It can be argued that Peter was perhaps not the best businessman but he was an extremely good mechanic – especially when working on his own cars. He was well known as a sports car enthusiast and racing driver. From the early 1960s he took part in several prestigious rallies in Austin Healey sports cars. In addition to his rally sports he also raced in sports car events .
He was a regular at sports car race meetings up and down the country driving more Austin Healey 3000s and race-prepared Austin Healey Sprites. He achieved considerable success. In fact he had two Works Austin Healey 3000 cars and a close association with the famous driver John Gott, who along with Peter raced the cars. The preparation, repairs and modifications being carried out in Mickleton Garage with the help of the then local mechanics, Tony Stowe and Philip Kinchin.
These cars were SMO 746 and BMO 93B.
Both of these cars are still surviving in the hands of collectors.
BMO 93B
BMO was a 1964 Spa-Sofia-Liege winning works rally-spec car that has since been sold at auction in Goodwood for the sum of £230,000.00.
Unfortunately for Peter the car had long since left his ownership. Even more unfortunate was the fact that John Gott crashed and died in SMO during a race at Liddon Hill in 1972.
It seems that Peter left Mickleton in the mid ’70s for pastures greener. If anyone has further information on his post-Mickleton activities or location, please add to this page.
Contributor: Brin Kibblewhite, October 2021
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Sometimes if the Smiths’ Trojan van used for taking us kids from Hidcote Bartrim and Kiftsgate was not available we were on occasion taken to and from school in the Austin Healy 3000.
My father, Rowland Bennett, worked for Mr Rosamond who had the garage before Fred Smith and then for Pete, but only on Sundays! On a few occasions he accompanied Pete on rallies in North Wales. I seem to remember that Pete was also a Special Constable.
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