Photos: The Peter Mellor Collection - Part 2

[Steve Holmes]

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With Part 1 of the Peter Mellor Collection (http://www.theroaringseason.com/content.php?298-Photos-The-Peter-Mellor-Collection-Part-1) of historic Australian motor racing photos off and running hard, Pete has sent me a batch of new photos to post. These I've decided deserve their own separate chapter. The focus on Part 1 has been Touring Cars. Part 2, however, will be Sports Cars. And there are some real gems in amongst this lot.

As with Part 1, these photos are a joint effort between Pete, Ray Moore, along with other friends. And there are some wonderful and interesting cars in this chapter. My thanks to Pete for taking the time to share these amazing photos. Its really a privilege to be able to share them here.

Enjoy, and feel free to contribute stories and info related to these images.

[Steve Holmes]

OK, lets kick things off with what I think is one of the prettiest cars to come out of Australia: The Centaur. This car was built by Wal Anderson for Queensland driver John French to compete in the Australian GT Championship. It was powered by a Merv Waggott Holden motor, and French went on to win the 1962 Australian GT Championship with it. This is the Centaur pictured slightly later in life, owned and driven here by Dennis Geary, who later raced a Lola T70 Spyder. Interesting point here is that the exhaust system exits out the left side, whereas the original system exited out the right side. Did Geary re-power it?

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[Ellis]

The current owner has had it since 1964

Not sure who is photographer but some are from Speed on Tweed

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/1501_657810797569267_1845693655_n_zpsf98f70c8.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/1501_657810797569267_1845693655_n_zpsf98f70c8.jpg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Snapshot2013-07-2818-59-23_zpsf5e0c84b.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/Snapshot2013-07-2818-59-23_zpsf5e0c84b.jpg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/1074498_686992207984459_1693084633_o_zps60ed5b90.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/1074498_686992207984459_1693084633_o_zps60ed5b90.jpg.html)

The Waggott Twin Cammer was probably the pinnacle of the Holden Grey development
It was reported to have 202hp
Of note are the finned front drums
One of my favorite cars also Steve

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Ellis, love the pics! The head is absolutely beautiful. How many twin-cam Waggott heads were made?

[Ellis]

Thanks Ellis, love the pics! The head is absolutely beautiful. How many twin-cam Waggott heads were made?

Most say only 6 or 7 which I reckon is probably in the ball park altho I have seen other estimates around 100+
He used a 7 main bearing crank with the high performance ones which in itself would have required some major engineering. I doubt there was much "Holden" remaining in these engines

[mid-year]

Hi Ellis,thanks for posting those great photos-the engine bay is a delight,I once heard that Waggot made less than a dozen of these exotic heads with use split between Speedway and Ski-Boats.

Pete.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Ellis. They must sound amazing! Have you heard one running?

[Ellis]

Thanks Ellis. They must sound amazing! Have you heard one running?

No never had the pleasure but a mate in Qld says they are quite amazing.

Pic of one in a Humpy
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/holden-waggott-twincam-grey-motor_zps18ef5c6f.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/holden-waggott-twincam-grey-motor_zps18ef5c6f.jpg.html)

[mid-year]

The current owners run the car regularly at historic events and it does sound magnificent thru those lovely side-pipes.

Pete.

[Robert Bailey]

The colour in the 1st photo of Frank,is wonderful and clear.
had tolook twice thought the twin cam was a Jaguar head.

[Steve Holmes]

Here is the second photo of the Centaur in Geary's ownership. Note the colour is different to the other Geary photo in Post 2. This is far closer to the colour the car was when French raced it, so maybe its an earlier photo than the one posted above? But still the exhausts exit out the left side. I'd love to know if Geary raced it with a different motor, or if he just re-routed the Holden exhaust system for whatever reason. Perhaps because of heat or noise?

