PDA

View Full Version : Lenham



Cedric
07-03-2005, 02:19 PM
When I was at the Historic GP I spotted an unusual 60s racer: a Lenham. the name rang a bell, because I remember the company made hardtops for MGs and Triumphs. Does anyone know more about this mid-engined Ford-powered car?

Matra et Alpine
07-03-2005, 04:34 PM
yep, the Lenham top for the MGB was ...
http://www.garage24.net/MGBGT/MG-1011.jpg

You're probably thinking of the Lenham GT which used various MG bits - Midget floorpan and suspension with fibreglass body circa '60s
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgoc/emg/images/lejogp.jpg

The predecessor to the more common MG based Lenham GT was a Sprite variant from '59ish
http://www.classicdriver.fr/upload/cars/10780/1700949/biga.jpg

Haven't ever heard of a mid-engined Lenham tho' :(

Cedric
07-04-2005, 10:23 AM
A shame I hadn't taken my camera, cos the Lenham racer really did the job, it was an extremely nimble and quick car. Also a pity I didn't get to meet the owner. The car is really worth having a look at.

Wouter Melissen
07-04-2005, 10:31 AM
A shame I hadn't taken my camera, cos the Lenham racer really did the job, it was an extremely nimble and quick car. Also a pity I didn't get to meet the owner. The car is really worth having a look at.
Was it yellow?

Cedric
07-05-2005, 10:42 AM
No, it was blue, and it isn't similar to that car, not by a long shot. Think of an Elva Mk7 with a roof, or a baby Porsche 906 if you will.

henk4
07-06-2005, 02:04 AM
Was it yellow?

that is not a Lenham afair, but a South African built special

henk4
07-06-2005, 02:07 AM
No, it was blue, and it isn't similar to that car, not by a long shot. Think of an Elva Mk7 with a roof, or a baby Porsche 906 if you will.
I know what you mean, I have seen the car, it is a regular contender in European sportscar races, but I failed up to now to have taken a proper picture of the car

Matra et Alpine
07-06-2005, 02:39 AM
I know what you mean, I have seen the car, it is a regular contender in European sportscar races, but I failed up to now to have taken a proper picture of the car
Jopw about this shape ?
This Austin Healey based Lenham was sold and may be in different livery ?
http://www.fisc-racing.com/pics/forsale/smallhuebcar1.jpg
or maybe Ian Hulett's Sprite/Midget based one, not sure if it's still running blue
http://www.fisc-racing.com/pics/smallhulecar.jpg
Is it soft or hard top, is it kamm tailed describe the front shape, with more info we can probably nail this one down :)

henk4
07-06-2005, 02:56 AM
no, the Lenham I have seen was definitely a mid-engined sportscar, probably with a 2 litre engine (BDA), like Cedric says, a sort of Elva, or Gropa

http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/Brands_Hatch-1971-04-04-photo.html

I found this link, there is no pic, but it describes a Lenham P71, with a 3litre Repco V8, which was a no-show at the BOAC 1000KM 1971, furthermore the entry list for LeMans 1970 makes notice of the Lenham P70, with a 1600 ford engine, but the entry was not accepted, so the car did not run. The P70 probably is the car that we are talking about here.

Matra et Alpine
07-06-2005, 05:17 AM
no, the Lenham I have seen was definitely a mid-engined sportscar, probably with a 2 litre engine (BDA), like Cedric says, a sort of Elva, or Gropa

http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/Brands_Hatch-1971-04-04-photo.html

I found this link, there is no pic, but it describes a Lenham P71, with a 3litre Repco V8, which was a no-show at the BOAC 1000KM 1971, furthermore the entry list for LeMans 1970 makes notice of the Lenham P70, with a 1600 ford engine, but the entry was not accepted, so the car did not run. The P70 probably is the car that we are talking about here.
ah friend sent me a link.
Lik this .....
http://www.pamotorsport.com/latest_news/storyimages/pa_107_2004112214120.jpg
??????????

