Historic Sport Sedans

Hi Everyone, it is with great pleasure it can be announced that Historic Sports Sedans will be running at Hampdon Downs at the Ferrari meeting in January next year.
After discussions with Jim Barclay, the wording of the pre 85 class Open Saloon Class now to read-
Pre ’85 & Invited Allcomers and Historic Sports Sedans’
So the momentum that has kept them going with the great work of Robert Jack, Rodger Williams and recently George Shewiery will keep going.
All entries to be directed to Jim Barclay for this meeting. www.motorsportentry.com
As it is Historic, the desired spirit is getting the car on the track for enjoyment
This thread is to inform people and the drivers of the change as there is 8 weeks to go

Excellent news. I look forward to seeing some interesting cars on the track.

Yep, there it is in a nut shell boys and girls. Run with the historic/classic people and you will slip in easy and have fun. Hope to see you all there having fun, and don't forget the chilly bin.
Lets get that smile back on me mate George's face, and everyone else's.

This is good news, and thanks Mr Barclay for the offer.

Great news! I won't be racing, but will be armed with the camera.

Great news - am really looking forward to seeing those great cars on track again hopefully with some additional cars. See what happens George.

The Festival is shaping up to be another great event. Have already booked for both weekends.

Mike

This old (young) girl ran at Manfield a Couple weeks back, be good to se it have a run at the Festival.

These were there as well, awesome to see a couple of the original Sports Sedans/OSCA cars, Had chat with boys

The Capri would be NZ's most used Capri and is still sweet.

The Mazda is also a sweet car and old owner Ralph Mossman had a little tear in his eye when he checked her out.

Be nice to have these boys on board for a run as well.

Another car that has done the yards, and is still a sweet little car, and the driver sure knows how to enjoy himself, he and his missus/cook/chef/mechanic/pit crew had a smile on their faces all weekend, they would love Hampton Downs.

Wow! Fingers crossed we get a lot more of these. What they have is character or individuality and in just three pics, they encapsulate exactly why those days were so good and why a lot of today's racers are so bland. Thanks Rod.

If you know of any one driver of one of these great saloons who would like to run at the Festival but is a deserving cause for a little bit of financial support, send me a private message (in strict confidence of course) and we'll donate say $300, from our series reserves, if it means they'll be there on track instead of staying home.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ERC

Wow! Fingers crossed we get a lot more of these. What they have is character or individuality and in just three pics, they encapsulate exactly why those days were so good and why a lot of today's racers are so bland. Thanks Rod.

If you know of any one driver of one of these great saloons who would like to run at the Festival but is a deserving cause for a little bit of financial support, send me a private message (in strict confidence of course) and we'll donate say $300, from our series reserves, if it means they'll be there on track instead of staying home.

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I will be trying to contact them after chatting with Graeme, and others.

can you email me phone contact etc for yourself. cheers

grimmie64@xtra.co.nz

Rod, I would have to disagree with you about the Capri being the most raced in NZ. It appears to be the car Brent Bullivant built up in the late 70's, but don't forget Munty's Capri came to NZ in the early 70's and raced continuously until he built the Commodore in the late 80's. Son Evan then did a few more seasons in it. Still great to see them back on the track. Cheers, Pete

Great cars and certainly ones we haven't seen in the upper North Island. Yes they would make a great addition to the fields for January. I am sure there will be more lurking in the background as well. Nice photos Rod - do you have any more ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ERC

Wow! Fingers crossed we get a lot more of these. What they have is character or individuality and in just three pics, they encapsulate exactly why those days were so good and why a lot of today's racers are so bland. Thanks Rod.

If you know of any one driver of one of these great saloons who would like to run at the Festival but is a deserving cause for a little bit of financial support, send me a private message (in strict confidence of course) and we'll donate say $300, from our series reserves, if it means they'll be there on track instead of staying home.

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Fantastic offer ERC. If I wasn't trying to survive on the pension just at the moment I would offer to do the same. It would be worth it to see these cars on track and being exercised. Man this could shape up to be a fantastic meeting with such cars hitting the track.

If I can help in any way I would like to be involved.

