RA Vanguard

[Roger Dowding]

Great to see an article in the May issue of Classic & Sports Car magazine on the incredible New Zealand Special, the RA Vanguard. For those who weren't aware, the RA is now owned by ex-pat New Zealander Rob Whitehouse, and Paul Radisich, and resides in England.

There are plans underway to have the RA accepted to compete at Goodwood, and writer Mick Walsh had tried to get the event organizers interested in having it run in the Goodwood Trophy. However, they didn't know anything about the car, and the entry was rejected. Hopefully, this excellent article will bring the car the recognition it deserves.

RA Vanguard - more information ;
The name RA came from " Racing Automobiles "

Have just dug out the " New Zealand Classic Car - Limited Edition Collector' Series Volume #5 " published around 2005 - there is a Huge article on Hec Green [ Jack Brewer the other half of RA Engineering ] and the RA Cars - Pages 18 to 49, the article by Penn McKay who wrote for NZCC for many years.

There is on TRS the thread #1038 [ an early one from 2013] which as a lot of information on the car ;
RA4 or RA Vanguard as it is better known.

Perhaps Steve could merge to two threads #1038 and this one #2521.

Stu Buchanan David McKinney and others write on the earlier thread
Go to ;

" http://www.theroaringseason.com/show...83-RA-Vanguard "

The Cars were - according to Penn McKay;

RA1 - the Wolseley Special,later became the ACE1 and ACE2

RA2 Singer Special built for Pat Hore - known as RA Vauxhall and RA Zephyr, later the 260M Zephyr of Ron Rutherford

RA3 Fiat 1100 built for Des Wild, later Chevrolet, Vauxhall and finally Lycoming powered with Duncan Rutherford.

RA4 " RA Vanguard " - passed through many hands including Les Moore [ fatally] Grant Cowie [ who collected most of the bits ] , John Holdsworth, Mike Courtney, to finally Richard Anderson. [ the order of ownership of Mike and John I am unsure now clarified by Richard and corrected here John before Mike and put it together !! .

Hope this is of some interest Guys !!