Peter Thomson – 1911 LMC Touring 3.5 HP

Peter was born into a motorcycling family, motorcycling was in his blood, so it was no suprise when he got my first bike at age 12. It was a 1934 1200cc Harley-Davidson, no doubt the reason he has a passion for Harleys to this day. Owner of the Thomson Motorcycle Museum, a world renowned collection of about 300 bikes and associated memorabilia, initially started by his father, Andrew Thomson, who began collecting veteran and vintage motorcycles in 1946. My passion is now researching and recording New Zealand motorcycling history to preserve the stories for future generations.

1911 LMC Touring 3.5 HP – LMC stands for “LLoyd Motor Company” a business that was established in 1907 by the owner Mr W.J. Lloyd who had been involved in the motor/motorcyle industry right from the start in the late 1800’s. This motorcycle is an unrestored 2 owner 500c.c. machine and is fitted with LMC’s patented “Auto-varia” two speed gear. Purchased from the original owner in Napier during the early 1950’s this motorcycle is now an exhibit in the Thomson Motorcycle Museum.

Dave Thompson – 1970 Ford XY GT Falcon

Dave has been competing since the mid 70’s, mainly in rally at state, national and international events. He is the two-time Australian Rally Champion, winning the 2002 P4 2WD championship and the 2002 Australian Class championship. Now he enjoys competing in the Classic class of rallying in his Xy GT Falcon.

1970 Ford XY GT Falcon – The XY GT was built by Australian Rally Legend Barry Lowe. Barry Lowe competed in the State and Australian Rally Championships with the vehicle until the 1990. It won the State Championship the first year it competed, winning outright its first State Championship evert. It was then sold to Mark Taylor (husband of Toyota Rally team member Coral Taylor). Mark competed from 1991 to 1994 winning the P4 class Australian Rally Championship. It then went to an owner in Queensland that used it in Targa Tasmania. It was then sold to a wrecking yard in Perth, it was then bought back by Mark Taylor in 2004. Mark then sold it to me and a full restoration was undertaken to bring the car to its former glory.

David Thompson Sr. – 1968 Ford Escort Twin Cam

David Thompson, 63 retired, club racing in 1970s did 1 year Shell Sport. In 1997 he did Targa with his son, then they got back into racing on a regular basis, many events at Pukekohe, Taupo and Manfield. Racing in classic saloons and now he races historic saloon class.

1968 Ford Escort Twin Cam – This car was built by Jim & Ross Stone to contest under 1300cc class in the Bank of New South Wales championship, with a special 1300cc twin cam, built and developed by Jim. Then it was owned by Roy Harrington, raced in the under 2 litre Shell Sport championsip, with a 1598cc Brian Hart twin cam. It won 1982 & 83 under 2 litre championship. The car sat from 1984 until David purchased it in 2004 from Roy Harrington.The car has had a full rebuild using as many original component as possible. Only major items changed are the roll cage, seat and dry sump tank. The car now races in under 3 litre historic saloons.

Clive Thornton – 2010 Desert Dynamics Chev Class 1

Clive has been involved in offroad racing on and off over the last 30 years but really renewed his interest when his son Max became involved as his co-driver in 2004. Over those years they built 3 cars together and raced them with the progression of him share driving this car at the Taupo 1000 in 2011 with his Son in Law Sam now in the co-drivers seat. This is truelly a family affair with his wife, Mary, daughter Stacey and now my his Grandson Tanner being hugely involved with the many race meetings. Clive has won the Taupo 1000 in 2009, the Woodhill 100 in 2008 and a 2nd and 3rd Place in The Woodhill 100 2012 & 2010.

2010 Desert Dynamics Chev Class 1 – American built Desert Dynamics 2 seater Class 1 Offroad Racecar imported from the USA in 2010 as rolling chassis installed Danzio built 6 Litre 383cu.in. Chev LS6 (450hp) and new Albins 5 speed sequential gearbox. 
Runs 24inch of front suspension travel and 22inch rear. The top speed is 210kph.

