26 replies to this topic

[Rupertlt1]

A Peerless was entered for Race 3 at San Luis Obispo, El Camino Foreign Car Club races, California, 9 August 1959?

Also on display at Imported Sales & Service, San Luis Obispo.

Update: eighth annual Stockton, California, 26-27 March 1960, William D. 'Bill' Wood, Carmel Valley, California, #79 Peerless TR 3 Coupe. William D. Wood was entered at third annual San Luis Obispo, 7 August 1960.

 

The #80 red car at Cotati, California, 23-24 April 1960, here in E-Mod?

https://www.racingsp...-04-24c-080.jpg

 

The #21 custard-cream car (primrose), at Shelton, Washington, 13 March 1960:

https://www.racingsp...3-13-19450.html

 

Who drove these cars? Anything more known?

 

It was made clear by the Contest Board that any car that reaches the magic 150 production figure during the course of the season will have to wait until next year to be classified into the new production classifications. As announced at the meeting, the Peerless for instance, was not included among the approved cars and it would appear the Peerless races modified until 1961. (Howls and screams downstage right.)

Competition Press, 27 Feb 1960, Page 3

 

But see: https://forums.autos...jc-kilburn-rip/

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 30 October 2023 - 18:53.

[D-Type]

Did Peerless production reach 150.  I know they entered, and finished, Le Mans in 1958 with either the prototype or an early production model.  When did it metamorphise into the Warwick?  Wikipedia says 1960.

[Rupertlt1]

£995 Warwick GT., 1961, Model in primrose type 350.

This is one of the cars fitted wilh a Buick V8 enqine

coupled to a Jaguar XK Gearbox. Overdrive. servo

assisted brakes. De Dion rear end. One owner from

new, superb performance road holding, cost new over

£2,000.

Autosport, 9 February 1962, Page 214

 

The Warwick GT, registration 75 RBH, was road tested in Autosport in March 1961?

Later seen at Snetterton, #22 in the Scott-Brown Trophy, 23 July 1961, the Triumph-engined car driven by Ron Ham.

Also at that meeting #34 Warwick GT 350, registration 1688 MC, driven by Simon Hill.

The Warwick GT, with Buick engine, registration 1688 MC, was road tested in Autosport in October 1961?

The Buick version featured an additional hood scoop.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 29 April 2023 - 05:40.

[Rupertlt1]

A NEW-LOOK PEERLESS G.T.

SHOWN to the Press last week was a

re-designed version of the enor-

mously successful Peerless Grand Tour-

ing 2-litre machine. Most apparent of

thc modifications is a cleaner frontal

appearance, the Peerless emblem having

disappeared from the air-intake and the

whole having been given a more

pleasant shape. Other differences in the

new version include a new headlight

treatment, new bumpers, detail refine-

ments to the interior styling, deeper and

broader front seats increased space

round the gearbox tunnel, an improved

rear seat and improved sound prooflng.

Head-room inside the car is increased

and a substantial weight reduction has

been achieved by means of an improved

body structure.

Autosport, 26 June 1959, Page 803

 

ARRANGEMENTS are being completed for

production of the 2-litre Warwick by

a new company including Jimmy Byrnes

and Bernie Rodgers. The car is a vastly

improved version of the Peerless, and

specification is somewhat similar, in-

cluding the use of the well-tried TR3

engine and gearbox.

Autosport, 2 September 1960, Page 231

 

By 1962 the address for Warwick was given as:

Bernard Rodger Developments Ltd.,

River Works,

Mill Lane,

Horton,

near Slough,

Buckinghamshire, England.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 02 May 2023 - 04:04.

[Rupertlt1]

Nigel Cluley says: "We think they made 250 phase 1’s, 50 phase 2’s and around 40 Warwick’s."

 

RGDS RLT

[Rupertlt1]

'59 PEERLESS—Red, w/w. o/drive, bal. en-

gine, oil cooler, special exhaust, many ex-

tras. Low miles, mechanically excellent.

Classy four seater for $2995. Bill Wood,

Robles del Rio Lodge, Carmel Valley, Calif.

Competition Press, 29 July 1961

 

See Post #1 above.

