Beach Racing At Tahunanui Nelson 1960s

[bry3500]

Beach Racing At Tahunanui Nelson 1960s

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MORE TO COME ....

[bry3500]

nelson beach

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beach racing

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[AMCO72]

Talk about smiling at car racing. I havent smiled so much in a long time. Aren't the captions just priceless!!!! This must have been at the height of special building in NZ. There sure is some weird and wonderful creations in there.

[Shano]

Fantastic stuff - great photos and captions written by someone knowledgeable. Love it.

It's a huge pity there is no beach racing now. If you put the hillclimbs and the beach racing back into motorsport it would enable a lot more people to take part. Imagine trying to get a resource consent for either activity now....

[pallmall]

Worth a place in your library if you are interested in the history of Tahunanui beach racing is the Mike Stephens book "The Tahunanui Beach Motor Racing Years of the Nelson Car Club 1949-1977", published in 1996. I see a couple of Christchurch book dealers offering copies on NZ Trade Me from time to time.

[woody]

Car 25 is "Snow" Brogan from Fairfield, Dunedin. Bought a single seater not long after had a bad accident I think at Teretonga. He never raced again.

[bry3500]

Sorry about the photo "repeats" ..It was late when I was uploading

[bob homewood]

I was in touch with Charlie Benseman today and told him about this site and the photos ,hope he managed to get here and have a look

[David McKinney]

Some real history there, Bry! Thanks for sharing

Woody -
I think Snow Brogan's accident in the Cooper-Climax was at Timaru - possibly at the opening meeting

[Jac Mac]

I might be wrong here, but I think the very first photo in post #1 of this thread might be the BCM Special of Brian Maybee ( Not sure on spelling ). If so it might be the accident that claimed his life. Im only going by the partial description alongside the phot with reference to 'special' and knowing that the car in question had a locally made transaxle which is clearly visible in the photo. When @ beach races ~ 1971 with Stuart Quertier { ex Neil Stuart/NG Smith, Stuart Special in other photos } we visited Brians Father at his home & amongst other things he showed us the wooden patterns for the transaxle in the car, I think from memory Brian built three cars in total, two of which ended up in southland during the grass track/gravel hillclimb era of motorsport.

[bry3500]

But for the tragic death of Nelson motor racing driver, Brian Mabey, the two-day programme of the Nelson Car Club on the Tahuna circuit, would have been an unqualified success. Mabey lost his life when his B. C. M. Special overturned during the fifth lap of the 12-lap provincial championship on the first day. At the same place, the western bend, a little earlier, L. Middlebrook (Morris 8) rolled his car but escaped without injury.

[AMCO72]

Yes, and they were a damn site more quickly on the scene then, than they are sometimes now. I have watched an odd fire take hold in a race car, and where are the fire marshalls. Each post round the track should have a quad bike with all the necessary gear on it for a quick response. Seems to take them ages to arrive; every second counts, and of course there are some tragic stories of formula one drivers coming to grief under their cars, with competitors stopping to render assistance. Not good enough.

[Steve Holmes]

This thread is just magic Bry!

[105angria]

Can you get some history on the Alfa, is the Ransley Riley a NZ special Whats that Dorrell driving ,and how cools the mixed field and the closeness of the crowd wonderfull

[AMCO72]

The problem with beach racing was that the turns got very cut up and some deep ruts formed which you did well to stay way from. Ron Roycroft was always very wary of rutted corners having watch a few close shaves from following other cars....he was usually 2nd or 3rd 'on the road', especially when Big George was in front of him showering him with sand....'.I ducked down to avoid it'. Once the car dug -in you had little hope of saving it, quite unlike a sealed surface. Wally Darrell used to love beach racing, absolutely suited his style of driving, all revs and sideways....no good on the tarmac.....too many 360's. By the way am I right in thinking that the BCM is competing in classic racing today. Would be a nice tribute to Mr Mabey.

[AMCO72]

I think that is a spelling mistake....should be Darrell....shouldn't it. A big coincidence if there was a Dorrell competing as well. The Tahunanui circuit was just that, a circuit, rather than a sprint up the beach for a mile or three then round a drum and back. Certainly far better from a spectator point of view. Of course all the spectators were safely behind barriers a good distance from the action......yeah right. As one caption says.......'a Morris Minor looses control and the spectators HIKE for safety!!!!!!! I see the Renault Dauphine Corvette is in there too. Got a chance to see the recreation of this machine at Teretonga this year....my God it could go....showed the old Custaxie the way. A VERY accomplished driver, no doubt about that. I had a friend who was a Renault Dauphine enthusiast. His son was demonstrating the 'handling' capabilities of the Renault one day and managed to side-swipe a tree while exiting our property....didn't do the car much good, and I dont think Father was very happy as they had just restored it!!!!! As with all swing axles, decidedly dodgy in the corners. I don't think there is too much Renault suspension in the Corvette powered car.

