The Brett Young Collection

[Steve Holmes]

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Its always a good day when someone sends me their collection of dusty old motor racing photos. Brett Young has been helping me out supplying me pics for various magazine articles for several years, so I've seen some of what he has, but he and I decided it was time we posted the full collection on The Roaring Season.

Brett, like many amateur enthusiasts, usually didn't have the fancy photographic equipment or media passes to get trackside, so many of his photos are static pit shots. But, ask any historical anorak, and they'll tell you these types of pics are the real gold, as they can often capture that small piece of detail on a car high speed action shots miss.

These photos are taken at several New Zealand race tracks during the late '60s through late '70s. There are also a few here taken by a couple of his buddies. Some are pretty scratchy, but they're all of huge interest, so enjoy, because every time a new photo collection sees the light of day for the first time, its significant for those of us who love motorsport history.

[Steve Holmes]

Kicking off here is a really neat shot of the pretty little MkI Heron. I can't quite read the name on the side of the car, but I believe this car was owned for a time in the late '60s by Brian Robertson, so this could well be during his ownership.

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[Steve Holmes]

Great shot here of the right rear quarter of Norm Beecheys 'Trans-Aus' HT Monaro when it visited NZ in early 1971 as the reigning Australian Touring Car Champion.

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[Steve Holmes]

Begg FM5. I could be wrong but I believe this is the second FM5 built, which Allan McCully constructed at the PDL workshops and in which he made several improvements over the original Begg/McLean built FM5. This car had a taller air-box, and was raced by both McCully and Graham Baker. Also, was it not actually just named an FM5, with the Begg name dropped?

So if I'm correct who is driving the car here? From my understanding, only these two men raced the car before it went to Australia in 1976.

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[Steve Holmes]

Big bangers blast off at Manfeild. This appears to be the final round of the 1975 NZ Saloon Car Championship, and Paul Faheys final race event before retirement. This would also be the breakthrough event for Jack Nazer in the Victor Chevy, as he recorded his first race win in the car.

Shown here are Nazer, Bruce Bellis in the ex-Clyde Collins V8 Cortina, Allan Woolf in the ex-Don Halliday Escort, Red Dawson in the Camaro, Fahey, and Rex Hart.

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[Steve Holmes]

Nice shot here of the Bruce Bellis V8 Cortina, possibly at the same event as that pictured above. This car was built by Clyde Collins for OSCA, in which it was quite dominant. Note here the flares, fitted by Robin Officer for Bellis, and using the same molds as the flares that first appeared on the PDL Mustang, then later the Nazer Victor, and ex-Rod Coppins/Bruce Jenner etc Camaro.

The Cortina was later owned by Steve Vigurs, who stripped it to build his MkIV Cortina OSCA racer.

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[Steve Holmes]

Dexter Dunlops McRae GM1. Is this the car which mysteriously disappeared on its way back to New Zealand after having raced in Australia?

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[seaqnmac27]

Kicking off here is a really neat shot of the pretty little MkI Heron. I can't quite read the name on the side of the car, but I believe this car was owned for a time in the late '60s by Brian Robertson, so this could well be during his ownership.

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Baron Robertson?

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Sean, thats what Brett had labelled the image as, and thats what it looks like is written on the side of the car. I was referring to Graham Vercoes book, in which one of the owners is labelled as Brian Robertson. Someone here will know better than me.

[Rod Grimwood]

Baron Robertson raced a variety of cars mainly single seaters over the years, he even had a go at rallying in a Chevette.

[Oldfart]

+1 for Baron, not Brian.
Gorgeous car.

[beowulf]

Love the trailer.

[beowulf]

Love the trailer, looks like Levin

[TonyG]

+2 Baron Robertson

[David McKinney]

Definitely the Baron

The Heron 1500 (later Twincam) was the first car he raced, I think

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for clearing that up guys. Awesome.

[Steve Holmes]

The name on the drivers door says Peter Yock, but this looks to me like the Lotus powered Minor built by Warner Collins. Did Yock buy the car off Collins? I know Warner bought brother Clydes A40 Allcomer after the 1967 season. Either way, really nice shot of a well executed Allcomer. That nose has some hours gone into it. Did Warner build this from scratch or is it a modified sports car or single seater nose?

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[rf84]

Definitely Baron or "The Baron".
Heron lived at The Baron's very unremarkable mower shop in Hastings. Later cars included the ex Rindt/Roly Levis BT23 Brabham (which became 2 cars), March 722, Elfin F5000 and Lola T70.

[Steve Holmes]

In the mid-1970s, there were several V8 powered Vauxhall Victors racing in NZ. I believe this car to be Greg Lancasters, in a very early guise. Lancaster has since gone on to make his fortune through Noel Leeming and Burger King etc, but back in the mid-70s he was a struggling racer out doing things the hard way. The Victor was developed over the next few years, but was crashed heavily a couple of times, and finally destroyed in 1977.

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[Oldfart]

There were a few "weapons" like the Minor and Fowog stuff round Ruapuna way back, and shed loads of fun to watch. Lusted after these then (and now)

[bigbanger]

Nice shot here of the Bruce Bellis V8 Cortina, possibly at the same event as that pictured above. This car was built by Clyde Collins for OSCA, in which it was quite dominant. Note here the flares, fitted by Robin Officer for Bellis, and using the same molds as the flares that first appeared on the PDL Mustang, then later the Nazer Victor, and ex-Rod Coppins/Bruce Jenner etc Camaro.

The Cortina was later owned by Steve Vigurs, who stripped it to build his MkIV Cortina OSCA racer.

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I don't recall Steve ever having a MkIV Cortina. His first OSCA car was the ex Bob Slade Capri V8 to which Steve fitted a Chev replacing the Ford V8, then this MKIII Cortina which was raced for a short time until contributing parts for his self built Mitsubishi Celeste-Buick V6 (later Chev V8), which was in turn replaced by the ex Clyde Collins owned and Avon Hyde driven Commodore-Chev.

From memory, this particular Cortina Mk III was owned and raced by in turn Clyde Collins (Boss Ford V8), and then Bruce Bellis followed by Tony Newton with a 5 litre Morand Chev V8, then Steve Vigurs with a 5.7 litre Chev V8.

