Racing History BEX333 (1957-1964)

[AC Ace Bristol]

quote:Originally posted by AC Ace Bristol
   

   Nik
   
   In case I get Cold, I'll have the 2 on the right, you can choose from the other 3.
   
   Quick thank you to those who have either posted or emailed encouragement, not to give up........  Ever hopeful !
   
   I have surprised myself  [:)] with my patience,  I have told many friends ...   ...  "When God called out Patience, I was queing for a Hearing Aid"
   
   Letter of thanks has been sent, promising to forward on another $20 dollar bill to reimburse the additional postage for the number plate ($29.90).  I know from research that James H Parsons owned and raced other English sports /racers in the 1960s, I'm positive that the number plate TXF913 (late 1957?) was off one of these.
   
   In 10 days time, [I)] I will post the additional $20 this time in a fancy card, Hopefully this might ignite some positive action, if negative,I Will have to send in the Ace & Cobra boys from Washington " The Evergreen State"  [:(!]
   
   If any of our ACOC Members live in or close to Seatac / Seattle then I will rally them for help otherwise John (R Lucke) will be called upon to phone and arrange collection of the long awaited  BEX333 racing memorabilia.
   
   Keith  [;)]  [:)]  [I)]
   
   
   

   
   
   A Little research has revealed that Registration number "TXF913"
   was issued in London during 1957 to a Car for export.
   
   TXF  /  TXA  were issued to vehicles for export,  Did AC  Thames Ditton register all ACs for export with Department of Transport and Export Authorities.
   
   Or were some cars Collected from THames Ditton by their new owner or even  Driven to the Docks  by AC employees ??
   
   Can some (AC) Historian or  transport anorak throw light on the subject........  Mrs Parsons is somewhat adament that Jims Ace wore this Number Plate when it arrived in USA.
   
   Keith

[AC Ace Bristol]

quote:Originally posted by nikbj68
   
Racing History - Jim H Parsons in BEX333
   
   March 30th 1958 Abbotsford Airfield. 2nd Race#2  No 251
   
   March 30th 1958   Abbotsford.        3rd Race#4  No 251
   
   March 30th 1958   Abbotsford.    Retired Race#5  No 251
   
   August 31st 1958 Deer Park, Spokane. 3rd ?
   
   April 19th 1959 Shelton.  7th O/A, 1st in Class D
   
   July 26th  1959 Westwood.  2nd O/A 1st in Class Race#5
   
   August 9th 1959 Westwood ????
   
   August 16th 1959 Westwood. 3rd O/A, 1st in Class
   
   1959 through 1964: History details required, photos, copy of programs and result sheets.
   Thanking you in anticipation.
   Please contact by clicking here: Keith Lessiter ('AC Ace Bristol')
   
   

   
   Perseverance has paid off,  After 10 months, the long awaited package has landed in the UK,  A few Poor quality photo copies of Period racing pictures of BEX333, a little dissapointing, However more than compensated by the 12 Brass racing Plaques and five plastic plaques which confirm / substatiate Jim Parsons Racing History with BEX333 during Period 1958, 1959 & 1960.
   
   Basically they authenticate the listing already published, with the added bonus of the following:-
   
   4 x Larger Brass Plaques ( approx  105mm x 68mm) as below:-
   
   ICNSCC   Racing Championship 1958  1st Jim Parsons  Class B Prod
   CNC      Racing Championship 1959  1st Jim Parsons  Class B Prod
   CNC      Racing Championship 1960  3rd Jim Parsons  Class B Prod
   PugetSoundssc "        "     1960  1st Jim Parsons  Class B Prod
   
   A few more SSC of British Columbia:-
   
   BMC   Tourist Trophy       10-02-1960   2nd Class B Prod
   VAN-MAN-VAN Rally                       Overall 3rd place
   
   4th ELLENBURG PSSCC Race    9-28-1958   1st B Prod
   
   SCCA  Shelton               4-19-1959   2nd Class D  over1600 Pro
   
   If anyone has any printed data or pictures to complement any of the above can you please forward copies, much appreciated.
   
   A couple of the pictures will be posted tomorrow,(Excuse the quality, but better than nothing) in the meantime, I will examine the photo copy pictures and hopefully glean some more information.
   
   A very big thank you to all those who have encouraged me to keep in contact with Mrs Parsons, I now have more accurate history of BEX333 and some new lines of enquiry .... A new Challange which hopefully not only produces more data on BEX333 but also some period Facts and pictures of other Aces raced in NW USA during the 1950s & 60s.
   
   
   Keith  [:)]  [:D]  [:D]

[pjbowman]

Congratulations Keith! Well done.
   
   Peter

[Aceca289]

Keith,
   
   Great news! I find the history that our cars have to tell one of the best aspects of owning a Vintage car. Thanks for sharing what you've discovered. I look forward to seeing some of the old photos. How about posting a few digital photos of the racing plaques...I'm curious to see what they look like.
   
   Cheers,
   
   John

[nikbj68]

Photos to accompany Keith`s latest news:
   
   BEX 333 at Westwood, August 16th, 1959:



   [EDIT]See attachment below.

   BEX 333 at the 'Swansong',Abbottsford, 1958:



   [EDIT]See attachment below.
   
   Pictures of the plaques to follow.
   Softly softly, catchee monkey! [8D]

[AC Ace Bristol]

Nik
   
   Thank you for posting the Pictures, I have scanned the plaques and sent you a series of email,  Hopefully with poetic license you can reproduce and post on the Forum. They are not the easiest to copy due to material and relective property...  my excuse.
   I O U a few Drinks !!  [:)]
   
   Cheers 4 Now
   
   Keith [:)]

[AC Ace Bristol]

Hi to those still following this thread.
   
