MOTOR CARS | 121George Phillips' MG TC Special completed that season with a number
of minor events, bringing some success. He then took it to the French
Grand Prix at Comminges, only for the engine bearings to run while he
was leading the small-capacity class.
During the Winter of 1949-50, he then built himself another engine using
Laystall Cromard liners to race again at Le Mans in 1950, this time with
Eric Winterbottom as co-driver. The car never missed a beat and they
completed 1,760 miles at an average speed of 73 mph, having used "no
water, 1 pint of oil, got around 24 miles to the gallon, and we were still on
the original tyres. We had finished second in the class to a special works
Racing Jowett Jupiter. Altogether it was a very satisfying result". The
Phillips Le Mans MG achieved further success before being replaced by
an Abingdon-built lightweight TD variant for Le Mans 1951 which proved
less successful than the original George Phillips TC Special, upon which
the handsome replica now offered here is based.
This car's vendor had always hankered-after the Phillips TC as one of the
most famous of all post-war racing MGs. Since the original is believed to
have been sadly written off in a road accident, the decision was taken to
build the most accurate replica possible.
Construction, by Phil Cornut, was based on a 1947 (as per original) MG
TC chassis with all period-correct components. An enormous amount of
research was done to ensure accuracy, with countless period photographs
being consulted, the son of Phillips's mechanic even being tracked down
and providing vital information. Well known specialist Peter Edney built
the engine to period racing specification, with reliability in mind rather than
all-out performance. The unit develops 100bhp and 120lbs/ft torque,
while the car weighs-in at just under 600kg; so it easily exceeds 100mph.
Completed at a cost exceeding 0,000 (see invoices on file) the finished
article clearly Qustifies all the effort and expense incurred.Since completion this replica's outstanding quality attracted an invitation
to compete in the 2014 Goodwood Revival Meeting's Fordwater Trophy
race, while its entry was also accepted for the 2016 Le Mans Classic.
There, as the oldest car on the grid, it far from disgraced itself by finishing
37th amongst 72 starters. The car has also competed successfully in the
RAC Woodcote Trophy race at the Silverstone Classic and also at the
Donington Festival.Representing an excellent-value potential entry for the world's leading
historic events, FAK 57 is offered here with current F0A HTP papers, it
will have a freshly rebuilt engine by time of sale and is described as being
in generally 'A1' or perfect condition, with some racing patina to boot.
£80,000 - 100,000
€94,000 - 120,000'FAK' in action at the 2014 Goodwood Revival © Colin Murrell'FAK' in action at the 2016 Le Mans Classic
© Colin Murrell