Wednesday 22 September 2021

Visiting Hambly Cars

You may have heard of Derek Hambly who revived the good old GTM as the Hambly Coupe in 2016 as a retirement project and who'd built a number of cars since (more here). Latest is a stunning reincarnation of 'LLG 187G', which may be better known as The Green Mean Machine to you, or the very first car built by Howard Heerey back in 1969 (more here). 

When I saw a picture of the car at the Stoneleigh show at the end of August I knew I wanted to see it in the flesh, so it was good to be over in the UK once again last week. Derek and his little team were happy to have me and show me around, take lots of pictures of their latest car and have a cup of tea. Thank you guys! I will write a more comprehensive article about Hambly Cars and 'LLG' later. 


The Hambly Cars dream team. Left to right: Edward, Anna Maria and Derek
Picture Jeroen Booij

The Green Mean Machine is back now, thanks to Derek Hambly and his team
Picture Jeroen Booij

The car has become a real stunner with great attention to detail thanks to its owner
Picture Jeroen Booij

Correct badging, only the paint colour is different, now a Corvette metallic green
Picture Jeroen Booij

10" Dunlop D1 wheels, Fiat 850 rear lights, even number plates of the correct type
Picture Jeroen Booij

The engine is a 1275, originally it was an 'S' with twin SUs and hot cam set at 7,000rpm
Picture Jeroen Booij

Interior looks great, too, in all its simplicity and period correct-ness
Picture Jeroen Booij

Derek Hambly in his workshop. He and his little team do and make just about anything themselves
Picture Jeroen Booij

Another early car that is now ready to be built. Note original chassis behind it
Picture Jeroen Booij

Derek had just come from the local circuit of Brands Hatch where he'd been racing his own car
Picture Jeroen Booij

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