M & L Trials Special

Key facts

Year

1954
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

1,172cc
Cylinders

4
Valves

Side
Output

30hp @ 3,000rpm
Performance

50mph
Price new

Not marketed
Owner

National Motor Museum Trust
Manufacturer

Mr M. Lawson

Used in over 70 sporting trials between 1954 and 1962, the M & L Special was built by Alfred Moss and Michael Lawson, father and uncle of racing driver Stirling Moss. The ultra-lightweight special, weighing just 7cwt (400kg), is built on an Austin Seven chassis fitted with aluminium bodywork. Power comes from a much modified Ford side-valve engine. Mike Lawson, usually accompanied by Ian MacKenzie as passenger or ‘bouncer’, achieved 24 first and second places with the M & L, making it one of the most successful trials specials ever.

Sporting Trials became increasingly specialised through the 1950s and 1960s. Amateur-built specials, often Austin Seven based with Ford engines, were joined by specially constructed trials cars from manufacturers such as Dellow and Cannon.