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2 Attachment(s)
Renwick 1963 - Sports and Racing Cars - Specials.
Renwick Road Races Saturday 16 November 1963. another Marlborough Car Club archive
"Sports Cars and Specials scratch race of 6 laps, 9 miles, class A up to 1800cc and class B over 1800cc. No.4 is Ron Rutherford from Christchurch 260m Zephyr 2742cc, here leading Kelvin Brown from Nelson, Buckler 90 1172cc, with Charlie Bensemann from Motueka watching from the hay bales in his Stanton Special 6124cc.
John Riley from Manurewa won in his Lola-Ford Sports 1498cc in 8 minutes 35.6 seconds. Rutherford was 3rd in class B and Bensemann 5th. Brown was 5th in class A.
Thanks to John Penny for scanning, Marlborough Car Club historian Barry Voss and John Pierson for these images and notes."
Attachment 61785
The Stanton is the " Cropduster " wearing a Mistral Sports Car style body and Kelvin Browns Buckler has a Jarvie /Hawke body - they were " made concurrently with " the De Joux bodies that a number of Buckler had in the 1960's.
Think the Buckler is in this photo too - not at Renwick.
It is behind Josh Timms in the Austin Healey 100S, with the Ransley Riley - Don Stewart, ACE111 - Wally Darrell and Bill Harris in the Alfa P3, from the Harris family archives- I think the Healey Corvette is behind the Alfa P3.
Attachment 61786
Hoping that Kelvin Brown *** can confirm about the Jarvie bodied Buckler in this second photo - colour scheme "similar " - as Milan states stripe is different
** Kelvin believes it is Fred Mclean in the ex Doc Langley Mark 10 Buckler - he adds "car is missing
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Minor comment re the 'glass bodies. Jarvie was not before the de Joux became available. They were produced concurrently, although maybe AMW (de Joux) was in more demand and as Ferris had a full time job as a window dresser so were not readily available on a short time scale?
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Quote - colour scheme looks right.
They look different to me. The white stripe in the top photo is straight, whereas the other one slopes from front to back.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Oldfart
Minor comment re the 'glass bodies. Jarvie was not before the de Joux became available. They were produced concurrently, although maybe AMW (de Joux) was in more demand and as Ferris had a full time job as a window dresser so were not readily available on a short time scale?
Thanks Rhys - post amended - both stylish designs, De Joux probably more modern looking the headlights and grille !
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Minor corrections ; the Buckler ..
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Milan Fistonic
Quote - colour scheme looks right.
They look different to me. The white stripe in the top photo is straight, whereas the other one slopes from front to back.
Thanks Milan - I found out it is a different car the ex Doc Langley car - believed to be driven by Fred McLean - car is missing according to " Buckler " sources Kelvin Brown and others.
Good to know the thread is followed - all corrections welcome.
Cheers Roger D
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5 Attachment(s)
Jim Bennett - Furi cars part of the story.
Before Furi Cars ;
“I became interested in car racing when I was quite young. My older Brothers Ivan and Cliff both purchased Morgan sports cars in the late 1950’s and joining the Otago Sports Car Club participated in motorsport all over the South Island.
A little before this I had witnessed the first two motor racing events I had seen which probably had me hooked. Beach racing at Nelson 57/58 and the Dunedin Road race several weeks later.
My strongest recollections of this event are of Ross Jenson, who won the main race, in the ex Stirling Moss 250F Maserati. This was a four year old formula one car! [ Photo to come in post #167 ].
Also : Archie Scott-Brown driving spectacularly in a Lister Jaguar, in the Sports Car race. "
- Photo's 1, 2, and 3 Start of the Sports car Race Dunedin 1958
Attachment 61793
Attachment 61794
Attachment 61795
Photo 4 during the race
Attachment 61796
Oops by the Morgan - while the single seaters go past- my comment
Attachment 61797
Furi Cars to follow with Furi 1.
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3 Attachment(s)
Furi - before Furi 1 - the start of the Jim Bennett built Cars
The story is in Jim Bennett's own words, most of the photos from the Bennett Family archives Jim and son Warren Bennett - a couple of Jim's photo's I have now managed to download,
From the previous part of the story ; The photo's
Bill Harris at Nelson beach Races 1957
Attachment 61845
Dunedin 1958 - the Racing Cars and Specials
Ross Jensen in the Maserati
RA Vanguard, Jensen in the Maserati 250F Bruce McLaren in the Cooper behind Jensen and Ron Roycroft in the Ferrari far right.
Attachment 61846
The Story ;
" FURI – The beginning
Cliff , had collected enough bits to start to build what was intended to be an Austin 7 special. The engine had already been upgraded to a Ford 8 as these could be obtained for the same price as an Austin and were more durable. However shortly after, car dealer. Sid Cottle had acquired a Ford 10 single seat speedway type midget and Cliff purchased this with only the minimum of encouragement from his kid brother. The only condition was that I would buy the Ford 8 motor for what it cost him and he would throw in all the other bits and help with construction and fabricate an aluminium body for me.
The Midget Special ; Finally uploaded - had to convert from png file *******47
Attachment 61900
Pre Furi One ;
This was when I was 14 and many of my high school exercise book covers testified to early body styling attempts.
It was agreed that I would pay off these parts with money from my after school job at Dunedin Electroplaters.
Toolmaking Apprentice.
Cliff had been getting some replacement thrust washers made for the Model T differential in his Midget. This work was done by the engineering firm of Wilson and Wilson who had recently been bought by Doug Ross and Gerald Hoare (ex employees of J & AP Scott Ltd respected engineers in the city). I had visited Scott’s, previously, with a few others from my class at Tech and was quite impressed with the range of machinery and variety of work being done. Cliff mentioned to me that one of the staff at Wilson & Wilson had told him they may be looking for an apprentice in the new year. Doug Ross was a car trials competitor of note and one time Otago Sports Car Club President. Gerald Hoare had a very quick Chev Coupe which he fitted a modified powerful GMC truck engine and had also built what was one of the first “dragsters" in NZ (11.8sec 1/4 mile in 1961) while a staff member rode a very quick Triumph "drag" motorbike that he had made. What better place for a budding car constructer to serve an apprenticeship?
I was on their doorstep on my way to High School the following Monday with my school reports to hand. This was something of a surprise to Doug and Gerald as they said that they hadn’t really discussed this position to any degree. However they gave me an interview and at my suggestion permitted me to start work part time after school and during the August holidays as a trial. I never mentioned to them that the Electroplaters were reducing part time staff and I was still paying off Cliff for the Ford 8 engine so there may have been some ulterior motive in my apparent enthusiasm for starting at the engineering works.
