Vauxhall triumphs

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Re DTV’s ’60s and ’70s Special Saloon antics, it did, of course, make all the difference to our efforts to have the two Gerrys on board: Marshall and Johnstone. Without these two, progress in development would have been much slower and might never have got off the ground.

Gerry Johnstone was instrumental in shaping a race and rally shop second to none at Shepreth. An inspired engineer/mechanic, he was also an extremely quick race/test driver. And then dozens of mechanics, from Jeff Hall, via Dick Waldock to many like-minded blokes, congregated at Shepreth to join the fun. By the way, Gerry scored over 100 victories in Vivas and Old Nail. Include more than 30 wins with Baby Bertha, and that adds up to over 130. We always ignored the many class results as beneath our dignity.

My recollection of the Spa 24 Hours result was that we won three major prizes — first in class (second overall), the King’s Cup (for finishing three cars closest together) and the team prize. As this was one of the richest races and Gerry and Peter Brock were given charge of the cash (in Belgian francs); they were brimming over with glee as they emptied briefcases and pockets with great bundles of cash onto my desk to be shared out between all team members: a moment I shall never forget.

Finally, I must tell you that our 2.3-litre Chevettes scored 42 international podiums including 20 outright wins, plus many national and class results, resulting in three major championships and two near-misses. Not had for ‘a parts bin special’!

Bill Blydenstein, Shepreth, Herts