Photos: The Rhys Nolan Collection

[Steve Holmes]

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I've actually been holding on to this neat old photo collection for some time. In fact, quite a lot longer than owner Rhys Nolan would have liked. Many of you on here know Rhys as 'Oldfart'.

Rhys loaned me this lovely old album book of his, with photos spanning from 1965 through 1967, so I could scan the images and share them here. Trouble was, my scanner had quit on me, and I hadn't got around to purchasing another. So Rhys' album sat in my bookshelf. And then it sat, and sat some more. Eventually, I tried taking a close-up photo of one of Rhys' photos, and really liked the way it looked. The photo captured the 50 year old yellowed pages of his album, as well as his basic description penned by Rhys for most of the photos, and the little photo date on each.

To that end, I photographed each photo, in an effort to finally share this collection with you. I hope you enjoy them. They're really neat, honest images, that capture the era perfectly. But best of all, I can finally return Rhys' photo album!

[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]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Terry S]

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The label Pete Geoghegan Lotus should be Leo Geoghegan

[Ray Bell]

Can you also give the "Jackie" photo a closer look?

The helmet looks bit dark for Stewart.

[Kenz]

Can you also give the "Jackie" photo a closer look?

The helmet looks bit dark for Stewart.

If 1966 NZ GP, would be G Hill; didn't Attwood run only the remaining NZ Tasman rounds?

[seaqnmac27]

The #2 BRM was definitely Mr G. Hill of Great Britain

[Steve Holmes]

Remember folks, Rhys was just writing in these details as his photos were developed, which unlike todays instant digital world, is often quite some time after the event.

[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[seaqnmac27]

I wonder Steve whether Jackie took over Graham's Brm at some stage in practice for some reason, I will check the report when I get home.

[Terry S]

Can you also give the "Jackie" photo a closer look?

The helmet looks bit dark for Stewart.

Agreed. At 66NZGP Hill had #2 and Stewart had #6. So if anyone can read the number it would help. Beyond my poor eyes.....

[Steve Holmes]

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[Kenz]

Agreed. At 66NZGP Hill had #2 and Stewart had #6. So if anyone can read the number it would help. Beyond my poor eyes.....

Just enlarged this one; it's definitely #2. Driver's head attitude looks mighty like Graham Hill's, but too blurred to make out the London Rowing Club markings.
So, whose car was #1, the first photo in post #1? Was it a spare, or later renumbered as #2 or #6 for the race?
The 10c Tote windows behind the car identify the meeting as being the NZGP.

[Milan Fistonic]

Jim Clark's Lotus was number 1 in 1966.

BRM only had two cars here so the car shown with the number 1 must have arrived with that number and been photographed before the correct number was applied.

[Oldfart]

Just enlarged this one; it's definitely #2. Driver's head attitude looks mighty like Graham Hill's, but too blurred to make out the London Rowing Club markings.
So, whose car was #1, the first photo in post #1? Was it a spare, or later renumbered as #2 or #6 for the race?
The 10c Tote windows behind the car identify the meeting as being the NZGP.
As I only went to a few meetings, by train from Matamata as a teenager of course what I wrote was the correct meeting. Regards Attwood, how would I have invented that? It's a long time back, but posing a question, are these folks totally confident he wasn't present for the practice sessions when many of these were taken?

[Milan Fistonic]

Attwood used a white helmet as shown in this scan from Motorman.

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[Kenz]

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And this from the Wigram grid that year; again the white/dark stripe helmet. Note his race # this time - 1, and. So this ties in nicely with the NZGP meeting photo in front of the racecourse tote windows, of the #1 car.
Rhys - Not disputing the venue, nor saying he wasn't there at Puk, as he ran the rest of the NZ legs (but none in Oz), but there's no mention of him practising officially, though of course he could have been out testing in the #1 numbered car, as his Levin (1st) & Wigram (2nd) results show he had his act pretty well sorted down under.
So, was there three cars (#'s 1, 2 & 6 brought down under that series, or only two (with race-specific number changes)? Certainly I only ever saw 2 cars at Shell Wavell Heights in Brisbane for Lakeside, and most other sources say there was only the two, as does Milan above. Doug Nye's book may provide the answer to that one.

[Kenz]

Rhys/Steve,
Forgot to mention how much I'm enjoying these photos, and Steve's period-evocative "scrapbook" presentation of them - very apt!
The other interesting thing I've noticed in the closer-up shots of the Tasman cars that the the driver's name rectangular sticker in large upper case black-on-white on the flanks doesn't appear on any of them (including Levin); it was only when I dug up the photo of Attwood at Wigram I posted that one appeared.
Looking at the Australian rounds, the practice had, by then, caught on universally. Does anyone here know if this was a relaxation of a previous rule, or was it just a good idea that spread very quickly?

[Milan Fistonic]

OK. This is the definitive story from Doug Nye's BRM Vol 3.

Three cars came to NZ in 1966. Two centre-exhaust models 2616 for Hill and 2617 for Stewart. A side-exhaust model 2614 was a spare.

Stewart's car was delayed due to shipping problems so he used 2614 fitted with the windscreen, steering wheel, seat and pedals retrieved from the ship-bound 2617.

At Levin Stewart used 2617 and Attwood was in 2614.

Stewart decided to try Attwood's 2614 at Wigram and liked it so much he used it in the race. Attwood raced 2617.

At Teretonga both used the cars they raced at Wigram.

Stewart was number 6 at every meeting and Hill at the GP and Attwood at the other events carried number 2.

[Kenz]

Thanks, Milan - that's cleared it up nicely.
Was interested in Doug's info re Attwood carrying #2 and how that tied with Attwood #1 car on the Wigram grid photo I posted, but a closer look revealed that the pic is from 1967, as Clark's Lotus is using the stretched Climax V8.

[Oldfart]

Here are a few more recent ones, just to mess things a bit. Whoops, all my files are too big, and I'm too busy to resize.

[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Roger Dowding]

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Tony Gilbertson Mini sprint behind the Custaxie ..

Was at that meeting NZIGP 1967 but my shots were never that good..

[Oldfart]

Thanks for that comment Roger! That was not much more than a box Brownie, some russian version of a reflex thing. I was still in short pants :)

[seaqnmac27]

Rhys, I am just wondering whether, the #2 BRM in the pits was 67 as well, hence, Jimmy's leading you to, at a glance incorrectly label the Hill BRM #2 as Jimmy's.
67 Attwood was #1 and Stewart #2.

[Oldfart]

Sean, I "think" I put this together as time went on. If you look at post #1 it is the same photo as post #30. As Steve has the book and is doing the posting, I now wonder if they are not being posted as they appear in the book, but until I get it back I hesitate to be too definite.
You say Jimmy's BRM, I am pretty sure he was in a Lotus, as I carried some front wheels from the paddock to the pits on practice day for him.

[Steve Holmes]

Hi Rhys, yes this is how I'm posting them, just as they appear in your album.

[Steve Holmes]

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[Rod Grimwood]

Rhy's, give me a call and we will organize a little sit down and get these scanned for you for future keeping.

cheers
Grimme

[Roger Dowding]

Rhy's, give me a call and we will organize a little sit down and get these scanned for you for future keeping.

cheers
Grimme

Grimme, what a great offer, Rhy's have played around with the Mistral pic, there has been a piece on NZ Classiic cars and wreck forum about the Mistral. Produced in Dunedin by Emslie and Flockton, in the late 1950's.. now must find the Advert

here is my copped version of your picture;

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Where was the Hillclimb, a great view for those spectators ??

[Spgeti]

There was a Minstral at the last MG Charity meeting at Manfeild earlier this year and then came up for sale on TM.
I am sure Rhys probably knows of the car.

[Ross Hollings]

Mt Tarawera ,Rotorua

[Oldfart]

Yes, gone to a chap in Wellington if it's the same one you mean Spgeti

[Oldfart]

Rhy's, give me a call and we will organize a little sit down and get these scanned for you for future keeping.

cheers
Grimme

Thanks Grimme, when I get them back from Steve, if I have time before I leave the country (for ever) I will take you up on that.
Did your better half wind you up last night? Spoke to her while at the vampires yesterday.

[Spgeti]

Yes, gone to a chap in Wellington if it's the same one you mean Spgeti

Yes, white with red stripe and headrest. Nice old car.

[seaqnmac27]

Sean, I "think" I put this together as time went on. If you look at post #1 it is the same photo as post #30. As Steve has the book and is doing the posting, I now wonder if they are not being posted as they appear in the book, but until I get it back I hesitate to be too definite.
You say Jimmy's BRM, I am pretty sure he was in a Lotus, as I carried some front wheels from the paddock to the pits on practice day for him.
Well Rhys, I was at one point Blond, I meant "Jackie", not "Jimmy" and I reckon post #38 has answered the question. I think I types that just after they had interviewed Sir Jackie on the grid at Goodwood where he talked about watching his brother.

