32 replies to this topic

[Bob McKinnon]

My father owned and drove this car in the 1953 Australian Grand Prix at Albert park.He passed away some years ago and I would love to know more about what happened to the car and its whereabouts now.My father purchased the car from Eldred Norman from South Australia not long before he drove it in the AGP.Any information would be much appreciated.

[john medley]

Where are you David McKinney(and others)?

I can recall the NOISE of this car as a boy at Bathurst, and I know a bit of its history -- but nothing like lots of TNF contributors who will, I am sure, pleasantly surprise you with their info.

[raceannouncer2003]

Your father was Ern McKinnon?

Some info here:

http://www.barchetta...l/1542.6.CM.htm

and a photo here:

http://forums.autosp...ght#post2971787

Vince H.

[coco]

Originally posted by Bob McKinnon
My father owned and drove this car in the 1953 Australian Grand Prix at Albert park.He passed away some years ago and I would love to know more about what happened to the car and its whereabouts now.My father purchased the car from Eldred Norman from South Australia not long before he drove it in the AGP.Any information would be much appreciated.

6CM #1542 resides today in a very private Swiss collection.

Ciao!
Walter

[David McKinney]

Taken to Australia by Englishman Colin Murray 1951, then Eldred Norman to 1953, Ern McKinnon 1953. Then Eddie Thomas 1954, possibly for the Seaton brothers, who entered it for Ken Cox the same year. Cox later raced it with Holden engine 1957-59, mainly on Victorian country tracks. Rebuilt by Alf Blight in 1970s and raced by him in Australian historic events (as in the photo above). Through the trade in Europe to Robin Lodge (UK) 1987, René Mauriès (France) 1988-97, when sold at auction. In 1999 one of the German magazines published an article on Bernie Ecclestone’s collection and the 6CM could be seen in one of the accompanying photos.

[Gordon Graham]

Briefly, and drawing entirely on John Blanden's book, after your dad had the car, it went through several owners, including the Seaton brothers and Eddie Thomas, at one stage had a Holden engine fitted, and fell into a general state of disrepair. Then in 1966 Adelaide engineeer Alf Blight bought it from Gavin Sandford-Morgan and spent 10 years restoring it. Somewhere in the 80s the European dealer Rudy Pas acquired it, sold it on, and at the time of the Blanden 2nd edition it was listed as whereabouts unknown.

I've posted this on another thread, but here it is again at Amaroo in the early 80s with Alf Blight, to save you searching.



By gjgraham


and here's another one of Alf Blight at work.


By gjgraham

The second picture showls the signwriting "Scuderia Ambrosiana" I don't know whether the car had a genuine connetion with that team, but there is a Scuderia Ambrosiana threat which might be worth a look.

[Gordon Graham]

I meant thread

[David McKinney]

Franco Cortese was purportedly its first owner, and he was a mainstay of Scuderia Ambrosiana

[Bob McKinnon]

Originally posted by raceannouncer2003
Your father was Ern McKinnon?

Some info here:

http://www.barchetta...l/1542.6.CM.htm

and a photo here:

http://forums.autosp...ght#post2971787

Vince H.

[Bob McKinnon]

His name was Edward David mckinnon and generally known as Ted McKinnon, somehow his name was incorrectly quoted as Ern Mckinnon in various publications published since the 1953 AGP.At the time he was a motor dealer in Melbourne, he was involved in motor sport in Victoria and built a built a quarter mile speedway track at Baxter Park not far from Frankston.
Thank you for your assistance.

[Adam F]

All I can add to the information posted by David (McKinney) is that after being raced by Franco Cortese the car made occasional appearances, both pre and post-war, as a part of Ciro Basadonna's various teams. It was then imported in the UK in 1947 for Gilbey, before passing to the aforementioned Colin Murray.

Good to get the "Ern" McKinnon thing corrected.

Ciao!

[David McKinney]

Yes, thanks for the correction

[coco]

Originally posted by David McKinney
Franco Cortese was purportedly its first owner, and he was a mainstay of Scuderia Ambrosiana

It was also driven by Cortese in South Africa!

Ciao!
Walter

[Bob McKinnon]

Thanks everyone for the posts,it was very interesting.

Bob

[cooper997]

I recently, finally procured the George Abecassis 'A Passion for Speed' and soon noticed there's a decent number of photos from Martin Stubbs collection of his late father's professional photographic efforts, prior to the family move to Victoria, Australia.

