Northern Sports Car Club - the early years.

"Note 3, Colin McGregor drove for Cowper - this would connect with Trevor Sheffield recalling that Colin McGregor had or built a Ford 10 Special - would seem it was Jocks car that passed to Cowper Note 3, Colin McGregor drove for Cowper - this would connect with Trevor Sheffield recalling that Colin McGregor had or built a Ford 10 Special - would seem it was Jocks car that passed to Cowper "

Not so, the McGregor car was a separate entity and went through several owners including Jim Lockley a well known NSCC office holder. Lockley senior's company was one of the first offset printers in Auckland and for several years printed Club Torque. Jim instigated this section of the business which was previously confined to plan printing and the supply of drawing instruments etc.

"Note 4, The photo in the Graham Vercoe book is of the second Special " Aitken - Ford 10 " with a simpler less rounded body and cycle guards - not fitted for the races at Muriwai in 1954 - "

I can not locate the photo and to the best of my memory Jock Aitken built only one special. Please explain.

The photos shown appear to be improved somewhat and it can be seen that the car has separately but closely mounted headlights. This would tie in with my memory of the car when comparing it with the Singford. Furthermore it it brings into the equation the car suggested by "Oldfart". i.e. "rather like a TF MG. The plot thickens. LOL

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trevor Sheffield

"Note 3, Colin McGregor drove for Cowper - this would connect with Trevor Sheffield recalling that Colin McGregor had or built a Ford 10 Special - would seem it was Jocks car that passed to Cowper Note 3, Colin McGregor drove for Cowper - this would connect with Trevor Sheffield recalling that Colin McGregor had or built a Ford 10 Special - would seem it was Jocks car that passed to Cowper "

Not so, the McGregor car was a separate entity and went through several owners including Jim Lockley a well known NSCC office holder. Lockley senior's company was one of the first offset printers in Auckland and for several years printed Club Torque. Jim instigated this section of the business which was previously confined to plan printing and the supply of drawing instruments etc.

"Note 4, The photo in the Graham Vercoe book is of the second Special " Aitken - Ford 10 " with a simpler less rounded body and cycle guards - not fitted for the races at Muriwai in 1954 - "

I can not locate the photo and to the best of my memory Jock Aitken built only one special. Please explain.

The photos shown appear to be improved somewhat and it can be seen that the car has separately but closely mounted headlights. This would tie in with my memory of the car when comparing it with the Singford. Furthermore it it brings into the equation the car suggested by "Oldfart". i.e. "rather like a TF MG. The plot thickens. LOL

---

Trevor, thanks, another car we need to find out about. The McGregor one !
- re ; " I can not locate the photo and to the best of my memory Jock Aitken built only one special. Please explain. "

The note about Jock building two cars is in the Vercoe book and there is a photo of it which I have yet to scan.
The photo shows the car parked next to the Singford and the Ivy Stephenson " blown MG TC ".

To add to confusion and bring another car into the story - there seem to have been 4 " Singford " cars built by the Tilsley boys, Don, Bob and Glen in the 1950's - 1951 - 1957 All before I was around the motor scene only 10 at the time the last Singford was built.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Roger Dowding

Trevor, thanks, another car we need to find out about. The McGregor one !
- re ; " I can not locate the photo and to the best of my memory Jock Aitken built only one special. Please explain. "

The note about Jock building two cars is in the Vercoe book and there is a photo of it which I have yet to scan.
The photo shows the car parked next to the Singford and the Ivy Stephenson " blown MG TC ".

To add to confusion and bring another car into the story - there seem to have been 4 " Singford " cars built by the Tilsley boys, Don, Bob and Glen in the 1950's - 1951 - 1957 All before I was around the motor scene only 10 at the time the last Singford was built.

---

As far as I am aware, Jock Aitken built only one car but drove a Dodge Special owned by Clarry Irwin and may have had some hand in its construction.

PS After having located the photo on on page 2 of the Vercoe book, I am confident that the second car is indeed the first Singford, with its unpainted one piece aluminium bonnet removed. The third car is not that of Ivy Stephenson who owned a normally aspirated MG TD with disc wheels..

When did Ivy Stephenson own a blown MG TC as did Sybil Lupp ? Two ladies of renown.

There were only three Tilsley cars built i.e. two sports type specials and one single seater racing car. However there was a project car built by the Tilsleys which was completed and bodied by others.

Trevor, thanks for your notes - and finding the photo in the Vercoe book

" PS After having located the photo on on page 2 of the Vercoe book, I am confident that the second car is indeed the first Singford, with its unpainted one piece aluminium bonnet removed. The third car is not that of Ivy Stephenson who owned a normally aspirated MG TD with disc wheels.. "

We know Graham Vercoe books have inaccuracies and he didn't seem to accept corrections to errors.
I understand that he acquired photos, etc to use in his books, forgot whose they were and never returned them.

