The final car to complete VR’s array of vehicles at November’s NEC Classic Motor Show will be the recently restored LEC CRP1 Formula One car designed by Mike Pilbeam and driven by David Purley. The presence of the car is to acknowledge Purley’s heroism trying to save Roger Williamson from his burning racecar at Zandvoort in 1973, for which he was decorated with the George Medal for his act of bravery. Purley competed with the LEC at the beginning of the 1977 F1 season. The car was built with the assistance of his father, Christopher’s refrigeration company and Mike Earle managed the LEC racing team.
While the LEC proved not to be the greatest F1 car to grace a Grand Prix circuit, having failed to qualify for its debut race in Jarama, Spain, then finishing in minor places in Belgium and Sweden before retiring in France, it was during pre-qualifying for the British GP at Silverstone that the car literally showed its strength. Following a pit stop, after a small fire, the car once again joined the circuit. As Purley accelerated toward Becketts the throttle jammed open and he and the car crashed into the railway sleeper wall, decelerating from just over 100mph to 0 in just two feet, a force of around 108G. Although seriously injured, Purley survived the impact intact — thought to be the highest G-force ever survived by a human being. At first, it was believed the brakes had failed, but it subsequently arose that fire extinguishant had solidified on the throttle cable holding it open.
Mike Jiggle, VR’s European Editor, was overjoyed to reveal the fourth and final car, “Surely David Purely must rank as one of the greatest heroes in motorsport — certainly of the modern Grand Prix era. Having the LEC F1 car on display is not only a tribute to his courage and gallantry, but to his determination to succeed at the highest level of our sport. I think the four cars on our stand, the Invicta, the Atalanta, the Jaguar XJR10 and now the LEC F1 car, broadly embrace the show theme ‘Heroes and Heroines of Road and Track.’ I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for making this possible.”
Ticket prices and full details for the NEC Classic Motor Show, set for November 11-13 at the National Exhibition Centre, can be found by visiting www.necclassicmotorshow.com