A few years after completing my apprenticeship I had the opportunity of acquiring the shareholding of Doug Ross when he decided to quit the business and became co director with Gerald Hoare.
Gerald Hoare
I first became aware of Gerald at the first Otago Sports Car Club standing ¼ mile sprint, that I saw (1958). He had 1939 Chev Delux Coupe which he had repowered it with a 4.5 litre ex army truck engine. As a confessed “hot rod” enthusiast he had done significant modifications to the engine to increase the performance. He sourced performance camshafts and other parts from the USA.
This was difficult in those days as one could only purchase US$1.00 postal note per day from a post office. He used to leave work as soon as the bell rang at 4:30 and try and visit as many Post Offices as possible before they shut at 5:00pm.
I recall also a ¼ mile sprint around 1959 or 60 where there was a good selection of “modern” high performance cars. Jaguars Xk120 & XK140, Aston Martin DB4, Austin Healey 100S of Fred Losee and a C Type Jaguar sports racer driven by David Young from Timaru. The Chev coupe had fastest time of the day beating the C Type Jaguar by about 1/10th of a second doing a low 15 second time. He also drove the Chev to Tramway Road near Rangiora (and back) where the NZ speed records for cars and motorbikes were set. The Chev was officially timed over a flying ¼ mile at in excess of 200KPH - 126MPH as I recall. Fast in those days for a road legal saloon
"
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2 Attachment(s)
Furi 1 - the start of the Jim Bennett built Cars
Moving on from Jim's early motoring memories to his first car - that he built
Furi 1.
Made from FoRd and aUstIn parts - hence the name.
" FURI (registered 1964)
I had run the car more or less in chassis form at a Hillclimb and later when most of the body was near complete it was duly entered in a grass circuit race near Kaitangata. A name was needed to register the car. As it was made of mainly Ford and Austin parts, it seemed appropriate that some letters from these names be combined to create the name of F.U.R.I.
A bit later I participated at a Waitati hill-climb where enthusiasm exceeded ability to the detriment of the Austin 7 front axle. The FURI performed a “wall of death" emulation on bank of the tight corner near the top. As the Austin axle assembly seemed insufficient to stand up to this abuse a split Ford 10 axle was fitted which improved handling immeasurably.
While the body was being completed, by Cliff, I persuaded him to allow me to borrow his ex aircraft cabin supercharger. With a larger bore Ford 10 block this gave the car somewhere around 65-70hp with a weight of around 500kg.
After a 4 year gestation the completed FURI was painted in an unusual shade of light purple. The paint was obtained from a painter who had incorrectly programmed his colour mixer. At the first major event for the car, the Nelson Beach Racing Championships, 1965, it performed creditably. The car was able to head off a young fellow named Trevor Crowe in a surprisingly quick elderly MG fitted with an overhead head inlet-valve Ford Prefect engine.
I had qualified for the race for the fifteen fastest cars. I made a good start but was being overtaken on a regular basis by the really quick cars. Attempting to re-pass, under braking, Wally Darrell driving his disc braked Zephyr powered ACE 111, was not a good idea with the FURI ending among the hay-bales.
Racing was curtailed for the car when a rear radius arm broke during the main race because it was hitting on the battery which seemed to be doing double duty as a bump stop. An independent rear end was created and this is the way the car competed for the next few years.
The engine was OK for short events such as hill-climbs and grass circuits but was marginal on longer sealed tracks. Running costs were low but a lot of time was required to keep the motor reasonably reliable. In 1967 a Teretonga, after setting an unofficial lap record, in practice, for specials up to 1200cc the crankshaft succumbed.
A contributing factor may have been the motor running way beyond 6000 RPM in top while slip-streaming Eddie Lipparts fastback Daimler Dart. On removing the engine from the gearbox the flywheel fell off. The crankshaft was broken into 4 pieces. A bit of the crank was still in the front and rear mains and the rest a mangled heap in the sump.
I later re-powered this with a 1500cc 4 cylinder LIP Vauxhall engine with MGB Cam grind, head work and a pair of SU carbs. The performance felt similar to the supercharged Ford 10 and was a reliable road car loaned to brother Cliff and a cousin on occasion for their work commute. "
Furi 1 seen here at Hoopers Inlet Hill Climb in 1964 think this is Hill Climb mentioned at the beginning.
Attachment 61893
The car appears in the article from " DriveSouth "- posted again
Have another photo of a young Jim sitting in the car when painted a purple colour but it will not upload [ operator error perhaps ] It is the same photo as in the article below;
Attachment 61894
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2 Attachment(s)
F. U. R. I. the Jim Bennett Cars the Bennett Motoring Family.
A photo provided by Kwaussie [ Patrick ] who knew the Bennett brothers and sent me this ;
Cliff and Ivan were Jim Bennett's older brothers and were into racing cars in the 1950's they both had Morgans and were as mentioned members of the Otago Sports Car Club.
Photo not dated but I have asked Jim Bennett if he knows when [ 2008 ] and where [ Dunedin ] he did so edited
[ and excuse the spelling of Lorraine D.... -my bad ]
Cliff Bennett and the Lotus based Special,Jim and Furi 14, Ivan and the 1922 Lorraine Dietrich which has been in NZ since 1922. It will have a great story too !!
The Good Oil on the photo by Gerald O'Brien - it featured [ cropped ] in an article on the Bennett Boys in the Otago Daily Times back in July 2008 with notation " The retired Bennett brothers helped each other building this trio of vehicles. Photo by Gerard O'Brien "
Details of Cliff's car from Jim also ;
" Cliff’s car is a Lotus Europa that he bought as a write off. It had been in a collision and went on fire burning everything non metal. Cliff fabricated an aluminium body.
I helped Cliff fit a Fuego 1600? hemi pushrod engine & 5 speed gearbox with twin dellortos and a mild cam grind it was much nicer and quicker than the original 1400 Renault engine & 4 speed. More powerful on a rolling road than a good Lotus Elan.
He did much of the body work on all three cars, Ivan’s Lorraine only had scuttle forward, one door and the mudguards. "
Attachment 62003
Coming soon Furi 2,the Story - The Jaguar powered and supercharged car with a Commer TS3 supercharger
[ Roots type blower ].
That Commer TS3 could be a side story.
