On seeing the picture, I mailed Mike about the spec. The reply follows. . . .

Mac

After all these years I didn't think anyone , other than Mike T and I , would have any real interest. Thank you for asking.

Bill Arklay , Farnborough, built and raced it successfully. With help from my dear Dad, I drove it for about 5 years and there are only a few bolts that I'm not familiar with.

Chassis was Austin 7, complete with rear end and brakes.

Engine was Riley 9, about 1932 to 36 I believe, hemi heads and pistons, rods machined to take bearing shells, long stroke but would rev to about 5500.

V 8 distributor run off the front timing cover, I was told Bill actually had two sets of 4 ignition wires set up for when he was racing/sprinting.

Twin semi down draft SU, home/shop made intake manifold, home made exhaust header into a pair of Servais silencers.

No fan, header tank and water pump and then naturally occurring cooling from motion.

Wolsley Hornet "crash box" circa 1932, home made clutch that proved to be quite troublesome, heavy and self destructive. (wearing throw out bearing rapidly.)

Front axle and cable brakes from Standard 9, independent front axles.

Body work was by Bill, beaten aluminum, no windshield other than small deflectors, home made bucket seats with little to no floor boards.

No generator ever worked, but belt driven off the prop shaft and mounted aft of the seats.

(Guess how important my passenger Mike T was)

I learnt a great deal, had an even greater amount of fun and excitement and every time I parked it at my G' ma in Worthing, someone would come into the shop and ask if they could buy it. Sold it just before I left for Canada 1960, lots of tears.

Please pass along and any more questions , just ask. I know it was wishful thinking when I wrote "I wonder if she survived all this time" but if anyone knows , PLEASE let me know.

Oh, performance. Standing 1/4 mile in 19.6 sec, engine displacement 1100 cc I think.

Now that brought back a real flood of memories. Thank YOU for asking.

Best wishes to yourself and Neil

Mike E (1955)