Ardmore 1959 the Sixth New Zealand " International " Grand Prix.
A very International entry with drivers from the USA, England, Europe and Australia, plus of course our " Local Lads ".
A photo has emerged from Roger Herrick of the Maserati entries in the paddock at Ardmore.
#1 driver Joe Bonnier, Sweden
#5 one of the Temple Buell entries - driver Carroll Shelby, USA
next to that probably
#3 the other Temple Buell car of Harry Schell, France.
The Temple Buell cars were described as the Piccolo Maserati's because of their long shaped noses.
Other Maserati's were ;
#10 of Bib Stillwell, Australia in a 250 F
#12 of Giancarlo Scarlatti,
whilst the New Zealand entries were ;
#18 Ross Jensen Entrant and Driver in a 250F
#20 entered by Ross Jensen, driver not stated in the programme as ' tba ', a 250F.
#24 Gavin Quirk as Entrant and Driver, another 250F.
The Grand Prix had two Heat's of which the first 10 cars qualified for the Grand Prix.
The placings are on the image for each Heat.
- Milan Fistonic archives.
The Full Entry List from the Programme;
The Programme cover - another image borrowed as I do not have a copy.
The Sports Car field that day was also large and some cars were entered in the Grand Prix also including the Austin Healey 100S of Graeme Pierce and M Richards, which did not qualify -
- as noted elsewhere by Milan Fistonic [ on the Austin Healey thread ]
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 12-08-2024 at 05:38 AM.
Reason: Notes added ###47
Roger,
I attended that meeting at Ardmore as part of a family holiday. probably the meeting that got me hooked on car racing,before that it had been speedway bikes at the Taita track. All down to my parents, dad new Bruce Aberthey at the speedway and also Norm McCutcheon the owner/ constructor of the Normac special from his boyhood. my mother actively encouraged my interest this probably explains why I endedup building DFV.s for Mclaren in the early 70,s and running F1 cars for 4 years in the second half of that decade.
Another photo from Roger Herrick archives; A much better photograph as the cars are not surrounded by spectators
The four 250F Maserati cars 2 long nose and two Piccolo nose style -
#1 Jo Bonnier, #5 and #3 the Temple Buell cars and #10 Bib Stillwell car.
Note the big headrest / shroud on the #5 car of Carroll Shelby. #3 Harry Schell from France.
The Gavin Quirk car #24 that later was with Chris Amon [ 1962 ] and later [ 1970's -1980s ] again fully restored. Chassis number 3509.
Interesting as was owned by the Owen Organisation - the guys behind BRM and has Dunlop Centre-lock wheels and Disc Brakes
another photo from Roger Herrick archives.
The car again with Gavin Quirk. Allan Dick archives.
Chris Amon had a bad crash at Dunedin in 1962. Here in practice - AD archives
The crash. AD archives
The restored car at Ardmore 1989 - posted before. my photo.
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 12-13-2024 at 05:34 AM.
George Dixon in the 1938 Chevrolet Coupe - race number 141, the car later went to Rod Coppins and he used " 141 " as his race number, with the Chev and the later Zephyr Corvette.
A very mixed field with Chev Coupes, Ford V8 Coupes, a Dodge some Mk 2 Zephyrs, a couple of Jaguars, and a Studebaker Hawk - finally a 3 litre Alvis. The Alvis also raced at Levin and Ohakea in the 1960/61 - 61/62 seasons.
L Carter in the Studebaker, G Giblin in the Alvis, the Zephyrs included Brian Innes in the Motordrome Team car and Dennis Simons in the " Spinner Car Sales " entry.
From the Entry List for the Race - my own notes;
" Ardmore 1962 - Event 8 Saloon Car Scratch Race - over 1600cc class
- G Dixon #141 Chev L Carter #130 Studebaker 4220cc, G Giblin in the Alvis #142 - 2993cc - so a big Six by English standards, - 4 Zephyrs, A Beetham #137 J Hayes #143, B Innes Motordrome Team #144 and D [ Dennis ] Simmons in the Spinner Car Sales Zephyr #153, and two Jaguars plus a Dodge Special of A Jones #145. ".
Ardmore 1962 - The Programme [ thank to Allan on TRS for sending it to me. ]
** The Entry List for the above Race - most classes got only one race in the day, Saloons had one for the 1600cc and under then this one the Over 1600cc Race - Race 8, just before the Grand Prix.
1962 was the last Ardmore Grand Prix event, where Stirling Moss proved to be a " Master " in the rain that developed later in the day. Ken Hyndman archives - with an S Moss signature.
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 02-16-2025 at 06:04 AM.
Was not there, these are from Allan Dick of " Autonews ", " NZ Classic Driver " publications, both of which he started.
.
The photos are from a young " Arthur Uden ", taken by a basic camera that took photos printed as 3 x 3 inch, had something similar at the time.
Details on the photos - will note on the thread too !!.
John[ny ] Riley
in the " paddock " by the Tote building - now long gone.
John[ny ] Riley the Lotus 18/21
Ross Baker in the Heron
Jim Palmer #41 - his Brabham
Bill Caldwell Lola Sports later owned by Barry Cottle.
K [ Keith ? ] Madgwick in a Mini Cooper
Ian Green with the Tojeiro that later went to Brent Hawes, - with Frank Cantwell before Ian I understand.
Team Molyslip - a big Team in the day - 1964 - 65.
Steve Elliott, recently posted an Advert for " Molyslip " an engine additive which featured the Rod Coppins Zephyr Corvette in it White / Ivory with Blue Stripes Colours, before it went to a Burgundy.
The " Team Molyslip " group had a number of known drivers in various cars, Ford Anglia - several, the Zephyr Corvette and even a single seater.
Not specifically " Pukekohe " - the Team did race there on many occasions.
The " Molyslip " Advert - arch Steve Elliott.
Full advert with the Team Members - Drivers and Mechanics - a big group in the pits, they would have been.
The Team with drivers and flags at Pukekohe, Anglias grouped around the Zephyr Corvette.
The Anglias on trailers at Jack Wilsons Service Station - beside Simons Motors .
The Zephyr Corvette.
in colour;
ONZMR - photos " borrowed " from Old New Zealand Motor Racing.
Some posted before, however, this brings them all together - saves scrolling through the many pages and posts on this thread.
Pukekohe 1967 - 1970. Reports and Photos from these !!
" AUTONEWS New Zealand, later " autoNEWS New Zealand ". was Allan Dicks entry in NZ Motor Racing / Motor Sport publishing, in Dunedin.
It began in June 1967 in a small format newspaper type publication, printed by his local paper the " Otago Daily Times ".
At the time " Motorman " by Donn Anderson was " THE " Motoring magazine of the time for Motorsport and things Automotive, " NZ HOT Rod Magazine " covered the Rod and Custom, Drag Racing scene.
Allan Dick came to Pukekohe many times and has over the years made comments about the place and the " White Coats " - the Marshalls, It did not stop him from writing articles and including photos in his publication " Autonews NZ ".
As mentioned on the " Motoring Books - what's on your bookshelf ? " thread, I have been sent [ from across the Ditch ] a much travelled collection of early Autonews - June 1967 Vol 1 No 1 onwards up to 1970.
Have had a couple of the publications in my Archive for many years but now it has grown.
Covers of several from the first year.
Vol 1 No 1, No 10 and No 16.
They are showing the " patina of age " however, lots of good reading and information and photos to share on here.
Was one of the " White Coats " at National [ NSCC ] Meetings, not the GP as Crowd, then Gate and later Flag Marshall, we all had a job to do. - tell me they didn't have them " Down South ". Dunedin, Teretonga Wigram, The Levels, Waimate et al .
More will follow over time with " Pukekohe " photos;
Pukekohe - the Wills 3 and 6 Hour Races - some Autonews images.
Volume 1 Issue 8 had the preview article and full Entry Lists for the two races in October 1967 at Pukekohe.
Volume 1 Issue 9 had the report, results and photos, with the winning 3 Hour Race Mustang #53 of Rod Coppins and John Ward on the cover;
There were Four Mustangs #51 Frank Bryan Don Davie, #52 Paul Fahey Jim Palmer, #53 Rod Coppins John Ward and Red Dawson John Riley in the fourth #54 Car.
The Autonews covers ;
The Centrespread photos;
The double page " WILLSCEEN " as in the Issue;
Left side a bit closer - with the 3.3 Litre Vauxhalls and the 3 litre V6 Fords and other images;
Right - with Lotus Cortina 3 hour race, Rod Coppins PDL Cooper S of Clyde Collins the Fahey Mustang and Mustangs Cortina a Ford front two rows heading for the Stables / Elbow - did they use the Elbow and Loop at this event - seems so from the comment " Behaviour at the Elbow was without Peer ".
Ford front two rows heading for the Stables / Elbow.
Frank Bryan and Paul Fahey with a third 'stang behind
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 05-15-2025 at 01:41 AM.
Autonews, - to keep them all in one place am posting on here.
In most cases there will be Pukekohe related news or photos.
Volume One Number One - June 25th 1967.
Cover photo the Fordina.
Articles on Ruapuna and Teretonga.
There are photos from both events, plus Waimate, Wigram, Timaru [ the only meeting ] Renwick and Dunedin [ from earlier in the year ]
Issue Number 2 July 1967
The Custaxie on the cover, Photos the Fordina again, Fleetwood Mustang -an article on Chris Amon.
The magazine had grown from it original size when folded " 25 x 17 " [ 10" x 6 3/4 inches ] to " 26 x 18.5 ".
Issue Number 3, 24th July 1967.
Dennis Marwood in his Cooper and a Ford Thunderbird on the cover.
Profile on Dennis and an article on the French Grand Prix, Road Test of the T/bird - not many phots but q few of Dennis in his Cooper and Humber 80.
Issue Number 4, Monday 7th August 1967.
Begg Chevrolet on the Cover - article on George Begg by Robin Curtis, Road Test of the fiery new X2 Holden, The British Grand Prix and a story on Neil Doyle
.
Allan Dick was also promoting his Book / Magazine style " Motoryear Book 1967 " which I have had since 1967.
My copy;
Both Allan Dicks Book and the " Shell Book of New Zealand Motor Racing 1967 " by Peter Greenslade and Euan Sarginson featured the Custaxie on the front cover.
As noted elsewhere the Autonews posted here were originally purchased by Garry Simkin who put the pen details on top of the Volume and Issue Numbers.
They have travelled to Australia and back and have had several " custodians ' over the years, from Garry to others and on to John Climo - of Cabbage Tree Media fame, to me.
Volume 1 Number 5 - Monday 21st August 1967
* Denny does it again - is the headline,
- articles on German Grand Prix
- Winner Dennis Hulme Repco Brabham, 2nd Jack Brabham - " the Boss " Repco Brabham, 3rd Chris Amon Ferrari - a downunder Trio,
- Formula VEE, and Reducing the Road Toll,
- Article the ' Urge to Race " - part one
Not a lot of photos.
Volume 1 Number 6 - Monday 4th September 1967
- An article by Ian " Red " Dawson and some photos, called REDRITE,
- Article by Gary Thompson on Tony Batchelor
- The " Urge to Race " part two
and a a piece entitled " Bits and Pieces ".
The cover photo of an Anglia #124 - there is no details as to who or where, or when !.
Volume 1 number 7 - Monday 18th September 1967
as an aside - the day before my 20th Birthday - also the Month *** [ see note from Allan Cameron ] before they removed Six O'Clock closing, and allowed pubs to open until 10 - the age however to enter was still 21 so had to wait.
Richard Attwood BRM on the cover,
- an article on Rallying
- Road Test of a Fiat 2300S Coupe - the current issue of NZ Classic Driver has an article on a Fiat 2300 Coupe - not the same car.
- Centrespread of photos including a Ford GT40, The Fleetwood Mustang, a Sports Car Race at the GP meeting in 1966 an a Dragster.
Article on the Canadian Grand Prix - won by Brabham with Hulme second in their Repco Brabham cars.
The next two Issues, Number 8 and 9 are the Wills 3 and 6 hour race issues
Allan Dick stated in the pre Wills issue number 8 - dated October 2nd " that the Editor will be in Auckland covering the Wills meeting " and it will be 2 days late.
It is dated however Monday 16th October 1967
Images of the Race meeting have already been posted.
The Car on the Cover Issue 8 a Sports Car #17- I am sure of who and what and where it is, again.
Issue 9 with the Coppins / Ward Mustang on the front - the winner of the 3 hour Challenge Race
Have noted Garry Simkin on the images;
More work to do on scanning the photos and entry lists etc
Last edited by Roger Dowding; 05-17-2025 at 04:26 AM.
Reason: 18th September Vol1 #7 ###47
I think you will find that 10 o'clock closing started 9 October 67 because I shipped out to Vietnam on the 6th and had to wait a whole year for the later experience.
Motor Year Book 1967 - Incorporating Motorsport '67 - by Allan Dick
Allan Dick produced " Motorsport '66 " and followed it up the " Motor Year Book " - in 1967, the same year that he started " Autonews NZ " later " autoNEWS NZ ".
A few images from the 1967 Edition,
Pukekohe
Levin
Wigram
Teretonga
- January into February 1967
Inside the front cover " Vive les Girls " and the Editorial - Front page ONE.
Pukekohe - the NZ International Grand Prix
Levin - the Wills International the second event in the series.
Off to the South Island - Wigram - with the Lady Wigram Trophy Race - third event in the series.
Teretonga - the last NZ event, then the series went to Australia, Lakeside QLD and other events incl Longford, TAS.
The Wills / Gold Leaf meeting in October 1967. and other images to follow.
Just hit 6 photos.
Pukekohe 1967 - The Gold Leaf Three Hour Challenge Race.
Pukekohe - 1967 - Is it the " The Gold Leaf Three Hour Challenge Race. " there are four Mustangs in the set of photos.
Same parked cars in the background, by the Woolshed - and had seen one of the photos before - with a note
- " Pukekohe 1968 - the 1967 - 68 season "
Photos by Terry " Steelo " Baker as posted by John Larry Lawton.
Mustang trio in White. - with stripes.
Mustang duo in White.
Mustang duo, a Blue and a White. Is the Blue Dawson ?