Conrad Timms – 1992 BMW E30 M3

Conrad has been in motorsports for 20 years as a mechanic, engineer and a weekend warrior.

1992 BMW E30 M3 – BMW works 1992 DTM car.

Neil Tolich – 1970 Ford Capri V8

Neil was born in Te Awamutu in 1951. He has raced and rallied in Club events since he was 15 ( Valiant and Morris 1100) and competed regularly for 30 years in my Jag 3.8 and Porsche 356s. Over the past 10 years he has been competing in NZ and Europe in many varied events and race in all sorts of cars including my UK based Kiwi mates Ferrari 275GTB/c, Porsche Carrera Abarth and 2.7RS, BRM F1 car, Alfa GTA and TZ1 on many of Europe great circuits and rallies. In 2009 he took his own Kiwi ‘Fleetwood’ Mustang to Europe and raced it for a year, including winning the Spa 6 Hour Touring car race. In NZ he raced the Mustang, the Jocko FJ, Porsche 356 Speedster, and his beloved Ford Capri V8 Perana Targa and track car. The Capri is a standout car, winning many Targa Classic and circuit events. He is retired and lives in Auckland with Irena, and Lenny the mini Schnuazer. He has two grown up kids Ben and Hannah, and granddaughter Mila.

1970 Ford Capri V8 – The Ford Capri Perana V8 was made in South Africa from 1970 to 1973. The manufacturer, Basil Green, produced over 500 cars fitted with the 5 litre Mustang Windsor V8 which replaced the English V6 3 litre. The cars dominated South African saloon car racing and were formidable road cars being lighter and more powereful the the Mustang. In 2002, Neil Tolich asked Mal Clark at ByGone Autos in Auckland to build him a Targa rally car. The basis was a tired V6 Capri which was transformed into an orange ‘Perana’ V8. From its first outing 10 years ago it has been a winner with many Targa Classic wins, and has been placed as high as second overall in front of WRXs, Evos, GT3s and many other modern and classic Targa cars. It is also effective on the race track despite its higher and softer rally setup. The car is road registered and is a delight to drive hard and fast with 450hp.

Roger Townshend – 1972 Ford Cologne Capri

Roger started competing in a standard MK 1 Escort ( on crosply tyres) in South island shingle hillclimbs and Autocrosses. He watched many early rallies including early 70s Heatway international events in the South Island and became hooked on rallying. Navigated for a while and then he started rallying Datsun 1200s in the 1979 Westland rally where he won several mainland 0 to 1300cc championships in 3 differant 1200s. Upgraded to ex Paul Adams RS1800 BDA Escort in 86 and won mailand rally chanpionship overall. Continued to rally and race this car in many varied events including 3 memorable Wellinton street race sports and GT events (winning 2 of them). Went circuit racing in early 90s where he started the Mazda RX7 class which still survives to this day. Competed in the 1990 Nissan mobile race at wellington in a Corolla, 3 Targas in the Escort with 3 consecutive top ten places only spoilt by a big accident as a result of a compnent failure on the very last stage after 6 days while in 5th overall. Competed in an ex BTCC Honda Accord and Nissan Primera in the 99 Australian super tourer championship. Bathurst 24 hour in a BMW and Yellow pages 500 in NZV8s 2nd overall. Still have the Escort and continue to rally and race it. Along with the ex works Cologne Capri, and Trevor Crowes origional flathead V8 powered MGj2 special shared with my brother Geoff.

