1956 Buckler MK15 Mistral
A Buckler MK15 sportscar that spent time in Ireland before being acquired as a project circa 2015 in a dilapidated state, having lost its original bodywork and suffered severe chassis corrosion. It was comprehensively rebuilt around a new chassis by Rawlson Racing in Kent, receiving a period-correct Microplas Mistral body and a high-specification 1,380cc A-Series engine. The car has since competed regularly at Buckler Register events, consistently ranking among the fastest Bucklers at Prescott and Shelsley Walsh, and claiming three victories at the Isle of Man Classic.
Ownership
- 2025-02-22Auction saleSold £14,500 (≈ $18K)
- 2015 →Private saleRichard Brownfull documentation
Purchased the car from Ireland as a project in deteriorated condition and commissioned a full rebuild, retaining the car for hillclimb and Buckler Register competition thereafter.
- Date unknownOriginal Irish ownerpartial documentation
Correspondence from this owner survives in the car's history file. The car was kept in Ireland and had lost its original body by the time it was sold.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownLater Irish owner(s)partial documentation
Old sale advertisements relating to the car suggest it passed through at least one subsequent Irish owner before being sold as a project.
Competition
- 1964Holmpatrick Trophy, 1964 Leinster Trophy Meeting
A photocopy of the race programme survives showing the car entered in this race; no result is recorded in the documentation.
- —Buckler Register eventsPrescott Hill ClimbDriver: Richard BrownAmong the fastest Bucklers competing
The car competed at multiple Buckler Register gatherings at Prescott and was nearly always the quickest Buckler present.
- —Buckler Register eventsShelsley Walsh Hill ClimbDriver: Richard BrownConsistently quickest Buckler
Part of the ongoing Buckler Register programme; the car was described as nearly always the fastest Buckler at this venue.
- —Isle of Man ClassicDriver: Richard Brown1st (three wins from three starts)
The car accumulated three victories across three separate events at this meeting.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2016RestorationRawlson Racing
Full rebuild over the winter of 2015–16: a new chassis was fabricated using the original as a template together with a donor MK15 chassis for jigs, employing period-appropriate welding methods. A reproduction Microplas Mistral body was sourced and fitted to replace the lost original.
Work carried out by John Sabourin of Rawlson Racing in Kent. Restoration photographs are included in the history file.
- —Engine rebuildMAMBA / Bridge Engineering
A 1,380cc full-race A-Series unit was built, incorporating a tuftrided and balanced Midget crankshaft, balanced connecting rods, Omega pistons, MD 296 camshaft, vernier sprocket, composite head gasket, roller rockers, ARP fasteners, steel flywheel, high-torque starter, Aldon ignition and a Weber 45DCOE carburettor; the unit is rated to 7,600rpm.
Invoices from Mamba Motorsport for the engine are present in the history file. Workshop located in Faringdon, Oxfordshire.
- —MechanicalPeter May Engineering
A heavy-duty straight-cut Midget gearbox with uprated layshaft and bearings was fitted, along with a cam-and-pawl limited-slip differential.
Invoices from Peter May Engineering for both the gearbox and differential are held with the car.
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