Photos: The John Metford Collection

[Andrew Metford]

I have dug out a lot of Dad's old photos and have started the long slow process of scanning them. Some have details on the back about driver / car / event, but a lot don't so if anyone can identify cars / people / events etc I'll add them to the back of each photos. We do know they're not taken at the NZGP because Dad has never gone to a GP. Looks like a National meeting as you can see the TVNZ outside broadcast trucks in the background on the infield. Anyway, here are the first lot.

Inky Tullock in the ex Paul Fahey Cologne Capri, now with 5.7L Chev V8

100 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

Roberto Moreno, Ralt RT4, GP winner 1982

101 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

Tom Donovon, Odlins Formula Pacific

102 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

Reg Cook, Datsun Bluebird "dual class" Shellsport and Saloon - either 2L or 3.3L

103 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

Bryce Platt, ex Reg Cook Datsun Sunny 1600cc, and the ex Jim Richards Sidchrome Mustang following, owned by George Sheweiry then?

104 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

[Andrew Metford]

Bob Cullinane in the Ex Graham Baker, ex Bullivant Capri

105 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

John Pickford, Formula Vee

106 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

Grant Campbell, Percy Motors Ralt

107 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

Ken Smith, "old" March Formula Pacific

108 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

Eric Morgan, Ralt RT1 Formula Pacific

109 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

[Andrew Metford]

Grant Campbell, Percy Motors Ralt

111 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

Steve Millen, Tullen Ralt RT4

112 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

Trevor Crowe, Toyota Starlet 4.3L Oldsmobile V8

113 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

[bigbanger]

I'm positive Inky Tulloch never used an auto gearbox in the Capri Chev, fairly sure it was a Muncie or Super T10 4 speed. Trevor Crowe's Starlet V8 in the Zap flavoured milk guise did not have a turbo either, it was a 4.3 litre Olds V8 with intially a Holley 4bbl carb, then Hilborn fuel injection. The turbocharged engine was only used very early on in the cars history, it was a 3.9 litre engine (to stay under the 6 litre limit with the turbo equivalency factor), but was discarded in favour of sub 4500cc engines when weight limits tied to engine capacity were introduced - as a under 4500 cc car the Starlet only had to weigh 1700 lbs (773 kg), with the turbo as under 6000cc car, the weight limit was 2300 lb (1045 kg). As the Starlet weighed very close to 1700 lbs, the naturally aspirated engine was the choice.

[seaqnmac27]

The unknown Capri is Bob Cullinane in the ex Bullivant Capri. The Pacific is Eric Morgan in a Ralt Rt1, Grant Campbell I am sure is in his Chevron B39

[kiwi285]

Great period photos there - really looking forward to seeing more in due course.

[Jac Mac]

Tulloch Capri had a mag case Muncie gearbox when initially raced, that was severely damaged when the clutch/bell housing failed at an Ruapuna OSCA round ~79/80 IIRC, dont remember if the case was repaired or the whole trans replaced after that incident. Never had an auto that I recall.
Always thought that the way the engine/trans was mounted @ front of block & tail housing with nothing around the bell housing area was crazy, after the failure I think they added some support straps in the firewall area. Sure got Inkys attention when all the shrapnel started attacking the trans tunnel area. Coasted to a halt with his knees hugging his chin.

[Steve Holmes]

Wow, these are fantastic Andrew! Keep them coming, I'm really enjoying them.

[Steve Holmes]

Tulloch Capri had a mag case Muncie gearbox when initially raced, that was severely damaged when the clutch/bell housing failed at an Ruapuna OSCA round ~79/80 IIRC, dont remember if the case was repaired or the whole trans replaced after that incident. Never had an auto that I recall.
Always thought that the way the engine/trans was mounted @ front of block & tail housing with nothing around the bell housing area was crazy, after the failure I think they added some support straps in the firewall area. Sure got Inkys attention when all the shrapnel started attacking the trans tunnel area. Coasted to a halt with his knees hugging his chin.

Brilliant recollections as always there Jac. I always enjoy your stories from this era.

[Steve Holmes]

The unknown Capri is Bob Cullinane in the ex Bullivant Capri. The Pacific is Eric Morgan in a Ralt Rt1, Grant Campbell I am sure is in his Chevron B39

Yep thats right Sean, and also raced by Graham Baker between the Bullivant and Cullinane ownership.

[Andrew Metford]

Does anyone know what year the photos above might have been taken?

Thank you everyone for all the information ( and corrections ) you have provided so far. It all helps to get the history correct.

Right on to the next lot. These are all dated May 1974, looks like a club meeting on the short circuit. I've got absolutely no clue who anyone is. Apart from a guess - is that Jim Richards in the Team McMillan Falcon? and behind him on the far side, Trevor McLean in the Valiant ute? Is this the one that had the auto or was it a Charger, as Trevor was Mr Papakura Automatics wasn't he? Side note - in pics to come later ( a lot newer pics ) is Trevor's ( older? ) brother as crew chief for Roger Williams McRae GM1 F5000.

115 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

114 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

116 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

[Andrew Metford]

117 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

118 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

119 by Andrew Metford, on Flickr

[John McKechnie]

Andrew- that is Trevor MacLeans ute, and id did have an auto. His wife, Mavis worked with me at Davie Motors. This would be late 70s . Papakura Automatics was his business. Know that he was one of the first to fit a 6 speed sequential into his Commodore later. Would his ute still be running on the road now? Would it qualify as a historic racer?

[Jizim]

I will be able to confirm the date when Bryce drove Reg's Sunny because I had just been new to the sport and I had walloped him in all races...the last two were side by side handicap races where we started from pit lane....where my Green car just looked like a road car with no turbo or sign writing. Reg was rather quiet sitting in the stands directly in front of my late wife Lorraine who was over the top excited with her mother at me getting another victory on a track that would become my spiritual home. In another shot just below the one with Trev's ute I see starting last in a handicap race was the Ross Tebbs owned and Colin Reed driven Shellsport Anglia. I used to assist in engine builds on this little rocket that was later sold to Harold Wootten Senior whom raced it at Club circuit well into his 80's. ....and just another snippet re/ Trevor McLean....do you relise that the Commodore that was racing at Hampton Downs Ferrari festival is ex Trevor McLean/Rodney Downs Bathurst car......Kind Regards, Tony Rutherford.

[Andrew Metford]

The ex Trevor McLean Bathurst Group A Commodore that is now owned by Tony Boyden, and ran in the Heritage Touring Cars class?

[TonyG]

Unknown Formula Vee in post 2 I look at and think Rob Lester for some reason but looks like the name is Pickford on side of cockpit.

Purple Escort, front row 3rd photo in posts from club track looks like Jimmy Stone in his Gedore sponsored Escort.

Escort behind the Zap Starlet. Any ideas on who drove it ? Steve (Fullnoise68 ?) Too early for yours.

Cheers
Tony

[TonyG]

Awesome photos by the way. Keep them coming.

[TonyG]

Did any of the old Imps and Angle boxes survive through till today anywhere ?

[seaqnmac27]

Unknown Capri



Unknown Formula Vee?



Grant Campbell, Percy Motors Ralt



Ken Smith, "old" March Formula Pacific



Unknown Formula Pacific

The name o the side of the unknown Vee looks like Pickford, these are from 81/82.

[richard lester]

Unknown Formula Vee in post 2 I look at and think Rob Lester for some reason but looks like the name is Pickford on side of cockpit.

Purple Escort, front row 3rd photo in posts from club track looks like Jimmy Stone in his Gedore sponsored Escort.

Escort behind the Zap Starlet. Any ideas on who drove it ? Steve (Fullnoise68 ?) Too early for yours.

Cheers
Tony

Hi tony, the vee is in fact John Pickford---one of the bosses at counties Toyota,you will have seen him at the ferrari festival at the wheel of a beautifully restored FF84 Reynard with similar colours,his gear was always imaculate......cheers