New Zealand Hillclimbs

[bob homewood]

Thought it might be best to start a new thread for this subject ,there must be heaps of photos etc out there ,as it was a important part of New Zealand Motorsport in our ealier days before the coming of permanent race tracks The Gold Star Hillclimb championship was very hotly contested in earlier years

[RogerH]

Some earlier hillclimb photos - the start at Chamberlain Road :

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/3162/83chamblinrdbombay.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/695/83chamblinrdbombay.png/)

George Bunce (I think) :

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/1237/70chevgeorgebunceh.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/5/70chevgeorgebunceh.png/)

The Lycoming (Jim Boyd) :

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/6590/cc13k.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/15/cc13k.jpg/)

[bob homewood]

Roger,
The Chev Coupe is George Dixon,some time ago I showed him this photo and we indentified it from the Licence plate and the mirrors which he remembers fitting,its Top Corner at Chamberlain Road ,he had the results but we couldn't put a exact date to it

[RogerH]

Thanks Bob - I wasn't too sure - at least I got the George bit right :)

[RogerH]

A more recent photo of me having an "off" at Kellyville a few year back - mainly damage to the ego :

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/861/taraschikellyvilleoff2.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/853/taraschikellyvilleoff2.jpg/)

[RogerH]

Dennis Phillips in the Mark Petch owned Katipo MJ70A F5000. Photo courtesy of Milan Fistonic from TNF.

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8365/dennisphillipskatipo.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/200/dennisphillipskatipo.jpg/)

[Steve Holmes]

A more recent photo of me having an "off" at Kellyville a few year back - mainly damage to the ego :

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/861/taraschikellyvilleoff2.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/853/taraschikellyvilleoff2.jpg/)

Neat photo Roger, but ouch! How did you end up out there? Just as well you missed those rocks, they look a bit lethal.

[RogerH]

Neat photo Roger, but ouch! How did you end up out there? Just as well you missed those rocks, they look a bit lethal.

You know how it is - last run of the day and only 1.3 seconds to set fastest time in class .........
The car got very sideways on a relatively high speed corner and I hit some gravel so it was a choice of an almost sheer drop on one side and bank and rocks on the other - I chose the bank. The front right wheel hit the rocks but no body damage and an easy repair.

[Steve Holmes]

Yeah I would have chosen the bank and rocks too Roger! Neat car by the way. Is it a Stanguellini or Volpini? What is its history? How about creating a thread about it? Would love to know more.

[bob homewood]

1213

Ok this is a photo of a Coupe at a early Chamberlain Road Hill climb it gives I think a great oveview of how the Hill was and the nature of the surrounding country side in those days
I am sorry I cant identify the car driver or exact date in this photo,any ideas ?

[bob homewood]

1215

This photo of John Mansel in the paddock at Chamberlain road is again from the early Chamberlain Road days and possibly is the same day as the Coupe photo

[Chris Kitzen]

Got any at Bright Rd Bob?

[bob homewood]

1216

I am going out on a bit of a limb here and identifying Ken Sager perhaps from his jacket,once again its from those early Chamberlain Road years ,incidentally have a good look at the tyre patterens from back then

[bob homewood]

Got any at Bright Rd Bob?

Chris ,no sorry I don't have any I can think of ,have heaps of myself over years on different hills but I'm a bit modest on that one

[pallmall]

The 34 Coupe could be Ross Jensen, I think he was still hillclimbing it when he had the Healey.

[Rod Grimwood]

Put them up Bob, seen a good one of the Anglia with attitude at Chamberlain but can not find it. Just post them and we will try and guess who it may be.

[RogerH]

Yeah I would have chosen the bank and rocks too Roger! Neat car by the way. Is it a Stanguellini or Volpini? What is its history? How about creating a thread about it? Would love to know more.
It is actually a 1959 Taraschi FJ built by Berardo Taraschi in Teramo, Italy. He built about 60 race cars but many were bike engined sports cars that ran in the likes of the Mille Miglia in the late 1940s and early 1950s. There were around 20 of the FJ cars made and about 6 are currently active worldwide. Mine raced mainly in the US at the likes of Watkins Glen, Sebring etc and it didn't have any notable drivers except for Kirk White who was a US Ferrari distributor and Brock Yates who originated the Cannonball Run and was involved with "Car and Driver" from memory. Brock contacted me a couple of years ago and wanted to buy the car back - he said it was his favourite race car although it had made him deaf in the right ear with the megaphone exhaust.
I have another single seater with a lot more history (currently with Bob Homewood getting it's engine tweaked) so I may put together a thread on it sometime.
Link to the Taraschi site : http://www.squadrataraschi.it/

[RogerH]

A couple of photos taken (I think) at Chamberlain Road :

Jim Boyd in the HWM
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/3205/cc1cu.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/163/cc1cu.jpg/)

John Curtis in the A40 Special with the Barden? alongside
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/7564/422email.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/225/422email.jpg/)

[Steve Holmes]

It is actually a 1959 Taraschi FJ built by Berardo Taraschi in Teramo, Italy. He built about 60 race cars but many were bike engined sports cars that ran in the likes of the Mille Miglia in the late 1940s and early 1950s. There were around 20 of the FJ cars made and about 6 are currently active worldwide. Mine raced mainly in the US at the likes of Watkins Glen, Sebring etc and it didn't have any notable drivers except for Kirk White who was a US Ferrari distributor and Brock Yates who originated the Cannonball Run and was involved with "Car and Driver" from memory. Brock contacted me a couple of years ago and wanted to buy the car back - he said it was his favourite race car although it had made him deaf in the right ear with the megaphone exhaust.
I have another single seater with a lot more history (currently with Bob Homewood getting it's engine tweaked) so I may put together a thread on it sometime.
Link to the Taraschi site : http://www.squadrataraschi.it/

Thanks Roger, that is interesting. Those Italian cottage industry race car manufacturers certainly made some beautiful cars. Its interesting Brock Yates had the car. Do you know if he had it when it was still a period race car, or was it something he owned for historic racing? He has owned for many years the Duffy Livingston 'Eliminator' T-bucket bodied hot rod road racer that Livingston had quite some success with in the '50s against the Ferrari's and Maserati's etc. He actually wrote a book on this car, and has been a prominent motoring/motorsport journalist for many years.

[RogerH]

Thanks Roger, that is interesting. Those Italian cottage industry race car manufacturers certainly made some beautiful cars. Its interesting Brock Yates had the car. Do you know if he had it when it was still a period race car, or was it something he owned for historic racing? He has owned for many years the Duffy Livingston 'Eliminator' T-bucket bodied hot rod road racer that Livingston had quite some success with in the '50s against the Ferrari's and Maserati's etc. He actually wrote a book on this car, and has been a prominent motoring/motorsport journalist for many years.

Brock Yates owned it pretty much in period. I have records of him racing it in 1962 at Watkins Glen, Redding and Dunkirk (the US version). He advertised it for sale in "Road and Track" in June 1963 as "Taraschi F-Jr.One of the most beautiful, most competitive front engine Juniors in the nation. Fresh engine with all latest modifications. Goodyears, spares. Reasonably priced". He also wrote a column for "Competition Press" called "Brockbusters" and he mentioned racing the Taraschi in the 12 October 1963 edition.

[Steve Holmes]

Wow, its great you've managed to trace so much of its history. The Yates ownership is very cool.

[bob homewood]

Roger,yes the Jim Boyd one is at the start line on the bridge at the bottom of Chamberlain Road,that bridge used to get real slippery in the wet as the mud got carried on to it.The other shot is in the paddock at the top which was used as the pits,on a day with big entries that paddock would be full of cars

[Rod Grimwood]

Yep Chamberlain wooden bridge start, Cossies Farm concrete cow shed, Gees you guys were rough and tough. Photos of little Anglia Bob

[bob homewood]

1283

Andersons Farm 1970 ,the hill that went down before it went up ,basically a clay surface ,fast as you dared to go,loved it,

[Rod Grimwood]

Great photo Bob, yea that was a hard case farm road but good fun. As you say "you could have a go" if you wanted too. Just down the road to the good old Albany Pub at bottom of hill to get rid of dust. Remember the Anglia well. Millen in the buggy was pretty good to watch here, and it was a great spectator watch as people just parked on road or in top paddock and you could see the lot.

[bob homewood]

1524

[stubuchanan]

Vic Simpkin waiting for the start at Quarry Road, Muriwai 1958. A popular venue for most of the 50's, conveniently handy to the McLaren family beach bach. Eventually replaced by Chamberlain Road, Bombay.

[stubuchanan]

Peach Hill Road, Ramarama was used for a few events in the late 1950's. Here is Merv Neil in the Bobtailed Cooper, still with the trademark McLaren number 47.

[Chris Kitzen]

http://www.theroaringseason.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1524

Taylorville Hillclimb Westland Greymouth Motors BDA Escort December 1971


Who was driving this Bob and where did the BDA come from? There can't have been many BDA's in NZ at that time.

[Rod Grimwood]

Looking at the driver I would say it is Bob, if not there were 2 mighty midgets.

