Early Holden Racing....pre EH

[Ellis]

Steve has asked me to do something re the racing of these now 60+ year old classics.
I will keep it to pre EH (63/4) models.

This is the one I worked on in the mid thru to late 60's. It ran mainly in Tasmania but we did go to Hume Weir in NSW in 1968 for an all Holden event.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/McIvor2SPf.jpg
Symmons Plains 1967
I will continue with the story as time goes on
Some pics are not mine but where known credit is given.

[Steve Holmes]

And give us lots of info on the FJ you race now too Ellis.

[RogerH]

I think this is Graeme Harvey's "Golden Holden".
http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/9872/413jq.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/861/413jq.jpg/)

[RogerH]

Another photo of the "Golden Holden".
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/2659/39grahamharvey.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/823/39grahamharvey.png/)

[Steve Holmes]

Love the pics Roger, keep 'em coming.....

[bob homewood]

I think the tall chap with the white coat or overalls is the late Bruce McLean and its possible thats his V8 car in the right of the photo in "Golden Holden"

[Ellis]

We will start with a few racing engine bay shots of the Holden Grey engine starting life in the 48-215 series and remaining in production until 1963 with very few major changes.

3 x Amals
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/100_0366-2.jpg

3 x 1.5" SU's
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/100_0374.jpg

1.5 Webers
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/100_0376-2.jpg

3 x Amals
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/100_0379-3.jpg

2 x Strombergs
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/100_0390-2.jpg

[Ellis]

A few more....

3x Del Orto's
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/100_0392-2.jpg

3 x 1.5" SU's
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/2009MGCC50thAnniversaryBaskervileHistoricsRLangdonFoto100.jpg

1.5 DD Del Orto's
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/IMG_3252-1.jpg

1.5 Webers
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/MCM2008GroupNb72PhillipBarrowHoldenFJ2550cc2.jpg

3 x 1 1/2" SU's
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/PA010001.jpg

[Ellis]

Geoghegan Bathurst...pic source not known
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/GeogheganFXBathurst.jpg

Neville Cooper (WA) at Calder in ex Beechey PK752
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/PK752Calder866NCooper-2.jpg

David Lewis @ Domain Hillclimb Hobart, Repco Head, MG Box, ex R Long
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P4280008-1.jpg

Warwick Farm..pic source not known
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/holdenracewf61zs5.jpg

Baskerville Tas, Rae, Price, McIvor 1965
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/McIvor3Price2Rae1.jpg

[Ellis]

McIvor Symmons Plains Tas 1966
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/McIvorcSP1165.jpg

McIvor , Quinn, Symmons Plains Tas 1967
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/McIvorQuinSP67.jpg

McIvor Symmons Plains Tas 1968
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/McIvor68-1.jpg

Munyard Symmons Plains.
They dont all stay the right way up.
This car competed and finnished in the Surfers Paradise 6 hour race in late 60's.
It was taken to NZ as a road car in 70's and sold over there to get airfare home.
In the past month it has been purchased from NZ by someone in NSW and is being returned to Oz.
The original driver pictured just missed out on doing a deal to get car back from NZ.
It was painted Yellow/ Red in Shell colours.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/MunyardRoll67a.jpg

[Ellis]

Some of the few remaining active logbooked cars in Australia....
(Credits where known are inc on pics)

Phil Barrow...This car was the current owners late Father's race car. Its raced frequently on East Coast of Australia.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/10JS26740.jpg

Eddie Dobbs...ex G Blanchard 60's log booked car still competing
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/2010_11_07_vhrr_19th_historic_sandown__251_of_460_.jpg

Rob Southouse..ex Ken Zinner 60's car. Races regularly
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/bill8007.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/FJPuzzle.jpg
Car built by Harris in ACT...now French in Tas
This is magnetic and kept on the fridge just in case of accidents so I can put it back together
Runs Regularity in Tas.

Kev Moore...Car Built originally in ACT by Harris. Runs frequently in Qld
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/XDSC_0139.jpg

G Poole ..Vic . car was logbooked / raced in 80's but now makes do with Hillclimbs and Regularity
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/PLWsandownreunion08.jpg

[Ellis]

#48 was a top car in Tas and held lap records in the early 70's.
It was recovered and restored by the original Tassie driver.
It is fitted with a 3 1/4" Hi top engine , Repco X Flow Head and Webers.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/image12.jpg
Baskerville Tas

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Bville07-1.jpg
Engine bay showing Repco X Flow Head.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/leadingracestart.jpg
It is used at Historic meetings and runs demo laps. The picture is at Sandown Vic Historic.

[Ellis]

2009 MG Historic Baskerville Meeting including a pre EH Holden reunion.....old cars and even older drivers

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/StartofDemo.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/4502890746_b1b2ecbeb8.jpg
Baskerville Esses

[Ellis]

These Grey engined Humpies are still in regular competition use in Tas.......