[seaqnmac27]

I could be wrong but the 2 Mark IV Sports sedans were McIntyre/McElrea and Kennard

[seaqnmac27]

Begg FM5. I could be wrong but I believe this is the second FM5 built, which Allan McCully constructed at the PDL workshops and in which he made several improvements over the original Begg/McLean built FM5. This car had a taller air-box, and was raced by both McCully and Graham Baker. Also, was it not actually just named an FM5, with the Begg name dropped?

So if I'm correct who is driving the car here? From my understanding, only these two men raced the car before it went to Australia in 1976.

13830

Saw a picture of this car the other day, will check who it was.

Gary Love??

[Rod Grimwood]

Check air box on this car. Lindsay O'Donnell at Wigram.

This is also similar pink to what Bakers car was. (remember PDL mustang same colour) and note PDL signs on side.

Also looking at photo of Southplant car ( McCully ? thought his car was yellow) the nose cone is dislodged on right hand side which is distorting the front.

[seaqnmac27]

Saw a picture of this car the other day, will check who it was.

Gary Love??

It is Baker, found a pic from Jan 75, wil post as soon as my scanner behaves.

[bigbanger]

I could be wrong but the 2 Mark IV Sports sedans were McIntyre/McElrea and Kennard

Correct, The Jac Mac built car spent most of it's life with Rod McElrea who replaced the Ford engine with a Chev, and then from memory went to the NI and was raced by Barry Search.

The Rob Kennard built car was fairly unique at the time in having a Ford V8 engine that could genuinely match the Chevys. After Rob, it was raced for several years by Kim Buckley.

[Steve Holmes]

I don't recall Steve ever having a MkIV Cortina. His first OSCA car was the ex Bob Slade Capri V8 to which Steve fitted a Chev replacing the Ford V8, then this MKIII Cortina which was raced for a short time until contributing parts for his self built Mitsubishi Celeste-Buick V6 (later Chev V8), which was in turn replaced by the ex Clyde Collins owned and Avon Hyde driven Commodore-Chev.

From memory, this particular Cortina Mk III was owned and raced by in turn Clyde Collins (Boss Ford V8), and then Bruce Bellis followed by Tony Newton with a 5 litre Morand Chev V8, then Steve Vigurs with a 5.7 litre Chev V8.

Sorry, I screwed up. I had it in my head for some reason that Steve Vigurs briefly raced the MkIV Cortina that Rod McElrea raced for several seasons in OSCA. Don't know where I got that from, but thanks for correcting me.

[Jac Mac]

Sorry, I screwed up. I had it in my head for some reason that Steve Vigurs briefly raced the MkIV Cortina that Rod McElrea raced for several seasons in OSCA. Don't know where I got that from, but thanks for correcting me.

McElrea co-drove Vigurs Capri in Southern 200 race, may have 'borrowed' it for other events

I sold the MKIV less motor to Rod, he used the Boss 302 from his old ex Fahey etc Mustang for a couple of meets before swapping to the 'other' breed..

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for that Jac. Did you build the MkIV Cortina for yourself or for a customer? I always thought that was a good looking race car. Its more of a challenge making a 4-door car look sporty than it is a 2-door, but that Cortina always looked good to me. Who created the flares for it? Where is this car now?

[Steve Holmes]

Some early NZ racing Mustangs. First up is the Paul Fahey car. This must be from its first season in NZ, as the front wheel openings are heavily radiused. Fahey wasn't allowed to run the openings like this in Group 5. In fact, I think he and at least one other Mustang driver was disqualified from an early event in the 1968 season for the openings not being standard.

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[Steve Holmes]

Red Dawsons Mustang pictured here, this being the ex-Ivan Segedin car. Dawson only raced this car for one season, and struggled throughout.

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[Steve Holmes]

Rod Coppins' Mustang. This is the ex-Pete Geoghegan car which won the 1966 ATCC at Bathurst, plus numerous other races, before it was sold to Coppins in 1967. He then ran it in the '67 ATCC race at Lakeside, finishing 7th. He campaigned it throughout the 1967/68 NZ season, but usually wasn't as quick as Fahey. He took it back to Australia in 1968 for the ATCC at Warwick Farm, qualifying 17th, and getting a dnf in the race. Partway through the 1968/69 season he sold the car to John Riley.

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[Steve Holmes]

Johnnie Walkers Lola T332, chilling out on the grass at Manfeild, bodywork removed.

14106

[seaqnmac27]

Thanks for that Jac. Did you build the MkIV Cortina for yourself or for a customer? I always thought that was a good looking race car. Its more of a challenge making a 4-door car look sporty than it is a 2-door, but that Cortina always looked good to me. Who created the flares for it? Where is this car now?

There is a Terry Marshall shot of a start at Ruapuna with Jac on the front row (well I am assuming its Jac) in the original colour scheme of the MkIV Cortina, it would be from memory 1980, I don't remember which copy of New Zealand Classic Car its in.

[seaqnmac27]

Found it, but my scanner still doesn't work. New Zealand Classic Car Issue 177, article about the Ian Munt Capri part 2, 5 cars visible and clearly identifiable are the Cortina, Dave Baker in PDL 1, Munt, Gary Jenkins and Rod McElrea in his Mustang, its from Ruapuna

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Sean, I think I know the pic you're referring to.

[Steve Holmes]

This is a really nice shot of the Clyde Collins A40 at Levin. This car was a real work of art, as were many of the Allcomers by this stage.

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[Steve Holmes]

Brett has this one marked as being Levin. Lawrence leads what I think is Graham Baker (as opposed to Allan McCully).

14130

[seaqnmac27]

21 is Alan McCully, Baker competed as #13 in 75 and #67 in 76. This would also be 1974.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for that Sean.

[Steve Holmes]

Great shot here as Frank Matich in the A50 cruises past and says gidday.

