I was told by a family member that the bottom photo above was perhaps Muriwai, but didn't pursue that to concur. Time for Milan?
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I was told by a family member that the bottom photo above was perhaps Muriwai, but didn't pursue that to concur. Time for Milan?
The Vic Simpkin Buckler 90 (from post #280) still lives and is fully intact, I hope to view it soon. Great pic Roger.
Posted on Buckler Cars and Karts facebook page - these images of the Ivy Stephenson, Bruce Sutcliffe and others Buckler. Well known in New Zealand with its De Joux body.
Photos from Bart Jonkers Richard Bauz and Malcolm Bee..
- Paul Steed driving
Attachment 73410
Attachment 73411
Attachment 73407
Attachment 73408
The Madgwick Cup - just after the start.
Having a big spin which apparently caused the De Dion rear end to cause problems and its racing was over.
Attachment 73409
Will scan the page on the Harris now Garmey car..Quote:
Originally Posted by Roger Dowding
Here are the Registration details as on Carjam today.
" 1957
Make: BUCKLER
Model: 90
Colour: RED
Second Colour: White
Body Style: Sports Car
VIN: 7AT01X00X12704381
Plate: GHH417
Engine No: COVERED
Chassis: 90-0003
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car/Van
Seats: 2
CC rating: 1,340cc
Fuel Type: Petrol
Assembly Type: NZ Assembled/Built
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Vehicle Equipment Class: MA
Industry Class: PRIVATE "
Plate History ..
" Plates History
Plate Effective Date
GHH417 30-Apr-2012
�� Registration ℹ
Registration Status: Get CARJAM Report
Plate: GHH417
Plate Type: Standard
Origin: NZ New
Used as: Private Passenger vehicle
Cause of Latest Registration: Re-Registered
NZ First Registration: 01-Jan-1957
NZ Last Registration: Get CARJAM Report
Was Registered Overseas? No
Registered previously in: New Zealand "
" Odometer Readings
As of 26-Feb-2017 Check latest odometer readings.
2017-Feb-04 WOF Inspection
198 Miles/year
72,908 Miles
2015-Nov-10 WOF Inspection
165 Miles/year
72,662 Miles
2015-Mar-14 WOF Inspection
65 Miles/year
72,553 Miles
2014-Aug-23 WOF Inspection
150 Miles/year
72,517 Miles
2013-Dec-23 WOF Inspection
56 Miles/year
72,417 Miles
2013-Apr-20 WOF Inspection
206 Miles/year
72,379 Miles
2012-Apr-30 WOF Inspection
72,178 Miles
2012-Apr-30 Pre-registration Check
72,178 Miles ".
Hard reading as do not copy and paste well.
Recent photo of the car.
Attachment 74120
Have information from Mark Garmey around its story early 1990s to 2007.
" Mark Garmey writes ; 31st January 2023
“ Gary Dixon from Christchurch rescued the car from a paddock in the early 90’s.
At this time it had a Ford crossflow in it. Gary did a bit of the restoration but succumbed to cancer prior to finishing it.
The car then went to Snow van den Broek from Matamata.
I got the car from him in 2007 basically in the same state as he had received it from Gary.
Snow was killed in a car crash in 2017. “
"
The Paul Greaney car 441.091 Race #128, looking very smart,
thanks Nigel.
The car Mark Garmey has, when owned by me in 1970, sold so that I could buy a ticket to Europe, bought from John Money had a 1340 block, was supposed to have a steel crank and 85 mm pistons. The rear suspension had Woodhead Munroe shocks with coil over springs, top links going forward and a Lotus style A frame to the bottom of the diff. That was attached with a tie rod end, which let go on SH1 at some pace outside the Burnham Army base. Later reported that it had been "crashed by a school teacher from Dunsandel". That was me. There was no crash, but it was a fairly interesting ride before I brought it to a halt with rear steering.
