Sitting in some one's workshop

[Rod Grimwood]

Thought I would post this. Caught up with Fred Courtney in Kaikohe yesterday and he has a very interesting workshop. No doubt most of you will be familiar with Fred and his car. Hopefully Fred will join in and give us a quick history Etc of the beast. (a famous beast at that)
Any one else who has photos of some ones garage post them and join in.

[Steve Holmes]

Neat workshop! With a bit of jiggery-pokery in Photoshop, you'd be hard-pressed to know how old these photos are. Could almost be from 1960.

2792

[pallmall]

Photoshop out the roll over bar and the eighties kiwi and it would look like a sixties photo.

[David McKinney]

I was going to say something similar

[stubuchanan]

Photoshop out the roll over bar and the eighties kiwi and it would look like a sixties photo.

This one is 1962. Close enough? Note also the seatbelt, which it had as early as 1952, I think.

[David McKinney]

The earliest seat-belt photo I can find of the car is from 1960...

[RogerH]

Although not the "Northland Special" - George Smith had lap belts in the GeeCeeEss in the 1950s.
http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/5476/gc11.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/840/gc11.jpg/)

[RogerH]

A closer shot :
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/503/file0001a.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/233/file0001a.jpg/)

[Steve Holmes]

Are those Ardun heads Roger?

[David McKinney]

Certainly look like them to me
(and George Smith did use them on the GeeCeeEss from time to time)

[Rod Grimwood]

Short history on rear cowel, this car has/is history.

[RogerH]

George Smith ran the GeeCeeEss in a number of different engine and body configurations - here are some :

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/839/gcs7a.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/21/gcs7a.jpg/)

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/1262/gcs8a.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/402/gcs8a.jpg/)

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/1183/gcs1.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/96/gcs1.jpg/)

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/7976/gcs2a.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/155/gcs2a.jpg/)

[thunder427]

Although not the "Northland Special" - George Smith had lap belts in the GeeCeeEss in the 1950s.
http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/5476/gc11.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/840/gc11.jpg/)

.....Left-hander on to the main straight at Mairehau road race..........regards427/MJ:)

[Steve Holmes]

If those are Ardun heads, where are they now? Ardun heads are among the most desirable vintage speed parts ever. Less than 300 sets were made by Zora and Yura Arkus-Duntov, and although there is a company now re-manufacturing them, original sets can easily fetch US10K on the rare occasion they come on the market.

[bob homewood]

Steve ,some thirty years ago when I had a business in New Lynn ,there was a guy that looked like the Fonz that used to come down to one of the workshops in our street for Friday night beers ,one night when he had drunk too much to drive I dropped him home and he showed me his collection of old school V8 speed equipment,it was mind boggling ,he had been telling us all these stories about what he had ,I don't think we really believed him,but in amongst his Aladdins cave was a pair of Ardun heads,where they are now I don't know.maybe we should start a thread about people who collect stuff like this ,they must be out there

[AMCO72]

Yeh Bob, is like barn finds. Every time I pick up an English Classic car magazine, there is the lastest 'barn find', usually some exotic piece of machinery that was shoved away for 'the duration' then promptly forgotten about.....often because the owner didn't return from the battle front....very sad. Some of these machines have been deliberately bricked up in some grotty little lock-up. I'm not sure of the mentality of people who do this. I know David McKinney is NOT a 'pom' but having lived there for so long ,could perhaps enlighten us as to why English folk do these things. Mind you there are some funny buggers here in NZ who have fields full of cars which 'they are going to restore ONE DAY'!!!! They seem to get all possessive, and bitter and twisted, and wont let anyone have a look, and I mean genuine buyers, not the thieves that are floating around. There must be garages full of all sorts of stuff, kept because 'you never know, I might need it oneday'!!!!! Yeh right....... Thinks.. must go and have sort out of the junk in my shed, there is an inorganic collection tomorrow'.........later on.......NO, I just might want that one day. Anyone got any storage out there???

[Steve Holmes]

Steve ,some thirty years ago when I had a business in New Lynn ,there was a guy that looked like the Fonz that used to come down to one of the workshops in our street for Friday night beers ,one night when he had drunk too much to drive I dropped him home and he showed me his collection of old school V8 speed equipment,it was mind boggling ,he had been telling us all these stories about what he had ,I don't think we really believed him,but in amongst his Aladdins cave was a pair of Ardun heads,where they are now I don't know.maybe we should start a thread about people who collect stuff like this ,they must be out there

Wow, thats amazing Bob! I think 3 or 4 sets might have found their way to NZ. There is a set on a T-Bucket hot rod that was built in the early 70s and is basically untouched from when it was first built, but I don't know of any others.

[Steve Holmes]

Yeh Bob, is like barn finds. Every time I pick up an English Classic car magazine, there is the lastest 'barn find', usually some exotic piece of machinery that was shoved away for 'the duration' then promptly forgotten about.....often because the owner didn't return from the battle front....very sad. Some of these machines have been deliberately bricked up in some grotty little lock-up. I'm not sure of the mentality of people who do this. I know David McKinney is NOT a 'pom' but having lived there for so long ,could perhaps enlighten us as to why English folk do these things. Mind you there are some funny buggers here in NZ who have fields full of cars which 'they are going to restore ONE DAY'!!!! They seem to get all possessive, and bitter and twisted, and wont let anyone have a look, and I mean genuine buyers, not the thieves that are floating around. There must be garages full of all sorts of stuff, kept because 'you never know, I might need it oneday'!!!!! Yeh right....... Thinks.. must go and have sort out of the junk in my shed, there is an inorganic collection tomorrow'.........later on.......NO, I just might want that one day. Anyone got any storage out there???

Gerald, I think hoarders are the world over. I've heard some amazing stories of cars in the US parked in paddocks, that are extremely desirable in certain circles, but that the owner won't part with, because they "want to restore it someday". There is a website somewhere on the www dedicated to Chrysler Superbirds, ie, Dodge Daytonas and Plymouth Superbirds that are slowly sinking into the ground.

[RogerH]

I'm pretty sure the Ardun heads are not with the GeeCeeEss now - just to check I'll have a look through all it's bits and pieces and also see if the notes from George and Tom Sheehan say anything about them.

[bob homewood]

I must confess I am a hoarder/collector of Lotus Twin cam engines ,especially the odd ones or the ones with a bit of history

[pallmall]

Wow, thats amazing Bob! I think 3 or 4 sets might have found their way to NZ. There is a set on a T-Bucket hot rod that was built in the early 70s and is basically untouched from when it was first built, but I don't know of any others.
Rob Campbell did an article over a couple of issues of NZ Hot Rod Magazine a few years ago that almost worked out and traced all the Ardun heads that were used in NZ. I made some notes and dug a bit more to add to his story. I must find the copy and throw some info on here to see if anything new can be added, it may take a little while to find though.

[woody]

Barry Greer had a set in his green T bucket.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for that info guys. Yes thats right woody, its the Barry Greer steel bodied T. Its been in storage for many years, basically untouched, and still fitted with the Ardun heads. A mate of mine took it to Beach Hop a few years ago.

Gavin, it'd be interesting to know what where the NZ Ardun heads are all at now. When you get time to do some digging, fill us in.

Every now and then someone, somewhere, scores the mother-load. Check this out, for $300 at a yard sale: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193530&highlight=ardun

[bob homewood]

Steve,yes that sort of stuff is always interesting to hear ,the other thing with looking around to find stuff is that sometimes it slips in under the radar so as to speak,I know of at least two cases of Lotus Twin Cam and BDA parts that were out there and had arrived here with people not even connected with the main stream racing people you would associate them with,I found out about them ,thought it was just another of those stories you hear,but ended up with a cylinder head and a couple of special gear boxes that I never even thought existed over here

[Rod Grimwood]

If you need some room to store one of the twin cams Bob i could help out.

