Scrapbook Cuttings

[Rod Grimwood]

Found a old (very old) scrapbook at mummy's. It has alot of cuttings etc from way back. Amazing when you are young and keen you save all types, even get a felt pen and make your own cover.
These are from all types of clippings and I do not want too or intend to offend anyone with copy etc. This is just a collection of clippings made by some one fairly young (well compared to now) and very keen on motorsport and not a Kim Dot Com effort.
Some are alright others bit faded.
Please feel free to fill the empty space's

[Rod Grimwood]

Lets start with a well remembered battle, it went on all year.

[Rod Grimwood]

a couple of classics

[Rod Grimwood]

A South Island Classic, car and driver

[Rod Grimwood]

When things get a little too close. The famous coming together of Fahey Cologne, and Leonard PDL 1 Puke, Dawson Monza taking action inside

[Rod Grimwood]

Geoff Sutherlands famous 2 flips with a piroquet and land in pits at Bay Park. Alan Woolf could have scored it but was too busy getting out of way. This could have been a real major, but thankfully everyone was alright. Has been debate about roll cages on other threads, well ?

[Rod Grimwood]

Bit of damage in xmas series down south.

[Rod Grimwood]

A week later.

[Rod Grimwood]

Now question time. Who is this well known gentleman from down south ?. Better known for having a roof over his head. But has been known to do a little bit of agriculture work.

[Carlo]

Now question time. Who is this well known gentleman from down south ?. Better known for having a roof over his head. But has been known to do a little bit of agriculture work.

Rod McElrae. Now would it be at a grasss track meeting somewhere around the Leeston / Dunsandal area ?

[Rod Grimwood]

Not sure exactly were Carl but you got it in one.

Now have you worked out the one in the rally thread.

[Carlo]

If I remember correctly Rod's car was the Elmac Sprinter, Murray Ellwood should be able to throw some light on it.

If I have the event right then it was at the aftermatch that Roddy came up with one of his best lines when he said that he was going as fast as he could but could not catch the set of brake lights that kept appearing in the dust ahead of him then he realised that he was so quick that he had actually caught up on himself.

A real good character and old boy from way back who still lurks around the scene today.

[Rod Grimwood]

Classic start by Rod Millen in rally car in long distance race at Manfield, started about 4th row and lead out of first corner. This was just after Bathurst and Coppins had finished 3rd and Millen had just returned from Southern Cross rally and there was some Southern Comfort (Coppins) and Kentucky Bourbon (Millen) left after Aussie, so a weekend away to sort it out.

[Rod Grimwood]

Bay Park at it's best.

[Rod Grimwood]

Looking at signwriting did this person graduate to a well known Escort. Anyone know who these two mean looking minis are.

[Rod Grimwood]

A couple of well known South Island Capris

[Rod Grimwood]

The Capri of Bill Leckie was a very good car, pity it was not around long. Think Kenny Smith is having a play in the Camaro, before it headed south.

[GD66]

Looking at signwriting did this person graduate to a well known Escort. Anyone know who these two mean looking minis are.



Is it Lin Neilson in the #21 Mini ? Just that I think I can recall the caption from the day....:eek:

[Rod Grimwood]

Thats what i think because of "Fairmonte Motor Court" sign

[Rod Grimwood]

PDL 1 parked in wrong place again, Mr Baker Manfield

[Rod Grimwood]

The old Liberacy at Puke, was Brocklehurst the giver or receiver can't remember?
Two Auckland Ford dealers shareing panels

[Steve Emson]

Some great photos here!

[Rod Grimwood]

Some more well known cars and drivers

[Rod Grimwood]

Anderson BMW, then Millen same car, and Millen ex Silcock Jag. Believe this was day after dunking in creek at Puke in practice. finished masking tape repairs about 4:30 in morning, paint still drying on trailer.

[Rod Grimwood]

One of my favorite all time shots.

[Carlo]

Thats what i think because of "Fairmonte Motor Court" sign

It's Lin Neilson.
Ran into Ian Leckie in Alexandra last week, he was one of the people who built and looked after Lin's Mini's

[Rod Grimwood]

Take it that it went liked it looked, I can remember Lin in a mini but not really that one, but must have seen it to have interest in photo back then.

[Rod Grimwood]

Above are some photos from Wings and Wheels Whenuapai a long long time ago. Newspaper post.
Escort is 2Lt Turbo of Gary Lathrope, Porsche is car that Jim Short used to run around in, followed by V8 Viva of Ralph Mossman and Anglia was 2Ltr that I annoyed people in.

[jim short]

If I remember right Keith was colour blind and could have won but got the flags mixed up or so the story went at the time

[kiwi285]

Some great photos here Rod, thanks for sharing them

[Steve Holmes]

The old Liberacy at Puke, was Brocklehurst the giver or receiver can't remember?
Two Auckland Ford dealers shareing panels

Awesome thread Rod! This pic is neat. I think thats Brocklehurst at the front in the white car.

[GD66]

I'm pushing it here, but wasn't Francevic the driver of the #707 car ? :confused:

[Lurker]

I'm pushing it here, but wasn't Francevic the driver of the #707 car ? :confused:

I am pretty sure it was Brocklehurst and I think Patrick Smith is the car behind

[Chris Read]

Sorry about this being Japanese. From 1976. The car would just not stay on the ground no matter what track. It was due to some trick cross ply tyres from Japan that somehow complied with the series rule that roadies must be used - not sure how the raised 'race' insignia on the tyre got buffed off but it was a lot of fun for a season until they wore out9365. Never got over seeing that daredevil team at Teretonga doing the whole track up on 2 wheels......Chris Read - Arrowtown.93669367

[Rod Grimwood]

Now that daredevil thing is a nother thing Chris. May find and show later.

GD66 think JR drove McMillan Ford car and Andrews was Brockelhurst.

[TonyG]

When things get a little too close. The famous coming together of Fahey Cologne, and Leonard PDL 1 Puke, Dawson Monza taking action inside

I remember this well as a kid. I was standing on the grass just on the outside of the hill grandstand southern end fence close to where they ended up. I forgot to take pics while running away lol

[GD66]

GD66 think JR drove McMillan Ford car and Andrews was Brockelhurst.