Would be good find photos of Ivy's MG, there are a few of Sybill Lupp's cars - mainly her Jaguars.

Ivy of course had a Buckler in later years, into the 1960's and a Lola Climax in the later 1960's.

Ivy in her Buckler NSCC patch on her Overalls - Richard Armstrong archives

Attachment 66502

The Lola Climax at Pukekohe in 1966 - my own photo

Attachment 66501

As for the Tilsley Boys, I do not know a lot about their cars - I have more reading to do.

The first car in the photo is captioned, "The Aitken-Ford 10 Special No. 2." at Muriwai 1954, reportedly having made its debut at Seagrove in 1951 and at a later date was fitted with a Ford V8 engine.

The car also appears partly concealed on page 55, showing a Buckler at Ardmore in 1951.
Apparently Jock Aitken drove Clarry Irvin's Dodge Special at Muriwai in 1954, at Ohakia and Ardmore in 1955 and definitely at a quarter mile sprint meeting held on the unfinished Northern Motorway 3/10/55, where he won the 3000 - 5000 cc class at 16.6 s. I ran my Singer Le Mans with my wife driving and the results show no record of Jock Aitken running in any other car.

I recall Jock driving a large engined car and thought this recollection involved the Dodge Special. However Ford V8 hangs in my ind rather than Dodge, so that it could be that there was a second car. Even so the car pictured does not fit the bill in my mind or opinion.

A set of photo's of Peter Levet competing at Cosseys Farm in March 1974.
The first photos shows the talked about concrete pad that was the start with the " cowpats "
- also shows Steve Hamilton in the next car on the line and a few other competitors in the " paddock " area.
The photos from Milan Fistonic's extensive archives - Photographer stated as " unknown ".

The photos are in sequence from Start through the middle section the tight right hander and up through the "Top Gate " before the sweeper to the finish.

Attachment 66633

Attachment 66634

Attachment 66635

Attachment 66636

Photo from the 1967 article on the New Venue of Cosseys Farm, showing the track / road.

Attachment 66637

Finding more our about when certain Hill Roads were used by NSCC and other Clubs and came across these via Bob Homewood - he has a facebook link about the great Late Ted Thompson of Kumeu and a few photos of the Mini-Ford,
A Ford crossflow 1500 Motor grafted to a Mini Gearbox running huge carburettors and 13 inch wheels on the front usual mini 10 inch on the rear.

The Hill Climb details ; Ted running a special Ford V8 engine in a Ford 10 - there are some pictures of the motor too

Attachment 66726

Attachment 66727

Forrest Cardon in the Lycoming - pre Jim Boyd - lots of other well known 60's [ 50's -70/80's ] drivers too !!

Originally posted this, but more information has been forthcoming ;

1940's - late in the decade. First Hill Climb appears to be in 1946
1946 - 47.

Taylors Bay, Hillsborough - unsure which road was used.

Pokeno again no details on which road was used.

Ostrich Farm Road - late 1940's **- understand this may have been the Auckland Car Club's venue not NSCC ? not correct was NSCC only

** Used in 1961 as have some results from an event there in November 1961 posted in previous thread
The plot / story continues ..
1950's

**
" Wairamarama Onewhero Road, Onewhero "

described as Wairamarama Road, Glen Murray in some details about an early Hill Climb - near Ron Roycrofts place - used definitely in 1956.
Thanks to Trevor for the correction of spelling - makes it easier to find on a map !!

1960's

Wharepapa Road, Helensville - used early 1960's ** maybe 1964

Birdwood Road, Massey - area now called Birdwood as Massey is a large area. used 1964 - 65, did they keep using it until Cosseys was used in March 1967.

** These details have been corrected and reporsted as later Post # ..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Roger Dowding

Originally posted this, but more information has been forthcoming ;

1940's - late in the decade. First Hill Climb appears to be in 1946
1946 - 47.

Taylors Bay, Hillsborough - unsure which road was used.

Pokeno again no details on which road was used.

Ostrich Farm Road - late 1940's **- understand this may have been the Auckland Car Club's venue not NSCC ?

** Used in 1961 as have some results from an event there in November 1961 posted in previous thread
The plot / story continues ..
1950's

**
" Wairamarama Onewhero Road, Onewhero "

described as Wairamarama Road, Glen Murray in some details about an early Hill Climb - near Ron Roycrofts place - used definitely in 1956.
Thanks to Trevor for the correction of spelling - makes it easier to find on a map !!