All pics are at bottom of Hill Baskerville Tas

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/r40_media_photo_library_3_104471-2.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Baskerville-Historics-0480-1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Baskerville-Historics-0248-1.jpg

[Ellis]

This Car has recently arrived in Tas. Its believed to be the only old logbooked FC in Australia
Pic at Longford Revival 2011 where it ran on the timed Flying Mile Demo's
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P4010007-1.jpg

This car is an original 60's logbooked Vic car recently sold from WA and coming to a Wodonga enthusiast
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/PA090336.jpg

This Tassie car is still owned by the original race driver from the 60's and runs at Historic Meetings and occasional Regularity runs
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/100_0368.jpg

This car still has its original owner/ race driver from the 60's. He came from Vic to Tas for the 2009 Historic meeting
and ran in Regularity
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/100_0360.jpg

This is how we dont want them to end their days.....
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/FXHoldenSculpture.jpg

[Steve Holmes]

These are incredible images Ellis. The FJ must be the single most significant car in Australian motorsport history as far as growing the sport at grassroots level.

I was just about to ask whether any pre-EH races are held at historic events, but you beat me to it with post #13. That would have been an amazing sight.

You are in car #14j in post 14?

[Ellis]

I'll do a story or 2 in time.
I had one almost done this am but the link died before it was posted and away it went into the Land of long white clouds I suppose.
Yes my car (Shared with my Son at alternative meetings) is #14

There are quite a few now well known drivers who started or furthered careers in one of the pre EH Holdens....
Heres a few that come to mind....
Geoghegans, Spencer Martin, Bo Seton, Bob Jane, Norm Beechey, Dick Johnson, Max Stahl, Bruce McPhee,
Des West, Jack Brabham, Norm Gown, Bruce Hindaugh, Dave Price, Gary Rogers, Dave Price, Brian Muir,
Ron Harrop, Graham Ritter,Harry Firth, Merv Waggott, Bob Holden, Bill Jane, Warren Weldon John Goss,
Warren Weldon, John Raeburn,...etc etc

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/sandownholdenstart.jpg
Sandown Vic

[bob homewood]

Thanks Ellis for sharing those ,always had a soft spot for those old Humpys and love hearing about the mods they did to them,maybe I better start saving my pennies and come over to that Baskerville meeting ,catch up with some people who have been wanting me to visit them in Tassie for ages

[Ellis]

Bob

You would be most welcome I am sure.
Its not a huge meeting by your NZ standards or our friends at Philip Is, Winton or Sandown
but its a well run 3 day event by the MG Car club.
We get around 120 entries with a few mainlanders usually making the somewhat expensive trip.

Ellis

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/100_0539.jpg
Baskerville 2010 Historic

[bob homewood]

What if any is the history on the 100 Anglia Ellis ,did Robin Pare race one at one stage ? that Don Elliot owned or is my mind drifting off into the past

[Ellis]

What if any is the history on the 100 Anglia Ellis ,did Robin Pare race one at one stage ? that Don Elliot owned or is my mind drifting off into the past

Your mind is still working well.
Elliot had one built up for Robin Pare to race to compete against all the Cooper S etc
It was Supercharged and altho a little fragile certainly could beat them.
The car in the pic is a replica of that car as the original is long gone. There is a
Cortina as well , a replica of a car he had for Edmondson.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/PA170032.jpg
Baskerville Historics 2010..Parade Laps
The GT500 on the left is driven by John Bowe with Harry Firth as passenger
The Anglia Replica is being driven by its owner
The Cortina 2dr on rhs is a replica of Edmondsons car and is being driven by him.
The cars formed part of an Elliot cars display

You may notice I still manged to squeeze 4 Humpies into the shot...lol

[Ellis]

Engine internals...and other weaknesses...
As everyone knows they are prone to breaking crankshafts. Lots of theories exist as to what to do and not to do
and while you may think you are doing the right things they will break whenever they feel like it.
At the 2009 Baskerville Historics Holden Reunion meeting just to prove that nothing changes after 40-45 years of racing
out of around 20 Humpies ....2 blew headgaskets, 1 broke gearbox, 2 broke cranks and 1 rolled.....
Mine didnt fail then...it waited another 15 months till this year and my crank went at Baskerville. Its not too bad , it
lasted 4 1/2 years.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P5200006.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P5180003-1.jpg