[Chris Kitzen]

Yep that's what I was thinking :D

[bob homewood]

Yep that's what I was thinking :D
Yes sorry Chris ,for some reason the bit I wrote about it dissapeared .It was me driving I built that BDA engine when I was working in Greymouth in !971.Greymouth Motors which was owned by Jim Kennedy at that time were Ford Dealers ,the engine was brought in from the UK bramd new around mid 1971 and was modified by myself ,it was probably among the first BDA engines to arrive here and without self promotion was striiped ,modified and rebuilt by me to my own specs ,in fact the whole car was built in Grey with the 72 Heatway and the Southern Cross in mind but thats another story ,interesting aside I had that car up and running late 71 and both Jim and I drove it on racing tyres at a Timaru Osca meeting a couple of weeks before that hillclimb which incidentally I won

[bob homewood]

Stu,That photo in turn brings back some memories for me ,that hillclimb was/is about half a k away from where I live ,although I had been to Ardmore before that ,that hillclimb probably fired up my major interest in motor sport ,from that day on I walked and hiked to every motor sport event that I could locally and later that evolved into train trips trips to Levin before I even left school ,interestingly enough many years later I was involved with Merv when he was racing one of the Chargers

[Chris Kitzen]

It's a pitty that so many people live up all the old hillclimb roads now as it would be great to run some of them again. It's a bloody struggle to find suitable roads now and it costs a fortune to advertise road closures in public notices, get a traffic management plan done, spend time going to council meetings bla bla bla

[bob homewood]

It's a pitty that so many people live up all the old hillclimb roads now as it would be great to run some of them again. It's a bloody struggle to find suitable roads now and it costs a fortune to advertise road closures in public notices, get a traffic management plan done, spend time going to council meetings bla bla bla

Chris ,most of the Hills have changed so much now,Peach Hill and Chamberlain Road are nothing like they were originally ,some of the earlier Puke car club ones are now more like a sealed bent sprint ,bit of a idea with the forthcoming reunion how about a bus trip round the old original Puke car club hillclimb venues

[Chris Kitzen]

Definitely food for thought.

[bob homewood]

1591

Another of me from from the 69/70 Season This was at Cosseys Farm where on this day I managed to snare the Hill Record and FTD ,it capped of a great weekend because the day before I managed to achieve the same double feat at Andersons Farm,I nicknamed this photo understeer !

[seaqnmac27]

I found this a while back 79 Riverhead Hill Climb http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCmPmqjhTQY&feature=related

[Rod Grimwood]

This is on another thread but another shot of the famous top of Chamberlain Rd.

[Rod Grimwood]

Same corner, same guy a few years later (Valiant with 400 chev) but different approach and result.

[Rod Grimwood]

Same guy (Glen Jones), different coupe at Nongataha hillclimb Rotorua, now that was a good challenge, tarseal and tight corners. Later years Glen put the Valiant over the side at top of climb, he had fun in that Valiant.

[beowulf]

What a pity that the spread of surbubia and straightening of roads has destroyed so many hillclimb venues. Those Gold Star hillclimbs used to be major events. All sorts of people travelled to them. Jim Boyd Lycoming. Steve Boreham Cooper BSA then Vincent. Ken Sager,
John Warring Terrapin and McLaren M4. Tom Donavan(?) Formula Pacific. Murray Firth. The Millens and so an. Wairarapa Car Club members used to billet visiting drivers and some long lasting friendships were made. Admiral hill in the Wairarapa is still just as it was 50 years ago. Although they run a longer course now. Anything under 40 secs was a pretty good time. Great times, some great characters and a lot of fun.

[David McKinney]

Admiral Road was the first hillclimb I attended (November 1960) and rarely missed an event for the next few years, even after moving to Wellington. Some great memories

[stubuchanan]

The Northern Sports Car Club ran hillclimbs here in the late '50's and 1960's. Now you wouldn't recognise it, large Chicken Farming operation or similar and tarsealed road. But fun at the time. At least you can still get your mouthful of dust on Rally stages today.

Red Dawson I believe, and a spinning Daimler

[David McKinney]

Chicken farming or ostrich farming?

John Richards was a bit of an ace in a black SP250 - the car's a bit far away to identify

[beowulf]

Admiral Road was the first hillclimb I attended (November 1960) and rarely missed an event for the next few years, even after moving to Wellington. Some great memories
Admiral Road was also my first hillclimb. In a 1939 Ford 10, It fell over at the hairpin, still wasn't the slowest car in the event.

[bob homewood]

Chicken farming or ostrich farming?

John Richards was a bit of an ace in a black SP250 - the car's a bit far away to identify

I was down closer to that corner on that day ,yes it would have been Johnny Richards,I remember after he got going after that spin that the rear tyres were spinning so much that it just sounded like a saw cutting through wood

[Rod Grimwood]

Remember early 70s leaving North Shore (Auck) on a Friday about lunch time and heading for Admiral Rd Masterton with one buggy on A-frame behind XY ute with petrol cans and few spares and wheels on back with 3 across the bench seat. You had to be mates or it did not work on these trips. ute was followed by Rod Millen in his buggy (not for long) and off we went. Arrived at Masterton about 9.30 Friday night and meet by friendly club members, paper work done a couple of beers and off to their place for a sleep. Up morning feed and taken to hill climb. Great dice all day long with Warring and then back to club for prizegiving. At about 8 pm Millen ask's how much you guys had to drink. "oh a couple" then he says "we might as well head up ah, theres a hillclimb at Bald Hill tomorrow". So we thank everyone and off we go. Well the lights were real neat on the buggy "TUI YEA RIGHT" any way i rode with Rod to Waiurou. it was quite cosy around legs with heat from radiator sweeping past legs but the ears were cold even with full balaclava. We were going to swap the buggys over on the A frame and just un hooked PJ"s buggy when a E-Type Jag goes past. This is red rag a to bull with Millen and he looks, smiles and says come on PJ lets play. They take off and Shorty and myself head off up the Desert Rd towards Turangi in the ute. We get to the Service Station at Turangi turn off and here is the guy in the E-Type chatting away to Rod and PJ. As the story goes he said he saw some dim lights coming and he thought well i'm getting along alright wonder what that is, and did not believe it when the buggy's past him. So off he went and said it was not too bad until the twisty stuff and the climbs out of those valleys. Next he saw the guy's was at the Service Station and looked in back behind seat and could not believe a V6 could be in there. Any way after a quick refuel Rods buggy on A frame and change of drivers so others could have nap, off to Bald Hill. we made it for day and PJ let me have a drive for the day. I think i was 3rd behind Rod and Doug Bremner. Then off home, unload, sleep very well and off to work Monday. Alot off us used to do this in "the good old days" But those peolpe at Masterton were great and we meet them lots more over the Daybreaker Rally trips.
Admiral Road was also my first hillclimb. In a 1939 Ford 10, It fell over at the hairpin, still wasn't the slowest car in the event.

[stubuchanan]

Chicken farming or ostrich farming?

John Richards was a bit of an ace in a black SP250 - the car's a bit far away to identify

Originally Ostrich farming in the 1880's or so by Swiss settlers who presumably set up nearby community of 'Helvetia'. L D Nathan's also had ostrich farms in the Auckland area. They were catering for the then current fad of ostrich feathers for ladies' hats. For some unaccountable reason it didn't last, and in a few years the only trace was the road name, Ostrich Farm Rd, off Ostrich Road, Patumahoe or Paerata or whatever.

Latest enterprise definitely looks like raising chickens(not ostriches) for meat.

[Rod Grimwood]

Bob you may be able fill this one in. I found it in one of my old folders. It did have Goodwin written under it but not sure.

[bob homewood]

Rod,
Yes I can remember Goody driving that weapon a couple of times ,I can't quite pin down where that photo is taken ,but I will try to have a look and see where it might have been

[beowulf]

Peter Parnell had a Fiat 500 with a much larger motor stuffed in the back. VW or Corvair, I can't remember which. Old age is a bugger. Don"t think it was him though. David will probably know if it is.

[David McKinney]

No, I think that's a northern venue

And I can't remember what engine Peter Parnell used either

A few years earlier John Mines (of JRM sportscar fame) had a Fiat 500 with an A-Type BMC engine

[bob homewood]

No I am pretty sure that is Noel Goodwin,I remember the car,I can't quite place the venue at the moment ,but I did see another photo of it just recently ,I will keep looking

[stubuchanan]

1972Here's a venue with a punga fern tree - Ararimu Road, Paparimu. Presume it's a Pukekohe Car Club event. MG is unknown but V8 could be Trevor Horncy - Viewed from under some trees as the rain set in. Visited a friend out here last year and took my photos with me, but couldn't get my bearings at all. I think the winding part of the hill has been realigned out of existence, and the scrub on hills is now pine plantation. And it was only about 45 years ago!

[Graeme Farr]

Hi Bob, David etc,

John Mines car was for sale in a Lower Hutt car sales in the late 70's - had a purple custom paint and supposedly a 970S engine in it. It was later seen less engine and maybe was wrecked for the parts - it had Cooper S discs. I think Parnells was a 600 rather than a 500. He works in the Hutt these days on exotics. There was a VW powered 600 in Wainui in the late 70's too - not sure it was Parnells one. Also was a tatty yellow ex race car 600 for sale in Raumati about the same time. And yet another in the Ohau wreckers together with a cool Mini 850 powered Isetta.

