1972 Cannon Trials Car

Description

Stirling Moss competition history; originally built by Cannon for Colin Taylor; BMC A-Series engine with rare Aquaplane head; sympathetically restored with various new parts; interesting history file; eligible for Historic Sporting Trials events

Trialling (or ‘mud-plugging’) was the first form of motorsport to take place in Britain after the end of the Second World War. The format started with modified road cars but quickly progressed to purpose-built specials and the whole scene became immensely popular involving such household names as Colin Chapman, Sidney Allard, Graham Hill and Tony Marsh, as well as creating its own heroes.

Amongst the many competitors of the 1950s, one name quickly came to the fore – Cannon. A Tasmanian who had settled in the UK as a farmer, he soon got involved in the trials scene. Achieving considerable success behind the wheel of a self-modified Cotton Special, it was not long before he started making cars to his own design.

Assembled at the wonderfully named Crooked Chimneys in West Peckham, Kent, the resultant Cannons were renowned for their light weight, strength and agility. Based around a spaceframe chassis and clothed in bare aluminium, most Cannons used Ford running gear. Available as body/chassis units or as complete cars, they provided stiff competition to the likes of Dellow, winning the RAC Trials Championship and scoring numerous victories in their heyday. With total production estimated at just 100 to 120, survivors are now few and far between.

Mike Cannon was a man with many interests, among them being photography, and he worked closely with professional photographer and trials enthusiast Colin Taylor, one of the leading motor sport photographers of the time. In 1972 Cannon built the car you see here for Taylor which he competed with from 1973 onwards.

It also has something that other Cannons cannot claim: in 1973 a celebrity trial was organised and Stirling Moss (no knighthood back then) drove the car partnered by Autocar’s editor, Peter Garnier. The car comes with photographs of the occasion including one autographed by Stirling Moss himself, plus other photos of Taylor competing in the car.

The previous owner discovered the car languishing in an orchard in 2000. He had intended to restore the car but never got round to it, the Cannon subsequently appearing in a Brightwells sale in April 2017 which is where our vendor acquired it.

He has since sympathetically restored the car, retaining as much originality as possible, as detailed in notes and an album of photos on file. The aluminium body is original and retains its original paint and period Semperit graphics. The nose cone is also the authentic fibreglass Cannon item and retains its original badge. These items were carefully removed and stored while the car was stripped to the bare chassis which was shot blasted, waxoil injected and repainted.

The BMC A-Series 1,098cc engine (which has a rare aluminium Aquaplane cylinder head) was completely rebuilt with new pistons, bearings, timing chain, oil pump, water pump, starter ring gear etc. The Aquaplane head was also skimmed and rebuilt with new valve springs, valve seats re-cut, valves re-faced etc.

Other new parts include: clutch assembly and master/slave cylinders; SU carburettor; 3-branch exhaust manifold; electric fuel pump; starter motor; alternator; electronic distributor, coil and leads; reconditioned radiator with electric cooling fan; battery isolator switch, starter solenoid and other switches.

The rear axle is a BMC item with a 5·4:1 diff and a Cannon A-frame conversion; the front axle is Cannon's own with Ford stub axles, hubs and drum brakes, the whole lot being rebuilt with many new parts, including the cables for the fiddle brakes. The coil-over suspension is also new with adjustable shock absorbers all round, Hagon at the front and Protech at the rear.

The wheels (19” front; 15” rear) have also been refurbished with new cast aluminium centre sections and new rims as required. All six have also been fitted with new tyres and inner tubes.  

Since the restoration was completed the Cannon has been taken to various shows, including the Stirling Moss Tribute event at Brooklands in 2021, where it always draws lots of attention, the car’s history being illustrated on show boards that come with the car. It has also competed in a few trials, including one at Wotton (as pictured).

Historic trials cars have become hugely popular since the creation of the Historic Sporting Trials Association. The Historic Class is often oversubscribed and a new class – Post-Historic – is now being promoted for cars built between 1971 and 1978. This Cannon is not only eligible but is also sure to be competitive in the right hands.

A rare and interesting machine in its own right, this Cannon also represents the only opportunity most of us will ever have of buying a car with Stirling Moss competition history for an affordable sum!

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com