92 replies to this topic

[TerryS]

As this thread appears to be nearing finalization I thought this appropriate:

 

An oldie but a goldie:

 

What do you call four tyres sitting in a driveway?

 

An Alfa with the rust cut out.

[Ray Bell]

I always thought that was a Fiat...

 

Shows how wrong you can be.

[Porsche718]

As this thread appears to be nearing finalization ...

 

 

 

So there's nothing more to discuss re: Alfas racing in Australia?

[ellrosso]

Queensland Alfa boys.....

[Lola5000]

When I purchased the ex '77  Bell Bathurst car ,it came with numerous wheels  from memory 15 inch by 8 inch ,the car had from day one been taken off the showroom floor and raced .

 

There was one set of rims that had steel centres in a cross shape ,so two piece and a set of alloy spun Renmax wheels ,which one could lift with two fingers ,sadly these wheels leaked and were easily bent.,various other GTV2000s of the period including in later years ran the 1st style of Simmons 2/3 piece wheels ,which included the Gulson car .

[Porsche718]

... which included the Gulson car .

 

I noticed in Terry's initial list of Bathurst results, that the only year Ray Gulson didn't compete was in 1976.

 

He was such a faithful competitor in the GTV.

 

I haven't seen him for a fair while but I'll try to find out why he missed that year.

[Lola5000]

I noticed in Terry's initial list of Bathurst results, that the only year Ray Gulson didn't compete was in 1976.

 

He was such a faithful competitor in the GTV.

 

I haven't seen him for a fair while but I'll try to find out why he missed that year.

I understand he has repurchased that GTV2000.

[Lee Nicolle]

As this thread appears to be nearing finalization I thought this appropriate:

 

An oldie but a goldie:

 

What do you call four tyres sitting in a driveway?

 

An Alfa with the rust cut out.

Italian cars rust,, and have wiring issues, often. Just about make Lucas look good.

[Porsche718]

People have always said there are two definites in life - death and taxation.

 

The third should be - your Italian car will break down at the most inconvenient time and weather.

[Porsche718]

 

This just had to go in this thread ... !

[Lola5000]

From memory this is the ex John French GTV2000.

[Paul Newby]

From memory this is the ex John French GTV2000.

 

Hi Peter, as mentioned previously, the John French 2000 GTV is the car that Tim Schenken rolled at Bathurst in 1975. The Phil McDonnell 2000 GTV (pictured), as far as I'm aware, was mostly likely built up my McDonnell from a road car.

[Lola5000]

Hi Peter, as mentioned previously, the John French 2000 GTV is the car that Tim Schenken rolled at Bathurst in 1975. The Phil McDonnell 2000 GTV (pictured), as far as I'm aware, was mostly likely built up my McDonnell from a road car.

Your correct Paul,that dark blue/black GTV2000 was always a very quick car a Amaroo race track .

[TerryS]

So, who was PETER BROWN?

 

In the listing in post # 5 you will note his name appears several times.

 

I have followed Australian motor racing for over 60 years, but am surprised I have never seen a thing written on this guy. This seems very strange judging by his record at Bathurst.

I was very surprised when the entrants for 1971 Bathurst were released as there was Peter Brown as co-driver to the great Leo Geoghegan. Geoghegan was near the peak of his career and there he had picked an unknown for his co-driver. More so because they were driving the “works” team Valiant Charger. And for 6 times previous Leo drove with his brother Ian. So you can see the size of the shoes that Brown was stepping into.

For 1972 Geoghegan decided to drive alone, the last year that was allowed.

 

Not having the time to go through my 30 odd years of Racing Car News mag for other race meetings I decided to concentrate on the Bathurst Enduros for which results are readily available,

Brown’s record in Bathurst Enduros (i.e., 500 and 1000) is set out below:

This is based on Bill Tuckey’s Bathurst books and Wikipedia.

                                                                                                                                      Position      Laps

1963     Peter Brown and Ron Marshall                   Mini Cooper                                      11^th        115

1964     Peter Brown and Ray Gulson                       Mini Cooper                                   9^th           118

1965     Peter Brown and Ray Gulson                        Cortina GT 500                             34^TH       106

1966     Peter Brown and Bob Cook                          Cooper S                                      5^th           128

1967     Peter Brown and Bob Cook                          Cooper S                                       14^th        123

1968     Peter brown and Ray Gulson                        Alfa 1750 GTV                             8^th           125

1969     Peter Brown and Ray Gulson                        Alfa 1750 Berlina                          11^th        122

1970     Peter Brown and Des West                           Valiant Pacer                               7^th           127

