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Trevor,
thanks,
Rod Peat told me that the magazines are there. at some stage I am going to the club to find some information.
Indeed it would be good to get them into order and scanned I could be interested in doing it,
It would keep me out of mischief.. may not get full support from " Her Indoors " though.
A report from March 1956 of a NSCC Hillclimb at Wairamarama.
Attachment 47138
Love your work Milan, see the great Lawrie Powell is featured, and I wonder what the BSA Special of M Roberts is, in the 751 - 1100 cc as a friend of mine had a Ford powered BSA Special, which has featured before, it had a Ford 8 or 10 motor which may have been 1172 or 988, previously it had a four cylinder BSA car motor of around 930 cc.. was based on a BSA Scout four wheel car I have been seen a couple more photos of the car. Taken at a Sprint meeting at Pukekohe.Quote:
Originally Posted by Milan Fistonic
There is a GB Special in the results driven by I Buchanan,is it the Gordon Brown GBS ??
Attachment 47145
Attachment 47146
There is a GB Special in the results driven by I Buchanan,is it the Gordon Brown GBS ??
I believe so.
Would the D.Caldwell in the Allfa Romeo be related to Bill and Alastair Caldwell ?
I saw this that Alastair had written about his High School third form class which was I think, in Hamilton.
Can you imagine having a class like this !
Besides Alastair Caldwell there was;
" John Muller who became Chief Mechanic of Brabhams and worked at McLaren;
Graham Lawrence who became a Formula 2 driver over in Europe and New Zealand Gold Star Champion;
Howden Ganley who became a Grand Prix driver;
Jimmy Palmer who became New Zealand Gold Star Champion;
Robbie Francevic who became a New Zealand Saloon Car Champion;
Pete Kerr who became Chief Mechanic at March, and then Jackie Oliver’s outfit;
Steve Millen, who became a professional racing driver in America and Australia.
From this one school in one little town we had these guys who influenced motor sport all over the world."
Wow..
(Ken H)
Weren't you in that same class Ken ?Quote:
Originally Posted by khyndart in CA
Bruce.
Must have been a special batch of the free school milk
I wonder! I owned a car which was also called a GB Special, built by a chap in the Gisborne area it looked very much like an MG TF. It had BMC B series engine and gearbox, chassis believed to be Singer. I sold it less engine and gearbox in 1968 in the Hamilton area, and never been able to find it again. I think Gordon still had his GBS in March 56.Quote:
Originally Posted by Milan Fistonic
I believe Dave Caldwell came from Glen Murray, as did Ron Roycroft and Johnny Mansel - Wairamarama is just down the road. No relation to Alastair or Bill, but Alastair might be able to invent one.Quote:
Originally Posted by khyndart in CA
Robbie Fran(i)cevic I understand was educated at St Paul's College, Grey Lynn, lived nearby at Surrey Crescent.
Steve Millen was born in 1953, on Auckland's North Shore. This was about when Palmer, Ganley, Lawrence might have been third-formers at Hamilton Boys High - don't know about the others. If this was a detective story, someone might be asking, at this point, if the defendant might like to reconsider any parts of his statement.
Your quote is from an article by Simon Taylor in 'Motor Sport' Magazine of December 2014, and on the cover there is a comment "I cleaned up at McLaren... then invented ground effects! .. p90." Not sure they believed it either.
Stu
Stu,
Perhaps I should have done my homework on that A.Caldwell quote which I found at this site;
http://www.alastaircaldwell.com/the-man/1957.htm
Thanks for keeping us honest here at TRS.
But honestly my sister did go to primary school with "Spinner" Spencer Black at Kiwitahi many many years ago.
(Ken H)
Spot on and an exactly correct belief. I also had noticed the error. LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by stubuchanan
Stu is also spot on as regards the dubious memory of AC
I'm embarrassed by the kind words - if I'm trying to pick holes in Caldwell's story, I'd better be accurate myself. From about 2009 to 2012 I swapped a large number of emails with the late David McKinney, and our David was very hot on any inaccuracies, so I quickly learned to check all the facts. Sorry if I came over as a bit schoolmasterly, Khyndart - not intentional!
I have just re-read the "Motor Sport" article and the last sentence sum it up very well. Simon Taylor quotes Caldwell as saying "But first of all you need bullshit".
Also looked at Caldwell's website - above applies to it too.
Stu
With reference to AC, you might want to read Tom Rubython's book 'Shunt'. It might fill in one or two gaps.
Millens North Shore/ Murrays Bay.
Had a look at Carjam today and the 1967 Triumph TR4A IRS with NZ Registration DF4958 is still there, also rediscovered that I bought the car on 9/11/1978 with mileage 68735 miles, sold it on 15/04/1985 with mileage of 85750, quite a few of them racing / competition miles.
Latest Wof showing is 23/07/2011 with 32662 on the speedometer -,seems it may have had a metric unit fitted in 1996
Now have a bit more of its history, but no names of other owners etc, because of our wonderful " Privacy Act ".
I bought it through Russ Abbott of Empire Motors at the time and sold it to Charles Matschek in 1985,to help finance a house purchase.
The Car was used in Competition under different Car Clubs depending on the type of meeting.
Northern Sports Car Club,
Triumph ( Sports ) Car Club Auckland,
NZ Triumph TR Register
and the ;
Austin - Healey Car Club of New Zealand.
Attachment 47357
Ken published this on his new thread, so I borrowed them.
part of the programme for the February 1966 meeting
Attachment 50965
The AllComers over 1600cc entry list,they allowed under 1600 cc cars to enter but no points or prize money,and only 3 laps, but would be on the " Full circuit " which included the loop. 2.2 miles. - the 1.75 mile track came in 1967
Attachment 50966
Thanks Ken H.. any more pages available ??
Sad to report that my Uncle Ed [ Eddie ]Dowding passed away last night aged 98 years and six months - after a short illness.
He, along with my father, were the reason I joined a Car Club and specifically NSCC back in February 1967 when I purchased my first car a 1960 Mini for Five Hundred Pounds.
Eddie was still enjoying reading about Cars and I would take him my " Classic Car " magazines to read.
Here is Eddie and His wife Una in their Riley - Una who is 98 is still with us.
The other Car Ken Hemus and mate with Ken's Singer.
Photo taken at Helensville - the NSCC Winter Trial I think the 1947 event, if the scene looks familiar, there is a picture of Eddie's friend and fellow NSCC member and motorist Ron Roycroft in the Scott Thomson book " Up to Speed ". Page 83 with Ron also in a Riley.
Attachment 53577
Ed and his good mate Kip [ Ted ] with my fathers Dog Kim, photo by Mac my Dad around 1939
Attachment 53576
Both photos provided by Ed and in my archives.
Ed was an early member, then Club Captain of NSCC and later its President in 1945-46.
Sorry to read about you Uncle's passing.
This is a brief report on the NSCC's 1947 Winter Trial from Modern Motoring.
Attachment 53578
Just re-reading my story on this part of the thread, Jim Ganley was Howden and Dennis Ganley's father, Denise Ganley Dennis's daughter often mentions Uncle Howden and Grandfather Jim / James. Jim had a bad hand, but was still a quick driver.Quote:
Originally Posted by Roger Dowding
Roger,
Sorry to hear of your uncle's passing.
I can imagine he was fun to be with and had a good sense of humour like you.
With kindest regards,
Ken H
Thanks Ken,Quote:
Originally Posted by khyndart in CA
He was a motoring enthusiast since the 1930's and still interested, I would visit him in the rest home with another Car magazine " Classic " type and he would sit and read, to the extent that his lovely wife Una would say " Ed, we've got visitors ", I always said it is OK they can keep as the article are about old cars, so wouldn't even be a recent magazine. he loved them.
Recently I was in touch with the family that bought his very special SD1 Rover a Vitesse Van den Plas with Walkinshaw modifications, one of only two in NZ, Told Ed and he was pleased to know the car was still around - Ed sold it in the mid 1990's.
This car ; here with a P4 owned by the same family
Attachment 53600
A couple of cars that Ed either owned or were his mates so he travelled in them, they did a lot of touring back in those days.
This one the 1930 Austin Seven which Ed and my Dad Mac modified with the raked windscreen, cut down doors [ like an MG ] and a modified exhaust, straight through pipe with small copper tubes inserted, apparently made a lovely sound.
Here at Mt Messenger, picture by the other guy in the second Car Unsure who the person on the left is, could be Win Bristow who did those sketches at Ardmore GP in 1954/56.
My Dad Mac [ 1917 - 1999 ] in the middle and Ed [ 1919 - 2018 ] on the right, both with Pipes.
Attachment 53668
With some mates in Russell in 1941 ; His Mates car - Ed in the middle - A Lea-Francis !!
See note below from Trevor Sheffield - A Fiat 509
Attachment 53667
Photo's from Ed Dowding archives, courtesy his son [my cousin ] John Dowding.
Roger, I think that the car looks like a Fiat 509 rather than a Lea-Francis, going by the shape of the radiator and badge also in particular, the alloy covered generator driven from the front of the crank.
P.S. After posting as above I googled regarding the Le-Francis and am convinced that I am correct. My first car was a special which I built based on a Fiat 509, so that I know the car well.
[QUOTE With some mates in Russell in 1941 ; His Mates car - Ed in the middle - A Lea-Francis !! [/QUOTE]
[/QUOTE]Quote:
Originally Posted by Trevor Sheffield
Trevor, thank you for sharing your knowledge ; The car was identified as a Fiat 509 on another forum when I posted the photo, so your confirmation helps. The note about the Alloy Cover, something I had not noticed.
Sadly, cannot ask the Man in the photo, Eddie Dowding. My Cousin Ed's son John was trying to identify the people also.
Roger,
The Fiat 509 was a good looking machine.
Attachment 53688
Ken H
Another Gem from Graham Woods the NSCC Hillclimb of 1956, some great names.
Have established that Wairamarama would be the Wairamarama Onewhero Road, near Glen Murray, home of the Roycrofts back in the day,
- others may no more of the events,
- a bit before my time was only 9 then and still on a trike trolley or scooter, although did have a few Dinky Cars !