1972 Ford Cologne Capri – Built early 72 by the Ford works competition department as one of 3 chassis to compete against BMW Alfa Romeo and others in the European Touring Car championship. 330hp injected dry sumped V6, ZF gearbox, lots of Magnesium, Fibreglass and Perspex so only weighs 956kg. A very succesful car in Europe, the team cars won 16 out of the 17 qualifying rounds in 72 including a class win at Lemans 24 hour and this car won the Spa 24 hour race in 1972 (Hans Stuck/Jochen Mass) Drivers during the year also included Jackie Stewart, Gerry Birrel, Dieter Glemser. Purchased in 93 in totally origional as raced in 72 condition and restored by the owner early 2000. The ex Paul Fahey 73 ex works Cologne capri that we have owned for 26 years is well underway and will appear as it ran in the European Touring car championship and the NZ saloon car championship (winning in 1975).

Scott Tristram – 2009 Fraser Clubman S

Fraser Cars has been handcrafting sports cars for 25 years. After years working as a chassis builder for the business, Scott Tristram bought Fraser Cars with his wife, Ida, in 2006. It’s an exciting business with an amazing heritage built on true craftsmanship. We have brilliant craftsmen in New Zealand, as well as the great Kiwi ‘can-do’ attitude. This means we can keep the quality but still think creatively so we can deliver what people really want to drive. Scott actively competes in hill climbs, rallies, motorkhana and track events.

2009 Fraser Clubman S – For a modern sports car with plenty of grunt for the racetrack, the Fraser Clubman S is hard to beat. DMOFSR was built as a demonstrator for Fraser Cars in 2009. This Fraser Clubman S is powered by a Toyota 20V 4AGE.

Shane Van Gisbergen – 1999 Ford Falcon GT

Shane Van Gisbergen was born to race. From pestering his Dad Robert to buy him a Suzuki ATV at the tender age of five, to signing – at just 17 years of age – a contract to race V8 Supercars for top Ford team Stone Brothers Racing, the constant in his life has been competition. Raised on the rural fringe of New Zealand’s largest city Auckland, Shane spent his formative years racing ATVs on natural terrain Motocross tracks and a Quarter Midget on speedway ovals before a brief but typically successful dalliance with karts and a year in the Formula First class courtesy New Zealand’s SpeedSport magazine Scholarship programme saw his focus turn to tarmac. Since then he has been on a fast track to major league Australasian success, winning the New Zealand Formula Ford championship in 2006 and finishing a close second to teammate Daniel Gaunt in the Toyota Racing Series in 2007. Later the same year he signed a long-term driver contract with Stone Brothers Racing, making the V8 Supercar championship debut he has always dreamed about at the Oran Park round in August.

2002 Ford Falcon GT – 1999 ex Dean Perkins V8 Touring Car. Full aluminium Ford V8 Windsor. 456 cube and 780hp. 680 foot pound. Dart alloy bloke, D3 Nascar Heads, 4 speed gearbox, 9″ diff. Currently set up as Drift Car.

Richard “Dickie” Waterer – 1963 Greeves Silverstone RAS 250

Dickie was born in Coventry, England in 1942 and emigrated to New Zealand 1955. He started motorcycling in 1957 and formed an interest in road racing, joining the Auckland Motorcycle Club in 1960 and taking part in local events. He went to UK in 1963 and purchased Greeves RAS and entered several events in England before competing in 1964 Manx Grand Prix in Isle of Man, finishing 19th in the Lightweight Manx Grand Prix. Dickie returned to NZ with Greeves and campaigned in NZ for 4 years with this machine. He then Imported a 1968 Greeves RES to NZ in that year, racing that around the country before switching to Yamaha 350 TD2 in 1971 and winning New Zealand TT at Pukekohe. He owned and raced 3 other Yamaha machines before retiring in 1974. Dickie started racing again in 1997 in Post Classic Racing with a 1977 Yamaha TZ 350 D machine which he had restored from bits and currently has a 1979 Yamaha TZ350 F model which is raced at three or four meetings per season.

