Hi, the history of the car is as follows.
This Toyota is one of three imported by Toyota New Zealand and converted into rally cars for a ‘Team Toyota’ entry into the 1973 Heatway Rally. Graham Carter was the first driver of GG42; the car was then sold to and rallied by Ken Cleghorn. The previous owner purchased GG42 in 1989 and spent the next four years carrying out a total restoration of the vehicle. GG42 was then raced around North Island circuits for the next 13 years and also competed in local car-club events with great success. GG42 is registered as a ‘New Zealand Historic Vehicle’ with The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand. Toyota Corolla Levin GG42 has a ‘Historic Vehicle Competitor logbook’ and a ‘MotorSport New Zealand logbook’. MotorSport New Zealand Certificate of Description
I've got the history of the car back to when it was first imported and the papers showing the ownership history etc. The previous owner did a fantastic job of the restoration.
That was their colours Tunny, and it certainly looks the part, one very nice and historic car.
Think Colin Taylor drove the other car, I may have photos.
Did this car do the Ruby RallyFest celebration rally out of Hamilton about 5 years back or was on display in the pavillion.
Here is a photo of it in the background the night before when cars were on display at Hamilton, second car (red MK2 is the ex Howard Collier car now owned by Pete Bryan who has just restored the Woolmark MK1 of Mike Marshalls as well, and next MK1 behind that is Blair Robson's Original car) Front one had Mike Marshall pedal it a couple times in days of Pall Mall. (Been told that GA45 is in my garage, a hint from somebody to get it going I think)
PS This event was 4 tarmac stages morning and 4 Maramarua afternoon, and some only did Tarmac and i am sure the Toyota did Tarmac only.
Last edited by Rod Grimwood; 11-23-2012 at 07:33 PM.
If that is the ex Ken Cleghorn car, then i have been around it a fair bit. There will possibly be photos of it in the old motoraction magazines. It was a very good car in its day, for sure.
I'm sure it featured in a Classic Car magazine article some years ago too.
Go to the website www.silverfernrally.co.nz and you are able to view the film / tv program of the '73 Heatway Rally where this car and the remainder of Team Toyota NZ feature
There were three, GG41, GG42 and GG43. Colin Taylor drove GG42 with K Foulkes, Graham Carter and Grahame Brownlie shared the driving of GG42, and Ian Pinkerton drove GG43 with me reading the notes.
I used to know where they all went when the oil crisis over the 1973/74 summer looked like ending rallying, but have forgotten...
And they were fast - if not 100% reliable
Edit: Great movie, Carlo. Have just watched it right through. Don't remember seeing it at the time, though I must have. I arranged the NZBC sponsorship for the Toyota team
Last edited by David McKinney; 11-23-2012 at 11:10 AM.
Hi Dave, Was that the rally where Ian crashed. His co-driver was injured although the car was reasonably ok. You stepped in as co-driver only to later be disqualfied. Not sure of the exact details, it was last century after all. But i am sure there is a good story there.
Saw Derek Etherington at Manfield, he could tell some great yarns about early rallying.
Tunny:
Found these in my old scrap book, there is all sorts actually in it.
Good enough to make the cover
Colin taylor and "K" Foulkes on the Pohangina Loop north of Palmerston North (if i remember right Colin was from Palmy area)
Colin taylor and "K" Foulkes in their Corrola Levin