AC Owners Club Forum
AC Owners Club Forum => Ace, Aceca & Greyhound Forum => Topic started by: aex125 on May 24, 2013, 17:49:04
-
All, I have been helping Tim Isles in trying to fnd history on the Ace Bristol campaigned in Southern California by Rene Pelladini. After its racing career it seems to have vanished and so Tim (with some input from myself) has penned the information below in hopes that someone may know something about the car which was named Beware1.
There is an Ace-Bristol that has defied attempts to identify it so far. Not a Sebring car or one with other international history, but nonetheless during its short time in the limelight on the West Coast (1959 and 1960) it pretty much cleaned up the 2 litre production class and became very much the car to beat. In addition, in its second season of racing, it was driven by arguably the most capable driver ever to race an Ace. This was Ron Bucknum, who went on to race Formula 1 cars for Honda.
The car was owned by Rene Pellandini, a successful entrepreneur who included a Morgan dealership in his portfolio. Using the driving talents of Lew Spencer and the mechanical expertise of the Brun brothers (Claude and Pierre), Team Pellandini Morgans (called ‘Baby Doll’ I, II and III) always gave a very good account of themselves on the race track.
In 1958 Rene Pellandini decided to add the AC marque to his British car dealership ‘World Wide Imports’ (I assume in doing so he took over West Coast AC distribution from Michell and Pauli?). The story goes that he ordered a race prepared Ace from the factory, but ran out of patience waiting for it to arrive and so bought a well used 1957 example (one contemporary report has it down as having covered 56,000 miles) from a serviceman returning from Europe.
This car was then meticulously race prepared by the Pellandini workshop (a third mechanic, Stu Haggard, had joined the team by this stage) and it emerged in time to contest the 1959 California Sports Car Club (CSCC) series, and would run under SCCA rules. This meant the Ace would have been in the ‘E’ production class. The car was placed in the capable hands of Lew Spencer and Barbara Windhorst. A glance at the Racing Sports Car website here:
http://www.racingsportscars.com/chassis/Ace-Pellandini%23.html
documents 24 races and only one DNF during the 1959 and 1960 racing seasons - a very good pointer to the high standard of the car’s preparation. In addition it should be noted that not only did the car usually win its class, it often placed 1st overall, beating much larger capacity cars.
In early 1960 Ronnie Bucknum took over the driving duties from Lew Spencer; Lew had decided to try his hand as a professional racing driver having attracted some sponsorship. Incidentally for this year the AC Ace-Bristol was elevated to
the ‘D’ production class nationally as it had proved unbeatable during 1957 – 1959 National SCCA seasons.
A quick aside here regarding the racing situation in Southern California at this time. In Southern California the CSCC was king, but as the national SCCA series grew in popularity it moved in on the CSCC and they became direct competitors, with drivers contesting both series. This resulted in something of a feud breaking out between them during the years of 1959 and 1960 with drivers being blackballed from either the SCCA or CSCC races if they competed in the other organizations races. This could be the reason why the successes of both Spencer and Bucknum in the Ace are not reflected in the national SCCA results, but there were also other issues at work. In addition to the CSCC and SCCA feud that had developed, there were internal conflicts within the SCCA. The So Cal Chapter and the National SCCA were in conflict due to the SoCal Chapter reportedly not following the SCCA defined classes and point structures. This led to the national SCCA not accepting some of the race results posted by the SoCal SCCA, and the winning drivers not receiving national points. The internal conflicts within the SCCA and the feud between the national SCCA and CSCC continued until late '61 when the national SCCA organization revoked the charter of the SoCal SCCA chapter. In place of the SoCal SCCA Chapter, the national SCCA appointed the CSCC as the SoCal SCCA chapter and called it the California Sports Car Club of the SCCA. From this point all was well.
