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A British view of Hot Rods as published in the May 1950 edition of Motor Sport
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Amazingly, that conversion was made for both the 'regular' (3.9+ litre) Ford V8 and the very limited production V8/60...
Of course, when Chrysler put the latter into mass production it would have far outstripped the numbers achieved by the bigger one.
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Spotted this rod at the Frankton Thunder a couple of years ago.
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Many years ago, at least 55, I had a friend in Wellington who made his own triple carb manifold for his flathead V8 out of "plastic wood". Looked great and worked well except the the outer two carbs were only for show and the engine ran on the middle carb only. It was a work of art and looked like the real thing.
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Semi-Pro Racer
Great pics Ken, Its interesting to see the differences
I love the Baldwin Mercs, 24 stud side valve power!
It would be neat to build one of those.
Cheers
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I came across some Ken Miles information in the Moss archives and I wanted to share some of it. OK ?
I have to admit I was not a fan of Mr. Miles after 1966 Le Mans 24 Hr race as he felt he had been cheated of the win but if you listen carefully to Chris Amon in this short 50th Anniversary clip, he felt that they were ahead easily by a minute in the # 2 GT 40 when Mr. Ford gave the slow down orders.
Chris would have been the one to know !
https://www.motorsport.com/lemans/ne...s-1966/762842/
Instead you get garbage articles with headings like this.
" The Ford GT40 Mk II that shouldn't have won Le Mans in 1966"
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/201...or-restoration
But Ken Miles has grown on me over the years as I have learned of his skills and determination and willingness to help others etc.
He was a tough man.
(Ken H )
Last edited by khyndart in CA; 08-03-2020 at 11:51 PM.
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Ken Miles was born in 1918 near Birmingham at Sutton Coldfield. At age 16 he began an apprenticeship at Wolseley Motors as he had a love for motorbikes and cars at an early age. A trip to Donnington Park in 1939 to watch Tazio Nuvolari impressively manhandle a massive Auto-Union to a win increased his desire to go racing. But the war intervened and served in several conflicts before he got out in 1946.
He bought a Frazer-Nash and installed a Ford V-8 and had fun competing in hillclimbs and club events from Prescott to Silverstone as long as the events were no more than 3 laps as the V-8 overheated on the 4th lap !.
Attachment 67152
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Plus some Trials events with his wife Mollie ( A good test of a marriage !)
![Name: 1947. Ken Miles in Welsh Trials.jpg
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(Ken H)
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Al Moss had business contacts with John Beazley who was the general manager for Gough Industries who were an importer and distributor for MG in California. Beazley was from Ken Miles hometown and knew Ken would be a good service manager in their Los Angeles plant.
So Ken Miles moved to the US with his young family just before Christmas in 1951.
Ken found the time and used his skills to build a MG Special known as the R-1.
It was very successful with Ken driving;
"old Number 50" incorporated a slightly modified MGTD Mk 2 engine, stock TD gearbox and reworked TC brakes and wheels.
In 1953 Ken won 10 races in a row including at Santa Barbara in the under 1500 cc Class.
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The car has been beautifully restored and often appears at historic events.
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(Ken H)
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That is a smart-looking car...
And a nice restoration.
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Ken Miles did all the work himself.
Note that he built it like an English RHD.
It must be just for display now as it would need at least a roll cage to compete wouldn't it ?
KH
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Thanks for the link to Chris Ken. Even the so-called deadheat had cars staggered so I have never been able to comprehend the "result"
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Something we don't see enough of.
A salute to the racing mechanic.
This one from 1955.
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How the Santa Barbara classes were assigned in 1955.
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(Ken H)
Last edited by khyndart in CA; 08-16-2020 at 07:05 AM.
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World Champion
Santa Barbara to Herne Barbara.
Ken H,
Like that class information - good stuff.
Have recently borrowed a series of photo's [ maybe considered stolen ] from an archive that BMC BOY has - a sereis of Ngatives which he has scanned to positives on the Matamata Street Races - seem to be from 1964 / 65 meetings. Now to find a thread to put them on.
Already have photos from Alan Boyle, John Larry Lawton and stuff - programme results from others - so maybe a -
" Waikato / Bay of Plenty story " , on its own thread -
not on Baypark, just the earlier stuff.
Mount Maunganui - street, Matamata street - Waharoa grass airfield, plus a few Hillclimbs by TVCC, Hamilton CC and others.
Will have to have a think about it.
The BMC BOY archives included a couple of photos with the Ruddspeed 3000 AH 4000/4200 of Russell Leathers - Ruddspeed , then the McLaughlin brothers and now with Myles Hicks,Gavin's son - was going to be Gavin's project, sadly he didn't see it through.
Have just seen a recent photo of the progress.
Keep up the Santa Barbara story - as a guy who likes Hot Rods as well as " English Sports Cars " I enjoy it.
Never owned one, the closest I got was driving this. !!
My sons - which he brought to Auckland for me to sell when he went to Australia in 1991. Pity really, It was serious bit of kit !!
Photos from Herne Barbara - those garages .. Honourable Son [my stepson ] and his Mum - my Wife in the Car. 1991
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