Searching for history on barnfind.

[BChild]

Originally Posted by Big Rod

You wouldn't let it lie, would you!?!?!?

Nope - soz Rod.. Bloody stunning picture tho

Plenty more where that came from but as this is a motorsport based forum I don't think my Monza related trackday, autotesting, drag racing and sprints aren't really going to be of much interest compared to the "proper" racing and conversation about it that goes on here.......

PS it would be wise if the answer from all here would be No - it is of no interest

[Big Rod]

Originally Posted by BChild

Nope - soz Rod.. Bloody stunning picture tho

Can't argue with that!

[GBRM]

Originally Posted by Big Rod

Y'mean this one?

http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...t=prod+saloons

That's the thread that prompted me to sign up and post this thread!!

That's the one, page 7 is the Monza action http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...t=prod+saloons

Thanks for that.

[Al Weyman]

Plenty more where that came from but as this is a motorsport based forum I don't think my Monza related trackday, autotesting, drag racing and sprints aren't really going to be of much interest compared to the "proper" racing and conversation about it that goes on here.......

Why not they are all forms of Motorsport in one way or another, same as Drifting.

[BChild]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

Why not they are all forms of Motorsport in one way or another, same as Drifting.

I meant in this thread I'm a terrible threadjacker and I'm trying to kick the habit - I've been brousing lots of sections on the forum and I reckon I can find a home for a few posts

Mind you it's very friendly and that's always nice

[BChild]

This looked an iteresting avenue to explore

http://www.btrprep.com/history.htm

"BTR Preparations was formed in 1982 by owner Tim Ashton
to offer design, build and maintenance services for both rally cars and production vehicle based race cars.

Prior to starting the company, Tim Ashton had worked with the UK Dealer Opel Team for many years. "

Worth sending him an email I reckon

[davyboy]

I had thought that Austin McHale's rally car was originally the Frank O'Rourke DOTI Monza campaigned in the Irish Production Saloon championship ? I could be very wrong there. McHale went through a series of Group A cars in the mid-late 1980s including a Mitsubishi Starion which sat on a trailer in on the street in Harolds Cross Dublin for several weeks.

Here's how to reach Frank if necessary :

http://www.ferrybankmotors.com/

[BChild]

Originally Posted by davyboy

I had thought that Austin McHale's rally car was originally the Frank O'Rourke DOTI Monza campaigned in the Irish Production Saloon championship ? I could be very wrong there. McHale went through a series of Group A cars in the mid-late 1980s including a Mitsubishi Starion which sat on a trailer in on the street in Harolds Cross Dublin for several weeks.

Here's how to reach Frank if necessary :

http://www.ferrybankmotors.com/

Thanks Davyboy - Slim is my middle name so email sent F/A Frank I hope he can maybe shed some light on the car

Mean while I shall have to learn a bit about Mr O'Rourke if my google foo is working tonight!

[davyboy]

If it does turn out to be the Frank O'Rourke car... here are some pictures of it from back in the day.

http://www.conconnolly.com/cutenews/...t2/Scan576.jpg

http://www.conconnolly.com/cutenews/..._1/Scan222.jpg

http://www.conconnolly.com/cutenews/..._1/Scan223.jpg

http://www.conconnolly.com/cutenews/..._1/Scan504.jpg

[BChild]

Originally Posted by davyboy

If it does turn out to be the Frank O'Rourke car... here are some pictures of it from back in the day.

http://www.conconnolly.com/cutenews/...t2/Scan576.jpg

http://www.conconnolly.com/cutenews/..._1/Scan222.jpg

http://www.conconnolly.com/cutenews/..._1/Scan223.jpg

All those are definately McHale

Originally Posted by davyboy

http://www.conconnolly.com/cutenews/..._1/Scan504.jpg

That is a hell of a find - thank you sir

[BChild]

Originally Posted by davyboy

I had thought that Austin McHale's rally car was originally the Frank O'Rourke DOTI Monza campaigned in the Irish Production Saloon championship ? I could be very wrong there. McHale went through a series of Group A cars in the mid-late 1980s including a Mitsubishi Starion which sat on a trailer in on the street in Harolds Cross Dublin for several weeks.

Here's how to reach Frank if necessary :

http://www.ferrybankmotors.com/

Originally Posted by Another Forum source

Frank O Rourke passed away last year. He was one of the driving forces behind DOTI ( Dealer Opel Team Ireland ) which was set up and funded by % sales of new Opels through garages in the Republic of Ireland.