[jim short]

.....Left-hander on to the main straight at Mairehau road race..........regards427/MJ:)

I loved the story about george smith he pos. did more for racing than anyone .when he took up speedboat raceing he could not swim,and this day his boat sank he is floating with his lifejacked on and swimming with him were a lot of mice,they had a nest in the boat .in the fiftys nearly every high tide at sandspit Waiuku up to 30 ~ 50 boats would be there even redhead came once bit had to stay way out in deeper water

[Steve Holmes]

Love that story Jim!

[bob homewood]

Its amazing where George Smith crops up ,some time ago I was going through some of George Dixons old photos etc of what he did in his early days and there was a photo there of George Smith presenting the other George with a cup for a motor cycle event that GD won back in I think it was in 1949,then GD added the comment that George Smith was also the guy who sold him the Chev V8 engine that he put in his first coupe

[RogerH]

Photos of the man - George Smith - after winning at Muriwai in an earlier version of the GeeCeEss.

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/6379/gc3ul.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/580/gc3ul.jpg/)

http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/6267/gc8g.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/543/gc8g.jpg/)

[David McKinney]

Looks like his Chevrolet-based V8 special, which only Vercoe calls a GeeCeeEss:)

[RogerH]

Looks like his Chevrolet-based V8 special, which only Vercoe calls a GeeCeeEss:)

You maybe right David - although I recollect Max Fisher telling me that he thought George may have referred to it as the GCS (not GeeCeeEss) but it was never written on the car - we will never know.

Here it is :

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/9711/gs1tl.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/19/gs1tl.jpg/)

[David McKinney]

Make of Car in the 1950 Ohakea programme was simply "Ford V8"
In reports of other contemporary events it's listed as Ford Special or Ford V8 Special
None of which is to tell what George might have called it privately:)

[Steve Holmes]

Roger, those are stunning photos! Particularly the action beach shot. Thanks for posting them.

David, thanks for the clarification. I had long been confused as to why there were two GeeCeeEss specials in Vercoe's book.

[RogerH]

Some more photos of the GeeCeeEss that probably haven't been seen before :

This one is taken outside George Smith's premises at 44 St Bendedicts Street, Newton, Auckland (hence the #44 George used on his cars). The building in the background is where my father worked and as a youngster I remember looking out of his window at the garage across the road (that spilled out onto the road) - little did I know that one day I would have the GeeCeeEss!!

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4949/gcs2g.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/16/gcs2g.jpg/)

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/9642/gcs2i.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/192/gcs2i.jpg/)

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/6670/gcs2h.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/190/gcs2h.jpg/)

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/5278/gcs2j.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/835/gcs2j.jpg/)

[Steve Holmes]

Fantastic photos Roger, and there are those Ardun heads again! Do you own this car?

[Steve Holmes]

I think this car should have its own dedicated thread, don't you Roger? Seems unfair to have such a special car hidden inside this thread.

[RogerH]

Fantastic photos Roger, and there are those Ardun heads again! Do you own this car?

Yes - I've had for a few years. There was an ownership dispute going on and I bought it to avoid it being broken up.

[Steve Holmes]

Good on you Roger, thats great! I hope you will create a separate thread dedicated to this wonderful car and its owner/builder/driver.

[David McKinney]

David, thanks for the clarification. I had long been confused as to why there were two GeeCeeEss specials in Vercoe's book.
There were two GeeCeeEss's - the second one was the Alfa-based car that he raced very rarely

[pallmall]

Rob Campbell did an article over a couple of issues of NZ Hot Rod Magazine a few years ago that almost worked out and traced all the Ardun heads that were used in NZ. I made some notes and dug a bit more to add to his story. I must find the copy and throw some info on here to see if anything new can be added, it may take a little while to find though.

I have found the articles, but not all of my notes. Give me a little while to sort all the information and find some photos and I will try and unravel the whole NZ history of the use of Ardun heads, at least up until more modern times where repros and old heads have been recent imports.

