HWM Jaguar – Race Maker, Life Taker

Photography by RiikoPhoto

George Abecassis and John Heath were men who lived for the thrill of speed and smell of fuel and oil. The Second World War had come to an end, and while British life still had a long way to go before it could once again be called normal, the people of this great nation were determined to take joy where they could. It was, after all, well deserved. Prior to the War, motorsport had been a booming industry, and as such, when the dusts of war settled the dusts of the nation’s race tracks were soon whipped into a frenzy by all manner of machines. 

Abecassis and Heath were responsible for their fair share of dust-whippery in their respective cars. Both had built well-respected businesses within the motor industry, and both were regular faces at the circuit. And soon the two formed a bond over their shared appreciation of speed and of racecar engineering. This bond would grow so strong that in the late 1940s, the two would bring their respective businesses together. And so was created Hersham & Walton Motors LTD.

Today, the business exists as the longest-standing Aston Martin dealer, having acquired the franchise back in ‘51. It stands today as a hive of activity, servicing, repairing and selling Astons and other luxury cars of all ages. Back in the time of Abecassis and Heath, the activity was more centrally based around motorsport. By 1950, they had already designed, built and campaigned a single-seat car based on a Sports Alta, before building an evolution of that car called the HW-Alta. So successful was this car, it greased the wheels for investors, resulting in HWM building a full team of cars for the 1950 British Formula 2 season. 

The team enjoyed great success in Formula 2, and of course, the logical step was to move into Formula 1. However, while the small team’s plucky attitude and grit found a place amongst the big boys in the world of Formula 2, the world of Formula 1 was too far advanced. Despite a brilliant effort, the cars HWM built simply weren’t competitive. HWM was on the grid for just two events before retiring from the championship altogether. 

So what would be the next step for the company? Open-wheel had been done, so logically it made sense to take on the world of closed wheel, sports car racing. This of course meant new cars, and given the size and scope presented by closed wheel designs, it also gave HWM the opportunity to shop for a big, powerful engine. Their weapon of choice was the 3.4 straight-six from the Jaguar stable. Reliable, powerful and proven, it was the right engine for the job. 

By 1953, a new car had indeed been created for such use. Low, long and wide, the body made no secret of its Jaguar heart. Certainly, to the uninitiated it looks like it could have been a Jaguar from nose to tail, not just under that louvred bonnet. However, the body was found not by design but by circumstance. HWM had previously built a closed body for a car to be driven by Phil Scragg. However, he wasn’t a fan and the body was shelved in favour of an open-wheel design. As such, when HWM was building its own car, it was deemed prudent to dust off the unused aluminium body. However, the car they were building was based around a single-seat prototype chassis that again had been dusted off. The frame needed significant work and modification to accept the fuller body. 

Power wise, the new car was fitted with a C Type Le Mans engine from Jaguar, mated to a C Type transmission and Halibrand final drive with drop-gears – because low was and still is fast. The engine further benefited from Harry Westlake designed cams, and three double-choke Weber carbs. 

The finished car was registered as HWM 1. Though, this wasn’t deliberate. In fact, a motorsport fan based at the Southport registration authorities office did what is unthinkable in terms of today’s customer service, and approached the company to let them know that the plate was available. Obviously they jumped at the chance, though regrettably they passed on 2, 3, 4 and 5. C’est la vie. 

The new car debuted in June of ‘53 at Shelsley Walsh, where it finished second with Abecassis at the wheel. From then on, it was a whirlwind of competition for HWM 1, with the car travelling all over Europe to compete in various events. And amazingly, the car was driven to and from each event, too. You can’t imagine a modern race car doing that! It also held its own amongst the likes of Aston Martin and Ferrari, which was remarkable for a car from such a small company. HWM was earning respect and admiration in spades. Its car, this alien body atop a gathering of Jaguar mechanicals, was a stormer. 

The first HWM 1 paved the way for the company, but by the mid ‘50s it was getting tired. As such, it was retired and sold to Ray Fielding and was re-registered as YPG 3. HWM 1 would find a home on the car you see here. An all-new machine with a more rotund body, an all-new tubular chassis, fully independent suspension (an improvement over the old car’s de Dion torsion-sprung rear). It was a triumph of a car, one that would surely take HWM to new heights. Sadly though, that wasn’t to be. 

The car was unveiled in readiness for the 1956 Mille Miglia. A race that was and still is hard on the car and the drivers. HMW had high hopes. The first car had paved the way, and this second incarnation was built with the knowledge and experience garnered from it. John Heath, confident in the car’s abilities, would take the wheel. It would be the last time he would. 

The 1956 race was one that should have been the stuff of legend. With drivers like Fangio and Moss on the roster, it promised thrills and excitement aplenty. Sadly though, the harsh Italian rain of that period had other ideas, and made the race a perilous one. Car 311 of Fornasari/Roghi, a Maserati A6G Zegato served a then unknown prelude to the fate of HWM 1. The Maserati lost control on a left-hand bend and left the track and rolled. Miraculously, both occupants survived. Less than three hours later, Heath would repeat the accident, but without such a lucky outcome. Sustaining serious injuries, Heath would pass away two days later at the Ravenna Hospital. 

The tragic passing of Heath was hard on his business partner and fellow racer, Abecassis, who lost his taste for racing after the tragedy. That said, HWM 1 wasn’t deemed a complete loss, and was in fact rebuilt and campaigned for the remainder of the season and through into ‘57. However, after this the car was sold to John Bekaert, part of Team Speedwell, complete with the famous plate. He used the car in club racing for a number of years. History tells us that he maintained the car’s legacy of driving to events, not hitching a ride in a support truck. Fitting. 

After Bekaert, the car passed through a number of owners, though none would campaign it to the extent to which the car was accustomed. Instead, the car became an asset and toy. As is the way for so many old racers, this could have been the point at which HWM 1 faded into obscurity. However, historic racer, Kirk Rylands, came to the car’s rescue and once again put it to racing use. He owned the car for a staggering 34 years before hanging up his driving gloves and selling HWM 1 to Paul Grist, who would go on to subject the car to a welcome and thorough rebuild, bringing it to the condition you see it in today. Including a return to the most welcome shade of British Racing Green. 

Now the car exists as a time capsule of racing’s past. Some may argue that the car carries with it a dark shadow given the unfortunate fate of Heath. However, we would like to consider the accident as a result of conditions, not the car, and we would imagine that Heath, wherever he may be, would look proudly upon the car’s continued existence. 

Every old car has a story or two to tell. HWM 1 does not. Instead, it has an anthology of stories. It might not be a car crowned with a well-known name, but it is a car that has been intrinsic to European racing culture for its entire life. It has seen success, it has seen dark events and it has seen more of Europe’s circuits than most F1 drivers. It has been piloted by some of the greats, it has been pushed and beaten and it has been worked hard, and yet still, over sixty years on, it is still fighting fit and ready to race. Incredible. 

And now you can carry on HWM 1’s story, as the car is for sale with Fiskens. If you want a true slice of motorsport history, you’d have to work hard to find something more significant than this car.

If you missed out, the good news is that from time to time we still see HWMs listed with us at Car & Classic. Here’s the best place to look to find a HWM Jaguar for sale.