Owen Wyn Owen
Encyclopedia
Owen Wyn Owen is an automobile restorer and mechanic. He lives in Capel Curig
, Snowdonia. His working life was spent as a lecturer in engineering at Bangor University
, but he is best known for his outside achievements.
His most famous restoration project, which received worldwide attention, was to excavate and restore "Babs
", after 40 years buried on a tidal beach. "Babs" was the car that in 1927, driven by J. G. Parry-Thomas, whilst attempting the land speed record
at the time (180 mph or 290 km/h), crashed and killed the driver. The car was buried where the accident occurred on Pendine Sands
.
The wreck was recovered from the beach in the 1960s. This recovery was controversial at the time, less so after the successful restoration. The prevailing opinion was that the wreck would be unsalveagable for anything more than a pitiful museum display. Few expected that the wreck would ever resemble a car again, let alone be restored to running order.
The car was indeed in appalling condition. Much of the bodywork had corroded, so a new body had to be constructed, melding in where possible any original material still existing. The mechanical running gear though was in good condition. Even where components couldn't be used, they were sufficiently preserved to act as a pattern. The engine was salvageable, but many new replacement parts had to be made from original designs.
The car was first successfully tested on The Helyg straight in the early 1970s. The test consisted of being towed by the local garage owner's Land Rover (Dafydd Hughes and his mechanic Allan Hughes), to 60 mph and then "Babs" was bump started. The gearing was so high that being towed was the only way to get "Babs" moving under her own power. It was later successfully tested in front of the world press and television on an air field near RAF Valley
, Anglesey
.
The restoration work took place in Owen's garage in Capel Curig
, however "Babs" is now housed in the Pendine Museum of Speed
for half the year & Brooklands Museum for the other half. It was run at the Brooklands Centenary in 2007
In 1999, Owen was awarded the Tom Pryce trophy, engraved with the words "Atgyfodwr Babs" (Resurrector of Babs).
Capel Curig
Capel Curig is a village and community in Conwy County Borough, in Wales. It lies in the heart of Snowdonia, on the River Llugwy, and has a population of 226...
, Snowdonia. His working life was spent as a lecturer in engineering at Bangor University
Bangor University
Bangor University is a university based in the city of Bangor in the county of Gwynedd in North Wales-United Kingdom.It was officially known for most of its history as the University College of North Wales...
, but he is best known for his outside achievements.
Restoration of Babs
Babs (Land speed record car)
Babs was the land speed record car built and driven by John Parry-Thomas. It was powered by a 27-litre Liberty aero-engine.Babs began as 'Chitty 4', one of Count Louis Zborowski's series of aero-engined cars named 'Chitty Bang Bang'. As it was built at Zborowski's estate of Higham Park near...
", after 40 years buried on a tidal beach. "Babs" was the car that in 1927, driven by J. G. Parry-Thomas, whilst attempting the land speed record
Land speed record
The land speed record is the highest speed achieved by a wheeled vehicle on land. There is no single body for validation and regulation; in practice the Category C flying start regulations are used, officiated by regional or national organizations under the auspices of the Fédération...
at the time (180 mph or 290 km/h), crashed and killed the driver. The car was buried where the accident occurred on Pendine Sands
Pendine Sands
Pendine Sands is a length of beach on the shores of Carmarthen Bay on the south coast of Wales. It stretches from Gilman Point in the west to Laugharne Sands in the east. The village of Pendine is situated near the western end of Pendine Sands....
.
The wreck was recovered from the beach in the 1960s. This recovery was controversial at the time, less so after the successful restoration. The prevailing opinion was that the wreck would be unsalveagable for anything more than a pitiful museum display. Few expected that the wreck would ever resemble a car again, let alone be restored to running order.
The car was indeed in appalling condition. Much of the bodywork had corroded, so a new body had to be constructed, melding in where possible any original material still existing. The mechanical running gear though was in good condition. Even where components couldn't be used, they were sufficiently preserved to act as a pattern. The engine was salvageable, but many new replacement parts had to be made from original designs.
The car was first successfully tested on The Helyg straight in the early 1970s. The test consisted of being towed by the local garage owner's Land Rover (Dafydd Hughes and his mechanic Allan Hughes), to 60 mph and then "Babs" was bump started. The gearing was so high that being towed was the only way to get "Babs" moving under her own power. It was later successfully tested in front of the world press and television on an air field near RAF Valley
RAF Valley
RAF Valley is a Royal Air Force station on the island of Anglesey, Wales, and which is also used as Anglesey Airport. It provides fast-jet training using the BAE Hawk and provides training for aircrew working with Search and Rescue. Unofficially the motto for RAF Valley is 'One Valley, Training...
, Anglesey
Anglesey
Anglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
.
The restoration work took place in Owen's garage in Capel Curig
Capel Curig
Capel Curig is a village and community in Conwy County Borough, in Wales. It lies in the heart of Snowdonia, on the River Llugwy, and has a population of 226...
, however "Babs" is now housed in the Pendine Museum of Speed
Pendine Museum of Speed
The Pendine Museum of Speed is dedicated to the use of Pendine Sands for land speed record attempts. It was opened in 1996 and is located in Pendine, on the South coast of Wales....
for half the year & Brooklands Museum for the other half. It was run at the Brooklands Centenary in 2007
In 1999, Owen was awarded the Tom Pryce trophy, engraved with the words "Atgyfodwr Babs" (Resurrector of Babs).