Another photo that I have found from a guy who owned Furi 5 at some stage Russ Cunningham from Bay of Plenty
Attachment 62004
This car story will be later on.
Also more photo's from the Bennett Boys early years ..
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1 Attachment(s)
F. U. R. I. the Jim Bennett Cars the Bennett Motoring Family. a bit more.
A link to the story from the " Otago Daily Times ".
This is where the photo was used ; photo by Gerald O'Brien ;
Attachment 62013
The story '
" https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/b...-driving-force " .
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1 Attachment(s)
More FURI ..nice rear !!
" Every male likes looking at a sexy rear end, right? "
not my words but agree. - written by Warren Bennett - his Dad's car..
Attachment 62036
Furi 9 the car called Impulse ; story will follow !!
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4 Attachment(s)
Furi 2 The Supercharged Jaguar powered Sports Car.
As has been mentioned I first saw this car in 1984 and just knew it as a " Jaguar powered Special " until one of my photos was followed up with information from the Bennett's, Jim and Warren.
This is Jim's story of Furi 2 .
" FURI 2 (registered 1979)
I had acquired a Raymond Mays cylinder head but didn’t have enough courage to cut two cylinders off to make it fit one of the Consul engines in the Wolseleys.
When the Wolseleys were sold the image of a GMC powered sports car remained and morphed into a Zephyr powered car with a Raymond Mays cylinder head instead. Parts were being gathered for this car when I was offered a cheap Mk 7 Jaguar engine and about the same time was given a big supercharger off a Commer TS3 2 stroke diesel. These unusual engines had 6 pistons horizontally opposed in 3 cylinders operating through a series of connecting rods and levers to a crankshaft under the cylinders.
In a short time the GMC then Zephyr became a supercharged Jaguar powered device. A "simple" clubman body style was envisaged. As I had only a single phase electric welder the chassis was made out of heavy wall 40mm square tube. This was also reasoned as being more durable for long term road car use.
After the rolling chassis was finished it was found that "power bulges" would be everywhere to cover the tall engine and supercharger. It had been hoped that brother Cliff might be prevailed upon to do an alloy body, again. However he was assisting Ivan in the complete restoration of a 1923 Lorraine Dietrich for which the only bits of body were not much more than a door and a bonnet.
Cliff had also acquired the remains of a Lotus Europa which had been run over by a Chev Impala. The body was destroyed in the ensuing conflagration. It was obvious that my project would be a fair way down the body-builder’s list so the decision was made to try my hand at making a fibreglass body.
The chassis was built one Easter. Three months were needed to build the buck from which the body would be moulded. Three days to lay up the glass. Three years to grind out the buck, fill and sand the body and finish the thing off.
Just after it was finished Lin Neilson suggested that I take it to a "Country Gents" meeting at Levels. Approval would have to be sought from the organiser. He said that because it had a Jag engine it was OK so we were allowed to participate.
Furi 2 continued – a couple of my own photos follow;
Practice was spent trying to come to grips with the performance which was more than 200 hp greater than anything else I had raced. As well I was somewhat rusty having not been on a track for over 10 years.
Raced over the next ten years some improvements were made to the handling and braking but greed for horsepower and increased boost made the car less reliable. Even with this it was driven to and from many events. The car has always been driveable after an event..
The car was re-chassied in 1991 with “Frank Costin Lister” type spaceframe in light gauge tube. Falcon limited slip diff, Mk4 Cortina front suspension, Falcon front discs with Mazda RX7 Series 4 - 4 pot calipers, Turbo Commodore rears. SD1 Rover 5 speed gearbox. More room inside the car plus better routing of the exhaust has made this car much more pleasant for touring. "
Photos of Furi 2 ..
Chasing Thelma Bennett in Furi 6
Attachment 62043
My photos Dunedin 1984 Festival Meeting.
Attachment 62044
The engine and supercharger
Attachment 62045
Details of the Commer TS3 Motor and twin roller supercharger.
Attachment 62046
Have a couple more photos of the car but need to be changed to Jpg file for posting - a work in progress
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6 Attachment(s)
From Furi to Wylie..
There is more to come on the FURI cars 3 to 9 [ The Impulse ] and on to 19 these stories willfollow.
In the meantime getting back to Dunedin in 1984 There was a visitor from Australia Racing - Bruce Polain in this car - well this is my photo of the engine ;
The guy working on it has been identified as Graham Snape
Attachment 62053
The car is the " Wylie Javelin " built by Arthur Wylie in 1950. a very advanced car for its time - a bit like Hec Green's RA Vanguard.
A small photo - will try to get a bigger version of this photo and the SCW story
Attachment 62054
The field getting ready for the single seater and specials race ; The Wylie Javelin in the third row
Attachment 62055
The entry list for the event - thanks to " Annie Swain " Fb name - the real person [ TRS member Mark D - Mark Dawber ] was racing a huge Pontiac saloon.
Attachment 62056
This Pontiac - posted before - still have the car.
Attachment 62057
The Saloon entry list posting again
see the great Doug Algie was racing too !!
Attachment 62058
There are a couple of articles from 1951 Australian Motorsport and another from 1966 Sports Car World on this car I which will publish here once resized.
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1 Attachment(s)
You could have bought the Wylie Javelin in 1954 for 1150 Australian Pounds. The advert was in the magazine Australian Motor Sports that was edited and published by Arthur Wylie.
Attachment 62059
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Milan Fistonic
You could have bought the Wylie Javelin in 1954 for 1150 Australian Pounds. The advert was in the magazine Australian Motor Sports that was edited and published by Arthur Wylie.
Attachment 62059
Must send that to Bruce Polain [ with your permission ] who raced the car here in NZ in 1984 - he has sent me a link to an article on the car.
Cheers, Milan
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4 Attachment(s)
F. U. R. I. the Jim Bennett Cars Photos.
Furi 2 photos - Jim Bennett's
Attachment 62063
Attachment 62064
The Midgets Jim Bennett's own photo 1964.
Attachment 62066
Furi 9,The Impulse - an entry list photo Southern Festival of Speed 1993- car was not quite finished according to Jim
Attachment 62065
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3 Attachment(s)
South Island - Waimate 1965
From South Island Motorsport Fb page.
Photo1 from Allan Dick -front of the field with the DR Promotion Vauxhall PA at the side.
Attachment 62088
Photo 2 from Kelvin Brown archives - Kelvin is in the green Ford 8 Special Saloon far right at the back.
