1 1953 Staride-Norton
Notable by its up-front cockpit, Xavier Kingsland’s Staride unusually boasts a central fuel tank. After finding the much-modified car in the US he returned it to original spec, including its swing-axle rear suspension and original Manx. Prices of 500s are fairly static, he says, and he’s pleased about that because it “keeps them affordable for newcomers”.
2 1947 Wasp
Though his father Cliff had raced it after buying it from Duncan Rabagliati, Edwin Jowsey’s Wasp sat unused for years while he and Cliff raced other things before an invitation to the 2019 Revival sparked a rebuild. The oldest 500 still racing and famous in period, it dates at least to 1947 with the Fry family, though now in ’52 spec with a Manx replica motor.
3 1956 Cooper Mk X
Now the 500 Club registrar, Simon Dedman rebuilt the unique Waye to be used for hillclimbs, then looked for a track racer. He found the Cooper sitting unused since 1960, complete and in original form, even through to the engine, although he races with a replica unit. He does his own maintenance and says he’s lucky his wife Jayne is prepared to be his support crew.
4 1954 Kieft-Norton
Before buying his car Andy Raynor had done no racing but was drawn to the innovative engineering. He bought it from Charlie Banyard-Smith, who found it in South Africa and restored it, and also makes replica Manx units. Andy has a Norton rep in the car, which retains swing-axle rear suspension. Andy also has a Cooper for hillclimbs and is assembling his one-off Jason.
