Description:

FAIRTHORPE ELECTRON MINOR Mk2 SUPERCHARGED GOODWOOD ELIGIBLE

Here is a real 'sleeper'. Whilst it may be argued that Fairthorpe cars do not immediately spring to mind in terms of historic racing, the truth is that they were well campaigned and successful in period race events. Here is a very special example of this rare breed that has all the potential of becoming a successful historic racer, plus having the kudos of Goodwood Revival eligibility without breaking the bank!

Small-scale specialist manufacturer Fairthorpe, founded by Air Vice Marshall Donald Bennett, launched its open two-seater Electron in 1956, fitted with a 1098cc overhead-cam Coventry Climax engine. It was followed in 1957 by the Electron Minor, a cheaper version with the 948cc engine, transmission and rear axle from the more available Standard Ten.

One of the most prominent racers with Fairthorpes was Peter Butt who was not only one of the original Fairthorpe race team drivers but also one of the Fairthorpe dealers back in the early days. Peter, along with Frank Collins, Fairthorpe works manager John Green and Gerald Golding were the original 'Works' Race Team for Fairthorpe. All were driving their own cars but were sponsored with tuning parts, consisting of larger SU carbs, a hot camshaft and tubular exhaust manifolds. During the late 1950s and early '60s, this team won a lot of club races, helping to promote the Fairthorpe name. Peter was also a Fairthorpe dealer, starting Butts Motors at 9 Pindock Mews in London where he sold and assembled kits and repaired those that had been damaged. Peter retained his original Fairthorpe which he built in 1958 (100 UMY) in which he gained many wins and top 3 finishes, including being the team lead driver of the Fairthorpe 'Works' Race Team for the Silverstone 6-Hour relay race in 1959. Fairthorpes also ran at Goodwood in period, and are therefore eligible for the Fordwater Trophy at the Goodwood Revival and Goodwood Members Meeting.

This rare example, a Mk.2 model registered in July 1960, has had just two previous owners from new and is a generally unmolested and unrestored car, complete with rare factory hard-top and sliding sidescreens, having been stored from the early 1970s through to 2018. Whilst much recommissioning work has been completed, such as new brake lines, fuel lines, suspension overhaul etc, this work was done by a previous owner some time ago. Of special interest is that this car has a Shorrock supercharger fitted, which was supplied and fitted by Allards in period. All the paperwork for this is contained in the car's history file. The supercharger is currently not connected, but the previous owner had previously run the engine on twin SU carburettors. This glassfibre-shelled car now requires finishing for road or track use and should prove to be a straightforward project.

It comes with its present and past V5Cs and a large and fascinating history file that includes an original brochure, the invoice for the Shorrock supercharger installation in 1961 plus documentation relating to the device. There's also a copy of Car Mechanics magazine from November 1964, a 1960 newspaper piece on the Fairthorpe, plus other, equally interesting miscellaneous paperwork. The chassis plate is included amongst the interesting paperwork file.

Priced at £6,950, representing a truly accessible entry into proper historic racing, this Fairthorpe is eligible for HRDC, HSCC, CSCC, Equipe GTS and many other prominent historic club events.

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