A Frazer Nash racecar called 'Kermit' to return for the Manx Classic

Noelle Dunkerley owner of the car says it's returning 'home'

A famous green coloured racecar, nicknamed "Kermit" after the frog character from the vintage children's TV programme The Muppet Show, will return to the Island for the Manx Classic.

The 1951 Frazer Nash Le Mans, Bristol 2-litre straight-6 cylinder engined motor, will take part in the three-day event -featuring three hill climbs including The Sloc Hillclimb, Port Erin; Creg Willey's Hillclimb, Glen Helen; and Lhergy Frissell Hillclimb, Ramsey, starting 28 April.

With a chequered history, the car received 1st in class in the 1951 Alpine Trial, Coupe des Alpes and Autocar Cup, driven by British racing driver, Eric Winterbottom. 

In its next race - the 1951 RAC TT in Dundrod, Ireland -  Winterbottom was tragically killed when the car rolled.

The vehicle was inherited by its new owner Noelle Dunkerley, from her late father Alan Dunkerley of Ballakilpheric, Colby, who purchased the car in 1997.

But it was Paul Flett, Ms Dunkerley's partner, who restored the car to its original pale green colour, matching contemporary paintwork to traces of the original colour found under its dashboard.

The car was nicknamed Kermit when the owner's daughter took part in the 1998 FNCC ‘Raiders of the Lost Park’ rally, with her grandfather.

The car is currently with Frazer Nash expert Patrick Blakeney Edwards and the team at Blakeney Motorsport, UK, being prepared for upcoming races.

After the Manx Classic, the Dunkerley family hope it will be invited to Goodwood Revival and possibly Le Mans Classic.

Race history:

1951  Silverstone 1 hour race, Eric Winterbottom 4th in heat

1951  Le Mans, Winterbottom/Marshall 2nd in class 14th overall

1951  Alpine Trial.  Winterbottom/Duff 1st in class, Coupe des Alpes and Autocar Cup

1951  RAC TT Dundrod, Ireland.  Winterbottom crashed and sadly lost his life

1953   British Empire Trophy, Isle of Man. Black racing 5th in class 19th overall

1953   Silverstone 1 hour race.  Black racing 8th in class, 27th overall

1953   Wakefield Trophy.  Black 1st in class, 6th overall

1953   Goodwood 9 hour race.  Black and Fairman racing – unplaced

1956-7 Driven by Hamish Orr-Ewing, several successes

The car has raced at Snetterton, Crystal Palace, Silverstone, Goodwood, Curragh, Stapleford, Shelsley, and Ragley PK.

For more information on the Manx Classic event, see HERE.