1963 Greeves Silverstone RAS 250 – Purchased in England in 1963 by Dickie Waterer. Raced at Oulton Park, Snetterton, Silverstone and Ilse of Man. Imported into NZ by Dickie in 1964 and raced succesfully in most North Island road races. Sold in 1968 to make way for a new model. 250cc single cylinder two stroke. Based on production Villiers engine with Greeves designed crankshaft, cylinder barrel, head, piston and expansion exhaust. Four speed gearbox with close ratio gears. Greeves designed and built frame, Girling shocks and single leading shoe brakes front and rear. 18 inch alloy rims, shod originally with Dunlop racing tyres. 

Donn White – 1971 Austin Mini Clubman GT

Donn White has a first hand involvement in motoring and motorsport that goes back 45 years. He started racing when he turned 18 and has worn a number of motorsport ‘hats’ over the years. He co ordinated events for sports cars on a ational level in the 1970’s and then went on to be an enthusiastic promoter of events for classic cars when events were first staged for them in the 1980’s. One of Donn’s initial race category concepts has since morphed into the Leisure Time Series for classic cars and is still hotly contested by dozens of competitors. Donn also worked as a free lance motorsport photographer and journalist on both sides of the Tasman for nearly 20 years. A self confessed accumulator of many things motorsport Donn’s fettling over the years has also resulted in his work receiving a number of awards. Donn won the Pomeroy Trophy at the International VCC meeting at Manfeild in 2012. He presently heads the Tauranga Mini Owners’ Club that last year helped host the Mini Nationals with a good smattering of international entrants.

1971 Austin Mini Clubman GT – There are only 41 documented examples left known on both sides of the Tasman. Donn purchased this car new in June 1973 and raced it over the 1973/74 season before selling it. One of the 17 owners after that was Heather Spurle who used this Mini as her first competition car. Spurle is still the holder of the NZ Waterspeed record and was awarded a MBE for her motorsport involvement. Donn purchased this rare Mini back in 1990 as a ‘basket case’ and after a big restoration job has made a number of appearances at Classic and Historic meetings. The car has been restored back to road trim similar to how it was campaigned by White and Spurle in the 1970’s.

Ray Williams – 2012 HyperCars NZ DSN390GT

Ray was nicknamed ‘Racing Ray’ by his 4 brothers when I passed the ‘100 race win total’. The total now stands at more than 300 victories, over 40 years of competing. He is still active in Classic and Endurance Racing and Driver Training.

2012 HyperCars NZ DSN390GT – The DSN390GT is the handcrafted work of Neil Gray, the vehicle has been in development for the past 7years. Powered by the very successful NZ-made Synergy V8 the DSN is a very high performance lightweight car. In the late 2012 they began testing the GT with drivers Jason Liefting and Ray Williams. Feedback to date has been very positive. In 2013 they will put the car into selected competition and fine tune for small scale production late in 2013.

Rob Williams – 1939 Ford Coupe

Rob started motor racing in a Ford Y in l957. He was a member of the Northern Sports Car Club, and took part in gymkhanas and grass track racing. Rob was apprenticed to RJ Bainbridge Panelbeaters at the time. Two years into his training, he bought a l939 Ford V8 Coupe Deluxe after watching Ted Thompson of Kumeu racing his 39 Ford Coupe at Ardmore in a support race to the NZIGP. 
Rob started his own panelshop in l960 and in between jobs restored and customized some bodywork of his Coupe. He’s had a tremendous lot of fun taking part in rallies, circuit and grass track events, sealed hillclimbs, rallycross, sprints and mudplugs. Currently he is a member of the Historic Racing and Sports Car Club, running his l959 front engine Elva Formula Junior at all the circuits in New Zealand, also the Wellington Street Race in l994 and the odd hillclimb round the country. Speedway has been a great love. With a mate, Rob built a Dodge powered midget car and raced it at Western Springs. He was also part of the pit crew for Ian Holden in his V8 60, No. 76. Later on he owned a Jeep powered midget, No. 44 ex Barry Hanlon, and ran it with the Vintage Speedway Club at Rosebank Road, Avondale. Rob also owned and raced an Arnott Formula 3 car for a few years. It was built in England in l952, ran a JAP500 motor and Norton gearbox. Last year it was sent back to England where more competitive racing is available.

