Old Programmes, movies and memories from the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies.

[khyndart in CA]

Michael and Stephen,
You are absolutely correct regarding the T53 Cooper. I should have done a better job with my homework.
Does that lower my grade for the year ?


(Ken H)

[Allan]

Let off with a stern warning but this time only.
Regards

[Michael Clark]

No not at all Ken - after all the car was passed off as the Cooper T45 that Hyslop took to the UK.

Fact - he took a Cooper T45

Fact - he brought back a Cooper

Fact - the Cooper he brought back was not the one he took!

[khyndart in CA]

It was not until years later when I was at Laguna Seca in 2007 and I met up with Peter Bryant that I found out more about the 1963 Pukekohe Grand Prix. Peter was selling his book, "Can-Am Challenger" at Laguna which was the story of his career in racing. When I mentioned to him that I was from NZ he began to tell me of what he remembered of being a mechanic for John Surtees at Pukekohe in 1963. It all fascinated me and I wanted to share this with you even it is old news to some of you. The Surtees Lola 2.7 liter engine car was part of the team run by Reg Parnell. All cars were run on methanol fuel and so they had taken their wet sleeve cylinder liners to be treated with a graphite process which helped avoid the engine oil being washed off the cylinder walls which meant less engine wear.
They kept the process secret and also tried using dried ice on a hot day around the fuel tanks which had the dual effect of having the engine run cooler and produce more power and also keep the cockpit cooler. The Lola certainly ran well that day in 1963 at Pukekohe and easily won the NZGP.

]Peter Bryant with Ken Hyndman...Laguna Seca. 2007. Book signing for "Can-Am Challenger"

K Hyndman photo

[khyndart in CA]

At the 1963 New Zealand Grand Prix victory banquet in Auckland for the Parnell team,
from left to right: Reg Parnell, mechanic Jimmy Potton, drivers, Tony Maggs, John Surtees, mechanic Peter Bryant and David Oxton on the right.
The Parnell team were always grateful for the Oxtons as Steve Oxton, David's father, was the Coutts Garage manager and they used that facility to prepare their cars. Peter stated he really appreciated David's assistance at the time.

(Peter Bryant photo collection )

[khyndart in CA]

In 1964 Peter Bryant went to work for Mickey Thompson as they prepared a car for Dave MacDonald to drive at the 1964 Indianapolis 500 race.
Sadly the car crashed in the opening laps and caught fire when the left rear suspension pierced the side fuel cells after hitting the inside wall. The crash claimed the lives of Dave MacDonald and Eddie Sachs. This crash led to major redesigning of future Indy cars. Peter said that the whole Indy scene was a terrifying experience and I don't think he was involved again.

(Indianapolis Motor Speedway Photo from Peter Bryant collection.)

(Ken Hyndman)

[Ellis]

The chap with the crew cut and sunnies is Aussie Arnold Glass...arm in sling talking to Graham Hill. Glass had an accident at Puke in 1964 ?

[khyndart in CA]

Ellis,
Arnold Glass had a water ski accident before the 1963 NZGP which prevented him from driving his BRM P48 with a Buick V-8 engine.
January 1963.

[Cooper997]

Stephen,
Yes, that would have been the ex Angus Hyslop T46 Cooper for Jim Palmer with # 41 on it.
Looking at the Tim Mayer Cooper you realize how little protection they had if anything went wrong !
The Jim Palmer Lotus 20 went on to Rex Flowers.

( Ken Hyndman )




(ken

You guys have got ahead of me, but Ken honest mistake on the T45/T53 that Michael has already clarified what went on.

Given the Cooper shape evolved through the T41/T43/T45/T51/T53 period, it means one can be easily tricked. Especially when the great photo Gearbox Grinder has shown us, was taken at that above the nose position.

The 2 Arnold Glass photos Ellis mentions with him chatting to Graham Hill and Tony Maggs would be 1963 I suspect. His BRM had been sent to NZ, but Glass injured himself skiing. Making Gearbox Grinders photos rather special.

I enjoy seeing photos of the cars racing on track, but it's the obscure little snippets confirmed in paddock and pit shots that I enjoy seeing even more.

Stephen

[khyndart in CA]

Peter Bryant began designing and building Can Am cars with many innovative ideas.
In 1969 he introduced the "Ti22" which is the chemical symbol for Titanium which was used a lot on the chassis and suspension.
By the 1970 Can Am season the car was competitive with Jackie Oliver driving. He later became involved with the UOP Shadow Can Am cars and some of those were very different to the McLarens etc !