It appears that the car was probably a victim of its own success, and whether the car was protested by another driver or just a random check was made to inspect the engine is not known. It is a fact that ‘Beware 1’ was superbly prepared and driven, and it was certainly the fastest Ace-Bristol in California - perhaps not surprisingly this rankled with drivers of larger machinery, who found themselves beaten to the flag on a regular basis.
The rules for 1960 SCCA season remained strict, and very few modifications were allowed. Choices could be made over the type of tyre and shock absorber, but otherwise cars had to be ‘showroom stock’. This meant that cars could be meticulously prepared – ‘blue printed’- within the original factory specifications, but no further.
It is understood that when the car’s cylinder head was lifted 9.5:1 pistons were found to be fitted, plus the cylinder head had been lightly skimmed. The pistons were deemed ineligible, and the bans mentioned earlier were imposed.
This ‘ineligibility’ was protested, and a letter from AC cars was obtained stating that a 9.5:1 compression ratio was a factory option, but this was to no avail.
The reason for the ban merits closer examination. My understanding of Bristol 100D engines in either D (engines made from # 500 – 799), D2 (engines made from #800 – end of production) and D2 Stage 2 is that they are all identical save for the compression ratio. In the case of the 100D this was 8.5:1, and as better fuel became available the CR on the 100D2 was standardised at 9:1. My understanding of the ‘Stage 2’ engine is that it retained the original 9.1 pistons but the head was given a light skim to increase the CR. So just what rule the car fell foul of is not fully clear to me, but it appears the 9.5:1 CR Bristol engine was not sanctioned by the So Cal Club, and hence the ban.
The car appeared once more in 1960, at Pomona in November, and so it is assumed that the bans were announced soon after this event. The car was apparently sold on soon afterwards (early 1961) when it became clear that further protest was pointless. Others before me have spoken with Lew Spencer who confirms this sale in early 1961. Lew thinks (but cannot be sure) that the car may have been sold to Bob Cole, for it was Bob Cole who took delivery of the race-prepared Ace that Rene Pellandini originally ordered in 1958 but could not wait for. Incidentally the number of this car is not known either, and rather interestingly a search for Bob Cole on the RSC website reveals him to have been an active driver over a period of 10 years in California but there is no mention of him ever having driven an Ace. Can anyone add anything here?
But back to ‘Beware 1’; the trail certainly goes cold from the moment the car was sold in 1961.
Interestingly, and despite the ban it is recorded that Rene Pellandini prepared another Morgan (Baby Doll IV) for the 1961 season, to be driven by a returning Lew Spencer. But in this same year Rene was to sell the Morgan side of his business, and he moved to Europe for a time.
So is ‘Beware 1’ still around and if so is it possible to identify it?
There are a number of clues. The car is believed to be a 1957 model – certainly from pictures it can be seen that it is a ‘short boot’. The car was red with a black interior when bought, and remained with this colour combination when being campaigned in 1959 and 1960. It was fitted with a distinctive roll over hoop that was rather ‘shallow’ in its protrusion out of the car but was made of thick diameter tube. The car used AC’s small ‘wrap round’ single screen for the driver. The driver’s mirror in the centre of the scuttle was hooded. The car used a Nardi style woodrim steering wheel. The filler cap was of the ‘Monza’ type.
The optional oil pressure gauge was fitted, as was the factory oil cooler. The optional electric fuel pump was fitted in the boot. And as befits its time in Europe, it was fitted with both the optional heater, together with the windscreen de-misters.
In closing it’s worth noting that this car was the subject of several contemporary articles during its racing seasons, including – ‘The Leading Ace’, Sports Car Graphic (March-April 1960); ‘Competition Tuning; AC Bristol’, Car and Driver (April 1961 - I can only assume this article was written the year before, for it make no mention of the ban); ‘You Get A Lot To Like In An AC Bristol’, California Sports Car Club Notes (May 1960).
