Beschreibung
LOT 558
1937 Stafford Special 1½-Litre Supercharged Racing Monoposto
THE BEAULIEU SALE COLLECTORS' MOTOR CARS & AUTOMOBILIA
10 September 2022, 14:00 BST
Beaulieu, National Motor Museum
£70, 000 - £100, 000
1937 Stafford Special 1½-Litre Supercharged Racing Monoposto
Registration no. not registered
Chassis no. SS1
Engine no. 8576
• Unique racing monoposto
• In-period competition history at Brooklands, Prescott and Lewes
• Four-cylinder Meadows engine
• Known ownership history
• Professionally restored 1995-2001
• Used sparingly since completion
Footnotes
This most handsome racing monoposto was completed by Rodney Stafford in 1938. Beautifully styled and equally well built, it prompted the inimitable John Bolster to observe in his book, Specials, that it "looked almost too good to race, for the finish of every part of it was so resplendent, that one could easily imagine that it was only intended for display in a glass case". Its wonderful appearance notwithstanding, Rodney Stafford competed with the car at Brooklands, Prescott, and Lewes.
Having discarded his first-choice Marendaz Special chassis as unsuitable, he had a channel-section frame built to his own design by Blaker Engineering. The front axle came from a Rover while the Marendaz live rear axle was extensively modified, incorporating a straight-cut crown wheel and pinion with a final drive ratio of 3. 5:1. Short semi-elliptic springs were used at the front, quarter elliptics with ball-jointed radius arms at the rear. Riley cable-operated brakes provided the stopping power. A Marles steering box was employed, and the Stafford Special rolled on Rudge-type centre-lock wire wheels. A lightweight tubular frame supported the streamlined aluminium body.
The Stafford Special's 1, 496cc, overhead-valve, roller-bearing Meadows engine and gearbox had started life in a 1929 Lea Francis team car, the latter driven by Messrs Peacock and Newsome. This Robin Jackson-tuned engine featured a Cozette No. 9 supercharger fed by an SU carburettor, and incorporated domed Martlett pistons and a lightened flywheel. The engine and gearbox were mounted towards the centre of chassis for better weight distribution. It took a couple of years' development to bring the car to its final specification, with a ready-to-race weight of 1, 150lbs and an estimated maximum power output of 120bhp at 5, 000rpm.
In his account of the car's construction (on file), Rodney Stafford says this about its performance in the 1938 October Road Handicap at Brooklands: "... although we were handicapped right out of the race and went off the same mark as the most potent 2-litre Alta of Hunter and Aitken's 1500 Maserati, we left them standing – although I am afraid we didn't have the speed to hold them off for long."
The Stafford Special has now been restored by the current vendor, Peter Colborne-Baker, son of the second owner, John Colborne-Baber, who had bought the car after WW2 (complete and running) and competed with it at the Brighton Speed Trials, Prescott and other events. In 1951 he sold the car to Richard Shakespeare for the use of his wife, who won a number of ladies awards. Sir David Gamble owned the car in 1950, followed by Murray Beecroft and John Grice, and then Tony Mitchell. By the time the Stafford Special was rediscovered by Tim Ely in the early 1980s, it had been unused for some time and undergone considerable alteration, boasting a Hotchkiss Grand Sport engine and Jaguar rear axle.
Peter Colborne-Baber bought the Stafford Special from his friend Tim Ely in 1990, and for the next few years the car stood untouched. By this time Peter had added a classic car restoration business (later known as Colborne Restorations) to his Volkswagen dealership. Peter and his works manager, racing driver John Markey, aided by skilled Jaguar technician Robert Stacy, were determined to rebuild the car as close as possible to its original specification and, given the car's numerous Riley components, entrusted its restoration to Riley specialist Ian Gladstone of Blue Diamond Services. Blaker's straightened the chassis and the Jaguar rear axle was replaced with one from a Riley Merlin (a modification suggested by Rodney Stafford), the latter having a track close to that of the original.
Original parts were retained wherever possible, including the radiator, fuel tank, and dashboard. The original engine having been reunited with its Lea Francis chassis, a similar unit and gearbox was obtained from Frazer Nash and Meadows specialist, Bill Roberts, who rebuilt them and assembled a Cozette supercharger using new castings. The original aluminium coachwork having begun to deteriorate, a new body was commissioned from Lawrence Kent of G&A Fabrications. After extensive testing at the Haynes Motor Museum's short track, the car was dismantled, painted and reassembled, the restoration being completed in 2001. Most bills are on file together with a VSCC Eligibility Document and copies of period photographs taken at Brooklands, Prescott and Lewes.
Speed events subsequently attended include the Goodwood Sprint (2005), Brighton Speed Trials, Wiscombe Park, Prescott and Dunsfold plus various non-speed events at Brooklands. Peter always wanted to get out more, especially as the car performed really well, but time (and now his age) is making it more difficult; indeed, the Stafford Special has not been out since the first Covid-19 lockdown. Nevertheless, Peter is confident that this wonderful car will give the future owner much fun when it returns to the track.
Additional information
Auction information
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any complaints or questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest customer services team.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge what is known as a Buyer's Premium. Buyer's Premium on all Automobilia lots will adhere to Bonhams group policy:
25% up to £50, 000 of hammer price,
20% from £50, 001 to £1, 000, 000 of hammer price,
and 12% on the balance thereafter. This applies to each lot purchased and is subject to VAT.
For Motor Cars and Motorcycles a 15% Buyer's Premium is payable on the first £50, 000 of the final Hammer Price of each Lot, and 12% on any amount by which the Hammer Price exceeds £50, 000. VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Some lots may be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price. These lots will be clearly marked with the relevant symbol printed beside the lot number in the catalogue.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.
