1989 NZ Sports Sedans

[bry3500]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAEoBZjOa7Y&list=PLDC955323F748047F R1 Pukekohe

[bry3500]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvFpVcjJLWk&feature=related

[seaqnmac27]

Some great cars, one or two not so. What happened to the Learmonth Monaro? what became of it after the accident?

[Steve Holmes]

Wow! Those are fantastic. Thanks for finding them Bry. The Puke coverage in particular is really enjoyable, and the build-up to the rolling start is actually pretty intense. Those guys are really working for their money. I love David Oxtons comments about them being hand grenades. The Manfeild coverage must have been done on a tiny budget. Looks like they had just two cameras to cover the entire track.

I see the John Osborne RX7 is left hand drive. Where did this car come from?

Also, what was the history on the Lancaster turbo Volvo?

[bry3500]

Always a pleasure to un-earth this stuff Steve.. Yes. the Puke footage is great. that Volvo looks really interesting. Did the 5000 engine in the Capri end up in a single seater again? Good to hear David Oxton calling the race, I remember watching him racing a Lola ( I think) at Wigram 67 or 68 and wondered what happened to him . You tube is a Gold mine for this kind of footage , I'm always on the hunt!!

[Steve Holmes]

Yes, Oxton raced single seaters throughout the 70s, including driving George Beggs FM5 that went to Europe, and is now in the Southward museum. He ended up in touring cars in the 80s, briefly racing the Sierra XR4i that won the 1985 BTCC. But I don't think he was ever much of a fan of tin tops, and was quite critical of the sports sedans, and their ability to fall apart.

Not sure where that 5000 motor ended up. Maybe Wayne Huxford still has it. I believe it was a Morand built unit.

[bry3500]

Thanks Steve..I disappeared off to Europe playing music in the 1970s and 80s lost track of a lot of things.. :cool:

[Munty]

John Osborne built the RX7 which is the one he totalled at Pukekohe a year or so later. The Lancaster Volvo I think was a works car from Sweden/Finland? (somewhere like that).

[rogered]

John Osborne built the RX7 which is the one he totalled at Pukekohe a year or so later. The Lancaster Volvo I think was a works car from Sweden/Finland? (somewhere like that).

yeah pretty sure he was with tangled up with volvo through mollors or similar around that time.
think it was a works car from sweden

from memory he had to weld a floor plan into it to bring it into line with the thundersaloon rules
what happend to that car?

[markec]

The Ozzo RX7 body was sourced in the USA by Bob Slade and sent over for John to build up, the rear quarter light windows are different on the USA cars to add strength to comply with the American deconstruction rules.I was speaking to John earlier this evening, I called in on my way past, he is about to pull the engine out of his 84 300zx and freshen it up for the Scope meeting.

[Carlo]

The volvo is still seen around OSCA races today, much modified of course. Don't forget Ping Oxton had a bit of success driving Commodores with Peter Brock

[jim short]

Hi do you have any 86 87 yrs at bay park i have some but anable at the moment to show was great class of cars untill some clown wanted trans ams at the moment history is been repeated super v8s????

[Munty]

Hi I have some baypark from around 85-87 of sport sedan races which will be on the 40 years of OSCA DVD. I'm planning on finally getting the DVD's done while I have a week off early jan. I'll let you all know when I finally get off my arse!

[bry3500]

Can anyone put a date to this one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awZRHgj60uE&feature=related

[Rod Grimwood]

Couple of Volvo, it had a pretty hard life before it arrived. Went alright.

[Carlo]

was great class of cars untill some clown wanted trans ams at the moment history is been repeated super v8s????

You are right on there Jim.

[Rod Grimwood]

You are right on there Jim.
Same clowns Isn't it

[Rod Grimwood]

In video 1 Puke. White Escort that is up Oz's bum is the 2ltr Turbo of Bruce Manon, he actually passed Oz on last lap. It was QUICK for 2ltr home built car. Poor Tony and Oxcart were not really supplied good info on any of the cars, so did a good job.

[Rod Grimwood]

Some great cars, one or two not so. What happened to the Learmonth Monaro? what became of it after the accident?
I beleive John has the car back and is rebuilding it for classics

[Steve Holmes]

The Ozzo RX7 body was sourced in the USA by Bob Slade and sent over for John to build up, the rear quarter light windows are different on the USA cars to add strength to comply with the American deconstruction rules.I was speaking to John earlier this evening, I called in on my way past, he is about to pull the engine out of his 84 300zx and freshen it up for the Scope meeting.

Thanks Markec, thats what had me scratching my head. I thought Osborne built the car in NZ to replace the outgoing ex-Fahey/Tulloch etc Capri, but then i noticed it was a left hooker. Why was a car sourced from the US? Were RX7s not available in NZ when he built this car?

[Steve Holmes]

In video 1 Puke. White Escort that is up Oz's bum is the 2ltr Turbo of Bruce Manon, he actually passed Oz on last lap. It was QUICK for 2ltr home built car. Poor Tony and Oxcart were not really supplied good info on any of the cars, so did a good job.