Mike

spinner32, yep I do know the Munty car very well, and the lucky guys to have played in it and it has the miles. The Bullivant car has had a couple of owners as well and has not been idle at all, running consistantly since it was built, but I am not going to count numbers as it would be great to see both cars together sometime.

Bullivant built the car in 1975 when he was mechanic for Jim Richards.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rod Grimwood

spinner32, yep I do know the Munty car very well, and the lucky guys to have played in it and it has the miles. The Bullivant car has had a couple of owners as well and has not been idle at all, running consistantly since it was built, but I am not going to count numbers as it would be great to see both cars together sometime.

Bullivant built the car in 1975 when he was mechanic for Jim Richards.

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They have raced against each other, Rod. Back around 1980 when Graham Baker owned the Bullivant car he was not allowed to race OSCA as it had a space frame front. So he would enter the Flying Farewell. I recall a race at Timaru where he had a tremendous dice with Inky Tulloch in his Capri. Other drivers might disagree, but Graham and that Capri were the only serious competition to Inky at that time. The OSCA final used to be over 15 laps of the old Levels circuit. In this race Inky used to drop back, and around the 8 lap mark Inky's mechanic (whose name escapes me) would stroll out to the pit wall and give Inky the signal. Whereupon Inky would go for it and see how close to the end of the race before he would hit the front. The races with Graham Baker, however, were flat out from flag drop.
The Munt car would always be chasing these two in front. Cheers, Pete

Like this.

Attachment 22779Attachment 22780Attachment 22781Attachment 22782Attachment 22783Attachment 22784

Here is Barry Algies Monaro that i photoed yesterday.This car is exactly as it last ran. Yes , the front is off being glassed.
This would be one of the first Sports Sedans as he was working on it in 1975.
Barry needs financial assistance as he is getting on in years and no regular income.
Any help here can be seen as sponsorship or recognition by having your name written on this highly visible billboard.
My name and business is going on, who else wants to be part of this?
Will be posting more pics today.
Barry left my place just now to place his entry, join HRC and pay more off the radiator bill.
Gordon Burr is entered so both the Algie creations will be there
With these cars, it is preferable to have a rolling start so that will be looked in to.
Technically-
Motor completely set back, new firewall,spoiler width of the car, same height as the roof.
Small block 400, 327 crank, with Lucas fuel injection .
Simple interior and note the ducting to the radiator and GT40 transaxle.
Mechanically unchanged or updated- pure history here.
Yes it will be at HD in Jan and running hard, both car and driver a worthy addition to this Historic field.

That is a grouse looking car in every sense of the word. It is another one that I never saw in period so am over the moon that it is going to be on track. As I said above this is shaping up to be a great field of rear machinery not seen for many years. It is starting to pick up as the owners see who else is getting their cars track worthy again.

Just looking at the photos that have been posted here and those on other thread - hell, didn't they build some horny looking cars during that period. The modern stuff is so bland and sanitized that they have no appeal whatsoever to me anyway.

Roll on late January.
Mike

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kiwi285

That is a grouse looking car in every sense of the word. Didn't they build some horny looking cars during that period. The modern stuff is so bland and sanitized that they have no appeal whatsoever to me anyway.

Roll on late January.
Mike

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Hear hear.

Bearing in mind the link between this car and Gordon Burr, we'll confirm that we'll pay $300 towards getting this particular car along, based on the fact that Gordon has overpaid into our funds anyway over recent years, for the benefit of the series! (Lovely man.) I'm sure he'll be more than happy to see it spent in this way.

That being the case, we'll pay another $300 towards another deserving car/driver combination. A Euro based car would be nice, but the offer stands regardless, as long as John & Rod etc. approve.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ERC

Bearing in mind the link between this car and Gordon Burr, we'll confirm that we'll pay $300 towards getting this particular car along, based on the fact that Gordon has overpaid into our funds anyway over recent years, for the benefit of the series! (Lovely man.) I'm sure he'll be more than happy to see it spent in this way.

That being the case, we'll pay another $300 towards another deserving car/driver combination. A Euro based car would be nice, but the offer stands regardless, as long as John & Rod etc. approve.

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You are so right about Gordon, and his lovely wife. Two real neat people who always have a smile and a hello.
I always make a point of catching up with them when I can, their smiles and enthusiasm make the day.
I remember years ago when he raced/won the Porcshe series, no slug back then was young Gordy.

