Northern Sports Car Club - the early years.

[Trevor Sheffield]

"Note 3, Colin McGregor drove for Cowper - this would connect with Trevor Sheffield recalling that Colin McGregor had or built a Ford 10 Special - would seem it was Jocks car that passed to Cowper Note 3, Colin McGregor drove for Cowper - this would connect with Trevor Sheffield recalling that Colin McGregor had or built a Ford 10 Special - would seem it was Jocks car that passed to Cowper "

Not so, the McGregor car was a separate entity and went through several owners including Jim Lockley a well known NSCC office holder. Lockley senior's company was one of the first offset printers in Auckland and for several years printed Club Torque. Jim instigated this section of the business which was previously confined to plan printing and the supply of drawing instruments etc.

"Note 4, The photo in the Graham Vercoe book is of the second Special " Aitken - Ford 10 " with a simpler less rounded body and cycle guards - not fitted for the races at Muriwai in 1954 - "

I can not locate the photo and to the best of my memory Jock Aitken built only one special. Please explain.

The photos shown appear to be improved somewhat and it can be seen that the car has separately but closely mounted headlights. This would tie in with my memory of the car when comparing it with the Singford. Furthermore it it brings into the equation the car suggested by "Oldfart". i.e. "rather like a TF MG. The plot thickens. LOL

[Roger Dowding]

"Note 3, Colin McGregor drove for Cowper - this would connect with Trevor Sheffield recalling that Colin McGregor had or built a Ford 10 Special - would seem it was Jocks car that passed to Cowper Note 3, Colin McGregor drove for Cowper - this would connect with Trevor Sheffield recalling that Colin McGregor had or built a Ford 10 Special - would seem it was Jocks car that passed to Cowper "

Not so, the McGregor car was a separate entity and went through several owners including Jim Lockley a well known NSCC office holder. Lockley senior's company was one of the first offset printers in Auckland and for several years printed Club Torque. Jim instigated this section of the business which was previously confined to plan printing and the supply of drawing instruments etc.

"Note 4, The photo in the Graham Vercoe book is of the second Special " Aitken - Ford 10 " with a simpler less rounded body and cycle guards - not fitted for the races at Muriwai in 1954 - "

I can not locate the photo and to the best of my memory Jock Aitken built only one special. Please explain.

The photos shown appear to be improved somewhat and it can be seen that the car has separately but closely mounted headlights. This would tie in with my memory of the car when comparing it with the Singford. Furthermore it it brings into the equation the car suggested by "Oldfart". i.e. "rather like a TF MG. The plot thickens. LOL

Trevor, thanks, another car we need to find out about. The McGregor one !
- re ; " I can not locate the photo and to the best of my memory Jock Aitken built only one special. Please explain. "

The note about Jock building two cars is in the Vercoe book and there is a photo of it which I have yet to scan.
The photo shows the car parked next to the Singford and the Ivy Stephenson " blown MG TC ".

To add to confusion and bring another car into the story - there seem to have been 4 " Singford " cars built by the Tilsley boys, Don, Bob and Glen in the 1950's - 1951 - 1957 All before I was around the motor scene only 10 at the time the last Singford was built.

[Trevor Sheffield]

Trevor, thanks, another car we need to find out about. The McGregor one !
- re ; " I can not locate the photo and to the best of my memory Jock Aitken built only one special. Please explain. "

The note about Jock building two cars is in the Vercoe book and there is a photo of it which I have yet to scan.
The photo shows the car parked next to the Singford and the Ivy Stephenson " blown MG TC ".

To add to confusion and bring another car into the story - there seem to have been 4 " Singford " cars built by the Tilsley boys, Don, Bob and Glen in the 1950's - 1951 - 1957 All before I was around the motor scene only 10 at the time the last Singford was built.

As far as I am aware, Jock Aitken built only one car but drove a Dodge Special owned by Clarry Irwin and may have had some hand in its construction.

PS After having located the photo on on page 2 of the Vercoe book, I am confident that the second car is indeed the first Singford, with its unpainted one piece aluminium bonnet removed. The third car is not that of Ivy Stephenson who owned a normally aspirated MG TD with disc wheels..

When did Ivy Stephenson own a blown MG TC as did Sybil Lupp ? Two ladies of renown.

There were only three Tilsley cars built i.e. two sports type specials and one single seater racing car. However there was a project car built by the Tilsleys which was completed and bodied by others.

[Roger Dowding]

Trevor, thanks for your notes - and finding the photo in the Vercoe book

" PS After having located the photo on on page 2 of the Vercoe book, I am confident that the second car is indeed the first Singford, with its unpainted one piece aluminium bonnet removed. The third car is not that of Ivy Stephenson who owned a normally aspirated MG TD with disc wheels.. "

We know Graham Vercoe books have inaccuracies and he didn't seem to accept corrections to errors.
I understand that he acquired photos, etc to use in his books, forgot whose they were and never returned them.

Would be good find photos of Ivy's MG, there are a few of Sybill Lupp's cars - mainly her Jaguars.

Ivy of course had a Buckler in later years, into the 1960's and a Lola Climax in the later 1960's.

Ivy in her Buckler NSCC patch on her Overalls - Richard Armstrong archives



The Lola Climax at Pukekohe in 1966 - my own photo



As for the Tilsley Boys, I do not know a lot about their cars - I have more reading to do.

[Trevor Sheffield]

The first car in the photo is captioned, "The Aitken-Ford 10 Special No. 2." at Muriwai 1954, reportedly having made its debut at Seagrove in 1951 and at a later date was fitted with a Ford V8 engine.

The car also appears partly concealed on page 55, showing a Buckler at Ardmore in 1951.
Apparently Jock Aitken drove Clarry Irvin's Dodge Special at Muriwai in 1954, at Ohakia and Ardmore in 1955 and definitely at a quarter mile sprint meeting held on the unfinished Northern Motorway 3/10/55, where he won the 3000 - 5000 cc class at 16.6 s. I ran my Singer Le Mans with my wife driving and the results show no record of Jock Aitken running in any other car.

I recall Jock driving a large engined car and thought this recollection involved the Dodge Special. However Ford V8 hangs in my ind rather than Dodge, so that it could be that there was a second car. Even so the car pictured does not fit the bill in my mind or opinion.

[Roger Dowding]

A set of photo's of Peter Levet competing at Cosseys Farm in March 1974.
The first photos shows the talked about concrete pad that was the start with the " cowpats "
- also shows Steve Hamilton in the next car on the line and a few other competitors in the " paddock " area.
The photos from Milan Fistonic's extensive archives - Photographer stated as " unknown ".

The photos are in sequence from Start through the middle section the tight right hander and up through the "Top Gate " before the sweeper to the finish.









Photo from the 1967 article on the New Venue of Cosseys Farm, showing the track / road.

[Roger Dowding]

Finding more our about when certain Hill Roads were used by NSCC and other Clubs and came across these via Bob Homewood - he has a facebook link about the great Late Ted Thompson of Kumeu and a few photos of the Mini-Ford,
A Ford crossflow 1500 Motor grafted to a Mini Gearbox running huge carburettors and 13 inch wheels on the front usual mini 10 inch on the rear.

The Hill Climb details ; Ted running a special Ford V8 engine in a Ford 10 - there are some pictures of the motor too





Forrest Carden in the Lycoming - pre Jim Boyd - lots of other well known 60's [ 50's -70/80's ] drivers too !!

This extract from Ralph Watson - his listing of who drove / owned the Lycoming and when.
Here with Forrest Carden - posted on a recent - June 2025 post too !!.



The Hill Climb is not mentioned in the Ralph Watson list added 17 June 2025.

In the process of putting a note of the order of events in an Index on the first or second post on this thread as events are very scattered.
More information is coming to light on the events of the 1960's
- 1942 to 1960 is fairly complete.

[Roger Dowding]

Originally posted this, but more information has been forthcoming ;

1940's - late in the decade. First Hill Climb appears to be in 1946
1946 - 47.

Taylors Bay, Hillsborough - unsure which road was used. This was in 1945 as noted in the Arthur Siddall Album - with a full page of photos and results.

Pokeno again no details on which road was used.

Ostrich Farm Road - late 1940's **- understand this may have been the Auckland Car Club's venue not NSCC ? not correct was NSCC only

** Used in 1961 as have some results from an event there in November 1961 posted in previous thread
The plot / story continues ..
1950's

**
" Wairamarama Onewhero Road, Onewhero "

described as Wairamarama Road, Glen Murray in some details about an early Hill Climb - near Ron Roycrofts place - used definitely in 1956.
Thanks to Trevor for the correction of spelling - makes it easier to find on a map !!

1960's

Wharepapa Road, Helensville - used early 1960's ** maybe 1964

Birdwood Road, Massey - area now called Birdwood as Massey is a large area. used 1964 - 65, did they keep using it until Cosseys was used in March 1967.

