Dunedin Street Races - revival meeting January 1984

[Roger Dowding]

"
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."



** 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



This is Furi 5 - when owned by Russ Cunningham - now yellow like Furi 6 but not as different Rego number.



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



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.

[Roger Dowding]

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.



Another photo from Warren Bennett of Seven ..



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



" 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

[Roger Dowding]

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



Other cars
Austin Healey's of course.
Mark Donaldson 1956 BN2 and Steve Hill AN5, Tony Van de Water AN5 behind



Maserati 250F the one owned by Owen organisation at one stage [ BRM ]





The Ron Roycroft Ferrari

[Roger Dowding]

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



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

[Roger Dowding]

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



More of the period look in Monchrome [ my edit of the photo ];



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.

[Roger Dowding]

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. ]



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. "

[Roger Dowding]

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.





Close up of one photo the top one second page above - Is it the Briggs on the left ?


Any details on the others cars and Entry Lists would be appreciated !

Photo of the Briggs in 2011 from Gary Talbot

[chaindrive]

Nelson line up. Last Stuart Special at left grid

[Roger Dowding]

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 !!

[Roger Dowding]

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.



The Cute rear end - as seen on the " Motorsport in Miniature " thread; Photo by Warren Bennett



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.

[Roger Dowding]

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 ;



another photo with the The late Ralph Watson looking on. Showing the Engine



The Car at " Levels " April 2019. Again showing the Engine



The Car in action Warren Bennett photo - [ small ].



Tony Lucas tribute to the car.
Photo Tony Lucas.
Under construction;



The car now completed ;
Photo Tony Lucas



More to follow : soon

[Roger Dowding]

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.



Ref #48 - VCC Hill Climb at Sandy Bay, Motueka 2014



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 ]



Re #53 Levels 2019 - with the Lycoming - event as mentioned above by Jim Bennett.



Ref #52 Another photo of the car in 2019 - someone will know which track and who is in the Red car - on the grid.



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 ].

[Roger Dowding]

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 ;

[Roger Dowding]

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



The young drivers might currently enjoy this Furi - model by Chaindrive -not sure if would approve though !!



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.

[Roger Dowding]

Cover courtesy of Steve Nesbitt
Attachment 31242

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 !!

[Roger Dowding]

Photo from Peters own archives - a " framed " portrait of the Car at Tahuna[nui] 1960's - undated.



Must get back to the " Nelson Photo News " for more of the Beach Races..

[Roger Dowding]

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



Some of the competitors - including the Lister Jaguar - of Paul Leuch !!.



The Lister an XK140 and the nose of the Pontiac


Waiting behind another " Aircraft carrier " a Chrysler / Mopar Product a big Plymouth


Pontiac- starting off


The Car this time at Wigram - Bramwell Collection Mark D aka Annie Swain, noted that had not seen this photo.

[Roger Dowding]

A good read of Allan Dick's story of the Impulse and Jim Bennett and his Furi Cars.
Front cover of the Magazine



Furi 9 .. first page of the article..

[Roger Dowding]

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.



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.





Buy of the week a 3.0 litre Ford Capri Ghia Mark 11 for $14,999.

[Roger Dowding]

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



Placing at Waimate - 6th 1959



The car at Dunedin 1984 - from the Montage on the "Dunedin Midweek ".



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.



More recent photos of the car

Brian Bonisch recent photo at a South Island meeting - in the paddock.



Car at Ruapuna 2010 [Skope meeting ] with Peter Leversedge in close company- photo John MacDonald.



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. "