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Former Peel P50 worker writes to BBC Dragon
ERNIE Leece worked on the original Peel P50 car at the riverside in Peel in the Isle of Man.
Ernie, 69, of Ballaquane Park, Peel, says he is less than impressed by two budding entrepreneurs making replica models of the legendary vehicle, who went on the BBC's Dragons' Den programme.
Ernie was a friend of the late Cyril Cannell who invented the diminutive motor and said he does not think Cyril would have approved.
He says he is also an executor for the estate of Mr Cannell and has written to tycoon James Caan who backed Gary Hillman and Faizal Khan with 80,000 for 30 per cent of of the company they run in South London called Peel Engineering.
He is seeking clarification over a number of issues and says he cannot see how the new venture could benefit the Island. But marketing executive Faizal Khan said he would be happy to speak to Mr Leece and said their appearance on Dragons' Den had sparked worldwide interest which could lead to a spin-off boost for the Island's tourism.
Mr Leece said he loved working at the Peel riverside base of Mr Cannell's factory where the Peel P50 and Trident cars were produced.
The funeral of P50 inventor Cyril Cannell took place at Peel Methodist Church in November 2008.
Seventy P50s were produced in the early 1960s but fewer than two dozen are thought to still exist. The car was renowned to do 100 miles to the gallon. The iconic 'cult' car has also been highlighted by Top Gear star and Island resident Jeremy Clarkson.
Mr Leece said: 'Gary Hillman says on their website that he took over the task of reinventing Peel from Cyril Cannell.
'I was a very close friend of Mr Cannell. I know that he would not have given him permission to re-invent or build his cars or to lay claim to the rights of any of his products.'
Mr Leece added: 'What they have is some sort of English company called Peel Engineering.'
He pointed to the factory site at the riverside in Peel, where he recalled going to work as an apprentice. 'Cyril was a very clever man and he had a very good workforce. We all mucked in,' he said.
Faizal Khan said Mr Leece was not the first person to question their company but he insisted everything was above board and said it was a 'fully legitimate' business.
He added that both he and Mr Hillman were looking forward to visiting the Island to promote their products.
He added that there had been 'nothing new' in a number of people questioning their company and could not understand why there was any animosity. 'I am happy to speak to Mr Leece as there is nothing to hide.'
As reported last month Mr Khan and Mr Hillman aim to push the Peel brand to new heights by producing replica models of the P50 and also the bubble-roofed Trident along with spin-off merchandise.
The Peel P50 was on television again recently when Dragon James Caan drove on to the set of BBC1's The One Show watched by millions of viewers.
But former employee Mr Leece remains sceptical about whether there can be any benefit for the Island. The former factory site is currently up for sale and Mr Leece said it might be a different matter if the replica cars were built there and not in England!
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Weather for Isle of Man
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 5 C
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