Photos: The Sprague Family Collection

[seaqnmac27]

Here you go Grant, did you know this was out there.

https://youtu.be/ACgKhQdEb_E

[Grant Sprague]

Here you go Grant, did you know this was out there.

https://youtu.be/ACgKhQdEb_EThe early days in Anglias, I can still se the temp gauge rising on that grid......great to see Bay Park again & didn't the Jag sound cool...our anglias dominated even over the v,8s....probably 5 yrs in a row that when we decided to go into v8,s....Thank you Seamac

[Grant Sprague]

The early days in Anglias, I can still se the temp gauge rising on that grid......great to see Bay Park again & didn't the Jag sound cool...our anglias dominated even over the v,8s....probably 5 yrs in a row that when we decided to go into v8,s....Thank you SeamacI should have added as the yrs rolled by more v8,s came & did get quicker that the anglias..........THEN we had to join in with the 289s

[Grant Sprague]

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The boys after winning ANZ , Gary,Pumkin, Dad &Alby..Promo photo Chch for Ford Motor Co

[Roger Dowding]

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The boys after winning ANZ , Gary,Pumkin, Dad &Alby..Promo photo Chch for Ford Motor Co

Grant, do you know anything about Ernie running an 1172 cc Morris Minor in 1954 at Dunedin, it features in the programme on my Dunedin Street races thread .. the Morris Minor in the same field has the 918 sidevalve..?? could it be a Ford side valve, did it to run over 1000cc , but don't think they had that category then, 0 - 1000, 1001 - 1300, 1301 etc .. classes in 1954.

[Grant Sprague]

Grant, do you know anything about Ernie running an 1172 cc Morris Minor in 1954 at Dunedin, it features in the programme on my Dunedin Street races thread .. the Morris Minor in the same field has the 918 sidevalve..?? could it be a Ford side valve, did it to run over 1000cc , but don't think they had that category then, 0 - 1000, 1001 - 1300, 1301 etc .. classes in 1954.Hi Rog, I have a photo some where of Dad with a low light minor grey I think in colour , would have been late model I would think in the day , really not sure on the class etc it was never really mentioned from him , but sure it would be a side valve being a low light model .. hope you well over there Roger ...

[Roger Dowding]

Hi Rog, I have a photo some where of Dad with a low light minor grey I think in colour , would have been late model I would think in the day , really not sure on the class etc it was never really mentioned from him , but sure it would be a side valve being a low light model .. hope you well over there Roger ...

all good, Grant, thanks for the reply, Spgeti,Bruce Dyer, sent me these programme's and am slowly putting them on TRS.. cheers, Roger

[Grant Sprague]

all good, Grant, thanks for the reply, Spgeti,Bruce Dyer, sent me these programme's and am slowly putting them on TRS.. cheers, Roger................ Roger Gary mentioned a few months ago he is happy to catch up with you next time he is in Melbourne .....to add a bit to NZ motor racing ....history that would be cool , appreciate yr input for Steve's site

[Grant Sprague]

Grant at Wellington 2000
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Gary at Timaru 1968
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[BMCBOY]

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[seaqnmac27]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUX8HmRZwGE&feature=youtu.be

[Grant Sprague]

Thanks for sharing these , they were great years for sure .. I would have been there , plus a glimps of the Anglia & 3.8 Jag of Dads Gary would race the Anglia & Ernie the Jag , I would be eating mums bacon & egg pie ....& collecting empty fizz bottles in between watching ... as the yrs rolled on it was my turn, I think Ruapuna is such a great track ....

[Steve Holmes]

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These are awesome! Out of interest, what ever happened to the white XD Falcon in the bottom photo? This was one of only three Falcons that competed in NZ under Group A rules. Even in Australia the Falcon never raced in Group A.

