Photos: The Allan Porter Collection - Part 2

[Steve Holmes]

37626

In Part 1 of the Allan Porter Collection, we featured an amazing mix of early New Zealand drag racing photos from the early years of the sport, when organizing groups set up events at the unpaved Kopuku Dragway, on closed roads, or at circuit racing tracks.

In 1973, New Zealands first purpose built drag strip opened for business. Champion Dragway at Meremere is situated roughly halfway between Auckland and Hamilton, and just up the road from the relatively new Hampton Downs circuit racing venue.

With the opening of Meremere, the sport of drag racing enjoyed a sharp rise in popularity, with New Zealands second purpose built facility, Thunderpark, near Napier, hosting its first event three years later.

The images from Part 2 of the Allan Porter Collection center around the early years of Meremere. The professionalism of the sport also increases greatly in this part, along with speeds, and competition. As in Part 1, many of the cars and drivers racing during this time are likely familiar to many of you. You may even see yourselves in some of them, if this was your scene during the 1970s.

[Steve Holmes]

This is Guy Lim's mad little T Bucket Altered. Guy appeared in Part 1, racing his V8 powered Prefect.

37627

[Steve Holmes]

Great shot of Meremere from the hill.

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[Steve Holmes]

37629

[Steve Holmes]

And from the staging lanes.

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[Steve Holmes]

Phil Hirst.

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[Steve Holmes]

Warren Anderson.

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[Steve Holmes]

Geoff Larsen.

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[Steve Holmes]

Ray Peterson.

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[Steve Holmes]

Some of the cars in the background are pretty cool too.

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[Steve Holmes]

Dave Turner.

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[Steve Holmes]

I believe this bus was owned by the great Louie "The Leopard" Antonievich. His son Tony owns a cool car and plane collection, which includes the Joe Chamberlain/Dennis Marwood Camaro. Louie was a fearsome Stockcar competitor.

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[Steve Holmes]

Allan Porter did his bit to promote the new facility. This was Allan's Falcon wagon.

37638

[Steve Holmes]

Paton and Black Ford Maverick Funnycar.

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[Steve Holmes]

Another shot of the track. Not sure who owns the Falcon coupe with the radiused rear fenders, but its pretty cool!

37640

[Steve Holmes]

Absolutely gorgeous slingshot dragster of Robin Unkovich.

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[Steve Holmes]

This is one of a few Capri bodied Funnycars built by Graham Berry.

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[Steve Holmes]

Ray Peterson.

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[Steve Holmes]

Guy Lim's T Bucket, pictured earlier in the thread, now sporting a nice custom paint job and a little more chrome.

37644

[Steve Holmes]

Ron James.

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[Steve Holmes]

Ivan Jujnovich's '56 Chevy hardtop. With a different paint job, I think this is the same car that appeared in the Weetbix Hot Rod card collection in the late '70s. Remember those?

37646

[Steve Holmes]

Great mix of cars taking part.

37647

[GD66]

Outstanding, mate. They are in great nick.

[TonyG]

My brothers E49 at the front of queue in post 22.

[Steve Holmes]

Glad you folks are enjoying these.

[Steve Holmes]

My brothers E49 at the front of queue in post 22.

Thats cool! Has he still got it?

[Steve Holmes]

Early arrivals.

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[Steve Holmes]

I could have this all back to front, but would that land off the in the distance be where Hampton Downs is now?

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[Steve Holmes]

From the control tower. Note that the two cars are driving back to the pits via the race track.

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[Steve Holmes]

Cool shot of Garry Taylor's Chevy Nova. Thats Garth Hogan laying down the VHT for the burn-out.

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[Steve Holmes]

Bill Ward's flathead powered C Cab.

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[Steve Holmes]

Louie Antonievich's MkIV Zephyr. Can just about make out what appears to be "Z-28" lettering on the side of the Zephyr, so assume its had a small block Chevy engine transplant.

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[Steve Holmes]

Allen Lim's wicked MkI Escort.

37698

[Rod Grimwood]

#28 you are right there Steve, that's now H/D

[Steve Holmes]

#28 you are right there Steve, that's now H/D

Thanks Rod.

