Northern Sports Car Club - the early years.

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Originally Posted by Allan

I remember two incidents on the "club" circuit as it was known. In the first one one of the competitors was too far forward according to the start official and was asked to move back a few feet which he did, only to leave the car in reverse so when the flag dropped he went one way and the rest of the field went the other. I don't recall too much damage. In the second incident a competitor came round the stables corner, got into a major tank slapper, then veered across the grass in the centre of the track. There was only one car parked in the area and the un-named competitor got that car dead centre between the doors.

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Allan, I remember another incident at the club circuit for the quickfire meeting that was run and televised around 1970.
A Triumph 2000 or 2500 broke a halfshaft coming past the stables on the right hand bend the halfshaft and wheel left the car and speared down the track. the errant part hit / was hit by a Mini in the front and looked like this afterwards [ no pic of the Triumph but here is the Mini ].

Attachment 32572

Hand drawn plan of the club circuit - from the NCSS Motorsport Day 1978 Regulations and Route Book.

Attachment 32573

Attachment 33302

Article in the Western Leader, the Suburban Newspapers West Auckland Edition is the following article.
there was previously a call by a someone through the NSCC website some months ago for information on the car, now Gordon who is 100 years old and still driving is looking for it.

Attachment 33210

Would suggest contacting the Western Leader, to get in contact with Gordon if anyone has information.
Western Leader, their phone number New Zealand 09 8370340

The Graham Vercoe Book " Historic Racing cars of New Zealand ", published in 1991 had this to say about GBS, Gordon brown and his " Specials ".

Attachment 33303

The Western Leader article was advised to me by my sister who lives in Massey, and new I was interested in the Cars of Gordon Brown, yesterday she took the article to Eddie Dowding, as he knew Gordon at the time of its construction, Gordon also lived in Herne Bay for a time as did Eddie, not at the same time though. Eddie was there from around 1929 to 1955.
Any information one the car please pass on to the Western Leader, or to me and I will contact them. either PM me or post on this thread. Am putting the picture, Western Leader Article and the Extract from Graham Vercoes book, on Facebook, to hopefully get some interest, and locate the car.
thanks

Roger, I am sure you know the reputation of the Vercoe book. While I admire Graham for tackling this immense task, do not rely on the veracity of it.

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Originally Posted by Oldfart

Roger, I am sure you know the reputation of the Vercoe book. While I admire Graham for tackling this immense task, do not rely on the veracity of it.

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Agree Oldfart, [ both with the correctness of the book and the fact he even attempted it, - gives a base to work from ]. As Gordon says in the newspaper article car built in 1947, not 1949 but gives another photo of the car, which my Uncle Eddie remembers, more about getting the message out with my post.
cheers

I was around at the time and was particularly interested in Gordon Brown’s Ford Ten special as I also utilised a Ruckstell rear end in my Fiat Special. I would say1947 is correct. I recall, that a full article on the car was published in the first or second issue of a short lived sports car magazine at the time and it was this that promoted my interest.

To the best of my memory Gordon Brown built only one car, which first off amounted to the sole means of family and personal transport. Fairly promptly he acquired an early Ford V8 saloon and also used this in competition. Incidentally, as was then usual the special was never trailered. Whatever, the car was the first of an ongoing series and certainly deserves recognition.

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Originally Posted by Trevor Sheffield

I was around at the time and was particularly interested in Gordon Brown’s Ford Ten special as I also utilised a Ruckstell rear end in my Fiat Special. I would say1947 is correct. I recall, that a full article on the car was published in the first or second issue of a short lived sports car magazine at the time and it was this that promoted my interest.

To the best of my memory Gordon Brown built only one car, which first off amounted to the sole means of family and personal transport. Fairly promptly he acquired an early Ford V8 saloon and also used this in competition. Incidentally, as was then usual the special was never trailered. Whatever, the car was the first of an ongoing series and certainly deserves recognition.

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Trevor, thanks for your comments, always good information .. my sister showed Eddie Dowding the article, as he remembered Gordon and his car too !!. Not sure if it has been mentioned but Jack Boot, who owned the Riley Bugatti, or was Bugatti Riley, was Eddie's brother-in-law and my Uncle too!!. Jack passed away before I knew him though, too young the date of the GBS is my year of birth, 1947 is quite a while ago, but 1916, Gordon's year of birth even more so..

Note ; Jack Boot passed away in February 1945 - so well before I arrived.

Here is the text from the request posted on NSCC's Facebook Pages in January 2015.
" Can you help?
A member of the public is trying to find a old car he built and raced. The information we have is below:
Known as: G B Special
Built by: Gordon Brown
Year: 1947 approx
Ford 10 Motor
Hillman 4 Speed Box
Ford T 2 Speed Differential
Plus many other bits
Rego: 235622
He raced it with the Northern Sports Car Club at the Muriwai Beach Meeting in 1948.
Also he has a little shield showing it got 1st in the Open Saloon Handicap at the N I Beach Championships 28/03/1953.
He has been searching for this car for a while but cannot find where it may be. If you know of the whereabouts or have any information on this car please get in touch with us. "

I am assuming that " the member of the public " is in fact Gordon Brown. the picture was posted also separately.

Attachment 33550

As far as I know this special was only used in competition by Gordon Brown and the fact that it was a very usable road going machine, means that it could have become used only only as such, to become ultimately worn out and discarded. Other more basic similar cars of its time continued to be used more exclusively in competition and as a result several have a recorded history.

Even so the search is very worthwhile as the car is of real significance as it was the first of an ongoing trend in Ford Ten specials. Let us hope for success.

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Originally Posted by Trevor Sheffield

As far as I know this special was only used in competition by Gordon Brown and the fact that it was a very usable road going machine, means that it could have become used only only as such, to become ultimately worn out and discarded. Other more basic similar cars of its time continued to be used more exclusively in competition and as a result several have a recorded history.

Even so the search is very worthwhile as the car is of real significance as it was the first of an ongoing trend in Ford Ten specials. Let us hope for success.

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Thanks Trevor, and speaking of Ford Specials, ERC has posted a " Standford " in his collection Just a Mix of Pics, taken recently, of a 40's type special, and presume a mixture of Standard and Ford ..
Here is another Ford powered Special, this time a mixture of 1930's and 1950's engineering, Ford 10 motor [ 1950's ] in a 1930's BSA based Special. seen before but different photos.

Attachment 33648

Attachment 33649

Attachment 33650

Would also like to know the whereabouts of this Car, Lyle Chambers BSA Special, built in the 1950's from a 1930's BSA Four wheeled front wheel drive saloon.. twin tube chassis with the BSA Front and Rear suspensions components welded on, any info post on here or PM me, cheers.

A couple of newpaper pages - an article on NSCC races at Western Springs, seqnmac27 Sean posted them on the " Old Speedway Photos " thread, have put them here as the thread is linked to NSCC's facebook page and website.
some well known names.
Remember races at Western Springs as part of a Heatway Rally one year, they ran races between the arrival of the Rally cars for a Special Stage around the track, unsure if the same event

Attachment 33746

Attachment 33747

thanks Sean

Here's a report on a1949 NSCC event won by Gordon Brown in his Special.

Attachment 34313
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Attachment 34315

Milan

thanks for that, Laurie Powell was there in his V8 Ford ..
Jack Boot was a relation of mine [ he married Dot, my Uncle Ed Dowding's sister in law ], passed away a long time ago [ February 1945 ] as when I was growing up Dot had remarried .. I must pass the article on to Ed Dowding, he will love it, at 96 still has a reasonable memory, and enjoys car related stuff especially to do with NSCC.
Jock Aitken used to repair my first car a 1960 Mini, back in the late 1960's when he had a little garage near the University in Grafton, [ now the motorway ]

May 2020 - now have photos of both the Gordon Brown and Jock Aitken Specials - both Ford 10 based
and look a bit similar - as well as the photo of Jock's car in the article.
There is also a photo of Jock and Laurie Powell in his Ford B$ V8, all at Seagrove in 1947.

cheers

Roger

The Bardahl series Hill Climbs were run by 8 different Car Clubs in the Auckland Frankton Waikato area over the
" summer " starting in late October and finishing in February.
The 8 Clubs involved were ; in order of events ** a correction ;
"
Hamilton Car Club, Round 1 Pekanui Rd, Puketotara, near Pirongia 27 October 1979
Northern Sports Car Club, Round 2 Cossey’s Farm, Drury, 04 November 1979.
Auckland Car Club, Round 3, Mclachlan Road, Kaukapakapa, 18 November 1979.
Triumph Sports Car Club, Round 4, West Road Clevedon. 25 November 1979
Pukekohe Car Club, Round 5, Bright Road, Waiuku 09 December 1979
MG Car Club, Round 6, Bald Hill Road, Waiuku 16 December 1979.
Auckland University Car Club, Round 7 Stoney Creek Albany 26 January 1980
Hisbiscus Coast Motorsport Club, Round 8 Bayers Road [ Farm ] nr Silverdale ?? February 1980.
"

Posted the Round 2 results earlier from NSCC
here is Round 3 run by Auckland Car Club, some well known names appear, this was a well supported round.

Attachment 34865
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The 1301 - 1600 class appears twice [ bad editing - the pages were foolscap not A4 ]..

Also have the MG Car Club round 6 and the Hibiscus Coast MC round, unsure of the date of that as no details on the sheet ..

More results HCMC and MG rounds, the MG one is hard to read, my copy is covered in coffee stains, No not red wine or beer, Coffee I am sure.
HCMC this was on a very large sheet so copied in two parts that over lap. Skip from Ken Booker, just below my name to Marty Finch
I figure it is the HCMC round as the number of competitors entered, there were always many more runner from the host club, I think some guys only did their own club events..
I think HCMC's was at Bayers Farm or Bayers Road, have found it on the map and seems the right place.
Attachment 34878
Attachment 34880

MG Car Club Bald Hill - scene of the TR photo slideways.

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I may be confused with the AUCC, Auckland University, and HCMC Hibiscus Coast Clubs events,
Can anyone help, Have a feeling as mentioned that the AUCC was near Pareremoremo Prison near Albany, and HCMC was Bayers or Bayes Road nearer to Waiwera / Puhoi.

BMC BOY took a photo of the TR at Bayers, but it doesn't help with the location, Back to Google Maps I guess.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Roger Dowding

The Bardahl series Hill Climbs were run by 8 different Car Clubs in the Auckland Frankton Waikato area over the
" summer " starting in late October and finishing in February.
The 8 Clubs involved were ;
Auckland Car Club, Mclachlan Road, Kaukapakapa Round 3, 18/11/1979.
Auckland University Car Club, Bayers Farm ? near Paremoremo Prison, Albany ?
Hamilton Car Club, Hamilton Round 1 ? October 1979 ?
Hisbiscus Coast Motorsport Club, near Silverdale Jan 1980 ?
MG Car Club, Bald Hill Round, Waiuku Round 6, Jan 1980.
Northern Sports Car Club, Cossey’s Farm, Drury Round 2, 4/11/1979.
Pukekohe Car Club, Bright Road, Waiuku
Triumph Car Club, West Road Clevedon.

Posted the Round 2 results earlier from NSCC
here is Round 3 run by Auckland Car Club, some well known names appear, this was a well support
Attachment 34865
Attachment 34866
Attachment 34867
Attachment 34868

The 1301 - 1600 class appears twice [ bad editing - the pages were foolscap not A4 ]..