Graeme

[bry3500]

Bagnall-Jaguar car at the Palmer Road Hill Climb, Breaker Bay, Wellington, 1964

[bry3500]

Herb Gilroy, Austin A40 Special

[bry3500]

http://www.kolumbus.fi/leif.snellman/hcwg.htm
complete list of Hillclimb winners up to 1949 - NewZealand included

[105angria]

got any pics of the katipo Bri

[Milan Fistonic]

Rod,
Yes I can remember Goody driving that weapon a couple of times ,I can't quite pin down where that photo is taken ,but I will try to have a look and see where it might have been

That's the second-to-last corner at the top of Chamberlain Road.

[Milan Fistonic]

This was taken at a MG Car Club Hillclimb held in the Crum clay pit in Golf Road Titirangi. I don't remember the driver's name but I do remember the car being called "Granny" because it belonged to his Grandmother.


1979

[Milan Fistonic]

Unfortunately it all proved to be too much for the front axle.

1980

[RogerH]

Herb Gilroy, Austin A40 Special

As it is now after many years of transformation. Chris Amon at the wheel before it ran out of petrol (my fault) :

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/7205/chrisamonfestival2ndwee.jpg

[Steve Holmes]

Good to see you finally broke the ice Milan, its great to have you here. Off to a good start too with Granny!

[Milan Fistonic]

1982

Doug Cross in the MER at Chamberlain Road

[David McKinney]

Bagnall-Jaguar car at the Palmer Road Hill Climb, Breaker Bay, Wellington, 1964
Actually Houghton Bay
(And I hope you got permission from the Alexander Turnbull Library before posting the pic:) )

[bry3500]

er...:)

[stubuchanan]

This was taken at a MG Car Club Hillclimb held in the Crum clay pit in Golf Road Titirangi. I don't remember the driver's name but I do remember the car being called "Granny" because it belonged to his Grandmother.


1979

Could the driver have been Terry Waterfield? My newspaper clipping for a 12 Feb 1961 event has him first equal in the up to 1500 cc saloons in an Austin 7. Report describes it as an "equalising course" - listed results show 20 drivers in 6 classes with only 3.6 seconds covering the lot of them.

[David McKinney]

I presumed that was a Mini, as his time was equal with a VW, with a[nother?] Mini third and a Humber 80, driven by one R Franicevic, fourth

[bry3500]

Cool head and hands and the power from a Gypsy aircraft engine took Motueka racing driver Charlie Bensemann and his Stanton Special up Pig Valley hill climb conducted by the Nelson Car Club in the near record time of 39 sec - just 7 sec off the record he established last year. Neil Stuart, who was given best chance of fastest time, lost this chance when he ran off the shingly surface and plunged down a hill. (Pix by Merv Knowles).

[stubuchanan]

I presumed that was a Mini, as his time was equal with a VW, with a[nother?] Mini third and a Humber 80, driven by one R Franicevic, fourth

Yes, perhaps a Mini was a more likely scenario. A few weeks later, at Chamberlain Rd, the Saloons up to 1100 cc class result was :
1. Miles(Austin 7) 2. Waterfield(Austin 7) 3. Johns(Mini Minor). At this stage, as I recall, Minis had only just appeared on the NZ motor sport scene and there weren't any Mini Coopers yet. Wasn't there a problem with Mini wheels breaking up under the stresses of racing/fast cornering in the very early days?

In the Titirangi hillclimb report Franicevic was spelled "Francevic" anyway. A sign of things to come?

[stubuchanan]

I forgot to mention that I was at that Chamberlain Rd climb - we arrived quite late in the day to see a long black car coming round the top corner, hanging the tail out somewhat. Mansel in the TecMec - apparently he had hung the tail out a bit too far on a previous bend and knocked the oil tank off its mountings.

[bry3500]

Nelson 1960s

[bry3500]

nelson

[bry3500]

Nelson

[bry3500]

hill climb

[105angria]

Whos Sheldon Douglas and whats in the Popular ? we have lost so much excitement in our modern wowser world

[bry3500]

Found this info Angria....
A born & bred Nelsonian, Sheldon served his apprenticeship as a motor mechanic at
M.S. Motors, the local Ford agent. Having spent almost 15 years there, he then moved
in to self-employment for the next 7 years, which included 3 years in the building trade
which puts him in good stead with the family home renovation project demands.
Sheldon’s interest in vehicles has continued (he has a bias towards Ford vehicles
though) (I wonder where that came from?....Ed), particularly with his current employ-
ment at Vehicle Testing New Zealand Limited (VTNZ)
Sheldon was a member of the Nelson Car Club for many years and raced a locally built
Ford 8 in many events including the beach races. Later , Sheldon raced a Ford Anglia
105E in the Port Nelson races.
Just to highlight his Ford bias, Sheldon now owns a 1972 Ford Escort Twincam, of
which there were only 2100 built. He imported the car into NZ from Australia in 1999,
but the bias is not only Sheldon’s, as his wife Yvonne owns a 1971 Ford Escort 1300XL.
This was sold new by M.S. Motors and the pre-delivery check and servicing was quite
possibly done by Sheldon when it was new!....

[105angria]

thanks Bry, he had an Anglia, good taste, what was in the pop?

[bob homewood]

2301

I termed this photo "oversteer " I was in the running for most of the day for FTD got pipped on the last run ,but was still fastest saloon,this particular corner was at the end of a reasonably long straight and was a fairly fast third gear corner

[David McKinney]

I forgot to mention that I was at that Chamberlain Rd climb - we arrived quite late in the day to see a long black car coming round the top corner, hanging the tail out somewhat. Mansel in the TecMec - apparently he had hung the tail out a bit too far on a previous bend and knocked the oil tank off its mountings.
The Tec-Mec was always red in Mansel's day, surely?

[stubuchanan]

The Tec-Mec was always red in Mansel's day, surely?

Hmmmm, Interesting question. That would have been the only time I saw the TecMec with the original body and with Mansel driving, and my memory from a mere 50 years ago is of a black car. He incurred some body damage at Wigram and Scott Thompson describes the car as having plenty of priming paint on it at Dunedin the next week. Black was his favourite colour : the P3 Alfa, the 250F Maserati(2508/2513), and the snorkel Cooper perhaps(?), also the jeans,T-shirts and later the overalls. Perhaps he gave it a coat of black when he got back to Auckland after the Southern Tour. Does anyone have a photo or a recollection?

[David McKinney]

It was pristine red again by Waimate
In photos of Mansel at Western Springs at the end of the season the car appears still to be red, though it's hard to tell
And the single-seater body was definitely red when Coppins remounted it in February 1962

[pallmall]

I am pretty sure it was red at Western Springs.

[David McKinney]

Thanks PM
Sorry Stu - the occasions on which it might have been black are narrowing down!

[stubuchanan]

Thanks PM
Sorry Stu - the occasions on which it might have been black are narrowing down!

Looks like the little grey cells must have been in B&W mode that day.

He ran the TecMec at Ostrich farm in March 1961 and was 2nd fastest to Ken Sager's Cooper. The car should have been fast on the lower part of the hill, straight bits and fast bends, but getting round the windy bits at the top must have been spectacular. He was also 4th at the NZ Championship Hill Climb at Hawera a week or 2 later, presumably in the TecMec. Are there any photos out there??

[David McKinney]

He was quoted as driving a Jaguar in the Hawera event - possibly the ex-Coppins XK120, taken as a trade-in?

[stubuchanan]

He was quoted as driving a Jaguar in the Hawera event - possibly the ex-Coppins XK120, taken as a trade-in?

He was a busy fellow wasn't he. He also had the engine-less ex-Yeoman Credit Cooper at that stage.

[bob homewood]

2559

David suggested to me that this is perhaps Ken Smith in his Ford 10 special,date is early sixties ?

[bob homewood]

2560

This photo of the Ford V8 Coupe was on the same day, same corner I don't know driver sorry but open to suggestions,this is around the same area where Stu's photo was taken

[Milan Fistonic]

Roger Lister on the last bend of the Chamberlain Road hillclimb

3388

[pallmall]

1949 scans from NZ Modern Motoring.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/Motor%20Racing%20Historic/19490011364x1500.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/Motor%20Racing%20Historic/19490021145x502.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/Motor%20Racing%20Historic/19490031145x1500.jpg

[Rod Grimwood]

Here's a bit of humour, his wife never knew he was raceing for years. He would say " just off to help the boys down the workshop" or "off fishing". I was with him one weekend and we stopped down the waterfront to buy some fish and he wet the bottom of his jeans to cover the fishing. Car was a handful, it was a Vauxhall Viscount. Had triple webers and extractors etc, but note the trick tyres. It was actually quite a quick car for back then in the late 60's-real early 70's

[Rod Grimwood]

[QUOTE=Rod Grimwood;4785]
Sorry pushed wrong button.
Here's a bit of humour, his wife never knew he was raceing for years. He would say " just off to help the boys down the workshop" or "off fishing". I was with him one weekend and we stopped down the waterfront to buy some fish and he wet the bottom of his jeans to cover the fishing. Car was a handful, it was a Vauxhall Viscount. Had triple webers and extractors etc, but note the trick tyres. It was actually quite a quick car for back then in the late 60's-real early 70's

[Jizim]

The car is a 1934 Ford Five Window Coupe and mate they handled so good. (I have owned about six or seven of these in different configurations...) Threatening to find me another one...