[tweaks]

Yup ..The BCM -Vauxhall 6 in above image is still running and is owned by Chris Read...He also has the BCM-Consul which I sold to him many years back dismantled and missing few bits...Somewhere I have the build sheet with all the components that went into the origonal build of the car when built with Vauxhall 10 motor...it makes interesting reading seeing what went into a car in those days.

Cheers

Lynds

[bry3500]

Giff Tait, well-known throughout the Nelson province as a racing driver and a principal of Nelson Winery, Redwood's Valley, was killed instantly when his powerful modified Chrysler Valiant car rolled over on the western bend of the Tahuna Beach racing circuit during the morning preparations for the racing. Seven years ago, Brian Mabey was killed on this same corner during racing. The death of Mr Tait, whose popularity extended far beyond motor racing circles, marred what otherwise was a successful meeting. The pix of the incident, taken by Warren Aston, show Mr Tait's car rolling over, in the top pic, and that below shows the extent of the damage to the vehicle.

[bry3500]

some captions from the above pics
Colin Ryder and Arthur Holtham prepare for a motor cycle event.
Ian Jacobson (right) kept his mechanic, Leith Canning, busy both days.
Brian Lucas and Ross Hore cock their ears to listen during Brian's tuning of his Mini-Coope
Bob Thompson and Don Gilmour have a shufti to Bob's Anglia 1500
Cars move off the grid in the New Zealand beach title race

[bry3500]

John Thomson, of Christchurch, clicked the shutter just as Brian Mabey's racing car started to roll on the western bend of the Tahuna circuit during the motor racing. Brian suffered injuries from this crash from which he died soon afterwards.

[bry3500]

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February 8, 1969

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nelson

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Pete's vintage racer was built in New Zealand in 1949 by John Jacobson & Neil Stuart based on “K8” plans, originally US short dirt track cars that later evolved as sprint cars.

Here are some of it's technical details:
Power: Ford Flathead V8, 286 cubic inch
Transmission: 3-speed Ford
Front and rear end: '39 Ford
Springs: Front '39 Ford; Rear Model T
Brakes: '39 Ford
Frame: cut-down Essex
Steering box: Chrysler 70
Top speed (recorded): 115 MPH

Between 1949 and 1965, it was raced by John Jacobson & Neil Stuart at the Aranui Speedway and several road-type circuit races; Bill Harris Jr. used it in beach racing and Peter & Alec Rattray in road-races.

Pete has owned No.77 since 1965, racing it in road-type circuits, hill climbs, beach racing and later vintage racing events; he won the New Zealand Beach Racing Championship Race 3 times. While he owned the car, it was also raced by Bob (RW) Stewart, Neil Stuart, Brian Hepburn and John Armstrong on occasions. The car was well known as a ''Ford V8 Special'' in the South Island of New Zealand.

[thunder427]

nelson

....behind the larger photo of Bill Harris,I played 'spot the make' a game I played when I was riding 'Shot Gun',with my Father, ferrying new Singer SM's from Nelson to Christchurch at 30MPH all the way,remember you used to have to 'Run Them In' in those days,I had to name the Manufacturer and Build date along with model ID....

Left to right
Ford Mk2 Zephyr 1957/58..LIP Vauxhall 1948/52..Chevrolet 1939..Ford Prefect 1948/51..Citroen (with 'gear stick' comming out of the centre of the dash!!)..Ford Anglia 1955/6 (3 bar grill was Anglia/Prefect had mesh with 'Chrome' surround!!)..Chevrolet 1955..Austin A90 Atlantic 1955/6?..Bedford Van 1955/6(with sliding front doors!)...David, how am I going so far,long time since I played this game!!!:confused:..................regards thunder427?MJ:p:p:p

[thunder427]

..promised Steve I would tell this story!!

My father took a 'Sales' position with the 'Reid Rubber Tyre Company' in Nelson around 1952,selling tyres to the trade throught out the Malborough/Blenham/Nelson and West Coast,I went to the Tahunanui School, when we lived in Greens st/Tahunanui,we would go and 'Roller Skate' at the 'Rink' at Tahunanui Beach Front,great swim beach,also attended Auckland Point School where I had to walk past 'Nelson Transport' Truck Depo,if you asked with a "Please" you would be given 'large' Ball Race wheels for the 'Billy Karts', then they would pretend to chase you out of the place,you school bag banging away on your back,weighting a 'Ton', full of Bounty

The story....1959/we, the family, had towed a 'New' caravan behind a 'Swish',matching paint scheme,1948 Oldsmobile 'Teardrop' Coupe (read 'Fastback') to stay at the Nelson Camping Ground,see some friends, from our 3 year stay in Nelson and take in the Beach races that included the Scramble Bikes which we also enjoyed ,the Mechanic from my Fathers Car Sales in Ferry Road ChCh, was riding that weekend.

Well, there we were, with our flash new/Modern 'Aluminium clad' caravan with an attachment called an 'Awning',that made double your space, my Mum had decided that we should be visiting, Dad and I had had a notion to watch the Beach race Practise, but Mum ruled, well thats what my Father told me, someone had once compared my mother to Elizabeth Taylor, not quite, but if you get the 'Make-up' thing going,you will understand the comparison,it was a major event,well there she was,my Mum,looking radiant standing in the door way of our 'Flash' van.."Oh!! its rather windy,I'll just pop back inside and use a little 'Hairspray'"...she's gone about 2sec's....Swiiiiiiiish....screams comming from inside..." I've sprayed my Hair with Bloody 'FLYSPRAY'....well that was too much for my Father and I,we just rolled around laughing (In the 'Awning')...she refused to come out till my Father agreed to take her and have her hair re-permed....she had reached up to a small shelf that held two cans ,one Hairspray the other flyspray,felt the same,BUT!!.....well as you guessed, I got to go to the Beach and watch the 'practice'......and I,ve been a supporter/user of 'Mortine' ever since......I Know, I am mean!!, It wasn't really funny and I did have a 'Great' Mum !!!, but hey!!!:p I did get to the 'Beach!!!!!.............................regards thunder427/MJ:):):)

[bry3500]

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Skope Classic 2011

[Peter Leversedge]

Woody, The accident Snow had was on the main straight at Levels, Timaru, it happened right in front of me in the practise. His car a red Cooper ended upside down astride the ditch that ran along side the track. I stoped, jumped out of my car, went to see if he was okay and found him lying in the ditch on his back . A few seconds later the crash crew arrived so I left the scene. I have never seen him since and often wonder what happened to him

[105angria]

bry thanks for contacting Peter on his birthday , getting that great pic,nows he is posting, what a great site

[bry3500]

Cheers mate ...just got to get him over to Phillip Island now with ol #77..

[bry3500]

Reprint - Limited edition of 100 - Numbered and signed by author. Arguably, the motor racing on Nelson's Back Beach set the seal on the region as a summer holiday destination in the post second world war era. It was held as a two day meeting every New Year from the last day of 1949 to the New Year of 1977 and the Nelson Car club can take credit for the enthusiasm of so many officials, drivers and spectators. Held on a natural beach race circuit, which was bounded by the large Tahunanui Beach Camping Ground and the beach sandhills, the meeting attracted drivers from up and down the country year after year. Names including Roper, Farland, Tucker, Logan, Shuter, Lupp, father and son Les and Ronnie Moore and many others were nationally noted drivers of their time and all drove with verve and skill on the Tahunanui Beach circuit to the delight of the paying (and non paying) spectators. This publication traces the history of the races staged by the Nelson Car Club during an era when motor racing attracted the largest number of spectators of any sport in New Zealand.STOCK INFORMATIONGeneral FieldsISBN : 9780473039042PUBLISHER : sandhillsIMPRINT : sandhillsPRODUCT TYPE : booksSpecial FieldsBIND : PaperbackAUTHOR : Mike Stephens

[thunder427]

Reprint - Limited edition of 100 - Numbered and signed by author. Arguably, the motor racing on Nelson's Back Beach set the seal on the region as a summer holiday destination in the post second world war era. It was held as a two day meeting every New Year from the last day of 1949 to the New Year of 1977 and the Nelson Car club can take credit for the enthusiasm of so many officials, drivers and spectators. Held on a natural beach race circuit, which was bounded by the large Tahunanui Beach Camping Ground and the beach sandhills, the meeting attracted drivers from up and down the country year after year. Names including Roper, Farland, Tucker, Logan, Shuter, Lupp, father and son Les and Ronnie Moore and many others were nationally noted drivers of their time and all drove with verve and skill on the Tahunanui Beach circuit to the delight of the paying (and non paying) spectators. This publication traces the history of the races staged by the Nelson Car Club during an era when motor racing attracted the largest number of spectators of any sport in New Zealand.STOCK INFORMATIONGeneral FieldsISBN : 9780473039042PUBLISHER : sandhillsIMPRINT : sandhillsPRODUCT TYPE : booksSpecial FieldsBIND : PaperbackAUTHOR : Mike Stephens
:):):)...bry3500; Fantastic!!!,got to have copy,so where do I send my money, an address of a supplier would be sufficent, would love that on my Book shelf, I had many great Christmas/New Year Growing up at Tahunanui, as stated in another thread,went to Tahunanui school,belonged to the local Tahunanui Cub/Scout group,roller skated at the Tahunanui Beach skate 'open-air' rink,lived in Green Sreet Tahunanui when my Father worked for RiedRubber Tyre Company,the house came with the job from memory,spent a real lot of time at the Nelson Aero club,got to ride/fly in some neat 'little' planes,was there when they had an 'Airshow' and a fully polished Mustang 'commissioned' fighter ,did some stunt stuff and as a kid that just blew me away,the pilot then stood the Mustang on its tail and drove straight up ,'Glinting' in the afternoon sun and gone,....Oh!! Well back to normal....when suddenly about ten minutes later,at about twenty feet off the deck .Vroooooooooooooooooooooom!! and gone,of towards Wellington......Magic moments in one's life................regards thunder427/MJ:):):)

[bry3500]

http://www.pageandblackmore.co.nz/catalog/164913/22797

[bry3500]

Audrey Hutcheon

[bry3500]

The Ian Stevens Dauphine Rebuild

[GeebeeNZ]

I got Mike Stephens book a few years ago and for someone north of the Bombay Hills found it a good read. I wrote to Halsey Logan many years ago about the Fiat 500 he used to run. It later went to John Wells. Halsey replied with full details of its modifications not long before he passed away.Does anyone know what happened to the motor. When I last heard of it it was sitting under a garage bench somewhere in Nelson. That was a few years ago and I never got any closer than that.

[bry3500]

Peter Leversedge

[bry3500]

"Along with many other organisations and people, the Nelson Car Club suffered from the heavy rain. It did not have to cancel its meeting, but the beach circuit at Tahuna was little more than a slush field. Windscreen wipers were a necessity and any driver in an open car got soaked each race. Cars, of course, suffered, the unluckiest driver being W. Darrell who had all sorts of troubles to overcome with his machine."

[bry3500]

more pics

[Oldfart]

Love the "mechanic/driver" in white overalls, fag hanging out of the mouth, helmet on and those bloody horrible KayDee sandals as "racing boots" in the second to last photo!

[bry3500]

1960

[bry3500]

Neil Stuart

[bry3500]

3 more

[thunder427]

3 more

.....Bill Harris was unable to 'race' on a Saturday as he was a man who stood by his religious beliefs as a Seventh Day Adventist but when he raced you watched,because he was. Very good, it was often touted 'it was good Bill didn't race on Saturdays......MJ

[bry3500]

what was the history of Happy Bill's Tipo B ..was this the car that Brian Tracey raced?

[stirlingmac]

Wow how did I miss this thread...I grew up in Nelson and as a kid spent hours rereading through my Nana's collection of Nelson Photo News magazines which is where most of these great photos came from. My Dad was a beach racer and president of Nelson Car Club and I still have his 50's era club grille badge on my car. He has a copy of Mike's book and it's a great read. Back as a hairy arse 16 year old one New Years holiday in the 80's I drove my car around the old beach circuit...and was pulled up by the cops. I explained I was reliving my old mans racing tales and surprisingly the cop lamented the end of the racing and told me to be careful and not to hit anyone !!! I can't imagine that happening now..

[bry3500]

Nelson Photo news is now available on line..http://www.nelsoncitycouncil.co.nz/nelson-photo-news-launched-online/. There is lots of great articles from Slot car Racing, go carts, stock cars, rallying etc..When I left Wanganui as an 8 year old we stopped off in Nelson for the Christmas holidays on the way to CHCH..it was my first taste of car racing 'in the flesh" and I was gob smacked and hooked.I can still remember vividly a lot of the cars including John Millers Dauphine Chev ....heady stuff for a little tacker back then
Wow how did I miss this thread...I grew up in Nelson and as a kid spent hours rereading through my Nana's collection of Nelson Photo News magazines which is where most of these great photos came from. My Dad was a beach racer and president of Nelson Car Club and I still have his 50's era club grille badge on my car. He has a copy of Mike's book and it's a great read. Back as a hairy arse 16 year old one New Years holiday in the 80's I drove my car around the old beach circuit...and was pulled up by the cops. I explained I was reliving my old mans racing tales and surprisingly the cop lamented the end of the racing and told me to be careful and not to hit anyone !!! I can't imagine that happening now..

[stirlingmac]

Thanks for the tip...had a look, lots, of pics of my family on there.

[David McKinney]

what was the history of Happy Bill's Tipo B ..was this the car that Brian Tracey raced?
No, the other one

50005: Les Moore, Ron Roycroft, Dave Cadlwell, Johnny Mansel, Brian Tracey
50006: John McMillan, Ernie Sprague (briefly), Bill Harris

Both now long gone, of course. 50005 with John Shirley in USA, 50006 with Umberto Rossi, Italy

[bry3500]

Thanks David - couldn't get a better answer than that
No, the other one

50005: Les Moore, Ron Roycroft, Dave Cadlwell, Johnny Mansel, Brian Tracey
50006: John McMillan, Ernie Sprague (briefly), Bill Harris

Both now long gone, of course. 50005 with John Shirley in USA, 50006 with Umberto Rossi, Italy

[Chris Read]

8631
I might be wrong here, but I think the very first photo in post #1 of this thread might be the BCM Special of Brian Maybee ( Not sure on spelling ). If so it might be the accident that claimed his life. Im only going by the partial description alongside the phot with reference to 'special' and knowing that the car in question had a locally made transaxle which is clearly visible in the photo. When @ beach races ~ 1971 with Stuart Quertier { ex Neil Stuart/NG Smith, Stuart Special in other photos } we visited Brians Father at his home & amongst other things he showed us the wooden patterns for the transaxle in the car, I think from memory Brian built three cars in total, two of which ended up in southland during the grass track/gravel hillclimb era of motorsport.

In reply to this and post #28 and #34, like others I cant see how I missed this thread. The photo is the Brian Mabey car which I have owned and raced for 40 yrs. The first car Brian made in the early 50's had an Austin motor and wire wheels (photo #1). This became the No 2 car with the Vauxhall 10 motor and raced around 1955. It went to Southland in the main with various owners and also raced at Wigram (photo #2). This car was modified to a Consul motor and a different front body. This is how it finished its racing (photo#3). I acquired it as a box of bits from Winston ??- (used to work at AutoCourt Dunedin).
'Tweaks' (is that Lynsday Marr ?) did give me the list (photo#4) of components of the #2 car via John Nobles but I did not get the car from 'Tweaks'. The list is interesting. The last car Brian built was the Vauxhall 6 cyl motor and the later 1 3/4 ' triple SU's came off Earnie Spragues Zephyr. This is the car in which Mabey was killed. and car I have had for all these years (photo#5). The family did not want to have much to do with the tragedy even though I tried for may years to make contact.
Finally I visited Brian's daughter with the car and the photo #6 is his grand daughter sitting in the car. I have spoken with Brian's brother and he remembers the cars well but his wife who lives near her daughter in Wellington prefers to leave things as they are. While I respect this,86268627862886298630 I did say to his daughter that Brian was an influence in NZ motor racing engineering in the 50's that should not be forgotten. Even though she was only a few months old when he died she now appreciates what her father achieved in those few short years and I am glad we made contact some 50 yrs on. Chris Read - Arrowtown.

[bry3500]

Great post Chris...thanks
In reply to this and post #28 and #34, like others I cant see how I missed this thread. The photo is the Brian Maybe car which I have owned and raced for 40 yrs. The first car Brian made in the early 50's had an Austin motor and wire wheels (photo #1). This became the No 2 car with the Vauxhall 10 motor and raced around 1955. It went to Southland in the main with various owners and also raced at Wigram (photo #2). This car was modified to a Consul motor and a different front body. This is how it finished its racing (photo#3). I acquired it as a box of bits from Winston ??- (used to work at AutoCourt Dunedin).
'Tweaks' (is that Lynsday Marr ?) did give me the list (photo#4) of components of the #2 car via John Nobles but I did not get the car from 'Tweaks'. The list is interesting. The last car Brian built was the Vauxhall 6 cyl motor and the later 1 3/4 ' triple SU's came off Earnie Spragues Zephyr. This is the car in which Mabey was killed. and car I have had for all these years (photo#5). The family did not want to have much to do with the tragedy even though I tried for may years to make contact.
Finally I visited Brian's daughter with the car and the photo #6 is his grand daughter sitting in the car. I have spoken with Brian's brother and he remembers the cars well but his wife who lives near her daughter in Wellington prefers to leave things as they are. While I respect this,86268627862886298630 I did say to his daughter that Brian was an influence in NZ motor racing engineering in the 50's that should not be forgotten. Even though she was only a few months old when he died she now appreciates what her father achieved in those few short years and I am glad we made contact some 50 yrs on. Chris Read - Arrowtown.