14172

[seaqnmac27]

Found it, but my scanner still doesn't work. New Zealand Classic Car Issue 177, article about the Ian Munt Capri part 2, 5 cars visible and clearly identifiable are the Cortina, Dave Baker in PDL 1, Munt, Gary Jenkins and Rod McElrea in his Mustang, its from Ruapuna

The picture is from the season finale for OSCA at Ruapuna in 79/80. There is an article about the racing in the May 5 1980 edition of Motoraction Jac unfortunately hit the wall at the hairpin in race 1.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks again Sean.

[Steve Holmes]

Couple of very early photos here of the Brent Bullivant V8 Capri. In fact, these are possibly from the cars first event. This car enjoyed a colourful career. Bullivant built it when he was still a teenager, and was just 19 years old when it first appeared in early 1975. He raced it for just over two seasons on a very limited budget, using hand-me-down parts, used tyres etc, to keep running. But the car brought him to the attention of Jim Richards, who brought him to Australia around 1978 to prepare his XC Falcon hardtop Sports Sedan.

Brent returned to NZ in 1979 to race the Capri in the Open Saloon Car series, doing double-duty as he was also there to prep JRs Falcon. He sold the Capri to Graham Baker in around 1980/81, who took it to the South Island, but because it didn't fit OSCA rules, could only compete in the Allcomer type races. At some stage during Bakers ownership, the Capri ended up being fitted with McLaren M10 wheels. Were these off the PDL Mustang? Certainly, when Steve Ross was restoring the PDL, he advertised wanting a set of M10 for the restoration.

The Capri was later owned by Bob Cullinane, then by Brian Frend, where it made a special appearance in the movie Shaker Run. Certainly a colourful car that has done many racing miles.

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[Steve Holmes]

Couple shots here of the Rod Coppins Camaro. These look to be from the 1969/70 season.

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[Steve Holmes]

Whereas this is from the following season.

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[Steve Holmes]

Team Cambridge pit area, at what looks like Levin, with the various tow and support vehicles behind Rodger Andersons BMW 2002.

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[Steve Holmes]

Couple of interesting photos of the Fahey Capri, at Manfeild. This is possibly Faheys last ever race meeting before retirement.

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[Steve Holmes]

Couple of nice shots here of the pretty Alan Boyle Coke Viva. This car has now been restored. Hopefully it'll make some appearances this season.

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[Habu]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;21399]Couple of nice shots here of the pretty Alan Boyle Coke Viva. This car has now been restored. Hopefully it'll make some appearances this season.

Will look forward to seeing the Boyle Viva.....Sorry to be a little off track, I have some photos of the Boyle Viva, but Im not sure where to post them?

[Steve Holmes]

I'd love to see those. You had a really fantastic thread running on here with the collection of slides you have, why not keep posting there? I'd love to see that thread resurrected: http://www.theroaringseason.com/showthread.php?605-Some-old-photos-from-the-late-1960-s-at-Pukekohe

[Steve Holmes]

Saloon car action at Bay Park. In shot are Dennis Marwood, Brian Foley, Rod Coppins, Wayne Fuller, John Riley, Reg Cook and Dexter Dunlop. Who is driving the blue Anglia?

14326

[Steve Holmes]

Castrol GTX production racing, including Leo Leonard, leading (I think?) Kerry Grant, Jim Richards, Tim Bailey. Who is driving the other Toranas? Would one of these be Robbie Francevic, given he switched from a GTHO to XU1? Also looks like Richard Brocklehurst towards the rear of shot.

14327

[John McKechnie]

Spot the difference in the Camaro- number changed, also colour of round was red, later black. Early colour of word Cambridge is gold, later is white
Early photo shows no quarter vent, later has quarter vent on doors.
Has there been door replacements here.

[Steve Holmes]

Yep, well spotted John. As well as the subtle colour changes, there doors also changed. This car was a 1967 RS/SS, but by the 1969/70 season it had 1968 doors with no quarter-windows. Also, the grill changed, from the hidden headlight RS, to a standard 68 then back to RS. But then in the 1972 season when it was painted gold, it had the 67 doors and RS nose back on.

Note also that close up, it was a pretty rough car. These cars really took a lot of punishment.

[GD66]

Saloon car action at Bay Park. In shot are Dennis Marwood, Brian Foley, Rod Coppins, Wayne Fuller, John Riley, Reg Cook and Dexter Dunlop. Who is driving the blue Anglia?

14326


Isn't it Bob Homewood ?

[John McKechnie]

Could the yellow XU1 be Ray Olenius?

[John McKechnie]

Steve- Bruce and I have been examining them,you are correct on the dings/long crease on the bottom of the doors.Also the pix show severe gravel rash on the front lower panel- as the drivers were such gentlemen, not stock car drivers,it must have always a problem getting these cars on and off trailers.

[kiwi285]

Saloon car action at Bay Park. In shot are Dennis Marwood, Brian Foley, Rod Coppins, Wayne Fuller, John Riley, Reg Cook and Dexter Dunlop. Who is driving the blue Anglia?

14326

Hi Steve, I don't think the track is Baypark - I don't remember any dirt track outside of the sealed circuit. Could it be Levin ??

[kiwi285]

Mike John told me that they had a whoopsie with the overhauled engine and that it had to come out for repair. Hopefully we will see the car on track very soon. Seems like a lot of people want to see the car in action again.

[Bruce302]

It has always intrigued me why the doors and grill would have been changed, What was to be gained. Then changing back again.
Perplexing.

Bruce.



Yep, well spotted John. As well as the subtle colour changes, there doors also changed. This car was a 1967 RS/SS, but by the 1969/70 season it had 1968 doors with no quarter-windows. Also, the grill changed, from the hidden headlight RS, to a standard 68 then back to RS. But then in the 1972 season when it was painted gold, it had the 67 doors and RS nose back on.

Note also that close up, it was a pretty rough car. These cars really took a lot of punishment.

[fullnoise68]

Bruce, it`s probably as a result of the Camaro that Rod ran in the Glenvale race, and then the car Spinner Black built, as per the photos I showed you a while back. And I think you`ll find Rod ran number 41 - where have you seen that number lately Bruce - instead of 141 because John Riley still had 141 on Rods old Mustang. The following year, as in the last photo, Rod had 141 and John had 222.