henk4
07-06-2005, 05:26 AM
no, more like this, a Gropa, from the same period :D

henk4
07-06-2005, 05:32 AM
ah friend sent me a link.
Lik this .....
http://www.pamotorsport.com/latest_news/storyimages/pa_107_2004112214120.jpg
??????????

my instant message notifier showed a totally different picture, which comes closer to the truth :D

henk4
07-06-2005, 05:36 AM
memory has come back, it might actually be this car, which up to now I catalogued as :unknown supersports, taken at Zandvoort 1987. It may have changed colours now. Also Ginetta produced a similar model and that was definitely blue.

Matra et Alpine
07-06-2005, 06:35 AM
memory has come back, it might actually be this car, which up to now I catalogued as :unknown supersports, taken at Zandvoort 1987. It may have changed colours now. Also Ginetta produced a similar model and that was definitely blue.
COUdl be it's in for restoration at PA Motorsporst.
here's a pic of the bare body :)
Lenham P69 ??
http://www.pamotorsport.com/latest_news/storyimages/pa_110_20041126203017.jpg

henk4
07-06-2005, 06:38 AM
yes could well be it, how many 69's are there?

Matra et Alpine
07-06-2005, 06:40 AM
yes could well be it, how many 69's are there?
Haven't a clue as I'm only the intermediary on the information :)
I didnt' even realise Lenham had made any mid engined cars !!!!!

Cedric
07-09-2005, 01:00 AM
The blue Ginetta you are talking about was indeed blue, it was the G16.
The Lenham I am talking about is a darker blue car, gull-winged, mid-engined and powered with a Ford four-pot, I reckon a 1600cc or 2litre. None of the cars posted in this thread are the one I am talking about. It is a closed mid-engined vehicle, not open. If we persevere we can nail it down.

henk4
07-09-2005, 01:09 AM
The blue Ginetta you are talking about was indeed blue, it was the G16.
The Lenham I am talking about is a darker blue car, gull-winged, mid-engined and powered with a Ford four-pot, I reckon a 1600cc or 2litre. None of the cars posted in this thread are the one I am talking about. It is a closed mid-engined vehicle, not open. If we persevere we can nail it down.

If it is closed, than it is probably the P70 that Matra's friend was talking about, being the P69 with a roof. :)

Pando
07-09-2005, 02:36 AM
Well the Lenham P70 did compete in Le Mans in 1970, it was a 4-cyl 1.6l engine, so it could be the one indeed, didn't find any pics of it though in a quick google, but I reckon they're out there... :)

henk4
07-09-2005, 03:10 AM
Well the Lenham P70 did compete in Le Mans in 1970, it was a 4-cyl 1.6l engine, so it could be the one indeed, didn't find any pics of it though in a quick google, but I reckon they're out there... :)

Actually it did not because its entry was refused by ACO

Cedric
07-09-2005, 03:32 AM
A shame my camera ran out of juice at the Zolder Historic GP last weekend, I could have taken the picture I sorely yearned for. I recall it being bloody fast on the track though. It proved yet again that being light and nimble may propel you to victory (coupled with a reliable Ford unit........and not having to deal with Chevrons of course)

henk4
07-09-2005, 03:43 AM
A shame my camera ran out of juice at the Zolder Historic GP last weekend, I could have taken the picture I sorely yearned for. I recall it being bloody fast on the track though. It proved yet again that being light and nimble may propel you to victory (coupled with a reliable Ford unit........and not having to deal with Chevrons of course)

what's the car called in the programme?

Cedric
07-10-2005, 03:48 AM
I had forsaken to get one ......shame on me.

Pando
07-10-2005, 10:03 AM
Actually it did not because its entry was refused by ACO
Good point. No wonder I had trouble finding a lenham in pictures from the race! :rolleyes:

Cedric
07-12-2005, 09:48 AM
There is a picture on the Zolder website, but you have to register first. I was not able to copy it.