Also have the MG Car Club round 6 and the Hibiscus Coast MC round, unsure of the date of that as no details on the sheet ..

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Howard Collier, semi retired here in mangawhai selling beatifull pieces of his land that he purchased many years ago

Is Andy Mercers Marina V8 any relation to Graeme Parks same beast ?

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Originally Posted by Kevin Hirst

Howard Collier, semi retired here in mangawhai selling beatifull pieces of his land that he purchased many years ago

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Kevin, remember Howard and the Escort with a straight cut and very noisy gearbox, was known as " Captain Howdy " at the time

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Originally Posted by John McKechnie

Is Andy Mercers Marina V8 any relation to Graeme Parks same beast ?

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John, I am unsure I do know that one of the Marina V8's was rolled at the Bright Road Hill Climb during this series, unsure if ever rebuilt and also remember a comment that one had been taken back to the 4 cylinder engine and restored, could be the same car, I am unsure and too far away these days to find out. John Windleburn also ran a Pontiac or similar at the PCC Bright Road event, it had been burn't out, arrived with no roof a bench seat [ from memory ] and a big roll hoop. passed scrutineering OK, and was loud.

Just a mention that probably belongs in this thread ,Bevan Cossey of the Cosseys Farm Hillclimb connection ,passed away a couple of days ago ,sadly another long time friend gone miles before his time

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Originally Posted by bob homewood

Just a mention that probably belongs in this thread ,Bevan Cossey of the Cosseys Farm Hillclimb connection ,passed away a couple of days ago ,sadly another long time friend gone miles before his time

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Bob, thank you for the news, NSCC had a lot of events at Cosseys, including an afternoon event, that finished with a BBQ at the top of the Hill after, the Club was very lucky to get to use it all those years ago, 1967 onwards..

This is from one of the yearbooks about NZ Motor Racing. from 1964 and then the GP in 1973, both NSCC and ACC helped to support the NZIGP with Marshalls, flag and crowd control.

Attachment 35091

Great to see the V8 Daimlers being called Darts...thats the name I always knew them by.
Especially after driving an anaemic 6 cylinder convertible Dodge Dart around Bribie Island and Brisbane 1994
(not enough power to pull the skin off a rice pudding )

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Roger Dowding

Allan, I remember another incident at the club circuit for the quickfire meeting that was run and televised around 1970.
A Triumph 2000 or 2500 broke a halfshaft coming past the stables on the right hand bend the halfshaft and wheel left the car and speared down the track. the errant part hit / was hit by a Mini in the front and looked like this afterwards [ no pic of the Triumph but here is the Mini ].

Attachment 32572

Hand drawn plan of the club circuit - from the NSCC Motorsport Day 1978 Regulations and Route Book.

Attachment 32573

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The Mike ..... ?? mentioned above was a good mate of Wayne McMath, who also ran a Cooper 'S' in various meetings in the 1970's, he was quite a quick peddler, lived in Herne bay for a time, and was I think a member of both NSCC and ACC .. as were many guys ' back in the day ', made it easy to enter lots of closed club events.

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Originally Posted by Roger Dowding

The Mike ..... ?? mentioned above was a good mate of Wayne McMath, who also ran a Cooper 'S' in various meetings in the 1970's, he was quite a quick peddler, lived in Herne bay for a time, and was I think a member of both NSCC and ACC .. as were many guys ' back in the day ', made it easy to lots of closed club events.

