sunbeam74
Silver Level Sponsor
Tonight I had a phone call from Keith Thomas. Keith was one of the former owners of the Moss/Pickering Alpine… the #89 in this video.
http://www.tamsoldracecarsite.net/tam_redo_202.mov
It is also the #7 in these photos
http://www.racingalpines.org/Bud Rose/Brahbham color 2.html
http://www.racingalpines.org/Bud Rose/Brahbam color 1.html
Anyway, Pickering bought the car from Rootes after Stirling Moss raced it a couple of times. Eventually, Ray moved to Kansas and then in 65’ sold it to Keith Thomas.
I always thought this car was really special and Keith confirmed it. It was really well developed and had all sorts of great modifications including a one-off intake that managed to balance the Zeniths better than the stock. Interestingly, he explained that he had a special certificate with the intake which he would have to show to the SCCA official confirming that the intake was legal in the production class.
According to Keith, the rules stated that you could remove material from compoenents BUT you couldn’t add material So, to modify the intake like they wanted they cut off the lower water jacket and realigned the mount flanges of the carbs. … if I understand correctly, used the cut off portion to add back on to the intake where they needed it.
The result was the carbs were mid-way between the intake runners. The intake, according to Keith, cost an absolute fortune.
Overall, he said the car was absolutely beautiful. One of the best looking cars he raced…. And he raced quite a few including Shelby GT350’s, Alfa GTA’s, and FA’s.
Simply amazing what was done to this car…. And how successful it was. Keith also confirmed that he sold it to Stephen Blake. I have records of Blake racing the car into the early 70's.
Steve
http://www.tamsoldracecarsite.net/tam_redo_202.mov
It is also the #7 in these photos
http://www.racingalpines.org/Bud Rose/Brahbham color 2.html
http://www.racingalpines.org/Bud Rose/Brahbam color 1.html
Anyway, Pickering bought the car from Rootes after Stirling Moss raced it a couple of times. Eventually, Ray moved to Kansas and then in 65’ sold it to Keith Thomas.
I always thought this car was really special and Keith confirmed it. It was really well developed and had all sorts of great modifications including a one-off intake that managed to balance the Zeniths better than the stock. Interestingly, he explained that he had a special certificate with the intake which he would have to show to the SCCA official confirming that the intake was legal in the production class.
According to Keith, the rules stated that you could remove material from compoenents BUT you couldn’t add material So, to modify the intake like they wanted they cut off the lower water jacket and realigned the mount flanges of the carbs. … if I understand correctly, used the cut off portion to add back on to the intake where they needed it.
The result was the carbs were mid-way between the intake runners. The intake, according to Keith, cost an absolute fortune.
Overall, he said the car was absolutely beautiful. One of the best looking cars he raced…. And he raced quite a few including Shelby GT350’s, Alfa GTA’s, and FA’s.
Simply amazing what was done to this car…. And how successful it was. Keith also confirmed that he sold it to Stephen Blake. I have records of Blake racing the car into the early 70's.
Steve