Yep, sounds good Rodders. By the way, while I was taxing my quickly-eroding brain cell about that puzzle, I recalled that Ford dealerships in those days used to give away a monthly A4 glossy black-and-white pamphlet called something like Ford Motorsport News, which regularly featured plenty of info and pics of the latest escapades of the proddie racing GT-HOs and other branches of the sport, FF in particular. Quite a good little publication, if understandably totally biased. Ford really used to give the sport a shove along in those days.

[bob homewood]

Yes that is right Rod ,this I believe is the aftermath
Now that daredevil thing is a nother thing Chris. May find and show later.

GD66 think JR drove McMillan Ford car and Andrews was Brockelhurst.

[Rod Grimwood]

Rod why was blue anglia parked on left side of track BP at the start of back straight 84///86???

Other thread Jim
84 it was only time she parked herself.
Start of back straight, that was when left tie rod broke (after clipping inside of track to much we think) and we turned accute left and wallopped a bloody huge tyre and did bit of damage to front. We were actually going fairly quick at this stage as just grabbed 4th and Remember hitting tyre and car bouncing through air as it did slow spin in air and looking down at marshalls running and thinking "go boys". It was after that we changed to more open front and one peace.

[Lee Tracey]

Great Stuff Rod. Wonder how mamy of these great little treasures got tossed out by overzealous mothers. Remember well how my mum got all zealous cleaning about two years after I joined the RNZAF and tossed my Forest Lake scrapbook and my collection of car brochures, including the complete Ford and Chrysler US ranges and a great packet from Rolls Royce in England.

Hope you have more to come.
Lee

[John McKechnie]

This even made it on Hot Rod magazine at the time Red Dawson in blue Mustang

[John McKechnie]

Grady Thompson in bronze Monaro.Ex Spinner Black, Rod Coppins, John Riley, George Bunce.Was Team Cambridge colours at the beginning also.Any more photos in early colours?

[Steve Holmes]

That was a tough old nail that Monaro. I believe it became a road car in later life and got wrecked in the '80s. Bruce302 has a photo of it when his buddy owned it as a road car.

Reminds me of another Kiwi racing Monaro, Ron Sylvesters example. I wonder what happened to that?

[John McKechnie]

I really want to know what happened to it .It is the only unaccounted for V8 from the 60s-70s era. I was going surfing at Port Waikato and passed happened to stop at the Pukekohe race track.It was a Saturday and they were practicing.Surfing did nothing for me after that . Saw all Team Cambridge cars- Jim Boyds Lola T70, Radisichs MacLaren M10A, Barry Phillips Cooper -998,Black with Camaro, Coppins with Monaro was in race program.We went in and apparently there were discussions- Coppins was not happy with Monaro handling so Black let him use Camaro. Both cars had 327..Coppins won first time out in it next day Monaro never fronted at Puke again in Cambridge colours.Motorman mag covered the South Island series with Grady racing it still in the same livery.Caption showed pic of him sliding out of control at Wigram with word-Spinner said she was a flyer..wonder if I should park it in the hanger.Later showed at Puke with 350 painted bronze-that is the earlier photo with Uncle Jack in Cossack Escort. Was an absolute bolter- this was on the BIG track (remember that) and at the beginning blew Coppins into the dust for 5 laps. , but brakes werent up to it. Riley had for a short time , but know nothing about this except distributor probs at Puke, was not happy with it.George Bunce -think he may have put the Elfin 400 motor (came out of a boat) in to it-said the same thing about the brakes.He said Bernie Beckett ended up with it.Would love to build a tribute car to its memory.Shame all others survived and it died. Remember Sylvesters running in SI , all I know is they were unreliable as reported in ...Motorman.Thanks for all the memories Donn.

[Steve Holmes]

John, take a look at this thread: http://www.theroaringseason.com/showthread.php?114-Holden-Monaro

The Spinner Monaro is on the first page and appears in a couple after that in its various states of condition. Hard to believe how rough it got. Check out post #20!

When Grady fit the 350 he wasn't actually eligible to race in the NZ Saloon Car Championship races, as they had a 5.5 litre engine limit. It only ran as an Allcomer at that stage.

[Rod Grimwood]

Bernie Beckett, now there is another bit of history. The upholstery guru from Mairangi Bay had little shop in Parity Place off Sunnybrae Rd that backed onto Peter Bruins workshop. He was more a hot rod man but did a few jobs for us.
last saw Bernie a few years ago still driving his neat red truck, had it for years.
John, on Monaro thread there is a photo of car when George Bunce ran it (with Lyall carpainters on side). It then spent along time sitting outside John Windleburns entrance to his Automatic workshop.

[John McKechnie]

Always was a distinctive car- HK body with HT grille.I have always been curious as to was it a cylinder or a v8 originally. Dont know if they really did start with a Bathurst model. If it was a genuine Bathurst would be worth a tidy sum.Was an article on Spinner Black a while back , but no detail on this car. Must be someone out there who had an inside running .Any contributors here?

[ERC]

#13 - Now that is what I call a decent grid!

John Dennehy now runs the Halliday Escort and Mike John the Silcock Jaguar 100 occasionally, in the ERC Series.

Rob Halliday and his son Robbie also run Lotus Cortinas in the series. Rob & Robbie have bagged 103 and 102 and were in first so John Dennehy now has to run number 3.

[John McKechnie]

The upholstery guru was called The Prince of Stitches by Classic Car Magazine.
The late Dave Thomas was also a hot rod upholsterer

[Rod Grimwood]

The upholstery guru was called The Prince of Stitches by Classic Car Magazine.
The late Dave Thomas was also a hot rod upholsterer

John is that the guy from down Target Road, didn't he run a three quarter at Springs years ago.

[Rod Grimwood]

My lovely mummy and daddy are up for the weekend and she presented me with a paper bag with bits in it. Amongst them was a old (1962) Shell Racing Cars Of The World book, which you had to collect a card each week to fill your book. My old boy said i was a bloody nuisance because each week i had to go with him to put petrol in the car so i could get my card. Good work by Shell as there was 48 of them, why not 52 so i could have taken a whole year out of the old boy, maybe they allowed for Xmas being a family time. Any way i will post some or all of book as it is interesting reading back then. Remember this was 1962, so the technology is limited.

[Rod Grimwood]

Will do page and then close ups hopefully.

[Rod Grimwood]

page 1

[Rod Grimwood]

Page 2

[Rod Grimwood]

Page 2 close up

[Rod Grimwood]

Page 3

[Rod Grimwood]

Page 3 close up

[Rod Grimwood]

Page 4

[Rod Grimwood]

Page 4 close up

[Rod Grimwood]

Page 5

[Rod Grimwood]

Page 5 close up

[Rod Grimwood]

Page 6

[Rod Grimwood]

Page 6 close up

[Rod Grimwood]

Page 7

[Rod Grimwood]

Page 7 close up

[Rod Grimwood]

And Page 8, this all explains how back in the late 50s early 60s we new everything, thanks Shell

[Rod Grimwood]

Page 8 close up.

Yes the weather is utter poop up here and we can not go outside, so you get to share the book.

[Lee Tracey]

Great Stuff Rod. Interesting to see the Lycoming in there.

Cheers
Lee

[Steve Holmes]

Those are awesome!

[Oldfart]

Rod, your mum must have been more thoughtful than mine! My books (planes, racing cars etc) went out in one of the shifts, along with a full set of the Shell(?) annuals.

[Rod Grimwood]

Hopefully she may find some more hidden under the house stacked away.

[Carlo]

Hopefully she may find some more hidden under the house stacked away.

Do that and she might get a Mothers day card from a whole lot of us

[Rod Grimwood]

From some one else's scrapbook that they kindly loaned for all to see.
Spent weekend down on North Shore attending a 60th of a gentleman who has been in the States for about 30 years and meet a heap of old friends and stayed at one of their lovely places. He also has some old photos of cars he has had from yesteryears. Also a big shed with some unreal toys stored away. Questions on Who,Where Thread.

[Steve Holmes]

My God, that Zephyr is nuts! Please tell me all 6 exhaust pipes were hooked up? I can't even imagine what it must have sounded like.

[Rod Grimwood]

Yes all six were hooked up, and my father used to love it when it went past, as the fella lived up the road from us. It was LOUD i can remember the noise now.

[Steve Holmes]

Yeah I bet he was real popular with the neighbours!

[Jizim]

Yes all six were hooked up, and my father used to love it when it went past, as the fella lived up the road from us. It was LOUD i can remember the noise now.


Brilliant photos. I am picking this is Ross Tebbs' Mk 2 Zephyr (ex Cedric Price of Matamata). Just loved this car in the mid 60s. Lurking around the Bays on Aucklands North Shore. Someone should do an article on Ross and his vehicles and Offshore Boats and even ways back when he was an Equestrian Ace. Had more ribbons in his garage than Mark Todd. Owned the Anglia raced by Colin Reed in Shellsport. Later moved to GTHO Falcons and Ferarris. Then Jesse James powerboat. And now the full circle back to the Ford V8 coupes where he started. Owns the best '34 Ford Roadster known to man plus a couple of desirable Hot Rods. Ross' favourite vehicle colour is red....as is on his new Aston Martin. A great guy with a great hobby........

[Rod Grimwood]

Ruppie, that has just taken the next week of bits out. Got the photos of all. Spent weekend with him. Aston is quick. Rods are unreal, but give me the 34.
I may do a bit later on. Other cars and boats as well.

[Rod Grimwood]

Do that and she might get a Mothers day card from a whole lot of us

Well she has delivered Carlo, found another lot stored away. New Zealand Motor Racing Year books from 1963 through too 1972 with the 1973 Heatway book there as well. Will try and contact some of the photographers and see if we can share. There is more to be sorted.

[Rod Grimwood]

Hopeing to be able to share some of these with you, am making contact with some people.

Amazing history in these

[garry simkin]

Hopeing to be able to share some of these with you, am making contact with some people.

Amazing history in these

I have these two, plus most of the Shell annuals. I did comment to Allan Dick once some years ago that he has the Coppins Zephyr photo reversed, making it look like its left hand drive.
Garry.

[Rod Grimwood]

That was along time ago Garry, and they must have put the neg in back to front. Yea I saw that and had to look twice. Mr Dick has sure matured since those early day's. He has put out some real good stuff over the years.

Garry thanks for shareing your photos with us, great stuff.

[Rod Grimwood]

Been for forage at mums on trip down south and found some more.

Will post later, just finishing scanning and resize.

Got a classic 40 years of Bathurst poster from Motor Racing Australia magazine back in 99 found it in my garage when looking for some bits.
It is interesting.

Maybe should put in a Bathurst thread of its own for history.

[Rod Grimwood]

40 Years of history

[Rod Grimwood]

1

[Rod Grimwood]

2

System is playing up will try and get them in order

[Rod Grimwood]

3

[Rod Grimwood]

4

There 74, 75, 76

[Rod Grimwood]

5

And these 4 years 77 to 80

[Rod Grimwood]

6

Last trip 83 & 84

[Rod Grimwood]

7

[Rod Grimwood]

8

[Rod Grimwood]

9

[Rod Grimwood]

10

Thats the poster.

Add on future years if i can

[Rod Grimwood]

Found this add in latest Australian Muscle Car (top Mag) with more History on Bathurst winners.

There is a very interesting article on the development of Mount Panorama in the new magazine.

Our very own Steve does the occasional article in this magazine as well.

[Rod Grimwood]

Well, found some more cuttings tucked away in folder, these are from way back in 70s. From newspapers and mags.

Some interesting photos.

First one is one of my favourite shots of an Angle box. it would be the most used and viewed photo I reckon.

[Rod Grimwood]

Bit of Mini action from Puke

[Rod Grimwood]

More Puke action.

[Rod Grimwood]

Some F5000 action

[Rod Grimwood]

Dick Sellens and his Toyota

Steve Millen with the BMW on way to Asia to clean up as part of Air NZ team

[Rod Grimwood]

newspaper adds

[Rod Grimwood]

Newspaper cuttings of the Hulme/Brownlie accident

[Rod Grimwood]

This happened after a previous car blew and dumped itself. I was a young fellow when this happened right in front of me and I helped Cyril after. We became friends and I travelled all over with him to meetings. He was real nice guy and had a pretty big hand in getting me involved more seriously in motorsport. He was the English Gent with cap and cravat, and drove well.

[John McKechnie]

Motorman January 1971 details this November 15 meeting on page 6-
...Veteran Cyril Hyde had a nasty moment at Castrol, damaging both his Anglia and the fence.
According to the article, it happened on Saturday during practice

[Rod Grimwood]

I also have paper clippings/photos of the tragic accident that killed Brian Faloon and seriously injured Graeme Lawrence.