The cars further back in the field - the DR [ De Reske Cigarettes ] Car has moved
Attachment 62089
The entry list for the Races from Graham Woods. Four Hotels putting up the prize money and Cigarette sponsorship too - when you could !!
Attachment 62090
A full set - except I don't have the results .. will keep looking as Graham Woods may well have the " Motorman " comments on the meeting.
Amendment the first Four placing for the Saloon Races - posted #178 by Milan Fistonic - copied below.
" 1st 108 Paul Fahey, 2nd 30 John Ward, 3rd 7 Warner Collins, 4th 44 Tony Lawrence. ".
The final Race ; read Milan's story regarding the events and incidents ;
" won by Fahey ahead of Ward, Bill Norrish (in Nazer's Anglia) and Innes. "
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The results for that race were: 1st 108 Paul Fahey, 2nd 30 John Ward, 3rd 7 Warner Collins, 4th 44 Tony Lawrence. The reason Ward doesn't appear on that entry list is there were two saloon car heats and the organisers moved some cars from one heat to the other to even up the fields. Bryan Innes and Jim Mullins were moved to what was supposed to be the over 2000cc race where they finished first and second ahead of Rod Coppins in the Zephyr-Corvette and I. Dow in his 3.8 Jaguar. Coppins was leading but had to pit but was black-flagged as a radius-arm had come adrift. After a brief check he resumed the race and still managed third place. The final was won by Fahey ahead of Ward, Bill Norrish (in Nazer's Anglia) and Innes.
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2 Attachment(s)
Jim Bennett - more of the Bennett family archives ;
The brothers Ivan and Cliff in their Morgans, Fred Losee in AHS3802 the 100S that was with Josh Timms and Fred in the early 1960's.
[ More on that 100S in the Austin Healey thread
Attachment 62126
Some of the Boys in their own cars ; in this Jim is in Cliff's Car from a newspaper cutting
Attachment 62127
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5 Attachment(s)
Jim Bennet - more of the Bennett family archives ; from Jim and Warren
Furi 1 at Hoopers Inlet in 1966 - has a different nose and grille to the earlier photo.
Attachment 62166
Another shot of the car in 1966 guise
Attachment 62167
Jim Racing at Nelson in 1964 in Cliff's Midget, Jims notes
" The Nelson one where I am driving brother Cliff’s Midget he is following back a bit in his GT Cortina powered Morgan. We were in the handicap race for Sports & Specials up to 1700cc. Cliff started last and I was 5 seconds ahead. The pic was taken about a lap from the end and I passed the rest of the field. Cliff overtook me in the same place a lap later to win. "
Attachment 62168
Then again in Nelson 1965 in Furi 1. - Jim's notes;
as on the photo - " Nelson 1965 Jim in Furi 1, Rob Christie Singer Austin Trevor Crowe MG T "
Attachment 62169
Both photos from Nelson Mail- archives The Nelson Mail spread of photos from this meeting has been posted on South Island Motorsport Facebook page - it includes this photo and many others !
Finally a Warren Bennett photo from Skope 2009
Furi 2 and Furi 6 both feature and the C Type Replica with others.
Attachment 62170
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5 Attachment(s)
F. U. R. I. the Jim Bennett Cars - a bit more Furi 3 on..
"
FURI 3
This car was given a FURI number as the rolling chassis design and construction was supervised by me. A friend had acquired a burnt out Mazda 929 (rear drive) and a Mistral body. I sketched up a proposal for a backbone tube chassis similar to that used by TVR. For ease of construction the owner was encouraged to use a Vauxhall Viva front suspension as this has a lightweight sub-frame with good geometry and the steering rack is already mounted. He constructed a mock up wooden spaceframe around the mechanicals and had me approve this before duplicating it in steel tube.
A short test drive in this car showed it had a stiff chassis with no scuttle shake, reasonable ride and neutral handling.
FURI 4
A stillborn project. (rolling chassis)
The intention was to produce two similar cars along the lines of a Fiat X19. One car was to be fitted with an Austin 1800 engine and gearbox, mounted in the rear, the other with a 1750 Alfa Romeo engine grafted onto an 1800 gearbox. One monocoque chassis was constructed to my design by my brother Ivan in 10mm plywood. This was fitted with Herald front suspension and Honda Civic front struts in the rear. This project proceeded no further because of proposed Land Transport regulations for home made cars which gave some concern.
FURI 5 (registered1988)
Built for our Son, Warren, who had misfortune to write off his Mk2 Cortina.
After selling only the engine and gearbox enough "handy bits" had been accumulated so that it was decided that a simple "clubman" style sports car could be built using these.
A space frame chassis of light gauge tube was fabricated. At the front a Triumph Herald suspension was adapted, fitted with the Cortina hubs and brakes. At the rear the Cortina diff with a 5 link setup was used. An OHC Vauxhall Victor 2000 engine, which had been lying under the bench, was adapted to a Mustang 2 gearbox, also surplus to requirements from another road car. This was clothed in an alloy body with a forward hinged one piece bonnet and mudguards of fibreglass.
This car raced at several Classic Motor Racing Club events where it performed well and proved to have good handling. This was a satisfactory way of using up some of the parts around the place."
Attachment 62268
** New Photo of Furi 5 by David Clearwater with the Elin and Graeme Sausage Curries Buckler
Jim Bennett noted " FURI 5 built for son Warren. 2 Liter OHC Vauxhall " added 9 Aug 2019
Attachment 62666
This is Furi 5 - when owned by Russ Cunningham - now yellow like Furi 6 but not as different Rego number.
Attachment 62270
FURI 6. (registered1988)
" With the reduction in local content of the car industry D.C.Ross's toolmaking work had reduced. While plans were being put into place to diversify, the company decided, with my prodding, to introduce a make-work scheme to investigate the viability of a kitset sports car.
A prototype would be completed built along with a second - chassis kit. The prototype was intended as a demonstrator that would show how far this kit could be taken. The chassis, similar to a modern Lotus, were fabricated from folded sheet metal and mig welded in a jig. Simple form tools were made to press out suspension arms to allow various Ford running gear to be fitted.
Ford parts being chosen for the availability. The prototype was fitted with Sierra front uprights and brakes, Sierra differential with a purpose made multi link rear end. The 2.8 V6 engine left over from my Sierra wagon was adapted to a five speed Toyota Celica gearbox and squeezed into the chassis. Because this motor is so compact it is mounted a long way back in the chassis giving even weight distribution which undoubtedly assists in the handling.
Budget constraints led to the company using the moulds from FURI 5. This may not have been the best choice as I had always considered this body style to be something of a compromise.
