primotipo…

The Peak Hill, Silverton, hillclimb meeting near Broken Hill on September 14, 1958.

That’s none other than future Elfin Sportscars boss Garrie Cooper looking immaculate in his Persil-white overalls alongside his BMC A-series powered Austin 7 Spl.

#70 is Bruce Went’s Austin, he did a 55.39 sec run, while the more potent Cooper Motor Bodies clad machine, sleeved down to sneak into the under 750cc class, did a best of 45.17.

What a scene! Red Holden FJ, the Austin Atlantic at right and a couple of chicks making the best of the dusty paddock on a good old-fashioned struggle-rug. Bleak indeed!

We have Peter Kelly to thank for these unique, Kodakrome shots which he bought in a Trash n’ Treasure Market a few years ago. ‘Yer can be lucky, he was, and so are we, many thanks Peter! Bill Williamson’s Facebook page does it yet again! Special thanks also to Doug Gordon and Tony Johns for their archival material and leading the charge on car IDs.

Note that some of the photographs are from a meeting held at Peak Hill twelve months before, on July 28, 1957.

Silverton is only a drop-kick from the New South Wales-South Australian border, 1,200km from Sydney, 540km from Adelaide. Big drives for your racing-fix, not really, not in Australia!

The two cars above were top-shelf here at the time. Up front is #5 Jack Myers’ W.M. Special – a modified Cooper T20 powered by a 2440cc Waggott-Holden DOHC, triple-SU fed six-cylinder engine – the slinky British Racing Green sportscar behind is Derek Jolly’s #6 Lotus inspired Decca Mk2 Climax FWA Spl. Car #10 is ME Nancarrow’s Holden 48-215. ‘Malcolm Nancarrow, who went on to race a Lotus Elite and a Lotus Cortina in South Australia during the 1960s.’ wrote Rob Bartholomaeus.

Enthusiast/historian Doug Gordon writes that ‘Peak Hill hillclimb was laid out on hilly ground just outside Silverton, a little mining township close to Broken Hill. These days it’s famous as the location for filming Mad Max, there is a Mad Max museum there.’

‘When (vintagent/racer) Neville Webb was there a branch of the Vintage Sports Car Club of Australia was formed. From the early 1950s to June 1959 a hillclimb track was laid out in the dirt and drew a wide-range of cars including the ex-Bira MG K3.’

‘There were plans to build a bitumen racetrack nearby but that was quashed by the local police who were concerned about the safety aspects as the club was small and didn’t have the budget for the extensive safety fencing that would have been required.’

‘Here is the original layout of the hillclimb being held by local historian Don Mudie. There is still an active Veteran and Vintage Car Club but their interests are outside racing.’

Neville Webb’s Frazer Nash Monoposto and below.

A special, the car is not one of the three factory cars, one of which was raced in-period by Tim Joshua/Ron Egerton and others in Australia, and is still here currently being restored.

South Australia’s Murray Trenberth bagged FTD in his 996 Vee-Twin Vincent Spl, he did a 42.54 sec run. A very quick car on the circuits as well. Ralt wheels? Big Bertha behind is R Laneyrie’s Ford V8 Coupe.

M Dillon’s Triumph Spl 351-1000cc entry.

Bill Pile, MG TC Spl s/c, great looking car, who built the body?

I Virgo VMF under 350cc car, July 1957.

D Evans D & D Ford 10 Spl front and centre. #34 behind is the Webb Frazer Nash monoposto, no idea about the other car (P Kelly Collection)

Keith Rilstone in the Eldred Norman built Zephyr Special s/c, July 1957.

B Bowring, Allard M drophead, Ford flathead V8, July 1957.

The legendary MacHealey, Greg McEwin up, July 1957.

‘Meadows Special, Riley 12 chassis, Lancia running gear: 5th Series front end and diff, 7th Series gearbox, and Meadows engine out of a Chick car built in Adelaide.’

‘I bought the car in 1968 for $25, then fitted the engine and gearbox into the Chandler Lancia Special, to become the Lancia Meadows.’ thanks Rob Harcourt.

‘Here it is below as I bought it. I towed it home to Adelaide from Broken Hill on an A-frame behind my mates AP6 Valiant. Imagine doing that today!’

I Phillips, PDS, an under 350cc car. July 1957.

F Roberts, Holden 6 Special.

‘Perhaps the first Holden Special to compete in Australia,’ observed John Medley. July 1957.

Credits…

Peter Kelly Collection via a random Trash ‘n Treasure purchase!, Tony Johns Collection, Doug Gordon Archive, Lindsay Siebler, Rob Harcourt

Finito…