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Dear Michael,

I've been in touch with the car's owner and he is very happy to meet up as soon as circumstances permit. He will email you directly to make contact.

I hope you have a very happy reunion.

Kind regards,

Tim Isles

I have been asked to promulgate details of this event, as well as to promote the chance for owners of ACs from the period (Aces, Acecas and earlier) to take part in the parade. There are some very fine cars promised so it should prove a good spectacle.

I can't upload the documents but I can add the gist of them below.

The Press Release is as follows:

'The 60th Anniversary of the First British Formula One World Champion will be celebrated by an historic car parade through the streets of his home town on Sunday the 14th October – and ALL are invited!

Mike Hawthorn became the first British Driver to secure with World Championship in 1958. In taking the title he brought British motor racing to the pinnacle of world single seater competition. Sadly Mike tragically lost his life in a road crash just months after securing his title. In 2009 a dedicated group of enthusiasts marked the 50th anniversary of this event with a parade and the same core, The Friends of Mike Hawthorn are aiming to stage a stunning repeat in Central Farnham this October.

Lead organiser Michael Ballard says:

"We did not want to mark Mike's death again, and so have chosen this date, as being the closest weekend to Mike's clinching of the title in Casablanca in 1958."

The team hope to have cars of the type that Hawthorn would have known parading during the afternoon of the 14th, as well as holding a service of celebration in Farnham Parish Church. As Michael Ballard continues:

"We plan to run cars in batches around a town centre figure of eight circuit in a controlled manor, to give spectators the chance to see, hear and smell some serious machinery. We already have Jaguars of the type Mike won Le Mans with pledged, as well as a few of his actual racing machines".

Global energy supplier Total Elf have stepped up to provide sponsorship for "The Total Elf HTX Mike Hawthorn Grand Prix de Farnham"

The Jaguar Enthusiast Club is supported by Hawthorns of Farnham to enable the road closures, and many other local companies are supporting this event. But active support is also an essential to make an event like this a reality. It has the whole-hearted support of Waverly Local Authority, who's Leader, Cllr Julia Potts says:

"This is an event that really has the opportunity to bring many benefits to the organisers, the town and borough." Julia pledged the LA's support, going on to say "We are committed to working collaboratively to help deliver a great event."

More details and pictures of the launch event from:

msbassociates@ntlworld.com

And for those wanting to take part in the procession with a 1950's AC the details are here:

TOTAL ELF HTX MIKE HAWTHORN GRAND PRIX DE FARNHAM SUNDAY 14 OCTOBER 2018

Please read the following instructions carefully, print them, and bring them with you on the day, together with a copy of your entry.

The event starts at 1pm with a "Service of Celebration" at St Andrews Church, to commemorate Mike Hawthorn, Britain's

First World Champion.

Cars need to be in 'The Maltings Car Park' Farnhan by 11am at the latest.

The car park will be open by 9am.

All participants are invited to a civic reception after the parade.

Please complete the details below to be considered, and forward to msbassociates@ntlworld.com

or send to

Michael Ballard, 5 Chinnock Close, Fleet GU52 7SN

Mobile 07973731144

Parade Entry Form

Drivers Name

Address

Postcode

Email

Landline

Mobile Number

Car (Make, model & variant): please attach photo

Year (pre 59)

History

Passenger/Crew Names for Church/\Reception

PS. If room for a VIP passenger please let Michael know

This is a request for some help from the western side of the pond regarding the whereabouts of BEX 154 please!

I would like to put together another article for ACtion on Aces with special history, and BEX 154 is certainly one such car.

BEX 154 was the first Ace-Bristol exported by AC Cars to the USA, and it was the first Ace-Bristol imported by Hap Dressel's 'AC Imports' East Coast dealership, based in Arlington, Va.

In the hands of Evelyn Mull it was raced to many victories and podiums on the East Coast circuits in the SCCA E production class. The car was also a Sebring 12 Hours entry, driven by the wife and husband Mull team. 

The car is almost certainly a survivor, for the Ace-Bristol register records subsequent owners, one in Texas and another in California, suggesting that (if correct) BEX 154 made its way from east to west coasts.

The register's last entry notes that the car was offered for sale in the mid 1990s, and that it was bought by 'The British Car Museum' in Florida. I have tried following up on this without success.

Can anyone add anything to the tale of BEX 154 please?

Many thanks,

Tim

I've got one Kelly but thank you for the offer. Tim

Hello Luke,
   
   Correct grill for your '58 car would have been the chrome on brass item. IMO it looks far more handsome than the (admittedly lighter) aluminium version that came along somewhere in 1959. The chrome on brass grills are expensive to restore, but (again IMO!) worth it in the end.
   
   Should your car have a chrome on brass grill, and if it will be surplus to requirements after you have secured an ali grill, then I'd be keen to buy it please! Tim

I'm interested to know where you live?! The Ace is such a light car, and in my experience even under racing conditions the standard wire wheels hold up really well. If you have an original set of wire wheels on your car and the splines are a bit worn/the spokes a bit loose then MWS make a seriously tough wire wheel that will stand anything you want to throw at it. It's a heavier wheel than the original, and IMO not as supple on the road as the original, but you won't break it. If you let me know the chassis number of your Ace I may be able to tell you where your wheels have been. Tim

I spoke to Tony Bancroft. He told me that:
   
   AE 499 (2nd Aceca built) YPC 8, driven by P Garnier/P Easton retired from the 1956 Monte with suspension problems.
   
   AE 512 WPG 7, driven by T Clarke/R Baker finished 57th overall and 6th in class. A good effort.
   
   Tim

Lee,
   
   There is a very good article on AE 40 in the latest copy of ACtion, written by the owner.
   
   Plus, 'Octane' May 2017 has a full article on this car. I'm sure you will have seen it. Steve Gray restored the car.
   
   Tim

Another one here:
   
   http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/23977/lot/24/?category=list&length=20&page=2
   
   Both highly desirable, but I know the one I prefer.
   
   Tim

Here's another white one for you Keith...
   
   http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/23977/lot/70/?category=list&length=20&page=4
   
   Tim

If you send me details of the car I'll try and help.
   
   tim_isles@hotmail.com
   
   I'll also pass your mail onto Alex Grenfell who looks after the AC-engined cars. Between the two of us we should be able to assist.
   
   Tim

Please send me an email Stefano and I will give you some contacts. tim_isles@hotmail.com

Quality of the original photo is no better, but I have examined it under a magnifying glass and I can only agree with your observations.
   
   Unconnected, given that the car has no blackout hoods on the headlights, I think we may assume the photo is not 1940? So pre-war.
   
   Owner was a member of the Waddingtons (Monopoly etc) family, and an amateur pilot. I wonder what the connection with the Comet is?
   
   Tim

Old Crock,
   
   Thank you. I'm sure you are right.
   
   The smaller (16"?) wheels and the chunky tyres transform the looks of the car. They make it appear a bit beefier than the more elegant Magnas in your pictures, with their larger (19"?) wheels and skinnier tyres.
   
   The picture was taken in 1939/40. I think the mascot is probably a Mosquito. The owner was an RAF pilot who died in 1940.
   
   Tim

Jim, Bill Love's car BEX 258 surely? There is a good thread on the car on this forum. Tim