The Ford Years 1963-1965
PAGE 3
These pages would not be possible without the help and guidance
of David's wife, Susan Seigle-Morris and David's son, Kevin
Seigle-Morris.
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The Liege followed next and David, again with
Tony Nash as Co-Driver, had one of only about three ever built. cars -
a Corsair with a Lotus engine.
For the 1965 season Ford gave David a replica of the 1964
Liege car. It was a dark Green Ford Corsair, Reg no. ETW
543B. It was fitted with a Lotus Twin Cam engine reputed
to produce 175 B.H.P. It had a 4 speed gear box with overdrive
on all gears. It would do about 135 M.P.H. and was as quick
as an E type Jaguar (4.2) up to 100 M.P.H. that we had at the time. Unfortunately
it was being driven in to Gravesend when it caught fire and burnt
out. More about this car later.
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For the 1964 Tour de France Rally David was
re-united with his original co-driver, Vic Elford, in a Lotus Cortina. Ford's
idea was to have 2 drivers of equal talent, one for the Circuits
and one for the Hill Climbs and Stages. David drove the Hill
Climbs and Stages and Vic drove the Circuits. This proved
to be an excellent pairing as they finished 4th on scratch behind
2 Ford Mustangs and a 3.8 Jaguar and won the Touring Car Handicap
outright.
The R.A.C. Rally was next in which David and Tony Nash in a Cortina
GT no 21 helping the Cortina's win the Team Prize and David finished
9th overall. The year ended with all the Ford Drivers taking some
Cortina's to Cortina D' Ampezzo to drive down the famous Bobsleigh
Run.
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1965 started with the customary Monte Carlo
Rally. Again David was partnered by Tony Nash. They
started from Monte Carlo and if my memory serves me correctly,
I think they finished 24th overall.
I think the Alpine came next in a Lotus Cortina Reg 891 DOO.
David and Barry Hercock finished 4th over all and second in their
class behind the sister car of Henry Taylor and Brian Melia. David's
final Rally before retiring from competitive driving was the R.A.C.
For the 1967 RAC Rally David was to have driven a group 5 Lotus
Cortina with Graham Hill but the Rally was cancelled due to a severe
outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
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Cars used during the Ford Years:
- 779 BOO Lotus Cortina finished in White with Green flash. This
car was used for Club Rallies until it caught fire on the Welsh
Rally and burnt out.
- OO 1406 or it might have been OO 1408 Ford Anglia used on 1963
Monte Carlo Rally no.100 starting point Paris. This car
was also used by David for the Brands Hatch "Mud plugging"
- I believe that David used a Cortina GT on the Tulip Rally
but I have no information on this car.
- Reg 891 DOO White Cortina GT no.87. This car was also
used on the Liege but retired and on the Acropolis Rally.
- Reg 891 DOO? Cortina GT no.22 retired.
- Reg 891 DOO Cortina GT no.161 Monte Carlo Started Paris retired
1964
- Reg 892 DOO Red Cortina GT no.28 retired Alpine Rally 1964
- ETW 542B Red Lotus Corsair no.62 Spa Sofia Liege. Retired. Crashed.
To quote Graham Robson from his book Boreham. "David inverted
the car down a ravine and it may still be there". In
fact David drove it back to his house in Gravesend albeit slightly
the worse for wear!! Because the organisers of the Liege
allowed prototypes, Ford put a Lotus Cortina engine into the
Corsair. If I remember correctly it was a very quick car.
- Reg ETW 362B Lotus Cortina white with green flash. no.38 4th
scratch and 1st Touring Car Handicap Tour De France.
- Reg 889 DOO Red Cortina GT 9th overall and Team Prize
with Vic Elford and Henry Taylor.
- For the 1964 season Ford loaned David a Red Cortina GT (all
the Works drivers had one). It was registered AVW 199B.
David used it on Club and National Rallies. This was one
of the cars taken to Cortina D' Ampezzo. I am not sure whether
this car actually went down the bobsleigh run.
- Reg TOO 528 was one of the first Cortina's to compete in rallies
and David drove it on a club rally but I can't remember which
one
- Reg 892 DOO? Red GT no.161 used on 1964 Monte Carlo in which
I think he finished 24th overall. Started from Paris.
- Reg 892 DOO Red GT no. 262 used on 1965 Monte Carlo. Started
from Monte Carlo. Retired
- Reg KPU 380C white Lotus Cortina no.76 used on 1965 Alpine
Rally. I'm not sure but I think he retired
- Reg 892 DOO was used on either the 1964 or 1965 Circuit Of
Ireland Rally with David Michaels as Co-Driver. They finished
9th overall and won the Team Prize. This was the Rally
that Featured in the Film "THE DAVID'S DAY" featuring
the 2 Ford mechanics: David Rose and David Wood.
- Reg KPU 380C Lotus Cortina no.40 used on 1965 R.A.C. Rally
and driven by David and Tony, went off the road and had to retire.
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THE OFFICIAL FORD WORKS TEAM PHOTO ALBUM
David
Seigle-Morris - The Early Years 1956-1963
David
Seigle-Morris - The Ford Years 1963-1965
David
Seigle-Morris - The Later Years 1966-2005
Vic
Elford The Cortina Years
CHECK
OUT SOME OF THE OTHER FAMOUS DRIVERS WHO DROVE "CORTINA"!
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