About all that is done to the standard crank is balancing, better rod bolts and main bolts are used along with main bearing cap strengtheners on centre mains. Billet steel cranks are now available but are around $4k so not cheap and not too many are in use.
Lightenned flywheels and larger harmonic balancers are used along with enlarged and baffled sumps. The heads are ported and planed and larger valves are fitted along with tubular pushrods and with a bore out to 3 3/16" most use hi top pistons but some still run flatop.
Camshaft grinds are free and most use a well known Cam grinder in Melbourne...Clives Cams...no substitute for 45 years or so experience. Aluminium or steel timing geras replace the old original fibre versions.
The gearbox remains standard or maybe fit an EH cluster and a few circlips get silver soldered. The ratios in the gearbox are free and some run close ratio boxes which shifts low up and moves 2nd closer to top. A higher ratio diff is usually then required for some circuits.
Differential ratios are free but the original housing must be retained. For Nb regs drum brakes must remain but finned drums are permitted. Wheels for Nb must remain at 15" but are allowed to be 6" in width. The original old hubs were prone to cracking so later model 13" hubs are permitted with adaptors to take them back to suit 15" stud pattern. LSD or lockers are permitted. Not many of the cars running comply to these Nb specs so are logbooked as Targa class and run disc brakes and 13" wheels so are not permitted in Nb. Quite a few run later red motors and 4 speed boxes but the few purists retain Nb specs which almost mirror the old Appendix J rules from 1960.
So you see nothing has changed since the heady days of the 60's... except for one really important improvement...Tyres.

A one piece crank replaces the 2 piece from a few weeks ago....

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P4090023.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P4090021.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P5260010.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P6040002.jpg

[Ellis]

Now to the story of my car.......
As I may have mentioned, I have a long time friend and old Humpy racer from the 60's whose car I worked on.
For the last 20 years after a few reds the talk always turned to ....Why dont we build another old Humpy race car...
These conversations caused me to look for Mikes old cars over a long period and all I could come up with was a set
of our old Del Orto carbies. After admitting defeat it was decided to buy an old log booked Humpy and restore it. A few were found but no one was selling...heard that before...Nah we are going to do her back up.
Interest waxed and waned and we had spies all over the country looking out for us. In 2008 we got an email saying one was for sale near Orange in NSW. It had been built to run at the Gnoo Blaas revival meetings . Negotiations began and concluded with Micks Humpy arriving in due course in Tas.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Holden2.jpg

So our job was done, completed , finnished......well not quite.
Forward 3 or 4 months and I received a phone call...A bloke in Vic is thinking of selling his log booked Humpy.
We had forgotten to call off the dogs who were still on the hunt it seems. Sorry mate we already have one.
I'll give you his number just in case you want to talk to him. Thanks but no thanks.
Next day me thinks , what harm could it do to ring him and find out about his car.....2 weeks later after getting pics etc
I had bought the car and another one that was in one of the background shots.
A friend in Vic went 90k's and collected the cars and stored them at his garage until I could arrange to go and get them across our rough little Bass Strait ditch.
I picked up the race car and got it to the boat , smooth sailing and on landing at Devonport drove it the 100k's to Launceston with no problems . I left the 2nd car in Vic . Some 6 months later I onsold it (2nd Car) to a Launceston aquaintence who went and got it and guess what...he's building an Nb Humpy. It was a real original old girl and will make a nice race car.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/mix2009098.jpg
The car when in Vic on display at the Sandown Historic meeting with the Brock Goodwood car and a red FC (Now in Tas)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Swartz2.jpg
On the way to get dropped off at the boat in Vic

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/PA010005.jpg
Not much has changed in here...Just older driver

[Ellis]

After spending 3 or 4 weeks going right thru the car checking all nuts and bolts etc, fitting new Yokahama tyres it was time to hire Symmons Plains and go for a test day. All went well except after 7 or 8 laps the temp got a bit on the hi side. Brings back memories.
We ran the car at the next 4 or 5 meetings and decided to bite the bullet and put in a better aluminium radiator, some new brake ducts and new finned front drums as the old ones were U/S. Over the next 12 months the car ran faultlessly. The front end was given about 4 deg neg camber and the rear end springs set down a further 2". The car is driven at alternate meetings by my son and I. He really enjoys the challenge never having driven a 3 on the tree or with drum brakes all round. The bugger is about 2 secs faster than his old man but I am more than twice his age. We mainly race at Baskerville 200 k's away in Hobart as it suits the old cars better. Symmons is very hard on brakes and 3 speed gearboxes dont suit the circuit at all.

A few pics .....

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P5290011.jpg
Brake Drums cast and machined by Crofts in Sydney

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/FrontDucts1.jpg
New brake air ducts fitted

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Picture017-1.jpg
Symmons Plains hairpin

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/r40_media_photo_library_3_100498.jpg
Baskerville bottom of hill

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/r40_media_photo_library_3_103948BWCropcopy.jpg
Baskerville top of hill

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/10-2.jpg
Symmons Plains ..Old pit Corner

[Steve Holmes]

This is such a great thread Ellis, keep the posts coming! How often is it that pre-EH races are held at historic events? It must be an incredible site. And the noise must be amazing. The FJs are such an important piece of Aussie racing history, that these races are every bit as significant as an F5000 or Group C/A reunion. They're just one of the most charismatic race cars.

