Lost Race Cars

[Steve Holmes]

So how about we start a thread on race cars that appear to have vanished from trace. See if we can't track a few of them down.

Here is one I've been trying to learn the fate of for some time, with no luck. I first found out about this car when writing an article for Australian Muscle Car mag a couple of years ago. The reason it grabbed my attention was because it was built in the Wairarapa, in New Zealand, where I moved with my partner Helen a few years ago. While researching various magazines gathering info for the article, I stumbled upon details of this car.

It was built around 1971 by Wayne Fuller, and fitted with an FVA motor reportedly from Paul Faheys Escort. Fuller raced the car in OSCA during the 1971/72 season, and was often the fastest car in the field. At the end of the season Fuller set his sites a little higher, and took the car to Graham Berry (of Berry & Chung hot rodding fame) to have a heap of fabrication work done on the firewall and transmission tunnel, so he could fit a 350ci small block Chevy, with twin off-set Holleys.

This was quite an ambitious project at the time, and appeared to have quite a bit of potential. The newly rebuilt Escort finally debuted at Bay Park in late 1973, driven by 24 year old Roger Brader, another Wairarapa hot shoe. It was very quick in a straight line, as fast as the front running machines of Allan Moffat, Jim Richards, Leo Leonard (in Mustangs), Red Dawson (Camaro), Rod Coppins (Firebird), and Paul Fahey (Capri), but required some development work on suspension and brakes.

Brader and Fuller raced the car at several events throughout the 1973/74 season, but at seasons end Fuller decided to sell it and go boat racing instead. The Escort was sold engineless to Warren Steel in the Hawkes Bay. Steel had planned to fit a smaller Chevy motor to compete in the 4.2 Saloon Car Championship, but failed his eyesight test, and had to sell the car.

It was purchased by John Scott in Auckland, who owned a transport company. This would have been late 1974, or early 1975. From there, the trail goes dead. I'm not sure if the John Scott who purchased the Escort was the same John Scott who raced speedway in the '70s and '80s, but that John Scott did happen to own a transport company, also in Auckland, so perhaps it was the same person. Either way, I've not been able to track him down.

Would love to know what happened to this car, and if it survived. Obviously Escorts were pretty popular during the '70s, and it could have ended up anywhere. Was it converted for ShellSport? Was it scrapped? Was it pushed into someones shed and forgotten about?

Anyway, here is a pic of the car at Levin when it was still fitted with the FVA. It changed little when the Chevy was shoe-horned in, except the wheels became slightly wider. It was silver with a green stripe down each flank, then later had a red or orange stripe.

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[Steve Holmes]

Here is a photo taken by Terry Marshall at Wigram 1974, showing Brader in the Escort (left of shot) now fitted with the Chevy, and chasing Trevor Crowe (Chevy Corolla), Glenn McIntyre, Fiat, Bruce Jenner (Camaro), and Don Halliday (Escort).

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[Steve Holmes]

And while on the subject of Anglo-American racing saloons, what happened to Ralph Mossman's V8 Viva he raced in NZ during the '80s? And does anyone have a photo of this car?

[Steve Holmes]

Ok, I'm on a roll here, so I'll keep going. In the early 1970s, when Jim Richards still lived in New Zealand and was taking just about any drive offered to him, he did quite a bit of speedway and rallying. Those helping his career along were Jim Carney and Jerry Clayton. Clayton would later supply the 302 Boss Mustang he and Murray Bunn would build into the Sidchrome Mustang, but prior to that, had a speedway saloon built from an HQ Holden Monaro, which, at the time, would have been a near new car. From what I can tell, the Monaro sported a couple of different paint schemes, including one for Sidchrome Tools, as pictured.

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Richards raced the Monaro out of Waikaraka Park, though I don't know how much travelling he would have done with the car to other tracks.

It would eventually be sold to Palmerston North racer Bill Dorn, who did just about everything in speedway, including Stockcars and Modifieds. All Dorns race cars were painted up like large American flags, and the Monaro was the same. He raced the car during the 70s, when it was sold to another Palmy racer. It was eventually retired, but I'm quite certain, later re-appeared as a Streetstock, painted black, when Streetstock racing was introduced to Palmerston North speedway in the late '80s/early '90s.

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Most Streetstocks end up getting crushed, as they're eventually no good for anything else. Was this the case with the old Jim Richards Sidchrome Monaro?

[Steve Holmes]

Here is another shot of the Fuller/Brader Escort, supplied to me some time back by "faminz". Its taken at Bay Park, during the 1971/72 season, chasing Dennis Marwood (Camaro), Brian Foley (Alfa), Rod Coppins (Camaro), and leading John Riley (Mustang), etc.

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[pallmall]

The speedway Monaro was also driven by Steve Millen at Waikaraka Park. I doubt that JR ever raced it anywhere else but Waikaraka and Forest Lake.
And yes, apparently ended its days as a streetstock, but considering these car were built on the original floor pan and had some very hard racing it wouldn't have been much use for anything else.

Here is Mr Millen showing Ray Wright that there are two laps to go...............
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/Old%20Saloons%202/AR13-03-1976021Standarde-mailview.jpg

And the Capri that Rod and Steve Millen both raced at Waikaraka Park with much success. Steve also drove Midgets at Western Springs.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/Old%20Saloons%202/64RodMillenStandarde-mailview.jpg


Photos by Andre Ruiterman used with permission.

[Steve Holmes]

Roy Harrington raced this lovely little Holden Torana fitted with a V8 in the 4.2 class of the New Zealand Saloon Car Championship during the mid-1970s. This is the car pictured at Bay Park in late 1975.

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By the 1977 season, Harrington had boxed the guards, and fitted fuel injection to a larger Chevy V8, as seen in this Mike Feisst photo.

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Harrington eventually sold the car to Brian Friend who repainted it in HDT colours.

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By the 1981 season, Friend had painted it yet again and fitted a wild rear wing, as seen in this Terry Marshall photo taken at Bay Park.

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Friend would go on to purchase the Brent Bullivant built V8 Capri off Bob Cullinane around 1983, who'd purchased it off Graeme Baker. So what became of the Harrington Torana?

[Steve Holmes]

The speedway Monaro was also driven by Steve Millen at Waikaraka Park. I doubt that JR ever raced it anywhere else but Waikaraka and Forest Lake.
And yes, apparently ended its days as a streetstock, but considering these car were built on the original floor pan and had some very hard racing it wouldn't have been much use for anything else.

Here is Mr Millen showing Ray Wright that there are two laps to go...............
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/Old%20Saloons%202/AR13-03-1976021Standarde-mailview.jpg

And the Capri that Rod and Steve Millen both raced at Waikaraka Park with much success. Steve also drove Midgets at Western Springs.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/Old%20Saloons%202/64RodMillenStandarde-mailview.jpg


Photos by Andre Ruiterman used with permission.

Thanks pallmall. Do you know the name of the last person to race the Monaro in Streetstocks?

[Greg Stokes]

Roy Harrington raced this lovely little Holden Torana fitted with a V8 in the 4.2 class of the New Zealand Saloon Car Championship during the mid-1970s. This is the car pictured at Bay Park in late 1975.

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By the 1977 season, Harrington had boxed the guards, and fitted fuel injection to a larger Chevy V8, as seen in this Mike Feisst photo.

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Harrington eventually sold the car to Brian Friend who repainted it in HDT colours.

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By the 1981 season, Friend had painted it yet again and fitted a wild rear wing, as seen in this Terry Marshall photo taken at Bay Park.

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Friend would go on to purchase the Brent Bullivant built V8 Capri off Bob Cullinane around 1983, who'd purchased it off Graeme Baker. So what became of the Harrington Torana?

I know where all the body panels are for the Harrington Torana - hanging in a Auckland hot rodder's garage. They are in safe hands - he is a total motorsport enthusiast

[Steve Holmes]

Oh wow, that is cool! Do you know what became of the Torana Greg? Or does the owner of the body panels know of its fate?

[Greg Stokes]

i will see what I can find out

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Greg, that'll be great!

[bob homewood]

Fuller Escort ,
Steve
I have been looking to get some more positive information on this car for you in later times,now I am not sure if I am right here but I think this car was perhaps the Escort that Ian Knight ? raced in the later Sports Sedan Series around the time I was racing my Mk2 based Escort Sports Sedan,it ran with some Shakespeare Tavern sign writing on it .The Steve Millen connection also rings a bell with me,but I believe at that time it was going to run a 4.2 engine, ,I will keep you posted if I can turn up anymore

[bob homewood]

Ok here is one ,its not really lost ,as its gone to the scrappies,probably
The Dave Jolly Humber which became the Humber that Frank Radisich raced mid 60's I was involved in the very early stages with Dave when he started thinking about this project in fact the idea was hatched after the November Levin meeting the year before when the Auckland coupe guys went south for that first ? All comer meeting ,we looked at the power the Coupe guys had and figured putting a Corvette engine into a Humber 80 would perhaps be a better bet,moving the engine back etc to get better balance ,doubling up on the shock absorbers ,sounds a bit crude now but it was forward thinking for those times.They idea lingered around for some time until one day Dave came across one that had been fire damaged in Palmerston North ,now Dave's budget didn't stretch to a Chev V8 engine but the same wrecker had a early Customline Ford V8 enine for sale as well so that was what he ended up with.there was another Levin meeting coming up ,so with Dave having completed the purchase we decided to travel down to Levin via Palmerston North and drag it home by A frame behind my 39 Chev coupe ,we travelled down after work on the Thursday night arriving at day light on the Friday morning,slept in the car outside the wreckers until he opened up.They had already removed the Humber engine and gearbox ,we then spent all day Friday shovelling the burnt remains of the seats,mats etc out of it ,on top of that some one had shovelled what seemed like a truck load of soil into it in a attempt to put the fire out ,by the end of the day we were finished ,somehow we managed to manhandle the Ford motor into the now empty passenger compartment and tie it in.We made arrangements with the wrecker guy to meet us back there on the Saturday night after we had been to Levin ,picked it up and travelled back home to Auckland on the Saturday night ,my coupe was modified with triple carbs ,so was more than up to the job of towing it but gas consumption was from memory about 4 to 5 miles per gallon .The car languished around home for a while with out any real progress as Dave had run out of funds ,I went off in a different direction as I got involved with some else for the forth coming season ,Dave eventually scraped enough together to get it up and running but it never really showed any promise and Dave eventually sold it on to Frank Radisich

[Steve Holmes]

Fuller Escort ,
Steve
I have been looking to get some more positive information on this car for you in later times,now I am not sure if I am right here but I think this car was perhaps the Escort that Ian Knight ? raced in the later Sports Sedan Series around the time I was racing my Mk2 based Escort Sports Sedan,it ran with some Shakespeare Tavern sign writing on it .The Steve Millen connection also rings a bell with me,but I believe at that time it was going to run a 4.2 engine, ,I will keep you posted if I can turn up anymore

Thanks Bob, your memory is amazing! I'm wracking my brain trying to remember the car as Ian Knight raced it, but am having no luck. Do you know where I could find a photo of it as it later raced? Roger Brader said he thought Steve Millen was mixed in there somewhere, but couldn't recall for sure, but it can't be a coincidence that both of you link Millen with the car. Roger also said Trevor Crowe test drove it when they first stuffed the V8 into it, to try and sort some of the handling, as Crowe was racing his Chevy powered Corolla at the time.

