483 replies to this topic

[timbo]

Yeah...how many of those did they run Mike??? Must have been hairy cresting the right at the end of the straight with a wall of concrete on the left...

I can only recall one time it was run in reverse direction.

If you think it was hairy out on the track, imagine how it was for us spectators leaning on the fence as a pack of cars comes roaring straight at you, with only a concrete wall about 4ft high and a wire mesh fence about 3ft high to protect you from flying bits of cars if something did go wrong.

[GMACKIE]

I am attempting to post a couple of photos of my VW sports sedan. This is the first time that I have done this, so please bear with me!

Looks like I need to work at this a bit more - maybe [as Frazier would say "Sea kelp"].

Edited by GMACKIE, 18 May 2011 - 03:00.

[Tim Murray]

I am attempting to post a couple of photos of my VW sports sedan. This is the first time that I have done this, so please bear with me!

Looks like I need to work at this a bit more - maybe [as Frazier would say "Sea kelp"].

Greg, if you want your photo to appear on the page (as opposed to a link) the easiest way is to click on the 'Insert Image' icon (fourth from the right in the left-hand group) and when the box pops up just paste the photo URL into it, like so:

[timbo]

A few more photo's, this time of Bryan Thomson's Mercedes-Chev. It has undergone a few bodywork changes over the years.



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[Lee Nicolle]

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I almost do not recognise it in silver, it has been red for 30 years

[willini]

Yes the Merc does look different in silver. Great photos, I had completely forgotten about the Pantera. Does anyone know the origins of that car, and if it still exists.

[Lee Nicolle]

Yes the Merc does look different in silver. Great photos, I had completely forgotten about the Pantera. Does anyone know the origins of that car, and if it still exists.

Thommos Benz and that Pantera are GT cars. The Benz was converted back, and looks so much better. It was a handgrenade with the twin turbo 4.4 Chev, seldom finished a race

.And the was the driver then?

[Team Result]

Thommos Benz and that Pantera are GT cars. The Benz was converted back, and looks so much better. It was a handgrenade with the twin turbo 4.4 Chev, seldom finished a race

.And the was the driver then?

That would have been Brad Jones. Not sure of the connection, though his Dad would probably have been good friends with Thommo. The Jones' are from Albury and Bryan T. from Shepparton (just down the road?!).

[Team Result]

The QBE Escort was it not purchased by Stan Adler, repainted yellow & was involved in a accident with Keith Carling under brakes at BP corner, Oran Park or do I have the wrong Escort.

I spoke to the Doc last week and mentioned the Escort pics on the forum. He thought that his car had been destroyed, so that would seem right. He recalled that the sister Bryan Byrt car (John English's) went to Melbourne and his to Sydney or vice versa.

[Lee Nicolle]

That would have been Brad Jones. Not sure of the connection, though his Dad would probably have been good friends with Thommo. The Jones' are from Albury and Bryan T. from Shepparton (just down the road?!).

Correct Ross, give yourslf a pat on the back.
I dont know how it came about, friends is the most probable answer. Though Bradley did not get too may race miles in that car. When it was here in Adelaide in the GT days it broke the motor Friday [sleeved], Saturday[fresh block] and again Sunday. [Put it away] But it did qualify half ok.
When Thommo was driving it himself with a carby Chev[after having the injection stolen] in the 90s I saw quite a lot of it around me. And it was dead reliable then.

[MKI220]

Yes the Merc does look different in silver. Great photos, I had completely forgotten about the Pantera. Does anyone know the origins of that car, and if it still exists.

The Pantera lives and Paul actually still owns it. The car is for sale but one would think Paul would struggle to ever part with it: http://www.go2hal.com/pantera/
It had a full rebuild by the guys that build the 917's.

The Mercedes was painted silver by Munday. He sold the car onto Roger who did a meeting at Eastern Creek and maybe one at Phillip Island before taking it over the ditch and racing it. Last I read, he still owns the car but has not been raced for a number of years.

[seldo]

I spoke to the Doc last week and mentioned the Escort pics on the forum. He thought that his car had been destroyed, so that would seem right. He recalled that the sister Bryan Byrt car (John English's) went to Melbourne and his to Sydney or vice versa.

Talking to John English this morning and he said his car went to Peter Dane and then to Thompson, and to Melbourne. Corness's went to John Lord then to Melbourne and was totalled. And in a strange circle English acquired the ex Phil Ward / Monterosso car and still has it, although his son rolled it at QR but has been repaired.