 

RGDS RLT

[Rupertlt1]

1959 PEERLESS GT 2

Coupe, 4 seater, white, solid

wheels and overdrive.

800 miles NEW

Aug. 3, 1959

$3700

Right Hand Drive. Call: Jiggs

Schwab, NE 8-7522 or write:

831 Pine Ave., Compton, Calif.

MotoRacing and Economy Car News, Vol. 4 Issue 22, 4 September 1959

 

RGDS RLT

[Rupertlt1]

14 June 1959 - THIS EXCLUSIVE CAR BELONGS TO AN ADMIRAL

THE car you see below is the only one of its kind in Singapore.

It is the PEERLESS GT 2 LITRE owned by Admiral R. E. Portlock, Chief of

Staff, The Admiralty, Singapore.

 

See ref red Warwick, SU 7377: https://eresources.n...10723-1.2.39.2?

 

SECOND JOHORE CORONATION GRAND PRIX, 24-25 June 1961

RACE NINE   

ENTRANTS: (36) Heng

Koon Hong — Wolsley (sic) 1498;

(51) Lee Ah Fui — Hillman

Minx 1494; (52) E. A. Whit-

taker — Riley 1.5.

(44) R. A. R. Usher —

Peerless 1991; B. W.

Kelly — Warwick 1991; (59)

Yong Nam Kee — Volvo 1580;

(60) Giam Noh — Peugeot

1601; (64) N. Spink — Volvo

1580.

(38) F. A. Johns — Jaguar

3.8 3742; (39) N. Newham —

Jaguar 3.8 3742; (63) R. Lee

—Jaguar 3.4 3442; (92) J. W.

Wright—Ford Zephyr, 2263.

The Singapore Free Press, 23 June 1961, Page 11

 

https://eresources.n...19610623-1.1.11

 

This article is presented in the style of a tipster — did they bet on these races?

 

#47 B. W. Kelly, Warwick, entered Race Number 2, Singapore Grand Prix, Sat 16 September 1961

 

RGDS RLT

 

Edited by Rupertlt1, 25 September 2023 - 06:48.

[Rupertlt1]

HAVEN HILL CLIMB, JULY 18 AND 19 [Detroit S.C.C.A. 1959]

Saturday dawned wet and nasty but undaunted, a small crew of enthusiasts made the trek to the Highland

Recreation Area with the avowed intention of seeing just how fast it can be done. The rain stopped for a

while and practice runs started. Due to the small turnout on Saturday morning we had three or four cars that

had 17 practice runs on Saturday. The timing equipment was acting up but Del Lance with the able assistance

of Don MacKenzie finally got things operating. Our good friend, Dr. Pete Prosser appeared with his little

black bag and then the action was continuous.

The only incident on the hill was Lt. Les Morriset tried (successfully) to remove a tree with his bulldozer.

(I mean Corvette) The Park Ranger, after surveying the damage was heard to say, "That's nothin, you ought to

see what the Boy Scouts do with their hatchets."

Unfortunately, the timing equipment could not time the Lotus driven by Posselius-Kilburn so they had to be

hand timed. At the very best, this method is grossly inaccurate but it was about the only choice. Bob Clift,

who has had fastest time of day for the past three years, exhibited more of that quality we call Sportsmanship

than we have seen around here for many years. He had, in many peoples opinion, a legitimate protest, but

chose not to do so. Jack Easons crew of qualified volunteers combined to make this one of the best Hillclimbs

put on in the area.

SEDAN CLASS

1. Dick Dittus GT SAAB 31.60

 

UNDER 1600 CLASS

1. Scott Harvey, Porsche, 26.20

2. Gary Geister, Alfa, 26.56

3. Harry Keeler, Alfa, 26.62

4. Dave Lawson, MGA, 27.58

5. Nick Hartman, Alfa, 27.70

6. Bob Barsantee, Sprite, 29.59

7. Jack Hargreaves, MG TD, 29.88

8. Art Subberra, Sprite, 30.22

 

OVER 1600 CLASS

1. Les Morrisett, Corvette, 23.68

2. Glenn Baldwin, Corvette, 24.33

3. Bob Gubbins, AC Bristol, 25.28

4. Gordon Harrison, Morgan, 25.46

5. J. C. Kilburn, Peerless, 25.68

6. Ernest Davis, TR-3, 25.74

7. Marcel Dupont, Healy, 26.17

8. John Posselius, Peerless, 26.47

9. Fred Hall, TR-3, 25.48

10. Alex Azary, BMW, 26.59

11. Bill Akerman, Healy, 26.78

 