Yes, well spotted Rod. That Escort was a very quick little car. I assume this is the same Bruce Manon who now races a very fast MkII Escort in historic events? Whatever happened to his sports sedan?

And yes, the commentary is full of holes, as they suggested Manon was the one being lapped halfway into the race. And they then questioned where Roger Freeth was. But I'm guessing they had little info to work with.

I hope the person who posted this footage originally on Youtube has a copy of the Sunday race(s). The above appears to be a Saturday race. Peter Meadows Corvette, and Freeth V8 Starlet were both missing.

[Steve Holmes]

Couple of Volvo, it had a pretty hard life before it arrived. Went alright.

Boy that was an ungainly looking thing wasn't it!

[Rod Grimwood]

I have heaps of those old videos, just need to get myself a machine to convert to disc and away we go.

[Rod Grimwood]

Yes Steve same Bruce. I believe it was sold minus engine to some one down Hamilton way and basically they modified it and it got slowly wrecked as happens to a lot of cars. Buy it because its a winner, i can make this better and thats the start of the end, shame.

The escort getting lapped was actually a nice car built by a guy fron Te Kauwata (don't remember name) and went well when it was going. Built on same lines as Manons, and even painted Manons original colour.

I have photos somewhere of Manons Escort.

[AMCO72]

Isnt that so true about some race cars. Someone buys it because it is a winner then proceeds to wreck it by 'improving' it. The classic case is the ex Leo Leonard Ford that COULD have been an Historic race car today. Instead, Tim Buxton in Cambridge bought it and turned it into a 'I dont know what'......some sort of sports sedan. I know the 'new' engine didn't seem to be able to last more than a couple of laps of old Taupo. Was built by 'reputable' engine man at vast cost!!!! Dont know where it is now, but would be a major getting it back to original. I think it won one of the long distance races wayback when.... Mr. B needs shooting. Woops shouldn't have said that....might get into trouble.

[rogered]

Yes Steve same Bruce. I believe it was sold minus engine to some one down Hamilton way and basically they modified it and it got slowly wrecked as happens to a lot of cars. Buy it because its a winner, i can make this better and thats the start of the end, shame.

The escort getting lapped was actually a nice car built by a guy fron Te Kauwata (don't remember name) and went well when it was going. Built on same lines as Manons, and even painted Manons original colour.

I have photos somewhere of Manons Escort.

are you thinking of terry richardson?

[bry3500]

Yes, well spotted Rod. That Escort was a very quick little car. I assume this is the same Bruce Manon who now races a very fast MkII Escort in historic events? Whatever happened to his sports sedan?

And yes, the commentary is full of holes, as they suggested Manon was the one being lapped halfway into the race. And they then questioned where Roger Freeth was. But I'm guessing they had little info to work with.

I hope the person who posted this footage originally on Youtube has a copy of the Sunday race(s). The above appears to be a Saturday race. Peter Meadows Corvette, and Freeth V8 Starlet were both missing.
Here you go Steve
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytU3nWcMq8o&feature=g-u&context=G29c2c73FUAAAAAAAAAA

[Racebred]

I have heaps of those old videos, just need to get myself a machine to convert to disc and away we go.

Hi, I am pleased you like my addition to Youtube, I started dubbing my old family videos into digital format and decided to do the same to my old racing videos.

If anyone wants me to do some for them I am only too happy to do it for the postage as long as I can post them on my Youtube channel. I have a NZ Couriers account and an bag for the VHS and DVD is $4.00 just supply a DVD with the VHS.

If you haven't used the VHS tapes in a while I suggest you check them as they can deteriorate depending where they are stored.

[bry3500]

Good that you got my link Racebred, thanks for talking the time to transfer these.

[Rod Grimwood]

Thats the one Roger, Terry Richardson. What happened to him, he was a good keen young fella like yourself back then.

[rogered]

Terry when to brad jones in aust and then off to mclaren during the later mika hakkinin era. the back to brad jones and has been there ever since

[Steve Holmes]

Here you go Steve
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytU3nWcMq8o&feature=g-u&context=G29c2c73FUAAAAAAAAAA

Fantastic! Thanks heaps Bry. I'm really enjoying this old footage. I'm sure the Meadows Corvette was involved in a big shunt at this meeting and was quite badly damaged, required a new bodyshell be fitted. Was there a third race held this weekend?

[Steve Holmes]

Hi, I am pleased you like my addition to Youtube, I started dubbing my old family videos into digital format and decided to do the same to my old racing videos.

If anyone wants me to do some for them I am only too happy to do it for the postage as long as I can post them on my Youtube channel. I have a NZ Couriers account and an bag for the VHS and DVD is $4.00 just supply a DVD with the VHS.

If you haven't used the VHS tapes in a while I suggest you check them as they can deteriorate depending where they are stored.

Racebred, thanks heaps for making the effort to upload these. They're really great to watch! Would love to see any other similar coverage you have from this period.

