Photos: The Allan Porter Collection - Part 1

[Steve Holmes]

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I'm so excited about being able to share this collection with you all. Allan Porter is a hugely talented motoring/motorsport photographer, whose collection spans from 1964 - 2000. If you think you've seen several of the photos posted here before, you're right. Allan's stunning photography has been featured in various New Zealand magazines, most commonly New Zealand Hot Rod, from the outset.

Allan's photos feature mainly the North Island drag strips Meremere and Thunder Park, but he also snapped many shots at the gravel surfaced Kopuku Dragway, a coal mine South of Auckland, and the place thought to be the first organised drag race meeting in New Zealand. In addition are other temporary venues, such as the Waiouru Military Airstrip, Ardmore, and the famous Kerrs Road, as well as circuit racing tracks, such as Bay Park and Pukekohe.

What I love about this collection is that it demonstrates the early years of drag racing in New Zealand, and its very grass-roots nature.

What I also love are the cars, and the people Allan has captured. Drag racing was very much an amateur sport, and those taking part were invariably teenagers and those in the early twenties. Long, shaggy hair, bell-bottomed jeans, and t-shirts feature throughout. There is a real hipster feel about the whole scene.

And then there are the cars. Kiwis didn't have access to US sourced dragsters, so they simply made their own. There was a booming New Zealand speed equipment industry that stemmed out of the difficulties in importing, and many of the early pioneers feature here. The purpose-built drag cars are really home-built specials. But likewise, many of the cars raced were simply the hot rods that were run up and down Queen Street and other cities and towns all over New Zealand every Friday and Saturday night. Some of you who were around this scene during this time are probably pictured. Or you'll at least recognize many of those who are.

Allan told me his collection compiles approx 59,000 photos! Only a fraction will be shown here. But even then, I'll need to split them into several different threads.

For those of you on Facebook, Allan has his own page where these photos are featured. I'm personally not a big fan of the way FB displays photos, and I hope having Allan's stunning images here does them a little more justice. They certainly deserve that.

But for those of you who are on Facebook, please visit and 'Like' his page. Its the least we can do for being allowed to share his beautiful photos here: https://www.facebook.com/allanporterphotography/

[Steve Holmes]

This is where it all began; Kopuku Dragway. It featured an unsealed and fairly rough surface. But its all there was.

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[Steve Holmes]

Everything was raced at Kopuku, including rail cars. Must have been a hell of a rough ride.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Keith Vazey and Kevin Cairns.

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[Steve Holmes]

Ed Jensen.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Ken Vincent and Gail Prast.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Dave McDougal's wild Altered.

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[khyndart in CA]

Thanks Steve. What dates did they run here at Kopuku ?
I remember going here and seeing the coal buckets for Meremere certainly brings back memories.
I keep looking in the crowd photos for any familiar faces.
Great and clear photos.
Sorry I do not have any photos to share.

(Ken Hyndman )

[Steve Holmes]

The Red Baron of Kevin Cairns.

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[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Steve. What dates did they run here at Kopuku ?
I remember going here and seeing the coal buckets for Meremere certainly brings back memories.
I keep looking in the crowd photos for any familiar faces.
Great and clear photos.
Sorry I do not have any photos to share.

(Ken Hyndman )

Someone here will know more than me Ken, but I believe it was for three years from 1966?

[Steve Holmes]

Jim Drysdale's flathead Cadillac powered 'Hillbilly'.

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[John McKechnie]

#9 Prast- in 409 Chev

[Steve Holmes]

#9 Prast- in 409 Chev

Is the car still about John? Extremely rare beast.

[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

How about a switch of venue, to Bay Park! The back straight was used for drag racing for many years.

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[Steve Holmes]

It was common back in the '60s and '70s for the roundy-roundy boys to take their cars for a bit of drag racing on a quiet weekend. This is Dennis Marwood in the Rorison Camaro.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Allan]

She's not that cool. The cigs should be tucked up the sleeve of the T shirt.

[Oldfart]

#19 is a de Joux shell as commonly fitted to Bucklers. Any more info?

[CUSTAXIE50]

Name of this car thanks.

[CUSTAXIE50]

Name of car thanks.

[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Another shot of Kopuku.

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[Steve Holmes]

Pukekohe.

