Northern Sports Car Club - the early years.

Photos from the two November meetings of NSCC at Seagrove ;
dated 1947 and 1949
Photos from the Arthur Siddall albums - followed by an article from the archives of Bob Homewood on a meeting in 1949.
Is it the same meeting ?.

1947 two sets of photos ;

The regular members are there !.

Attachment 66174

Attachment 66175

1949 again two sets of photos.

Attachment 66176

Attachment 66177

Thanks to Duncan Fox for these album pages.

The Article from Bob Homewood
- Quote " the meeting held on a Sunday - perhaps the first time ever in this country ?. "
When I first was going to Pukekohe in the late 1960's there was a mad dash to get to the Jolly Farmer at Drury on Saturday afternoon - sometimes left before the last race - usually a bit of a free for all race.
Attachment 66178

Other events from the Arthur Siddall albums - the last few pages

Posts #255 1946 Winter Trial
Posts 258 - 261, Austin Seven - supercharged
Post #264 Early events 1942
Post #271 1945 Winter Trial
Post #272 1946 Winter Trial
followed by Pokeno Hill Climb Post #280 and Whitford Time Trials Post #280
Post #281 Seagrove 1947 and 1949

Orewa Beach 1946 - where a lot of the Austin Seven photos were from.

Attachment 66209

Taylors Bay Hillclimb 1945 - Taylors Bay is on the Manukau, at Hillsborough, Frederick Street runs along the top - Unsure what roads they would have used.
There is a Bluff Road which runs to the Beach and Goodall Road which runs from Bluff across Frederick St and up to Hillsborough Rd.

This is where the photo of the group crowded into Graham Wells Bentley was taken - have had that photo for many years, but did not know where from. 1945 at Taylors Bay

Attachment 66210

Thanks again for Duncan Fox providing the images from the Albums.

Bigger version of the Bentley photo,my Uncle Ed and I believe Aunty Una in the back seat.

Attachment 66211

An inquiry by Peter Farrell - who now lives in the USA on the Facebook Page " NZ rallying History " of a couple of years ago has resurfaced with the following. Post from 5th February 2018

" Does anybody know where this NSCC trophy of the Woodhill rally winners might be? Or maybe a good picture of it. Some great names are on this such as Rod Millen, John Woolf, Possum Bourne, etc. The winner kept it for a year and then gave it back to the car club. It had a Gold Datsun 180B coupe on it. "

Peter also writes just recently as in today 28th April 2020.

" This is the NSCC Woodhill Rally winners trophy. I know Rod Millen has at least 2 shields with his name on. I know John Woolf has 1 or more. I know Tony Teesdale won in 1979. I think Possum won it at least once. I won it in 1982 and 1983. Can anybody fill in the missing winners and any other names that may be on the shields and what year? "

Photo of the Trophy;

Attachment 66212

I note an HCMC Hibiscus Coast Motorsport Club Certificate and an NSCC one behind the trophy - not a good quality photo though.

** Update July 2024 - the Trophy has been refurbished and returned to NSCC to go into the Trophy Cabinet. a good outcome.

Results of the March 1971 Hillclimb at Cosseys Farm, the NSCC venue. from Milan Fistonic archives.

Was probably there spectating or flagging/marshalling, but didn't compete on the Hill until around 1972/73 season in the Mini 850, and only at closed club events until later in the 1970's .

Attachment 66221

Some great names there including George Bunce - Holden, R [ Robbie ] Francevic - Holden, Allan Woolf in the 3 litre Capri he ran in the Heatway Rally , Rod Millen - in the Buggy - J W McKechnie from TSCC in a Triumph [ Herald ] lots of NSCC guys I remember.
There is a good mix of different Clubs entered. Auckland CC, Auckland University CC, MGCC, NSCC, Pukekohe CC and Triumph Sports CC - who were part of the Bardahl series in later years which also had HCMC [ Hibiscus Coast ] and
HCC [ Hamilton ]
Didn't realise that the Bardahl Series Hillclimbs with the " Bardahl Trophy " were running that early. You learn new everyday - will help with a story on the series that I ran in 1979/80 season fro Triumph Car Club / TSCC.

The Bardahl Trophy and the series of Hillclimbs - have gathered some more results frorm Bardahl events which will post here once sorted events run by other clubs Pukekohe -thanks to Milan and others for the information.
Also other events by clubs not NSCC ones but will put here rather than starting a new thread.

Meanwhile John Larry Lawton has provided photos of an NSCC meeting at Western Springs - used to go to Speedway there from my teenage years on, and also went a couple of times when the track was used for the Heatway Rally - they ran sprint/races between the Rally cars arriving.

The " Cinder Racing " to follow.

Photos from John Larry Lawton - a competitor in his own right.
His collection of photos and a brief report on the event from Motorman Magazine courtesy of Graham Woods in the next post.
Event held 8th May 1965 -[ 55th Anniversary next week ! ]

Frank Radisich Humber 80 was the Humber Zephyr, later to become the Humber Jaguar

Attachment 66279

Attachment 66280

Attachment 66281

Attachment 66282

John Larry Lawton photos and the Motorman article [ Graham Woods ]

Attachment 66283

Attachment 66284

Attachment 66285
'scuse the typo in the tile [ 1865 really !! ]

1974 Woodhill Rally - an NSCC event organised by Tom Grace whose farm backed onto the Forest - his farm was used by the Club for Grass Sprints.
Copies of the results if the 1974 event from John Coker - a Trials and Rally competitor over the years and a strong NSCC member.

