7 replies to this topic

[A9X34]

 Hi everyone

 I am trying to trace the movements of Garry Rogers first group c a9x hatch to help the current owner fill in some gaps in the owners history.

 

Firstly Mick the current owner has contacted CAMS and given them the chassis no and they have found the original log book application so the all seems fine from that point and I have spoken to a guy named Geoff a GRM employee who was there in the late 70's and sill there. 

  From what I've found in race reports etc. 

  Garry started the 78 season with it and used it until he bought the ex Bob Jane car.

  Jane car used from 78 Sandown Hang Ten until heavily damaged at Amaroo July 79

  Reverted to the first car for 3 rounds; Adelaide late July 79; Amaroo August 79; Sandown Hang Ten Sept 79.

  Entered and practiced Bathurst 79 did not start. (my car was raced)

 

When sold late 79 or early 80 Geoff remembers transporting the car up near the NSW/Vic boarder from there the new owner from NSW drove it home (so likely had Vic rego)

 We don't know what town/city it went to or if it was still in it's last race colours but the engine bay was red or tangerine as that was the original colour.

 From what I have been able to find out a lot of the race gear was still in it e.g. Lockheed calipers, Detroit locker, super t10. During the drive home the car had engine trouble and Geoff remembers Garry helping the owner with parts or money to fix the engine.

 The car ended up back in Vic it was all red and sat for a few years partly disassembled in a panel shop. After the owner passed away Mick bought it off the family and the resto is well under way.

 

 So does anyone in NSW remember someone in their town/suburb with an old torana race car.

 

Sorry I don't have more to go on but Geoff doesn't remember the guys name or where he was from after all it was 40 years ago. If I find out any more info I'll let you know.

 

The car is being restored to the 1978 paint scheme.

 

Thanks

  Mark

  

 

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•  8445_N_Rogers_78-lo.jpg   102.85K   3 downloads
•  8448_N_Rogers_78-lo.jpg   89.91K   4 downloads

[Talking Toranas]

That 78 paint scheme looks the bomb. Good choice

[REDA9X]

All I really know about this car is it was one of the first batch, a special order as it wasn't white like most of them. The only ex group C A9X in red I know of that was in Sydney at any stage wasn't this car, last I heard this one was up in QLD as a guy approached me a few years ago about it.

That first shot is interesting, are you sure it's from 79? It's from sandown, and it's got abig Bridgestone sticker down the side. In 1979, HDT used Bridgestones exclusivly, which annoyed a lot of other teams who had previously used them.

[A9X34]

Hi Red

 Both Old Race Photos and Autopics have photos from the Sandown Hang Ten in 79 with Bridgestone clearly visible on the door and some shots I bought from John Lemm in SA from the Adelaide round in July 79 you can see something on the door below the word finance but there is not enough side angle to make out what it says.

 Even my own car had Bridgestone on the side at the Calder round in November 79.

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•  79063.jpg   45.21K   3 downloads
•  Adelaide 79.jpg   119.58K   6 downloads
•  Calder.JPG   95.29K   5 downloads

[REDA9X]

Garry must have managed to sort out some deal. He has always been good at that, but I know Grice had been a long time Bridgestone driver and was very vocal about the HDT deal, particularly since HDT were travelling to every track in Australia to test the tyres Bridgestone were  making for each individual track. Didn't win them the championship though, even after Wayne Negus crashed into Morris at Wanaroo.

[a9x868]

Hi Red
 Both Old Race Photos and Autopics have photos from the Sandown Hang Ten in 79 with Bridgestone clearly visible on the door and some shots I bought from John Lemm in SA from the Adelaide round in July 79 you can see something on the door below the word finance but there is not enough side angle to make out what it says.
 Even my own car had Bridgestone on the side at the Calder round in November 79.

not a ford in sight!
unusual no!
brilliant pics though!

[A9X34]

Yeah Geoff is great have had several very long talks on the phone with him and so has Mick and I have sent him a copy of all the information I have been able to find so far on Garry's three group c cars and he has sent some very interesting stuff my way too.

 Mick only knew of the red and white paint scheme from a poster he had but thought it was very bland so I sent him all my info and as soon as he saw the early 78 paint scheme he thought that looked a shit load better. Most of the paint work and signage has been done and now work on the drive line is being done.

 Not sure if it will be ready for MCM this year or not. Looking forward to getting some photos of the two cars together.