[Rod Grimwood]

Terry when to brad jones in aust and then off to mclaren during the later mika hakkinin era. the back to brad jones and has been there ever since

Ok. He was pretty enthusiastic about his motorsport, and built a nice car. He would fit into those teams easy. Another clever kiwi in motorsport overseas we don't know about.

[rogered]

Fantastic! Thanks heaps Bry. I'm really enjoying this old footage. I'm sure the Meadows Corvette was involved in a big shunt at this meeting and was quite badly damaged, required a new bodyshell be fitted. Was there a third race held this weekend?

May have been that weekend?
Got tangled up with shane windelburns torana SLR5000 on the approach to the hill (rothmans, ford mountain, what ever its called). stuffed the torana (which was a grouse car)
The corvette was patched up and ran a couple of times again during that series.
Never seen it since.

[rogered]

Ok. He was pretty enthusiastic about his motorsport, and built a nice car. He would fit into those teams easy. Another clever kiwi in motorsport overseas we don't know about.

Yip he was clever, and his brothers. And real fussy guys who always do real nice work.

[rogered]

Yip there was a project that made me cringe the first time i heard the sparks flying from the grinder.
from the figure, i heard, was paid for that engine, it should have had huge pull, man.

[Steve Holmes]

May have been that weekend?
Got tangled up with shane windelburns torana SLR5000 on the approach to the hill (rothmans, ford mountain, what ever its called). stuffed the torana (which was a grouse car)
The corvette was patched up and ran a couple of times again during that series.
Never seen it since.

Thanks Roger. I don't know if the Corvette raced again after that season?

[Steve Holmes]

Yes Steve same Bruce. I believe it was sold minus engine to some one down Hamilton way and basically they modified it and it got slowly wrecked as happens to a lot of cars. Buy it because its a winner, i can make this better and thats the start of the end, shame.

The escort getting lapped was actually a nice car built by a guy fron Te Kauwata (don't remember name) and went well when it was going. Built on same lines as Manons, and even painted Manons original colour.

I have photos somewhere of Manons Escort.

Thanks for that info Rod. Does the Manon Escort still exist?

[Steve Holmes]

I have heaps of those old videos, just need to get myself a machine to convert to disc and away we go.

Yeah, that would be great. There was quite a lot of this on tv during this time. A few real good races from around 1985/86 when the Algie Alfetta was racing were also featured. I'd love to see those again.

Speaking of Algie's, I see the Barry Algie Monaro appears in the second Puke footage.

[Haga]

Yes, Oxton raced single seaters throughout the 70s, including driving George Beggs FM5 that went to Europe, and is now in the Southward museum. He ended up in touring cars in the 80s, briefly racing the Sierra XR4i that won the 1985 BTCC. But I don't think he was ever much of a fan of tin tops, and was quite critical of the sports sedans, and their ability to fall apart.

Not sure where that 5000 motor ended up. Maybe Wayne Huxford still has it. I believe it was a Morand built unit.

Was the Rouse 1985 BTCC winner XR4Ti the one that was turned into a Cossie look-alike Sports Sedan....and was for sale on Trademe a short while ago?

[rogered]

Was the Rouse 1985 BTCC winner XR4Ti the one that was turned into a Cossie look-alike Sports Sedan....and was for sale on Trademe a short while ago?

No that was the ex crighton eggenberga car. when to petch, made to a cosworth, made to the green francivic sports sedan etc

The oxton car has me stumped. i can only assume it went back overseas (or down the south island where all the good gear ends up:)
Be keen to know where it went

[Haga]

cheers for that

I noticed an ad for (as described in the ad) Eggenb Pinto turbo motor for sale a short time later.

Hope it was re-united with the car if was an original engine for it.

[jim short]

this clown i have heard that if he fell into a drum of oil he would come out all chromed

[Steve Holmes]

No that was the ex crighton eggenberga car. when to petch, made to a cosworth, made to the green francivic sports sedan etc

The oxton car has me stumped. i can only assume it went back overseas (or down the south island where all the good gear ends up:)
Be keen to know where it went

I didn't know that. So the white Gary Croft Husqvarna Cosworth, was actually originally the Crichton XR4i? So it must have had the bodywork changes made too, including the conversion to the rear side windows?

Haga is right though, there was a sports sedan that appeared many years ago based on an XR4i body. Wasn't the green Francevic car, it was quite different to that.

It'd be interesting to know what happened to the Rouse car. It did have a celebrated history, having won the '85 BTCC.

[seaqnmac27]

Thanks Markec, thats what had me scratching my head. I thought Osborne built the car in NZ to replace the outgoing ex-Fahey/Tulloch etc Capri, but then i noticed it was a left hooker. Why was a car sourced from the US? Were RX7s not available in NZ when he built this car?