[Steve Holmes]

Meremere post-race bbq. Some pretty cool cars in this shot.

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[Steve Holmes]

37760

[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

L-R: Ken Vincent, Tony McFadden, Mike Ensor load (or unload) Ken's dragster.

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[Rikko]

Ivan Jujnovich's '56 Chevy hardtop. With a different paint job, I think this is the same car that appeared in the Weetbix Hot Rod card collection in the late '70s. Remember those?

37646

I still have mine! Reading it as we speak :D

37809

[Steve Holmes]

I still have mine! Reading it as we speak :D

37809

Wow, thats cool! I wish I'd kept mine.

[Steve Holmes]

Not sure who owned these two tough Falcons, but they sure are cool! The XA hardtop nearest camera appears to have Mt Eden Service Station signage on the front fender.

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[Steve Holmes]

Dave Chung versus Garry Taylor.

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[Steve Holmes]

Not sure who either of these are. Any thoughts people?

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[Steve Holmes]

Nick Liefting versus Guy Lim.

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[Roger Dowding]

I still have mine! Reading it as we speak :D

37809

I have most of the cards but not the folder or the poster, have several duplicates, to swap !! If you want what I have posted, can do that on one of the threads ..
I understand that most of the photos used were taken at a Hot Rod and Custom Show in Rotorua..
here is one as a teaser !!
where I had duplicates I managed to put both picture and description in one image !!

37848

[Roger Dowding]

Dave Chung versus Garry Taylor.

37818

Presume that is the Chung from Berry and Chung in Wellington that made Cobra replica and did all sort of custom work !! .

[Steve Holmes]

Presume that is the Chung from Berry and Chung in Wellington that made Cobra replica and did all sort of custom work !! .

Yes thats him Roger.

[Steve Holmes]

I have most of the cards but not the folder or the poster, have several duplicates, to swap !! If you want what I have posted, can do that on one of the threads ..
I understand that most of the photos used were taken at a Hot Rod and Custom Show in Rotorua..
here is one as a teaser !!
where I had duplicates I managed to put both picture and description in one image !!

37848

There were two different sets of Weetbix cards Roger. The image you posted is from the first series, while the cover from the booklet Rikko posted is from the second series.

[Roger Dowding]

There were two different sets of Weetbix cards Roger. The image you posted is from the first series, while the cover from the booklet Rikko posted is from the second series.

Must have stopped eating Weetbix as never knew of the second series. cheers

[16bbls]

My brothers E49 at the front of queue in post 22.


Thats cool! Has he still got it?

It would be interesting to hear more about the car. It appears to have quite a rare combination of Vintage Red, bonnet black outs and tan trim.

[TonyG]

Nah, sold it a few years back to a guy in Christchurch. Ex cop I think from memory and Secretary of the Chrysler Club. He apparently still owns it now.

[TonyG]

Colours in photo don't do it justice. Not sure what the story is with black showing on bonnet opening but tan was seat cover.

[16bbls]

GO7960 is presently undergoing a full restoration. Vintage Red/Tan interior. Dealer sticker is Walsh Motors Cambridge.

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l1/16bbls/1293%20-%20001_zpsrqfeu8ql.jpg (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/16bbls/media/1293%20-%20001_zpsrqfeu8ql.jpg.html)

[16bbls]

Actually, looking deeper this is probably not the same car. While it is a Vintage Red/Tan trim R/T E49 it has been with the current owner for the past 40yrs in the NI.

[Steve Holmes]

I was visiting Moorehouse Muscle Cars in Chch a couple of years ago and the owner Daryn was talking about a red E49 he had there which he sold to a guy and his wife who stopped by. I thought he said the guy was an ex-policeman, and that the car was the ex-Ron Rutherford race car. But maybe I'm getting my facts mixed up.

[Steve Holmes]

Ralph Wright on the gravel return road. Must have done wonders for the slick tyres. Just as well they were much harder back in those days.

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[Steve Holmes]

Ken Vincent's curious looking rail with minimal bodywork. Was quite rare to see rear engine drag cars then.

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[Steve Holmes]

Errol Uttinger's Mighty Mouse. Thats Errol on the ground in the overalls. Check out the cars in the background.

