Corvette Engines and Racingcars

[Steve Holmes]

About 10-15 years ago John Diamond (I think) appeared at a New Zealand historic racing event with a car he'd brought over from Australia called a Carter Corvette. It was a smallish sports car from memory, in which the rear wheels were partially covered by the bodywork. Does anyone have any info and pics of this car? Was it John Diamond who owned it? And if so, was this the same John Diamond who with brother Steve were active New Zealand racers in the '70s? Steve moved to the US and established a large mineral water company I believe called Koala Mineral Water, or something similar.

[Paul Kirk]

About 10-15 years ago John Diamond (I think) appeared at a New Zealand historic racing event with a car he'd brought over from Australia called a Carter Corvette. It was a smallish sports car from memory, in which the rear wheels were partially covered by the bodywork. Does anyone have any info and pics of this car? Was it John Diamond who owned it? And if so, was this the same John Diamond who with brother Steve were active New Zealand racers in the '70s? Steve moved to the US and established a large mineral water company I believe called Koala Mineral Water, or something similar.

Har ha ha, yeah Steve did bring a transam-type car here to race in our NZ summer series that didn't comply to the rules but somhow he managed to get permission to race, he also brought a V12 BMW road car to drive from the motel to the race track and back, (Very impressive!) Funnilly enough he wasn't well recieved here for a few reasons, eg, he couldn't drive, the car didn't comply, he was promoting Austrailian "mineral" water here in NZ, (our's is the best in the world), and he had one silver cup/trophy (dunno where he found it), that he carefully put on the dashboard of the tow truck so everybody could see it. But I think he might have influenced the course of car racing in NZ, because it was the start of the Transam importing boom.
PK.

[Steve Holmes]

Har ha ha, yeah Steve did bring a transam-type car here to race in our NZ summer series that didn't comply to the rules but somhow he managed to get permission to race, he also brought a V12 BMW road car to drive from the motel to the race track and back, (Very impressive!) Funnilly enough he wasn't well recieved here for a few reasons, eg, he couldn't drive, the car didn't comply, he was promoting Austrailian "mineral" water here in NZ, (our's is the best in the world), and he had one silver cup/trophy (dunno where he found it), that he carefully put on the dashboard of the tow truck so everybody could see it. But I think he might have influenced the course of car racing in NZ, because it was the start of the Transam importing boom.
PK.

There is some race footage from that season on this thread Paul: http://www.theroaringseason.com/show...-Sports-Sedans

Yes I agree, I think that car did create a turning point for NZ sports sedans. As Rod has said above, there were a few NZ built space-frame sports sedans already racing, but that car seems to be the first space-frame car from the US and it was very quick. Owners started importing their own versions during the following seasons, and then it was decided that everyone should have one, and that the old traditional production based sports sedans were effectively outlawed. The US space-frame cars were certainly effective, but they lacked the character and uniqueness of the Kiwi machines.

[ged]

1950-1960? austin healy corvette i think i rember one going around south island

[cavvy]

Ferrari 125 fitted with Corvette power at 1962 Aus GP at Caversham, link for a photo.
http://www.oldracephotos.com/shop/product5001

Bruce McLaren won the 1962 AGP
http://www.terrywalkersplace.com/

Apologies for my inability to post a picture, so you need go to galleries to see the winning Bruce McLaren, hang on there is more, the same gallery includes a photo of the Eldred Norman double banger V8 that saw out its days in WA, last driven by Toby Carboni.

[findthedb]

I am trying to find information about the double banger. I am Toby Carboni's son and compiling a book about his life including his racing days. I would appreciate any information, images or any contacts you give to help me. Thanks in advance

[Paul Kirk]

About 10-15 years ago John Diamond (I think) appeared at a New Zealand historic racing event with a car he'd brought over from Australia called a Carter Corvette. It was a smallish sports car from memory, in which the rear wheels were partially covered by the bodywork. Does anyone have any info and pics of this car? Was it John Diamond who owned it? And if so, was this the same John Diamond who with brother Steve were active New Zealand racers in the '70s? Steve moved to the US and established a large mineral water company I believe called Koala Mineral Water, or something similar.

Har ha ha, yeah Steve did bring a transam-type car here to race in our NZ summer series that didn't comply to the rules but somhow he managed to get permission to race, he also brought a V12 BMW road car to drive from the motel to the race track and back, (Very impressive!) Funnilly enough he wasn't well recieved here for a few reasons, eg, he couldn't drive, the car didn't comply, he was promoting Austrailian "mineral" water here in NZ, (our's is the best in the world), and he had one silver cup/trophy (dunno where he found it), that he carefully put on the dashboard of the tow truck so everybody could see it. But I think he might have influenced the course of car racing in NZ, because it was the start of the Transam importing boom.
PK.

[Racer Rog]

Two Different men, John Diamond ran Penrite oil, and raced here in NZ at Historic events with his family for a number of years, his son and daughter ran cars here two, his son died of cancer and John passed away a few years ago, he was a mighty guy with a passion for racing and oil, Barry Leitch did a lot of work on their cars and I think his daughter still races in Australia.
Roger

[jim short]

Yes I agree , he offered to sponsor my Short Spyder in the early 90s to a trip right around Aussie as it was all sealed I had told him I had driven it from the top to the bottom of NZ and would love to drive melb. to Perth .They had the Carter at the last Wigram along with Spencer Martin in the 300s Maser and XK220,have some great vidio shots of Spencer and Jim Palmer in the 300s along side the Chev coupe and PDLect

[jim short]

Going back a few post to help out rogered with his maths one thing I am good at from 1955 to 2000 is 45 add on 12 and it comes to 57 Rogerd wish you would be man enough to use you name when you slack anyone off 57 years and I dont make a big deal out of it just some of us are born this way!!!