37 replies to this topic

[CarlRabbidge]

With the single seater scene so well covered in other threads I thought I might throw up a few other shots from in and around the pit area.

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It was a pretty hot day with temperatures getting up into the 40 degree range which did have an effect on a few of the cars during the races.
For the spectators shade was at a premium and there were a number suffering from lack of fluids etc.
The later problem did not extend to a number of ex competitor types and the last 4 people to vacate the facility at the end of the day did include a couple of TNF members, an engine builder, and a driver that can be seen in photo 1

[David McKinney]

Thanks Carlo

I recognise most of the old cars, but not the one in the third picture (black no.5) or the red no.6 a bit further down. I know you're not one whose believes racing-cars don't have doors, but it would be good to know. My guess is that one of them at least is a relatively new build.

And the guy with the fag in the third photo - looks as if I should recognise him. Should I?

[Tuboscocca]

Hello CarlRabbidge

What's that (Photo #2) Dauphine with V8 engine???

Regards Michael

[SteveHolmes]

Thanks Carlo

I recognise most of the old cars, but not the one in the third picture (black no.5) or the red no.6 a bit further down. I know you're not one whose believes racing-cars don't have doors, but it would be good to know. My guess is that one of them at least is a relatively new build.

And the guy with the fag in the third photo - looks as if I should recognise him. Should I?

Could that be the special Avon Hyde recently built?

[Vicuna]

Could that be the special Avon Hyde recently built?

It is the great Avon Hyde and his 'mini Alfa P3'.

His son Chris crewed for him having been denied a F5000 ride.

[hiteknz]

It is the great Avon Hyde and his 'mini Alfa P3'.

His son Chris crewed for him having been denied a F5000 ride.

Carl,
Thanks for the photos , a real nice selection there ,great to see Avon is maturing along with most of us

[CarlRabbidge]

Thanks Carlo

I recognise most of the old cars, but not the one in the third picture (black no.5) or the red no.6 a bit further down. I know you're not one whose believes racing-cars don't have doors, but it would be good to know. My guess is that one of them at least is a relatively new build.

And the guy with the fag in the third photo - looks as if I should recognise him. Should I?

Now David this is just proof that you have been away from the land of sunshine far too long for I thought that I was giving you a chance to astound your worldwide followers of the detailed knowledge that you have about of some quite famous cars that were lurking around the place.

AND. Fancy not recognising Avon Hyde. Next you will be saying that you didn't see our Peter in one of the photos and you can't remember who the driver is in shot 1 is.

Obviously as part of your rehabilitation program you need to spend 2-3 weeks out here in February next year, I am sure we can loan you a better car to get around the place than the Honda that McPhail got landed with by his old Chch mates

[CarlRabbidge]

Carl,
Thanks for the photos , a real nice selection there ,great to see Avon is maturing along with most of us

Avon maturing, he went over the handlebars of his Grandsons new bike last Xmas while showing him how to balance it on one wheel by using the front brake

You would have enjoyed yourself Bob, mind you it is not too late to grab a flight down for Timaru this coming weekend............We do have spare beds available

[wenoopy]

Hello CarlRabbidge

What's that (Photo #2) Dauphine with V8 engine???

Regards Michael

John Millar raced a Corvette-engined Dauphine in the late 1960's, maybe only in the South Island. I presume this is a resurrection of it. Judging by the absence of an engine in the engine bay, it must have been mid-engined, rather than rear-engined, which in my experience would have improved the handling a lot. Our family Dauphine a few years earlier was put on its roof by my brother when the rear got away on a wet road, and my mother put it through a country fence on a loose-metalled road. It was sold shortly after!

Millar had a memorable accident at the Renwick road circuit when he hit a power pole rear end first with his Dauphine-Corvette. It did no good to either car or pole.

[David McKinney]

Ruapuna has changed beyond recognition in the 28 years since I last saw it, and you expect me to recognise people?

It's probably longer ago than then that I last saw Avon Hyde face to face

I think I got Peter L, but still can't suss the No.1 driver

But, just to show that I haven't forgotten everything, you've given us pictures of the 2560M Zephyr Special, ACE III and the old Bill Harris V8 Special, as well as some cars with roofs on

[Tuboscocca]

John Millar raced a Corvette-engined Dauphine in the late 1960's, maybe only in the South Island. I presume this is a resurrection of it. Judging by the absence of an engine in the engine bay, it must have been mid-engined, rather than rear-engined, which in my experience would have improved the handling a lot. Our family Dauphine a few years earlier was put on its roof by my brother when the rear got away on a wet road, and my mother put it through a country fence on a loose-metalled road. It was sold shortly after!

Millar had a memorable accident at the Renwick road circuit when he hit a power pole rear end first with his Dauphine-Corvette. It did no good to either car or pole.

Wenoopy THANKS!!
Great machine!!
We owned a Dauphine too in the late sixties. And my ,late, father- in- law did the same as your brother. No one hurt! , car a write-off!!

Regards Michael

[David McKinney]

Miller raced the Dauphine at one Levin meeting. Held off the Custaxie for a few laps too

[CarlRabbidge]

Allan Farr is checking out the 1930 Ford Model A ute in shot 1. The vehicle has current registration and Warrant of Fitness and looks to be just as I remembered driving them around as a 10 year old. Comes complete with the old wheat sack type replacement seat covers and looks as though it could be still in daily use.

Shot 2 is the recreated version of Johnny Millers Dauphine Chev V8. Brett Stevens undertook the driving duties and Charlie Benneseman was lurking around the scene. Once Brett and the team got a few braking issues rectified the car started to show real potential

Shot 3 is Avon Hyde and the Austin 7 special, Chris (Checkered shirt) is working on the car which was suffering a few heat related issues

Shot 4 is Peter Leversedge (with his back to us) and the Mercury Special

Shots 10-14 are the 260M and ACE III two of my farourite cars when I was a young apprentice, the engineering and thoughts in the design of them is quite something special.

[David McKinney]

Thanks Carl

I've seen you since I've seen Allan Farr!

[wenoopy]

Wenoopy THANKS!!
Great machine!!
We owned a Dauphine too in the late sixties. And my ,late, father- in- law did the same as your brother. No one hurt! , car a write-off!!

Regards Michael

To continue the off-topic digression, I now remember the light gauge of the Renault Dauphine bodywork. It hit a large dog on one occasion, stoving-in the spare-wheel hatch in the middle of front bumper. (the dog just trotted away!). It also got hit by an off-target Rugby ball which dented the driver's door! We did have another French car around that time, a Simca (?Etoile?).

[ronmac]

HI Carl...great photos...Thank You...Yes i did get back to Gold Coast safely...I knew that you would be worried ????
But then i was only drinking WATER.....
Now you do realise that i won t be able to borrow a car from the same source..after your comments...
So i will have to rely on you to find me a vehicle that will last for more than a day .. Next time that i am in town.. !!!!

now for the benefit of hatrat..hiteknz..david mc k... Etc here are some other faces that we spotted.....

Murray Baker...Errol Norris...Harold Heasley..Kelvin Brown...Rex Findlay...Peter Read...Evan Munt...Brent Thorpe...Clyde Collins...Kerry Rout...
Alan Milligan...Ron Rutherford...Paul Kirk...Rod Mc Elrea....John Armstrong.... Mrs Mike Cooke....Allan Dick...Pat Pascoe...Doug Parker...
Jeff Owen....Warner Collins... Etc...Etc...
(Who else did you spot Carl ) ??

[Tuboscocca]

To continue the off-topic digression, I now remember the light gauge of the Renault Dauphine bodywork. It hit a large dog on one occasion, stoving-in the spare-wheel hatch in the middle of front bumper. (the dog just trotted away!). It also got hit by an off-target Rugby ball which dented the driver's door! We did have another French car around that time, a Simca (?Etoile?).

Do you remember the rubber-plug in the front-boot?? The French never managed to seal the boot properly, and wise as they were, built in at the lowest part this famous plug!!!

Regards Michael

[CarlRabbidge]

now for the benefit of hatrat..hiteknz..david mc k... Etc here are some other faces that we spotted.....

Murray Baker...Errol Norris...Harold Heasley..Kelvin Brown...Rex Findlay...Peter Read...Evan Munt...Brent Thorpe...Clyde Collins...Kerry Rout...
Alan Milligan...Ron Rutherford...Paul Kirk...Rod Mc Elrea....John Armstrong.... Mrs Mike Cooke....Allan Dick...Pat Pascoe...Doug Parker...
Jeff Owen....Warner Collins... Etc...Etc...
(Who else did you spot Carl ) ??

Aside from those previously mentioned, in amongst others we saw/caught up with were Wendy & Bruce Jenks and their Teretonga crew. Brian Killkelly, Norm Smith, John Stuthridge, Wayne (Noddy) Murdoch, Bill Lightfoot, Merv Rowe, John Gobbe, Reg Cook, Kenny Smith, Russell Greer, Rod Collingwood, Stu Barclay, John Osborne and all his crew plus a very nice lady who opened the Chertsey Hotel for us on the way home as Allan, in spite of all the years of traveling between Timaru and Ruapuna had never been in there.
Naturally on leaving this fine establishment he slept all the way back to Timaru. Somethings never change.............

Now looking forward to the ENZED Classic meeting this weekend at Levels, should be magic

[hiteknz]

Aside from those previously mentioned, in amongst others we saw/caught up with were Wendy & Bruce Jenks and their Teretonga crew. Brian Killkelly, Norm Smith, John Stuthridge, Wayne (Noddy) Murdoch, Bill Lightfoot, Merv Rowe, John Gobbe, Reg Cook, Kenny Smith, Russell Greer, Rod Collingwood, Stu Barclay, John Osborne and all his crew plus a very nice lady who opened the Chertsey Hotel for us on the way home as Allan, in spite of all the years of traveling between Timaru and Ruapuna had never been in there.
Naturally on leaving this fine establishment he slept all the way back to Timaru. Somethings never change.............

Now looking forward to the ENZED Classic meeting this weekend at Levels, should be magic

Carl,
Thanks for the offer for the weekend tempted but got my hands full up here ,you said Allan is that as in Farr ?

[Peter Leversedge]

89 Warwick Robinson on track photos on Flickr taken at the 2011 meeting

[Lee Nicolle]

89 Warwick Robinson on track photos on Flickr taken at the 2011 meeting

Peter, why does your sidevalve Special have a Chev in it?

[klyster]

Cool photos, it was a good day and very hot, especially in the Denny Hulme stand.

Here's a car that made me do a double take:



Built in 1953 with a DeHavilland Gypsy motor, this thing was capable of speeds of up to 280kmh (this was done on a narrow, fence lined gravel road here in Christchurch) and held the 1958New Zealand land speed record, on standard Morris Minor tyres!!

[Peter Leversedge]

Lee the Flathead has grown rocker covers over the winter............

The Ford needs a major rebuild, lots of dollars and time so in the mean time I have install a late 50s Chev that I had in storage, in fact it is the first Chev engine I ever used for racing back in 1973, put it back to stock and had it in a road car for many years

[ronmac]

At second glance..I think that is Clyde Collins walking past the Custaxi...(Colour Me Gone ) Any one confirm ??

[CarlRabbidge]

To fill in a few gaps on the photo ID's
5 & 6 The Bruce Pidgeon owned Bugatti
7, 8, & 9 Murray Frew entered the Vintage Car club races with this 1929 Chrysler, note the seat made out of a cut down oil drum
15 & 16 The ex Jimmy Richards works BMW. The car loved by many and in still in the care of Peter Sturgeon
17 & 18 Roger Townsends ex works Cologne Capri. 1st raced in NZ in the hands of Paul Fahey then converted to Chev V8 power and used in OSCA by Inky Tulloch and John Osborne before Roger restored the car back to origonal. During the OSCA period all the OE parts were retained in storage which enabled an easier type of restoration
19 Dougal MacGibbons 635. Understand that this is the ex Frank Sytner / John Morton car from the origonal Wellington Street Race Meeting
20 Kevin Underwood ex Australian Touring Car M3
21 Arron Black M3 I understand this car to be the real deal. In the background is Brett Stevens ex Australian Touring Car Sierra
22 Jim Wallace from Australia with the ex Work Toyota Carina
23 Nick Young 325i I am not certain if this car is the real deal or not, I am sure someone can come up with the details

[The Flying Doctor]

At second glance..I think that is Clyde Collins walking past the Custaxi...(Colour Me Gone ) Any one confirm ??

Yup, that's Clyde...

[ronmac]

Thank you flying doctor for your quick confirmation of Clyde Collins on photo of the custaxi race car (no 50 )
I had a look at your profile to see who you were..but saw no info..
Perhaps you may wish to tell us on the Introduce Yourself section where you can tell us your interests in motoring and motorsport..
If you show me yours ..i will show you mine... (ron )

[timbo]

With the single seater scene so well covered in other threads I thought I might throw up a few other shots from in and around the pit area.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23

It was a pretty hot day with temperatures getting up into the 40 degree range which did have an effect on a few of the cars during the races.
For the spectators shade was at a premium and there were a number suffering from lack of fluids etc.
The later problem did not extend to a number of ex competitor types and the last 4 people to vacate the facility at the end of the day did include a couple of TNF members, an engine builder, and a driver that can be seen in photo 1

Given the number of Group A BMW's in NZ these days, its easy to see why next years Historic festival is a tribute to BMW.
Lets hope a Batmobile or two and a M1 Procar or two are amongst the entry list next year.

[wenoopy]

Cool photos, it was a good day and very hot, especially in the Denny Hulme stand.

Here's a car that made me do a double take:



Built in 1953 with a DeHavilland Gypsy motor, this thing was capable of speeds of up to 280kmh (this was done on a narrow, fence lined gravel road here in Christchurch) and held the 1958New Zealand land speed record, on standard Morris Minor tyres!!

An unusual design feature which the record-breaking Stanton "Cropduster" Special shared with later Stanton Brothers' specials was the chain-drive transmission.

Following photo is of the rear of the 1960's Stanton-Corvette sports racer, but it could even be the chain unit from the Cropduster. Did the original car contribute parts to the later cars?


upload image

[klyster]

I don't know as it was the first time I had seen the car, but I'm sure others will know ;)

Edited by klyster, 10 February 2011 - 08:04.

[The Flying Doctor]

Thank you flying doctor for your quick confirmation of Clyde Collins on photo of the custaxi race car (no 50 )
I had a look at your profile to see who you were..but saw no info..
Perhaps you may wish to tell us on the Introduce Yourself section where you can tell us your interests in motoring and motorsport..
If you show me yours ..i will show you mine... (ron )

Crikey!

[David McKinney]

Following photo is of the rear of the 1960's Stanton-Corvette sports racer, but it could even be the chain unit from the Cropduster. Did the original car contribute parts to the later cars?

Don't think so. In 1960 the brothers ran the front-engined Stanton-Corvette and the old Cropduster at different times. Maybe also in 1961 with the rear-engined Stanton-Corvette and the aero-engined car. I doubt if there'd have been any swapping to and fro of major components

[eldougo]

Same car last E/Creek Hsrca meeting ,it has lost it chain guard plates.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[motormouth1]

Sadly not able to make Skope 2011 but Carl's pics made it real. I trust most of those past heroes will attend Teretonga Speedfest 19/20 February to see NZ's best circuit hosting great fields including 5000 where they can REALLY let loose and welcome Robbie and the Custaxie after 44 years!

[wenoopy]

Don't think so. In 1960 the brothers ran the front-engined Stanton-Corvette and the old Cropduster at different times. Maybe also in 1961 with the rear-engined Stanton-Corvette and the aero-engined car. I doubt if there'd have been any swapping to and fro of major components

I didn't really think so either, and I have since rediscovered 2 photos, probably taken by Ralph Watson, of the Cropduster around 1954, which show a quite different chain drive to Eldougo's photo. These are in an article "My Years of Motor Racing Engineering" by Watson in 'Sports Car Talk #2', and I think the article later made up the first half of "Ralph Watson - Special Engineer" edited and published by Trevor Sheffield a few years ago.

Unfortunately they are copyright, but a brief quote of the caption is : " Four Amal carburettors feed the large vane-type supercharger supplying the 6-litre Gipsy Major used in the Stanton Bros. 'Cropduster'. A Ford truck clutch and the choice of 2 speeds by chain drives to the locked rear swing axle. For hillclimbs where a differential was needed the locked axles were disconnected by a sliding spline coupling, and the crown wheel assembly changed for one with a differential and equal size sprockets on each size, one speed being sufficient ".

Fascinating stuff.

[ronmac]

Sorry can.t make it donald...but must rely on you and carl to show us plenty of photos and race reports.. from teretonga...Ron mc phail..
..(feel free to join rons quiz...)

[Tim Murray]

My (slightly fuzzy, sorry) photo of the Cropduster's transmission, as it appeared at Goodwood in 2009:

[bradbury west]

Another one.

We were fortunate enough to see it at the FoS in 2009. There are probably more pictures and notes on it on the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed thread. I understood the two sprockets were for the 2 gears/speeds he used.
Roger Lund

Edited by bradbury west, 10 February 2011 - 21:44.