from a 1908 aero engine were grafted on, giving a capacity of 4228cc, drive is by chain to a live rear axle—Fraser-Nash style. With a rev limit of 1800 rpm ‘Thunderbug’ is capable of around 85-90 mph.
Road registered and quite often driven to and from circuit events.
Instantly recognised as it approaches by the huge single headlight.
For all its circuit potential, it runs on Avon 4.00 x 18 motorcycle tyres. Which suit Mick Walkers driving style of opposite lock slides at great velocity.
Note the absence of front brakes. Such brakes as there are can be operated by the foot pedal or outside handbrake lever, but being only on the back inevitably means minimal braking effect (quite apart from braking the drive wheels) This in part explains the rather lurid style of piloting these hillclimb specials, the brakes are used to initiate a slide then the power is applied to maintain the pendulum effect in a (hopefully) controlled drift.
Body work of the car is alloy panels over an ash frame complete with wood screws and flat bracing plates along with a mixture of traditional rivets, pop rivets, and the occasional nut and bolt.
Fuel is carried in the drum sprouting from the rear deck, which is pressurised by the hand pump. Lighting is present in spirit.
SVA ? That will do nicely sir !!!
Don’t forget you can keep in touch with me at Neil_2_you@yahoo.co.uk
Until next time—Keep between the hedges
Gear Gnashin Neil