[Grant Sprague]

Steve , Peter did a deal with a guy in Cambridge , swapped it for a falcon S and some cash the difference , I forget the mans name but foggy knows more about the history of it than me he might add to this a name like Buckridge springs to mind then I might be wrong , the car raced in some class at Taupo, when I racing my SCANZ car & I recall it then , it seemed to go backwards from there no disrespect to that owner , as I think he put him self in the deep end ......Pump
kin & team were happy to move on ..and that was about it Steve

[John McKechnie]

In the video - Jim Palmer in the yellow Monaro won the Production Endurance race, Boot open on the Mercury Cyclone which didnt finish.Kennedy in the white Mustang and Baker in the Plymouth

[AMCO72]

Grant, the mans name was Tim Buxton.........ruined a historic car and turned it into a 'hot rod'....... Dont know where it is now, but the son, Darren took it over. It will lying in a shed somewhere.......a heap of junk. At the Taupo meetings, the engine was lucky to last a couple of laps.......I think I know who the engine builder was but my lips are sealed... :)

[Grant Sprague]

John you would be correct , I do remember Jim bringing the Monaro down from Hamilton it must have been new in those days , oddly enough I only met Jim for the first time at Hampton last year , a really good down to earth funny kiwi bloke still has a car sale yard must look him up next time over there ..

[Grant Sprague]

Thanks AMCO ............ that would be correct ......yes you are right .

[John McKechnie]

Grant, the mans name was Tim Buxton.........ruined a historic car and turned it into a 'hot rod'....... Dont know where it is now, but the son, Darren took it over. It will lying in a shed somewhere.......a heap of junk. At the Taupo meetings, the engine was lucky to last a couple of laps.......I think I know who the engine builder was but my lips are sealed... :)

I remember here is a picture of possibly this car on TRS a side view with it looking like a bit like a Sports Sedan,anyone else remember this ?

http://www.theroaringseason.com/showthread.php?444-New-Zealand-Sports-Sedans-Database-Histories-And-Whereabouts/page2&highlight=buxton
#26-

[Steve Holmes]

Grant, the mans name was Tim Buxton.........ruined a historic car and turned it into a 'hot rod'....... Dont know where it is now, but the son, Darren took it over. It will lying in a shed somewhere.......a heap of junk. At the Taupo meetings, the engine was lucky to last a couple of laps.......I think I know who the engine builder was but my lips are sealed... :)

Gerald, you have a good memory. I had completely forgotten it became Tim Buxton's Sports Sedan. I only ever saw it race once as a Sports Sedan. It was painted yellow and had huge box flares. It arrived as a Sports Sedan just as the new breed of American style space-frame cars were being introduced to NZ, so was never in the hunt.

I could be wrong but I think the photo below was following another rebuild.

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[khyndart in CA]

Grant,
This may be old stuff but I came across this site showing brother Gary at Ruapuna in 1969.
Cheers,
Ken.
http://mcc.museums.org.nz/1969_Ruapuna_in_Feb.htm


Some great B/W photos also at this site from the Marborough Car Club.



(Ken Hyndman )

[seaqnmac27]

Grant,
This may be old stuff but I came across this site showing brother Gary at Ruapuna in 1969.
Cheers,
Ken.
http://mcc.museums.org.nz/1969_Ruapuna_in_Feb.htm


Some great B/W photos also at this site from the Marborough Car Club.



(Ken Hyndman )

Ken, looking at the photos, I wonder whether the clip I posted in post #261 is actually the same meet as the images from that website

[nigel watts]

This shot was taken many years ago at the Tauranga Historic Museum

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[Grant Sprague]

This shot was taken many years ago at the Tauranga Historic Museum

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Thank you Nigel , my first pre 65 car , saw this a couple weeks ago , looks abit 2nd hand now though, we got it going pretty good , between Alby Collier & I we had 4 anglis & two v8,s all became very good cars

[Milan Fistonic]

This shot was taken many years ago at the Tauranga Historic Museum

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For sale in 1992.

[Grant Sprague]

Woooow Milan , do you believe in syncronicities , the day after seeing my old car here & the for sale add , in comes a pre 65 member that now owns this car , & is thinking of selling it , a bit untidy now but worth more than double when I sold it as is the case now with historic racing cars .

