1966 Bristol RE

Racing transport vehicle built for Tom Wheatcroft, founder and owner of the ‘Donington Collection’ and ‘Donington Park’ race track, UK

Bristol rolling bus chassis plus a custom-designed body by Duple Coachworks with the front cabin of the ‘Commander’ model series

History fully known, with the last owner in Germany since 2008

Comprehensive body-off restoration in Germany 2008/2009; all original parts of the vehicle are available

Loading capacity for two race cars on two levels plus trailer option

Leyland 190-hp diesel engine with turbocharger

Rare opportunity for a classic and functional one-off race transporter

In 1966 Bristol Commercial Vehicles Ltd. provided a bus chassis with a Leyland 6.5 litre diesel underfloor engine for Tom Wheatcroft, the founder and owner of the ‘Donington Collection of single seater racing cars’ and the well-known ‘Donington Park’ race track in Leicestershire, UK. In the following Duple Coachworks provided a custom-built body as a transporter for single-seater race cars on the basis of the ‘Commander’ coach model series.

Bristol Tramways & Carriage Co built its first bus in 1908. After World War II it was nationalised becoming part of the British Transport Commission. But in 1955, the company’s chassis production was transferred to Bristol Commercial Vehicles (BCV), in which Leyland Motors acquired a 25% share in 1965 for a substantial cooperation. The company continued until 1983 when all production in Bristol was relocated to the Leyland factory in Workington.

Duple became one of the best-known manufacturers of coach and bus bodywork in the UK since the company was started in 1919. But around 70 years later its assets were sold to rival, Plaxton.

This transport vehicle includes a passenger cabin with benches and a folding down table as well as a transport capacity for two race cars on two ramps one above the other to be loaded from the back side. The ‘Donington Collection’ used the truck several years for the transport of their single-seater race cars within the UK and the European continent until 1980. Then the fully known ownership history continues as follows with the purpose and function it was built for: 1980 – 1985 Peter Hamann, 1985 – 1992 John Harper, 1992 – 1993 Sit Hoole "Hoole Racing", 1993 – 2006 Philip Walker "ATS/Lotus", 2006 – 2008 John Young "Roxwell Racing", since 2008 a German car collector for his Classic Racing Team.

Under the present owner the truck received a comprehensive, ‘frame-off’ restoration by a specialised construction / workshop company for commercial vehicles in Germany from 2008 to 2009, which is documented by photos. This was done mostly true to its original specification. Nevertheless, the 6.5 litre diesel engine from Leyland is now an upgraded turbocharged version providing 190 hp for better driving characteristics. But the original engine and all other original parts of the vehicle are preserved and available with the car. Within the restoration work the inner wooden framework of the superstructure was also renewed. The body was repainted in a dark “British Racing” green, a colour scheme that was given to the vehicle in the 1990s.

The design, layout and specs were unchanged with a passenger lounge for four persons and a walk-through to the loading compartment in the rear. There, the loading capacity is for two race cars on two levels. The upper-level ramps can carry a light race car of about 600 kilos and the lower platform is able to take a weight within the maximum load capacity of 4,000 kg. The cars are loaded via separate ramps. In addition, there is a 3-tons towbar option for a trailer.

The owner used and enjoyed the race transport truck over the years for many occasions to attend historical racing and classic car events like the Goodwood Revival in UK or the Oldtimer Grand Prix at Nürburgring in Germany.

This Bristol is an extremely rare opportunity to acquire a unique, classic race transport truck which is fully functional to its original purpose and in top-restored condition. An impressive presence in the paddock at historical motor sport events and also at concours celebrations.