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| Viewing Page 1 of 3 (Total Posts: 107) |
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ANDY
 Dec 22, 05 - 4:27 AM |
moss cortina gt or what??????
I have found a lotus engined cortina special in the Philippines. It complete as far as I can tel except for the bonnet emblem. Now it is Moss green 2 door,it was built by Harold Ratford coachbuilders ltd.the chassis plate is missing but there is a small rectangular plate near the right bonnet hinge that reads xxx rhd 253.It has a twincam engine lotus badge on the grill rear screen wiper, alloy grill with 2 spots mounted in it. lucas rear view mirror individual back seats with center console,center console in the front, boot release on drivers floor,rosstyle steel wheels, and unsual rear end and webasto sun roof. Oh and badges on the back that say Ogle England.Here is the problem the Ogle registry (very help full nice guy) says that this car was built for Sterling Moss and is in england in a garage rotting away. But if thats the case what is its identical twin, that was never built doing in a garage in the Philippines rotting away.....HELP PLEASE Andy andyw@subictel.com I will have some pictures in a couple of days If anyone wants to see it. |
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Lashman
Dec 22nd, 2005 - 5:12 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Have you actually seen this car Andy?...must of had good rust protection..do'sent it rain a lot in the Philippines? Lashman 
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martin k
Dec 22nd, 2005 - 8:15 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
wow,that car must have been lost a ......long time 
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ANDY
Dec 22nd, 2005 - 1:12 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Yes I have seen it and touched it. It is in a collection with a whole lot of other cars from the 1920s up to the mid 80s too many to list, lots of them are run of the mill american from the late 40s mid 50s. The cortina has a few stickers on it from some now long defunct philippine racing club and sitting in a lean to shed. As such the only part exposed to the ever present rain is the front.If it was used for competion only and kept garaged,thats what saved it. The only real rust and bubbles are on the front edge of the bonnet. Its tires have rotted off but the car is not beyond repair. Does any one have a clue if its worth saving?????/ the whole collection is for sale and the daughters of the now dead collector are asking 15000 dollars for the cortina..any info on the car? |
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Lashman
Dec 22nd, 2005 - 2:07 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
If the Ogle register can't help, it might be a good idea to get as much info off the car as possible and check with Harold Radford coachbuilders who can be contacted here.. info@haroldradfordcoachbuilders.com From the price it's sounds like they know how rare it is...We'd love to see some pics. Louis |
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ANDY
Dec 22nd, 2005 - 5:03 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
I will contact harold radford. I will also get the pictures and let everyone see the car. I did not have a camera with me so I am begging with the other guys who went with me to email the pics.As soon as I have them I will post them. Is there any way some info can be got from the xxrhd253? Andy |
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ANDY
Dec 22nd, 2005 - 6:51 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
I have more info from the net regarding this or these cars. If any one is interested you can see a photo of the car at www.cortina-mk1.com On the front page below the nice looking saxon is a rather ugly looking black and white pic of this car.I am 100% its the same one. If you check www.pixelmatic.com.au/afterm.html you will find some info and a link to 2 drawings of the car under the heading cortina-ogle GT replica. Also the guy at the Ogle registry told me he has seen a photo of the UK log book from some one in england that has had the car for 20 years. I am totally confused  as all info seems to point to only 1 being in exsistance.Andy
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ANDY
Dec 23rd, 2005 - 2:05 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
I have 3 pics now of the car. problem is I cant figure out how to up load them here  can I email them to some one who can post them for me? sorry.Andy |
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Lashman
Dec 23rd, 2005 - 2:21 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Hi Andy, Yep email to me at Lashman@Clublotus.com and i'll upload them. |
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ANDY
Dec 23rd, 2005 - 2:39 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Hi I have more info from Kim at the Ogle registry. He just emailed to say that 2 of these cars were built one that never left the UK and the other was exported to the seychelles.Andy |
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Lashman
Dec 23rd, 2005 - 3:24 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Here's the pics Andy has sent me...   
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martin k
Dec 23rd, 2005 - 9:50 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
it's amazing how these cars survive,what does the price work out to in ££'s ? 