Ok now I may be mad but here is my memory. Now I sure one of my peers will correct me, but here goes. My memory says that in 1983 or 84, John Osbournes Capri was completely destroyed in a fire, I do not recall the circumstances but I thought it may have been either in a garage or at a circuit, hows that for narrowing it down, but anyway as a result of said fire, the motor sport fraternity of NZ got behind him to help him replace the Capri I thought he initially was loaned a car not sure which one it was but then the RX7 was the end result. Well thats my memory, not sure how valid it is but there you go. I was also unaware the Capri was the ex Tulloch machine. I had vague memories of both Tulloch and Osbourne being on the grid in Capris. indeed the last picture of post #87 of the Modified 70s and 80s Saloons - Picture Thread has both OSbourne and Tulloch starting the reverse grid race of the 82 Grand Prix weekend Sports Saloons race in Capris.
Sean

[seaqnmac27]

Was the Xr4 not the one that became the 'Merkur"? Also whos is the White Capri in the Puke races?

[Munty]

Ok now I may be mad but here is my memory. Now I sure one of my peers will correct me, but here goes. My memory says that in 1983 or 84, John Osbournes Capri was completely destroyed in a fire, I do not recall the circumstances but I thought it may have been either in a garage or at a circuit, hows that for narrowing it down, but anyway as a result of said fire, the motor sport fraternity of NZ got behind him to help him replace the Capri I thought he initially was loaned a car not sure which one it was but then the RX7 was the end result. Well thats my memory, not sure how valid it is but there you go. I was also unaware the Capri was the ex Tulloch machine. I had vague memories of both Tulloch and Osbourne being on the grid in Capris. indeed the last picture of post #87 of the Modified 70s and 80s Saloons - Picture Thread has both OSbourne and Tulloch starting the reverse grid race of the 82 Grand Prix weekend Sports Saloons race in Capris.
Sean

I think I can fill in a bit but I was only 5. Johns Cologne Capri caught fire at the second ess at Ruapuna after a fuel line came off and burnt to the ground while testing. He later then purchased the Tulloch Capri after initially Inky was going to loan it to him and therefore was probably maybe the only person who ever owned and raced 2 Cologne Capris. After finishing with the Capris he built the RX7 which was the one he had the big crash in at Puke. Hows that?

[rogered]

always thought the capri that burnt out was the ex halliday car



Ok now I may be mad but here is my memory. Now I sure one of my peers will correct me, but here goes. My memory says that in 1983 or 84, John Osbournes Capri was completely destroyed in a fire, I do not recall the circumstances but I thought it may have been either in a garage or at a circuit, hows that for narrowing it down, but anyway as a result of said fire, the motor sport fraternity of NZ got behind him to help him replace the Capri I thought he initially was loaned a car not sure which one it was but then the RX7 was the end result. Well thats my memory, not sure how valid it is but there you go. I was also unaware the Capri was the ex Tulloch machine. I had vague memories of both Tulloch and Osbourne being on the grid in Capris. indeed the last picture of post #87 of the Modified 70s and 80s Saloons - Picture Thread has both OSbourne and Tulloch starting the reverse grid race of the 82 Grand Prix weekend Sports Saloons race in Capris.
Sean

[rogered]

the merkur was a trans am car ex roush usa driven by scott pruitt etc
the capri, (with out looking) was likely the huxford car painted white

[seaqnmac27]

the merkur was a trans am car ex roush usa driven by scott pruitt etc
the capri, (with out looking) was likely the huxford car painted white

Thanks for that, but the white Capri is definitely not the Huxford car as Huxford is in the race with the Capri painted black, the one I am referring to is a lower middle field runner which in, I think, the second race is almost lapped by the leaders.

[seaqnmac27]

I think I can fill in a bit but I was only 5. Johns Cologne Capri caught fire at the second ess at Ruapuna after a fuel line came off and burnt to the ground while testing. He later then purchased the Tulloch Capri after initially Inky was going to loan it to him and therefore was probably maybe the only person who ever owned and raced 2 Cologne Capris. After finishing with the Capris he built the RX7 which was the one he had the big crash in at Puke. Hows that?


Thats great nice to kn ow my memory still works at least in part. that would have been when I was 10 or 11 so end 82 beginning 84?

[seaqnmac27]

sorry I meant end 83 or beginning 84

[Jac Mac]

I am sure the 'first' Osborne Capri was the ex Don Halliday car which was RHD while Halliday owned it, as I never actually saw that car in the flesh I am not sure whether John Osborne built it into LHD during the V8 conversion ( quite likely as most of the pedal box goes west when you cut the firewall for the 12" setback. But I do remember talking with Inky a couple of days after the fire & discussions were underway with regard to loan or purchase of the ex Fahey car to replace the burnt Halliday car...

[Steve Holmes]

Yes Jac, you are right. The first Osborne Capri was the ex Halliday car. Osborne bought it off Danie Lupp, by which time it had been painted blue and was fitted with a V12 Jaguar motor, although I think Osborne bought it without an engine. After this car burnt to the ground he bought the ex-Fahey Capri off Tulloch.