[Rod Grimwood]

Yes she mentioned that you had dropped in, mentioned you made a comment, little busy but there will be more soon. Got to put some more on the ' Boy's Trans Am trip' years back, will get there, remember they are married now and got to get wording right, being a marriage guidance councillor is not my best forte.

[seaqnmac27]

https://youtu.be/8UZLuCbPw9g

[seaqnmac27]

https://youtu.be/UJQXmIAgEf8

[Oldfart]

Whose film is post 49 Sean? Some of that must have been taken just about behind me where I was taking photos! Obviously someone who could tell more about the Mike Walker Bambina!

[Steve Holmes]

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[seaqnmac27]

Whose film is post 49 Sean? Some of that must have been taken just about behind me where I was taking photos! Obviously someone who could tell more about the Mike Walker Bambina!

It says Robert Piacun this is the only clip thats been posted, sorry, I will do a bit more 'sleuthing' have been in bed sick all week and have been randomly searching, so far have been amazed at the random things I have found!

This is Roberts page. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCARDLqduhNd-UTKCcWCOTZQ

[Steve Holmes]

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[Roger Dowding]

Thanks to Rhys and Sean for the content here Steve, It is great !!

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pic from around the same time ..

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Roger, thats an outstanding photo!

[Roger Dowding]

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The Healey was bought by BMC BOY after it had an accident, he still has it .. features in the Austin - Healey thread .. Rhys, am borrowing it cheers , Guys..

[Steve Holmes]

These are the last of the black and white pics.

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[GD66]

Wow, have a look at the crowd ! That's Bay Park's second-ever meeting. :cool:

[khyndart in CA]

Rhys,
I do not mean to spoil your thread but I found this old photo of a Baypark race that my brother was in. The Mini at the back of the grid.
I would like to have the date and names of the other entries. (Barry Phillips is on the left in the front row. )
The quality is a bit rough but the crowd size can be noted !
Cheers,
Ken H.
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[John McKechnie]

Reg Cook- 100.
Could this be a practice day, not a race day as there doesnt seem to be a starter or marshals there.
If so could that be Jim Boyd in Barry Phillips Mini?
This could make this late 1969.

[khyndart in CA]

Thanks John,
Yes it is probably a practice session for a handicap race perhaps.
Thanks for dating it for me.
What is that neat looking sports car in front of my brother's Mini ?

(Ken H )

[Steve Holmes]

The last two photos are one and the same. I just cropped it.

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[Spgeti]

The Alfa is a 1966 Giulia Sprint 1600, the Fiat 850 Coupe looks to be the Abarth version due to the name badge across the front.

[seaqnmac27]

Reg Cook- 100.
Could this be a practice day, not a race day as there doesnt seem to be a starter or marshals there.
If so could that be Jim Boyd in Barry Phillips Mini?
This could make this late 1969.

Is the Imp Richards? I vaguely recall seeing it look similar before it took on the Sidchrome identity

[khyndart in CA]

Rhys,
Were these last photos at the Caltex garage in Matamata ?

Yes Sean that does look a bit like Richards Imp. So my brother was mixing with some pretty good company.

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1969 Levin Rothmans 4 hour race
(Ken H)

[Allan]

Agree with you on the Fiat Spgeti. Imagine what that would be worth today.
Allan

[Milan Fistonic]

Rhys,
Were these last photos at the Caltex garage in Matamata ?

If they were taken in Matamata, the U2 is the one built by Graham McRae. My mate Ian Morrison bought it from someone in Matamata and later sold it to Graeme Morley.

[Kwaussie]

If they were taken in Matamata, the U2 is the one built by Graham McRae. My mate Ian Morrison bought it from someone in Matamata and later sold it to Graeme Morley.
A very nice car that went to the South Island at one stage - the independent rear end went into an Escort [Reg Bartlett around 1974]
I think it all went back together as the McRae U2, seem to remember it resurfacing at maybe the first Lyttelton street races in the mid 80's.

Kwaussie
[Frequent visitor to Technical Books Newmarket!!] when they were there.

[Oldfart]

Rhys,
Were these last photos at the Caltex garage in Matamata ?

Yes Sean that does look a bit like Richards Imp. So my brother was mixing with some pretty good company.

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1969 Levin Rothmans 4 hour race
(Ken H)

Hi Ken, yes, the cars were more part of the car sales yard next to the garage. The garage /service station was owned by Allen ? (my best friend later married the daughter) The sales guy had a very pronounced limp. There were often some pretty cool cars on the yard.
Thanks Steve for giving these the light of day. Glad there were some interesting bits there, and if the sow a few seeds, that's great.
Yes that was an Abarth coupe.

