I have just checked the AGP history and this photo is not shown,Howard Norman took all the shots in the book.Maybe you can locate all his photos Ray they would be an interesting history.There must be 1000s of
old photos hidden away in collections.
Full Version: Personal photos of Australian motor racing '50s to '70s
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KB in M10 Mclaren coming off The Causeway at Warwick Farm followed by Leo Geoghegan in Lotus 59 Waggott. Not sure who is driving the other McLaren (Allan Hamilton or Niel Allen?) Then it looks like Max Stewart in the Mildren Waggott.
Dale.
That would be Allan Hamilton, Dale... very nice pic too...
You don't think it might be Jack Nelson, John?
Ken, I could probably arrange to get hold of the ones Chevron have, which includes the one above and a number of others, possibly even the AGP book ones. But people around Adelaide must have hundreds of them, and it might be a good project for the SCC of SA to chase them up.
Back to lesser things, anyone ever heard of a circuit near Ballarat called 'Scothchman's Lead'?
Here's a race start there... and here's local driver Graham McQuinn in his Austin 7 Special... spare chassis in the ute (Bedford or Prefect) behind him, and that must be the Ron Eaton Renault Dauphine (with widies, yet!) to the left...
Also, while you're racking brains and thinking hard about late fifties Ballarat events, what about Magpie Hill? I think it was another one near Ballarat, but I could be wrong, Ron did get around a bit. Here's the start:
And here's the crew running the show, looking very 'bush'... wonder if they were running under CAMS or AASA?
Can't be too far from town, somebody went out there in an 803cc Minor! Oh, and to demonstrate that the 'rot' Stan talks about affected things way back then... here's a towmaster competing:
The pics might have been under and overexposed, Peter, but they capture the atmosphere, and they give us a broader appreciation of how the need to compete drove people in those simpler days.
By the way, Dale, here's your pic of the BT23E with a little bit of adjustment:
Originally posted by John Medley
Not sure, but perhaps Eric Coleman or Toleman?
Not sure, but perhaps Eric Coleman or Toleman?
You don't think it might be Jack Nelson, John?
Ken, I could probably arrange to get hold of the ones Chevron have, which includes the one above and a number of others, possibly even the AGP book ones. But people around Adelaide must have hundreds of them, and it might be a good project for the SCC of SA to chase them up.
Back to lesser things, anyone ever heard of a circuit near Ballarat called 'Scothchman's Lead'?
Here's a race start there... and here's local driver Graham McQuinn in his Austin 7 Special... spare chassis in the ute (Bedford or Prefect) behind him, and that must be the Ron Eaton Renault Dauphine (with widies, yet!) to the left...
Also, while you're racking brains and thinking hard about late fifties Ballarat events, what about Magpie Hill? I think it was another one near Ballarat, but I could be wrong, Ron did get around a bit. Here's the start:
And here's the crew running the show, looking very 'bush'... wonder if they were running under CAMS or AASA?
Can't be too far from town, somebody went out there in an 803cc Minor! Oh, and to demonstrate that the 'rot' Stan talks about affected things way back then... here's a towmaster competing:
The pics might have been under and overexposed, Peter, but they capture the atmosphere, and they give us a broader appreciation of how the need to compete drove people in those simpler days.
By the way, Dale, here's your pic of the BT23E with a little bit of adjustment:
Wahgunyah Speedway - it still exists!!
www.wahgunyahspeedway.websyte.com.au/
And 50th Anniversary coming up so it must have started in the late 1950s.
www.wahgunyahspeedway.websyte.com.au/
And 50th Anniversary coming up so it must have started in the late 1950s.
It was Allan Tomlinson that told me it was Eric Coleman. The VSCCWA Newsletter Jan 2003 captioned the pic some years ago Eric Toleman....
It was Allan Tomlinson that told me it was Eric Coleman. The VSCCWA Newsletter Jan 2003 captioned the pic some years ago Eric Toleman....
I was through Corowa/Wahgunyah 2 weeks ago, wondered where the circuit was, obviously should have tried a little harder to locate it
I was through Corowa/Wahgunyah 2 weeks ago, wondered where the circuit was, obviously should have tried a little harder to locate it
Wahgunyah track today. The houses to the right are the edge of town.