 

This, one of them, being the then Sam Gilbey-owned Maserati 6CM at June 1947 Shelsley Walsh. A car that would also make a voyage to Australia

 

Martin Stubbs collection

 

 

Stephen

 

[a_tifoosi]

According to Ferrington/Silva's fantastic "From Voiturettes to Formula 1":

• 18/04/37 Circuito di Torino - Franco Cortese
• 25/04/37 Napoli-Posillipo - Franco Cortese
• 09/05/37 Gran Premio di Tripoli - Franco Cortese
• 30/05/37 AVUSrennen - Franco Cortese
• 13/06/37 Circuito di Firenze - Franco Cortese
• 20/07/37 Circuito di Milano - Franco Cortese
• 15/08/37 Coppa Acerbo - Franco Cortese
• 21/08/37 Preis von Bern - Franco Cortese
• 19/09/37 Coppa Edda Ciano - Franco Cortese
• 16/12/37 Rand Grand Prix - Piero Taruffi
• 01/01/38 South African Grand Prix - Piero Taruffi
• 15/01/38 Grosvenor Grand Prix - Piero Taruffi
• 15/05/38 Gran Premio di Tripoli - Piero Taruffi
• 07/08/38 Coppa Ciano - Giorgio Pelassa
• 11/09/38 Gran Premio di Milano - Giorgio Pelassa
• 18/09/38 Circuito di Modena - Pietro Ghersi
• 30/07/39 Coppa Ciano Junior - Giorgio Pelassa
• 13/08/39 Coppa Acerbo Junior - Dioscoride Lanza
• 12/05/46 Grand Prix de Marseille - Emmanuel de Graffenried
• 19/05/46 Grand Prix du Forez - Marcel Balsa
• 08/05/47 Jersey Road Race - Sam Gilbey
• 15/06/47 Prescott - Sam Gilbey
• 21/06/47 Shelsley Walsh - Sam Gilbey
• 29/04/48 Jersey Road Race - Sam Gilbey
• 04/09/48 Brighton International Speed Trials - Sam Gilbey
• 02/10/48 RAC Grand Prix - Sam Gilbey with Dudley Folland
• 03/09/49 Brighton International Speed Trials - Colin Murray
• 17/09/49 Goodwood Autumn Meeting - Colin Murray
• 10/04/50 Richmond Trophy - Colin Murray
• 15/06/50 British Empire Trophy - Colin Murray
• 26/08/50 International Trophy - Colin Murray
• 05/03/51 Australian Grand Prix - Colin Murray
• 14/04/52 Australian Grand Prix - Eldred Norman
• 21/11/53 Australian Grand Prix - Ern McKinnon

Then several owners entered it for driver Ken Cox from 1954. Cox later raced it with a Holden engine during the period 1957 to 1959.

 

Found in a dilapidated state in the late 1960s, the car was restored over many years and then sold back in Europe, where it has been in Bernie Ecclestone's collection since 1999.

Edited by a_tifoosi, 07 October 2024 - 09:44.

[cooper997]

It's a minor glitch amongst a huge effort but worth mentioning given corrections are being noted on their website. On page 198 / 450 the 'Ern' McKinnon trap befell the authors. Refer earlier in this thread for Edward David McKinnon referenced by his son.

 

 

Stephen

[a_tifoosi]

It's a minor glitch amongst a huge effort but worth mentioning given corrections are being noted on their website. On page 198 / 450 the 'Ern' McKinnon trap befell the authors. Refer earlier in this thread for Edward David McKinnon referenced by his son.

 

Could you share the website or the link? Thanks!

[Myhinpaa]

Could you share the website or the link? Thanks!

 

I assume it's this: https://www.maserati...o.uk/index.html

[Jahn1234567890]

It's a minor glitch amongst a huge effort but worth mentioning given corrections are being noted on their website. On page 198 / 450 the 'Ern' McKinnon trap befell the authors. Refer earlier in this thread for Edward David McKinnon referenced by his son.

 

 

Stephen

 

Thank you for pointing this out. I have added this to the list of corrections / additions and it will be published on the website when we add the latest batch of corrections.

[a_tifoosi]

I assume it's this: https://www.maserati...o.uk/index.html

 

Thank you! I didn't know about this website. I'll print the corrections and keep a copy inside the book.

 

Thank you for pointing this out. I have added this to the list of corrections / additions and it will be published on the website when we add the latest batch of corrections.

 

This is a bit out of topic, but I observe the following under 'Further Research':

 

6CM and 4CL Chapter - 6CM 1565, 4CL 1568 and 4CL 1570

 

Remark

Recent research carried by Adam Ferrington and Kevin Tjeerdsma has shown 4CL 1570 did not return from Argentina to Italy in early 1948 as had been previously thought. As a consequence, two of the Scuderia Milan and Scuderia Automobilistica Spagnola da Corsa cars which appeared in 1948 have now been differently identified. The appearances of 4CL 1568 have been changed to 6CM 1565 and the appearances of 4CL 1570 have been changed to 4CL 1568, as is shown below.