[SPman]

Grant,
Some great B/W photos also at this site from the Marborough Car Club.


(Ken Hyndman )

I like the one labelled "A close look at the working department of the Morris Cooper ‘S' 1293cc of Murray Cockburn from Oamaru. ".....

[Steve Emson]

Yep,
You have to eat bacon and egg pie. An Emson tradition which we still do...................

[Milan Fistonic]

In the video - Jim Palmer in the yellow Monaro won the Production Endurance race, Boot open on the Mercury Cyclone which didnt finish.Kennedy in the white Mustang and Baker in the Plymouth

I was looking for some rally information and came across this photo from the 1971 Heatway Rally.

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[John McKechnie]

Excellent pic Milan, great to see these gems are still out there waiting to be found.

[Grant Sprague]

Steve , yes the bacon & egg pie lives on ....must have been an era thing , BUT like you we still live it , Kylie makes one for the boys , but some times have to hide it as one gut bag smells it out ...and woooooosh its gone we pack it in ice to last that weekend , many more to be eatin as we ramp up our fun

[Grant Sprague]

42021 Latest little escort we are racing , group one ...RS2000..great little fun car , first time this car been raced for 17 yrs..... loved this day with HSC/HMC....will do a few more meetings with it , but need to focus on a quicker grp 2 build ..

[Kiwiboss]

42021 Latest little escort we are racing , group one ...RS2000..great little fun car , first time this car been raced for 17 yrs..... loved this day with HSC/HMC....will do a few more meetings with it , but need to focus on a quicker grp 2 build ..

Well you've got a "Wheel Up" so that's probably fast enough Mr Sprague.............see you next month at Hampton for the Legends meeting....you better be their. Dale m

[Grant Sprague]

I was going to do Puke on 1st April. HMC HSC Dale
..as a group of mates running up there as well as us ... its one or the other Dale ...Which will be the best meeting .

[John McKechnie]

Grant- concrete walls are most unforgiving when a car hits them....so I know from personal experience.
Pukekohe track is enclosed by them and so MUCH more unforgiving than Hampton Downs..........always your call

[Kiwiboss]

Puke??? Grant our last HMC/HSC meeting for this summer is 25/26th March 2017, Legends – Hampton – HRC. Dale M

[Grant Sprague]

Same weekend as first round F1 Melbourne LIVE on SKY ?????:confused:

[nigel watts]

Same weekend as first round F1 Melbourne LIVE on SKY ?????:confused:

You mean F1 slot cars Grant!!

[Grant Sprague]

Yep I guess you are correct Nige but the opening round can be exciting.....re new changes & drivers , love Melbourne had plans to be there actually but things changed with business committments , dont forget to pop in some time ....

[rogered]

A car with Family connections, recently changed hands

http://rmsothebys.com/pa17/paris/lots/1934-alfa-romeo-tipo-b-p3/1691507

[khyndart in CA]

Grant,
I did not know that you had brought the Alfa back to have it on display on Cameron Road. Well done mate.
" Ernie with his 1934/35 Alfa P3. He owned this car in the late 1950s, possibly just prior to buying the Maserati in 1957? "

42061




(Ken H )

[Grant Sprague]

Ken you crack me up .... no not won lotto yet , but yes the Maserati came after the P3, only thing I remember about that car was Dad was topping it up with fuel after driving it around front of showroom where he had caltex pumps were [at that time] I leaned on the exhaust pipes .... strange how we never forget bad burns lol ..hope you all good up there say Hi To Ronny for me ....ok lateRon mate

[khyndart in CA]