The newspaper headlines back then are very dramatic/blunt and thank god things have changed in the reporting world.

[Rod Grimwood]

Motorman January 1971 details this November 15 meeting on page 6-
...Veteran Cyril Hyde had a nasty moment at Castrol, damaging both his Anglia and the fence.
According to the article, it happened on Saturday during practice

Yep practice, but on top of hill (Rothmans in those days)

[Grant Sprague]

Well, found some more cuttings tucked away in folder, these are from way back in 70s. From newspapers and mags.

Some interesting photos.

First one is one of my favourite shots of an Angle box. it would be the most used and viewed photo I reckon. Rod , great pik this , esses at Timaru , Neil tucked in behind Gary , for years they Gary , Neil & Ron , Silvester had some great races , I would probably be standing on embankment when this good pik was taken I am guessing about 1967...68

[stewyq]

Not sure exactly were Carl but you got it in one.

Now have you worked out the one in the rally thread.

The Elmac Sprinter started its life in Tapanui west Otago , built by Ron Abbott in 1966 it had a grey Holden straight 6 the front end was Holden and the diff was 1938 Dodge . next owner was Lincoln Evans, Jenkin Evans comes into the picture around 1969 , Rod McElrea bought the car in 1970 and fitted the Chev V8 motor and Bedford gear box from his 1938 Chev coupe into it .He also added the extra roll cage , the rest of the car was unchanged.

[Shoreboy57]

newspaper adds

A couple of rough diamonds in this lot. Kay Griffiths in the BRP - worst car to arrive here? Ulf Norinder - off-track legend

[GD66]

Certainly don't remember Pierre Phillips looking like that !


Kaye Griffiths' BRP : who the hell finagled that deal ? :(



Norinder thread http://forums.autosport.com/topic/68074-ulf-norinder/

[Rod Grimwood]

These are some old photos on a disc sent to me by Mark Coulthard from his scrapbook and collection, some not too clear but great any way.
most are from 70s

First lot are from Bay Park and feature a favourite visiter in his Chev Nova

[Rod Grimwood]

Spinner Black Camaro in its original Yella, then Lexington, with an assortment of other machinery.

love the attitude of the HA, awesome.

John Riley in Mustang just after he got it from Coppins

[Rod Grimwood]

Mighty Minis

[Rod Grimwood]

The introduction of Formula A (later known as F5000) to NZ and Aussie. These were the first to run here and at Bay Park.

[Rod Grimwood]

Remember this day as well, mate didn't it sound great. Awesome racing to watch these at it. Wonder how many times in NZ they were all together.

Sorry photo not best but you get the story.

[Rod Grimwood]

Now here is one for you historians, looks like Levin and it has Wayne Huxford on the door.

Looks like Wayne at left in light blue suit.

[Rod Grimwood]

Whos Capri was/is this one. Note dent work/rub in right front guard. Not best photo but best I could get it.

[Rod Grimwood]

Another piece of NZ history, these cars were unreal.

Andrew Buchanan and Elfin

[seaqnmac27]

Whos Capri was/is this one. Note dent work/rub in right front guard. Not best photo but best I could get it.

Frank Ryan? Also run by Bob Slade if so.

[Jac Mac]

Frank Ryan? Also run by Bob Slade if so.

Certainly looks like Ryans Car, but it was Paul Kirk who spent a lot of time at the wheel & sorting handling before it passed onto further OSCA drivers. Bob Slade was associated with the ex Jim Kennedy, West Coast Ford Dealer Capri.

[Michael Clark]

Remember this day as well, mate didn't it sound great. Awesome racing to watch these at it. Wonder how many times in NZ they were all together.

Sorry photo not best but you get the story.

"...not the best..." - it's bloody marvellous! Surely the best season of the big horsepower sports cars.

[Carlo]

Certainly looks like Ryans Car, but it was Paul Kirk who spent a lot of time at the wheel & sorting handling before it passed onto further OSCA drivers. Bob Slade was associated with the ex Jim Kennedy, West Coast Ford Dealer Capri.

78 was Franks Ryan's number, It sat in Franks shed for a while when he took a break from racing until it slipped into Avon Hyde's hands and in the best of Avon's traditions it once again became a winner

[Oldfart]

Another piece of NZ history, these cars were unreal.

Andrew Buchanan and Elfin

You are right Rod, awesome cars, and real characters of drivers! Sports cars were always the favourites.

[GD66]

There has been occasional mention on here about an intense dislike between Grahame Harvey and Jim Boyd, but no details.

Anyone ?

[John McKechnie]

I can give you dates and details when in the South Island Jim Boyd offered to buy Graham a return airline ticket to Auckland to help him out.
Graeme was concerned about his busines while away.
I think that reflects a respect and comraderie between fellow competitors , however there were coming togethers during racing as happens. Elfin body needing frontal repairs on one particular occasion.

[Rod Grimwood]

Frank Ryan? Also run by Bob Slade if so.


thought it was, but would rather rely on you boys from down there who know, cheers

it had a bit of a life.

[Rod Grimwood]

These are from Wigram; some I know, couple not sure so please chime in southern boy's with what and years.

[Rod Grimwood]

Got these but not sure on year.

[Rod Grimwood]

Nice photos of speaker

[Rod Grimwood]

Believe this to be Camaro engine of Mr Marwood

[Rod Grimwood]

Millen Jag, Boyle Viva GT, and is that Mr McElrea in Mustang ?

[Rod Grimwood]

More with Jag was Collins still in Fordina

[Rod Grimwood]

Is this Lin Neilson in mini

[Rod Grimwood]

OK boy's, got an idea, can you confirm please, driver, car, and guy's in photo. (don't they look young and dapper)

[Rod Grimwood]

Know this one. What year

Don't know top one (is it Pilette)

[Rod Grimwood]

Think McCormack in Ansett car, not sure of rest.

[Jac Mac]

Post #131...Yellow Blue Mustang would be either Dexter Dunlop in what would have been last drive in the TA Mustang or Kevin Haig in his first drive of the same car- someone with programme from day should know.
Post #132... McCoomb/ Hargraves MK1 Cortina at back & more likely Ron McPhail in the Fordina as this appears to be an early OSCA round run in conjunction with NI Big Bangers. Also someone has just clouted haybales-drums @ RH side of pic, looks a bit like an IMP, but cant be sure.
Post #134... Wonder if this might be Brent Thorpe with his Chev powered MK3 Zephyr.