Ironically all the articles mention the 9.5:1 CR. Equally ironically, for the 1961 season the Ace was once more raised a class in the SCCA series (to ‘C’ production) due to its all conquering ways, but for this year the rules on tuning were much more open. Pierre Mion still managed to win the class in his Ace-Bristol, but it would be the last time an Ace was seriously campaigned in the series.
This is my understanding of events, but I appreciate it leaves a number of unanswered questions. Can anyone add anything?
-
Keith's archive photos, of Lew Spencer in "Beware 1" & Barbara Windhorst.
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/BEX430/BEX430PellandiniAceScan10012a_zps4c876f6f.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/BEX430/BEX430PellandiniAceScan10012a_zps4c876f6f.jpg.html")
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/BEX430/BEX430BarbaraPellandiniAce_zps4aa9ce36.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/BEX430/BEX430BarbaraPellandiniAce_zps4aa9ce36.jpg.html")
-
.
.
Nik
Thank you for posting the above two pictures.
Jay & Tim, A well penned intro to a fasinating piece of AC Racing History, Hopefully these two pictures of BEWARE 1 contribute to this thread and help generate new material to confirm the true ID of The Pellandini Ace Bristol..[;)]
Two pictures from my pictorial reference library of the Pellandini Ace Bristol, one of Barbara Windhorst who also competed successfully in the Pellandini team Ace. along with Ron Bucknum and Lew Spencer
.
Keith..[:)]..[:)]
-
Walt Peterson was involved with the AC dealership in Northern CA (Palo Alto near Stanford University) in the 1960's, I'm wondering if he might have any insights as to this Ace.
John
-
Nik, Thanks for adding the pictures. They definitely add to the thread.
John, Is Walt still around and do you have contact information for him? That could be a good path to go down if Walt is available for consultation.
Jay
-
Jay.
Re: Stu Haggard
Please find below, Extract from email sent to Tim Isles earlier this year.
.
.
Tim
Whilst reading through AC General Instruction Supplement ( The ACOC Ltd . American Centre , 3630 East 56th Street. Tulsa 35, Oklahoma)
Amongst nine addresses was the following:
Stu Haggard Automotive
10429 Washington Blvd.
Culver City.
California
Not sure if this might help with Pellandini research.
Cheers
Keith.
Maybe someone on the West Coast or better still in the Area can follow up this lead and post on the Forum or email Jay. .[;)]
Keith..[:)]
-
Walt lives within a couple miles of me. We talked by phone for quite a while a couple years ago while he shared stories of his AC days in the San Francisco Bay area and living on a boat in the San Juans.
As an aside, his son has his Aceca in the north Seattle area awaiting restoration.
I can see if I can get in touch with him.
-
John,
Thanks for checking with Walt and as stated above there is some info that points to a potential buyer of the car named Bob Cole. Additional information on Bob is that he may reside in the Bay area and may be a member of one of the Yacht clubs up there so if Walt does not remember the car initially, maybe the additional info might help.
Jay
-
quote:
Originally posted by aex125
John,
Thanks for checking with Walt and as stated above there is some info that points to a potential buyer of the car named Bob Cole. Additional information on Bob is that he may reside in the Bay area and may be a member of one of the Yacht clubs up there so if Walt does not remember the car initially, maybe the additional info might help.
Jay
I believe that the Bob Cole referred to is the owner of Cole European, a British new car dealer in Walnut Creek, CA just 20 minutes from me. Walnut Creek is in the San Francisco Bay Area about 20 miles east of San Francisco. Bob sells Jaguars, Land Rovers and Aston Martins and is a car collector and has raced cars too. I do not know him but have heard much about him over the years. Below is a link to some information about him from his dealership web site with contact information at the bottom of that page. Hope this helps.
http://www.coleeuropean.com/about-us/
-
.
Jay
Whilst reading through AcecaRacer thread on " Spark Plugs for Racing" , I note reference to Stu Haggard and Bill Rudd being two main Bristol Engine tuners in LA during the 1950s & 1960s.