1960's

Wharepapa Road, Helensville - used early 1960's ** maybe 1964

Birdwood Road, Massey - area now called Birdwood as Massey is a large area. used 1964 - 65, did they keep using it until Cosseys was used in March 1967.

---

Ostrich Farm Road was definitely a NSSC hillclimb and to the best of my knowledge and recollection was never used by the ACC.

Wairamarama I am certain was an exclusive NSSC venue.

During this period the two Auckland Clubs as a matter of principle, did not attempt to gain the use of what was considered to be the others patch. This attitude was important so as to prevent confusion and possible competition involving applications made to the public body involved. It worked very well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trevor Sheffield

Ostrich Farm Road was definitely a NSSC hillclimb and to the best of my knowledge and recollection was never used by the ACC.

Wairamarama I am certain was an exclusive NSSC venue.

During this period the two Auckland Clubs as a matter of principle, did not attempt to gain the use of what was considered to be the others patch. This attitude was important so as to prevent confusion and possible competition involving applications made to the public body involved. It worked very well.

---

Good information, Thanks Trevor.
I like the idea that the clubs collaborated, was certainly like that when I was involved in the 1970;s - helping out at ACC events and they with ours, plus with Pukekohe Car Club, Hamilton, Thames Valley and Tokoroa.

Photo of the Car when George Smith owned the ex Phil Seabrook Car
[ Seabrook Fowlds - the Auckland Austin dealers ]
A bit more of the story.

This is from 1936 ..

Bob Homewood who posted the photo wrote ;

" A very early NZ visit by George Smith across the Tasman to compete at Victor Harbor in 1936 and amazing also when you research some of this stuff what else you find for instance this fact .......The 1937 Australian Grand Prix is a name which has been applied retrospectively to the 1936 South Australian Centenary Grand Prix, a motor race held on the Port Elliot-Victor Harbor road circuit in South Australia on Boxing Day, 26 December 1936 "

" The Austin was the ex Phil Seabrook ex works car ,by all accounts Smith was over handicapped out of the event and the race report has him retiring on lap 7,going on a comment I was told a long time ago ,also I don't think he was over happy with the roughness of the circuit it appears there was another NZ er at that meeting as well , a Eric Morgan who appears in the entry list as " Cire Nagrom' for reasons only known to him who was entered in the ex Zaborowski Miller 8 but apparently it was damaged in a race day accident on the way to the circuit and it was sold shortly after the meeting to a South Australian buyer "

Attachment 66870

A slightly later photo of the Car - still in the light Green colour but with a different George [ George Sellars ] who owned the car in 1946 .. here at Muriwai in 1946 - later in the year at Orewa the was a dark colour - Blue as it was when with Ron Roycroft in 1949 into the 1950's ..

Attachment 66871

Good that more information is being found.
Thanks to Bob Homewood, an NSCC Guy from back in the 1970's

This thread was started with photos given to me by my late Uncle Ed [ Albert Edward Dowding ], known as Eddie within NSCC circles in the 1940's.

note from the first post on the thread -
" NSCC, was formed during the second world war - believe or not and from what I have gleaned from my Uncle Albert Edward " Eddie " Dowding, initial discussions took place on the Ferries between, Auckland City and the North Shore jetty's, Devonport, Northcote and Birkenhead.
Eddie lived at the time in Herne Bay and caught the Ferry to Northcote to visit his fiancee who became his wife in June 1942. "

Edddie's wife Una, my Aunt - his navigator and at times pusher in Trials and Mud Plug events - passed away this week at 100 years and 6 months - the end of the senior generation in our Family.

3 photos which have them both and others at early NSCC events.

Taylors Bay Hill Climb in 1946 - seated in Graham Wells Bentley - they are in the back seat - very crowded it was too
[ cosy in fact ].

Attachment 66938

In the Morris 8 Tourer - Mackies Rest in the Waitakere Ranges, near Piha - also in 1946. Una pushing.

Attachment 66939

In their Riley at Helensville Hall at the end of a Trial [ think Ken Hemus in the Singer ** now known to be Ralph Watson ]. the 1949 Winter Trial

Attachment 66940

RIP Una Dowding [ 1920 - 2020 ] and Eddie Dowding [ 1919 - 2018 ].
Una was still driving in her early 90's and Ed gave up his licence in 2017 having had it since 1934.

"In their Riley at Helensville Hall at the end of a Trial [ think Ken Hemus in the Singer ]. the 1949 Winter Trial"

Definitely the late Ralph Watson driving the four seater Singer shown in the photo. RIP all the old guys who started the club, "on a shoe string".
Somehow the NSSC originally retained an essence of dignity, when compared with the ACC.