[Steve Holmes]

Ok here is one ,its not really lost ,as its gone to the scrappies,probably
The Dave Jolly Humber which became the Humber that Frank Radisich raced mid 60's I was involved in the very early stages with Dave when he started thinking about this project in fact the idea was hatched after the November Levin meeting the year before when the Auckland coupe guys went south for that first ? All comer meeting ,we looked at the power the Coupe guys had and figured putting a Corvette engine into a Humber 80 would perhaps be a better bet,moving the engine back etc to get better balance ,doubling up on the shock absorbers ,sounds a bit crude now but it was forward thinking for those times.They idea lingered around for some time until one day Dave came across one that had been fire damaged in Palmerston North ,now Dave's budget didn't stretch to a Chev V8 engine but the same wrecker had a early Customline Ford V8 enine for sale as well so that was what he ended up with.there was another Levin meeting coming up ,so with Dave having completed the purchase we decided to travel down to Levin via Palmerston North and drag it home by A frame behind my 39 Chev coupe ,we travelled down after work on the Thursday night arriving at day light on the Friday morning,slept in the car outside the wreckers until he opened up.They had already removed the Humber engine and gearbox ,we then spent all day Friday shovelling the burnt remains of the seats,mats etc out of it ,on top of that some one had shovelled what seemed like a truck load of soil into it in a attempt to put the fire out ,by the end of the day we were finished ,somehow we managed to manhandle the Ford motor into the now empty passenger compartment and tie it in.We made arrangements with the wrecker guy to meet us back there on the Saturday night after we had been to Levin ,picked it up and travelled back home to Auckland on the Saturday night ,my coupe was modified with triple carbs ,so was more than up to the job of towing it but gas consumption was from memory about 4 to 5 miles per gallon .The car languished around home for a while with out any real progress as Dave had run out of funds ,I went off in a different direction as I got involved with some else for the forth coming season ,Dave eventually scraped enough together to get it up and running but it never really showed any promise and Dave eventually sold it on to Frank Radisich

Wow, that is an amazing story Bob. Was the V8 a flathead or a Y block? So did Radisich ever race the car with the V8 or did he just put the Jag motor straight in?

[bob homewood]

Y block sorry meant to mention that it was basically stock with headers ,thats all the budget stretched to,I think the V8 blew up ,when Frank brought that car I think he ran his Zephyr motor in it then put the Jag motor in it,David will know

[Greg Stokes]

Re the Harrington Torana - the Auckland hot rodder came across the car in someone's backyard where the body was found to be quite rotten so the all the good panels were pulled off the car with an intention to one day do a recreation of the car. The owner of the panels is a saloon car fan and has really enjoyed the info and pics on here.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Greg, its a real shame the body couldn't be saved. That was a tough race car. Be great if the owner could join up here and post a few pics.

[Greg Stokes]

Yeah thats what my friend said. It was kept outside for a long period of time and was very rotten. However, the panels are in very good shape. I may try and catch up with him and see what pics he has of big banger saloons etc that could be posted on here.

[David McKinney]

When Frank brought that car I think he ran his Zephyr motor in it then put the Jag motor in it,David will know
Yep. Ran an ex-Sprague Zephyr engine which blew up (where I was watching from) at Matamata in 1964. I grabbed a piston off the road as a souvenir and kept it for quite a while. The Jag engine went in for the next season

[bob homewood]

Thanks David,
Thats what I thought I rembered ,Frank used to be pretty impressive at the Chamberlain Road Hillclimb in that Zephyr ,I am actually doing some work on a Raymond Mays Zephyr motor in the next couple of months ,but I will save that for another story when it happens

[Steve Holmes]

Y block sorry meant to mention that it was basically stock with headers ,thats all the budget stretched to,I think the V8 blew up ,when Frank brought that car I think he ran his Zephyr motor in it then put the Jag motor in it,David will know

Bob, did Dave Jolly manage to purchase any speed equipment for the Ford Y? There wasn't a lot of aftermarket equipment made for those engines, they weren't very popular for any application, so would be interesting to know how he upped the power, or if he did up the power at all.

[bob homewood]

No from memory it was all just standard ,headers only ?,it was obviously not very quick ,but as I said the original concept of using the Chev engine I think would have given a different result especially if it had been up and running for the start of the season,I believe my original thinking using the Humber 80 would have worked ok as it had a reasonably rigid base to build on,wishbone suspension a huge step forward from the beam axles, etc of the coupes

[Steve Holmes]

One of those "what could have been" stories Bob. Even the standard Y in the small Humber bodyshell would have given good power to weight.

[Steve Holmes]

This beautiful MkI Escort twin-cam was raced during the 1970/71 New Zealand Saloon Car Championship season by Max Pennington. Magazine articles at the time said it was fitted with the wheels and twin-cam engine from Ken Smiths Lotus 41B. It was certainly a beautiful little car.

Pennington collided with the similar car of David Silcock at an event at Pukekohe that season, and later reappeared driving the ex Gary Sprague/Stan Baird Escort twin-cam. Was his own car too damaged to continue racing? Does anyone know what became of this car?

There is a Max Pennington who runs a car dealership in Taranaki, could this be the same person?

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Mike Feisst Photo

[foggy]

Yep thats the same Max Pennington, still doing a bit of racing/hillclimbing in a GTi Pulsar, hes the Holden dealer in New Plymouth. I bought a mini powered sportscar from New Plymouth a few years back and it had those Lotus magnesium wheels on it.... wonder if they are the same ones ??

[bob homewood]

This beautiful MkI Escort twin-cam was raced during the 1970/71 New Zealand Saloon Car Championship season by Max Pennington. Magazine articles at the time said it was fitted with the wheels and twin-cam engine from Ken Smiths Lotus 41B. It was certainly a beautiful little car.

Pennington collided with the similar car of David Silcock at an event at Pukekohe that season, and later reappeared driving the ex Gary Sprague/Stan Baird Escort twin-cam. Was his own car too damaged to continue racing? Does anyone know what became of this car?

There is a Max Pennington who runs a car dealership in Taranaki, could this be the same person?

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Mike Feisst Photo

Steve ,That is the same Max Pennington,at one stage Wayne Murdoch was perhaps living up in Taranaki with Max,they ran a Escort in one of the Heatway rallies together perhaps it was the 72 one which I did

[Steve Holmes]

Wow, could well be if the Escort was wrecked. I don't know how badly it was damaged in the crash, the other car involved was the Escort of Silcock, which Bob Homewood has just informed me he owned a couple of years later, so that one survived. Will need to dig further on this.

[Steve Holmes]

Steve ,That is the same Max Pennington,at one stage Wayne Murdoch was perhaps living up in Taranaki with Max,they ran a Escort in one of the Heatway rallies together perhaps it was the 72 one which I did

Ah, was just replying to foggys post above when you also replied Bob. Thanks for clarifying that.

[kiwi285]

Recently I was looking though the entry list for the latest Manfield meeting and came across a Max Pennington driving a Nissan SKyline. Sounds like the same gentleman and he is still enjoying his racing. Maybe we can contact him and get him involved. Have just found his dealership 'Max Pennington's Auto City' and have sent off an email asking him if he was the driver of the Escort. Hopefully an answer soon.

[David McKinney]

Pennington collided with the similar car of David Silcock at an event at Pukekohe that season, and later reappeared driving the ex Gary Sprague/Stan Baird Escort twin-cam. Was his own car too damaged to continue racing? Does anyone know what became of this car?
Pennington and Silcock tangled at Railway at the April Pukekohe meeting. Pennington had his car [the same one?] out at Bay Park in July, but didn't start after catching fire in practice. Stan Baird was also at this meeting, and continued to race [with the same car?] in the 1972 season

[kiwi285]

I have just got off the phone after talking to Max Pennington for some time. He still owns the Holden dealership but has retired and only goes in ocassionally. He is still racing and uses his Skyline (760 bhp) for tacmac sprints and rallies. He seems to love his racing and is keen to catch up with other historic racers.

The Escort was converted into a rally car and he and Wayne Murdoch wrote it off on the last day of the Heatway Rally. It went over a bank and impaled itself on a fence post. The body work was sold to Neil Cowley who was building up a speedway car and it raced for sometime. The engine and gearbox etc were sold to a person in Geraldine. Max can't remember the name at present but is going to look through his paperwork.

He is interested to know what happened to it all in the end.

[bob homewood]

I have just got off the phone after talking to Max Pewnnington for some time. He still owns the Holden dealership but has retired and only goes in ocassionally. He is still racing and uses his Skyline for tacmac sprints and rallies. He seems to love his racing and is keen to catch up with other historic racers. The Escort was converted into a rally car and he and Wayne Murdoch wrote it off on the last day of the Heatway Rally. It went over a bank and impaled itself on a fence post. The body work was sold to Neil Cowley who was building up a speedway car and it raced for sometime. The engine and gearbox etc were sold to a person in Geraldine. Max can't remember the name at present but is going to look through his paperwork. He is interested to know what happened to it all.

Thanks for that ,that is what I thought I remembered happening to it,I will see if I can think of who the engine went to down that way ,Blair Paton ??

[Steve Holmes]

Nice piece of investigative work there Mike. Bit sad to learn the fate of the car, I was kind of hoping it was one of those cars pushed into someones shed and forgotten. But at least now we know the outcome. It was a very cool little car.


I have just got off the phone after talking to Max Pennington for some time. He still owns the Holden dealership but has retired and only goes in ocassionally. He is still racing and uses his Skyline for tacmac sprints and rallies. He seems to love his racing and is keen to catch up with other historic racers. The Escort was converted into a rally car and he and Wayne Murdoch wrote it off on the last day of the Heatway Rally. It went over a bank and impaled itself on a fence post. The body work was sold to Neil Cowley who was building up a speedway car and it raced for sometime. The engine and gearbox etc were sold to a person in Geraldine. Max can't remember the name at present but is going to look through his paperwork. He is interested to know what happened to it all in the end.

[pallmall]

The Neil Cowley speedway Escort.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/saloon46sneilcowleyStandarde-mailview.jpg

[Steve Holmes]

Wow, so thats the same car then?

[Steve Holmes]

Back in the mid-70s, Bill Leckie built a Ford Capri for the ShellSport New Zealand Saloon Car Championship, 4.2 litre category. The Capri was built around McLaren M10 F5000 components, including fuel injected Chevy (which must have been sleeved), wheels, tyres, suspension and brakes. It ran a Ford top loader gearbox and (I think) an Atlas rear, or possibly a Ford 9".

It debuted for the 1975/66 season, painted red/white/blue and had heavily rolled wheelarch flares.

