Mick Walsh
FROM THE COCKPIT
Even Don Draper from the Mad Men TV series would have been upstaged by the lifestyle of John Broad. The founder of a successful Coventry ad agency in the 1950s, Broad’s main indulgence was motor cars. From an early age, the thrill of speed – on two wheels or four – was a constant addiction. When the Shrewsburyborn lad was sent out to India to work on tea plantations in the ’30s, he secretly arranged for his motorbike to be shipped out as well.
Although a smart businessman, his life changed when he met his future wife Felicity Cliff. Her father was a wealthy steelworks magnate who didn’t approve of the car-mad Broad, which forced the young couple to elope, but from then on Broad could really indulge in motors. Anyone at Prescott in the ’50s and ’60s would recall the tall, slim enthusiast who entered a diverse range of machines from supercharged single-seater Austin to Maserati 3500GT.
“Even when my grandfather planned a late honeymoon in Morocco, there was a car connection involved,” remembers his grandson Guy Broad. “It seems that the trip revolved around seeing a Maserati in Tangier that he bought and shipped home. I’m sure grandma wasn’t amused by his ruse, but she was very tolerant.”
Like many enthusiasts after WW2, Broad’s first ventures into competition were via pre-war cars – including a Vauxhall 30-98 and various Bentleys. Hillclimbing was his favourite pursuit, particularly at Prescott where he was always fast and committed. At one point, he ran both the ex-bertie Bradnack Cooper MKVII and an ERA with the aim of winning two classes in a weekend.
Broad also proved quick on track at VSCC meets, particularly in R11B ‘Remus’, which he campaigned with gusto in 1955-’56, always wearing a shirt and tie. With no pretence of being a spannerman, Broad employed local specialist Alec Pitts to fettle his cars, and generously shared the ERA with Pitts’ wife, who often set the fastest women’s time at sprints and climbs. On one occasion at Oulton Park, the meeting was delayed when Broad decided to take his Bedford Duple transporter around the track rather than cycle, and clipped the pedestrian bridge.
Broad’s racing ended dramatically in the VSCC Richard Seaman Trophy at Silverstone. From the start, a close battle developed between Broad in Remus, Dennis Poore’s Alfa 8C-35 and ‘Nobby’ Spero in the ex-prince Bira Maserati 8CM 3011. Poore eventually retired, but the scrap roared on until the rivals’ wheels locked, which launched Remus into a series of scary cartwheels. Both car and driver recovered, but Broad was left with spinal injuries for the rest of his days.
“Dad made one gallant attempt to drive R11B again at Staveston sprint,” recalls son Jeremy. “He had to be lowered into the car like a knight being cranked onto his trusty steed. It was all too painful and he sportingly handed his entry to hillclimb champion Tony Marsh.” Many years later, on a visit to Donington with his family, the elderly Broad was shown Remus but didn’t recognise his old car, disapproving of the bright blue paint and go-faster 16in yellow wheels.
Remus was sold to Bill Moss, but it wasn’t long before Broad filled the empty garage space with a famous Alfa Romeo 8C Monza. He continued to sprint and hillclimb, always driving to and from events, enjoying the spirited run across the Cotswolds as much as the competition.
For Broad, the acquisition of any car was all about the experience, because he was never interested in values. “Grandad was fascinated to see if the car lived up to its reputation or the road tests… if the car disappointed, it was gone the next day,” says Guy, who has never forgotten a childhood ride in a GT40. His grandfather spotted the irresistible ex-ford France car for sale at Foley Motors in Kidderminster, painted an awful pistachio green, and traded a motorhome for it.
At one point in the late 1960s, the repainted GT40 was parked on the lawn at Shenstone Grange with a Ferrari 250 SWB, a Cobra 289 and a Lamborghini 350GT. Just imagine what the neighbours must have thought of the exotic lineup, but Broad always appreciated how lucky he was to have the money to indulge his passion. In later years, his acquisitions included a Dino, bought straight off the Motor Show stand, and a Lotus Sunbeam in which he insisted on carrying two sandbags in the back just to make it handle.
Little wonder that enthusiasm rubbed off on his family. If you visit Guy Broad’s XK business – tucked down a farm track near Corley, close to Browns Lane – the treasure trove of memorabilia vividly celebrates the automotive obsession of three generations. Boldly hanging in reception is a dramatic shot of Broad Snr storming up Great Auclum in Remus. Long may it continue.
“Even when he planned a late honeymoon,” recalls Broad’s grandson, “there was a car connection”