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Straightspeed photo

Some are my photo's, lot's by other's (credited where I can) of all things with an internal combustion power source. There are errors, I do not always double check the sources of information.

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- October 24, 2018

#vintageformula500 #formula500 #vintageracer #vintageracecar #vintageformulathree #singlecylinder #jap #norton #prescottspeedhillclimb

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1930 Austin 7 Monoposto

- March 18, 2026

This fantastic looking Austin 7 Monoposto was built by Roach Manufacturing commissioned by a client for their daughter to race, hillclimb and sprint. I can find very little (none!) technical detail on this particular car, but I believe it was built around 2013 and on a 1930 chassis, #43048. Appearing proportionally perfect and impeccably engineered. Its always a racing class I look out for, as the Monoposto version of the venerable 7 can be extremely quick. Find out a bit more at Austin7Racing , the 750 Motor Club , and the Vintage Sports Car Club .

1932 MG J2 Midget

- March 11, 2026

Before the outbreak of the Second World War, from 1932 to 1934, the British marque MG produced a lightweight two-seater roadster known as the J2. Over its three-year production run, only 2,083 units were built. Equipped with an 847cc inline-four OHV engine, the J2 earned a reputation for its lively handling and approachable price, making it a beloved entry point into sports car ownership at the time. Where better than the MG Owners Club to read a brief history and the technical specifications. Announced in August 1932 the J2 Midget was outstanding value for just £199 10s. and was within the reach of many enthusiasts of the era. It was based on the successful design of the C type or Montlhery Midget as it was better known, a direct derivative of the M type. From the outset the car represented everything that was right in basic sports car design incorporating such things as a large rear mounted slab type petrol tank with a huge fast fill1 petrol cap, fold flat win...

1920 Ballot 3/8 LC Grand Prix Two-Seater

- March 23, 2026

The Ballot 3/8 LC was a cutting-edge French racing car, capable of 124mph at a time when many normal road cars struggled to hit half that. The engine’s double overhead camshafts, four valves-per-cylinder and hemi-spherical combustion chambers was the work of the genius mind belonging one of the “Charlatans”, Ernest Henry. The Charlatans were a secretive operation consisting of Robert Peugeot, two drivers Jules Goux and Georges Boillot, the designer Paolo Zuccarelli and, of course engineer Ernest Henry, who were pioneering the 4 valve Hemi Twin Cam design. These innovations led to its victory at the Italian Grand Prix. The two French Ballots competing took first and second spots, while a Fiat 802 – the Italian crowd’s favourite – took third. But the Ballots won for their strategy, conserving fuel and tyres against the much faster Fiat, and not once stopping. A three car team was sent to Indianapolis where the biggest rival looked to be the Duesenberg, which also featured a s...