Topic: Solved: PN #547: G B Gush's Vitesse Special, 1933

[pnegyesi]

Please identify this little racing special for a point

[pnegyesi]

Experts?

[pnegyesi]

Professionals?

[nicanary]

Austin 7hp "Clog" ?

[pnegyesi]

Austin-based, but that's not the name I have

[Allan L]

One of the works "Rubber Duck" specials of about 1931 I think.

[nicanary]

As I understand it, the works racers were known as "Rubber Duck" or "Dutch Clog" racers. Having said that, I've just noticed that the puzzle car does not have an exhaust pipe where it should be, namely the side of the car shown in the image.

Is this indeed one of the 1931 factory cars, or a different privately-built special?

[pnegyesi]

It is a privately built special. And I was wrong, it is _not_ Austin 7 based

[Allan L]

It is a privately built special. And I was wrong, it is _not_ Austin 7 based

Perhaps it's Dixi-based so it's their equivalent of a Rubber Duck.

[pnegyesi]

not Dixi - there were no Austin bits in this at all.

[nicanary]

I need to start all over again. Is that Brooklands?

[pnegyesi]

Yes, the picture was taken on the Brooklands track

[nicanary]

British marque?

[pnegyesi]

British one-off special

[nicanary]

Well, I've found it, but I can't provide much information. It's captioned in the Brooklands Archive as a Vitesse Special built or owned by a G B Gush.

I've have found a different photo and it also shows the car being held up by mechanics - I wondered why we could see feet beneath the car! I assume they were showing how light the car was. The building in the background is the old Vickers hangar.

Stop press. I've just found out more - it broke numerous records in 1933 in the Category J class. It was powered by a 348cc Blackburne single-cylinder engine through a 4-speed Burman 'box. Drivers were Gush and Clive Windsor-Richards.

[pnegyesi]

Nice, another point for you!