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[Ellis]

Steve

Its got Team xxxx?
with
Dvr
BARRY J KARLE I think

Do you know the signifigance of the sign writing

[Ellis]

These pics from John Stanley Collection and their captions answer a couple of questions

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Snapshot2013-08-1608-28-45_zps3ea01278.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/Snapshot2013-08-1608-28-45_zps3ea01278.jpg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Snapshot2013-08-1608-27-26_zpse8bbabb8.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/Snapshot2013-08-1608-27-26_zpse8bbabb8.jpg.html)

[Steve Holmes]

Oh wow, great find Ellis! I knew I'd seen photos somewhere of the car having had a big shunt at Lakeside in 1963, but hadn't noticed the exhaust wasn't exiting out the right side. Great work!

[Steve Holmes]

Next up are a couple of shots of Bob Jane's E Type Jaguar. This car he raced prior to the lightweight version. This car he raced in 1962/63. The lightweight was 1965/66, to the best of my knowledge.

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[Robert Bailey]

Pity that car is lost the red E-type but I do know a guy that claims its still in South aust....in a bad way

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Robert, I was just going to ask if anyone knew its whereabouts. Thats a shame.

[Robert Bailey]

Jane sold, not along after he crashed it heavily at Warwick Farm in June '63.

Sold in December '63 to Hutchins/Kennedy of Adelaide.

Was crashed written of in the Adelaide hills ,early '64.

A guy I know in S.A claims to have seen the on-sold wreck in a shed/garage up to about 2 years.

Will not give me any other details....so who knows.

[Steve Holmes]

Wow, OK, thanks Robert. Would love to know more about that.

[Ellis]

Jane Pub Cnr Longford 1963

Photographer not known

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/JaneRedEType63_zps83fb3943.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/JaneRedEType63_zps83fb3943.jpg.html)

[Robert Bailey]

That car had a better win ratio then the LWT.

The Niel Allen early E-type fhc has also long gone.

[Steve Holmes]

How about this for a great way to kick-start the new week. Ken Miles giving it heaps in the factory 427 Cobra CSX3002, at the 1965 Lakeside TT. It wasn't the fastest car at the event, but everyone who saw it remembers it, so it clearly left an indelible impression!

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[Steve Holmes]

Couple of great looking cars here in Bib Stillwell's Copper Monaco Buick leading Frank Matich's Lotus 19B. Just check out that beautiful Lakeside backdrop!

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[Steve Holmes]

Here is that fantastic Stillwell Cooper Monaco again. Does this car still exist?

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[Steve Holmes]

One of the most memorable sports cars to have raced in Australasia, the David McKay/Scuderia Veloce Ferrari 250LM, which was driven by Spencer Martin. After its time in Aus, where it was also driven by the likes of Pete Geoghegan, among others, it made its way to New Zealand, where it was raced by Andy Buchanan, who won the 1967 NZ Sports Car Championship with it.

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[Steve Holmes]

And here is the Ferrari again, this time out on track. This is probably the best angle for this car.

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[Steve Holmes]

Wonderful shot here of Leo Geoghegan in his Lotus 23. This photo really demonstrates how low these cars were, with people standing next to it. The Lotus comes up at just above knee height.

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[Steve Holmes]

And here he is again, at speed.

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[Dale Harvey]

That's Pete not Leo.
Dale.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Dale, I thought it looked like Pete in the first photo but convinced myself only Leo raced this car.

[Cooper997]

These are more great photos Pete & Ray. Thanks for showing them.

The photos in post 23 & 24 of Frank Matich Lotus 19 & Bib Stillwell Cooper-Monaco, as best I can work out potentially makes it the February 1963 Lakeside International meeting. The Monaco would have still been Climax powered when these were taken. It had the rear wheel spats cut out even before the Buick V8 went in. If I'm on the right track with this, the car in Buick form debuted at Mallala in October 1964. Twenty odd years ago, Paul Moxham had this car. But last I was aware it was with Frank Sytner in the UK.

The photo of Ian Geoghegan sitting in the Lotus 23 is at Qld's Lowood circuit pits in June 1963. He won the Australian Tourist Trophy race that day. But the other photo looks more like Lakeside background.

Stephen

[Steve Holmes]

Great info, thanks Stephen. Re the Stillwell Cooper-Monaco, just out of interest, would this car be eligible to race in historic events now with the Buick V8, given it raced with this motor in period?

[ged]

These are more great photos Pete & Ray. Thanks for showing them.

