Here is some good news following on from my item in SIXappeal No. 160 about the talk that Triumph Works Rally driver Brian Culcheth gave us at the Historic Rally Car Register’s local meeting in the Chilterns.
Brian has produced a CD/DVD set entitled “An Evening with Brian Culcheth – Works Rally Driver 1960-79”. It consists of a 58 minute CD, designed to be played on your PC, containing a set of still images with a commentary recorded from a live talk given by him earlier this year, and a 90 minute DVD containing copies of 4 old films featuring Brian in action.
On the CD we see many rare and interesting photos from his 
personal collection showing the cars and events (including the World Cup Rally of 1970 of course) he was involved with throughout his successful career in rallying, and all accompanied by his absorbing and humorous recollections.
The first film on the DVD is of the 1975 Avon Tour of Britain, which shows Brian in a Dolomite battling it out with the late Tony Pond (another Works Triumph driver) in a Ford Escort. There is also a brief shot of an unknown Triumph 2000/2.5 competing.
The second item is the 1973 Cyprus Rally “Survival of the Fittest”, in which Brian and co-driver Johnstone Syer are seen doing a recce, and then competing for BL in a Morris Marina. There is some good footage of them driving the spectacular and demanding Cypriot roads to eventually win their Group.
The third one, entitled “A Little Magic”, is of the 1978 British Rally Championship for which Brian was signed to drive a Kadett for the Dealer Opel Team. He is well featured and gives a good account of himself, being interviewed throughout the season’s events for this Opel produced film.
Finally a bit of an oddity, which I’d never seen before. A BL promotional feature called “The Culcheth Job”. In this John Le Mesurier (of Dad’s Army fame) plays the boss of a team of hi-jackers who recruit an innocent Brian Culcheth as a getaway driver to assist them in a security van robbery. It hardly compares with the TV crime series of the period, such as “The Sweeney” and “The Professionals”, but is a bit of fun showing off Brian’s driving and acting talents.
If you want a set then send a cheque for £16.50 (to include p&p) made out to ‘Brian Culcheth’ at his home address :- Porch House, High Street, Porlock, Somerset TA24 8PU.
