John and Mike Young

[boyzee]

My old mk2 3 litre superspeed mk2 cortina.Back in the 60,s i lived a few miles from superspeed who had the garage in ley st ilford,i used to go past the garage most days seeing their modded anglia,s outside.I think they built Nick Brittons "green bean" 1 litre anglia back in the 60,s.This cortina is now being restored by its new owner.

[bussy50]

hi in mid 80s i owned the super speed v8 capri, the car was striped of its engine and gear box and left in a garden in chingford london e4 when i got it i put a 351 cleveland and auto box and used as a daily driver i did a piece in street machine mag and run 12.9 a santa pod i sold it 1988, the car is still like the day it was made and sits in a garage in east london great car great fun

[boyzee]

Originally Posted by bussy50

hi in mid 80s i owned the super speed v8 capri, the car was striped of its engine and gear box and left in a garden in chingford london e4 when i got it i put a 351 cleveland and auto box and used as a daily driver i did a piece in street machine mag and run 12.9 a santa pod i sold it 1988, the car is still like the day it was made and sits in a garage in east london great car great fun

Is the capri red?There was an immaculate 351 cu in capri for sale in the early 80,s in Hills sports car showroom in leyonstone east london.The car was later owned by someone in walthamstow.It was in mint condition inside and out.

[bussy50]

yes thats the same car when i got it,it had reg no 387 mw that was number on it when it was for sale in hills the guy who bought it from hills took original engine and box out to put in a cobra , i put a 351c with auto box which car has still got in it to date i have some great photos of it and some video at santa pod i owned and used it from 86till 1998/9

[ant]

Hi Guys Ive a little info to add to this subject

John Young is still involved in motorsport and now drives a bmw art car which is looked after by JD classics .
I believe they were involved in building the green bean and i think the 'orange box' aswell.
Colin Hawker did work for superspeeds and used to stay late into the night to build and maintain his DFVW, Colin now has a garage of his own with a friend of his. however he is no longer involved in motorsport ... flying planes instead !

I think the young brothers were possibly later involved with some jags, but i dont think they were racing before their 'superspeed' days


Interesting story

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by ant

Hi Guys Ive a little info to add to this subject

John Young is still involved in motorsport and now drives a bmw art car which is looked after by JD classics .

I think you may have him mixed up with another John Young who I raced with for several years, as the one we are talking about is getting "on a bit" !

[Gerry Taylor]

Even older than me and you Gordon!

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by Gerry Taylor

Even older than me and you Gordon!

I "resemble" that remark !

[GPK]

Thought you may be interested in further ramblings on Superspeed and the Young brothers. Having spent time watching and admiring the 60’s & 70’s racing performances of John and Mike Young I felt the urge to own a Superspeed-prepared car – in fact I went on to own three very different ones.
My memories came flooding back when I read in the December 2010 edition of Classic Cars that Nik Davis was looking for information to help in his research for writing a book on Superspeed.

This is what I sent

Hi Nik,

I read that you were writing a book on Superspeed, which is a fascinating story and a long-overdue subject that deserves far more exposure.

I was fortunate to meet Mike Young on a number of occasions when he sold me three very different Superspeed converted Fords.

The first, was a 1500GT Anglia - 1066 PU. I bought this in 1965 from Mike, after the car had been lowered, fitted with a modified 1500GT engine, complete with under-axle exhaust and minimum silencing. Although it had been used briefly for sprints and retained the original drum brakes, I had a number of very interesting years road use of this car.

The second, was an Escort 1600GTS - XGU 380G. Yes, the car used in the May 1969 AUTOCAR 'Hot Escorts' test (I still have one of the original magazines). I bought this car from Mike and he told me that XGU 380G had a number of 'extra' mods, both engine and suspension, in order achieve favourable comments in the AUTOCAR test. He was very successful with this.

The third car was an Escort V6 - FLC 681J. Again, I bought this new from Mike. What a car, until the inlet manifold gasket let go just under a year after I bought it. And that, together with the vehicle recovery by Mike, under warranty, is another story!

Each of the cars was well engineered with excellent detailing. For example, all three cars had beautifully fabricated tubular exhaust manifolds finished in white SPEREX paint - don't see that much these days.