MODIFIED CLASS

1. J. C. Kilburn, Lotus, 22.65

2. Bob Clift, Corvette, 22.79

3. Dana Burgess, Allard, 23.69

4. John Posselius, Lotus, 23.86

5. Bob Keslin, Bandini, 31.24

 

Open Exhaust, Journal of the Detroit S.C.C.A., August 1959

 

See: https://forums.autos...jc-kilburn-rip/

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 12 October 2023 - 03:54.

[Rupertlt1]

Maurice Bell, Montreal, Quebec, drove a Peerless to third place in Race 1 at St. Eugene, Ontario, Canada, 14 June 1959.

 

https://www.racingsp...rice-Bell-.html

 

RGDS RLT 

Edited by Rupertlt1, 12 October 2023 - 08:48.

[Rupertlt1]

Red #7 Samuel 'Sam' Forder at Lawrenceville, Illinois, at two events:

6-7 August 1960:

Race 4 — E-Mod 3rd

Race 8 — E-Mod 3rd

27-28 August 1960:

https://www.racingsp...0-08-28-007.jpg

 

LAWRENCEVILLE: Located at

Lawrenceville (Ill.) Municipal Airport on U.S.

50; midway between Lawrenceville and

Vincennes, Ind. / concrete and asphalt airport

circuit of two possible lengths; 3.6 mi (in-

cludes a 1-mi straight) and 2.7 mi. Ample

parking. No paid admissions, casual visitors

confined to main airport hangar area. Speeds

average about 90-110 mph. Sponsored by

SCCA (Central Illinois Region).

 

Nothing is known about Sam Forder except to say he was presumably a member of the S.C.C.A.?

Update: Sam Forder was President of the South County Sports Car Club, St. Louis, Missouri, in 1959.

 

Was the car supplied by Cole Walther, Walther Motor Company, import dealer, Wilmette, Illinois?

 

https://wilmettehist...1A-753459315851

 

Note Don Lightner worked there:

 

https://www.racingsp...ghtner-USA.html

 

Update: Peerless more likely sourced in St. Louis? Possibly from import dealer Ed DeBrecht?

DeBrecht offered a Peerless for sale April 1959.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 23 October 2023 - 05:25.

[Rupertlt1]

There was a regional SCCA race at Lawrenceville, Illinois, 27/28 August 1960?

Does anybody have any information?

 

https://www.racingsp...1960-08-28.html

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 18 October 2023 - 05:41.

[Rupertlt1]

Kilborn Wins

In Scarab

Lawrenceville, June 5 (Special)

John Kilborn of Decatur, driv-

ing one of the famed Scarab race

cars for the first time competive-

ly, won a Central Illinois Regional

race of the Sports Car Club of

America today at George Field.

He set a course lap record of

1:37 minutes.

Jarry Heuer Jr. of Chicago

drove the same Scarab—and won

—in another race.

Two of the Scarab cars, built

by millionaire sportsman Lance

Reventlow, are now the property

of the Peter Hand Brewery of

Chicago. Kilborn is to drive one

of them in United States Auto

Club professional races this sum-

mer.

In the race in which Kilborn

won, Ted Bowers, 26, of Chicago

was burned when another car

rammed into his Elva. He was

taken to Memorial Hospital.

Herald and Review, (Decatur, Illinois), Monday 6 Jun 1960, Page 11

 

Anything more known ref this event at Lawrenceville?

 

Richard 'Dick' Cahill, Maplewood, St. Louis car dealer, known to be active in promoting the races?

https://www.racingsp...Cahill-USA.html

Participated at Lawrenceville, 4-5 June 1960, along with Harry Honig, advertising executive and sometime comedian.

Did Cahill race a Lotus 11?

Also Bob Spooner, who worked at Cahill Motors?

 

See also: https://forums.autos...s/#entry5330590

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 20 October 2023 - 05:09.

[Rupertlt1]

Who is this #110 at Goodwood, Easter Monday 1959?

