1939 Orlebar Schneider LeMans Special

1939 ORLEBAR SCHNEIDER LE MANS SPECIAL
In the late 1930's Royal Air Force officer Nigel Orlebar had just broken some class records at the Brighton Speed Trials in his MG. After this success he decides to build his own car and enter 1939 24 Hours of Le Mans. He names it after himself and the Schneider Trophy air races in order to honor Nigel's cousin, August, who was squadron leader of the British team that won in 1931. His car would be based on an English Ford. The Ford's 1172 cc motor was given an aluminum heads and two carbs. Orlebar hoped he could produce a small production run based on the first car he called MACH I.

The racer never made it to Le Mans. The first car wasn't finished in time. Next, The coachbuilder went out of business and no more could be made. Finally, World II.

After the war the car was sold to Leslie “Tom” Allard (Sidney's brother) who finished it and added a supercharger. The racer was sold to Richard W. Evans who raced it frequently during the first half of the 1950's.

In 1952 was it part of the 1172 Formula team; 1953 with Lloyd's Motor Club team; and 1954 with Ecurie-Tudor. The Special's greatest achievement was in June 1953 when she was first in the National Six Hours Relay race at Silverstone.

The Orlebar Schneider comes with a large cache of documents. Included are copies of hand written letters by Orlebar describing his creation and correspondence with Leslie Allard helping the fill in some history.

For those interested in vintage racing, this is a perfect car.