Motor Racing History up For Auction in Australia

[TonyG]

It would seem that the Harris Collection (Bryan Byrt Ford) is up for Auction.
One of the Dick Johnson XC Coupes was sold recently for a steal with Log Books, Dicks race suit and Helmet included.
See Video Link here;


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chagkR04cY4

In comparison this Torana pulled more what I expected of the Ford;

https://www.tradeuniquecars.com.au/news/1705/torana-a9x-racer-tops-$600k

Now today I see the Ex Jim Richards Melfords Coupe that was purchased and campaigned by Bryan Byrt Ford up for Auction along with a string of other Historic race cars from the same collection.

Link Here;
Note lots 17, 18, 19 and 20. I did not know they were also into old RC Planes at Harris Racing - see back wall in lot 29.

https://www.lloydsonline.com.au/AuctionLots.aspx?aid=6424&pgn=1&pgs=100&smode=0&gv=True&utm_campaign=cc-race-car-29july&utm_medium=lloydsauctions&utm_source=landing-banner

[Steve Holmes]

Awesome thread Tony. Really interesting following those auctions. John Harris took over Bryan Byrt Ford when Bryan Byrt passed away from cancer in the late 1970s. Byrt was a huge racing enthusiast and a big supporter of Dick Johnson when his fellow Queenslander was struggling with his racing career. Byrt was also responsible for making Johnson a regular Ford driver, whereas he'd previously driven mostly Holdens.

But whats interesting is that when Byrt passed away and John Harris took over, he really didn't want the company involved in racing. He couldn't see the value in it, and although he did provide a small amount of support to Johnson in 1980 when Johnson wanted to build and race his first XD, the relationship would be short-lived. And yet John Harris built up an impressive collection of historic touring cars, most of which were those raced by Johnson.

[Terry S]

Awesome thread Tony. Really interesting following those auctions. John Harris took over Bryan Byrt Ford when Bryan Byrt passed away from cancer in the late 1970s. Byrt was a huge racing enthusiast and a big supporter of Dick Johnson when his fellow Queenslander was struggling with his racing career. Byrt was also responsible for making Johnson a regular Ford driver, whereas he'd previously driven mostly Holdens.

But whats interesting is that when Byrt passed away and John Harris took over, he really didn't want the company involved in racing. He couldn't see the value in it, and although he did provide a small amount of support to Johnson in 1980 when Johnson wanted to build and race his first XD, the relationship would be short-lived. And yet John Harris built up an impressive collection of historic touring cars, most of which were those raced by Johnson.

Bryan Byrt Ford went into liquidation in February 2015 so it could be related to that.

[Steve Holmes]

Bryan Byrt Ford went into liquidation in February 2015 so it could be related to that.

Oh wow, I wasn't aware of that.

[TonyG]

Nor I.

[Terry S]

For info on Bryan Byrt Ford Liquidation :

http://www.graysonline.com/sale/7006742/motor-vehicles-motor-cycles/unreserved-bryan-byrt-new-demo-vehicle-liquidation

http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=143632

[Terry S]

Big auction sale this Saturday (29 July) in Brisbane.

Catalogue attached. See in particular lots 17,18,19 & 20.

Plus lots of racing memorabilia.

https://www.lloydsonline.com.au/AuctionLots.aspx?cid=5&smode=0&pgn=1&pgs=100&gv=True

[TonyG]

2 gone to a good home - https://tenplay.com.au/news/national/2017/7/29/vintage-sale

[prn31]

The Harris family sold the Bryan Byrt Group a few years back - I think its fair to say they don't need the money.

It was the new owners father and son John and Brendan Crowley who sent the company bust owing $70M to various creditors and doing their best to siphon off money according to this article:
http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/court-hears-money-siphoned-from-collapsed-car-dealer-bryan-byrt-in-sham-deals/news-story/f57aef21e45c2a573e3f67b25c7fac86

[Terry S]

The Harris family sold the Bryan Byrt Group a few years back - I think its fair to say they don't need the money.

It was the new owners father and son John and Brendan Crowley who sent the company bust owing $70M to various creditors and doing their best to siphon off money according to this article:
http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/court-hears-money-siphoned-from-collapsed-car-dealer-bryan-byrt-in-sham-deals/news-story/f57aef21e45c2a573e3f67b25c7fac86

There is little point in putting a link to a site that needs one to be a subscriber.