 

https://library.revs...r-monday/252008

 

RGDS RLT 

[GazChed]

According to the late Frank de Jong's touringcarracing.net website John Freedman was the driver of car number 110, a Peerless. The car wasn't eligible for the British Saloon Car Championship as it didn't comply with Appendix J Cat I regulations but it was allowed to race anyway.

[Rupertlt1]

Tom Brand, Chicago, seen at SCCA Regional Wilmot, 16 August 1959:

 

https://www.racingsp...-Brand-USA.html

 

Chicagoan Tom Brand drove in from the New York

docks with the second or third one delivered to the United

States a few days ago and we have had a lot of fun playing

with it. Based on the Triumph TR-3, the Peerless is on its

own after the TR power, transmission, brake and instrument

foundation.

The car we drove is number 33 of the series. As late

as number 28 the Peerless came covered in aluminum. This

one is in glass fiber as will be all subsequent models. Not

only the body — which appears to be as well done as the

Corvette — but the seats, floor tray, wheel arches, and so

forth are in polyester resin.

Competition Press, 15 November 1958, Page 6

 

See also: https://forums.autos...go-region-scca/

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 22 October 2023 - 06:10.

[Rupertlt1]

According to the late Frank de Jong's touringcarracing.net website John Freedman was the driver of car number 110, a Peerless. The car wasn't eligible for the British Saloon Car Championship as it didn't comply with Appendix J Cat I regulations but it was allowed to race anyway.

 

H. J. Fredman?

 

https://www.racingsp...Fredman-GB.html

 

John Fredman turned the #154 Peerless over at Brands Hatch, BRSCC, Sunday 29 May 1960, Ninth race:

"Fredman's Peerless overturned at Paddock on lap two while avoiding the spinning Jaguar

of C. F. Williams, without injury to the driver"

 

I can find no further participation by car or driver?

 

In 1957 seen in a Lotus 11, TYU 9:

https://library.revs...l-trophy/420350
 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 21 October 2023 - 10:28.

[Rupertlt1]

Sports Car Race, State Fair Park, Milwaukee Region SCCA, Milwaukee, 22 May 1960

4th race (15 laps) Novice, mixed

#108 M. Huck, East Lansing, Michigan, Peerless GT, E Mod.

 

Possibly:

PEERLESS GT 2 plus 2, 1960, beautiful

classic sports car. Perf cond. Grand

Rapids, Mi. 616-452-2462 aft 5pm.

Detroit Free Press, Tuesday 23 Jul 1974, Page 28

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 22 October 2023 - 09:25.

[Rupertlt1]

Now for the 'Indiana' Peerless. No known competition history.

Originally offered for sale in Indiana, by Jordan Motors Inc., 609 E. Jefferson Boulevard, Mishawaka:

"Only 149 of these 4-passenger fibre glass body cars have been built with only 25

coming to the United States."

The South Bend Tribune, Tuesday 12 May 1959, Page 27

 

1959 PEERLESS GT, TR3 en-

gine, transmission with over-

drive, DeDion rear end, Fi-

berglass body over tube

frame. Rare, 37 imported

yet easy to maintain, de-

tailed to very original state.

Looks and runs great, asking

7000. 287-4567 before 10pm.

The South Bend Tribune, Thursday 6 Aug 1987, Page 54

 

RGDS RLT

[Rupertlt1]

California:

Road & Track, March 1959, tested a red Peerless, California reg RCL 164, wire wheels, with 'P' grille emblem.

 

'59 PEERLESS GT Coupe. A clas-

sic car in marvelous condition.

Metallic blue finish with grey

leather interior Complete TR-3

engine parts and equipment. A

rare find at just $3295. CALIF-

ORNIA SPORTS CARS, 901 East

1st St., Santa Ana. Open 7 days

9 a.m.-9 p.m. KI 2-8801.

The Register, Sunday 9 Oct 1960, Page 64

 

1960 purple Peerless at Petersen Publishing, reg 0683691, wire wheels, whitewall tyres, single fairing on the bonnet, mesh grille, presumably a Mk 2?

 

PEERLESS G.T.

'59 Xlnt. cond., silver, R&H, com-

pressor, right hand wheel. Pri. Pty.