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[khyndart in CA]

Steve,
The top photo of the Ford on the start line in # 30 post, means a lot to me as it shows my friend Jim leaning on the barrel (In black ) next to my other friend Dudley. Thanks for the photo. (Did you need to crop me out ? ) lol.

(Ken Hyndman )

[John McKechnie]

#30- Renault Floride in the background.
Later on Hot Rod mag did a feature on a Convertible model, very tasty on the eyes. - showing that it doesnt have to have a V8 to qualify as a Hot Rod.
This could be the same one with the hard top on.
I am sure Bruce 302 would remember.

[Spgeti]

My mate just sold one, metallic blue with black lift off hard top....a pretty car but had the usual rust issues.

[Bruce302]

They built a fast back onto one, may have been a convertible to start with, I probably still have the issues that followed the build.

B.


#30- Renault Floride in the background.
Later on Hot Rod mag did a feature on a Convertible model, very tasty on the eyes. - showing that it doesnt have to have a V8 to qualify as a Hot Rod.
This could be the same one with the hard top on.
I am sure Bruce 302 would remember.

[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Great colour photo of the famous Baloo, the first car in New Zealand to run a 10sec pass in the 1/4 mile, which it achieved at Kerrs Road.

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[Steve Holmes]

Speaking of Kopuku:


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

[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Last ones from Kopuku.

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[Steve Holmes]

More from Bay Park.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

I love this shot of the cars queuing for their runs at Bay Park.

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[John McKechnie]

#49-My memory at the time was NZ Hot Rod mag had these 3 pics with the caption-
Going..... Going.....Gone!!!!!!

[GD66]

Yeah, that was terrifying to watch, memorable though !

I was lucky enough to catch Peter Lodge years later as he and his son Shane were tied up in historic bike racing, I was surprised to discover he was intelligent, quiet, clever and capable in a variety of fields...having seen him wrestling Baloo down the quarter at Bay Park in my youth I was convinced he could only be a raging psycho !

A couple of extra captions would be appreciated here, many of those rods and rails are very familiar but don't quite ring my instant recall bell...Baloo and Brian Trigg's Andromeda rail are well-etched however !

Thanks for sharing Steve, these images are a great depiction of a very fertile period in NZ's motorsport history.

[Terry S]

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What is the open wheeler beside the VW?

It sure has a strange exhaust....

[GD66]

Peter Moloney's 2.5 Cooper Climax. Yes, strange home-brewed exhaust.



Edit : Rex Ramsey's Le Grand Mk 7 at Bay Park Dec 68 with Moloney's Cooper disappearing out of shot left.
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[John McKechnie]

*A couple of extra captions would be appreciated here, many of those rods and rails are very familiar but don't*

One caption I remember and love is Jon Pattons GMC rail at Kopuku when he won the fastest time

-a tatty wolf in sheeps clothing-
He still has this rail.

[Kiwiboss]

I love this shot of the cars queuing for their runs at Bay Park.

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WOW, 67 Shelby in that line up, luv the ol skool paint work on the Pop :)

My dad took me to one of these events around 1969/70? was only 10/11 then but can remember Baloo giving its all

Dale M

[Steve Holmes]

Yeah, that was terrifying to watch, memorable though !

I was lucky enough to catch Peter Lodge years later as he and his son Shane were tied up in historic bike racing, I was surprised to discover he was intelligent, quiet, clever and capable in a variety of fields...having seen him wrestling Baloo down the quarter at Bay Park in my youth I was convinced he could only be a raging psycho !

A couple of extra captions would be appreciated here, many of those rods and rails are very familiar but don't quite ring my instant recall bell...Baloo and Brian Trigg's Andromeda rail are well-etched however !

Thanks for sharing Steve, these images are a great depiction of a very fertile period in NZ's motorsport history.

Sorry for the relative lack of info. Drag racing is not my strength. But I will post details where I can, based on what Allan has supplied.

[Steve Holmes]

Colin Lane.

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[Steve Holmes]

This is Brian Trigg at Matahina.

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Keith Vazey in the pick-up. Not sure on the other driver.

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Keith Elliott leading.

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[Steve Holmes]

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Colin Prast (left) and John Agnew.

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The rail pictured left is Noel Jones, which is AMC powered.

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[Steve Holmes]

Peter Lodge again in Baloo.

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[Steve Holmes]

Colour shot of Noel Jones.