The photos in post 23 & 24 of Frank Matich Lotus 19 & Bib Stillwell Cooper-Monaco, as best I can work out potentially makes it the February 1963 Lakeside International meeting. The Monaco would have still been Climax powered when these were taken. It had the rear wheel spats cut out even before the Buick V8 went in. If I'm on the right track with this, the car in Buick form debuted at Mallala in October 1964. Twenty odd years ago, Paul Moxham had this car. But last I was aware it was with Frank Sytner in the UK.

The photo of Ian Geoghegan sitting in the Lotus 23 is at Qld's Lowood circuit pits in June 1963. He won the Australian Tourist Trophy race that day. But the other photo looks more like Lakeside background.

Stephenlast I herd moxham turned it back into climax car and buick was destend for ajet boat

[ged]

last I herd moxham turned it back into climax car and buick was destend for ajet boat

further to this I belive it was a traco olds engine not a buick I do belive that they are similar

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for this Ged, yes I believe they are much the same engine, with alloy block.

[Steve Holmes]

Really stunning shot here of Frank Matich, aboard his lovely Lotus 19B. Where is this car today?

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[Ellis]

Really stunning shot here of Frank Matich, aboard his lovely Lotus 19B. Where is this car today?

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I believe it was damaged by Matich at Lakeside. It apparently sustained "more damage" after the accident and was an insurance write off.
I will check up with Geoff Smedley down the road. Geoff was a race mechanic employed by Total at the time.
I am sure he told me that he took the suspension uprights and after machining etc he used them in the Matich SR 3....correction...used in the Traco Olds at Elfin in Adelaide. Geoff took whole wreck to Adelaide...see later post

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Crash3_zpse5bcc20a.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/Crash3_zpse5bcc20a.jpg.html)
(A Stanley pic)


Smed did this pencil drawing of the car....
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/MatichLotus19Smeddwg_zps4bfe5f73.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/MatichLotus19Smeddwg_zps4bfe5f73.jpg.html)

Total team Cars during Smeds involvment...
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/1-ScanBMP_zps0ff03d35.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/1-ScanBMP_zps0ff03d35.jpg.html)
Smed is 3rd standing from Rhs

[Oldfart]

Weren't there some evocative cars at that time? Lotus 19, 23, Monaco, 250LM, Elfin Mallala, etc. Wide wheels fitted to some of them ruined the looks. May have been faster but...
Then the true canam style was another fantastic era.

[Cooper997]

I think with the ex Stillwell Cooper Monaco it had both the Buick V8 and then received the Oldsmobile V8 when with Tony Osborne in 1966. In event programmes when entered by Bib Stillwell (in V8 form) it's usually listed with a capacity of 3900cc (ex Daigh Scarab/Glass BRM). In the June 66 Sandown programme the capacity for Tony's car is listed at 4400cc and kept growing afterwards.

I'm not up with what the FIA would allow as far as Steve's question on whether it would be eligible to run with a V8 in historics. I suspect not though.

What better than if Ellis can get Geoff Smedley to share his wisdom on the Matich Lotus. I have a mention of it being the July 1965 Lakeside meeting where it was damaged/wrecked.

Stephen

[Dale Harvey]

What about the practice crash at Warwick Farm short circuit, with a mechanic at the wheel, I thought that put an end to it.
Dale.

[Ellis]

What better than if Ellis can get Geoff Smedley to share his wisdom on the Matich Lotus. I have a mention of it being the July 1965 Lakeside meeting where it was damaged/wrecked.

Stephen[/QUOTE]

I have received an email from Geoff. I will give bits from it as I didnt ask his permission to post it all......

The coloured pic is the cars first outing as a 19B after the 19 was rebuilt from the practise crash at Warwick Farm in early 64 ...referred to by Dale
The 19B was damaged then written off after Lakeside in 65. It wasnt owned by Total but leased from Laurie O'Neill...Geoff was responsible for it for a little over a year.
It was decided to build a new replacement car and Garrie Cooper was chosen as builder. Geoff took the wreck to Adeaide and worked on the project with Garrie for several months. This new car was known as the Traco Oldsmobile or first of the 400's.
Total pulled out of racing around this time and Geoff left Total/Matich.
The Traco was later sold to Niel Allen.
Matich had Bob Britten begin the Matich SR3 but there was a fallout and Geoff doent know who finnished it off.