[Lee Nicolle]

Talking to John English this morning and he said his car went to Peter Dane and then to Thompson, and to Melbourne. Corness's went to John Lord then to Melbourne and was totalled. And in a strange circle English acquired the ex Phil Ward / Monterosso car and still has it, although his son rolled it at QR but has been repaired.

As I said in a previous post the ex Phil Ward Mick Monterosso car was reshelled by Ron Newbound after a big crash. Really that car is now a copy of the original with some detail tidying up.

[fredeuce]

I post these pics on behalf of lazzHar.

This series of pictures depicts the evolution of his Torana from the earliest days of Series Production racing through its Rallying and Rallycross days and eventually into the guise of Sports Sedan.

1. This pic was taken by John Dixon in his driveway after a repair post Bond days.




2. Bond/ Shepheard Alpine Rally '71 from "History of Holden in
Motorsport".




3. Janson in the Dulux Rally '72



4. From the movie 'Whats a nice car like you doing in a sport
like this ' '71



5. Log Book pics '78



6. Winton '79 Neil Hammond pic




7. For Sale ad '83 Auto Action



8. '85 AIR Greg Camillos




9. Mallala - Wayne Reddy - Condition as it was when bought by Larry.




10. At Collingrove Easter '11 John Lemm pic

Edited by fredeuce, 14 June 2011 - 22:08.

[Team Result]

I post these pics on behalf of lazzHar.

Nice series of pics! However, it begs the question was it actually road-registered throughout all those years?

[Lee Nicolle]

Nice series of pics! However, it begs the question was it actually road-registered throughout all those years?

No. But the plates would identify it to the people that know the cars l o n g history

[lazzHAR]

Thanks Fred for putting those up , it is definately the right thread for them.

Re rego plates , well they are really a sign in effect , but as Lee said it is the listed rego number in the log book and it is an easy pointer to the car's past. as far as i can find out from the captain the car was still rego'd into '74 as he was still doing rallies , running it as a sports sedan and as a rallycross car and as only the captain would do ... a commuter !!

Larry

[275 GTB-4]

I post these pics on behalf of lazzHar.

7. For Sale ad '83 Auto Action

that XU2 rear end would be fairly rare!!

[lazzHAR]

that XU2 rear end would be fairly rare!!

I certainly agree it would be but in reality the XU2 was what the SLR 5000's were likely to be called as there is a pic of a styling 'clay' car in yellow ( yes they could do that) with XU2 stickers on the front fenders, a drawing of the sticker with dimensions even made it into print in the LH torana parts manual . But the name was changed to SLR 5000 to remove any link to the bad press from the 'supercar scare' of june '72 and the link to V8 XU1's ( some thought of as XU2's )

There is also a pic of an L34 prototype with the XU2 stickers on the front fenders and a full bonnet length reverse opening scoop that was in a motoring publication.

The rear end was an L34 'banjo ' with disc brakes fitted , this was changed some years back ( as the old housing was pretty stuffed! ) to an SLR 5000 housing ( same !!) , yes it still has a 'holden banjo ' diff with a 3.08 'cig' locker.


Larry

[fredeuce]

Some more pics posted on lazzHAR's behalf.

[lazzHAR]

Thanks again Fred and thanks to John Lemm for the Mallala pic and Guy Bowden for the other three.

Larry

[275 GTB-4]

I certainly agree it would be but in reality the XU2 was what the SLR 5000's were likely to be called as there is a pic of a styling 'clay' car in yellow ( yes they could do that) with XU2 stickers on the front fenders, a drawing of the sticker with dimensions even made it into print in the LH torana parts manual . But the name was changed to SLR 5000 to remove any link to the bad press from the 'supercar scare' of june '72 and the link to V8 XU1's ( some thought of as XU2's )

There is also a pic of an L34 prototype with the XU2 stickers on the front fenders and a full bonnet length reverse opening scoop that was in a motoring publication.

The rear end was an L34 'banjo ' with disc brakes fitted , this was changed some years back ( as the old housing was pretty stuffed! ) to an SLR 5000 housing ( same !!) , yes it still has a 'holden banjo ' diff with a 3.08 'cig' locker.


Larry

Yep...realise all that...couldn't find a Tongue in Cheek icon to go with my comment

[lazzHAR]

Yep...realise all that...couldn't find a Tongue in Cheek icon to go with my comment

Nice work !

[Falcadore]

Frankly, I've been trying to remember the details of the Allan McCarthy car ever since I saw that photo!

Tino Leo bought the Jane car from Phil Ward, as I recall, so it's not it. The Geoghegan car went to Phil Lucas, right? And then Garry Rogers? It was another two or three years before McCarthy raced a Munro, it may well have been that car but I don't recall.

Des Wall has the Jane/Ward/Leo Monaro as part of his huge collection of Sports Sedans, which also include the Ron Harrop LH Torana, one of the Geoghegan ATCC Mustangs, as well as the family collection of more modern racers. A Viper and Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S GT Championship cars and Des' two Sports Sedan Championship cars, the much raced Toyota Supra-Chev and the car he finally won the series in, in a major upset two years ago, a converted TRANZAM Corvette, defeated the Hossack/Gourlay Audi A4 and the most expensive racing sedan ever built in Aust (including all the V8 Supercars) the Ricciardello Alfetta-Chev. Apart from the current spec Corvette the other Sports Sedans are in various stages of restoration, the Jane car almost complete I think.

[Falcadore]

Your referring to the civics built by Barry Wraith and Bryce Francis. 3 built in total. Stephen Voight, Lester Irvin, Barry and Bryce all raced them. 1 car was destroyed at Lakeside. Ed Singleton had one for sale recently.

Now I think about it, I think Stephen V also owned one of the preludes at one stage. Kerry Baily raced it Op when his 300zx was getting finished.

Steve Voight also owns one of the Chev Monzas, Whincup car I think, it's done a few Sprints and Hillclimbs in recent year. Last saw it at Speed on Tweed about four years ago. He raced the Carling/Bailey 300ZX now with Macready, and also raced (owned?) the Scotty Taylor (ex-Skaife) VP/VS Commodore as a Sports Sedan.

The Singleton Civic was the Irvin car I think... damn... have to ask Brett Francis or Chris Donnelly or Colin Smith next time I see them.

Edited by Falcadore, 16 June 2011 - 17:02.

[Lee Nicolle]

Des Wall has the Jane/Ward/Leo Monaro as part of his huge collection of Sports Sedans, which also include the Ron Harrop LH Torana, one of the Geoghegan ATCC Mustangs, as well as the family collection of more modern racers. A Viper and Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S GT Championship cars and Des' two Sports Sedan Championship cars, the much raced Toyota Supra-Chev and the car he finally won the series in, in a major upset two years ago, a converted TRANZAM Corvette, defeated the Hossack/Gourlay Audi A4 and the most expensive racing sedan ever built in Aust (including all the V8 Supercars) the Ricciardello Alfetta-Chev. Apart from the current spec Corvette the other Sports Sedans are in various stages of restoration, the Jane car almost complete I think.

The Alfa would be built and run for a Supercars teams petty cash. While still a better budgeted Sports Sedan that statement is stupid. Plus the Alfa is around 20 years old and still racing at the front.
And while that is the best these days of the K&A built cars the others would go that quick with a decent budget too.

[Falcadore]

The Alfa would be built and run for a Supercars teams petty cash. While still a better budgeted Sports Sedan that statement is stupid. Plus the Alfa is around 20 years old and still racing at the front.
And while that is the best these days of the K&A built cars the others would go that quick with a decent budget too.

Maybe but how many years has it been running with a decent budget (plus all those cross-Nullabour trips), compared to the lives of your average V8 Supercar.

Edited by Falcadore, 17 June 2011 - 07:16.

[Falcadore]

Didn't the original plans for the Monza-cum-Supra call for it to acquire a WSPC Group C Toyota engine?

[lazzHAR]

Hi guys , just for your info the Ken Davison LX Torana sports sedan is currently having a rebuild . The car ran between '81 and '87 and was powered with an ex F5000 engine, a 4 and sometime a 5 speed box during Ken's ownership.

It was also fitted with a trans link rear , 9"ford centre with Lola T400 hats , rotor's , half shafts , uprights and locator bars and according to KB is most likely from his old car HU1 as that had been fitted with a T332 rear during his ownership.

The front end is fabricated wishbone with A9X brakes all mounted to a space frame chassis and rolling on a set of Hopwood wheels , the body was a new gmh 'prime shell '

Larry

[Lee Nicolle]

Maybe but how many years has it been running with a decent budget (plus all those cross-Nullabour trips), compared to the lives of your average V8 Supercar.

It would have cost them a lot more to buy a Supercar drive than race the Alfa
The Monza/ Supra was the Bob Jane car 30 years ago. That s the car that Brock crashed killing the GT category in 1982 a AIR.

[Leo D]

I became aware of this clip via another forum.
A great example of the driving talents of Pete Geoghegan in the Monaro....

http://www.youtube.c...player_embedded

[timbo]

Des Wall has the Jane/Ward/Leo Monaro as part of his huge collection of Sports Sedans, which also include the Ron Harrop LH Torana, one of the Geoghegan ATCC Mustangs, as well as the family collection of more modern racers. A Viper and Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S GT Championship cars and Des' two Sports Sedan Championship cars, the much raced Toyota Supra-Chev and the car he finally won the series in, in a major upset two years ago, a converted TRANZAM Corvette, defeated the Hossack/Gourlay Audi A4 and the most expensive racing sedan ever built in Aust (including all the V8 Supercars) the Ricciardello Alfetta-Chev. Apart from the current spec Corvette the other Sports Sedans are in various stages of restoration, the Jane car almost complete I think.

There was a piece on the Des Wall collection on OneHD's RPM show last week.
The Bob Jane Monza/Supra is still a Supra, but Des plans to restore it back to a Monza sometime.
The Harrop HDT Torana, which Colin Bond also drove, and has been in Des's hand for a long time now, is currently undergoing a restoration, and also still has the original Repco-Holden V8 in it.

[SteveHolmes]

I became aware of this clip via another forum.
A great example of the driving talents of Pete Geoghegan in the Monaro....

http://www.youtube.c...player_embedded

Both parts of that amazing piece of footage can be seen here, plus a bit of info about some of the other cars in the field. A fascinating time in Aussie motor racing history: http://www.theroarin...n-Sports-Sedans

Edited by SteveHolmes, 19 June 2011 - 21:00.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Leo D
I became aware of this clip via another forum.
A great example of the driving talents of Pete Geoghegan in the Monaro....

http://www.youtube.c...player_embedded

The big fella certainly knew how to drive...

Even that under-tyred monster. And how to play the traffic and how to Monster Moff.

[Team Result]

The big fella certainly knew how to drive...

Even that under-tyred monster. And how to play the traffic and how to Monster Moff.

+1!

[timbo]

Steve Voight also owns one of the Chev Monzas, Whincup car I think, it's done a few Sprints and Hillclimbs in recent year. Last saw it at Speed on Tweed about four years ago. He raced the Carling/Bailey 300ZX now with Macready, and also raced (owned?) the Scotty Taylor (ex-Skaife) VP/VS Commodore as a Sports Sedan.

The Singleton Civic was the Irvin car I think... damn... have to ask Brett Francis or Chris Donnelly or Colin Smith next time I see them.

The Singleton Civic is up for sale it seems. http://www.my105.com/4323

[Lee Nicolle]

The big fella certainly knew how to drive...

Even that under-tyred monster. And how to play the traffic and how to Monster Moff.

He was certainly fast and spectacular but his style was hard on equipment. That footage shows him smoking the tyres off of corners. They sure do not last long like that. Moffat in comparison was very smooth and easy on cars and tyres.Which is why he won long races in those handgrenade Fords.
Brock was also very smooth and easy on cars and a more natural driver.

[Ray Bell]

Lee, in that 'bastard' car, I think some tyre-smoking might have been inevitable at times...

But it wasn't Pete's habit to smoke tyres. Or to break cars in any other way. Moffat always had way more factory support than anyone else in the Fords and therefore had the best gear, which makes life easier. Look at how he faltered in '72 when under pressure from Brock.

[Lee Nicolle]

Lee, in that 'bastard' car, I think some tyre-smoking might have been inevitable at times...

But it wasn't Pete's habit to smoke tyres. Or to break cars in any other way. Moffat always had way more factory support than anyone else in the Fords and therefore had the best gear, which makes life easier. Look at how he faltered in '72 when under pressure from Brock.

I have commented on his driving before. In XW GT he ran away and hid for about 15 laps, BUT smoked tyres everywhere and Moffat went by, who in turn got passed by Colin Bond in the HT Monaro who could not live with the HO speed but was better over an hour or so race.
The Craven Mild car was a very good car in its day, probably better then the Moffat Dekon Monza on 10" rims. Those Dekon Monzas were fairly basic with good engines.

[Ray Bell]

You're talking about the Warwick Farm race, right?

Any chance Pete was sent out to be the 'hare'?

[roids4]

What happened to John Strudewicks Escort? It was a very quick car and from what the NSW SS guys have said, it just disappeared. Like the John Erak Camaro that raced for a while.

Interesting if it is true that the Bassett Escort has changed hands. The one guy owned both that and the Gary Rogers Escort. Would occasionally appear on forums saying that he had them but never provide any pictures of the condition or anything. One was left with the impression that they were never going to get restored under his ownership. THis was the car that Rob Davies raced for a number of years in Tassy.

The Vernon Escort was the ex Corness Bryan Byrt car that was very quick in the hands of Jamie Miller in NSW in the 80's. Stephen Vines owns that car still.

The Monterosso Escort went to Ron Newbound before ending up with the English clan in Qld who still own it apparently. There is a bit of conjecture around this car over a big accident and whether it was written off or not. This was originally the Ex Phil Ward car.

Mike Jacobson does not know where his Escort ended up and bot too sure what became of the Herbert car and what was the trail of ownership on that.

[GeoffR]

Dick Ward's incredible Fiat 600 Abarth sports sedan. Began life as a stock LHD Fiat 600, purchased by Dick in Canada to tour Canada and USA in the 60s; converted to Abarth 850 twincam specs from a wrecked racing Abarth when Dick was in UK; raced back in Western Australia as an Abarth until the engine went phut in the late 70s; no spares available any more, so Corolla engine went in; finally a Mazda rotary, along with Hewland Box, and all wishbone racing suspension; raced all over Australia and south east Asia until wrecked at Wanneroo Park; stored until 2008 or so, restored to racing configuration again, and now used in sprints, hillclimbs and like events.

A bit of 2008 Youtube footage, although mostly idling/revving before the start:

Weapon!!

[Lee Nicolle]

A bit of 2008 Youtube footage, although mostly idling/revving before the start:

Weapon!!

Horrid noisy antisocial chicken cooker things!

[GMACKIE]

I'm with you, Lee - a 'real' engine has pistons & con-rods, etc............and they sound good!

Had some good dices with Mike Griffin [rotory-powered 120Y Datsun], and I never wanted him to get past, as the sound was horrible! The trick was to get in front, then tap the brake pedal with the left foot BEFORE the braking point. Mike would oblige, by 'lifting off', and then had trouble 'lighting up' that silly engine of his, enabling me to get a gap.

[Lee Nicolle]

I'm with you, Lee - a 'real' engine has pistons & con-rods, etc............and they sound good!

Had some good dices with Mike Griffin [rotory-powered 120Y Datsun], and I never wanted him to get past, as the sound was horrible! The trick was to get in front, then tap the brake pedal with the left foot BEFORE the braking point. Mike would oblige, by 'lifting off', and then had trouble 'lighting up' that silly engine of his, enabling me to get a gap.

That was a trick I employed too, Baulk the rotarys and turbos through the slow corners and then just drive away off the corner. Though a very tractable Chev helped there immensly

[ken devine]

Mighty Mouse snaps at the heels of the Paul Palazzo Falcon.





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[lotcor]

Hi all, great thread,
We have been into sports sedans since the late seventies and currently run a gemini that was built from a new car into a sports sedan. It had a 6 cyl holden turbo
in it and I believe it was built for P.Brock to run in the 6 cyl series. It has since been owned by several people including R Harman, Sceamer (not sure of his name)
J Chambers, D Hossack and a few more that I don't know.
The pic (if Iuploaded it correctly) is in it's form now running a 13b, still reasonably competitive.
It would be great to see some early pics of it if anyone has some hiding away. Cheers

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[Lee Nicolle]

Hi all, great thread,
We have been into sports sedans since the late seventies and currently run a gemini that was built from a new car into a sports sedan. It had a 6 cyl holden turbo
in it and I believe it was built for P.Brock to run in the 6 cyl series. It has since been owned by several people including R Harman, Sceamer (not sure of his name)
J Chambers, D Hossack and a few more that I don't know.
The pic (if Iuploaded it correctly) is in it's form now running a 13b, still reasonably competitive.
It would be great to see some early pics of it if anyone has some hiding away. Cheers

[/IMG]

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I reckon that Stephen Craig is still racing that car. He has owned it for a long time, like 20 plus years. I think the order was John Chambers, Rowan Harman. I dont think Darren ever owned it though may have driven it.

[GMACKIE]

That was a trick I employed too, Baulk the rotarys and turbos through the slow corners and then just drive away off the corner. Though a very tractable Chev helped there immensly

I needed all the tricks in the book, Lee......the 1968cc VW donk only gave me 169hp to play with!

[Ray Bell]

lotcor, you could try using a larger version of the image...

And when you want to post, left click on the line 'hotlink for forums' and then right click on that when it's highlighted in blue, then left click on 'copy' and paste it - unaltered - onto a fresh line of your post.