Magic Merlyn’ Returns to the Tracks
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One of the most famous Formula Fords of all time, the ‘Magic Merlyn’ will be back racing in the HSCC Historic Formula Ford 1600 Championship in 2025 in the hands of newcomer Greville Ball.
The Merlyn MK11a from 1969 was raced to great success by Emerson Fittipaldi, Colin Vandervell and Jody Scheckter in particular. After next being raced by Frank Sytner, the car was later sold to America where it was restored by renowned engineer John Bright in 1997.
Due to its level of success with Fittipaldi, Vandervell and Scheckter, it was nicknamed ‘Magic Merlyn’ and was bought back by Scheckter in 1977 to be part of his collection of cars from his racing career. More recently, it was offered for sale at auction last May and bought by Kent-based Ball.
The former motorbike racer was looking for a suitable car to switch to four-wheel competition and decided that the Merlyn would be ideal for the Historic Formula Ford 1600 category. He said: “I thought that if I was going to buy a car for Historic Formula Ford, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m really into the history of the car and I want to get it ready to race. I felt it might create a lot of interest.”
When Ball takes the car back to the track, it will be the Merlyn’s first race for at least three decades.
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