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[Steve Holmes]

Butch Reid in the Pop versus Louie Antonievich.

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[Steve Holmes]

Ralph Wright warms up the rear bags.

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[Steve Holmes]

Recognize this guy? Red Dawson gets set for a blast down Meremere in the Kensington Carpets Camaro. Interesting angle shows the Camaro running spring shackles on the rear, which raises the rear ride height. And yet, the springs look flat. Maybe its just that Dawson has just launched and the springs have flattened out.

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[Bruce302]

Steve, Ideally the front spring eye and rear spring eye should be on the same plane to educe roll steer. Reversed front spring eyes also helped. The Coppins Firebird had such springs and shackle extenders. Roll steer isn't a problem at the drags but Red wouldn't need to change for a day there.



Recognize this guy? Red Dawson gets set for a blast down Meremere in the Kensington Carpets Camaro. Interesting angle shows the Camaro running spring shackles on the rear, which raises the rear ride height. And yet, the springs look flat. Maybe its just that Dawson has just launched and the springs have flattened out.

37968

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Bruce. Was a similar set-up used on your Firebird when it raced in the Trans-Am, or was this done when it arrived in NZ?

[Bruce302]

It is original with Hollywood Spring made reversed eye springs, though the longer shackles could have a 'local' feel to them.



Thanks Bruce. Was a similar set-up used on your Firebird when it raced in the Trans-Am, or was this done when it arrived in NZ?

[Steve Holmes]

Neat little rail of Phil Hirst. I'm not sure if its Fiat powered. Perhaps one of our Fiat anoraks might know?

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[Steve Holmes]

Our 'cover car' this this chapter, Bill Ward's flathead powered C Cab, complete with period custom paint.

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[Steve Holmes]

Various Baloo shots.....

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[Steve Holmes]

Cool Mopar face-off. I love the Coronet. I wonder where this car is today.

I believe thats Paul Rose on the lights. He was the starter at Meremere for many years. Was my old boss for a short time when I worked for APCO Auto Parts in Lower Hutt.

38172

[Steve Holmes]

This is an interesting one. My first thought when I saw this photo was that its the old Frank Bryan/Red Dawson '67 Shelby Mustang, now owned and raced by Nigel MacDonald. I can't confirm it (and neither can Nigel), but there are a few clues, such as the fact its fitted with the half cage. I do know for a fact the Dawson Mustang became a drag car in the '70s, after its circuit racing career ended, and it was fitted with a Chevy motor. The 'Rat 427' lettering on the side suggests this car is Chevy powered.

38175

[45DCOE]

This is an interesting one. My first thought when I saw this photo was that its the old Frank Bryan/Red Dawson '67 Shelby Mustang, now owned and raced by Nigel MacDonald. I can't confirm it (and neither can Nigel), but there are a few clues, such as the fact its fitted with the half cage. I do know for a fact the Dawson Mustang became a drag car in the '70s, after its circuit racing career ended, and it was fitted with a Chevy motor. The 'Rat 427' lettering on the side suggests this car is Chevy powered.

38175

Think it was ex Red Dawson Mustang driven by Dick Woods from Wellington. Think it then ended up with or may have been before Dick Woods with a person called Peter Smucar who started up a Speed Shop in Hobart Street in Miramar called "Mothers Worry" in the late seventies, early sixties. Peter fitted the car with oversize tyres at one stage for some reason and painted it yellow. El Coyote might know some more about this car and Peter Smucar.

Dick Woods had a fair bit of success with this car on the strip. There were quite a few photos in NZ Hot Rod at the time

[John McKechnie]

My Monaro ran at Port Hills Road (Wellington) Drags with the ex Red Dawson Mustang in March 1970 - details are on its thread.
In 1985 I owned a 1967 Mustang Convertible that was a dragster.
Had the front floor and the front rails chopped off

[928]

the ex-red dawson mustang was owned by a car painter in lower hutt called bob Thompson. he raced it a couple of times. after that ??