1971     Peter Brown and Leo Geoghegan               Valiant Charger                            7^TH          129

1972                     -                                                                              -                              -              -

1973      Peter Brown and Ray Gulson                        Alfa 2000 GTV                           19^th        140

1974      Peter Brown and Graham Ritter                  Alfa 2000 GTV                               DNF       54

1975                     -                                                                              -                              -              -

1976                    -                                                                              -                              -              -

1977                     -                                                                              -                              -              -

1978     Peter Brown and Graham Ritter                  Alfa 2000 GTV                                 26th     133                                                               

1979                     -                                                                             -                              -              -

 

He seems to have been very reliable. Out of the above 12 races he only failed to finish ONCE. This is somewhat remarkable given that in that era about half the field would fail to finish.

 

In absence of other press mentions I decided to look in TROVE. There I found 3 mentions:

• In the 1964 Ampol 7000 Mile Trial Brown was running second in class when he rolled his Morris Cooper near Cooma and had to withdraw.
• In the 1966 Lowood 4-hour Production Car Rae with John Sedaitis in a Cortina GT 500, they finished 5^th outright and first private entry

 

• In the 1969 Surfers Paradise 12-hour race for Production Touring Cara with Ray Gulson in an Alfa 1750GTV they finished 9^th Outright and 2nd in class

I can’t seem to find him in Paul Newby’s Muscle Man Series in AMC Mag. Surprising as he was such an Alfa devotee.

Surely someone must know more about this guy?

[Ray Bell]

You're right, Terry, almost an unknown...

 

I'm pretty sure he was from Canberra, like Ray Gulson. He would also have been 'in' with the Liverpool folk, which included the Geoghegans and by a strange extension Des West.

 

Perhaps he had a few bob and could buy his way into drives? Perhaps he put up the money for the cars?

[70JesperOH]

So, who was PETER BROWN?

 

In the listing in post # 5 you will note his name appears several times.

 

I have followed Australian motor racing for over 60 years, but am surprised I have never seen a thing written on this guy. This seems very strange judging by his record at Bathurst.

I was very surprised when the entrants for 1971 Bathurst were released as there was Peter Brown as co-driver to the great Leo Geoghegan. Geoghegan was near the peak of his career and there he had picked an unknown for his co-driver. More so because they were driving the “works” team Valiant Charger. And for 6 times previous Leo drove with his brother Ian. So you can see the size of the shoes that Brown was stepping into.

For 1972 Geoghegan decided to drive alone, the last year that was allowed.

 

Not having the time to go through my 30 odd years of Racing Car News mag for other race meetings I decided to concentrate on the Bathurst Enduros for which results are readily available,

Brown’s record in Bathurst Enduros (i.e., 500 and 1000) is set out below:

This is based on Bill Tuckey’s Bathurst books and Wikipedia.

                                                                                                                                      Position      Laps

1963     Peter Brown and Ron Marshall                   Mini Cooper                                      11^th        115

1964     Peter Brown and Ray Gulson                       Mini Cooper                                   9^th           118

1965     Peter Brown and Ray Gulson                        Cortina GT 500                             34^TH       106

1966     Peter Brown and Bob Cook                          Cooper S                                      5^th           128

1967     Peter Brown and Bob Cook                          Cooper S                                       14^th        123

1968     Peter brown and Ray Gulson                        Alfa 1750 GTV                             8^th           125

1969     Peter Brown and Ray Gulson                        Alfa 1750 Berlina                          11^th        122

1970     Peter Brown and Des West                           Valiant Pacer                               7^th           127

1971     Peter Brown and Leo Geoghegan               Valiant Charger                            7^TH          129

1972                     -                                                                              -                              -              -

1973      Peter Brown and Ray Gulson                        Alfa 2000 GTV                           19^th        140

1974      Peter Brown and Graham Ritter                  Alfa 2000 GTV                               DNF       54

1975                     -                                                                              -                              -              -

1976                    -                                                                              -                              -              -

1977                     -                                                                              -                              -              -

1978     Peter Brown and Graham Ritter                  Alfa 2000 GTV                                 26th     133                                                               

1979                     -                                                                             -                              -              -

 

He seems to have been very reliable. Out of the above 12 races he only failed to finish ONCE. This is somewhat remarkable given that in that era about half the field would fail to finish.