The remains of the 19/19B were left at Elfin and all the mechanical bits went to Botany.
Howard and Sons took over the workshop (Total ?) and Geoff went to look after Howards 3 Lotus, Super 7, 23 and 27.

Months later Geoff was asked by Total to go to Botany and sort out the array of stuff left from the Matich era. Engines, gearboxes. wheels/ tyres were all auctioned off.

Matich then did a deal with Repco to build the SR4 but Repco fell apart about the same time and someone from USA financed the SR4

Thanks to Geoff Smedley for that insight...
I guess I will have to take a Bacardi or 3 down to see him

[Cooper997]

Brilliant Ellis.

Geoff must have a squillion tales to tell as a race mechanic. He needs convincing to write his memoirs over a Bacardi or 3, if he already hasn't.

Stephen

[Ellis]

Smed is a wealth of knowledge of this era due to being involved directly with all the top players..
His recall is still very good...better than mine...lol

Earlier this year he showed me a hand written letter (about 4 pages) and said read this and see if you can guess who wrote it without looking at the last page....it was easy as Lotus Cortina's and USA were mentioned in the first para....one Allan Moffat seeking Geoffs services to work on his Lotus Cortina in Australia and included USA trips to do his Lotus Corty's he was running in early Trans Am.
Geoff declined as his main love is Open Wheelers and Sports cars...this letter was dated 1965 from memory. It also mentioned Allan could be sourcing a new Lotus 18? from England which never happenned.

He has done an article on Climax engines...he is probably the longest serving
expert on the Climax's still around.

Smed.....Tassie Motoring Hall of Famer 2013 .....better late than never and well deserved

Ellis

[Cooper997]

Ellis, those sorts of anecdotes would be great to continue to read. Maybe Geoff could be persuaded to have his own thread on The Roaring Season. Adding a tale or two when time and inclination permits.

Stephen

[Steve Holmes]

Ellis, this is really great info! Thanks for posting it.

[Steve Holmes]

Another shot of the Matich Lotus, sans rear bodywork.

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[Terry S]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;33160]Another shot of the Matich Lotus, sans rear bodywork.

For interest what is the big pipe out the left of the car, and what are the two big pipes at the very bback of the car?

[Ellis]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;33160]Another shot of the Matich Lotus, sans rear bodywork.

For interest what is the big pipe out the left of the car, and what are the two big pipes at the very bback of the car?

I'll ask Smed if you like.

[Rod Grimwood]

Rough guess, something to do with brake cooling.

[Ellis]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;33160]Another shot of the Matich Lotus, sans rear bodywork.

For interest what is the big pipe out the left of the car, and what are the two big pipes at the very bback of the car?

This reply from Geoff Smedley......

That is the 19 before its crash as it has the original gearbox. The mechanic at the time had a mishap while bedding brakes and scrubbing tyres at the ‘Farm’ in Sydney and collected the pit wall at high speed. The ducting was for brake cooling and the 19B was fitted with a Hewland box and larger rear brakes

[Terry S]

Another shot of the Matich Lotus, sans rear bodywork.

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That big pipe out the left side would sure have been good for air cooling......

[Steve Holmes]

Here it is again, in its later guise, out on track.

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[Steve Holmes]

Although no longer racing when these photos were taken, this car still has to be included here, as its a hugely significant car on the Aussie sports car scene, the Ron Thorpe Cobra.

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[Rod Grimwood]

love (not) the tail pipe on the Cobra, obviously a shove on job for road maybe.

[Steve Holmes]

I needed Pete's help with this one, for which his reply is below:

"Steve I remember this car vaguely as being a ( I think ) J.W.F. Italia? It was one of the many specials that abounded around that era being a fibreglass body sold to fit an MG or Singer chassis. It was no doubt styled after the late 50's Ferrari 250 TDF. I will check through some old issues of S.C.W. as I seem to remember an ad for them".

Certainly a very pretty little car.

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[mid-year]

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[Ellis]

A very neat JWF here in Tas...