[Kevin Hirst]

Hi Ken, yes, the cars were more part of the car sales yard next to the garage. The garage /service station was owned by Allen ? (my best friend later married the daughter) The sales guy had a very pronounced limp. There were often some pretty cool cars on the yard.
Thanks Steve for giving these the light of day. Glad there were some interesting bits there, and if the sow a few seeds, that's great.
Yes that was an Abarth coupe.

Rhyce, was that the old Cowling's garage where I did my aprenticeship or the G.M. garage or Black's garage?

[Milan Fistonic]

I don't want to hijack this thread but as the discussion has got on to Matamata I thought these "then and now" photos might be of interest.


This is from 1965 and was taken at the corner of Tamihana and Rata Streets.

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This is the scene today.

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[Oldfart]

Rhyce, was that the old Cowling's garage where I did my aprenticeship or the G.M. garage or Black's garage?

Hi Kev, that garage was opposite the primary school on Broadway, almost right beside the pedestrian crossing. I thought Cowlings was on Rawhiti, and the GM guys between Arawa and Tainui, it's a few days ago.
Great pic Milan, is that Jamie going "Whoops"? And who/what is the #114 car? Current photo I think is taken from another spot, (Hohaia into Tamihana?) as my memory says that circuit came along Hohaia, then up Tamihana to Meura, then the only left into Tui. Could be wrong though.

[Milan Fistonic]

The photos are taken from approximately the same spot. Check out the house in the background - that's on the corner of Tamihana and Rata.


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[Oldfart]

Memory had me correct, what a miracle! The first of your photos shows the 3 cars about to take a corner, and folks standing out the front and no corner next door but the circuit didn't go into Rata, whereas your second (current) has that house on a corner.
I was really puzzled, but looking at the windows of the house and such showed differences, so I wondered. My previous says them going into Tamihana, finger error I meant to say into Meura, so if the old photo is closer to Meura it would make sense. Having said that it's not a long way between the two. I am not being critical Milan, it was part of my life, just confused. I know Rata went through from the domain to Memorial Drive, as it was on the Friday night (naughty) driving route. Skids on the grass.

[khyndart in CA]

Milan and Rhys, you certainly have brought back memories from that era.
I remember cheering on Brian Innes and also watching Jim Boyd lose control and sliding almost up the stairs to the church on the corner of Broadway and Hohaia !
I think Spinner Black drove a Triumph Spitfire at Matamata at one time.

http://www.theroaringseason.com/showthread.php?847-Matamata-Round-the-houses

Before that we went to the Waharoa Aerodrome for the Grass Track Meet. That programme certainly has some well known names.
The description of the dust and the track was pretty accurate by Rex Bentham. " You couldn't see much of the racing, only the start, the rest of it was under a huge cloud of dust. By the end of the day the cars had dug a trench around each corner. Some great old cars tho', "
I can remember Denny Hulme being a guest speaker at the lunch break after his first season in Europe and describing a crash he was involved in and the tread marks were left on the top of his helmet !


(Ken Hyndman )

[Steve Holmes]

Winding down towards the finish. Clearly some overlapping in the third image.

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[GD66]

Ooh ! Black body, gold roof and snout, and carrying #103 : is the A40 Graham Watson ?

[Oldfart]

Ooh ! Black body, gold roof and snout, and carrying #103 : is the A40 Graham Watson ?

I thought not, but hopefully Milan will come in here. Aren't A40s cool? Club meeting given the lack of crowd. Obviously before May 67!

[John McKechnie]

One on trade me- look great in Historic Saloons.........

[seaqnmac27]

I thought not, but hopefully Milan will come in here. Aren't A40s cool? Club meeting given the lack of crowd. Obviously before May 67!

I think I have said this before, but, I am an old boy of Palmerston North Boys High, and I remember the first day that Clark Ax drove to school, because our teacher drew our attention to the fact that he was in his dads A40.

[seaqnmac27]

I don't want to hijack this thread but as the discussion has got on to Matamata I thought these "then and now" photos might be of interest.


This is from 1965 and was taken at the corner of Tamihana and Rata Streets.

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This is the scene today.

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I thought that 114 looked a little like the Tojeiro that Brent Hawes drove in 67 but it was just a thought

[Milan Fistonic]

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Sorry, been a bit busy.

John Richards in the locally built Lotus 15 replica followed by Bill Caldwell's Lola which is being monstered by Donelly's HWM- Thunderbird.