Pando
07-12-2005, 01:52 PM
There is a picture on the Zolder website, but you have to register first. I was not able to copy it.
If you cannot save the pic as it is you can use the printscreen button while viewing it, that saves a freeze-frame to the clipboard that you can paste into a image editing program, like 'paint' and save the pic... I'd love to finally see the "mystery car"! :p

Cedric
07-12-2005, 02:03 PM
If you could just tell me how to insert a pic in this reply, you'd finally get to see it!

Matra et Alpine
07-12-2005, 03:27 PM
use the "Go Advanced" button and then hte "Manage Attachments" button.

Cedric
07-13-2005, 03:29 AM
Ladies and gentlemen, the car we've all been waiting for. it's the one on the right ;)

henk4
07-13-2005, 03:33 AM
Ladies and gentlemen, the car we've all been waiting for. it's the one on the right ;)

nice Lola :D

Cedric
07-13-2005, 03:35 AM
There were nicer Lola's than this one. There was a wingless T70 and a T70 Spyder, of which I will never forget the sound when it downchanged.
Look how flat and wide that Lenham is. it just kept going all the way, faster and faster.

Matra et Alpine
07-13-2005, 04:09 AM
Ladies and gentlemen, the car we've all been waiting for. it's the one on the right ;)
UCPers come though again !!!!!

nice pic :)

Donnie-Darko
01-21-2006, 02:38 AM
Hi,
I love the Lenham GT.
Is this a unique prototype or are some more cars out there ?
I would love to buy one :D

henk4
01-21-2006, 02:42 AM
Hi,
I love the Lenham GT.
Is this a unique prototype or are some more cars out there ?
I would love to buy one :D

this one was unique, and pretty fast too...and welcome to UCP

Donnie-Darko
01-21-2006, 02:54 AM
this one was unique, and pretty fast too...and welcome to UCP

Hi Henk,

thank you. And thanks for the pics.
Lenham build some cars for the road, I think. I have found this info in a book right now. For homologation, I believe.

henk4
01-21-2006, 03:23 AM
Hi Henk,

thank you. And thanks for the pics.
Lenham build some cars for the road, I think. I have found this info in a book right now. For homologation, I believe.

If I am not mistaken, this is the only closed version, and it is officially named Lenham-Hurst GT. If you have more info that would be welcome. The car is now being campaigned in the European historics and my pics showed it at the 2005 Silverstone Classic. I believe some action pics are in here.

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=event_item.php&rid=78

Cedric
01-21-2006, 03:28 AM
I have never come across this car in a book, so as far as I'm concerned, I will have to wait until I see the owner again somewhere this summer. I can ask him everything about this car, but that implies having to wait another 6 months...

Donnie-Darko
01-21-2006, 04:45 AM
Hi,

I found this info on the book "the complete encyclopedia of motorcars 1885 to the present". Over 750 pages and 4000 (!) makes. The book is over 30 years old. I dont know where can you get it in the present. Anyone know this book ?
From the book:
"... the tubular space-framed Lenham P70 GT (thats the official name) cars became quite well known on the tracks, and were offered in closed or open form." ..."for 1970, besides a formula ford model, three versions of the P80 spyder group 6 car were offered, the club model, the 2-litre european championship version with ford or bmw engine and the over 2-litre type. Sponsor Roger Hurst developed one of these with a 3-litre Repco engine, and it was entered as the Darnval for the 1972 Le Mans."
Later came the type T80 and the P90 with bigblock chevrolet engine for the Can-Am series.
I attached a P70 picture which I found on the internet and a P80 from 1972 (note the cool dude :D ). This is a scan from the book. I have a picture from a road-version P70, but I must scan it first.

