Bloody brilliant!
Well done John - a reward for all the hours put in, finally come to fruition.
We all owe you a debt of thanks for putting another racing icon, back on the map.
John L.
Printable View
Bloody brilliant!
Well done John - a reward for all the hours put in, finally come to fruition.
We all owe you a debt of thanks for putting another racing icon, back on the map.
John L.
Wow, I thought I had run out of superlatives to describe your work Nigel, but I will raise the bar just as you have here.
THIS IS TOTALLY SMEGGING UNBELIEVABLY BRILLIANT, YOU ARE A GENIUS WHEN IT COMES TO ANTICIPATING.
Follow the leader, well I did tell Bruce to stay close to hit the apex.
I hope you are coming to Manfield and enjoy the BBQ on Saturday.
As the car is now finished and racing , this is my last post.
Well everything was great on the day, cars, weather, people.
A few pics
Attachment 47113
Attachment 47114
Attachment 47115
Attachment 47116
These 2 cars first met in Baypark December 1969, again Easter Baypark 1970
Attachment 48251
On behalf of John Mc
Thanks Paul.
Monaro is doing selfies with all his old buddies.-so far 6 of the originals.
First meeting at Baypark Dec 1969, both had engine problems
next time Easter 1970 at Baypark, it was all on between Jim and Grady.
Pix and results are on this thread.
Instead of my photos going from John to Bruce to Paul and then to TRS, I might as well put them straight here.
George Bunce getting a bit of air at Pukekohe March 9, 1975
Attachment 49256
George Bunce at the 1975 NZ Grand Prix Meeting
Attachment 49257
George Bunce leaving the chicane on the back straight at Pukekohe on 9 March 1975
Attachment 49288
Milan....neat,Very crisp, clear pix from an excellent position
Great photos Milan, will show them to my mate (best man) Lyall, as we were only talking about ole race cars he painted over years. Top bloke and top painter. Silcock, Millens, Clayton, Coppins, Buncey, Bailey, Collier, just a few, actually most of the crew back then from saloons to Pacifics. Even mine, the lucky bugga.
Love the pics Milan. Thanks for sharing them.
December 1969 at Baypark- 2nd meeting car attended
Attachment 49411
Attachment 49420
Levin
Attachment 49412
On behalf of John Mc
Attachment 49449
Many thanks to Milan Fistonic for his pictures.
Attachment 49450
Many thanks to Milan Fistonic for his pictures.
Found another one John. From 9 March 1975.
Attachment 49466
Milan- Flinko told me he was very impressed with your storage area, I am rapt you are still finding these gems.
Hopefully George is seeing these pix and wants to see it at Taupo.
Monaro is now running on all 8 cylinders and hopefully will look more exciting on the track .
Taupo - 20 January 2018
Attachment 49623
Attachment 49624
Attachment 49625
I had the great honor of being scooped up at Auckland Airport by John McKechnie and Bruce Thompson and being driven to Taupo on Friday Jan. 19th. with the Cambridge Monaro in tow. I sat back and relaxed, ate cherries and pies and listened to all the fascinating stories told and smiled a lot rather in contrast to the journey back where I was a tired lad after 3 exciting days. What a memory.
Attachment 50109
Leaving the airport and I am thinking I came all this way, I certainly hope it does not rain for 3 days."No worries" it was going to be fun.
Attachment 50110
Sitting in the back. If you are not on the right side of the road the other side must be the wrong side !
The cherries were all eaten by now ..sorry Paul !
Attachment 50111
Stopping in Tirau at "Poppy's Café" for a "cuppa". Plus meeting the friendly couple of Peter and Jillian Hooper who were also Taupo bound with their very competitive 1982 Toyota Starlet # 7
Attachment 50112
After unloading the Monaro at the Taupo track the rain held back and it made the magnificent Monaro look even more majestic.
(Remember John when you did not have enough photos of the car back in the day, well I think we are making up for it now.
Attachment 50113
I think it looked happier when it found it's brother from the other side of the tracks.
Attachment 50115
Check that left rear tire.
Attachment 50116
Attachment 50117
Attachment 50118
Out where it belongs. John driving the Monaro.
(Ken H photos )
The Cambridge Monaro engine.