[Rod Grimwood]

Of coarse, Ron McPhail. Thought of the Mk3 grille and Thorpe.

Have photo of McCoomb/Hargreaves Cortina on trailer for later.

[Rod Grimwood]

Another well known SI identity

[John McKechnie]

Thats one hell of a car- the ultimate , consumate Anglia.
Brilliant to look at, breathtaking to watch, deafening to listen to.............
Glad its also survived and we will see it again.
Thanks for posting this Rod.

[Rod Grimwood]

More assistance from you SI boys

Love the seat position in the Anglia, all crouched up with all that grunt going through.

This must have been in the real early days of Clyde developing the Cortina, check out the pose, and John boy up his date.

Is this the original V8 Corolla that Trevor crowe built.

[Rod Grimwood]

Theres got to be a story behind this.

[Rod Grimwood]

Grid for a distance or production race I would think. Notice Fiat in background with Henderson Central Motors was this Mr Radisich

[Rod Grimwood]

More grid photos, who/where

2nd photo looks like Nazer Escort to left.

The red Escort in middle of 3rd photo looks like the car from before at Levin with Wayne Huxford on the door, did he venture south for races ?

[Rod Grimwood]

OK boys confirm these for us

[Rod Grimwood]

More of SI boys at play

[Rod Grimwood]

What, who, when, where.

2 different cars can pick 3 in first photo

It was obviously pretty wet.

[Rod Grimwood]

Again What, Who, Where (yes I know its in the grass)

[Rod Grimwood]

Think negatives were reversed for these ones.

[Rod Grimwood]

Single seat action

[Oldfart]

Again What, Who, Where (yes I know its in the grass)

Sabre, Teretonga, McCutcheon?
Is the other Barry Keen in McBegg, Teretonga?

[Rod Grimwood]

Sabre, Teretonga, McCutcheon?
Is the other Barry Keen in McBegg, Teretonga?

That was my thought on the McBegg

[seaqnmac27]

More grid photos, who/where

2nd photo looks like Nazer Escort to left.

The red Escort in middle of 3rd photo looks like the car from before at Levin with Wayne Huxford on the door, did he venture south for races ?

Second pic is Ron McPhail in his Escort. This would also be Levin 1973, and teh Escort in the background, the then ex-Nazer one, drien by Malcolm Coffey just before he wrote it off.

[seaqnmac27]

OK boys confirm these for us

I am guessing with the Escort, but here goes Frank Ryan Escort, Bruce Jenner Camaro and Paul Kirk Buick engined Viva.

Cortina Jim McComb?

[Jac Mac]

#141..Crowes Corolla in last pic
#142... IIRC Dave Baker in Plymouth or was it Peter Knight, in a grudge match race or part of a 1/2 hr race series that included Brian Crosbie in the Firebird , Jock Freemantle BMW & others... might have been a story..often was !!
#144... McPhail Black Escort in pics 1&2, Lin Neilson in ex Carney/Richards Escort TC #221, Row 2 LH Escort with black bonnet Frank Ryan..
#145.. McCoomb/ Hargraves Cortina Cobra 289 & again inverted,Hargraves got credit for the rollover after minor contact with front wheel of Aitkens Mini, met him thru a mutual aquaintance @ levels about 5 years ago and had a good yarn for about an hour over lunch ..
#146... Bottom pic Ron McPhails datsun 1600... this car was used by several OSCA drivers to keep points up while their normal steeds were out of action for mechanical reasons
#149... IIRC Paul Kirk in the yellow Farina/Ford power.

The Sabre, Ainsley Murray, Peter Kocis, ? could have been others, think Bill Crosbie had one at one stage & that is Teretonga ..

[Rod Grimwood]

Have photo of firebird (not good) so that could be it in 1/2 hr race #142.

Did Frank Ryan get car from Huxford, as they look like same car.

[seaqnmac27]

Have photo of firebird (not good) so that could be it in 1/2 hr race #142.

Did Frank Ryan get car from Huxford, as they look like same car.

No, Ryan and Huxford raced against each other in 1973, which I believe those shots to be from.

[seaqnmac27]

And the green Corolla is Pete de Lore

[Rod Grimwood]

No, Ryan and Huxford raced against each other in 1973, which I believe those shots to be from.

Got ya, Ryan left with black bonnet and Huxford in middle with silver front panel. thanks guys.

my computer has done a poo, so checking on mums laptop. May not load much in next week or so.

[zombie289]

#145.. McCoomb/ Hargraves Cortina Cobra 289 & again inverted,Hargraves got credit for the rollover after minor contact with front wheel of Aitkens Mini, met him thru a mutual aquaintance @ levels about 5 years ago and had a good yarn for about an hour over lunch ..


What else can you guys tell me about that cortina?/ Looks awsome! I do love me a V8 Mk 1 Corty!

[Jac Mac]

What else can you guys tell me about that cortina?/ Looks awsome! I do love me a V8 Mk 1 Corty!There was a multiple frame photo of the rollover in a magazine ( Autonews?) at the time, was actually about 3 total rolls IIRC, one shot showed the 'Cobra T' sump, think the trans was a T10, not sure about diff. There was a rumour floating around about how the Cortina body shell was 'acquired' at the time, but only a rumour as far as I know, car was quick, gave the John Armstong ( ex Fahey) Shelby Mustang a run for its money at the previous round at Teretonga.
There was a second V8 Mk1 Cortina( Chev) in the Osca series at the time, a car built by Peter Kocis & then raced by Andy Threckhold. incidently this car rolled at the Teretonga round, but repaired in time for Timaru a few weeks later

[spinner32]

I purchased the Cortina off Jim McComb, from memory at the end of the season 1978. I collected it from Jim's place at Geraldine on my way to spectate at Timaru. John Osborne convinced me that since it was here, I should race it, having never even sat it previously. So I plodded around getting used to it. I believe that the car was re-shelled after the roll. It was fitted with the ex Fahey 289, complete with 6x webers and the cobra racing sump. The gearbox was a rock crusher through to a 9 inch with Detroit locker. The front wheels were 15" minilites, the rears steel. So the car had some good gear on it for the day. I attempted to race the car for 2 1/2 seasons, and never finished a race meeting once. It regularly ran #1 bearing, and I could never find out why. at one engine rebuild I sent the crank and 8 rods out to AirNZ for crack testing, and got 2 rods back. So I purchased Ian Munts 302 shortblock after he converted the Capri to Chev power.At the end of season 2 I stripped the car down, and converted it to LHD so that Fin (Alan Finlayson, John Osbornes mechanic) could move the engine back the allowed 12 inches. I borrowed the moulds off the ex Kirk Viva for the front, and the moulds from PDL1 for the back flares. At the first meeting back a spark plug broke and went through the motor, bending a carillo. So I cried enough, as I was about to move to Auckland with my job. Andy Newton (ex Bellis, Collins 350 Cortina) purchased the car off me, although I remember that the cheque had R. McElrea on it. The car was stripped out and dumped I believe. I know that the carbs went onto a street Mustang. I did consider purchasing a Mk3/4 Cortina off a certain Jac Mac, but he wanted $3500 as a roller, and I had only paid $4000 for the complete car originally. And as we all know that a certain R. McElrea bought it.

