Lost & found
After the Second World War, enthusiasts in many countries built homemade ‘specials’ and some of those created in Australia were particularly interesting. Many were based on MGS or Austin Sevens, then later when the Holden ‘Grey Motor’ straight-six appeared this engine became popular. Not so for Ian Mountain, whose special was based around a Peugeot 203 unit bored out to 1490cc and fed by a large Wade supercharger.
Mountain was a salesman with the local Peugeot distributor in Melbourne, travelling all over Victoria to promote the product. He was held in high esteem by his employer, which helped him by supplying several new parts that were used in the construction of his special. “The chassis comprised two large parallel tubes, with front suspension based on the Peugeot set-up,” explains Dick Willis, who is an expert on historic Australian specials. “At the rear, a de Dion axle was used with a cut-down Ford V8 differential. The gearbox was sourced from an MG TC and the driveline was offset to allow a lower seating position. A very attractive body was built by Neil Coleman and painted in a mid-blue.”
In 1954 the special appeared at a couple of hillclimb events, without its bodywork fitted, then in January 1955 it was entered in the races at Gnoo Blas Circuit in Orange, New South Wales. Unfortunately, however, in its first event Mountain lost control and left the road at Connaghans Corner, with tragic results. The owner was killed and the severely damaged car was taken back to Melbourne.
The remains had been willed to Mountain’s brother, Ken, who started a restoration before later selling the car to his friend Harry Firth. In 1974 it went to Ian Tate, who was working for Firth, and since then Tate has been gathering the parts required to complete the rebuild. He has now abandoned the idea, and sold the project to Willis. “I believe I have the capability and equipment to restore the Mountain special to its former glory,” says Willis, “even though it may take a few years. It is all go now, some 66 years after its accident.”