Anyway I enjoyed my time talking to Peter at Laguna Seca and looked forward to more visits with him but sadly he died suddenly in 2009 and I just wished I had asked him more questions as he was so friendly and had a great memory.
If you get a chance to buy his book you will find it is most interesting reading.

Ti22 at Mosport 1970 (Pete Lyons photo)

Denis Hulme in the M8D McLaren leading the Ti22 driven by Jackie Oliver at Laguna Seca in 1970

(Ken Hyndman )

[khyndart in CA]

While I was researching this about Peter Bryant,I found this photo that was sent to me years ago. (Photographer unknown )
It shows Denis Hulme approaching Turn 9 at Laguna Seca in a McLaren M20 Can Am car (1972 model ).
This was the 1992 Historic Meet in August and this was on the last lap. Denis did not win here although it was to be his last Can Am drive before he died a few weeks later at Bathurst.
(I think this car sold recently for approx. $ 2 million (US) )

( Ken Hyndman )

[khyndart in CA]

I do not know the regulations the Can Am series had back in their heyday but there were some pretty outrageous and wild designs and I think the 1970 Shadow Can Am car takes the cake. Imagine having the 700 + hp engine strapped to your butt. With the low tires and low frontal area it was very quick in a straight line but the smaller brakes and hard wheel bearing wear meant it did have trouble staying competitive. I took these pics of it along with the 101 UOP Shadow Can Am that Peter Bryant was involved with plus a fine example of a 1971 McLaren M8 E built by Trojan Works, at Laguna Seca in 2007.

(Ken Hyndman photos )

[Shoreboy57]

I do not know the regulations the Can Am series had back in their heyday but their were some pretty outrageous and wild designs and I think the 1970 Shadow Can Am car takes the cake. Imagine having the 700 + hp engine strapped to your butt. With the low tires and low frontal area it was very quick in a straight line but the smaller brakes and hard wheel bearing wear meant it did have trouble staying competitive. I took these pics of it along with the 101 UOP Shadow Can Am that Peter Bryant was involved with plus a fine example of a 1971 McLaren M8 E built by Trojan Works, at Laguna Seca in 2007.

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(Ken Hyndman photos )

Regulations? I'm not sure they ever got round to writing any for CanAm

[GD66]

1: Cars must have four wheels and sports car bodywork.

2: Race starts at 2:00 pm...

[khyndart in CA]

Laguna Seca 2007.

1974 Shadow DN 4 Can Am car. (Runs on unleaded fuel )

Some wild things look better with their clothes on !
1971 McLaren M8 E

(Ken Hyndman photos)

[GD66]

More great pics Ken, thanks for sharing. And really enjoyed the Peter Bryant insight, he was a fascinating character with a ripping story.

[Gearbox Grinder]

Some old sepia's from a cigarette tin.I know No3 is the 'buzz bomb' car,everyones covering their ears.
Sorry for the quality some are tiny box brownie prints.

[Gearbox Grinder]

[Gearbox Grinder]

[khyndart in CA]

Grinder,
You continue to amaze with the photos your Dad took. (thanks again for sharing
I feel like I am in school sitting a history test with my teacher ready to grade my report card !
I will try to give the first 6 photos correct answers and leave the rest for others to do.
# 1; I believe this is the # 3 Maserati for Reg Hunt at the 1955 NZGP at Ardmore.
# 2 ; Is the Angus Hyslop T53 Cooper being loaded in the rain after the 1962 NZGP at Ardmore. ( I have a newspaper clipping to go along with this )

# 3; Is indeed the pulse jet engine race car of Jim Meikle. Demonstrated at 11.50 a.m. January 11th. 1958. at Ardmore.
# 4 ; Is Australian driver, Bib Stillwell.
# 5; Shows a wet and disappointed Bruce McLaren at the NZGP.Ardmore in 1962. He was one of the favorites before the race and then the rain and Stirling Moss showed up !
# 6 ; Shows English driver, Roy Salvadori in light clothing. Looks like he is saying; "Excuse me I have to get to the toilet really quick !". Ardmore. 1962.

( there, I hope that is satisfactory for the teacher. I await the test results )

(Ken Hyndman )