Trevors comment - " Definitely the late Ralph Watson driving the four seater Singer shown in the photo. RIP all the old guys who started the club, "on a shoe string"."

Trevor,you are correct - and on looking at that photo and one of Ralph on early Mud Trial in the Singer, the same gentleman is navigating - must correct my notes on here and on the photo. Ken Hemus had a Sunbeam which was on the same trial as Ralph - photos posted before.

As an aside, I had a visit from Bob Kidd and his wife Lynn, whom I knew from my time in NSCC in the 1970's.

Bob had with him a letter from 1943 from a G Newsome to R Currey about forming of a club for MG's [ Sports Cars ] - It is about the formation of NSCC and in pencil on the back are notes about the club and who would be the original committee.

" B Tye " - Bryce Tye - who has a trophy named after him competed for by Club Members each year.
" R Currey " - unsure of his christian name
" V Clarke " - Vern Clarke - who features in a number of photos of early events
" J Boot " - Jack Boot, my Uncle who passed away in 1945, was the owner of the Roycroft Bugley - Midget style racer.

The information ties in with this piece from Club Torque in 1962 about the Clubs formation in 1943.
- from Milan Fistonic archves [ posted before - but belongs here]
Attachment 67097

Included in what Bob gave was also an early Membership Card with B Tye and R Currey listed on the card in their positions within the Club

There were also some photos of an MG Sports Car [ two in fact ] taken around the time - ownership not known.

Images of the letter the Card and photos will follow when I have scanned them - another part to the Club's early History preserved.

The letter written in June 1943 by G Newsome to R Currey. R Currey became the Clubs first Treasurer.
This is from Bob Kidd, who many years ago was given the Envelope with the letter card and photos in it.
Bob thinks it was at the 1993 Event -
the 50th Anniversary of the Club.
Bob is a former President of NSCC, and was Trials Committee Chairman in the 1970's - he mentored me and I took over as Chairman for a year or two in 1975/76.

They appear to be from R Currey archives
- they came in an envelope postmarked 1976 from a Gail Hamblin in Auckland 3 postcode to a Mrs A Bruce in Torbay Auckland 10.

The letter;

Attachment 67106

Attachment 67107

The pencil notes on the back of Page Two.

Attachment 67108

The notes connect with the page from Club Torque - republished recently.

An early NSCC Membership Card [ Members Card ].
Bryce Tye and R Currey have their names on the card.

Attachment 67109

A couple of photos that came with the letter - presume cars that R Currey owned - the plates are the 1941 46 issue White letters on a Black background with the symbol in the middle a Diamond.

MG's

Attachment 67110

Attachment 67111

There were two others photos of the MG [ MG's ]

A couple more photos of the MG [ MG's ] as noted in previous post. from around the time -
The cars have the 1941 -1946 issue plates - the first series of 5 year plates - prior to 1941 plates were issued annually.

Attachment 67122

Attachment 67123

Posted before with the photo on a card with the details.

Have re-scanned for better quality - and here is the photo sized for TRS - I got it to 183 kb allowing for the max of 185.5 kb

Attachment 67141

The Original Photo on the card.

Many of the cars seen in the Arthur Siddall photos - from Duncan Fox. Both Arthur Siddall and Jock Aitken ran Ford 10's as seen in the back row.
Would be interested in identifying all the cars and drivers / owners ?- I know some.

Sports Cars and Tourers in the front row, Saloons behind and in the back row
The Morris Series E would be a fairly new car.


Attachment 67142

Re - writing and amending the list from earlier posts ;

The list so far

1940's
- late in the decade. First Hill Climb appears to be in 1946
1946 - 47.

" Taylors Bay, Hillsborough " - unsure which road was used.
1946

" Pokeno " - again no details on which road was used.
1946

" Ostrich Farm Road " - late 1940's - understand this may have been the Auckland Car Club's venue not NSCC ** Definitely an NSCC venue and used in the 1960's

" Whitford " - un-named road
1948 near Whitford - report appears on the thread

1950's

" Don Buck Road, Massey "
24/09/1950 Hill Climb, Don Buck Road, Massey
**
" Wairamarama Onewhero Road, Onewhero "

1953 - 1956

described as Wairamarama Road, Glen Murray in some details about an early Hill Climb - near Ron Roycrofts place - used definitely in 1956.
Thanks to Trevor for the correction of spelling - makes it easier to find on a map !!
The Hill was used on the following dates

[ information from Trevor Sheffields book about Ralph Watson - thanks again Trevor ]
23/03/1953 - information from Milan Fistonic and cover of programme - Post #339
29/09/1953