[Munty]

Thanks for that, but the white Capri is definitely not the Huxford car as Huxford is in the race with the Capri painted black, the one I am referring to is a lower middle field runner which in, I think, the second race is almost lapped by the leaders.

Haha I think the white Capri was Dad, it was white at front and Dark Charcoal at back. I think this was when he decided to build the Commodore as he quickly realised his Capri was getting outdated especially by the Nth Island cars.

[rogered]

Thanks for that, but the white Capri is definitely not the Huxford car as Huxford is in the race with the Capri painted black, the one I am referring to is a lower middle field runner which in, I think, the second race is almost lapped by the leaders.

yeah just watched the manfield video and as munty says , its his dad.:)

[Rod Grimwood]

yeah just watched the manfield video and as munty says , its his dad.:)

Yep that's your dad Munty. North island capris were Huxford and other capri from up north island in those days was red and ended up white was a fella from Paeroa named Terry O'Brien, it was a quick and tidy machine as well and ran a 302. The engine ended in a jet boat. And Terry has found a fishing rod handy over the latter years.

[Steve Holmes]

Got more info on that car Rod? I'm not familiar with it.

[Steve Holmes]

What a difference 10 years made. This is what had become of Sports Sedan racing in NZ by 1999. Gone were the traditional production based machines where people were stuffing V8s into Escorts, RX7s, and Capri's, replaced by Trans-Am style space-frame cars. These machines may have been extremely fast and efficient, but they didn't have the character of the cars seen from earlier in this thread from 1989:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8OjI9CMbEw

[bry3500]

Trans Ams cross the Tassie for the Aussie series...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD7uF6nHakU&feature=BFa&list=WLDC955323F748047F&lf=mh_lolz

[Rod Grimwood]

Got more info on that car Rod? I'm not familiar with it.

Terry was from Paeroa, a farmer and raced in Sports Sedans for a few years. It was a Mk1 with the same flares as the Mk1 Escort. Ran a very strong 302. It was originally red when he built it and he painted it white for last couple of years. It was a very tidy and quick car. It did not have over large wheels etc and looked the part and did it. I have a photo somewhere i think will look.

[Shano]

They were dead boring to watch.

[bob homewood]

Yep that's your dad Munty. North island capris were Huxford and other capri from up north island in those days was red and ended up white was a fella from Paeroa named Terry O'Brien, it was a quick and tidy machine as well and ran a 302. The engine ended in a jet boat. And Terry has found a fishing rod handy over the latter years.


Terry's Capri from memory was the one originally built by Jim Stone for Ross Johnson ,Grimmy will know or someone can correct me ,personally I think Terry did a real good job in that car ,it was actually deceptively quick

[Steve Holmes]

Boy, that ones got me scratching my head Bob! Around what time frame was it racing? Who else raced it and what happened to it?

[Haga]

The Crichton/Eggenberger car I talked about earlier....being rebuilt to GPA...good news

http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125175&page=2

[TonyG]

Was the Xr4 not the one that became the 'Merkur"? Also whos is the White Capri in the Puke races?
Pretty sure it was. I saw the XR4 Trans Am at Pukekohe racing once and the next meeting Kayne Scott was running the Merkur instead.

[Steve Holmes]

Terry was from Paeroa, a farmer and raced in Sports Sedans for a few years. It was a Mk1 with the same flares as the Mk1 Escort. Ran a very strong 302. It was originally red when he built it and he painted it white for last couple of years. It was a very tidy and quick car. It did not have over large wheels etc and looked the part and did it. I have a photo somewhere i think will look.

Would love to see a photo of it Rod. And, while you're at it, can you see if you can find that Algie Monza photo? Around what time did the Capri Race? If it was built by Jim Stone I assume around mid-70s?

[Rod Grimwood]

Terry ran it in mid 80s. trying to find my boxs of old photos. will have big dig when down in at parents next

[TonyG]

No my mistake, it was this car I saw before the Mercur.
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Scanned%20Images/KayneScottMercur.jpg

[Jac Mac]

Thats the 300zx Nissan, Didnt Roger Freeth run that for a season or two as well?

[rogered]

Thats the 300zx Nissan, Didnt Roger Freeth run that for a season or two as well?
sure Did
Greg Lancaster used it also, from memory before freeth. I recall him reversing quite heaverly into the infeild wall behind the startline at manifield, possibly Xmas january 1991

[Steve Holmes]

Anymore of this old Sports Sedan footage? This stuff is great!

[Steve Holmes]

What happened to these IMSA cars, the Nissan and Merker?

[rogered]

Merker is back in the us. Pretty sure it was the only merker still running a 4 cyl.
I would assume the nissan is also,
The car was ex Paul Newman and as such was very collectable, but be interested, also, to know for sure

[rogered]

in fact here it is here
http://www.historictransamimsa.com/Members/schuler_halsmer.html

and the grindley car
http://www.historictransamimsa.com/Members/010mustang.html

[Steve Holmes]

Wow! Good find.

