In late December 1959, Bill Jennings packed his tools, spares and suitcase into the passenger seat of his self-assembled GSM Dart sports car and drove from his home in Cape Town to East London – a trip of over 600 miles in the days before highways. Jennings then took part in the Sixth International South African Grand Prix, finished the 150-mile Formula Libre race in 11th place of 24 starters after averaging nearly 75 miles an hour and then added a pint of oil to the sump and drove the 600 miles back home to be at work on Monday!
Jennings, in his Dart, during the 1960 South African Grand Prix’s Formula Libre race.
“I had got some leave between Christmas and New Year. The race was on New Year’s Day of 1960 – a Friday, so that suited me fine because I could drive home on the Sunday and be back in time when the workshop opened on Monday morning.” Recalled Bill.
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