C1 Fastback on Vette News Cover

[Vetman]

The great looking pale blue C1 Fastback on the cover of the latest Vette News reminded me of my very first car. This was home built by someone in the 60’s and first registered in 1965. I bought the car for £80 in 1967 and thrashed it around the roads of Kent. It was a popular hobby back then to build 750cc Austin and 1172cc Ford specials. Mine was an Ashley Sportiva fibreglass body on an upright Ford Poplar running gear and engine. The car was basically 2 seats and a bed in the back. Great fun as you can imagine. Performance engine parts were made by LMB (Leslie Michael Bellamy) and included an alloy flat head side valve cylinder head. It also featured a water pump, usually only found on exotic export models! I made double curvature headlight covers for it from Perspex, to simulate E-Type sophistication.
Absolutely no comparison of course between my flimsy and
rickety special and the Corvette but you have to start somewhere. Photos for your amusement.

 

[Roscobbc]

My first steps 'off' two wheeled power and on to 4 wheels ('er three actually) was one of these

 

[Vetman]

Is it a Bond?

 

[Roscobbc]

Is it a Bond?

Berkeley T60

 

[Vetman]

Probably valuable now if it still exists.

 

[Roscobbc]

I think Berkeleys (much like Messersmits and other microcars) have always had their own following and value - its the 4 wheel versions that had race history and more value.