[bob homewood]

Boy, that ones got me scratching my head Bob! Around what time frame was it racing? Who else raced it and what happened to it?
Steve ,did some more research on this car and caught up with Ross Johnson over the Week end ,yes Jim Stone built that car up for Ross apparently from a damaged car ,it went on to become the car Terry O'Brien raced as I originally said ,may have a bit more to add in the future,This is the car when Ross raced it5626

[Rod Grimwood]

I went down to do some bits on the boat last night, and a dickie bird told me that Mr Huxford has just about finished putting his Capri back together, now theres one that will be well worth seeing haveing a run.

[Steve Holmes]

Steve ,did some more research on this car and caught up with Ross Johnson over the Week end ,yes Jim Stone built that car up for Ross apparently from a damaged car ,it went on to become the car Terry O'Brien raced as I originally said ,may have a bit more to add in the future,This is the car when Ross raced it5626

Bob, it was great to meet you on the weekend, you too Rod! Thanks for the photo and info on the Capri. Boy, its a subtle looking race car. Did it still look like this when O'Brien raced it? Does anyone know its fate?

[Jizim]

Terry was from Paeroa, a farmer and raced in Sports Sedans for a few years. It was a Mk1 with the same flares as the Mk1 Escort. Ran a very strong 302. It was originally red when he built it and he painted it white for last couple of years. It was a very tidy and quick car. It did not have over large wheels etc and looked the part and did it. I have a photo somewhere i think will look.

Damn this site is so absorbing.....so just quickly....the Merker was sitting in the corner of the Roush race shop when I purchased the latest TransAm Mustang bdy shell from them (early '80s ..I could check my passport of old for exact dates.) and it was this car that they ended up banning because like the Audi's of years earlier it won every race it entered. In fact Jack Roush was quite the cunning fox...he put a 4 cyl Turbo engine in his Thunderbird bodied TransAm car one week depending on what track etc...then a Supercharged V6 the next and then the V8 when needed.... Now Rodney as you know for what ever reason I never went anywhere without my camera whether or not i was competing or not....and to this day still dont! (whats that about?? I am not even a photographer!!) However the point is...I too have many hundreds of these photos that I need to "locate and Sort" and hand over to get them out there. (Would you believe I took over 5,000 at the BMW festival at Hampton....albeit only from where I am parked "on duty" at pit exit!) And a few whilst holding a reasonably brisk pace on call out! (thank the Good Lord for paddle gear shifts.....) I gave Debs from Race Control about 5,000 on a disc of a few of the meeting over the years....out of around 50,000 !.....BUT wait theres more. Back in the Group C then on to the Group A days I have a lot of video tapes that were sent direct to me thru my Aussie connections...(ok brother in law...)... and every race I entered to date up until 5 years ago which includes Wellington Nissan Mobils then Puke...All the Sprint races s thru the 70's and 80's, on to the B & H's from the early 80's, Simpson series, L K 500's, 6 hour Pukes, 3 hr Taupos, 4 hr Manfields, (yawn) and a shit load more including in car of every lap I did at Bathurst..... My point....come round and help me organise for this to make it on to this site or what ever as my kids have gone down Rugby and Cricket roads and although help me from time to time in SC, dont share the same passion....YET! I know some may be damaged but I even have great NZ Rally shot ot of Mercs, Fiats, Penti's and Ari's etc etc etc.,.so come stay a couple of years and go through them with me....and dont worry about the missus...I will tie her up!!
Regards Tony Rutherford,

[Jizim]

Oh just one more thing.....interesting to note that my previous epistle started with...."so just quickly".......now wheres Jim Short!

[jim short]

Tony big words dont scare me,,after 5 mins thinking do you have a pistol or are you pissed {epistle}???

[markec]

RX7's were a bit thin on the ground when Ozzo's car was built, Bob Slade came up with the Idea and Bob was in the State it was relatively easy to get a body. None were sold new in NZ at that.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for that info Mark. Good point re the RX7s, I guess they were pretty exotic in NZ in the early 80s. What happened to this car after Ozzy rolled it? I heard it still exists?

[Rod Grimwood]

I believe it is just about rebuilt

[markec]

It has been on sold to someone in Taihape, thats the Osbourn RX7.

[rogered]

It has been on sold to someone in Taihape, thats the Osbourn RX7.

Correct

[markec]

Ozo owned 2 Cologne Capri's,one of which is now one of the 2 Roger Townsend now has, Ozo's one had a fire at Ruapuna doing private practice and was badly damaged to the front. John was offered the PDL Mustang 2 but Bob would not allow him to put his Chev engine in it and there were not enough good parts to build a Ford engine out of what PDL had left. At that stage PDL 2 had been in the museum at Ferrymead for some years.

[conrod]

Thanks for that info Rod. Does the Manon Escort still exist?

yes it does, someone decided it would look better with a Sierra nose on it (I kid you not!) and grafted one on after Bruce sold it. A friend of mine owns it, and has restored the front back to original. All there, but needs restoration, might be for sale soon.