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Lashman
Dec 23rd, 2005 - 9:53 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
If that's 15,000 U.S dollars...that'll work out about 8,600 pound. |
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ANDY
Dec 28th, 2005 - 5:53 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Hi I have got another 4 pictures of the ogle GT. If anyone would like to see them I can forward them as before. I also got an email from Bob Woolner he was told about the posting by Tommy Sandham. Bob is asking if I would like to do an article about this car. I really dont have anything to add than what has been posted here.If any one else has any info please post it so it can be shared with all interested parties. I have decided at this time not to purchase this car, I have too many projects at the moment to take it on. If any one wants to do it I can help them get it and ship it out. Happy new year. Andy |
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Martin Russell
Dec 28th, 2005 - 11:06 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Hi Andy sure lets see some more pics please. Did that car have a rear screen wiper & heated rear screen.also inside any panels Radford fitted foam sound proofing apparentl to the Stirling Moss car, it was finished by Radford to a very high standard celulose metalic green paint with gold coach line. the steering wheel was alloy with leather. Don't think I have ever seen a Mk 1 with Lotus engine fitted and a Battery tray actualy on the inner wing. that car does look quite unique and reasonably intact. some parts would prove difficult to source if in need of replacement. If the car was part of a large collection I would not think it would have been there if not something special. Martin |
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ANDY
Dec 28th, 2005 - 11:59 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Ok I sent the 4 pics to Lashman as before, I hope you dont mind  I am not sure of the significance of the battery tray in the engine compartment. Were they never installed by ford on the cars sent to lotus, did lotus remove them and place in the boot,did lotus leave this one in at the rquest of Radford? Maybe its not or never was a lotus to start with? the small rectangular plate is readable RHD 253 The diamond plate is not,it has no markings remaining at all so I cant give you the chassis number.Iam yet to get a reply to my email from Harold Radford ltd. Also Kim at the Ogle register has told me all he can for now.If some one is sure that this car is of historical significance it may well be worth coming over with a marque expert to find out. If you have some direct questions that will help, ask me I can always go back and try to find the answers. Re the insulation behind the panels, I cant say. all I can say is that Kim saw the photos and declared it to be the real thing. there are also harold radford coachbuilders ltd door treads. If louis post the pics you can see where i cleaned them to read the name.Andy
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Martin Russell
Dec 29th, 2005 - 1:45 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Andy cheers will get back to you later. I recon its the genuine thing, don't lose sight of it at this stage.. more investigation is required. bat trays were not fitted in the 2 door deluxe bodies used for Lotus Cortinas, as far as I am aware. and a useful thing to check on genuine body shells, (evidence of it being cut out etc.) by the way the stirling moss one had a 6" tv fitted Martin |
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Lashman
Dec 29th, 2005 - 3:34 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Merry Christmas & Happy New year all, Thanks for the photo's Andy, here they are..     I've just sent an email to Sir John Whitmore (Ohh..get me, name dropping!) to see if he knows anything about the car, due to his connections with Ogle. Cheers Louis |
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Mark QB Editor
Dec 29th, 2005 - 9:20 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
I reckon the car is genuine, it looks it, and I cannot imagine there being any copys of this type anyway. Just image fabricating the special grill, let alone the rest of it ! If this car is complete,and it looks to be so, I believe it well worth buying, and restoring for the money being asked for it. What a lovely rare bit of kit. I'd love if I had the spare cash.. Good Luck !!