[225sloper]

Found these great photos of the Cortina roll over.22481224822248322484

[Carlo]

Ainsley Murray in the Sabre GT #95
John Armstrong in the ex John Riley Mustang #222, the car later sold to Rod McElrea.
Late yesterday at Ruapuna surrounded by a couple of ales, heard all the story from John on the purchase from John Riley and what a magic person was to deal with. The story was then continued on by Rod and his purchase of the car from Army and young Andy McElrea told of his recall of their trip to Dunedin in the car that was to be the trade in on that purchase. Good stories

[Rod Grimwood]

Thanks for info guys, remember bits of it and the photo spread in 'AutoNews' (also an Auto Action paper back then) Not too sure on hanging out the window though, could have been nasty. Seat belts and seats, roll cages have changed.

This must be Crosbie playing in the 1/2 hr race you mentioned Jac mac.

[Jac Mac]

In the top pic of post #163 you can see the nose & rear of Aitkens Mini behind the Cortina, prang was apparently a result of LR tire of Cortina riding up & over RF of Mini, ie mini had inside line, bit fluky really with Mini being fwd & Cortina rwd- both driving wheels & under power at time- something had to give..
Yes looks like Crosbie in Firebird- post #165- one of several cars owned by a gent who had earthmoving interests over on the west coast, name escapes memory at moment- car suffered with drum brakes issues...

[John McKechnie]

George Farragher owned it, had drums on front, but Crosbie cleaned up the SI racing series in it-no real brake issues here.

[zombie289]

Thanks so much to Jac Mac, 225sloper & spinner32 for taking to time to share info, looks like a pretty tough corty, and plenty quick... I remember buying a photo at a swap meet of a brown Mk 1 corty from the 70's that apparently was from NZ and ran a 253 Holden... Anyone know this one? Cheers

[Kwaussie]

George Farragher owned it, had drums on front, but Crosbie cleaned up the SI racing series in it-no real brake issues here.
I think that it was Bill Farragher who had owned a Pontiac GTO prior to the Firebird, his company was called Westland Excavators.
During the eighties he had the pub [New City] in Colombo Street, that was over the road from Smiths City Market.

[ian]

One of these MK 1 Cortinas would have been purple at one time. 74/5/6. I did some guard flaring and paint touch up on a Chev powered one. Dont remember his name but he worked at Sandridge hotel burger bar at nights.

[tonttu]

Grid for a distance or production race I would think. Notice Fiat in background with Henderson Central Motors was this Mr Radisich

My guess is the XU1 #150 is Errol Inwood from ChCh

[Jac Mac]

I think that it was Bill Farragher who had owned a Pontiac GTO prior to the Firebird, his company was called Westland Excavators.
During the eighties he had the pub [New City] in Colombo Street, that was over the road from Smiths City Market.

Correct, checked in with KFK yesterday to confirm that:)... my reference to the brake problem was remembering the Firebird returning to the pits at Teretonga after either practise or a race and large amounts of hot stuff exiting the front wheel arch's..

[Grant Sprague]

Correct, checked in with KFK yesterday to confirm that:)... my reference to the brake problem was remembering the Firebird returning to the pits at Teretonga after either practise or a race and large amounts of hot stuff exiting the front wheel arch's..

Jac Mac , I do remember this car well, it looked like a real super car compared to the dated looking Gt s & HO ,s etc , that were racing with it plus the other cars, it added great excitement to have this car in the SI series.

[Jac Mac]

Grant, you might remember better than me, I remember your Dad at Teretonga with the HO pointing to the rear of the car while on the main straight - this was to draw attention to the fuel tank pickup to Peter in the pits- I was standing nearby & remember Peter mentioning that they had been playing around with it during the previous week. Got a feeling that the following meeting at Levels saw the position reversed.

Now was this the year that the Firebird raced because IIRC the next year Pat had the HO & your Dad had the Pacer.

[John McKechnie]

Ernie won the first round in the HO, Crosbie the next rounds in the Firebird.

[Grant Sprague]

Gee nothing wrong with your memory John & Jac Mac , I recall Ernie & JR 1st & 2nd & Croz third at Timaru.........Ernie always only JUST had enough fuel to complete races , Got caught out at B&H while leading only to run out or they limped home , was a bitter pill to swallow , mind you its the same for every one [ifs & buts] Ernie might have moved the fuel pik up or more squirt for Timaru , as for the Pacer I sent Steve some piks to add here to threads as my pc wont handel them , one is of the pacer at levels when he [Erine] got tapped at the right hander.
Jac you were lucky Pete told you about that as they were a closed shop on developement ??? lGrant

[Jac Mac]

Gee nothing wrong with your memory John & Jac Mac , I recall Ernie & JR 1st & 2nd & Croz third at Timaru.........Ernie always only JUST had enough fuel to complete races , Got caught out at B&H while leading only to run out or they limped home , was a bitter pill to swallow , mind you its the same for every one [ifs & buts] Ernie might have moved the fuel pik up or more squirt for Timaru , as for the Pacer I sent Steve some piks to add here to threads as my pc wont handel them , one is of the pacer at levels when he [Erine] got tapped at the right hander.
Jac you were lucky Pete told you about that as they were a closed shop on developement ??? lGrant

Ha Ha, he didnt exactly tell me:) it was just that I was standing close enough when he worked out what Ernie was getting all excited about each time he came up the straight... Pete's words were...the ******* fuel pickup......... thats about all that we heard before he realised there were others within earshot!!!