** These details have been corrected and reposted as later Post # .. see also post #302.

[Trevor Sheffield]

Originally posted this, but more information has been forthcoming ;

1940's - late in the decade. First Hill Climb appears to be in 1946
1946 - 47.

Taylors Bay, Hillsborough - unsure which road was used.

Pokeno again no details on which road was used.

Ostrich Farm Road - late 1940's **- understand this may have been the Auckland Car Club's venue not NSCC ?

** Used in 1961 as have some results from an event there in November 1961 posted in previous thread
The plot / story continues ..
1950's

**
" Wairamarama Onewhero Road, Onewhero "

described as Wairamarama Road, Glen Murray in some details about an early Hill Climb - near Ron Roycrofts place - used definitely in 1956.
Thanks to Trevor for the correction of spelling - makes it easier to find on a map !!

1960's

Wharepapa Road, Helensville - used early 1960's ** maybe 1964

Birdwood Road, Massey - area now called Birdwood as Massey is a large area. used 1964 - 65, did they keep using it until Cosseys was used in March 1967.

Ostrich Farm Road was definitely a NSSC hillclimb and to the best of my knowledge and recollection was never used by the ACC.

Wairamarama I am certain was an exclusive NSSC venue.

During this period the two Auckland Clubs as a matter of principle, did not attempt to gain the use of what was considered to be the others patch. This attitude was important so as to prevent confusion and possible competition involving applications made to the public body involved. It worked very well.

[Roger Dowding]

Ostrich Farm Road was definitely a NSSC hillclimb and to the best of my knowledge and recollection was never used by the ACC.

Wairamarama I am certain was an exclusive NSSC venue.

During this period the two Auckland Clubs as a matter of principle, did not attempt to gain the use of what was considered to be the others patch. This attitude was important so as to prevent confusion and possible competition involving applications made to the public body involved. It worked very well.

Good information, Thanks Trevor.
I like the idea that the clubs collaborated, was certainly like that when I was involved in the 1970;s - helping out at ACC events and they with ours, plus with Pukekohe Car Club, Hamilton, Thames Valley and Tokoroa.

[Roger Dowding]

Photo of the Car when George Smith owned the ex Phil Seabrook Car
[ Seabrook Fowlds - the Auckland Austin dealers ]
A bit more of the story.

This is from 1936 ..

Bob Homewood who posted the photo wrote ;

" A very early NZ visit by George Smith across the Tasman to compete at Victor Harbor in 1936 and amazing also when you research some of this stuff what else you find for instance this fact .......The 1937 Australian Grand Prix is a name which has been applied retrospectively to the 1936 South Australian Centenary Grand Prix, a motor race held on the Port Elliot-Victor Harbor road circuit in South Australia on Boxing Day, 26 December 1936 "

" The Austin was the ex Phil Seabrook ex works car ,by all accounts Smith was over handicapped out of the event and the race report has him retiring on lap 7,going on a comment I was told a long time ago ,also I don't think he was over happy with the roughness of the circuit it appears there was another NZ er at that meeting as well , a Eric Morgan who appears in the entry list as " Cire Nagrom' for reasons only known to him who was entered in the ex Zaborowski Miller 8 but apparently it was damaged in a race day accident on the way to the circuit and it was sold shortly after the meeting to a South Australian buyer "



A slightly later photo of the Car - still in the light Green colour but with a different George [ George Sellars ] who owned the car in 1946 .. here at Muriwai in 1946 - later in the year at Orewa the was a dark colour - Blue as it was when with Ron Roycroft in 1949 into the 1950's ..



Good that more information is being found.
Thanks to Bob Homewood, an NSCC Guy from back in the 1970's

[Roger Dowding]

This thread was started with photos given to me by my late Uncle Ed [ Albert Edward Dowding ], known as Eddie within NSCC circles in the 1940's.

note from the first post on the thread -
" 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 between, 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 fiancee who became his wife in June 1942. "

Edddie's wife Una, my Aunt - his navigator and at times pusher in Trials and Mud Plug events - passed away this week at 100 years and 6 months - the end of the senior generation in our Family.

3 photos which have them both and others at early NSCC events.

Taylors Bay Hill Climb in 1945 date confirmed 20th May from the Arthur Siddall Album page - seated in Graham Wells Bentley - they are in the back seat - very crowded it was too
[ cosy in fact ].



In the Morris 8 Tourer - Mackies Rest in the Waitakere Ranges, near Piha - also in 1946. Una pushing.



In their Riley at Helensville Hall at the end of a Trial [ think Ken Hemus in the Singer ** now known to be Ralph Watson ]. the 1949 Winter Trial



RIP Una Dowding [ 1920 - 2020 ] and Eddie Dowding [ 1919 - 2018 ].
Una was still driving in her early 90's and Ed gave up his licence in 2017 having had it since 1934.

[Trevor Sheffield]

"In their Riley at Helensville Hall at the end of a Trial [ think Ken Hemus in the Singer ]. the 1949 Winter Trial"

Definitely the late Ralph Watson driving the four seater Singer shown in the photo. RIP all the old guys who started the club, "on a shoe string".
Somehow the NSSC originally retained an essence of dignity, when compared with the ACC.

[Roger Dowding]

Trevors comment - " Definitely the late Ralph Watson driving the four seater Singer shown in the photo. RIP all the old guys who started the club, "on a shoe string"."

Trevor,you are correct - and on looking at that photo and one of Ralph on early Mud Trial in the Singer, the same gentleman is navigating - must correct my notes on here and on the photo. Ken Hemus had a Sunbeam which was on the same trial as Ralph - photos posted before.

As an aside, I had a visit from Bob Kidd and his wife Lynn, whom I knew from my time in NSCC in the 1970's.

Bob had with him a letter from 1943 from a G Newsome to R Currey about forming of a club for MG's [ Sports Cars ] - It is about the formation of NSCC and in pencil on the back are notes about the club and who would be the original committee.

" B Tye " - Bryce Tye - who has a trophy named after him competed for by Club Members each year.
" R Currey " - unsure of his christian name
" V Clarke " - Vern Clarke - who features in a number of photos of early events
" J Boot " - Jack Boot, my Uncle who passed away in 1945, was the owner of the Roycroft Bugley - Midget style racer.

The information ties in with this piece from Club Torque in 1962 about the Clubs formation in 1943.
- from Milan Fistonic archves [ posted before - but belongs here]


Included in what Bob gave was also an early Membership Card with B Tye and R Currey listed on the card in their positions within the Club

There were also some photos of an MG Sports Car [ two in fact ] taken around the time - ownership not known.

Images of the letter the Card and photos will follow when I have scanned them - another part to the Club's early History preserved.

[Roger Dowding]

The letter written in June 1943 by G Newsome to R Currey. R Currey became the Clubs first Treasurer.
This is from Bob Kidd, who many years ago was given the Envelope with the letter card and photos in it.
Bob thinks it was at the 1993 Event -
the 50th Anniversary of the Club.
Bob is a former President of NSCC, and was Trials Committee Chairman in the 1970's - he mentored me and I took over as Chairman for a year or two in 1975/76.

They appear to be from R Currey archives
- they came in an envelope postmarked 1976 from a Gail Hamblin in Auckland 3 postcode to a Mrs A Bruce in Torbay Auckland 10.

The letter;





The pencil notes on the back of Page Two.



The notes connect with the page from Club Torque - republished recently.

An early NSCC Membership Card [ Members Card ].
Bryce Tye and R Currey have their names on the card.



A couple of photos that came with the letter - presume cars that R Currey owned - the plates are the 1941 46 issue White letters on a Black background with the symbol in the middle a Diamond.

MG's





There were two others photos of the MG [ MG's ]

[Roger Dowding]

A couple more photos of the MG [ MG's ] as noted in previous post. from around the time -
The cars have the 1941 -1946 issue plates - the first series of 5 year plates - prior to 1941 plates were issued annually.

[Roger Dowding]

Posted before with the photo on a card with the details.

Have re-scanned for better quality - and here is the photo sized for TRS - I got it to 183 kb allowing for the max of 185.5 kb



The Original Photo on the card.

Many of the cars seen in the Arthur Siddall photos - from Duncan Fox. Both Arthur Siddall and Jock Aitken ran Ford 10's as seen in the back row.
Would be interested in identifying all the cars and drivers / owners ?- I know some.

Sports Cars and Tourers in the front row, Saloons behind and in the back row
The Morris Series E would be a fairly new car.

[Roger Dowding]

Re - writing and amending the list from earlier posts ;

The list so far

1940's
- late in the decade. First Hill Climb appears to be in 1945
1945 - 47.

" Taylors Bay, Hillsborough " - unsure which road was used. There is a Taylors Bay Road, probably that. it leads up from the Beach on modern maps.
1945 - 20th May 1945.

" Pokeno " - again no details on which road was used.
1946

" Ostrich Farm Road " - late 1940's - I originally understand this may have been the Auckland Car Club's venue not NSCC ** Definitely an NSCC venue and used into the 1960's

" Whitford " - un-named road
1948 near Whitford - report appears on the thread

1950's

" Don Buck Road, Massey "
24/09/1950 Hill Climb, Don Buck Road, Massey
**
" Wairamarama Onewhero Road, Onewhero "

1953 - 1956

described as Wairamarama Road, Glen Murray in some details about an early Hill Climb - near Ron Roycrofts place - used definitely in 1956.
Thanks to Trevor for the correction of spelling - makes it easier to find on a map !!
The Hill was used on the following dates

[ information from Trevor Sheffields book about Ralph Watson - thanks again Trevor ]
23/03/1953 - information from Milan Fistonic and cover of programme - Post #339
29/09/1953

16/01/1954 as noted in Don Tilsley photos
19/09/1954

15/01/1955 - copy of the cover - Programme for this event now added Post #339
later in 1955 - exact date not detailed

later in 1956 **- exact date not detailed " ----/1956 NSCC Hill Climb - Ron Roycroft ran the Bugatti - Jaguar
**presume this is still using Wairamarama Road

1960's

" Ostrich Farm Road, Pukekohe, Franklin County "

1961

11/10/1961 Ostrich Farm Road
November 1961 **
17/12/1961 Ostrich Farm Road, Pukekohe - the NSCC's Gold Star Championship Hill Climb

As noted ; ** Used in 1961 as have some results from an event there in November 1961 posted in previous thread post #327

" Wharepapa Road, Helensville " - used early 1960's ** maybe 1964 - now seems likely this was after Birdwood Road - see dates now added.

" Birdwood Road, Massey "

1964 - 1965 - 1966

14/03/1965 Birdwood Road Massey - results appear in a previous post

Birdwood Road, Massey - area now called Birdwood as Massey is a large area. used 1964 - 65, did they keep using it until Cosseys was first used in March 1967 ?.
Then we have Wharepapa -both roads used in 1965.

" Wharepapa Road, Helensville "

1965 - 1966

-/12/1965 Wharepapa Road

1967 to 1980's

By March 1967 NSCC had " built " Cosseys Farm Road into a Hill Climb venue - cowpats and all.

Question - Is it Hill Climb or Hillclimb ?

More information has come to light on events, Hill Climb and others, Sprints etc

[Milan Fistonic]

Here is confirmation of the dates of two Wairamarama hillclimbs.

[Roger Dowding]

These photos were put on the NSCC Facebook page back in 2017 - I had seen them and with the new information coming to light the should be here
The notes on the photos from the NSCC page

#1 photo NSCC 1951 #231
1951 Seagrove
“ Singford Special at NSCC Club Championship meeting at Seagrove 18 Nov 1951.
Up to 1500 cc 1st. MGTD 2nd Jowett Jupiter 3rd. General Handicap up to 1500 cc 1st. McHugh Special 2nd. Standard Special (Bob Crisp) 3rd. Byce Tye Cup for Sports cars. 3rd. 1st.Allard J2 (George Smith) 2nd. Jaguar 120 (Peter Harrison) “



#2 photo NSCC 1953 #232
1953 Ohakea
“ Ohakea Trophy Race 14 March 1953. D.N.F. for Don on the 24th lap (of 25) while holding 2nd place broke steering arm. Could have finished 3rd or 4th. Don received 10 pounds for completing 23 laps! “



#3 photo NSCC 1953 #233
1953 Muriwai ACC event
“ Singford Special 1st place won by Don at the NZ Hillclimb Championship Class F at Muriwai 18 April 1953 run by Auckland Car Club. “



#4 photo NSCC 1954 #234
1954 Wairamarama
“ Picture of Don's car Singford Special 1st Class F 1101-1500cc North Island Hill Climb Championship at Wairamarama -16th Jan 1954 run by NSCC. “



#5 photo NSCC 1955 #235.
1955 Muriwai Beach
“NSCC meeting at Muriwai beach, June 1955. Herb Gilroy A40 special and Don Tilsley Singford Special Mk 3 (Ecurie Drambuie) Dead heat 1st. “



The first 4 photos are the original Singford - details of which have been commented on **-on this thread.
Last photo is the Singford Mark 3 as noted on the photo.
** specific comment from Trevor Sheffield - who was racing at the time !
" There were only three Tilsley cars built i.e. two sports type specials and one single seater racing car. However there was a project car built by the Tilsleys which was completed and bodied by others. "

Thanks Trevor - always good information from your great memory and archives - Cheers ..

Must check the Hill Climb dates for the Timeline in the previous post. #338.
Another date also from Milan as noted in post #339 - Thanks.