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Martin Russell
Dec 29th, 2005 - 3:01 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Having now seen the last set of pics, sure to be the geuine car in my view, I recon the wheels were changed to rostyle as the radford company fitted bolt on hubcaps to there wheels. and the front indicator lights look more recent, Stirling Moss had early pre airflow oval lights fitted, looking at his cars photos. all the guages look right and dash top seems to be right, also the cars were fitted with electric windows, which are clearly shown in your photos,(no winders). If this were restored I think it would be a museum piece because of its rarity value. anyone else want to share some thoughts on this piece of cortina history. quite facinating, Andrew thanks for all the info, please keep us informed. Martin |
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Andy M
Dec 30th, 2005 - 6:52 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Hi All, What a fantastic find. This car has got to be worth saving if it works out £8500 then it has to be brought. I know re-importing etc will be at a cost but even so people have paid more than that for a basket case Mk1 Lotus and this is nowhere near a rot box. I cant see that it was originally a Lotus but that engine looks to have been in there for a substantial length of time. The battery tray is on the wrong side for a start as all pre-xflow cars had them fitted to the o/s/f wing and it looks home made or re-fabricated, I would assume it had been fitted when the Lotus engine was transplanted. I would really be interested to see its rear suspention set up!With the servo etc being fitted on the bulk head it seems the convertion was done early in its life 63/64 although you dont know whether this was a Radford/Ogle fitment as the xtra power of the GT and added weight of all the nice xtras would probably warrant a servo from new. Somebody out there please take on this car this is rare Cortina History!!
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Lashman
Dec 30th, 2005 - 7:45 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
This Christmas has been an amazing one for LC fan's... 1. This very rare car turns up. 2. Details and a pic of a mk1 LC estate have been sent in. 3. I've also been sent a very interesting story about a mk2 LC, (I need to check the facts out on this one, so keep posted).  Cheers Louis P.S And Winter's supposed to be the quiet time for classic car fans! |
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ANDY
Dec 31st, 2005 - 2:22 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
HI everyone. Happy new years eve. Re the rear end: Miguel the friend who was with me (you can see him in one of the pics) crawled on the floor and checked under, he said "leaf springs". When I say checked, he stuck his hand under groped about a bit. I have decided to go back to take another good look at the car, armed with tools and jacks. We plan to take a lot of pics of every part. So all you cortina boffins can sit in the pub and rip it apart.  Actually I want you all to tell me which bits we should use the macro setting on. I think we will be allowed to open pretty much every thing so please let me know. Can some one point me in the direction of engine number and if it exsists anywhere the chassis number. Dont tell me on the square plate on the right inner wing, that has corroded and there is nothing left to read. Maybe CSI could help with bringing forth the evidence. How are the numbers put on the alloy, stamped, printed? I could borrow the plate, which is loose anyway and subject it to any suggestions you guys might have.Happy new year. Andy |
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fleet
Jan 1st, 2006 - 5:39 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Hi could you email me some close ups of the interior and the rear end?? is it 15000 us dollars or 15000 australian dollars??? Thanks Chris
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ANDY
Jan 1st, 2006 - 9:58 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
I made another try to see the collection today but had no luck as we cannot get into the compound without an escort. I will try again maybe next week if I can get it arranged. So as of now nothing more to add. Andy |
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fleet
Jan 9th, 2006 - 10:26 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Hi Is there any more news on the car? Chris |
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Lashman
Jan 9th, 2006 - 2:52 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
I have had communications with both Sir John Whitmore and Sir Stirling Moss (who have both been very helpful), but so far most of my enquires just turn up blanks and make this more of a mystery. |
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ANDY
Jan 14th, 2006 - 3:32 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Hi again I have been having trouble getting back to see the car and have really not heard any more from any one. It seems comunication has broken down with the family that owns the collection and my contact.The owners are now not interested in dealing with him. The asking price is firm at 15000 USD and they are not interested in anything but the money.So If any one out there wants to save this car let me know ASAP. I have so many projects on at the moment here in the Philippines that I cannot take it on. I will offer any help I can to anyone interested in it. Andy |
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Ross Murray
Jan 15th, 2006 - 2:02 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Just came across an article in an old MK 1 owners club mag (sept 1994 issue) about the moss cortina ,built by OGLE , it indicates that anyone could order one and gives a list of extras available ,so maybe there`s even more than two in existance |