[pallmall]

Wow, fantastic stuff Ellis.

We didn't have many Humpy Holdens racing in NZ. Here is one, the Richard Sisler car at a car club event at Western Springs speedway.
Many interesting cars turned up to these meetings at different times, the TecMec Maserati Corvette, the Monza Ferrari Corvette, etc.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/Motor%20Racing%20Saloons/Sisler750x465.jpg

[Ellis]

This is such a great thread Ellis, keep the posts coming! How often is it that pre-EH races are held at historic events? It must be an incredible site. And the noise must be amazing. The FJs are such an important piece of Aussie racing history, that these races are every bit as significant as an F5000 or Group C/A reunion. They're just one of the most charismatic race cars.


We dont have Holden only events again as yet. MG car club have said they will run Holden only for us in Regularity if we can get 12 starters. The Baskerville track was the last track in Australia to run a Holden only event in about 75 or maybe it was 72 ?.
The HQ series was also commenced in Tas and spread to the rest of the country and is still quite strong.
With the number of Humpies in sheds and being built we should be able to. Whether we can do it on a regular basis remains to be seen.
At the last meeting a month or so ago we had 24 cars running in Historic Regularity of which 3 were Humpies. 3 other Humpies ran in a race series as invited cars.

[Ellis]

Some better known period Holden Grey engine mods.....
Some of these found their way into Speedboats and Sports / Racing Cars of the day....

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/IMG_2331.jpg
Dunstan Rotary Valve

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Waggott.jpg
Waggott Twin Cam


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/repco_006-350.jpg
Repco X Flow head


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/IMG_2554.jpg
Fuel Injection


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Picture1053.jpg
Supercharged

[Ellis]

The broken Crank has been super glued back together and new engine was fired up today........
Ready for more fun again.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P6090001.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P6090005.jpg

[Ellis]

These pics are from nowhere in particular but just show a few of the old warhorses in action in various forms of motorsport....

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/ChoppedFJDragster.jpg
Drags

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/C347406-R1-07-8.jpg
Drag Display

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/IMG_3618.jpg
Albury Wodonga area in NSW still run Historic Speedway...They are a bit gentler on the panels nowdays.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/66-7.jpg
Hume Weir 1966 Norm Gown, Graham Ritter

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/IMG_0259.jpg
Hume Weir Action

[Ellis]

Continued...

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/RitterHindaughCalder866-1.jpg
Calder 1966... G Ritter, Bruce Hindaugh

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/NGownCalder866-1.jpg
#43 Norm Gown ...Calder 1966

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/DPriceExBMuirS4FxCalderScottyonbonnet866.jpg
Dave Price's... EH and Humpy Calder 1966... EH is S4 ex Brian Muir

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/2011-02-18_20800x600.jpg
Nothing like towing with one to use for spares.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/NewellMahnkenWigston64Lgfd.jpg
John Newell, Wayne Mahnken, Garth Wigston Longford Tas 1965

[Ellis]

Continued.....

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/HarrryandNorm1962Templestowe.jpg
Harry Firth and Norm Beechey in the "Good Ole Days"

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/WeldonSetonKatoomba.jpg
Warren Weldon and Bo Seton Katoomba

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/MStahl-450-1.jpg
Max Staahl....became Editor of RCN

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/BobJaneFXTemplestowe.jpg
Bob Jane at Templestowe

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/HumeWeirTinoLeoJPG.jpg
Tino Leo ..Hume Weir

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/cooper4.jpg
Neville Cooper from WA in ex Beechey PK752 at Caversham

[Ellis]

Continued....

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P1020795-1.jpg
John Kean ...This car held a few records in its day

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Calder1966.jpg
Ritter, Gown, Blanchard Calder 1966

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/alb4tourersab5.jpg
Around the Houses..Albany WA

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/ColRobinsonNSW.jpg
C Robinson NSW

[Ellis]

Continued...

