The Way We Were
Silverstone, Summer 1969
Visit Silverstone circuit today, and there’s big money everywhere – perhaps best exemplified by the angular and undulating Wing building with new pit and paddock area, opened in May 2011 at a cost of £27m. It’s difficult not to be a little overawed by the place. But for many years, this Northamptonshire venue was a bit shabby and unplanned. Like many other British tracks, it grew organically from a former World War Two RAF base, evolving and adapting gradually. This week’s The Way We Were wonderfully illustrates its somewhat down-at-heel and haphazard nature prior to the big money events of the 21st century.
RAF Silverstone was originally a bomber airfield that opened in 1943, but closed in 1947. Then an impromptu motor race was organised in September that year. Stray sheep were an unintended hazard, and one that wandered onto the track was unfortunately killed – not the sort of thing that Lewis Hamilton has to contend with today. The Royal Automobile Club took over the following year, putting on the first post-war British Grand Prix there in September. The 1950 staging was notable as the first ever Formula One World Championship race. Even King George VI was impressed enough to attend that. Despite incursions from Aintree and Brands Hatch and the threat of a 21st century move to Donington Park, Silverstone is now firmly the home of the British Grand Prix.
We’re not sure what meeting is pictured here, but it’s definitely not F1. It looks like a historic gathering, featuring a variety of machines from different eras. And for today’s classic car enthusiasts, there’s just as much interest in the background vehicles as in those going into battle on track.
Dominating the main image are two Lotus racers. Number 107, also known as NOY 1, is a Lotus Bristol MkX – a 1955 aluminium-bodied creation with a Bristol 2.0-litre engine. Its companion, number 108 (registered RN66) is, we think, a variation on the same theme or perhaps an earlier MkVIII or MkIX. With both of these being road-legal, it’s tempting to think of them being driven to Silverstone, raced and then driven home again by their gung-ho owners.
Beyond the non chalantly-discarded MGB Roadster, its carelessly half-pushed back soft-top making it look a makeshift Targa, there’s the triple treat promise of a burger, Pepsi and Gallone’s ice cream from its Commer Walk-Thru van. The little girl running in from the left certainly seems keen.
And what an amazingly diverse selection of cars she’s speeding away from. We can only assume some must belong to racing drivers, because the first three certainly aren’t runof-the-mill for late 1960s Britain. Just nudging into frame is a Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato Series 1. It’s unusual and eye-catching enough in its own right, except its neighbour is a Mercedes 300 SL coupé, casually parked outside the ladies’ toilet – as one does with an ultra-rare, megaexpensive iconic sports car.
Next door is… well, we have no idea – it looks like some sort of special. There’s definitely a hint of vintage Bentley to it, though. We move more to the mundane with the final three cars; an Arrows-type Singer Vogue (or Gazelle) estate, a Rover 2000 P6 and an Austin Mini Super MkI.
Our second image is elsewhere on the circuit, with a selection of 1930s ERA (English Racing Automobiles) machines being tinkered with. Good business, no doubt, for the local Sheep Street, Northampton, branch of BMTR (Birmingham Motor Tyre Repository), which has sent one of its Ford Thames 400E vans along to keep them well-supplied with rubber.
You’ll look in vain for the Lucas tower and Dunlop advertising archway (not a bridge, in this case) at today’s Silverstone circuit; fortunately, thanks to the historic events that it continues to stage (such as the Classic), you might just find some of the cars, though.
‘It’s tempting to think of them being driven to Silverstone, raced and then driven home again’