I didn't know that. So the white Gary Croft Husqvarna Cosworth, was actually originally the Crichton XR4i? So it must have had the bodywork changes made too, including the conversion to the rear side windows?

Haga is right though, there was a sports sedan that appeared many years ago based on an XR4i body. Wasn't the green Francevic car, it was quite different to that.

It'd be interesting to know what happened to the Rouse car. It did have a celebrated history, having won the '85 BTCC.

yes correct, the Gary Croft car was the Eggenberger XR4Ti converted into an RS500. Mark Petch told me he had so many spares when he bought the RS500 (Peanut Slab) car from Walter Wolf, they used some to convert the Eggenberger car.

I would be grateful for any pics anyone might have of this car, in whatever shape or form it happened to be, and there were a few!

I too am interested to find what happened to the Rouse car, it seems to have vanished. BTW, the Eggenberger car was LHD, and the Rouse car RHD.


This is the Eggenberger car as it sits today:

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g196/conrod1/122-2267_IMG.jpg

We are about to begin work converting it back into its original Gp.A spec, here it is at Puke in Jan 1987:


http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g196/conrod1/SundayStar-1.jpg

Conrad Timms

[Steve Holmes]

Hey Conrad, thats great info, thanks for filling us in. The Sierra Cosworths made popular Thundersports cars in the UK, and several appeared with the bodywork as fitted to the car above. I assume someone built a set of molds which several teams used. Is this where Petch got the bodykit from when he converted this car from the Croft Group A to a Sports Sedan for Francevic? It looks very similar.

Re the Rouse/Oxton XR4i, is this the same car Petch took to Bathurst in 1986?

[conrod]

Hi Steve,

I have no idea where Mark Petch bought the bodykit from, but I have seen these ones too on UK cars, so quite possibly imported the parts. If anyone wants it, we will pick it off carefully! Although I suspect it will end up at the skip.

The XR4Ti that MP took to Bathurst in 1986 was indeed the Rouse car. Last time I asked Mark about this he could not remember where it went. I will post a couple of pics in the lost car thread and see if anyone remembers it?

cheers Conrad

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g196/conrod1/img040-1.jpg

[kiwi285]

yes it does, someone decided it would look better with a Sierra nose on it (I kid you not!) and grafted one on after Bruce sold it. A friend of mine owns it, and has restored the front back to original. All there, but needs restoration, might be for sale soon.



yes correct, the Gary Croft car was the Eggenberger XR4Ti converted into an RS500. Mark Petch told me he had so many spares when he bought the RS500 (Peanut Slab) car from Walter Wolf, they used some to convert the Eggenberger car.

I would be grateful for any pics anyone might have of this car, in whatever shape or form it happened to be, and there were a few!

I too am interested to find what happened to the Rouse car, it seems to have vanished. BTW, the Eggenberger car was LHD, and the Rouse car RHD.


This is the Eggenberger car as it sits today:

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g196/conrod1/122-2267_IMG.jpg

We are about to begin work converting it back into its original Gp.A spec, here it is at Puke in Jan 1987:


http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g196/conrod1/SundayStar-1.jpg

Conrad Timms

I saw and photographed this car sitting on a trailer at the BMW Festival and wondered why it was there. Will be great to see this car back on track. We seem to have a few Sierra's here in NZ, including factory cars.

[rogered]

So did it ever come back to NZ after Bathurst?

[conrod]

So did it ever come back to NZ after Bathurst?

I do not know? I think the next car Mark bought was the CiBiEmme BMW M3, which Francevic drove in 1987 (including Bathurst) and then that was sold and replaced with the Wolf Sierra (the Peanut Slab car) Great to see this car out again at the Hampton Downs festival, the first time it had been raced since 1992! Still a rocket too!

Conrad

[CUSTAXIE50]

I understand the john osbornes rx7 is in feilding ,and the front suspension that was in it is now in mark allans vauxhall firenza.

[rogered]

could be as both cars shared the same shed for a while:o

[Steve Holmes]

Roger, didn't Russell Due have the Osborne RX7 at one stage? Does he still have it?

[rogered]

Roger, didn't Russell Due have the Osborne RX7 at one stage? Does he still have it?

Thats right.
I assume its still there.
Not sure what state it was in, as the last time i saw it it was volting over the fence at Pukekohe!
Havent spoken to Russell for around ten years however.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Roger. Do you know if he started rebuilding it, or is it still as wrecked at Puke?

[rogered]

Thanks Roger. Do you know if he started rebuilding it, or is it still as wrecked at Puke?

I dont know for sure.
I had a feeling it may have been patially rebuit but i dont know for sure?
curious now ,so i might find out.
That was a cool car,

We were parked next, to him the weekend at Puke when he had that big Off.
I have a real clear memory of it turning left and mounting the fence.
It was a pretty big crash !!!!!!

Those big saloon drivers , the likes of Osborne and co from the 70s and 80s, were legends to a young kid.
Was never going to be challanging them but was absolutly cool to be on the same grid.