1957 AGP Caversham: the mysterious "thing" on the front of the Len Lukey Cooper Bristol can be seen to be a screen to keep flying rocks, locusts, small birds and other macro debris from entering the air intake and remodelling the engine. The rear of the "box", another photo shows, is open and unscreened.
Thanks KB, great photos. 
Probably stating the obvious here....
The start of a heat of the Melbourne Grand Prix...
Jack Brabham -T45 Cooper
Ted Gray - Tornado
G W Patterson - T ? Cooper
Love the look on Jack's face
Stan
The start of a heat of the Melbourne Grand Prix...
Jack Brabham -T45 Cooper
Ted Gray - Tornado
G W Patterson - T ? Cooper
Love the look on Jack's face
Stan
Yes, that's Heat 2 Stan, with Patto in the T43. The start of the Sports Car race has Whiteford in the 300S, Pitt in the D-Type and possibly Ron Phillips in the T33 Cooper Jaguar in the middle?
Originally posted by Ray Bell
..... I have more pics coming, so I'll clear the decks of the first lot, first there's the Paul England Ausca:
..... thanks again to Ron Eaton and Peter Button.
..... I have more pics coming, so I'll clear the decks of the first lot, first there's the Paul England Ausca:
..... thanks again to Ron Eaton and Peter Button.
Ahh...the Ausca - I've lusted over the Ausca since I was a lad in short pants.
Just love it! Thank you.
Bob Tull, Bathurst, Easter 1964;
Originally posted by Ray Bell
Pedantry appreciated, Stan...
Items mentioned have been corrected.
Now for a bit more Wahgunyah... with a surprise, perhaps!
Now isn't that a long way removed from the kind of thing you'd associate with the name 'John Blanden'? It does look like the John we all knew, but is it?
These cars are going, as it says in the clip, to Corowa. In other words, I'm concluding, Wahgunyah. So let's have more Wahgunyah, especially to stir David McKinney's emotions:
The first is obviously at speed, the second clearly not. But at speed there were apparently perils in the bush:
The background to this crashed car looks like photos I've seen previously from Wahgunyah, undoubtedly in Terry Cornelius' scrapbook or something.
Some went to more trouble than running a mere flathead engine there too, however the ubiquitous Customline towmaster is still side-valved:
There's still a bunch more, some hillclimb stuff which I'd like to confirm the identity of, so again we owe a debt of gratitude to Peter for sending Ron's pics through.
Pedantry appreciated, Stan...
Items mentioned have been corrected.
Now for a bit more Wahgunyah... with a surprise, perhaps!
Now isn't that a long way removed from the kind of thing you'd associate with the name 'John Blanden'? It does look like the John we all knew, but is it?
These cars are going, as it says in the clip, to Corowa. In other words, I'm concluding, Wahgunyah. So let's have more Wahgunyah, especially to stir David McKinney's emotions:
The first is obviously at speed, the second clearly not. But at speed there were apparently perils in the bush:
The background to this crashed car looks like photos I've seen previously from Wahgunyah, undoubtedly in Terry Cornelius' scrapbook or something.
Some went to more trouble than running a mere flathead engine there too, however the ubiquitous Customline towmaster is still side-valved:
There's still a bunch more, some hillclimb stuff which I'd like to confirm the identity of, so again we owe a debt of gratitude to Peter for sending Ron's pics through.
Ray,
The picture of the Riley special. I may [will] be wrong but along with its beam axle it appears to have rack and pinion steering, a combination that I didn't think was engineeringly correct ?
Stan's comments on things that aren't quite right.
As a boy looking through English motor mags I would see pictures of an ERA cockpit. What would urk me even back then was the angle of the steering column and wheel. I would often wonder why they didn't put in the extra effort like all the others?
Some years later in my hometown of Boulder a friend and I went to see an Allard sports car that had been bought by a local enthusiast. On seeing it we both remarked on its ugly exaggerated XK 120 looks.