[andrewlister]

Nabbed a few pics from my father recently. His name is Roger Lister and was very involved with the hill climbs and grass track races as well.
Haven't got too much info on when and where so will just post up the pics i have. He had Zephers and 30s chevs at the time.

[andrewlister]

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/7287/img4106ne.jpg

[andrewlister]

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/4036/img4095dy.jpg

[andrewlister]

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/2220/img4096g.jpg

[andrewlister]

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/7295/img4098r.jpg

[andrewlister]

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/7212/img4101v.jpg

[andrewlister]

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/7452/img4102t.jpg

[andrewlister]

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/5749/img4097p.jpg

[andrewlister]

this isn't in action but someone may remember it racing

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/717/img4094b.jpg

[andrewlister]

lucky last, I've got more but they aren't racing ones

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/5455/img4105ju.jpg

[andrewlister]

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/7287/img4106ne.jpg

[andrewlister]

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/7599/img4093wt.jpg

[Racefan]

The Yellow coupe was a dirt track car and was later bought by Wade Foy he used the body to build a drag car . When it was racing on the dirt it had a GMC six . Wade powered it with a BB chev c/w blower and injection .I think it is still around in the hands of George Moulden. The name Rodger List Springs to mind as the owner when it was a Dirt racer . The body was all Fibreglass.

[bob homewood]

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/4036/img4095dy.jpg

Andrew ,in the early 70's your dad used to live not far from me and we competed against each other at Hill Climbs quite a few times,I think this photo judging by the surace is at the Pukekohe Car Club ,Ridge Road Hill Climb ,that is possibly at the first meeting at that venue,it was just a track that was bulldozed up the Hill,and we had a working bee the weekend before to get it ready in time

[Wal Will]

Ken Sager NZ Champ in 61.
Mk9 with a V twin JAP.
Not sure where this was taken, I ran at a Gebbies pass meet when he was there.
It may have been at Clelands Hill (Timaru)

[Wal Will]

At Craigmore Hill (Timaru) Ernie Sprague's Zephyr swallows a stone and bends a valve.
Between runs Ernie and Peter Wilson take off the head, beat the valve straight (in place) with a hammer, and get it going for the next run.

[Wal Will]

Clelands Hill. Colin Kyle (later to go to England with David Young) has a bit of unofficial practice in his Ford 10 special.
A few weeks later I bought the car off him and ran at a meeting on the same hill.
Side valve Ford 10 (Alloy head), Model T Ford Diff with welded spider gears, and a 3 speed Ford gearbox between your knees.
I got rid of the white walls but maintained the elbow hooked over the side, steer with one hand driving style.

[Wal Will]

Gebbies Pass 1960.
The 'Crop Duster' awaits its turn to fly, and Pat Hoare takes off in the Ferrari (minus the fairing from behind the fuel tank)

[andrewlister]

The Yellow coupe was a dirt track car and was later bought by Wade Foy he used the body to build a drag car . When it was racing on the dirt it had a GMC six . Wade powered it with a BB chev c/w blower and injection .I think it is still around in the hands of George Moulden. The name Rodger List Springs to mind as the owner when it was a Dirt racer . The body was all Fibreglass.

Hi Racefan, yes you're right my father (Roger) molded all the body panels from the chevs in these pictures to make a fully fibreglassed one. He also hand built the chassis to make it extra light. Ill try and find the pics of it. Great to have this info preserved somewhere.

[andrewlister]

Andrew ,in the early 70's your dad used to live not far from me and we competed against each other at Hill Climbs quite a few times,I think this photo judging by the surace is at the Pukekohe Car Club ,Ridge Road Hill Climb ,that is possibly at the first meeting at that venue,it was just a track that was bulldozed up the Hill,and we had a working bee the weekend before to get it ready in time


Hi Bob, thanks for the info. Yes we lived in Drury next to Dads business 'Lister Engineering' (next to the now Southern motorway) where he built the cars. Ill try to get him on here and get more photos. Cheers

[bob homewood]

Andrew ,yes it would be great to catch up with your Dad again ,the Ridge Road ? photo was a bit earlier in the piece ,when your Dad lived up by the Quarry and we used to use the quarry access road as a bit of a test track,for some reason I can't seem to post photos to the site ,but later on I will post a photo of myself at that same hillclimb I think it is

[bob homewood]

Andrew ,I think this photo of my Anglia could possibly be at the same venue on the same day ,if you look at the surface it looks very similar ,as I said it was just a bulldozed dirt track at that time, there was no grip ,if you look you will see I ran bigger diameter rear tyres than usual to cut down on the wheel spin that day[ATTACH=CONFIG]6767

[Neville Milne]

Help me out here...wasn't this the track, the Aitkenhead boys bull-dozed through their farm on the Pokeno side of the Deviation? If it was, that's where I tore the right front strut out of my Escort.............ended up taking a whole bunch of no.8 wire and tying it ( very roughly) back in place so I could drive it home. .....

[bob homewood]

Help me out here...wasn't this the track, the Aitkenhead boys bull-dozed through their farm on the Pokeno side of the Deviation? If it was, that's where I tore the right front strut out of my Escort.............ended up taking a whole bunch of no.8 wire and tying it ( very roughly) back in place so I could drive it home. .....

Yes that is the one he sort of looked at the hill and then bulldozed a track ,it was discussed on one of the nights last weekend amongst the group I was with ,and yes that was one that had atraction to your front strut ,actually think amongst my photos I have one of you at that hillclimb ,can't see it handy ,will have to go looking

[Steve Holmes]

Nabbed a few pics from my father recently. His name is Roger Lister and was very involved with the hill climbs and grass track races as well.
Haven't got too much info on when and where so will just post up the pics i have. He had Zephers and 30s chevs at the time.

Andrew, thanks for sharing your Dads pics. His cars are just fantastic! I'm guessing he has a bit of hot rodding blood running through his veins judging by the look of those cars, and the pinstriping on the dark coloured Chevy. I'm trying to figure out what car the extra side trim on the Zephyr came off.

[andrewlister]

Andrew, thanks for sharing your Dads pics. His cars are just fantastic! I'm guessing he has a bit of hot rodding blood running through his veins judging by the look of those cars, and the pinstriping on the dark coloured Chevy. I'm trying to figure out what car the extra side trim on the Zephyr came off.

Ill try to get him on here but i don't like my luck. The black Zephyr 6 was bought in Australia and bought back to New Zealand hence the different chrome strip. Those pics were taken probably up north on the Hikurangi hill climbs or the Waipu South Road Hillclimbs.

[Chris Read]

From Chris Read, Queenstown NZ -first post. Although I started in Gold Star Hillclimbs in the 1960's it was a more recent one in the 90's that I remember the most. No one had done the long course in under 100 seconds, I think it was, so as a veteran of Coronet Peak a couple of us gave it a go. So why not use the Chevron B29 on wets-that would do it!
The hairpin was not armco at that time just bent timber with cables on the back at head height. The first single seater went off and through the barrier and he broke his leg and I was next car and fractured my neck. Thank goodness for the Chevron cockpit side bars as the wire went up over the nose and stopped short from topping me. My old school friend Dick Bennetts when looking after the car in NZ for Brian Redman said the bars would save someone's head one day and little did I know I would own the car and it was mine it saved.
Not sure how to post a photo yet so will try this as a post and if my first go is successful I will post a photo of the incident for posterity.

[Chris Read]

6798
Chevron at Coronet Peak
See if this works. Attaching a photo is a mission.

[Russ Cunningham]

6798
Chevron at Coronet Peak
See if this works. Attaching a photo is a mission.

Don't worry Chris. That's why I have'nt posted any pics. I blame it on not being young and computer savvy.