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"Back in the day", when motor racing constituted a true sport, most of those from the Auckland area competing, belonged to both clubs and many also to Pukekohe CC for good measure. Even without a cheque book, one could then compete on most weekends. Club fees were not too expensive in spite of the governing body even then being greedy. LOL

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Originally Posted by Roger Dowding

A couple of newpaper pages - an article on NSCC races at Western Springs, seqnmac27 Sean posted them on the " Old Speedway Photos " thread, have put them here as the thread is linked to NSCC's facebook page and website.
some well known names.
Remember races at Western Springs as part of a Heatway Rally one year, they ran races between the arrival of the Rally cars for a Special Stage around the track, unsure if the same event

Attachment 33746

Attachment 33747

thanks Sean

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Finally got my copy of the NZ Classic Driver Magazine from May - June issue 66, with the article about Alan Boyle, stalwart of both NSCC and ACC back in 60's / 70's and later. A good read.
Alan features in this article and also some Club Torque articles from Bob Homewood about the early Hill Climbs at Cossey's Farm, Drury. in 1967.

Here is another well known driver at Cosseys in 1975, Ross Cammick photo.

Attachment 35964

Rob Wiiliams in " Brutus ", Rob recently competed in his Elva FJ at Hampton Downs, still doing it !!

Bob Homewood posted this on Facebook [ another piece of History ].
Written by James Ganley.. must be a relation of Howden and Dennis, surely !!
Attachment 35970

Note the teams ratings at the bottom, for the relay race, and the range of cars from Austin Seven to Grand Prix cars and of course Specials
J Scurrah in the JBS, which according to Graham Vercoe's book was a rear engined 500 class single seater, not known what engine it is running here. There were a series JBS cars made in the early 1950's some still racing in the mid 1960's in NZ.

another Historic shot from Milan Fistonic, Roy Harrington in an Anglia, Birdwood Road, Massey NSCC Hillclimb, early 1960's [ 1963 ? ].
Attachment 35971

A few pics from an old " autoNews ", 23 March 1970. Posted on the 70's 80's photo thread
This was the NSCC run event, the end of the season nothing of the 1.6 litre National Formula Series but other cars

Dave Silcock's mighty Jaguar MK 2, 3.8 saloon
Attachment 36007

The grid for the Formula Vee race
Attachment 36008

Fahey and Coppins battle it out in the wet
Attachment 36009

Photos by Gavin Evitt, magazine by Allan Dick.

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Originally Posted by Roger Dowding

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 bewteen, 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 girlfrend. amongst the group initially involved were, Phil Seabrook, Alan Pybus, Laurie Powell and others, Ron Roycroft was a member in the late 1940's too !!. Eddie Dowding and his brother-in-law Jack Boot both belonged, Eddie was Club Captain in the early days / years.

Eddie is still alive and well at 95, and many years ago gave me a few photos on NSCC and some events.
Here are a few to start

Attachment 29131
NSCC Concours 1947 -

Attachment 29132
NSCC Helensville Mud Trial 1949

Attachment 29133
Jack Boot Riley Special - raced at a Cinder Track in Huntly - year not known but late 1940's.

As I find more will post them.

Please add to the thread.

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The Riley Special, was known as the " Riley - Bugatti " owned for a time by Jack Boot, raced by Ron Roycroft was also known as the " Bugley " believed to have been built originally by A J Roycroft in the 1930's.
I would like more information on the car Please.. PM me or post on the thread as NSCC related

A Couple of newspaper articles regarding the Club setting up at Mt Richmond Domain back in 1972.
Don't think I did many of the working bees, but did become one of the barmen after it opened. the said social activities.
Remember they passed a resolution at one meeting that the bar could not open until the Official business was conducted, think that got relaxed over time.. [ not a lot of time .. thirsty work meetings !! ]

Attachment 36074

Attachment 36075

From Eddie Dowding's collection a photo of one of his several Riley's a Monaco, at Russell, Bay of Islands.
As mentioned Eddie was an early member Club Captain 1944-45 ish and then President 1946-47

Attachment 36076

Found out where the photos was taken from posting it on Facebook, and what model the car was.

