Barrett's #258 - Solved - MG Special by Bud Hand

[barrett]

Who built this car, when was it built and what engine does it use? A point if you know

[barrett]

Up...

[roger]

Is this a Hamblin Cadet
They use both Ford and Austin for the base cars with A Bowden sports suspension

[barrett]

I can see why you'd think that, but this isn't related to Hamblin at all!

[roger]

Triumph running gear?

[barrett]

Not based on a Triumph, no

[barrett]

Moving up again

[woodinsight]

MG Special by Bud Hand 1956?

[barrett]

MG Special by Bud Hand 1956?

That's it, well done

[Walt Huff]

Built by Bud himself @ his shop, Bud Hand Sports Car Service, on Santa Monica Bl. in W. Los Angeles in 1955. Chassis was parallel 2 tube frame. Motor 1500 cc using A Factory Racing Block. MG TC Trans. and a MG TC Diff. Aluminum body totally done by Bud Hand  only the Full length belly pan was out sourced to Troutman & Barnes in Culver City Ca.  Brakes were MG TC w/AlFin Drums. Susp was 1/4 elipitic rear and Cross spring [Cooper Style] independent front. Drivin by Bud himself & Doc Allen Kerns as a Under 1500 cc Sports Car until the SCCA banned cycle fenders.   In 1960 it was converted to a Formula 2 / Libre  car sans Fenders and raced in the So Cal area w/the F-Jrs. it was officially retired in 1965. it is still in So. Cal. Now owned by his Son Bruce. 

In the late 50's the TV series "Bell Telephone Hr" did a documentry on Bud & This car. As he had Polio as a kid and  he wore a brace on his left leg, and the car had a custom clutch pedel to hold his heel in and he rotated his hip to use the clutch. but  this didn't slow him down one bit. He built his Sports Car Service business from scratch, employing 4 to 6 full time workers and I was fortunate to work for him in the 60's. and got to drive this car as a Formula type until it was retired ...   

Bud was a natural Mechanical genius he could make anything mechanical that didn't work, work / run  and anything that did run he could make it better.   

[Carnut]

Couple more pictures: