Historic Sport Sedans

[Spgeti]

These pics are just golden period shots. Being an Alfisti....life after Camaro, I just love that Alfetta (and the other two Algie cars). The front and rear guards in this early guise are so close to the Autodelta Group 2 flares. they certainly did a great job.

[John McKechnie]

Bruce- they looked in the windows at the Autodelta factory to get these flares so close.

[kiwi285]

Those photos are pure gold - great to get some background info about these historic cars under construction.

I understand that the boys also got involved in recovering WW II aircraft from up in the Islands at one time !!

[John McKechnie]

Yep, over the winter, if this is quiet, I can put up the story here.
These aeroplanes are trickier to find than the current one they have lost.

[John McKechnie]

OK- for Jafa- If you look at the pass window of the Monaro, you will see the vent direction part. This directed wind to the radiator at the back.

Next inquiry-
He has a Nakajima KI 43 radial engine- like in a Zero.
They found it when they were there on an earlier trip.
He sent something over there marked Generator engine.
When there , they had a 5 wheeler and they dragged this engine from a village 60 miles to their hotel.
Once there, they boxed it up, and had to get a police escort with the fork lift to get it to the shipping agent.
Hardest part was convincing the Customs agent that it wasnt an aeroplane engine, that it was the Generator engine, having been worked on, was being returned.
Arrived here all good , and one of the things he works on.
Hows that Mike?

[kiwi285]

A great story John - being involved with race cars and all the trickery involved in getting parts into NZ I guess that they had had plenty of practice. I guess that the engine would have been a Nakajima Ha 115 - certainly not that plentiful these days. Do they still have the engine or was it moved on ??

[John McKechnie]

Was looking at it tonight actually a HA 115-11 series-1230 hp
Now that would look interesting in the Alfetta.
Same Nakajima made my industrial sewing machine, told Barry when he was eyeing it with lecherous intent- NO.................
Absolutely too hard to get the planes out now, total restriction, no matter what the bribe. sounds like NZ.
Hayabusa ( Peregrine Falcon- 5919 made) is the plane the engine came out of, its still there,.Deal was he was to marry chiefs daughter and this was the dowry.
Apparently he had 17 of the same deals for 17 other planes around the place

[Steve Holmes]

Thanks for posting these brilliant photos John! They're just awesome.

[John McKechnie]

[seaqnmac27]

Rare shot of Reg Cook in the GMDT Shellsport Chevette

[John McKechnie]

First pic would indicate test day in December 1980, as I an is driving and Barry is a passenger- good thing OSH wasnt there. Note number 25, and no scoop on the right hand rear window.

Other pics earlier April 1980, and race meeting on club circuit- any takers for those out there as well?, Both scoops on rear windows and number 125

[John McKechnie]

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[John McKechnie]

Attachment 24323

Attachment 24324

[Spgeti]

In the last pic #373, that gent standing beside the rear wing of the Alfetta is Le Singh, Alfa Guru.

[John McKechnie]

Bruce- #373 .Barry gave me this pic and specifically asked to post it as he is a good friend and was very helpful, overall a super nice guy.
Note the cage, no side scoops, has wing.
#372- are these the guys that Grimmie said gave Barry the "escort with sirens" to the track?
Both pics are April 1985.
Also different-silver- wheels to first pic #372

Earlier pic has no date.
Probably first run in red, also no CRC stickers
No front air dam, or wing, but has side vent in left hand rear window.
Ian would change things often.

[Spgeti]

Les is editor of the Alfa News in NZ and lives in Wellington. I see him a couple of times a year. Was also involved in the Group A Alfetta that came to race at the Wellington Street Race. Very nice guy. These photos a really great John and thank Barry for sharing them with us. Cheers Bruce

[Rod Grimwood]

No not them John, the 'Escort' guy was a little more serious looking, these roosters look like they have a sense of humour and are enjoying themselves.

Top photo, some interesting cars in pits and on bank, recognize one of them, gren mk3 Cortina over near caravan, was a good car back then
This Friday unofficial practice, first of 2 clutch's for weekend for me.

[Growler]

Awesome photos!
I have always loved the sports sedans, and the design and engineering behind them.
There must be a heap of these cars still around sitting in a garage somewhere.
It would be awesome if an Historic Sports Sedan type class was formed for these. Maybe incorporating the older Shell Sport cars as well.
Mind you…it would be a lot of work to organise, and costs have increased somewhat (And the drivers are older!).
It would be great to see however…

[John McKechnie]

Growler- there is an Historic Sports Sedan class running, and will be at Hampton Downs this Saturday and Sunday- Legends of Speed - come along and mingle.
Shell Sport cars- we are looking at them also as they are basically Sports Sedans- like OSCAs

[Rod Grimwood]

Shell Sport cars ran in later years with Sports Sedans so they could get a run, after they were cast aside by Wellington, (and those with the pulling power to have 'their' cars run in 'their class) and sad but most class's would follow suit.

There are a reasonable number of them (Shell Sport) still sitting around and think most can not be bothered with going through dramas (as in spending $s to prove history or apply for 'new' cod) after having been dealt up years ago.