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Austinsevenfriends
John Bolster special - Printable Version

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John Bolster special - falcott - 26-06-2024

Hi everyone, today I picked up some random editions of Motor Sport magazine dated 1960s and '70s from a secondhand bookshop. Perusing the ads is extremely entertaining, what with the proliferation of Ford and Austin specials on offer. Apart from such delights as a 1955 Mille Miglia class-winning Maserati  for only £100 more than a new Ford Anglia, there is what appears to be a Ford powered Austin 7 Special once owned by John Bolster. I wonder what has happened to it?

   

RE: John Bolster special - Jeff Taylor - 26-06-2024

I think you'll find it's probably a Morris chassis based special.

RE: John Bolster special - Chris Garner - 26-06-2024

...and it does appear to have a pre war Morris radiator cowl.

RE: John Bolster special - Mike Costigan - 26-06-2024

... and wheels.

RE: John Bolster special - falcott - 26-06-2024

Perhaps you're right about the chassis. Probably not Austin. But it does seem to have Austin hubs. At least to these eyes.

RE: John Bolster special - Tony Press - 27-06-2024

Morris hubs

RE: John Bolster special - Julian Hunt - 27-06-2024

I think you'll find that this is the car formerly known as "The White Minor". Built for Barbara Skinner whose family ran SU Carburettors and based upon the £100 Morris Minor. There were two special Minors - this one and "The Red Minor" built for Barbara's brother Peter. They were developed with special engines and supercharged and capable of surprising revs. A number of special cylinder blocks were made and each had a short life with the power they were called upon to produce. When these blocks ran out Peter's car was fitted with a Mercury 8 cylinder squeezed into the now single seater body and this is in the hands of Burlen Carburettors the SU specialists. Barbara was given the White car when she married John Bolster and took it with her to the farm in Kent. As the last of the special engines was becoming fragile it was replaced with an 1172cc Ford motor and used as a road car.

The car (and engine) still exists and the owner hopes one day to bring them both back together.

RE: John Bolster special - falcott - 27-06-2024

Thanks Julian, most interesting. And apologies for taking us off on this tangent. Smile

RE: John Bolster special - Robert Leigh - 27-06-2024

The SU name was from 'Skinner's Unit' I believe.

RE: John Bolster special - jpsmit - 27-06-2024

(27-06-2024, 12:52 PM)Robert Leigh Wrote: The SU name was from 'Skinner's Unit' I believe.

Skinner's Union (anorak here  Rolleyes )