Here is another of Eddie's Rileys a Riley 9, in 1949 ** [ now confirmed as 1945 or 46 ] . posted before - at Helensville the Mud trial
Eddie with his Pipe, other car believed to be Ken Hemus' Singer
Attachment 36077

Rob Williams, the panelbeater in Glen Eden when I first met him, still at school from memory, has had many cars over the years. " Brutus " the K1/2 Allard, apparently had K1 and K2 parts in it, The car I first remember in the late 60's early 70's was the Ford V8 Coupe. i have a couple of photos of the V8, and recently found a great one on Facebook - courtesy Stephen Meares. shows Rob in action at a grass sprint, probably either Tom Grace or Peter Hildreths farms in and around Woodhill West Auckland.
Rob did exhaust work on several of my cars, including my first Mini in 1967, with Agricultural Muffler [ Massy Ferguson Tractor one, - no sales tax as farming equipment ], and later when the Sprite boys in AH Car Club used modified Mini Cooper exhaust manifolds, to replace those cast iron things that came with the cars; cut of the bottom section turn it 90 degrees and sleeve and weld it so suitable for an in line engine;

Attachment 36597

Robs car in the carpark at Pukekohe in 1966 at an NSCC meeting, my pictures.

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I last saw Rob at " The Gables Tavern " in Herne Bay around 2007, with his wife, having dinner with Allan Woolf [ my neighbour in New Lynn in the late 1950's ] and Colleen, and Colin Waite and his wife, three great NSCC competitors, who are still involved in cars and racing.

Rob and " Brutus " shared the NSCC Sports Car Trophy with me in about 1975, when I had an Austin Healey Sprite.
Rob did all the Speed events Hill Climbs and Club Circuit and Grass Sprints, I did Hill Climbs, Grass Sprints and Trials

May not be an NSCC event but a few Club members in the field here ; put on my " Pukekohe early pictures " thread but worth being here too !!. Picture from a book published in the early 1970's by reading the notes ..

Attachment 37350

Here is another NSCC member, a very early one mid late 1940's , Ron Roycroft on a metal hill road near his home in Glen Murray, about 1979. Ross Cammick photos.

Attachment 37351

and after an oops.. right through the wire fence ..

Attachment 37352

That is Ron on the left in the red shirt..
the car was Jaguar powered 6, and called the RJR Special .. Trevor Sheffield will know the car

RJR is currently being restored by Peter Benbrook.

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Originally Posted by Oldfart

RJR is currently being restored by Peter Benbrook.

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Yes, and Ross Cammick has sent me a photo of it, and one with Peter and Ron from a few years ago.
Must post them here.

Oldfart, these are for you and others ; some photos that Ross Cammick sent to me just recently..


Ron Roycroft Peter Benbrook, and Terry Roycroft ** new info
Attachment 37360

The RJR being rebuilt
Attachment 37361

The Jaguar engine in the Bugatti ..
Attachment 37362

Ross understands that Terry Roycroft has the Bugatti engine and also the actual Jaguar engine used in the RJR, the the rebuilt car will have a different Jaguar engine..

Is the blue car to the right of this photo a version of the RJR special?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Roger Dowding

May not be an NSCC event but a few Club members in the field here ; put on my " Pukekohe early pictures " thread but worth being here too !!. Picture from a book published in the early 1970's by reading the notes ..

Attachment 37350

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That was taken at the Auckland Car Club meeting on April 4 1964.

Motorman used a photo that must have been taken a few seconds before the one posted above.

Attachment 37364

And the caption appears to be wrong. From this entry list the Zephyr looks like Frank Radisich's number 144.

Attachment 37365

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Roger Dowding

Oldfart, these are for you and others ; some photos that Ross Cammick sent to me just recently..


Roycroft and Peter Benbrook, unsure of the third person
Attachment 37360

The RJR being rebuilt
Attachment 37361

The Jaguar engine in the Bugatti ..
Attachment 37362

Ross understands that Terry Roycroft has the Bugatti engine and also the actual Jaguar engine used in the RJR, the the rebuilt car will have a different Jaguar engine..

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That is correct, at one time the RJR had that engine on site to go in, but it went back to Terry.