Is this Firebird still around?

[Kwaussie]

Just got to thinking is this Firebird still around.

[Andrew Metford]

Number plate is not registered, so it's not on the road. In a shed, or race car perhaps?

[Bruce302]

That is another Pontiac Firebird that was at one time owned by Robin Tanner's wife, Inga. Bought from Rod Coppins Motors from memory.

Bruce.

[Steve Holmes]

I'd like to know that too.

46071

46072

[Bruce302]

In the second to last photo it looks to have a non factory front, no headlights and the chrome part is not chrome anymore.
For a 350 car it went pretty well.

[John McKechnie]

And stopped well too as it had drums front and rear.
Crosbie was going to run a Z/28 Camaro , but that fell over at the 11th hour.
Firbird worked well for consistency over the 3 rounds

[Steve Holmes]

In the second to last photo it looks to have a non factory front, no headlights and the chrome part is not chrome anymore.
For a 350 car it went pretty well.

My guess is the lights and chrome have been taped up to prevent damage. Most of these production racers usually ended up back on the road and sold to unsuspecting buyers.

[Rod Grimwood]

A gentleman came in and asked for directions, and after a chat we clicked who we were and after over 30 odd years there was Robin Tanner standing in my drive. We had great catch up and Robin actually lives not far from us and he is going to come back over with photos and have a catch up. Will keep you posted. PS Robin is the thinner one.

[Frosty5]

A gentleman came in and asked for directions, and after a chat we clicked who we were and after over 30 odd years there was Robin Tanner standing in my drive. We had great catch up and Robin actually lives not far from us and he is going to come back over with photos and have a catch up. Will keep you posted. PS Robin is the thinner one.

PS Robin is the thinner one.[/QUOTE] Well who would have guessed Rod!!!LOL

[Paul B]

A gentleman came in and asked for directions, and after a chat we clicked who we were and after over 30 odd years there was Robin Tanner standing in my drive. We had great catch up and Robin actually lives not far from us and he is going to come back over with photos and have a catch up. Will keep you posted. PS Robin is the thinner one.

I was talking to Bruce (Bruce 302) and he said Robin was around and told me of your story.
When I was a young nipper Robin lived in Beach haven near us, we lived in Aeroview Drive and I remember Robin in his coupe and later in the mustang blasting up our street. We loved seeing him go by and we jumped, waved & cheered him on to go faster! We were inspired by Robin and his cars which is how my brother and I got my early interest I cars ( its a disease you know.... a pretty good one though)
All these years on I had always wondered about Robin and if he still had his cars.
I would love to see some pics of his 39 coupes again. Its so great to see your picture!
Robin would likely not remember the little brats from Aeroview Drive but we sure still remember him.... legend!

[Bruce302]

Hi Paul,
This is one of the 5 '39 coupe's that Robin had.

http://i63.tinypic.com/118g3di.jpg

I know this isn't the right place so I will start a thread for Robin. He is very appreciative that he is well remembered. I spoke with him today and will be calling him again this weekend.

Bruce.

[Bruce302]

This is the Firebird when Robin and his wife Inga owned it.

http://i64.tinypic.com/8z1nw3.jpg

[Kwaussie]

Wow this is a start, where is the next photo or news clip of this car!

[Kwaussie]

I'd like to know that too.

46071

46072
Interesting laps times for Teretonga grid ^^^ were.
L. Leonard 1.22.1
E. Sprague 1.22.5
B. Crosbie 1.22.6
J. Kennedy 1.23.6
R. Emson 1.25.1

[khyndart in CA]

Does this mean that LHD vehicles do well on anti clockwise circuits with mostly left turns ?
(This is a Hyndman theory who was never a race driver.)
I also remember Kevin Bartlett preferred a LHD Alfa Romeo GTA because he liked the right hand gear change as that was like in his sports and formula cars

[Rod Grimwood]

Robin was talking about you Bruce, he is a neat bubbly guy. He was amazed when i showed him photos of the old Firebird and other cars and it sure bought a smile to his face. Paul B, I knew Robin back in ole days of Coupes and later mk2 Zephyr, he still has same bubble of joy when he remembers those days.

