Solved NIC#1270 - Bora Brooklands race car of A. Boorer

[nicanary]

Not Bunny, an Enfield-Allday or Silent Snow.

[nicanary]

A summary so far- it's a British car built for racing at Brooklands. It first raced in 1921 and was re-engined next year and continued to race until about 1926. The engine size was bigger than a cyclecar but not large.

It was not a successful car, more like a hobby for the owner/builder. There are quite a few references on Google if you know what it's called !

[gte4289]

Marlborough I?

[nicanary]

Marlborough I?

No.

[fromwien]

Bleriot-Whippet Blackburne, W. Marchant

[nicanary]

Bleriot-Whippet Blackburne, W. Marchant

No.

[gte4289]

Was the car equipped with either a different grille or an extended/modified radiator cowling during the 1921 Brooklands event?

[nicanary]

Was the car equipped with either a different grille or an extended/modified radiator cowling during the 1921 Brooklands event?

Not that I know of. All other images of the carm show it with this radiator.

[gte4289]

It's difficult to tell due to the poor image quality; does the exhaust exit through the engine cowling and run along the passenger side of the car?

[nicanary]

It's difficult to tell due to the poor image quality; does the exhaust exit through the engine cowling and run along the passenger side of the car?

Yes. the exhaust is on the left of the car, the right side as you look at the photo.

[gte4289]

Did the car compete in hill climb events after Brooklands?

[nicanary]

Did the car compete in hill climb events after Brooklands?

Very unlikely, although I don't know for sure.

[gte4289]

Did the car have a silly nickname?

[nicanary]

Did the car have a silly nickname?

No, not really. I should imagine it was a variation on the owner/driver's surname.

[gte4289]

Did this car's 1921 Brooklands appearance take place in March?

[nicanary]

Did this car's 1921 Brooklands appearance take place in March?

No. The first mention of the car seems to be late in the summer.

[fromwien]

Donald Marendaz, Marendaz Special

[nicanary]

Donald Marendaz, Marendaz Special

Not a Marendaz.

[gte4289]

'Bora' by Boorer & Roberts (M.A.B. chassis and 1792cc 6-cylinder Sage motor)

[nicanary]

I commend the quality of your Austin Harris photo of the car on the banking - you must have better IT equipment than myself! Of course you are correct - it's the spectacularly unsuccessful Bora.

You will note that the exhaust in the 2 photos varies. The car was fitted with at least 3 Sage engines at various times, starting with a 1.7 litre, progressing to a 2.5 litre and then finally gaining a 3rd place finish with a 1.9 litre motor. I think the car raced till about 1926. It always used a Sage engine (of Grays Inn Road and Peterborough) and there is some conclusion that it was used as a sort of Sage "works" car. Frederick Sage were important makers of office and shop furniture and I can think of no reason why they decided to make automobile engines.

Very well solved.

PS I have no reference anywhere of an MAB car. If you know anything..........

[gte4289]

Thanks for the point!