The ERA Man

Book review by Michael E Ware: Historic motor racing would not be the same with at least some ERA’s taking part. Back in 1962 Bill Morris and his friend David Kergon when they were still recently passed out apprentices at Smiths Industries bought, sight unseen, an ERA from South Africa. R12B was formerly owned by Prince Chula and raced by Prince Bira, the car had been given the name “Hanuman”. Part of this book is the story of the rebuilding of this car and racing it over 37 years. David dropped out of the partnership in 1974 but Bill continued racing the car, whilst operating a business rebuilding ERA’s and other historic cars and later specialising in the repair and overhaul of the Wilson pre-selector gearbox used on ERA’s and other cars. Early in its life “Hanuman” had been involved in a crash and was rebuilt onto a new chassis, the old damaged chassis was still with the car when bought from South Africa. Described in detail is the finding of all the parts and rebuilding of the original “Hanuman”.
Bill also rebuilt “Romulus” for Narissa, Princess Chula’s daughter, got involved with Gordon Chapman sorting out the E Type ERA and before he became ill he managed to build up the 2.5 litre Coventry Climax engined Kieft and also the De Soto Kieft sports car. This book is not just about ERA’s however, its an overall view of historic motor racing over a long period talking about the cars and the drivers. A most interesting and at time amusing book, which took me back to my earlier years as a motor racing photographer around the British circuits. Highly recommended. See Read More for the details about the book.

Published:

Saturday August 27th, 2011

Unknown

15 August 2017, 08:32

Here is a more complete history of the car as obtained from Wayne Kennerley's web-site Classic cars in Rhodesia: - ERA
History
Year
1936 works car with 2-litre engine, painted the works black colour scheme, raced at Brooklands and Shelsey Walsh hill climb. Rebuilt in 1937 by the works to C-Type specification, which included a 1.5-litre engine and long range fuel tank. Driven by Pat Fairfield at Crystal Palace and Donington Park. After Pat was killed at Le Mans, the car was used successfully by various other drivers. Sold in 1938 to Prince Chula to be driven by Prince Bira, painted light blue and yellow White Mouse Stable colours, named ‘Hanuman’. The car was crashed by Bira in 1939 at practice for a race at Rheims, where the car was badly damaged. Rebuilt on a B-Type chassis and renamed ‘Hanuman II’. Raced by Prince Bira post war. Subsequent owners included David Hampshire and David Murray in 1949 and 1950. After a number of other owners the car was owned by Ken Flint of Liverpool, from whom Sam Tingle of Rhodesia acquired the car in mid 1957 for £450. This included a spare chassis that was later built into R12C by Bill Morris. The car returned to the UK to Bill Morris in 1962. Bill raced the car till 1999 when it was acquired by David Wenman. Now with H.R.H. King Bhumibol of Thailand.

R12B owners as listed by the ERA Club Website
The Works 1936 to 1937
(Converted to R12C over the winter 1936/37)
H R H Prince Chula 1939 to 1949
(Rebuilt as R12B in 1939)
D A Hampshire & D Murray 1949 to 1951
J A Somervail 1951 to 1954
D G Owen 1954 to 1956
K Flint 1956 to 1957
S A Tingle 1957 to ?
A Gillespie ? to 1962
W R G Morris & D N Kergon 1962 to 1974
W R G Morris 1974 to 1999
D H Wenman 1999 to 2007
H.R.H. King Bhumibol of Thailand 2007 to date

Model R12B 'Hanuman / Hanuman II'

Chassis No.
Engine No.
Coachbuilder
Body Style

Colours
Registration Numbers
References www.oldracingcars.com; The Crankhandle Chronicle, Dave Evans, ERA Club website - http://www.eraclub.co.uk/section405354.html

Unknown

12 March 2017, 13:09

Do you have any copies of the ERA Man by Tim May left?
Regards
Brian

Unknown

28 August 2011, 09:04

This pic of Biras ERA reminds me at one Drawing which I had in my Office many years.
Raymond Mays / Bira / Arthur Dobsen Donnigton Park 1937

Siegfried Otto Hepp

Unknown

28 August 2011, 07:30

This is one book I certainly must get !

Living as I do in Thailand, and only a couple of K from the National Sports centrs, where there is a display of Romulus,
If you're in the neighborhood, do drop in !
Stuart

The ERA Man

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