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• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  The Collection of the Late Clem Smith OAM
• Sale Date:
  20 Aug 2017 ~ 2.30pm
• Lot #:
  20
• Lot Description:
  1973 CHRYSLER CHARGER VJ COUPE - VH E38 BATHURST CLONE
  Chassis No: VJ4M29/1369. Engine No: D334G-12013
• Notes:
  Chrysler Australia’s development in to production car racing in Australia is the stuff legend is made of. During the 1960s production car racing was the main arena of competition for a burgeoning manufacturing and retail industry. The Armstrong 500 was held at Mt Panorama just outside Bathurst in country NSW following its beginnings at Phillip Island. The race was the most important challenge for stock production cars at the time. By 1971 and in its 12th year, the “500” was sponsored by Hardie-Ferodo, the premium brake lining brand together with James Hardie Industries, and both the race and the brand would soon become the cultural centrepiece in Australian motorsport folk lore. The teams, engineers and drivers took on “The Mountain” and to conquer it became the most glorious trophy in the land. The “500” was open to production cars competing in showroom condition within five classes based on the purchase price of the vehicle in Australian dollars. The outright winner in 1971 was Allan Moffat driving the Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III, but strong contention was made by the Chrysler E38 Chargers with 12 cars in the field running for results in Class D against the Holden Torana LC GTR XU-1s, Alfa Romeo Giulias and Ford Falcon 500s. The 1971 race was no exception to the absolutely hair-raising motor racing Australian fans have come to expect in contemporary times witnessing barrel rolls, flying debris, high speed blow outs and marshals luckily escaping with their lives. The Ford GT-HO Phase III filled all but 2 positions on the grid in the top 10 in qualifying. There were 12 E38 Chargers and the cars of Leo Geoghegan and Bob Beasley qualified in 8th and 10th respectively. Geoghegan finished the race in 7th place, Bob Beasley in 10th and in 12th place was the Shell Racing Beechey/Mckeown entry. Other than Colin Bond, Peter Brock and Brian Foley in Holden Torana LC GTR XU-1s the top 12 positions were dominated by the Ford GT HO Phase III. So, this Chrysler 6-cylinder put in a fantastic performance during a highly important phase of Australian production car development. Jim McKeown (pictured lower right at the Sandown Historics 2011) told Mossgreen “Bathurst was a hairy experience in the E38 as it wasn’t fitted with a race seat nor brake booster. Norm had to go out after practice and buy us some thick soled shoes so we could really put the boot into the brake pedal”. This Tribute E38 Bathurst “Clone” is a replica of the Shell Racing 1971 Bathurst entry of Beechey and McKeown. The car was prepared by Ray lkin (pictured lower left) utilising a basic VJ model, built July 1973, fitted with automatic transmission and 245ci engine in ‘Sunflower Yellow’ livery. We are informed by Ray lkin that the car was sold to Clem Smith in 2011 with its restoration being completed some two years prior. Ray says he fitted a 4-speed manual gearbox and a 3.23 LSD differential. The original matching engine was retained and enhanced by fitting triple Weber carburettors, re-boring, new pistons, new crankshaft re-ground 10/10, 6-pack valve springs, new roller rockers, new roller chain, reconditioned 6-pack harmonic balancer and the new twin plate clutch was balanced. The car presents in Shell Yellow with Bathurst decals and livery. This car was originally registered as TZQ877 in NSW. This vehicle will be sold unregistered.
• Estimate:
  A$30,000 - 40,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.