Bill Rudd is also associated with Pellandini & Lew Spencer... World Imports and Head Honcho at Harrah's collection..[;)]
Hopefully this is another Lead that might generate more racing data on Team Pellandini with the bonus of throwing light on various other Ace Bristol's raced in Period in California & NW USA.
Cheers
Keith..[:)]
-
Robert,
Thanks for the lead. It looks like there is an e-mail link at the Coleeuropean site so I will send an e-mail later today and see if I can get directly in touch with Bob Cole. Hopefully he will be ale to fill in some holes.
Keith, I am collecting the other potential leads and will also follow up on them.
Jay
-
quote:
Originally posted by aex125
Robert,
Thanks for the lead. It looks like there is an e-mail link at the Coleeuropean site so I will send an e-mail later today and see if I can get directly in touch with Bob Cole. Hopefully he will be ale to fill in some holes.
Keith, I am collecting the other potential leads and will also follow up on them.
Jay
You're welcome. Hope it leads somewhere. I'm not sure how active Mr. Cole is in the day to day running of his dealership but I imagine they can put you in contact with him. It is a first class dealership and have worked on a couple of Jaguars I've owned and my Land Rovers too.
-
Here is a screen capture of the race results of the Pellandini Ace Beware 1 that was already linked in Jay's post that started this thread. To keep this subject active, in sight and not to slip off the radar, in Keith's words.
Jerry
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u196/bex316/AC/AcePellandiniRaceResults.png)
-
Another photo from Keith`s archive, showing Ron Bucknum driving the Pellandini Ace at Santa Barbara in 1960:
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/BEX430/BEXPellandini1964RonBucknumSantaBarbara266_zpsee0151b6.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/BEX430/BEXPellandini1964RonBucknumSantaBarbara266_zpsee0151b6.jpg.html")
-
I sent an e-mail last week to Cole European but am still waiting to hear back from Bob Cole. Hopefully I will hear something soon, but in the meantime I did some more searching and found Bob and another gentleman created a place called the "Candy Store" in the late '70s as a place to house their collector cars.
http://www.candystoreclub.com/
Doing a quick perusal of the cars shown in the pictures does not show any cars that are identifiable as an Ace, but on the contact page of the web site, the pictures that cycle show an AC Bristol badge. I went back to the photos and while I cannot identify an Ace, it looks like there is a red Aceca in the back that is in "La Carrerra Panamerica" livery so maybe it is the car behind the badge on the contact page. Are any members of the forum familiar with, or have been to the Candy Store? Maybe there is an Ace just out of view of the pictures. I have tried calling the contact number, but no one has answered the phone yet.
Jay
-
At the end of the front row of the main page and in the front of the photo on the "amenities" tab there appears to be a red Aceca (Rob Fisher's?).
I toured the Candy Store with a group about 15 years ago. Lot's of interesting cars but no AC's at that time.
John
-
Thanks John. I was guessing the Ace was sold a long time ago, but was hoping it might be hiding in a corner out of view. I will have to wait and see if Bob responds with any information.
Jay
-
From Keith`s archives, here are pages from the California Sports Car Club`s magazine from May, 1960:
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/BEX430/CSC01_zps55eb74d2.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/BEX430/CSC01_zps55eb74d2.jpg.html")
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/BEX430/CSC02_zpsefebf88b.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/BEX430/CSC02_zpsefebf88b.jpg.html")
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/BEX430/CSC03_zps367b5085.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/BEX430/CSC03_zps367b5085.jpg.html")
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/BEX430/CSC04_zps74b6bfb3.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/BEX430/CSC04_zps74b6bfb3.jpg.html")
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/BEX430/CSC05_zps103fccfc.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/BEX430/CSC05_zps103fccfc.jpg.html")
-
.
Nik.
Thank you for posting the above extract from May 1960 issue of The Californian Sports Car Club magazine and thanking you in advance for next friday's posting
of extract "Competition Tuning: A.C. Bristol" by Wayne Thoms, reference Car & Driver /April 1961. Again making reference to Team Pellandini.
