1961 Ashley 1172
Registration No. 1151 ME
Editor/Artist's colour rendition.....
Little was known about this Ashley 1172 from it's first
build in 1961 and it's
registration with the UK Registrar in 1987
until
whilst checking on the "Austin Seven" Facebook group page
in early 2022
I found mention of an Ashley 750 which gave way to many
Comments from other members that had owned
Ashley car's over the years.
............................
One of these was Dennis Saupe, he mentioned that he had two Ashley's back in the 1970's:
Ivor, I had 2 Ashley's back in the late 70s, a fixed head based on a Ford 10 with 1172cc side valve engine and an open top one with a space frame chassis and Austin A30 engine and gearbox.
I will look for pictures. PM me so we have a proper link. The Ford based one was registered as 1151 ME.
I will look for pictures. PM me so we have a proper link. The Ford based one was registered as 1151 ME.
I mentioned that if he could find some photo's and maybe
write up a few details of his time with the cars that would be great
and he replied:
I mentioned that if he could find some photo's and maybe
write up a few details of his time with the cars that would be great
and he replied:
Hi Ivor, Will try and find them, they are in an old photo album somewhere.
..........................................
As I mentioned above, this Ashley 1172 was registered with
the Ashley UK Registrar in
1987
At this time it belong to a Bryn Ives of Wolverhampton and
previously to a Peter Bright.
However
Bryn did supply some photo's of the car
before his restoration
As I mentioned above, this Ashley 1172 was registered with
the Ashley UK Registrar in
1987
At this time it belong to a Bryn Ives of Wolverhampton and
previously to a Peter Bright.
However
Bryn did supply some photo's of the car
before his restoration
and the chassis after his restoration.
Bryn also supplied detailed notes about the car he had purchased and the work he carried out for the restoration.
The original Ashley had been constructed on a Ford E93A chassis and used the 1172cc side valve engine, 3 speed gearbox, driveshaft and
rear axle, the front end suspension had been fitted with a
Bellamy split-beam assembly and 15" Bellamy wheels.
The bodyshell had been spray painted Green over the gel-coat finish of the fibreglass.
His restoration was very much a rebuild, below is an account of the
works Bryn completed,
The chassis and mechanical's were basically OK, they just needed cleaning and lubrication, unfortunately the tyres had to be replaced as they were cracked and perished due to the car standing
on them unused for many years previously.
When the body had been removed all the original mounting brackets had been in poor condition and new more robust brackets had to be made to stop movement between the body and chassis.
works Bryn completed,
The chassis and mechanical's were basically OK, they just needed cleaning and lubrication, unfortunately the tyres had to be replaced as they were cracked and perished due to the car standing
on them unused for many years previously.
When the body had been removed all the original mounting brackets had been in poor condition and new more robust brackets had to be made to stop movement between the body and chassis.
A rollover bar was also installed behind the door opening, for safety and to firm up and hold the sidewalls in position,
the existing bulkhead behind the engine was also replaced with a new better designed bulkhead.
The flimsy plywood dashboard was replaced with a stronger purpose
made fibreglass unit which was leather covered and
the Instrument layout improved to better display the dials plus a
rev-counter was added, all as shown on my sketch below.
Bryn Ives sketch
There's a possibility that I may modify the Coupe hardtop to improve the
existing hump-back look to a more stylish looking top.
No more was heard from Bryn Ives but in
1994
it's recorded that a Mr Ogle of Stoke on Trent owned
the car, but he notes the car had a new
Registration No. FCY 253 allocated to it
and that it was originally 1151 ME
so maybe it had been of the road for some years and lost the old registration !!!
A further sighting of this car then appeared in
2013
when I contacted a Colin Peters about another Ashley 1172
with
Registration No. AEH 360A allocated to it
he supplied me with details and photo's and I was
surprised to see that the dashboard was the same as described
above by Bryn Ives
existing hump-back look to a more stylish looking top.
No more was heard from Bryn Ives but in
1994
it's recorded that a Mr Ogle of Stoke on Trent owned
the car, but he notes the car had a new
Registration No. FCY 253 allocated to it
and that it was originally 1151 ME
so maybe it had been of the road for some years and lost the old registration !!!
A further sighting of this car then appeared in
2013
when I contacted a Colin Peters about another Ashley 1172
with
Registration No. AEH 360A allocated to it
he supplied me with details and photo's and I was
surprised to see that the dashboard was the same as described
above by Bryn Ives
other photo's also show the other modifications that he's noted above.
To see more about this Ashley 1172 as it changes
to the AEH 360A story
click on the button above.
............................................................
to the AEH 360A story
click on the button above.
............................................................
If you have any further information about this
Ashley 1172 car
Registration No.
1115 ME
or
FCY 253
or
AEH 360A
(originally registered by Middlesex C.C. in 1961)
please email me 0n
Ashley.Sportiva@yahoo.com.au
or
use the contact page on this site to contact me
Ashley 1172 car
Registration No.
1115 ME
or
FCY 253
or
AEH 360A
(originally registered by Middlesex C.C. in 1961)
please email me 0n
Ashley.Sportiva@yahoo.com.au
or
use the contact page on this site to contact me
