Incredible driver, used to go and watch him at Brands. In Baby Bertha he even used to play with the headlights and pass all others and then let them by so he could pass them again.
Gerry Marshall / Bill Blydenstein a great winning combination, loyal DTV fans all our life, spent many many hours at all the British circuits supporting DTV. We have now written a book called Vauxhall in Motorsport, will be an icon ! The Lindsay twins.
I worked for Bill Blydenstein (in the red at the beginning). It was a couple of years before I realised that he wasn't English at all, but Dutch/Norwegian. You'd never have known from his (lack of) accent. Smashing bloke - he once refused to lie about my income to the building society I was trying to get a mortgage from; instead he solved the problem by giving me a pay rise on the spot so he could tell the truth.
Gordon Spice and Tom Walkinshaw (no surprise there). Interesting that the title says this film is from 1975, but I have the date of this meeting as October 1976. Colin Vandervell headed Gerry home in the Triplex Capri.
Yes Tom & Gordon always battled like that, not much different to BTCC! When Gerry talked about James Hunt winning World championship I was at Mallory Park competing in F/Ford, the paddock cheered loudly when news came through. Ah the smell of bacon being cooked early morning before scrutineering, those were the days before huge transporters, just trailers, tents & caravans. Also no silencers required, what memories before people complained about noise. If you don't like the noise don't live there. The original inhabitants never complained!
This film brought back some very happy memories for me. It was produced for Castrol by UMP (United Motion Pictures, later to become BHP - Barrie Hinchliffe Productions) and it must have been one of the first films where I was given a sound credit at the end. Gerry was a wonderful man who seemed to have an aura of happiness that affected everybody around him. He was a very talented driver with a zest for life that is rarely equalled. I feel privileged to have met him.
The 70s was one of the best era's for motorsports, powerful engines wide car's very brave driver's and not so sticky tyre's. All very exciting for sure you could get up close with the car's and the driver's.
And sometimes the cars were used as daily drivers and were in the factory car park on Monday. DTV CF vans were good as well with special engine tune and sometimes gear boxes were changed. Great days and the drivers and teams were not treated as untouchable commodities. I think Silverstone had a six hour race and a few workers would take their daily drivers and compete. Great days.
Saw him many times at Brands with my Dad, he was a terrific driver and Gerry and baby Bertha and big Bertha was in the 70,s in club racing an unbeatable combination. Also Gerry was a great character he could jump into any car really and he could win in it. Thanks for the great times Gerry God bless mate.
Motor racing today bears little resemblance to its origins on so many levels - machinery and the skills and bravery of those who actually drove their machines.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought Holden was part of GM in the UK and Australia. Either way, I've never heard a Chevy small block OR Mustang motor sound that good. Thanks for sharing !
Vauxhall needs to bring back the Firenza and keep the look of the droop snoot but build it to modern standards and it should have a 2 litre turbo petrol engine with 300-350hp and price it around £25k to £30k. ❤
Great video. I can see why Good Wood has a Gerry Marshall trophy race.
A great character, very underrated by the public. A true gem of a driver.
Incredible driver, used to go and watch him at Brands. In Baby Bertha he even used to play with the headlights and pass all others and then let them by so he could pass them again.
Absolute pleasure to see this guy at Oulton Park...he was lightyears ahead even at the age he was in 2003. Brilliant driver
Gerry Marshall / Bill Blydenstein a great winning combination, loyal DTV fans all our life, spent many many hours at all the British circuits supporting DTV. We have now written a book called Vauxhall in Motorsport, will be an icon ! The Lindsay twins.
A wonderful character for sure. I bought my Sports Hatch from Gerry, oddly the driver's seat was a bit knackered........ :-)
I worked for Bill Blydenstein (in the red at the beginning). It was a couple of years before I realised that he wasn't English at all, but Dutch/Norwegian. You'd never have known from his (lack of) accent. Smashing bloke - he once refused to lie about my income to the building society I was trying to get a mortgage from; instead he solved the problem by giving me a pay rise on the spot so he could tell the truth.
Typically Bill Blydenstein.