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P3200017_zps2c1633c8.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/P3200017_zps2c1633c8.jpg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/P3200014_zps09bbd226.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/P3200014_zps09bbd226.jpg.html)

This pic by R Langdon Launceston
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/JWFItaliaRobbieMills20060521BV2PhotobyRandallLangdon_zpsa2c01abf.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/JWFItaliaRobbieMills20060521BV2PhotobyRandallLangdon_zpsa2c01abf.jpg.html)

[mid-year]

Wow! that is a great looking Italia,would have an impressive power/weight ratio I expect with that awesome intake setup.Thanks for posting Ellis.

Regards Pete,

[tweaks]

I wonder if the moulds for the Italia still exist along with a few of the other cars built around that era..Milano ect

Cheers
Lynds

[Cooper997]

The #17 JWF is John Underwood's entry from the 1964 Lakeside Tasman Series meeting from February 23, 1964.

The programme carried by the chap in the second photo helps give the date away. That was Total's advert on the back cover. Also the partially visible Falcon ute near the JWF, should be one of 2 used by Bruce McLaren Motor Racing to tow the Cooper T70s to Qld, etc. that year.

The JWF must have had a MGA engine going by its 1489cc listed capacity.

Stephen

[mid-year]

Fantastic research Stephen,it is great to get to the facts on these cars from so far back.

Regards Pete.

[Cooper997]

Thanks Pete.

It is Ray and your photos that are the stars, from an era many of us enjoy seeing. Being rare colour and often rare pits-orientated photos, they're pure gold being shared with fellow enthusiasts.

Not being old enough to have been involved with this era first hand, I just have a little dig if a few clues help give the game away.

Back to the side vents on the JWF, unless I'm mistaken they look like they're from the BMC parts bin too. The side grilles from next to the radiator grille of a Wolseley I think.

Stephen

[Cooper997]

I wonder if the moulds for the Italia still exist along with a few of the other cars built around that era..Milano ect

Cheers
Lynds

There is a thread on autosport.com's The Nostalgia Forum relating to the JWF Milano. Dick Willis and some of the others who own or owned these cars would be a good start point to ask about moulds.

Stephen

[Steve Holmes]

This is great info guys, and Stephen you have eagle eyes spotting that race programme the punter was holding!

[Steve Holmes]

Here is another ad, thanks to Pete for sending this through. Really pretty cars.

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[Steve Holmes]

Here is Greg Cusack in the beautiful little Elfin Mallala. There were some absolutely glorious sports car that came out of Australia during this period. This car is a joy to behold.

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[Steve Holmes]

Neat description here from Pete regarding this shot:

"Here is a shot of Cuz Malcolm (Rays brother) in his Buchanan/Austin Healey (another typical early 60's Special) which was raced at Lowood but not Lakeside".

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[Steve Holmes]

Neat photo here of the female driver Ann Thompson.

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[Cooper997]

I'm assuming this Ann Thompson Lotus photo is being shown for the very first time. I would think once Marc Schagen sees it he'll wish he knew about this brilliant candid shot during preparation for his recently published book on historic Lotus racing and sports cars in Australia.

Stephen

[Dale Harvey]

That car currently resides in Newcastle NSW. Barry Bates is the current owner and has had it since the 70's (approx).It is having a freshen up at the moment.
Dale.

[mid-year]

I think the fellow with his back to the camera is the late Lionel Ayers,the famous Racing Chemist also from Brisbane.

Regards Pete.

[Steve Holmes]

I'm assuming this Ann Thompson Lotus photo is being shown for the very first time. I would think once Marc Schagen sees it he'll wish he knew about this brilliant candid shot during preparation for his recently published book on historic Lotus racing and sports cars in Australia.

Stephen

Yes that has happened to me several times upon putting together a historical magazine article, then having photos emerge after it was published that would have been perfect for it! Very frustrating.

[Terry S]

I think the fellow with his back to the camera is the late Lionel Ayers,the famous racing Chemist also from Brisbane.

Regards Pete.

