The Famous Circuit de Reims, Then and Now

So, this is the Bristol 450 racer at the 1954 Reims 12hrs. And what a spellbindingly beautiful little car it was. Car No.21 was driven by Mike Keen and Trevor Line, the other pairings that weekend were Wisdom/Fairman in car No.20 and Wilson/Mayers in No.22.

© Peter Mann both images

Bristol had of course won the 2-litre class in 1953, and came close to winning the 1954 event as well. Safety in those days was not what it is today. Here are Jack Fairman’s helmet, goggles and gloves with their original Herbert Johnson & Polaroid boxes (courtesy of Olivier Boré).

This is Reims today:

If you ever find yourself in the area do have a look around. What remains of this classic French circuit oozes history and charm.

 

Dorothy Levitt

We’ve received quite a few enquiries in recent months about our upcoming book on motor racing pioneer Dorothy Levitt. We’re happy to say the book is in the final stages of production! If you have any questions or comments, please direct them to publicity@butterfieldpress.co.uk.

The Bristol 450 LM: From ERA G-type and the Wooden Horse to First Outings

“Once George White had made his announcement that Bristol would compete at Le Mans, at the London Motor Show in November 1952, the clock had started ticking and there wouldn’t be any way to stop it.”

© Bristol Owners Heritage Trust / Pemba Holdings

Brian Marelli

Last Saturday (19th October) Bristol Cars celebrated Brian Marelli’s 60 years of service. Friends and family cheered. Bristol Cars announced that the workshops at Windlesham would be named Brian Marelli Workshops and a brass plaque was unveiled. Michael Barton of Butterfield Press presented Marelli with copies of Mr Bristol and Design and the Bristol Car.

Brian Marelli started his career at Anthony Crook Motors Ltd in Hersham.

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Design and the Bristol Car - out now!

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The first copies of “Butterfield 3”, Dr. John Hobbs’ study on car design and the work of his father Dudley Hobbs at Bristol Cars, have shipped. The book is printed on 120 gr Freelife Vellum from Fedrigoni (260 for the covers) and features a unique binding (polyurethane rubber instead of glue is used on the sewn sections) that allows the book to be opened completely flat.

The book will be officially launched next month.

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Future Projects

Dear visitor,

Butterfield Press is in the process of selecting topics for future projects. We are mainly interested in the motor racing and motor manufacturing world, but the criteria are loosely defined. If you feel a certain driver (preferably unsung) or a character from the manufacturing side of the industry deserves to be celebrated in print, please do drop us a line at info@butterfieldpress.co.uk, or fill in the form below.

If your suggestion is used, you will receive a complimentary copy of the book.

Kind regards,

Emma Jones

 

Eye Candy

Crook owned and raced three different Frazer Nashes (FN6, FN155 and FN170). FN155 is the car he used for his 200 mile 2-litre record attempt at Montlhéry; FN170 is the car he drove to third place in the 1952 Prix de Monte-Carlo.

FN6, FN155, FN111 (Brooks/Salvadori)

Tony Crook and mechanic John Dennis (right) victorious at Blandford Camp in FN6. TMX 543 is the Jack Newton Frazer Nash High Speed (FN7).

FN155

FN155 and the James Manfield Mille Miglia (FN17) at Montlhéry

FN21 (Salvadori) outside Anthony Crook Motors

FN170

Fiat “Topolino”, 328 BMW (badged Frazer Nash) and the fabulous Alfa 2.9 (all three cars Crook) at the Newport Garage in Lincoln

All images copyright protected.

Crook at Montlhéry

After a much-publicized stunt at Montlhéry in 1950 behind the wheel of a Bristol 401, Tony Crook returned to the track the following year with his Frazer Nash for a new record attempt.

Crook (in WWII jacket), John Dennis, Dunlop representative, mechanic, James Manfield, French timekeeper

John Dennis working on the Frazer Nash