[Grant Sprague]

Rrrrrr that:confused: wud be why lol thanks Mate

[Grant Sprague]

Mac ..... time slips away , so we had the gold fire bird , there were hot shots Ralf Emson [Steve,s Dad] & Kerry Grant ... so this might be the year before or after ..not sure ........ I remember Kerry saying some thing about he [Kerry] should have won the championship , have a pik of Ralf & Ernie & croz on a rostrum at levels ... I think Ralf might have won that Championship , Steve E might through some light on this.. ......& its all history but great years just great

[Jac Mac]

Grant, yes I can remember Kerry & Ralph Emson in the Toranas, Roy Harrington also Errol Inwood, IIRC that was later than the Firebird etc, seem to remember Graham Calderwood on what may have been Faraghers old Pontiac GTO, also Leo in the Victor still in primer after your dad lost a wheel/axle? at Levin, Neil Neilson in a gold XW GT?. John McKechnie has a fairly comprehensive mag collection, with Auto News not many writeups had full grid lists & you have to read the text in order to get an idea of all competitors...

The year was 1969, Levin race was 4hr duration, your brother Gary & Barry Cottle won it in Fiat 125S, so Im guessing that 1970 or 71 would have been the Firebird year as your Dads HO was an XW phase II with the Cleveland .

[Grant Sprague]

Wooow .... good read , to add to that , Leo entered the VIP 318 [B & H car] with Ernie , must have been the year after Leo drove the victor , what year was the victor , [not the one Leo drove with Brent]..... I drove it to Puke as part of the team [was a school boy lol , ] must have been 7o ...71 made me about 14 or 15

[Steve Holmes]

Some amazing images in here Rod! Simply awesome.

[camaroman slp]

Hi was this the Cortina that Souths Peter Blomfield ran at Timaru and Ruapuna nice car

[Jac Mac]

Hi was this the Cortina that Souths Peter Bloomfield ran at Timaru and Ruapuna nice car

Peter Blomfield??? now IIRC NZRAF & also raced a Mazda rotary in OSCA ( very noisy:) ) before the Cortina.... wish I never gave away those old OSCA newsletters now.. its all starting to comeback, was another earlier car too if I have the right person..

[spinner32]

Yes the same Peter Blomfield. I've just joined TRS and what a fantastic site, bringing back so many memories. The car before the Cortina was the ex Peter Beck Triumph Herald Coupe. Vauxhall 2 litre, Lotus twin cam box to a 180B diff out to Morris 1100 uprights, and de dion rear suspension. No wonder it was nicknamed the Triumph Thing. With it being a coupe you could race with the roof on as a sedan, take the roof off and it was a sports car. The only race you couldn't compete in was the motorcycle races LOL. Pete Blomfield

[Spgeti]

Peter, where is Peter Beck's Triumph Herald Coupe ?. I am a good friend of Peter's and he talks very fondly of his Triumph and I am sure he would love to know where it is. Cheers, Bruce

[camaroman slp]

Does Peter Blomfield still own a BMW touring car that was rarely raced does he still have own it

[spinner32]

Answers to threads 186 and 187. The Herald was wrecked out before I purchased the Cortina. The purchaser of the chassis was going to put it on the dirt as a very early Modified, but to my knowledge never did.
I sold the M3 to Jim Richards about 7 years ago when the cost of running the car became more than the budget I had. It was back over here a couple of years ago at the BMW Festival at HD. It was the ex Brock Mobil 1 car, which I had repainted back into the Brock colours.
Cheers, Pete Blomfield

[camaroman slp]

Thanks for the imformation Pete I remember you when you had the workshop in Ferry Road and built the viva osca car what was it powered by buick or rotor engine I may be wrong were did it go after you raced it. It would be great to here some stories from you being the owner/driver/mechanic/ as you must lots of stories about other drivers to tell, do you have any photos to post of any of your cars the Cortina was a cool car thanks Osca Fan

[spinner32]

I feel that I'm hi-jacking Rod's thread, but since I've been asked. I'm surprised that anyone remembers the Ferry road garage. It was next to some retirement flats. The viva you speak of was the ex Paul Kirk Buick powered car, owned by Howard Ross. As we were next to old people, we were not allowed to start the V8's after 6pm at night. Howard had restored the Viva so that it looked really nice. Boxed flares, Halliday wheels etc.We were warming up the Viva one day when the cam shaft broke and lunched the motor. He started to build a Vauxhall engine with a turbo on, but in the early 80's getting turbos to work was hard. Howard told me some years later the car went to the dump.
Thanks for your kind comments about the Cortina. When it was going right it was a mighty car to drive, but as I was about 22 when I owned it, I was too young/inexperienced to get the best from it.
Pete

[John McKechnie]

Pete- best age to be in a car like this.

[Rod Grimwood]

Pete, you have not hi-jacked nothing, this is what it is about, jolting the memory cells and sharing info etc.

Welcome on board and love to see some photos.

Cheers Rod

[Rod Grimwood]

Pete, you have not hi-jacked nothing, this is what it is about, jolting the memory cells and sharing info etc.

Welcome on board and love to see some photos.

Cheers Rod


Ok some more to ponder over

[Rod Grimwood]

More photos that have come to light. some not that good quality, but bit of history in them.

[Rod Grimwood]

some older single seat stuff.


In the 3rd photo the gentleman with his hands in his jacket looks like a very young version of a well known motorsport commentator who still does some at Hampton Downs now.
I think it may be our old mate John.

[Rod Grimwood]

A bit of single seat action Bay Park

[Rod Grimwood]

More single seat from Bay Park except 2nd photo.

Not sure if it is Oxton or Roly in Lexington number 18, think it is Roly Levis.

[Rod Grimwood]

Can some one identify this car (and gentlemen maybe)

[Rod Grimwood]

More history from Bay Park the day the Formula A arrived. Later to become F5000

[Rod Grimwood]

More history

[Rod Grimwood]

More Bay Park History

[Rod Grimwood]

When did Oxton run this car in the yellow, was it when they went overseas.

note the number, David was always 18

[Rod Grimwood]

This is a nice looking little car, anyone know its history.

Would love the mk11 now as well.

[Kwaussie]

^ ^ Looks a bit like the Errol Norris built Mk5 U2 for Mike Cook. Lotus Twincam and a very good car!

