VIN: the George Abecassis / George Sterrett / Tony Crowther Iso Grifo A3/C Strada chassis B-0206/D

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HISTORY OF CHASSIS B-0206/D

Chassis B-0206/D was a right-hand drive Iso Grifo A3/C as reflected by its ‘D’ suffix VIN which denoted Destra (right in Italian).

Configured in Rosso with a Nero interior, the car was supplied to George Abecassis, proprietor of H.W. Motors in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (HWM).

In addition to having been the world’s oldest Aston Martin main dealer, HWM was also the UK distributor for Facel Vega. During the early 1950s, the company had produced an array of single seat racing cars and employed the likes of Stirling Moss and Peter Collins to drive.

Abecassis was a successful driver in his own right and most notably won his class at the 1950 Le Mans 24 Hours (driving for Aston Martin for whom he was employed as a works driver between 1950 and 1952).

Soon after B-0206/D arrived in the UK it was loaned to renowned motoring journalist, Ronald Barker, to drive at the British Drag Festival which took place at Blackbushe airfield on September 19th 1964. Barker set a best time of 12.91 seconds over the quarter mile sprint.

During its time as HWM’s demonstrator, Abecassis also lent the bright red A3/C to Autocar magazine for a road test. B-0206/D appeared in the January 22nd 1965 edition of the magazine wearing the trade plate 484 PA. Autocar ran the Iso on the street and also at Snetterton circuit:

“It roared up to 160mph in both directions, no more, no less. At 150mph the rev counter showed 5600rpm and at 161 5950rpm. In second gear 6000rpm gives 82mph and in third 108. The ratios are excellent for fast road work so that overtaking is done in moments and feels unusually safe.”

Subsequently registered EPG 7B, chassis B-0206/D was used in at least one more drag contest prior to its sale later in 1965 to Welshman, George Sterrett. Soon afterwards (reputedly later that year), the car returned to Italy for some work at which point the original flat rear windscreen was modified to the later wraparound type.

B-0206/D was subsequently sold to fellow Brit, Tony Crowther, who in 1967 campaigned the Iso in a couple of hillclimb events (at Harewood and Shelsley Walsh).

Later in ‘67 Crowther sold B-206/D to London dealer, Robs Lamplough, who in turn sold it to John Pearson, 3rd Viscount Cowdray. A couple of years later, B-0206/D was exported to Malta with a new owner (Edwards). It returned to the UK in 1974 and in more recent years has been restored.

Notable History

Rosso / Nero
Right-hand drive

Supplied to George Abecassis (H.W. Motors, Walton-on-Thames)

19/09/1964 IND British Drag Festival, Blackbushe (R. Barker) 12.91 seconds (#122)

22/01/1965 tested by Autocar

Registered EPG 7B

Sold to George Sterrett, Wales

Returned to Italy and rear window changed to later wraparound type

Sold to Tony Crowther

02/04/1967 Harewood Hillclimb (T. Crowther) 53.3 seconds, 2nd in class (#??)
23/07/1967 Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb (T. Crowther) 37.68 seconds (#45)

1967 sold via Robs Lamplough to John Pearson (Viscount Cowdray)

Later exported to Malta

1974 returned to the UK

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: unattributed