[John McKechnie]

From Russ Cunningham 2013-
I was talking with my good friend, Dave Bull, a couple of days back and during the course of conversation Dave mentioned running against Grady in the Monaro at the Port Road sprint meeting. Dave was driving the ex.Red Dawson Mustang and John is hopefull that someone who was there might have photographs or recall details of the Monaro. Incidentally, Dave and Grady knew each other well as both were Karori boys.

So Dave Bull had an ex Red Dawson Mustang

[TonyG]

This today from my brother - Gidday.
I just read some of the other comments on here. That one on the trailer isn't mine. It hasn't even got the black stripe and 4 on guard. A policeman wanted to buy the car but he already had one and couldn't afford mine at the same time. It was sold to a gentleman in Queenstown who as far as i know still owns it. I still have his number here somewhere. Must ring him sometime and ask.
38198 This was my brothers - Rego readable here.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks you guys re the '67 Mustang. It definitely looks like it could be the Dawson car. Pretty cool piece of history. Its the first time I've seen a photo of it during its drag racing career.

[Steve Holmes]

Robin Unkovich blown Hemi rail.

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[Steve Holmes]

And again, this time an action shot. What a magnificent car!

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

!

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[Steve Holmes]

Reg Cook gets set for a fast blast down the strip in his circuit racing Mini. I'd love to know what his time was.

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[khyndart in CA]

That is a pretty early Mini body. (not a Cooper ) Round tail lights, exterior door hinges and a wavy grille etc.
What was the history of this vehicle ?
When did this event take place ?

Ken H.

[BMCBOY]

That is a pretty early Mini body. (not a Cooper ) Round tail lights, exterior door hinges and a wavy grille etc.
What was the history of this vehicle ?
When did this event take place ?

Ken H.

I took this photo in 1974, so it must have been around that time


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[Roger Dowding]

!

38287

Support car and crew for the Chevelle !!

[Lurker]

Reg Cook gets set for a fast blast down the strip in his circuit racing Mini. I'd love to know what his time was.

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I believe the person attending to the right front wheel has his name on the right front guard - what happened to him?

[Steve Holmes]

I believe the person attending to the right front wheel has his name on the right front guard - what happened to him?

Thanks Lurker.

[Steve Holmes]

Garry Taylor versus Dave Gale. I love that Nova.

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[Steve Holmes]

Nick Liefting.

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[Steve Holmes]

Ken Vincent.

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[NZnoboss]

Thanks you guys re the '67 Mustang. It definitely looks like it could be the Dawson car. Pretty cool piece of history. Its the first time I've seen a photo of it during its drag racing career.

A little more on the Dawson TA Mustang here http://www.nzmustang.com/Images/History/Racecars/Dawson.htm
Note from the above link; "A more detailed story of the history of this car can be found in the article by Steven Holmes in issue 154 (Oct 03) of NZ Classic Car Magazine, Page 76" That bloke Holmes seems to know his stuff, so that's probably a pretty definitive history :-) I have it buried here somewhere I think.
Cheers,
Bob.

[NZnoboss]

Another shot of the track. Not sure who owns the Falcon coupe with the radiused rear fenders, but its pretty cool!

37640

I'm pretty sure that Falcon Coupe was raced by Brett Wilson from Hastings. Had a 428 CJ in it. It appeared in a lot of the NZHRM drag racing coverage back in the mid-late seventies.
Cheers,
Bob.

[GD66]

Reg Cook gets set for a fast blast down the strip in his circuit racing Mini. I'd love to know what his time was.





From TRS 2013...:cool:

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[Steve Holmes]

From TRS 2013...:cool:

38576

Hey thats awesome! Thanks for posting GD. And 13sec 1/4 mile is really moving!

[Steve Holmes]

I'm pretty sure that Falcon Coupe was raced by Brett Wilson from Hastings. Had a 428 CJ in it. It appeared in a lot of the NZHRM drag racing coverage back in the mid-late seventies.
Cheers,
Bob.

Thanks Bob, great info!

[Steve Holmes]

A little more on the Dawson TA Mustang here http://www.nzmustang.com/Images/History/Racecars/Dawson.htm
Note from the above link; "A more detailed story of the history of this car can be found in the article by Steven Holmes in issue 154 (Oct 03) of NZ Classic Car Magazine, Page 76" That bloke Holmes seems to know his stuff, so that's probably a pretty definitive history :-) I have it buried here somewhere I think.
Cheers,
Bob.

Ha ha, that was a long time ago! The Bowden's still owned the car then, it was in Queensland.

[Steve Holmes]

Ralph Wright.

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[Steve Holmes]

Ralph Wright versus Nick Liefting. Perfect timing by our photographer. Wright's rear tyres have just started spinning.

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[Steve Holmes]

Colin Wilson's new Graham Berry built rear engined rail. Garth Hogan in the dark shirt is helping push.

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[Steve Holmes]

David Vazey's wicked Ford Fairlane, which ran a Holman-Moody 427 motor.

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[Steve Holmes]

Check this out. Mad Fiat engined drag bike.

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[Steve Holmes]

Krazy Kate Lane.

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[Steve Holmes]

Graham Roberts with Hooker 1. Note the interesting chrome box around the intake.

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[Steve Holmes]

Australian visitor Joe Cook.

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[Steve Holmes]

Tony Ward's famous 3 window coupe.

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[Steve Holmes]

Colin Stuart's wild custom Ford. Was a four door converted to a two door.

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[Steve Holmes]

Wayne List.

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[Steve Holmes]

Allan Lim.

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[Steve Holmes]

Trevor Watson's mad little Peugeot powered racer.

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[Oldfart]

Trevor Watson still going with that car! Faster and faster.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Rhys. Is it still Peugeot powered?

[Steve Holmes]

Colin Wilson.

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[Steve Holmes]

Robin Unkovich with chute open. What a beautiful car!

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[Steve Holmes]

Dave McDougal. In the other lane is the '67 Mustang pictured earlier thought might be the ex-Dawson car. Note its still painted metallic blue.

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[Steve Holmes]

Dave Gale, from Australia.

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[Steve Holmes]

Dave Chung. Probably best known as half of the Kiwi speed equipment company Berry & Chung, or Cherry & Bung as they were often nick-named. That pit sure had some long grass!

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[Steve Holmes]

The Pallmall Maverick shown earlier in this thread, now sporting new colours. Handsome car.

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[Steve Holmes]

Ken Lovegrove's rear engined dragster.

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[Steve Holmes]

Awesome early GMC powered dragster was already a classic by the time this photo was taken, circa 1974.

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[Steve Holmes]

Nick Liefting versus Guy Lim.

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[Steve Holmes]

Cub Roberts. 'Hooker' seems to be a very popular name for race cars.

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[Steve Holmes]

Errol McLachlan.

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[Steve Holmes]

Dave Chung, having just spun out on the startline.

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[Steve Holmes]

Fred Harrop.

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[Steve Holmes]

Kate Lane.

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[Steve Holmes]

I just love this great shot of a very crowded Meremere pit area. Check out the vehicles pictured here. The Mustang looks epic, as does the custom Transit van. I sure love '70s custom vans; flares, fat mags with raised white lettered tyres, lake pipes, and, of course, lots of wild air brushed paint, including Warlocks, desert scenes, and/or naked ladies.

39361

[Kwaussie]

Trevor Watson's mad little Peugeot powered racer.

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Ray Bell may not have seen this - he is a bit of a Peugeot fan. Saw this car at one of the first Thunderpark events, very impressive!

[Steve Holmes]

Guy Lim. Note the hand painted lettering on the cars body. A dying art form.

39425

[Steve Holmes]

Gary Taylor's awesome Chevy Nova.

39429

[Steve Holmes]

Errol Uttinger.

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[Steve Holmes]

Roger Murray gets the hole-shot.

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[928]

Cub Roberts. 'Hooker' seems to be a very popular name for race cars.

39356
because the take all your money and effort leave you drained at the finish

[seaqnmac27]

http://peugeotclub.org.nz/2012/05/15/drag-racing-veteran-still-going-fast/

[Rod Grimwood]

I just love this great shot of a very crowded Meremere pit area. Check out the vehicles pictured here. The Mustang looks epic, as does the custom Transit van. I sure love '70s custom vans; flares, fat mags with raised white lettered tyres, lake pipes, and, of course, lots of wild air brushed paint, including Warlocks, desert scenes, and/or naked ladies.

