Signature edition one-offs
Our mission here is simply to locate the oneoff ‘signature edition’ specials mentioned elsewhere in this issue. Easier said than done, but worth a crack. One genuinely unique Brock-built Ford that’s alive and well is the red Falcon Ute commissioned by the late Robert Shannon for promotional and tarmac rally support work in 1988. The Austech Automotive Developmentsbuilt XF is now in Western Australia, owned by David Bryan. David and his nephew Patrick are the driving forces behind brockfords.com.au – an online registry using info originally gatherered by Terry Walsh.
As you can see from the photo above, the ‘B’Ute’ is in good nick. So a big tick there.
Pickings are slim, however, when it comes to the other one-off Brock Fords from the same era.
The story behind the red Falcon stationwagon is unknown, but it wore Brock’s signature and an Austech plate when it left the company’s workshop in 1988. The last known photograph of it (above) was taken in 1992 when it was for sale in a caryard. Where is this wagon today? Production records show that at least one Brock-enhanced Telstar TX5 left Austech’s Melbourne base. Yet, the gurus at www.brockfords. com.au have not been able to verify a surviving example despite some contact with a potential owner a few years ago.
Beyond blue oval Brockmobiles, we’re curious as to the whereabouts of the WGR Commodore Ute mentioned in our story. Yours? Drop us a line.
And what of the so-called ‘Daisy Hill Express’ – Dick Johnson’s Saffron Yellow development car from when he teamed up with Ford’s Motorcraft division and the Australian HKS Turbo distributor to develop their own XE Falcon EFI Turbo. This is a car Modern Motor tested for an article that raised hopes enough could be produced to homologate a Falcon Turbo for Group A. Of course, it was not to be. But what a find Dick’s old XE, named after his then home suburb in Brisbane, would be!
We’d also like to find another surviving example of the limited run Allan Moffat Special RX7s. As outlined on page 76, the owner, Brent, of the sole known survivor is hoping a sister car exists to aid with the restoration of his own. Can you help? If so, drop us a line via email. Meantime,
last edition we asked readers for information on the whereabouts of the Les Grose/Bruce McPhee L34 Torana that contested the 1974 Hardie-Ferodo 1000. The Barbados Green L34 lasted just 19 laps before oil surge claimed another victim. It practised the following year but didn’t start the race.
It’s a significant car, being the last Bathurst mount for McPhee, who, six years earlier secured the first of Holden’s 29 Great Race wins.
Of course, we had hoped to have received confirmation that this L34 was still alive – or otherwise. But lucky #13 remains at large.
We did, however, receive some good information in the form of the #13 Bathurst ’74 chassis’ likely VIN number. This could ultimately hold the key to matching a surviving Barbados Green L34 to a previously unknown racing past.
Tracking down the car’s early owner Les Grose, if he’s still around, is crucial. So if you know Les please point him in our direction. Whaddayaknow? Contact this page via amceditorial@chevron.com.au