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[Steve Holmes]

Baloo again, pictured at Autorama, 1970.

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[GD66]

Sorry for the relative lack of info. Drag racing is not my strength. But I will post details where I can, based on what Allan has supplied.



Wasn't grumbling, mate. Just hoping some fellow crustaceans can give us a leg up. :cool:

[Steve Holmes]

Wasn't grumbling, mate. Just hoping some fellow crustaceans can give us a leg up. :cool:

No I know you weren't, I just wish I had a little more knowledge on early NZ drag racing.

[John McKechnie]

Hot Rod mag at that time gave coverage.
Autonews, motorman didnt cover them, only some stockcars and speedway.
Just find those who were there and I am rapt at the pics appearing here....neat.
Enjoyed Errol Uttingers Ponty straight eight rail.

[Steve Holmes]

Heading South now, this is Ruapuna, 1970. That little fenderless pick-up on our left was featured in the very first Weetbix Hot Rod collectors cards. Who remembers those?

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[Steve Holmes]

This is Aussie Top Fuel racer Graham Whithers, doing a publicity run at Wigram.

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[Steve Holmes]

Pictured here is Garth Hogan, assisting Whithers.

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[Steve Holmes]

Brian Trigg, I believe.


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[Steve Holmes]

Moving on again, to Rotorua, from 1970. Pictured in the T Bucket in the background is, I'm told, Terry Furness. Terry was featured in a book I write a few years back called Kiwi Hot Rodders Guide To Life.


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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Curly West (left) and Dave McDougall. The bright green GMC 6 powered Willys coupe is also pictured earlier in this thread. Curly later replaced the Willys body with a T Bucket body, and stored the rare Willys body behind his shed. He later had a rubbish remover come collect some junk off his section, and the rubbish guy crushed the Willys body, thinking it was junk! Anyone who knows anything about these cars knows how valuable they are now.

The car still exists in Christchurch in its T Bucket guise, and was also featured in my Kiwi Hot Rodders book.


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[Steve Holmes]

Still at Rotorua. Interesting the mix of cars being raced.

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[Steve Holmes]

I have no idea!

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[Steve Holmes]

Noel Jones' Rebel dragster.

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[Steve Holmes]

John Parry in the hot rod pick-up. Note the quad-carb set-up on the flathead V8! Not sure who is in the Chevy coupe.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Amazing x-ray photo Allan did of Baloo in 1970.

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[GD66]

Brian Trigg, I believe.
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I reckon so, also I'm pretty sure that's Peter Lodge with the Abe Lincoln beard hanging onto the rollbar.

[Steve Holmes]

I reckon so, also I'm pretty sure that's Peter Lodge with the Abe Lincoln beard hanging onto the rollbar.

Thanks for the great info.

[Steve Holmes]

Moving on now to the famous Kerrs Road in Wiri, South Auckland, which was probably the most thriving of all the street based strips. I've already posted a few pics from Kerrs Road at random, earlier in this thread. Here are some more.

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[Steve Holmes]

As painted on the body, Errol Uttinger's straight-8 powered rail.

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[Steve Holmes]

Pretty sure this is Baloo, with body removed.

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[Steve Holmes]

Race announcer Bill Mudgeway.

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[Steve Holmes]

Kerrs Road make-shift pit area.

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[Steve Holmes]

Owen Campbell in the Jimmy 6 powered car that used to sport the Willys body. Note high-tech ear protection for the officials!

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[Steve Holmes]

Errol Uttinger versus Trevor Watson.

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[Steve Holmes]

Couple of early speedway Sprintcars (or Modifieds?), trying out a little drag racing. Note they're still wearing their smaller left-side wheels. Must be a wild ride trying to run them straight down the strip.

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[Steve Holmes]

McConnachie brothers rail. I assume these are the same McConnachie brothers who raced a '69 Mustang in speedway in the '70s?


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[Michael Clark]

And a Mk2 Zephyr before that at W.Park.

They were great days - Kendall in the Pink Pussy Cat Prefect with a T-C Lotus. Brilliant/

[John McKechnie]

And also wild dirt track days at Riverhead.
The drag rail was not Barry, it was his younger brother Graham/Graeme.

[bigbanger]

Super Modifieds was the pre Sprintcar name. These are Super Modifieds.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for the great info you guys. Keep it coming! Any help with any details on these photos is always appreciated.

