Author Topic: Barrett's #397 Vauxhall or Bedford special of D G Groves  (Read 4540 times)

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Offline barrett

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #25 on: January 04, 2018, 12:15:41 PM »
I don't think there is anything online. That's the wrong magazine to look in, too...  ;)

Offline pnegyesi

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #26 on: January 04, 2018, 12:53:52 PM »
CLassic & Sportscar?
https://rareandunique.media - Rare&Unique Vehicles magazine
http://magyarjarmu.hu - detailed Hungarian motoring history (Hungarian language)
http://automuseums.info - motoring museums' guide

Offline barrett

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #27 on: January 04, 2018, 02:21:34 PM »
No not there either I'm afraid

Offline pnegyesi

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #28 on: January 04, 2018, 03:34:16 PM »
then you can unlock easily :)
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Offline nicanary

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #29 on: January 04, 2018, 04:37:37 PM »
I'm working on the idea that's it's a Bedford PC engine, or an early CA. Basically a Vauxhall unit, and they were quite popular in Australia.

Was this car built in Australia from British parts?
I must be right - that's what it says on Wikipedia

Offline barrett

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #30 on: January 08, 2018, 07:49:37 AM »
You're right, it's a Bedford engine (I don't know which model) but it was built in the UK

Offline nicanary

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #31 on: April 10, 2019, 05:56:52 AM »
I've just come across something that may be a lead.

Is this the Pick Special?
I must be right - that's what it says on Wikipedia

Offline nicanary

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #32 on: April 18, 2019, 04:12:05 AM »
 :bump:
I must be right - that's what it says on Wikipedia

Offline barrett

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #33 on: April 18, 2019, 05:46:13 AM »
I'd forgotten this one.. I'll have to check my files, but I don't think so!

Offline nicanary

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #34 on: April 18, 2019, 06:31:26 AM »
I'd forgotten this one.. I'll have to check my files, but I don't think so!

I have to admit the car looks a bit later in date, but in the 1954 Brighton Speed Trials there was an entry from a Mr. Pick of his eponymous car, said to be powered by a 3.5-litre Bedford truck engine. I can find nothing else about this car on the net.
I must be right - that's what it says on Wikipedia

Offline nicanary

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #35 on: April 30, 2019, 05:08:39 AM »
I'd forgotten this one.. I'll have to check my files, but I don't think so!

Did you manage to find your source, or is this a definite "no" ? I desperately need a point - the kids haven't eaten for days.............
I must be right - that's what it says on Wikipedia

Offline nicanary

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #36 on: June 03, 2019, 12:31:09 PM »
I'll try again - is this a later incarnation of the Harbedvis, built by R F Harwood using an Alvis chassis and a Centric-blown Bedford engine?
I must be right - that's what it says on Wikipedia

Offline Carnut

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #37 on: August 06, 2019, 02:47:18 PM »
** Bump **
Interests in life:  Cars, cars, cars - oh and ..er..cars

Offline D-type

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #38 on: May 03, 2020, 01:45:19 PM »
BUMP   :bump: :bump:
Duncan Rollo

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Offline knewit

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #39 on: September 15, 2021, 05:01:29 AM »
Lister "flat iron" with a Bristol engine

Offline nicanary

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #40 on: September 25, 2021, 05:43:59 AM »
Lister "flat iron" with a Bristol engine

The OP has only been an occasional visitor to AP for the past 12 months. We all hope he is well.

It may be some time before any questions are answered, but meanwhile I will point out that we have already established that this car is powered by a Bedford commercial vehicle engine.
« Last Edit: September 25, 2021, 06:06:02 AM by nicanary »
I must be right - that's what it says on Wikipedia

Offline gte4289

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #41 on: September 07, 2023, 01:10:31 AM »
Entered as the 3,298 cc Vauxhall of DG Groves at Silverstone on 6 June 1959 with registration DG 1966.

By the way, Groves raced a very different looking "Vauxhall Special" in 1953 and 1954, also with registration DG 1966 (#79 below). That car used to be the Cadillac-powered Cripps Special. Based on the registration, can we assume the puzzle car was built on the earlier Vauxhall Special (which was built on the Cripps Special)?
« Last Edit: September 07, 2023, 03:38:32 AM by gte4289 »

Offline barrett

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #42 on: September 07, 2023, 05:46:32 AM »
Entered as the 3,298 cc Vauxhall of DG Groves at Silverstone on 6 June 1959 with registration DG 1966.

By the way, Groves raced a very different looking "Vauxhall Special" in 1953 and 1954, also with registration DG 1966 (#79 below). That car used to be the Cadillac-powered Cripps Special. Based on the registration, can we assume the puzzle car was built on the earlier Vauxhall Special (which was built on the Cripps Special)?

Great find. I have misplaced my original source and the computer on which I had all thse puzzles is long dead, but you've definitely found the car. I remember my source saying it was Bedford-engined, not Vauxhall-engined but who knows. It also seems the car had a name, as per my original question, but I have no idea what this was - so we'll call it solved for now!

Offline gte4289

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Re: Barrett's #397 Vauxhall or Bedford special of D G Groves
« Reply #43 on: September 07, 2023, 10:50:06 AM »
Thanks!

Offline gte4289

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Re: Barrett's #397
« Reply #44 on: September 07, 2023, 05:36:00 PM »
I remember my source saying it was Bedford-engined, not Vauxhall-engined but who knows.
Bedfords were built by Vauxhall, so Bedford engines were technically Vauxhall engines. 3,298 cc sounds terribly large for a Vauxhall-branded car of the period, so it was probably sourced from a Bedford truck and Groves just entered it as a 'Vauxhall' special for some reason or another. (Regulations? Made more sense for a race car?)

It also seems the car had a name, as per my original question, but I have no idea what this was...
I agree that it must've had a nickname. Script reading "[___?___] Special" is visible in the puzzle image, as well as in one of the images I posted. The first word is too blurry to make out, but it's clearly not 'Vauxhall' or 'Bedford.' 'Wicked Special' maybe?


« Last Edit: September 08, 2023, 04:55:13 PM by gte4289 »