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For the 1976/77 it was repainted white, fitted with box flared guards, and sponsored by Sleepyhead beds. This season Leckie ran the full championship, finishing 2nd overall to Jack Nazer and 1st in the 4.2 class. Despite the Capri catching fire at Manfeild, where Leckie suffered severe burns, the car was rebuilt, and raced at Pukekohe a few weeks later driven by Jim Richards, who broke the outright saloon lap record, and beat Nazer to victory.

Following the '77 season, MANZ placed a 2 litre engine limit on the ShellSport championship, and effectively outlawed the V8 machines. Many cars were pushed into sheds, some ended up in the South Island in OSCA, but the Leckie Capri vanished.

I tried to trace its fate a couple of years ago when I phoned Bill Leckie about the car. He told me that because he was a young guy on a budget, and MANZ had just outlawed his race car, he couldn't afford to just park it up, as much as he would have liked to. He had to sell what he could from it to help fund his next project, a Mitsubishi Lancer for the new 2 litre ShellSport series.

All the McLaren F5000 equipment was sold off, and he said he swapped the Capri bodyshell with all the molds for a small block Chevy engine for his Bedford van to a guy out in Papatoetoe (Auckland) who ran a small backyard junkyard. The guy said he planned to rebuild the car for racing using his own running gear, but it seems the car never resurfaced.

Bill can't recall his name, or even where he was based exactly.

Does anyone know the fate of the Bill Leckie V8 Capri?

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Phil Robinson and Mike Feisst Photos.

[GD66]

Here is another shot of the Fuller/Brader Escort, supplied to me some time back by "faminz". Its taken at Bay Park, during the 1971/72 season, chasing Dennis Marwood (Camaro), Brian Foley (Alfa), Rod Coppins (Camaro), and leading John Riley (Mustang), etc.



"Etc" in this case including Reg Cook, Dexter Dunlop and our own Bob Homewood...

PS: that Dulon Wildfire Escort of Max Pennington used to look VERY snappy, but as I recall used to have terminal understeer...

[Steve Holmes]

PS: that Dulon Wildfire Escort of Max Pennington used to look VERY snappy, but as I recall used to have terminal understeer...

Pretty impressive to remember that!

[GD66]

Not really mate, we sat on the outside of the Rothmans sweeper one practice day for a Bay Park meeting and Pennington did LOTS of laps and understeered ALL day, much to our intrigue. Lovely car, and a good pedaller too I reckon.

[RogerH]

A couple of older Pukekohe photos - Red Dawson, John Riley and John Curtis among others :
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/1743/77johncurtiszepherredda.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/836/77johncurtiszepherredda.png/)

A bit of chaos on the opening lap after Alwyn Marshall spun in the Lotus Cortina. Ivan Cranch goes through in the Consul Jaguar and Colin Lumsden takes avoiding action in the DeSoto.

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/994/418n.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/836/418n.jpg/)

Just to fit in with the thread's theme I suppose most of these cars are now lost - except for the Lotus Cortina which has probably turned into three "genuine" period cars :confused:

[bob homewood]

A.

Just to fit in with the thread's theme I suppose most of these cars are now lost - except for the Lotus Cortina which has probably turned into three "genuine" period cars :confused:

Roger I believe the Marshall Lotus Cortina still exists down in Tauranga,the 57 Anglia I think is Bryan Faloon and if so I believe that car still exists down in the Manawatu area Alwyn Marshall was a brillant engineer and made up a few good bits along the way for that car

[RogerH]

Thanks Bob - good to hear that a couple of these cars have survived and the Cortina has not morphed into more than one version. Here is the "before" photo of Alwyn Marshall spinning with most of the pack behind him.
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/6570/410bub.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/410bub.jpg/)

[Steve Holmes]

OK, so here is a bit of a curve-ball. David Howes raced this phenominal AMC Javelin in the 1972 and '73 British Saloon Car Championship. Unlike the American Trans-Am Javelins, which were limited to 5,000cc, the engine in Howes Javelin was out to 6,390cc. It was also fitted with much wider wheels, I'd say 15" wide in the rear. The BTCC Group 2 regulations were far more relaxed than those of the Trans-Am.

The Javelin suffered a serious of reliability issues in the '72 season, but managed to notch up several top 10 results. Then in '73, was much closer to the pace, and finished an excellent 2nd in the Saloon car support race at the '73 Silverstone Grand Prix event, behind Frank Gardners SCA Camaro, according to Frank de Jongs excellent website: http://www.touringcarracing.net/

Then the Javelin appears to have vanished.

Does anyone know anything about this car? Was it built in the UK, or was it a Trans-Am car fitted with the larger engine? Does it still exist?

[Steve Holmes]

Terry Allans amazing big block Camaro, when advertised for sale in late 1970, but has since vanished. What happened to it?

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[Rod Grimwood]

Hello, just joined this site. amazing. I was helping out Steve in those days and doing a little bit of Waikaraka Park (drove Capri after Rod had finished with it). Steve Millen drove the Escort when John Scott owned it painted white and i can recall the first time he drove it he found out what real bump steer was. John sold it too Ian Knight who changed colour to red and ran car for a while. Sorry but that is a far as i can recall its history.

[Steve Holmes]

Rod, its great to have you here, will look forward to your contributions.

Is this the Fuller Escort you're referring to? Do you have any info on the engine etc they were running? I believe Warren Steel sold it as a roller. Any photos of it at any stage of its career?

[Rod Grimwood]

Hi Steve, This a great site. Yes I am talking about the Fuller Escort when John Scott owned it. And John Scott with his father Ash did have a truck and contracting business in Mt Wellington. I ran into John a few years ago and think i have contact for him somewhere. I don't have any photos but recall the car well and John Scott testing the car at Pukekohe and saying it was scary and asking Steve to test it and the look on Steves face after a couple of laps. We did a bit to the suspension and got it to handle a bit better, but weight was hard to work around in those days. I think John had fitted a Chev 283 for 4.5 class and Ray Chatfield was looking after it. There is another clever fabricator.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Rod, that is some great info. Do you recall roughly when John owned it, and how long he had it for? And roughly when was it sold to Ian Knight?

[Rod Grimwood]

Will do some research.

[bob homewood]

584

This was a Club meeting late 80s,on the club circuit ,with some of the cars ready to go out for a practice session The mk 1 Escort with the big flares was Rod Bergren (he gave me this photo ) Grimmy might remenber who some of the others are

[Rod Grimwood]

584

This was a Club meeting late 80s,on the club circuit ,with some of the cars ready to go out for a practice session The mk 1 Escort with the big flares was Rod Bergren (he gave me this photo ) Grimmy might remenber who some of the others are


The said Mr Knight was in the Corvette know that. And a short fast fella in the neat little Escort on pole.

[kiwi285]

http://i53.tinypic.com/wsvdde.jpg http://i52.tinypic.com/9zn243.jpg

This one is still around but I believe that it is used as a road car now (Ray Larsen)

[kiwi285]

http://i52.tinypic.com/vdzt53.jpg

Does anyone know what happened to this Galaxi. Photographed at Pukekohe

[GD66]

Fairlane, in fact. And that Jag doesn't look quite the same as it did after disappearing backwards through the fence at BayPark's Beach hairpin...

[Jac Mac]

http://i52.tinypic.com/vdzt53.jpg

Does anyone know what happened to this Galaxi. Photographed at Pukekohe
Yes, it was burnt in a car shed fire near Invercargill, then bought as an insurance write off by PJW @ Charlton Auto Ltd, & the shell later buried in the yard when additional land was aquired from NZR & filled. The main case from the top loader was put to good use to repair one I bought in from the USA with a cracked case & missing mount lugs, I also rebuilt & used the front rotors & calipers for use on both my OSCA Cortina race cars.

[pallmall]

Fairlane, in fact. And that Jag doesn't look quite the same as it did after disappearing backwards through the fence at BayPark's Beach hairpin...

A scan of my photo from NZ Hot Rod.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/RANDOM/WisemanJag001Quicke-mailview.jpg

[RogerH]

Sports car race at Puke with Scott Wiseman's Jag - who was the Honda in the bottom photo?
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/6743/colinbarrie1page13a.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/33/colinbarrie1page13a.jpg/)

[GD66]

I think it was David Slater.

#25 : Baron Robertson in the Heron ?

[David McKinney]

Agree to both

[Steve Holmes]

Here is a photo taken by Terry Marshall at Wigram 1974, showing Brader in the Escort (left of shot) now fitted with the Chevy, and chasing Trevor Crowe (Chevy Corolla), Glenn McIntyre, Fiat, Bruce Jenner (Camaro), and Don Halliday (Escort).

129

Any further info on the Fuller Escort up to and beyond Ian Knight? Does anyone have a contact for Ian Knight?

[grelley]

Not lost, but trying to track the history?. It is one of the many clone Lotus Cortinas, only this one was registered by Ward and Coppins Motors as a Lotus Cortina in 1968. I have been told that it was reshelled from a genuine L/C that was burnt out but I really have no idea. The car did about 500 miles in their ownership. I dont think there were that many genuine L/Cs in New Zealand back then. It is definitely not a L/C shell. The reg no is AS754. Does anybody have any knowledge of this car. Regds
Grelley

[Steve Holmes]

Sounds interesting Grelley, do you have any photos? Was it ever raced?

[grelley]

Hi Steve, yes it won the first ever Pre 65 race in Timaru then won the championship for 3 years in the hands of Kevin Pateman. It also raced in classic racing for about 3-4 years, and I had it at the Bruce McLaren Festival at Hampton Downs and Pukekohe. It is really the very early information that I am after if in fact there was any? I have spoken to Kevin Pateman but he is not aware of its early history.
Regards

[pallmall]

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/Motor%20Racing%20Historic/441750x519.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/Motor%20Racing%20Historic/087750x546.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i275/Checraft/Motor%20Racing%20Historic/088750x394.jpg

[thunder427]

....Lotus Cortina's on the street!!!!!!!!.....Denis Stanton of 'Stanton Stationary' fame,a Christchurch office supply company of the 50's/60's drove a very Quick Cortina GT (lets not forget the 'GT'!!) Denis,aquired,I use the term Aquired, only to outline Denis's intention to 'Race' this car,I'm Thinking it may have come from the North Island,but there was a privately owned one in Christchurch around that time that was an Ex racecar.

My story,and I'm sticking to it!!!..consider that Denis's job took him all over the South Island,lets think Christmas time,lets pencil in (no pun intended) Nelson,perhaps we have transfered plates of the company GT to a real low-n-quick Lotus Cortina,maybe we're running in a 'new' motor and we find our selves in Nelson with a bet going as to how "quick' we can get back to Christchurch......this is where i come into this tale!!!!