The car has performed on the race track better than anticipated, being very competitive in South Island classic racing.
When Thelma left D.C.Ross in 1989 she was allowed to uplift the prototype as a redundancy settlement from which she has derived 10 years of pleasure giving a number of the guys a run for their money on the race track and improving her skills as a driver in the process..
FURI 6 was sold in 2001 and the new owner replaced the supercharged Ford engine with a Rover V8. Performance is about the same."
Some photos of Furi 6.
from Bennett family archives Jim Bennett and Warren Bennett
Attachment 62269
Here Furi 6 race #10 in a group with the single seater midget style racer of Jim Bennett - Furi 9 [ Impulse ] more about that car soon - and the model being made of it by " Chaindrive ".
Furi 6 has been modified as detailed by Jim in the notes;
This is a recent [ 2019 ] photo.
Attachment 62271
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3 Attachment(s)
F. U. R. I. the Jim Bennett Cars - a bit more Furi 7 and 8 - before the Impulse.
Next two cars Furi 7 and 8.
Not a long story, but the next one on Furi 9 " Impulse " will be.
Jim Bennett's own words ;
" 1990 FURI - 7
After leaving D.C.Ross in 1990 I completed the other chassis built by them but changed the body to a hopefully a more attractive style. This chassis was similar to the V6 but had more basic running gear. Escort front suspension components, steering and live rear axle were fitted along with a Fiat 1600 twin cam and 1600 Toyota Celica 5 speed gearbox. The body was made primarily of fibreglass in a more traditional sports car style with separate long flowing mudguards and running boards. Lessons learnt with the prototype have meant that the cockpit was a little wider to allow more elbow room.
The car has been raced by myself and others while in my ownership participating in the Southern Festival of Speed and other Classic Club events from 1990 to 1994.It was often driven to meetings. The car was subsequently sold to a Wellington owner in 1994.
1991 FURI 8
This car was built complete for a client. It is similar but simpler than F7 using a Fiat 132 as a donor vehicle using as much as possible from this car including engine, transmission, suspension etc. Fitted with 1800 Lancia engine 1997.
"
No photo of Furi 8, but this one of Furi 7 - by Euan Cameron.
Attachment 62353
Another photo from Warren Bennett of Seven ..
Attachment 62354
Furi 7 - This is how it is on Carjam ;
" Year: 1990
Make: CUSTOMBUILT
Model: MK 7 FURI
Colour: Green
Body Style: Sports Car
Plate: PM314
Engine No: 533105
Chassis: 906701P "
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car/Van
Seats: 5
CC rating: 1,608cc
Fuel Type: Petrol
Assembly Type: Unknown
Country of Origin: New Zealand '
Those Rego Plate numbers ;
Only this one shows up
" Plates History
Plate Effective Date
PM314 29-Oct-1990 "
Am now confused as Rego JH5215 shows this on Carjam. ***
Thought it the same car but with the larger motor is it Furi 8 ?? Rego Plate dates from 1979. Furi 7 is 1990 ?? " PM314 "
*** Mystery solved as looking at other photos JH5215 was the number plate for Furi 2 the Supercharged Jaguar Sports car that I photographed back in 1984 at Dunedin - must have done a " Frank Karl " and swapped plates around. Jim says he did - can only drive one car at a time,my Uncle had the same view - Revenue gathering by " The Gumment " as Jim Knox President of the FOL called our Government
Attachment 62394
" Year: 1979
Make: CUSTOMBUILT
Model: FURI
Colour: Blue
Body Style: Sports Car
Plate: JH5215
Engine No: D46507
Chassis: 002
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car/Van
Seats: 5
CC rating: 3,740cc
Fuel Type: Petrol
Assembly Type: Unknown "
Plates History
Plate Effective Date
JH5215 04-Oct-1979
Registration
Registration Status: Get Full CarJam Report
Plate: JH5215
Plate Type: Standard
Origin: Import from
Used as: Private Passenger vehicle
Cause of Latest Registration: New
NZ First Registration: 04-Oct-1979 "
Furi 9 story to follow - and a bit more on the " Chaindrive " tribute to the Car - thanks Tony
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5 Attachment(s)
Moving North - Ardmore 1989
Some posted on other threads thought I would group them here.
The Lowline Cooper - comment from Allan Dick Classic Autonews " That is the Angus Hyslop, Jim Palmer, Red Dawson, Pat McLaughlin car owned here by Charlie Conway - who may still own it. "
[ Sir ] Stirling Moss about to take it for a run - Sheepskin Seat Cover for extra comfort - or to pack the seat out
Attachment 62393
Other cars
Austin Healey's of course.
Mark Donaldson 1956 BN2 and Steve Hill AN5, Tony Van de Water AN5 behind
Attachment 62389
Maserati 250F the one owned by Owen organisation at one stage [ BRM ]
Attachment 62390
Attachment 62392
The Ron Roycroft Ferrari
Attachment 62391
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4 Attachment(s)
Briggs Mercury Special V8 / Tahuna Beach Races
Received some information from Steve Day who now owns the Briggs Mercury V8 Special as owned and raced by Peter Leversedge in the 1960's
Steve is looking for ' period ' photos of the car raced under #33 by Peter Leversedge.
If people have any photos - please let me know by PM or post on here and I will pass on to Steve, by Email.
On this montage Peter and Wally Darrell ACE 3 are shown together. Nelson Photo News article from the 1965 Tahuna Beach Races
Attachment 62462
Here are some more of the Tahuna Beach Races - 1961 - Have now downloaded years 1961 - 1967.
Nelson Photo News archives which are now Digitized
1961
Attachment 62463
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Attachment 62465
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Briggs Mercury Special V8
Steve Day - current owner and restorer of the car in 2014/15 sent me this picture of the car as it is now.
He commented that some people don't like the colour scheme but " Mr Briggs " the creator does, so Steve is pleased.
The car in Colour
Attachment 62475
More of the period look in Monchrome [ my edit of the photo ];
Attachment 62476
Any photos of the car would be appreciated.
As mentioned on the thread about Steve Holmes new Book " Historic New Zealand Racing Cars " - which I now have
[ an early birthday present to myself ] not to be confused with the book mentioned below
It gets only a brief mention in Graham Vercoe's 1991 book " Historic Racing Cars of New Zealand ".
Would like to know more about the Car.
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1 Attachment(s)
Maserati 250F the one owned by Owen organisation at one stage [ BRM ]
Maserati 250F the one owned by Owen organisation at one stage [ BRM ].