Grant,
Speaking of Cameron Road, when we came out to NZ in 1990 I got hold of this XD with the front bench seat and a boot full of a CNG tank from an unnamed salesman close to Roly's lot. I told him we, as a family of 4 were going to take it around the South Island and he assured me of what great mileage I would get with the CNG set up. So we ferry over and I drove into Nelson and started looking for CNG outlets. The BP operator gave me a hard time for being suckered into believing the salesman as there was no CNG in the SI at that time ! She was a great cruiser although when we stopped near Motueka and left a window open while on the beach the wasps invaded and slowed us down a bit. Made it back to Tauranga and found that when we visited the farm we could get the sheep moved as they loved to follow the "family Falcon" perhaps they had picked up my habit of "sniffing the fumes." I tried to sell it after a year but it had a lot of rust and failed WOF. A friend took it and probably made it into a farm trailer or a "paddock racer." So there you have a piece of completely irrelevant information but after seeing the Pukekohe Falcon XD pics. I thought I would throw in another memory.
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Sprague Falcon at Pukekohe. 1981. (Thanks Ross )

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Hyndman's Family Falcon on the farm. 1990

[khyndart in CA]

While we were in Christchurch in 1990 we visited the Ferrymead Heritage Park and found this Brabham for Sean to sit in for 20 cents.
Does anyone know the history of this machine and where it might be today ?
Thanks.
Ken Hyndman.
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[Oldfart]

Ken, they were made for exactly that purpose. Ferris de Joux had a fair bit of involvement. One still survives, sort of, on the Hibiscus Coast outside a hoarders place who won't let go of it. One was at MOTAT. Note the front drive shaft so that the wheels turn, electric from your 20 cents.

[Grant Sprague]

42076Ernie & Paul...... I am sure this was opening of Puke , Dad drove the Mk3 up from Timaru did Mt Maunganui , & Levin ...... I might have the year wrong ?....I was with Mum & Dad this trip seemed very big time back in those days .

[Milan Fistonic]

It was this race at the 1964 NZ GP meeting.

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[John McKechnie]

112- Ray Olenius replaced by G. Harvey...was this the Golden Holden FJ ?

[Allan]

One thing to note in the picture of Ernie and Paul is the size of the crowd.

[khyndart in CA]

Allan,
There were quite a few of us there that day when Bruce McLaren won the NZGP. Jan. 11. 1964.
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The Elbow Corner as Tim Mayer leads the field on the first lap.
(from the Ken Hyndman "box brownie" photo archive. )

[Charles Hertz]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blLKw8oX70Q&t=1s

Video by David Thompson, A battle with car 63 Grant Sprague and car 69 Dennis McConnell's MK1 Escorts at Hampton Downs Tazman Revival 2017

[Steve Holmes]

Grant,
Speaking of Cameron Road, when we came out to NZ in 1990 I got hold of this XD with the front bench seat and a boot full of a CNG tank from an unnamed salesman close to Roly's lot. I told him we, as a family of 4 were going to take it around the South Island and he assured me of what great mileage I would get with the CNG set up. So we ferry over and I drove into Nelson and started looking for CNG outlets. The BP operator gave me a hard time for being suckered into believing the salesman as there was no CNG in the SI at that time ! She was a great cruiser although when we stopped near Motueka and left a window open while on the beach the wasps invaded and slowed us down a bit. Made it back to Tauranga and found that when we visited the farm we could get the sheep moved as they loved to follow the "family Falcon" perhaps they had picked up my habit of "sniffing the fumes." I tried to sell it after a year but it had a lot of rust and failed WOF. A friend took it and probably made it into a farm trailer or a "paddock racer." So there you have a piece of completely irrelevant information but after seeing the Pukekohe Falcon XD pics. I thought I would throw in another memory.
42065
Sprague Falcon at Pukekohe. 1981. (Thanks Ross )

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Hyndman's Family Falcon on the farm. 1990

Hi Ken, would you be able to email me a cope of this photo so I can use it in my upcoming Fords book?