We will find a recipient for your generous offer, but may have to do a little thinking about who with the interest from some parties and building.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John McKechnie

Here is Barry Algies Monaro that i photoed yesterday.This car is exactly as it last ran. Yes , the front is off being glassed.
This would be one of the first Sports Sedans as he was working on it in 1975.
Barry needs financial assistance as he is getting on in years and no regular income.
Any help here can be seen as sponsorship or recognition by having your name written on this highly visible billboard.
My name and business is going on, who else wants to be part of this?
Will be posting more pics today.
Barry left my place just now to place his entry, join HRC and pay more off the radiator bill.

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John, if you're the auto trimmer in Ladies Mile, you've done work on my Dad's ( John Metford ) MK1 Escort ( red vinyl interior ) and his MGB ( black leather seats etc ).

I think it's wonderful of Ray to make the offer he has to help get everyone onto the grid. Unfortunately I don't know a lot of the other original sports sedans hoping to run as they were before my time unfortunately. All I know about most of them is from here and magazine articles

I'd like to chip in to help Barry get his Monaro going for January. We have a photo at home that Dad took of this car in probably the late 80's at Pukekohe, and is one of my first memories of live motorsport. As a little boy ( around 10 years old ), the sight and sound of it thundering down the front straight was just something else.

I'm currently working in Western Australia, but hoping to be home in January for the 2 weekends of the Festival. Please PM me how I can help Barry, and what he owes for the radiator or what ever else he needs to get going and I'll see what I can do.

Andrew Metford.

Andrew- great to hear from you, and yes it is me.
I remember you and your Dad so well. I am still at the same place and it would be neat to see you all again. Hope Dads in fine health , always enjoyed his visits.
This is a fantastic offer, Andrew.. I will pm you on Barrys account number.
The Metford family name will be resplendent at all angles on this car.
As Barry lives close to me when you get here, I will take you to see it

The Metford family. Where would we have been without them as volunteers at so many (MG) events? Hope to catch up in January at the festival Andrew and thanks for the offer.

John, I spoke with Rick Hill at a machinery auction in Rotorua a few years ago, and at the time he was living near Tirau. He`s the type of guy that if you rang him and told him of Barrys predicament he`d probably tip some money in even though he no longer has the panel shop, but just for a trip down memory lane......

As this class is also about Invited Allcomers, can anyone give any details of where abouts and condition of any of them.
The Custaxie 2 is current.
I remember several years ago at Hampton Downs a Rod Coppins tribute MK2 Zephyr- any leads here?
Also another most famous- Ex Doyle Fastback Anglia any recent news here also ?
Ray- as you say, where would we be without the volunteers, absolute backbone of motor racing , cant do much if noone helps- usually unnoticed and under fed at events.

Steve- Thanks for this info.
We are covering this at the moment. rick has sold the business and I have flicked pix and details to current owners and Barry is going to see them.
Every cent gets there.
I will certainly ring him and see if he wants to help and also to come and watch his old friend.
Hardest thing at the moment is making Barry see it is a 2 week end event , pace yourself accordingly- not a 6 lap sprint .
20 year lay off, but he has lost none of his enthusiasm-its catching, a good lead up to Jan.

Ardmore January 1989

Attachment 22788

Hampton Downs 2010
Attachment 22789


Hampton Downs 2010
Attachment 22790

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John McKechnie

Here is Barry Algies Monaro that i photoed yesterday.This car is exactly as it last ran. Yes , the front is off being glassed.
This would be one of the first Sports Sedans as he was working on it in 1975.
Barry needs financial assistance as he is getting on in years and no regular income.
Any help here can be seen as sponsorship or recognition by having your name written on this highly visible billboard.
My name and business is going on, who else wants to be part of this?
Will be posting more pics today.
Barry left my place just now to place his entry, join HRC and pay more off the radiator bill.
Gordon Burr is entered so both the Algie creations will be there
With these cars, it is preferable to have a rolling start so that will be looked in to.
Technically-
Motor completely set back, new firewall,spoiler width of the car, same height as the roof.
Small block 400, 327 crank, with Lucas fuel injection .
Simple interior and note the ducting to the radiator and GT40 transaxle.
Mechanically unchanged or updated- pure history here.
Yes it will be at HD in Jan and running hard, both car and driver a worthy addition to this Historic field.

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Hi John. Barry came in to see us yesterday and is now a fully fledged member of HRC! He mentioned that rolling starts would be preferred, so we will do this at the Ferrari Festival - no problems there, as it makes good sense. regards Tony Roberts

Ray- the pic of the MK 2 Zephyr is brilliant and captures the spirit of the class
Also more details on Barrys Monaro- the Lucas fuel injection came from Dannie Lupps car with the Chev motor.
After it blew, John Learmont secured it for Barry.

John, you're PM box is full. Can you empty it please so I can PM you. Thanks, Andrew.

Andrew- just emptied now. They tell me there are 50 there, I found only 10. Please send again thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RacerT

Hi John. Barry came in to see us yesterday and is now a fully fledged member of HRC! He mentioned that rolling starts would be preferred, so we will do this at the Ferrari Festival - no problems there, as it makes good sense. regards Tony Roberts

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Well done Tony, nice to see common sense prevail for a change :)

Hi JAFA. I experienced standing starts in Australia at Sandown when we were racing the Talon F5000 there. When it all hooked up it was astoundingly quick. A proper test on a F5000 was done in an Aussie magazine in 1978 and it recorded a 0 - 100kmh in just 2.8 seconds. Although one race I was in, driving the McLaren Can-Am car with the BB 427 alloy motor and it ate the F5000's up, going from 10th to 3rd by the first corner, so goodness knows how quick a 0 - 100 time that was! All great until you break an input shaft or and axle!

The old girl will be there. Just had a good catch up with John, and he has finished new engine after the Ruapuna blow and is keen to have a run at Festival but doesn't want anything serious but will run car. This is good news. I asked him if he had a chilly bin and he said yes so thats good also.

PS John said she is not fancy in brake department so give room.

We will all discuss this later any way.

Attachment 22818
I have just come back from spending 3 hours with Graeme Addis.
Here is how it looks, brilliantly engineered back then an stunning now.
No modern updates to spoil this time capsule.
It is repainted and hand sign written by the same guy.
He started it up for me- instantly -runs so smoothly.
Sounds fantastic to the ears. .
Thanks so much Graeme for inviting me into your workshop , going over the original build, the rebuild and now I can post this pic and say.....It lives, it breathes, he cant wait to get it back where it belongs-on the track.
There was no hand book to build this car everything is a tribute to Graeme logical thinking and sheer determination.
The rebuild shares the same with absolutely no shortcuts.
Grant Sprague- this is the car your Dad and Leo came second to Rod and Jim in the Benson and Hedges 1972.Will you come to see it run again?

Man that is a mean looking machine. I never saw this car in action in period but it looks amazing now. Roll on January Thank God for historic racing and the clubs who actively promote these classes of racing. When did anyone see the V8 Supercar that looked this horney or, I will bet, sound so great.

Is Graeme likely to have the car at HD for a shake down on 8 December ?

Mike

Mike- I understand from Graeme that he still has windows to do, then time on the track for testing.
Prepare yourself for Jan.

It's looking very much as though this class is going to be a star attraction for many, but judging by the entry list so far, most drivers are still sitting on their hands/wallets. Is this a Kiwi thing, as just about every event I have been involved with in NZ has suffered from a dearth of entries right up to and including the closing date, then whammo, they come piling in, even if they have to pay a late entry penalty? By rights, this meeting should be well over-subscribed in all classes by now, so why isn't the entry list full for any one class? Hampton Downs can take a 46 car saloon grid and spectators feel cheated if they make the effort to come along only to find a load of empty grid spaces.

Looking through the list so far, I do wonder if maybe a rethink is required on the class structure and race formats, particularly in the areas of saloons, sports, GTs etc? Has anyone else any thoughts on that? It was certainly one factor in my decision not to run this year (2013).

Organisers need the entries in early. If this was a high profile overseas event, most classes would indeed be well over subscribed by now. With only about 80 cars on the list so far plus the F5000's, it seems a bit low. I wonder why?