Reposting a photo and some of the story - from Jim Bennett [ Mr F.U.R.I. ]
Attachment 62477
Jim Bennett wrote ;
" Images of 250F Maserati ex Amon etc. Owen Organisation. You may be aware , but, in the book by Tony Rudd who was employed by BRM at this time they had purchased an early model 250F to use to assist with development the 4 cylinder 2.5 F1 car.
From memory it had been entered in a UK event but had not been delivered in time. Prince Bira - who had an earlier (the first 250F ?) was not entered for the event and was prevailed upon to loan his car to BRM.
In the event it was driven by Ken Wharton who managed to crash it heavily so that BRM took over Bira's car and gave him the newer 250F. This would have been the car he raced in NZ. Rudd set out the modifications that BRM made to the Bira car, Dunlop disc brakes and wheels and significant stiffening of the chassis.
So that the car that Amon raced was probably one of the better developed 250F Maseratis. "
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4 Attachment(s)
Briggs Mercury Special V8 and Tahuna Beach Races
Been finding more on this car and also the Tahuna Beach Races - this time from - where sadly Giff Tait was killed in his Valiant.
Giff had driven various cars over the years including a late 1930's Chev Coupe - I love Chev Coupe;s as does John Mck.
Where have they all gone ?? only a couple / few racing these days.
The January 1968 Tahuna Beach Races - " Nelson Photo News " archives Issue #87 10021968;
One of those Ford 10 Specials again going past the rolling Valiant.
Attachment 62504
Attachment 62505
Close up of one photo the top one second page above - Is it the Briggs on the left ?
Attachment 62502
Any details on the others cars and Entry Lists would be appreciated !
Photo of the Briggs in 2011 from Gary Talbot
Attachment 62503
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Nelson line up. Last Stuart Special at left grid
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
chaindrive
Nelson line up. Last Stuart Special at left grid
Tony thanks -so not the Briggs oh well have to keep looking.
Connection of course with Peter Leversedge involved with the Briggs and a Stuart car too !!
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3 Attachment(s)
Furi 9 -and - that Cute rear end ..
The Furi 9 [ Impulse ] the Imp powered car - the story to come soon.
In the meantime a couple of photos of the car - one of which shows the engine - from a display in Dunedin - photo form Jim Bennett.
Attachment 62596
The Cute rear end - as seen on the " Motorsport in Miniature " thread; Photo by Warren Bennett
Attachment 62597
A better photo of where it started with Furi 1 in 1964 - this is taken in Nelson in 1965-66 - Jim Bennett archives.
Have Monochromed the photo. More of the Era.
Attachment 62598
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6 Attachment(s)
1992 FURI (9) IMPULSE
1992 FURI (9) IMPULSE
The first part of the story [ about 2/3rds of Jim's words on the car ]
" After building Furi 7 and 8 over subsequent years I also did some soul searching about the kitcar business and not knowing where the Land Transport regulations would end up I came to the conclusion that if it was successful I would end up with another engineering business and if not I would be pouring money down a black hole. So that a little self indulgence seemed in order.
A proper old type single seater like the midget raced in the 60's always held some appeal. Having always liked the appearance of the Jamieson twin-cam Austin 750 of 1934 I decided to create a look-a-like. I would have preferred to use a water cooled 4 cylinder motorcycle engine but the rules of the Classic movement meant using oldish components. A Hillman Imp seemed the only really suitable engine that I could think of that would have a similar specification and similar power to the original Austin which had a very special 750 alloy twin-cam putting out around 112 BHP at 7000rpm in 1934!
A boot load of bits were acquired from a long time friend. As design progressed on the Austin Look-a-like it was decided to utilise Imp parts for most of the car including the front hubs and kingpins, attached to a piece of tube for an axle, rear mounted gearbox inverted got the drive the right way and conveniently lowered the propeller shaft 100mm allowing a low seating position like the Austin. As the Imp steering rack was used this meant that the engine had to be leaned a bit to the left for the steering column to clear the distributor. A Shorrock supercharger from my squirrel like collection was fitted behind the motor, above the foot-well, and driven by a shaft running alongside the cylinder head. To tidy the appearance up another Imp cam cover was fitted over this tipped over at the opposite angle to the engine. This gave the appearance of a twin-cam a bit like the Austin and has provided as much fun listening to comments as driving the car does.
Words and Photo's Jim Bennett;
The Engine - photo as posted the other day from Dunedin ;
Attachment 62602
another photo with the The late Ralph Watson looking on. Showing the Engine
Attachment 62603
The Car at " Levels " April 2019. Again showing the Engine
Attachment 62604
The Car in action Warren Bennett photo - [ small ].
Attachment 62607
Tony Lucas tribute to the car.
Photo Tony Lucas.
Under construction;
Attachment 62605
The car now completed ;
Photo Tony Lucas
Attachment 62606
More to follow : soon
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6 Attachment(s)
Furi 9 The Impulse - more of the story
Jim Bennett is still racing Furi 9.
Some more of his story - plus some other notes on the car from Jim.
First from his story ;
" Furi 9 Impulse – continued
Various troubles persisted for a while with head joint sealing but these have been overcome with the performance of this little car is quite outstanding. It is often able to keep up with much larger engined cars particularly on "handling" circuits.
In 2017 I upgraded the engine and transmission to a carefully built Rally Imp specification using a block fitted with wet cylinder liners.
We had a very successful Southern Classic series in Feb 2019. Competing in the Vintage Car Class at Ruapuna, Levels and Teretonga, on subsequent weekends, the car managed to start and finish 13 races with 10 being in one of the top 3 finishing places, including five wins "
Notes from an event in 2014.
" I ran the Impulse at the Gore V.C.C. Hill-climb at Josephville (near Lumsden) again yesterday (16th), Second place again! Beaten by 0.06 seconds on the last run by Grant Clearwater in the Capella. This car is Zephyr engined (with Raymond Mays head). The Capella was built in the mid 1960's in Southland originally fitted with a supercharged Vanguard engine. The first time I raced at on Teretonga, in 1966, I competed against this car. It was quicker than my car then too. In the Photo Stewart Quertier is presenting Grant the winner's trophy. Alex McLennan, standing behind Stewart, also one of the organisers, competed as well. His Vauxhall Special that he built in the 1950s is in the background. "
Ref #61 photo Gore VCC Hill Climb– 16 November 2014.