Attachment 66287

Attachment 66288

Attachment 66289

Presume that stages with even numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 were the Touring Sections [ confirmed by John Coker ] - quite short from memory as the Forest was not huge - Marshalled there a few times.
Well remember Wayne Parkin flipping his car and landing on its roof,Wayne gets out and looks around seemed OK, poor Sue Parkin was upside down still in her harness for a few minutes.

Some Trials results and details from the 1976 and 1977 prizegiving Speed and non-Speed events.

2nd Trial
Attachment 66312

3rd Trial - invitation to Auckland University Car Club
Attachment 66313

Trials Trophy winners 1977
Attachment 66314

Speed Trophy winners 1976
Attachment 66315

Prizegiving 1976/77 season - published in Club Torque in February 1978 from the December 1977 ceremony.
Got to walk up and collect a trophy.
Actually won that " Philip Silich Cup " three times in four competition years
Got this note from the Club Secretary back in 2016 when I asked about Trophies
" Phil Silich Cup - this trophy has name appearing in 1975-76 1976-77 1978-79 ".

Attachment 66316

Thanks to Graham Woods for these extract from NSCC " Club Torque " posted from Old New Zealand Motor racing Facebook page - Graham tagged me to make sure I saw them.

the J Rye is John Rye who had at one stage a Mark 1 Triumph 2.5 PI, [ quite a rare car - believed to be the London Motor Show car ] and later a Fiat 125.
I navigated for him and sometime on Interclub events was with John and Bob Hayman and or Jim and Grace Hack, Jim had a Saab 92 at one stage and Bob a Cortina and later a 3 litre Capri.
My Barman partner at NSCC on a Saturday Night was a good competitor too, Bruce Hatrick - often with Rod Peat, but see John Crombie there too !!

Auckland Star clipping - 19th April 1975 - about Woodhill Rally - completed and the top seed entries for the ACC Rally at Maramarua.
Photo : Blair Robson, Rally Specialist Escort.

- other entrants Rod Millen Mazda RX3, Paul Adams with Sue Adams [ nee Woolf - Alan and Colleens daughter ] - Escort, Dave Simpson Jim Richards Escorts and others include Robbie Francevic Mazda RX3-
Circuit Racers and Rally Drivers in the field.

Attachment 66333

Graham Kyle comment " I was doing licence appraisal that day, l think my comment was`Over driving `. And when he bought the Escort and raced on the full circuit, some else remarked the same. I can`t remember if he was ever approved to race..."

Dave Simpson replied " Yes of course he was approved. He raced his Escort numerous times before ceding the drive to Jim R." [ Jim Richards ].

Comment from Bruce Blacklock " I recall an ACCC [ ACC ! ]club meeting when Jim came thundering past me at the other end of the circuit. My first thought was he is going so fast he won't make it, sure enough he lost the back end and clipped the rear guard of Tim Holt's Simca 1000. The thing I remember most was the three big bangs as the three tail lights hit the Simca and exploded like a clay pigeon shoot. "

Other comments on the " Jim " - this by James Donald " He raced a 1275 Cooper S too on the Club Circuit along with his lady Mary Donald. "



Italics - mine

The comments were about this photo from John [ Larry ] Lawton..

Attachment 66340

The Driver Jim Carney -

Have also " borrowed "some photos from Rod Duff - taken at Baypark in 1975 - will put on the [ Lost Tracks ] thread soon.

More of the story - History of the Car [ Cars ].
Photos posted of the Car under George Sellars ownership / as driver -posted before;

Thanks for the comments by Trevor Sheffield and the Photos from Duncan Fox - as a result have gone back through some books I have ;
Scott Thompson book " Up to Speed - The Roycroft years in New Zealand motor racing " - published in 2006

New Zealand Classic Car - Limited Collector' Series Volume 2 " -" Classic Kiwi Motorsport " - section entitiled The Roycroft Chronicles - editor Allan Walton -[ now with NZ Classic Driver ]

New Zealand Classic Driver - The Best of Classic Driver - A Dashboard View - Collector Edition celebrating the First 10 Years - published in 2012 - editor Tony Haycock - Story - The Return of the Rubber Duck by Geoff Anders

Graham Vercoe books -
- " Historic Racing Cars of New Zealand " - published in 1991
- " The Golden Era of New Zealand Motor Racing " published in 1993

From these have gathered a number of photographs and also the story on the Car [ or Cars ] The article tells of three cars being built by Austin
- one of which " was sent here where men like George Smith and Ron Roycroft made it a superstar. "
The car " disappeared "but came back from Australia to New Zealand with Grant Cowie.

Will gather the photos and add to the story - for the moment a photo from the McLaren Trust archives and the group of photos previously posted ;

Photo from the McLaren Trust archives - published in the NZ Classic Car Limited Collector' series Vol 2.

