A red race car
Description automatically generated with low confidence

Designed and built in Johannesburg in 1959, by John Myers of GRP Engineering, for John Mason-
Gordon.

“One – off” handmade sports racing car based on an adapted Protea tubular chassis with Triumph
TR2 engine, overdrive gearbox and rear axle. Triumph parts used from a donor TR 2 owned by John
Mason-Gordon.

All aluminium body crafted by Geoff Collins, a well-known craftsman of aluminium sheet metal
race car bodies.

It’s first event was the 1959 Six hour endurance race at Roy Hesketh circuit, Pietermaritzburg,
resulting in an outright win for drivers John Mason-Gordon and John Myers.

Subsequent competition history includes races at venues such Grand Central, Kyalami, East
London, and the 3rd International Grand Prix of Luanda. Continues to be used in historic racing
events usually at Zwartkops, Pretoria.

Technical details:

4 cylinder, 2 litre Triumph engine.

Two or Four SU carburettors. Depending on the regulations.

TR2 gear box with overdrive in 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears, effectively resulting in 7 forward gear ratios.

TR3 front disc brakes.

Front axle from a Ford commercial vehicle. The axle cut at the center to form independent swing
axle suspension.

100E Ford Anglia steering box installed upside down to operate a central bell crank and steering
link mechanism.

Live rear axle from Triumph TR2, mounted with coil springs, radius arms and Panhard rod.

Coil springs and telescopic dampers all round.

TR2 pressed steel wheels, 15 inch.

Alan Grant. +27 83 3252938. grantfam@wizz.co.za

Ian Schwartz. Author of “PROTEA-THE STORY OF AN AFRICAN CAR.” Published 2017.