[KiWinUS]

The first Merkurs raced begining the first Trans/am race 1996 at Riverside , my car A v8 powered Mac tools sponsored Roush Capri , started at the rear (Jacks car I prepared it ) with Scott Pruett driving , the head of Ford motorsport at the time Lee Morse , come to Scott & I before the race & said if there was anyway the merkurs could win , we must let them!After he left i said to Scott " are you a race car driver or not ? " ho said I hear you dont worry./ We passed the Merkurs for the lead on the front straight with Lee Morse hangin over pit wall trying to slow us down !!! He was one "HOT" MF after the race !!!
who cared we had won !!
Then Sears Pt. , we had a valve cover leak while leading , Pro Fab Chevys won , off to Mid Ohio next
I reworked the bump steer on the rear of the Merkurs . I believe they won this race . After this race I went back to nascar with Robert Yates.
Cheers
Tony

Damn this site is so absorbing.....so just quickly....the Merker was sitting in the corner of the Roush race shop when I purchased the latest TransAm Mustang bdy shell from them (early '80s ..I could check my passport of old for exact dates.) and it was this car that they ended up banning because like the Audi's of years earlier it won every race it entered. In fact Jack Roush was quite the cunning fox...he put a 4 cyl Turbo engine in his Thunderbird bodied TransAm car one week depending on what track etc...then a Supercharged V6 the next and then the V8 when needed.... Now Rodney as you know for what ever reason I never went anywhere without my camera whether or not i was competing or not....and to this day still dont! (whats that about?? I am not even a photographer!!) However the point is...I too have many hundreds of these photos that I need to "locate and Sort" and hand over to get them out there. (Would you believe I took over 5,000 at the BMW festival at Hampton....albeit only from where I am parked "on duty" at pit exit!) And a few whilst holding a reasonably brisk pace on call out! (thank the Good Lord for paddle gear shifts.....) I gave Debs from Race Control about 5,000 on a disc of a few of the meeting over the years....out of around 50,000 !.....BUT wait theres more. Back in the Group C then on to the Group A days I have a lot of video tapes that were sent direct to me thru my Aussie connections...(ok brother in law...)... and every race I entered to date up until 5 years ago which includes Wellington Nissan Mobils then Puke...All the Sprint races s thru the 70's and 80's, on to the B & H's from the early 80's, Simpson series, L K 500's, 6 hour Pukes, 3 hr Taupos, 4 hr Manfields, (yawn) and a shit load more including in car of every lap I did at Bathurst..... My point....come round and help me organise for this to make it on to this site or what ever as my kids have gone down Rugby and Cricket roads and although help me from time to time in SC, dont share the same passion....YET! I know some may be damaged but I even have great NZ Rally shot ot of Mercs, Fiats, Penti's and Ari's etc etc etc.,.so come stay a couple of years and go through them with me....and dont worry about the missus...I will tie her up!!
Regards Tony Rutherford,

[Rod Grimwood]

Steve i believe the RX7 is being rebuilt, not sure but it may be in old hands again.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for that info guys, yeah it'd be great to see the Mazda rebuilt. It was a good looking car, and sounded fantastic.

[TonyG]

John Osborne was one lucky driver with that crash. I remember grabbing a quick look at the car impaled on the strainer post where it landed and the pedals were gone and the post was inside and up under the dash.

[Rod Grimwood]

John Osborne was one lucky driver with that crash. I remember grabbing a quick look at the car impaled on the strainer post where it landed and the pedals were gone and the post was inside and up under the dash.

Very lucky, but still got hurt badly enough. Remember what normally sits on pedals. I got offside with a couple of Officials at hospital a couple of days later when I visited John and asked him a simple question, he smiled but they just looked at me, I kind of was treated a bit different after that by them. (think they were not to sure about me)

[Terry Richardson]

Yip there was a project that made me cringe the first time i heard the sparks flying from the grinder.
from the figure, i heard, was paid for that engine, it should have had huge pull, man. Yip that's me, Terry and I still have the car, yes it did look a bit like Bruce Manon's car for a while when it was sponsored by Piako Freighters, then I painted it white. Yes I worked for Brad Jones Racing in the mid 90's when they were Audi Sport Australia then went to McLaren in the late 90's then back to BJR when they started with V8's in 2000 and am still there.

[Steve Holmes]

Terry, do you have a photo of the Escort?

[Terry Richardson]

Hi Steve, yes I have a few over here but mostly still in NZ. Just need to find some time to scan them. Pretty busy at work at the moment doing 12-14 hour days and about to get worse when we start building three new spec cars for next year. Cheers, Terry.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Terry, I'd love to see them.

[Rod Grimwood]

Hi Terry, I had some also but can not find at moment. Will find hopefully. Good to hear you all ok. will try and contact you later on.
Cheers
Rod

[Steve Holmes]

Here are photos Terry sent me through of his Escort. What a fantastic looking car this is! Terry will no doubt fill in some of the details as soon as he gets the chance.

12337

12335

12338

12336