Pete, sad to hear Lionel Ayres has died, as not aware of this.
It seems he died in May 2013, aged 82

I first became aware of him in early 1960's as when he came to Sydney he stayed with some of his relatives just around the corner from where I lived in Cronulla. His tow car and enclosed trailer parked out the front, and altough couldn't see the race car, the setup looked very professional and big time.

For some reason, probably affordability, he mainly raced cars of his own construction through his company Motor Racing Components (MRC). He was a practicing Pharmacist but obviously had an engineering bent.

He built a couple of clones including a Lotus 20 Formula Junior (lasr raced by Murray Bryden) and a Lotus 23 ( now owned and raced by Stephen Fryer). He also built 2 can am style sports cars powered by Repco V8's, the MRC 11 (restored by Sydney's Ian Ross) and the Rennmax (where is it?)

In the early 2000's he restored the famous Mildren "Yellow Submarine" and reunited it with Waggott engine. (where is it now?)

He raced a couple of Hillmans and a Cortina in early Bathurst 500's but this was extent of touring car racing.

Steve, although I doubt he raced in NZ, I believe a tribute thread would be appropriate for him on your site, and I am sure there would be plenty of Aussies who could contribute.

[Steve Holmes]

Absolutely Terry, this is an international website, created to celebrate all motor racing history. Please go ahead and create a tribute thread for Lionel.

[mid-year]

A great spectactle was the sight of his tow set up which consisted of his Silver-Fox GTHO Ph 2 hauling the enclosed trailer with the MRC aboard.Now a Ph2 is quite a lumpy beast just propelling it self around but as a tow vehicle the mind boggles.

Pete.

[Steve Holmes]

Thats something I'd love to see Pete. Be fantastic if a photo popped up one day. Kinda makes me think also that we should start a dedicated thread on tow vehicles and trailers of old. Now that would make a cool thread.

[Ellis]

Thats something I'd love to see Pete. Be fantastic if a photo popped up one day. Kinda makes me think also that we should start a dedicated thread on tow vehicles and trailers of old. Now that would make a cool thread.


Steve

You should start one and the first to go in is ......George's setup for the Sidchrome....way before its time

[Terry S]

Absolutely Terry, this is an international website, created to celebrate all motor racing history. Please go ahead and create a tribute thread for Lionel.

Steve I really believe there are others more qualified to do this than me, particlualrly Pete "Mid year" who is in Brisbane.
Another two could be Ellis or Dale Harvey. I will throw the invite over to them, or anyone else

[Steve Holmes]

This great bit of info is from Pete, on these next two photos:

"Bill Gates was the No1 disc-jockey in Brisbane during the sixties with radio 4BH and his hobby was motor racing, working his way through several Lotus' (Loti?) and also driving with great distinction in the Surfers Paradise 12 hour races in the McClusky Ford entered XT-GT and GT-HO Ph 1".

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[Cooper997]

The Gates Elfin was raced by Frank Matich before it headed to Qld. it's still in the longterm ownership of CAMS longest serving official, Graham Hoinville. In the early 90s he won the Grand Prix Rally to Adelaide with it. Beating a few Porsches and the like.

Stephen

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Stephen. I'm really enjoying all the info coming through for these!

[Cooper997]

I took the liberty to forward the link and photos of the Gates Elfin (in post #79) to Graham Hoinville. He has kindly allowed me to post his interesting response for all the TRS enthusiasts to read. As you will see the car is still being used in competition with Graham.

Stephen


"Thank you very much for that image of the Elfin - taken around 1963 it seems. I shall add it to my file on the history of the car.

I purchased the car from George Makin early in 1982 with virtually no documentation of history. In March 2001 I achieved a C. of D. for the car, after spending hours researching the history, mainly from my files of Racing Car News and so on. From the ID plate on the car and the Elfin book it emerged as the first “finalised specification” Clubman. There were several earlier prototypes with such features as split Ford 10 front axle whilst the Granton Harrison car was similar technical specification save for being aluminium panelled. It seems these panels were used to produce for the moulds for the fibreglass panels on my car and all subsequent.

Detailed in RCN the Clubman and the first FJ Catalina were on show at the Racing Car Show in Sydney in September 1962. At that stage Frank Matich was the Elfin Agent in Sydney and subsequently drove both cars with success. The Clubman set new 1500cc sports car records at Warwick Farm and Catalina Park. Subsequently there was an parting of the ways between Garrie Cooper and Matich.

