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Vauxhalls in Australian Motorsport


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#51 Ray Bell

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Posted 05 October 2014 - 16:13

That's the third different engine capacity listing in three entries, Stephen!

Did he have a bunch of pistons he wanted to use up?

There is a photo somewhere, I think in colour, of it in the middle of a bunch coming down the back at Lakeside.

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#52 cooper997

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Posted 06 October 2014 - 00:10

I wasn't there Ray. Maybe he was a tinkerer (it was the era for engine capacities to be more than factory intended), or maybe the programme typist just messed up. But that's how they're published in the relevant programmes - 2440 appears no less than 4 times in the November 64 Lakeside. I'm just supplying the leads. It's up to Leigh (or others) to try to unravel the truth.

 

If I'm on the right path 'Twin Window' posted the colour Qld photos of early 60's Lakeside and Lowood meetings in March 2011. Very few of the photos survive, you'll just get the imageshack promo link and the original captions some of us identified. http://forums.autosp...-to-70s/page-96 Then scroll to post 4780.

 

Stephen



#53 Lee Nicolle

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Posted 06 October 2014 - 02:21

Engine capacities listed on entrys have always been a joke. Even now some Supercars are listed as 5 litre, some @ 4990 4998 etc. All the same bore and stroke!

Or HQs, 3300 3310, 3360 or just 202!

And grey motors in the day were listed as all sorts of capacities. Because most do not know the formula to work it out.

In my days in Sports Sedans many were entered as 6000 and very few ever were. Most were 350 +20 or 30. 30 is 5822 from memory.



#54 griffinvale

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Posted 25 November 2014 - 06:51

Hi all,

 

came across a reference to the 1962 ATCC race held in Longford, Tasmania.

 

Someone called L Barrett apparently drove in a Vauxhall Cresta. 

 

Anyone know who L Barrett was or have any other details?

 

Thanks,

 

Leigh.


Edited by griffinvale, 25 November 2014 - 06:52.


#55 Ray Bell

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Posted 25 November 2014 - 07:19

It's not in Australian Motor Sport, it seems they didn't have a regular Tassie correspondent...

Tasmanian Motorist is your best chance, or someone with programmes.

#56 cooper997

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Posted 25 November 2014 - 11:46

Both Saturday & Monday's 1962 Longford programmes have an advert for Robt. Nettlefold Pty Ltd Vauxhall dealer advert, plus one lone Cresta entry as follows.

 

Day 1 Sat, 3/3/62 Event 6 Toppa Icecream Australian Touring Car Championship "36 Arthur Lord (entrant) D (David) Sternberg (driver) Vauxhall Cresta 2600 Tas"

 

Day 2, Mon, 5/3/62 Event 1 Nettlefold's Touring Car Scratch Race has exactly the same published details as above. So this race was sponsored by the Vauxhall dealer. The only Barret that rings a bell with me is Jim Barrett, father of former FPV (Ford) boss, Rod Barrett. But it only rings a bell because he raced a 997 Mini Cooper in Tasmania. So whether it is him, I don't know. Same applies with whether 'L Barrett' shared or tookover David's rides.

 

No point looking for Tasmanian Motorist reports for this meeting. They didn't start until late in 1964.

 

Stephen



#57 griffinvale

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Posted 26 November 2014 - 02:21

Thanks Stephen,

 

who was Arthur Lord? 

 

Did a search for David Sternberg and found a few references but no pics. (yet)

 

Also drew a blank on L Barrett, I suppose someone out there might know more.

 

Leigh.



#58 cooper997

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Posted 26 November 2014 - 03:13

Leigh, if you can get the attention of Ellis French he might know something about Arthur Lord and perhaps L Barrett. But don't be surprised if Lord was simply a friend of Lex & David Sternberg's and entered his own car for David to drive. The Sternberg's were quite prolific in Tassie Motorsport, running the ex Jim Clark 1965 Tasman Lotus in the late 60s.

Check out Tasmanian photo specialist Lindsay Ross (ellrosso on TNF) here
http://www.oldraceph...m/content/home/

Stephen

#59 griffinvale

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Posted 27 November 2014 - 02:18

That was an interesting site, thanks Stephen.

 

Found a pic of J Youl driving a Cresta at Longford in '61 so I will add that one as well.

 

Leigh.



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#60 Ray Bell

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Posted 27 November 2014 - 03:51

Originally posted by cooper997
.....No point looking for Tasmanian Motorist reports for this meeting. They didn't start until late in 1964.


That being the case, I wonder what the Autosportsman report might have included?

#61 cooper997

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Posted 27 November 2014 - 04:47

Leigh, John Youl is entered in Day 1 Sat, 4/3/61 Longford event 2 'The Robert Nettlefold Series Production and Grand Turismo Scratch Race' and Day 2 Mon, 6/3/61 event 2 'International Canners Handicap' as follows '5 Robt. Nettlefold Pty Ltd (entrant) J C Youl V. Cresta 2600 Tas'

Going back to 1962, the 4/62 Autosportsman has less than a page devoted to Longford and concentrates on the International race that Surtees won. I don't have the 4/62 RCN so don't know whether that has anything Longford, let alone Barrett or Sternberg Vauxhall related.

If Trove throws up The Examiner on the net, then for their publishing day's corresponding the various Longford meetings you might be half a chance. If nothing's on Trove then the State Library in Melbourne might be worth a visit to check the appropriate dated newspaper reels on their readers. Research is never easy.

Stephen

#62 Ray Bell

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Posted 27 November 2014 - 04:48

It's insane that the CAMS don't have such records...

One can only wonder why.

#63 DanTra2858

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Posted 27 November 2014 - 09:10

Ken Harrison of Wollongong had a Vauxhall open wheeler between 1959/62???? Known as the Monza, I have a very, very poor photo of the car that would not display well but from what I can see it was a nice looking car, any one have information on this car.

#64 Ray Bell

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Posted 27 November 2014 - 13:55

Four or six, Daniel?

Post the photo anyway...

#65 DanTra2858

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Posted 27 November 2014 - 20:43

Not sure Ray, will endevor to find more info on car, will try to enhance photo, it,s from a newspaper clipping.

#66 griffinvale

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Posted 28 November 2014 - 02:22

Well you answered at least one thought I had Stephen. I wondered if Nettlefolds had ever actually entered any cars as they seemed to be active in the promotion and sponsorship of motor racing.

 

I guess John Youl is the same guy as drove the Merc in the 1960 Phillip Island race.

 

Yep, lots of research to be done but it is well worth it when you find something about what you are looking for  :stoned: .

 

Leigh.



#67 cooper997

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Posted 28 November 2014 - 02:56

The Youl family of Boyce and his sons, John & Gavin were all prolific in Tassie and indeed Australian motor sport. Also some International stuff too. They built Symmons Plains circuit on their property and raced plenty. TNF search function should give you ample evidence. If you can get the attention of one time Youl racing mechanic, Geoff Smedley on here, you'll perhaps find out first hand information.

 

Another Longford had a Vauxhall entry too. This time Day 1 Sat, 28/2/59 event 2 'Scratch Race for Series Production Cars' and Day 2 Mon, 2/3/59 event 2 'Handicap for Series Production Cars' with the entry of '31 Guy Farmer (entrant) Guy Farmer (driver) Tas Vauxhall Victor (capacity not listed)'

 

Stephen



#68 Ray Bell

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Posted 28 November 2014 - 04:29

You undersell them, Stephen...

Wasn't Gavin Youl Australian FJr Champion? And John was a contender in the serious stakes of the Gold Star events, not to mention leading a pre-Tasman International 99 at Lakeside in the rain!

#69 David Shaw

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Posted 26 December 2014 - 00:06

A quick look through my Saloon car file:

 

May 18 1947 at Gawler:      W.D. Verco appeared in a Vauxhall 14 in a 3 lap Stock Car Handicap

Jun 20 1948 at Lowood:   A. Larsen in a Vauxhall won a 3 lap Stock Model Car Handicap off the limit

Jan 30 1950 at Fisherman's Bend:  M. Cavanaugh came 4th in a 5 lap Stock Car Group Handicap off 2min. Adjusted time 14:01

Mar 31 1956 at Port Wakefield:  R.W. Hayman came 3rd in a Velox in a 10 lap Sedan and Touring Car Handicap

Jun 4 1956 at Port Wakefield: Gavin Sandford-Morgan won a 6 Lap Sedan and Touring Car Handicap in his 1924 30/98. Time of 9:34

Oct 8 1956 at Port Wakefield:  R.W. Hayman won in his Velox in a 6 lap Sedan and Touring Car Handicap

Apr 27 1957 at Phillip Island: Coad came 4th in a Vauxhall in a 6 lap Sedan Car Scratch Race, then ran in a 4 lap Handicap

Aug 11 1957 at Mount Druitt:  R. McGregor ran a Vagabond in a 3 lap Scratch Race for Sedan and Touring Cars >1500cc

Aug 11 1957 at Mount Druitt: Carl Kennedy came 2nd in a Velox in a Handicap for Sedan and Sports Cars > 1500cc, then came equal 3rd in a 6 lap Handicap

Nov 11 1957 at Mount Druitt:  R. McGregor won in his Vagabond in a 6 lap Handicap for Sedan and Sports Cars > 1500cc

Nov 11 1957 at Mount Druitt: Carl Kennedy entered in ame 2nd in a 6 lap Handicap for Sedan and Sports Cars > 1500cc

Oct 5 1958 at Bathurst: Barry Topen entered a Vauxhall (#104) in a 10 lap Sedan and Touring Car Scratch Race, and then came 2nd in the 10 lap Handicap


Edited by David Shaw, 26 December 2014 - 00:07.


#70 Terry Walker

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Posted 27 December 2014 - 03:38

Don't forget the far west:

 

Vauxhalls in WA Racing and Speed Events

 

1937

Albany GP: Spencer Stanes, Vauxhall Special, 2nd outright

 

1938

Dowerin Races, Neil Baird, Vauxhall tourer, 3rd, 23 mile hcp

Dowerin Spring Meeting:. Stock Car Hc, Jack Nelson, Vauxhall, 1st

 

1939

Dowerin Winter Races: Jack Nelson, Vauxhall, Stock Car Hcp 3 laps 1st

 

1948

Narrogin Flying 50

4-lap sports car hcp: D Gilbert. Vauxhall 30/98, 1st on hcp. fastest time

"Old Crocks Race"  D Gilbert, 1923 Vauxhall 30/98,.1st

 

1949

Great Southern Flying 50, Narrogin

Vin Smith, MG Vauxhall Spl  dnf bent front axle

 

1950

Goomalling Speed Classic

Sports Car Trophy (hcp)

1 J Luscome, Vauxhall 30/98

2 Frank Royal Vauxhall Wyvern

 

1951

Byford Speed Trials

Frank Royal Vauxhall 30/98  s quarter mile 22.3

K French, Wyvern,  s quarter mile 26.1

 

1952

Goomalling Speed Classic, Stock Car Hcp,

J Luscombe, Vauxhall,  1st

 

1953

Goomalling Speed Classic, Sports Car 5 lap Hcp,

J Luscombe, Vauxhall 30/98 1st

 

1958

Six Hour Race Caversham

Joddrell/Joddrell, Vauxhall Victor, 17th

 

1963

Six Hour Race, Caversham, VX 4/90  Roy Bolton, 9th outright

 

1964

Six Hour Race, Caversham, Viva, John Hughes/Jim Brewer, 9th outright

 

1965

Six Hour Race Caversham, Viva, Jim Brewer/D Black, dnf

 

1966

State Champs, Touring Cars Class B,  J Potts, Viva, 10th

State Champs, Improved Touring 8 laps, J Potts, Viva, 17th

 

Can't help with any greater detail on the cars; that's all I've got. The 30/98 driven by various drivers is I think always the same car, a 1923 tourer. A photo shows that the Vauxhal Tourer driven by Neil Baird and Jack Nelson was a late 1930s, probably near if not new. John Hughes, who raced a Viva at Caversham is now one of WA's biggest car dealers.


Edited by Terry Walker, 27 December 2014 - 03:41.


#71 Terry Walker

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Posted 27 December 2014 - 03:50

Trials and Rally results in WA a extremely sketchy. I have the following:

 

Trials and Rallies

 

1953 WA Car Club Reliability Trial:

Frank Royal Vauxhall 30/98, 4th outright

 

1954 12 WA Car Club hour reliability trail

Frank Royal/K Hodge, 30/98, 2nd outright

 

1956

Narrogin Car Club 6-hr Reliability Trial

P B Kelly, Vauxhall (no further car id) 5th



#72 GMACKIE

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Posted 27 December 2014 - 21:19

The 30/98 was a great motor car - I owned E 366 a while back. How many cars would still be competitive 30 years after being buit ?



#73 275 GTB-4

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Posted 11 March 2015 - 10:41

Nice story about a Vauxhall special from the VHRR website...

http://vhrr.com/wp/t...uxhall-special/

#74 Ray Bell

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Posted 17 April 2015 - 04:26

Originally posted by Terry Walker
.....1950
Goomalling Speed Classic
Sports Car Trophy (hcp)
1 J Luscombe, Vauxhall 30/98
2 Frank Royal Vauxhall Wyvern.....


The AMS report on this meeting says that Luscome was in a Vauxhall 6 - and we know the 30/98 was a four.

It also mentions J.Nicholson in that race in another Wyvern.

With regard to Luscombe, could it be he had turned up in an alternative car, say a 25hp Vauxhall from the mid-thirties in roadster form? Or a convertible Velox?