[bce257]

Really enjoying this thread Steve, there's something very NZ about the vehicles/creations and the variety of engines used.

#91 looks like a Mk2 Zephyr lump with triple SUs, although they aren't on quite enough angle to be a Raymond Mays head.

[John McKechnie]

#91-They had a Mays head on Barrys MK2 dirt track car, NZ Hot Rod mag did an article on this rail.
My friends and I thought it was the same motor that they swapped.
He also had a very nice Popular that he ran at least once.

[Kenz]

As painted on the body, Errol Uttinger's straight-8 powered rail.

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So what is this engine - a 1930's Chrysler?

[John McKechnie]

Pontiac straight eight- Ponty Power.

[Steve Holmes]

Glad you guys are enjoying these.

[Steve Holmes]

More from Kerrs Road.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Thats Rob Campbell, of NZ Hot Rod Magazine fame in Junior Jimmy. Further back in the queue is Croydon Thompson's custom F100.

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[Steve Holmes]

Butch Reid's wild Anglia.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Croydon Thompson's 'Pure Heaven'.


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[Steve Holmes]

Kolin Pitiroi's beautiful '56 Chevy hardtop.

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[John McKechnie]

#107-A year or so before this, Bruce 302 and I were at Selwyn College and one of our classmates used to roll up in an iridescent blue 56 Coupe- same as one above- Doug and the Heavy Chevvy Parker Brigade.
The occupants always wore parkers........
Car was Dougs uncles..........

And #106- Pure Heaven was Pure Hell for whoever paid the bills on Bruce Croydon Thompsons rail

[Steve Holmes]

#107-A year or so before this, Bruce 302 and I were at Selwyn College and one of our classmates used to roll up in an iridescent blue 56 Coupe- same as one above- Doug and the Heavy Chevvy Parker Brigade.
The occupants always wore parkers........
Car was Dougs uncles..........

And #106- Pure Heaven was Pure Hell for whoever paid the bills on Bruce Croydon Thompsons rail

It wasn't Ivan Jujnovich's one was it John?

[Steve Holmes]

More from Kerrs Road. '67 Camaro owner getting some kip.

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[Steve Holmes]

Can anyone help with this one? Looks like it was built to go round corners.

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[Steve Holmes]

Nick Leifting in the Greenlane Speed Shop T Bucket.

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[Steve Holmes]

Kevin Dolores' '32 Ford roadster.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Pacer versus nice looking mild custom Mustang.

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[Steve Holmes]

Baloo again. This car ran New Zealands first 10sec run here at Kerrs Road.

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[Steve Holmes]

Licorice straps left by Baloo.

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[Steve Holmes]

Dave Turner on Triumph T100 powered drag bike.

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[Steve Holmes]

Yep, its the old Custaxie, long after its circuit racing career had ended, and when owned by Croydon Thompson.

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[Spgeti]

Kolin Pitiroi's beautiful '56 Chevy hardtop.

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I think Kolin called this car " Pampus City Bel Air".

[John McKechnie]

No,
Ivan Jujnovich bought it from Evan Watson.
Evan had it as his tow car for Ford Prefect, Holden Kingswood V8 ,
Also for his wife to sleep in when Evan was still drinking.

[GD66]

Dave Turner on Triumph T100 powered drag bike.






Actually if you look closely, Triumph Tiger 100 X 2 !

[Steve Holmes]

Actually if you look closely, Triumph Tiger 100 X 2 !

Yes, you are right!

[Steve Holmes]

Cool looking '39 Ford Deluxe coupe of Robin Tanner. Tanner was a regular in circuit racing too, competing in various cars, including the ex-Rod Coppins '69 Firebird. The '39 is a great looking car, featuring both a roof chop and channeling.

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[Steve Holmes]

This is the Mustang coupe pictured a few posts back, racing across the finish line. Anyone know who this is? Can't have been too many Mustangs in NZ at the time.

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[Steve Holmes]

Tanner again, versus Dave McDougall. For whatever reason, Tanner is running the '39 without the one-piece front. But this shot captures the nicely exposed small clock Chevy. Note the cool cross-over inlet manifold. I wonder if this came of a circuit racer? Red Dawsons Kensington Carpets ran one of these, so too did the Cambridge Monaro, I think?

