Smith-Buckler

Ken Smith began competing in 1948 with his first special, the Smith but, after this came to grief at Brands Hatch in October 1950, he commissioned a chassis from Buckler of Reading. This car is a good example of a one off car being professionally built and competed with some success. Designed along conventional lines with a mid mounted Norton engine and suspension by lower wishbones and upper transverse leaf springs. Ken won at Silverstone in August 1951 and the car was still competitive by 1953, taking the Autosport Non Production Car Trophy.

Snetterton, July 1953

The chassis at Reading. Photo courtesy of Malcolm Buckler.

And at the 500 Owners Association Wiscombe Park Hillclimb 2004

Ken achieved some very respectable results for a one off car including:

Silverstone 18th August 1951 Commander Yorke Trophy, 1st in Non production car race.

Snetterton August 1951, 1st.

Brands Hatch 9th September 1951, DNF in heat.

Brands Hatch 23rd September 1951, 4th in Open Challenge heat.

Autosport Non Production Car Trophy 1951, 2nd

Boreham 17th May 1952, 4th

Snetterton 31st May 1952, 3rd in heat.

Boreham 2nd August 1952 Daily Mail International, 10th

Silverstone 23rd August 1952 Commander Yorke Trophy, 1st in 100 Mile race heat, DNF in final.

Silverstone 6th September 1952 SUNBAC, 1st in race 1, 3rd on aggregate.

Silverstone 20th September 1952, 4th.

Autosport Non Production Car Trophy 1952, 2nd.

Snetterton 18th April 1953, 3rd.

Silverstone 9th May 1953 International Trophy Meeting, DNF.

Silverstone 16th May 1953, 3rd.

Snetterton 30th May 1953, 2nd.

Silverstone 18th July 1953 British Grand Prix, DNF.

Snetterton 1st August 1953, 2nd.

Silverstone 8th August 1953, 1st.

Silverstone 22nd August 1953 Commander Yorke Trophy, 2nd in Non production car race. 1st in Silverstone 100.

Silverstone 5th September 1953, 3rd in race 1.

Snetterton 12th September 1953, 3rd.

Castle Combe 3rd October 1953, 6th in heat, 4th in final.

Silverstone 10th October 1953, 3rd.

Autosport Non Production Car Trophy 1953, 1st.

Silverstone 22nd May 1954, DNF.

An advertisement from Motor Sport proudly proclaiming Ken's success in the 1st Heat of the Yorke Trophy at Silverstone in August 1952.

Ken seems very interested in Bill Whitehouse's antics! Silverstone 10th May 1952

In 1954, a third car was built for Ken by Syd Creamer along Cooper lines, this car was campaigned by Henry Koring through 1955, '56 and '57.