Footnotes

Cyril Kieft's first racing car – a mid-engined Formula 3 design – appeared in 1950, making a significant impact on the class the following year thanks to a certain Stirling Moss. Don Parker won the 1952/53 Autosport championship driving a Kieft while Ken Wharton and Bernie Ecclestone were other noteworthy exponents. Swansea-born Cyril Kieft spent his early career working in the South Wales steel industry and after WW2 founded his own company in Bridgend, Cyril Kieft & Co Ltd, making components for the motor industry. One of the first firms to offer a complete car for the new Formula 3 was Marwyn, and then the latter failed Kieft took up the design. Stirling Moss was one of the drivers used for Kieft's successful record attempt at Montlhery in 1950 and his suggestions for improvements would prove invaluable when it came to making the cars more competitive. Keift moved to Wolverhampton and recruited designer Gordon Bedson from the aircraft industry. Bedson's new design could not have got off to a better start, Moss piloting it to victory at the Goodwood Whitsun meeting in 1951. Works driver Don Parker went on to win the Autosport British Formula 3 Championship in 1952 and '53, while other noteworthy Kieft exponents included Ken Wharton and André Loens.
This particular car comes with a letter to the current owner from Cyril Kieft in which he makes the following observations: 'From memory I think the car you have was a special which we made up for Don Parker. It varies slightly from the standard production batch but Don wanted a car with modifications to suit his personal requirements and I think we built this one at our Wolverhampton factory not Bridgend.'
Subsequently owned by Gordon Jones (see photographs), the Kieft was totally restored in 2001, has been unused since, and is described as ready to race. The chassis has been stove enamelled and fitted with new wheels/tyres, while the original aluminium bodywork has been repainted and is described as in excellent condition. Boasting a new cam box and carburettor, the long-stroke (79x100mm) 490cc Manx Norton engine has been totally rebuilt by recognised specialist Andy Savage, and is set up for methanol fuel. Eligible for various historic race series and events, including the Goodwood Revival Meeting's Earl of March Trophy, this potentially most competitive 500cc Formula 3 car is offered with sundry restoration invoices, key fob and overalls badge.