[TonyG]

The original car at the start of this thread at a Wings and Wheels event at Pukekohe. Year unknown.
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Scanned%20Images/imgb004-2.jpg

[pallmall]

As it was as the Offenhauser Special with Ford Flathead power when in the care of Graeme Harvey. Here driven in an Auckland Hot Rod Club hillclimb by Peter Howarth.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/RANDOM/OffenhauserSpl001Quicke-mailview.jpg

[Trevor Sheffield]

I think this car should have its own dedicated thread, don't you Roger? Seems unfair to have such a special car hidden inside this thread.

Yes, yes it most certainly should.

I hope it still has two authentic features which assisted greatly with its successes, i.e. a piece of wires on the dash/scuttle to fasten the gear lever into second and strings on each spark plug tying on the lead. George's efforts looked rough as, but a good look revealed a lot of careful detailed preparation.

[Steve Holmes]

Here you go Trevor: http://www.theroaringseason.com/showthread.php?257-George-Smith-the-GeeCeeEss-and-other-cars-and-boats

[Oldfart]

Here is an article I wrote for a magazine. As the mag did not even offer me a copy (I was asked to pay for a subscription) I believe I am allowed to publish this here!
It relates to the original post. Photos of its' evolution to follow.

Is this the race car with the longest continuous racing history in the country? If not it certainly must be very close!

Built originally in the premises of Jackson Engineering by John McMillan it was intended to be the prototype for a production series. It was constructed with what can be described as two ladder frames separated by not a great amount.

It originally had a straight front axle, V8 onto a Morris M series gearbox with a chain drive to the left hand side and then a shaft back to the very offset back axle. This allowed a very low seating position – to the point where contemporary photos show the drivers head being little above the Austin 7 special drivers. In this form the “Jackson Special” was winner of the first NZ Grand Prix on March 18, 1950 at Ohakea, whether considered as luck or well judged.

The car passed into the hands of Halsey Logan of the Nelson district. He made extensive use of the car. It was used at the Tahunanui Beach Races, Richmond track and anything else going. By 1952 it had gained independent front suspension based around Morris Oxford components with torsion bars and multiple telescopic shock absorbers. Before its sale to George Palmer over the winter of ’52 the car had also gained a more conventional drive line with V8 Mercury torque tube and back axle. It ran with Edelbrock heads and 4 twin choke carburettors. Most race results and there are plenty) call it the “Jackson Special” others the “Logan Special”!

In George’s hands it became the “Palmer Special” and gained a new nose cone, Ardun OHV cylinder head conversion, and sparkling gold paint job. In this form it finished 8th in the 1954 New Zealand International Grand Prix and 3rd New Zealand resident. He also won the Beach Racing Championships.

By 1956 it was in the hands of Lionel Bulcraig – a Kawakawa car dealer and for the first time in its life became the “Northland Special”.
Lionel had trouble qualifying for the ’56 NZIGP until it was fitted with the first ever set of “Jolly Wide Wheels”. He then readily qualified. This was when current owner Fred first saw and fell in love with the car at the Whangarei Winter Show!

Another new name – the “Roo Special” after a group of Australians bought the car and it was repainted white with brown numbers and a large brown kangaroo painted on it.

Now it passed into the hands of Bill Thomasen who fitted Offenhauser heads and it became the “Offenhauser Special”. This was 1959 and in this form he was to finish 2nd in the sprint race at Ardmore.

The next recorded owners – remember race cars had to be registered – were Cotter Motors, and then Branch Car Sales who sold it to Neville Gray in October 1962.

By August of 1964 it was in the hands of Johnnie Windleburn. The motor found its way into a V8 coupe, the coupe motor in the single-seater. The next owner was Ken McClennan who replaced the Mercury motor in 1970 with the Jaguar 3.4.

November 1971 was when Fred Courtney discovered the car and bought it as a “cheap car to go hill climbing”. At this stage he was unaware of what the car was. His first event saw him going through a fence – by the next event it also had protection at the windscreen area. One of the first clues to its’ identity was the extreme cut away on the right hand side. This was about the time that he realised he now owned the car he had seen years before.

Since Fred acquired the car he has lost count of the events he has competed in. Given that it is now 39 years with around 6+ each year!!