39361

The Mustang is Tony McFadden who was part owner of rear engined rail (one of 1st in country)
with Ken Vincent. He was a block layer from East Coast Bays. Brian Bowater got this car of Tony.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Rod. Where is it now?

[Steve Holmes]

John Agnew's superb looking six-banger dragster.

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[Steve Holmes]

Curly West with what appears to be a channelled '32 Ford coupe.

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[Steve Holmes]

Tony Ward's very famous '32 3 window coupe.

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[Steve Holmes]

The Meremere return road!

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[Steve Holmes]

Pete Lodge, returning with his 'Hombre' Topalino bodied Altered.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Graham Christison's 'Jumpin Jack Flash' Ford Pop.

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[Steve Holmes]

Peter Jones, having suffered driveline failure.

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[Steve Holmes]

Brian Bowater's XYGT Falcon.

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[Steve Holmes]

Yep, thats a V8 motorbike! Aussie racer Wally Pushkey is one crazy mofo!

39719

[Steve Holmes]

Kevin Delores.

39720

[Steve Holmes]

39721

[Rod Grimwood]

Thanks Rod. Where is it now?

Re Mustang

sorry for delay Steve.
Unfortunately it was written off in an accident.

[Rod Grimwood]

Presume that is the Chung from Berry and Chung in Wellington that made Cobra replica and did all sort of custom work !! .

was up at Tokerau Beach in far north couple week back, dropped into see a mate who has retired there, and there was a bloke at the batch-home across the road on the beach and my mate said, 'that bloke used to have drag cars and speed shop' went and did some checking and found out it was Dave Chung, he has holiday home up there, still lives in Wellington but spends lot of time up there.

[Rod Grimwood]

Ken Vincent's curious looking rail with minimal bodywork. Was quite rare to see rear engine drag cars then.

37880

sorry not been paying attention to much, Tony McFadden back wheel, Tony Lynch kneeling beside engine. Lynch is very smart engineer.

[Steve Holmes]

Graham Berry.

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[Steve Holmes]

Now..... Allan Porter wasn't sure on the details of this car and driver. However, a facebook post by Bryan Thomas went as such: "Aztec Fibreglass, Laurie Larsen, Hamilton feller..327 with Smokey Yunick single 4 inlet manifold...Flathead gearbox...Tow truck would have been a 39/40 Ford pickup..Green color mebbe....Chassis was the old Larry Fergusson rail".

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[Steve Holmes]

Chris Ward. Check out the ride height! Real '60s gasser style.

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Thanks to a couple of very clued-up Roaring Season members, its been pointed out to me the XY Falcon shown a few posts back in this thread, is actually the former John Goss GTHO Phase III. That the car ended up in NZ after Goss was finished with it is common knowledge, but I didn't realize it became the cool '70s street machine Brian Bowater turned it into.

Interesting the colourful lives some of these legendary cars lead.

39793

[Rod Grimwood]

Norris Miles raced in this car in same blue with AC Gill Menswear sponsorship. Brian Bowater bought a Falcon GT ( to HO specs and maybe better ) off Ross Tebbs. Believe this was the car he had his unfortunate accident in. I think the top car is a different car to the curcuit one. He did run the curcuit (ex Goss) a few times but it was not really changed much.

[Rod Grimwood]

From the horse's mouth. Sitting at home and a wagon pulls into drive and Tony Banks gets out. We go to deck and fridge, and start chatting about old days. Get to talking about John Goss who I meet at Sandown couple month back and that we talked about the old Falcons etc. He mentions the Bowater Falcon that he tuned for Brian Bowater on the Dyno. Mention it was a real strong engine and had a lever set up in it that ran along the tunnel to driver seat and you could change the diff ratio with it (2 speed diff) thinks it was 6 to 1 in low gear and into normal about 3.5 ratio. Tony did a few runs in it and wondered what ever happened to it and what happened to the diff which was obviously American. Information for Tony be good and I will get him on this site as he has forgotten more than we will all know about alot of NZ Motor Racing both on land and sea.