[Grant Sprague]

This is an interesting clip as it shows how easy it is to keep your ground when two others are fighting behind giving me breathing space , also shows the difference in looks etc between group one & group two , these are fun cars in HMC /NZHSC

[Grant Sprague]

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[Grant Sprague]

Sorry for such a small photo will try & enlarge , this shows Peter & Ernie getting the Jag ready for SI production races plus one of the Mk4 zephers for Puke , I always loved this work shop as Dad thought about the light aspect getting as many windows as possible.

[khyndart in CA]

I gave it a try mate but these are tough ones.
Hoping you and all dear ones are doing ok. Flooded buildings can be a nightmare. Stay safe my friend.

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(Ken Hyndman )

[Rod Grimwood]

i may have copy of this Grant, not positive but remember it, will have alook.

[GD66]

Don't think the pic will co-operate, it was only small to start with.:cool:

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[Grant Sprague]

Thank you Ken yes we are fine thanks mate , just water but one of the elements of big power we need to treat it with respect it can save us or kill us , we are on high ground , feel sorry for some others though , Rod & GD66 thank you also , for playing about with the photos much appreciated .

[Andrew Metford]

42021 Latest little escort we are racing , group one ...RS2000..great little fun car , first time this car been raced for 17 yrs..... loved this day with HSC/HMC....will do a few more meetings with it , but need to focus on a quicker grp 2 build ..

Here are 2 pics of your new car when it was owned by Lex Linklater. These were taken at Pukekohe in February 1998. The last time I saw the car race was at the Whangarei Street race in the year 2000. Then as you say, it rested for the next 17 years. Good to see it back out, and still as it was.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2923/33214928534_15ea78afb2_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/SB6c4C)100 (https://flic.kr/p/SB6c4C) by Andrew Metford (https://www.flickr.com/photos/148204111@N05/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2925/33214927744_e882975e2b_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/SB6bQ1)101 (https://flic.kr/p/SB6bQ1) by Andrew Metford (https://www.flickr.com/photos/148204111@N05/), on Flickr

[GD66]

Spotted on the NZ Car-related street scenes fb page. Allan Dick has kindly added a caption there.
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[Grant Sprague]

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[Grant Sprague]

A bit of a long winded build with parts scattered from UK , USA , Chch & Auckland , but will be a good car , not one bit of rust chassis like new, heard from my mate in Chch last night cam carrier is cracked the list mounting up & up . Not like the old days the $$ went down the dunny but not these thank God ....

[Andrew Metford]

You doing bubble guards in the second picture? Shame to see such an original unmolested car cut up...........

[Spgeti]

You doing bubble guards in the second picture? Shame to see such an original unmolested car cut up...........

Hi Andrew, the car is an existing bubble flared Mk1, not the existing RS2000, and is being built to FIA Appendix K.

[Grant Sprague]

Hi Andrew, the car is an existing bubble flared Mk1, not the existing RS2000, and is being built to FIA Appendix K. Andrew , I would never ever do that , the new car has a like new chassis complete virgin chassis

[Andrew Metford]

Oh ok so the bubble guard / 5 link pictures are not the ex Lex Linklater car? That's great then, carry on!!!

[Grant Sprague]

51528 Gary & Grant Xmas meeting Auckland 2018...............

[Grant Sprague]

I have another Brother Wayne , he is between Gary & I in age , Wayne had a wee play in racing , he won a 30 min production race at Ruapuna if my memory serves me correct [in ex B&H victor] , shortly after that Ernie put him in the deep end with the GTHO at Wigram , Wayne complained of rear brake lock up in practice , it let go at Bombay backwards into 44 gallon drums of water , it was the year JR came down for a race in his HO, was a very tall ask for an 18 yr old with absolutley no race experience escpecially in that super car of the 70,s ... that was the end of it for Wayne as this put him off not to mention wanted more of a family life , Gary never raced the HO as was in UK & Grant was way too young

[Grant Sprague]

51656 Replica Mk 3

[Grant Sprague]

51663 Levels late 60,s

[Grant Sprague]

51664 Gary & Red Levels

[khyndart in CA]

Grant,
I am sorry to have missed you the other day and this is to prove I came by your office !
All the best in your racing endeavors this year.
Cheers, Ken Hyndman. (p.s. Grant, can I get the ice cream, pencil and a balloon when I come back ? )

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[John McKechnie]

#322- would this have been one of the meetings after Red and Spinner came together at Wigram, could explain the big damage to the Mustang ?