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Lashman
Jan 15th, 2006 - 4:28 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
The only definete's I've found out from Ogle is that only 1 offical car was made, although that dos'ent mean another car was made by the coachbuilders. |
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ANDY
Jan 31st, 2006 - 3:39 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Hi I am back,been busy and in the province for a while dry docking a boat. Kim from the Ogle registry said that 2 cars were made one for Moss thats in the UK, he knows the car and it is rotting away in a garage in Sussex. The other car built was exported to the seychels according to kim, but history could well have distorted the destination to there in stead of the Philippines.Andy |
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fleet
Feb 11th, 2006 - 4:07 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Hi did they tell you were in sussex this moss cortina was? I am very interested! Could you possibly tell me who told you about the car in sussex? Thanks Chris |
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Keith (GBP 1C)
Feb 12th, 2006 - 6:37 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
There's a brochure of this on Ebay :- http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-Cortina-MK1-Moss-Ogle-GT-replica-brochure_W0QQitemZ4612620799QQcategoryZ72263QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem |
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ANDY
Feb 19th, 2006 - 4:22 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Hi again been busy and away from the PC. Yes Chris the Ogle Registry is run by a guy called Kim, I have talked to him a couple of times and exchanged a few emails with him. Not sure i should post his email address on the net so if you need to contact him email me and i will put you guys in touch.I found his phone number originally on the net while searching for Ogle when I found the car. Still have not been back to visit the car. Andy |
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Sir John Whitmore
Mar 10th, 2006 - 9:34 AM |
Re: moss cortina
Well you guys really are inquisitive, persistent and knowledgeable about the detail. As you rightly poointed out I was a director of Ogle at the time. Stirling was recovereing from his very serious accident and we invited him to join Ogle in some way. He had always been very innovative himself and had one of the very first house full of electronic gadgetry. We thought that this would interest him while he could not race. I ended up racing a Lotus Elan for him or for SMART, Stirling Moss Automoblie Racing Team. As far as I know there was only one of these built and that was for him, of course. I doubt if another exists. This one is certainly the Moss car anyway by the colour and other indicators, such as the grill. If someone had copied the original, it is unlikely it would have been exact. Strangely enough I wrote a story about Stirling Moss's past in the motoring section of last Saturdays Telegraph, and the previous two month I wrote about a mystery car I had found myself. If anyone cares to bring this car back to the UK, I will personally ensure that both Stirling and I welcome it back and help in any way we can except pay for it. I could even write up its restoration in the Telegraph. I believe that it should be saved and in a museum somewhere. There bis a very personal if tragic story behind it. Without Moss's near fatal accident, it would never have been made. Good luck with it. John |
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Rick
Mar 10th, 2006 - 10:45 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Thanks for detailed background on this one John, now who's got rest of the £53 million and wants to make an investment, and be featured in the press. Go east young man!!!!!!!!!!!!!! your future awaits. |
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martin k
Mar 10th, 2006 - 1:15 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
get that lottery ticket bought everyone  the car would be ideal for one of those shows mark evans(i think) does on tv.
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Lashman
Mar 10th, 2006 - 2:33 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Thanks for all the info John. I've spoke to a couple of people who have been thinking about bringing this car into the U.K (I even thought about it myself for a bit, seeing as people have spent more on worse condition mk1 LC's.) I'm quite surprised the Ford heritage collection or Gaydon motor museum have'nt snapped this up. In fact talking of the lottery, why don't we apply for a lottery grant and restore it as a club! Cheers Louis |
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Mark Cramond
Mar 10th, 2006 - 7:13 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Hi there Andy (and the rest of you). I would be very interested in purchasing this car and bringing it to NZ to restore. Of course i would want it to go to its rightful home in the UK first but Both the Cortina and Stirling Moss have a strong following over here. Any help you could give in making arrangements would be great. By the way i should have a membership number soon. Just waiting on Rick. |
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Mark Cramond
Mar 12th, 2006 - 7:32 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
By the way, would it not be easy to tell if it was originally an LC shell by the Lotus markings on the ......... (you know where they put them on the MKI). I assume they would still be there if it was an LC shell. |