[Michael Clark]

Beggs were generally 'farm machinery yellow' - indeed the FM5 was yellow before they went to the UK so therefore it was yellow when Oxo won the 1972/73 Gold Star.

It was in England that the car was painted black - as much as anything to try something new for an improvement in team fortunes. It stayed black after David bought it off George and remains so to this day.

[GD66]

Can some one identify this car (and gentlemen maybe)




That's Leo Geoghegan's Lotus 39-Repco, quite possibly the sexiest car ever ! And Oxton is in the Lexington #18 car, Roly is in the BT23C above it, still wearing the Frank Williams sticker. Great pics, Rodders...isn't that your Firestone truck behind the garlanded Spectre ?

Also the #34 car is the Teddy Pilette VDS M10B from the 1971 Tasman Series.

[Rod Grimwood]

GD66, good spotting, I didn't mention the truck as did not think anyone would have known/remembered it.

[Rod Grimwood]

This how she has ended up Michael, still a good looking car.

On display at Manfield couple weeks back for celebrations

[Rod Grimwood]

Found this painting of some well known cars at Pukekohe that once had pride of place in McMillans and now resides in Park And Sale in Archers Rd North Shore.
Now there are well known cars and drivers in this lot.

Dropped in on way to Manfield couple of weeks ago and there it was on wall.

[Michael Clark]

FM5/1 did get the Brambles/Freighters red and white treatment with Frank Bray, and then Bill David had it.

I once mentioned to David it would be the F5000 I would most want in my fantasy garage - except that I'd return it to yellow. Oxo's response - 'Once you go black, you should never go back.'

[Rod Grimwood]

FM5/1 did get the Brambles/Freighters red and white treatment with Frank Bray, and then Bill David had it.

I once mentioned to David it would be the F5000 I would most want in my fantasy garage - except that I'd return it to yellow. Oxo's response - 'Once you go black, you should never go back.'


Remember seeing it in Bill Davids workshop in Porana Rd sitting alongside the sports car.

[Rod Grimwood]

Couple of famous old cars at the start of their career.

[Rod Grimwood]

Ok Jac,
What and who's. I wonder if it has any Sprague conection.

[Rod Grimwood]

Now you have solved that one, who is the engineer and owner of this. (presume from down south as on same photo file.)

[Ellis]

That's Leo Geoghegan's Lotus 39-Repco, quite possibly the sexiest car ever ! And Oxton is in the Lexington #18 car, Roly is in the BT23C above it, still wearing the Frank Williams sticker. Great pics, Rodders...isn't that your Firestone truck behind the garlanded Spectre ?

Also the #34 car is the Teddy Pilette VDS M10B from the 1971 Tasman Series.



The Lotus 39 now resides in Tasmania...with a Climax back in it

[cooper64]

This how she has ended up Michael, still a good looking car.

On display at Manfield couple weeks back for celebrations

1964 Austin cooper S 1071cc in the back ground

[Rod Grimwood]

The Lotus 39 now resides in Tasmania...with a Climax back in it


Does it do any classic events, got another photo of it.

[Rod Grimwood]

Is this same car.

[Michael Clark]

Yup

[Rod Grimwood]

Yup

It is a beautiful looking car, remember when the wing thing arrived. Look at the angle in comparison to how the car is sitting.

[Michael Clark]

I agree Rob but I think the Castrol livery actually enhanced it/

[Rod Grimwood]

A friend found this tucked away in old box under his house along with a heap of old Motorman and Auto News.

This was a local paper/mag put out in photo form of activities in the Waikato back then.

Some interesting shots/cars etc.

[Rod Grimwood]

A young Jim in the Imp this would have been one of first drives in it. Jack in the Escort new as well, Jim Boyd in big Lola and Boyle in fast Mii

[Rod Grimwood]

Red in the new paint/spoiler/wing Mustang

[Rod Grimwood]

More,
Says Riley in Mustang but I think it is Rod Coppins by sitting position and number, Though Riley did race it once in this number. Stan Baird in mk3, Anderson in new BMW, Silcock in bellowing Jag, this was a nice car.

[Rod Grimwood]

Mini is mystery, but next one is Mr Cook and another of the BMW.

The fella in the photo with the big smile is Ken McQuarrie the guy who found photos and who was driving a hot MK2 Zephyr at this meeting and later was to own and race a green GTHO that came from south island and was originally run by no other than Ernie Sprague

[Oldfart]

Very appropriate helmet for Ken, he still is :)

[fullnoise68]

I`d say that is John Riley in #141 Rod, as Rod Coppins would have had the Camaro by then and ran it as #41 for a while.

[Kevin Hirst]

Very appropriate helmet for Ken, he still is :)

I will second that, Had some great battles in later years on northern speedway tracks with Ken.

[Rod Grimwood]

Mr McQuarrie in Torana 27 at Kaikohe speedway few years back.

[Kevin Hirst]

Mr McQuarrie in Torana 27 at Kaikohe speedway few years back.

Rod, You forgot to mention the car in front that has just passed or will soon be taken out by him.but everybody will know that racecar number, must have been used on a few cars by then.

[John McKechnie]

Old Speedway photos thread-#189- yellow Torana number 14 on its side?

[Rod Grimwood]

Rod, You forgot to mention the car in front that has just passed or will soon be taken out by him.but everybody will know that racecar number, must have been used on a few cars by then.

You mean like this Hirsty.

[Kevin Hirst]

You mean like this Hirsty.

Yes looks pretty familiar to me Rod, wonder who was lined up next, glad I was abit further back.

[Rod Grimwood]

Na Kevin, you were gone out front.

[Kevin Hirst]

Na Kevin, you were gone out front.

thats my roofline behind Ken, in front of Ron.

[Rod Grimwood]

Kev that's a RX7, Harrisons. We normally had to chase you in that rapid little RX2, in fact it was that drive in it you gave me just after we arrived up north that got me interested in playing with you big bad boys, and the Roadrunner, the Roadrunner play still goes on.

Cheers

[Kevin Hirst]

Kev that's a RX7, Harrisons. We normally had to chase you in that rapid little RX2, in fact it was that drive in it you gave me just after we arrived up north that got me interested in playing with you big bad boys, and the Roadrunner, the Roadrunner play still goes on.

Cheers

Yes, it looks a little short in roofline for mine. have a few good photo,s of after match functions atthe RR very good sponsors of soft drinks etc both before after & during racing.