My research produced the following history of the Clubman:-

1962 Elfin Sports Cars ( driver Frank Matich).

1962-64 Bill Gates of Qld.

1964-66 Roy Sawyer of Qld.

1966-69 John Ould & Harry Vaughan of Melbourne.

1969 – 82 George Makin of Melbourne.

1982 – Graham Hoinville.

Originally the car was powered by a 1340cc 3 main bearing Kent engine. These were not used by Ford in Australia but were used in Europe and Garrie specially imported them. The 1200cc version was introduced here in the early Cortinas, then for 1964 Ford introduced the 1500cc 5 main bearing engine. Before selling the car in 1964 Gates fitted the 1500cc engine, and also the disc front brakes from the Cortina. At one stage in the 23 years that George Makin owned the car he fitted a Lotus/Cortina Twincam dry sump engine and raced the car in Sports Cars. I ran in every Grand Prix Rally in the Clubman except the first in 1988 ( used my MG TC supercharged in 1988). With my wife as navigator we won the 1500 Classic Class in 1990, but then she quit – declaring 4 days in a small open car in summer was a bit much for a 60 year old. She suggested if I recruited a competent driver and did the navigation we could win the event. I recruited my eldest son Greg – he was the winner of the last Victorian Rally Championship to be won in a 2 WD normally aspirated car ( a 2 litre Escort) and additionally I fitted a Ford/Lotus TYwincam engine. We won the Rally outright – much to the chagrin of a hoard of Porsche 911 drivers. Over the years we were on the podium 4 times – one 1st, twice in 2nd place and once 3rd. We had 2 DNFs – I had a stroke during an overnight stop at Shepparton and in one of the later events we had to retire when the gearbox locked in second gear during the night navigation section in Gippsland.

Of course the car is back to pushrod engine to compete in Historic Group M and is in regular historic competition – ran it at a sprint meeting at Maryborough Airport weekend before last.

I hope I have not bored you with all this ‘waffle’!!

Regards,

Graham Hoinville."

[mid-year]

That is a terrific account of the Elfins history and the car is obviously in very good hands today.

Great work Stephen!

Pete.

[Cooper997]

All inspired by your photos Pete.

Graham has been involved with CAMS since the start - 60 years ago. He was also the only competitor at this year's AGP Albert Park 60th anniversary with his original car (MG TC). Who had competed at the 1953 Albert Park AGP meeting. So he tends to hang on to his cars.

Stephen

[Ellis]

Here is a couple of Mr Hoinville....

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/GHoinvilleScMGTC_zpsfe865652.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/GHoinvilleScMGTC_zpsfe865652.jpg.html)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/falcongtho/Hodgson-HoinvilleAmpolTrial1st1970_zpse83d8563.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/user/falcongtho/media/Hodgson-HoinvilleAmpolTrial1st1970_zpse83d8563.jpg.html)

[mid-year]

Hi Ellis.I remember those beautiful Brambles Red XWGS rally cars staging through Brisbane and they were great looking cars complete with the crew wearing the corporate pale blue overalls with the iconic "super-roo" emblem,such an awesome era when Ford Australia was entering motor sport in so many categories.....how the times change.

Regards Pete.

[Steve Holmes]

This is really great stuff guys, thanks heaps.

[maxspeed]

23563
Here is another photo of the 250 LM Ferrari at - I think - the first right hander Pukekohe.

[Terry S]

23563
Here is another photo of the 250 LM Ferrari at - I think - the first right hander Pukekohe.

I see that one of these Ferraris recently sold at an RM Auction in the US for USD 14,300,000. Incredible!

[Greg Mackie]

All inspired by your photos Pete.

Graham has been involved with CAMS since the start - 60 years ago. He was also the only competitor at this year's AGP Albert Park 60th anniversary with his original car (MG TC). Who had competed at the 1953 Albert Park AGP meeting. So he tends to hang on to his cars.

Stephen

Maybe it's something about MG TCs, Stephen....Lance Hill still has his TC that he raced, almost as long ago.