All the talk about the McBearen made me realize that I’ve never posted any pics of the P & G, so here we go. This pee yellow racer is the P & G Special Mk. V and was built by Gord Green here in Ontario. I don’t know too much about the actual car, other than the fact that it was powered by a Coventry Climax 4 cylinder.
I do know a little bit about the history of the car though, and then of course there are my own somewhat abnormal memories.
I believe the car was built for the Canada Class of sports racers, sometime in the mid to late Sixties. I think the car made it’s way to our house in 1970 or 71, after Bud stopped racing the AMX in 69. Somewhere around 73 or 74, the parental units split up and Bud quit racing. The P & G left our house and went to it’s new owner, but not before I had my way with it.
Imagine, you’re a 6 or 7 year old living with a mom who works full time and there is a miniature Can Am car sitting in The Garage. The car was on blocks and I learned that the wheels spin really fast when you press the start button. It also makes a lot of noise in a small space. I also learned that yellow painted fibreglass turns black when you build a fire in a little BBQ on top of the rear deck.
I even remember the first time I heard the F-Bomb. It was said repeatedly, when the old man tried to fit the Meyer’s Manx Dune Buggy in behind the P & G. The fibreglass nose of a special will not support the weight of a Dune Buddy and the resulting crack arrived with a loud snapping noise.
I guess the car travelled around a bit, finally ending up in the Southern States, where it was a regular at vintage events. In the mid 90’s, it made it’s way back to Ontario to the VARAC Festival at Mosport. It suffered a heavy crash. It’s owner decided it was time for a change and it ended up in Canadian hands once again. Currently it sits in the back of a Toronto area garage awaiting it’s reconstruction.
The P & G Special at Road Atlanta in 1994
Partially assembled for the VARAC Festival a few years ago.
The bare frame.
The original engine was a modified Imp not a Coventry Climax although the design of the Imp was basically a Climax. The original class was G Sports Racing (up to 1150 cc). By the time Gord got the car done it was over and under 2 litre. I held the Mosport 1150 record until Gord got loose and totally demolished it. It had stood for 3 years. Gord now lives in Haliburtonand I see him 4 or 5 times a year.
wow! thanks for the info Leighton. I’ve heard your name floating around. Did you own it before or after Bud did?
With the Climax bit, I was going on Bud’s memory. Is that what was in the car when he had it?
I never owned it. As far as I know it always had the Imp.
My car was an Elva Mk6 Climax 1100cc.
Gord Green is one of Canada’s unsung racing heroes. I’ve forgotten who the “P” was but he and Gord designed and built some outstanding race cars…and with great humility!
The team was Price & Green, but cannot remember Mr Price’s first name. Welcome to the golden years!
Roy Price
I had lunch with Gord last Tues.
He lives in Haliburton but comes over this way to shop quite often.
He still has all the his tools and machine shop equipment but works on electonics only now.
Trying to get a 1 wheeled robot working. It is just the sort of challenge he likes.
He designed and built the light system used at the ice races in Minden.