In the meantime do any readers in California know any of the following :- Tom O'Connor..[?] Norcross .[?] or Robitschek..[?]
who each contributed to the CSCC (MAY 1960) Article.
There must be some hidden Ace Bristol racing Gems in their archives or now in the hands of a relative. Any info on the Pellandini Ace or any Ace Bristol racing in period would be appreciated..[;)]
Please either post on this thread or pass details onto Jay..
Thank you.
Keith..[:)]..[:)]
-
"Competition Tuning: A.C. Bristol" by Wayne Thoms, from Car & Driver Magazine, April 1961.
Click photos to find larger versions, sorry that the text is a bit patchy in places.
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/docu0001_zpsfd003e38.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/docu0001_zpsfd003e38.jpg.html")
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/docu0002_zps35ff97cf.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/docu0002_zps35ff97cf.jpg.html")
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/docu0003_zps8c618abd.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/docu0003_zps8c618abd.jpg.html")
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/docu0004_zps9c64c250.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/docu0004_zps9c64c250.jpg.html")
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/docu0005_zps287d7af2.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/docu0005_zps287d7af2.jpg.html")
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/docu0006_zpsb116e25a.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/docu0006_zpsb116e25a.jpg.html")
-
I haven't read that article for 30 + years. Thanks. It was hard to tell Stu from some guy who wandered in from the crowd in the pits.
-
quote:
Originally posted by jrlucke
Walt lives within a couple miles of me. We talked by phone for quite a while a couple years ago while he shared stories of his AC days in the San Francisco Bay area and living on a boat in the San Juans.
As an aside, his son has his Aceca in the north Seattle area awaiting restoration.
I can see if I can get in touch with him.
Hi John, I was wondering if you had a chance to try and contact Walt yet? The other trails have gone cold so we are hoping Walt may be able to help.
Jay
-
Jay, I haven't been in touch with Walt for quite a while and just returned from a week+ road trip to Southern CA.
While there I toured the Riverside Raceway museum and conversed with the docent who at one point owned Lew Spencer's Morgan. He was familiar with the racing Ace and his thoughts were that it would be hard to trace. Interesting fellow who while he didn't race he crewed for a bug eye (frog eye to those on the other side of the pond) and worked flag crews at the old Riverside track. He gave a great tour of their collection if anyone is ever in the Riverside area.
John
-
John,
Thanks for any help you might be bale to provide on contacting Walt.
I have never been to the Riverside Museum, but my parents live close by so the next time I head down there, I will have to swing by and take the tour.
Jay
-
Aha! More archive footage has come to light, this time courtesy of Tim Isles:
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/scan00012_zpsf9073be1.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/scan00012_zpsf9073be1.jpg.html")
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/scan00032_zpsfd33eb87.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/scan00032_zpsfd33eb87.jpg.html")
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/scan00042_zps8d876548.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/scan00042_zps8d876548.jpg.html")
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/scan00022_zpsdcf500f3.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/scan00022_zpsdcf500f3.jpg.html")
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/scan00052_zpse1b849d3.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/Competition%20Tuning%20Ace%20Bristol%20Pellandini/scan00052_zpse1b849d3.jpg.html")
-
.
Jay
In response to a blanket email to some 20 ACOC members in USA requesting Information on the Pellandini Ace Bristol.
Received the following email from David DiFrancesco:-
hey Keith....
I see the Morgan team "baby dolls" 1 through 4 are raced in CSRG (vintage sports car racing) at Sears Point and Monterey these past few decades....it might be worth asking the team where the Pellandini AC wound up....
Best
David DiFrancesco
BEX208
Jay..
Not sure if you have already explored this avenue.[?]