So, that’s the history – the car itself.

Chassis – twin ladder frame
Front Suspension – twin wishbone, torsion bars, twin shocks, drum brakes
Rear Suspension – beam rear quarter elliptics behind the axle, one telescopic, one lever shock per side
Engine – Mark 7 Jaguar, 2 x 2” SU, straight port head, standard cams.
Gearbox – Mercury V8

What, to the writer, is part of the appeal of this is its condition – as used! Patina by the truckload.

Should the car be “restored”? In my opinion, absolutely not. It has been in its’ current form for more of its life than any other form. What era could it possibly be taken into?

If you want to see a man and machine in harmony – watch these two anytime, racing or standing still check out Fred Courtney and the Northland Special.

[Steve Holmes]

Oldfart, excellent effort, and a really good read! Thanks for posting. You noted the car was fitted with a set of rare Ardun heads. Could these have been the same heads used on the GeeCeeEss? There were very few sets in NZ, in fact less than 200 were ever produced.

[pallmall]

Oldfart, excellent effort, and a really good read! Thanks for posting. You noted the car was fitted with a set of rare Ardun heads. Could these have been the same heads used on the GeeCeeEss? There were very few sets in NZ, in fact less than 200 were ever produced.

No that went elsewhere, my research on NZ Arduns is nearly complete, or as complete as it can be, just trying to tie up some detail and I will post what I found.

[David McKinney]

Yes, good story OF
It was the 1955 GP that Palmer finished in that position though, not the 1954
Also, it was driven regularly by Grahame Harvey between Thomasen and the next lot of Northlanders, presumably when owned by one of the motor companies
Thomasen painted it white with red trimmings, and it was then all red in Harvey's hands (and subsequently)

[Oldfart]

Yes, good story OF
It was the 1955 GP that Palmer finished in that position though, not the 1954
Also, it was driven regularly by Grahame Harvey between Thomasen and the next lot of Northlanders, presumably when owned by one of the motor companies
Thomasen painted it white with red trimmings, and it was then all red in Harvey's hands (and subsequently)

I knew of Grahame Harvey, but the OWNERSHIP details were taken from the original certificate of ownership which Fred still has, and as I was unable to identify the year(s) for sure I elected to leave his custody out. The deadline was rapidly approaching and better to leave it out than get it wrong!
I now have a lot more period programmes than I had when I wrote the above.

[Steve Holmes]

No that went elsewhere, my research on NZ Arduns is nearly complete, or as complete as it can be, just trying to tie up some detail and I will post what I found.

I'll really be looking forward to that Gavin. Certainly deserves its own thread.

[Rod Grimwood]

Opened the door to back room on inside of my garage and found something under what appears to be the missus storage shed for all sorts. I knew I had a car somewhere so I better shift the rest of crap and see whats there.

[Rod Grimwood]

Shifted some more crap and now I remember what it is. I better start stripping and putting it all back together so we can have some fun.

[Jac Mac]

That poor guy looks like he has been in storage too long!

[rogered]

Ol number 64

[105angria]

Thanks Rod makes my workshop look neat,

[Rod Grimwood]

Thats her Rog. You still got a toy tucked away.
I better get me arse into gear and do some work on her i suppose. yea Angria its only a storage room but a mess alright. Shifted stuff and found all sorts of bits and pieces. Gotta move the broken rally car so i can get that one out and swap places.

[rogered]

Pleased to see you still have it. How much is required to get it to fire a shot?
Oh and the answer is yes i still have it. The Cook finds it handy for stacking the Y fronts, and other laundry on.

[rogered]

Now that thing used to start down the grid a bit at baypark. yet, and with all the heavy hitters taking up the first half of the grid, you would charge though, and be must have been around sixth place going into the sweeper for the first time.
I think that happened a few times
fantastic!!!!!!!!!!