Met Gary Dixon at a funeral not long before his death. My wife worked with his and from memory it was someone from their work's funeral
Anyway, got talking to him as he'd seen the Mk2 jag we'd come in. Both of them were upfront about his prognosis. He said he wasn't far off finishing the Buckler but didn't think he'd have the time to finish it. There was a function to go to other side of town so I asked him if he'd ever driven a good Mk2. He said no he hadn't so I tossed him the keys and said see you there. His eyes lit up and a huge grin on his face. Very nice guy who deserved longer. And yes, we got the Jag back unmarked.
Brave Man, Rhys ..Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldfart
Have found another photo of the car - very poor image and trying to identify the number plate - it should be 759.025 - the 1961 - 64 plate Black letters on Yellow. a couple of the numbers can be read just - especially the last the " 5 ".
Colour image as found.
Is that Peter Preston in the driving seat.
Attachment 74134
in Monochrome
Attachment 74135
Have a note which I wrote some time ago about a plate "352.325 " which I thought was on the car - the original 1956 - 61 issue, White numbers on Deep Red with a star " * "..
Can anyone / Does anyone have anything to confirm this - a photo perhaps.
The " 759.025 " plates 1961 - 1964/65 are seen on several of the photos from Peter Preston's time with the car, racing at Teretonga and Renwick around 1963.
The story continues.
"Brave Man, Rhys .." Roger, why do you say that? It was my only car, and breakages can happen.
The bonnet bulge/scoop was not on the car when I had it. Nor were there louvres as it has now, the scoop over the downdraft Weber was "primitive". I'm guessing that many of the changes emanated from John Money. Photo to come. FWIW the car suffered no other damage apart from a bent radius rod, certainly no bodywork.
Rhys, perhaps I should have said " well handled ", having turned a Mini into a 3 wheeler in Titirangi, - it was a front wheel that broke too !!
Skidded to a halt to see the wheel disappear over the bank, early Mini's had weak wheels for a young fellow with more bravado than skill at the time. learnt from that and got a new pair of wheels -modified
- " Jolly Wide " wheels actually..
Look forward to seeing the photo and thanks for the info on the car.
Just been going through the Brown / Nolan spreadsheet on the NZ Bucklers that you sent me some time ago -good to have with all the other Buckler stuff in my archive..
Sent these photos recently of the Buckler that Mid Beckett [ M M Beckett ] had in 1961 - 1962.
Mentioned as being in Lower Hutt and at Levin in 1962, in Rhys Nolan's notes.
Four photos of the car - The photos are from Mid Beckett himself in 1961
Attachment 74482
Attachment 74483
Attachment 74484
Attachment 74485
Does anyone have more information on the car ??
Adrian Krzyzewski asked about the car as he is trying to help Mid Beckett who now has a Lotus Seven that raced at Ahuriri [ Napier ] races in 1964.
He notes, from the Graham Vercoe book, which mentions a Buckler that was a " blown " - supercharged Mark VI - the Arthur Harris car then went to Wally Bower then Groves and then Beckett, it went to David Crewdsen and was written off. Is this the same car.
There is also mention by Adrian of the Dewar car and the car that Peter Benbrook owns -
Did Dewar rebuild the Beckett car ?
- It seems that information is incorrect, or details of one car being applied to another.
Any information, please post here or PM me.
The bonnett on the car is quite distinctive, but have not seen other photos of a Buckler with the nose as pictured.
The Arthur Harris car is not the "Blue Brick". Remember what I have frequently said about that quoted resource.
Pete Benbrook's car is a recent creation using a new unused chassis. (By Dewar)
Thanks for the clarification Rhys..Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldfart
My comment " There is also mention by Adrian of the Dewar car and the car that Peter Benbrook owns -
Did Dewar rebuild the Beckett car ? "
Rhys Nolan notes " Pete Benbrook's car is a recent creation using a new unused chassis. (By Dewar) "
A further comment - the car known as the Blue Brick .. " is not the Arthur Harris Car " and it is not the Pete Benbrookcar either ?
The Benbrook car .. a Ray Green photo from 2018
Attachment 74502
The Blue Brick in 2020 with Kelvin Brown - Peter Leversedge archives
Attachment 74503
Photos seem to vanish and need to click on the attachment in my system grrr
Nov 7th 2024, photos not showing and have disappeared completely - I also cannot find them on my laptop .. grrrr again.
Posted my photo from the April 1966 meeting at Pukekohe with the Orchid Special [ with that beautiful Ferris De Joux body ] and a couple of Bucklers [ De Joux bodied also ]. The Buckler on the right has plate FE9637 and is the car that was owned by Owen Cullen, having been with Vic Simkin previously.
My photo ;
Attachment 77200
The two following photos emerged as part of comments by Paul Greaney, A current Buckler owner in New Zealand and David Montgomery who runs the Buckler Register in the UK and the " Buckler Cars and Karts " Facebook group.
Entry List for the meeting - Milan Fistonic archives - a would have been posted on the Pukekohe thread
Owen Cullen #42
Attachment 77203
FE9637 looking very neglected - Paul Greaney archives.
Attachment 77201
Another photo of FE9637 undated but believed to be when Owen Cullen acquired it. * please comment if details are incorrect. - David Montgomery archives - he must have obtained from an NZ
Attachment 77202
- as an aside;
Good to read that " Phospho " is helping Steve Holmes with the forum.
Long may in continue.
Going back into this after a very long time.
"Mid" Beckett told me that his car was a copy, authorised by Arthur Harris and registered as A Buckler because whatever LTSA was , at the time, had those in their list. So, in short, a "sort of" Buckler.
So - after a lot of research and unravelling what actually happened and talking to some that were around at the time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldfart
Vic Simpkin built two Bucklers. The first was an English Chassis Mk90 - the red one above that was sold to Owen Cullen and ended up with Ray Purdy. He then built a second chassis “under license” by Arthur Harris that became the DD2, and was sold to Wayne Harris and then Stan Benbrook. We have both cars in our shed. The green and yellow DD2 that I currently race is the second car. The car was built with the guidance of Buckler NZ, was registered as a Buckler from the moment it was built, I can’t see how it makes it a “copy” but I am a bit biased ����
Paul good information, and great the cars are still around.
" The green and yellow DD2 that I currently race is the second car. "
Here, in your own photo ;
" borrowed " of course with acknowledgement.
Attachment 77242
Going back into this, I spent some time on a phone call with Mid Beckett trying to establish which chassis that was for my records. He stated unequivocally that it was not a Buckler chassis at all, but a copy as he could not get a "real" one, and much easier to register as a Buckler than dream up another name.
That does not mean that your car Paul is in the same situation. Vic's wife told me that he gave it another name, it's now recognised by the folk who like Bucklers as such, a Buckler. Some were "authorised" copies by Buckler NZ, some were just done by those who could either not afford them, or Buckler NZ could not deliver, so they built anyway. I know of a car that was in exactly that cae, 2 cousins bought one rolling chassis, built another chassis and some of the parts supplied went onto both cars.
To follow on from post #286, here is the car when I owned it in Dunsandel, 1970. I think the plate number is AI...Attachment 77308
Advertisement from the 1950's - looks like from the " Pink " cover New Zealand Weekly News,
Attachment 77658
A well known Lotus XI with another well known car, a Buckler behind - believe Denise Ganley holding the umbrella.
the Ian Hallet MGA powered Buckler - it ran at the AHCCNZ Otaua Hill Climb a few times And was part of the Buckler Team at TACCOC and Le Mans Relay Races at Pukekohe.
Photo from Wellington Street Races in 1985
Attachment 77659
The Ivy Stephenson - Bruce Sutcliffe [ and others ] Buckler Climax - place date [ 1980's ] and event not stated Warwick Clayton photo - any help with ID of place - event and the date would be appreciated.
Have established it is Manfield in the 1980's there is a series of " Warwick Clayton photos from both Manfield and Wellington from then - Wellington believed to be the 1985 meeting - more photos to come of #15 and also the Mark 6 " Blue Brick " or its mate.
Attachment 77660
From David Montgomery - the Register List of Bucklers around the world - an updated list form October 2024.
Attachment 77661
Still 20 cars in New Zealand, was 21 back in 2015 according to David's lists.
Allan, just came across this ;Quote:
Originally Posted by Allan
Christchurch initial issue of plates in 1964 was " AJ1301 to AS6000 ". A total of 94691 plates.
AX69 - was in the series released to Whangarei which got " AV4801 to AX3950 " total of 19148.
Auckland got " AX3951 to BM2250 " the biggest release of 138,286 plates
Wellington had the 3rd biggest Issue " CJ8828 to CQ5600 " at 66771 plates.
This from a newspaper of the Day - as released by the Motor Vehicle Registration Department of the Government - what was its name back in 1964 ?
Attachment 77918
In 1963 the " Canterbury Car Club " held races at the New Brighton Trotting Track, which was closing down.
The Event was a fundraiser for Christchurch - for QE2 Park it is believed [ notes from Allan Dick ].
A photo of one of the Grids for a Race - with a Buckler in the front row - believed to be Merv Mayo - car is two tone.
A real mix of Sports Cars Specials and Saloons - real " Allcomers " event.
Attachment 77919
The Merv Mayo Buckler - two tone with a Hardtop - 1961 - 64 Plate " 74.464 " - David Montgomery archives
Attachment 77920
- Merv Mayo Buckler at another time - race #58 - different colour scheme but Jarvie body and looking a bit race-worn.
Is it the same car ? Where and When ? - different grille and a louvred bonnet. No number plate to help identify.
Graham Woods archives;
Attachment 77921
All three photos have the same style Ford 10 wheels but different windscreens.
Others will know more
I will alert the current owner who may be able to help!
Those wheels were known as Ballamy wheels, 15", and I am told made from Vauxhall ones, pressed t different offset (by a man who claimed to have been doing the job)
" Those wheels were known as Ballamy wheels, 15", and I am told made from Vauxhall ones, pressed to different offset (by a man who claimed to have been doing the job) "Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldfart
Are they the same wheels as on your car Rhys, they look like it. ?
Must look at other Bucklers and Specials of the time.
Yes Roger, they are. They were a desirable fit for many in the UK. I don't have any decent photos of many showing them, but from what I read the Ivy Stephenson car had them, certainly has now.
I have no idea how many of the NZ cars had them. My ones had also been banded and I would guess at Jolly Wide Wheels based on the colour.
Not a Buckler, described as a ' 1958 " Custombuilt " Mistral Sports ' - Current Registration since 1991. but Carjam shows 1958 Mistral Sports.
Ferris De Joux style body.
Photo by Nigel Watts at a recent VCC event.
Does anyone know more about the car.
Attachment 77943
Last enquiry on Carjam in 2023 - so did it change hands then ?.
** A bit more;
When Bob Blackburn [ in Christchurch ] went on to produce the " Puma " in 1960 he sold the " Mistral " business to Dunedin company " Emslie and Flockton ".
Around the same " George and Ashton " - also in Dunedin began building the " Tiki " - again a body to go a chassis - usually Ford 10, but Triumph TR2 and others were used, as well as Custom builds.
There is an interesting article here in Pressreader on the History of the Mistral and its NZ connection.
Like Buckler quite a few Mistral cars were in NZ being built here.
" https://www.pressreader.com/australi...3599000?fbclid "
The article is from NZ Classic Car, unsure which issue. " pressreader " says 14 October 2019.
Thanks to Digby Paape for the link.
On further reading the Mistral Chassis, was a New Zealand creation as Microplas the creator of the Mistral bodies did not build or design chassis, the body was designed for going on to Ford 10, Triumph TR2, and custom chassis.
A drawing of the NZ Chassis from Weltex. part of an Advert for Bob Blackburns Weltex, when building the Mistral.
Attachment 77944