The Ford-powered Bugatti 'Day Special'. First pic at Phillip Island by Edward Trevithic; second pic (presumably at a Melbourne workshop; maybe I posted it before?) taken by George Thomas; both from State Library of Victoria
Two Hudson/Terraplane specials at Phillip Island - photos by Edward Trevithic; State Library of Victoria
I haven't seen any other photos of this car. The burnt trees could be from bad fires in Victoria in 1939. Photo by Edward Trevithic, but not taken at Phillip Island. State Library of Victoria
A lady I knew bought one of those for her husband as a surprise. The surprise was on her. He couldn't fit in it.
'Arthur Rizzo driving his Rizzo Riley in a Rob Roy Hill Climb' - photo by F.H. Hince; State Library of Victoria
Closer look and it has a cut-down and chromed 1932 Ford grille shell . The 8 chrome acorn nuts and Ford V8 badge are more obvious. If the original owner/builder sold the original Bugatti grille/radiator that would have easily covered the costs of the Ford V8 conversion and tires and body work and hotel costs on a race weekend and fuel and keep on going with any other costs you can think of .
Got back not long ago from the State Library of Victoria ... Sellick's Beach, S.A. - Outstanding performer at the recent Sellick's Beach meeting was Harry Neale, driving Eldred Norman's 16-cylinder special, "The Double V8 Ford"
Advert from Australian Motor Sports magazine, Feb. 15, 1949; great-looking car, nothing like the contemporary big Lancia sedans. (State Library of Victoria)
A fair while ago I posted this first pic, of a 'Mathews Special' being driven by Reg Mathews at a Rob Roy hill climb in 1946. (George Thomas pic; State Library of Victoria) The advertisement, from Australian Motor Sports magazine Sept. 1949, tells us that it was Riley-based. (SLV)
I found a few historic photos around that adress in La Trobe street. Quite a few garages and workshops then, even a electro-plater/chrome workshop. Most notable is the Coop's Shot Tower. All demolished now except for the Shot Tower which is under the giant glass cone and surrounded by restaurants/shops and towers. Thats progress. First and second photo Shot Tower surrounded by all sorts of industrial business.
I have posted these two photos before: 'N. Andrews driving a Stewand ' [Rob Roy hill climb 1947; George Thomas photo] and 'Tom Hawkes driving a Stewand at Fisherman's Bend.' [Oct 1949; JP Read photo] In June 1949 the Stewand was for sale in Australian Motor Sports magazine. (I am guessing there was only one Stewand.) Pics and advert from State Library of Victoria
A couple of adverts for hill climb events, both of them not too far north-east from Melbourne. The 'CUP DAY' in the Rob Roy advert refers to the Melbourne Cup horse race, the 'biggest' horse race in Oz, always held on the first Tuesday in November. It's a holiday in Melbourne. (Australian Motor Sports magazine courtesy of State Library of Victoria)
I heard of this Ford 10 Special only recently. Built by Jack Nelson in Western Australia, it was powered by an 1172cc Ford four cylinder side valve and was fairly successful in racing. In recent years its remains were discovered and it has been rebuilt. First pic is from a 1949 WA race, where Nelson came first in a 6-lap Open Handicap and second in the main event. (Australian Motor Sports; State Library of Victoria) Second pic would also have been a WA race. Second last pic is of a 1936 Ford Model CX coupe; going by the wheels, the Nelson Special looks to have been based on either a 1936 Model CX or a 1935 Model C but the cut-down grille is from a 1937-38 Ford 7W, which replaced the 1936 Model CX. Last pic is of a very similar looking British Ford 10 special.
I noticed the hill climb was to be held on "Mr. H. Ford's property". I wonder if that is THE Mr. H. Ford?
It is, also a tube axle with big Ford brakes. Highly unlikely about the Mr H. Ford being " The H. Ford."
Look like Bleriot PHI headlights where the bulb is in the 3 pointed star shining backwards into the reflector. Thats Louis Bleriot the Aviator/inventor
The three-hole grille was first used on the UK/Oz etc 1937-38 7W (10hp, 1172cc). It was also used on the US Anglia. The UK/Oz etc Anglia used the two-hole grille. Maybe the two-hole grille was also used on the US Anglia. Anglia Obsolete has some good info on these grilles. http://www.angliaobsolete.com/page1.html
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