:pI'm driving up the Main North Rd. heading to the Parents Holiday 'Batch' at Leithfield Beach,just come thru Kaiapoi,in my 1956 Ford Thames van,when I hear this engine on absolutely full song,I'm trying to gather were its comming from,when I see comming towards me with the Inside front wheel A foot of the ground,a LOTUS CORTINA,flatlining the corner,known as the 'White House'Cnr (like a big 'S')so!!,How did I know it was a Lotus!!??..,What's,'Off White with a Pea Green Spear down the side and looks like a Cortina...
....VROOOOOOOOM...gone and past me in a "Flash', its funny,how in that split second I saw Denis.....Shit!!!that was Denis!!!.....you know the deal as you try and comprehend what you have just seen/witnessed...Wow!!:cool:

Some weeks later Denis bought me up to speed on the 'double' dare........You Know!! it was 'goooood' grow up in those years.............regards thunder427/MJ:)

[Steve Holmes]

This Camaro was owned by Adrian Chambers, of SCA Freight, and built to replace the '67 Camaro the team previously raced. Frank Gardner was the driver. This car debuted in the 1973 British Saloon Car Championship, and dominated the season, with Gardner winning the championship. The alloy big block engine was apparently supplied by fellow Aussie Bob Jane.

The Camaro was raced by SCA Freight in the ETCC in 1974, after Britain dropped Group 2 (outlawing the Camaro) in favour of the production based Group 1. Chambers had both Gardner and his Aussie rival Brian Muir, who had been Gardners main competition the last few seasons, drive the Camaro, but they didn't fare at all well, retiring from every round in the '74 ETCC.

After that the Camaro was sold, and Gardner moved back to Australia. Looking through Frank de Jongs excellent website: http://www.touringcarracing.net/ there appears to be a very similar looking Camaro raced in 1975 and '76 by Stuart Graham (winning the '75 Silverstone TT), then following that by Reine Wisell, of Sweden, though the big block looks to have been removed when the car was sold by Chambers.

Where is it now?

641

[GD66]

Not to go OT, but would that be the same Adrian Chambers who managed Wanneroo (Barbagallo) Raceway for the WA Sporting Car Club a few years back ?

[David McKinney]

Don't know about the Lotus-Cortina mentioned above, but the attached is the winning car in the October 1964 Wills 6hr race, driven by Palmer and Fahey. Palmer also did the Sandown 5hrs with this car, partnered by J Y Stewart. It's still in NZ, in the hands of the man who's owned it for at least 35 years

[woody]

Ted Giles in Dunedin has had a Lotus Cortina for many years.

[seaqnmac27]

Hey guys, I am new here, some cars I would like to know about or -what happened to etc. Yes the Mossman Viva, I remember seeing it at Manfield about 89. also any information aboutr the following cars. McIntyre Fiat 124, there was a Marina V8 around the same time as the Viva. Bryan Bate had a Sunbeam Stilletto in 82. That is a start for you.

Regards
Sean McBride

[bob homewood]

Hey guys, I am new here, some cars I would like to know about or -what happened to etc. Yes the Mossman Viva, I remember seeing it at Manfield about 89. also any information aboutr the following cars. McIntyre Fiat 124, there was a Marina V8 around the same time as the Viva. Bryan Bate had a Sunbeam Stilletto in 82. That is a start for you.

Regards
Sean McBride
815

This is the Marina here behind the Chavenger I believe you are talking about,the Bryan Bate Stilleto I am going to write about my part in putting the Mazda engine in it some time in the future

[seaqnmac27]

Thats it, I only remember seeing it on its trailer at Manfield, though I remember Neil Deighton in the Chavenger, I think it may have been the '81 daybreaker I first saw it, though I also saw it at the B&H Enbdurance series racing in the support races on the club circuit. What is the story behind the Marina? Was the drivers name something like Steve or Gary Park?

[Steve Holmes]

What happened to the Mossman Viva? Does he still have it? Anyone got any pics of it?

[bob homewood]

Thats it, I only remember seeing it on its trailer at Manfield, though I remember Neil Deighton in the Chavenger, I think it may have been the '81 daybreaker I first saw it, though I also saw it at the B&H Enbdurance series racing in the support races on the club circuit. What is the story behind the Marina? Was the drivers name something like Steve or Gary Park?

Graham Park was the Marina man,back in the mid sixties ,I think first he raced a Plymouth coupe or something similar ,then we raced Anglias together 66/67 ,after that I think he went o/seas and worked for Broadspeed ?, he later returned to NZ and built up and raced the Marina V8 around the same time I built the Escort Sports Sedan

[Jac Mac]

Not 100% sure on this, but think the Chavenger might have been down our way in Invercargill in recent years, a Dave Robertson/Robinson is the name that comes to mind & something to do with a guy on snow skis attached to a roofrack either training/testing for a speed ski record.....

[Steve Holmes]

It had been owned by Neil Deighton for about 100 years, has he sold it?

[seaqnmac27]

Didn't the chap Robinson have a V8 Chevette? I remember it being Black at the Ashley Forest Hillclimb in the late 80's early 90's

[Jac Mac]

I might not have the right car or could there be two Chavengers?,

Barry Robinson had the Black Rally Chevettes [ pretty sure there were two of those, one with a flat raised floorpan- both of these were Bedford/Victor slant four powered, initially with SOHC IIRC then later with DOHC head similar to JH & Lotus variants.

V8 OSCA Chevette was built by a good friend Derek Macrae- SBC/muncie/8'' Ford Diff, last I heard of that was its being restored back to OSCA spec somewhere in Marlborough Sounds

[Rod Grimwood]

Been chatting to people in Rotorua and hopefully you will have an answer shortly, also another family who raced everthing from stockcars to sports sedans, Trans Am in States and OSCA and now a F5000. Let them know of site and hopefully info will be forthcoming.
I have also been in contact with the Wife of a very great guy who unfortunately passed away a while back and will start a thread about him. The one and only Glen (Jigger) Jones and please anyone with information or a story (there are a few) join in.
What happened to the Mossman Viva? Does he still have it? Anyone got any pics of it?

[RogerH]

Rhubarb sports car for sale in US :

http://www.can-am-cars.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=562&idcategory=2

[Steve Holmes]

Wow, good bit of investigative work there Roger!

[Steve Holmes]

Now that Brett Willis has joined the site, perhaps he can shed some light on what happened to his Commodore Sports Sedan? Was this the same car that later appeared as a Mazda? Where is it now? The Commodore was a superb looking car!

[Steve Holmes]

Just thought I would re-post this here. Any info yet on where this car and engine came from, and what happened to it/them?

900

901

[bob homewood]

Steve I have been in touch with Rob Halliday he has been trying to get on the forum but is having no luck ,I believe he is emailing you,its his story so he can tell it ,but he did confirm that the Cotter car in the photo was their Shellsport car as I said.originally It would appear they built up a car for David Honore but that ended up being converted back into a road car of some sort ,but hey get him on here he can fill in the missing bits

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Bob, thats great. Did Rob say what difficulties he was having getting on? He can contact me and I'll talk him through it if that works. Does he know he needs to register to post comments?

So is it possible the car in the ad picture is actually not the car being sold?

[bob homewood]

I think Rob is having problems registering by the sound of it ,as I said he can fill in the details but I believe the Shellsport car in the photo possibly became the projected car in the add ,then it ended up becoming a road car ,but Rob will email you and sort out getting on here then you can get the details direct from the source so as to speak

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Bob.

[TransamEd]

Regarding the Javelin further up, I may have something from one touring here in Germany later at various circuits. Will check again my files.

I am just researching another survivor - another Titus 67 Mustang notchback - however, that will not appear at the tracks until next year, so help in picture proof of its history from 70-74 is still needed (orange Mustang at SCCA races in 1970). So sort of lost race car, where contributions are welcome:)

See http://www.ponysite.de/richard_guider.htm

[Steve Holmes]

Regarding the Javelin further up, I may have something from one touring here in Germany later at various circuits. Will check again my files.

I am just researching another survivor - another Titus 67 Mustang notchback - however, that will not appear at the tracks until next year, so help in picture proof of its history from 70-74 is still needed (orange Mustang at SCCA races in 1970). So sort of lost race car, where contributions are welcome:)

See http://www.ponysite.de/richard_guider.htm

This is quite fascinating. I too assumed Shelby replaced the rolled Titus car with another. Did he not borrow John McComb's car for the race after his was rolled?

It must be very nice for Dick Guider to get to restore Riva boats, they are just one of the most beautiful creations made by man.

[TransamEd]

Titus crashed his or the cars he raced 3 times at least and yes, he borrowed McCombs car as well. I just switched on the light in the "jungle", as those first 5 notchbacks are a mystery indeed to sort out, even with printed history records.

I may need more time for the Javelin search, sorry, an instant look brought up only fuzzy racetrack pics, where it is not visible, which I have to redo. That Javelin was mostly raced in the 70ies against a fellow here, who raced a Pantera and several Mustangs/Shelbys (Karisch and mechanic Behr). I need to redo a few pictures during my next visit to Eddie this summer.

[Rod Grimwood]

There you go Steve, (think you have seen this) but for others to remember. Hopefully some more information shortly, but I am pretty sure the car is gone after last chat awhile back with Ralph.

[Rod Grimwood]

The Mazda bodied Sports Sedan at Wellington street race, this was another car built by them after the Commodore, Brett has tried to find the original Commodore but don't think he is having much luck at moment.
Now that Brett Willis has joined the site, perhaps he can shed some light on what happened to his Commodore Sports Sedan? Was this the same car that later appeared as a Mazda? Where is it now? The Commodore was a superb looking car!

[Rod Grimwood]

Should have mentioned that the very quick little Datsun coupe is the Ex- Findlays Shellsport car driven here by Glen Jones (other thread) and ownded by his brother in-law Kevin Gerbick, this was a family affair.
There you go Steve, (think you have seen this) but for others to remember. Hopefully some more information shortly, but I am pretty sure the car is gone after last chat awhile back with Ralph.

[Steve Holmes]

There you go Steve, (think you have seen this) but for others to remember. Hopefully some more information shortly, but I am pretty sure the car is gone after last chat awhile back with Ralph.

The Viva is gone? Thats a shame, I was hoping he'd just pushed it into a corner of his workshop. Can he remember who he sold it to?

[Steve Holmes]

The Mazda bodied Sports Sedan at Wellington street race, this was another car built by them after the Commodore, Brett has tried to find the original Commodore but don't think he is having much luck at moment.

Oh, thats a different car? I always assumed the Commodore had been re-bodied, as from memory it was a left-hooker also. Plus, the Commodore just sort of vanished and the Mazda appeared some time later. Any clues as to how to start the trail for tracking its whereabouts?

[Rod Grimwood]

Think Brett is into it

[Steve Holmes]

Do you know if it (the Commodore) raced again after Brett sold it?

[Steve Holmes]

Is this somehow related to the Mazda in post #94?

1107

[seaqnmac27]

I actually posted the following on the Nostalgia forum on Autosport.com a few years back, and I know a few of my alumni responded to it but there are still some blanks for me. I know there is this wonderful photo gallery http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/leetra/Puke%2082/ which has given some wonderful images and recalled many memories, however does anyone have an entry list to that particular reverse grid race?? I have also corresponded with Jac Mac, although one way, sorry Jack over the McElrea Cortina, are there any images of it? The link to that forum is http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?showtopic=83354&hl=new%20zealand%20sports%20sedans&st=40

I am just wondering if any of my fellow New Zealanders or Expat NZers have any pictures or know any websites to view any of the great cars and drivers of the last 30 years or so.

