The Ulster Tourist Trophy race may not have quite the same romantic cachet as motor sport events held in Le Mans or Monaco, but for local enthusiast Simon Thomas the now little-remembered races held between 1928 and 1936 have long held a special fascination. For years, Simon was content to indulge his interest by collecting programmes and memorabilia from the races, but always hoped to one day own a genuine TT car himself. The dream came true in 2001 when he acquired a Fiat 508S Balilla. When bought, its exact history was sketchy, but using his unique base of knowledge and reference library, he was able to narrow it down as the car driven in both 1935 and '36 Ulster TTs by F.H. French-Davis. The car was duly restored back to TT specification.
In 2010 Simon added a second TT car to his collection, this time a 1934 Jensen-bodied Ford V8, one of three similar cars that took part in that year's event. Again, Simon's own research led to the discovery of the car's true identity – it was the car entered by Stanley Wright and carried race number 5, and is pictured half-hidden behind car number 6 in the period photograph here. This car has also been returned to TT specification. Also in 2010, Simon completed his Tourist Trophy Trio with the acquisition of a 1931 Austin Seven Super Sports. This car had led a chequered life, ending up in Canada by the turn of the 21st Century. Now returned to Ulster, and looking much as it did when it competed in the '30s, Simon Thomas is justifiably proud of it and the other vehicles in his unique collection of TT cars.
For a better look at the collection, pick up the February edition of The Automobile, which takes an in-depth look at all three of these historically significant competition cars.