Lot details Registration No: TMX 199 Chassis No: GS2350253 Mot Expiry: May 2013
Period image copyright The Klemantaski Collection (www.klemcoll.com)
'TMX 199' is a rare survivor of the specials concocted by ingenious privateers during the 1950s who aspired to, but could not fund, a Jaguar C-type or Aston Martin DB3S. It was built by Joe Quinn of Londonderry, and preceded by a Buckler that struggled when fitted with a Ford Pilot engine. The Special Austin Mercury (hence S.A.M.) was designed to fare better and comprised a stiffened Austin A40 Devon chassis clothed in a rudimentary two-seater body and powered by a Mercury Flathead V8 unit of 4.2-litres.
Though officially a poultry farmer, Quinn is reputed to have been a smuggler, who honed his driving skills by out-running the police and excise officials down the narrow lanes of County Derry. The S.A.M. proved capable of running with C-types et al on occasion and contested international meetings at Phoenix Park and Dundrod in 1953 and Curragh and Wicklow in 1953/1954. Quinn's last race at the Curragh ended in tragedy, however, when he touched another competitor and spun off, killing himself and two spectators. Nigh-on undamaged, the S.A.M. was later sold off by his family. Restored in recent years, work included the addition of a FIA-specification safety cage (complete with removable roll over bar). This fascinating road/competition car is now offered complete with VSCC papers and an MOT into May 2013.
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