16/01/1954 as noted in Don Tilsley photos
19/09/1954

15/01/1955 - copy of the cover - Programme for this event now added Post #339
later in 1955 - exact date not detailed

later in 1956 **- exact date not detailed " ----/1956 NSCC Hill Climb - Ron Roycroft ran the Bugatti - Jaguar
**presume this is still using Wairamarama Road

1960's

" Ostrich Farm Road, Pukekohe, Franklin County "

1961

11/10/1961 Ostrich Farm Road
November 1961 **
17/12/1961 Ostrich Farm Road, Pukekohe - the NSCC's Gold Star Championship Hill Climb

As noted ; ** Used in 1961 as have some results from an event there in November 1961 posted in previous thread post #327

" Wharepapa Road, Helensville " - used early 1960's ** maybe 1964 - now seems likely this was after Birdwood Road - see dates now added.

" Birdwood Road, Massey "

1964 - 1965 - 1966

14/03/1965 Birdwood Road Massey - results appear in a previous post

Birdwood Road, Massey - area now called Birdwood as Massey is a large area. used 1964 - 65, did they keep using it until Cosseys was first used in March 1967 ?.
Then we have Wharepapa -both roads used in 1965.

" Wharepapa Road, Helensville "

1965 - 1966

-/12/1965 Wharepapa Road

1967 to 1980's

By March 1967 NSCC had " built " Cosseys Farm Road into a Hill Climb venue - cowpats and all.

Question - Is it Hill Climb or Hillclimb ?

Here is confirmation of the dates of two Wairamarama hillclimbs.

Attachment 67195

Attachment 67196

These photos were put on the NSCC Facebook page back in 2017 - I had seen them and with the new information coming to light the should be here
The notes on the photos from the NSCC page

#1 photo NSCC 1951 #231
1951 Seagrove
“ Singford Special at NSCC Club Championship meeting at Seagrove 18 Nov 1951.
Up to 1500 cc 1st. MGTD 2nd Jowett Jupiter 3rd. General Handicap up to 1500 cc 1st. McHugh Special 2nd. Standard Special (Bob Crisp) 3rd. Byce Tye Cup for Sports cars. 3rd. 1st.Allard J2 (George Smith) 2nd. Jaguar 120 (Peter Harrison) “

Attachment 67197

#2 photo NSCC 1953 #232
1953 Ohakea
“ Ohakea Trophy Race 14 March 1953. D.N.F. for Don on the 24th lap (of 25) while holding 2nd place broke steering arm. Could have finished 3rd or 4th. Don received 10 pounds for completing 23 laps! “

Attachment 67198

#3 photo NSCC 1953 #233
1953 Muriwai ACC event
“ Singford Special 1st place won by Don at the NZ Hillclimb Championship Class F at Muriwai 18 April 1953 run by Auckland Car Club. “

Attachment 67199

#4 photo NSCC 1954 #234
1954 Wairamarama
“ Picture of Don's car Singford Special 1st Class F 1101-1500cc North Island Hill Climb Championship at Wairamarama -16th Jan 1954 run by NSCC. “

Attachment 67200

#5 photo NSCC 1955 #235.
1955 Muriwai Beach
“NSCC meeting at Muriwai beach, June 1955. Herb Gilroy A40 special and Don Tilsley Singford Special Mk 3 (Ecurie Drambuie) Dead heat 1st. “

Attachment 67201

The first 4 photos are the original Singford - details of which have been commented on **-on this thread.
Last photo is the Singford Mark 3 as noted on the photo.
** specific comment from Trevor Sheffield - who was racing at the time !
" There were only three Tilsley cars built i.e. two sports type specials and one single seater racing car. However there was a project car built by the Tilsleys which was completed and bodied by others. "

Thanks Trevor - always good information from your great memory and archives - Cheers ..

Must check the Hill Climb dates for the Timeline in the previous post. #338.
Another date also from Milan as noted in post #339 - Thanks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Milan Fistonic

Here is confirmation of the dates of two Wairamarama hillclimbs.

Attachment 67195

Attachment 67196

---

Thanks for that Milan- a date I didn't know about and have found another one from the Don Tilsley photos .
Great thank you.

Roger

Early in the thread I posted the names of the Presidents from 1943 - 1974 - the first 30 years - repeated below

" 1943-45 Verne Clarke
1945-46 Eddie Dowding
1946-47 Ces Hodge
1947-48 John Wilson
1948-49 Colin McGregor
1950-51 Jock Aitken
1951-52 Phil Ornstein
1952-55 Laurie Powell
1955-56 Roger Brown **
1955-56 Peter Ayson **
1956-60 Dudley Badham
1960-62 Lloyd Gerrard
1962-64 Jim Lockley
1964-66 Ian Runnerstrum
1966-70 Owen Thomas
1970-74 Morrie Chandler "

** Note two names for the 1955-56 year
These were the later Presidents
1974 on - including Bob Kidd, who gave me some early information recently.

" 1974-78 Grahame Knight
1978-81 Robert Kidd
1981-82 David Smith
1982-83 Brett Norager
1983-88 Bob Mitchell
1988-89 John Sinclair
1989-90 John De Vere-Ellery
1990-92 Bill Johnston
1992-98 Joe Smith
1998-99 Rod Peat
2000-01 David Armour
2001-08 John De Vere-Ellery
2009-current Vicki Burnitt "

The Clubs Logo seems to have only changed twice -
The 1943 Members Cards had the image of an MG T series and just the words ;
" Northern Sports Car Club
Incorporated "
The " Members Card " [ courtesy of Bob Kidd - President 1978 - 81 ]

Attachment 68457


The original logo from the 1950's as shown on the recent pages posted by Milan Fistonic
here cropped from his post of the 1953 Wairamarama Hill Climb.

Trevor Sheffield may know if this was also a badge for members - either lapel or a larger car badge ?

Attachment 67211

The later logo from the 1960's Had a sticker like this on the windscreen of my first car in 1967.

Attachment 67212

John Coker an NSCC Member for many years,Trials and later Rally Driver, ran a Skoda 120 at one stage - an ex-works car is now a keen cyclist and took photos recently.
He noted that his time up the Hill [ even though a better track and slightly different layout ] was his slowest ever.

- photos won't load - will try later ..
Photos will not load to this post #343.
Something is NOT right.

Managed to load this photo though from Cosseys Farm.

Attachment 67365

Scenic views of Drury, has changed a lot ;

26/12/20- photos still won't load must be the format -
26/08/20 Photos will not load to this post #343.
Something is NOT right.


The Road in 1967 ..

Attachment 67269

These images came from Richard Bauz of Switzerland [ has the Fb name Sand Mandli ] He owns the " Orchid Special " that Keith Yeates / Yeats ** built around 1969-61 [ a bit of a story there ] and raced in the 1960's
Keith's surname spelt both as Yeats and YeatEs ..

Programme Cover NSCC meeting December 1966 and some entry lists which show Keith was an NSCC member and entered under that club.

Attachment 67882

Think this is the entry list from the December 1966 programme

Attachment 67883

Other entry lists with the Orchid under NSCC entry by Keith Yeates / Yeats. **

Attachment 67884

Attachment 67885

Attachment 67886

See Trevor Sheffield and his Daimler SP250 #215 in the last three entry lists - appear to be from the same meeting.

Entry Cover and list from the NSCC Hiilclimb at Ostrich Farm Road - Gold Star event in 1961 with Keith Yeats entered - from his archives which Richard now has.
Must have been one of the earliest events for the " Orchid ".

Attachment 67887

The full entry list - with some times for the cars
- Entry for Keith Yeats in the Orchid Special

Attachment 67888

A Certificate for Keith Yeates [ spelling ] in the Orchid at an NSCC Race meeting in 1962

Attachment 67889

Great to know this information has been kept.
Richard Bauz * is looking for more information on the car

* I have attributed the archives to Richard Sandman [ his Fb name is " Sandmandli " - correct surname is Bauz ]

Motorman Magazine front cover, article and a Castrol Advert about the results - all from Milan Fistonic.
A series pf photos from a competitor John " Larry " Lawton will follow :

The Cover ; Motorman July 1965

Attachment 68421

The article

Attachment 68423

Attachment 68424


The Advert

Attachment 68422

John Larry Lawton photos of the cars at rthe start - Farmers Carpark in Hobson Street - when it was a two way road.

Attachment 68425

Double photo John Larry Lawton at the exit and on the street
Attachment 68426

Attachment 68428

Attachment 68429

Driver names and Placing details on the photos thanks to J L Lawton.

More John Larry Lawton photos
Farmers Carpark - the start

Attachment 68433

Attachment 68434

Attachment 68435

Control at Ngatea ;

Attachment 68436

Wayne Jones in the Imp = didn't he run a Simca 1000 at some time - again a rear engined 1000cc car ??

More from Ngatea and at the finish at Pukekohe to follow

John Larry Lawton photos

Control at Ngatea - including the Marshall and his car.

Attachment 68437

Attachment 68438

Attachment 68439

After the finish - a lap or two at Pukekohe - numbers are off for the drive home.

Attachment 68440

Won by a Standard 10 - the Advert again - to finish the set.

Attachment 68441

Historic Times coming up for NSCC .. 1971 the Clubrooms at Mt Richmond Domain were first actively promoted and then constructed in 1972 so 50 years ago it started.
1942 the first gatherings of the "social club " began.

