So, did any TNF members attend or participate in any of these events in the 60's.
Recently on another forum, I spotted a photo of a poster used to advertise the Gold Coast Speed Week in 1968.
I wasn't able to attend any of the race meetings at Surfers Paradise International Raceway until the 70's, so the only connection I had
with Speed Week was watching a live telecast of the annual Concours d'Elegance on TV.
I'm unsure as to how unique this event was (did Daytona Speed Week have one?), so will describe what I recall of it. It was held on a mid-week evening at the Chevron Hotel, Surfers Paradise and was a competition wherein racing cars and other exotic machinery where driven on to a stage, usually by a male driver with a female passenger. Both were suitably attired in theme with the model of car they accompanied. They would alight from the car and pose (as in at a fashion show). You see this event was not just about cars, it was very much about clothing fashion! In fact, IIRC, famous local fashion designer, Paula Stafford (pioneered bikini designs on Gold Coast and outfitted the Surfers Paradise Meter Maids) was one of the main oragnisers.
I recall that the Scuderia Veloce Ferrari 250LM fittingly won this Concours at least twice and even scored a double one year, winning the Concours and the 12-hour race several days later! While male and female professional models were involved, usually a race car's driver was actually its regular driver, hence my initial question.
I have a vague memory of John French wearing suit and bowler hat, possibly doing a Steed impersonation with a racing Elan. I believe the Geoghegan brothers also participated. KB, did you strut your stuff on the catwalk, back then?
Speed Week Concours d'Elegance
Started by
Team Result
, Jun 28 2013 07:57
2 replies to this topic
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#2
The Chasm
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Posted 28 June 2013 - 12:17
I have a Speed Week Programme or two here - I will scan them and the entry list for the concours next week & post them here if no one else can help in the meantime.
#3
Team Result
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- 268 posts
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Posted 30 June 2013 - 00:15
I have a Speed Week Programme or two here - I will scan them and the entry list for the concours next week & post them here if no one else can help in the meantime.
That would be nice. Likely the programme cover will have the same picture as on the poster - a young lady clad in chequered flag bikini waving same flag to a GT40 and a Lola T70.