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[John McKechnie]

Yep,you are right Steve.
Grady bought a cross over set from Sylvesters early 1970.
Sold them about June 1970

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks John. Well thats very interesting! I know those things were extremely rare in NZ at the time. When Dawson fitted a cross-over to his Camaro during the 1972 season, Motorman magazine at the time felt the need to make comment on it. It was a big deal.

[John McKechnie]

They were rare then and rarer now.
Point to note that these Webers were made in Italy .
Webers for a while now have stamped on them- Made in Spain.
Think about it when you are doing a period restoration- I had to tell guy that his car wasnt an authentic replica with that stamping on it.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks John, great info.

[Steve Holmes]

Max Turner's 'Purple Haze' T Bucket. Looks like this race is being flagged green. Lights must have stopped working.

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[Steve Holmes]

This one makes me nervous! Ford flathead V8 powered 3-seater trike. Looks like a disaster waiting to happen. Rider is game! Is he wearing jandals?

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[rf84]

"Weber" carbs are now also available ex China! The word 'copyright' to the Chinese seems to mean the right to copy.

[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Jock Hinton's 'Hairy Kanary'.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Jim Richards takes the family Monaro for a run at Kerrs Road.

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[Steve Holmes]

McConnachie brothers rail.

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[Steve Holmes]

Anyone know anything about this thing?

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[Steve Holmes]

Competitors and spectators pour into Kerrs Road.

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[bce257]

This one makes me nervous! Ford flathead V8 powered 3-seater trike. Looks like a disaster waiting to happen. Rider is game! Is he wearing jandals?

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This is fantastic!

Any more info on this contraption?

The exhausts are pointing right at the passengers feet and that thing ready to nads him if he crashes looks like a bonnet ornament off a Jaguar. So much work, so much dangerous, so much detail- even pinstriping, but why?! Something says gang to me.

The engine looks about 1935 so 85hp and a 3-speed wouldn't make it a rocket ship but it would have sounded great.

[Steve Holmes]

OK, time for more.....

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[Steve Holmes]

Still at Kerrs Road, and Baloo lights 'em up and gets all cranky.

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[Steve Holmes]

Great colour shot of Max Turner in Purple Haze, with (I think) Ralph Wright giving chase in the heavily customized Ford coupe.

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[Steve Holmes]

Croydon Thompson and Pure Heaven.

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[Steve Holmes]

Now this is an impressive piece of Kiwi ingenuity. The amazing tandem Zephyr powered 12 cylinder 'Two Thing'. Does it still exist?

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[Steve Holmes]

Graeme Vautier's magnificent Hemi powered Chizler.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

The wild Chevy V8 powered 'Harold's Hauler' Prefect of Graham Wright and Graeme Kidd.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Two Thing.

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[John McKechnie]

Two Mk 1 Zephyr motors- would this be a "boxer"set up ?
BAN Engineering made it.

Top 10 Dragsters -August 1971

1- Pete Lodge 11.35.....Baloo 392 H
2-Brian Trigg 11.4 Andromeda 301 Chev
3-Dave McDougal 11.8 Gnome Mobile 292.Ford.
4-Jon Patton 11.9 Rail 270 GMC, V12 distributor.
4-Colin Lane 11.9 Bullitt 2.5 V6
6-Graeme McConnachie 12.2 Judge Zephyr.
7- Noel Jones 12.4 Rebel 263 Rambler.
8-Bob Rossiter 12.5 Pirate Merc sidevalve.
9-Colin Prast 12.5 Roadster 427 Chev.
10-Barry Fuller 12.6 Rail 302 Chev
Graeme Smith- Triumph 650 13.4
Curley West 14.4

[Jac Mac]

Two Mk 1 Zephyr motors- would this be a "boxer"set up ?
BAN Engineering made it.

IIRC it was two zephyr engines geared together, NZHRM had a an article and pics of the build.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks John and Jac, great info!

[Steve Holmes]

Back to Bay Park now and its 'Puppy Love', the Dave Chung (of Berry & Chung speed equipment) '56 Chevy sedan. This is still a drag car today, owned and raced by Reece Fish, though it looks very different.

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[Steve Holmes]

Details anyone?

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[Steve Holmes]

Warren Anderson in 6-cylinder T Bucket.

