Team Harper Options

[ian senior]

Remember the Harper Chevron F2 team from 1974? Bob Harper was of a similar ilk to Teddy Yip - a wealthy Hong Kong businessman (supposedly one of Teddy's rivals) who suddenly arrived on the scene, put together a well funded and succesful F2 team, and then.... What happened to him after that?

[Herbert]

Wasn't the guy's name Peter Harper? He was somehow connected with David Purley I think. After some good F2 results (two second places), they switched to F1 with the Token Team at the British GP in 1974. But that adventure didn't last long...

[petefenelon]

Originally posted by ian senior
Remember the Harper Chevron F2 team from 1974? Bob Harper was of a similar ilk to Teddy Yip - a wealthy Hong Kong businessman (supposedly one of Teddy's rivals) who suddenly arrived on the scene, put together a well funded and succesful F2 team, and then.... What happened to him after that?

I understand that Bob was very rich and fairly eccentric - after making his pile he returned to England to live in a big house somewhere on the South Coast complete or even replete with assorted Chinese servants in tow.

AFAIK Bob originally ran Marches but took umbrage when the works cars appeared with lots of "experimental" bits that weren't available to customers, and decided to switch allegiance from Bicester to the more straightforward guys in Bolton.

I have a vague recollection that Bob died young although may be wrong on that -- David Gordon's book will probably contain more info.

[Herbert]

Originally posted by Herbert
Wasn't the guy's name Peter Harper?

Or did I get confused somehow? Perhaps he was called Bob nevertheless.
Meanwhile here is some Info about him from the Macau Grand Priy in 1978.

http://www.riccardopatrese.com/RP_macauGP.htm

[ian senior]

Originally posted by petefenelon



AFAIK Bob originally ran Marches but took umbrage when the works cars appeared with lots of "experimental" bits that weren't available to customers, and decided to switch allegiance from Bicester to the more straightforward guys in Bolton.

Similarly, he threw away his Hart engines and got BMWs instead. Or perhaps it was t'other way round. Either way, you need some fair amount of money to do that kind of thing.

[BRG]

Originally posted by Herbert
Wasn't the guy's name Peter Harper?

Peter Harper was one of the top Rootes group rally drivers in the 1960s - drove Sunbeam Rapiers and Alpines/Tigers IIRC.

[Twin Window]

A pic I took in the Brands pitlane during the 1974 GP; I think the Asian graphics on the Token is due to the Harper connection - with the element next to his name perhaps meaning 'driver'...

[MCS]

Purley was the team's number one, with Dieter Quester alongside initially.

Tom Pryce and Jim Crawford also raced the Harper Chevrons, I'm sure - when Quester had been relieved of his duties (primarily due to Purley scoring some useful second places).

I'm also fairly sure that Dave Morgan appeared at some stage, but may be wrong here.

What happened after 1974 though...?

[ian senior]

Originally posted by MCS
Purley was the team's number one, with Dieter Quester alongside initially.

Tom Pryce and Jim Crawford also raced the Harper Chevrons, I'm sure - when Quester had been relieved of his duties (primarily due to Purley scoring some useful second places).

I'm also fairly sure that Dave Morgan appeared at some stage, but may be wrong here.

What happened after 1974 though...?

Don't think Morgan appeared, at least according to www.formula2.net. But we still have the question of what happened after the end of 1974....

[MCS]

Originally posted by ian senior


Don't think Morgan appeared, at least according to www.formula2.net. But we still have the question of what happened after the end of 1974....

You're right about Morgan, Ian. I was getting confused about his appearance in the Texaco Star at Enna the year before.

[Mallory Dan]

Originally posted by MCS
Purley was the team's number one, with Dieter Quester alongside initially.

Tom Pryce and Jim Crawford also raced the Harper Chevrons, I'm sure - when Quester had been relieved of his duties (primarily due to Purley scoring some useful second places).

I'm also fairly sure that Dave Morgan appeared at some stage, but may be wrong here.

What happened after 1974 though...?

Wasn't Tom out that year in the Baty Chevron, not Harper's ? Master James also put in the odd appearance in the Baty car IIRC.

[VDP]

Robert (Bob) Harper was the main distributor of Ford and Lotus in Hong Kong, and also Alfa Rome and BMW dealership, this company was sold in the seventies

Robert

[ian senior]

Originally posted by VDP
Robert (Bob) Harper was the main distributor of Ford and Lotus in Hong Kong, and also Alfa Rome and BMW dealership, this company was sold in the seventies

Robert

Yes, I believe that's right. It was Harper International by that time and sold for a cool $HK146 million in 1972, which must have been more than enough to buy a few F2 cars. Australian racing driver and businessman Bill Wyllie (who has been mentioned on here before, but raced mainly in SE Asia) was involved with the company.

[MCS]

Originally posted by Mallory Dan


Wasn't Tom out that year in the Baty Chevron, not Harper's ? Master James also put in the odd appearance in the Baty car IIRC.

Yep, you're right Dan (I'm not with it today, I've just been informed )

[ReWind]

Originally posted by petefenelon
I have a vague recollection that Bob died young although may be wrong on that.

