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Beechey Mustang


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#1 275 GTB-4

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Posted 14 May 2007 - 09:36

On another forum, the Norm Beechey 1964 1/2 Mustang has been discussed. It is a significant car in Australian racing because it set a precedent, a winning precedent. It is a matter of conjecture whether it can lay claim to be the first Mustang to win a road race, but certainly, the first Championship win for the marque can be claimed in the hands of Norm Beechey.

Here is an update on the latest activity with the Mustang.......

The car has had an initial inspection by a Mustang argh-fishin-nardo.

The original platform of the car is still intact with most of the original floor, some of the boot floor changed to accommodate the new fuel tank and filler arrangement.

The body was not tubbed in the rear, and the original inner rear wheel arches are still intact, however, the outer quarters have been radiused and flared (with fibreglass).

The front inner guards are original and intact as well as the front spring torque boxes, with an extension piece welded/riveted along the top of the original inners to accommodate a wider fibre glass 67 front the extension piece on the left inner has not been removed to reveal the Vin code, However from underneath it appears that the Vin No may be there.

The original radiator support panel is in place. The front radius arms have been replaced with strengthened radius arms. The body has been strengthened and I think there has been seam welding throughout.

The doors are steel original with the original Vin Tag still in place on the left door, you can still make out the background of the racing numbers under the paint on the doors.

There are no window mechanisms in the car and the rear window is Perspex. The boot lid is fibreglass.

Other than as described, externally the body appears to have been left as much original as possible

The drag motor is a Ford 390 and has been re-located about 8 inches to the rear of the original engine position which had the centre of the fire wall and the cowl cut out and the dash removed to move the engine further back, the front floor has been modified around the gearbox, but basically no alteration to the fit of the floor around the perimeter of the body, the original chassis rails are intact. Original pedals have been removed and replaced. Gear box and diff unknown at this time (I think the running gear is Lola with a ford 9 inch diff)

The owner now intends to auction the car.

Here is what the car looks like today:

Posted Image

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#2 Leo D

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Posted 14 May 2007 - 09:46

Nice to see that the car fridge is in the original colour scheme .... :)

#3 275 GTB-4

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Posted 14 May 2007 - 10:08

Originally posted by Leo D
Nice to see that the car fridge is in the original colour scheme .... :)


Careful Leo....Eskies are an institution in Australia :smoking:

[Retort: many race cars have gone through several guises throughout their racing careers....that Norms car ended up as a drag racer is not so bad....at least the old warhorse was still being campaigned rather than sent to the tip]

#4 Leo D

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Posted 14 May 2007 - 10:51

Originally posted by 275 GTB-4


Careful Leo....Eskies are an institution in Australia :smoking:


Mick..... It's more the contents of the Esky that are important.... :wave:

But back to the main topic..... I agree, that it is interesting to note that the car is still around.
I lost track of where it went after Bryan Thomson had it..... or should I say my memory lost track of where it went...

#5 seldo

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Posted 14 May 2007 - 11:07

Oh dear...!

#6 Catalina Park

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Posted 14 May 2007 - 11:18

It looks a lot better than the last time I saw it. They have washed it, polished it and pumped up the tyres.
I don't think it has been used for about 15 years though.

#7 Ray Bell

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Posted 14 May 2007 - 11:39

The last I remember of it was when Rocky Pye had it... racing it in black (with yellow stripe?) at Amaroo etc...

#8 275 GTB-4

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Posted 14 May 2007 - 11:47

Originally posted by Ray Bell
The last I remember of it was when Rocky Pye had it... racing it in black (with yellow stripe?) at Amaroo etc...


Rocky???...that name does not appear in the list of owners I was shown....do you mean Bill Pye??

1. Norm BEECHEY.
2. Bryan THOMSON.
3. Kim AUNGER. (Driven mainly by Peter Finch.)
4. WIGRAM.
5. Kelvin SQUIRES.
6. Tom JEPPERSON.
7. Jeff MORROW.
8. Current Owner


#9 Ray Bell

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Posted 14 May 2007 - 12:10

No, I said and meant 'Rocky' Pye...

Phone Brian Rawlings if you want confirmation. It had to be the Beechey Mustang (which we knew it was at the time) as the Geoghegan ones were elsewhere and Jane's early one was written off and his later one was still racing elsewhere.

#10 Leo D

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Posted 14 May 2007 - 12:22

Originally posted by 275 GTB-4


Rocky???...that name does not appear in the list of owners I was shown....do you mean Bill Pye??

1. Norm BEECHEY.
2. Bryan THOMSON.
3. Kim AUNGER. (Driven mainly by Peter Finch.)
4. WIGRAM.
5. Kelvin SQUIRES.
6. Tom JEPPERSON.
7. Jeff MORROW.
8. Current Owner


I note the name Tom Jepperson on the list. Did he also own Norm's championship winning Monaro at one time?....

#11 275 GTB-4

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Posted 14 May 2007 - 12:23

Originally posted by Ray Bell
No, I said and meant 'Rocky' Pye...

Phone Brian Rawlings if you want confirmation. It had to be the Beechey Mustang (which we knew it was at the time) as the Geoghegan ones were elsewhere and Jane's early one was written off and his later one was still racing elsewhere.


Sorry, don't know Brian from a bar of soap....where would Rocky's ownership fit in the list provided??

#12 Ray Bell

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Posted 14 May 2007 - 14:23

About 1973 or 1974... maybe even 1975...

Do you want to edit 'Jesperson'?

#13 Robert Bailey

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Posted 15 May 2007 - 01:00

Originally posted by 275 GTB-4
On another forum, the Norm Beechey 1964 1/2 Mustang has been discussed. It is a significant car in Australian racing because it set a precedent, a winning precedent. It is a matter of conjecture whether it can lay claim to be the first Mustang to win a road race, but certainly, the first Championship win for the marque can be claimed in the hands of Norm Beechey.

Here is an update on the latest activity with the Mustang.......

The car has had an initial inspection by a Mustang argh-fishin-nardo.

The original platform of the car is still intact with most of the original floor, some of the boot floor changed to accommodate the new fuel tank and filler arrangement.

The body was not tubbed in the rear, and the original inner rear wheel arches are still intact, however, the outer quarters have been radiused and flared (with fibreglass).

The front inner guards are original and intact as well as the front spring torque boxes, with an extension piece welded/riveted along the top of the original inners to accommodate a wider fibre glass 67 front the extension piece on the left inner has not been removed to reveal the Vin code, However from underneath it appears that the Vin No may be there.

The original radiator support panel is in place. The front radius arms have been replaced with strengthened radius arms. The body has been strengthened and I think there has been seam welding throughout.

The doors are steel original with the original Vin Tag still in place on the left door, you can still make out the background of the racing numbers under the paint on the doors.

There are no window mechanisms in the car and the rear window is Perspex. The boot lid is fibreglass.

Other than as described, externally the body appears to have been left as much original as possible

The drag motor is a Ford 390 and has been re-located about 8 inches to the rear of the original engine position which had the centre of the fire wall and the cowl cut out and the dash removed to move the engine further back, the front floor has been modified around the gearbox, but basically no alteration to the fit of the floor around the perimeter of the body, the original chassis rails are intact. Original pedals have been removed and replaced. Gear box and diff unknown at this time (I think the running gear is Lola with a ford 9 inch diff)

The owner now intends to auction the car.

Here is what the car looks like today:

Posted Image

do you know when it is going up for auction?

#14 cosworth bdg

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Posted 15 May 2007 - 01:22

Is it the real thing or a fake ????????????????????

#15 275 GTB-4

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Posted 15 May 2007 - 02:19

Originally posted by Robert Bailey
do you know when it is going up for auction?


Watch this space...thats about the best I can do at the moment.

Any doubters should have a look at a similar discussion on 10/10ths .

#16 Robert Bailey

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Posted 15 May 2007 - 02:28

Originally posted by cosworth bdg
Is it the real thing or a fake ????????????????????

Beechey would know as he has known for years where the car was.

#17 cosworth bdg

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Posted 15 May 2007 - 05:53

Isn't a Beechey Mustang supposed to be being restored for GRPN Historic Touring Cars....????????

#18 Robert Bailey

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Posted 15 May 2007 - 06:19

nope Paul Burchall built up a replicar about 10 years ago,when he was doing the ex Neil Allen Group11 trans/am mustang.

#19 cosworth bdg

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Posted 15 May 2007 - 06:25

Originally posted by Robert Bailey
nope Paul Burchall built up a replicar about 10 years ago,when he was doing the ex Neil Allen Group11 trans/am mustang.

Thanks Robert, the truth now comes out.........

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#20 Leo D

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Posted 15 May 2007 - 08:41

Originally posted by Robert Bailey
nope Paul Burchall built up a replicar about 10 years ago,when he was doing the ex Neil Allen Group11 trans/am mustang.


I didn't know that Niel Allen had a Trans Am Mustang....

I thought the only Mustang Niel Allen had was the ex Greg Cusack car ????? which went on to Fred Gibson ?????? Was that a Trans Am car???

I thought there were only ever 2 Trans Am Mustangs that came here.... The one that Bob Jane had, and the Allan Moffatt car.... is my memory failing me ??? :(



#21 Hank the Deuce

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Posted 15 May 2007 - 09:57

Originally posted by Leo D


I didn't know that Niel Allen had a Trans Am Mustang....

I thought the only Mustang Niel Allen had was the ex Greg Cusack car ????? which went on to Fred Gibson ?????? Was that a Trans Am car???

I thought there were only ever 2 Trans Am Mustangs that came here.... The one that Bob Jane had, and the Allan Moffatt car.... is my memory failing me ??? :(

Apparently, the ex-Frank Gardner ex-Trans Am '69-with-'70-upgrades Mustang came here, bought by Sir Jack.. but was cannibalised, the Boss 302 thrown into a local Falcon shell for Barry Sharpe, and the body used and abused in speedway.

#22 Ray Bell

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Posted 15 May 2007 - 12:52

Originally posted by Hank the Deuce
Apparently, the ex-Frank Gardner ex-Trans Am '69-with-'70-upgrades Mustang came here, bought by Sir Jack.. but was cannibalised, the Boss 302 thrown into a local Falcon shell for Barry Sharpe, and the body used and abused in speedway.


Severely damaged in a circuit crash, IIRC, with Barry Sharp at the wheel... so the bits, as you say, went into a Falcon sports sedan. But the Boss heads were too peaky, all top end, no mid-range grunt... as they said, "Good for Spa, but hopeless at Amaroo!"

Niel Allen did let Fred Gibson drive his ex-Cusack (locally built) Mustang, Gibson never owned it. But I just can't think at the moment where it went next.

#23 Robert Bailey

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Posted 15 May 2007 - 13:06

hi Ray,it was a Shelby built group 2 Trans /Am car ,its even in the Shelby register

#24 Robert Bailey

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Posted 15 May 2007 - 13:10

Originally posted by Robert Bailey
hi Ray,it was a Shelby built group 2 Trans /Am car ,its even in the Shelby register

Car #20 invoiced to Gregory Ford 4/11/67 Australia ordered with weber induction.

#25 Ray Bell

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Posted 15 May 2007 - 13:42

That must have cost Greg a pretty penny... and to think it took Niel to make it a winner, even so...

#26 William Dale Jr

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Posted 15 May 2007 - 19:06

Originally posted by Ray Bell


Severely damaged in a circuit crash, IIRC, with Barry Sharp at the wheel...


Wasn't this car the one that was dropped onto the docks and written off on upon its arrival to Australia? Or is that why it was turned into a Sports Sedan?

#27 Ray Bell

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Posted 15 May 2007 - 21:44

You're right William, of course... it was the Falcon Series car that was written off...

#28 Robert Bailey

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Posted 15 May 2007 - 22:48

Originally posted by Ray Bell
That must have cost Greg a pretty penny... and to think it took Niel to make it a winner, even so...

Hi Ray,chassis # 7RO1K188183.Ist owner Greg Cusack of Gregory Ford then Allen,Stephenson(W.A),Calvert,Gore,Cuthbert,Gibbs,Burchall,Warwick Miller now in the States sold in 2002 for US112,000.When imported new had the following 4,700cc motor,4x IDAs,8 inch front and 9 inch rear wheels and Ivory paintwork.20 of 26 Shelby group 11 cars built in 1967.

#29 Ray Bell

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Posted 15 May 2007 - 22:51

Of course... Gordon Stephenson... we east-coasters lost sight of it forever!

Must ask Niel what he thinks of that sale price!

#30 Robert Bailey

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Posted 15 May 2007 - 23:12

Originally posted by Ray Bell
Of course... Gordon Stephenson... we east-coasters lost sight of it forever!

Must ask Niel what he thinks of that sale price!

still not so sure that the car restored was the Allen car!If you think about it ,was for sale or offered as a project to the guys in QLd,after being restored for sale and yet was not picked up.My mate whom restored it and has been around Stangs and group NB/C forever has his doubts to.

#31 normbeechey

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 00:16

At the time the Jack Brabham Mustang arrived into Australia, the press reported that the car fell onto the wharf when being unloaded and was too badly damaged to be repaired. Or was putting the mechanicals into the Falcon always a plan?

An Australian Ford dealer racing a Mustang does not make much commercial sense.

#32 Robert Bailey

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 00:33

Originally posted by normbeechey
At the time the Jack Brabham Mustang arrived into Australia, the press reported that the car fell onto the wharf when being unloaded and was too badly damaged to be repaired. Or was putting the mechanicals into the Falcon always a plan?

An Australian Ford dealer racing a Mustang does not make much commercial sense.

Greg Cusack did.

#33 Ray Bell

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 00:51

Indeed...

And we must also remember Jack's tight attitude to his racing here. It would have cost money to put a Falcon on the track, and a lot of testing and so on.

Though the damage at the wharf could have been insured and thus provided some cash. All the same, the Mustang would have the potential to become a collector's item at the end of its life, unlike the Falcon replacement.

#34 normbeechey

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 01:18

Originally posted by Ray Bell
Though the damage at the wharf could have been insured and thus provided some cash.


Now there is an interesting thought!

:)

It's far better to have your dealer name on the side of a product you sell . Greg Cusack had no signage on the Mustang and therefore I dare say that virtually no one outside of Canberra would have even known that he was a Ford dealer. Was it a little more than a tax effective way to go car racing for Greg?

I think Jack would probably have been more interested in selling cars.

That's my 10¢ worth .

#35 Ray Bell

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 01:24

Very few racegoers in Sydney or Melbourne wouldn't have known of Greg's business interest...

When he changed from Volkswagen to Ford (same time, roughly, as Stillwell changed from Holden to Ford) it was very public.

#36 275 GTB-4

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Posted 16 May 2007 - 12:29

Originally posted by normbeechey
It's far better to have your dealer name on the side of a product you sell . Greg Cusack had no signage on the Mustang and therefore I dare say that virtually no one outside of Canberra would have even known that he was a Ford dealer.


Not forgetting that there was limited advertising allowed....these weren't series proddies!

#37 Ray Bell

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Posted 17 May 2007 - 00:25

Advertising was limited on all cars... nothing to do with the class...

One line for the entrant's name, that was all. 2" high, maybe 2.5" high, with rules about style of lettering, placement and everything.

All the same, any enthusiast in Australia would have known Greg was a Ford dealer. The car, as I recall, was entered by 'Castrol Team Mustang' or something similar.

#38 275 GTB-4

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Posted 12 June 2007 - 02:41

Mustang to be Auctioned

Just advising that the owner intends to auction the Mustang (maybe in Sydney). I will advise more if and when I hear about it....possibly within the next month.

#39 Robert Bailey

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Posted 12 June 2007 - 03:53

Bonhams?

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#40 275 GTB-4

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Posted 12 June 2007 - 04:49

Originally posted by Robert Bailey
Bonhams?


Shannons?

#41 Tim CH

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Posted 03 August 2007 - 08:32

What a shame!!! :down: :cry:

#42 Ray Bell

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Posted 03 August 2007 - 11:07

What car's that in your avatar pic, Tim?

#43 ellrosso

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Posted 05 August 2007 - 00:51

If you want to see a few pics of the Beechey Mustang we have a few on my oldracephotos.com website. A really poor quality one of Norm at Symmons in 1966 (Tas Touring Car Champ event - type Beechey in Advanced Search) and I think a couple of Kim Aunger at Baskerville in 1970. He and Robin Pare were very evenly matched at this meeting and had a tremendous scrap. Great to see (and hear!) the 2 white Mustangs nose to tail at Baskerville (type Aunger into Advanced Search will bring up).
Also have a few pics of the ex Niel Allen car there too in Tony Calvert's hands (type Calvert - Ad search) from Bask and Syms. I took a color shot at Bask in 1970 with bonnet up also.

Cheers,Lindsay Ross

#44 Tim CH

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Posted 06 August 2007 - 10:06

Originally posted by Ray Bell
What car's that in your avatar pic, Tim?


Hi Ray

This is my 1965 Mustang GT. First I tought about a Norm Beechey Replika but I noticed that his car's specs differ strongly from mine (my Interior is black deluxe, my racing stripes are not small and mine is a GT). Being a member of the Terlingua Racing Team and due to the fact that my Mustang originally was from Texas I decided to go for a free TRT interpretation.
The Mustang got (except for the body) a lot of modifications incl. a race engine, a Super T-10 (close ratio aluminum case) 4-speed transmission and a new suspension. Next year race seats, safety harness and a roll bar will follow.

Kind regards
Tim

Posted Image

#45 Tim CH

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Posted 06 August 2007 - 11:54

Originally posted by Tim CH
[B]

Hi Ray

This is my 1965 Mustang GT. First I tought about a Norm Beechey Replika but ....

...there is a guy from Belgium, who already did a smiliar thing....

Posted Image

#46 Ray Bell

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Posted 06 August 2007 - 12:05

The wheels don't cut it, however...

Unlike the Torq Thrust Ds on Tim's car.

#47 275 GTB-4

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Posted 08 August 2007 - 01:57

Do not adjust your sets:

Stand By for an Announcement :)

#48 Tim CH

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Posted 08 August 2007 - 17:03

Originally posted by 275 GTB-4
Do not adjust your sets:

Stand By for an Announcement :)


I am very curious :confused:

#49 275 GTB-4

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Posted 09 August 2007 - 00:04

Originally posted by Tim CH
I am very curious :confused:


Thats nice Tim...but I wouldn't shout it from the rooftops :wave:

#50 275 GTB-4

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Posted 09 August 2007 - 01:24

MCM

Rumour has it (and won't give it back I'm told ;) )

ex-Beechey Mustang may be at the Muscle Car Masters

http://www.chevron.c...ar_masters.html