@@terencebower132brilliant engineer as well as a good listener.
When MEN Raced Clean & Close AND Clutch Pedal Skills with
oNe Hand off the Steering Wheel were a Standard Requirement.
That looks to me like an Australian HQ Holden
Interesting what they were saying about the diff playing up.
who were the two Capri guys behaving like bellends at teh end there
Gordon Spice and Tom Walkinshaw (no surprise there). Interesting that the title says this film is from 1975, but I have the date of this meeting as October 1976. Colin Vandervell headed Gerry home in the Triplex Capri.
Yes Tom & Gordon always battled like that, not much different to BTCC! When Gerry talked about James Hunt winning World championship I was at Mallory Park competing in F/Ford, the paddock cheered loudly when news came through. Ah the smell of bacon being cooked early morning before scrutineering, those were the days before huge transporters, just trailers, tents & caravans. Also no silencers required, what memories before people complained about noise. If you don't like the noise don't live there. The original inhabitants never complained!
Modern drivers: You must drive a race car with finesse and accuracy.
Gerry: Just let me finish my pint...
This film brought back some very happy memories for me. It was produced for Castrol by UMP (United Motion Pictures, later to become BHP - Barrie Hinchliffe Productions) and it must have been one of the first films where I was given a sound credit at the end. Gerry was a wonderful man who seemed to have an aura of happiness that affected everybody around him. He was a very talented driver with a zest for life that is rarely equalled. I feel privileged to have met him.
Them sideburns are something else.............Wow, cannot believe that he was only 35, he looks more like 55 at the time.
Blimey , he was only 35 years old . To be honest he looked nearer 50 but what an amazing driver and character .
The 70s was one of the best era's for motorsports, powerful engines wide car's very brave driver's and not so sticky tyre's. All very exciting for sure you could get up close with the car's and the driver's.
And sometimes the cars were used as daily drivers and were in the factory car park on Monday. DTV CF vans were good as well with special engine tune and sometimes gear boxes were changed. Great days and the drivers and teams were not treated as untouchable commodities. I think Silverstone had a six hour race and a few workers would take their daily drivers and compete. Great days.
Awesome GERRY MARSHALL . What a driver 👍👍👍👍
Gerry Marshall and Andy Rouse, two giants of motor racing. What a treat.
Saw him many times at Brands with my Dad, he was a terrific driver and Gerry and baby Bertha and big Bertha was in the 70,s in club racing an unbeatable combination. Also Gerry was a great character he could jump into any car really and he could win in it. Thanks for the great times Gerry God bless mate.
Superb documentary!!
Gerry Marshall at Brands and Mick Collard at Tongham stock car track, those were the characters to watch back then.
I love the Firenza, race track at the weekend, and a practical 2 door saloon you can use every day.
Yeah, and also a very pretty car
It was a magnum!
Love my Vauxhall ..... Please bring back the racing heritage again you deserve to get to the top
Even looking at the instruments brings back memories!
This is awesome. Thank you!
Absolute legend
Motor racing today bears little resemblance to its origins on so many levels - machinery and the skills and bravery of those who actually drove their machines.
Thanks for this great watching the cars looked so cool back in the day with the flared arches👍
And the sheer width of Baby Bertha's tyres!!!
Gerry was a big boy but man he could drive a car
Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought Holden was part of GM in the UK and Australia. Either way, I've never heard a Chevy small block OR Mustang motor sound that good. Thanks for sharing !
Great love it thank you 🙂👍🏻
Vauxhall needs to bring back the Firenza and keep the look of the droop snoot but build it to modern standards and it should have a 2 litre turbo petrol engine with 300-350hp and price it around £25k to £30k. ❤
Gerry and Bill Blydenstein ….. LEGENDS !!
Dolomite in Britain,Gemini in Aus.One of the best little fastbacks ever.
this is how I used to drive my HC viva everywhere too
Andy Rouse always looks like he's had about five enemas in succession , totally over purged , he's as white as a ghost .
Was he the engineer guy that birthday weird contraption to practice driving. Like a rowing machine for racing drivers?