Not long after the Special was sold to a dealer who kept the registration but sold the car to Stan Gray from Torquay in late 1954. Stan converted it to run with an Austin Big Seven rear axle and Ford 1172cc sidevalve engine, which was supercharged in 1956 for competition use. It was rebodied at this time and had some chassis modifications, most of which has survived. The A7 side rails were dispensed with in the winter of 1957 since they were no longer needed for an 1172 Formula car. Motor Sport Magazine June 1957 (P282) reported that "The Grayford Special has been rebuilt with a space-frame, with Ford Ten engine and Austin Seven rear end."
Stan said that it would blow head gaskets in half a meeting with the supercharger engaged until they made a solid copper one which was much more reliable.
The car was reregistered as TTT 932 at Exeter and was first driven on Easter Saturday 1955 in modified form. The next day it drove the 100 miles to the Trengwainton hillclimb, competed at the event and then was driven back – all with no problems! The car had a successful career with Stan and with the supercharger running it gave the cars in the two-litre class a run for their money. Stan remembers that the Special handled very nicely and that it was light at 6 ½ cwt (325kg).
Stan said that it would blow head gaskets in half a meeting with the supercharger engaged until they made a solid copper one which was much more reliable.
The car was reregistered as TTT 932 at Exeter and was first driven on Easter Saturday 1955 in modified form. The next day it drove the 100 miles to the Trengwainton hillclimb, competed at the event and then was driven back – all with no problems! The car had a successful career with Stan and with the supercharger running it gave the cars in the two-litre class a run for their money. Stan remembers that the Special handled very nicely and that it was light at 6 ½ cwt (325kg).