Attachment 66351

Car in the hands of George Sellars [ Who was he ? - he owned the car after George Smith and Jack Mackay - before it went to Ron Roycroft ] here with light - white body / paintwork

Attachment 66349

The car at Orewa in 1946 with dark paintwork

Attachment 66350

More to come on the story ;

Quick comment on the Austin Seven - according to Graham Vercoe [ yes I know some of his information was incorrect ] the car was purchased by C and R Racing [ Harry Chatteris and Ron Roycroft ] the now blue single-seater from George and Jack Sellars of Wellsford.
Both drove it regularly from 1948.
This indicates that the colour of the car did change under the Sellars ownership - was light / white with George Smith and as seen at Muriwai with George Sellars. then later dark at Orewa in 1946

The car was repainted by Ron and Harry by the 1949 Wigram Races. Poster from the event.

Attachment 66356

a continuing saga that needs additions and corrections. - more work to do.
Any " inputs " appreciated as Ken H would say.
.
We now know the car was a Pale Green [ Lettuce Green ] originally and has now been restored in the 2000's and painted that Pale Green

Photos from John Larry Lawton, taken at Birdwood

Results and the article from Club Torque from Graham Woods to follow;

Rod Coppins
Attachment 66369

Jack Nazer
Attachment 66370

Barry Munro
Attachment 66371

Jamie Aislabie
Attachment 66372

The Results

Attachment 66373

Article in next post 2 pages.

Results again [ to keep in one post ]

Attachment 66374

The article from NSCC " Club Torque ".
Trevor Sheffield gets a mention for his good work in setting up the timing equipment- thanks Trevor

Attachment 66375

Attachment 66376

Not Birdwood but a regular NSCC Competitor - the great Rob Williams in his V8 Coupe at a Club Circuit meeting at Pukekohe. Photo by Kevin Lancaster, so may have been an ACC meeting. Kevin was an executive member of ACC and also Rally New Zealand at some stage [ pun intended ].

Photo around 1970.

Attachment 66377

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Roger Dowding

More of the story - History of the Car [ Cars ].
Photos posted of the Car under George Sellars ownership / as driver -posted before;

Thanks for the comments by Trevor Sheffield and the Photos from Duncan Fox - as a result have gone back through some books I have ;
Scott Thompson book " Up to Speed - The Roycroft years in New Zealand motor racing " - published in 2006

New Zealand Classic Car - Limited Collector' Series Volume 2 " -" Classic Kiwi Motorsport " - section entitiled The Roycroft Chronicles - editor Allan Walton -[ now with NZ Classic Driver ]

New Zealand Classic Driver - The Best of Classic Driver - A Dashboard View - Collector Edition celebrating the First 10 Years - published in 2012 - editor Tony Haycock - Story - The Return of the Rubber Duck by Geoff Anders

Graham Vercoe books -
- " Historic Racing Cars of New Zealand " - published in 1991
- " The Golden Era of New Zealand Motor Racing " published in 1993

From these have gathered a number of photographs and also the story on the Car [ or Cars ] The article tells of three cars being built by Austin
- one of which " was sent here where men like George Smith and Ron Roycroft made it a superstar. "
The car " disappeared "but came back from Australia to New Zealand with Grant Cowie.

Will gather the photos and add to the story - for the moment a photo from the McLaren Trust archives and the group of photos previously posted ;

Photo from the McLaren Trust archives - published in the NZ Classic Car Limited Collector' series Vol 2.

Attachment 66351

Car in the hands of George Sellars [ Who was he ? - he owned the car after George Smith and Jack Mackay - before it went to Ron Roycroft ] here with light - white body / paintwork

Attachment 66349

The car at Orewa in 1946 with dark paintwork

Attachment 66350

More to come on the story ;

---

The Austin Seven ;
From my " research " into the Austin Seven supercharged factory racing car - built in 1931 - one of three [ or four according to some sources ] the one that came to New Zealand was apparently painted a pale green.
Grant Cowie, owns the car as at 2012. He took to Australia in 1990, restored over the next 12 years, and bought it back to New Zealand. It is featured in the NZ Classic Driver -" The Best of Classic Driver - A Dashboard View ", the collectors Edition celebrating the First 10 Years [ 2012 ] here are a couple of photos.
Through the various publications now have a time line of the car and who owned and / or drove it in New Zealand from 1935 when it first arrived, until 2012.

Attachment 66383

Attachment 66384

Photos from the NZ CD article with captions

The story continues ;

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Milan Fistonic

Some more ancient history from the NSCC's Club Torque - February, July and October 1963.

Attachment 43365

Attachment 43366

Attachment 43367

---

Just re-reading these articles from Club Torque in 1963 that are articles from events in 1943 - 44 and on to 1946.
With the recent posting of the Arthur Siddall photos the article provide more information on events, such as the Gymkhana at Point England - Racing at Orewa Beach which seems to have been first used in 1944.

Thanks again Milan.

Mention has been made some time ago of the GBS - built by Gordon Brown and more recently of the " Ford 10 Special " or Jock Aitken Special, built Jock who was a Mechanic and Engineer, he ran a small garage / workshop in Grafton Gully, near where the motorway is now - this was in the 1940's through to the 1960's from memory it was just a small garage with a ramp and pit beside it. My first car used to get serviced there back in 1967

This photo of the GBS and the Ford 10 Spl was posted recently, and I have found another photo of a car which looks the same as the Fordi 10 from Ohakea in 1952.

Photos from the Arthur Siddall collection from Duncan Fox.
Attachment 66410

Note an A Cowper behind Jock Aitken's Ford 10 left photo at top.