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/BrockGoodwood.jpg
Peter Brock at Goodwood

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/DSC01101.jpg
Des Wests old car...Owner got it out of shed and had it at Gnoo Blaas NSW...It featured in AMC mag.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Auscrankbilletcran396770.jpg
Nice to have but..........Dreaming.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/WreckersParky.jpg
Some (make that lots) have gone to the big graveyard in the sky

[Leo D]

Some of the few remaining active logbooked cars in Australia....
(Credits where known are inc on pics)


Eddie Dobbs...ex G Blanchard 60's log booked car still competing
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/2010_11_07_vhrr_19th_historic_sandown__251_of_460_.jpg




Graeme Blanchard in the same car mid 1960's, Hume Weir

http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/8593/blanchardhumeweir1.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/594/blanchardhumeweir1.jpg/)

http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/2228/blanchardhumeweir.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/691/blanchardhumeweir.jpg/)

http://img814.imageshack.us/img814/2255/blanchardhumeweir3.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/814/blanchardhumeweir3.jpg/)

[Steve Holmes]

Great to see this thread resurrected. Magic photos Ellis and Greg!

[bob homewood]

Big thanks from me too Ellis and Greg

[Leo D]

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/9880/oh1w.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/705/oh1w.jpg/)

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/9243/oh2i.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/853/oh2i.jpg/)

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/191/oh3n.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/545/oh3n.jpg/)

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/2411/oh4r.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/689/oh4r.jpg/)

[Leo D]

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/562/oh5d.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/oh5d.jpg/)

Powering past some sort of Mustang and Camaro up the back straight at Calder :-)

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/5348/oh6r.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/842/oh6r.jpg/)

[Steve Holmes]

.....and taking the outside line too. I bet it made them look like they were standing still.

Isn't it great to see the evolution of the FJs in these images, how they got lower and lower to the ground.

[Ellis]

Baskerville Tas Historic Meeting 14-16 Oct 2011....

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/IMGP7501.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/r40_media_photo_library__sports_through_images_1_109435.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/r40_media_photo_library__sports_through_images_3_109432.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/r40_media_photo_library__sports_through_images_1_109433.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/r40_media_photo_library__sports_through_images_3_109438.jpg

As promised by the MG Car Club if we got sufficient numbers they would run events for Early Holdens....guess who finnshed on top of the points.
They also ran a memorial event for Holdens to honour the memory of Tassies John Zeigler who passed away recently.
John ran GMH products from Humpies thru Monaro's and XU1's and was still competing in his Camaro until shortly before his death.
An award was presented also for the early Holden best representing the past....2 in one day...can rest easy now.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/PB130002.jpg

[Steve Holmes]

Ellis I love these pics! Thanks heaps for posting them. I like the style of the Humpies you guys run. They appear to be styled more on the Humpies that raced in the later part of the 60s and the early 70s than what ran in the late 50s and early 60s. Have these cars been built to Appendix J regs?

[Ellis]

Mine is the only one currently in Tas logbooked Nb which is almost exactly app J rules but we are now allowed to overbore and run 6" rims.
One is still logbooked to early / mid 70's rules with 13" wheels .
Some are log booked to Targa class which is a lot more free with disc brakes, red motors or whatever is desired and 4 and 5 speed boxes.

The playing field is far from level but we have some more Nb cars being built. Its not too serious and most people want to run their cars as they did when they were racing in the old days so it depends what period they are trying to emulate.
We just want the cars back out so are not too fussed by an uneven playing field at the moment.
On the big Island there are currently 3 Nb cars running regularly with one other making an appearance now and then at Historic meetings.

Ellis

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Ellis, I was wondering why some of those cars were sitting so low and on small diameter wide wheels, as they did in the late 60s/early 70s. App J and Nb wouldn't normally allow this would they? Aren't the rules for those based on the cars being how they raced up until 1965? Either way, is really nice to see a few freedoms being allowed, as these cars evolved throughout the decade. Which of those pictured above is still log booked from the early 70s? Is it the red one?

[Ellis]

Steve
Nb (for Humpies) still have to have 15" wheels, can be 6" wide, same as original stud pattern but allowed to run 13" hubs with adapters plates to get over the old FX,FJ breaking hubs problem.
Most dont comply with Nb rules as they like to build them up as they raced them in period which is understandable...probably means they are ( much ) younger drivers also from a later period but cant help bad luck...lol

The red one is only 3 years old. Its built the same as the one he raced in early 70's. Its disc braked front, CR 3 sp box, 13" wheels but still has the Grey engine...(with one of my spare tubular pushrods loaned to complete his set, and a rear back guard to replace one damaged at previous Baskerville.....lol)
It has a few of his old original bits like wheels and carbs...goes really well. Lives only 4 km from me in Launceston.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/PA170012.jpg

The pic below is the old blue logbooked car....... still has the same owner from around 1965....(with some of my spare long wheel studs as he had a problem at Baskerville....If I loan enuff bits may get a few more out on track)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/PA170042.jpg

Frank Manley in the pics below raced this car in mid 60's thru to 70's including Longford. He still owns it and brought it out and drove it at this years Longford Revival and Baskerville Historics recently. Frank is 82 years young and is the life of the party. His other claim to fame is the driver (and still the owner) of the Monaro hanging off the Tasman Bridge in Hobart when the bridge was struck and knocked down by the freighter Lake Illawarra .

