You will recall that Jack Wheeler and Martin Davidson campaigned Jack’s Sebring Sprite 7080 AC in numerous races including several Targa Florios and races at the Nurburgring. David Morys has drawn my attention to:
“I see the Daren MK 3 BRM that Jack Wheeler/Martin Davidson raced at the 1972 Targa Florio was unearthed after 47 years and sold at Goodwood Member’s meeting by Bonham’s 29/03/20 (must have been online). It was a rolling chassis and achieved £18,400 including premium I think this was cheap. The FG400 gearbox for the car sold separately for £5750. The BRM Tasman V8 2-litre engine in need of rebuild didn’t sell. It had been partially restored by Hall & Hall who suggested to complete would cost within £40,000 – bear in mind a brand new one would be £125,000 + vat. Got to be the cheapest 2-litre sports racer when completed. The Daren BRM and Nomad BRM’s and drivers, mechanics that trailed all the way to the Targa Florio along with the Austin Healey Sprites, MG’s and other privateers have my admiration what an adventure. The Nomad BRM has thankfully also been reunited with the correct BRM V8 after running with a V6 Ford and Porsche Flat six in more recent years. In V6 form the car was hillclimbed and I saw it compete at Prescott on several occasions – what a truly wonderful shape in open form with cut off Kamm tail. Sorry to ramble on but I hope the Daren will be seen out again soon and that common sense dictates a BRM being installed as without it how can it be raced in Historic’s with a conscience – however other Mk 3’s were built with other engines so… Still got to be the cheapest 2-litre sports racer when completed”.
I knew that John Phillips would be interested in this as he was part of the Wheeler/Davidson team on the Targas back then, so forwarded David’s message to him.He relied: “Yes, Martin D did finally sell the Daren, which was what I thought he would do, despite the original intention to restore the car himself after I moved it from Goudhurst to the farm in Oxfordshire some years ago. Despite the rolling chassis being complete, it was in need of a total strip down and refurbishment. I just hope that whoever bought the car will do a good job and get it running again and as David says, “preferably with the BRM engine”. As for the BRM engine, this is where it gets a bit confused, as Jack took the engine to Hall & Fowler (as it was then) and ‘gave’ another engine in bits as a payment for them to do a complete rebuild on the first lump. Unfortunately, over time, Jack and Martin stopped racing, their situations changed, discussions were never confirmed in writing, Fowler left Rick Hall, things got forgotten etc etc”.