I have photos of all three cars, original Superspeed 'brochures' for the Escort 1600GTS and V6 and a number of stories of my times with three very special cars.

Please feel free to contact me if you wish for more details, and please let me know when you are publishing the book as I have many unanswered questions.

Unfortunately, this had to be sent via the magazine and, despite follow-ups, I heard no more.

Did Nik Davis receive this note? Did Nik Davis finish his book? Superspeed and the Young brothers, not forgetting Bob Jankel’s involvement, is an amazing untold story. Unfortunately, the longer we wait the less detail there is to remember.

[Export13]

Originally Posted by bussy50

yes thats the same car when i got it,it had reg no 387 mw that was number on it when it was for sale in hills the guy who bought it from hills took original engine and box out to put in a cobra , i put a 351c with auto box which car has still got in it to date i have some great photos of it and some video at santa pod i owned and used it from 86till 1998/9

Hi,i am the owner of the capri,it has been stripped,shot blasted,new f/wings f/lower panel fitted,minimal welding to bottom A posts & little metal correction to r/arches.It is going back in original colour very soon.If theres a chance i could see photos & video of car i would be very grateful.

[chunterer]

Warm welcome Dean, look forward to hearing more as the project gathers pace!

[Export13]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Warm welcome Dean, look forward to hearing more as the project gathers pace!

car is being bought back to life,shouldnt be long,it really aint a hard project,its been inside for most of its life.

[Export13]

Originally Posted by volemetricdean

car is being bought back to life,shouldnt be long,it really aint a hard project,its been inside for most of its life.

Didnt get any response from anyone,maybe well forgoten about !!

[chunterer]

Probably just all waiting for more news dean!

[Export13]

Originally Posted by volemetricdean

Didnt get any response from anyone,maybe well forgoten about !!

after seeing bills from previous keepers, it was quiet obvious the rear axle was a weak point.So i started there,the easy option was a narrowed 9in but after investigastion,i found Quaif whom supplied all off the inners for the atlas axle with a life time guarantee at over 800 BHP,I had the engine rebored just to make it new !! its got 3v alloy heads and loads of lovely bits.The body shell "IS " as quoted by body shop who are rebuiling car, The cleanest MK1 capri they have ever worked on !! Shouldnt be long now, any response would be very welcome, Dean

[The Fat One]

Originally Posted by volemetricdean

after seeing bills from previous keepers, it was quiet obvious the rear axle was a weak point.So i started there,the easy option was a narrowed 9in but after investigastion,i found Quaif whom supplied all off the inners for the atlas axle with a life time guarantee at over 800 BHP,I had the engine rebored just to make it new !! its got 3v alloy heads and loads of lovely bits.The body shell "IS " as quoted by body shop who are rebuiling car, The cleanest MK1 capri they have ever worked on !! Shouldnt be long now, any response would be very welcome, Dean

I remember this car being built and then it sat in Superspeed's showroom for years! It was a very very special car, badged up as an RS5700 and had been based on a new 3 litre GXL. My father owned the factory next door to Superspeed's and was at one time a small co-sponsor of Colin Hawker's DFVW! I spent many an evening in the Superspeed showroom and workshop!
Good luck with your project, it would be nice to see some photos when you are finished!
Tim

[Export13]

Hi everyone the Capri is out & about after a few teething problems, all normal stuff after a full rebuild, getting blinding comments about it which is good after all this time, the car is featured in the October issue of Classic Ford which is out from 3rd September 2021, all comments welcome, Good or Bad !! looking forward to reading reply’s

[morninggents]

Are you able to post any photos on here?

[Export13]

Here’s a few from over the years

[Export13]

A bit sideways

[morninggents]

It looks good.

[Export13]

Capri is out & about, we just came back from classic ford magazine show (July 22) it’s pulling & driving spot on, glad I took this project on ?? Proper Old School Ford With A Proper Ford V8 ?

[121peter]

I have in my possession YJI1906 mk1 2000gt it was converted by the young brothers then exported to ireland where it spent its life being rallied around the hillsides,at some point the ford cortina engine was taken out and replaced with a yb cosworth.

[morninggents]

Welcome to TenTenths.
Photos of the car would be welcome.