Highlights

The original B.B. Special: a unique hillclimb car built by Buckler Cars to a design by suspension expert Leslie Ballamy
Commissioned by A.F. Rivers-Fletcher and now offered for sale by his son
Winner of the classic handicap class championship in 2024
Comprehensive development program focused on reliability, safety and drivability
Sold with covered trailer, spare gearbox, racing camshafts, nine files of history and documentation, and many other spares

The Appeal

If you frequent the historic hill climb scene, you may well be familiar with the B.B. SpecialThe B.B. Special, a one-off hillclimb car built by Buckler Cars to a design by the renowned suspension expert Leslie Ballamy. It was commissioned by prominent British racing driver A.F. Rivers-Fletcher, a man who served his apprenticeship under the great W.O. Bentley and once served as a riding mechanic to Sir Malcolm Campbell in a Grand Prix Delage at Brooklands in 1928.

Rivers-Fletcher's concept was ahead of its time by roughly 30 years: a lightweight, go-kart-inspired machine powered by a motorcycle engine, designed to challenge for the national hillclimb championship. Modern hillclimb championship cars now commonly employ exactly this formula of lightweight construction and high-power motorcycle engines.

This is the original car, now offered for sale by Rivers-Fletcher's son. After surviving a garage fire and spending decades in the care of Denis Bissell, who undertook a lengthy and careful rebuild, the B.B. Special returned to competition in 2021. A comprehensive development program has since transformed it into a reliable, safe and manageable competitor, ascending Prescott in under 60 seconds and winning the classic handicap class championship in 2024.

The car is ready to compete today with an in-date harness and current Motorsport Association passport, and comes accompanied by an extensive package of spares, documentation and a covered trailer. A historically significant, competition-ready hillclimb special with genuine provenance; we're delighted to offer the B.B. Special at auction.

Key Information

Mileage: N/A (estimated at approximately 100 miles since rebuild)
Country of registration: Unregistered (located in the UK)
Technical inspection status: N/A
Technical specs: 650cc twin-cylinder petrol engine, four-speed manual gearbox (Triumph Tiger pre-unit type)
Paperwork: nine files of history and documentation, current Motorsport Association passport, in-date harness

The Detail

650cc twin-cylinder engine unmodified and running on pump petrol through twin Amal carburetors
Steering and front suspension geometry extensively modified, retaining original rubber suspension and swing-axle configuration
Rear suspension updated with rose joints and new rear uprights incorporating taper roller bearings
Front brakes overhauled and taper roller bearings fitted to front uprights
New drive chains fitted and replacement drive shaft joints installed
Clutch stripped and inspected
Engine mountings strengthened
Rear spring hangers strengthened, retaining original rubber springs
Fresh oil and filter in the engine
No self-starter system: magneto-fired with no battery on board; the vendor reports it starts immediately on first push
Gearbox drips a small amount of oil as is typical of the type; habitually topped up before competing
Body has minor dents consistent with competition use; the car has never been crashed
Nose fitted with speed mountings
Seat could benefit from professional re-covering
Racing camshafts included in spares but not fitted
Sold with covered trailer, spare gearbox, spare wheel and tire, and many other spares

BEFORE YOU BUY

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