Historic Sports Sedans & All-Comers . Taupo 2018 and beyond.

As I grew up going to races in NZ that had original versions of these All-Comers in the field it was great to see how they have been restored or later versions brought back to compete again thanks to dedication and hard work of the owners, drivers and tireless organizing and giving of their time, for example people such as John McKechnie and others.
The category limits cars to as they raced more than 15 years ago and provides racing for cars that are not quite fast enough to race with more modern racers and do not fit into other historic and classic classes.
I was away overseas during the 70s and 80s when these sports sedans were in their heyday so this class was so interesting for me to be around and my photos do not do them justice so any other inputs are appreciated.
The camaraderie and sharing of stories and tools was a joy to witness. I saw a group of drivers share a unit and laughing the night away and going out and battling hard on the track the next day..great stuff.
I wanted this thread to be used by all and keep updated long after the Historic Taupo thread has faded away.
I am not an expert on the rules and regulations so please enter what is necessary.
I think these modified cars are unique just to NZ ?

Perhaps the most legendary All-Comer was the 1967 NZ Saloon Car Champion Robbie Francevic's 1955 Ford Customline "Custaxie" that has been revived as Custaxie 2 by Robert Bartley of Wanganui. Paul Tulloch drove the carr at Taupo and kept us entertained all weekend as he threw the Custaxie around.
Attachment 50462
Hyndman photo.

Attachment 50463
Paul Tulloch and car. (Paul Berkhan photo )

Attachment 50464
Paul making adjustments. (Paul Berkahn photo.)


Attachment 50466
(Hyndman photo )

Attachment 50465
(Hyndman photo )

Attachment 50467
Just to prove that they race to their limits Paul was forced into spinning the Custaxie 2 across the finish line of his last Saturday race at Taupo !
(Hyndman photo)

Disclaimer...Robert Bartley is in none of the above pix.
It is Paul Tulloch working, posing, driving and rebounding

The friendly Craig Stacey was driving the 1957 Ford Zephyr Corvette replica of the Rod Coppins car from the 60s.
Attachment 50489
Hyndman photo.

Attachment 50490

Legendary engine man, Ray Stone, came by to explain the unique exhaust system, which started out because there was not enough time to build a tuned length exhaust system and because it ran so well they left it as it was. This also meant Ray had to take out a section of his shop roof to let the exhaust do it's thing while on the dyno !
Ray is on the left, then Cam Neil and John McKechnie in this photo.

Attachment 50491

Note in this 1966 photo of Rod Coppins and the Zephyr,the difference in the welding and pipe length compared to today.

Attachment 50492

John in the Monaro chasing Craig in the Zephyr Corvette.
(Hyndman photo )

Attachment 50493
Craig in # 141 closing in on Jamie Coyle-Bennenbroek in her 1973 Torana XU1 # 4

Hyndman photo

Craig Stacey, centre, enjoying being with friends at Taupo.
Attachment 50497


A unique angle of the Zephyr Corvette.
Attachment 50498

(Photos thanks to Paul Berkahn.)

Smooth chin man next to Craig is John Marslin. he owned it for many years and ran it at our Festivals also at some annual street races. John also ran his XU1 at the Hamilton Classic street races back in the early 1990s.
The Distinguished gentleman with the white beard is John Climo.
He built the Zephyr Corvette 2 up for Rod Coppins to race in 1983.
You could say he started this historic saloon car movement.
He was impressed with the following this had .....and the fact the Mk 2 was still going.

Here is Craig at Hampton Downs
Attachment 50507

I had the wonderful privilege of being driven to Taupo with John McKechnie and Bruce Thompson. Bruce was also the driver on the track in John's 1973 Ford Falcon XA Coupe # 83. I was not much help, running off with friends and family or taking photos but it was great to see them in action along with the invaluable help of Paul Berkahn. (Paul B)
Attachment 50550
Forlornly in the rain waiting to hit the track. ( It may be for sale if the price is right ! )

Attachment 50551
Bruce heading towards the first turn

Attachment 50552
Bruce heading toward turn 2

As I mentioned we were all mates staying in the same building and relaxing at night and then during the day "the gloves came off" and they were all competing on the track.
Attachment 50553
Graham Barnes in his awesome 1970 Ford Capri # 118 passing Bruce in # 83 followed by the flying 1982 Toyota Starlet # 7 of Peter Hooper. (Neat bunch to be around after racing )

(Ken Hyndman photos. ).thanks for the ride Bruce, I'll catch up with you at Laguna.)

Attachment 50561
Bruce deciding what to throw in the dumpster !

Attachment 50562
Bruce Thompson getting ready to race # 83.

Attachment 50563
Bruce toward the back of the Historic Sports Sedans and Allcomers dummy grid waiting for his sidekick John to show up in the Monaro.

(Photos thanks to Paul Berkahn )

An gentleman from Queensland waylaid me asking me if it was the real Monaro that was recently featured in the Queensland Monaro Car Club mag.
Apparently in Aus the real, original cars dont race, they sit in museums or have track to themselves.
Explained to them, yes , this card did race against Terry Allens Camaro in 1970 , that the grid ahead had quite a number that dated from last century also.,and we were all here to race which is what racing cars do.

Although my photos don't do them justice it was exciting to see this HSS class in action.

Graham Barnes in his Capri # 118 leading Robert Jack in his 1979 Escort # 72 down the front straight.
Attachment 50612

Jon Telford in his very quick 1991 Mazda RX8 # 69 leading the # 50 Custaxie and Jamie Coyle-Bennenbroek goes by as she makes her debut in her 1973 Holden Torana # 4
Attachment 50613


Even with coolant issues Peter Hooper was quick in his 1982 Toyota Starlet # 7 but decided not compete in the Sunday racing.
Attachment 50614


Long distance views of the opening lap of a HSS and Allcomers race at Taupo. Saturday Jan. 20. 2018
Attachment 50615
You may need a magnifying glass but that is Graham Barnes in the lead in his Capri # 118
Attachment 50616


(Ken H photos )

A favorite in the HSS & Allcomer group was the 1939 Chevrolet Coupe # 39 belonging to Cam Neil from Turangi.
Attachment 50617


(Ken H photo )

Here is a bit of history from Ardmore. Jan. 1962.
Attachment 50623

Attachment 50669

G.Dixon in his Chevrolet ( 141) leads a bunched field around College Corner on the first lap.
The 8 lap race was a hard fought dice at the front between John Riley in his older Chevrolet and Brian Innes in his Motordrome Team green Ford Zephyr. Brian Innes held on to win and the Morrinsville section of the crowd cheered him on as the rain started to get heavier.
(Note the Spinner Car Sales car with Dennis Simmons # 153 was entered by Spinner Black also from Morrinsville. )

(Ken Hyndman )

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by khyndart in CA

Here is a bit of history from Ardmore. Jan. 1962.
Attachment 50623

Attachment 50624

G.Dixon in his Chevrolet ( 141) leads a bunched field around College Corner on the first lap.
The 8 lap race was a hard fought dice at the front between John Riley in his older Chevrolet and Brian Innes in his Motordrome Team green Ford Zephyr. Brian Innes held on to win and the Morrinsville section of the crowd cheered him on as the rain started to get heavier.
(Note the Spinner Car Sales car with Dennis Simmons # 153 was entered by Spinner Black also from Morrinsville. )

(Ken Hyndman )

---

That Alvis " Elegant British Automobile " amongst some real hybrids - and i see the Studebaker in a 1960's Hawk, was expecting a 1930's Coupe -had a Dinky model of a Studebaker that I found, was missing the base plate but still had the wheels, so got new Tyres from Martin's Toys and Hobbies in Custom Street,Auckland, near where my Dad worked in the early 1960's - when I got the tyres, either for this car or another Dad was not happy as they charged me for one tyre what was supposed to be for the set of four, a big hole in my pocket money !!. The Studebaker sadly has gone, Only three old Dinky's left.. it does include a Cunningham released in 1955 -purchased from a Hobby fare, a 1930's Army car - found in a garden and a Cooper Bristol, found in a road gutter in Hamilton.

Attachment 50625

Ken H sorry to hijack your thread .. Cheers, Roger D

Wow Roger, a Cooper Bristol, found in a garden in Hamilton. Lots of people wondered where George Palmer's one had gone :)

Early Red Byron Coupe which is likely very early NASCAR- would have been dirt track then, if I have my dates right - Is that a cigar hanging from his mouth
Attachment 50651

Old Coupe race car out to pasture, note the speed cut fenders
Attachment 50652

Bill Tanner - guess it was early Daytona when the track was half beach -Walt Wimer Photo
Attachment 50653

Louise Smith at Daytona 1951 -37 coupe
Attachment 50654

1938 Ford Coupe
Attachment 50655

Note the roof damage to the Louise Smith coupe.

Love those Coupes, they have attitude all over them...even the stripped one looks good to go.
Thanks Paul.
Nice Scotty dog on 31, wonder if the Captain would allow that on 17 ?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Oldfart

Wow Roger, a Cooper Bristol, found in a garden in Hamilton. Lots of people wondered where George Palmer's one had gone :)

---

Rhys, BTW the tyres were new,bought from a Model Shop in Birkenhead, in around 2003 sadly now gone !! if it is George 's it has shrunk to 1'43 approx..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Allan

Note the roof damage to the Louise Smith coupe.

---

Good spotting Allan
Racing was not for the faint hearted back then

Attachment 50663

Attachment 50664

Attachment 50665