[John McKechnie]

Bruce, in fact if you really, really , really want to get into this, the cut off is what I said on the roundal the number goes on, Red for early , black for later.Early has 41, later has 141. However there is an in between photo which shows the red roundal with a very small 1 just squeezed on. If you have nothing better to do Bruce , you could collect all the photos from all the threads and start a thread just on numbers 41, and 141 .Somewhere out there , there is a worker who knows the answer and is laughing at all this ceremony.

[GD66]

Hi Steve, I don't think the track is Baypark - I don't remember any dirt track outside of the sealed circuit. Could it be Levin ??

Yeah, I reckon it's Levin too. The start straight runs east-west, Bay Park ran north-south. Plus the infield of the start straight at Bay Park is the pits and pit apron, in the pic there's just flat infield. Still a good wee pic, though !

[Lurker]

Could the yellow XU1 be Ray Olenius?

Well spotted and indeed I believe the track is Levin

[Bruce302]

I wondered if the Glenvale car was involved in some way. Changing the front fenders is quicker that swapping doors and grill.
Rod would have kept his 141 i'd have thought. (his partner John Ward was 121)
You'd better live up to the 41 Noisy. Those are big boots to fill.


Bruce, it`s probably as a result of the Camaro that Rod ran in the Glenvale race, and then the car Spinner Black built, as per the photos I showed you a while back. And I think you`ll find Rod ran number 41 - where have you seen that number lately Bruce - instead of 141 because John Riley still had 141 on Rods old Mustang. The following year, as in the last photo, Rod had 141 and John had 222.

[Bruce302]

John, I think a Rod Coppins thread is a great idea. We can post and compare pics and pay homage to a great Kiwi racer. He ran some neat cars over his time. Who's first ?
Bruce.



Bruce, in fact if you really, really , really want to get into this, the cut off is what I said on the roundal the number goes on, Red for early , black for later.Early has 41, later has 141. However there is an in between photo
which shows the red roundal with a very small 1 just squeezed on. If you have nothing better to do Bruce , you could collect all the photos from all the threads and start a thread just on numbers 41, and 141 .Somewhere out there , there is a worker who knows the answer and is laughing at all this ceremony.

[John McKechnie]

I know of a neat car that I saw him driving -had No. 1 on it. Any guesses?

After some further thought, there are many legends, not just in saloons, but other groups out there and to run with just one is not the fairest to our heritage.Further to this it came to me-
Our overseer , censor and erstwhile thread-ender Steve Holmes could make this an Almanac (Stevemanac?) with alphabetical listings on both cars and drivers Aussie has one , we dont. Heres our opportunity.
We can have drivers on thread, cars on another threads with a cross over to link them

[Bruce302]

An excellent idea. Steve can you think of a suitable format ?



I know of a neat car that I saw him driving -had No. 1 on it. Any guesses?

After some further thought, there are many legends, not just in saloons, but other groups out there and to run with just one is not the fairest to our heritage.Further to this it came to me-
Our overseer , censor and erstwhile thread-ender Steve Holmes could make this an Almanac (Stevemanac?) with alphabetical listings on both cars and drivers Aussie has one , we dont. Heres our opportunity.
We can have drivers on thread, cars on another threads with a cross over to link them

[kiwi285]

How about these

http://i46.tinypic.com/35ciknd.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/10htz7k.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/5sd91.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/f24u9y.jpg

http://i49.tinypic.com/1f56p.jpg

[Bruce302]

Those are all great shots. I will attempt a Rod Coppins thread later today if time permits.
Cheers,
Bruce.

[fullnoise68]

Bruce, I`ve been talking with Rods daughter Toni, and I`m organising for her and her daughter to come up from Invercargill for the first weekend of the Denny Hulme Festival, she is rapt with what is on here already about Rod, so a dedicated thread to him would be good and you can post some of my photos of him that I showed you a while back.

[fullnoise68]

Mike, have you cropped the photo of John Rileys red/gold Mustang? It looks very much like my father that John is talking to at the front of the car, but my main concern is the identity of the roman sandalled, school bag carrying ( good for souvneir collecting) ginger nut in the right front of the photo. I think I know who he is..........

[Steve Holmes]

Hi Steve, I don't think the track is Baypark - I don't remember any dirt track outside of the sealed circuit. Could it be Levin ??

Thanks Mike, well spotted. I actually didn't look so closely at the track, and made my assumption on seeing Brian Foley in there. I thought he'd only raced at Bay Park and Puke. But he must have stuck around and did Levin as well.

[Steve Holmes]

Bruce, it`s probably as a result of the Camaro that Rod ran in the Glenvale race, and then the car Spinner Black built, as per the photos I showed you a while back. And I think you`ll find Rod ran number 41 - where have you seen that number lately Bruce - instead of 141 because John Riley still had 141 on Rods old Mustang. The following year, as in the last photo, Rod had 141 and John had 222.

Steve, wouldn't the Glenvale car by a standard road car that he took off the lot for the weekend?

[Steve Holmes]

I love this car.

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[Steve Holmes]

Heres an interesting one. The signwriting on the side says it was prepared by Trevor Crowe. Is this Crowe's own car, or just one he prepped for someone else?

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[kiwi285]

Mike, have you cropped the photo of John Rileys red/gold Mustang? It looks very much like my father that John is talking to at the front of the car, but my main concern is the identity of the roman sandalled, school bag carrying ( good for souvneir collecting) ginger nut in the right front of the photo. I think I know who he is..........

Unfortunately I haven't cropped the photo so I guess that the the young boy will remain semi anonymous unless you want to reveal all LOL Be sure that your past will catch up with you sometime.

[Steve Holmes]

Great shot here of the Rod Coppins Firebird. Given there is no PDL signwriting, I assume this must be from the 1973/74 season? Or did the PDL signage disappear later in the 1972/73 season?

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[fullnoise68]

I think this was just prior to the Huttons signwriting going on the car Steve. As for the Glenvale Camaro - which I`ve got a good photo of - I`ll do some enquiry over the weekend, but I vaguely recall that car in my fathers workshop, and it had been hit hard up the arse in a road accident not long after Rod raced it. If you look at the front guards when Rods car was gold, my father made up a pipe former and they semi squared the front wheel arches so Rod had more lock to lock.