My father has quite an extensive collection himself, however I live in Queensland now, and it gets quite annoying trying to explain to people cars like those driven by the likes of Ian 'Inky' Tulloch, Trevor Crowe, Jack Nazer, Leo Leonard, Ian Algie, Wayne Huxford, Don Grindley, John Osborne, etc not to mention some of the very great Touring Drivers like messrs Baigent, Bowkett, Crichton, Francevic etc, some of whom were seen over here in Australia with varying success, notably that of Robbie Francevic.

My father used to buy me annual memberships to New Zealand Motoring News magazine, and I used to have many boxes dating back to 1981, however, when I moved to Australia I had to leave then behind, and now as those magazines and newspapers have long been turned to refuse, so have the memories, like back in 1983 when, to debut the Ford Telstar into New Zealand, Dick Johnson co-drove one in the then Benson and Hedges Touring Car event at Pukekohe, or I think the same year or soon after Kent Baigent was lucky to walk away with his life as he demolished his BMW 635CSi along the back straight of Manfield, or the reverse grid Sports Sedan race at the New Zealand GP meet at Pukekohe in 1982?? when Tulloch and Crowe and someone else? drove through the field to win.

Regards

Sean McBride

[seaqnmac27]

You know those moments when you ask a question of a group, but should have asked a parent first?? well these are from my fathers collection. I was at most of them, but do not remember a great deal. Puke 73, 76 or 77, Manfield 78, 81 and 82
122212231224122512261227

[seaqnmac27]

More1228122912301231123212281229123012311232

[Steve Holmes]

Cool photos Sean. Looks like the Manfeild ones are using the short club circuit. I really used to like those ShellSport cars. Lots of interesting cars in that class. The Pukekohe pit shot is from the '76 season. I can see Bill Leckie's V8 Capri in there, and (I think) Greg Lancasters 'Grey Ghost' V8 Victor. Check the size of the crowd in the last photo.

[Steve Holmes]

Anyone got any info on the Grant Day Escort? Looks like a ShellSport car. Great looking car. Love the Zakspeed colour scheme. Could it be the ex-Halliday Escort?

[seaqnmac27]

Still more
123312341235123612371238

[seaqnmac27]

Steve the Manfield ones were the Clubmans races as part of the B&H Touring car race I think January 81?

[seaqnmac27]

B&h Touring Cars Manfield 81123912401241124212431244

[seaqnmac27]

124512461247124812491250

[Steve Holmes]

Good to see Rod McElrea's V8 Cortina (photo 4 in post 106) in there Sean. Great looking car that one. Didn't it race with a jet boat or drag race motor at one stage? I do remember it blowing its guts out down the front straight in spectacular fashion at Manfeild one year. Where is this car now?

[seaqnmac27]

Yes and pic 5 directly under McElrea in mid pack is the Chavenger directly behind Graeme Pickett in his Honda Civic, Graeme ran a bookshop in Broadway in Palmerston. Some of these will need to be identified.
125112521253125412551256

[seaqnmac27]

125712581259126012611262

[seaqnmac27]

126312641265126612671268

[Munty]

Hi Steve, Rods Cortina has just gone to Anthony Prendergast from Ashburton who also has the first Jac Mac Cortina. The car will probably be on show at the OSCA 40th Anniversary Reunion meeting on Nov 5/6 this year. The first Cortina will be running in the Classic OSCA races.

[bob homewood]

1273

Gary Hastings V8 powered Fiat 850 at Bay Park ,not sure what happened to that car ,the transmission set up in that car was a bit different,some body will remember what the transmission was ?

[Steve Holmes]

126312641265126612671268

Post 113 includes Aussie Pat Crea in the V8 MkIII Cortina chasing Greg Lancasters Victor in the first shot, then fellow Aussie Tony Edmonson in the ex-John McCormack Repco Charger in the third shot. These are from the 1977 season.

[Steve Holmes]

Hi Steve, Rods Cortina has just gone to Anthony Prendergast from Ashburton who also has the first Jac Mac Cortina. The car will probably be on show at the OSCA 40th Anniversary Reunion meeting on Nov 5/6 this year. The first Cortina will be running in the Classic OSCA races.

Thats great Evan! Good to hear the McElrea Cortina has survived. That was a good looking car, with very nicely crafted flares. Barry Search in Wellington owned it for several years in the 90s.

[Steve Holmes]

1273

Gary Hastings V8 powered Fiat 850 at Bay Park ,not sure what happened to that car ,the transmission set up in that car was a bit different,some body will remember what the transmission was ?

Thats a wild looking thing Bob! Got any more info?

[bob homewood]

Steve ,I was a bit busy doing my own thing at that time ,but Rod might remember a bit more about it ,the Torana behind my car ,was that the ex Bryan Bate one ?

[Rod Grimwood]

That little beast was a engineering piece alright. It had a 3.5 Rover mounted across the back and the gearbox (wait for it) was from a TASMAN (does anyone remember these land crabs) true, and the gearbox was driven from the engine by chain. The same Gary Hastings was responsible for a lot of the building of Mr Huxfords Capri along with Mr Huxford
1273

Gary Hastings V8 powered Fiat 850 at Bay Park ,not sure what happened to that car ,the transmission set up in that car was a bit different,some body will remember what the transmission was ?

[Shano]

Now there's a blast from the past. Innes Tartan soft drinks. Innes Tartan dry ginger ale was the very best ever invented anywhere, full stop.

More great images - the size of the crowds at Pukekohe then are a common feature in a lot of the photos, but when you look at the machinery and the spectacle these great cars offered, well you can understand why people like to watch them.

V8s anyone? Snoooorre.

http://www.theroaringseason.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1246&d=1309319336

[seaqnmac27]

I don't know if anyone noticed, I only just did, but Don Grindley's RX3 is in the pit lane next to the Algie Alfetta in photo 4 of 103

[Steve Holmes]

Yep, I had seen that one. I was trying to identify the car at the rear of the shot on the extreme right, but without any success.

[Rod Grimwood]

Just above rear roof is the front of that Mk3 Zodiac ute that is in the mini thread, now who's was that and is it still around. The dark blue wagon on very right above Mk3 guard looks like a Anglia Estate, how would you like one of those now.

[seaqnmac27]

Lawrence Bruces Camaro maybe?

[Steve Holmes]

Ah, good call, you may be right.

[Rod Grimwood]

Think you are right that sure looks like the Bruce Camaro

[Jac Mac]

I was around & competing in OSCA thru the 70's but I must be having a memory glitch because I cannot place Lawrie Bruce in a Camaro, unless it was the ex Dawson car & during/around the period that Allan Dick/Don Peddie were 'owners'

[Steve Holmes]

Yes, Lawrence Bruce did race the ex Dawson car, although it was the late 70s or maybe even the early 80s. The Peddie/Dick partnership bought the car off Dawson in 1975, and had Kevin Haig drive it but I think they only ran it for a season or two. Ken Smith dove it once for them also. Allan Dick told me Don Peddie just turned up one day with the car.

[seaqnmac27]

http://www.motorsportarchive.com/Lawrence%20Bruce%20Camaro%20Pukekohe%20Jan%201982.jpg

[seaqnmac27]

Sorry my keyboard stopped working for a while, That picture is via Mike Feisst through the www.motorsportarchive.com Now my memory here is a little vague but when the 81/82 show got to Manfield there was a shop in Palmerston and the McElrea Cortina and the Bruce Camaro were exhibited. I think it was either in Porter Square or King Street in PN. But thats a great shot of the Camaro and also on that site is a pic of John Osborne followed by Bruce rounding up an RX2

[Jac Mac]

A,Ha, 1982, that would explain it, I was still recovering from the exertion of chasing 'flubber' cheques around the southern half of the South Island about then...:rolleyes:.

[David Manton]

Yes, the Alwyn Marshall Lotus-Cortina is still in the Bay of Plenty. I owned it in Tauranga for about 10 years or so in the 1980s and will be going to see it's current owner on my return to NZ in two months time.

[Steve Holmes]

David, do you have any photos of the Cortina?

[rogered]

ralph "went off" at wigram i think, and pretty much wreaked the car. (and this is off the top of my head)
Pretty sure the 5 litre motor whent to the Windelborns for the T400 lola.

[rogered]

previous post in reference to the mossman viva chev

[seaqnmac27]

Speaking of the Windlburns, once again I have a vague recollection of John running what I thought was some form of Holden pre Commodore in the early 80's would have been around the same time as the B&H pics I posted from Manfield, so that would have been either 80 or 81

[rogered]

Statesman auto i think

[seaqnmac27]

Sounds familiar, Black, remember seeing it at the circuit but thats all, do not remember him racing it, but mind you I'd have been 7 or 8, and while alot of my memories from that time a still very vivid, a lot of the peripheral cars that did not compete at the televised events are not imbedded in my mind

[Steve Holmes]

Yep, you got it. The Windleburns raced a Statesman during the 1982/83 B&H endurance season, but this was the first year of the NZ made SS Commodores which were completely dominant and the Statesman wasn't a contender.

[Rod Grimwood]

John did race a Statesman with George Bunce it was silver with black vinyl roof. That Statesman was bought by Robin Irving (doc) and at one stage we fitted a sump guard to it and Robin and Rod Millen rallied it in the Maramarua Rally when his Mazda was over at the RAC, It was a bulldozer at speed, first stage it stalled a couple of times going into corners, so Doc would lean over and crank it over with the key and Rod would hang on and all of a sudden there would be lock as it fired. Reset the idle to real fast and they finished in a place up front. Did a couple of trips to Bay Park with Robin in that car, now thats another story. May have some photos.

Yep, you got it. The Windleburns raced a Statesman during the 1982/83 B&H endurance season, but this was the first year of the NZ made SS Commodores which were completely dominant and the Statesman wasn't a contender.

[seaqnmac27]

in reference to this car

2579

As a guess I think it may have been from the 1978 meet for the Peter Stuyvesant series. However i know Neil Day from Grant Day Motors Palmerston North asd thats where i grew up, have been in touch and I am seeking information on it.

[David McKinney]

The Grant Day Escort was driven by Brendon Hartley's father - team Mini also in the picture

[seaqnmac27]

Thanks for that David, I think Steve was enquiring over origins given his interest in the Halliday mk2 and where it ended up.

[Milan Fistonic]

John did race a Statesman with George Bunce it was silver with black vinyl roof. That Statesman was bought by Robin Irving (doc) and at one stage we fitted a sump guard to it and Robin and Rod Millen rallied it in the Maramarua Rally when his Mazda was over at the RAC, It was a bulldozer at speed, first stage it stalled a couple of times going into corners, so Doc would lean over and crank it over with the key and Rod would hang on and all of a sudden there would be lock as it fired. Reset the idle to real fast and they finished in a place up front. Did a couple of trips to Bay Park with Robin in that car, now thats another story. May have some photos.


This is a shot of the Statesman at a very wet Maramarua.