 

In absence of other press mentions I decided to look in TROVE. There I found 3 mentions:

• In the 1964 Ampol 7000 Mile Trial Brown was running second in class when he rolled his Morris Cooper near Cooma and had to withdraw.
• In the 1966 Lowood 4-hour Production Car Rae with John Sedaitis in a Cortina GT 500, they finished 5^th outright and first private entry

 

• In the 1969 Surfers Paradise 12-hour race for Production Touring Cara with Ray Gulson in an Alfa 1750GTV they finished 9^th Outright and 2nd in class

I can’t seem to find him in Paul Newby’s Muscle Man Series in AMC Mag. Surprising as he was such an Alfa devotee.

Surely someone must know more about this guy?

 

His 1970 result was also a class victory

 

Jesper

[ellrosso]

From what I've read over the years, he was seen as more a safe pair of hands in distance races rather than a top shelf sprinter. I've only ever heard of him driving at enduro events or ATTC rounds. Certainly the Leo G pairing is an unusual combo - as Ray says, money could well have been the factor.

He was from Canberra and probably well connected within the motorsport community there I'd imagine.

 

Edited by ellrosso, 31 July 2023 - 04:50.

[lyntonh]

Peter Brown was a regular in the Alfa in Series Production at the three Sydney circuits during 1970 and 1971.

The Warwick Farm result sheets show that he was a reliable finisher in the top ten.

[Lola5000]

From what I've read over the years, he was seen as more a safe pair of hands in distance races rather than a top shelf sprinter. I've only ever heard of him driving at enduro events or ATTC rounds. Certainly the Leo G pairing is an unusual combo - as Ray says, money could well have been the factor.

He was from Canberra and probably well connected within the motorsport community there I'd imagine.

 

interesting GTV2000 the ex Jim Mckeown car., with the improved production flares ,yes he was from Canberra , the 1978  Alfa he raced at the Bathurst 1,000 was the previous years class winning car driven by D.Bell

Edited by Lola5000, 31 July 2023 - 08:32.

[dancemed]

I have confirmed with David Wright from Alfa Australia that I do in fact have the Jim McKeown car. i first bought it in 1984 in Canberra as a sports sedan, with some outrageously modified parts, and claims it was the"Chesterfield car", which is wasn't.  (Vin Sharp has that car.)  I then ran it for several years in AROCA Vic events before selling it in 1988.   It disappeared for nearly 30 years then reappeared a few years ago up for sale. I bought it back and tracked down the history via the chassis no. through the factory. I spoke to Jim McKeown a few years ago and confirmed it was a LHD, red burgundy colour before being sprayed yellow. I am currently restoring the car back to Bathurst 72 spec, with whatever photos that I can find , but would greatly appreciate if anyone has any further details / pics of the car in 72. From what I have found Peter Brown also ran the car in 1974.

 

Edited by dancemed, 26 April 2024 - 11:36.

[Ray Bell]

Among entrants at Warwick Farm...

 

There's a P. Brown from the ACT in the early days raced several meetings in a Wolseley 1500, then a P. Brown in Minis, all of which came to a halt when P. Brown started racing Alfas.

 

Somewhere along the way I'd suggest you'll find one or more of them is Peter Brown from Canberra.

[ellrosso]

Photo from ATTC round at Symmons 1972. They started working on the car as soon as it came off the highway. I was sitting on the pit counter watching them come in to the pits. Poor old Jim, only 2 years before he had won the Syms round in the 911S - terrific drive in the wet and a really big win for him at the time.

[Ray Bell]

A lovely shot, Lindsay...

 

The boys who'd stop at nothing to get the car ready to race.

 

And the poor rental (or borrowed? It has Tassie plates) Renault 16 pressed into service as a tow car.

[Lola5000]

I have confirmed with David Wright from Alfa Australia that I do in fact have the Jim McKeown car. i first bought it in 1984 in Canberra as a sports sedan, with some outrageously modified parts, and claims it was the"Chesterfield car", which is wasn't.  (Vin Sharp has that car.)  I then ran it for several years in AROCA Vic events before selling it in 1988.   It disappeared for nearly 30 years then reappeared a few years ago up for sale. I bought it back and tracked down the history via the chassis no. through the factory. I spoke to Jim McKeown a few years ago and confirmed it was a LHD, red burgundy colour before being sprayed yellow. I am currently restoring the car back to Bathurst 72 spec, with whatever photos that I can find , but would greatly appreciate if anyone has any further details / pics of the car in 72. From what I have found Peter Brown also ran the car in 1974.

Fantastic ,what years did you run it in AROCA events ?

