Photos: The Bruce Wells Collection - Oran Park - Part 2

[Steve Holmes]

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OK, time for another batch of 1960s Australian motorsport photos from the stunning Bruce Wells Collection. This is the second part (but not final) of the Oran Park instalment, with all of these photos from events held during 1965. The first batch are from a meeting held in March 1965, the second batch from May 1965.

I'll need some help with these, so please jump in and ID cars and drivers.

[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Fred Gibson leads in the Lotus in the first shot. Can any of your humpy Holden enthusiasts ID some of these wayward FX's?

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

OK, here we go again:

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

And these are the last from the March 1965 event:

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[Dale Harvey]

The humpy with #119 is the late Warren Weldon. The one with #78 looks like Bruce Stewart. The Wolsely is the late Barry Sharp and the Turner is Wal Donelly. All of the Bruce Wells photos are just fantastic!!

Dale.

[neale]

fantastic pics, I miss Oran Park

[Steve Holmes]

Neale, glad you enjoyed them.

Dale, many thanks for filling in the blanks. Those humpy Holdens were so popular during this period, there must have been hundreds of them racing in Australia. A bit like HQ Holden racing 30 years later.

[Steve Holmes]

OK, now these photos are from a May 1965 meeting:

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Any clue's as to who this is? And did he get out OK?

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Oldfart]

That is a nasty crash, ironic number, and the Nota (?) 7 look alike is lucky not to have hit the end of the armco or the tree at the top of the photo. Little tree but it would have hurt, so would the armco!

[Dale Harvey]

The black GT Cortina (ex Geoghegan) is George Garth. The Austin Cooper S could be John Harvey, but not sure.
Leo Geoghegan in the Lotus 32. Ian "Pete" Geoghegan in the Lotus 23B.

Dale.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Dale, and I assume the E Type is probably Niel Allen?

[neale]

Neale, glad you enjoyed them.

Dale, many thanks for filling in the blanks. Those humpy Holdens were so popular during this period, there must have been hundreds of them racing in Australia. A bit like HQ Holden racing 30 years later.

I did, I found some old (well not as old as these) pics from the last days at Oran Park. That I can post in another section if anyones interested. I always tried to get to as many races as I could out there. I saw so many cars & trucks come to grief on that wall that the old holden smashed into

[Lee Tracey]

Never ceases to amaze me the things some people say, "If anyones interested"

Is the Pope a Catholic?

Cheers
Lee
Oh and Steve more of these from Bruce please, really great stuff.

[Steve Holmes]

I did, I found some old (well not as old as these) pics from the last days at Oran Park. That I can post in another section if anyones interested. I always tried to get to as many races as I could out there. I saw so many cars & trucks come to grief on that wall that the old holden smashed into

Would love to see those Neale, do you have anything from the 1980s?

[Steve Holmes]

Next batch, still from May 1965:

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[Steve Holmes]

I love this opening shot. How hard is this guy trying!

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[Steve Holmes]

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[Dale Harvey]

Your last post Steve seems to be a dud. The attachments can't be viewed.
The mini that's cocking a back leg looks like John Harvey's.
Dale.

[Oldfart]

Works fine for me! Some real classic shots.

[Steve Holmes]

Yep Dale is correct, I'd messed up the attachments on that last post, but have now corrected them.

[Steve Holmes]

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[Dale Harvey]

Great stuff, keep them coming.
Dale.

[Lee Tracey]

Great Stuff! Very taken with the Mini shot and the rear views in the first part of this latest lot. I am left wondering though whether the #44 ever had cooling issues.

Cheers
Lee

[Steve Holmes]

Next batch, and a bit rare to see an Anglia in photo 2, although not uncommon in Aus, these little pocket-rockets were more popular in other places such as the UK and New Zealand than they were in Australia.

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[Oldfart]

Interesting mix in the last set with T type MG, Pug 203, Elan and?

[Steve Holmes]

Thats for sure! Who says racing sports cars, production sports cars and saloons can't mix! The closing speeds must have been scary! But at this early stage, Oran Park had only been operating for two years, and was still mostly a club circuit, with the important NSW events taking place at Warwick Farm. I guess most races here were just loosely gathered grids of anything that wanted to run. Didn't seem to worry the punters though, there must be thousands lined up there!

[Steve Holmes]

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[Steve Holmes]

Car #95 in the first two photos above. Is it a Milano?

[Steve Holmes]

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[Ellis]

Car #95 in the first two photos above. Is it a Milano?

Looks like a Buchanan

[Ellis]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;18820]11952


Pretty neat parking by the other Humpy



#46 is John Hall according to Parkey in Wodonga.
Think I can see name on bonnet .
Always had pretty neat Humpy.

[GeebeeNZ]

My thoughts are 30 is an Elfin, 95 is a Milano and 25 in #24 is a Buchanan. No guarantees just an educated guess.

[Oldfart]

Educated??? # 30 a Mallala like the one in Palmy?
Next you will have a certain North Shore car seeking allegiance!

[Dale Harvey]

My thoughts are 30 is an Elfin, 95 is a Milano and 25 in #24 is a Buchanan. No guarantees just an educated guess.

I think you will find that #30 is the Mini Din and you are correct with the others.

Dale.

[Steve Holmes]

Guys, thanks for your help with these. Here are the last four from this chapter.

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[Steve Holmes]

Amazing! I got an email last night from Kathryn McIntyre. This is her father John Buchelin who wrote off the #13 Humpy Holden. Here is Kathryn's email:

"I came across this forum while i was looking for some footage of my Dads crash at Oran Park in 1965... and low and behold i found some photos on this site.. the ironic Holden Car Number 13 crash.. i have registered but im not able to post yet.. i would love to answer the question in the thread.. "Does anyone know who this is and is this guy oK???" YEP!! Thats my DAD!! John Buchelin and he walked away with just a scratch!!