2585

[Milan Fistonic]

Back in the mid-70s, Bill Leckie built a Ford Capri for the ShellSport New Zealand Saloon Car Championship, 4.2 litre category. The Capri was built around McLaren M10 F5000 components, including fuel injected Chevy (which must have been sleeved), wheels, tyres, suspension and brakes. It ran a Ford top loader gearbox and (I think) an Atlas rear, or possibly a Ford 9".

It debuted for the 1975/66 season, painted red/white/blue and had heavily rolled wheelarch flares.

For the 1976/77 it was repainted white, fitted with box flared guards, and sponsored by Sleepyhead beds. This season Leckie ran the full championship, finishing 2nd overall to Jack Nazer and 1st in the 4.2 class. Despite the Capri catching fire at Manfeild, where Leckie suffered severe burns, the car was rebuilt, and raced at Pukekohe a few weeks later driven by Jim Richards, who broke the outright saloon lap record, and beat Nazer to victory.

Following the '77 season, MANZ placed a 2 litre engine limit on the ShellSport championship, and effectively outlawed the V8 machines. Many cars were pushed into sheds, some ended up in the South Island in OSCA, but the Leckie Capri vanished.

I tried to trace its fate a couple of years ago when I phoned Bill Leckie about the car. He told me that because he was a young guy on a budget, and MANZ had just outlawed his race car, he couldn't afford to just park it up, as much as he would have liked to. He had to sell what he could from it to help fund his next project, a Mitsubishi Lancer for the new 2 litre ShellSport series.

All the McLaren F5000 equipment was sold off, and he said he swapped the Capri bodyshell with all the molds for a small block Chevy engine for his Bedford van to a guy out in Papatoetoe (Auckland) who ran a small backyard junkyard. The guy said he planned to rebuild the car for racing using his own running gear, but it seems the car never resurfaced.

Bill can't recall his name, or even where he was based exactly.

Does anyone know the fate of the Bill Leckie V8 Capri?


Here's the Leckie Capri the day Jim Richards drove it at Pukekohe.


2586

[Steve Holmes]

in reference to this car

2579

As a guess I think it may have been from the 1978 meet for the Peter Stuyvesant series. However i know Neil Day from Grant Day Motors Palmerston North asd thats where i grew up, have been in touch and I am seeking information on it.

Anyone got any more info on this car, and what might have happened to it? I assume it was a ShellSport car?

[Steve Holmes]

Here's the Leckie Capri the day Jim Richards drove it at Pukekohe.


2586

Wow, Milan, thats one of the best photos I've seen of the Leckie Capri! Fantastic. I take it the Jim Richards deal wasn't done on the morning of the race, given the Sidchrome sponsorship?

[Rod Grimwood]

Wasn't the Mustang in Australia. And Bill was hurt (burns) couple of weeks before.

[Rod Grimwood]

Thanks for the photo of Statesman Milan, it is neat. That was a different day. No one believed it when they saw a Statesman slipping past.

[Steve Holmes]

Wasn't the Mustang in Australia. And Bill was hurt (burns) couple of weeks before.

Pretty sure you're right on both counts Rod. Bill had definitely not yet recovered from his burns, although I thought for some reason Richards drove the car because his Mustang had broken something. But this was obviously not the case.

[Rod Grimwood]

Don't believe all my rememory Steve .

[bob homewood]

Yes from my memory I think you are right Rod

[bigbanger]

Not 100% sure on this, but think the Chavenger might have been down our way in Invercargill in recent years, a Dave Robertson/Robinson is the name that comes to mind & something to do with a guy on snow skis attached to a roofrack either training/testing for a speed ski record.....

Southlands Dave Robertson had a neat and tidy Hemi 265 engined Avenger running in OSCA 'B' class in the mid eighties. It went well for a budget car, but was never more than a good mid field performer.

Neil Deighton's 'Charvenger' definitely showed its many years of use appearance wise.

[bigbanger]

And while on the subject of Anglo-American racing saloons, what happened to Ralph Mossman's V8 Viva he raced in NZ during the '80s? And does anyone have a photo of this car?

In the NI, I recall Steve James having a very similar looking Viva but with a Hemi 265. Warrick Gray also had one with a 202 Holden and John Thorby also had a Viva with an Olds 215 V8 which he later took to the SI.

[bigbanger]

Graham Park was the Marina man,back in the mid sixties ,I think first he raced a Plymouth coupe or something similar ,then we raced Anglias together 66/67 ,after that I think he went o/seas and worked for Broadspeed ?, he later returned to NZ and built up and raced the Marina V8 around the same time I built the Escort Sports Sedan

A very interesting Marina it was as well. In it's most developed form it had a turbocharged 4.4 litre Leyland V8 'midmounted' behind the driver. From hazy memory, no transaxle was used, the gearbox went straight to the diff with little or no driveshaft in between.

[bigbanger]

I might not have the right car or could there be two Chavengers?,

Barry Robinson had the Black Rally Chevettes [ pretty sure there were two of those, one with a flat raised floorpan- both of these were Bedford/Victor slant four powered, initially with SOHC IIRC then later with DOHC head similar to JH & Lotus variants.

V8 OSCA Chevette was built by a good friend Derek Macrae- SBC/muncie/8'' Ford Diff, last I heard of that was its being restored back to OSCA spec somewhere in Marlborough Sounds

Prior to the Chevette V8, I recall Derek having a yellow LH or LX Torana Chev V8 OSCA car, I think Derek ran mostly in Southland, both the Torana and Chevette were rare appearances at Ruapuna and Levels.

[bigbanger]

1273

Gary Hastings V8 powered Fiat 850 at Bay Park ,not sure what happened to that car ,the transmission set up in that car was a bit different,some body will remember what the transmission was ?

The front of that Fiat 850 appears much more Chevette or Monza look alike than anything that came out of Turin.

[nigel watts]

2592

2591

[bigbanger]

Yes, not your typical Fiat 850 nose. Much more Vauxhall Chevette like.

[nigel watts]

Yes I agree - it almost looks like 2 cars welded together. Chevette front and Fiat rear

[bob homewood]

Grimy may remember what the make up of it was ,it was just at a time when I was too busy doing my own thing sorry

[Steve Holmes]

In the NI, I recall Steve James having a very similar looking Viva but with a Hemi 265. Warrick Gray also had one with a 202 Holden and John Thorby also had a Viva with an Olds 215 V8 which he later took to the SI.

There is a silver one with black flares running in historic racing now, is this the Warwick Gray car?

[Steve Holmes]

A very interesting Marina it was as well. In it's most developed form it had a turbocharged 4.4 litre Leyland V8 'midmounted' behind the driver. From hazy memory, no transaxle was used, the gearbox went straight to the diff with little or no driveshaft in between.

That is pretty ambitious! Does he still own the car?

[Rod Grimwood]

Yes that is the car, still has Grey Motors on it I think.

There is a silver one with black flares running in historic racing now, is this the Warwick Gray car?

[Rod Grimwood]

The Fiat was built by Gary Hastings a nice guy and very clever fella. He was involved with the original build and maintenance of Mr Huxfords Capri, they were very good mates. Garys car was a Fiat 850 shell with the front built into a kind of mono with adjustable a-arm suspension, a smart bit of fabrication. the rear was basically a space frame with a Rover V8 mounted across the back east west sitting on a (don't laugh) Tasman gearbox which was all run through chains from engine to gearbox. the rear was also adjustable a-arms. It went alright. got out of corners well. Had a couple of laps in practice at Bay Park one day and it was impressive. If you went in hard it would have a little understeer, but once used to it you could use that to get a good straight exit on to straight. Use the right foot with brain, I did adjust.
Last talked to Gary about 15 years ago he had a Rover 3.5 original and was doing engineering in Kerikeri, but then moved on and i lost contact (shame)

[Rod Grimwood]

That is pretty ambitious! Does he still own the car?

Car went to Hasting and that about last i heard of it. Guy had a hire centre and gym.

[rogered]

Caulton? or something similar ?
Pretty sure it he ended up putting a chev into it.
Pretty sure i remember it attempting to be raffled for $100.00 a ticket at some.
Does that ring a bell Rodney, i was but a kid at the time.

[Jizim]

Re/ the Windleburn Statesman. John actually did the B&H with his eldest son Shane sharing the drive. I gave them a hand that year....

Also I do have a photo of Ian Knights Escort taken by Rex Rattenburys (Akld Star Photographer....now there's a story!!) son who was about 12 years old at the time. It shows the Escort spinning in a cloud of dust with the left rear wheel about 8 feet about the roof of the car!! Will try and find and post for you....

Another little snippet of interest is that of Graham Parks incredible Morris Marina V8. The car caught fire at Bay Park and no one could actually see that it was alight because of the tinted windows. Because of this there was a MANZ law change that banned tinted windows....

Regards, Tony Rutherford.

[Rod Grimwood]

Thats the rooster, Caulton and yea he did put a Chev in it and raffle it. Welcome aboard Tony (Ruppie) You will be able to fill a heap of the holes in that old memories are struggling to put together.
The Statesman, didn't Gearge Bunce and Haines do a B&H in it and then John and Shane. She had a pretty hard case life before it was sold as a family car in later years.

[beowulf]

Thats the rooster, Caulton and yea he did put a Chev in it and raffle it. Welcome aboard Tony (Ruppie) You will be able to fill a heap of the holes in that old memories are struggling to put together.
The Statesman, didn't Gearge Bunce and Haines do a B&H in it and then John and Shane. She had a pretty hard case life before it was sold as a family car in later years.
One family owner, only driven on Sunday to church no doubt.

[TonyG]

What happened to the Mossman Viva? Does he still have it? Anyone got any pics of it?
Is this the Mossman car ?
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Scanned%20Images/img003-2.jpg

[bob homewood]

Yes at Pukekohe ?,before it met its end at Wigram

[TonyG]

Yes at Pukekohe ?,before it met its end at Wigram

Yes it is at Pukekohe just off Railway corner on to the back straight. I just posted a different pic of it in different colours in the 70/80s thread as well. Found it this arvo.

Also found a couple of bad shots of a pretty wild looking Escort you might know.

[TonyG]

Any ideas on what happened to peter Meadows Corvette ?
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Scanned%20Images/img033-2.jpg

http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Scanned%20Images/img036-2.jpg

[Rod Grimwood]

Is this the Mossman car ?
http://i448.photobucket.com/albums/qq204/TGPhotography/Scanned%20Images/img003-2.jpg

Ralphs new toy

[Rod Grimwood]

Yes that is the car, still has Grey Motors on it I think.

Think the Dobbe Brothers own it now, he peddles it real good too.

[Rod Grimwood]

Sorry pushed wrong button, above is in reference to Warwick Greys Viva

[TonyG]

Ralphs new toy

Wow nice bit of gear. Beautiful tidy workshop too.

[divot]

to debut the Ford Telstar into New Zealand, Dick Johnson co-drove one in the then Benson and Hedges Touring Car event at Pukekohe,
Regards

Sean McBride

I worked at John Andrew Ford and was one of four mechanics that prepared the Telstar.

[Rod Grimwood]

Wow nice bit of gear. Beautiful tidy workshop too.

