You may have heard of Derek Hambly who revived the good old GTM as the Hambly Coupe in 2016 as a retirement project and who'd built a number of cars since (more here). Latest is a stunning reincarnation of 'LLG 187G', which may be better known as The Green Mean Machine to you, or the very first car built by Howard Heerey back in 1969 (more here).
When I saw a picture of the car at the Stoneleigh show at the end of August I knew I wanted to see it in the flesh, so it was good to be over in the UK once again last week. Derek and his little team were happy to have me to show me around, take pictures of their latest car and have a cup of tea. Thank you guys! I will write a more comprehensive article about Hambly and 'LLG' later.
The Hambly Cars dream team. Left to right: Edward, Anna Maria and Derek
Picture Jeroen Booij
The Green Mean Machine is back now, thanks to Derek Hambly and his team
Picture Jeroen Booij
The car has become a real stunner with great attention to detail thanks to its owner
Picture Jeroen Booij
Correct badging, only the paint colour is different, now a Corvette metallic green
Picture Jeroen Booij
10" Dunlop D1 wheels, Fiat 850 rear lights, even number plates of the correct type
Picture Jeroen Booij
The engine is a 1275, originally it was an 'S' with twin SUs and hot cam set at 7,000rpm
Picture Jeroen Booij
Interior looks great, too, in all its simplicity and period correct-ness
Picture Jeroen Booij
Derek Hambly in his workshop. He and his little team do and make just about anything themselves
Picture Jeroen Booij
Another early car that is now ready to be built. Note original chassis behind it
Picture Jeroen Booij
Derek had just come from the local circuit of Brands Hatch where he's been racing his own car
Picture Jeroen Booij