Franks main problem at Baskerville was a blown headgasket. The scruitineers also discovered his fire extinguisher was just 27 years out of date......just a minor detail for Frank.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/PA160009.jpg

Frank pictured with his old helmet and licenses....
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/PA160011.jpg

[Steve Holmes]

Ellis, this is great! So if the cars aren't Nb compatible, does that limit where the owners can race them? I really like that owners want to run them how they were in the later part of the 60s, and the 70s. This shows the evelution of the model in Aussie racing.

I love the old blue original example. I take it the owner just parked the car in the early 70s and went racing with something else? Incredible that its still as it last raced.

I remember reading about the Monaro and seeing it hanging off the bridge. I think AMC did a small piece on it a few years ago? Was Frank driving it at the time? He sounds like a real character. Is that an FE he races? Do you have any more pics of it?

[Steve Holmes]

What I find interesting is that for historic racers today, the FJ is the weapon of choice, but back in the early to mid 60s, the FX seemed to be more popular.

[Ellis]

The FX was approx 1cwt lighter (from Memory) than the FJ, less chrome stuff etc so when they were really serious thats what they chose plus the FX's were older so also cheaper in the day. Late FX's had FJ wide rear springs which were the choice.

Franks FE.....
Its been to 2 meetings inc Longford and has yet to complete more than 1 or 2 laps or runs. I think he really enjoys working on it and as I said to someone at Baskerville he would probably be disappointed if it did 4 or 5 laps non stop....lol

Longford 1968....

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/ManleyFrankFELGFD62.jpg

Longford 2011.....

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P4010023-1.jpg

[Steve Holmes]

Thats great Ellis. What amazing history! Its really incredible to see cars like this, in original unrestored condition, and with the same owner after all these years. So when you say Franks FE has yet to complete more than 1 or 2 laps, does something break or does he just roll back into the pits?

[Ellis]

Been a bit quiet on this thread so better update it a bit.......

Symmons Plains 11/2012

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/213454712350b7d75c702dc-1224x816.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/213454712350b7d75c702dc-1224x816.jpg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/LCCTSprintsNov2012a.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/LCCTSprintsNov2012a.jpg.html)

Symmons Plains 4/2013

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/683404857518042136fc9d-866x577_zps164298a5.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/683404857518042136fc9d-866x577_zps164298a5.jpg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/4789952035180da8870bec-866x577_zpsad6a6e1b.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/4789952035180da8870bec-866x577_zpsad6a6e1b.jpg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/7998911805180421378938-866x577_zps0d494482.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/7998911805180421378938-866x577_zps0d494482.jpg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/4284049545180421367010-866x577_zpsc6fd744f.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/4284049545180421367010-866x577_zpsc6fd744f.jpg.html)

[Ellis]

Thats great Ellis. What amazing history! Its really incredible to see cars like this, in original unrestored condition, and with the same owner after all these years. So when you say Franks FE has yet to complete more than 1 or 2 laps, does something break or does he just roll back into the pits?

Something stops it.......it hasnt run properly since he has got it out of mothballs.
Since then a couple of his friends in Hobart have recon his engine and tightenned a few bolts and at last years Longford he was timed at 150kph on flying mile and you couldnt get the smile off his face. He is a real genuine character....
As mentione previously ,at the 2nd Historic meeting at Baskerville when he first attended, the Scruitineers discovered his Fire Extinguisher was a tad out of date.....only by 27 years....nothing worries Frank.

[Steve Holmes]

As mentione previously ,at the 2nd Historic meeting at Baskerville when he first attended, the Scruitineers discovered his Fire Extinguisher was a tad out of date.....only by 27 years....nothing worries Frank.

Ha ha ha ha ha, thats a great story!

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for the new pics Ellis, great to see this thread bumped to the top once more. Looks like you're having fun!

[CUSTAXIE50]

Engine internals...and other weaknesses...
As everyone knows they are prone to breaking crankshafts. Lots of theories exist as to what to do and not to do
and while you may think you are doing the right things they will break whenever they feel like it.
At the 2009 Baskerville Historics Holden Reunion meeting just to prove that nothing changes after 40-45 years of racing
out of around 20 Humpies ....2 blew headgaskets, 1 broke gearbox, 2 broke cranks and 1 rolled.....
Mine didnt fail then...it waited another 15 months till this year and my crank went at Baskerville. Its not too bad , it
lasted 4 1/2 years.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P5200006.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P5180003-1.jpg