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[Steve Holmes]

Details anyone?

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[Steve Holmes]

Nick Liefting's wild T Bucket Altered.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

John Murray. Note the carb scoop!

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

OK, I'm going to round off Part 1 of this collection with photos from a one-off event, held on the Waiouru military airstrip in the early 1970s.

Following this will be a series of photos from Ardmore in 1972.

Starting off here are a couple of fast Fords. The Boss 302 Mustang is that of Doug Harris. Not sure though who is in the Falcon GT.

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[Steve Holmes]

Note the Keystone wheels on the Falcon GT in the background. They must have been quite rare in NZ at the time?

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[Steve Holmes]

Be sure to read the text on the tree.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Gus Burke's Topolino. Gus established Burkes Metal Works in Christchurch back in the late 1950s, which is still going strong today. Gus' son Jason heads the business now and is chip off the old block, producing some amazing work.

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[Steve Holmes]

Phil Hirst lifts the front wheels.

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[Steve Holmes]

This was a display during intermission!

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Ray Peterson.

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[Steve Holmes]

Ivan Jujnovich.

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[Steve Holmes]

John Murray.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

I assume this is an actual race!

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[Steve Holmes]

Ray Peterson again, heating up the tyre.

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[Steve Holmes]

.....and this is the tyre!

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[Steve Holmes]

Jujnovich's Pop looks better in colour.

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[Steve Holmes]

Ardmore to follow.....

[Allan]

Post 172 takes me back to the rice paddys and such.

[Steve Holmes]

Moving on to Ardmore 1972. Kicking off here is Dave Turner, on his twin 750cc Triumph powered bike.

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[Steve Holmes]

I LOVE this car! Kevin and Norris Wright's custom '63 Corvette split window. Where is it now?

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[Steve Holmes]

This is the former Ivan Jujnovich Ford Pop, pictured above in post #181. Here its owned by the McConnachie brothers. These guys sure got around!

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[Steve Holmes]

Modified speedway car. Kevin McGreal?

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[Steve Holmes]

Bob Parker.

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[Steve Holmes]

I can't for the life of me understand why this Mach 1 has pink painted tyres. Note the Graeme Addis Wild Wheels sponsorship.

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[Bailey]

I can't for the life of me understand why this Mach 1 has pink painted tyres. Note the Graeme Addis Wild Wheels sponsorship.

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That looks like the 428 Shelby Cobra Jet of John Dorn He liked that Dazzle Pink for some reason

[Steve Holmes]

That looks like the 428 Shelby Cobra Jet of John Dorn He liked that Dazzle Pink for some reason

Thanks Bailey, thats certainly interesting!

[Steve Holmes]

Owen Campbell.

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[Steve Holmes]

Nick Liefting.

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[Steve Holmes]

Max Turner.

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[Steve Holmes]

Terry Furness. I think Terry still owns this T Bucket?

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[Steve Holmes]

??

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[Steve Holmes]

Dave McDougal.

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[Steve Holmes]

Len Jones in the roadster versus Alan Boyle in the Coke Viva.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

The New Zealand Hot Rod Magazine Renault-based project car. Started life as a Floride or Caravelle I think? Does it still exist?

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[Steve Holmes]

Guy Lim in the mad little V8 propelled Prefect versus Colin Prast in the Fairlane. The Fairlane ran a 427.

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[Steve Holmes]

Its buggy time! Rod Millen on the left.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

'69 Shelby. Any clues on the owner? Can't have been too many of these around in the early 70s.

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[Steve Holmes]

Nick Liefting.

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[Steve Holmes]

Nice looking Chevelle, having the rear bags warmed.

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[Steve Holmes]

Last photo from Ardmore. Last photo from Part 1 of the Allan Porter Collection.

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[Greg Stokes]

Great shots from Allan. It staggers me the unpublished shots were way cooler than some of the shots NZHRM ran with. Interestingly alot of these cars are still around

[Steve Holmes]

Great shots from Allan. It staggers me the unpublished shots were way cooler than some of the shots NZHRM ran with. Interestingly alot of these cars are still around

Hi Greg, yes I agree. Magazines typically focus on the high-end cars and the grassroots stuff can sometimes be overlooked. But perhaps the pics that we find most fascinating now weren't considered so then.

[duncan fox]

Dave Loose IIRC
??