[Grant Sprague]

Ken , I just missed you & got yr note .........ps, when you mentioned might catch up at Taupo I was racing at the 50th at levels that same weekend , got to drive a mates laser turbo , very interesting weekend never raced on that extension and found it quite interesting the challenge was exciting , more to learn another weekend I might add.

[Roger Dowding]

Grant,
I am sorry to have missed you the other day and this is to prove I came by your office !
All the best in your racing endeavors this year.
Cheers, Ken Hyndman. (p.s. Grant, can I get the ice cream, pencil and a balloon when I come back ? )

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Ken and how about a " Cordial " welcome, would prefer a beer..

Story ... When Caltex used the " Boron " name and the slogan as seen above " NOTHING MATCHES BORON " my mate Ron, thought it was great, he got a sticker and trimmed in down so it read " NOTHING MATCHES RON " " and stuck it on his bicycle, that must have been around 1964 when we were still at school .. this from a bit later - the boys in 1967 when we had cars, but no girlfriends, well me anyway .. Richard Steve the other Rog and Myself all had cars, Ron still had his bicycle .. poor lad.

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Steve's Humber 80, with wide Jaguar wheels on the rear, My Mini, with Jolly Wides on the front and a Tractor Muffler, Richards new Fiat Bambina and the other Roger's PA Vauxhall, which was the main transport to Pukekohe as seated 6, with the four on a tree and a bench or crook seat in the front ..

and the tractor muffler ; courtesy of Rob Williams of Allard and Ford V8 Coupe fame an NSCC stalwart since the early 1960's - great mate of Colin Waite, and Allan Woolf - Allan and Colleen Woolf were my neighbours in the late 1950's early 60's in New Lynn. Knew Rob from schooldays as used to callin after school in my mates 1939 Hillman to see welding and stuff, and knew Colin from NSCC days 1967 on, when the above Mini was purchased, about the same time Ken that you had a Anglia " passion wagon "

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[Grant Sprague]

51821Replica...

[Grant Sprague]

51822 50th Anniversary Level 2018 little pocket rocket

[Grant Sprague]

52064 Glenvale 200 Bay Park

[Roger Dowding]

51821Replica...

Indeed ... here it is again, seen before - this is at Hamilton Telecom Motorfest 1994, Frankton - Hamilton NZ

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Normally the original raced against these
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The entry ticket,a phone card still with $5.00 on it
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and an Austin - Healey on the card..

[Grant Sprague]

52206 Dad 4CLT Maserati GP car , local hill climb , Timaru, the car had an up grade nose cone for this climb . Proud to be one of the Sons of this man , a hard bugger but a great teacher in more ways than one sadly missed .....

[bry3500]

Courtesy Classic Auto News facebook.

[Red Mk 2]

Steve...... yes the wills 6 hr car & B & H cars plus the mk 111 were driven up to the North Island plus the ANZ falcon were driven up & down ..............just the way things were not a lot of $$$ around in those days ..But that's the way it was regardless for most during the 60,s & 70,s

Grant, we now own a Red Mk 2, rego CT1666, did your father ever drive that one and if he did do you have any photos? He may well have sold it originally? I was told by the seller of the car to my father that Tony Shelley supplied the car to Rod Coppins and John Ward to race at the 1966 Gold Leaf. Thanks Steve

[Steve Holmes]

Grant, we now own a Red Mk 2, rego CT1666, did your father ever drive that one and if he did do you have any photos? He may well have sold it originally? I was told by the seller of the car to my father that Tony Shelley supplied the car to Rod Coppins and John Ward to race at the 1966 Gold Leaf. Thanks Steve

Wow, that is cool! Do you have a photo?