Yea, Ralph is a very tidy type and does some fantastic work, note the condition of the Willis workshop in other thread and presentation of gear is very similar, they all knock around together and share knowledge (which there is a heap of)

[SATIATOR]

Hello all

I am new to the site but thought I should add value where I can.

Attached is a picture of the aforementioned Fiat 850/Chevette, from the SATIATOR archives, that was taken by me at the Port Road drags either in the late 70's or early 80's.

http://www.theroaringseason.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3593&d=1315261615&thumb=1&stc=1


At the time I was told it ran a Rover v8 on a Maxi gearbox but that may or may not be the case.

Cheers

Kevin Gill
Wellington
New Zealand

[Rod Grimwood]

Satiator:- Gary Hastings built the neat car and yes you are right about engine and gearbox. i beleive he changed to a Tasman gearbox in early 80s. Clever bit of car as mentioned before, with engine mount east-west and drive to gearbox by chain set up. Went alright.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Kevin, great to see you on here!

[Oldfart]

Yes I agree - it almost looks like 2 cars welded together. Chevette front and Fiat rear
A few years back I found the shell of Garys' car and gave the contact to him. He was going to rebuild it, but I don't know what happened after that.
The Falloon Anglia is with Murray Whitehead (used to be Mr POR 15) and has been well restored. Even has the original bible in the glovebox!

[105angria]

any picks of the Anglia oldfart

[Rod Grimwood]

Oldfart:- Any chance of you emailing any contact info Gary and who has the car, be appreciated. Gary is a neat guy and I would love to catch up with him.
Email grimmie64@xtra.co.nz
thanks

[Oldfart]

Oldfart:- Any chance of you emailing any contact info Gary and who has the car, be appreciated. Gary is a neat guy and I would love to catch up with him.
Email grimmie64@xtra.co.nz
thanks
Sorry Rod it's a few years since I saw Gary last and a year or two more before that that I saw the car. Would love to have helped.

Anyone know what has happened to any of the "lost" Terrapins or MER?

[Steve Holmes]

Am still wondering the fate of this car, originally built by Wayne Fuller in the early '70s. Can anyone help?

3684

[rf84]

Sorry Rod it's a few years since I saw Gary last and a year or two more before that that I saw the car. Would love to have helped.

Anyone know what has happened to any of the "lost" Terrapins or MER?
Which Terrapins are lost? Robert Stephenson's car is still in existence. Gray Richards has the car built in Whangarei and still actively uses it. Darryl Seymour still has his car. There is at least 1 Terrapin in Blenheim, possibly the Lyn Hatton car. How many others should there be? Years ago I found a front corner off one at a scrap metal dealer's in Hastings so there must have been one here.
I had an MER sports racer until a couple of years ago. I sold it to Alan Pepper (the original owner of Matamata Engineering) who has subsequently sold it to Ray Hawke. Ray has the ex Len Perry sports MER as well. An MER single seater was with Kevin O'Hanlon in Matamata. He may still own it.

[Oldfart]

Which Terrapins are lost? Robert Stephenson's car is still in existence. Gray Richards has the car built in Whangarei and still actively uses it. Darryl Seymour still has his car. There is at least 1 Terrapin in Blenheim, possibly the Lyn Hatton car. How many others should there be? Years ago I found a front corner off one at a scrap metal dealer's in Hastings so there must have been one here.
I had an MER sports racer until a couple of years ago. I sold it to Alan Pepper (the original owner of Matamata Engineering) who has subsequently sold it to Ray Hawke. Ray has the ex Len Perry sports MER as well. An MER single seater was with Kevin O'Hanlon in Matamata. He may still own it.
How many Terrapins were ever built?
MER, there is a bit of "discussion" about them!

[David McKinney]

I don't know how many Terrapins were built worldwide, but these are ones I know of in NZ

1: Mk1. Kevin Ingram from 1971, initially as KBI Terrapin (won 1975 and 1977 Hillclimb Gold Stars, third 1976), Lyn Hatton 1978-79, Wayne Sendall (second in 1980 Hillclimb Gold Star), Ross Cameron 1982-85;sold to Steve Marks, but later bought back again
2: Mk1 built by Jon Warring 1971 - second in 1973 Hillclimb Gold Star, Daryl Seymour second in 1979 Gold Star, third 1977. Retains ownership
3: Mk1 built c1971 by Robert Stephenson of Dannevirke; competed in southern NI events as the Loumac. Believed still owned by Stephenson
4: Owned by Lindsay McCutcheon later 1980s - ex-Stephenson?
5: Mk1 completed 1990s in Whangarei and bought a few years ago by Graeme Farr of Wellington. Is this the car Gray Richards now has?
6: Mk1 built for historic racing by Stu Borland of Dunedin c2000
7: later version built in late 1970s or early 1980s originally with Saab engine and one-off bodywork reminiscent of a contemporary F3 car. Imported by Mike Ripper who fitted a Renault Gordini engine. Later (still?) owned by Rodney Atchinson.
8: Sports version. Bruce Wells 1985, later to Russ Cunningham and then John van Rijn

[rf84]

You are "right on the money" again David (as per usual) with a couple of minor exceptions.
Lindsay McCutcheon never owned a Terrapin. He did drive Robert Stephenson's car on a few occasions.
The ex Whangarei/Graeme Farr car is indeed the one now owned by Graham (Gray) Richards.
There was another "modern" Terrapin owned by an eye surgeon from Canterbury. It was involved in a major crash at the SFOS last year and may well have been written off.
Errol Norris has the beginnings of a car he started building many years ago.
I have a chassis built by the Sivewrights (father and son) in Havelock North in the late 70's.

[David McKinney]

Thanks for the McCutcheon clarification, rf
Relieved I was right on the others :rolleyes:

[Shirley]

Bob it was a Fiat 850 body, chevette front end, rangerover motor east west in the back on an Austen 1800 gearbox! It dropped a rod @ Puke during practice an sat in the garage for a while! Gary then sold it off to someone out West in Auckland. Some years later while living in Kerikeri someone told us where it was in a paddock out there, and Gary eventually got it back. He then gave it to a guy named Mike who was going to do something with it for speedway or stockcars in Kaikohe. Don't know if he ever did! They were real fun times racing. Gary now lives @ Red Beach, and I live in Waipawa CHB. Our son Cameron is a car painter in Wanganui.
1273

Gary Hastings V8 powered Fiat 850 at Bay Park ,not sure what happened to that car ,the transmission set up in that car was a bit different,some body will remember what the transmission was ?

[Shano]

I've just watched a DVD called Kaikohe Demolition. If that car went to the speedway in Kaikohe there is no chance it has survived. (Pretty entertaining DVD but it's about crashing cars into each other until they will move no more. Ever.)

[Rod Grimwood]

Hello Shirley, so good to hear from you after all these years. Still talk about old days and have a good laugh. Will have to catch up some time. I will still live up north so if you and family want a holiday give me a call. Would love to catch up with the little fella sometime as well. Cheers
grimmie64@xtra.co.nz

[bob homewood]

Shirley,great to hear from you again ,its been a long time between drinks !,Yes they were some good times back then,battling the odds ,catch up some time on email,homewood@ihug.co.nz

[Oldfart]

Hi Shirley, great to hear from you. It was me who told Gary where it was. Sean was asking the other day about Cameron. Good to hear he's doing well and you too. Sean off to Triumph M'cycles as a design engineer in January.

[bob homewood]

4474

Time to revist the start of the thread and Wayne Fuller ,here chasing Richards hard at Bay Park

[bob homewood]

Obviously looks like it had high roll centres compared to the Williment car !

[Steve Holmes]

4474

Time to revist the start of the thread and Wayne Fuller ,here chasing Richards hard at Bay Park

Hey, cool photo! Thanks Bob.

[ElCoyote]

Good to hear from you Shirley, must catch up.
Bung Singh

[Racefan]

I saw the sleepyhead capri in a backyard on Reeves road in Pakuranga around 1980. From memory the body moulds were there too.

[GeebeeNZ]

If you saw the Sleepyhead Capri in Reeves Road Pakuranga that was were Bill Leckie lived. I used to live not far from there.

[Steve Holmes]

I saw the sleepyhead capri in a backyard on Reeves road in Pakuranga around 1980. From memory the body moulds were there too.

Thats interesting! Can you recall if it was a complete car, with wheels, engine etc, or just a bodyshell? If you saw it in 1980, its possible it wasn't at Bills place, because he told me he stripped it not so long after its last race (in early 1977), because there was nowhere for it to compete anymore. Its parts were of more value individually than that of the whole sum.

[seaqnmac27]

480448024803

Hi guys, dual question. What became of this car? What was its performance/results like. It was obviously a bit of an orphan.

[Racefan]

It was at least a roller could have been 1978,79 house was on corner of reeves and udys road you could see into the back yard driving along reeves road.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Racefan, it does sound like it could have been at Bills place then. He told me he stripped it right down, sold the motor and all the mechanicals, which were all F5000 items, and the body and molds ended up with a backyard car wrecker. But it wouldn't have had any wheels on it if you'd seen it at the car wreckers place so must have been at Bills.

[Steve Holmes]

480448024803

Hi guys, dual question. What became of this car? What was its performance/results like. It was obviously a bit of an orphan.

Good question! I think it was built for the 4.2 litre series wasn't it?

[seaqnmac27]

Not really sure Steve, it was Dads pics of it, I believe were taken at Pukekohe January 73, nearly 8 months before I was born. The only other pics I have seen of it were the ones that have posted on this site.

[RogerH]

480448024803

Hi guys, dual question. What became of this car? What was its performance/results like. It was obviously a bit of an orphan.

Wasn't it the Glen McIntyre Odlins Fiat 124 Coupe? From memory it looked different and was nicely prepared but a mid-pack runner.

[seaqnmac27]

Yeah it is the Fiatbut aprt that and knowing McIntyre as the driver, I know nothing about it. Looked magnificent. But I know nothing beyond that unfortunately.

[45DCOE]

Yeah it is the Fiatbut aprt that and knowing McIntyre as the driver, I know nothing about it. Looked magnificent. But I know nothing beyond that unfortunately.

Think the Fiat ended up with Robert Bartley driver of the Triang. A friend brought the spare motor off Glen McIntyre and installed it in a Fiat 125 T

[bob homewood]

Wasn't there plans at one stage to put a alloy V8 olds or similar engine into it ,I also seem to remember some involvement with PDL around that time ,PK might remember .from memory did it also use McLaren front uprights and wheels

[CUSTAXIE50]

I UNDERSTAND JIM RICHARD DROVE THE LECKIE CAPRI, BECAUSE THERE WAS SOMETHING UP WITH THE INPUT SHAFT AND THE HUB IN THE CLUTCH ON HIS CAR.

[Steve Holmes]

Yep, Custaxie, you're right. JR did drive the Leckie Capri, and broke the Puke lap record and I think he even beat Nazer in the Victor. Pretty sure it was a one-off drive.

[Russ Cunningham]

Agree to both

Are you sure old fella? Recall Slater racing a hardtop (fastback) but this one?

Reply and tell me I'm a F---Wit.