[Bruce302]

I'm sure there are racers that prefer LHD on left turn circuits, and vice versa. Especially on smaller tracks.


Does this mean that LHD vehicles do well on anti clockwise circuits with mostly left turns ?
(This is a Hyndman theory who was never a race driver.)
I also remember Kevin Bartlett preferred a LHD Alfa Romeo GTA because he liked the right hand gear change as that was like in his sports and formula cars

[Bruce302]

Robin told me he got a bit emotional remembering the good old days, and he especially likes to know that he is remembered.
He loves talking about cars and racing and freely admits that it is invigorating and keeps his spark alive. Something that was missing for a long time in his remote corner.


Robin was talking about you Bruce, he is a neat bubbly guy. He was amazed when i showed him photos of the old Firebird and other cars and it sure bought a smile to his face. Paul B, I knew Robin back in ole days of Coupes and later mk2 Zephyr, he still has same bubble of joy when he remembers those days.

[duncan fox]

46376

it isn't this one.

[Steve Holmes]

Thats a 67 or 68 Firebird Duncan. What a mess! What happened, and whose was this?

[Bruce302]

A year or two too early, That's a 67 or 68, but damn what a mess. Doesn't look good for the driver.
Where did that happen Duncan ?

[Paul B]

Hi Paul,
This is one of the 5 '39 coupe's that Robin had.

http://i63.tinypic.com/118g3di.jpg

I know this isn't the right place so I will start a thread for Robin. He is very appreciative that he is well remembered. I spoke with him today and will be calling him again this weekend.

Bruce.

That's very cool, Thanks Rod & Bruce I will wait for the new "Robin thread". It would be great reading!
Cheers

[duncan fox]

A year or two too early, That's a 67 or 68, but damn what a mess. Doesn't look good for the driver.
Where did that happen Duncan ?

Bridge abutment on the way to Tauranga. triple fatality IIRC. man it was hit hard. Photo taken at Dave Looses shop im going to say..... early 80's.

[Steve Holmes]

Can't have been too many of those Firebird 400s in NZ at the time. I wonder if its the same car pictured here (which is a '68) from the Allan Porter collection of early NZ drag racing photos.

46377

[Bruce302]

That's a great photo, loads of memorable cars, I see Gail Prast back there on the right, and maybe Harry Donker on the right too, and is that Alan Boyle's Viva behind the Singer (?) That is the "Brown's Rd Drags" actually Kerrs Rd now but good times.

[Grant Ellwood]

Bridge abutment on the way to Tauranga. triple fatality IIRC. man it was hit hard. Photo taken at Dave Looses shop im going to say..... early 80's.

Could be the Gerry McShane Firebird Duncan.

[John McKechnie]

Behind Robins 39 DeLuxe Burger- is that the well photographed cycling A40 Farina of Graeme Addis ?

[John McKechnie]

Also in about 1974, a mate of mine Danny - lived in Titirangi-had an early Pontiac Firebird- metallic dark green, didnt have front seats, installed a HQ holden bench seat. Any one know what happened to that one.?

[Kwaussie]

And the series winners were .... [from roaring season]

[Rod Grimwood]

Think you better start a thread on Robin if you like Bruce.
Just been having a good chat, and he may be reunited with a bit of history if possible.
Give me a yell some time Bruce if you want a quick chat, email me and i can contact.
grimmie64@xtra.co.nz

[Bruce302]

Hi Rod,
I will email you.

Bruce.

[Paul B]

Think you better start a thread on Robin if you like Bruce.
Just been having a good chat, and he may be reunited with a bit of history if possible.
Give me a yell some time Bruce if you want a quick chat, email me and i can contact.
grimmie64@xtra.co.nz

Thats sounds cool to me
Cheers

[Bruce302]

I need to get a photo album back and as soon as I can do that we can kick it off.

B.