[khyndart in CA]

Here are NZ hillclimb sites over the years.
New Zealand
Admiral Road
Used in 1959, 1963, 1977, 1979-80.
Airlie Road
Used from 1970-74.
Alexandra Road
Used in 1958, 1960, 1967-72.
Anderson Farm
Used in 1970-72, 1973, 1975, and 1978-79.
Aniseed Valley
Used in 1967.
Arahura Valley
Used in 1972.
Aratoa
Used in 1958.
Austins Road
Used from 1962-1965.
Bald Hill
Used in 1967-68, 1970-73, 1977, and 1979-80.
Barrys Bay
A hillclimb which was part of a reliability trial in 1909.
Bethune's Gully, Dunedin
Used 1923, 1925-1927, 1934-1936, 1955-57, and 1963.
Birdwood Road
Used from 1964-65.
Blue Spur Road
Used in 1972.
Boreham Mill
Used in 1964.
Boys Hill
Used in 1954.
Briggs Gully Zig-Zag
Also known as Pareora, it was used in 1950-51.
Bright Road
Used in 1972-75 and 1980.
Bruce's Road
Used in 1980.
Cape Wanbrow
Used in 1950.
Carrington
Used in 1961-64, 1968, and 1970-72.
Central Road
(Northld) - used in 1980.
Chamberlains Road
Used from 1959-1975.
Chittocks Hill
Used in 1954, 1956, 1959-63 and 1966.
Cleland's Zig-Zag
Sometimes also known as Cleland's Cave, it was used in 1951-52, 1954, 1958-59, and 1961-62.
Coal Pit, Oamaru
Used in 1937, 1949, 1950 and 1960.
College Road
Used from 1970-71.
Coronet Peak
Used in 1974-80.
Cosseys Farm
Used in 1971, 1973-1978, and 1980.
Craigmore
Used in 1953-56, 1959-60, 1963-69, 1972 and 1975.
Don Buck's Road
Used in 1951.
Dovedale
Used from 1955-56.
Duvauchelles
Used in 1963, 1965 and 1978.
Emerson Street
Used from 1951-52.
Enfield Coalpit
Used in 1980.
Flagstaff Hill
Used in 1953-54.
Fordell
Used in 1955-57, 1959-60, and 1964.
Forest Hill
Forest Hill (or Gills Road) was used in 1955-59, 1961, 1963, 1966-67, 1976 and 1979-80. Another venue, known as Forest Hill Road, was used in 1973.
Galvins Road
Used in 1980.
Game Farm Road
Used in 1952-53.
Gebbies Pass, Christchurch
Used in 1949-50, 1956, 1959, 1061-65, 1968, 1973, 1975-76 and 1979-80.
Governor's Bay
Used in 1951.
Griffins Road
Used in 1968.
Griffiths Road
Used in 1967. Is this confused with Griffins Road though?
Hackthorne Road, Christchurch
Used in 1910 and 1911.
Halswell, Christchurch
Used between 1947 and 1950.
Harris
Used in 1971.
Hawera
Used in 1956-57, 1959, and 1961-62.
Heads Road
Also known as Maungatautari, it was used from 1968-69, 1972-74 and 1976-77.
Helensville, Auckland
Used on the 26th April 1932, and again in 1933.
Hoanga
Used in 1963 and 1972.
Holden's Hill
Used in 1964 and 1970.
Honikiwi
Used in 1964.
Hooper's Inlet
Used from 1968-69.
Horahora
Used from 1955-65.
Horokiwi Hill Road
Used in 1951. Possibly another, or the same venue was used in 1972-73.
Houghton Bay
Used in 1953-1975, and 1978.
Hukanui Road
Used in 1974.
Hullbright Road
Used in 1965 and 1967.
Hunters Road
Used in 1965, 1967 and 1969-70.
Irirangi
Used in 1973.
Jewetts Road
Used between 1968 and 1970.
Judgeford, Wellington
Used in 1943, 1945, 1951, 1956-59 and 1961-65.
Kahinau Road
Used in 1968.
Kaitangata
Used in 1962-64, 1967, 1969 and 1977.
Kapiti
Used in 1977.
Kara-Kokopu
Used in 1969.
Karehana Bay, Wellington
Used in 1948 and 1949.
Kawakawa
Used in 1968.
Kerikeri
Used in 1969.
Kerns Road
Used from 1965-70.
Kihikihi Road
Used in 1980.
Koururau
Also known as Taum, it was used in 1979.
Kumara
Used in 1968.
Log Whare Road
Used in 1969 and 1977.
Lyttleton
Used from 1959-1964.
Mahakipawa Hill
Used in 1980.
Mangakahu Valley
Used in 1964.
Mangaone Road
Used in 1980.
Mangaroa
Used in 1957-58, and 1961-65.
Mangatarata
Used in 1978-79.
Maramarua
Used in 1954, 1962-71.
Massey
Used in 1966.
Matarawa Valley
Used in 1980.
Mauma
Used in 1962-63.
Maungaitukutuku Road
Used in 1976-77 and 1980.
McCormacks Bay
Used in 1933.
McLachlan Road
Used in 1978.
McLeans Farm
Used in 1980.
McLean's Road
Used in 1968-71 and 1976.
Mercer
A hillclimb on the Koheroa Road was first used in 1963.
Mill Hill
Used in 1970.
Moenui
Used in 1980.
Mokoroa Gorge Road
Used in 1970.
Moncks Spur Road, Christchurch
Used on the 25th January 1932, and also in 1931 and 1934.
Moonshine Road
Used 1958-60 and 1975-76.
Mount Eden, Auckland
Used in 1948, 1949 and 1952.
Mount Ngongotaha
Used 1967-77.
Mount Shellscott, Auckland
Used in 1947.
Mount Tarawera
Used 1960-67.
Mount Wellington
Used 1960.
Muriwai
Used 1953-58.
Murray Range Road
Used 1980.
Ngapapa
Used around 1957.
Ngawhini
Used in 1965.
Ngutuwera
Used in 1965 and 1969.
North Road
Used in 1980.
Norwood Street, Mount Cargill (Dunedin)
Used in 1949, 1962-63, 1965, and 1967-69.
O'Kains Bay, Christchurch
Used in 1912, 1913 and 1923 (when it was part of a reliability trial).
Okoia, Wanganui
Used on the 1st October 1921. Later used 1968-69, 1971-72, 1975 and 1980.
Old Christchurch Road
Used in 1980.
Old Pukerua Road
Used in 1969.
Oparakau
Used in 1971.
Ormandy Road
Also known as Maungakaramea, it was used in 1964-65, and 1968-72.
Oruanui
Used in 1964 and 1966.
Ostrich Farm
Used from 1959-63.
Otaria Road
Used in 1973-74, 1976 and 1980.
Otorohanga
Used in 1961 and 1964.
Paekakariki Hill, Wellington
Used from 1946-1951, and once sometime around 1913.
Palmer Head
Used between 1960 and 1980.
Paparata Road
First used in 1963.
Paparimu Road
First used in 1963.
Paparoa Road
Used in 1970.
Parawera Hill
Also known as Te Awamutu, it was used in 1965.
Paremoremo
Used in 1973.
Patmos Avenue, Dunedin
Used in 1937, and from 1948 onwards through until 1958.
Penny Road
Used in 1974.
Picton
Used in 1970-72.
Pig Valley
Usedin 1956-57, 1959, 1961-68 and 1971-74.
Pipiriki
Used in 1970-71 and 1973.
Pipi Road
Used in 1980.
Plimmerton
Used in 1952-56.
Pollock Road
Used in 1969-70.
Ponga Road
Used in 1966.
Poporangi Road
Used in 1975-76, 1978 and 1980.
Port Hills, Christchurch
Used in November 1905.
Puhipuhi
Used in 1957-59 and 1961-68.
Quarry Road
Used in 1960-61.
Queenstown Road, Auckland
Used on the 26th April 1935, and again in 1936.
Raetihi
Used in 1964 and 1971.
Rakaia Gorge
Used in 1961 and 1980.
Rallywoods
Used in 1974-79.
Ramarama
There were three separate venues used. The first, Peach Hill Road, was used in 1958. The second, Ararimu Road, was used in 1965. The third, Pratts Road, was used from 1990-1992.
Redwood Pass
Used in 1961-62, 1964-65, 1968-69, 1974-75 and 1977.
Reefton
Used in 1977.
Ridge Road
Used in 1951, 1954, 1973, and 1975-78.
Riverhead, Auckland
Used from 1948 to 1952.
Rosedale
Used in 1973-76, and 1980.
Rotoehu Forest
Used in 1980.
Ruakaka
Used in 1971.
Saddle Road, Palmerston North
Used from 1947. Last used in 1976?
Salisbury Road
Used in 1979-80.
Sawyers Bay
Used in 1970 and 1973.
Seafield Road, Napier
Used from 1948-52, 1954-55 and 1979-80.
Signal Hill, Dunedin
Used on the 22nd November 1913.
Sign of the Kiwi
Used in 1952 and 1968.
Soldiers Settlement
Used in 1975-78 and 1980.
Spring Creek Road
Used in 1970 and 1980.
Staveley Limeworks
Used in 1963-65, 1968 and 1972.
Stoney Creek
Used in 1980.
Strawberry Road
Used in 1980.
Summit Road, Christchurch
Used in 1948-50, 1952, 1954-55, 1960 and 1966.
Taihape
Used in 1972 and 1980.
Tarawera, Rotorua
Used in 1949-50.
Taumuranui
Used in 1955-57, 1959, 1968-70, 1972, 1976 and 1978.
Taupo
Used in 1967-69.
Tauranga
Used in 1968 and 1970.
Tawa Flat, Wellington
Used in 1949-50.
Taylorville
Used in 1972.
Tea Creek
Used in 1979-80.
Telement Road
Used in 1980.
Te Onepu
Used in 1956-69, and 1972-97.
Te Toro
Used in 1968.
Thames
Used in 1973-75.
Three Mile Hill
Used in 1951.
Tinui Valley Road
Used in 1972-73.
Tirimoana Road
Used in 1971, 1974-75 and 1977.
Tokoroa
Used in 1975-77.
Top Valley
Used in 1980.
Twizel
Used in 1975.
Urenui
Used in 1962-64, 1970, 1972-76 and 1978.
Valley Road
Used in 1906.
Waiau
Used in 1955-59.
Waihi
Used in 1968, 1976 and 1980.
Waiotapu
Used in 1980.
Waipu
Used in 1967, 1970-71.
Waipu Gorge
Used in 1957-59, 1962 and 1963. Is this the same as Waipu?
Wairamarama
Used in 1952-56 and 1958.
Wairekiki, Wyndham
Used in 1949-53.
Wairoa
Used in 1970.
Waitangarua
Used in 1977.
Waitetuna
Used in 1951.
Waititi, Dunedin
Used on the 7th December 1907. Then used in 1908, 1959-60, 1964 and 1970.
Waitomo
Used in 1965 and 1970.
Wallace Road
Used in 1975.
Wallaceville Road
Used in 1952-56, 1960-64 and 1971.
Waterfall Road
Used in 1975.
West Road Hill
Used in 1978-79.
Whakapapa
Used in 1957.
Whakatane
Used in 1967-69, 1971-72.
Wharepapa Road
Used in 1966.
Whitford, Auckland
Used in 1948 and 1950.
Woodlands Road
Used in 1965.
Wright's Hill
Used in 1961-62.
________________________________________

