When I was at the Historic GP I spotted an unusual 60s racer: a Lenham. the name rang a bell, because I remember the company made hardtops for MGs and Triumphs. Does anyone know more about this mid-engined Ford-powered car?
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When I was at the Historic GP I spotted an unusual 60s racer: a Lenham. the name rang a bell, because I remember the company made hardtops for MGs and Triumphs. Does anyone know more about this mid-engined Ford-powered car?
yep, the Lenham top for the MGB was ...
[img]http://www.garage24.net/MGBGT/MG-1011.jpg[/img]
You're probably thinking of the Lenham GT which used various MG bits - Midget floorpan and suspension with fibreglass body circa '60s
[img]http://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgoc/emg/images/lejogp.jpg[/img]
The predecessor to the more common MG based Lenham GT was a Sprite variant from '59ish
[img]http://www.classicdriver.fr/upload/cars/10780/1700949/biga.jpg[/img]
Haven't ever heard of a mid-engined Lenham tho' :(
A shame I hadn't taken my camera, cos the Lenham racer really did the job, it was an extremely nimble and quick car. Also a pity I didn't get to meet the owner. The car is really worth having a look at.
[QUOTE=Cedric]A shame I hadn't taken my camera, cos the Lenham racer really did the job, it was an extremely nimble and quick car. Also a pity I didn't get to meet the owner. The car is really worth having a look at.[/QUOTE]
Was it yellow?
No, it was blue, and it isn't similar to that car, not by a long shot. Think of an Elva Mk7 with a roof, or a baby Porsche 906 if you will.
[QUOTE=Wouter Melissen]Was it yellow?[/QUOTE]
that is not a Lenham afair, but a South African built special
[QUOTE=Cedric]No, it was blue, and it isn't similar to that car, not by a long shot. Think of an Elva Mk7 with a roof, or a baby Porsche 906 if you will.[/QUOTE]
I know what you mean, I have seen the car, it is a regular contender in European sportscar races, but I failed up to now to have taken a proper picture of the car
[QUOTE=henk4]I know what you mean, I have seen the car, it is a regular contender in European sportscar races, but I failed up to now to have taken a proper picture of the car[/QUOTE]
Jopw about this shape ?
This Austin Healey based Lenham was sold and may be in different livery ?
[img]http://www.fisc-racing.com/pics/forsale/smallhuebcar1.jpg[/img]
or maybe Ian Hulett's Sprite/Midget based one, not sure if it's still running blue
[img]http://www.fisc-racing.com/pics/smallhulecar.jpg[/img]
Is it soft or hard top, is it kamm tailed describe the front shape, with more info we can probably nail this one down :)
no, the Lenham I have seen was definitely a mid-engined sportscar, probably with a 2 litre engine (BDA), like Cedric says, a sort of Elva, or Gropa
[url]http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/Brands_Hatch-1971-04-04-photo.html[/url]
I found this link, there is no pic, but it describes a Lenham P71, with a 3litre Repco V8, which was a no-show at the BOAC 1000KM 1971, furthermore the entry list for LeMans 1970 makes notice of the Lenham P70, with a 1600 ford engine, but the entry was not accepted, so the car did not run. The P70 probably is the car that we are talking about here.
[QUOTE=henk4]no, the Lenham I have seen was definitely a mid-engined sportscar, probably with a 2 litre engine (BDA), like Cedric says, a sort of Elva, or Gropa
[url]http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/Brands_Hatch-1971-04-04-photo.html[/url]
I found this link, there is no pic, but it describes a Lenham P71, with a 3litre Repco V8, which was a no-show at the BOAC 1000KM 1971, furthermore the entry list for LeMans 1970 makes notice of the Lenham P70, with a 1600 ford engine, but the entry was not accepted, so the car did not run. The P70 probably is the car that we are talking about here.[/QUOTE]
ah friend sent me a link.
Lik this .....
[img]http://www.pamotorsport.com/latest_news/storyimages/pa_107_2004112214120.jpg[/img]
??????????
no, more like this, a Gropa, from the same period :D
[QUOTE=Matra et Alpine]ah friend sent me a link.
