Read on another photo thread about the Datsun 180B-based OSCA(?) saloon built by Kelvin Cameron, in which he was fatally injured in a testing accident at Ruapuna. Kelvin ran a car yard in Ferry Road in Christchurch, and specialized in sports and performance cars. He had a minor disability - from memory I think he contracted polio as a child - and walked with a noticeable limp, but he didn't let that slow him down. Hell no. He was bloody fast but always drove with a ferocious determination and what appeared to be a cavalier disregard for his own mortality.

Anyway, in 1972 i was driving a 1962 MG Midget, drum brakes, puny 948cc engine etc. I hankered after a more modern Midget and eventually a 1970 MkIII came up for sale; 1275 engine, disc brakes BRG, wires, folding hood etc. I had to have it. Having committed myself, I then had to sell the MkI, and having failed to find a buyer privately, ended up at Kelvin's yard. He insisted on taking it for a test drive, and tore out of the yard and took off up Ferry Road, valve-bouncing in every gear! Five minutes later he was back, silly grin on his face, the car virtually panting with exertion and probably a little excitement too. "Not a bad little car" he opined. "How much do you reckon it's worth?" I mentioned my price. From memory it was $1300. "Pretty fair", he ventured. My heart leapt. "The gearbox is noisy in first though. I'll have to rebuild it for resale, which will be about $150. How about $1150?" My heart sank, but of course with little realistic alternative I ended up taking it.

Only years (and years!) later did I realize that the Midget has a straight-cut first gear and that ALL Midgets are noisy in first. Wonder how many ignorant punters have been taken in by that one over the years! Only heard about Kelvin's accident many years after the event but was saddened nonetheless. RIP Kelvin Cameron.

Art Markus