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Aussie book question... fiction about racing driver...


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#1 Ray Bell

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Posted 16 July 2015 - 17:42

I've had a question sent to me...

In the sixties there was a book about a racing driver who was a mechanic and became successful racing his own early Holden. He was then given a drive with a wealthy team in a top GT car, possibly a DB4GTZ.

Does anyone know anything about this book?




.

Edited by Ray Bell, 16 July 2015 - 17:43.


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#2 DanTra2858

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Posted 16 July 2015 - 19:45

I remember a raunchy book that had racing in it at Oran Park sounds like it could be the book you are talking about, the car I remember was a D type Jag, the books name has long gone from memory but it was a pocket book about 1" thick.

#3 275 GTB-4

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Posted 16 July 2015 - 22:41

Dunno Dan...but this one looks good...

https://www.penguin....143799542/quick

#4 Ray Bell

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Posted 16 July 2015 - 22:54

This thread is a question about a book...

A book published in the sixties.

#5 GMACKIE

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Posted 16 July 2015 - 23:53

The only book I can remember is 'The Green Helmet', by Jon Cleary...but I'm not much of a reader of fiction.



#6 Ray Bell

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Posted 17 July 2015 - 02:04

Nor am I...

But somebody is, or I wouldn't have got the question. I hope someone has an answer.

#7 DanTra2858

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Posted 17 July 2015 - 02:09

Was the GREEN HELMET made into a movie with Jack Brabham making a guest appearance in it?

#8 Dale Harvey

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Posted 17 July 2015 - 05:53

Was the GREEN HELMET made into a movie with Jack Brabham making a guest appearance in it?

Yes.

Dale.



#9 Lee Nicolle

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Posted 17 July 2015 - 08:29

There has been quite a few books written with motorsport as a lead or byline plot. Green Helmet by Cleary, another based on Jack Davey by I think Evan Green and a couple I dont remember title or writer. But not this particular plot.



#10 Lee Nicolle

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Posted 17 July 2015 - 08:31

Dunno Dan...but this one looks good...

https://www.penguin....143799542/quick

About $29 too dear for me. Most of my books are a $1 at the markets! several hundred however.



#11 Dick Willis

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Posted 17 July 2015 - 09:36

You get what you pay for, Lee



#12 GMACKIE

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Posted 17 July 2015 - 10:10

Some of my books were as much as 2/-



#13 Vitesse2

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Posted 17 July 2015 - 10:35

Could it be Danger Circuit by David Bower? Milan Fistonic posted this list of motor racing fiction a long time ago: most of them reasonably well known, but Danger Circuit looks to be the right period (1963) and was published in Sydney by Horwitz, who were well-known for pulp fiction. ABE has precisely one copy for sale and there are just two library copies on WorldCat!



#14 Ray Bell

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Posted 17 July 2015 - 11:52

Thanks for that, Speedy...

I've sent an email to the person who wants to know, along with a link to the book via ABE. It seems he remembers reading it and blames this book for his present interest in motor sport and sports cars.

I'll let you know if there's any further information.