Thought I would add to your thread as someone might have direct contact with the Moggy Guys and The Vintage Sports Car Racing Guys..[;)]
Lets hope a we receive a few positive replies and ID the Pellandini Ace Bristol...[;)]
Cheers
Keith..[;)]
-
Jay
In response to a recent group email sent to various US ACOC members reference Information on the Team Pellandini Ace Bristol.
I have received the following from:-
Jerry Rosenstock (BEX229)......
.
.
Hi Keith
Sorry, I do not have any information for you. I do have one person, with whom I will do some follow up. If it leads to anything I will get back to you. There are some miscellaneous AC's floating around California. I have had several owners talk to me about theirs , I usually point them to the ACOC. So I really have no solid leads for you.
I read the link and the information. Really very enlightening and worth while reading.
I have very little information about my BEX229 other than the Sebring Class win.
The second owner when he joined the ACOC stated he was a flag worker in the East USA and saw my car
running many times. However I have not been able to substantiate that information. If in your quest, you find some information I would very much appreciate hearing from you. Dr. Richard Milo was the first owner who raced the car, he lived in Ithaca, New York. The second owner/flag man was M.L. Bennett also from Ithaca New York.
Good luck hunting.
Best regards
Jerry Rosenstock..[;)]
BEX229
Cheers
Keith ..[:)]
-
Photo posted on Keith's behalf......
(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm274/bryanmo/KL_BEXBeware1no31atRiverside.jpg)
-
.
Bryan.
Thank you for posting the above picture of Ron Bucknum in The Pellandini Ace Bristol " Beware 1" racing
number 31. Racing at Riverside. alongside Ace Bristol racing number 106.( ID of Driver and Ace [?])
Very disappointing response todate from USA ACOC members and Classic Sports Car Racing enthusiasts. Majority of material posted on this thread todate is from
this side of the pond...[:(]..[:(] Surely someone reading and following this thread on the US side of the pond has another piece of the jigsaw puzzle to help ID this very successful
Ace Bristol " Beware 1" raced by Team Pellandini..
Lew Spencer is now 85 years old, Ron Bucknum, Barbara Windhurst and other Pilots of our Aces raced in the 1950s are now in their 80 or 90s, InfACt many are no
longer with us.
History is therefore Lost Forever, So please dig into those archives and help record information for the Future Custodians of our much loved AC Ace's..[;)]
Keith..[:)]..[:)]
-
quote:
Lew Spencer is now 85 years old, Ron Bucknum, Barbara Windhurst and other Pilots of our Aces raced in the 1950s are now in their 80 or 90s, InfACt many are no
longer with us.
Perfectly right Keith...
Saving the memory of Motorsport becomes a race against the clock.
Are you sure the picture above is Riverside ?
The #106 Ace could be driven by Peter Haywood (BEX 1063).
Regards
Louis
-
.
Louism.
Interesting observation, Not sure where the picture originated, but Caption read Riverside 1961.
However, On checking through some photocopies of 1950s/1960s American race programmes, I note the following:-
Southern California Amateur Championships at Riverside International Raceway, Entry list dated Saturday October 15th 1960.
Ronnie Bucknum...31Dp....Ace Bristol.. entrant....Team Pellandini.
Peter Haywood....106Dp...Ace Bristol...entrant....P Haywood.
Ace Bristol Register has Peter Haywood in Chicago, Race programme has him in San Clemente, Sorry but my USA geography is..[?]
Thank you Louis for confirming ID of Ace Bristol BEX1063..[;)]
Will cross reference with Tim Isles when he gets back from France.
See You, Bertrand, Christian & the French Party at GoodWood Revival in September, Lunch..13.00 in GRRC Hospitality on Lavant Straight [?].
Keith..[:)]
-
Trying to cross reference the RSC web site with Tam McPartland's site, it appears that Peter Haywood was quite active on the west coast in the late 1950's to early 1960's (primarily California but also one race in Las Vegas).
The RSC page shows 3 Bristols, Haywood, Skip Horney and Al Norman at Santa Barbara in 1960.
