Bucklers!

Going back into this, I spent some time on a phone call with Mid Beckett trying to establish which chassis that was for my records. He stated unequivocally that it was not a Buckler chassis at all, but a copy as he could not get a "real" one, and much easier to register as a Buckler than dream up another name.
That does not mean that your car Paul is in the same situation. Vic's wife told me that he gave it another name, it's now recognised by the folk who like Bucklers as such, a Buckler. Some were "authorised" copies by Buckler NZ, some were just done by those who could either not afford them, or Buckler NZ could not deliver, so they built anyway. I know of a car that was in exactly that cae, 2 cousins bought one rolling chassis, built another chassis and some of the parts supplied went onto both cars.

To follow on from post #286, here is the car when I owned it in Dunsandel, 1970. I think the plate number is AI...Attachment 77308

Advertisement from the 1950's - looks like from the " Pink " cover New Zealand Weekly News,

Attachment 77658

A well known Lotus XI with another well known car, a Buckler behind - believe Denise Ganley holding the umbrella.
the Ian Hallet MGA powered Buckler - it ran at the AHCCNZ Otaua Hill Climb a few times And was part of the Buckler Team at TACCOC and Le Mans Relay Races at Pukekohe.

Photo from Wellington Street Races in 1985

Attachment 77659

The Ivy Stephenson - Bruce Sutcliffe [ and others ] Buckler Climax - place date [ 1980's ] and event not stated Warwick Clayton photo - any help with ID of place - event and the date would be appreciated.

Have established it is Manfield in the 1980's there is a series of " Warwick Clayton photos from both Manfield and Wellington from then - Wellington believed to be the 1985 meeting - more photos to come of #15 and also the Mark 6 " Blue Brick " or its mate.

Attachment 77660

From David Montgomery - the Register List of Bucklers around the world - an updated list form October 2024.

Attachment 77661

Still 20 cars in New Zealand, was 21 back in 2015 according to David's lists.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Allan

According to my recollection the AX69 plate would have been issued in or around Christchurch

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Allan, just came across this ;
Christchurch initial issue of plates in 1964 was " AJ1301 to AS6000 ". A total of 94691 plates.
AX69 - was in the series released to Whangarei which got " AV4801 to AX3950 " total of 19148.
Auckland got " AX3951 to BM2250 " the biggest release of 138,286 plates
Wellington had the 3rd biggest Issue " CJ8828 to CQ5600 " at 66771 plates.

This from a newspaper of the Day - as released by the Motor Vehicle Registration Department of the Government - what was its name back in 1964 ?

Attachment 77918

In 1963 the " Canterbury Car Club " held races at the New Brighton Trotting Track, which was closing down.
The Event was a fundraiser for Christchurch - for QE2 Park it is believed [ notes from Allan Dick ].

A photo of one of the Grids for a Race - with a Buckler in the front row - believed to be Merv Mayo - car is two tone.
A real mix of Sports Cars Specials and Saloons - real " Allcomers " event.

Attachment 77919

The Merv Mayo Buckler - two tone with a Hardtop - 1961 - 64 Plate " 74.464 " - David Montgomery archives

Attachment 77920

- Merv Mayo Buckler at another time - race #58 - different colour scheme but Jarvie body and looking a bit race-worn.
Is it the same car ? Where and When ? - different grille and a louvred bonnet. No number plate to help identify.
Graham Woods archives;

Attachment 77921

All three photos have the same style Ford 10 wheels but different windscreens.

Others will know more

I will alert the current owner who may be able to help!
Those wheels were known as Ballamy wheels, 15", and I am told made from Vauxhall ones, pressed t different offset (by a man who claimed to have been doing the job)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Oldfart

To follow on from post #286, here is the car when I owned it in Dunsandel, 1970. I think the plate number is AI...Attachment 77308

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" Those wheels were known as Ballamy wheels, 15", and I am told made from Vauxhall ones, pressed to different offset (by a man who claimed to have been doing the job) "

Are they the same wheels as on your car Rhys, they look like it. ?

Must look at other Bucklers and Specials of the time.

Yes Roger, they are. They were a desirable fit for many in the UK. I don't have any decent photos of many showing them, but from what I read the Ivy Stephenson car had them, certainly has now.
I have no idea how many of the NZ cars had them. My ones had also been banded and I would guess at Jolly Wide Wheels based on the colour.

Not a Buckler, described as a ' 1958 " Custombuilt " Mistral Sports ' - Current Registration since 1991. but Carjam shows 1958 Mistral Sports.
Ferris De Joux style body.

Photo by Nigel Watts at a recent VCC event.

Does anyone know more about the car.

Attachment 77943

Last enquiry on Carjam in 2023 - so did it change hands then ?.

** A bit more;
When Bob Blackburn [ in Christchurch ] went on to produce the " Puma " in 1960 he sold the " Mistral " business to Dunedin company " Emslie and Flockton ".
Around the same " George and Ashton " - also in Dunedin began building the " Tiki " - again a body to go a chassis - usually Ford 10, but Triumph TR2 and others were used, as well as Custom builds.

There is an interesting article here in Pressreader on the History of the Mistral and its NZ connection.
Like Buckler quite a few Mistral cars were in NZ being built here.

" https://www.pressreader.com/australi...3599000?fbclid "

The article is from NZ Classic Car, unsure which issue. " pressreader " says 14 October 2019.

Thanks to Digby Paape for the link.

On further reading the Mistral Chassis, was a New Zealand creation as Microplas the creator of the Mistral bodies did not build or design chassis, the body was designed for going on to Ford 10, Triumph TR2, and custom chassis.

A drawing of the NZ Chassis from Weltex. part of an Advert for Bob Blackburns Weltex, when building the Mistral.

Attachment 77944