Andy’s Austin

Thanks to Gordon Campbell for the splendid story on Andy Buchanan in the May edition of Nzclassiccar. Andy was truly one of the great — and most likeable — characters in New Zealand motor racing during the ’60s, and is fondly remembered by most of us who were around at the time. Of course, he is best known for his exploits in the fabulous 250LM Ferrari and his Brabham BT6, and yet none of this might have happened following his frightening accident at Levin’s notorious Cabbage Tree corner.

The A40 Farina he was racing at the time was his first car on leaving school, and he was fortunate to survive when tossed from the inverting A40 — few wore seat belts or bothered with roll cages in those days. Great memories, happy times from a long-gone era — and Andy is certainly not a forgotten champion. Donn Anderson, Auckland [Originally printed in the December 1966 edition of Motorman — this photo shows Andy Buchanan being thrown from his rolling A40 Farina during his first and only race with the car at Levin in 1962. AGW]