This information was found at this site; http://www.silhouet.com/motorsport/tracks/ausnzhc.html

(Ken H)

[John McKechnie]

Ken....you must really be having a slow day to do this long list....................
Well done though, do you want to add -
1- Millens Leadfoot Hillclimb .
2- Lower Domain Road, Auckland Domain.
3- Chelsea Sugar Refinery
4- Pinchgut Rd, Kaukapakapa

[khyndart in CA]

John,
I am glad you are not my boss as you bust me every time !
You can add whatever as this was just a quick cut and paste that I found interesting of hillclimbs up to 1992.
Cheers,
Ken

[Allan]

Bjerring's hill Waihi

[John McKechnie]

John,
I am glad you are not my boss as you bust me every time !
You can add whatever as this was just a quick cut and paste that I found interesting of hillclimbs up to 1992.
Cheers,
Ken
Yep and as punishment regular motor racing trips ......

[stubuchanan]

Not criticizing in any way, obviously a labour of someone's love.

There are probably a few duplications - Ridge Road and Riverhead for example. Although Ridge Road was also referred to as Albany, it was all the same place that I can see from here across the Upper Harbour (if it's not raining!).

Localities would be useful - Several years ago I tried to find Mount Shellscott (Auckland area) for the late David McKinney, who was a bit short of detail on Northern venues for his data base, but couldn't find any geographical reference to it at all, but several hillclimbs were run there in early postwar years. Does anyone know?

Stu

[John McKechnie]

Stu- I ran at Ridge Rd in 1974/74 and it was at Bombay Hills- last over bridge at the top as you head down the other side
Louie the leopard was there in a huge Galaxie, it felt intimidating in a Mini Cooper S.

Would like to know more on Mt Wellington.

[Peter M]

Stu- I ran at Ridge Rd in 1974/74 and it was at Bombay Hills- last over bridge at the top as you head down the other side
Louie the leopard was there in a huge Galaxie, it felt intimidating in a Mini Cooper S.

Would like to know more on Mt Wellington.

Barbers Road Otorohanga in the 80s( has been part of Targa stages recently )
Pekanui Road Pirongia in the 70s ( been part of stages in International Rallies )
Sainsbury Road Pirongia ( still used )
Peter

[stubuchanan]

Stu- I ran at Ridge Rd in 1974/74 and it was at Bombay Hills- last over bridge at the top as you head down the other side
Louie the leopard was there in a huge Galaxie, it felt intimidating in a Mini Cooper S.

Would like to know more on Mt Wellington.

Obviously must be a different Ridge Road - 1950's one I went to was at Riverhead and Johnny Mansel was fastest in the Ardun Special I think. I can think of several other Ridge Roads in the Auck area.

1960 Mt Wellington climb(s?) would have been at Ivan Whale's Quarry off Panama Road, a bit South of Sylvia Park. This was in an old volcanic scoria hill called McLennan's Mountain which was eventually quarried away to just a big hole, near the Motorway. There is a photo on this Forum somewhere of (?) Harvey driving the A40 Special there. While there was a proper road around the side of the actual Mt Wellington up to a soccer field at the top, I think there would have been a grave danger of people going off into orbit from it! There are roads up some of the other volcanic cones, but Council has now put the block on anyone driving up .

Stu

[Kevin Hirst]

Obviously must be a different Ridge Road - 1950's one I went to was at Riverhead and Johnny Mansel was fastest in the Ardun Special I think. I can think of several other Ridge Roads in the Auck area.

1960 Mt Wellington climb(s?) would have been at Ivan Whale's Quarry off Panama Road, a bit South of Sylvia Park. This was in an old volcanic scoria hill called McLennan's Mountain which was eventually quarried away to just a big hole, near the Motorway. There is a photo on this Forum somewhere of (?) Harvey driving the A40 Special there. While there was a proper road around the side of the actual Mt Wellington up to a soccer field at the top, I think there would have been a grave danger of people going off into orbit from it! There are roads up some of the other volcanic cones, but Council has now put the block on anyone driving up .

Stu

Doctor's Hill. Waipu

[John McKechnie]

Stu- thanks for that- http://www.theroaringseason.com/showthread.php?1422-Some-old-photos-from-the-1960-s&styleid=5
Harvey driving the A40.
Always known Mt Wellington as an excellent 24 hour parkup place since 1968,but never knew about soccer field there Now I enjoy it as the road is closed at night and its still neat for evening walks (Like Mt Richmond )
That Ivan Wales Quarry has a huge housing development going on there at the moment

[duncan fox]

I have a photo marked Whitford time trials Feb 1946. It shows Ron Roycroft as FTD. in a Riley 9 Kestral. As a Whitford resident of late I often wondered where it was held. Does any one know this?

[khyndart in CA]

A neat shot of Angus Hyslop powering his D-Type Jaguar up the Te Onepu Hill Climb near Hastings. April 1960.

46159
J.C Hirtzell photo. (Hawkes Bay Photo News )


What is the history for this car ?

( Ken Hyndman)

[khyndart in CA]

Jaguar D-Type # XKD 534
"From Jaguar Sports Racing Cars
Following display at Attwoods, Wolverhampton, supplied to International Motor Sales, Wellington, New Zealand; despatched 6/9/56; sold to/retained by Jack Shelley; car prepared & raced by Robert Gibbons; January 1957, New Zealand GP meeting, Ardmore, Auckland, sports car race 1st, GP 5th; Lady Wigram Trophy race; 1958 GP meeting, Ken Wharton Memorial Trophy, 1st, GP ret'd; March, Ardmore GP meeting, ret'd; sold to Angus Hyslop; titted with 3.8 engine & used as tow car; January 1959, Christchurch meeting; January 1960, Ardmore Sports Car Trophy, 2nd; January, also raced at Levin & Christchurch; 1961 sold to Simon Taylor; January 1962, GP meeting; 1963 sold, via Riley Car Sales, to Gary Bremer; 1964 raced at Renwick, Maunganui, Levin & Pukekohe; 12/5/64 sold, with 21,737 miles recorded, for £1425 NZ, to Noel Foster (Auckland, New Zealand)."

I remember Kevin Hirst had this comment about the next owner after Angus Hyslop of this car, Simon Taylor:
"Simon used to round up the cows on the farm with the jag on many occasions, very expensive quad, 50 gallons of avgas to fill up !"

Simon had just purchased the D Type before the 1962 NZGP event at Ardmore and was leading the sports car race on the 1st lap and then the rains came.
46161
(ken Hyndman clippings collection.)

Some interesting photos etc at this site.: http://www.coventryracers.com/cars/detail/?car=XKD534




(Ken H )

[Roger Dowding]

Ken thanks for the list and I know some hills were used more often than on the list, as an example - Bethunes Gully was used in 1984 the day before the Dunedin Street Races.
from the list ;
" Cosseys Farm
Used in 1971, 1973-1978, and 1980. "
Cosseys was first used in February / March 1967 and continuously until 1980 at least.
I ran there in 1973 - 74 in my second Mini,
1975 - 76 in the first Sprite
1977 - 78 in my Triumph GT6,
1979 in the TR4A.
the car is seen below at Bald Hill,Ken H actually enhanced the photo for me, thanks Ken.

That information will be good for me as I try to put the Bardahl Series together as an article, It will repeat some stuff shown on this thread and others .cheers.

46174

46175

46176

[khyndart in CA]

Roger,
I still rate that as one of the best amateur action photos placed on TRS.
Yes I know there is room for corrections for that hill climb list but I thought it was pretty good considering it was put together by Australians !
For instance I remember going to the Otorohanga Hill Climb in 1969 and the same for the Horahora Hill Climb near Lake Karapiro in 1969.