[John McKechnie]

The Camaro raced at Glenvale, belonging to Spencer Black, was a big block-so what happened to it?

[Steve Holmes]

I think this was just prior to the Huttons signwriting going on the car Steve. As for the Glenvale Camaro - which I`ve got a good photo of - I`ll do some enquiry over the weekend, but I vaguely recall that car in my fathers workshop, and it had been hit hard up the arse in a road accident not long after Rod raced it. If you look at the front guards when Rods car was gold, my father made up a pipe former and they semi squared the front wheel arches so Rod had more lock to lock.

Thanks Steve, I always wondered why Rods Camaro appeared with the squared out front wheel arches. Never knew why this was done, I always assumed the car had taken a hit and this was the easiest way of repairing it. Thanks for clearing this up for me. It was actually done partway through the 1970/71 season when still in Cambridge colours. You can see it on the grid here in this Terry Marshall photo. Earlier in the season the guard openings were round.

Thanks also for explaining the Glenvale car. There is a good photo of this car in one of the old magazines also.

14380

[Bruce302]

I'm pretty sure it is must be before the Huttons went on. There are a few things I can tell from the car that date it to after the PDL Eurocars time. That would be Bay Park and isn't it cornering nice and flat, the tail is down slightly and the power is on.


Great shot here of the Rod Coppins Firebird. Given there is no PDL signwriting, I assume this must be from the 1973/74 season? Or did the PDL signage disappear later in the 1972/73 season?

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[Bruce302]

Much later on (late 70's) I nearly bought a black '68 396 4 speed car that Rod had for sale on his car yard. It was a bit rough, but it went well. 325 hp from memory.


The Camaro raced at Glenvale, belonging to Spencer Black, was a big block-so what happened to it?

[fullnoise68]

The Camaro raced at Glenvale, belonging to Spencer Black, was a big block-so what happened to it?

Which Camaro are you talking about John? Which race and what number was the car? My new Kirkey seat could be on this!!!

[Steve Holmes]

Rod raced a dark (black?) coloured 67 Camaro at the 1970 Glenvale, finishing third after qualifying fastest. The only photo of the car in the race coverage shows the rego number partially blocked by Jim Palmers Monaro, but it starts off DE5????

[fullnoise68]

That`s right Steve, its rego was DE5124, it was a black `67 Camaro, and according to my source, which is not tomato sauce, the car was not owned by Spinner Black, it had 396 badges on the front guards ( as per my photos which I`ll get Bruce302 to post) but was in fact a 350/4 spd, and the car was bought by Rod in the South Island. The car was rear ended a few months after the Glenvale race, Spinner Black started racing a Camaro no. 7 which was a hidden headlight model, and it was this car that Rod took over after not liking the Monaro Spinner had built for him. The damaged Glenvale Camaro sat in the corner of my fathers workshop in Takanini, with Rod gradually taking bits off it, and here is the real twist, the body shell was sold to the McConnachie brothers, which I hope Rod Grimwood may know something about.

[Bruce302]

Great news, Thanks Steve. I know we will have a full thread on Rod in no time at all.
catch up soon.
Bruce.


Bruce, I`ve been talking with Rods daughter Toni, and I`m organising for her and her daughter to come up from Invercargill for the first weekend of the Denny Hulme Festival, she is rapt with what is on here already about Rod, so a dedicated thread to him would be good and you can post some of my photos of him that I showed you a while back.

[John McKechnie]

Steve-I can pick up the story now.The McConnachie bros built this Camaro into a saloon car for Waikaraka Park.Car, painted white, was built in a workshop just past the Breweries coming into Papatoetoe. I used to drop in and see it as I worked at Paine Mts very close by. I am sure it was 1973 .Real hot rodders and car builders.They also built up a 69 Mustang Fastback for the Park .
.An article in Autonews said Rod complained of having to run an old 327 when he had another Camaro that had a 350 in it-that explains that.
He cant complain about Monaros, because he came 3rd in the race , beaten by 2 Monaros .1st was Jim Palmer, second was Grady Thomson.
So the top 3 cars all had 350s, but the Monaros were the better cars on the day-.Man , I loved saying that. Coppins had to make a pit stop because the petrol tank was not as big as the Bathurst Monaro tanks. said the article. All 3 drivers were seasoned campaigners and it was a clean race
The Glenvale 100 was run in August 1970-and Rodney also ran his racing Camaro in the support race.
As a matter of interest the production Camaro took pole 1 min 18.3.The racing Camaro 1 min 5.
Still curious why the mag stated -"owner Black drove the car-in practice-but handed the reins over on race day.."
Also-"pole position Coppins faced with a difficult task of driving an unfamiliar car."
Donn Anderson was not in the habit of making things up, so who did own this car at that moment?
I put in the part of the big block as the picture -page 7- describes Camaro as being 390 -a typo error.
Steve E -looks like you keep your Kirkey seat. So what was this bet about?

[Rod Grimwood]

Unfortunately I haven't cropped the photo so I guess that the the young boy will remain semi anonymous unless you want to reveal all LOL Be sure that your past will catch up with you sometime.

Steve, you looked so innocent back then.

Re the Camaro:
The McConnachie boys did build the Camaro into a Waikaraka car and it went to Porirua Wreckers and raced at Te Marua. The Mustang caused a bit of action when the promoters at Waikaraka recieved a load of bills for it.

[fullnoise68]

John, a lot of it is `Journalistic Licence' as in they write what they want themselves and the readers to believe. Maybe Spinner wanted to try Rods car as a comparison to the other Camaro, who knows. Some of the crap that I read about myself in the Truck Racing at the time:
`Elliott slammed into the back of Robin Porters Kenworth.........it was Rodney Crick in the sister M.A.N.
`Elliott had the big M.A.N. V8 humming around Ruapuna.......it was a 6 cylinder.

I`ve always learnt there is a valid reason why we are given two ears and only one mouth... so you can listen twice as much as you can talk!!!

[John McKechnie]

Not forgetting of course that the ownership of cars as well as drivers reputations is always up for interpretation.
history in motor racing is always-his story.
With a rap sheet like you have been quoting Steve, you will have gaps opening for you and hands waving you through.

