13 replies to this topic

[Des Piggott]

Hi all, just a very long shot but I'm trying to find photos of the engine bay area of this car when owned by Brian, Bob Minogue or Jim Evans. The restoration is well underway and we have many photos for reference but none from the engine area. Thanks, Des

[cooper997]

Des, have you tried Ian Smith? I don't know if he lurks around TNF, but he's quite prolific with his Facebook postings.

 

I'd be fairly certain Ian would have taken numerous photos during the 1971 period for Auto Action. The car certainly appears on Sambo's Motor Improvements back cover adverts for several issues.

 

 

Stephen

[Des Piggott]

Hi Stephen, Brian put me on to Brendan Jones last year who was fantastic in providing a great range of photos but all are external and our questions relate to engine / trans specifics. Bob Minogue also provided Mike with a number of great photos, but again all are external. I think this is a very long shot but " if you don't ask " !  

 

Cheers,

Des

[cooper997]

Des, It would still be worth chasing up Ian Smith, as the original source of so many photos. You might get lucky with engine photos in his back catalogue.

 

I know it's not what you want, but the car appears in David Hassall's Muscle Man feature in #106 Australian Muscle Car.

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 27 March 2024 - 08:13.

[Des Piggott]

Will do Stephen.

 

Cheers,

Des

[cooper997]

Just posting on the basis I mentioned it in an earlier post.

 

Brian Sampson Motor Improvements advert from 5/5/71 Auto Action #6.

 

 

 

Stephen

[MarkBisset]

Des,

 

Following Stephen’s lead, attached is the only shot I have of Sambo’s 600B Toyota…engine cover firmly in place. You can see where the side engine mount bracket -  using the standard mount on the block perhaps - picks up on the chassis frame.

 

 

(Brian Sampson Collection)

 

The only other shots I have of an MI Toyota 1300 in-situ are in this article about the Cheetah Mk4, attached if for no other reason to show how Brian Shead and Sambo mounted the engine and ancillaries in that particular spaceframe…

 

https://primotipo.co...16/cheetah-mk4/

Edited by MarkBisset, 30 March 2024 - 11:16.

[SJ Lambert]

Looking forward to seeing it break cover Des - it’s a gem of a car!

[Des Piggott]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their help, pretty sure we have the answers we needed to proceed.

 

Cheers,

 

Des

[Ray Bell]

Good to see that you're so serious about restoring a very notable car, Des...

 

It wasn't long before it was overwhelmed by the Cheetahs, but in its day it gave good service to Sambo and Minogue.

 

A good example of a professional job being done to build a car which would be in some ways unique, giving the right balance to make it unbeatable in its class.

[Des Piggott]

Kind words, thanks Ray. You're right about a notable car in many ways, including being log booked from day 1 as the STP Special, and later the Speco Toyota. Jim Evans also has some fond memories of his time with it. Only a matter of time now to see it back on track.

 

Cheers,

Des

[Ray Bell]

Oh yes, I neglected Jim...

 

He went from that car to a Birrana, didn't he?

 

This car began life under the 1100cc class limit, then the class was lifted to 1300cc, I think that was in 1972

[Des Piggott]

Also raced by Richard Steigler who I believe went on to own and race Jim's Birrana. Owned but I don't think raced by Terry Shiel ( according to the logbook ) and then to Alan Banister. The Mark Bissett photo above represents the 1972 1300cc year and that's our target. No good at posting photos these days so I might call on you guys for assistance when we have some progress shots.

 

Cheers,

Des & Mary

[Ray Bell]

By all means, Des...

 

My e.mail address is below, I can put them up for you.

 

But none of the Banister days, thank you.