1971 Triumph 2500 London-Mexico

Colloquially known as ‘The Ghost of XJB 305H’ and originally instigated by Rod Stewart, this is a replica/tribute of XJB 305H, the car that Brian Culcheth and Johnstone Syer took to second place in the 1970 World Cup Rally.

A solid Triumph 2000 (registration number SFK 887K) was chosen as the base vehicle and an astonishing amount of work went into ensuring that, although it is not a perfect recreation, the details are period-correct; the finished car’s specification is based on both the original build sheets from Abingdon, insepction of teh surviving team cars as well as the recollections of Brian Culcheth himself.

The result is a faithful replica of XJB 305H (the original was destroyed by British Leyland many years ago…). It is in show-ready condition and comes complete with a paid entry into the Lombard Bath 2018 event worth £450.

The new owner will also be asked to ensure the car attends the 50th anniversary celebrations at Gaydon in 2020, and to make the car available for Brian Culcheth to drive on the day.

The base car was completely stripped down and the bodyshell was extensively modified, as far as possible per the original rally car. This work included modifications to the sills to strengthen them to incorporate the side jacking system. The rear-mounted jacking point and a roof-mounted air vent for cockpit ventilation were also installed.

The front wings were also modified to incorporate the distinctive side vent system that provides additional cooling to the engine compartment, and the boot lid was altered to enable it to carry three spare wheels stacked inside the boot itself.

A period-correct roll cage was also installed and a sump shield was fitted to protect the underside of the engine. All unnecessary brightwork was removed, including the bumpers and some of the side mouldings.

The original livery was recreated to faithfully replicate the originals, with the exception of that of the Football Association, which is the wrong colour. However, the distinctive matt black bonnet is correct, as are the names of the driver and navigator on the front wings and the badges.

The interior is fitted with a competition bucket seat for the driver, while the navigator sits in the sheepskin-covered original seat, just like they did back in 1970.

The rear seat has been removed and the area paneled with aluminium, as have the rear doors. A tool roll (from the original car, including some of the original, engraved tools) has been fitted to the rear panel, as have cargo nets to hold the driver’s and navigator’s safety helmets. A door pocket retains the light covers.

As per the original, all the electrics, fuses and relays have been moved to the nearside footwell and the vehicle has been fitted with original specification equipment including air horns, a high-capacity screenwash pump, navigation lights, auxiliary power sockets to the front and rear, roof-mounted air vents, and switches for the front mounted driving lamps.

The dashboard also faithfully replicates the original, including a replica Halda altimeter, stopwatch and clock. Meticulous.

The mechanical work was as exhaustive as the aesthetic. In brief, the engine (believed to be of 2.6-litre capacity) was overhauled and modified with new pistons, conrods, a TR6 camshaft, and unleaded valve seats. It was mounted to the car with special JRT competition engine mounts and breathes through an extractor exhaust manifold and a side-mounted exhaust system.

The power is sent to the rear wheels via a modified overdrive gearbox and a 3.7:1 differential. The springs and dampers are from the estate version of the model and the car sits on 15-inch Minilite-type wheels fitted with Dunlop winter-spec tyres. A second set of 14-inch Minilite-type wheels, again fitted with Dunlop winter-spec tyres, is included with the car.

The only significant deviation from the specification of the original car is an electric power steering pump, which has been fitted for ease of use.

More recent work includes a service, new bushes and a OE-spec gearbox mount. And a new MOT to confirm the quality of the build.

The car comes with a detailed portfolio of the work and modifications that have been carried out, including many receipts, invoices and old bills. It also comes with a signed limited-edition print, 1 of 350, of the original car competing in the 1970 World Cup rally in Mexico, and a 1/43rd model.

The history file also has a number of publications and press cuttings of the car’s history, including some that are now very rare and quite valuable. These include World Cup Rally and The Works Triumphs by Graham Robson, The Great Rally published by the Daily Mirror, a copy of the Daily Mirror World Cup Rally programme dated 19th April - 27th May 1970, as well as a copy of Kevin Warrington`s book Triumph 2000 in which the car is featured. It also comes with a replica works rally jacket.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos to support our claim that this car has been recreated to the very highest standard.

How do you even begin to value a car like this? As a recreation, it is peerless - and you certainly couldn’t even begin to commission one yourself without spending years researching the original - and even then we’re willing to bet that the cost would be a multiple of what the owner hopes to achieve for this example.

We’ll start with the independent, TSCC Valuation Certificate, which shows a value of £30,000. Yet, despite the years of work and many tens of thousands of pounds that have been invested in it, we all know it’s not going to achieve that. (Although, if it was an Escort, it would and then some.)

Which is bad news for the vendor, but good news for you because we think it’ll sell for just over half that sum, at which point it represents amazing value and a highly cost-effective route into historic motorsport (with a change to FIA-approved seats and rollcage).

Still unsure? Then why not make your way down to Somerset and have a chat with the owner for yourself? He’s a lovely chap and hugely knowledgeable, and if anyone can tempt you to indulge your inner rally driver, we think he can…

To arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car, AnyVan for transporting it, and Footman James for classic car insurance.