Well if all the Chev-engined cars were powered by Corvettes then the Ford engine must have been a Thunderbird!

[Steve Holmes]

This is the last of them. Hope you guys enjoyed them. My thanks again to Rhys for sharing this great collection.

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[Oldfart]

Steve, thanks for giving the opportunity for others to see them. I have recently got back into taking photos, hundreds from Shelsley Walsh last year and others. All I now have to do is learn how to shrink them without spending hours which should be spent on the Lotus 11 replica!

[SPman]

Winding down towards the finish. Clearly some overlapping in the third image.

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Yes - an interesting double exposure that one...is that Ivy Stephenson in the Lotus 23....or maybe Ross Baker in the Heron. I should know who the Imp is, but age..........Roy Harrington - I think he wore No 69......
The A40 is Jim Mullins.

[GD66]

Carrying #25, so could even be Baron Robertson in the Heron...and it's not yet yellow, but +1 for Roy Harrington in the Imp.

Ivy didn't get hold of the Lotus 23B till after Ross West, so more like '69.

[Oldfart]

I think it's Peter Ackroyd in the Heron, Milan will have programmes to confirm or deny. I spoke with Ross about the ownership of the 23. There is a little misinformation about :)

[Milan Fistonic]

The photos are from the April 8, 1967 Auckland Car Club meeting.

103 - Graham Watson
69 - Roy Harrington
25 - Baron Robertson

[Oldfart]

Carrying #25, so could even be Baron Robertson in the Heron...and it's not yet yellow, but +1 for Roy Harrington in the Imp.

Ivy didn't get hold of the Lotus 23B till after Ross West, so more like '69.

Look at the date on the photo! Not 69.

[GD66]

No, but I meant Ivy drove the 23B in more like 1969. I'm not blind.

[GD66]

The photos are from the April 8, 1967 Auckland Car Club meeting.

103 - Graham Watson
69 - Roy Harrington
25 - Baron Robertson


Thanks, Milan :cool: 3/3.

[Oldfart]

This is a trial one, and as Ray told me about the resizer I thought I would try this one from Oulton Park July last year

[Oldfart]

These were at Shelsley Walsh, I only watched 7 cars go up the hill, rest of the time chatting to strangers. Those who know me will understand!384373843838439384403844138442

[Oldfart]

I am liking this! I could be dangerous now! Ray you have a lot to answer for!384433844438448384453844638447

[ERC]

Glad it works Rhys! Yup, can be addictive... I really should be in the garage right now.

Great pics and look forward to more. I have only been to Shelsley twice, first with an ancient camera and even more ancient film, then the second with dad's old standard Leica - and no paddock access.

Great to see these older cars being exercised. When is Chelsea this year?

[khyndart in CA]

Rhys,
Even when you do them twice they are still good to look at.
Who said you could not teach an old fart new tricks ?


(Ken H )

[Oldfart]

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[Oldfart]

Rhys,
Even when you do them twice they are still good to look at.
Who said could not teach an old fart new tricks ?


(Ken H )

You are too quick Ken (as you always were) I think I might have edited that by now!

[Oldfart]

Oh and this one parked outside here. Anyone a buyer?3845438455

[Spgeti]

Fantastic photos Rhys. Really enjoy this early stuff.

[Oldfart]

Fantastic photos Rhys. Really enjoy this early stuff.

Some of this was just last year! More to come from Brooklands, Oulton Park and a couple of museums in France. If you are looking for the best one, in my opinion the one at Loheac in France is the very best I have been to, and that is out of dozens.

[Roger Dowding]

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The Rhys Nolan Collection - direct from Rhys' Album as posted by Steve Holmes.
Had forgotten about this thread until Rhys posted a photo of the Custaxie on a Facebook page, and have now realised that I had commented on a couple of the photos and I had also been at the same meeting Gold Leaf 3 Hour and Will Six hour Races in October 1965, the NZ Grand Prix in 1966 and in 1967 as had Rhys. sometimes with my Grandmothers Leica Camera and colour film the Gold Leaf / Wills event,but usually with by Brownie Starlet camera that produced those 3 inch x 3 inch square images ..

The Hill Climb photos, as originally posted [ attached ] had seen a photo of a Mistral in the same place photo by Rhys Nolan- Was this the Tarawera event or am I confused ?.

Rhys' photo
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The name Pettit with the " Minimax ", presume the same car that Ross Hollings competed in in the 1970's ??.

[Oldfart]

All the hillclimb photos are Tarawera.