Description:

 RGS Atalanta 1600 - VOD 279

Richard (Dick) Shattock’s company RGS Automotive Components Ltd built cars bearing the RGS Atalanta name from 1951 to 1958. They continued to supply components for builders & repairers until 1962. In total approximately 100 bodies were manufactured at the company’s Brookside Garage premises, near Ascot.  Most of the production was sold as either complete kits for home build, or as components which a home builder could incorporate into their own design. In common with other 50’s specialist sports & sports racing car designs, front cross members from production cars were used, with MG models being one of the favourites due to their compact design with well proven suspension & brakes.

VOD 279 was built in the early 1960’s with the front cross member, suspension & many mechanical parts from a 1957 MG Magnette on a unique tubular chassis frame. The MG Magnette identity was retained & remains with the car to this day.  Its early history is unknown, the first known owner was Jack Parsons of Perry Barr, who owned it for many years. It was originally fitted with an MGA 1500cc engine, fitted with an HRG alloy crossflow cylinder head & twin SU carburettors, mated to an MGA gearbox. In 2016 VOD was owned by Peter Stembridge of Winchester, who sold it in January 2017 to the current owner in need of restoration.

In current ownership the car was fully restored, initially with the 1500cc engine in fast road/race specification. The current specification is suitable for Period E (up to 31/12/1961) competitions for sports & sports racing cars, including FISCAR, Equipe Classic Sports Racing Cars & the HSCC Griffiths Haig series.

In 2022 a new full race 1622cc MGA engine was assembled, still using the HRG alloy crossflow cylinder head, now fitted with twin Weber 40DCOE carburettors. In this specification the car was successfully raced, with a best result of 3rd overall in the 2023 FISCAR race at the August Bentley Drivers Club Silverstone meeting. In preparation for sale the cylinder head has just been removed, checked & reassembled. On our in-house rolling road the engine produces 120bhp at the flywheel .

VOD is one of only a small handful of RGS Atalantas to have survived & is the only MGA engined car currently racing. It represents a very cost effective entry into fifties sports/sports racing events & is welcome into a number of excellent race series. It is also eligible for Goodwood Members Meeting & Revival in the years when suitable races are run.

Included with the car is the 1500cc engine mentioned above, minus cylinder head. And the SU carburettors & manifolds used on the 1500 engine. Plus a comprehensive file of invoices & technical information detailing the current owner’s time with the car.

The car is also featured in RGS ATALANTAS by Alan Shattock. This book, published in 2019 is the definitive history of the marque. A copy of this rare book is included.

Please contact Paul Woolmer 07787 413804 or paul@woolmerclassic.co.uk  for more information or to arrange a viewing.

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