Over the years it moved on and eventually ended up in Melbourne. My friend came across it at Phillip Island a few years back.
He later found a picture of the Allard K3 that was in a copy of "Australian Classic Car Monthly" for February 1994. It was a Sutton's Rally entry 175.
My tastes must have matured somewhat for now it doesn't look too bad.
Originally posted by GeoffR
Wahgunyah Speedway - it still exists!!
www.wahgunyahspeedway.websyte.com.au/
And 50th Anniversary coming up so it must have started in the late 1950s.
Wahgunyah Speedway - it still exists!!
www.wahgunyahspeedway.websyte.com.au/
And 50th Anniversary coming up so it must have started in the late 1950s.
see fixture list
http://www.communityguide.com.au/community...nyahspeedway/1/
RL
Quote: The picture of the Riley special. I may [will] be wrong but along with its beam axle it appears to have rack and pinion steering, a combination that I didn't think was engineeringly correct ? Wileyman.
No, but it was probably a lot better than half a turn of slack which came with the original steering.
As the axle bounces up and down the toe-in would change, but given they're racing on oiled dirt with ridges and potholes, and skinny x-ply tyres with as much grip as a cake of soap in the bottom of your shower recess, I doubt anyone would notice the effects.
Probably a successful trade-off.
No, but it was probably a lot better than half a turn of slack which came with the original steering.
As the axle bounces up and down the toe-in would change, but given they're racing on oiled dirt with ridges and potholes, and skinny x-ply tyres with as much grip as a cake of soap in the bottom of your shower recess, I doubt anyone would notice the effects.
Probably a successful trade-off.
Originally posted by Stan Patterson
Nice to see u back
Yes Norman Hamilton and his Porsche RS were a formidable class competitor in our glory days...always a gutssy performer ...
It was driven at Longford by the elusive Bruce Walton with great verve ....
but was never followed up by a fair dinkum RSK
Hamiltons were the Victorian Porsche distibutors..but the Lotus Elevens were better and so we went back to mythology etc
Stan
Nice to see u back
Yes Norman Hamilton and his Porsche RS were a formidable class competitor in our glory days...always a gutssy performer ...
It was driven at Longford by the elusive Bruce Walton with great verve ....
but was never followed up by a fair dinkum RSK
Hamiltons were the Victorian Porsche distibutors..but the Lotus Elevens were better and so we went back to mythology etc
Stan
Yes it would be! (Nice to see u back)...I would pop some verve
Can anyone ID the powder blue car to the left of #86 at Mount Druitt...looks interesting, the hint of a kamm tail, distinctive spoked wheels...and a fast back???
I assume you are referring to #86 as the D-Type in post #1883? I had a look at that myself and thought it rather interesting, but there is not a lot to go on. I too would love to know more.
In reference to the Riley Special photo, I noticed earlier that it had to be 1958 or later because of the FC wagon in the background.
In reference to the Riley Special photo, I noticed earlier that it had to be 1958 or later because of the FC wagon in the background.
Originally posted by David Shaw
I assume you are referring to #86 as the D-Type in post #1883? I had a look at that myself and thought it rather interesting, but there is not a lot to go on. I too would love to know more.
I assume you are referring to #86 as the D-Type in post #1883? I had a look at that myself and thought it rather interesting, but there is not a lot to go on. I too would love to know more.
Not much of a mystery, I suspect...
I think it's facing the opposite direction, that's the front, people are playing with the engine.
Maybe the Citröen Special?
oh wow
Yes David that is the Phillips Cooper Jaguar in the middle. I think it is fair to say this was the first meeting that the car began to show its potential after its unhappy start in Australia.
The term "race" was a misnomer because it was really a matter of who finished second to Whiteford - usually Bill Pitt in the D Type, but over the 2 weekend meeting, Pitt had trouble with both the Cooper Jaguar and not surprisingly, Derek Jolly's Lotus XV. Actually, in retrospect, the Lotus XV even at 1500cc shuld have been able to see off both Jaguar-engined cars on that circuit.
The two never-seen before pics of the 300S are sensational and it is a big thrill fo see Moss and Whiteford in the same shot...........
Stan
Yes David that is the Phillips Cooper Jaguar in the middle. I think it is fair to say this was the first meeting that the car began to show its potential after its unhappy start in Australia.
The term "race" was a misnomer because it was really a matter of who finished second to Whiteford - usually Bill Pitt in the D Type, but over the 2 weekend meeting, Pitt had trouble with both the Cooper Jaguar and not surprisingly, Derek Jolly's Lotus XV. Actually, in retrospect, the Lotus XV even at 1500cc shuld have been able to see off both Jaguar-engined cars on that circuit.
The two never-seen before pics of the 300S are sensational and it is a big thrill fo see Moss and Whiteford in the same shot...........
Stan
I'm after some thoughts here. Not my personal photos but I've recently unearthed some copies of a purely Tasmanian motoring publication covering the period 1968-1970 that were amongst some boxes of old maps & other paraphenalia I was given some time ago. As well as general motoring content they also have pics of various Tassie race meetings, incl Gold Star, ATCC etc, which may be of interest.
The publication has long been defunct, the editor/publisher is no longer with us and I can find no trace of the attributed photographer. Question is, in these circumstances would there be any copyright issues with posting some of the pics here (if they scan OK)?
The publication has long been defunct, the editor/publisher is no longer with us and I can find no trace of the attributed photographer. Question is, in these circumstances would there be any copyright issues with posting some of the pics here (if they scan OK)?
Leo Geoghegan Lotus 59 Waggott leads Max Stewart Mildren Waggott. Causeway Warwick Farm.
Dale.
Originally posted by GeoffR
I'm after some thoughts here. Not my personal photos but I've recently unearthed some copies of a purely Tasmanian motoring publication covering the period 1968-1970 that were amongst some boxes of old maps & other paraphenalia I was given some time ago. As well as general motoring content they also have pics of various Tassie race meetings, incl Gold Star, ATCC etc, which may be of interest.
The publication has long been defunct, the editor/publisher is no longer with us and I can find no trace of the attributed photographer. Question is, in these circumstances would there be any copyright issues with posting some of the pics here (if they scan OK)?
I'm after some thoughts here. Not my personal photos but I've recently unearthed some copies of a purely Tasmanian motoring publication covering the period 1968-1970 that were amongst some boxes of old maps & other paraphenalia I was given some time ago. As well as general motoring content they also have pics of various Tassie race meetings, incl Gold Star, ATCC etc, which may be of interest.
The publication has long been defunct, the editor/publisher is no longer with us and I can find no trace of the attributed photographer. Question is, in these circumstances would there be any copyright issues with posting some of the pics here (if they scan OK)?
Given the circumstances, I wouldn't think there would be a problem. Also, if possible would you be able to scan any Gold Star information from them for me to possibly utilise on my website please?
Great pics again KB, Lukey in his Cooper Bristol.
Given the circumstances, I wouldn't think there would be a problem. Also, if possible would you be able to scan any Gold Star information from them for me to possibly utilise on my website please?
Thanks David. I'll have a play around & see what I can come up with.
Kevin; just re-size to 640 X 320 and you have it nailed!
Sorry, my typo mistake; you have it now.
Keep posting; wonderful atmospheric photos!
Keep posting; wonderful atmospheric photos!
Yes Ray, the blue car in the earlier photo is the Citroen special, seen here again at Mt. Druitt in July 1957. Also seen are 81 George Websdale MG, 103 Jim Johnson MG , 9 Howard Hunt MG s/c , Ray Walmsley Alfa GMC.
They really packed them in on the starting grid in those days !
They really packed them in on the starting grid in those days !
Great photos, folks!
Love ex Speedway racer Ted Gray's opposite lock stance in the Tornado Corvette in front of the Stan Jones 250F
My (incomplete) take on Mt Druitt startline claustrophobia:
1st row: 81 George Websdale MG TC, 9 ?Hunt MG TA/TC Special, Jim Johnson MGTC Special, 20 Don Wright Citroen Special, Gordon Stewart Wheeler Fortune MG Special
2nd row:19 Ray Wamsley Alfa Alvis, ??????,George Pearse Cooper MG, maybe Ken Bennett Austin Healey 100-4...
I think I see the red Jack Robinson Jaguar in the background, but nothing rings a bell for that red car next to the Alfa Alvis in row 2. Anyone?
Love ex Speedway racer Ted Gray's opposite lock stance in the Tornado Corvette in front of the Stan Jones 250F
My (incomplete) take on Mt Druitt startline claustrophobia:
1st row: 81 George Websdale MG TC, 9 ?Hunt MG TA/TC Special, Jim Johnson MGTC Special, 20 Don Wright Citroen Special, Gordon Stewart Wheeler Fortune MG Special
2nd row:19 Ray Wamsley Alfa Alvis, ??????,George Pearse Cooper MG, maybe Ken Bennett Austin Healey 100-4...
I think I see the red Jack Robinson Jaguar in the background, but nothing rings a bell for that red car next to the Alfa Alvis in row 2. Anyone?
Fanstastic seeing Mt Druitt in its heyday in glorious colour.
Ray Bell took me there a few years ago (well okay many years ago) when there wasn't much left except a wavy line in the surviving tarmac where Belf Jones had been with his backhoe.
That's a slightly hazardous tree by the start line, right?
Ray Bell took me there a few years ago (well okay many years ago) when there wasn't much left except a wavy line in the surviving tarmac where Belf Jones had been with his backhoe.
That's a slightly hazardous tree by the start line, right?
Here is the Citroen Special (well, half of it anyway) at the top of Percy's Pinch, King Edward Park, 14 Sep 63, in the hands of Don James;
Originally posted by Ray Bell
Yes indeedy... that does look like the great man himself in jeans back there...
Yes indeedy... that does look like the great man himself in jeans back there...
that does look like the great man himself in dungarees? back there ..
I was about 14 or 15 when the jeans craze hit...they were more industrial wear when first released and the cuffs were usually worn as, well cuffs. Stovepipe style came a tad later. So...maybe early 1960s??
Originally posted by John Ellacott
The car on the front row, inboard of #20 looks for all the world like a rear engined device...a Cooper??
I say chaps
Anybody going to the 'Island next weekend?
Taking the old Jag down and a hamper of goodies on the Friday...damned if i will bother with the V8 crowd on Saturday or SundaY
Look for Potter Hills Road
Stan
Anybody going to the 'Island next weekend?
Taking the old Jag down and a hamper of goodies on the Friday...damned if i will bother with the V8 crowd on Saturday or SundaY
Look for Potter Hills Road
Stan
Leo Geoghegan Lotus 59 Waggott leads Max Stewart Mildren Waggott. Causeway Warwick Farm
With the ubiquitous tractor in the background. I seem to recall a pic of one A Moffat sitting disconsolately on it after his GT-HO expired, costing him the ATCC?
Anyway, some others - Sir Jack at (I presume) Longford? Taken going under the Viaduct?
Warm up lap - 1967 South Pacific Cup, Longford, Tas
Kevin Bartlett - Mildren Alfa V8 - 2nd place 1969 Gold Star Race, Symmons Plains, Tas
I will be there Stan, but only on Saturday & Sunday - so I can see the touring cars in all their glory
Not! - actually my daughter has just started a course at SQIT with Doug Partington who has suggested I have a good look at John Sheppard's Maybach 2.
I use to work in a building that john blanden use to visit when he came to perth and we caught up regularly to talk cars and he always told me he had been involved in motorsport in the 1950's in Ballarat where he came from and possibly raced a MG TC but this the first real documented item great to see
regards terry
Now isn't that a long way removed from the kind of thing you'd associate with the name 'John Blanden'? It does look like the John we all knew, but is it?
These cars are going, as it says in the clip, to Corowa. In other words, I'm concluding, Wahgunyah. So let's have more Wahgunyah, especially to stir David McKinney's emotions:
regards terry
Now isn't that a long way removed from the kind of thing you'd associate with the name 'John Blanden'? It does look like the John we all knew, but is it?
These cars are going, as it says in the clip, to Corowa. In other words, I'm concluding, Wahgunyah. So let's have more Wahgunyah, especially to stir David McKinney's emotions:
Maybach 2?
As in destroyed at Southport?
Steady
Stan
As in destroyed at Southport?
Steady
Stan
I am positive the light blue healey on row 2 is the ken bennett car #98
My (incomplete) take on Mt Druitt startline claustrophobia:
1st row: 81 George Websdale MG TC, 9 ?Hunt MG TA/TC Special, Jim Johnson MGTC Special, 20 Don Wright Citroen Special, Gordon Stewart Wheeler Fortune MG Special
2nd row:19 Ray Wamsley Alfa Alvis, ??????,George Pearse Cooper MG, maybe Ken Bennett Austin Healey 100-4...
I think I see the red Jack Robinson Jaguar in the background, but nothing rings a bell for that red car next to the Alfa Alvis in row 2. Anyone?
My (incomplete) take on Mt Druitt startline claustrophobia:
1st row: 81 George Websdale MG TC, 9 ?Hunt MG TA/TC Special, Jim Johnson MGTC Special, 20 Don Wright Citroen Special, Gordon Stewart Wheeler Fortune MG Special
2nd row:19 Ray Wamsley Alfa Alvis, ??????,George Pearse Cooper MG, maybe Ken Bennett Austin Healey 100-4...
I think I see the red Jack Robinson Jaguar in the background, but nothing rings a bell for that red car next to the Alfa Alvis in row 2. Anyone?
Maybach 2?
As in destroyed at Southport?
As in destroyed at Southport?
So what is the history of this car? It is on the PI entry list as Maybach 2, and I assume that John Sheppard is the same as who prepared Bob Jane's and the HDT cars.
The answer to the Maybach question can be found by entering "Maybach Special" in Search BB
Originally posted by Stan Patterson
I say chaps
Anybody going to the 'Island next weekend?
Taking the old Jag down and a hamper of goodies on the Friday...damned if i will bother with the V8 crowd on Saturday or SundaY
Look for Potter Hills Road
Stan
I say chaps
Anybody going to the 'Island next weekend?
Taking the old Jag down and a hamper of goodies on the Friday...damned if i will bother with the V8 crowd on Saturday or SundaY
Look for Potter Hills Road
Stan
Hoping to be there Friday, certainly planning to be there Saturday and Sunday. Words for Motor Racing Australia and pictures for Motorsport.
Stan, I sort of agree with you re the V8s - which is why I'm going to the Island, rather than Eastern Creek which is ten minutes from my front door.
But like it or not, sedans are a big part of our racing history. The attracted (right or wrong) the best drivers, teams, sponsors, media and promotors. We ignore history at our peril, lest we repeat it.
Bruce Moxon
I am coming down to Phillip Island for the weekend and hope to see some of you.My mobile is 0417 435 987 if anyone wants to get in touch.
Re the Mt. Druitt Start photo, the Alfa had gone to GMC truck power by then.
The far car on the front row had not registed as being the Wheeler Fortune because I had thought of it as being red as it was later. The Don Wright Citroen is being driven by Ian Steele. Another red car which could be the one on the second row was the Peter Lovett Maserati 4 CL
Does anyone know what is happening with the Citroen since it made a brief appearance at the Tasman Revival 18 months ago.
Re the Mt. Druitt Start photo, the Alfa had gone to GMC truck power by then.
The far car on the front row had not registed as being the Wheeler Fortune because I had thought of it as being red as it was later. The Don Wright Citroen is being driven by Ian Steele. Another red car which could be the one on the second row was the Peter Lovett Maserati 4 CL
Does anyone know what is happening with the Citroen since it made a brief appearance at the Tasman Revival 18 months ago.
By kevbart
Can anyone confirm whether the MG on Jack's right is the Vince Profilio mount, looks like his spindly frame alongside. Hope I spelt Vince's name correctly if it is him. John Medley this is right up your alley
It's Bathurst 1960
John Hicks two wheeling the FJ into the last corner at King Edward Park hillclimb 1967.
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