Symmons' LMB V8 Special

Symmons’ LMB V8 Special

My attention has been drawn to some correspondence in the 1979 issues of MOTOR SPORT regarding the LMB V8 special covned by HG. Symmons and I am happy to fill in some details slits history.

Mr. Ghandi remarks on the forward-mounted radius rods, which format I used also on the three-litre Bentley and Type 37A Bogard. The reason for this was the need to synchronise the radius rod and steering Owns with the swing aide pivots in order to avoid constant change of wheel alignment, and them was no room underneath the car.

It took me ten years to persuade Allards to alter their radius rod centres, but they eventually did so, and Reg Canham expressed his amazement at the iinprovement in directional stability. Incidentally, Colin Chaprnan fell into the same error with the Lows 7, but of course one would not presume to tell Colin anything!

Tony Rumfitt’s mention of wartime days at Catcrham reminds me that when the Luftwaffe attacked Kenley aerodrome they came in low over our showroom pursued by Hurricanes and one of the stray bullets found a home in the petrol tank of the V8, spilling many gallons of precious fuel. After peace broke out, we put up quite a good time at Prescott, and planned to fit hydraulic brakes in place of the standard ones, which did not match the car’s performance. However the car was sold before we got round to this. I did not see it again used early last yea, when the then owncr brought it over to mewed said that he hoped to restore it to its original LMB form. At the time it had a conventional rear axle, with semi-elliptic springs, AC engine and gearbox, Bedford IFS and wheels and generally looked so

unlike what had once been the most beautiful V8 special ever, that the only positive identification I could make was the patched bullet hole in the petrol tank!

Another LMB V8 special which has not been mentioned was Gerry Crozier’s twin-blown short chassis machine, the body of which beds tubular frame, to which rexine panels were attached by press studs. This resulted in a car with high power/weight ratio which Gerry drove in his own very effective style. It was also very accessible. May I take this opportunity to send greetings to all my old friends from the days when competition motoring was a Sport and the motor business .s fun! Blackheath, Surrey L. M. BALLAMY