Nick's unique donation to students As published in the Ledbury Reporter
When local man and motor sport enthusiast, Nick Winter heard that motor sport engineering students at a Wiltshire College needed a project to assist them in their studies, he donated his “Gideon” racing car for them to restore. The vehicle was built by period racer Oliver White as a Formula 750 car in 1975, and having not turned a wheel for over 20 years, Nick bought it as a “barn find” in 1998 with the intention of rebuilding it for racing.
Formula 750? A pure grass roots racing category for one off home built cars, run by the 750 Motor Club, founded in the spring of 1939 by impecunious enthusiasts, to promote racing and hill trialling based on the legendary 750cc Austin 7. Over the years, the club has expanded to become the premier home for enthusiasts looking for either the relaxing pleasure of Austin 7 motoring to the highly competitive world of modern motor sport. www.750mc.co.uk
Sadly with lack of time, work and domestic commitments, the car languished in a barn in Bromesberrow untouched. By happy coincidence, fellow enthusiast and course tutor at the college, Ewen Constant needed a real life project for his students and expressed his delight and thanked Nick for the challenging opportunity of restoring this unique car. Upon graduating, the college’s students have the opportunity to become part of the UK’s burgeoning multi-million pound motor sport industry. At a more prosaic level, Mr Winter is hoping that when the project is successfully completed, the Gideon will be back on the racing circuit later this year!
When local man and motor sport enthusiast, Nick Winter heard that motor sport engineering students at a Wiltshire College needed a project to assist them in their studies, he donated his “Gideon” racing car for them to restore. The vehicle was built by period racer Oliver White as a Formula 750 car in 1975, and having not turned a wheel for over 20 years, Nick bought it as a “barn find” in 1998 with the intention of rebuilding it for racing.
Formula 750? A pure grass roots racing category for one off home built cars, run by the 750 Motor Club, founded in the spring of 1939 by impecunious enthusiasts, to promote racing and hill trialling based on the legendary 750cc Austin 7. Over the years, the club has expanded to become the premier home for enthusiasts looking for either the relaxing pleasure of Austin 7 motoring to the highly competitive world of modern motor sport. www.750mc.co.uk
Sadly with lack of time, work and domestic commitments, the car languished in a barn in Bromesberrow untouched. By happy coincidence, fellow enthusiast and course tutor at the college, Ewen Constant needed a real life project for his students and expressed his delight and thanked Nick for the challenging opportunity of restoring this unique car. Upon graduating, the college’s students have the opportunity to become part of the UK’s burgeoning multi-million pound motor sport industry. At a more prosaic level, Mr Winter is hoping that when the project is successfully completed, the Gideon will be back on the racing circuit later this year!
Nick & Scooter with their new prize purchase
The students survey their new project
Tutor Ewen and Scooter decide where to start