The Way We Were

‘ Where do you think this is? Brands Hatch?’ Well, yes it is! On Saturday 18 July crowds line up to watch the British Grand Prix

Brands Hatch, 1970

Saturday, 18 July 1970 was a great day at Brands Hatch as a record-breaking 56,000 people paid to see the 23rd British Grand Prix take place at the motor racing circuit at West Kingsdown, Kent.

On a dry, sunny day the crowd had already been entertained by the 20-lap Lombard Trophy for Touring Cars, a cavalcade of Jaguar XK cars and the Band of the Welsh Guards, when the GP cars and drivers took to the track ready for the 2.30pm start.

It was also a great day for your scribe as it was the only time to date that a Grand Prix race has been enjoyed at first hand, and I didn’t have to pay as I was a guest of the BRM works team, travelling on the coach from Bourne, Lincolnshire. I did not bring the works team any luck however, as not one of their P153 cars completed the 80 laps.

Even the car first past the chequered flag, Jochen Rindt’s Lotus 72C, was subjected to scrutiny following the race as it was felt by the end of the contest that the rear aerofoil was not to regulation height. After being disqualified for a few hours, his win was re-confirmed to cheers from the remaining members of the crowd.

Obviously many of those enjoying the action from South Bank that day wanted to see more of the action as several have taken to the roof of their vehicle to gain a better view and turn their backs on the far-from-subtle advertising boards.

There are a number of campers/ light commercial vans that obviously seemed to provide an ideal platform back in the day, though nearly 50 years later you do wonder if it had a detrimental effect on the bodywork, as the slightest weakness became an invitation for rot to set in.

My eye was drawn to a then fairly-recent Volkswagen T2a early Bay camper to the left rear, where not only is the pop-top raised but the occupants are using a roof rack over the cab as improvised seating! Likewise, a sturdy VW Beetle seen to the left of the camper in use as seating might not be in such solid condition today.

They are, of course, by no means alone as witnessed by the six chaps perched on the roof and bonnet of the Ford Transit minibus in the bottom right of the picture. The Mk1 Transit was introduced in October 1965, taking over in the commercial range from the Thames 400E, initially being built at Langley.

Obviously the owners of the Commer van that looks to have been

converted to a spacious camper to its left have not yet yielded to the temptation to clamber on its roof, though all around cars from Ford Anglias, a Cortina MkII, a Hillman Hunter and some Triumph Heralds have become temporary seating. Also visible at the top left is a Bedford CA van, with its trademark sliding door, used by all manner of businesses back in the day. It also made its mark for camping, with conversions like those available from Dormobile.

One of the Morris Minor saloons seen on the right has also become a perch, though the Traveller on the far left has so-far avoided this fate. Three months earlier, British Leyland had announced that the much-loved Minor – in production since 1948 – would be discontinued in 1971. BL launched their Range Rover in June 1970, a vehicle that became a favourite for folk to sit and even stand on at events such as this.

You expect to find sports cars at big motorsport events, and sure enough a Lotus Elan keeps company alongside a 1966 Ford Cortina GT. It might also not be surprising to find various MGs, Mini vans and saloons, Ford Escorts and Capris among the crowd. A Saab V4 and a Citroën DS/ ID offer some European variety to the many British-built cars.

While the 1100/1300 saloons look still to be a popular choice judging by their numbers here, there was a move towards bigger saloons from Austin (and the re-badged Morris version) with the 1800s (1798cc), and a few of these find themselves on the hillside. Also standing out is a Wolseley 18/85 to the left of a loudspeaker showing its stylised nose and grille, with its owners doubtless proud of the walnut dash, superior trim and power steering. It’s good to see a 1950s Austin Cambridge in the mix too.

Brands Hatch continues to be a great place to enjoy motorsport, though they staged their last GP in 1986. You’ll often find noteworthy classics parked on South Bank, though probably not in these numbers. Some owners might even be sitting on them!

‘Several of those enjoying the South Bank have taken to their roofs to get a better view’