[Steve Holmes]

That`s right Steve, its rego was DE5124, it was a black `67 Camaro, and according to my source, which is not tomato sauce, the car was not owned by Spinner Black, it had 396 badges on the front guards ( as per my photos which I`ll get Bruce302 to post) but was in fact a 350/4 spd, and the car was bought by Rod in the South Island. The car was rear ended a few months after the Glenvale race, Spinner Black started racing a Camaro no. 7 which was a hidden headlight model, and it was this car that Rod took over after not liking the Monaro Spinner had built for him. The damaged Glenvale Camaro sat in the corner of my fathers workshop in Takanini, with Rod gradually taking bits off it, and here is the real twist, the body shell was sold to the McConnachie brothers, which I hope Rod Grimwood may know something about.

Amazing! So would this be what the Glenvale car became? Must have taken a real hard hit up the arse for them to consider it too far gone to repair. These cars were worth pretty big money then. Note that its been converted to rhd.

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[Steve Holmes]

Here is a really early photo of the Spinner Black/Rod Coppins Camaro in 1968. It ran like this just very briefly before being repainted white/red for Lexington.

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[Rod Grimwood]

Thats it Steve, Mr Taylor was just about unbeatable in it. He lived north of Wellington, remember stopping and having a refreshment with him on way to Wellington (Te Marua) in 76 with yanks Tony Valente and Tom Corbin and the Monza (Starfire).
The top photo was not long after he got it and it was white with lime green top.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Rod. I always wondered how this car came to end up on the speedway, its great to finally fill in the blanks. There were several US cars that ended up in NZ speedway, and they really stood out, as it was rare enough seeing a Camaro or Mustang on the road, much less charging around a dirt bullring oval. I know the McConnachie Mustang was a road car that had been rolled, and I think the same was true for several of the others. Do you know why it was converetd to rhd?

[Steve Holmes]

So is this the same car or a different one?

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[Oldfart]

Is that the Bakers Camaro that wasn't one? R indicates a Rotorua car.

[Rod Grimwood]

Is that the Bakers Camaro that wasn't one? R indicates a Rotorua car.

Correct, R is Rotorua, looks a little Holdenish

[Steve Holmes]

Rhys, can you tell me more? I don't know anything about the car, just had the photo in a folder for years, but to me it looks a bit weird, like its got a Camaro (ish) grill, but the rest of the car has been modified from something else to look like a Camaro.

[fullnoise68]

Rod, it`s funny you mention Tony Valente, I often call in and see Warren Black, and only a couple of months ago he reckons he still has `visions' of Tony Valentes` wife. She must have been a stunner......

[Oldfart]

Rhys, can you tell me more? I don't know anything about the car, just had the photo in a folder for years, but to me it looks a bit weird, like its got a Camaro (ish) grill, but the rest of the car has been modified from something else to look like a Camaro.

Second hand and therefore subject to...
Ross and Tony Baker wanted to run a bigger car, but could not find a Camaro. From vague memory they got a Victor and messed around to make it look Camaro and then went racing. They fell foul of other competitors and/or officialdom and they car was banned. This does look rather narrow for a Camaro so it was just a stab in the dusk.

[ElCoyote]

Steve, you looked so innocent back then.

Re the Camaro:
The McConnachie boys did build the Camaro into a Waikaraka car and it went to Porirua Wreckers and raced at Te Marua. The Mustang caused a bit of action when the promoters at Waikaraka recieved a load of bills for it.


Quite right Rod, Ian Taylor may be lurking on this site somewhere. Last time I saw him his sons were racing Karts.

[John McKechnie]

Rod- Rhys is correct, it is Vauxhall Victor FD,same as Nazer and Lancaster., they built it,and they even took it to the local GM dealer to confirm it to shut the critics up.-This is from the Bakers website

[Oldfart]

Rod- Rhys is correct, it is Vauxhall Victor FD,same as Nazer and Lancaster., they built it,and they even took it to the local GM dealer to confirm it to shut the critics up.-This is from the Bakers website

I will, of course, be aware that there are normally at least 2 sides to most stories, and Ross' is only one. Having said that I still love the Herons, especially the first which I regret not having bought when I had the chance. But that's another story, and one of many "I wish I had bought...", that could be a cool thread!

[Rod Grimwood]

Rod, it`s funny you mention Tony Valente, I often call in and see Warren Black, and only a couple of months ago he reckons he still has `visions' of Tony Valentes` wife. She must have been a stunner......

Sorry Steve I can not remember,remember, remember.
Nothing wrong with Warrens memory aye.

[Rod Grimwood]

Quite right Rod, Ian Taylor may be lurking on this site somewhere. Last time I saw him his sons were racing Karts.

I have not seen him for years, but a nice guy to meet and chat with, remember when we left his place that Friday night for Upper Hutt after a couple of social drinks and a chat, the USA boys were very impressed with his hospitality, and on Saturday night also full of admiration for the way he raced.

[GD66]

Saloon car action at Bay Park. In shot are Dennis Marwood, Brian Foley, Rod Coppins, Wayne Fuller, John Riley, Reg Cook and Dexter Dunlop. Who is driving the blue Anglia?

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Meanwhile..... That's me snookered, I thought it was Bob H but I pm'd Bob and he thinks the nearside Anglia may well be Petone driver Bob Neilson, and that the obscured Anglia behind him could possibly be Greg Lancaster.

[John McKechnie]

GD66-I suggest that you ask Milan with his programs.. This should be an easy race meeting to research

[Jac Mac]

Thanks for that Jac. Did you build the MkIV Cortina for yourself or for a customer? I always thought that was a good looking race car. Its more of a challenge making a 4-door car look sporty than it is a 2-door, but that Cortina always looked good to me. Who created the flares for it? Where is this car now?

Apologies for late reply on this, been out of contact for a bit.. I built the car for myself, used all the mechanical Boss 302 bits from the previous MKII cortina. Flares were built from scratch (3/16 rod/mesh/panel steel & bog, then a female glass mold taken to produce those fitted to car-LF also fitted RR & vice-versa) car is now in ownership & being restored by Anthony Prendergast ( Ashburton) who also has the restored MKII I built. Think he is going to rebuild the MKIV with the chev in it though, more is the pity:)

[Rod Grimwood]

Done a nice job on this.

