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Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2011 => Topic started by: woodinsight on May 12, 2011, 11:25:17 AM

Title: Solved - MJW #428 - Semmence Special driven by Leslie Hawthorn at a 1947 sprint
Post by: woodinsight on May 12, 2011, 11:25:17 AM

What was this car called and what engine did it use?
Who is at the wheel and when was this photo taken?

Title: Re: MJW #428
Post by: Allan L on May 12, 2011, 12:45:23 PM

That's the Semmence Special, an AC-engined Frazer Nash. There is a photo like this somewhere taken at a Hants & Berks MC Sprint which I think probably was at West Court (near Eversley). They were there firston 15/11/46 and as, by 1947 they were at Great Auclum, I think it has to be 1946 or early 1947. Don't think it's Whitfield Semmence driving so perhaps Leslie Hawthorn? (you know, the chap whose son was rather a good racing driver too).
Later the Semmence got a post-war 2½ litre Lea-Francis engine which I was offered in about 1962 when the owner restored it to AC-power for VSCC eligibility reasons.

Title: Re: MJW #428
Post by: woodinsight on May 12, 2011, 01:19:21 PM

Quote from: woodinsight on May 12, 2011, 11:25:17 AM

What was this car called and what engine did it use?
Who is at the wheel and when was this photo taken?

Perfect answer Allan.
The year was 1947 at a Hants & Berks sprint meeting with Leslie Hawthorn at the wheel.

Title: Re: Solved - MJW #428 - Semmence Special driven by Leslie Hawthorn at a 1947 sprint
Post by: grobmotorix on May 21, 2015, 02:57:37 PM

Two more 1938 scans: