Davrian MK3

[John_S4x4]

I am the current owner of a Davrian MK3 car.

This car is Hillman Imp based and has been modified for hillclimbs and sprints. Davrians are quite old now, with my car having been built in 1969. The construction of the Davrian chassis is not mainstream, as it has a fiberglass monocoque design with bonded wooden strips and foam, in the wide sills. They are known for their light weight and small capacity engines, mostly Imp and Mini. Many Davrians have been raced over the years, including my MK3, which is number 39. Here's the cars history :-
Built from a new kit by Peter Riley in 1969 and used on the road. Purchased by Capt: J.G.Cummings late 70 s, used on the road and for sprints/hillclimbs. Purchased by B Heath in 1985, converted to Modsports specification and developed into a competitive car for sprints/hillclimbs. Won the AMMC championship in 1989 and was always in the top 5 or 6 of the championship taking the class regularly. Many first class wins, also class record holder at Aintree (old circuit).






Imp Engine 1040cc, Full race with R23 camshaft, large valves, bronze guides, fully gas flowed Wills ringed Chesman head, George Bevan block strengthening kit, high capacity new oil pump, heavy duty bearings, tuftrided crankshaft.
Fitted with race lightened flywheel and Laycock competion clutch.
Carburation is by 2 x twin 40 DCOE Webbers
Compression ratio is 12:1, Power @ 9200rpm is around 120bhp at the flywheel

The car is currently being refurbished/recommssioned after a stay in storage.

[captpugwash234]

Hi,
Please see my comment/reply to your thread about clans/davrian mk3 in kit cars(2004) I think.
Gordon Cummins

[John_S4x4]

....and this was Gordons post from a couple of days ago

"I just noticed your forum entry about the Davrian Mk3. I am the Capt J G Cummin(g)s mentioned.I last saw her at Aintree in white bodywork driven by B Heath.
I bought the car as a heap lying in a garden,stripped it,re-painted,new engine 1100CC(allegedly),straightcut gearbox,built in front oil cooler,2x weber carbs etc.
I did make two engine space air scoops out of two plastic plant pots..are they still there??
The engine cover I made from an old washing machine casing.
Had a lot of fun at Oulton Park, New Brighton(116mph in speed trap),Blackpool Sprint, Woodvale.
A very safe car to be in when you went careering off at Oulton.
Great for me at 73 years old to find out more of its history.
After Davrian I tried a Gryphon clubmans but no success.
All the best with my old car...if you still have it that is."

What a GREAT first post !! Thanks Gordon
Really pleased to hear from a former owner of the car, hence putting the car into the Readers Cars section. Any stories you remember about the car would be great to hear Do you remember how much you paid for the car ?

[captpugwash234]

I found the car sitting behind a low wall in Southport(Lancs) in about 1973/4...grass growing into it. Was owned by a hairdresser who reckoned the car would kill me if I ever got it roadworthy.I think I paid him £75 for it as a tow-away job.
I was at sea so was only able to work on it for short periods every 5 months and it therefore took a few years to sort it.
Registered it for road use before I decided (with encouragement from Graham Oates (Lotus Europa)to modify it for sprints /hills.My knowledge was very limited.
Changed engine to bored out (1099) HC head and high lift race cams,sourced a S/C gearbox which I stripped down and rebuilt..but it never went into reverse after that.Twin Webers and sport manifold/exhaust.
Made a front oil cooler from a heater matrix and some central heating piping.Cut and fitted two engine bay air scoops (made from plant pots) and adapters (made from cut down plastic lemonade bottles) for joining on trunking from a tumbler drier. The missing engine cover was made from washing machine casing.
As I said...I was a bit of an amateur !!
Obtained some wide rims and various slicks etc.
Sprayed it "cargo orange" and also made a small opening window on drivers side.
How much of this original conversions remains,I would think very little but it worked for me.
Even managed to get a cup at New Brighton.
Main rivals then were from a Davrian 6 ..cannot remember driver but was sponsored by Cheltenham Cameras, and Ernie Larton who had a hot Ginetta 15.
The Davrian was put into store for about 5 years when I went ashore to work in Saudi and then sold shortly after returning to UK late 1986...sold to Barry Heath for something like £1300 including trailer.
Last time I saw it was at Aintree, probably about 1991 when it was white and sporting "Yorkshire Refridgerators" logo.
A car that my present wife Beverley very bravely drove once at the Blackpool Sprint having never driven the car before that day, and nearly got fastest lady driver...only wasn't sure where the finishing line was and slowed too soon.
Heady days...even had a Ferrari/Dino 308GT4 then.
Hope that history is of interest to you and others who may have had contact with the car.
Gordon

Edited by captpugwash234 on Tuesday 8th September 14:55

Edited by captpugwash234 on Sunday 22 March 16:23

[John_S4x4]

Thank you ever so much for taking the time to write up your account of the car. Much appreciated, Gordon
Sounds like you really did rescue the car and set the car on its Motorsport path.

[captpugwash234]

Have put a photo of the Davrian as it was when I first bought it.
Will try and add more here
Pick at Blackpool sprint about 1986

Oulton Park

[dr_rallye]

That looks like a lot of fun.

It's great to see a former owner on here sharing the history of this car, it's what makes PH such a great community

[Mark Benson]

How great to have a former owner give their story.

I knew Davrians were light, but I had no idea they were built the way you describe. Off to do a bit of reading about them.

[John_S4x4]

Mark Benson said:

How great to have a former owner give their story.

Yes, great to have the extra photos and the stories to go with it. Well done Gordon A BIG Thank You !!

When she gets back from being rejuvenated, perhaps I can repay your time and effort on updating this thread and trailer it over to your house/driveway ?? You can have a sit in it - start it up .......where abouts are you based?

[Liquid Tuna]

Brilliant! What a great story, over all those years!!

[captpugwash234]

John,
A very considerate thought but I am in County Durham, and,as my wife points out, too stiff to ever get in a Davrian again!! She is correct.
Look forward to when you get it finished, hopefully with pics and any competition news.
All the Best
Gordon

Pic of Davrian when Barry Heath had converted to "full" competition state.This was taken at Aintree about 1990 (the last time I saw the car in the flesh).

Edited by captpugwash234 on Friday 11th September 17:44

[John_S4x4]

More news about the car. It's still being refurbished but the engine runs
The clutch and brakes now all work too ! The bodywork has been tidied and prepped and new windows fitted all round.

Edited by John_S4x4 on Thursday 9th June 14:57

[barrington]

Hi chaps I have this picture of the davrian from a relative of mine

[barrington]

[Driver101]

There should be a few pictures within the this website. It's only photographs from Ingliston race circuit over the years.

https://www.ingliston-circuit.co.uk

[captpugwash234]

To Barrington,
Yes that is me (J G Cummins) and the Davrian mk 3 in about 1978 ish at Formby. Interested to know your relative.Curious as to where the picture came from
Regards

[barrington]

Hi I have replied to your email
Relative was ernest allum he was with safemarine

[John_S4x4]

Still have the car. It has been on the weighing scales and currently weighs approx 495 Kg (wet)

Edited by John_S4x4 on Thursday 2nd January 16:34

[captpugwash234]

Hi,Looking good...will certainly outlast me. Look forward to more updates.
Gordon