I am still searching for some actual footage of the crash- apparently it exists out there somewhere and i was hoping maybe someone who administers on this site might be able to help me find it. My Dad still regularly catches up with his mates who raced with him and it would be great gift to them all to get hold of the video footage!

Thanks! Looking forward to posting soon!

Kathryn McIntyre"

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Kathryn has registered, and will post more info. I'm stunned her father was able to climb out of this with just a scratch. They sure built them tough in those days! If anyone knows of the video footage Kathryn is referring to, it'd be great if you could post a link.

[Oldfart]

Not only am I stunned, I am very thankful that he was largely unhurt. Perhaps some of the Italian luck where 13 is a good number!

[Katti]

Hi everyone!!! Thanks Steve!! I am able to post now!!

I came across this site when I was looking for some video or pictures of my dads crash.. and I found hm!! The No.13 Holden crash was my Dad!!! It has always been one of his favourite stories to tell from his car racing days!! He walked away with just a scratch on his left elbow- and his shirt was wrecked from the battery acid from the battery in the back seat. Apprently one of his mates hurt himself more scrambling over a barbed wire fence to get to Dad to check he was ok!!! In the 3rd picture it looks like my Dad checking out the car afterwards.. but Im not 100% sure.

I am still searching for the video footage of the crash.. but I am so excited to find the pictures!!! If anyone has any idea of where I could even start looking for the footage I would be really appriciative!! The crash was spectacular, Dad rolled nose to tail about 5 times before rolling sideways and hitting the wall.. it all started coz he came through the corner in a slide and then clipped the wall!!

And since that day... 13 has always been his "Lucky Number!!!" lol

Also Steve.. is it ok if I copy these photos for my Dad and also to put on facebook?? Thought I would check before I do it :)

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Kathryn, great post! I've emailed you the sequence of photos. Did your dad race again after this crash?

[Katti]

Thanks!! I got the photos i have put them up on my page (dad does have a facebook account, but doesnt know how it all really works lol) can I post a link here or not??

He mentioned the car that drove past.. he said that the driver felt so bad for not stopping! I cant recall his name, but dad knows who it was. He did race again after the crash.. but as the more professional drivers and teams started to take off dad and his mates sort of dropped off and didnt race as much. Dad admits he wasnt the best driver (REALLY??? LOL), they were never contenders to win, and he said that the officials picked on the amatures about every nitty gritty detail and penalised them for trivial things about the cars, which kind of took the fun out of it for them. He still loves his cars though!! And he still keep sin contact with his mates that he drove with and who he worked on the cars with!

[Steve Holmes]

Kathryn, thanks heaps. Yes please post a link to your Facebook page, would love to see it.

He may not have been the fastest driver, but was obviously pretty fearless! Those old Humpy Holdens were so popular during the '60s, there must have been hundreds of them racing.

[Dale Harvey]

Is there another chapter coming Steve?

Dale.

[Steve Holmes]

For Oran Park, or overall Dale? Either way, yes, plenty more to come.

[Dale Harvey]

I don't care,Oran Park or anywhere else, all of Bruce Well's photos are brilliant. Brings back great memories. Bring them on.

Dale.

[Steve Holmes]

Dale, I've got a bit more from Oran Park, then we move to Warwick Farm, where there are some real beauties!

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Plus I'm also dedicating a complete chapter just to driver portraits.

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[Dale Harvey]

Looks like you have gone straight to Warwick Farm. Bob Jane in the lightweight E type rounding creek corner. Jack and Bruce, could be anywhere. Great quality shots.

Dale.

[Oldfart]

That is one of the best Bruce and Jack photos ever, captures them both just as they were.

[Kenz]

The black GT Cortina (ex Geoghegan) is George Garth. The Austin Cooper S could be John Harvey, but not sure.
Leo Geoghegan in the Lotus 32. Ian "Pete" Geoghegan in the Lotus 23B.

Dale.
If it's not John Harvey, the other likely Austin Cooper S exponent of that era was then Singapore-based ex-pat Richard Arblaster.
From memory, the number plate's about right for him.
Ken.

[Cooper997]

If it's not John Harvey, the other likely Austin Cooper S exponent of that era was then Singapore-based ex-pat Richard Arblaster.
From memory, the number plate's about right for him.
Ken.

Should be John Harvey in the Austin Cooper S if these photos are March & May 65. It's the ex Arblaster car.

Stephen

[Dale Harvey]

If it's not John Harvey, the other likely Austin Cooper S exponent of that era was then Singapore-based ex-pat Richard Arblaster.
From memory, the number plate's about right for him.
Ken.

Kenz, I have just checked some records and John Harvey was the only Austin Cooper S listed for that meeting, so that's who it is.
Dale.

[Dale Harvey]

There you go Kenz, you were right about it being the Arblaster car. Just not him behind the wheel.
Dale.

[Ray Bell]

I am sure I've seen a film clip of the Buchelin rollover too...

I don't know where or when, just a moment of amateur film.

That one was as good as the John Rootes crash out of Savva's Hairpin at Catalina. But it seems not as good as the Geraldton crash by Hank Vaanholt in '65.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Steve Holmes
OK, here we go again:

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Fred Gibson (Elan), Bob Beasley and Les Howard in the 1100cc Lotus 23.

[Ray Bell]

The yellow Peugeot 203 with the red and black stripe over it is a Sydney Speed Shop entry...

I seem to remember the name 'Wallace' but I'm open to suggestions.

[Steve Holmes]

I am sure I've seen a film clip of the Buchelin rollover too...

I don't know where or when, just a moment of amateur film.


I think I have too.....somewhere.