Ohakea 1952 - middle left car driven by A Cowper - I am sure that is the Jock Aitken car.
Extract from the 1953 Ohakea Programme from Mark Coulthard
Attachment 66411

C H Chatteris - Harry Chatteris who was in C and R Racing with Ron Roycroft.
George Smith in the Allard that is now with Rob Boult in Queenstown
A story on another Special bult by an NSCC member is coming soon.

Note the Jock Aitken car I had noted as the Fordie - that was from a photo and was my poor reading of the caption Ford10 I took as FordIe.. apologies - as noted by Trevor Sheffield later was my error

Preamble ; " Having seen the " Ford Ten special built by Gordon Brown. His efforts encouraged Jock Aitken and others to follow on with the theme he introduced. He was certainly way ahead of Collin Chapman. LOL

A magazine article covering the car inspired me to build a special in order to take up motor sport, and I too used a modified Ruckstell rear axle from a Beauty Model T Ford, in order to overcome the disadvantage of a wide ratio three speed gear box. The article mentioned Gordon fitting a makeshift grader blade to the front of the car in order to level his newly acquired house section.

In those days we were all short of money and few could afford more than one car. When first built the car was used for general purposes as well as motor sport. It had weather protection and as you can see proper doors. At the time import controls meant that there were just a couple of new MG TD in the club and the Ford Ten light weight specials showed them the way at less than half the cost.
"
" I was around at the time and was particularly interested in Gordon Brown’s Ford Ten special as I also utilised a Ruckstell rear end in my Fiat Special "

The story of the Fiat 509 Special.

A photo of an Original Car. a Fiat 509 Tourer.

Attachment 66412

The story Part One ;

" Shortly after WW2, having secured a drivers license at the age of 15 years, an absolutely burning desire to own a sports car and to do some motor racing became an obsession. My sport had been competitive cycle racing and prior to school I was well into a Meccano sets and later building radios and electrical stuff. Sport and technology therefore ran hand in hand.

A bike ride out to an amateur motor race meeting held at a disused wartime airfield, really set my brain on fire. By hook or by crook I would acquire a suitable car. I could feel the wind in my hair and the feel of an engine in place of handlebars and peddles. It was rather odd that motorcycles never tickled my fancy.

I had picked up a book “Specials” by john Bolster of “Bloody Mary” fame and also a sports car magazine had appeared describing an interesting Ford Ten Special, cheaply built close by. Cycle racing was out and racing sports cars was in.

The theme in those days involving a special was dictated by an absolute scarcity of funds and the lack of obtainable new components. Of necessity, things had to be kept simple. Personally my tool kit was meagre not even a socket set. Only tube spanners scrounged from car tool kits and only a single Crescent and old right angle shifters were on hand. A power tool was a dream. I swapped a record playing amplifier which I had built, for a few extra hand tools and this helped a bit. What I did have, was an eggbeater hand drill, a carpenters brace and a few drill bits, plus a hacksaw.

A couple of specials had been built locally using a suitable available chassis fitted with a Ford Ten engine and these were leaving the only sports cars then on hand for dust. The pre-war models, including the MG brigade were well and truly out gunned on a power to weight basis. After selling a couple of racing push bikes I had one hundred pounds odd. My head and heart were pounding, but what could I do?

I had read all the classic stuff about overhead cams, hemispherical combustion chambers, inlet and exhaust systems etc. A Ford Ten engine was beyond my pocket and what's more did not appeal. Kept searching the papers. Fiat 509, 1927, two seat tourer, not running, unregistered, good for parts, NZ 65 pounds.

Looked up the specs. Overhead cam, close to the 1,100 cc class limit. Very pretty little engine with not an external drive in sight. The generator was driven from the front of the crankshaft and the fan directly from the single overhead camshaft. I was a gonna. Could not hold myself back.

Dragged it home. Dad’s car remained outside for a few days while I tore off the body an sent it to the tip. Dad complained, found space at a friends house. His dad complained. Moved it to my grandmothers small garage some mile and a bit from home. Discovered that the wheels were for beaded edge tyres, bugger. Cycled there and back at every opportunity.

Pulled the old girl to pieces, stood and looked at the bits rather soulfully, but never the less hopefully. What had I done? Ouch! No power to the shed but at home I had a length of telephone cable from a war assets radio I had acquired. Naughty but practical. No bench or vice. First off I cleaned and painted the chassis, all the time with grandiose thoughts propelling me forwards. Would have liked to shorten the wheelbase, but that was not on.
My head spun and my thoughts full-time were devoted to my racing sports car. I frequented a wreckers yard operated by quite a character “Merv. Hardy” and his helper “Gerry Matherson”. These guys had raced cars prior to the war and became my stalwart advisers. Merv. had a Ford T Frontenac racing car in his yard and Gerry was restoring it when time allowed. Gerry had owned and raced locally a quite famous classic Indianapolis Miller. His advice ---- “cam and com is the way to go”.

Cam grinding was out of the question but what the hell. The old 509 had the single central OHC operating the valves via short rockers. I had the rounded ends built up lengthened and ground flat, Bingo.