Cheers,
Ken

[Roger Dowding]

Roger,
I still rate that as one of the best amateur action photos placed on TRS.
Yes I know there is room for corrections for that hill climb list but I thought it was pretty good considering it was put together by Australians !
For instance I remember going to the Otorohanga Hill Climb in 1969 and the same for the Horahora Hill Climb near Lake Karapiro in 1969.

Cheers,
Ken

Ken H,

the great thing about TRS is the adding of information, didn't realise it was an "Australians List " ..
Just been going back over the thread, some interesting cars there, a pity that Photobucket has blocked some photos .. on my computer anyway !!

[Roger Dowding]

Posted elsewhere but should be here !!

46711

The V8 Coupe is Rob Williams who also ran an Allard a K1/K2 as seemed to have bits from both models.Ross Cammick has a few photos of both cars.

and Michael Clark now lives on what became a new road that caries a bit from the original farm road as shown in the article

[Milan Fistonic]

Thames Valley Car Club's hillclimb at Fishers Road Maramarua on 19 November 1966. Four members of the Bjerring family competing. Don Brunt and John Murphy are still competing today.

46712

[Oldfart]

Graham "Pipe" Robertson was who took me to that event. Later on was a speed steward.

[Kevin Hirst]

Graham "Pipe" Robertson was who took me to that event. Later on was a speed steward.

And still living in TeAroha, & still working for the council, or was when I last had a chat with him earlier this year.

[Oldfart]

Hi Kev, I was surprised to not find your name on that list to be honest. Must have been about the time of the A90

[Kevin Hirst]

Hi Kev, I was surprised to not find your name on that list to be honest. Must have been about the time of the A90

Hi, Rhys, yes was about that time, may have been off road for repair's , memory shot down. suffering from C.R.A.F.T.

[Oldfart]

Hi, Rhys, yes was about that time, may have been off road for repair's , memory shot down. suffering from C.R.A.F.T.

:)

[khyndart in CA]

On the way to Taupo recently with the "Lads" and after Karapiro noticing the sign to Horahora across the Waikato River reminded me of those early days of watching Jim Palmer, Ross Greenville, Red Dawson, John Riley etc. gather together across the river before powering up the Horahora Hillclimb. I think I went twice in 1960 and 1961. I think Nigel and Rhys must have been there also. Even though it was paved as Nigel states it was a narrow seal and mostly gravel. The cars would park under the trees by the river and I remember wandering through and seeing all these famous drivers up close. (Wish I had had a camera back then.)
I came across some photos that reminded me of those fun days and the smell of racing fuel etc..!
50910
The Horahora gathering area was across this causeway now Maungatautari Road as it looks today.

50911
Jim Palmer. April 1961. Waiting to start in the Horahora Hillclimb in his 1960 Lotus FJ.

50912
This is how the start area looks today. The cars and crews would gather off to the left and there were a lot more trees back then on the left of the first right hand corner as the cars raced away.
Then when things got slow you could relax and just take a swim in the river..fun memories.

(Ken H )

[John McKechnie]

OK,Ken, youve got me excited, lets do it again, take swimmers..............

[nigel watts]

Yes I remember these hillclimbs well. I remember in '64, when I was still at school, borrowing my dads landrover & flogging it over to Horahora. Ivan Sedgenin was there with his Anglia. He couldn't get it going. They opened the bonnet to see what was wrong - and the ping pong balls were still sitting in the carbs!!

[Oldfart]

I didn't get to a Horahora one (at that time we still lived in Dannevirke), but did you to pretty much every later one which wasn't too far away at what I think may have been Head Rd, trying to look at Google St view to confirm!

[khyndart in CA]

Looking at these photos of the Hora Hora Hillclimb you just put a number on the right rear side window, perhaps take the hub caps off and away you'd go !
50934

[khyndart in CA]

Some more photos from the Hora Hora Hillclimb which was held until about 1965.
50967

50968

50969

50970
I need help naming this vehicle.

50971
The Motordrome Team from the Motordrome service centre in Te Rapa.(1962 race season.)
Dennis Marwood, Ross Greenville, Howden Ganley and Bryan Innes,
I think all competed at some time at Hora Hora




(KH)

[Roger Dowding]

The car has a Hawke '/ Jarvie body, and could be on a Buckler chassis
The Car when owned by the Ganleys -run by Howden and Dennis's Dad - was described as a Jarvie Ford 10 Special ..

***[ see *** below, it looks like the one that the Ganley family had and was driven by Howden at some stage. Denise Ganley, who is the daughter of Dennis and Phil Ganley were serious Club Motorsport competitors, they both entered the 1983 Le Mans relay race at Pukekohe, Phil in her Sprite with Team Healey and Dennis for Club Lotus, Dennis did a few of the AHCCNZ Hill Climbs too !!
Howden along with Denise and Co were at Hampton Downs just recently at the Legends of Bathurst meeting,unfortunately didn't get to meet them.

50972

another photo of the car, courtesy Denise Ganley *** described as a Jarvie Ford so maybe on a Ford 10, not Buckler Chassis. seems like Howden driving in the Matamata photo featured in NZ Classic Driver issue 70,an article about a Hawke / Jarvie car

50973

Hows that Ken H .. only took a few hours Mate !! Make that about 40 minutes.. first time on TRS today

PS did the *** thing as wasn't going to retype the page,lazy B***er ..or USA style B***ga

[Roger Dowding]

Ken,the 1961 Horahora pics, behind Jim Palmer, looks like a Buckler, gonna steal that one also," Oldfart " said it is OK. !! cheers Mate

[khyndart in CA]

Roger,
You can do whatever you want with the photos.
( That was a good find about the Hawke. Isn't that Howden in the car at Matamata ? or did they mean it was Howden in his father's car ?)

(that old shoe box is definitely getting barren this year ! )

Ken H

[Roger Dowding]

Roger,
You can do whatever you want with the photos.
( That was a good find about the Hawke. Isn't that Howden in the car at Matamata ? or did they mean it was Howden in his father's car ?)

(that old shoe box is definitely getting barren this year ! )

Ken H

51016


Ken you are correct it is a Ganley but have just found out not Howden, Denise Ganley said that her grandfather [her Uncle Howdens Dad ], had a bad arm, !! Could be the grandfather owned the Car
Howden told Denise that he never drove Horahora and that is Denis [ Denise' father driving, would be Howden at Matamata though, and seems like they used similar or even the same helmet .
Someone as in " Steve Sharp " has the Helmet or indeed a photo of it. I put the photo of Jim Palmer Lotus with a Buckler behind it on "Buckler cars and Karts " Fb page and got more info.

51015



The Helmet

[rogered]

OK,Ken, youve got me excited, lets do it again, take swimmers..............

Short memory JM, Tried that last event, However the health and safety deamed it to far to risky :)

[Oldfart]

Steve Sharp is the husband of Denise Ganley who is proudly keeping the Ganley family name alive. Steve runs both a Lotus 7 and the Tiga (another Ganley car as is the Lotus)

[Roger Dowding]

Steve Sharp is the husband of Denise Ganley who is proudly keeping the Ganley family name alive. Steve runs both a Lotus 7 and the Tiga (another Ganley car as is the Lotus)

Rhys, thanks I knew there was a connection,and it is great to have a family continue where Grandfather, Uncle [ Howden ] Father Dennis and mother Phil have been. I had forgotten that the lady in this photo is Denise's Mum Phil at the 1983 Jaguar Drivers, Le Mans Relay Race. Phil is the one leaning against the front of Tay Urlwin's 100

51059

[Oldfart]

Another generation too, as Olivia their daughter is a "must watch" already, but the future looks good too in my opinion.

[khyndart in CA]

I found these photos from a 1961 "Gisborne Photo News "

This little "Satellite Special" was the quickest car at this June 1961, Gisborne club event.
Does anyone have any knowledge to share about this vehicle ?

62284

62283
This is the same car with a different driver (father ? ) and with different wheels, also in 1961.



(Ken H )

[Oldfart]

Satellite is back running again. Norm Holloway had it for a while. I believe it had an Ariel Square 4 when first built (may be totally wrong on that).

[Allan]

It rates a mention in Vercoe's book.

[Milan Fistonic]

Norm Holloway in the Satellite Special at Whenuapai in 1986

62286

[khyndart in CA]

Some more photos from the 1961 Gisborne Hillclimb.

62292

62293

62294

62295
John Ward out for a drive up the hill. I don't see an antenna so perhaps the radio is not playing. It sure has plenty of rear view mirror equipment and does it really have white-wall tires ?

Cool pix.


(Ken H )

[Roger Dowding]

Some more photos from the 1961 Gisborne Hillclimb.

62292

62293

62294

62295
John Ward out for a drive up the hill. I don't see an antenna so perhaps the radio is not playing. It sure has plenty of rear view mirror equipment and does it really have white-wall tires ?

Cool pix.


(Ken H )

Great stuff Ken, that John Stewart Ford Special is very Healey-esq in the side styling.
The " Singford " have read that name before - were there more than one ??.