[Rod Grimwood]

Good to hear you still have your car Roger. Its a neat car, be good to see you out again having a run. yes it did used to nip past a couple before first sweeper done that occasionally, one start at Baypark was best, once 12 to 2nd out of sweeper and then horse power (bloody V8s) took over, all good fun back then though. Car was stripped back to metal in 92 and repainted and has sat in room since (under cover as you can see). it really needs another strip and paint in and out, diff been tidied upand brakes were refreshed but will need look at again and engine is still in plastic bag (rebuilt 89) but been turned over. So Dry Sump, rewire, new tank, pump, pipeing etc, new seat (got all new instruments etc) new wheels & tyres, windows (plastic) and Lotto and we are there.

[Steve Holmes]

Bloody hell, Rod, that looks great!

[rogered]

4255
64 taupo 1988

Pretty sure i have some somewhere slidding around at baypark:)

[Rod Grimwood]

88 same meet. A couple more from Taupo, yes it is facing the wrong way but it soon came back around and on we went with out loosing a spot (lucky) Slicks and rain, good fun. front spoiler has special angle for the hairpin. It did not like clipping that inside kerb.
This was the last time i raced her. Liked the white and blue better i think. Will just leave it white now. If you have any other photos Roger email them to me if you can Ta.

[Nigel Barclay]

Rod,

if this is the x Platt car please put it back in Fountain stereo colours !

cheers
Nigel

[Rod Grimwood]

Funny you should mention that Nigel as it was discussed and thats what may happen. Any photos of Bryces Fountain paint would be appreciated.

Roger, notice the round wheel marks on both doors, that was from its 2nd last demon start, RX7 right hand and V8 Viva left in first race and we chopped the broken bit of right hand back flare and ran 100mph tape around it for next run.

Flares all been tidied up. Looked at dry sump system. Doing bits.

[Rod Grimwood]

Dropped into see a friend today, and the brothers were just playing around putting bits together. Their mother is so happy to have them home again. Amazing whats going on in little sheds, garages around the place.

[Rod Grimwood]

There is a couple of classics parked away in there behind the empties. They reckon mum likes a beer after dinner.

[Habu]

Rod, Please keep the photos coming - especially of the Escort - you've made my week :)

[John McKechnie]

Hi Rod, this is your garage isnt it, are you planning on getting back into it again? So thats why you didnt come round-a better offer. Great stuff, especially your Escort.

[Rod Grimwood]

Might see you this weekend John if you are home.

[Rod Grimwood]

There you are Habu, before it was painted the ugly red & orange.

[kiwi285]

Funny you should mention that Nigel as it was discussed and thats what may happen. Any photos of Bryces Fountain paint would be appreciated.

Flares all been tidied up. Looked at dry sump system. Doing bits.

Thats a neat looking car Rod. Hopefully we will see it on track sometime soon.

[Habu]

There you are Habu, before it was painted the ugly red & orange.

DROOL!!! Awesome, keep em coming;)

[John McKechnie]

Hi Roddy, always at home, just call.If Dale can find me here, you will..Love looking at the action pix of your Escort powering out of the corners.

[Chris Read]

Bob, wish I had known about your t/c fetish (Post #20) . Gave away a t/c head with cams and valves to a young guy who was just starting out so you missed out on giving it a good home. Motor came from a a racing boat in Dunedin belonging to a chap Kane and the garage was Brian Middlemass's - now perhaps we should start a thread as his Jaguars were legendary and you will remember he co owned the Queenstown Motor Museum. Before he died of cancer he had an XK120 (correct Dave Silcock?) with lots of modern bits in it. He had just fitted an XJ o/d box to it and wanted me to go for a squirt and hold something - think it was a petrol pressure gauage. Off we went along the straight at the base of Coronet Peak and as most will know 'Middle' was a vigorous peddler so we were doing 100mph before we entered the straight. I know the speedo was showing 150mph with the o/d 'in' as the corner at the end was coming up. I remember him saying 'this will bed those new pads in'. He worked on the 4CLT that Rob Boult later owned and did some work on my BCM. - but I digress again as the t/c boat motor as was told to me came from an important NZ racing car and cost a lot of money - I have no recollection what its history was but it is now in Wellington on an escort rebuild.

