Description
FAIRTHORPE ELECTRON MINOR - PERIOD RACE CAR
Here is a real 'sleeper'. Whilst it may be argued that Fairthorpe cars do not immediately spring to mind in terms of historic racing, the truth is that they were well campaigned and successful in period race events. Here is a very special example of this rare breed that has all the potential of becoming a successful historic racer, plus having the kudos of having been a race car in period, thus possessing Goodwood Revival eligibility without breaking the bank!
Small-scale specialist manufacturer Fairthorpe, founded by Air Vice Marshall Donald Bennett, launched its open two-seater Electron in 1956, fitted with a 1098cc overhead-cam Coventry Climax engine. It was followed in 1957 by the Electron Minor, a cheaper version with the 948cc engine, transmission and rear axle from the more available Standard Ten.
One of the most prominent racers with Fairthorpes was Peter Butt who was not only one of the original Fairthorpe race team drivers but also one of the Fairthorpe dealers back in the early days. Peter, along with Frank Collins, Fairthorpe works manager John Green and Gerald Golding were the original 'Works' Race Team for Fairthorpe. All were driving their own cars but were sponsored with tuning parts, consisting of larger SU carbs, a hot camshaft and tubular exhaust manifolds. During the late 1950s and early '60s, this team won a lot of club races, helping to promote the Fairthorpe name. Peter was also a Fairthorpe dealer, starting Butts Motors at 9 Pindock Mews in London where he sold and assembled kits and repaired those that had been damaged. Peter retained his original Fairthorpe which he built in 1958 (100 UMY) in which he gained many wins and top 3 finishes, including being the team lead driver of the Fairthorpe 'Works' Race Team for the Silverstone 6-Hour relay race in 1959. Fairthorpes also ran at Goodwood in period, and are therefore eligible for the Fordwater Trophy at the Goodwood Revival and Goodwood Members Meeting.
This rare example is a proven, period race car. Originally raced by Ron Harper who went on to become a multi-championship winner in a Triumph Spitfire, obviously having gained immense experience from racing his Triumph-based Fairthorpe!
Ron raced the Fairthorpe at Croft, Cadwell Park and Topcliffe Aerodrome in period with good success, gaining class wins with a car that he also used daily and for continental trips!
Having been in hibernation for many years, this rare Fairthorpe competition car was uncovered and sent to Moto-Build Racing for a full recommissioning programme. Some 242 man hours have been applied to this process and with such attention to detail the finished results presents as a truly correct and original period race car.
The car has an interesting history file, which contains a testimonial from Ron Harper, recent V5C, retaining the car's original registration number and the early-type 'cardboard' log book along with copies of old race programmes, bios on Ron Harper's racing achievements and a comprehensive photo file on the renovation work carried out today.
Rarely do cars come up for sale at an accessible cost with such period provenance!
P/ X considered.
