This is how Kiwi's have fun in their Jalopies... Check it out here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqburJa6iqM&feature=player_embedded and HERE.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tzF...ift.co.nz/videos.html&feature=player_embedded And HERE!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLuu...ift.co.nz/videos.html&feature=player_embedded
The rods in Auckland in the 60's Were raced on the dirt frequently at places like the Wiri Metal pit and Puke. Robbie Campbell was champion of the cause and I even raced against him at meremere when gave the 'project T' a go. i was on the fence watching him in one race when the disc rotor on a 38 chev coupe came off and nearly sconned him on the head...
Unfortunately i don't they got stolen in 2000... But if you look at the NZHRM back issues of the early 70's we can be seen having a ball as they used to do a monthly write up of the goings on . Before then it was held out by Pukekohe. It was run By Pukekohe Hot Rod club for years. One the guys in Papakura hot rod club bought a 34 Chev Coupe body which had been a dirt track racer in the hands of Rama hari.It still had the numbers and stripes on it while he was putting it together I do have how ever one picture I took in 1964 of the races at Wiri Metal pit with an A roadster driven by Gail Prasts husband and was the same one I later raced against when it was hemi powered and owned and driven by Keith Vasey. I am sure the old girl still lives. I need to dig it out from where it is . You gotta remember that NZ's only drag strip in those days was also Dirt....
My copies of NZHRM of the 70's are a bit thin on the ground....hell I couldn't even read back then, and all the old man had around to read was Boating magazines anyway!
I spend A lot time on the TNF where I read about my favorite racing days. there are some good pics there of Kiwis' hill climbing back in the day.Here is a Picture of a coupe I owned at one time getting it's arse flogged in a hill climb in the 1960's. Kiwi Kev on here can attest to the cars capability on the dirt and the mad prick driving it... And this is Red Dawson in a 39 Deluxe with Corvette SBC power. Go here for some sidevalve dirt action porn !. http://forums.autosport.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=107957&perpage=40&display=&pagenumber=1
Roger Lister late 1960's ,in a 37 Chev coupe competeing is a Hill climb,Chamberlain Road ,south of Auckland.
Another Chev (1938 ) on Chamberlain road hill climb.Believed to be George Bunce. Heres a famous one,Garth Sounness in his Duece coupe. A few interested on lookers checking out a coupes engine. And i just noticed it has A ford Wide five diff....
I remember Rod Sylvester racing a Ruapuna Ch Ch back in the 70s. I cant remember the year of the car, it was Chev coupe and I think it had a 327 it used to hammer, my Mum used to take me to the track while Dad played golf, God bless her, she got me hooked my for life. Cheers from a Kiwi living in Australia.
His son Runs the buisiness and has built a replica of the coupe ,originally it was raced with a multi carbed GMC then a series of SBC's.
How about this shot of Western Springs featuring an old mate Colin Lumsdens Corvette powered Desoto and Garth Souness Duece coupe .Yes the Desoto had Dual Rear Wheels and Jag Front Wires...
Ron had a string of these coupes and I've always thought the present car is a seasoned SBC powered road racer Ron bought from up north in the 60s, possibly to replace one he totaled at Ruapuna in 67. There was a big picture of it in Classic Driver being campaigned by it's former owner (whose name I can't recall) at Puke looking very stock along with another SBC 38.
The Jalopy Journal
