Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[joepotts7]

Hi Scotty,
I saw that you worked in the Glasgow transport museum and thought that you might be able to give me some more information about JP racing cars that were produced by Joe Potts of Bellshill, Glasgow.
I am a very passionate about the all that went on at Joe Potts’ garage including the JP racing cars and racing motorcycle team.
As I am sure you know Joe made 34 JP’s of various different models. Most of the cars were 500cc F3 cars, but Joe also made two ‘Universal’ cars which had longer wheelbases for using 1000cc Vincent or JAP engines. Many good drivers drove JP’s including, Ron Flockhart, Ninian Sanderson and Comish Hunter. Here is a picture of Ron Flockhart’s 1000cc JP from 1951:

http://img247.imageshack.us/my.php?image=flockhart1vz8.jpg

Other car relating things done at Joe Potts’ included the chassis for Ian Hopper’s, Hopper special and also work on the Ecurie Ecosse Jaguars.

The Potts garage is most famous for the very successful motorcycle racing team which had riders like Bob McIntyre, Alistair King, Charlie Bruce, Jimmy Buchan and George Brown.

I have never spoken to anyone from the Glasgow transport museum and I just wondered what information the museum had on Joe Potts and also if it has any of his cars/bikes in it?

Regards
Ben

[Scotty]

Hi Ben,

I'm afraid I know almost nothing about Joe Potts and his cars and absolutely zero when it comes to his motorcycles.

Remarkably, and to the best of my knowledge, I don't think the MoT has anything of significance (i.e. a car or motor-bike) in its collection relating to this gent.
However, I need to add that doesn't mean there isn't anything in the archive collection, its just means that I haven't come across or been asked to locate information relating to this gent. Forgivable perhaps when I say that Glasgow Museums has something like over 1,000,000 historical objects and records in its collection.

If memory serves me correctly Tim Aymes' museum in the old Argyll factory in Alexandria has a Joe Potts racing car in his collection, but that's all I know - have you spoken with Tim?

Not much use, was I!

[joepotts7]

There is a JP in the old Argyll factory. I have not spoken to Tim Aymes, but I had planned on going to see the car sometime. It is a shame that the museum does not have anything related Potts. Perhaps it would be nice idea get a bit of a collection together for a special display at the museum realting to Joe and all the people who were involved in his racing teams.
Ben

[Rick]

Hi Ben

thanks for posting the link to that fab photo, would it be ok to show that on the main site, in the vintage photos section?? I'd include a request for info on JP as well, never know it may turn up some fresh info!?????

Rick

_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop

[Scotty]

[joepotts7]

There is a 1960 Joe Potts Manx Norton motorcycle in the National motorcycle museum, as well as the JP car that we have mentioned.
Personally I have made it a bit of a 'mission' to form a bit of a collection of various items that relate to what went on at Bellshill. I am keen that people don't forget how successful the racing teams were and how amazing the quality of work from the workshop was.
If the museum was ever intrerested in putting on a display of some kind I may be able to help.

Regards
Ben

[Scotty]

Hi Ben,

My first thoughts then from what you say above is because of the fact that Tim Aymes actually has a Joe Potts (JP) vehicle then perhaps a port of call would be is to see if his museum would be interested in setting up a temporary exhibition celebrating Joe's contribution to motor & motorcycle sports. It could well be that Tim has other JP object's / archive's, and for that reason it strikes me as sensible that if his museum also has a collection of JP memorabilia then there would be the logical choice to host an exhibition.

The other suggestion that springs to mind is - what about your own museum service in North Lanarkshire, have you approached Summerlea Heritage Park? They are in the process of a major refurbishment and almost certainly they will be revising a lot of their existing exhibits. Perhaps a letter to the Senior Curator there with your suggestion is worth exploring?

Lastly, regarding your offer of maybe being able to help in the future - Could I ask, if you're willing to PM me with your contact details and a list of what you have that relates to JP I will pass them on to the curator who has a remit for this type of subject? That way the museum will have on record somebody that could be contacted if it was decided at some point in the future to look at JP and his contribution to motor-sport in Scotland.

[joepotts7]

PM has been sent.

Ben