Comparing these two pages, I suspect that A.C. #206 from Tam's page is in reality the #6 listed on the RSC page.
Tam's photo pages for the 1950's show several photos of A.C.'s at Riverside as early as the opening in 1957 and Paramont (in the hills near Malibu).
http://www.racingsportscars.com/entry/Santa_Barbara-1960-09-04s.html
http://www.tamsoldracecarsite.net/DonW004SantaBarbara1960Start.htm
Finally here's a photo showing Lew Spencer in the Pellegrini A.C. at Santa Barbara in 1960.
http://www.tamsoldracecarsite.net/PeterCulkin3.html
John
-
From Tim Isles:
"Research continues on the Pellandini Ace-Bristol but in the meantime here are a couple of period pictures to keep the thread going. The driver in the picture is Ronnie Bucknum, who went on to race F1 with Honda, and the advertisement shows Barbara Windhorst in the car with her # 145."
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/Tim%20Isles%20Sebring%20Ace%20pics/RonnieBucknum_zps5be223e9.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/Tim%20Isles%20Sebring%20Ace%20pics/RonnieBucknum_zps5be223e9.jpg.html")
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/Tim%20Isles%20Sebring%20Ace%20pics/barbarawindhorstad_zps79b8542e.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/Tim%20Isles%20Sebring%20Ace%20pics/barbarawindhorstad_zps79b8542e.jpg.html")
-
quote:
Originally posted by AC Ace Bristol
Jay.
Re: Stu Haggard
Please find below, Extract from email sent to Tim Isles earlier this year.
.
.
Tim
Whilst reading through AC General Instruction Supplement ( The ACOC Ltd . American Centre , 3630 East 56th Street. Tulsa 35, Oklahoma)
Amongst nine addresses was the following:
Stu Haggard Automotive
10429 Washington Blvd.
Culver City.
California
Not sure if this might help with Pellandini research.
Cheers
Keith.
Maybe someone on the West Coast or better still in the Area can follow up this lead and post on the Forum or email Jay. .[;)]
Keith..[:)]
20th November 2013
update from Jay:-
Gentlemen,
After continuing to try and find recent contact information for Stuart L Haggart, I believe I have found the reason for it not being available. Last night I found a web site that stated he passed away in 2003. I am still not sure this is the same Stuart Haggart we have been looking for, but maybe one of you can confirm the middle initial. He certainly looks like the correct person as he was from Culver City, and was 84 when he died, but I found no obituary that gave any background history.
Regards
Jay
In reponse...[;)]
There must be more data/Photos/ Race reports and Photos in the Archives of some of the Old Timers or their relatives, Please keep digging..[:)]
Some one on the West Coast must have information leading to establishing / confirming the ID and possible where abouts of this Ace Bristol with attitude and true racing Pedigree..[;)]..
Keith..[:)]
-
A quick update. Contact has been made with Bob Cole, who kindly briefed us on his racing activities.
Bob did own a road going Ace at the same time as 'Beware 1' was on the race track. However, Bob never raced his Ace, and he also informed us that he not buy his, or any other Ace, from Rene Pellandini.
So we are able to close the line of inquiry that Bob Cole bought 'Beware 1'.
Hopefully further research will bring some more information to light.
Tim
-
Tim,
Thanks for the update and I am glad you made contact with Bob Cole even if it did not yield the hoped for information.
Jay
-
Still no trace of 'Beware 1', but here is one of the 'Baby Doll' Morgans from the same stable.
http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1959-morgan-plus-4-baby-doll-lightweight/
-
On behalf of Keith and to keep the thread on this important yet still unidentified car alive here is a copy of a snippet of MotoRacing (and economy car news!) dated Nov. 11-18 1960 on the retirement of Beware 1. It is to be found on the bottom right hand corner of page 4 of this weekly journal.