1939 Ford Coupe – Purchased in 1959, and restored by Rob. This Coupe was the Feature Car in the Hot Rod 500th issue magazine in November 2009.

Roger Williams – 1978 Mercedes 450sl

Roger has been racing for 12 years.

1978 Mercedes 450sl – 1985 australian sports sedan championship wining car reaced for many years in Australia and now New Zealand.

Will Williamson & Julie Loveridge – 1955 Triumph T110

After buying the outfit in 1973, Will has raced at every opportunity, at many types of events, including hillclimbs, street and road circuits, speedway, and even raced the bike as a solo. As well as riding, he is also chief mechanic. Julie had her first experience as a passenger in 2007, swinging for Will at Manfeild, and they have raced together ever since, winning the CMRR Classic Sidecar Championship the last four years. In 2008, they fulfilled Will’s dream of racing on the Isle of Man, where they finished 9th in the Pre TT Classic. They carried on to make a 5 month overseas race tour, also taking in circuits in England, Wales, Scotland, Belgium France and the Netherlands.

1955 Triumph T110 – The bike left the Triumph factory in 1955 as a Tiger 110. Brought to New Zealand by an emigrating English doctor, it was sold in the early 1960’s to Shorty De Malmanche of Pahiatua. Shorty added the sidecar, and with passenger Gary Binyon, raced successfully at circuits all over New Zealand, until they won the National Sidecar title in 1972. This is the last stock-framed, full-sized motorcycle with a sidecar bolted on, (and the last Triumph), to win the NZ Sidecar title. In 1973, El Tigre was sold to its current home in Whanganui, where it has been preserved in its original form, and raced in various branches of motorcycle competition ever since. Depending on what bits are broken, capacity can vary fron 650cc to 780cc, while the gearbox is either a 4- or 5-speed.

Noel Woodford – 1961 Gemini Mk3A Formula Junior

Noel attended his first race meeting in 1954 age 10 (AGP Southport, Queensland). In 1963 he attended the first Bathurst endurance race (Armstrong 500). 1964 was his first competition event in an early model Holden. Later drove GT Cortina and a modified Anglia. Started racing open sports cars in NZ from 1987. Rebuilt and raced successfully a 1964 Lotus Elan. Noel won the NZ Sports Car Championship 2006-7 and again in 2008-9 in his own designed and built car, which won the George Begg Trophy for Best NZ Special. Imported and rebuilt the Gemini Mk3A Formula Jnr, which turned out to be a Works car driven by Mike Parkes. Raced at the McLaren Festival 2011. In 2012, Noel won the Toll Formula Junior Grand Prix, at Levels Circuit, won the re-enactment of 1962 Australian GP at Perth International.

1961 Gemini Mk3A Formula Junior – This car was the third of nine Mk3A’s built by the Chequered Flag organization in London in 1961. It’s first race was at Goodwood in the X111 Chichester Cup 3 April, 1961 driven by Mike Parkes (who later raced F1 for Ferrari). As a team car, it had many races in the UK until 1 October 1961. It was then air freighted to the USA where it was raced at Riverside, California by Ed Leslie. It won at its first appearance on 14 October 1961. It was very successful racing against drivers such as Carroll Shelby, Roger Penske, Jim Hall and Pedro Rodriguez. In 2012, this car competed in the Formula Junior Grand Prix and the Re-enactment of the 1962 Australian GP at Perth International.

Allan Woolf – 1958 Volpini Formula Junior & 1964 Brabham BT9

A motorsport competitor for some 60 years. Firstly competing in the Auckland Car Club hillclimb series at Muriwai driving a 1933 Ford Y, 8 hp. Allan also ran this car in the Indianapolis and Hepolite car trials and gained a second overall finish. This little rocket ran in the Ardmore Grand Prix meeting in 1956 and also at the Ohakea airfield race. Many saloon car races followed eg. the GTX series driving a Holden GTR. In 1972 daughter Sue (later married to Paul Adams) was Allan’s co-driver in the Heatway Rally and the following year son John co-drove in a Ford Capri in the same event. A Triumph Vitesse was built up and this successful car travelled the length of New Zealand, in the later stages driven by John. Allan drove in many long distance races including the Benson & Hedges series with co-drivers Joe Hayes, Bill Beasley, Robbie Booth, Garry Pedersen. He also competed with son-in-law Paul Adams in a Toyota Sprinter in the Wellington Street series, Manfeild, and Pukekohe. Allan has raced the Production class in a Fiat 124 at Baypark and Manfeild and Pukekohe. The successful car of the Halliday Bros a Ford Escort was bought by Allan and with this vehicle he won the NZ Saloon Car Championship in 1975. At one point a new engine was ordered from the U.K. but the powers to be altered the rules and this engine was not eligible. However, with the addition of a smoky glass case it was turned into a fine looking coffee table in the Woolf household lounge. It became a talking point. In 1983, Rod Millen kindly made available an RX7 Mazda for Allan to drive at the Pikes Peak hillclimb event. It was an amazing experience and Allan won the Rooky of the Year in the rally car class which matched the efforts of his late son John in the same class in 1981. Allan returned to the event in 1984 and 1986 driving Rod’s 4wd RX7 cars and the experience provided some great memories. Not getting any wiser with age, in 1989 Allan purchased the Brabham BT9 from the Simpkin Bros in Sydney and so started another era. This car has been run the length of New Zealand and admired by many. The purchase of the Volpini in 2005 was added to the collection.

1958 Volpini Formula Junior – This car is one of just fifteen built. Chassis No’s 006 and 013 were the Volpini works cars, driven by Lorenzo Bandini, who went on to drive in Formula 1 for Ferrari. Bandini won the Italian Formula Junior Championship in 1959 with #013, including fourth place in Monaco. Count Johnny Lurani, the originator of the Formula Junior formula, then purchased the car. It spent the next three years as a ” Hire and Drive” racing car, years that included a spell of ice racing in Sweden. Lurani sold the car to Mr Lombardi in Genoa, northern Italy. His daughter Lella Bombardi, is still the only female Grand Prix driver to ever earn World Championship points. The car languished for a number of years, slowly falling into disrepair, until purchased in the mid- 1980s by Geoff and Barbara Manning. They brought it back to New Zealand where Geoff completely restored the car. It made its debut at the 1989 Ardmore Grand Prix re-union. Since then it has been raced in Historic meetings throughout New Zealand. It has won its class in the Thoroughbred & Classic Car Owners Club (TACCOC) Historic four times since 1990, driven by Geoff. Considering the Volpinis vintage with engine and drum brakes from the 1950s its 88 hp really does it proud. Perhaps the fact that it was designed by the great Gioacchino Columbo, who was responsible for the Alfa Romeo 158, among others, has something to do with the cars wonderfully handling characteristics. Geoff Manning built and raced specials in New Zealand before going to England in 1962. There he worked on historic, sports and racing cars, and for teams in Formula 1 and 2 and Group 6 sports cars, plus hillclimb and sprint cars. He built the awesome Cooper Chrysler with which Jonty Williamson won the 1970 British Sprint Championship. He worked as mechanic for Jaques Lafitte, Graham Hill, Bruce Mclaren, Chris Amon, Frank Williams, Ron Dennis (in Formula 2). He has prepared historic racing cars for Stirling Moss, John Harper, Richard Bond and Robert Cooper. He worked for the Ford competitions department in the 60s under Fords famous designer Len Bailey, and was chief mechanic for Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon in the team that won Le Mans with the GT40 in 1966. He was also involved with the development of the Mk. 1 Escort for racing. In 2004 Geoff and Barbara took the Volpini to Monaco for the Classic Grand Prix and an amazing achievement with Geoffs health failing. In 2005 the Volpini was sold to Allan Woolf and with its classic appearance attracts a lot of attention and great to drive.

1964 Brabham BT9 – Ford 4 cylinder, 1097cc, Hewland gear box. Period History: In May 1964, a party of British drivers left with their Formula junior cars for the Japanese Grand Prix, a 2 heat race round the 6km Suzuka circuit. One of the drivers was Mike Knight and with this car he won the second heat and was the overall winner of the Japanese Grand Prix. The car also ran at Macau . The victorious car returned to the U.K. for the summer racing (the Neinster trophy in Ireland and the Hawthorne trophy in Snetterton) before Bill Knight (Mikes father ) decided to sell it. The influential enthusiasts, Arsenio “Dodjie” Laurel, knew Bill Knight, and having seen the BT9 dominate at Suzuka arranged to purchase the car. The Brabham BT9 would begin a new chapter in Asia and given the “run what you brung” wide open Formula Libre rules that applied in Singapore, Selangor and Macau it was fitted with a larger twin-cam engine and was for a time called the BT10. It continued its successful life, the Brabham became redundant and abandoned in Singapore and later found in the jungle (the story goes) and later with a BT23C was loaded into a container for Sydney, Australia. The BT9 was sold to Gary Simpkin an ex Hawkes Bay boy and he restored it to its original BT9 Formula Junior specs., before selling it in 1992 to Allan Woolf (sight unseen) and has been raced throughout New Zealand and proved to be a very reliable car and a pleasure to drive.

Bevan Wright – 1989 Almac Cobra 427R

Bevan Wright has been a competitor in grass roots level Motorsport for the last 25 years, competing in street sprints, hill climbs and circuit racing. Bevan has had a passion for racing Minis, Escorts and his Cobra replica and enjoys racing and meeting other drivers at any level of the sport.

1989 Almac Cobra 427R – 1989 Shelby Cobra replica built by Graham Berry Race Cars as a purpose built race car in the classic race series. The Cobra has been a front runnner with the Whittakers Tuscan, Stew McCondacks Ferrari, raced against the Lighting Direct Porches and the PDL Mustang at Ohakea Airbase, and at the Wellington Street Race. The Cobra is powered by a 454 Chevrolet LS7, Hillborn Injected and Dry Sumped, running approcimately 650Hp. The bodywork is Kevlar.

Allan Wylie – 1936 Ford V8 Coupe

Allan is a Christchurch mechanic who has had an interest and minor involvement in motor sport ever since sneaking in to watch the Levin motor races at age 10. For the last 27 years he has worked at Auto Restorations in Christchurch, first as foreman mechanic and currently as general manager. His first involvement in motor sport was crewing for, and eventually driving, a TQ midget at Templeton speedway at age 18. Allan raced classic motorcycles for a few years and was a founder member of the BEARS motorcycle racing club. A career highlight was the time he spent helping his friend John Britten build and develop the first Britten motorbikes.

1936 V8 Coupe – Allan bought his 1936 Ford Coupe when he was an apprentice in 1969. It was pretty rough but he had plans to fix it up and modify it by fitting a hot Mercury engine, hydraulic brakes, etc and then enjoy driving it. This was duly accomplished and he’s still enjoying driving it 44 years later. The car has been constantly refined over the years with upgrades to improve performance, comfort and reliability. In the 1990s Allan completely stripped and rebuilt the car and added further refinements such as poweer steering and electronic fuel injection. It still retains beam axles, transverse springs and the same 59A flathead Mercury engine originally installed in 1970. Allan has run it in club level motor sport events from time to time at such venues as Wigram, Ruapuna, Little River, Hawkswood and Ngapara, often in company with his friend Joe Gillman’s 1935 model.