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Andy M
Mar 13th, 2006 - 3:01 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Hi Mark, From the pictures, you can makeout the chassis plate. I would think that could give us a lot of answers, maybe when Andy returns to the compound we should ask him to retrieve the details. I can`t believe it would of had A Frame suspension as Andy said his friend "groped around a bit"and found leaf springs, unless Sir John or Sir Stirling had requested a leaf sprung car from Fords because of the problems associated with the A frame set up. Don`t forget we are looking at a 63/64 car, which still leads me to think this is a standard car or GT at the most, if you were going to completely discard the interior etc why buy the most expensive model just to throw it away. Crayford brought a fleet model when they converted their first Mk 1 because it was the least expensive saving around 70 pounds over a deluxe. Andy PS as Sir John has graced us with his presence on the forum and we are humbled may I be so bold as to ask a question A frame or Leaf Spring whats the best? |
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Martin Russell
Mar 15th, 2006 - 2:42 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
I have to say this is the BEST POST I have ever read on this forum. I think we are all greatfull to Andy for taking the trouble to tell us all about this car, just wonderful. Thank you. If anyone on here needs proof as to the advantages of this great Forum look no further. Louis well done mate, The forum is a good service to the club. Cheers Martin |
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Steve 155C
Mar 15th, 2006 - 5:43 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
I agree - this topic has had plenty of coverage on other forums , and is even mentioned in this months MK1 Cortina owners club magazine. All of which direct people to this forum
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martin k
Mar 15th, 2006 - 12:14 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
it would make a great feature in one of the ford magazines too
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Martin Russell
Mar 15th, 2006 - 1:57 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Steve The New Editor of the Mk 1 Cortina Owners club mag is Tommy Sandham, a friend of mine , who also has one of the best websites going about Mk 1 Cortinas. So I gave him the info about this car and he has given front cover picture to it and lots of info from Andy who found the car. Visit Tommys site at... http://freespace.virgin.net/tommy.sandham/welcome.htm Cheers Martin |
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Lashman
Mar 16th, 2006 - 9:02 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
i have'nt seen the mk1 club mag, is there anything new on the subject in it? |
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Steve 155C
Mar 17th, 2006 - 12:58 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Nothing new mentioned. |
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Sir John Whitmore
Mar 18th, 2006 - 12:29 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Hey, I just want to make this clear. This was not a Lotus Cortina when Ogle did it. It was a 1500cc GT. The Lotus engine must have been substituted later. Yea, how about it going to New Zealand first. Stirling was well loved there and I go quite often, in fact I will be working there in June. The Lotus Elite that I drove with Jim Clark at Le Mans in 1959 is there also. John Whitmore |
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Mark Cramond
Mar 18th, 2006 - 11:49 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Hi there Sir John, i am in the throws of getting the ball rolling to bring this car over if i can get in touch with Andy. Would you object to emailing me directly as i have a couple of questions on the Ogle GT. I also believe that you and Stirling Moss raced with my Grandfather in the NZGP at Ardmore Airport in Auckland in the fifties. My Grandfather lost a wheel of his Brooklands Riely Works 9 Racer that landed in the crowd and only injured one person. Look forward to hearing from you. Mark. |
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Paul Ogle
Apr 10th, 2006 - 11:35 AM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Hi there fascinating stuff !! Does anyone have any more info on the car thats mentioned in "Sussex" it would be good to see more info on what that is ?? Has anyone any pics of that car ? Who is Kim at the Ogle register ? I thought it was Chris Gow. I have some picture sources on the Moss Cortina Ogle GT that I will scan tonight if people are interested. Can I email attachments to somebodys email address as Im not sure how to put them on here.(Is "Lashman" the person to email ? I know its a slightly different tangent but does anyone have any pictures of the grid from the British Eagle trophy race at Brands Hatch on the 27th December 1966. I am currently restoring the Fletcher Ogle GT that raced on that day against Lotus 47's etc. Can Sir John Whitmore or Sir Stirling moss tell me anymore about their involvement at Ogle ? Do they know how the Fletcher Ogle front end came about ? was it a left over Ogle design or did Norman Fletcher's side create that bit ? So many questions so little time. Sorry to go off on tangents will try to scan the Pics re Moss Cortina tonight. Has it left the Philipines yet ? Cheers Paul |
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Lashman
Apr 10th, 2006 - 4:56 PM |
Re: moss cortina gt or what??????
Hi Paul, Welcome to the forum, Please feel free to email me any pics at Lashman@Clublotus.com and I'll display them. Cheers Louis |
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