henk4
01-21-2006, 05:26 AM
Hi,

I found this info on the book "the complete encyclopedia of motorcars 1885 to the present". Over 750 pages and 4000 (!) makes. The book is over 30 years old. I dont know where can you get it in the present. Anyone know this book ?
From the book:
"... the tubular space-framed Lenham P70 GT (thats the official name) cars became quite well known on the tracks, and were offered in closed or open form." ..."for 1970, besides a formula ford model, three versions of the P80 spyder group 6 car were offered, the club model, the 2-litre european championship version with ford or bmw engine and the over 2-litre type. Sponsor Roger Hurst developed one of these with a 3-litre Repco engine, and it was entered as the Darnval for the 1972 Le Mans."
Later came the type T80 and the P90 with bigblock chevrolet engine for the Can-Am series.
I attached a P70 picture which I found on the internet and a P80 from 1972 (note the cool dude :D ). This is a scan from the book. I have a picture from a road-version P70, but I must scan it first.

would love to have that book, any more details? Is it in English or German?

Donnie-Darko
01-21-2006, 06:27 AM
would love to have that book, any more details? Is it in English or German?
The book is in english. The publisher is called "Ebury Press, London". First Edition 1968, my second Edition is from 1973.

Cedric
01-21-2006, 11:20 AM
I'd like to have the book too, I know the title, but never really got my hands on it. the closed verison is very cool indeed

henk4
01-22-2006, 04:23 AM
I'd like to have the book too, I know the title, but never really got my hands on it. the closed verison is very cool indeed

only 21 pound

http://www.ukbookworld.com/cgi-bin/order_enq.pl?add=Hirael%23000771

Pando
01-22-2006, 11:38 AM
The book is in english. The publisher is called "Ebury Press, London". First Edition 1968, my second Edition is from 1973.
I found a newer version of it that's available here. It's quite expensive as expected, 55,50 €, but for a good book or an encyclopedia it isn't that much. I think I could fit it in my tight budget. Is it really worth getting?

Cedric
01-25-2006, 02:43 PM
For those on not that tight a budget, this is the route to go down!

www.cottageclassics.co.uk

henk4
01-26-2006, 01:41 AM
that is an interesting add, especially as he seems to imply that there are fake models around. The guy he refers to is the driver of the blue one, pictured elswhere in this thread, and putting A and B together, that might then be the real thiing...

Cedric
01-26-2006, 02:57 AM
Well, the blue Lenham is probably a real one too then. But what is their definition of genuine? He might mean that the project in the advertisement is 100% correct (having all the period bits and pieces, even the Lotus Twin Cam), unlike many of its relatives, which have most likely been equipped with different engines (the blue one has a Ford if I'm not mistaken) and other modern gizmoes. I would be surprised to learn that even unknown, and in fact not historically important Lenhams were replicated. The best thing I could do is try to find some period data of the Lenham cars to dispel all mysteries ;)

Randall Allsup
03-09-2006, 04:52 PM
Hi,
I was also trying to find out the origins of that blue Lenham. Beautiful car!

Anyway, there are several pics of it at http://gallery.UKMotorsportPics.com. Here is one good shot (http://gallery.ukmotorsportpics.com/p18307346.html). You can almost read the Lenham logo on the front.

Most of the pics have the Lenham in the background, but if you contact Glenn Summerbell he says he has lots of pics that aren't on the website.

There is also a Lenham GT for sale at http://homepage.mac.com/foxmotorsport/PhotoAlbum27.html. I can't tell if it is still for sale and I can't say if it is "genuine" or not, but a genuine one would be really really rare and even the non-genuines are pretty cool.

Happy Trails

AMICALEMANS
02-08-2007, 02:45 AM
Hi everybody

Do you know something about the Lenham which participate at Le Mans in 1976 ?

go.pawel
02-08-2007, 04:24 AM
It was a Group 6 car that had a Ford Cosworth FVC engine (4-cyl. 1,8 l) and was entered by French mechanic José Thibault, who drove it with other French drivers :Hubert and Lateste. The car retired after 14 hours due to an accident. No photos yet but I keep looking.

Edit: A photo.