[Oldfart]

Heres something I researched for the Peugeot Club magazine last year.

This month it’s the one built and raced for a number of years by Bob Nicoll who was in Nelson at that time. Bob has now moved to New Plymouth and I spent a fascinating hour or more talking with him and about his exploits.

The car turned up in his yard outside the workshop, and sat there for a while until some enthusiasts turned up and told him that 203s were being raced in Europe and he should do the same. Lead a horse to water – it will likely drink, and so life began anew.

The first steps were to strip it out a bit, and then he bought a brand new pair of 175 Strombergs, blended some “chunks” of exhaust tube into the blanking plate side of the engine with “bog” and a steel plate; one stage down! Bob replaced the 2 by 6 volt batteries with a 12 volt in the boot and also bolted a “lump of pig iron” to keep it company, he reckoned this made a big difference. Then he had a modified camshaft made up and “let the race begin”. The car was run in almost anything the Nelson and Canterbury Car Clubs ran from the Tahunanui Beach races to Wigram, Ruapuna, night trials, grass track, hillclimbs, etc, etc.

It ran this way for about 2 years, with various minor changes each event until it was decided that it could be taken a lot further. First step was to “cut off the roof and channel” it. Bob did explain this, but I fail to quite understand how it was done. In the end he had a 203 that was lower than a Mini! The back end was cut off from immediately behind the rear wheel arch and had a flat panel that went up to where the leading edge of the boot would have been. All the window glass was the same as original and there was 6 months of solid work to achieve it. He said it took “lots of weight out”. Looking carefully at photos I believe that the height was taken from below the window line as the wheel arches reach almost to the bottom of the windows RN.

By now it was quicker in almost any event than most minis. It now had 13” wheels and 2” wider than original. A few “discussions” took place with scrutineers over the 3 stud wheels and this, along with gearbox ratios lead to him grafting a Ford gearbox and back axle into the car. It still used the coils (there was no car to support leaf springs), and a set of radius rods on the top of the axle, and an A frame from the bottom running forward, as the torque tube location was now not possible.

Sometime around 1968 the car no longer appears in many results although around this time it had a 504 motor. It was known to be as fast as a very well modified Valiant Group 5 car, and the fantastically quick A40 of Pat Pascoe. Perhaps the “burnt orange” in colour bodywork and a very fine example of the abilities of the South Island special builder’s art did the trick.

The family last knew of the car somewhere near Cust, and would really like to find it for old time’s sake. In a way it lives on, as it appears in the film shown at the WOW museum motorsport section in Nelson.

[Oldfart]

86328633

These belong with previous post!

[woody]

Lyndsay Marr (tweaks) is a good old Kaikorai boy from Dunedin. Is Lyndsay on this site Chris?

[bry3500]

wow - it would be great to unearth that again - it would be nice to think its in a barn or shed somewhere
Heres something I researched for the Peugeot Club magazine last year.

This month it’s the one built and raced for a number of years by Bob Nicoll who was in Nelson at that time. Bob has now moved to New Plymouth and I spent a fascinating hour or more talking with him and about his exploits.

The car turned up in his yard outside the workshop, and sat there for a while until some enthusiasts turned up and told him that 203s were being raced in Europe and he should do the same. Lead a horse to water – it will likely drink, and so life began anew.

The first steps were to strip it out a bit, and then he bought a brand new pair of 175 Strombergs, blended some “chunks” of exhaust tube into the blanking plate side of the engine with “bog” and a steel plate; one stage down! Bob replaced the 2 by 6 volt batteries with a 12 volt in the boot and also bolted a “lump of pig iron” to keep it company, he reckoned this made a big difference. Then he had a modified camshaft made up and “let the race begin”. The car was run in almost anything the Nelson and Canterbury Car Clubs ran from the Tahunanui Beach races to Wigram, Ruapuna, night trials, grass track, hillclimbs, etc, etc.

It ran this way for about 2 years, with various minor changes each event until it was decided that it could be taken a lot further. First step was to “cut off the roof and channel” it. Bob did explain this, but I fail to quite understand how it was done. In the end he had a 203 that was lower than a Mini! The back end was cut off from immediately behind the rear wheel arch and had a flat panel that went up to where the leading edge of the boot would have been. All the window glass was the same as original and there was 6 months of solid work to achieve it. He said it took “lots of weight out”. Looking carefully at photos I believe that the height was taken from below the window line as the wheel arches reach almost to the bottom of the windows RN.

By now it was quicker in almost any event than most minis. It now had 13” wheels and 2” wider than original. A few “discussions” took place with scrutineers over the 3 stud wheels and this, along with gearbox ratios lead to him grafting a Ford gearbox and back axle into the car. It still used the coils (there was no car to support leaf springs), and a set of radius rods on the top of the axle, and an A frame from the bottom running forward, as the torque tube location was now not possible.

Sometime around 1968 the car no longer appears in many results although around this time it had a 504 motor. It was known to be as fast as a very well modified Valiant Group 5 car, and the fantastically quick A40 of Pat Pascoe. Perhaps the “burnt orange” in colour bodywork and a very fine example of the abilities of the South Island special builder’s art did the trick.

The family last knew of the car somewhere near Cust, and would really like to find it for old time’s sake. In a way it lives on, as it appears in the film shown at the WOW museum motorsport section in Nelson.

[Chris Read]

Lyndsay Marr (tweaks) is a good old Kaikorai boy from Dunedin. Is Lyndsay on this site Chris?

Go to Posting #34 this thread and 'tweaks' is there with a name at the bottom 'Lynds'...so assume it is Mr Marr along with his comments about Brian Mabey's BCM #2 list he gave me. Think he is Aus now...last time in Blackburn South.
Chris Read -Arrowtown

[bry3500]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ9HlCyxH1o

[thunder427]

....last few frames depicts a very wet race ,the last face thats covered in 'wet sand' features a young Allan Rhodes,who was driving the R.A Zephyr in 'Green' warpaint ......Dam!!!...they where great Christmas Holidays!!!!........thunder427/MJ

[bry3500]

Best Christmas holidays i ever had !

[tweaks]

They certainly were gtrat Xmas's there , especially as a 15 year old ,watching motor racing ,discovering girlsand drinking Harleys ? beer in the sandhills at night ... then going back to aour tent in the camp ground that was directly in front of the ladies shower block :rolleyes:
Hi to Chris and Woody yes it is me the "Good Old Kaikorai Boy" am still alive and now living in Geelong.

Regarding the BCM Special ???? . I bought it of a chap in the Gore area , and from the receipt the reg was AA 5179 and his name was G Mill .

Attached is the spec sheet typed up by Brian Maybey for the origonal build

Cheers

Lynds8723

[Chris Read]

Thanks for that info Lyndsay. John Noble had it and sold it to Winston Wingfield....in between somewhere there was a guy in Green Island (had a motor bike shop I think where Barry Vuyk used to operate from)..... was it Twaddle???

I bought the later BCM Special off Malcolm Bathgate who kept the trailer...I paid $349 for the car. Most of the OSCC had 'molested' the car at some time with Armie giving it the most use. Armie (or was it John Reid) drove it to the Balclutha evening sprint and as the story goes drove it back in the dark.
Good to hear from you . Chris Read - Arrowtown.
I

[GeebeeNZ]

Attached is the spec sheet typed up by Brian Maybey for the origonal build

What a mixture. Just imagine going to the Repco or Supercheap Counter for parts for that.

[Oldfart]

Come on GB, you know you need to have the registration number before either of the aforementioned (that's a bigger word than wheelbarrow) can source parts.

Attached is the spec sheet typed up by Brian Maybey for the origonal build

What a mixture. Just imagine going to the Repco or Supercheap Counter for parts for that.

[woody]

Chris, Sounds like Johnny Twaddle. Old Mayfair Motors in Green Island by the railway crossing.

[tweaks]

Ooops...just noticed I had chopped bottom of the spec sheet which had the following on

Camshaft...BCM . full race ( which he would have done on his own cam grinder

Steering wheel ... 32 Morris Minor

Sump holds ... 1 1/2 gallon

Valve springs ... 1931 Chev / Consul

Push rods ... 1949 Vauxhall 18 / Consul

..Rear shock ... 1928 Vauxhall 28.

..Front Shock absorbers ... Allard

It certainly had a few odd sods in there , the Healy 100S diff , 23 Caddy clutch pedal ,Scout car rev counter ect ....

