Three restoration projects from the estate of the late Terry Harrison

 Above - The c.1956 Lotus Eleven S1 ‘Le Mans’ being raced in period by Terry Harrison

1956 Lotus Eleven Series 1 – No Reserve

Lotus Elevens became something of a passion for Terry who owned two Series 1 cars and a Series 2 for a time. Sadly, the chassis of the Series 2 was stolen from his back garden many years ago. The second Series 1 fared rather better having been stored in the rafters of his garage. Less complete than its sibling, it nonetheless comprises a chassis bought from Geoffrey Crossley, a Coventry-Climax FWE 1.2 litre engine, MOWOG four-speed gearbox and desirable 5.3:1 rear differential. Incomplete and in need of a total restoration, the Eleven nevertheless has the makings of an exciting project.

TERRY HARRISON BIOGRAPHY

An accomplished engineer, Terry also had the distinction of being a long-term member of the irreverently named ‘Ecurie Cod Fillet’. Founded in 1955 by Roy Fidler and John Hopwood, Ecurie Cod Fillet grew to become – as noted rally driver and BBC commentator Raymond Baxter put it – ‘the most elitist club of motor sporting personnel in existence’. Membership was by invitation only and although an official list was never published alumni include: Ian Appleyard, John Wallwork, Jimmy Ray, Peter Harper, Gerry Burgess, Erik Carlsson, Roger Clark, Paddy Hopkirk, Eugen Bohringer, Timo Makinen, Rauno Aaltonen, Simo Lampinen, Björn Waldegård, Stig Blomqvist, Ari Vatanen, Pentti Airikkala, Hannu Mikkola, Sir Stirling Moss, Mark Higgins, Nicky Grist, Phil Mills, Mikko Hirvonen, Jari-Matti Latvala, Petter Solberg and Steve Perez.

A Works Navigator for BMC aboard various Mini Cooper S and Austin 1800 ‘Landcrab’ entries during the 1960s, Terry was a keen driver himself acquiring an AC Aceca-Bristol in 1969 and a Lotus Eleven S1 ‘Le Mans’ two years later. The AC was briefly hillclimbed as well as serving as everyday transport, while the Lotus (which had been bought with his most frequent rallying teammate Mike Offley) was campaigned under the ‘Team Woodbine’ banner. A prang at the Thruxton chicane during 1975 resulted in the Eleven S1 ‘Le Mans’ being sidelined especially as Tony Roger invited Terry to drive his similar car thereafter. Volunteering as a marshall at circuits up and down the country long after he had surrendered his competitor’s licence, Terry had a particular fondness for Oulton Park.

Part of many a winning motorsport quiz team, he built up a huge library of books, brochures, programmes, entry sheets and results lists. Always keen to share his knowledge (but oblivious to any financial gain it may have brought him), Terry’s love of cars and motorcycles inspired our founder Simon Hope’s similar passion. Growing up opposite Terry’s house, Simon became fascinated with the diverse range of exotic machinery that was often to be seen parked on his neighbour’s drive. A friend to Simon and H&H for many a year, he never hesitated to contact us if he could add to the history of a car going under the hammer. Increasingly reclusive in his latter years, Terry’s kindness, knowledge and generosity remain an abiding memory for those who knew him.