KEN MUIR CAR COLLECTION — EDENDALE
Southland car enthusiast Ken Muir joins a growing group of car enthusiasts and organizations in the region, including the Southland Sports Car Club, working hard towards an ambitious plan.
With the backing of sponsor
Bill Richardson Transport World, signing up for the next 10 years, the forthcoming George Begg Classic Speedfest, with a special display of Begg cars, set to be held at Motorcycle Mecca in Invercargill next February, is shaping up to be a fantastic event.
“I intend to return as many cars to Southland as possible built by George Begg,” Ken explains.
We recently visited his amazing collection of cars and motoring memorabilia to view his latest additions: the Begg-daimler and the first twin-cam racing cars.
Recently purchased from Brian Grant, the Begg-daimler still sports its Chevrolet V8 engine used for classic Formula 5000 racing.
“I also have a Daimler V8 engine, along with the original twin-choke downdraught Ford carburettors which George originally used to save a few dollars. I want to get the car back to as close as possible to the way he built it,” Ken says.
Alongside, is the first twin-cam George Begg built, and it is ready to run in February’s Speedfest. The Begg-daimler will take a bit of work before it will be finished.
Spread around his large shed is an equally interesting array of classics, along with electric-powered miniatures of well-known cars. Ken builds these on mobility-scooter chassis in his period-styled workshop, using a wooden frontage from his old farm workshop.
His latest acquisition is a very tidy Sunbeam Alpine sports car found after being in storage for many years. Ken is currently in the process of preparing the car for the road.
There is also a restored David Brown tractor in among this varied group of cars, many of which Ken has raced on the track and in hill climbs and rallies.
His sentimental favourite, though, is still the immaculate white MG TF, which he and wife Jill have driven many miles. For something a bit zippier in the MG line, there
is a very tidy MGB GT V8, or alternatively, there is the rare race series South African– prepared MGF, which was entered in the Targa Tasmania a while ago.
Ken loves Ferraris and his latest version following on from a 328 is a 355 Spyder, in red of course.
A motor engineer by trade, Ken has dabbled in other professions, including farming. He is now able to concentrate on building his collection of classics, which now includes some amazing cars, such as a very original Porsche 930 Turbo, in which we had a short but very enjoyable drive.
“I just enjoy collecting cars like these and preserving them. I now have more time to do that,” he says.