About all that is done to the standard crank is balancing, better rod bolts and main bolts are used along with main bearing cap strengtheners on centre mains. Billet steel cranks are now available but are around $4k so not cheap and not too many are in use.
Lightenned flywheels and larger harmonic balancers are used along with enlarged and baffled sumps. The heads are ported and planed and larger valves are fitted along with tubular pushrods and with a bore out to 3 3/16" most use hi top pistons but some still run flatop.
Camshaft grinds are free and most use a well known Cam grinder in Melbourne...Clives Cams...no substitute for 45 years or so experience. Aluminium or steel timing geras replace the old original fibre versions.
The gearbox remains standard or maybe fit an EH cluster and a few circlips get silver soldered. The ratios in the gearbox are free and some run close ratio boxes which shifts low up and moves 2nd closer to top. A higher ratio diff is usually then required for some circuits.
Differential ratios are free but the original housing must be retained. For Nb regs drum brakes must remain but finned drums are permitted. Wheels for Nb must remain at 15" but are allowed to be 6" in width. The original old hubs were prone to cracking so later model 13" hubs are permitted with adaptors to take them back to suit 15" stud pattern. LSD or lockers are permitted. Not many of the cars running comply to these Nb specs so are logbooked as Targa class and run disc brakes and 13" wheels so are not permitted in Nb. Quite a few run later red motors and 4 speed boxes but the few purists retain Nb specs which almost mirror the old Appendix J rules from 1960.
So you see nothing has changed since the heady days of the 60's... except for one really important improvement...Tyres.

A one piece crank replaces the 2 piece from a few weeks ago....

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P4090023.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P4090021.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P5260010.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P6040002.jpgDid some use Vauxhall Cranks allso.

[Ellis]

Yes but to fit them requires lots of machining and if you lose a block you have to get it all done again.
I think its only the 59 Crank that can be used.

Billet is the way to go if you need to rev them to 7 K rpm+.
They are about $4k (3 years ago ) plus the machining to fit them...probably 10-12k all up.

The Vaux crank fitted to the Brock car I have heard was in vicinity of 20K.

I'll stick to the original and keep revs below 6k. That broken crank did 4 1/2 years
The replacement is into its second season (touch wood) doing about 6 meetings a year.

I think the clue is to get the flywheel /clutch assemby down to a bare minimum weight and run a good balancer.

Old speedboat racers ran no flywheel at all and revved them to 8k+

I have heard that there is a historic speedway class in NZ that use Grey motors ....be interested to hear from anyone that knows about it

[Kiwiboss]

I have heard that there is a historic speedway class in NZ that use Grey motors ....be interested to hear from anyone that knows about it


Haven't heard of it Ellis but wouldn't be surprised, in the early years of dirt track saloon racing many used FJ Holdens and i'd say back then it would have been the old grey motors, saloon racing on the dirt was a recently new class back then and i can remember Trevor Grey in a very quick FJ at the old Forest Lake Speedway in Hamilton racing door handle to door handle with Ross Decke in a LIP Vauxhall!! im probably talking 1970/71, i was just 11/12 or so at the time, amazing what we can remember when need be!! was great memory's from a long time ago.

I was just 15 with a licence and one of the local hoons around 1975/6 in Tauranga had a hotted up grey motor in some old car like a Austin 7, i always remember him doing burnouts in reverse, he used to rev the shit out of it, LOL

Dale M

[CUSTAXIE50]

Yes but to fit them requires lots of machining and if you lose a block you have to get it all done again.
I think its only the 59 Crank that can be used.

Billet is the way to go if you need to rev them to 7 K rpm+.
They are about $4k (3 years ago ) plus the machining to fit them...probably 10-12k all up.

The Vaux crank fitted to the Brock car I have heard was in vicinity of 20K.

I'll stick to the original and keep revs below 6k. That broken crank did 4 1/2 years
The replacement is into its second season (touch wood) doing about 6 meetings a year.

I think the clue is to get the flywheel /clutch assemby down to a bare minimum weight and run a good balancer.

Old speedboat racers ran no flywheel at all and revved them to 8k+

I have heard that there is a historic speedway class in NZ that use Grey motors ....be interested to hear from anyone that knows about it

I was at Harrisville in March this year,and there was an old speedcar there that had a Grey motor running on Methanol.I got talking to the gent who was running this car on this day,his dad runs this car but on this day he was giving the car a run,he said there are three speedcars in nz running a GREY and there is a Historic club in Len Browns little town.