Attachment 62623
Ref #48 - VCC Hill Climb at Sandy Bay, Motueka 2014
Attachment 62624
Ref #72 Highlands Park 2015
Notes from Warren Bennett, Jim's son about the photo; [ below ]
" that's nephew Gareth Bennett sitting on the wheel. Oldest brother, Ivan's son. Jim as usual in the pilot seat. I look forward to reading your story. Fyi, when you get to it, Furi 5 was mine, i raced it 3 times I think, Ruapuna once, Teretonga once and Levels was its debut and it broke the exhaust upon launch of it's first race, and the whole thing from manifold to end shot out under the back wheel and into the front of Keith McIvor's Fiat Dino. "
[ It should be mentioned that Warren Bennett is a model builder of some note as well - more modern cars than Chaindrive ]
Attachment 62625
Re #53 Levels 2019 - with the Lycoming - event as mentioned above by Jim Bennett.
Attachment 62626
Ref #52 Another photo of the car in 2019 - someone will know which track and who is in the Red car - on the grid.
Attachment 62627
Finally a Tony Lucas photo of the the Jim Bennett Furi 9 Impulse with Peter Leversedge's Special.
[ In miniature of course as Chaindrive does ].
Attachment 62628
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Furi 9 ;
Jim Bennett has posted today on the Facebook group " New Zealand Built Racing Cars " a longer version of the Furi 9 story and the photo of the car at Dunedin in the foyer of the " Dunedin Art Gallery " - in 1990.
I will relay the story here - together with a couple more photos ;
The story is more detailed on the " Why - build the car " and the " How - the construction details.
Story to follow soon ;
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2 Attachment(s)
Furi 9 The Impulse - more - The detailed story
More on the Impulse to build the Imp powered Special that is Furi 9;
Jim Bennetts own words as posted recently - borrowed with his permission;
" Background to the basis of the car;
The Impulse Story
Denis Jenkinson’s Racing Car Pocketbook, which I have had since a teenager, has a car in it which caught my imagination. More so when once during a visit to the Donnington Collection. Jenk’s book describes the Austin 750cc twin cam racing car as “like a Grand Prix Mercedes Benz in miniature”.
The original three cars and two spare engines were built in the Austin motors toolroom for the 1936 season at a cost reported in excess of 300,000 pounds. Running on alcohol fuel these specially designed twin cam engines produced, for that time, an amazing 116 BHP at 7500 RPM – the maximum safe speed for the Austin Co’s dynamometer. In competition the engines were limited to 9000rpm. This little jewel of an engine was fitted into a small single seater chassis. On tight circuits such as Crystal Palace, Donnington and the Shelsey Walsh and Prescott hill climb these cars were competitive, often winning against contemporary opposition of more than double the engine size. At Brooklands, among a number of records, they set the 750cc 10 mile record 122 mph.
The cars also competed successfully in Europe with many class wins at hillclimbs as well as racing at the Nurburgring winning the up to 1100cc class.
As only two cars remain, the possibility of my being able to obtain one seemed remote in the extreme. The next best option seemed to me to make a car which would look and perform like the original. An accurate replica was dismissed as everything on the originals was purpose made at great cost. Whilst I had some access to good engineering facilities such use is limited. "
Building the Car
" “A car using Austin 7 parts was not even considered as the ”Twin Cam” used few if any parts from these cars. Here in the South Island it is acceptable to race at classic events with a retrospective vehicle. That is, a car of older design, using old parts but being recently constructed. I would have preferred a late model water cooled motorcycle engine but the chances of acceptability by the classic fraternity was deemed remote. The decision was made to use Hillman Imp donor parts on the basis that the engine was a similar lightweight design. With the addition of a Shorrock supercharger, which I had squirreled away, it was hoped that similar power to the original would be obtained.
The garage of a friend was raided for Imp spares whilst and advertisement in the local newspaper supplied the remainder. “No picking and choosing you take everything or nothing”.
A rudimentary channel section chassis with tubular cross members and a tubular front axle were constructed by closely studying and scaling photos and articles of the original. The front axle is sprung with a transverse leaf spring whilst two quarter elliptic rear springs mount a De Dion tube rear axle. The Imp engine attaches rigidly to the chassis in front of the driver with a short drive-shaft from the clutch passing beneath the seat to a reversed, inverted Imp gearbox to provide a low seating position.
A shaft alongside the engine drives a water-pump and the supercharger mounted behind the engine. This is prettied up somewhat by being hidden under a spare Imp cam cover. A by product of this is that bystanders invariably think the engine is actually a twin cam.
The engine has been modified to Rally Imp specifications. That is it has been converted to wet cylinder liners with slightly larger forged pistons raising the engine size to 998cc. All high strength bolts and studs of higher quality material than original. The Imp Sport cylinder head has enlarged inlet valves and some gas flowing. Double valve springs and a billet camshaft are fitted. The block and head clamp the gasket with the aid of metal “O” rings to keep compression in and water out. A stronger diaphragm clutch is mounted on a light weight flywheel. An oil/water heat exchanger is used to keep both temperatures near the same.
The body is mainly aluminium with a fiberglass nose and tail. Simple oil and water gauges are mounted each side of a large rev. counter, cut from a Fiat 850 instrument cluster. The dark green body is offset by MGB wire wheels fitted with approved historic race tyres.
The result is a Hillman Imp special based on a 1930’s design with similar appearance, performance and handling to the Austin 750 Twin Cam. A weight of 400 KG and around 100hp provides rapid acceleration. Top speed is around 175 KPH. It recorded a standing ¼ mile time of 14.02 seconds in 2019.
Raced since 1993 the performance of the car has exceeded my expectations. It took several meetings to gain enough confidence to start chucking it around but it is really quite easy to drive and is enormous fun. While only occasionally being a winner it generally runs with the quicker old style front engined cars. For me the biggest buzz is sliding through a turn in close company with other competitors and seeing them on the limit – working their steering in and effort to stay ahead. Something you can’t see with moderns.
The car is FURI design number 9 and is called Impulse. I’m informed it is like the nature of the constructor. "
- Jim's own words.
Potential driver of the car in about 7 -10 years time ? Jim's Grandson
Attachment 62667
The young drivers might currently enjoy this Furi - model by Chaindrive -not sure if would approve though !!
Attachment 62668
Jim has built a car for his Grandchildren but the Young Fellow above has outgrown it I think ; more to follow on Furi above Number 9 - up to 19.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
GD66
Have just uncovered - rediscovered a series of photos in a montage from a newspaper called " Dunedin Midweek " It has the montage of photos of cars at the event and also a lot of the local car dealers adverts - a bit of scanning to do !!