Real reason for this reply is can anyone tell me what this motor is. I am dislexic when it comes to two wheels and their motors even tho I own two of the earliest racers in NZ in the Moore Kiefts complete with Vincents. It will be obvious to most so make and approx year please.
10201

Just in case you are bored with all of this have a look at this YouTube (acknowledgement) clip that features a 180hp Vincent. Even Dave Silcocks 'Jilly' didn't have this much even tho it used to sail past me with Dave's knuckles dragging on the ground as he hung on round the corners.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQIhqazUHg8&feature=player_detailpage

[woody]

Chris, That would be Gary Kane. I will think of the name of his boats later.

[Imp Wagon]

There you are Habu, before it was painted the ugly red & orange.

Very nice Rod. I've always loved the look of the Mk1 Escorts with factory arches.
Cheers, Simon.

[Dave Silcock]

Hi Chris. The motor is a long stroke Manx Norton, looks like it is in a Cooper. Thats a brave man on the Vincent, in my and Allan Bramwell's experience those motors spend more time blown up than running. Although they seem all right in a bike. Mine had about 120 BHP Man it was a blast to drive! I was a mate of Middle's,as we all knew him, from my teenage vintage car days, and yes his 120 was the first one I owned .
Cheers Dave.
PS Dave Mills could find virtue in any car no matter how bad it was, this was a cause of great amusement among the Dunedin boys.

[Chris Read]

Chris, That would be Gary Kane. I will think of the name of his boats later.
Quite right and was it 'Miss something' . Did it have a lightening bolt and were they called 'Cracker Jacks'? I used to follow the boats as my father Darcy had several. Sit at the back and motor up front. He converted one into a harbour boat and we had a seat in front of the motor and used to go out on the harbour most weekends from the jetty on Portobello road with the big crane. I have some 16mm film of races in the harbour Basin. During the early Dunedin Wharf circuit we used to boat across the harbour and climb up the ladders and sit on the cranes to see the cars. That's what started it all for me! Chris.
Ps wasn't "O'Kane" was it.

[Chris Read]

Hi Chris. The motor is a long stroke Manx Norton, looks like it is in a Cooper. Thats a brave man on the Vincent, in my and Allan Bramwell's experience those motors spend more time blown up than running. Although they seem all right in a bike. Mine had about 120 BHP Man it was a blast to drive! I was a mate of Middle's,as we all knew him, from my teenage vintage car days, and yes his 120 was the first one I owned .
Cheers Dave.
PS Dave Mills could find virtue in any car no matter how bad it was, this was a cause of great amusement among the Dunedin boys.
Tell me about it - He still thought Hillman Hunters were the best car in the world and I helped with his estate which included disposing of a Marina Ute that he had RESTORED. But he had some taste in his Fiat coupes which he loved. There are lots of stories including how he lost his money in Thailand, his many wives, driving across America and how for many years he would ring A and B's or Repco in town and ask them to put the parts 'on the bus' to Macandrew Bay even tho the bus had not run for many years. He was in wonder how that man in the yellow van used to come all the way down the Bay to collect the parcel from the local store bus drop-off and drive it the 100m to Dave's garage - great service! As you know Dave M was easily distracted and would talk to anyone. One day at the WN street races I was under the car holding an overflow tank with a few minutes to go to line up and Dave was on top to do it up. Next thing was "gidday Jim good to see ya again - you remember Chris down there from last year - have to say ya doing a great job keeping this race in WN." ME: "For Christ's sake Dave stop yapping to whoever it is and do the ....... bracket up". With Dave still engaged in conversation I came out from under the car to look up to the Prime Minister and say "good to see you again Mr Bolger"......That was our Dave!
Thanks for the steer on the motor - Regards Chris R

[Rod Grimwood]

Dropped in to a friend up north the other day, he has this (Monaro) sitting in shed, sat there for about 17 years. Engine has been freshened. Runs it, Has no urgency to use it at moment. Straight and original. Used to tow the Capri around with it.
Makes you wonder just how many different cars are sitting snoozing in garages around the country.