[Ellis]

Thanks for replies Dale and Custaxie.
Which town is Len Browns "little town"

[Oldfart]

Try www.vintagespeedway.co.nz

[Steve Holmes]

Some of my favourites, from the Bruce Wells Collection:

22099

22100

22101

22102

[Steve Holmes]

22103

22104

22105

22106

[Steve Holmes]

22107

22108

22109

22110

[Ellis]

Just a quick link to the Early Holdens going out for practice on Sat 4 Oct at Baskerville Historics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ijlw0sUkrmk

[Ellis]

Almost a full Grid of Early Holdens....Baskerville Historics Oct 2014

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/10153041_376801839152012_9201780355986104398_n_zps9406bf05.jpeg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/10153041_376801839152012_9201780355986104398_n_zps9406bf05.jpeg.html)

[Steve Holmes]

This is Roaring Season member Ellis French, at the wheel of his humpy Holden, at Baskerville a few days ago. Great sound! Check the column shift. This thing is cool!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtYEgxrP_xk

[Ellis]

A couple of pics of the 2 FJ's I run (#14 and #40) and also a good mates most immaculate FJ (#7)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/AA4Q7212_2738x1825_321774_zpszdbmypyv.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/AA4Q7212_2738x1825_321774_zpszdbmypyv.jpg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/AA4Q2942_2738x1825_321771_zps61azvctp.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/AA4Q2942_2738x1825_321771_zps61azvctp.jpg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/IMG_2279_zpsmkezfj3q.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/IMG_2279_zpsmkezfj3q.jpg.html)

[Spgeti]

I love it. Jeezz I would love to have an EH in HSC Steve but he won't take the 5 speed box out of it. Well done Ellis and what a great group of cars. I like the original steering wheel as well.

Cheers
Bruce

[superroo69]

Continued...

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/BrockGoodwood.jpg
Peter Brock at Goodwood

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/DSC01101.jpg
Des Wests old car...Owner got it out of shed and had it at Gnoo Blaas NSW...It featured in AMC mag.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Auscrankbilletcran396770.jpg
Nice to have but..........Dreaming.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/WreckersParky.jpg
Some (make that lots) have gone to the big graveyard in the sky

Hi Ellis

Whilst I know its been a long time since this was posted, but it would have been nice if you had indicated where you got these photos from and given due recognition to the photographer, if it wasn't you.

Paul

[Ellis]

Paul
Pic 1 is from the many on the internet...photographer unknown
Pic 2 came from the collection of the chap that looks after #27
Pic 3 came from Auscrank prior to me ordering my billet crank
Pic 4 is from an aquaintance in Wodonga and was told it is his son in pic

pm me if you have any more concerns

Ellis

[Ellis]

Philip Island Historics 11-13 Mar 2016


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/12809635_1139766882741920_8290738662490547588_n_zpsqzinvtlg.jpeg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/12809635_1139766882741920_8290738662490547588_n_zpsqzinvtlg.jpeg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/12802966_513448698856925_841594805125898709_n-1_zpsm98snkyh.jpeg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/12802966_513448698856925_841594805125898709_n-1_zpsm98snkyh.jpeg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/2011_10208543522126637_869238586310521419_n_zpspmued0hr.jpeg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/2011_10208543522126637_869238586310521419_n_zpspmued0hr.jpeg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/12814801_1140406676011274_8660861995376935781_n_zpsfp1yuh0w.jpeg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/12814801_1140406676011274_8660861995376935781_n_zpsfp1yuh0w.jpeg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/IMG_0311_zpswkgciobm.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/IMG_0311_zpswkgciobm.jpg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/IMG_0306_zpsqr7ruzv4.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/IMG_0306_zpsqr7ruzv4.jpg.html)

[Ellis]

Phillip Is Historics 11-13 Mar 2016

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/8891_584570828364827_3243524425962999653_n_zpsaopthbtn.jpeg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/8891_584570828364827_3243524425962999653_n_zpsaopthbtn.jpeg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/12805692_10208978021470354_5534179007800124058_n_zpsoshv5n2n.jpeg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/12805692_10208978021470354_5534179007800124058_n_zpsoshv5n2n.jpeg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/12805819_1291861977507280_8206957615125242146_n_zps60cqzjjs.jpeg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/12805819_1291861977507280_8206957615125242146_n_zps60cqzjjs.jpeg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/1919397_1516158245359906_5164708186997195411_n_zpsbbo9sdhe.jpeg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/1919397_1516158245359906_5164708186997195411_n_zpsbbo9sdhe.jpeg.html)

[superroo69]

Paul
Pic 1 is from the many on the internet...photographer unknown
Pic 2 came from the collection of the chap that looks after #27
Pic 3 came from Auscrank prior to me ordering my billet crank
Pic 4 is from an aquaintance in Wodonga and was told it is his son in pic

pm me if you have any more concerns

Ellis

Well the first one is mine and is generally not available in this format, without my website watermark running across the image. The image displayed was linked to your photobucket account, so I can only assume that you copied it from this roaring season site, where I think I may have posted it previously in one of the other discussions. If you wish to re-post my image, please provide due acknowledgement. If you think you have seen it elsewhere, please provide the details so I can contact them as well.

Paul