Merv. rented an extensive old building, no longer existing. The roof leaked and parts were simply strewn about as cars became dismantled. Merv. --- “over there in the corner, under all that crap you will find a Fiat 509 engine”. He had no book of inventory, but with his vibrant old brain none was needed. “Yeh know they used to race those things” he said. “Bloody great little engine, getting them breathing was a problem”. After some digging I found the engine and it tuned out to be from a 1926 Fiat 509, whereas I had identified mine as being a year later 509A, and this turned out to be very significant.

I discovered that the earlier model had the single carburettor located low down on the inlet side of the block, with the inlet passage cast within the block and siamised to exit the block and enter the head as two passages. Here these were again siamised towards the four inlet valves. I became exited. The later model which I possessed had the carburettor shifted to the hot side of the engine with a separate inlet manifold combined with the exhaust. This fed into two passages arranged within the head, so as to connect with the as previously arranged siamised ports.

This change had obviously been made due to problems experienced during cold weather and a sad blunder it would appear. However this suited Trevor. He put the earlier head on his engine which did not have the upward passages in the block, leaving the two passage junctions remaining within the head blanked off. These acted as plenums to be opened up so as to directly fit a pair of carburettors on the cold side of the engine. As a result he very happy to have the sort after classic set up. "

Photo - line drawing of the Engine of a Fiat 509

Attachment 66413

The Car with the body removed ;

Attachment 66414

Part two to follow;

The story continues ;

" The design of the engine overall was quite interesting. The crankshaft included three bearings, but arranged in a quite novel way. The camshaft was driven from the rear via a chain drive which included an interim sprocket on an intermediate shaff witch drove a magneto. This protruded into the cockpit, very Bugatti like and quite a feature. A crankshaft bearing was located on each sides of the crankshaft sprocket, with the third bearing at the front end. Not a bad set up when one takes into account the cantilevered stiffness this provides. The engine proved reliable when regularly run to 6,000 RPM.

The arrangement of the accessories provided torsional damping for the crankshaft, camshaft and the intermediate chain sprocket. Not silly for sure, given that no supple belts were included in the drives. The cover and head were hand filed out behind the camshaft sprocket so as to provide mounting for a bearing assembly and flexible drive to a tachometer. This was made up by converting suitable discarded speedometer.

I had joined the Northern Sports Car Club and made a few friends including Ralph Watson who was developing his renowned BSA Special. He knew all about Amal carburettors and they were available very cheaply so that the choice became obvious.

A wide ratio three speed gearbox presented a serious disadvantage. However in the back of my mind remained details of the first locally built Ford Ten special which incorporated a Ford Model T Ruckstell two speed back axle, suitably modified. Again the choice became obvious. When in the presence of anyone not in the know, two reverse speeds provided entertainment. It also fun to become expert at handling two levers while double de clutching and blipping the throttle in neutral in order to make clean changes. There certainly was no synchromesh available in 1927.

I was lucky to be able to borrow for a short time, a gas welding set and constructed a body frame using electrical conduit taken from rewired houses. Everything was brazed rather than welded for good reason. Rounded sections on the basis of cost were beyond consideration and the frame was fitted with flat steel panels. Here is where the design fell somewhat outside of a modern clubman, as doors were included. The rear was finished off with a discarded tank of suitable shape, together with the spare wheel. All very pukka and in the British tradition, but also more importantly, a very cheap option. Painted with a brush in a light grey without any conception of a flash job, but never the less it was neat and tidy.

The radiator finished off the frontal aspect and was OK using the original radiator which was of a squared shape very much like a Rolls Royce. No problems with that ! Simple thermo syphon cooling was retained but the header tank was extended using sheet brass and solder.

A set of side and headlamps was spotted advertised in the daily paper at a cheap price and these turned out to be from an classic early Vauxhall tourer, a sort of poor mans Bentley. These Lucas “King of the Road lights”, were quite outstanding in both performance, quality and appearance. I used the quite large matching side lamps as secondary lights, which meant that dipping headlights were not required.

Strangely a stock of new Morris Eight wheels appeared on the market at a very cheap price, therefore a set was purchased and the hubs altered to suit. ( I think these may have been war assets and a story within itself.) Good second hand tyres were fitted. The original car had four wheel internal expanding rod operated mechanical brakes and these had to be accepted in order to minimise costs.

The first event entered was a road race over partly unsealed roads which were closed due to the area being set aside for new housing. Dust was a problem. Run as a charity event the bureaucrats were somehow circumvented. Huge spectator interest but never to be repeated. Not surprisingly the untried car disappointed but completed several races without failing.

Next came a National, hill climb championship with several brand new cars competing. I won the 1,100 c.c. class with time to spare. Just a home-made roadster, but up against some brand new stuff, it performed quite well. The nice spread of gear ratios was a bonus.

I did not have the car for long. An early marriage and a baby daughter intervened. Arranging weather protection was out of the question. The subsequent owner became a car racing friend. Equally short of cash at the time, to my surprise he drove my little Fiat Special on a very long trip down country without any problems. Sadly a photo of the car does not exist. [ Note ; photo's of the car have been found and attached - my comment ]

A Singer Le Mans requiring a lot of restoration took the place of the Fiat Special and as our one and only car. My wife also drove the Singer in competitive events and as a tiny tot daughter Jennifer was transported to and from events in the extended space behind the seats. To this day I am unable to understand and how we all put up with the rock hard suspension.

Them certainly were the days. LOL

T. R. Sheffield.

Photo notes would have shown the car was built and the story written by Trevor Sheffield - which he kindly sent to me for publication here. Thanks Trevor.

Photos of the completed car ;

Attachment 66415

Attachment 66416

Attachment 66417

The Montage of photos that Trevor sent with the article.

Attachment 66418

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Roger Dowding

Mention has been made some time ago of the GBS - built by Gordon Brown and more recently of the " Fordie " or Jock Aitken Special, built Jock who was a Mechanic and Engineer, he ran a small garage / workshop in Grafton Gully, nera where the motorway is now - this was in the 1940's through to the 1960's from memory it was just a small garage with a ramp and pit beside it. My first car used to get serviced there back in 1967

This photo of the GBS and the Fordie was posted recently, and I have found another photo of a car which looks the same as the Fordie from Ohakea in 1952.

Photos from the Arthur Siddall collection from Duncan Fox.

Note an A Cowper behind Jock Aitken's Fordie left photo at top.


Ohakea 1952 - middle left car driven by A Cowper - I am sure that is the Jock Aitken car.
Extract from the 1953 Ohakea Programme from Mark Coulthard

C H Chatteris - Harry Chatteris who was in C and R Racing with Ron Roycroft.
George Smith in the Allard that is now with Rob Boult in Queenstown
A story on another Special bult by an NSCC member is coming soon.

---

I am quite sure that three of the group of four photos show Gordon Brown’s GBS.
Car number 11 is also in fact the GPS and the second of the pair of photos, would appear to show Gordon Brown driving the Jupiter owned by Dr. Ken Orre, who became my GP in later years. He never drove the car himself in speed events and in spite of discrete questioning I was never able to find out why this was so. Gordon Brown was a patient and therefore a natural choice. Know-one else drove the Jupiter, the only one competing at the time and one of three which came available during import licensing. Gordon went on to roll and bend it slightly.

I can not recall the Aitken car ever being referred to as the ”Fordie”. Whatever, it in no way resembled the GPS.

Trying to get a complete list of roads used by NSCC from the early days 1940's through to now.
Have found a few but there are gaps in the order which probably means I am missing quite a lot

The list so far

1940's - late in the decade. First Hill Climb appears to be in 1946
1946 - 47.

Taylors Bay, Hillsborough - unsure which road was used.

Pokeno again no details on which road was used.

Ostrich Farm Road - late 1940's - understand this may have been the Auckland Car Club's venue not NSCC
* Ostrich Farm Road was an NSCC venue and used often - need to check dates / years.

1950's

**
" Wairamarama Onewhero Road, Onewhero "

described as Wairamarama Road, Glen Murray in some details about an early Hill Climb - near Ron Roycrofts place - used definitely in 1956.
Thanks to Trevor for the correction of spelling - makes it easier to find on a map !!

1960's

Wharepapa Road, Helensville - used early 1960's ** maybe 1964

Birdwood Road, Massey - area now called Birdwood as Massey is a large area. used 1964 - 65, did they keep using it until Cosseys was used in March 1967.

** Have now re-found an article about the last running of Birdwood Road in 1964 or 65 ! after that the new hill was to be Wharepapa Road, Helensville
Attachment 66442

1967 on.

Cosseys Farm [ private road ] Drury - 1967 until at least the late 1980's [ more information needed ]

Also researching the Bardahl Series of Hill Climbs which appears to have started in the early 1970's with the trophy being mentioned in results as Club events incorporating the " Bardahl Trophy "

Any information or comments welcome.

Wairamarama (N.B. Spelling) was the exclusive venue of the Northern Sports Car Club for several years. It was originally a short section of a metal road which became sealed due the surface becoming a mud trap for farmers, who therefore put pressure on the local Council.

It was unusual at the time, being a sealed surface, rather than the usual loose metal rural road used for hillclimbs. It was used as I recall, from the late 1940's.

Question forTrevor.
Do you know the chassis and such of GBS? Reason for asking is that my first special, acquired in 1967 from Rotorua was registered as GBS, but looked nothing like the photos posted of Gordon Brown's car, in reality very close to MGTF. Memory says the reg papers said it was built in Gisborne. Of course there is nothing to suggest it's the same car, not that the builder of "mine" didn't also use his own initials. Last known when I sold it minus engine and gearbox to someone near Ngaruawahia.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Oldfart

Question forTrevor.
Do you know the chassis and such of GBS? Reason for asking is that my first special, acquired in 1967 from Rotorua was registered as GBS, but looked nothing like the photos posted of Gordon Brown's car, in reality very close to MGTF. Memory says the reg papers said it was built in Gisborne. Of course there is nothing to suggest it's the same car, not that the builder of "mine" didn't also use his own initials. Last known when I sold it minus engine and gearbox to someone near Ngaruawahia.

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The Gordon Brown car always had a streamlined frontal aspect and therefore I can not see the car that you acquired being the same vehicle.

Furthermore as mentioned in the extensive article appearing in previous posts 299-300, the two-speed Ruckstell rear axle would have positively identified the Gordon Brown car.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trevor Sheffield

Wairamarama (N.B. Spelling) was the exclusive venue of the Northern Sports Car Club for several years. It was originally a short section of a metal road which became sealed due the surface becoming a mud trap for farmers, who therefore put pressure on the local Council. It was used as I recall, from the late 1940's.