Lik this .....
[img]http://www.pamotorsport.com/latest_news/storyimages/pa_107_2004112214120.jpg[/img]
??????????[/QUOTE]
my instant message notifier showed a totally different picture, which comes closer to the truth :D
memory has come back, it might actually be this car, which up to now I catalogued as :unknown supersports, taken at Zandvoort 1987. It may have changed colours now. Also Ginetta produced a similar model and that was definitely blue.
[QUOTE=henk4]memory has come back, it might actually be this car, which up to now I catalogued as :unknown supersports, taken at Zandvoort 1987. It may have changed colours now. Also Ginetta produced a similar model and that was definitely blue.[/QUOTE]
COUdl be it's in for restoration at PA Motorsporst.
here's a pic of the bare body :)
Lenham P69 ??
[img]http://www.pamotorsport.com/latest_news/storyimages/pa_110_20041126203017.jpg[/img]
yes could well be it, how many 69's are there?
[QUOTE=henk4]yes could well be it, how many 69's are there?[/QUOTE]
Haven't a clue as I'm only the intermediary on the information :)
I didnt' even realise Lenham had made any mid engined cars !!!!!
The blue Ginetta you are talking about was indeed blue, it was the G16.
The Lenham I am talking about is a darker blue car, gull-winged, mid-engined and powered with a Ford four-pot, I reckon a 1600cc or 2litre. None of the cars posted in this thread are the one I am talking about. It is a closed mid-engined vehicle, not open. If we persevere we can nail it down.
[QUOTE=Cedric]The blue Ginetta you are talking about was indeed blue, it was the G16.
The Lenham I am talking about is a darker blue car, gull-winged, mid-engined and powered with a Ford four-pot, I reckon a 1600cc or 2litre. None of the cars posted in this thread are the one I am talking about. It is a closed mid-engined vehicle, not open. If we persevere we can nail it down.[/QUOTE]
If it is closed, than it is probably the P70 that Matra's friend was talking about, being the P69 with a roof. :)
Well the Lenham P70 did compete in Le Mans in 1970, it was a 4-cyl 1.6l engine, so it could be the one indeed, didn't find any pics of it though in a quick google, but I reckon they're out there... :)
[QUOTE=Pando]Well the Lenham P70 did compete in Le Mans in 1970, it was a 4-cyl 1.6l engine, so it could be the one indeed, didn't find any pics of it though in a quick google, but I reckon they're out there... :)[/QUOTE]
Actually it did not because its entry was refused by ACO
A shame my camera ran out of juice at the Zolder Historic GP last weekend, I could have taken the picture I sorely yearned for. I recall it being bloody fast on the track though. It proved yet again that being light and nimble may propel you to victory (coupled with a reliable Ford unit........and not having to deal with Chevrons of course)
[QUOTE=Cedric]A shame my camera ran out of juice at the Zolder Historic GP last weekend, I could have taken the picture I sorely yearned for. I recall it being bloody fast on the track though. It proved yet again that being light and nimble may propel you to victory (coupled with a reliable Ford unit........and not having to deal with Chevrons of course)[/QUOTE]
what's the car called in the programme?
I had forsaken to get one ......shame on me.
[QUOTE=henk4]Actually it did not because its entry was refused by ACO[/QUOTE]
Good point. No wonder I had trouble finding a lenham in pictures from the race! :rolleyes:
There is a picture on the Zolder website, but you have to register first. I was not able to copy it.
[QUOTE=Cedric]There is a picture on the Zolder website, but you have to register first. I was not able to copy it.[/QUOTE]
If you cannot save the pic as it is you can use the printscreen button while viewing it, that saves a freeze-frame to the clipboard that you can paste into a image editing program, like 'paint' and save the pic... I'd love to finally see the "mystery car"! :p
If you could just tell me how to insert a pic in this reply, you'd finally get to see it!
use the "Go Advanced" button and then hte "Manage Attachments" button.
