Herbert Shepherd
Discussion
Hi
The thread on Nic Mann's Minor got me thinking of other speed event competitors from around that era of the mid/late 80s. This was when I was in my early teens and my parents started sprinting and hillclimbing a Dutton Phaeton. Mostly around the Midlands venues like Shelsley Walsh, Loton, Prescott and Curborough.
Anyway, one chap whose run I always looked forward to was Herbert Shepherd, who was an elderly looking gent (in the best meaning of the word) who drove a beautiful 4.2 Series 1 E-Type Roadster - yellow with a black hardtop and Minilites. He was very, and deceptively, quick by being very smooth. Always a lovely looking and sounding run.
Just wanted to give a PH nod of respect to him really.
Does anybody else know of him or his whereabouts now?
The thread on Nic Mann's Minor got me thinking of other speed event competitors from around that era of the mid/late 80s. This was when I was in my early teens and my parents started sprinting and hillclimbing a Dutton Phaeton. Mostly around the Midlands venues like Shelsley Walsh, Loton, Prescott and Curborough.
Anyway, one chap whose run I always looked forward to was Herbert Shepherd, who was an elderly looking gent (in the best meaning of the word) who drove a beautiful 4.2 Series 1 E-Type Roadster - yellow with a black hardtop and Minilites. He was very, and deceptively, quick by being very smooth. Always a lovely looking and sounding run.
Just wanted to give a PH nod of respect to him really.
Does anybody else know of him or his whereabouts now?
Very consistent round Curborough, laptimes down to the tenth each time if i remember (was it 38.something??). As you say very smooth driver to the point of making it look effortless.
I really didn't know him at all but along with Mr Hammonds sport quattro it was always a car / driver i remember as a Curborough regular.
I wouldnt know what happened to Mr Shephard himself but i think i remember hearing sometime ago that his immaculate e-type was sold on to an equally suitable home (maybe Ray Rowan or Martin Bolsover or similar). Not 100% on that though so apologies in advance if this is incorrect.
Yes - those 38s seemed to come out of nowhere. His runs looked like a nice Sunday afternoon drive and you looked at the clock and he was first in class.
That was a very competitive time for a roadgoing car back then. It took a long time and a lot of development before my parents' Dutton ducked under 40s at Curbourough.
But the thing I recall, and miss, most about those days was the lack of noise control. The Dutton had a quite highly tuned Triumph 2.5PI in it and of course you could run open pipes in those days. God, it sounded good. As did the non-silenced big single seaters...
I know that the records have tumbled and cars now are quicker, but that sound at a speed event before the noise limit was fantastic.
That was a very competitive time for a roadgoing car back then. It took a long time and a lot of development before my parents' Dutton ducked under 40s at Curbourough.
But the thing I recall, and miss, most about those days was the lack of noise control. The Dutton had a quite highly tuned Triumph 2.5PI in it and of course you could run open pipes in those days. God, it sounded good. As did the non-silenced big single seaters...
I know that the records have tumbled and cars now are quicker, but that sound at a speed event before the noise limit was fantastic.
Wow this takes me back! In about 1981 I made my competition debut at Curborough in an MG Midget, and Herbert Shepherd was of course a role model. I never realised the car was so modified, it just looked so "ordinary".
Thanks for the memories, I must get up in the loft and find the photo albums!
Thanks for the memories, I must get up in the loft and find the photo albums!
I don't personally remember Herbert, I was wee young lad at the time, and to be honest was more interested in the blue and silver firenza that used to be at curbouough, my dad used to sprint in a white and brown Chevrolet Camaro, cant remember if he was in the same class as Herbert, but many a times he tells me the story of talking to Herbert, and Herbert saying to him, if he calmed down a bit you would beat me!!, he did one day, but driving in rallycross he hated driving smooth!
My own photograph of Herbert Shepherd (a dentist with a Stafford practice) with his immaculate E-Type and John Ravenscroft and a 'lady' at Curborough in 1971:
Herbert's E-type had numerous Dick Prothero modifications and included aluminium bonnet and boot lid (and doors?).
In 1971 Herbert was looking to part with the E-type but his asking price of £2500 or thereabouts (in 1971) was way too much for me...
And here's Herbert in action...
Herbert's E-type had numerous Dick Prothero modifications and included aluminium bonnet and boot lid (and doors?).
In 1971 Herbert was looking to part with the E-type but his asking price of £2500 or thereabouts (in 1971) was way too much for me...
And here's Herbert in action...
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