Unfortunately you are right.
From AUTOSPORT, March 28, 1985:

We regret to report the sudden death of Bob Harper from a heart attack last week.
Harper, 54, was a larger than life individual based in Hong Kong who was a leading light behind the development of the Macau Grand Prix for many years. In 1974 he brought the Team Harper name to Europe with a Mike Earle managed European Formula 2 team for David Purley, Dieter Quester and Tom Pryce. Business commitments meant that he had to return to Hong Kong the following year but through Macau, and his tremendous hospitality, he kept in touch with the many friends he made in racing. They will be saddened, as we were, to hear of his untimely death.

And this question

What happened after 1974 though...?

is answered, too.

[Adam F]

This profile of Bill Wylie gives quite a lot of detail on Bob Harper and his businesses in Hong Kong.....

http://www.wylliegroup.com/bill-wyllie-a-p...nal-profile.htm

[fivestar]

I met bob Harper on a number of occassions whilst I lived in Hong Kong and have to say he was one of the most open people I have met.
Bob Harper was never a driver but an entrant and I believe started on this route when he entered a Ford Zephyr in the first Macau GP in 1954, thereafter he continued in like vein until the 1970's with wins by Dieter Quester and Riccardo Patrese.
Thereafter he ventured into Europe in 1974 with a F2 team managed by Mike Earle, spending some Stg150,000.00 to set the team up. The teams greatest success being a win by David Purley at Salzburgring.
To me however, his greatest achievement was the staging of the RACE OF GIANTS as part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations of the Macau GP in 1978, wherein he invited 17 of the greatest drivers in his view to race on the circuit, driving Zakspeed Escorts. No prize money, just all expenses paid.
The race was won by Jackie Ickx, with Mike Hailwood second and Bobby Unser third.

[ian senior]

Excellent stuff, guys - thanks very much. Answers my question perfectly.

[cavvy]

Originally posted by Adam F
This profile of Bill Wylie gives quite a lot of detail on Bob Harper and his businesses in Hong Kong.....

http://www.wylliegroup.com/bill-wyllie-a-p...nal-profile.htm

Bill Wyllie passed away in the past few weeks back in Western Australia.

[Twin Window]

Originally posted by MCS

I was getting confused about his [Dave Morgan's] appearance in the Texaco Star at Enna the year before.

I happened to come across a reference to this yesterday; Morgan failed to qualify because Peterson kept switching between his and Dave's chassis leaving his new team mate no time to get sorted.

[Robert Junior]

Dear All who have been discussing Bob Harper and Team Harper, I am his youngest son. Most of the facts you have discussed are correct, but I thought I would add some. My father left Hong Kong not long after he sold Harpers and moved to Perth, Western Australia. He then lived there for some years before moving again to Melbourne, Australia where he passed away in 1985.
I met all the persons mentioned as driving for Dad in Macau and Europe, and many more, like Stirling Moss. Cars and racing them were my fathers all consuming passions, and he managed to live them well. I am quite surprised and happy that there are people still commenting on him and his exploits after all this time. If you want any more information I may be able to help, however I can comment that my father did race cars, intially in hill climbs in Hong Kong and then in Macau. His last race was in Macau in 1954, the year I was born, for that reason. The car he raced was called the "Beast" and was a hand made car, looking slightly like a Vanwall but with a V8 engine, that if I recall, drove like a pig around corners but went very quickly in a straight line.

[philippe charues...]

is it possible to see some pictures of those harper chevron F2

[Ray Bell]

Robert Junior... welcome to the forum... been googling?

What about some more information about his pre-European ventures? I don't think 'suddenly arrived on the scene' would be a very accurate description, would it?

[RS2000]

Both the Makinen (PVX398K) and Mikkola (PVX399K) Escort RS1600s from the 1971 RAC Rally (and featured in the Barry Hinchcliffe film "From Harrogate it Started") were sold to Harpers, Hong Kong, early in 1972.

[Maldwyn]

Originally posted by philippe charuest
is it possible to see some pictures of those harper chevron F2

Riccardo sent me this photo (photographer unknown) of his 1977 Macau race winning Chevron.

[Gerard Gamand]

Here a David Purley shot in the Team Harper Chevron. It was in Nogaro 1974 F2 race.


Copyright Gérard Gamand

[philippe charues...]

thanks . i was under the impression that tom pryce was driving for them too in f2. but at the " F2register" they say team BATY so as peter gethin and later in the (74) season hes entered by the team harper-baty. ??

[Gerard Gamand]

Some panic in the pit for the Team Harper !


Copyright Gérard Gamand

[gerard BARATHIEU]

The TEAM HARPER CHEVRON BMW B27 of DIETER QUESTER at ROUEN in 1974.

copyright GERARD BARATHIEU

[eurocardoc]

Originally posted by Mallory Dan


Wasn't Tom out that year in the Baty Chevron, not Harper's ? Master James also put in the odd appearance in the Baty car IIRC.

Correct, I ran that car, built it and went to Salzburgring, Tom put it on pole. The Schnitzer BMW engine had a problem and they told us they had a flyer to race with. Spent all night at the Schnitzer factory because the new engine would not fit straight in. In the race the engine failed us......

