Driving an old sports car with an absorbing history of past ownership can be a moving experience particularly if those connections are to brave war heroes. London-based dealer Peter Bradfield sums it up perfectly, as he describes taking his Invicta to race at Goodwood, the former RAF Battle of Britain airfield. "I compete in the old-fashioned way, driving down to the event," enthuses Bradfield. "That means an early start for scrutineering, and on that run in the Invicta, I often think about the valiant pilots getting ready for a dawn raid at just that time 80 years ago."
Getting behind the wheel of BMK 102, the rakish two-tone Frazer Nash TT Replica, has just such an effect on me after reading about Oliver Barton 'Jimmie' James, its courageous young owner during WW2. Both Bradfield and restorer/ racer Patrick BlakeneyEdwards have been absorbed by James' brave, short life, which has echoes of both the fictionalised war movie The Great Escape and the story of the legendary disabled fighter ace Douglas Bader.
Like many young men at the outbreak of war, James together with his elder brothers Alex and Leslie - was eager to sign up as a flyer. At just 18 years old, James began his training at RAF Sealand on the Welsh border and achieved a boyhood dream after going solo in a Tiger Moth. Reports suggest that James was a natural pilot, with only his passion for cricket matching his flying aspirations. With the award of his wings, James was promoted to sergeant and posted to 83 Squadron based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire. His first duty was to pilot Handley Page Hampden medium bombers on hazardous night raids across Germany.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
RAY HILLIER
Double-chevron oddity proves a break from the norm for this Crewe specialist
SHORT BACK & GLIDES
Eccentric enthusiast Captain RG McLeod's series of Manx-tailed Bentley Specials reached its zenith with this unique S2 Continental.
People's choice
The diminutive but multi-million-selling Fiat 850 packed a remarkable diversity of form and function into its compact footprint
PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM
Glassfibre revolutionised niche car-body production, but just occasionally strayed into the mainstream.
A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR
The cleverly conceived four-seater Elite secured Lotus a place at the big players' table, but has it been unfairly maligned since then?
"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"
From dreams of yachting glory to the Le Mans podium, via a stint at the top of the motorsport tree, Howden Ganley had quite the career
Still going strong
Herbert Engineering staked its reputation on the five-year warranty that came with its cars. A century on, this Two Litre hasn't made a claim
One for the kids
General Motors was aiming squarely at the youth market with the launch of the Pontiac GTO 60 years ago, and its runaway success popularised the muscle-car movement
A NEW BREED OF HERO
Launched at the turn of the millennium, the GT3 badge has already earned a place alongside RS, CS and turbo in Porsche lore.
Brits with SIX appeal
The straight-six engine is synonymous with a decades-long legacy of great British sports cars. Six variations on the sextet theme convene for comparison