Jerry
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u196/bex316/Pellandini.png)
-
Question, since Rene Pellandini was the President of Worldwide Motors and an AC distributor has anyone researched the factory records to see what Ace's were sent to his dealership?
Knowing that population and maybe the known history of some of the cars might narrow down the potential field of cars.
I checked and found a Peter Kunkle in So. Cal. but he appears to be too young to be the Pete Kunkle mentioned in the ad.
John
-
Good Idea John..
.
If only Life were that easy.. Tony Bancroft , Tim Isles and various other Ace Bristol enthusiasts have trod this path to no avail.[:(]
We can eliminate some of the cars supplied direct to Rene but to date it has been impossible to establish which Ace Bristol was Beware 1 and where
it is now, assuming it still exists..[?] we also know that Beware 1 was purchased second Hand from whom ?? who imported this Ace into USA.???
It doesn't help when those racing our Aces in the 1950's are now 80/90 years old, either long departed, loosing their marbles or simply cant
remember.. [;)].
We can all remember the odd registration number, but can you remember the chassis /vin number of any of your earlier cars..[?]
If any one had photos of the Beware 1 engine bay then we might justenlarge and possibly read the chassis plate..
very long shot ,but you never know.
Keith
<b>Keith</b>
-
I thought maybe someone had already gone done that path.
Has anyone talked to Ron Leonard about identifying Aces? I knew him in the mid 1960's in Tucson and know he was active in SCCA racing (with a Mustang at that time). I'm pretty sure he raced in various events in Arizona and California and maybe could provide additional contacts.
In regards to the Babydoll Morgans, as I mentioned before I talked to a docent at the Riverside Raceway Museum who had owned one of the Morgans. Unfortunately even though he worked the races, etc., he had no memory of the Ace.
John
-
quote:
Originally posted by jrlucke
Question, since Rene Pellandini was the President of Worldwide Motors and an AC distributor has anyone researched the factory records to see what Ace's were sent to his dealership?
Knowing that population and maybe the known history of some of the cars might narrow down the potential field of cars.
I checked and found a Peter Kunkle in So. Cal. but he appears to be too young to be the Pete Kunkle mentioned in the ad.
John
It has been documented the Ace in question was purchased by Pellandini as a Used Car, so no use chasing down factory documents. I have never been able to find any references as to where he found it or who he purchased it from.
Bert
-
Well, it's been more than a year since the last entry on this thread, so it's looking like the trail is going cold on the Pellandini Ace.
Tim Isles asked me to post this photo of Ronnie Bucknum in a great dice in BEWARE 1 with a Corvette and a Healey:
(http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q113/nikbj68/Pellandini%20Ace/image.jpg1_zpskewhuser.jpg) (http://"http://s134.photobucket.com/user/nikbj68/media/Pellandini%20Ace/image.jpg1_zpskewhuser.jpg.html")
...so go check your neighbors' barns, people... It could still be out there somewhere!
-
I think it is time to update Jay's original post with newly discovered information on Beware 1.
A number of months ago I ran into an advertisement in an old California newspaper publication entitled "MotoRacing" for a used race car that caught my eye. The advertisement was dated Dec 12, 1961. Offered for sale was Beware 1, by Dr. Ken Hayes. Ken was a Hollywood veterinarian that happened to purchase Beware 1 from Rene Pellandini at the end of the 1960 racing season. Ken raced the car a few times at Pomona, Palm Springs, and Riverside in early 1961 before he decided to leave the country and put the car up for sale.
I also found a want ad in the Los Angeles Times dated Oct 23, 1961 offering the car for sale. This time the California license plate number was listed, but now the car is listed as a 1958. I don't find confusion over the year of the car to be unusual, this was at a time when Detroit went to great lengths to change every model year, while one year's Ace looked like next year's Ace. (more or less) The ad was placed by the same Dr. Ken Hayes as the phone numbers are the same.
Now to find who bought Beware 1 from Hayes!