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1 Attachment(s)
Peter Leversedge's Car #77
Photo from Peters own archives - a " framed " portrait of the Car at Tahuna[nui] 1960's - undated.
Attachment 62820
Must get back to the " Nelson Photo News " for more of the Beach Races..
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6 Attachment(s)
Dunedin 1984 and now Queenstown 1986/87 and Wigram
Dunedin 1984 - the first time I saw this car race .
Have posted photos for Mark D and the " Aircraft Carrier " Pontiac Bonneville, and Mark had added other photos of the car.
There were Sprint Meetings in Queenstown in 1986 and 1987, Mark D attended them.
This set of photos from Gary Talbot - part of the Bramwell Family collection and some of Mark D's own collection - showing that Pontiac.
The car being attended of to the right, with Mark's wife holding the Umbrella
Attachment 63513
Some of the competitors - including the Lister Jaguar - of Paul Leuch !!.
Attachment 63508
The Lister an XK140 and the nose of the Pontiac
Attachment 63509
Waiting behind another " Aircraft carrier " a Chrysler / Mopar Product a big Plymouth
Attachment 63510
Pontiac- starting off
Attachment 63511
The Car this time at Wigram - Bramwell Collection Mark D aka Annie Swain, noted that had not seen this photo.
Attachment 63512
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2 Attachment(s)
NZ Classic Driver issue # 86 Oct- Dec 2019 featuring Jim Bennett and Furi 9
A good read of Allan Dick's story of the Impulse and Jim Bennett and his Furi Cars.
Front cover of the Magazine
Attachment 63536
Furi 9 .. first page of the article..
Attachment 63537
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3 Attachment(s)
Dunedin 1984 ; More from the meeting " Dunedin Midweek " article
Back to where the thread started Dunedin Street Races ' 84
Cutting from the " Dunedin Midweek " Wednesday 1st February 1984
This was the Centrespread of the issue - the only pages I kept.
Attachment 63555
The notes are incorrect Car in Photo #9 Top centre is not the " Clark 1952 Cooper Bristol " but the Haig Citroen Special, which was driven by Ralph Smith - who also had the Lycoming there !
Have looked up some of the cars History - story to follow.
The newspaper cutting is interesting as has Cars for Sale on the back of the spread.
Attachment 63556
Attachment 63557
Buy of the week a 3.0 litre Ford Capri Ghia Mark 11 for $14,999.
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6 Attachment(s)
Haig Citroen Special - builder Doug Haig - 1952
Haig Citroen Special
a bit of the History
" “ It gave up its front assembly, gearbox diff driveshafts and the 1991 ** typo [ 1911 ] cc 4 cylinder Citroen Motor
With the Traction avant [ front wheel drive ] working behind the driver in reverse.
The little car also contained many lightweight aircraft parts “ GV
“ It was built during 1952 in Timaru. “ GV
Car painted Blue – indications from a 1950 Light 15
Car is a rear engine single seater Racing Car.
History of Ownership and Competition
Doug Haig Race Number 18
1953 Dunedin - the NZ Championship Road Race [ NZ CRR ] placed 6th
Details confirmed in the Vintage Car Club of N Z Otago Branch Book “ Racing Round the Houses “by Scott Thomson – published in 1983
1953 Mairehau - placed 5th
1953 Lady Wigram placed 5th
1953 C W F Hamilton Trophy Race – Handicap placed 1st on Handicap
1954 C W F Hamilton Trophy Race – Handicap placed 1st on Handicap
1956 “ saw the little blue rear-engined special sold to Vic Blackburn from Waipara in 1956.
He painted it green “ GV
1956 South Island Championship Road Race [ SI CRR ] no details --
1957 Wigram placed 2nd
1957 SI CRR no details --
1958 Wigram placed 5th
1959 Waimate “ Specials Race “ placed 1st
No mention of this in the Book “ The Racing Years 1959 – 1966 The History of the Waimate 50 “
1960 The Waimate 50 book mentions lap times for Specials
“ Citreon [ Citroen ] 1 min 21.5 ( Blackburn, ’60 ) “
In all these events engine described as a 1911 cc 4 [1911/4 ] so the Citroen Light 15, later DS and ID 19 Motor.
Graham Vercoe states “ Ralph Smith owned it for a time. He had a spectacular finish at Invermay Hillclimb when the car became airborne on a hump just after the finish line and demolished three fence posts, a few standards and a few metres of number eight “ GV
Car owned /driven by Ralph Smith in 1984
1984 Dunedin Road Race “84 “ car entered by Ralph Smith – painted Green Race number 18
Listed as 1950 model with 2088 cc engine [ a Standard Vanguard or Triumph TR motor ].
***see note below - Car now back with a Citroen Motor..
A photo of the car appears in a Montage of the Competitors from the “Dunedin Weekly News “
1st February 1984
1991 – In his book ” Historic Racing Cars of New Zealand “Graham Vercoe states that “ The bright yellow car is presently owned and raced by Les Marshall. “ GV
Main History – Graham Vercoe Books,
- the car history from “ Historic racing Cars of New Zealand.
- race entry’s –results from that book but mainly “ The Golden Era of New Zealand Motor Racing “
Word in Italics are mine.
Some photos of the car from 1953 to 1984 and more recent
C W F Hamilton Trophy 1953. 1st place on Handicap - Photo Graham Vercoe Book - Christchurch Star
Attachment 63558
Placing at Waimate - 6th 1959
Attachment 63559
The car at Dunedin 1984 - from the Montage on the "Dunedin Midweek ".
Attachment 63560
On the Grid with other Single Seaters [ Racing cars ] and Specials -my own photo Dunedin 1984 [ posted before ].
Another car in the photo at the back is the Wylie Javelin which came to New Zealand in 1954 but did not start at the NZ GP meeting that year - was driven by its creator Brian Wylie .in 1984 driven by Bruce Polain - the recent [ 1980's on ]- owner.
Attachment 63563
More recent photos of the car
Brian Bonisch recent photo at a South Island meeting - in the paddock.
Attachment 63562
Car at Ruapuna 2010 [Skope meeting ] with Peter Leversedge in close company- photo John MacDonald.
Attachment 63561
New comment *** from Ralph Smith " The Citroen did have a vanguard motor for a short period of time while the Citroen motor was being rebuilt and was fitted about six years ago. "