But my guess is you're looking for more specific info, like what chassis it was based on (Darnval or a Darnval-modified Lenham? LM1? LM2? LM3?) etc.? That I don't know, but one thing about this car is certain - the body was hideous :D

AMICALEMANS
02-08-2007, 07:16 AM
Ok thanks a lot but i was looking for other pics of this car. Jose Thibault was a mecanic in Chateauroux. I am in touch with Vincent Mausset from Darnval (he was the M of LM).
2 Lenham entered Le Mans but did not race :
In 1970 with Hurst and Calcult and in 72 (the LM3 Darnval was a true Lenham unmodified by Darnval except the sticker !)

I think the ugly one is the one from 70 with another body.

Do you know anything else about Roger Hurst, who died a couple yera ago, or about a Lenham register ?

Matra et Alpine
02-08-2007, 07:57 AM
Hi everybody

Do you know something about the Lenham which participate at Le Mans in 1976 ?
A DNF ... #29 classified 36 http://www.experiencelemans.com/en-us/dept_161.html

go.pawel
02-08-2007, 09:24 AM
Do you know anything else about Roger Hurst, who died a couple yera ago, or about a Lenham register ?

I remember that Hurst's family wanted to create a Lenham Hurst registry after his death, but I guess they haven't able to do it yet. At least I can't find one. (There was also a contact person named and a phone number).

Why are you that interested in Lenhams?

AMICALEMANS
02-08-2007, 11:34 PM
My quest is about Lenham's cars in Le Mans...
I think nobody knows, that the Darnval LM3 was a Lenham without any modification; and nobody knows (even in UK) where the 76 Lenham is comming from !

Thanks for everything

Palle
03-21-2007, 10:05 AM
Hi everybody

Do you know something about the Lenham which participate at Le Mans in 1976 ?

No I do not know about that particular one.
But I am looking for all the info I can about the Hurst Gt and Darnval because I am the happy owner of the only car the built for road use. It has exactly the same design but you lift up the whole roof to get in and it runs a Lotus Twin cam and what is most intresting is that it was built for the French market so it is left hand drive. If somebody out there knows something about this car please let me know.

Cedric
03-21-2007, 10:11 AM
Would you be so kind to post a photograph of your car? That way we can see what type we are exactly dealing with.

Kaufmann
03-21-2007, 01:47 PM
http://habeform.se/rolf/lenham.htm
Here comes som pictures from my car
they are from the previus owners home page.
Cheers
Patrick from Sweden

Kaufmann
03-21-2007, 01:53 PM
http://www.habeform.se/Rolf/Lenham.htm

go.pawel
03-23-2007, 12:10 AM
http://habeform.se/rolf/lenham.htm
Here comes som pictures from my car
they are from the previus owners home page.
Cheers
Patrick from Sweden

We can't see the photos. Please use the attachments system.

Palle
03-30-2007, 12:04 AM
Finally I manged to post the pictures.
These are however from another Swedish car mine is looking identical but needs some assembling. I will post those later.

henk4
03-31-2007, 12:48 PM
one more, as shot during the 2006 Silverstone Historics. (The blue coupe was also present).
Apart from the winglets on the nose the car looks very similar to the one shown in #13.

AMICALEMANS
04-05-2007, 11:51 PM
Hi

Here is some links about Lenham and Darnval : I am sorry it is franche speaking only :

http://alpinerenault.free.fr/outils/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10099&start=20&sid=5c68ddcdb07b53e95cbe5f932251f93d


http://forums.motorlegend.com/vb/showthread.php?t=26214&page=12

I will try to post some explanation in english about my research

henk4
04-05-2007, 11:57 PM
Merci, qui est Mustang 66?:)

AMICALEMANS
04-06-2007, 12:00 AM
Mustang66 !!!! I am !
Another picture about a Lenham entered in Le Mans under Darnval name

http://img85.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photo066jo4.jpg

and

http://forums.motorlegend.com/vb/showthread.php?t=26214&page=8

henk4
04-06-2007, 12:04 AM
Mustang66 !!!! I am !
Another picture about a Lenham entered in Le Mans under Darnval name

http://img85.imageshack.us/my.php?image=photo066jo4.jpg

and

http://forums.motorlegend.com/vb/showthread.php?t=26214&page=8

Right, thanks, it looks like a lot of research is still needed to find out what is what. Are you looking in particular for the LeMans participants or also for the earliers Lenhams?

