I have an addiction....HO3's....and especially the race ones...sounds a bit bit like a HO's Anon meeting...
(I first seen the XW HO's at Bathurst in 1970 and its been ongoing since then.)
Having said that any pics or stories of these special cars that raced in NZ in their Series Prod mode .... like the Castrol GTX Series.... would be most welcome.
Regards
Ellis
Hi Ellis
Here are a couple of pics of Gary's (I gather he still owns it) P3. I am sure you can tell us more about it. A stunning car.
I sat in the ex Jim Richards P3 a couple of years ago and it is in great original condition. Both cars a credit to there owners.
The ex John Goss Ph3 was sold off to NZ after JG converted over to the XAGT Hardtop,does anyone have photos of this car?
Pete.
Originally Posted by mid-year
Norris Miles (an NZer and McLeod employee at the time) bought the car at end of 72. Goss (McLeod) took delivery of XA coupe in Nov/Dec 72 but Goss didnt race it till late Feb / early March 73. Norris ran it (HO3) at Amaroo and rolled it after 3 laps. It was repaired and sent to NZ when Miles returned. It was raced at Bay Park in July 73 co driven by JR and Miles.
It was driven solo later in 73 by Norris at Pukekehoe where he qualified on pole in the dry but dnf in a wet race.
Norris is still about and living in Melb and has quite good recall of events re this car.
pic from JR Book
Last edited by Ellis; 09-23-2013 at 09:18 AM. Reason: add more info and spelling of Puke
Yes, Gary still owns the HO.
Cool thread Ellis. Here are some of Jim Richards doing some private testing of the McMillen Ford Phase III at Bay Park. This is the car JR won the 1972 Castrol GTX Championship in. I have more from this test session if you're interested Ellis?
SteveCool thread Ellis. Here are some of Jim Richards doing some private testing of the McMillen Ford Phase III at Bay Park. This is the car JR won the 1972 Castrol GTX Championship in. I have more from this test session if you're interested Ellis?
Just noticed it hasnt got any factory side stripes and it wasnt a delete options car so they must have removed them early in the piece and put their own version on front guards.
It was ordered without a radio
Only options were seat belts and 36 G Tank
I like the stripes on the side walls...soon would have rubbed them off.
It was also a Saddle Trim car one of 4 they made in Elec Blue / Saddle...all 4 still survive
7 with Black trim were also made
Last edited by Ellis; 09-22-2013 at 08:49 AM. Reason: add info
Haga
Thanks for pics of Francevic car
Have you still got your XA ?
Note the 12-slots against the pit wall in the third photo. I wonder if these were used during the testing session. I don't think it ever raced with them.
Sure do.....our GT Nationals are a month or so away, so will get a decent run then.
Wow, how do you know all this Ellis? I'm impressed. So looking at the options this car was ordered with, McMillan's imported it specifically to race?
Elec Blue and Saddle...one of the 4 ... its in the head...and one in my shed... and yes it would have most likely been ordered on the light side as far as options went.
I reckon they would have needed a few spare tyres /wheels
Thanks for extra pics
More, more ,more please ...too many is never enough
JR had this as his wedding car along with his Escort....Man of good taste
from JR Book
Thanks Steve
Last edited by Ellis; 09-22-2013 at 08:28 AM. Reason: add pic
I think Tom Grace owns that car now, its in bits,
The elec blue/saddle trim P3 (who the owner told me was ex JR) was in the lower South Island.
I know the location and owners name but will not publish them here on a public forum.
The car was in great original condition and was still being used. I would not think the owner (not Tom Grace) would sell it.
I am sure Jacmac probably knows whether it is still there, without quoting names/location?
Thanks Haga
Its alive and well with only approx 42K miles as of couple of years ago. I have spoken with or mainly emailed the owner on quite a few occasions over the past years. He has an interesting XU1 as well or did have last time I was in contact with him.
Last edited by Ellis; 09-23-2013 at 08:27 AM. Reason: add info
Many thanks to those who have posted so far.
and
Ditto the privacy (Haga and John) the owners of the cars deserve.
I /We dont need to know where exactly they are housed ...just their history
and see some old "happy snaps" of their glory days.
Its also great to see some pics of the cars at shows or doing demo laps whether
restored or in as raced condition with a few old battle scars or replacement bits/panels etc
Ellis
Tim Bailey bought the car (straight from from McMillans I think) and raced it for a few meetings before selling it as a road car. The Torana parked behind it is the ex Roy Harrington XU1 owned by Ray Olenius at the time.Someone may know the GTHO by its number plate FV6314 and sponsorship from Continental Car Services Ltd on the boot.
Hi Guys, I owned Robbie Franicevics old GTHO Many years ago.The car colour was Yellow ochre (Karatane yellow). Had a lot of fun in this car and still kick myself for selling it, sold dit for $7,300. Quite willing to pay a little more to buy it back. How I and my mates survived I don't know. The car had an electronic cut out at 7100 rpm which was 140 MPh and had it working many times. The local cops in Tokoroa never managed to nab me. Sure as hell wish it was still in my garage but it was a pity they painted it red.
Colin
I found a shot of Norris doing his slow roll at zero feet.
Pete
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