That was a great read Trevor - cheers
That was a great read Trevor - cheers
Oldfart, we meet again, the BSA Special, yes I would love to know, where it and the owner are - he may still have it. It was never mine but did drive it often, including at a Sprint meeting on the main Pukekohe circuit once as well as in Gymkhana's and on the road.Originally Posted by Oldfart
Here is a photo with Lyle Chambers driving and his best mate Richard Leaper [ Flying Officer J R Leaper as was in the RNZAF at one time ], the car is pulling into the driveway at my house in mid 1970's probably around 1976.
I have more of these small photo's, hopefully someone may recognise the car and the owner..
Have found some more ; these taken in 1981 from memory, after an event.Oldfart, we meet again, the BSA Special, yes I would love to know, where it and the owner are - he may still have it. It was never mine but did drive it often, including at a Sprint meeting on the main Pukekohe circuit once as well as in Gymkhana's and on the road.
Here is a photo with Lyle Chambers driving and his best mate Richard Leaper [ Flying Officer J R Leaper as was in the RNZAF at one time ], the car is pulling into the driveway at my house in mid 1970's probably around 1976.
I have more of these small photo's, hopefully someone may recognise the car and the owner..
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 08-26-2015 at 07:09 AM.
And another, Note that the headlights get moved from the Grille to between the grille and the guards.
Getting ready for an event, [ think the VCC event mentioned below ] Lyle Chambers driving, myself as passenger, Richard Leapers Triumph 2500 behind.
this last photo was at a Vintage Car Club event about 1980.
Has the Northland Special changed hands?
A friend of mine spotted it roaring around a Maungakaramea back road recently....
Hasn't changed hands, Fred still has it.
It was used for a wedding car recently though. Groom went in it!
Thats ok then!
Wedding car....hmmmm.
My mate reported though that it was being driven like it was stolen, so that was ok!
These are not worth a new thread - some interesting engines.
The RA Vanguard - RA4, when owned by Mike Courtney - see Historic Racing Saloons thread
Photo taken around 1990 ;
Dunedin Revival Street Races weekend January 1984 ; Sprints on one day at the wharves and Racing around the
" houses " on the Sunday
Single seater - details unknown
Riley - think the Ransley Riley Dunedin January 1984.
Doesn't need a title, but for all you non-kiwi's Ralph Watson's Lycoming Special a Lycomong 290 .
[4751 cc aircraft engine, mounted upside down. Dunedin January 1984.
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 08-31-2015 at 11:56 PM. Reason: driver error ###### no 47.
The yellow single seater, details unknown looks the Wylie Javelin to me, but I have known to wrong before. The Aussie flag may confirm this.
regards Shane
Lycomings are Lycomings, even upside down it does not spell Continental....!
How about this LYCOMING
I suppose some folks would think a Chev is a Ford
Wasn't Continental what powered Tyrell Turtill's weapon ?
Jac Mac GD66, Oldfart and any others " Mea Culpa " [ as Oldfart said over those Rob Williams tail-lights ], got all carried away, had mixed my Turtill with my Watson.. but do believe the engine was / is upside down compared to its aircraft position..
Got you all on the thread though.. good stuff.
BTW, go back to the pictures all fixed ########.
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 08-31-2015 at 07:23 AM. Reason: same reason ####### No 47
Yes Roger, the Watson Lycoming was inverted, check the RA engine I posted to compare. Ralph said there were a number of reasons, outlined in the very excellent (bad grammar but true) book called "Ralph Watson, Special Engineer", written by one of the contributors on here. Now who did I lend my copy to?
Have read some of the article as Trevor Sheffield posted the link. Ralph Watson used to visit my flatmate Lyle Chambers whose BSA special is in this thread, at my house in Herne Bay, we had a collection of cars in those days, Lyle the BSA and a mid 60's Sunbeam Rapier, I had the TR4A [ damaged at the time ] a Healey 100 and a 2.5 PI Triumph Saloon as a daily driver
Attachment 30047
Early days of the Lycoming - Trevor Sheffield article
The complete book is available here with a simple click and it presents quite well in cyberspace. ----
http://ralphwatson.scienceontheweb.net/
Last edited by Trevor Sheffield; 09-01-2015 at 12:18 AM.
On another thread is some mention of Frank Karl and the Purple Healey [ now green ], Frank competed at the 1981 Ohakea Reunion meeting, where Saturday was " Practice " at Manfield and the racing was Sunday at Ohakea. A group of Healey Club [ AHCCNZ ] members went to the meeting to support Frank and of course watch racing and socialise.
A couple of photos ;. have to find the racing ones buried somewhere !!
Frank talking to Nell and Mark Donaldson - Mark raced at Ardmore 1989 and in the Le Mans Relay Race in 1982 in his BN2 Austin-Healey 100/4
Working on Franks Car at the Motel before race day -after practice , Frank and Lyle Chambers, who had the BSA Special -mentioned in this thread #582/3 and 4.
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 09-05-2015 at 07:49 AM. Reason: operator error # 47..
Just to follow on from the above:
Whenuapai 1987
Hampton Downs 2011 - Is this the same car? Definitely same driver....
Last edited by ERC; 09-06-2015 at 12:59 AM.
Yep same car, same Rego, [ although he did put the KH3000 plate on a Healey 100/4 back in the early 1980's to take it to a meeting ], same driver. then I looked at the recent photo the shroud is different and the roll bar, full windscreen back on -probably for eligibility. same vents in the side.
Here is the 100 with the KH3000 plate at a Healey club event - I think Napier in 1984.
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 09-06-2015 at 05:57 AM. Reason: more info and photo.
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