I guess one door closes

[davyboy]

Oh that's really awful news, I had no idea. I'm really sorry to hear about that. I know his son Tomas was involved in saloon car racing in Ireland in the 1980s and 1990s as well. He would be around 38 years old or so now and may be able to help.

[davyboy]

@Big Rod and BChild... I'm assuming these are you guys on this thread on this forum here, which seems to have provided the complete provenence of McHales/O'Rourke's car. The Daveyboy on that forum is not me.

http://retrorides.proboards86.com/in...e=7#1188298178

[BChild]

Originally Posted by davyboy

@Big Rod and BChild... I'm assuming these are you guys on this thread on this forum here, which seems to have provided the complete provenence of McHales/O'Rourke's car. The Daveyboy on that forum is not me.

http://retrorides.proboards86.com/in...e=7#1188298178

Thats basically a compilation of all the efforts of Roddy and myself with the help of a lot of forums including this one

Best news not published yet is Austin Mchale has in hands a letter from me regarding the car asking for whatever assistance he can give.

Gotta find Mickey Eiffe as he holds a big part of the jigsaw and probably doesn't realise it

The car has two chassis ID's

Still a lot of gaps in the history but we will keep digging

[davyboy]

That's good news... glad its all coming together.

I'm not sure how original the motor is either. I remember speaking to Thos McGovern [who used to race the An Post 3.0 Capri in Irish Prod Saloons] about 20 years ago and he said that Frank overtook him once in The Phoenix Park whereupon the engine let go in the biggest possible way.

Best of luck with finding more info.

[MONDELLO MAN]

try Mick Eiffe at ************.

[BChild]

Originally Posted by MONDELLO MAN

try Mick Eiffe at ************.

Thats fantastic thank you

[BChild]

Right now I've talked to Mick Eiffe 8)

Car registered new in Ireland so 99 GZJ was it's first registration in Ireland or anywhere for that matter and it was not previousy used anywhere else in the UK - Opel Ireland Company Director Car (company perk I guess)
Purchased at 6 mths old by Frank O'Rourke who ran an Opel Franchise so may have got a good deal on price v sponsorship as he ran it in what was at the time Opel Dealer Team colours

Frank O Rourke converted it from normal road spec for use in hill climbs, sprints and possibly some small circuit races or tarmac rallies (detail is a bit sketchy but I need a medium to talk to Frank O'Rourke so further exact details might be hard to come by!!)

Frank O'Rouke used it from very Early 80's till sometime pre 1986 when he had some acident damage

Chassis leg bent - straightened by Micky Eiffe
Front Wing and inner wing
Lower front panel

All the parts to repair were supplied with the car by Frank O'Rourke - unknown if parts were new or used but assumed to be new or new ish

Important point - Slam Panel never changed

Austin McHale purchased either late 86 or early 87

Fresh Engine built by Swindon (this was a surprise but that's what was said)
Cyl Head was by Emin?? need to find some info on them
Biggest AFM they could find (maybe 735 BMW?)
Dyno'd at 245 bhp
Doesn't know anything about the ECU set up
- either supplied with engine
or
- what was already in the car
or
- fitted since

Manta 400 CW & Pinion in Monza Diff casing ZF LSD

Manta 400 Gearbox so need to have custom AP clutch because the splines are different to Monza box and that was sourced and fitted by Micky Eiffe
Had std tank so all the work to fit the alloy tank. fuel lines and boot floor carried out by Mick Eiffe - very distinctive floor pan etc - I described it and he said thats exactly how I made it

Competed in Circuit of Ireland Rally and Manx

Car Spec

- No Perpex windows all glass (perspex not permitted)
- Alloy tank
- Colins Seats (only fitted with one seat when F O'R sold it so two new ones purchased)
- Sabelt Harneses
- Interior believed to be black painted
- Electric windows retained (not 100% sure but 90%)
- Sunroof and cartridge removed and steel skin welded in - (B1tch of a job says ME who farmed it out to be done and the chap who did it cursed like hell)
- Twin Circuit Fire extinguisher - internal controls on an alloy plate in centre console - external controls on scuttle pannel in front of screen
- Modified rear shock mounts 10mm plate 1 inch lower down so they could use Manta 400 dampers and uprated rear springs
- Front legs converted to use 2 1/4 springs with Bilstein adjustable dampers
- Group 4 Escort brakes (bells and rotors) bells made by ME
- Custom hand made pedal box by Mickey Eiffe
- Twin Handbrakes
1 Hydraulic with button pressed in to lock and 1 cable conventional parking brake