Chris as for the Later BCM , Ron Perry, had shares in it with Alan Jamieson and Malcolm and it sat in Rons garage in Chapman Street for donkies ..the garage had 1/2 roof missing and front doors were just hanging there ....Would be good to the the Consul going again sometime

Cheers

Lynds

[woody]

Lynds, Sounds like the latter BCM car was not far from your home in Shetland St.

[woody]

Lynds, I have sent you a PM.

[MarkQ]

9133

[woody]

Is that Stewyq standing beside the car? How many years did Stewart run the v8 coupe for?

[David McKinney]

Not Tahuna, but relevant

http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/sport/6939523/Veteran-back-with-special-car

[MarkQ]

Is that Stewyq standing beside the car? How many years did Stewart run the v8 coupe for?

Yep, he's the crew chief. :).Dad raced the Ford Coupe between '68 & '70, he sold it to buy the Stuart Special from Norm Smith.
He has recently bought another '39 Deluxe and is now busy restoring it.

Mark Quertier

[MarkQ]

12372
Beach Racing Champs 1972 - Stuart V8 Special
Stewart Quertier holding roll bar, Geoff White, Jac Mac, Mervyn Gutschlag and the late John Jeffery.
Together that year they won the the South Island Beach race champs, Nelson Provincial Champs, the Lap record.
and placed 2nd in the NZ champs to Peter Leversedge.

[shellsport]

12372
Beach Racing Champs 1972 - Stuart V8 Special
Stewart Quertier holding roll bar, Geoff White, Jac Mac, Mervyn Gutschlag and the late John Jeffery.
Together that year they won the the South Island Beach race champs, Nelson Provincial Champs, the Lap record.
and placed 2nd in the NZ champs to Peter Leversedge.

Would that be the Crowe Ford special in the background or Charlie Bensemans # 4 ?

[Oldfart]

Would that be the Crowe Ford special in the background or Charlie Bensemans # 4 ?
Or Kelvin Browns?

[bry3500]

Or Kelvin Browns?

Ford 8 was owned by Roger Funnell and driven by Bensemann I think

[bry3500]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjh8QCDtv5g

[Steve Holmes]

Wow, great stuff Bryan! Thank you.

[Oldfart]

Brilliant! There are glimpses of a lot of well known cars there. One currently on Trade Me, Halsey Logan in at least 3 different cars, (GeeBee will get excited about now) The red well messed about Peugeot 203 is one of my favourites, last seen near Culverden.

[bry3500]

http://collection.nelsonmuseum.co.nz/search.do?view=detail&page=1&id=49925&db=object
http://collection.nelsonmuseum.co.nz/search.do?view=detail&page=1&id=49927&db=object
http://collection.nelsonmuseum.co.nz/search.do?view=detail&page=1&id=49926&db=object
http://collection.nelsonmuseum.co.nz/search.do?view=detail&page=1&id=49924&db=object

[bry3500]

this one is from FB

[bry3500]

Photo credits from face book page historicsportscarracingnz.co.nz

[bry3500]

Another one from Facebook historicsportscarracingnz.co.nz

Peter Leversedge
On the infield at the Nelson Beach Races about 1967/8. My Ford V8 Special on a borrowed trailer hooked up to my 55' Ford Customline [ matching colours....... ]. Just about every thing I owned at the time plus a box of tools.......[ Rosalie Stuart Photo

[Oldfart]

Ford 8 was owned by Roger Funnell and driven by Bensemann I think

Talking with Kelvin Brown recently. He has now sent me a series of photos of the build process of that #4 car. Kelvin built it, sold it to Roger, not sure of the link to Charlie as owner or driver. Roger did a good number of events in it himself. Another, "I wonder where that is now" cars.
Kelvin and I were talking about a re-creation, but finding a Ford 8 would be almost the hardest part. His story of the build is a good one if anyone is interested I will type it up and get him to check it.

[Trevor Sheffield]

This may have been shown before, but in any event is worth a look. Lots of photos scroll on through them. ----

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10208035658345488&set=oa.608569752654836&type=3&theater

[Kwaussie]

Is this photo taken near Nelson, it looks like a New Zealand number plate?

[seaqnmac27]

Is this photo taken near Nelson, it looks like a New Zealand number plate?

48 V12?

[Allan]

Shows in Carjam as a 1948 Ferrari 166 1992cc. Just as an interesting aside I note that all the photos of 166s show them as right hand drive. Anyone got any information or thoughts as to why?