Team Cambridge Monaro

[John McKechnie]

Many thanks to Milan Fistonic for his pictures.

[Milan Fistonic]

Found another one John. From 9 March 1975.

[John McKechnie]

Milan- Flinko told me he was very impressed with your storage area, I am rapt you are still finding these gems.
Hopefully George is seeing these pix and wants to see it at Taupo.
Monaro is now running on all 8 cylinders and hopefully will look more exciting on the track .

[Milan Fistonic]

Taupo - 20 January 2018

[khyndart in CA]

I had the great honor of being scooped up at Auckland Airport by John McKechnie and Bruce Thompson and being driven to Taupo on Friday Jan. 19th. with the Cambridge Monaro in tow. I sat back and relaxed, ate cherries and pies and listened to all the fascinating stories told and smiled a lot rather in contrast to the journey back where I was a tired lad after 3 exciting days. What a memory.

Leaving the airport and I am thinking I came all this way, I certainly hope it does not rain for 3 days."No worries" it was going to be fun.

Sitting in the back. If you are not on the right side of the road the other side must be the wrong side !
The cherries were all eaten by now ..sorry Paul !

Stopping in Tirau at "Poppy's Café" for a "cuppa". Plus meeting the friendly couple of Peter and Jillian Hooper who were also Taupo bound with their very competitive 1982 Toyota Starlet # 7

After unloading the Monaro at the Taupo track the rain held back and it made the magnificent Monaro look even more majestic.
(Remember John when you did not have enough photos of the car back in the day, well I think we are making up for it now.

I think it looked happier when it found it's brother from the other side of the tracks.

[khyndart in CA]

Check that left rear tire.

Out where it belongs. John driving the Monaro.

(Ken H photos )

[khyndart in CA]

The Cambridge Monaro engine.

John McKechnie enjoying driving his beautifully restored Monaro at Taupo. Jan 20th 2018

[khyndart in CA]

After the last race on Sunday it was time to load the Monaro and head on out.

On Monday morning as we headed toward Auckland we decided to visit Morrinsville in the chance we might meet Spinner Black who was not able to make it to Taupo. When that was decided, John and Bruce kindly let me guide them through the back roads to Kiwitahi where I made an emotional stop outside my old home next to the "Swap / Hyndman Quarry". I don't know why the old 1940s garage is still standing as it was a problem when I left in 1972 ! Kenny's bedroom window is the one marked above the Audi. Anyway I did appreciate the stop. Thanks guys.

Then we drove on into Morrinsville to Spinner's boatyard and he came to meet us. It was a great experience seeing one of the "Grand Old Masters" of NZ Muscle Cars light up and show so much interest in the car and John's wonderful restoration to the original " Cambridge Racing Team" Monaro.
Here are some photos of our time with Spinner. One even showing the Police showing a lack of interest in probably the fastest car in town that day !

Bruce Thompson, John McKechnie and Spinner Black

Hyndman is all smiles as I am reaching into Spinner's back pocket for the overtime pay he owed me from 1971 ! (Just kidding.)

[khyndart in CA]

My last Monaro photos of a wonderful trip that brought it back to it's roots in Morrinsville.
Across the road in the blue building, now the Morrinsville Sandwich Bar, is where Spinner had his shop where all we local "grease monkeys" would gather to hear all the racing stories and escapades of the likes of Rod Coppins and Spinner etc. Some of us may have been there to also inhale the racing fuel fumes ! (Almost as bad as being next to Bruce Goodwin's 1965 Mark 3 Zephyr when he fired that up at Taupo !)

Spinner checking one of John's early photos after hearing the engine start up.

My last photo shows Spinner / Spencer Black, the original owner driver of the Monaro and John McKechnie the grand restorer/ owner of this wonderful machine.
Thanks guys, one for giving me a job and the other for taking me along for an unforgettable ride.
All the best,
Ken H.

[Roger Dowding]

My last Monaro photos of a wonderful trip that brought it back to it's roots in Morrinsville.
Across the road in the blue building, now the Morrinsville Sandwich Bar, is where Spinner had his shop where all we local "grease monkeys" would gather to hear all the racing stories and escapades of the likes of Rod Coppins and Spinner etc. Some of us may have been there to also inhale the racing fuel fumes ! (Almost as bad as being next to Bruce Goodwin's 1965 Mark 3 Zephyr when he fired that up at Taupo !)

[ATTACH=CONFIG]50284[/ATTACH]
Spinner checking one of John's early photos after hearing the engine start up.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]50285[/ATTACH]
My last photo shows Spinner / Spencer Black, the original owner driver of the Monaro and John McKechnie the grand restorer/ owner of this wonderful machine.
Thanks guys, one for giving me a job and the other for taking me along for an unforgettable ride.
All the best,
Ken H.

What a great adventure Ken H and to John M, thanks for arranging it for Ken .. wish I could have got to Taupo to catch up, maybe next year, will be in the Bay of Plenty by then.

Cheers

Roger D ..the retired - expired ex Healey Guy ..

[Kevin Hirst]

After the last race on Sunday it was time to load the Monaro and head on out.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]50273[/ATTACH]

On Monday morning as we headed toward Auckland we decided to visit Morrinsville in the chance we might meet Spinner Black who was not able to make it to Taupo. When that was decided, John and Bruce kindly let me guide them through the back roads to Kiwitahi where I made an emotional stop outside my old home next to the "Swap / Hyndman Quarry". I don't know why the old 1940s garage is still standing as it was a problem when I left in 1972 ! Kenny's bedroom window is the one marked above the Audi. Anyway I did appreciate the stop. Thanks guys.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]50280[/ATTACH]

Then we drove on into Morrinsville to Spinner's boatyard and he came to meet us. It was a great experience seeing one of the "Grand Old Masters" of NZ Muscle Cars light up and show so much interest in the car and John's wonderful restoration to the original " Cambridge Racing Team" Monaro.
Here are some photos of our time with Spinner. One even showing the Police showing a lack of interest in probably the fastest car in town that day !
[ATTACH=CONFIG]50281[/ATTACH]
Bruce Thompson, John McKechnie and Spinner Black

[ATTACH=CONFIG]50282[/ATTACH]

Hyndman is all smiles as I am reaching into Spinner's back pocket for the overtime pay he owed me from 1971 ! (Just kidding.)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]50283[/ATTACH]

Good to see the police keeping an eye on you guy's, they must have long memorie's or still have wanted poster's up.

[John McKechnie]

Kevin-Talking about posters , I have a couple left over from Taupo....would you like a nice big glossy poster featuring the Monaro from 1969 and a current pic incorporating the advertising poster for the Taupo F5000 Historic Grand Prix
Caption- I was with the F5000s at Baypark December 29 1969, and am proud to still be with them now.
If so pm me with your address or will make sure you get one next time out.

[Kevin Hirst]

Kevin-Talking about posters , I have a couple left over from Taupo....would you like a nice big glossy poster featuring the Monaro from 1969 and a current pic incorporating the advertising poster for the Taupo F5000 Historic Grand Prix
Caption- I was with the F5000s at Baypark December 29 1969, and am proud to still be with them now.
If so pm me with your address or will make sure you get one next time out.

Yes please John, I will catch up with you at the next meeting, have not been to many lately as clashed with lot's of other less interesting event's, thank's in advance. cheer's.

[John McKechnie]

On Saturday morning at Taupo racetrack , a guy came up to me and said I was in Aus yesterday and bought Australian Muscle Car mag Issue 101 at the Airport and read all about this Monaro on the flight home.
Next day I come here and see the car...small world.
Anyway , if interested. Issue 101, not on shelves yet, but close.

[khyndart in CA]

John,
I'd love to have a copy of the magazine. Can I order it through you ?
Some of my Monopoly money is still good !

Ken

[John McKechnie]

Hi Ken.....will purchase stock from shop for distribution to (overseas) friends

[Steve Holmes]

Not sure how I missed it but I just noticed this car has always raced with a standard non-GTS hood.

[John McKechnie]

Yep, all model HK always had non vented bonnet,
HT, HG GTS models had this feature

[John McKechnie]

Just got Australian Muscle Car #101 from a Caltex petrol station...BP , Shell doesnt get it,Mobil hasnt got it yet.
Anyway Monaro is on page 18,19.
Still have to get Kens issue.
Sometime the full story may make it to a NZ mag


And thats all folks.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

[John McKechnie]

But wait , theres more, found this on South Island Motorsport facebook, Grand Prix 1975...Robin Tanner , Firebird 25 and my Monaro in Bunce colours just behind it.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=197293994247655&set=g.431588630352950&type=1&theater&ifg=1