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George Eagle
United Kingdom
3228 Posts |
 Posted - 01/02/2019 : 11:30:19
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We have received via J Hunting the attached photo which may be of an L2 racing in South Africa in the 1960s and the driver may have the surname Hocking. Certainly the rear of the chassis is correct but could be a shortened L1 chassis.
There is no record of an L2 being exported new to South Africa, but the factory records show L2050 was delivered to Morris Motors Export on 26th August 1933 but frustratingly there are no further details as to where it was exported. The car is not recorded as having survived.
Does anyone have any information or ideas as to identity and history of the car in the photo. It is thought the car might have been broken up.
George
Registrar F/L/N types.
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Edited by - George Eagle on 01/02/2019 11:32:56 |
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Rodney Green
South Africa
362 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2019 : 13:50:38
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Hello George.
I was immediately intrigued by the possibility of an unknown L2 racing in South Africa !! Regrettably the photo was not taken out here. I would suggest that , from the number plate, the South Australians might shed more light on this car.
Regards.
Rod.
Rod Green |
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sven
Sweden
423 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2019 : 15:33:24
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Really interesting picture.
I am inclined to believe it indeed is a genuine L2. If it were a L1 with a grafted J2 body the fuel tank would not have been fitted with the petrol gauge and also the bonnet would have to have been specially fitted. I doubt if anyone would have gone to such lengths when they wanted a go faster conversion, such as someone did by removing the wings and running boards. And headlamp stays. And windscreen.
So registrar George, what L2s are not accounted for? And is it an Australian one?
Cheers
Sven
L2039 |
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George Eagle
United Kingdom
3228 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2019 : 16:40:24
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Thanks for your replies Rod and Sven.
My error, I read SA as referring to South Africa. The picture was taken in Australia, if so can any of our Australian contacts provide any information?
I am also inclined to think the car is an L2 but the dash has been changed in that it has a large replacement rev counter, and there is an extra small gauge to the right of the driver's hand - could be a boost gauge?
Sven - there are 54 surviving L2's listed on the Register which means a survival rate of 60% and 36 still unaccounted for. Not a bad survival rate!
George
Registrar F/L/N types |
Edited by - George Eagle on 01/02/2019 16:52:30 |
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Matthew Magilton
Australia
179 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2019 : 04:32:39
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G. Blythman drove an "MG" in the "South Australian 100" at Lobethal wearing number 15 on1/1/1940. That's the closest I can find.
Matthew. |
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Vitesse
United Kingdom
234 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2019 : 12:47:58
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quote:
Originally posted by Matthew Magilton
G. Blythman drove an "MG" in the "South Australian 100" at Lobethal wearing number 15 on1/1/1940. That's the closest I can find.
Matthew.
Ancestry throws up a Gordon Edgar Blythman, born 1912; on late 30s/early 40s electoral rolls in Hawthorn, Mitcham. Apparently worked as a plasterer. Died 1987. Could be the chap? The name Blythman was quite common in that area at the time (seventeen on the roll!) and there's also a Cecil Hampton Blythman who was listed as working as a driver. |
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George Eagle
United Kingdom
3228 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2019 : 14:34:38
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Could there be any Australian source of information on the Registration number?
Just noticed the car appears to have lost it’s petrol cap!
George |
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Westly P
Australia
12 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2019 : 12:30:06
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quote:
Ancestry throws up a Gordon Edgar Blythman, born 1912; on late 30s/early 40s electoral rolls in Hawthorn, Mitcham. Apparently worked as a plasterer. Died 1987. Could be the chap? The name Blythman was quite common in that area at the time (seventeen on the roll!) and there's also a Cecil Hampton Blythman who was listed as working as a driver.
It was a G E Blythman who was entered in the 1940 South Australian 100 - so it is likely the same person. Unfortunately I can't find any record of his performance in the event - he is not mentioned in the story of the South Australian Sporting Car Club (With Casual Efficiency) and I cant see any mention of how he went in the Papers coverage from the Event. (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/35658061)
Blythman is entered into a number of other SA Sporting Club Club Events but they are light on details.
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Edited by - Westly P on 04/02/2019 12:34:01 |
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KevinA
New Zealand
668 Posts |
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KevinA
New Zealand
668 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2019 : 20:05:31
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Actually I now suspect Ian Gordon blythman is no longer around.
My rather elementary googling suggests his wife (widow?) H N Blythman is now living in Wellsford, Vic.
I won't put a phone number on here but White Pages Australia have one
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Edited by - KevinA on 04/02/2019 20:09:07 |
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Matthew Magilton
Australia
179 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2019 : 23:15:11
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| Kevin, I think you may have latched onto Gordon Frank Blythman of Nunawadding in Victoria. GFB and his son would be the wrong family. |
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Matthew Magilton
Australia
179 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2019 : 23:43:22
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| On the Trove website (search "G. E. Blythman") is a fuzzy photo dated 27/April/1940 showing him in a dark MG with large brake drums. Would seem to likely confirm car 15 as Blythman's. He is preparing for a hill climb at Glen Osmond in a Magna. |
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L type racing in South Africa
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