[Russ Cunningham]

I don't know how many Terrapins were built worldwide, but these are ones I know of in NZ

1: Mk1. Kevin Ingram from 1971, initially as KBI Terrapin (won 1975 and 1977 Hillclimb Gold Stars, third 1976), Lyn Hatton 1978-79, Wayne Sendall (second in 1980 Hillclimb Gold Star), Ross Cameron 1982-85;sold to Steve Marks, but later bought back again
2: Mk1 built by Jon Warring 1971 - second in 1973 Hillclimb Gold Star, Daryl Seymour second in 1979 Gold Star, third 1977. Retains ownership
3: Mk1 built c1971 by Robert Stephenson of Dannevirke; competed in southern NI events as the Loumac. Believed still owned by Stephenson
4: Owned by Lindsay McCutcheon later 1980s - ex-Stephenson?
5: Mk1 completed 1990s in Whangarei and bought a few years ago by Graeme Farr of Wellington. Is this the car Gray Richards now has?
6: Mk1 built for historic racing by Stu Borland of Dunedin c2000
7: later version built in late 1970s or early 1980s originally with Saab engine and one-off bodywork reminiscent of a contemporary F3 car. Imported by Mike Ripper who fitted a Renault Gordini engine. Later (still?) owned by Rodney Atchinson.
8: Sports version. Bruce Wells 1985, later to Russ Cunningham and then John van Rijn

Hi Dave,

The car I owned I bought from Peter Parnell in the 70's and sold to a chap by the name of Paul Te Puna from the VCCC. Apologies Paul if I've mispelt your name. I think that this was the car that Jacque Van Vels later raced with a Kawasaki motor in the sports car class. Recall selling Jacque a trailer which on the way to his home somehow disconnected itself from the drawbar and wiped out a couple of cars in his street. Nice guy, Jacque.

Peter P. and I have been in touch recently so I'll ask him who owned it before I bought it. He's fairly elderly now and may not remember. Actually! I have no idea why I bought the blasted thing. Probably for the Armstrong shocks, or maybe I was just pissed. I'll dig out a photo and post it when I get a new scanner. The present one crapped out while I was doing a brain scan on my old girlfriend. You know? the one from Paris - cheap at half the price.

[seaqnmac27]

Think the Fiat ended up with Robert Bartley driver of the Triang. A friend brought the spare motor off Glen McIntyre and installed it in a Fiat 125 T


So given that and given this entry list Malcolm supplied in the NZ Sports Sedans DAtabase I have questions.

5585

This is 6 yearrs after the meeting at which my father took the photographs of McIntyres 124, what happened to it during that time, was it just garaged and set aside? and what happened to it after Robert Bartleys ownership?

[David McKinney]

I have a feeling McIntyre used it as a rally car (but wouldn't swear to it...)

[seaqnmac27]

Ok I just spoke to Robert Bartley, who was absolutely fantastic. He bought the car from PDL who had begun to modify it to take a V8, he restored it to its original Fiat configuration, he had an engine built up by a Fiat specialist in Hunterville (Bruce Wilson?). He then had it painted up in BMW M colours, raced it for a while before selling it to Hos Waswo. Interestingly he built the Cortina Mk3 that Bruce Robertson raced, and he believes its in a shed somewhere, and he has just bought the Custaxie.

[seaqnmac27]

so any ideas what Mr Waswo did with the Fiat?

[woody]

Hoss (Cartwright) Waswo had a car accesories shop in New Plymouth in about 81. Hoss ran GM motor racing program in North America. Last saw him at Western Springs about 2 years ago.

[seaqnmac27]

Yes but unfortunately or fortunately he is, I believe now in prison due to sex offenses and arson charges.

[woody]

Shit, I didnt know him that well.???????????

[RogerH]

Yes but unfortunately or fortunately he is, I believe now in prison due to sex offenses and arson charges.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/6135167/Sex-predators-US-charges-revealed

[rogered]

On the subject of this "interesting" gent.
Waswo did a bathurst in the early eighty's in a group C commodore
He then imported a engine-less group C car to nz, which we have never been able to pin down is origins
Now, its not the ex Geoghean car he drove as that is spoken for.
Neither is it the Grice 100MPH car i heard it was rumored to be
Does any body know?

[Oldfart]

Does anyone know of an old formula vee which I sold to a guy from Taranaki? Distinctive because it was painted like a USA flag. History of the car would be good too.

[CUSTAXIE50]

Last time i talked to Barry Search he has the McElrea Cortina and is going to race it.

[Jac Mac]

Last time i talked to Barry Search he has the McElrea Cortina and is going to race it.

Must be a while since you spoke to Barry Search then...LOL

[Russ Cunningham]

Shit, I didnt know him that well.???????????

Cut it out Woody!
You were good mates.

[Russ Cunningham]

Just received a email from "Woody". Thought I'd better add that my sense of humour is not to everyones taste. A leg pull and not meant to offend.
ps. I've already replied to "Woody".

[Andy G]

Here is a photo taken by Terry Marshall at Wigram 1974, showing Brader in the Escort (left of shot) now fitted with the Chevy, and chasing Trevor Crowe (Chevy Corolla), Glenn McIntyre, Fiat, Bruce Jenner (Camaro), and Don Halliday (Escort).

129

I was just looking for some history of a v8 mk1 escort that I have found in Hawea and brought through a Wigram 1974 programme that my old man gave me and seen the dates on this pic so I will scan the driver list and post it once I work out how to.
Andy Giles.

[Steve Holmes]

Andy, do you now own this car? Can you post up photos?

[Andy G]

Hey Steve, no I'm not saying that. I have had this car for about 6 monts or more and am finally getting to the early owners. I have got back as far as 1977 but should know more and have photos in the next week or so. I saved it from a guy that had started to build a speedway car out of it!

[Rod Grimwood]

Good save Andy, could have history ?

[Andy G]

yeah from what I have found is that its been a club, rally, lotus t/c, osca I am getting some pictures from Australia of the car in 1977 when one of the owners Ian Wilkins (Ashburton) picked the car up from Dunedin. Apparently in his gold Capri with the trailer on the back and had to back down a very steep street. Ians brother in law who I got hold of thinks it had a v8 in it when Ian got the car and believed it is a factory T/C but we will see...Will let you Know it looks bloody terrible at the moment in matt black with lovely pink decals! I have striped some paint and its every colour, white roof and metalic blue sides,there is red and black and white and that was just the back l/h guard and the front l/h flare.
Andy Giles.

[Steve Holmes]

Andy, I spoke with Wayne Fuller (who built the Fuller/Brader Escort) a couple of years ago about his car. He said he'd built it up from a 1300cc road car. Did you buy your car without a motor?

[Andy G]

It has a Rover v8 in it at the moment. The speedway guy put this in i believe. Im pretty sure it wouldn't be the Fuller/Brader car but shit you never know till you get all the facts. I am giving one of Ian Wikins pit crew a call today as he is looking though his pics etc for me. I emailed Bob a while ago with some pics of my car but he didn't see any work the he would have done so this eliminates the first Harrington Escort that Bob put a F85 into but I have found an old F85 engine in another local shed with idas on it which im trying to buy.

[Carlo]

We worked a few things out at Timaru over the weekend where there was a bit of a gathering and two names came up, Ross Cameron in Dunedin and possibly prior to then the late Lyn Johnson. Ross of course is still around and very active in the sport and would be able to fill you in on it's earlier days.

[Andy G]

Right we have got to the bottom of the owners of the Mk1 Escort V8 that I found in Lake Hawea after months of phone calls.
It turned out to the car I was hoping it was!
Owners are, from first to last, Roy Harrington, Don McMillan (metropolitan cranes) with Dave Silcock, Bob Homewood, Grant Aiken, Ross Cameron, Allan Dick/Don Peddie, Steven Marks, Ian Wilkins, Robin Sherriff, Dennis Knight , Karsten? (Mosgiel) , 'Dingle' (Lake Hawea) and Andy Giles.
I Have also found a F85 Olds engine that may be one if the 2 engines that Ross had for the car, it was sold to some one to put i a jetboat as was the one that I have found but it has been sitting in a hay barn for 15 yrs + unused in a apparently 'very' modified state. So I will continue to investigate this.
If anyone has any photos of the car in any form over the years I would love to see them so I can decide what colours and spec the car will be rebuilt in to.
Regards Andy Giles

[woody]

Andy, Are you any relation to Ted Giles in Dunedin. Ted had or has a genuine Mk1 Lotus Cortina.

[Andy G]

Yes he is my father.

[Steve Holmes]

Right we have got to the bottom of the owners of the Mk1 Escort V8 that I found in Lake Hawea after months of phone calls.
It turned out to the car I was hoping it was!
Owners are, from first to last, Roy Harrington, Don McMillan (metropolitan cranes) with Dave Silcock, Bob Homewood, Grant Aiken, Ross Cameron, Allan Dick/Don Peddie, Steven Marks, Ian Wilkins, Robin Sherriff, Dennis Knight , Karsten? (Mosgiel) , 'Dingle' (Lake Hawea) and Andy Giles.
I Have also found a F85 Olds engine that may be one if the 2 engines that Ross had for the car, it was sold to some one to put i a jetboat as was the one that I have found but it has been sitting in a hay barn for 15 yrs + unused in a apparently 'very' modified state. So I will continue to investigate this.
If anyone has any photos of the car in any form over the years I would love to see them so I can decide what colours and spec the car will be rebuilt in to.
Regards Andy Giles

Wow, Andy, thats great! Congratulations. Sounds like you saved an important car from certain death. It would have been killed on the speedway.

So is this the car you have?

Roy Harrington:

6301

Dave Silcock:

6299

6300

Given it raced initially with a twin-cam, when was the V8 dropped in it?

[Andy G]

I presume it is bob Homewood would know he says it was the first Harrington escort and it was blue so I would think so. I only have pictures of it at this point when Ross cameron owned it and Ian Wilkins.

[Jac Mac]

If this is the car Im thinking of Bob was in the process of fitting it with the Olds motor when he did a deal with Grant Aitkens OSCA ~big bore Mini Clubman, I dont think Grant actually ever got the V8 Escort running or raceworthy before he bought the Ex Fahey Escort, so I am not sure which of the subsequent owners got it going in V8 form..

[Andy G]

Jac it was Ross that got it going I believe. I have some photos at home of Ross racing that I will post but I'm working out of town for the week

[Andy G]

Andy, Are you any relation to Ted Giles in Dunedin. Ted had or has a genuine Mk1 Lotus Cortina.
yes and yes woody He still has the Lotus it has about 45k miles and totally original. He also still got the Rorstan Sports. Not sure how many years he has had them but Im 33 and Teds had them longer than Ive been around! In fact Ive only been for a ride in the Cortina once!

[GD66]

Jeez, Andy. Don't mean to derail the thread, but someone in the Bay Park thread mentioned Feo Stanton's Mercedes dealership in Tauranga the other day, and it occurred to me they had a dividing screen at the back of the showroom, behind which lurked the under-construction Rorstan sports car : unpainted but good-looking body, and Climax-powered. Could you briefly shed any light on its' subsequent race history, or even a pic ? Often wondered how it turned out.