Find Lots

• Auction House:
  Donington Auctions
• Sale Name:
  The Historic Racing Car & Motorcycle Auction
• Sale Date:
  28 Jul 2019 ~ 12.45pm (AEST)
• Lot #:
  33
• Lot Description:
  1938 BWA HISTORIC RACING CAR - Ex-Gib Barrett 1953 Australian Grand Prix
  The construction of this legendary historic racing car commenced in late 1938 by three friends Gib Barrett (brother of Alf Barrett), John White and Alan Ashton, thus the marque ‘BWA’ was born as acronym of their names.  Curry and Richards Pty Ltd built the chassis from 16-gauge mild steel box sections.  It was initially powered by a blown four cylinder 1 ½ Meadows engine from Tim Joshua’s Fraser Nash that had been racing during the 1930s.  The front suspension, brakes, steering box, gearbox and wheel hubs were sourced from a Seventh Series Lancia.  The body was modified into a two-seater sports (Victorian registration ‘AY.186’) and at Bathurst in 1946 Gib (Julian Barrett) recorded fasted race time and later at Rob Roy, it took the class record.  In 1949 Gib redesigned the car as a monoposto.  At Bathurst in October 1951, it was the first under 1500cc car in two races, also recording 99.45mph on the straight.  The car raced at the 1953 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park by Alf and Gib and finished 12th overall.  Gib took the car to Fishermen’s Bend in March 1954 and finished fourth and later that year won both the under 1500cc scratch race and third at the main event, the Fisherman’s Bend Trophy in October.  The car appeared at Phillip Island in the late 1950s with John Ould driving and was then inactive while owned by Ron Edgerton and Alan Grigg.  With help from Gordon Dobie Alan the car was partially restored, apart from the engine which has since been replaced with a supercharged MGA engine.  The project was cut short with the death of Ron Edgerton who had bought it back from Alan Grigg. The car was subsequently purchased by Ron Townley with no engine and needing full restoration.  Ron entered discussions with CAMS in 1988 which resulted in approval to install a 1 ½ litre Lea Francis engine (due to the scarcity of the original Gough engine, of which only 23 were produced) with a GM supercharger and Lancia gearbox enabling it to run as a Group K Historic car.  Restoration works were completed by David Lowe to 1949 specification, and the car reappeared at Winton in May 1997.  Since then, it has regularly competed at historic motorsport events including Phillip Island, Calder, Australian Grand Prix, Collingrove, Winton, Mangalore, Eastern Creek, Sandown, Mallala and Rob Roy. Featured in Australian Motor Sports Magazine (October 15th 1946, November 15th 1946 and December 14th 1946); John Bladen's 'Historic Racing Cars in Australia' second edition pg 120 and Australian Grand Prix by R&T Publishing pg 180. The car is sold with CAMS historic logbook, Certificate of Description, and a large quantity of provenance paperwork include period racing and restoration photographs.  Potentially eligible for an FIA Historic Technical Passport which would enable international competition. Also accompanying the sale is spare engine and supercharger parts.  This wonderful car, known by many as a “Bloody Work of Art” comes with enormous goodwill and is race ready with warm tyres after just having competed at the March 2019 Phillip Island Classic Festival of Speed. 
• Provenance:
  Ex-Gib Barrett 1953 Australian Grand Prix
• Estimate:
  A$95,000 - 115,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

  Can't see the realised price? Upgrade your subscription now!

• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.