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Trevor, thanks for the notes about Wairamarama and the spelling - my notes were scribbled in pencil on a sheet of paper - need more attention to detail. Will correct it.
Cheers

The GBS - Gordon Brown Special - notes I have indicate Gordon did build more than one car as stated here by Graham Vercoe [ without getting into a discussion on the accuracy of his books " a 1904 cc Ford V8 - 60 " ?? ] .

Attachment 66459

Only photos I have collected are of the first car completed in 1947 [ not 1949 ] This car same as the Vercoe article above [ posted before ].

Attachment 66463

This the article when Gordon was looking for the car in 2016

Attachment 66460

Then there are the photos from the Arthur Siddall collection which I have now separated.
Seagrove in 1947

Attachment 66461

Attachment 66462

re-attached photos - hope they show.

[QUOTE=Roger Dowding;72971]The GBS - Gordon Brown Special - notes I have indicate Gordon did build more than one car as stated here by Graham Vercoe [ without getting into a discussion on the accuracy of his books " a 1904 cc Ford V8 - 60 " ?? ] .

As mentioned in my lengthy effort posts 299 - 300, a full article appeared in a short lived locally produced sports car magazine covering the construction of Gordon Brown's car. I can not recall its title, but the magazine has been mentioned within this forum. Within the article it was stated that having just purchased a newly built house, Gordon fitted the car with a make-shift dozer blade and as a result it assisted with the leveling of the house section! How could one forget reading a report involving a sports car and such enterprise? LOL

Surely a copy of the magazine must exist somewhere.

[QUOTE=Trevor Sheffield;72973]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Roger Dowding

The GBS - Gordon Brown Special - notes I have indicate Gordon did build more than one car as stated here by Graham Vercoe [ without getting into a discussion on the accuracy of his books " a 1904 cc Ford V8 - 60 " ?? ] .

As mentioned in my lengthy effort posts 299 - 300, a full article appeared in a short lived locally produced sports car magazine covering the construction of Gordon Brown's car. I can not recall its title, but the magazine has been mentioned within this forum. Within the article it was stated that having just purchased a newly built house, Gordon fitted the car with a make-shift dozer blade and as a result it assisted with the leveling of the house section! How could one forget reading a report involving a sports car and such enterprise? LOL

Surely a copy of the magazine must exist somewhere.

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Trevor, I hope so - would like to see a copy myself.
Having reminded me I will ask on the Facebook Group about Motorsport and Motoring books.
Cheers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Roger Dowding

Trying to get a complete list of roads used by NSCC from the early days 1940's through to now.
Have found a few but there are gaps in the order which probably means I am missing quite a lot

The list so far

1940's - late in the decade. First Hill Climb appears to be in 1946
1946 - 47.

Taylors Bay, Hillsborough - unsure which road was used.

Pokeno again no details on which road was used.

Ostrich Farm Road - late 1940's - understand this may have been the Auckland Car Club's venue not NSCC

1950's

**
" Wairamarama Onewhero Road, Onewhero "

described as Wairamarama Road, Glen Murray in some details about an early Hill Climb - near Ron Roycrofts place - used definitely in 1956.
Thanks to Trevor for the correction of spelling - makes it easier to find on a map !!

1960's

Wharepapa Road, Helensville - used early 1960's

Birdwood Road, Massey - area now called Birdwood as Massey is a large area. used 1964 - 65, did they keep using it until Cosseys was used in March 1967.

1967 on.

Cosseys Farm [ private road ] Drury - 1967 until at least the late 1980's [ more information needed ]

Also researching the Bardahl Series of Hill Climbs which appears to have started in the early 1970's with the trophy being mentioned in results as Club events incorporating the " Bardahl Trophy "

Any information or comments welcome.

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Unfortunately this report of a 1948 hill climb at Whitford doesn't mention the name of the road.

Attachment 66441

Sorry Trevor, I read the posts on the Fiat as if it were a car you built, not one of Gordons.

A worthshile read here:-

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle...ectid=12229192

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Oldfart

Sorry Trevor, I read the posts on the Fiat as if it were a car you built, not one of Gordons.

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Damn it you old fart, check your eyesight. LOL I bloody well built the Fiat 509 Special as a very young fella. LLOl+. Plenty of gas @ 91!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Oldfart

Sorry Trevor, I read the posts on the Fiat as if it were a car you built, not one of Gordons.

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Oldfart - The Fiat was Trevors as he says " Plenty of gas @ 91! " and that is not an Octane Rating - he sent me the story and I found some other comments of this, and Trevor found the photos too - that he thought were not around.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Milan Fistonic

Unfortunately this report of a 1948 hill climb at Whitford doesn't mention the name of the road.

Attachment 66441

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Thanks Milan a good article.
The familiar names that my Uncle Ed used to talk about - Alan Pybus [ not Pubus ] was a great mate of Ed's and I can remember about 15 -20 years ago my cousin John, Ed's son, and myself carrying Alan up the stairs at Ed and Una's home. Alan was wheelchair bound but still had his drivers licence and a car with hand controls - a 3 series BMW from memory..
Other great names all connected Ralph Watson, Ron Roycroft, Ken Hemus, Arthur Siddall whose photos have featured here recently and the great " Starter of Pukekohe " Laurie Powell in the results - have photos of of lot of them and their cars from Arthurs Albums showing Housego and MacGregor too - The Albums rescued by Duncan Fox as mentioned here before

I have been searching my brain in order to recall the owner of a Ford ten based special, current at the time of the GBS and Collin MacGregor has rung a bell. The car was simillar to that of Don Tilsley but not quite as quick. It was later owned by a well known NSCC member and official, Jim Lockley.

As per an email to Trevor when the site wan't accepting posts, I originally did read Trevor's lengthy (as he puts it) posts on the Fiat special, and thought it was his. How that was supposed to assist in seeing if there was any link between "my" GBS, last known in Ngaruawahia and a Gordon Brown car I don't know. Probably no link at all apart from the same name.
Moving on.....
I suspect the article mentioned went to the same magazine who commissioned me to write some articles, never paid the agreed rate, and said I should take out a subscription to see what they published of mine. Folded soon after.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Oldfart

As per an email to Trevor when the site wan't accepting posts, I originally did read Trevor's lengthy (as he puts it) posts on the Fiat special, and thought it was his. How that was supposed to assist in seeing if there was any link between "my" GBS, last known in Ngaruawahia and a Gordon Brown car I don't know. Probably no link at all apart from the same name.

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Please read again:-
"Furthermore as mentioned in the extensive article appearing in previous posts 299-300, the two-speed Ruckstell rear axle would have positively identified the Gordon Brown car."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trevor Sheffield

I have been searching my brain in order to recall the owner of a Ford ten based special, current at the time of the GBS and Collin MacGregor has rung a bell. The car was simillar to that of Don Tilsley but not quite as quick. It was later owned by a well known NSCC member and official, Jim Lockley.

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Trevor, Colin MacGregor features in the Arthur Siddall albums, I will find and separate a photo of his car or cars and post later. [ 5;12 ]

Later 5;35 ; only mention of a C MacGregor is driving an MG Magna - no Special that I can find so far.
Cheers
Roger

Later again - a day later;
Have put up a post about about Jock Aitken and his Special(s), as understand he built two.
There is a comment in the Vercoe Book, that McGregor drove Jocks first Ford 10 Special when it was owned by Arthur Cowper in the 1950's

Aitken Ford, that I called " Fordie " - I did that because under one of the Arthur Siddall photos is the notation
- J Aitken " Ford1o " - the printing was quite small and I thought - the " 1 - one " was a " I " and the " 0 Zero - o " was a " e "
Apologies for the double confusion as typed the comment wrong too -just corrected today 25th may at 4;00 pm .

More on the car quote from the Graham Vercoe book " Historic Racing Cars of New Zealand " there is a small article on Jocks cars and a photo of the second car at Muriwai in 1954 ;

" Jock Aitken, of Auckland, drove a most attractive two-seat sports car both on the road and in competition in 1949.
The car would have been a credit to any manufacturer. It was based on a Ford 10 and powered by and 1172 cc 100E motor. [ Notes 1, and 2 mine ]
Aitken went on to build a second Ford 10 - based special, selling the original to Arthur Cowper, who immediately took a class win with it at Wairamarama in 1952. Colin McGregor sometimes drove this car for Cowper. [ Note 3 ] Phil Kerr used the car in 1954 to take second place in the Bryce Tye Memorial at Muriwai [ Note 4 ]and subsequently bought the car, driving it for a couple of seasons.
The second Aitken car made its debut at Seagrove in December 1951, Aitken finishing third. This car was eventually re-engined with a Ford V8 unit "

Note 1, Believe the first car was built in 1947 not 1949 - around the same time as the first GBS - also stated to be 1949.
Note 2, " Ford 10 .. 1172 cc 100E motor ".
I am not an expert on the Ford 8 and 10 English sidevalve Motors, but in the late 1940's would be an E493A but according to Wikipaedia went on through the 100E range until 1962 when they were still available in the " Poverty - Pack " - Ford Popular version of the 100E.
Quote from Wiki .... ;
" The Ford Sidevalve is a side valve (flathead engine) from the British arm of the Ford Motor Company, often also referred to as the "English Sidevalve". The engine had its origins in the 1930s Ford Model Y, and were made in two sizes, 933 cc (56.9 cu in) or "8 HP", and 1,172 cc (71.5 cu in) or "10 HP".
Production‎: ‎1932–1962 Power output‎: ‎36 hp (27 kW)
Displacement‎: ‎933 cc (56.9 cu in); 1,172 cc ... Compression ratio‎: ‎6.0:1 ".

Note 3, Colin McGregor drove for Cowper - this would connect with Trevor Sheffield recalling that Colin McGregor had or built a Ford 10 Special - would seem it was Jocks car that passed to Cowper

Note 4, The photo in the Graham Vercoe book is of the second Special " Aitken - Ford 10 " with a simpler less rounded body and cycle guards - not fitted for the races at Muriwai in 1954 -


Photo of the Original Car - with Aitken driving at Seagrove in 1947, Cowper behind

Attachment 66471

and another photo undated with Jock Aitken and location not known.

Attachment 66470

Cowper in the car at Ohakea in 1952
from Mark Coulthard archives - in the 1953 Ohakea Programme I understand.

Attachment 66472.

The car does look well built but using cut down Ford 10 guards front and rear. Wheels are Ford too !