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[duncan fox]

The Black Tudor was Lynsey "Stich" Richardson. were these taken at Riverside Rodders run at Lake Karapiro?
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[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for that great info Duncan. The last shot appears to be the back straight at Bay Park, run in the opposite direction.

[duncan fox]

.
Thanks for that great info Duncan. The last shot appears to be the back straight at Bay Park, run in the opposite direction.

Yes Steve I figured it out later on , I think it was the same week end as Riversides Run These are great photos bring back many memories.

[Steve Holmes]

Thats great to hear Duncan. What were driving back then?

[Kiwiboss]

Thanks for that great info Duncan. The last shot appears to be the back straight at Bay Park, run in the opposite direction.

Bay Rodders ran a winter series of about 6 Drag Race meets a year on the back straight of old Baypark starting at the camp ground end. In the late 70's early 80's I attended just about every event. That's me in the yellow Mustang picking on a Jappa, LOL. NOTE: Great crowd control, talk about get up close. Dale M

[Steve Holmes]

Thats an awesome photo Dale!

[Kiwiboss]

Heres a good shot looking down the track, pretty good crowd sizes back then. that's me in my wheel standing dune buggy, I often race two vehicles at one meeting, taken in 1980. Dale M

[Kiwiboss]

And my 73 Corvette Stingray taken Jan 1985.

[duncan fox]

Thats great to hear Duncan. What were driving back then?

This was my ride that weekend ,we didn't go to the drags I was worried id break something,so my then girlfriend and I went to a motel to get some food a shower and some rest, (at least that's what she thought) It was a wild weekend.

[duncan fox]

I love this shot of the cars queuing for their runs at Bay Park.

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The Pop belonged to Ivan Jujnovich he A framed it to a Whakatane Hot Rod festival in im gunna say 74? and some camping gear inside the car fell onto the shifter and knocked it into gear. Sad state of affairs by the time he arrived at Whakatane.

[Steve Holmes]

Wow Duncan, that '32 roadster is just so cool! Where is it now?

[225sloper]

Back to Bay Park now and its 'Puppy Love', the Dave Chung (of Berry & Chung speed equipment) '56 Chevy sedan. This is still a drag car today, owned and raced by Reece Fish, though it looks very different.

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Photo taken in 2010 the Reece Fish 56 Chevy with over 2000hp and a Reg and WOF this is NZs quickest streetcar has run 7.4 at over 180mph at Meremere dragstrip445394454044541445424454344544

[225sloper]

4454544546

[duncan fox]

Wow Duncan, that '32 roadster is just so cool! Where is it now?

Steve,

Terry Ferguson in Hamilton changed the car and make it more of a street rod than show car and then sold it Into the UK. It was a 30 Ford roadster on a 34 frame. Built by Gary Sword and Peter Barnett. At one time it was NZ's top hot rod/show car. Genuine 57 Vette engine ex hydroplane. with 6 x 2 barrel carbs Many a Friday night spent racing in Queen street. My mother never liked riding in it , the doors popped open when I gave it a shoefull.

[Steve Holmes]

Steve,

Terry Ferguson in Hamilton changed the car and make it more of a street rod than show car and then sold it Into the UK. It was a 30 Ford roadster on a 34 frame. Built by Gary Sword and Peter Barnett. At one time it was NZ's top hot rod/show car. Genuine 57 Vette engine ex hydroplane. with 6 x 2 barrel carbs Many a Friday night spent racing in Queen street. My mother never liked riding in it , the doors popped open when I gave it a shoefull.

Thanks Duncan. Cool car.

[Parnelli]

Steve,

Terry Ferguson in Hamilton changed the car and make it more of a street rod than show car and then sold it Into the UK. It was a 30 Ford roadster on a 34 frame. Built by Gary Sword and Peter Barnett. At one time it was NZ's top hot rod/show car. Genuine 57 Vette engine ex hydroplane. with 6 x 2 barrel carbs Many a Friday night spent racing in Queen street. My mother never liked riding in it , the doors popped open when I gave it a shoefull.

Hey Duncan, brings back vague memories of a couple of local ‘hoods’ in a cut down ’30 sports coupe powered by a dirty old Y Block giving that genuine ’57 vette powered roadster a run for it’s money down Eastern Beach one night. Couldn’t that strip of tarmac, tell a few stories !