[Steve Holmes]

Apologies for late reply on this, been out of contact for a bit.. I built the car for myself, used all the mechanical Boss 302 bits from the previous MKII cortina. Flares were built from scratch (3/16 rod/mesh/panel steel & bog, then a female glass mold taken to produce those fitted to car-LF also fitted RR & vice-versa) car is now in ownership & being restored by Anthony Prendergast ( Ashburton) who also has the restored MKII I built. Think he is going to rebuild the MKIV with the chev in it though, more is the pity:)

Thanks for that Jac. Evan Munt actually put me in touch with Anthony so I could find out how the restoration was going. To my mind the flares on this car were just some of the nicest of the era, an absolute triumph. When did it switch to Chev power?

[Steve Holmes]

This is Pete Geoghegan in the Laurie O'Neil owned Porsche, at Manfeild during the 1974/75 season. Does anyone know how big Pete fared against the NZ teams? Geoghegan should have actually been racing the big-dollar Craven Mild Monaro sports sedan by this stage, but build delays with that car meant it didn't turn a wheel in anger for a few more months after these photos were taken.

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[Steve Holmes]

Another Aussie visitor, again at Manfeild. This is Ron Harrop in his self-built EH Holden with Repco V8 power. This would probably be at the same event that Frank Gardner raced the Chev Corvair, and at which Red Dawson rolled the Chevy Monza.

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[Ellis]

Wayne Mahnken (ex Tassie in Vic) got this car from Harrop
He fitted red Holden Turbo powered engine/s
Very high HP but not noted for reliability.
It was painted Black during Waynes ownership.
He onsold the car which still exists but is not being used.
Mank still has the last Holden engine from it in his workshop

[Jac Mac]

When Rod first purchased the MKIV car he fitted the Boss 302 that he had used in the ex Fahey Shelby Mustang, I think this was either an ex Kevin Haig or or one of the five PDL (Falconer&Dunn) imports ( I see #5 of those advertised on T/Me recently). Not sure how many meetings he did before swapping the Chev in, but probably only two or three at most.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for that Jac. I don't think I ever got to see you race it unfortunately.

It was a pretty exciting car when Rod had it. I recall at a Manfeild event, the announcer said it was fitted with a drag race motor. I don't know if there was any truth to that or if the announcer was just trying to hype up the race.

[Steve Holmes]

Also Jac, in this Terry Marshall photo, it looks like its fitted with Mawer wheels?

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[Steve Holmes]

What a stunner! Frank Hamlins beautiful little streamlined Mini. Does this car still exist?

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[Jac Mac]

Thanks for that Jac. I don't think I ever got to see you race it unfortunately.

It was a pretty exciting car when Rod had it. I recall at a Manfeild event, the announcer said it was fitted with a drag race motor. I don't know if there was any truth to that or if the announcer was just trying to hype up the race.

That would be quite likely as Murray Baker & Ron Collet at Engine Rebuilds? were doing most of Rods engine work at that time I think ( & I dont think Ron would have tolerated a Ford in the shop :):) ), Pretty sure Rod already had the Mawers from the mustang, car had 15x10 magnums on front & 15 x 12 'jac mac' steels on the rear when Rod began the purchase process:)

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Jac, great info! Another question. Why did the side windows angle downwards towards each other like a 'v'?

[Jac Mac]

Thanks Jac, great info! Another question. Why did the side windows angle downwards towards each other like a 'v'?Long story short.....I stuffed up....How?
Short story long.... I wanted a MKIV, but being new they were mucho $$ & as the floorpan was same as MK3 Ford did not need to bring out a 'jig' car from the UK, Soooo #8 wire kicked in & I scrounged up a wrecked MK3 shell, removed all the non MKIV shaped bits & bought all new panels to build the MKIV on the MK3 platform, many of those bits were priced at minimal cost ( like $1.85 for the inner roof braces ) , I think it cost around a thousand all up for the bits I bought, however due to my scottish ancestry I baulked at the price of the MKIV 'B' pillars, I paid for this later when the memory had faded & when folding up the alloy door skins I forgot to make them 'straight thru' like the proper MKIV & ended up with those MKIV/MK3 crossbreeds.....crap happens...suppose I should be glad OSCA rules were so liberal, if it was an NZV8 today the gestapo would penalise me for that!!

[Steve Holmes]

Wow! That is great! I had no idea, thats very clever. Did anyone actually notice?

Also, here is something else I noticed. The front flare in this shot is different to those you originally crafted. In fact I'd say it looks a whole lot like the flares that were on the Cortina that Rob Kennard raced. But this was taken after the car had been racing for a couple of seasons so these have been fitted at a later date. But then I have another photo of the car taken years later when Barry Search owned it, and the original flares are back on.

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[Jac Mac]

There was the odd grumble from a few who thought I may have been taking advantage of the MK3 6cylinder firewall dimensions as opposed to those of the MKIV 6cyl firewalls, but never came to anything, got into more trouble over the Chevette I helped Derek McRae build when we 'flipped' the headlight clearance bulges in the front inner guards to shift the front axle line forward....Trevor Crowe felt that was a bit outside the guidelines:)
Yes, the front flares do look like the ones on Kennards car, in a further twist of fate I had a local southland guy approach me as to the whereabouts of any old OSCA V8's a couple of years ago, I knew Rod had bought it back from Barry Search, so rang him one evening to see if it might be for sale, fortunately or unfortunately depending on which side of the fence your standing Anthony Prendergast had swooped on it the week before, had mixed feelings about that until Anthony called in at home after Teretonga meet with MK2 & showed me photos of the MKIV 'as purchased', going to need a bit of work to get some strength back around the front end after all the 'post incident' surgery that had been performed over the years. Best I keep building 'new stuff':)

[45DCOE]

What a stunner! Frank Hamlins beautiful little streamlined Mini. Does this car still exist?

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Think Graham Farr in Wellington might still have

[rogered]

Wow! That is great! I had no idea, thats very clever. Did anyone actually notice?