AMICALEMANS
04-06-2007, 12:13 AM
So in fact my quest was about the Lenham entered in 76 Le Mans race !

This ugly car was built by José Thibault, a little "garagiste" from Chateauroux, and the question is : What was the basis. It could be one of the 5 Darnval built (the first one was on a Lenham basis) or it could be on a Lenham basis (i dont know how many Lenham sportscar were built (5 or 6 i presume), if it is a Lenham, my quest is how this chassis came in France ! I did find the adress of José Thibault and i try to know how he got this chassis to built this ugliest car of Le Mans. Also, we dont know where is this car now.

What i know :
Darnval built the LM1 (for Leuchere-Mausset) using a Lenham chassis
Then they built 4 cars in France.
The LM2 was never finished
The LM3 with a repco engines was in fact a Lenham (they just put a Darnval sticker on it).

For Lenham, i know the blue and the red coupé and know the red open seater. Maybe one of these cars was entered in Le Mans (1970 with Libert and Calcutt but it was a refused entry), 1972 DNQ and 1976 (29 laps);
The engine of the ugly car was a FVC 1800. And the Le Mans registration show that the car was a 1973 chassis (that is that Thibault write for the scruteeneering).

this one is for sale :
http://www.eracingcars.com/acatalog/newly_listed.html

Palle
06-12-2007, 08:23 AM
LENHAM GTR1
This is the beauty!
If any of you guys are interested it will propably be for sale!
Can reach me on +46-708504752
/Patrick

Macon
11-06-2009, 07:33 AM
I have finally worked out how to use a computer! I am a close friend of the Hurst family (Rogers widow and her children) and I have the exclusive rights to the Lenham Hurst range of cars including all of the original chassis records, drawings, jigs and moulds and produce genuine spares for these cars. They should not be confused with 'Lenham Sportscars' - another firm entirely! In fact I have seen some Lenham Hurst cars sporting the 'Lenham Sportscars' logo on their nose!! I have created a register of all known Lenham Hurst cars so if you would like to get in touch please do so at

lenhamhurstracing.at.hotmail.co.uk

best regards

Peter Alexander

grd
11-26-2009, 02:47 PM
Hi Peter

Have you had any responses for the register?

rexrich
07-30-2010, 07:02 AM
I went to a garage at Harrietsham(A20) Kent about 15yrs ago to look at a MGB. Turned out it was the Lenham place, which I remembered from the 50s/60s. I think the original garage is still there. One of those local garages with petrol pumps who were a real assett to real motorists and loved their sporting cars.

johnaustin008
09-12-2010, 09:23 PM
ya you are rite my friend also told me that he came across very exciting cars over there and showed me some pics of lenham as he is a professional photographer he had really clicked some awesome stuff ....will ask him for that pics and try to share it over here.

David.h
09-15-2010, 05:12 AM
Oh Dear! in the 1976-77 Autocourse review of Le Mans, Robert Fearnall wrote about the entry"....2 Litre section contained four Chevrons, three Lolas, a Cheetah and an absurdly slow Lenham"

f6fhellcat13
07-30-2012, 08:56 PM
I am pretty sure this is a Spridget-based Lenham GT, does anyone know for sure or know anything more? I really like its lines.

Kitdy
07-30-2012, 09:08 PM
I am pretty sure this is a Spridget-based Lenham GT, does anyone know for sure or know anything more? I really like its lines.

It reminds me of your face...

henk4
07-31-2012, 12:05 AM
I am pretty sure this is a Spridget-based Lenham GT, does anyone know for sure or know anything more? I really like its lines.

you are right, it is a dutch registered Lenham GT (since 2009) and it was built in 1959.

here's a couple more from the Goodwood Revival some years ago