Fel 1c

[Chris Bennett]

Dear All

I do hope someone out there can assist.

I have a wheel spinner I acquired some while ago from a very reliable source that apparently originated from "FEL 1C", chassis number 1002. I am trying to research the history of both the car and the spinner itself.

The spinner (right rear), uniquely, has a major scar on the back caused, I understand, when it had come undone during a race; it plus unsecured wheel consequently flying off. The damage to the spinner occured as it skated off down the race track.

Just wondering whether anyone out there knows of this incident - of FEL 1C back in the 1960s losing a wheel during a race?

Greatly appreciate any assistance or information anyone could provide.

Many thanks indeed. Chris

 

[Jos]

Ronnie Spain's book has race histories for that period - maybe there's a dnf shown there that might correspond to losing a wheel ?

 

[40 Bud]

In 1966 1002 dnf'd @ Monza April 25; Brands Hatch May 8; Nurenberg Ring June 5

In 1968 1002 dnf'd @ Kyalami Jan.1; Ouulton Park March 16; Brands Hatch April 7; Monthery May 12; Nurenberg Ring May 19; Mallory Park June 23
Researching those races might give you some info.

 

[Ian K]

Here is a list of various DNF's for 1002:

04/66 : Monza, 3, Ireland/Amon, DNF
05/66 : Brands Hatch, 4, Ireland/Amon, DNF - Nuerburgring, 44, Ireland/Salmon, DNF
11/67 : Kyalami, 8, De Klerk/Prophet, DNF
12/67 : Pietermaritzburg, Prophet, DNF
03/68 : Oulton Park, 134, Prophet, DNF
04/68 : Brands Hatch, 7, Prophet/Bond, DNF - Silverstone, 31, Prophet, DNF
05/68 : Montlhery, Prophet, DNF - Nuerburgring, 73, Prophet/Bond, DNF
06/68 : Mallory Park, 68, Prophet, DNF

Ian

 

[Malc]

Dear All

I do hope someone out there can assist.

I have a wheel spinner I acquired some while ago from a very reliable source that apparently originated from "FEL 1C", chassis number 1002. I am trying to research the history of both the car and the spinner itself.

The spinner (right rear), uniquely, has a major scar on the back caused, I understand, when it had come undone during a race; it plus unsecured wheel consequently flying off. The damage to the spinner occured as it skated off down the race track.

Just wondering whether anyone out there knows of this incident - of FEL 1C back in the 1960s losing a wheel during a race?

Greatly appreciate any assistance or information anyone could provide.

Many thanks indeed. Chris

Hi Chris, my name is Malc. I was the late David Prophets race mechanic. He bought the GT 40 Reg# FEL 1C in 1967, to take to South Africa for the Springbok Series. 3 months of racing. I can tell you that the car retired in a race at Kyalmi when it lost a wheel due to the centres of the wheels being machined incorrectly, it threw a rod in the engine due to over revving when the wheel came off. Later in the series, we lost a front wheel at Killarney race track, near Cape Town, in a 3 hour race. This was due to a guy who was helping at a pit stop, he hit the wheel spinner the wrong way when checking the wheel tightness, this loosened the spinner very slightly, and caused it to come off a few laps later. These are the only two times that wheels and spinners came off that GT 40 in racing. I have no memory of losing one, but it is along time ago, and both times in South Africa. I hope this helps. I would be interested to know when and where you obtained the spinner you have, and why you think it came off Davids car, GT 40 reg # FEL 1C. :thumbsup:

Kind regards. Malc.

 

[Brian Kissel]

Malc. I wouldn't sit by my computer waiting for Chris to respond. This thread is almost four years old. He hasn't been back on the forum (or signed in anyway) since September of 08. Interesting history on the 40 however.

Regards Brian