Also, here is something else I noticed. The front flare in this shot is different to those you originally crafted. In fact I'd say it looks a whole lot like the flares that were on the Cortina that Rob Kennard raced. But this was taken after the car had been racing for a couple of seasons so these have been fitted at a later date. But then I have another photo of the car taken years later when Barry Search owned it, and the original flares are back on.

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Yeah id be interested to know the origin of those flares
They were on the PDL commodore and kennard cortina also.
Iv have some here, that I got off the commodore when glen jones owned it.
Wondered if they were based on a bedford cf jumbo van possibly??

[John McKechnie]

I used to work for Paine Mts and Davie Mts -GM agents, in the 70s-80s we were always getting people coming in wanting to try CF Jumbo flares.Would take a lot of work to a car as the vans had a flat side.. Seen Monaros with Britwell Escort flares.
Sold one CF set for a 65 Super Snipe , Irish guy had put twin mitts on the back.

[Steve Holmes]

OK, some updates. First up, the amazing Tony Gilbertson Minisprint.

Here's a question. There was a Dave Gilbertson who was a very successful speedway racer in the 70s (and possibly 80s?), and ran Mini Clubmans for several years. I think he may have even won the NZ Saloon Car Championship in one. One of his cars has been restored, and makes appearances every now and then doing demonstrations at speedway events. Any relation to Tony?

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[Steve Holmes]

As per my ??? above, here is the Dave Gilbertson speedway Mini.

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[Steve Holmes]

Here is the Grady Thomson HK Monaro, which John McKechnie now owns. This car has a colourful past, having been driven previously by Spinner Black and Rod Coppins, then later by John Riley (though not actually raced?) and George Bunce. Was discovered recently on Trademe and purchased by John, as a stripped down rusty shell, which none of the other bidders, or the seller, had any clue of its history. If not for John, this car would almost certainly now be in the big graveyard in the sky for old race cars, as the other bidders wanted it for the GTS body tags.

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[AMCO72]

We are just negotiating at the moment with owner of the yellow speedway mini for a loan of his wheels and tyres for the Amco mini for the up and coming Denny Hulme Festival..........may have to put on wider flares.......LOL !!!!!!!!!!

[Steve Holmes]

Sounds like a good plan Gerald, although being a speedway car, you might find the wheels on the outside are larger than those on the inside! Will be fantastic through left hand corners, but might struggle a bit through the right handers.

[Steve Holmes]

Time to reignite this thread. This EH Holden, is, I believe, that raced by Steve Dymand in OSCA from late 1973. Both Steve and his brother John were racing in OSCA at this time, John driving a newly built V8 Capri.

The EH was originally built and raced in Australia by Ron Dickson, and featured a Waggott Engineering 202, with triple 45 Webers, and a 12-port head. By all accounts, the car was said to be absolutely immaculately built and presented. Where is it now?

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[Jac Mac]

I only remember seeing this car[the EH] at Teretonga & after it had been fitted with a V8, I think Peter Kocis might have done the engine swap, V8 sat very 'nose high' in the engine bay which did not do much for the cars handling.
looking at pic car appears to have a sunroof & an offset scoop on hood so I assume car still has 6 cyl at time photo was taken... no idea where car is now.

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Jac, I didn't know it later had a V8 stuffed into it. Did the firewall get cut to make the installation? Ron Harrop built a very successful V8 powered EH Holden in Australia, but the engine sat well back for better weight distribution.

[Jac Mac]

Not 100% sure but I dont think the motor was set back, come to think of it I cannot remember whether it was a Chev or a Holden motor, got a feeling it might have been a 253 to fit in the "B" class of OSCA [ under 4.2 liter?] Paul Kirk or others might remember better than me. Understeered a bit IIRC..

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks Jac. That makes sense, as the car was originally intended for the B class when first imported.

[Steve Holmes]

This photo clearly demonstrates where the term 'Lola limp' came from. With bodywork removed you can see just how little thought was given to the well-being of the driver at this period in time. This was typical of many race cars of the period, they were getting faster and faster, more powerful, but the pedals were in alignment with the front wheels, and there was nothing ahead of the front wheels to protect the drivers feet and legs in the case of a head-on shunt. Amazing!

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[Steve Holmes]

Over in the Alan Smith Collection is a photo very similar to this, of John Wards Lotus Cortina, pictured at Levin, and the '56 Chevy sedan Ward and Rod Coppins used to haul their race cars.

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[Steve Holmes]

What a great looking car this is, Red Dawsons Z28 Camaro. He raced it for four seasons, three of which were in the beautiful gold Kensington Carpets colours, as shown here.

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[Terry S]

[QUOTE=Steve Holmes;20648]Dexter Dunlops McRae GM1. Is this the car which mysteriously disappeared on its way back to New Zealand after having raced in Australia?

With interest high on both sides of the ditch on 5000's I was intrigued by your comment.
Did it actually disappear? It seems no one responded to your prompt.

[David McKinney]

It didn't race in Australia in 1974. It was burnt out in a towing accident at the end of the local season. The remains were supposedly still in Wellington 1987

[Milan Fistonic]

... It was burnt out in a towing accident ...


Just like Reg Cook's Lola T300.

[John McKechnie]

Did the same thing happen to Regs Escort?

[Steve Holmes]

It didn't race in Australia in 1974. It was burnt out in a towing accident at the end of the local season. The remains were supposedly still in Wellington 1987

Thanks David. I was trying to recall where I thought I'd read that the car went missing, and was starting to think I'd just imagined it. Then I remembered it was in Graham Vercoe's book, and reads as follows:

"While towing the car to Teretonga the trailer carrying 001 caught fire and the car was badly damaged. It was repaired in time for the Surfers Paradise round, but Dunlop had a disaster of a time in Australia, unplaced in all four races. Then the car disappeared on its way back to New Zealand from Australia.

"Insurance companies on both sides of the Tasman argued for an eternity as to who was responsible for paying up. The car finally turned up in Wellington in 1987 and is now in storage there".

The wording is a little vague, as it makes it sound like the car was lost from 1974 until 1987. But did it never actually leave NZ for Australia for those races?

[David McKinney]

No, it didn't raced in Australia that year

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks David.