Ladies and gentlemen, the car we've all been waiting for. it's the one on the right ;)
[QUOTE=Cedric]Ladies and gentlemen, the car we've all been waiting for. it's the one on the right ;)[/QUOTE]
nice Lola :D
There were nicer Lola's than this one. There was a wingless T70 and a T70 Spyder, of which I will never forget the sound when it downchanged.
Look how flat and wide that Lenham is. it just kept going all the way, faster and faster.
[QUOTE=Cedric]Ladies and gentlemen, the car we've all been waiting for. it's the one on the right ;)[/QUOTE]
UCPers come though again !!!!!
nice pic :)
Hi,
I love the Lenham GT.
Is this a unique prototype or are some more cars out there ?
I would love to buy one :D
[QUOTE=Donnie-Darko]Hi,
I love the Lenham GT.
Is this a unique prototype or are some more cars out there ?
I would love to buy one :D[/QUOTE]
this one was unique, and pretty fast too...and welcome to UCP
[QUOTE=henk4]this one was unique, and pretty fast too...and welcome to UCP[/QUOTE]
Hi Henk,
thank you. And thanks for the pics.
Lenham build some cars for the road, I think. I have found this info in a book right now. For homologation, I believe.
[QUOTE=Donnie-Darko]Hi Henk,
thank you. And thanks for the pics.
Lenham build some cars for the road, I think. I have found this info in a book right now. For homologation, I believe.[/QUOTE]
If I am not mistaken, this is the only closed version, and it is officially named Lenham-Hurst GT. If you have more info that would be welcome. The car is now being campaigned in the European historics and my pics showed it at the 2005 Silverstone Classic. I believe some action pics are in here.
[url]http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=event_item.php&rid=78[/url]
I have never come across this car in a book, so as far as I'm concerned, I will have to wait until I see the owner again somewhere this summer. I can ask him everything about this car, but that implies having to wait another 6 months...
Hi,
I found this info on the book "the complete encyclopedia of motorcars 1885 to the present". Over 750 pages and 4000 (!) makes. The book is over 30 years old. I dont know where can you get it in the present. Anyone know this book ?
From the book:
"... the tubular space-framed Lenham P70 GT (thats the official name) cars became quite well known on the tracks, and were offered in closed or open form." ..."for 1970, besides a formula ford model, three versions of the P80 spyder group 6 car were offered, the club model, the 2-litre european championship version with ford or bmw engine and the over 2-litre type. Sponsor Roger Hurst developed one of these with a 3-litre Repco engine, and it was entered as the Darnval for the 1972 Le Mans."
Later came the type T80 and the P90 with bigblock chevrolet engine for the Can-Am series.
I attached a P70 picture which I found on the internet and a P80 from 1972 (note the cool dude :D ). This is a scan from the book. I have a picture from a road-version P70, but I must scan it first.
[QUOTE=Donnie-Darko]Hi,
I found this info on the book "the complete encyclopedia of motorcars 1885 to the present". Over 750 pages and 4000 (!) makes. The book is over 30 years old. I dont know where can you get it in the present. Anyone know this book ?
From the book:
"... the tubular space-framed Lenham P70 GT (thats the official name) cars became quite well known on the tracks, and were offered in closed or open form." ..."for 1970, besides a formula ford model, three versions of the P80 spyder group 6 car were offered, the club model, the 2-litre european championship version with ford or bmw engine and the over 2-litre type. Sponsor Roger Hurst developed one of these with a 3-litre Repco engine, and it was entered as the Darnval for the 1972 Le Mans."
Later came the type T80 and the P90 with bigblock chevrolet engine for the Can-Am series.
I attached a P70 picture which I found on the internet and a P80 from 1972 (note the cool dude :D ). This is a scan from the book. I have a picture from a road-version P70, but I must scan it first.[/QUOTE]
would love to have that book, any more details? Is it in English or German?
[QUOTE=henk4]would love to have that book, any more details? Is it in English or German?[/QUOTE]
The book is in english. The publisher is called "Ebury Press, London". First Edition 1968, my second Edition is from 1973.