There were 19 classes for competitors at the first Chateau Impney Hill Climb revival on 11-12 July, but there is no question which cars brought the most drama to the grounds of the beautiful Droitwich Spa hotel. The Special has long been a tradition in period and historic motor sport, from such early proponents as the legendary Basil Davenport with his Shelsley conquering beasts, to the eager young engineers turning out their Frankenstein machines today. They may not be the prettiest cars you will see on the circuit but the scream grassroots British motor sports more than anything else you will see and, piloted by fearless drivers who are at one with their spindly machines, they are the kings of crowd pleasing. Here are a few doing what they do best at Chateau Impney.
Now owned by David Leigh, GN Spider 1 was Basil Davenport’s first record-breaking beast. Built in 1923 and originally powered by just over 1 litre (later upped to 1500cc) it obliterated the record books at Shelsley Walsh in period and is still ominously quick today.
Dougal Cawley of Longstone Tyres is renowned, notorious even, for his sideways exploits in his GN/Frazer Nash ‘Piglet’. With a top speed said to be in the region of 130mph, Cawley’s chain-driven, Ford Model A-powered car is always driven on the ragged edge.
You’d be forgiven for not recognising this car. It is the Morgan RIP Special, in effect a Morgan Three-Wheeler converted into a four-wheeler. Driven exuberantly but expertly by Charlie Martin, the RIP Special is one of the most entertaining cars on the hills.
Winston Teague’s 1922 GN Wasp is as distinctive in action as its livery is in the paddock. Originally built in the 1920s by Jack Moor, Teague piloted it to the 100cc Vintage record at Prescott Hill Climb in 2011, a feat that is yet to be bettered.
Yet another GN special, this time the Gnat. John Wiseman’s car.
Here’s Ben Enticknap in the GN Phoenix Special taking a nice clean line – unusually for a special – through the corner dubbed Raven’s Crest.
Believe it or not the 1928 Shelsley Special that Gary Clare’s ran at Chateau Impney is called Grannie.
Looking every bit like a baby Silver Arrows, the Issigonis Lightweight Special, as you would imagine, was the brainchild of iconic engineer and designer Sir Alec Issigonis. The man who was behind both the Morris Minor and the Mini created this using only hand tools and it was brimful of innovation. It had a monocoque body and all independent suspension and weighed just 590lb. It was run at Chateau Impney by Andy Storers.
Greg MacLeman is a contributor to and former Features Editor of Classic & Sports Car, and drives a restored and uprated 1974 Triumph 2500TC