Multiple Goodwood Revival participant, ready for new adventures in historic competition.
Multiple Goodwood Revival participant, ready for new adventures in historic competition.
The origins of this Merlyn lie in the innovative spirit of Colchester Racing Developments Ltd., a small British workshop which introduced a sports prototype chassis in the racing scene in 1964 : the Merlyn Mk4A. The example we are offering for sale has chassis no. 36RS and went straight to the United States, where it was raced in the SCCA championship on the West Coast. Bud Kemp is named as the first owner – a detail that reflects the era of those privateers who set the tone in the sixties with their talent, toolbox and passion. The car then disappeared from the limelight, only to resurface in 2010 as a genuine barn find.
The Merlyn was repatriated to the UK by the renowned classic car specialist Richard Taylor of Autotune Rishton. The first step was to refit the chassis with aircraft-grade aluminium panelling – a decision that combines precision with authenticity. Its identity was confirmed by Clive Hayward, owner of Colchester Racing Developments. The bodywork, restored to its original specifications along with the steering, wishbones and other chassis components also came from there. Sold as a partially restored project, a British club racer eventually brought the Mk4A up to full competition standard. Later – as part of the 2024 overhaul carried out by Michael and Andrew Hibberd – identified structural and mechanical issues were rectified without compromise : the roll cage, steering play alignment, brakes, engine components, and the fitting of the pedal assembly and steering box. It is precisely this meticulous attention to detail that distinguishes a fine project car from a serious racing car. This 1964 Merlyn Mk4A is unquestionably the latter.
At its heart is a period-correct Lotus-Ford Twin-Cam with a 1.6-litre displacement. It was completely rebuilt at Craig Beck Racing (Suffolk): crankshaft, cylinder head, pistons, connecting rods, oil pump and ancillary components – all brand new, documented by invoices totalling £17,000. On the dynamometer, it delivers 180 bhp. Since then, the engine has clocked up around ten hours of track time – just enough to breathe freely. A reconditioned Hewland five-speed gearbox from Racing Transmissions transmits the power to the rear wheels. It’s fascinating to see how this Twin Cam delivers its power supple in the mid-range, lively and responsive at the top end and with that cutting clarity of sound that makes analogue driving experiences so addictive.
Its comeback on the big stage came in 2016 at the Goodwood Revival in the Madgwick Cup with a 13th place. A race in pouring rain where precision and a keen feel for the car are what count. Afterwards, the car was sold to a collector near Munich, who used the Merlyn exclusively for track days – a gentle yet lively use of the car. In December 2023 the Mk4A returned again to the United Kingdom to participate in the HSCC Guards Trophy, managed by its new owner and Andrew Hibberd. In the Silverstone finale the car kept pace with a leading Lotus 23B – a strong statement. In 2025, the Merlyn made another four appearances in the Guards Trophy, and again participated in the Madgwick Trophy during the 2025 Goodwood Revival.
This Merlyn Mk4A is well documented and comes with a FIA HTP in the class Two-Seater Racing Car - TSRC10 - Period F 1961-1965. The car is 100% ready to race and eligible for many events including HSCC Guards Trophy, Goodwood Revival and Members Meeting, the Masters and Peter Auto Sports Racing Series, HSCC Twin-Cam Cup and Iberian Historic Endurance racing series. All EEC import duties are paid and there are a lot of spares included.
Are you brave enough to take this lightning fast, lightweight racing car out onto the track in any historic championship the coming season ?
¡Deje que expertos inspeccionen este vehículo!
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