Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

JohnDale · Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 10:47 am Post subject: Ecurie Ecosse

I wonder how many remember Ecurie Ecosse racing team of the 50s. My memories take me back to Chaterhall Circuit in 58/59, not far from the home of Jim Clark. The Dick Skipworth collection of Ecurie Ecosse cars are due to be auctioned by Bonhams on December 1st in London. It seems a great shame that we may lose part of our heritage to purchasers from other parts of the world. To try & avoid this an E petition will shortly be raised(awaiting licence) by motorsport enthusiast Shonah Gibbon. More info will be advised later re petition, but it would be nice to think that we could persuade some of our heritage organisations or Lottery funds to help in this matter. Up for auction is the original Commer Transporter,various Jaguars inc C & D types, & a Cooper T49. Please watch this space,cheers,JD.
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1958 Ford Zephyr Mk2 Convertible
1976 Ford Granada Ghia.

MikeEdwards · Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 2701 Location: South Cheshire

I did wonder if Rick would be bidding on the transporter as company for his existing one.

Seriously, though, if the auction is on December 1st, how is an e-Petition going to achieve anything quickly enough? But I'm also quite sure I've already seen talk of trying to keep the collection in Scotland, though I can't think where or how.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4850 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
Isn't there a certain museum in Glasgow which should be interested?
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Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7211 Location: Edinburgh

I wouldn't recommend the Glasgow Transport Museum. They hang their cars on a wall to prevent you from getting anywhere near enough to see them!

Peter

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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

JohnDale · Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2013 6:04 pm Post subject:

Exactly Peter, a distinct lack of interest anyway. Thought you might have wanted one or two to go with the Jag? Cheers,JD.
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1958 Ford Zephyr Mk2 Convertible
1976 Ford Granada Ghia.

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7211 Location: Edinburgh

Oh yes John I'll look after some quite happily. The owner of the garage that I have taken my Jag to for the last 20 years was an apprentice with Ecurie Ecosse. If my old girl passes I should be able to keep some of the blue and white stripey things going too.

Peter Wink

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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22780 Location: UK

JohnDale · Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2013 11:20 am Post subject:

(Unless they're visible from a raised walkway of some kind, the display of road cars in the Glasgow museum does seem odd.)

Not even a ladder Rick - it's just a way of keeping the punters off the cars.
Wonder whose job it is to dust them?? Cheers,JD.
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1958 Ford Zephyr Mk2 Convertible
1976 Ford Granada Ghia.

Ashley · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 1426 Location: Near Stroud, Glos

I took the family to Wroughton to see the Science Museum overspill, they have 250,000 items they'd like to display, but the lottery commission thought a Sustrans bicycle track more important than our nation's engineering heritage. Not to mention that the site plus exhibits could be developed in such a way as to produce a return on money invested. Sustrans would not, it would just make smug Lycra clad idiots feel good about themselves because they're riding bicycles. Yuk!

I digress to indulge my prejudices, but my daughter, who loves old engines, cars planes as much as any of this family, wisely pointed out that unless exhibits did something, they were just dull, inanimate lumps of metal. They should be working, doing rally's and showing people how they worked she said. I think she's right, museums are rather dull, usually full of screaming kids and rarely do justice to their exhibits.

The Ecurie Ecosse truck was at Castle Combe the other day and I hope whoever buys it uses it and turns up at Goodwood or wherever, so we see it in action from time to time.

The only sad thing is that this is a poor country and our most valuable cars are being bought by the international super rich who avoid tax grabbers like Britain. At the moment the ex George Daniels Hassan Banarto Bentley is being prevented from leaving the country despite an overseas buyer having paid over £5 million for it. I wonder where it will end up.

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4850 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi Ashley
Was that recently? I had heard it was closed to the public indefinitely.
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

Ah, memories. I remember seeing then back in the 50s at Crystal Palace, F2 I think. Went there on my first motorbike a 250 Panther. It broke down of course (flat battery) and I had to go home to Streatham by bus and return the next day with a recharged one.
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Due to the onset of my mid eighties I'm no longer sprightly and rarely seen in my Austin special. I have written a book though. https://amzn.eu/d/7rwRRqL

MikeEdwards · Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 2701 Location: South Cheshire

lowdrag · Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Posts: 1600 Location: Le Mans

taken about 15 years ago at Le Mans with one of the lesser known cars - the Buick Tojeiro.

I have loads taken at Goodwood and Silverstone as well

JohnDale · Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 9:41 am Post subject:

Hi folks, update on the Ecurie Ecosse petition.

Petition ID is PE01502. There is a link on the facebook page but, for those like me who don't go near Facebook, it can be accessed via the Scottish Parliament web page. http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/GettingInvolved/Petitions/EcurieEcosse

Cheers,JD.
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1958 Ford Zephyr Mk2 Convertible
1976 Ford Granada Ghia.