Keep-em coming Mate

[Milan Fistonic]

62295
John Ward out for a drive up the hill. I don't see an antenna so perhaps the radio is not playing. It sure has plenty of rear view mirror equipment and does it really have white-wall tires ?

Cool pix.


(Ken H )

That looks like a side-mounted antenna just behind the front wheel, so perhaps the radio was playing.

[khyndart in CA]

Milan, you could indeed be correct. (In 1961 how many choices of stations would he have in the hills around Gisborne ?)

Here are some more 1961 hill-climb photos.

62308
( 2 for Roger. )

62309


62307


(Ken H)

[Roger Dowding]

More great photos Ken H,thanks for sharing..

" Borrowing " the Austin Healey photo ... 17 June 2023 ..

[khyndart in CA]

The Satellite Special in 1962 and 1963 at the Gisborne Car Club's hillclimb at Holden's Hill, Longbush.

62311

62312

John Ward enjoyed himself there.
Even with white-walls and the antenna up in 1962. The triple carbs helped !

62313

Apparently 1963 did not go quite so well but a good cigarette will help smooth things down !

62314


(Ken H)

[khyndart in CA]

The Hawkes Bay Car Club held a Gold Star Hill Climb in the 1961/62 season at Te Onepu near Hastings.
Some photos from the Hawke's Bay Photo News.
62323
C. Algie ( Hastings ) in his A.C. Special, cornering at speed.

62324

62325.
.
62326



(Ken H )

[bry3500]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqOI21EfFQs&ab_channel=daw349

[Allan]

That looks like Mt Albert road Berhampore

[Roger Dowding]

Ken H,

You posted the Austin Healey and Hawke bodied Ford 10 Special back a few posts ago ..

This Healey ..

74935

Hope your trip home was good ..

Great to catch up ... my Friend ..
Take care and tell Eric Grunden .." Absolutely British III " that you have seen me - haven't seen him since July/August 1982 at Jim Mann, Walt Glendenning and Hans Nohr's places ..

74936

...

[jellywrestler]

got that Ariel timing cover look about it
just seen post 173, definetly a late modeal sqaure four

[Roger Dowding]

Have been gathering information, not very diligently, on these events as did the 1979 / 80 Series in my Triumph TR4A [ IRS w Overdrive and Surrey / Targa roof ].

Milan Fistonic has been posting results and Club Magazine articles on some events from 1975 .. ACC, NSCC and PCC..

Worth a story in their own right, OR, do they go on here. ???


Meanwhile - here is Rod Peat at Cosseys Farm - a venue for the NSCC Clubs Bardahl Event for many years ..
Not sure if this was a Bardahl event.. as photos only have a year reference - 1975.

75059

[Roger Dowding]

Information - News Item and Results from Milan Fistonic, Photos John Larry aka LARRT Lawton.

Love those late 1930's Chevrolets Tony Vazey and M [ Murray Q ] Wightman.

75073

75074

Those Chevs,

75075

75076

See Ross Hollings in Mini-Max and Ken Flashman in the Cooper Vincent..too !!!

A few other competitors and results from a PCC Bardahl Series Hill Climb to follow.

- Still working on the " Bardahl " events.

Have 1970 in the photo names but not sure - nor was John L Lawton, and the article has day and month, but no year.

[Roger Dowding]

Small- er cars than the Chevs.

75077

75078

75079

Bardahl series Hill Climb of PCC.

75080

Tribute to Allan Woolf from Milan Fistonic - FTD to Allan Woolf in the Vitesse at Andersons Farm,
Invitation event but unsure if a Bardahl series event.

75081

See an A Denney in a Mini at 848cc
- I went to school - Kelston Boys High with an Arthur Denney, who left school and became a mechanic, around 1965/66. - In late 1968 I sold Arthur my Austin Se7en Mini - complete with widened front wheels twin SU carbs and the Rob Williams modified Cooper manifold and Massey Ferguson Tractor Muffler system ..
Wonder if the same guy and my old car ??
.. Arthur rebuilt the motor and when taking it apart found that the crankshaft was cracked .. too much " Jandal " ...

[Roger Dowding]

On this very Wet day in Omokoroa, BoP, was going back over this thread and the list that Ken H posted.
- A very long list and I thought that the " Car Clubs " or " Groups " running the events need to be known.

Hill Climb venues refer Post #126

-From this thread - story " No. 165 - New Zealand Hillclimbs "

" This information was found at this site;
http://www.silhouet.com/motorsport/tracks/ausnzhc.html

(Ken H) "

and Post #127 by;

John McKechnie

" Ken....you must really be having a slow day to do this long list....................
Well done though, do you want to add -
1- Millens Leadfoot Hillclimb .
2- Lower Domain Road, Auckland Domain.
3- Chelsea Sugar Refinery
4- Pinchgut Rd, Kaukapakapa "



Had gathered a lot of information on the events run by Northern Sports Car Club on the NSCC The Early Years story.
Starting with Taylors Bay, Hillsborough in 1945 to the permanent venue [ well it was for over 20 years ] of Cosseys Farm, Drury in March 1967 until the late 1980's.

An image from Taylors Bay - that day - 20th May 1945.
Have had the copy of this photo since the mid 1970's - given to me by the late Eddie Dowding [ 1919 - 2018 ] and it appears with half a dozen others from the event in the Arthur Siddall Album of NSCC events from 1942 to 1949, which I am in the process of restoring - and recovering to protect the images. Then the images will be scanned and put on the NSCC thread - they will be better [ larger versions ] of photos published in groups previously.

Taylors Bay - showing the Manukau Harbour behind and many of the club in Graeme Wells Bentley.
My photo had Graham Wells - as written by my Uncle, but Anthony Wells, Graeme's son corrected that.

75642

Ron Roycroft got FTD that day in his Riley 9 at 43 and one fifth seconds
Graeme Wells was 2nd at 44 seconds
and
Vern Clark in his MG PA third at 50 seconds.

NSCC Cosseys Farm in 1967 - a well known car that is still with the then owner - Rob Williams 1939 Ford V8 Coupe.

75643


Photo was part of the page in the Newspaper on the First Event at Cosseys in March 1967

[Roger Dowding]

Notes from Milan Fistonic and the Results, Photos from John Windelburn.
An earlier De Soto to the one that Colin Lumsden raced in the early 1960's.

" I asked John Windelburn what the De Soto was that he drove in this Pukekohe Car Club Straight Sprint at Hullbright Road in October 1967.He sent me this photo of the car. It was a RHD 1958 De Soto Firesweep, one of only 2 in NZ.The B&W photo is John having a go at the "Braking and Acceleration Test" at the Auckland Railway Station The Auckland Car Club's Hepolite Trial competitors had to complete that test at the end of the event. John hadn't done the Trial but if there was a gap between competitors arriving the officials would let various club members have a go. John set the joint fastest time with a 3.8 Jaguar. ".

The Entry List for the Pukekohe Car Club Straight Sprints at Hullbright Road, I believe the road was used also for Hillclimbs using more of the road in the Hills.

75849

Alan Grout in his DKW, and a friend J [ John ] Trigance in a 1200cc Anglia.

Colour photo of the Car. Plate 337.873 is the 1961 - 64 plate, Black on Yellow, and looks like same plate in the following photo.

75850

John driving the car at the Brake and Acceleration Test at the Auckland Railway Station - must bde an Acceleration and Braking Test actually.

75851

John was also here in 1956 in his Morris [ a Minor ]. posted on the Dennis Marwood page too RIP Dennis.

75852

Austin Healey Team were out in force at this event 5 in their class, including John Seabrook, Ross Jensen and a young Bruce McLaren.

[hotrod1]

Here are 4 photos I have just purchased from Trade Me they are from the Houghton Bay hill climb in 1968 they may have been taken by a amateur photographer his name and some details of the cars are on the back but I can't make out his name. 7587275873758747587575876 the photos are quite large at 305mm x 250mm I had to buy all 4 but I am only planning to frame and display the Lycoming Special and U2 ones due to lack of wall space.

[Roger Dowding]

" Houghton Bay hill climb in 1968 they may have been taken by a amateur photographer his name and some details of the cars are on the back but I can't make out his name. "

Does " B G Glover " look right, Feb 1968.

Wellington Car Club archives may have a clue.

Have had a look and they do have their Magazines digitised but in 1968 very few photos.

" http://www.carclub.co.nz/default.aspx?Page=105 "

There is a Movie on Youtube about the Houghton Bay Hill Climb run by Wellington Car Club from 1954 to 1984.

" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CY6Hqq4ACyk "

Good photos Hotrod1, The Lycoming has those very wide strengthened wheels, with the reinforcing straps - looks mean.

[hotrod1]

Hi Roger yes the Lycoming photo is pretty cool, not so many good ones about with it wearing the strengthened wheels I don't think they were on the car for long, it will look good framed along side the original Lycoming boot panel hanging on my dining room wall.
The Meridian U2 will also find its way on to the wall but I don't have room for the Graham McRae or the other one so they may go to a good home at some stage.