|
Although Minis had enjoyed earlier success, it was the victory on the ‘Monte’ in 1964 that secured it’s status as the immortal giant killer.
Hopkirk drove 33 EJB to this monumental victory, and all the team cars were immediately retired from competition to capitalise on the win on promotional tours, but not before they appeared, soon after, at the Preston Hill Climb where a dozen of the successful Monte Carlo Competitors were invited. Although Paddy’s car, (FMO) wearing number 37, the number he won the Monte wearing, suffered from a broken rotor arm and was therefore unable to complete the timed lap. FMO did one of the best times of the day in the final heat. Graham Hill had a break pipe fracture but managed to stop safely. This event was reported in the Autosport on 7th. February 1964.
The sister car of Rauno Aaltonen, 569 FMO. which finished third in class and seventh overall, securing the team prize for BMC, was sold to Mike Wood, who lived in Preston, following its promotional work. It was quite normal for ex works cars to be sold on to favoured privateers after their works careers, or even be given to drivers in lieu of payment, as they were highly desirable to privateer drivers, and easily sold on.
Mike Wood, who acquired quite a number of works cars used the car on a number of events. There are period photos of the car in the Bolton News Rally of 1965 when it was driven by Geoff Hallowell and navigated by Mike Wood, he is understood to have sold the car on and then it was rallied locally in the north of England for several season by it’s new Burnley based owner.
Following it’s competition life the car formed part of a collection until the late 1980s at which time it was purchased by a Mr Townsend, also of Burnley. In1991 the car moved on again and the new owner proceeded to have the bodywork partially restored where necessary including outer sills and front wings. The present owner, Paul Roberts, purchased the car in 2003 and undertook body work and a complete mechanical over hall prior to entering FMO in the 2004 Minis to Monte run. The car performed faultlessly however, Paul Roberts soon realised that it had been fitted with a full racing cam, this was great for the Cols but not so good in the traffic in Monte Carlo.
Since then the car has appeared twice at Beaulieu and in the Geneva Motor Show on the BMW stand celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the motor show.
The car is resplendent in it’s Works Livery, and is complete with it’s correct ancillaries and trim throughout, including all under bonnet detailing as well as interior trim and accessories. Paul has now built up a large collection of period photos of FMO being driven by Rauno Aaltonen on the 1964 Monte and also at the Preston Hill Climb being driven in anger by Paddy Hopkirk.
Whilst 33EJB remains the most significant car of the 1964 Team, there can be not doubt that it’s sister car has equal importance for its part in securing the Team Prize on arguable the most important international rally of all time.
|