Amazing how things happen, have not seen Tony for couple months and we just sitting having a drink on deck talking about ole times etc and he asks out of the blue Falcon, 'you remember the Falcon that bowater had, what ever happened to it, I used to tune etc it for him' and I just looked at him and 'said you joking, come look at this' and showed him the article and he filled in some bits as I typed. He also reckons the top car is not the ex Goss one.

[Spgeti]

Hone O Drive Rod.... I will tell you a story re this at the Tasman Revival and a certain HO that touched my life.
I remember his Falcon and another one on Meremere as well but the grey matter is a bit cloudy.
Cheers
Bruce

[Jac Mac]

The Bowater car in posts 144/155 above has over riders on front bumper, dont think Ive seen a GTHO with these fitted in photos or otherwise.

[928]

The Bowater car in posts 144/155 above has over riders on front bumper, dont think Ive seen a GTHO with these fitted in photos or otherwise.
what do you call over riders? I cannot see any

[Steve Holmes]

Those just look like stripes on the front bumper to me. Bit hard to tell from this angle.

[928]

more you chair off to one side Steve, changes the perspective

[Jac Mac]

No need to move the chair, just have to get used to it, the last big quake might have tilted you guys a bit further than you were before:)

XW/XY Bumper over-riders.

[Steve Holmes]

This is Roger Murray warming up the rear tyres in his T Bucket.

39844

[Steve Holmes]

The Hogan/Larsen rail. Geoff Larsen is doing the burn-out. Garth Hogan is running alongside. What a cool shot!

39845

[Steve Holmes]

Same car in colour, now with Hogan at the wheel.

39846

[Steve Holmes]

Bruce Dow. That thing looks a handful!

39847

[Steve Holmes]

Robin Unkovich. Now THATS a burnout!

39858

[Steve Holmes]

Jim Walton. Great looking car, note the wings mounted above the rollcage and on the sides. Real cool.

39859

[Steve Holmes]

I love this one. The Shadwick brothers blown Jeep. What a beast! Someone may recall better than me, but didn't this car feature in the second Weetbix card series?

I wonder where it is now.

39860

[Steve Holmes]

Cub Roberts and Hooker 2.

39861

[Steve Holmes]

This is Aussie drag racer Bill Croft's wicked T Bucket. Just look at those headers!

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[Steve Holmes]

I want to finish off Part 2 of the Allan Porter collection with some neat multi-shot images of/from the Berry & Wilson rail.

First up is this flame burnout.

39990

[Steve Holmes]

Next, both Allan and TVNZ attached cameras to the car. The TVNZ camera was attached to the rollcage and filmed the car heading down the track. Meanwhile, Allan attached his camera to the front axle, and set the shutter to take multiple images facing back towards the driver as it went down the track.

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[Steve Holmes]

Finally, this is the series of photos taken by Allan's camera during the run, which includes the burnout. This is obviously a different run to the photos shown above, as the car is now missing its rear wing, but I assume its the same day.

Check these out, just awesome.

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[Steve Holmes]

39998

39999

40000

[Steve Holmes]

40001

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My thanks again to Allan Porter for allowing me to share this beautiful collection. Part 3 coming soon.....

[ap-photo]

I could have this all back to front, but would that land off the in the distance be where Hampton Downs is now?

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Yes it is....

[Growler]

...but didn't this car feature in the second Weetbix card series?
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Yes it does...which I have the full set!

[Greg Stokes]

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In Part 1 of the Allan Porter Collection, we featured an amazing mix of early New Zealand drag racing photos from the early years of the sport, when organizing groups set up events at the unpaved Kopuku Dragway, on closed roads, or at circuit racing tracks.

In 1973, New Zealands first purpose built drag strip opened for business. Champion Dragway at Meremere is situated roughly halfway between Auckland and Hamilton, and just up the road from the relatively new Hampton Downs circuit racing venue.

With the opening of Meremere, the sport of drag racing enjoyed a sharp rise in popularity, with New Zealands second purpose built facility, Thunderpark, near Napier, hosting its first event three years later.

