Pre 70 Banger racing the Good the Bad and the Ugly

[Ant2000]

[mgroadster]

It's only the bad and the ugly capable of doing that to a saveable classic.

[bigblock]

Not a lot of sympathy on this forum for that type of vandalism motorsport.

[85Carrera]

Idiots

[neutral 3]

A pal was a Champion banger racer many years ago, nothing would touch an Austin Cambridge.
He knew Exactly where to hit every other car, so that he put it out of a race.
A pal of his used to fill the Cambridges Chassis Rails with Concrete !!!

[Andy 308GTB]

The 'all these cars could have been saved by a bearded car enthusiast' argument has been aired previously on this forum. Here is the defining thread in my opinion (Jaguar XK120):

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

The driver (Plonker751 ) actually joined the discussion and in my opinion defended himself admirably.

But the jist (gist?) of the story is that restoration of these cars will, economically, not be viable. Many parts are removed (as these guys do know their value) and sold into the classic car restoration market - which is good. Also you need to know the history of the individual car before making judgement - see the XK120 thread.

Don't underestimate the Banger Racers - they are car enthusiasts too, just with a different view point to yours.

[richw_82]

Andy 308GTB said:

Don't underestimate the Banger Racers - they are car enthusiasts too, just with a different view point to yours.

There are some good lads out there. I've had offers of interiors, brightwork and all sorts from them for my XJ6's. They're also quite willing to sell some of the better cars they find rather than race them if you come up with the cash.

Regards

Rich

[mgroadster]

Surely though, banger racers are thick people? whose idea of taking their wife out for dinner is a trip to Macdonalds in a scrap waggon?
How can they know the value of a classic car?
Supremacists like myself do get worried at their antics.

[Athlon]

Mate of mine had a 1972 Plymouth Satelite station wagon in remarkable original condition. It was stolen, reported to the Police who logged the crime.

Well it turned up, at High Edge stock car track, painted red and stripped and was destroyed the Police were informed but they said there was no hard evidence even though we could show a chassis number if they had seized what was left (Chryslers have hidden chassis numbers) and there was the fact we were 99% it was the only one in the UK at the time..

So don't tell me they are alright, they stole and destroyed and guys pride and joy for their "sport" we even know what scappy nicked it, scum the lot of 'em.

[richw_82]

Athlon said:

So don't tell me they are alright, they stole and destroyed and guys pride and joy for their "sport" we even know what scappy nicked it, scum the lot of 'em.

You're an idiot. By the actions of one bunch of pond life, you assume everybody is the same?

[NHK244V]

Great pics cheers
I know a few and allways had good deals with em, ni-on all of em also run clasics, quite a few run a fleet of clasics and use the race cars as spares cars.
Yes there are thieves who race but to lable them all thieves then you have to assume we all on here are as well cos i know dam well there are some thieves on here !

[lowdrag]

I suppose then that all scrap merchants should be banned too, if you follow the "low life" idea to its conclusion. Me, I'd far prefer to see these cars go out in a blaze of glory that be turned into a cube for recycling - which they are anyway afterwards.

These cars were scrap anyway, no one wanted them, so why not have some fun? For me the recent scrappage scheme was far more responsible for cars being prematurely destroyed than these boys.

Edited by lowdrag on Friday 24th June 07:07

[Ant2000]

Its Friday, most us are board at work so how about a little quizz, can anyone name any of the cars pictured, ill be very impressed if you get the first two at the top?

[//j17]

Athlon said:

Mate of mine had a 1972 Plymouth Satelite station wagon in remarkable original condition. It was stolen, reported to the Police who logged the crime.

Well it turned up, at High Edge stock car track, painted red and stripped and was destroyed the Police were informed but they said there was no hard evidence even though we could show a chassis number if they had seized what was left (Chryslers have hidden chassis numbers) and there was the fact we were 99% it was the only one in the UK at the time..

So don't tell me they are alright, they stole and destroyed and guys pride and joy for their "sport" we even know what scappy nicked it, scum the lot of 'em.

What, you actually had evidence that THEY stole you car and the police did nothing!?!?!

Oh hold on, no, you DIDN'T have any evidence of that did you. You had a strong SUSPICION that they were in POSSESSION of your car, but no conclusive evidence that it was either your car not that they stole it.

While it's possible they stole it to race have you ever considered that someone ELSE stole it, maybe stripped it to sell some of the spares and then cashed in the rolling shell to a scrappy who didn't ask too many questions. A few weeks later along comes Mr Banger-racer looking for a new shed. He doesn't want to wreck some salvageable classic, just a shed that's going to be melted down as iron anyway and buys your car from the scrappy in good faith...?

If you need someone to point a finger at I'd point it at the police for taking no action when you had a reasonable suspicion that the vehicle was stolen, though at a guess it wasn't your car by that point, rather the property of the insurance company.

[williamp]

Ant2000 said:

Its Friday, most us are board at work so how about a little quizz, can anyone name any of the cars pictured, ill be very impressed if you get the first two at the top?

I’ll try:

1) PA Cresta
2) Ford V8 Pilot
3) Alvis TA21
4) ??
5) Alvis again. Fords in the background
6) Mercedes CE Coupe
7) Triumph Mayflower
8) Lots of cars
9) Ford Anglia, A30/A35 in the background
10)


My thoughts on banger racing classics hasnt changed from last time. I still think its a mighty shame...

[daveenty]

williamp said:

I’ll try:

1) PA Cresta
2) Ford V8 Pilot
3) Alvis TA21
4) ??
5) Alvis again. Fords in the background
6) Mercedes CE Coupe
7) Triumph Mayflower
8) Lots of cars
9) Ford Anglia, A30/A35 in the background
10)


My thoughts on banger racing classics hasn't changed from last time. I still think its a mighty shame...

The ones in the background on 5 are a Corsair (nearest) and possibly an FD Victor?
All I recognise on 8 is an International tractor (I think)
9 is a Ford Consul Classic.
No doubt someone here will recognise 4 by it's front axle... not me though.

Edited by daveenty on Friday 24th June 11:35

[Ant2000]

I’ll try:

1) PA Cresta
2) Ford V8 Pilot
3) Alvis TA21
4) ??
5) Alvis again. Fords in the background
6) Mercedes CE Coupe
7) Triumph Mayflower
8) Lots of cars
9) Ford Anglia, A30/A35 in the background
10)


My thoughts on banger racing classics hasnt changed from last time. I still think its a mighty shame..

First 2 are wrong but your kind of right on the first one but look closer at it. I can see why found number 4 hard that was a 1948 v8 allard that somone had put a ford escort engine in it was very rotten and incomplete and I think the chassis was strengthend with RSJ's but good one goto be worth £20-30k

Edited by Ant2000 on Friday 24th June 11:56

[daveenty]

Could that first one be a 56/7 Chevy?

Or possibly a Holden as it seems to have Aussie slang scrawled on it.

[2volvos]

No.1 is a 50s Yank - a Bel Air maybe?

While I would not want to cast aspersions on the individuals involved (but will anyway), the 'sport' itself does look a bit mental. Something of the travelling fun fair about it all - facial tatoos and criminal records, and that's just the kids.

That A30/35 in the last picture looks too good to smash up, and I wouldn't like to be in that up against those other concrete reinforced Frankenstein's monsters...

[Cledus Snow]

1) Holden FB
2) Opel Kadett
4) Allard p2