 

p299-300 From 4CL 1568 to 6CM 1565

 

3b. Scuderia Automobilistica Spagnola da Corsa. Milan

1948 Francisco Godia Sales driver. 31-Oct, Gran Premio de Penya Rhin, Barcelona DNF (38).

* Unusually, Godia’s overall result of 6th at Albi in 1948 was achieved driving two different cars in the two heats - 1580 in Heat I and 1565 in Heat II.

 

p305-306 From 4CL 1570 to 4CL 1568

 

2b. Scuderia Automobilistica Spagnola da Corsa, Milan

1948 Francisco Godia-Sales driver. 31-Oct, Gran Premio de Penya Rhin, Barcelona RES (38).

1948 Juan Jover driver. 31-Oct, Gran Premio de Penya Rhin, Barcelona RES (40).

 

As I understand, in the GP Penya Rhin '48:

• Paco Godia drove 1580 in Heat I and 1565 in Heat II
• Paco Godia was also reserve driver for 1568
• Juan Jover was reserve driver for 1568

Is my understanding correct? Thanks!

Edited by a_tifoosi, 08 October 2024 - 09:40.

[Jahn1234567890]

 

As I understand, in the GP Penya Rhin '48:

• Paco Godia drove 1580 in Heat I and 1565 in Heat II
• Paco Godia was also reserve driver for 1568
• Juan Jover was reserve driver for 1568

Is my understanding correct? Thanks!

 

 

For the 1948 Penya Rhin Grand Prix Paco Godia drove 6CM 1565 for the race. Godia and Juan Jover are listed as RES as they drove 4CL 1568 in practice at this events.

 

The note is regarding the 1948 Grand Prix d'Albi where Godia drove 4CL 1580 in Heat I and 6CM 1565 in Heat II. You have not listed the Albi appearance here but the asterix is listed after Godia's overall result for Albi (both in the book and website).

Perhaps a bit confusing, but the note is listed after all results as otherwise the note would be listed inbetween all appearances.

 

Hopefully this clears things up.

[a_tifoosi]

For the 1948 Penya Rhin Grand Prix Paco Godia drove 6CM 1565 for the race. Godia and Juan Jover are listed as RES as they drove 4CL 1568 in practice at this events.

 

The note is regarding the 1948 Grand Prix d'Albi where Godia drove 4CL 1580 in Heat I and 6CM 1565 in Heat II. You have not listed the Albi appearance here but the asterix is listed after Godia's overall result for Albi (both in the book and website).

Perhaps a bit confusing, but the note is listed after all results as otherwise the note would be listed inbetween all appearances.

 

Hopefully this clears things up.

 

Great, many thanks. Indeed, I got confused with the asterisk  .

[cooper997]

Thank you to myhinpaa's posting of the maserati voiturettes link after a_tifoosi's request.

 

 

As can be seen from the post 16 list (from the book) records get a bit lopsided from one side of the equator to the other for 1542. Perhaps as time and inclination permits this can be corrected here on TNF because the car ran in more than Australian GP meetings.

 

As it currently stands I have just two events noted that Ed McKinnon entered the 6CM.

 

The well known is the AGP, less so is an entry for the first Altona meeting. However by the AMS report there's a fairly good chance he didn't run. The following is the data from the respective programmes.

November 21, 1953 (P) Albert Park, Vic 18^th AGP

Event 2 Australian GP – 64 laps Formulae Libre scratch race

9 E D McKinnon                      Maserati 6C s/c 1494 Vic

 

 

Mon, March 8, 1954 (P) VSCC 1^st Altona Car Races.

Doctors – Dr Crooke (later became ex Hunt / Neal Maserati owner), Dr Green

Event 1 Group Scratch Race ‘B’ Racing Cars 8 laps to start 11.30am p7

43 Ed McKinnon (Vic) Maserati 1938 6-cyl SC – probably non-starter based on AMS report of 7 noted starters

Event 4 Victorian Sporting Car Club Purse Formula Libre 8 laps 2pm p19

43 Ed McKinnon (Vic) Maserati 1938 6-cyl SC

 

 

Anit-clockwise AGP related photo taken on Aughtie Drive (I think the section not used in the modern Albert Park).

Bob King collection

 

 

Stephen

 

[Jahn1234567890]

Thank you to myhinpaa's posting of the maserati voiturettes link after a_tifoosi's request.

 

 

As can be seen from the post 16 list (from the book) records get a bit lopsided from one side of the equator to the other for 1542. Perhaps as time and inclination permits this can be corrected here on TNF because the car ran in more than Australian GP meetings.

 

As it currently stands I have just two events noted that Ed McKinnon entered the 6CM.

 

The well known is the AGP, less so is an entry for the first Altona meeting. However by the AMS report there's a fairly good chance he didn't run. The following is the data from the respective programmes.

November 21, 1953 (P) Albert Park, Vic 18^th AGP

Event 2 Australian GP – 64 laps Formulae Libre scratch race

9 E D McKinnon                      Maserati 6C s/c 1494 Vic

 

 

Mon, March 8, 1954 (P) VSCC 1^st Altona Car Races.

Doctors – Dr Crooke (later became ex Hunt / Neal Maserati owner), Dr Green

Event 1 Group Scratch Race ‘B’ Racing Cars 8 laps to start 11.30am p7

43 Ed McKinnon (Vic) Maserati 1938 6-cyl SC – probably non-starter based on AMS report of 7 noted starters

Event 4 Victorian Sporting Car Club Purse Formula Libre 8 laps 2pm p19

43 Ed McKinnon (Vic) Maserati 1938 6-cyl SC

 

 

Anit-clockwise AGP related photo taken on Aughtie Drive (I think the section not used in the modern Albert Park).

 

Bob King collection

 

 

Stephen

 

To explain your first point: Unfortunately when working on such projects decisions have to be made on what to include and what not to. Especially when dealing with the history of well over a 100 cars.

As for appearances in general appearances up to 1955 are listed in the Voiturette Maserati book. At times it was however decided not to list every appearance up to 1955. And there will also be the odd occasion when appearances after 1955 are listed.

So, yes I am aware the Australian appearances of for example 1521 and 1542 are not complete. When I add the next set off corrections to the website I might start a seperate Maserati Voiturettes thread. Perhaps we can list these appearances there.

[MarkBisset]

There are some period newspaper articles at the end of this piece about Eldred Norman's rebuilding/reconstruction/modifications to #1542's engine: https://primotipo.co.../bathurst-1951/

[cooper997]

Borrowed from R & T Publishing (now Chevron) AGP 50 race history book.

 

March 1951 Australian GP, Narrogin, Western Australia and why the chassis (subject of this thread) made it to Australia.

 

Colin Murray a long way from home.

 

 

Stephen

[MarkBisset]

Cheers Stevo,

 

It is a lovely shot.

 

 

Quite why Eldred bought the 6CM is intriguing, mind you everything he did defied the-paradigm didn't it!? Shot above at Bathurst in 1951.

 

 

Quick Google. Of his five AGP appearances his best was fourth place in the Triumph TR2 s/c at Southport in 1954. Equally impressive was eighth at Port Wakefield in'55 in the Zephyr Spl, especially so if you believe it was built in 10 weeks (car above). Chapman would have loved Eldred's concept if not his finish! DNF's for the Double Eight in 1950-51 but he was leading in '51 so why not persevere with the beast? The 6CM was a DNF at Bathurst in '52.

 

 

It looks as tho his fourth was 'the final high placing' achieved by a sportscar in an AGP above.

Not bad for a car which travelled from Hope Valley to Southport and back - 2000km each way - with wifey up and a small trailer attached containing his special fuel brew, spares and Sidchromes...not to forget the Coopers Reds.

Edited by MarkBisset, 06 January 2025 - 05:36.

[cooper997]

A little additional info relating to Mark's post above.

 

The Furness 6CM photo is from the October 1951 Bathurst meeting and the Denniston October 1955 Port Wakefield AGP photo of the Eclipse (Ford dealer) Zephyr special has Tom Hawkes in what had been Jack Brabham's 'Redex Special' next to it. Already modified and on to it's second owner since Jack finished with the car earlier in 1955..

 

 

Stephen

Edited by cooper997, 08 January 2025 - 00:17.

[MarkBisset]

Paul Cummins confirmed the photographers surname is Furness Stephen.

 

Yes re Hawkes, T23 modified but still Bristol engined, and DNF...

 

m

[Ray Bell]

Let's not forget that Eldred also ran the TR2 in the Sports Car race at Southport...

 

That was in unsupercharged form. Between that race and the AGP he hooked up the blower and put in a decompression plate.

[cooper997]

The earliest event I have Eldred running the Maserati listed, is this Wednesday 9/5/51 SCCSA Speed Trials (near) Port Wakefield.

 

Here's part of how AMS recorded things.

 

 

Stephen

[cooper997]

When Sam Gilbey was selling in 1949

 

 

 

Stephen