ASTON MARTIN Memories

ASTON MARTIN Memories

Thank you for dropping in. Why Aston's? Well, a number of my family members once worked for Aston Martin when it was located in Feltham, Middlesex, (England) in the 1950's.

My mum, then Doreen Sherwood, joined Aston's as a secretary in 1949 and would later became secretary to Professor Eberan von Eberhorst (of Auto-Union fame) and racing team manager John Wyer. Out testing the DB3S race car at a local airfield, Doreen accompanied the crew to take notes. It was here she learned to drive a car for the first time, and not just any car, but a DB3S race car! Her instructor? None other than Roy Parnell!

At home we have a collection of JW's race reports through this historic period of Sports Car Racing. Looking through John Wyer's Aston Martin racing reports from the 50's you'll find "DS" at the bottom of the pages, as it was Doreen who typed them up. Aston was a family affair, as Doreen's two brother's also worked at Astons, Roger in the drawing office - who's claim to fame is designing the original "David Brown/Aston Martin" badge, the other was a panel beater (Brian) - and good at it!

After the war... Richard Green, known as "Dickie", went back to his job as a draftsman at the Patent Office. This was short lived, for he exchange it for a racing career and was soon employed by Marcus Chambers, and later would join WADE Engineering, taking care of customers using their Superchargers on GP cars, such as Dennis Poore's Alfa and a brace of ERAs. During his time at WADE Engineering that Dickie was at Aston's fitting supercharger's) that John Wyer offered him a job there. Hence Dickie joined Aston Martin in 1952 and became part of the racing department. Dickie was clearly the lucky one of the group, as he traveled all over Europe with the race team, driving the transporter or the cars themselves to/from the tracks. At the races he helped keep the cars going throughout the race, be it LeMans, Monza or the Isle of Man. While there, Dickie worked on some now very historic cars, such as; the DB2's, the DB3's, DB3S', DP-cars, the F1 cars and a number of prototypes. For the 1955 season Dickie joined the MG team, then managed by Marcus Chambers, where he was in charge of customer (racing) support.

My parents moved to California in 1956 (February 5th for Richard & April for Doreen). In order to enter the USA one would need a sponsor, enter one Ken Miles. Richard went to meet Tony Paravono, and Tony being Tony, he was being a hardnosed about the job. Suddenly the phone rang, and when Tony got off the phone Richard was now the Shop (racing) Foreman, taking care of his Ferrari's. Richard asked Tony, "Who was on the phone, if you don't mind me asking?" "It was Shelby!" said Tony. Tony would sponsor Doreen entry to Amercia.

Later he'd take care of Joe Lubin's Aston's, among others. During this time Dickie & Doreen had a wonderful time! They bought a XK140XMC from Joe Lubin, traveled about California, and met some of the (now great) drivers of the time. Ritchie Ginther use to come to lunch every Sunday (when not racing) at Dickie & Doreen's where he's get Doreen to make Tuna Casserole!

In April '58 Richard & Doreen would move to Northern California where Richard took the position of "Resident Engineer" for Aston Martin (David Brown Tractor NA), then based in San Lorenzo. JW ordered the XK140 sold! Hence Dickie had a company Aston to drive. I grew up in Aston's... having come home for the first time in a MkIII Notchback. I made many a trip in the back of Aston's to/from Los Angeles. The MkIII on the front page was Richard's last company car in 1959/60, #AM300/3/1661. My first race was the Los Angeles Times Grand Prix in 1958 (& 59), Richard was there helping with the works DBR1 (and Moss in '58) and DBR2 with Salvadori in '59, in addition to Joe Lubin's DB3S'. (note: In 1960 A-M closed their California office, hence Richard joined the Rover Motor Company of NA Ltd., based in South San Francisco).

When I was still a little guy, Richard restored a 1932 1-1/2 Litre LeMans Aston... which, as my mother claims, "You'd think it was Michael's car, as he was the only one allowed to ride in it!" So true too! In 1964 we took 2nd a Peacock Gap Concourse first time out, followed by Best of Day at Cal State Hayward Concourse. The saddest day of my life was when I was told they'd sold it. Maybe one day I'll buy it back! In the early 1970's George Newell & Richard found a MkIII from a used car lot in Oakland, California. Upon opening the bonnet they found it to be AM300/3/1661, the last company car Richard had at Aston's (San Leandro, CA). Soon thereafter it was bought by Richard & Doreen, then restored by Richard during the 70s/80s; We still own it today. It's most recent outing being to Laguna Seca Historic Car Races & Danville Parkinson's Concourse in 2008. A lifetime member of the Aston Martin Owners Club, Richard became the Chairman of AMOC-West from 1969-79.

In February 1960 Richard joined the Rover Motor Company of North America Ltd (Shaw Rd, South San Francisco, CA) as their Service Manager (and parts manager), and later the Product Development Engineer for North America. Richard built the first ever V8 Land Rover in 1966 (see GoldenRod Story), hence the Land Rover's on this site. He'd retire in late 1989 from Jaguar Cars Inc (Northwest Zone, Brisbane, CA) after seeing it from Rovers, British Leyland, JRT Inc to Jaguar. In retirement Richard was a common sight at West Coast British, fiddling with Land Rover's and Aston Martin's... he always enjoyed working on these lovely cars, and on our team of racing motorcycles.

For those who have asked; YES!, I was (still am) a car nut since day one! I always dreamed of driving F1 & CanAm sports cars, but the opportunity never arose. I had hoped to drive the then current British Leyland sponsored Group-44 Jag XJR5 at one point, but BL pulled their plug not long after I won Daytona on my 250 and then talked with Bob... thus I kept racing motorcycles. Carroll Shelby once said to me; "When are you going to quit racing those xxxdamn motorcycles? Their dangerous!" I retired at the end of the 2004 season (after winning 6 of 6 races on the 750!). In October 2005 I did send my resume to Pro-Drive regarding the DBR9 LeMans car! For my racing career, click on the motorcycle picture below.

I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane. Michael Green

Sept 2008: I just bought an MG race car!

December 2008: On a sad note, Richard "Dickie" Green passed away at age 90 from Parkinson's.

July 2010: Our WCBR-MGB made it's debut in SCCA "EP" and finished 3rd!

Photos are from the Richard F. Green collection & WCBR collection. Some photos we do not know who the original photographer is/was... so tell us, nor do we know some of the copyright holders due to age of these photographs Any information would be welcome and credit given. Copyright 2004-2010WCBR. All Rights Reserved