Chris Brauer
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Chris Brauer
John, that was Chris Brauer in the ex-Bob Jane '67 Mustang. The car was badly wrecked, and I believe Brauer never raced again.
Fortunately, the Bowden's in Queensland own what remains of the car and I assume will restore one day.
There are pics of it on this thread John. http://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21295
John had recently contacted me here in CA to help find an original American Racing Equipment rear spoiler like the Monaro had when it raced in the seventies. I thought that would not be a problem until I learned the company had been sold and most rear spoilers had been sent to South Africa with the Chev Firenza Can Am cars. I emailed SA without success and after time I had given up but John had not.
He found that George Sheweiry had one from a 1969 Ford Talladega that just needed the paint stripped away to show the original beautiful detailed spoiler. So we all owe thanks to George for hanging on to possibly the only available original ARE rear spoiler out there as John had given up on me. Also thanks to Angus Fogg for reproducing the exact mounting legs for the spoiler and these photos.
Thank you all for getting me "off the hook". A truly magnificent and original restoration John. Well done.
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(Ken Hyndman )
Truly a great restoration job John with no expense spared.
http://i65.tinypic.com/bde9y.jpg
Wow that looks really cool John! What an amazing effort you've made restoring this car. Really a huge committment, and you deserve a lot of credit. Most people would have simply walked away. But you've brought back virtually from the dead an important piece of NZ motor racing history.
Hey John,
I have a 97 FORD F 250 HD 351 CD sitting in my driveway full of fuel and ready to go !
I don't need it this weekend so it's all yours. Do have any problems with that ?
Ken H
Not sure John,
It might end up looking like this !
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About 20 years ago John's Monaro was for sale and I bet he wishes he could have gotten hold of it back then.
(Not a great photo but it gives an idea of how it looked then. 1996-98 )
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John has come across some old paperwork and photos from a previous owner, Paul Horan, who must have been sick to the stomach on seeing how the car had deteriorated after he sold it in the late nineties. So here are some photos again from the 1996-98 period.
Best looking lawn furniture in the country.
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(Getting ready to sell )
Plus here is a copy of the "Vehicle Modifications Declaration Certificate" which included flared guards and roll bar etc. January 1991.
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Final photo of some of the hard to find emblems.
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You read about "Barn Finds" and then you see what a "Backyard Find" looks like and then realize what John had to go through and restore this pile to better than new.
He should be knighted for his efforts !
I think these are the last of the "before restoration photos".
My hat goes off to you Sir John.
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(Ken Hyndman ..editor )
Only two words! Wow, amazing.
Sir John........has a certain...as long as you don't mention Robin Hood.....ring to it.........
Absolutely superb resto sir! May you have much enjoyment, therefrom.
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Found this in an old Autonews. Looks like Grady has the car on the edge.
I will try to get there John. If I don't I will be thinking of you. Good luck for the day.
Cheers
Bruce
Well it's an absolute definite I can't be there, but all the very best for the "Big Day Out" John. What you have done is nothing short of stupendous. Congratulations. I hope it all works out as it should, every other driver and car (and walls) stay well away.
Congratulations John. From your dream of finding the car in the first place to how it is now is nothing short of astounding. A tribute to you and all who have helped along the way in this journey.
Regards
Tony
any photos Johny boy, love that car
John,
I truly would love to attend and be there for this auspicious occasion. Perhaps at another time. All the best and stay safe.
Cheers,
Ken
Legendary line-up at Hampton Downs today. Angus Fogg photos:
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It was a near perfect day at Hampton Down. I can't think of anything negative so it may well have been a perfect day.
Caught up With Paul B and his wife Bibby, and had some great long chats, So neat to hear stories of cars being thoroughly well researched and built to very very high standards, as is Pauls' Falcon Sprint.
The line up of genuine period correct race cars was impressive and I think ever one had a great time. A few cars broke, but that goes with all aspects of motoring.
Thank you John McKechnie for your generosity , and thanks also to Angus Fogg who made it all so seamless, professional and thoroughly enjoyable.
Bruce.
Great weather for you and your camera Nigel.
How did the Monaro go on debut John?
I don't think it completed one of the races. but was still running under its own power when I last saw it Steve. Nigel's pics are so much better than mine! Great stuff. I might have to invest in a better lens...
I did get a couple of pictures with both of John's cars on track at the same time. Still on the lap top being sorted before transferring to the PC.
Steve- Totally Fantastic and the sun was definitely shining for the Monaro and TACCOC.
Thanks to Angus Fogg being there attending to the various cars under his care, nothing was a problem-except fuel guage giving incorrect reading
In the first race, I didnt have enough petrol in, and there was some starvation, so pulled back in to top up.
Rest of the time was spent simply having fun ......best time was 1:24 BTW-much faster than the XA when I first started running it
Craig, Bruce, Tony A and myself were going to all run together
Tony A had brake probs in practice,
Craig had clutch probs was hauled off, later was seen lighting up the Zephyrs tyres while tied on the trailer.
All the stars were in alignment for Bruce, so I said go out and race.
Great feeling having both cars reliable and able to run at Manfield.
Definitely the Monaro is not the race car that the XA is,but racing is not what Historics are all about...I was more than 100% satisfied.
It ticked all the boxes for all those interested, most memorable for me was Dave Graham -he was positively beaming with delight seeing it there finished and out on the track racing.
It was one of the best things I have seen in a long time. I grew up with these cars. Particularly Team Cambridge Racing Team. There were many different cars in these colours and to see one of the most iconic cars of that team back out on the track in its livery was spectacular to say the least. Well done John, you persistence and determination to see the project through to the end is nothing short of amazing. An absolute credit to you. regards, Dave Graham
Just for you John! I haven't started posting on my own thread as yet.
Thanks for these Ray, really neat. Bruce and i will get together with you to get the pdf and take some prints.
Ahhh....at last clarity .
Every time I get the Falcon back there are these mysterious unexplained flat spots, usually told- leaving the car standing too long when they are hot- now I know better.
the racing is over, and the car is now resting in my garage.
I drove it into the same place as it was standing for all this time, yet now it is what I could only imagine and convince myself it would be
Somebody who is close and knows what i have been through with the Monaro has just said this to me-
Apart from the immense feeling of satisfaction it must have been a somewhat surreal sensation owning, restoring and finally driving an actual childhood dream.
Yes, it is exactly what he says.
The dream hasnt finished, the surreal- unreal, fantastic- part is that I now own and have driven my actual childhood dream.
A car is a car when you can start it up and drive it,
you turn it on and it returns the favour
All the restoration work was never ever part of my dream
Bruce will feel the same when he does the same in his Firebird.
It is a well set up car and pretty easy to drive, it just needs to go on a diet
Bruce- But there is no Diet Avgas................
What superb photos of a superbly restored historic race car. Thank you Nigel. John, everyone who knew that car from its original racing days must be thrilled and amazed at the workmanship you have achieved. "Spinner" always favored the Camaros and I don't think this Monaro ever looked this good. That rear spoiler was worth the search ! Take good care of it my friend.
Just one question; Are you letting "Grimmie" behind the wheel ?
(Ken H)