2021/2022 will be therefore 50th and 80th Anniversary's of major events in the clubs history.
2023 would be the Clubs " Official " 80th year as incorporated in October 1943.

There is some chatter about a function for the clubrooms which hopefully leads into 80th Anniversary Celebrations.
Rod Peat, Mal Clark [ formely of Bygone Autos ] and Bob Homewood all competitors from the 1960's ,Bob, 1970's, Rod and Mal and on, are sounding the idea out.
Hopefully it will develop into some great functions and events.

Ross Haldane was an NSCC member from the early 1960's and a serious Triallist winning many Club and Gold Star Trials - He was Trials Gold Star Champion in 1972.
Bob Kidd a former NSCC President, who called into visit me a few months ago,advised that Bob had passed away in the last week.

Graeme Staples who is writing a book on Motorcycle Circuits and Racing in New Zealand has sent me an artcile on Seagrove in 1949 - Had already posted page one back in April 2020 on this thread.
There were two pages that were published in a booklet called Motor Sport Nostalgia - published in 1989 by Graham Vercoe. There were several events at Seagrove and there is mention of the " Competitors Car Club " and Northern Sports Car Club " [ NSCC ]. What the CCC was I do not know and hadn't heard of it before the article I saw in April 2020.

Cover of the booklet
1949

Attachment 68592

Here is the full article [ repeating the first page - page 21 ] - the magazine covers many events from 1949, and there was a 1950 edition too -also published by Graham Vercoe in 1989.

Attachment 68590

Attachment 68591

Cover of the 1950 edition

Attachment 68593

The following picture was posted by O J McLean on the Facebook page " NZ Car related street scenes 1950-1980's "
- with the comment ;
" 18-year-old Jim Richards of Manurewa in his "extremely rapid" Ford Anglia at a northern sports car club meeting in Pukekohe on Saturday December 9th 1967 he was placed first, second and fourth respectively in the three races he entered. "
Would have been there, probably on crowd control with one of those " white coats " was 20 at the time- always Jim was a tad older..** see post #354 regarding the event.

NSCC meeting Dec 1967.
O J McLean archives. Photographer not stated - could be own photo.

Attachment 68675

Previous post - the extract " quoted above " said that the Jim Richards photo of the Anglia was from an NSCC meeting in December 1967.

It would seem it was either the incorrect date or was an Auckland Car Club meeting, as NSCC's National Meeting near the end of the year would be this one.
The first of the Gold Star meetings for the season.
NZ Herald advertisement from 30th October 1967 for the NSCC meeting " Next Saturday ".

Attachment 68912

a straightened version of the photo. Entry 80 cents

Thanks to Milan Fistonic for this interesting magazine article - the Auckland Car Club 24 Hour " Hepolite " Trial from 1954.
Run 24th and 25th July 1954.
Article appeared in the " The Autocar " 27th August 1954. As noted by Milan.
Some interesting names in the results.
Phil Ornstein was President of NSCC in 1951 - 52
K Orr is Dr Ken Orr who was well known for loaning his cars to others to Race - seems he did the Trials though.
J Boyd - is that Jim Boyd ?, would be an early event for him, I think.
Interesting that a 1929 Studebaker was the oldest car [ at 26 years old ] in the event driven by Phil Neil

Attachment 68913

NSCC Hill Climb Events and venues
Re - writing and amending the list from earlier posts ;

The list so far - a bit more added - 1962 event.

1940's
- late in the decade. First Hill Climb appears to be in 1946
1946 - 47.

" Taylors Bay, Hillsborough " - unsure which road was used.
1946

" Pokeno " - again no details on which road was used.
1946

" Ostrich Farm Road, Pukekohe " - late 1940's - an NSCC venue and later used in the 1960's

" Whitford " - un-named road
1948 near Whitford - report appears on the thread

1949 Riverhead - road not stated ; 20th March 1949 -report in Post #358

1950's

" Don Buck Road, Massey "
24/09/1950 Hill Climb, Don Buck Road, Massey
**
" Wairamarama Onewhero Road, Onewhero "

described as Wairamarama Road, Glen Murray in some details about an early Hill Climb - near Ron Roycrofts place - used definitely in 1956.
Thanks to Trevor for the correction of spelling - makes it easier to find on a map !!
The Hill was used on the following dates

[ information from Trevor Sheffields book about Ralph Watson - thanks again Trevor ]
23/03/1953 - information from Milan Fistonic and cover of programme - Post #339
29/09/1953

16/01/1954 as noted in Don Tilsley photos
19/09/1954

15/01/1955 - copy of the cover - Programme for this event now added Post #339
later in 1955 - exact date not detailed

later in 1956 **- exact date not detailed " ----/1956 NSCC Hill Climb - Ron Roycroft ran the Bugatti - Jaguar
**presume this is still using Wairamarama Road

1960's

" Ostrich Farm Road, Pukekohe, Franklin County "

11/10/1961 Ostrich Farm Road
November 1961 **
17/12/1961 Ostrich Farm Road, Pukekohe - the NSCC's Gold Star Championship Hill Climb

October 1962 Ostrich Farm Road
As noted ; ** Used in 1961 as have some results from an event there in November 1961 posted in previous thread post #327

" Wharepapa Road, Helensville " - used early 1960's ** maybe 1964 - now seems likely this was after Birdwood Road - see dates now added.

" Birdwood Road, Massey "

14/03/1965 Birdwood Road Massey - results appear in a previous post

Birdwood Road, Massey - area now called Birdwood as Massey is a large area. used 1964 - 65, did they keep using it until Cosseys was first used in March 1967 ?.
Then we have Wharepapa -both roads used in 1965.

" Wharepapa Road, Helensville "

-/12/1965 Wharepapa Road

" Kiwitahi Road, Helensville " near Tom Grace farm Woodhill, near Helensville - noted by Bob Homewood.
" Wright Road, Brookby " - 1966
In use after Wharepapa Road - have a report from an event in 1966 - this is a new location / event in the timeline. with Wharepapa Road used in December 1965

By March 1967 NSCC had " built " " Cosseys Farm Road " into a Hill Climb venue - cowpats and all.

A recently unearthed advert for Ostrich Farm Road HillClimb in 1962 - the event was in October as in the same paper was an advert for a Motor Cycle race meeting in Te Aroha.

The NSCC advert ; thanks to Graham Woods again for this archive item.

Attachment 68994.

Photo of Cars at Mount Eden for the Kidston Cup Hill Climb has been posted before but now more information has been gathered ' Cars in the photo - notes by Graham Woods;
" Des Herrick in Hudson midget. (239.185) Bill Massey in a Rugby midget behind Des. Ron Roycroft beside Des in the Austin 7 and Laurie Powell in the V8 roadster."

The photo again -enhanced - a small version
Attachment 69419

Extract of the results
Attachment 69420

Not known if the event was organised by NSCC, but both Ron Roycroft and Laurie Powell were NSCC members and feature in many early NSCC events - as posted on this thread.

The Austin 7 is " Rubber Duck " which had been in New Zealand since before WW2.

bigger copy of the photo from Graham Vercoe book " Historic Racing Cars of New Zealand.
Also details the cars and drivers.
Attachment 69421

1949 Events, racing at Seagrove and a Hillclimb at Riverhead.

Amongst the cars competing were Gordon Brown in his Ford 10 Special;
Here is a comment about Gordon and his cars.
Note the description of the Axle as a Ruxley - I understand the correct name was Ruxtall and the axle / differential was a dual ratio one - giving the Three speed gearbox and effective Six speeds.

Attachment 69438

Another car mentioned is the Laurie Powell Ford B4 V8 Roadster.

Attachment 69439

A Hillclimb at Riverhead on 20th March 1946, featuring both the above cars and others;
Of interest to me is the name Wyn Bristow who was a great mate and in the 1950's a neighbour of my Uncle Eddie Dowding. Winton Bristow [ correct spelling ] was a club member and was also the artist who did a series of sketches of cars at Ardmore in the mid 1950's [ 1956 ].
Gordon Brown, Laurie Powell and Ralph Watson feature, as do others mentioned in the Seagrove report.

Attachment 69440

Thanks to Graham Woods for these little snippets of NSCC History which were posted on Old New Zealand Motor racing following the piece on the 1948 Kidston Cup which features Laurie Powell in the previous post.

Photos from Barry Sexton archives - think the event was a stage in a Rally as in one photo they are going down the Hill.
Event was a " Rallysprint " as noted by Milan Fistonic in post #360

- That photo is of Barry Sexton, and note 1984-ish.
Maurice Wright
Attachment 69441

Rodney Dixon
Attachment 69442

Bruce Farley ?
Attachment 69443

All at the same corner - through the gate.

A view of the service area full of trailers and service vans and cars.

Attachment 69444

Barry Sexton heading downhill at Cosseys in his BDA.

Attachment 69445

"- think the event was a stage in a Rally as in one photo they are going down the Hill"

It would have been a Rallysprint like this one in 1983.

Neil Allport going up the hill...
Attachment 69446

Attachment 69447

...and going down the hill
Attachment 69448

Attachment 69449