First event 2nd stage (he thinks) - front turrets got pushed together after a jump - 1 inch box section strut brace welded in situe after hydraulic ram used to push turrets back out again (he reckoned the front end was a bit delicate)

Shortly after Slight rear offside damage (broke rear quarterlight and damaged rear wing - maybe taillight not sure) Tailgate "broke" at time too or later in service trying to repair wing - OK maybe it didn't but the weight loss was a handy bonus

Damage professionaly repaired after the event according to Micky Eiffe

He's going to think if there is anything else relevant over the next week and I've agreed to call him back and check to see if anything else comes back to him

So some progress then

[BChild]

Hmmm - possible new development - we are pretty sure that whilst Gavin Cox campaigned a Monza on ROGB for a few years the car he used wasn't this one..... However Martin Stockdale also campaigned an Opel Monza in the early 90's on the ROGB as well as the 1000 lakes - Googling reveals he still seems an active chap in Motorsport but as to how I find him - not a clue!!

[BChild]

Also spoke to Noel Gilsanan who worked with Mickey Eiffe on preparing the car and helping maintain/repair the car on services between stages - not much more info but he's going to do some digging around in his photos as he thinks he has a picture of the car with his boy in it and that would show some of the interior details.

He actually still works for Austin McHale as a transport manager so I got passed onto him by my email contact in the McHale Empire

So Updates to the info supplied by Mickey Eiffe (inc confirmations of some points)

The engine that was rebuilt by Swindon was the engine that came with the car - Some information from another forum indicated that this may not be the original engine in the car as Frank O'Rourke had a rather spectactular engine failure when racing the car when he owned it but it was interesting to know)

Engine was spec was in some way assisted by Neil Brown who was involved in saloon car racing in the UK (maybe a Monza connection there)

Definately sold the car to either a team member of RED (rally prep company/team) or a friend of the team member - Noel seemed to think that the car was going to be used for the Rally of GB in 1988 or that was the intention - he thinks it was either the husband of Louise Attkin-Walker or husbands mate that bought it but he's gonna try and find out for me

They had six weeks to prepare the car from purchase before the 1987 Circuit of Ireland Rally

Cage originally fitted was an Alloy one and that was replaced with a Safety Devices steel one as alloy cages at the time had been recently banned - so the alloy cage was the O'Rourke Original I reckon Roddy

The car was possibly seam welded already but further work was done - Noel's words were we did the minimum we could to stiffen up the sheel based on our experience with Manta Rally Cars

He has suggested that Frank O'Rourkes son may be able to help with early history of the car so I'll keep digging on that front

He pretty much confirmed all of Mickey Eiffe's info as correct regarding the spec of the parts used and set up of the car inc Electric windows being fitted and that perspex wasn't used to replace glass anywhere on the car

Few paces forward everytime helps I guess

[BChild]

Just looked elsewhere and found another Opel Monza Rally Car potential

1991 RAC Rally

Drive Profile - Martin Stockdale

http://www.rallybase.nl/index.php?ty...driverid=19508

Co-driver Profile - Michael Sendall

http://www.rallybase.nl/index.php?ty...driverid=19760

Also on 1990 1,000 lakes rally

Co-Driver Profile - Philip Brown
http://www.rallybase.nl/index.php?ty...driverid=19509

Driving an Opel Monza

From Here of all places I found another snippet of info

http://www.teamdan.com/archive/1991/novemb91.html

This quote regarding the 1991 Lomard Rally of GB

"Martin Stockdale has the oldest and heaviest car in the event - a 1980 Opel Monza weighing 1150kgs ( 78 )."

Results

78 STOCKDALE/SENDALL Opel Monza stopped ss27

The things that ring bells there is that the weight is same weight claimed for AMcH's Monza from memory and it's stated to be a 1980 car

Bit of a co-incidence - not sure - he's a hard man to track down!!!