Attachment 54585
Reposting some of the information as a new Item has come to light !!
The Programme and Regulations Book - the Cover. It had the Trial Instructions in it as posted before ;
Attachment 55717
Rod Peat entered an RX3 but not this one - The event was just before Rod and Judy Peat went to the UK.
The Officials
Attachment 55716
The list of Entrants
Attachment 55714
Class and overall results
Attachment 55715
The Final Results and Times
Attachment 55713
The Trophy presented to Peter Levet - he still has it - photo Milan Fistonic who visited Peter recently
Attachment 55712
The GT6 and I got 4th in the Trial [ex-wife as navigator ] 8th in the Hillclimb at Cosseys and 9th Overall.
One of the best days Motorsport I ever had, don't think they ever did it again.
A introductory Brochure for Northern Sports Car Club - Date not known but has 6 digit phone numbers so guessing 1970's
The Clubrooms are shown [ built in 1972 ] and there is mention of the Benson and Hedges 500 Race
The Club Circuit still in use too !!
Attachment 56086
Attachment 56087
Attachment 56088
Attachment 56089
Many thanks to Milan Fistonic for this piece of NSCC History;
Will make a correction if date becomes known !!
Roger,
I thought of you when one of the lads brought his dad's TR 4 into Moss Motors, Goleta, CA, today.
That is my BMW wagon in the background with the door open as I rushed to get this taken before the "gawkers" arrived !
Attachment 56329
Attachment 56330
Attachment 56331
Cheers mate.
Ken H
Love it Ken H .. my car still has the Rego number but is on the hold list [ see below ]Quote:
Originally Posted by khyndart in CA
- you can keep the Registration Number if the car is being rebuilt /restored or suspended for other reasons - not being used etc..
Could find out who owns but costs a bit.
Just waiting to win the Big Lotto, so I can by it back, plus tidy up the MX5 too.. not sure what " Her indoors " will say. Think would need to buy her a big gift too !!. Having three cars would be a bit much. Ask ERC - he has six and I know you have at least two BMW and Mini-Cooper, any more ??
Attachment 56347
Cheers to you too !!
Roger D
Just looking at this report on the 1949 Winter Trial - The " Jack Boot Memorial Trophy " Trial for Northern Sports car Club and noticed an error ??Quote:
Originally Posted by Milan Fistonic
The first photo is the ** Gordon Brown Ford 10 based Special and not J Aitken, who would be Jock Aitken, mechanic and mate of both Eddie Dowding the former Club Captain and President of NSCC in 1945 -46 and my father Mac Dowding who was the clubs Auditor for a time in the 1950's
Laurie Powell in his Ford B4 with V8 power too in the results.
The article from Milan Fistonic amazing archives
Roger, I am unable to detect any error, please explain..Quote:
Originally Posted by Roger Dowding
J Aitken (Jock) was the second NSCC member to build a Ford Ten Special, immediately after Gordon Brown and his car was built to a higher standard of finish but, lacked the two speed Ford T diff fitted to Brown's car which put it at a disadvantage.
As a Mechanic he operated a one man garage in a shed in a quite conspicuous situation on the left side of a right hand bend after coming down Grafton Road from Symonds Street. No longer in existence as a result of the motorway. It was a very tidy workshop in contrast to that operated by George Smith and he was popular with the taxi fraternity. As I recall he went on to build a Ford V8 Special. Like Brown he often drove his Ford Ten Special as a road car for business purposes.
In later years Ron Roycroft used to acquire a Model T Ford special for the event, which he won until the occasion when I beat him driving my AC V8. "The Winter Trial" was a the officially designated title, but all and sundry referred to it as "The Mud Trial".
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trevor Sheffield
As mentioned elsewhere Jock serviced my first car in 1967, after being introduced by Mac Dowding - my Dad - at the garage in as you mention " Grafton Road from Symonds Street. No longer in existence as a result of the motorway "
Sorry my bad. Did not see the caption to the photos which is incorrect. Jock's car was not the same as Gordon'sQuote:
Originally Posted by Roger Dowding
The Club Meeting held by the NSCC at Ardmore the week following the NZ Grand Prix.
Attachment 58065
NSCC Hillclimb at Ostrich Farm Road in October 1960.
Attachment 58066
Milan, your archives are amazing Thank You .. as an aside my Uncle Ed [ Eddie ] Dowding would have been 99 last Sunday RIP Ed Dowding [ 14 October 1917 2nd May 2018 ] - he loved seeing much of your stuff - used to show him the Roaring Season posts or copied some of your post and E-mailed them to him.
Ed was the NSCC President 1945-46 year and had been Club Captain the year before.
The NSCC " Winter Trial " - as Trevor Sheffield has noted was also the Jack Boot Memorial Trophy Trial - Jack was Ed's brother in law .. Trevor is nearly 90 !!
This was the 1949 event and is mentioned in the Scott Thomson biography of Ron Roycroft -" Up to Speed "
Attachment 58077
Great pic Roger, Its great to read the history.
Also agree, Milan always amazes me with what he has and shares with his posts
Cheers
NSCC meeting at Ardmore - November 1959.
Attachment 58230