Le Mans 'Puddle' to make a splash again?

Sam Berkeley • Published 16 Feb 2012 09:24 2 Comments

It might have been off the road for nearly two decades but a Tranent father and son are determined their antique car will be ready to carry them all the way to Le Mans and back this summer.

Robert Benn's 1968 Fiat 500 Giardiniera - nicknamed The Puddle because water used to come in the doors whenever it went through one - proved the chariot for him and a group of friends to make the trip to the legendary 24-hour race six times in the 1980s and '90s.

However, after one of his friends was killed in a car accident, Robert never returned and the car has been off the road ever since, sitting in a barn since 1994.

But now Robert, 57, has decided the time is right to get The Puddle back on the road and has set himself the task of making the car roadworthy in just a few months, in time to take him and 19-year-old son Nicol to the French track for this year's race, on June 16 and 17.

There's no time to waste for the Benns to bring their dream to fruition in time for this year's race, so the car is already in a workshop ahead of its major repair job.

Robert is also delighted to have secured the help of Swindon-based Weenie Fiats, whose owner has thrown his weight behind the project to provide body panels and sponsorship. The Benns are heading down to see him in two weeks' time and then can get cracking on the car.

"I've kept trying to get the car back on the road and my son, who's heard all the stories about it, said he would help and work on the car for a year," Robert told the Courier.

"But I warned him that once I started I couldn't let this summer come and go without getting it out and on the road. I will be frantic if June comes and it's not ready!

"It really is a mammoth task to get it ready in time but I am determined to do it. That car has a lot of memories and I just love adventure, I love the challenge."

Robert first made the trip to Le Mans in 1988 and as he returned year after year he and his ancient car - which when manufactured had only 17 horsepower - became something of celebrities at the circuit.

He met racing legends such as Prestonpans driver Tom Walkinshaw and Gordon Spice, made an appearance on Radio Le Mans to talk about his car, was interviewed and appeared on French TV, and was even allowed to stay at his regular campsite by the circuit for nothing.

In fact, he hopes to make a documentary next year, when his plans are even more ambitious. He plans to totally refit another similarly ancient car, this time a saloon model, before taking both cars on a road trip to the Fiat factory in Monaco and then to Le Mans.

But for now those plans will have to wait while the Benns focus on the challenge of making sure The Puddle is ready for the summer.

"At the moment I just want to make this car roadworthy and legal," Robert said. "I'm not fussy about things like carpets and trim, that can wait. As long as it's all running and looking good for the trip I'll be happy.

"I've patched it and welded it and sprayed it, I've added bits, I've taken bits off, I've changed it 100 times. It's now at the stage where I can't patch it any more. Everything that's a bit shabby has to come off and be replaced."

But though it will certainly be a lot of work, for Robert it's also very much a labour of love.

"I can't explain what that car means to me," he said. "If someone was to come to the door with £20,000 then I'm sorry but it's not for sale. I've owned flashy cars but I'd rather have that wee one. I couldn't ever scrap it.

"I was determined that one day I would get it back up and running. We're not there yet, but I'm trying everything in my power to make it happen."

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• 

  dado
  Unregistered User
  Feb 17, 10:09
  Report comment

  good luck with your venture bennie, dado South Africa
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  alex2611
  1 post
  Feb 21, 19:25
  Report comment

  good luck Benny, ah remember the puddle n all the stories
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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