[BChild]

Mondello Man from this forum has been stunning for leads and information and I'd like to thank him publically here for that help

He passed me on the contact details for Pat Sheil who worked for Frank O'Rourke and still works for his son Thomas

Pat Sheil's going to contact Billy White as he was for a long while a keen photographer on events in the 80's

Anyway

Confirmation car was purchased at 6mths old from Opel and it was a Directors Car however also confirmed that it was purchased damaged - to much damaged to be repaired and sold thro the dealer network
O'Rouke had an alloy cage fabricated (unknown supplier - assumed custom made locally) and then changed the drivers seat for a bucket type
For circuit racing and hill climbs it ran with all the rest of the interior still fitted but for rallys it was removed

It was also confirmed as damaged again on a local hill climb lost it in third gear on a bend

It definately wasn't seam welded untill Austin McHale got hold of it
No knowledge of any engine failures and Pat was certain that the engine in the car was the same one as it came new with when the car was sold on to Austin McHale

He had heard that it went to the Isle of man but he freely admits that it's just a rumour

He remembers an article in Pacenotes Magazine on the car and thought it was quite recent however again it may just be an old copy he saw recently - he's going to try and find me a copy and see if he can find any pictures

Ever forward

[BChild]

Information from Opel Germany Archives on the two "Identities"

Thanks to Vauxhall dealer Andy Clears and his German contact Louis for the information below

G99 GZJ As it originally left the factory
Chassis 2201190828
Model Opel Monza A
Model Code 223N4
Motor Type 30E
Engine Number 0027950
Production Date 10/04/1980
Code 28
Colour Aquamarineblau
Code 118
Interior Blau
Interior Type STOFF (Knautschelours)
Gearbox MT-5 MITTELSCHLTUNG
Unknown Desc RECHTSLENKER

And what is now almost certainly the tags used to ring the car when it came back to the UK

B733 WES As it originally left the factory
Chassis WOL000022F1073887
Model Opel Monza A
Model Code 223N6
Motor Type 30E
Engine Number 0075063
Production Date 07/12/1984
Code 11
Colour Polarweiss
Code 599
Interior Grau
Interior Type STOFF (Scala)
Gearbox AT-4
Unknown Desc RECHTSLENKER

So at least that confirms most of my suspicions

[BChild]

I might be talking to myself here because I've tried to bring the thread up to where we are today but I'm beginning to think this car is a bit like Christine in the Stephen King Movie of the same name

Built in 1980

Crashed same year (too badly to be sold on thro dealer network)
Repaired by Frank O'Rourke

Crashed by Frank on a hill climb
Left for dead for a while
Bought by Austin McHale - repaired

Rallied for two events
Crashed on the first one - rear 3/4 damage (Circuit of Ireland)
Repaired for the Manx

Crashed on the Manx - Front nearside
Repaired and sold

Trail goes cold

Bought by Ken S - rolled it
Repaired (I think) and sold

Most recently involved in a barn fire

Could you possibly imagine a more unlucky car!!!

[BChild]

Well here we go again - Just off the phone from talking to Martin Stockdale

In brief he didn't ever own the Austin McHale car - His Monza was a 1979 Opel Monza and it died on the RAC in 1991 - he hit a big tree stump and whilst it was patched up enough to get him home it was never ever going to be possible to be repaired properly and safely
EBL 260V was it's number plate - he's going to scan in some pictures for me and send them on when he's finished moving house

The vehicle details for EBL 260V are:
Date of Liability 30 12 1991
Date of First Registration 03 01 1980
Year of Manufacture 1980
Cylinder Capacity (cc) 2968CC
CO2 Emissions Not Available
Fuel Type Petrol
Export Marker Not Applicable
Vehicle Status Unlicensed
Vehicle Colour BLUE
Vehicle Type Approval null

Date of liability confirms 1991 death

He's got some spares in his workshop which has offered to me for nowt provide I can collect - he'd rather they went to a good home - not much just a few handy bits like a Fully rally spec 12V cam and some other nice bits

BUT................

The engine he ran in the car he was told was an ex Austin McHale - Swindon Race Engine - he's going to try and drag thro some papers but they are all boxed up at the moment.

the interesting bit for me was the engine lived on in his next car - 1987 Vauxhall Carlton GSi and he believes that car is still around as he's seen it about five miles away from where he lives - got a phone number for the chap he thinks he still has it.......

I've got pictures of that car too from the RAC Rally when I was spectating (rubbish pics tho as I didn't have a very good camera!!)

Got to be worth a phone call hasn't it :lol: