Just A Mix Of Pics - Ray Green Collection

[ERC]

Sunday December 8th 2019
BMC Formula Junior

Not Joseph Lucas...

No idea who owns this - but it did overtake me in the 80kph limit around Manurewa. Mind you, just about everyone overtakes me in the 80kph limits, even though I am going about 85-88...

[ERC]

Still at sea. But Merry Christmas to all regulars who pop into this thread.

Looking at a Nikon P900 camera (fixed lens) on board, but did a Google review and it seems they only do 360 pics per battery charge.

However, have an x83 zoom, equivalent to 2000mm - twice as long as my bazooka lens. Tempted, but will wait until ashore I think and have a chat with the local camera shop. If anyone has any experience of this camera, feel free to offer advice.

[nigel watts]

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/nikon-cool ... -3707.html

[ERC]

Thanks Nigel. I'm aware of its shortcomings, but bought one anyway! Mainly for Goodwood, but I'll still be relying on my usual camera for the majority of shots. I'll have to try it out at the next local race meeting though, as I know the viewing limitations of Goodwood are relatively few, but that long lens facility opens up other options. May even give it a try at Caffeine & Classics on Sunday.

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Sample from the new camera - Caffeine & Classics December. Happy so far with the wide angle of the camera.

Just driving out early and missed the beautiful modified E Type Jaguar. Andy Culpin was around for the first time and I'm guessing it might have been his!

A UK kit car I hadn't heard of before, though they have been around since about 1983, based on a Triumph Spitfire/GT6 I believe. Vincent Hurricane.

Always something new at this really enjoyable monthly event. I'll miss the next two unfortunately.

[ERC]

At this time of the year, I try and start a massive clean up of all computer files, which effectively means every pic (not just car stuff) is categorised and filed, clearing out the 'to do' pile. They all are copied to other external hard drives - and then we carry on for another year.

So a few digs into the 'not yet published pile' for posting on here, as there is a bit of a backlog.

November C & C - Canon compact camera. (Disappeared, so reposted...)

[Roger Dowding]

Good to see the photos ERC, like the Spitfire / GT6 based car - looks smart.

Heard a Rumour that an MG Magnette V8 was there - where are your pictures - I have seen some and it is only Monday.. in Omokoroa.

[ERC]

Sorry Roger. I am wading through a backlog of pics that need posting and/or filing, before I post anything from Sunday's meet.

HELP!!!!

As Hampton Downs elected to not publish a programme in January, (why?) I need these single seaters identifying/confirming urgently, as part of my tidying up process. Just the car make please. Thanks.

[John McKechnie]

Heres a plug to help you Ray.....
Folks if you want to get your names in a race program,. you must get your entry in by the ct off period.
Currently entries for Taupo Historic Formula F5000 Grand Prix are still open, so do Ray -and the organizers - a favour :........
get your entry in now so he wont have any more urgent identity problems

Happy New Year, с новым годом, bonne année, Frohes neues Jahr, felice anno nuovo, gelukkig nieuwjaar,
blwyddyn Newydd Dda, heri ya mwaka mpya, hyvää uutta vuotta....

[Milan Fistonic]

HELP!!!!

As Hampton Downs elected to not publish a programme in January, (why?) I need these single seaters identifying/confirming urgently, as part of my tidying up process. Just the car make please. Thanks.

If your ID on the image of 219_0125 refers to January 25 2019 then they did have a programme.

It's not much help though as only three of the cars you've posted are listed.

I've just noticed there are two 43s on the list so I guess one of them became 143.

[ERC]

Thanks Milan. I was there Friday and no programmes available. Yes, 2 x 43. Dave Silverton ran as 143. Maybe two of those not listed are the ones at the top of the page with no allocated numbers?

The other 43 is a Formula Ford! Wow! That helps a lot... No too bad with local cars as we get to know them, but for festivals, there are often cars we don't often see. No reference to car colour either. Maybe Grant Hannah's car make, pushed the column off! Don't you think that shrinking the columns of driver's first and surnames might have left space for extra info? Just me being petty I suppose, as usual.

Always cracks me up when drivers input into the system and spell their car make incorrectly...

Totally agree with John McKechnie. Given that most local organisers offer a full refund if cancelling more than 24 hours ahead, I fail to see why drivers can't enter early. Every single meeting, there are cars not in the programme - and several late entrants are regulars. A total nightmare for scrutineers, officials, marshals, time keepers, commentators, photographers etc.

Slap them with a $200 late entry fee and donate the proceeds to the volunteers - marshals and unpaid officials.

No excuses.

Happy New Year for tomorrow. I'm chipping away at the filing, but still loads to do.

[ERC]

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It is as always, a 'Mix of pics', so just to skip back into a different genre.

A famous British coach that featured in Italy in my favourite film of all time.

An Italian coach in Britain...

When transporters were also unique. Goodwood 2000.

...especially this one, as modelled so successfully by Corgi. Goodwood again, 2009.

[Roger Dowding]

" I'm chipping away at the filing, but still loads to do. ".

ERC, know the feeling -mine is a lot of re-filing / re-naming photos, to get into better groups..

To help Ray here a group of your car the 1956 MG Magnette ZA V8 -
photos by John Vevers -
John is a Austin fan and involved with the " Austin 3 Litre " group - the Six cylinder conventional car based on the BMC Austin/Morris 1800 of the late 1960's early 1970's.

These from the last Caffeine and Classics for 2019..

The story board;

One of Rays own photos of the car. from a previous Caffeine and Classics. February 2018
Beside it is BMC BOY Ross Cammick 1959 BN7 AH 3000..which he has owned since mid 1970's rebuilt in 1978.

[ERC]

Aaargh! 'Does my bum look bad in this...'

As you can see, still a load of fibreglass work to do. Paul Madeley made up some cantilever boot hinges so that the boot lid clears that bulge on the top, which has the high stop rear brake light, but also covers the lockable fuel filler, for the purpose built 66 litre stainless steel fuel tank, mounted in the original position just behind the rear seat. This assists in keeping the weight within the wheelbase and contributes to an almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution, especially with fuel in the tank.

I still need a boot prop and if anyone has a Morris Minor type bonnet prop (as fitted to the rear of the Marcos), I'll happily purchase, as gas struts seem to be for a much heavier panel.

In the boot, the spare wheel well was widened for the bigger tyres and the battery and fuel pump(s) are located in separate compartments and a removable bespoke tool box, that contains the jack, wheel brace and an assortment of other essential tools and spares.

I could go on for ever as to what is not original, but purists are entitled to be offended, but restoring a car that was virtually scrap, to original, didn't make any sense at all. Having fun updating it has been in the main interesting, but the costs went through the roof thanks to bad advice and execution. If I'd entrusted it to Andy Culpin or Paul Madeley from the word go, it would have been a lot cheaper and certainly a lot less financially, physically and emotionally painful.

There are a lot of modifications that aren't obvious, such as the front side lights are now flashing indicators and the rear light units have been modified to incorporate the rear flashers. Although the trafficators work (on a separate circuit), there is a repeater side flasher just below.

The bumpers are fibreglass and the front will be extended rearwards for a better look as the original 'hockey sticks' are impossible to source. The rear bumper was split and enlarged to cover the framework for the tow bar and will incorporate the rear parking sensors.

Still so much in the draft/temporary/unfinished stages obviously and I'll totally rebuild the dash again, or most of it...

The final touches will be the fitting of the modified grille, the MG badge and also a nice Motolita wood rimmed steering wheel, which is hanging in the garage all ready.

If you are sufficiently interested in the saga and have about a week to spare:

http://www.monza.org.nz/cars/8monza8/index.htm

[Roger Dowding]

...Aaargh! 'Does my bum look bad in this...'

ERC, Unfinished yes - does it look good YES, I like it and the work that has gone into it.
Great to read the story, [ your brief version so far - will look at the link showing what you have done with assistance from " By'Gone " Mal Clark, and others..

A couple more photo's - from John Vevers

One of your own photo's Ray - all adds to what we now have as a story.

I like modified cars as much as originals, so gets my Vote..

Cheers

Roger

[ERC]

Thanks Roger. Not the only one who has passed favourable comment, but there are those who hate it... notably, people who would have happily seen it go for scrap rather than saving it.

As you can see, still trying to get the bonnet panels to fit better. Every high definition photograph merely emphasises the work still to be done. I could of course have used the original metal bonnet and boot, but why make it easy? I hate bonnets that have the grille attached, which simply act as cranium magnets.

[Oldfart]

In keeping with MG Ray, you could go to a mesh grille rather than the "slats"?

[ERC]

Yup. All organised Rhys and basically assembled! Do I leave the mesh stainless or paint it black?