The images from Part 2 of the Allan Porter Collection center around the early years of Meremere. The professionalism of the sport also increases greatly in this part, along with speeds, and competition. As in Part 1, many of the cars and drivers racing during this time are likely familiar to many of you. You may even see yourselves in some of them, if this was your scene during the 1970s.

The Bill Ward C-Cab now owned by Doug Bell of The Hot Rod Show


Ivan Jujnovich's '56 Chevy hardtop. With a different paint job, I think this is the same car that appeared in the Weetbix Hot Rod card collection in the late '70s. Remember those?

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Now owned by Nick Boblea


From the control tower. Note that the two cars are driving back to the pits via the race track.

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Eye in the sky weather reporter the late Bill Mudgeway on announcing duty


Not sure who either of these are. Any thoughts people?

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Tony Kidd in the bucket


Nick Liefting.

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Body is in North Shore Rod & Custom Club rooms


Tony Ward's famous 3 window coupe.

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Now owned by Bryan Kilsby


Robin Unkovich with chute open. What a beautiful car!

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Owned now by Chris Piaggi and Malcolm Turner

[TonyG]

Norris Miles raced in this car in same blue with AC Gill Menswear sponsorship. Brian Bowater bought a Falcon GT ( to HO specs and maybe better ) off Ross Tebbs. Believe this was the car he had his unfortunate accident in. I think the top car is a different car to the curcuit one. He did run the curcuit (ex Goss) a few times but it was not really changed much.

He did run the Goss car at Meremere a few times but it was definitely not the one in the photo with the lake pipes.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Tony, thats interesting. There has been some discussion Brian Bowater had a couple of XY Falcons and that this might be the other.

[Steve Holmes]

The Bill Ward C-Cab now owned by Doug Bell of The Hot Rod Show



Now owned by Nick Boblea



Eye in the sky weather reporter the late Bill Mudgeway on announcing duty



Tony Kidd in the bucket



Body is in North Shore Rod & Custom Club rooms



Now owned by Bryan Kilsby



Owned now by Chris Piaggi and Malcolm Turner

Thanks Greg, this is great info.

Regarding the '56 Chevy now owned by Nick Boblea, is this the car that was later painted brown/gold and fitted with spoke chrome wheels?

Also, the Tony Ward coupe, by chance does it still look like this?

[Mike Dias]

This was my first race car back in 1974, brought it with a 4 cylinder Victor engine then ran a 179 X2 Holden engine, it ran a 12 second 1/4 mile which isn't that fast but it was only a bit over 4 seconds slower than the National record at the time which makes it a 12 second pass sound better.

[Steve Holmes]

This was my first race car back in 1974, brought it with a 4 cylinder Victor engine then ran a 179 X2 Holden engine, it ran a 12 second 1/4 mile which isn't that fast but it was only a bit over 4 seconds slower than the National record at the time which makes it a 12 second pass sound better.

Thanks Mike, do you have a photo?

[Humai]

Wow. Here I am enjoying these great photos and, lo and behold, I stumble across one of my own car (post #55).

As noted, it is currently being reassembled after a bare metal restoration.

I bought this car from Walsh Motors in 1979. It was first registered in Nelson in 1973.

I ran it at a couple of street meets at Meremere back in the 80s. Best run was 14.0 at 101.2.

I just wanted to say thanks to the original poster of these great photo threads. I was at the inaugural Meremere meeting as a 15 year old and attended a number of drag meetings thereafter. These photos bring back some great memories!

[Humai]

Neat little rail of Phil Hirst. I'm not sure if its Fiat powered. Perhaps one of our Fiat anoraks might know?

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Yup it's a Fiat. IIRC, it was a 1608cc engine originally fitted to a Fiat 125. It was mated to a VW transaxle. It had twin side draft Webers or Dellortos and hot cams and was producing about 160hp. I recall that it ran 11.35 on the quarter.

[Steve Holmes]

Yup it's a Fiat. IIRC, it was a 1608cc engine originally fitted to a Fiat 125. It was mated to a VW transaxle. It had twin side draft Webers or Dellortos and hot cams and was producing about 160hp. I recall that it ran 11.35 on the quarter.

Thats awesome info. Thanks heaps.