[cooper997]

I have confirmed with David Wright from Alfa Australia that I do in fact have the Jim McKeown car. i first bought it in 1984 in Canberra as a sports sedan, with some outrageously modified parts, and claims it was the"Chesterfield car", which is wasn't.  (Vin Sharp has that car.)  I then ran it for several years in AROCA Vic events before selling it in 1988.   It disappeared for nearly 30 years then reappeared a few years ago up for sale. I bought it back and tracked down the history via the chassis no. through the factory. I spoke to Jim McKeown a few years ago and confirmed it was a LHD, red burgundy colour before being sprayed yellow. I am currently restoring the car back to Bathurst 72 spec, with whatever photos that I can find , but would greatly appreciate if anyone has any further details / pics of the car in 72. From what I have found Peter Brown also ran the car in 1974.

 

This 16/4/72 Sandown ATCC race start photo appears in the 1973 Australian Motoring Yearbook.

 

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

April 1972 Sandown ATCC / Gold Star programme's Shell full page advert.

 

 

 

Stephen

[ellrosso]

Interesting how far up the grid Peter Woodward is in his LC Torana XU-1 (went very well in the 6 cyl series at Calder back then). In colour it was white with green/yellow stripes.

[Ray Bell]

There was actually over five seconds between his practice time and Beechey's...

 

Hibbard, who the photo shows has stalled on the grid, had a third-row position 3.7 seconds ahead of Woodward, so some big gaps there.

 

McKeown was struggling, I think you'd have to say, and is caught up in the group having to drive around the stationary Hibbard Falcon.

[Lola5000]

Clive Green in the '67 Mustang ?

[Ray Bell]

Yes, Clive Green is in the mix...

 

Unfortunately, as there was a Gold Star event on the same day, RCN didn't provide a grid lineup for this secondary event, and a picture caption actually throws a spanner in the works by saying that Kingsley Hibbard was flying through the field on the first lap after starting from the rear of the grid. The text says he was on the third row.

[TerryS]

This 16/4/72 Sandown ATCC race start photo appears in the 1973 Australian Motoring Yearbook.

 

 

 

Stephen

 

Interesting to see what looks like a Holden EH on third back row. in post 75

Edited by TerryS, 30 April 2024 - 00:29.

[Ray Bell]

Norm Gown, Terry...

 

In the report it mentions that he slid wide into Phil Brock's Charger just before the Dunlop bridge putting both out and making a total wreck of the EH. There's a photo of this carnage in the RCN report in the background of a shot of Beechey heading under the bridge.

[ellrosso]

Another shot from the 1972 ATCC round at Symmons Plains. They were in such a rush they didn't check whether it had a laminated 'screen. He didn't get much joy at all out of the Alfa saga.

[Lee Nicolle]

Interesting to see what looks like a Holden EH on third back row. in post 75

Garry Rogers?

[Ray Bell]

Check my previous post, Lee...

 

Norm Gown.

[ellrosso]

Another shot from ATCC round at Symmons 1972. You can see Jim's Alfa just behind the Ramsey HQ Kingswood Repco and Bob Holden's Escort T/C.

[Paul Newby]

I have confirmed with David Wright from Alfa Australia that I do in fact have the Jim McKeown car. i first bought it in 1984 in Canberra as a sports sedan, with some outrageously modified parts, and claims it was the"Chesterfield car", which is wasn't.  (Vin Sharp has that car.)  I then ran it for several years in AROCA Vic events before selling it in 1988.   It disappeared for nearly 30 years then reappeared a few years ago up for sale. I bought it back and tracked down the history via the chassis no. through the factory. I spoke to Jim McKeown a few years ago and confirmed it was a LHD, red burgundy colour before being sprayed yellow. I am currently restoring the car back to Bathurst 72 spec, with whatever photos that I can find , but would greatly appreciate if anyone has any further details / pics of the car in 72. From what I have found Peter Brown also ran the car in 1974.

 

There is a lot of confusion when it comes to the Alfa Romeo 2000 GTVs that raced in the 1972 ATCC. There were actually two LHD 2000 GTVs.

 

The Jim McKeown LHD 2000 GTV was originally painted burgundy (Amaranto) with what appears to be a dark (black) interior. Because the Australian delivered (RHD) 2000 GTVs weren’t released until August 72, Alfa Romeo Australia sourced McKeown’s car from New Caledonia.

 

McKeown raced the GTV in the first and third ATCC rounds (Symmons Plains and Bathurst) in the burgundy colours and for Sandown (the next round) it was painted Shell yellow. Its final ATCC race was at Adelaide, where despite finishing second in the six lap heat, he had another DNF in the main race.

 

I interviewed Jim McKeown in 2018 and he told me that after Adelaide (where he also raced his Porsche 911S) he had enough of the GTV and handed it back to Alfa Romeo Australia.

 

Peter Brown imported his own LHD 2000 GTV in 1972 and this was also painted in Shell colours. This car had a light (beige) interior. He raced it at four rounds of the 1972 ATCC – Bathurst, Sandown, Adelaide and Surfers Paradise.

 

I know nothing about this car and have never interviewed Peter Brown, who I understands lives in Sydney. He still had the GTV as late as 1974 when it was involved in a multi car collision at Amaroo with a trio of Escorts and Torana in March (there is a photo on Autopics.) He also raced the LHD GTV at Bathurst ‘74 with Tubby Ritter and then into 1975. (In ‘73 he drove with Ray Gulson in his car at Bathurst and in the ’78 race he was with Ritter in a RHD GTV.)

 

I have my doubts that Brown bought the McKeown GTV, especially when he had his own car, but anything is possible.

 

As an aside, Gulson and Brown raced a 2000 GTV to 17^th outright at the tragic 1973 Spa 24 Hour race (three drivers were killed during the race.) I’ve never seen a photo of the GTV at Spa and don’t know whose car they used for the race.

[cooper997]

June 1975 Adelaide International Raceway ATCC Addison Motors advert. .

 

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 06 July 2024 - 20:35.

[dancemed]

Following the transfer here of Alfa-related posts from the Jim McKeown thread, some posts have been edited as the removed material is no longer relevant.

I’m happy to say I have the Jim McKeown car which I originally owned it in the early 80’s as a sports sedan, affectionately know as “ the pig” ( fat guards). It was sold mid 80’s. and disappeared for 30 yrs , bought it back in 2012 and started tracking history as it was originally LHD and was rumoured to be the Chesterfield car which Vin Sharp actually has. We tracked the chassis number back to Alfa and found a shipping history which David Wright has confirmed and stated it’s the McKeown car. I spoke to Jim several years ago and he so wished he could have had the “special bits” from autodelta. The car was unknown to Alfa Australia initially as it went to New Caledonia first then I believe Shelll bought the car back here for McKeown. Alfa Australia first knew of its existence when Jim asked for parts, David has kept & given me copies of those letters. It’s currently being restored back to LHD & Bathurst 72 spec in Shell livery. Big job, but worth it as it was the first GTV 2000 in Australia and the first to race Bathurst.

[dancemed]

Fantastic ,what years did you run it in AROCA events ?

We ran it around 1984- 1986 in AROCA Vic sprints, Calder, winton, Sandown etc it was quick, lightweight, short gearing and 13 inch wheels.

[MarkBisset]

 

Tim Schenken rounds Murrays in the Alfa Oz 2-litre GTV he shared with Paul Bernsconi in the 1975 Bathurst 1000.

 

They were ahead after a great 2-litre class battle with 10 laps to run when the car tripped on Tim after a high speed tyre failure at McPhillamy. It was well and truly Daffied, ever re-shelled??

 

Ian Smith has been prolific on Bob Williamson's FB page since Xmas, bless him. 

Edited by MarkBisset, 05 March 2025 - 02:58.

[Lee Nicolle]

I always thought that was a Fiat...

 

Shows how wrong you can be.

Them as well.

[Lee Nicolle]

I’m happy to say I have the Jim McKeown car which I originally owned it in the early 80’s as a sports sedan, affectionately know as “ the pig” ( fat guards). It was sold mid 80’s. and disappeared for 30 yrs , bought it back in 2012 and started tracking history as it was originally LHD and was rumoured to be the Chesterfield car which Vin Sharp actually has. We tracked the chassis number back to Alfa and found a shipping history which David Wright has confirmed and stated it’s the McKeown car. I spoke to Jim several years ago and he so wished he could have had the “special bits” from autodelta. The car was unknown to Alfa Australia initially as it went to New Caledonia first then I believe Shelll bought the car back here for McKeown. Alfa Australia first knew of its existence when Jim asked for parts, David has kept & given me copies of those letters. It’s currently being restored back to LHD & Bathurst 72 spec in Shell livery. Big job, but worth it as it was the first GTV 2000 in Australia and the first to race Bathurst.

Sounds like the job Des Wall did on the Jane HQ Monaro. Huge job.

When I sold my Sports Sedan, started as a genuine XU1 I has every dreamer and shonk wanting to buy it. The pics showed how modified it was but dream on,, or use the plates on another car. The roof stucture and basic shell was original and unmodified, the A&B pilars and the sill panels and renmants of the floor was it.