   Have had a little time to study a few of the poor quality photo copy pictures,  looking closely at the front of the Ace a Letter T and a number 3 are clearly visible to either side of the American (Washington) number plate  .....  AKF221 which is covering the rest of the English Black & White 1957 (London) Export number plate.
   
   Thus confirming that BEX333 left the UK wearing TXF913 just as Mrs Parsons said. Therefore did Jim Parsons collect the Ace from Thames Ditton and tour the UK prior to exporting it back to USA ?? or as  The Thames Ditton Bible clearly states BEX333 was Exported directly to "Imported Motor Cars" Tacoma on 19th August 1957
   
   Can any one who worked at Thames Ditton in 1957 throw any light on the matter.
   
   Last but not least are there any AC enthusiasts and /or  Vintage-
   Classic Sports enthusiasts in NW USA , Vancouver,  or British Columbia  who have any photos of a White, a Beige or a Red Ace Bristol  ( Was repainted three times between 1957 and 1964) ripping up the tarmac wearing the US number plate  AKF221?
   
   If so can they please make a copy available either via email, post or on the Forum,  any info on any of the Events list would also be gratefully received. ...  Many thanks in advance. (Oh dear, getting over confident know )
   
   Keith  [:)]  [:)]

[nikbj68]

Jim Parsons Racing Plaques.



1958:









1959:












1960:




   
   [EDIT]See attachment below.
   
   
   
   
   
   

   
   
   
   

[aex125]

Keith,
   Well done on tacking down the history. As for further info, would this book help any?
   Westwood: Everyone's Favourite Racing Circuit
   http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/189469449X/ref=nosim/schildnet0c
   I have not read it, but maybe buried in it are some more pics and info.
   Jay

[Aceca289]

Keith:
   
   What nice rewards for your perseverance! I've heard about these plaques but I'm not too familiar with them...I take it these were meant to attach to the dash...but were more often thrown in a drawer or memento box. I bet it's very rare that they are ever reunited with the car's current owners.
   
   Best,
   
   John

[AC Ace Bristol]

John
   
   Jim Parsons died in 1990, Mrs Jo Ann Parsons removed the plaques off Jim's trophies before disposing of the trophies,  saving space ? decluttering ?? who knows,  However I'm sure pleased she at least kept them for another 19 years.
   
   John as you rightfully say, very rare for such momentos to be
   re-united with the car some 50 years later.
   
   Mrs Jo-Ann Parsons knows she has a collection of B&W and Colour 35mm Slides of Jim competing in the Ace at various race tracks and air fields, Some where at home, just got to find the box.
   If or when she finds them she promises to post them on.  A bonus if they materialise. (I must send 2 or 3 cards over the coming years just to stir her grey cells into action.)
   
   In the meantime  a few new avenues of research, hopefully they produce some more period photos of BEX333 plus other Aces racing during the Period 1957 through 1964.
   
   Any additional new material will be shared on this forum as and when ever possible and passed onto both Tony Bancroft and Tim Isles to complement the ever expanding Ace Registers.
   
   What a rewarding roller coaster journey.  If any one else is researching the History / Racing History of their Ace, I hope you have the same success as I have had, If so please  share them on the Forum.
   
   Keith  [;)]      [:)]

[AC Ace Bristol]

 
.
.       Phoned Mrs Jo ann Parsons again, Jim collected BEX333 direct from Peter Lovely of Imported Motor Cars  -  Tacoma in  September 1957.
   
   The Ace was already wearing the British Number plate TXF913, therefor it must have been driven on British Roads prior to export.
   
   Could Peter Lovely or a representative of Imported Motor Cars,  Tacoma, Washington.  Have visited Thames Ditton in August 1957 and driven BEX333.?
   According to the Official Thames Ditton Bible and  Factory Build sheets 3  Ace Bristol's BEX331 / BEX332 & BEX333 were all despatched Washington on
   the 19th August 1957.

   Or was BEX333 used as a demonstrator prior to export ?
   
   Keith [:)]

[AC Ace Bristol]

Has any reader following this thread a contact number, email or contact address for either  "Peter Lovely"  or  "Tom Carstens Jnr" of  Imported Motor Cars, 7030 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, Washington.
   
   
   They must now both be  in there late 70s possibly early 80s and were major - key figures in the Sale and promotion of Austin Healeys, Jaguar XK 120/140 & 150s, Porsche356s  and three  AC Ace Bristol's  "BEX331,  BEX332 & my BEX333" in Seattle & NW  USA.
   
   Both Guys also had major interest in Sport Car Racing. ( Theres a Surprise )
   
   Has any one any Mid to Late 1957 photos of their show rooms and or Parking lot or press material, just on the off chance any of the three Aces are in view.  South Sound Photo Album have some great Period Promo shots when the Esther Williams Girls ( Bathing Beauties ) Showcased on the 25th of July 1959. Unfortunetely, Not one AC in sight.  Aluminium bodies and Bathing Beauties both have curves & good form but Ali bodies dont take kindly to being stood upon or drapped over.  photos from the Richards Studio Collection.
   
   Cheers 4 Now [:)]
   
   Keith

[nikbj68]

   

South Sound Photo Album have some great Period Promo shots when the Esther Williams Girls ( Bathing Beauties ) Showcased on the 25th of July 1959...Keith...

   




   
   IMAGES WITH THE PERMISSION OF, AND © 1999-2009 Tacoma Public Library(Click attachment pics to link to their album pages)

[AC Ace Bristol]

Nik
   
   As if by magic! I only had copy of the first picture not the second.
   
   Thank you for giving other followers of this thread something more intersting to look at  [8D] than Brass Plaques.
   
   Keith