F1 from yesteryear - when F1 wasn't just about money Bernie!
Discussion
I recently found some photos of some Stanley BRM from when my grandfather worked as a mechanic.
Follow this link for more photos - enjoy!
https://picasaweb.google.com/110852896113400222020...
Follow this link for more photos - enjoy!
https://picasaweb.google.com/110852896113400222020...
jonnylayze said:
It's a P153 I think and I don't believee it ever raced in green (possibly in the South African GP?) but I'm waiting for Doug Nye's Vol 3/4 for confirmation....
I actually believe this was an 'old' car when these photos were taken. It's a 1970 car but the Escort parked behind is a 74 car so this would seem to be 74 or later. I am speculating but I believe these photos were taken on Folkingham airfield (scene of BRM testing and now the site of Hall and Hall's operation)
You can also see the pioneering Grand Prix medical centre in one of the pics of which Louis Stanley was patron.
I think you are correct - my grandfather used to live in Lincolnshire; so would fitI actually believe this was an 'old' car when these photos were taken. It's a 1970 car but the Escort parked behind is a 74 car so this would seem to be 74 or later. I am speculating but I believe these photos were taken on Folkingham airfield (scene of BRM testing and now the site of Hall and Hall's operation)
You can also see the pioneering Grand Prix medical centre in one of the pics of which Louis Stanley was patron.
Ipelm said:
Just a further thought, do you have any diaries or notes from your grandad that you could maybe include some interesting anecdotes or stories from the golden age of F1?
I haven't found anything else yet; but my parents are just about to move house so may uncover something else......When my grandfather was alive he di d tell me why the engines were a little unreliable. He figured out that the con rods were a touch too long, which when the engine was hot would expand pushing the piston head into the valves.
On another note - I inherited a wheel; which my grandfather used as a plant pot!
Cheese Mechanic said:
Here is where they were taken.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=PE10+9LE&hl=en...
Spot the house in the background, over the top of the buildings. That was Raymond May's house. Eastgate house its called I believe.
You can *just* still make out the bricked up doorway to the left of the sliding doors that's clear in the photo with the Ambulance trailer.
Great detective work! I like that fact that the discoloured tiles are clear in both photos!
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=PE10+9LE&hl=en...
Spot the house in the background, over the top of the buildings. That was Raymond May's house. Eastgate house its called I believe.
You can *just* still make out the bricked up doorway to the left of the sliding doors that's clear in the photo with the Ambulance trailer.
Great detective work! I like that fact that the discoloured tiles are clear in both photos!
Edited by Cheese Mechanic on Thursday 18th August 23:19
Brilliant - the doors are still open - I wonder if they ever shut properly!
Great Dane said:
Great link with Google map... I moved around and zoomed in very spooky...
I was at the 1977 German GP and saw BRM slowly fading away. Car looked good and a nice colour but slow.... I am probably in this grandstand because that is where we sat...
I was at the 1977 German GP and saw BRM slowly fading away. Car looked good and a nice colour but slow.... I am probably in this grandstand because that is where we sat...
Thanks for the suggestion - I'll get hold of a copy
In truth BRM were finished by the 3 litre period, the H16 was a complete disaster which put them behind everyone else in development. Sir Alfred Owen used BRM as a marketing tool and over commited them to many projects. Then there was the weird stuff like experimental military vehicle that 'jumped fences' and other stuff. They never had enough engines and every block was patched and repaired. They often lost power after a few laps because of over heating issues in the cylinder heads. Their best results wre in wet or cool conditions when the engines could breath. Then there was the politics....and what politics they were. Committees to approve design, in fighting, Tony Rudd felt that Matra received a lot of help from someone inside the owen Organisation. As for Louis Stanley, I'll not go there!
Can I suggest that you read 'BRM- A Mechanics Tale' by Dick Salmon (VeloceBooks.com) and Tony Rudds 'It was Fun' )Haynes Books.
Ian
Ipelm said:
In truth BRM were finished by the 3 litre period, the H16 was a complete disaster which put them behind everyone else in development. Sir Alfred Owen used BRM as a marketing tool and over commited them to many projects. Then there was the weird stuff like experimental military vehicle that 'jumped fences' and other stuff. They never had enough engines and every block was patched and repaired. They often lost power after a few laps because of over heating issues in the cylinder heads. Their best results wre in wet or cool conditions when the engines could breath. Then there was the politics....and what politics they were. Committees to approve design, in fighting, Tony Rudd felt that Matra received a lot of help from someone inside the owen Organisation. As for Louis Stanley, I'll not go there!
Can I suggest that you read 'BRM- A Mechanics Tale' by Dick Salmon (VeloceBooks.com) and Tony Rudds 'It was Fun' )Haynes Books.
Ian
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff