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Italia Information? Two JWFs to be traced


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#1 Ray Bell

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Posted 29 March 2020 - 11:21

There's no stopping Bruce Polain now he's finished his autobiography...
 
He's encouraged Sam Johnson to do something similar about the JWF cars and business. And today he wrote to me seeking the help of the Nostalgia Forum regarding two of the JWF Italia cars.
 
 
 

One query that maybe worthy of Nostalgia is the tracing of some Italia that raced in Qld.
 
The John Inderwood car is captioned at Lakeside in 1964 – he bought the body in November 1962 and then lived in Barrett St Buderim. 
 
0320fr-BPitaliaunderwood.jpg
 
Have no caption for the other car. #14   Rego  NRO195:
 
0320fr-BPitalia14.jpg
  
As a matter of interest two others were sold to Darwin – believe to RAAF guys.
 
Also one was sold to Thursday Island.

 
That taping around the Holden windscreens in the background would suggest the second car was photographed in 1961 or 1962.
 
Can anyone help these young old blokes out?





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Edited by Ray Bell, 29 March 2020 - 11:22.


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#2 cooper997

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Posted 29 March 2020 - 17:22

Both photos look to be the same JWF to me. I don't know if it's a typo going back to 1962 invoicing, but it's John Underwood, not Inderwood.

 

The top photo with 17 is the Feb 64 Lakeside Tasman meeting. The Bruce McLaren Motor Racing Falcon ute is the giveaway. Plus John is listed in the programme.

 

The Qld rego of NRO 195 should be a 1963 issue.

 

I have him listed in some other 1964 Lakeside and Lowood meeting as either JWF or Austin Special. Must have run an BMC B Series as its listed as 1489cc. By the late 1964 John was running the ex French Cooper S.

 

The Lakeside 1965 annual has a bit of a writeup on him and the following year he won the QMSC Scribe award (edit - correction he won Scribe award in 1965).

 

If I'm not getting my wires crossed with another Qld driver, John died quite young.

 

Stephen


Edited by cooper997, 30 March 2020 - 00:05.


#3 cooper997

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Posted 29 March 2020 - 17:32

I'll make the assumption that Bruce knows of the 2011 Dick Willis JWF Milano thread.

 

But if not - https://forums.autos...lano-gt-coupes/

 

Stephen



#4 Ray Bell

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Posted 29 March 2020 - 22:07

If we can find a  photo of Underwood with that number plate we'll have this stitched up then...

 

I agree that it's likely, the wheels are a giveaway, but there's that badge on the RF guard suggesting it's a later pic while the background suggests it's older.



#5 cooper997

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Posted 30 March 2020 - 00:45

Checking the first photo and John Underwood is standing at the left rear of the JWF - striped shirt and thick set glasses.

 

I dare say no two JWF were built the same. Too many features between the photos are the same - interior trim, placement of mirrors ,placement of the side vent, wheels. Ignore exterior colour variation because that will be due to the photo or negative. A badge and number 14 appear the only obvious differences.

 

There's a chance the 28 humpy Holden in the second photo is Wally Scott. If that's a 1961/62 photo then it makes it hard to believe John purchased the body in November 1962.

 

From memory, Paul Newby knows or has something about dating regos. My 1963 comment is based on an old Glass's Guide.

 

Lakeside 65 has "John Underwood became interested in motor racing five years ago, as a spectator. He never missed a meeting and about two years ago decided to take up racing himself.

He built a special JWF Austin sports car for everyday use.  When he found it ran so well on the road, he decided it was the car to race." That annual was published early 1966.

 

Stephen

 

 

 

 



#6 Ray Bell

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Posted 30 March 2020 - 06:18

Stephen, the reason I said 1961/62 was because of the tape around the windscreens...

 

I never saw that personally anywhere and I was at NSW meetings from October,1962. But I've seen plenty of it on those old 61/62 Lakeside pics which surfaced here.