(THN470) OR. 7-2787 aft. 6.

The Los Angeles Times, Saturday 28 Oct 1961, Page 51

 

Together with the cars of Bill Wood and Jiggs Schwab (see above) we can say there were 5-6 cars in California in period? Any more?

 

The #80 red car at Cotati, California, 23-24 April 1960, here in E-Mod?

https://www.racingsp...-04-24c-080.jpg

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 23 October 2023 - 14:48.

[Rupertlt1]

Missouri:

1960 PEERLESS

GT PHASE 2 4 PASSENGER COUPE

CORVETTE ENGINE, 4-SPEED SYNCRO-

MESH, DE DION REAR END, 15-INCH

WHEELS, GIRLING DISC BRAKES

TUBE FRAME, GABRIAL SHOCKS, TOP

SPEED APPROXIMATELY 190 M. P. H.

LIKE NEW.

SANDERS MTRS. 5722 TROOST.

Kansas City Star, Friday 6 July 1962, Page 27

 

RGDS RLT

[DUFFY]

Hi Rupert, the attached photo I found on the Interenet. I do not have much info on the photo.
It is a Peerless GT Phase 1, it looks new and is LHD so export model in America. The car looks if it is competing in a Gymkhana.
The hole/vent by the front wheel is not standard. Whether there are any clues in the rear number plate I do not know.

Regards, Tony.

[Rupertlt1]

Registration looks like KWM 732. The vent is very distinctive. I can't find another like it.

 

California: (more)

PEERLESS 1959 GT 4 passenger

coupe. A very high road per-

formance machine for those

who love to drive. Special red

metallic finish with buckskin

gray leather interior. This car

is immaculate down to the fin-

est detail. Private Party. (RWE

283)

The San Francisco Examiner, Saturday 18 Nov 1961, Page 26

 

PEERLESS GT. 1960, 4 pass,

red sport coupe. TR 3 engine

& trans; w-od. DeDion rear

end. 509 No. Z st. 6-1831.

The Lompoc Record, Saturday 24 July 1965, Page 5

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 31 October 2023 - 08:21.

[Rupertlt1]

Pennsylvania:

PEERLESS 1959 G.T. sedan; less

than 6000 miles. Write P. O. Box

376, Washington, Pa.

The Pittsburgh Press, Sat 2 Apr 1960, Page 15

 

1959 PEERLESS GT 4-pass. cpe. 90% of mech.

components are TR, no parts problem. Low

mileage, good cond., never raced or wrecked. First

offer of $2200. J. H. Switzer, 1980 W. Chestnut

St., Washington, Pa.

Road & Track, May 1961, Page 104

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 28 October 2023 - 10:52.

[Rupertlt1]

Ohio:

1959 PEERLESS Grand Touring. White, wire

wheels, overdrive. Body near perfect. Uphol-

stery intact. Weber induction. Engine bal-

anced by Lishin Engineering of Detroit. Ap-

proximately 24,000 miles. $2800. W. H.

Brown, M.D., 518 W. Broadway, Maumee,

Ohio. Phone TW 3-2490.

Competition Press, 27 May 1961, Page 7

 

PEERLESS: 1959, White, body, coach work

near perfect Wire wheels, overdrive Lishin

balanced. $2800.00 Winship H. Brown, M.D.,

518 W. Broadway, Maumee, Ohio.

Road & Track, July 1961, Page 89

 

In 1957: Joe Lishin of Lishin Engineering, at 2560 Ewald Circle in Detroit.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 28 October 2023 - 17:40.

[Rupertlt1]

Texas:

1959 PEERLESS GT 4-pass. cpe. Wire wheels,

Avon tires, leather upholstery, racing wheel, all

white, never raced. 8500 mi. $3650. R. E.

Reinicke, Rt. 2, Box 544, Grapevine, Tex.

Road & Track, February 1961, Page 94

 

RGDS RLT

[Rupertlt1]

New York:

PEERLESS G.T.

First Showing at Westchester's

exclusive dealer

International Motors

19. E. Post Rd. WHite Plains 9-4155

Patent Trader, Mt. Kisco, N.Y., 30 April 1959, Page 31

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 30 October 2023 - 18:02.