James famously drove the car at Rouen, pulling a "famous F1" driver stunt by jumping out of the car during the race at the start/finish and waving flags to get the race stopped because he felt an earlier accident was causing unsafe conditions.

Brian

[Allen Brown]

Welcome Brian. Good to have you here.

[Maldwyn]

I have just heard from the current owner of Riccardo's 1977 Macau GP winning Harper Chevron which is currently being restored and will compete in historic competition in Australia when work is completed. In order to present the car in its 1977 Macau GP livery the owner would like help locating detailed photos of the car.

Any help would be gratefully received...hopefully Robert Junior may still be around here somewhere

[Robert Junior]

Dear Maldwyn,
Sorry to inform you, but most of my fathers personal effects were lost/disappeared when he went to Melbourne and subsequently passed away. I would myself have liked to have some pictures of these times. But very happy to see that the car is being restored. Any idea when it would be viewable and where?
Robert Junior

[Maldwyn]

Robert, good to hear from you again.

The owner is based in Adelaide but I know little more than that at the moment. I'd be happy to send you his contact details if you would like to be in touch with him yourself?

[Robert Junior]

Hi Maldwyn,

Tha t would be great to contact him, please. Thank you for your help here, and sorry I could not supply more.
Robert

[Maldwyn]

Robert, I've sent you a PM with the contact details

[Lotus2318]

Dear All who have been discussing Bob Harper and Team Harper, I am his youngest son. Most of the facts you have discussed are correct, but I thought I would add some. My father left Hong Kong not long after he sold Harpers and moved to Perth, Western Australia. He then lived there for some years before moving again to Melbourne, Australia where he passed away in 1985.
I met all the persons mentioned as driving for Dad in Macau and Europe, and many more, like Stirling Moss. Cars and racing them were my fathers all consuming passions, and he managed to live them well. I am quite surprised and happy that there are people still commenting on him and his exploits after all this time. If you want any more information I may be able to help, however I can comment that my father did race cars, intially in hill climbs in Hong Kong and then in Macau. His last race was in Macau in 1954, the year I was born, for that reason. The car he raced was called the "Beast" and was a hand made car, looking slightly like a Vanwall but with a V8 engine, that if I recall, drove like a pig around corners but went very quickly in a straight line.

Robert hoping you can help us, we have restored the Team Harper Lotus 23 driven by Albert Poon that won the 1963 Singapore Grand Prix, the 1964 Macau Grand Prix and the Johore Grand Prix in 1963 and 1964. We are in the process of painting the car in its original livery as it was raced at the 1964 Macau Grand Prix and are hoping to confirm the correct Team Harper colors. Do you have a color photo of it or know the Team Harper colors during this period? We have letters about the car from Bob Harper and Bill Wylie and the books, "Color and Noise" and "Snakes and Devils" and want to celebrate this history.

Appreciate any help you can provide

[Andrew Kitson]

The TEAM HARPER CHEVRON BMW B27 of DIETER QUESTER at ROUEN in 1974.
copyright GERARD BARATHIEU

David Purley in this silent film in a Libre race at Brands - 1974?
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=74445

[Michael Oliver]

Robert hoping you can help us, we have restored the Team Harper Lotus 23 driven by Albert Poon that won the 1963 Singapore Grand Prix, the 1964 Macau Grand Prix and the Johore Grand Prix in 1963 and 1964. We are in the process of painting the car in its original livery as it was raced at the 1964 Macau Grand Prix and are hoping to confirm the correct Team Harper colors. Do you have a color photo of it or know the Team Harper colors during this period? We have letters about the car from Bob Harper and Bill Wylie and the books, "Color and Noise" and "Snakes and Devils" and want to celebrate this history.

Appreciate any help you can provide

I have a photo taking in the 1964 Singapore Grand Prix (actually really the Malaysian Grand Prix at the time, the 1st Singapore GP didn't take place until 1966 when Singapore gained independence) and it shows the car to be white. If you go to the Singapore Grand Prix thread there are instructions on searching the Singapore national archive for images, if you just put in 'Poon Lotus' the image should come up. If you have any problems, come back to me as I have a copy of the image here.

I am researching 23s at present and would welcome the opportunity to find out more about the history of your car. I know that Poon's original 23 was an early model with a pushrod Ford engine but not sure which one!

Thanks

Michael

[MCS]

Correct, I ran that car, built it and went to Salzburgring, Tom put it on pole. The Schnitzer BMW engine had a problem and they told us they had a flyer to race with. Spent all night at the Schnitzer factory because the new engine would not fit straight in. In the race the engine failed us......

James famously drove the car at Rouen, pulling a "famous F1" driver stunt by jumping out of the car during the race at the start/finish and waving flags to get the race stopped because he felt an earlier accident was causing unsafe conditions.

Brian

That is one hell of a post. Don't remember Tom Pryce getting an F2 pole. What a shame the engine let him down.

Never understood why Hunt was doing Formula Two, albeit only very occasionally. Maybe, as is now rumoured, he needed the money.

Irrespective, how dearly I wish they were both still with us.

This post has been edited by MCS: May 20 2010, 22:13