8 replies to this topic

[hammo]

This is my first attemp to post - hope it works
Its a photo a mate of mine took at Longford (in 1960 I think)
He gave me his photos of that meeting years ago.
Pencil on back of print says Wally Mithchells Lotus 20. Hope the experts can confirm that identification and perhaps identify the sports car next to it.

[wagons46]

Looks like a Buchanan Sports Car and the Holden in the background under the Castrol sign looks like an EK which was released in 1961.

Edited by wagons46, 21 May 2010 - 04:51.

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by hammo
This is my first attemp to post - hope it works
Its a photo a mate of mine took at Longford (in 1960 I think)
He gave me his photos of that meeting years ago.
Pencil on back of print says Wally Mithchells Lotus 20. Hope the experts can confirm that identification and perhaps identify the sports car next to it.

[/url]

Well, you made it...

As the Lotus 20 was a '61 model, I don't think it will be 1960. More likely '62, I'd think.

[Lee Nicolle]

The EK and I think XL Ford wagon infront are both 62 model cars, though i think both released late 61. But a guess it is 62

[raceannouncer2003]

More on the Buchanan at this link:

http://www.buchananm...Buchanan MG.htm

Vince H.

[David Shaw]

To me it is obvious that the 2 cars are from the same team as the lettering of the number, and the number itself, is the same.
Has to be Wally Mitchell. Blanden says about Mitchell's Lotus 20 FJ

"The car was taken to Tasmania for the 1962 South Pacific Formula Junior Championship but he retired after an accident."

He debuted it at Phillip Island January 29 1962.

[Wirra]

I'm interested to know the make of the gorgeous looking coupe in the background, mostly obscured. It’s got 250 GTO nose features and I would be interested to see if it pre-dates the '62 Ferrari... It isn't the Centaur, is it? If so it might help confirm the date.

[john medley]

And the Buchanan Holden is one of 2 that Wally Mitchell had, I think. One of these was the Wal Anderson Lotus 6 copy chassis with Repco engine and pale blue Buchanan body with which Wally Mitchell smote an immovable Bathurst tree October 1960

[Clark Watson]

Hi Guys,
I can confirm Johns on the money. It's definatley Wallys Buchanan next to his Lotus 20. The Buchanan in the picture was known as "The Red car" and is currently wrapped up safe in warm in our shed whilst Matt Liersch and I restore her at Vintage Fiber Restorations. The Ex Wal Anderson "Slotus" chassis car creatively named "The white Car" is owned by Greg Smith of Melbourne and is also undergoing a major Restoration. The Lotus 20 in the photo is Wally's without question and was Gold in colour. The car is apparently in a museum in West Australia and is almost unreconisable as like all things that lived through the 70's it got a new coat of paint, some new wings, a set of purple bell bottoms and pornstar moustache. I have some photos at home that I was kindly given by Wally's family so I'll post them here asap. Peter Ffrench of the Elfin heritage museum will be able to answer any questions regarding the Lotus as he was Wal's dogsbody for a while and had me in stitches one night on the phone telling me of Wally's Famous disregard for rev matching which resulted in a couple of blown donks in the Lotus.

Cheers
Clark
Vintage Fiber Restorations
www.vfr.net.au