Attachment 50163
John McKechnie enjoying driving his beautifully restored Monaro at Taupo. Jan 20th 2018
Attachment 50164
Attachment 50165
After the last race on Sunday it was time to load the Monaro and head on out.
Attachment 50273
On Monday morning as we headed toward Auckland we decided to visit Morrinsville in the chance we might meet Spinner Black who was not able to make it to Taupo. When that was decided, John and Bruce kindly let me guide them through the back roads to Kiwitahi where I made an emotional stop outside my old home next to the "Swap / Hyndman Quarry". I don't know why the old 1940s garage is still standing as it was a problem when I left in 1972 ! Kenny's bedroom window is the one marked above the Audi. Anyway I did appreciate the stop. Thanks guys.
Attachment 50280
Then we drove on into Morrinsville to Spinner's boatyard and he came to meet us. It was a great experience seeing one of the "Grand Old Masters" of NZ Muscle Cars light up and show so much interest in the car and John's wonderful restoration to the original " Cambridge Racing Team" Monaro.
Here are some photos of our time with Spinner. One even showing the Police showing a lack of interest in probably the fastest car in town that day !
Attachment 50281
Bruce Thompson, John McKechnie and Spinner Black
Attachment 50282
Hyndman is all smiles as I am reaching into Spinner's back pocket for the overtime pay he owed me from 1971 ! (Just kidding.)
Attachment 50283
My last Monaro photos of a wonderful trip that brought it back to it's roots in Morrinsville.
Across the road in the blue building, now the Morrinsville Sandwich Bar, is where Spinner had his shop where all we local "grease monkeys" would gather to hear all the racing stories and escapades of the likes of Rod Coppins and Spinner etc. Some of us may have been there to also inhale the racing fuel fumes ! (Almost as bad as being next to Bruce Goodwin's 1965 Mark 3 Zephyr when he fired that up at Taupo !)
Attachment 50284
Spinner checking one of John's early photos after hearing the engine start up.
Attachment 50285
My last photo shows Spinner / Spencer Black, the original owner driver of the Monaro and John McKechnie the grand restorer/ owner of this wonderful machine.
Thanks guys, one for giving me a job and the other for taking me along for an unforgettable ride.
All the best,
Ken H.
Kevin-Talking about posters , I have a couple left over from Taupo....would you like a nice big glossy poster featuring the Monaro from 1969 and a current pic incorporating the advertising poster for the Taupo F5000 Historic Grand Prix
Caption- I was with the F5000s at Baypark December 29 1969, and am proud to still be with them now.
If so pm me with your address or will make sure you get one next time out.
On Saturday morning at Taupo racetrack , a guy came up to me and said I was in Aus yesterday and bought Australian Muscle Car mag Issue 101 at the Airport and read all about this Monaro on the flight home.
Next day I come here and see the car...small world.
Anyway , if interested. Issue 101, not on shelves yet, but close.
John,
I'd love to have a copy of the magazine. Can I order it through you ?
Some of my Monopoly money is still good !
Ken
Hi Ken.....will purchase stock from shop for distribution to (overseas) friends
Not sure how I missed it but I just noticed this car has always raced with a standard non-GTS hood.
Yep, all model HK always had non vented bonnet,
HT, HG GTS models had this feature
Just got Australian Muscle Car #101 from a Caltex petrol station...BP , Shell doesnt get it,Mobil hasnt got it yet.
Anyway Monaro is on page 18,19.
Still have to get Kens issue.
Sometime the full story may make it to a NZ mag
And thats all folks.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
But wait , theres more, found this on South Island Motorsport facebook, Grand Prix 1975...Robin Tanner , Firebird 25 and my Monaro in Bunce colours just behind it.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...&theater&ifg=1
I've just found another shot of George Bunce in the car at Pukekohe on 9 March 1975.
Attachment 54194
Thanks Milan, that is a wonderful photo.
Ken
One of the best things is that Milan was round then to capture these pix , keep them for all these years AND be able to post them here just so we can look at them here .......great work mate.
Safe to say that these pix kept my spirits up bringing the baby back to life.
Australian Muscle car #101 - currently on sale- features the car pages 18-19 for some glossy pix
That's a nice looking rear spoiler on that car Johnny------lol