Norm Beechey's Mustang - Mustang's first winner?!

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by Camaroz

What's the latest?

I think the "latest" is to return the car to as close to how it would have been in the period under expert guidance then place it on the market...paint may be as Norm had it

[johnh875]

Not a bad (nor difficult!) choice

[275 GTB-4]

Car is being put right...when its back to more the way it was originally it might make an appearance....tis a pity it couldn't be at Sandown in November for the Mustang themed historics...oh well

[Camaroz]

Originally Posted by 275 GTB-4

Car is being put right...when its back to more the way it was originally it might make an appearance....tis a pity it couldn't be at Sandown in November for the Mustang themed historics...oh well

Yep, That would have been nice! This car being the first Mustang race winner and all! Would have been a good opportunity to "test" the interest in the car!

[johnh875]

I was wondering about this car when I heard of the Mustang theme for Sandown. There is a lot of work needed for the restoration though!

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by johnh875

I was wondering about this car when I heard of the Mustang theme for Sandown. There is a lot of work needed for the restoration though!

Not as much as you would think....for a start...the wheel wells haven't been tubbed. A dashboard and some firewall will be needed. Its all very do-able according to the experts down here.

[Camaroz]

Please, get the right firewall!

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by Camaroz

Please, get the right firewall!

It will need the left as well

There is a Stang expert advising Cam....don't sweat it

I think the paint will eventually be the Neptune Racing scheme rather than the original Gold colour.

[275 GTB-4]

Interesting thought....

My friend is restoring the Beechey Mustang...

I know the ex-Skinny Manton Mini is being restored...

Does anyone know what happened to the Jim McKeown Cortina?

Sometime in the future we could see the Neptune Racing Team re-enacted

[Camaroz]

Originally Posted by 275 GTB-4

Interesting thought....

My friend is restoring the Beechey Mustang...

I know the ex-Skinny Manton Mini is being restored...

Does anyone know what happened to the Jim McKeown Cortina?

Sometime in the future we could see the Neptune Racing Team re-enacted

Hi 275 GTB,

Which Manton Mini?

[cavvy]

The Mini sold to Jeff Dunkerton & lived a long life in WA motorsport. Was it 67 or 68?

The EH is still alive & well too !!

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by Camaroz

Hi 275 GTB,

Which Manton Mini?

Not the one in Melbourne! The ex-Manton, ex-Dunkerton car being restored in Sydney (BTW Do not ask further questions on that car as refusal may offend )

[Camaroz]

Originally Posted by 275 GTB-4

Not the one in Melbourne! The ex-Manton, ex-Dunkerton car being restored in Sydney (BTW Do not ask further questions on that car as refusal may offend )

I'm only interested because my first race car was Manton's last Mini owned by Ian Weaver and run before me by Brent Benzie! Is this car still in Melbourne?

Don't tell me, "owned now by a very private person that doesn't want to be inundated with questions" type owner!

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by Camaroz

I'm only interested because my first race car was Manton's last Mini owned by Ian Weaver and run before me by Brent Benzie! Is this car still in Melbourne?

Don't tell me, "owned now by a very private person that doesn't want to be inundated with questions" type owner!

Latest advice I have is three in Mel, one in SYD.

Re: "owned now by a very private person that doesn't want to be inundated with questions" type owner! - au contraire - I just don't wanna have a bar of it

[Camaroz]

Originally Posted by 275 GTB-4

Re: "owned now by a very private person that doesn't want to be inundated with questions" type owner! - au contraire - I just don't wanna have a bar of it

Smarter than your average Bear!!!!!

[275 GTB-4]

Looks like a change of plans - the ex-Beechey Mustang may soon be offered for sale...more when I hear it

[275 GTB-4]

QUOTE
Hi There,

I am putting Norm Beechy’s 1964 ½ Mustang up for Auction in 6 weeks. Yes, the first Mustang to win a race in the world..

I have bcc’d several parties into this email, so the context will apply to your function, you may forward this email to your colleagues or forums that you subscribe. Please note however, that ONLY seriously interested parties are welcome to call me.

I am interested in advertising this sale in your magazine if that is possible.

Alternatively I am available if you are interested in an article for your magazine.

Other interested parties may contact me as they wish with queries and questions.

The auction will start on Friday the 5th of August with a reserve of $100,000 and I intend to use ebay for the sale.

Can you please contact me by email or mobile 0409 079 755 with any information regarding advertising costs, timeframes or questions.

This link will provide you with background information and photos.

http://www.users.on.net/~justag/index_files/Page701.htm

Regards

Justin Gasparre

[chunterer]

Please keep us upto date on progress of this auction and who buys it (if anyone's allowed to say)

Quick question: Is the car still in that canibalised drag strip guise from the front page of this thread or has work begun on resotring it?

[275 GTB-4]

[chunterer]

Great, thanks for the update/

Looks like it is in the 'modified' guise......

Decent resoration job for the right buyer/s I guess?

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Great, thanks for the update/

Looks like it is in the 'modified' guise......

Decent resoration job for the right buyer/s I guess?

If you go back through what is written in the thread you may read that very little was done in the front chassis area except for the firewall removal...stang experts I have spoke to say it could be a quite straightforward resto.

However, comma, I don't want this to sound like I am talking up the sale...not my intention at all...just interested in seeing some motor racing history preserved Cheers, Mick

[thunder road]

what a great project,mind you not for the poor or weakhearted,this car is a genuine piece of automtive history,its all documented,....but give me a break, what so called 'EXPERT' considered its a.."quite a straightforeward resto" certainly not one with his hand in his 'pocket'..to do this car justice lets get real, $200k plus.sorry!!275 GTB-4 you are 'talking it up' And If you consider I'M full of "dogs' doings take the time to ring Ross Donnelly and pose the time / dollar question, I'm sure he will give you a very "honest" answer..good luck to the buyer, its a fantastic opportunity to own something very special !!!

[johnh875]

I dare say that "straightforward" is a relative term! Hopefully it will end up in circulation when all is said & done.

[275 GTB-4]

Originally Posted by thunder road

what a great project,mind you not for the poor or weakhearted,this car is a genuine piece of automtive history,its all documented,....but give me a break, what so called 'EXPERT' considered its a.."quite a straightforeward resto" certainly not one with his hand in his 'pocket'..to do this car justice lets get real, $200k plus.sorry!!275 GTB-4 you are 'talking it up' And If you consider I'M full of "dogs' doings take the time to ring Ross Donnelly and pose the time / dollar question, I'm sure he will give you a very "honest" answer..good luck to the buyer, its a fantastic opportunity to own something very special !!!

I should take umbrage...but I wouldn't know what to do with it!

Firstly, and for the last time, I am not talking up this sale..I have the same interest in historic racing vehicles that a lot of other people have...and Stormin Norman was one of my heros as a young lad...that is all.

I have spoken to Ross in the past at race meetings and admired his handywork up close...just fabulous.

I refuse to bring myself down to the level of name calling...(this time!!)

The restoration was considered relatively straight forward because the doors have not been tampered with, the chassis rails were not modified to shift the 390 back (only the firewall removed...and its not hard to source a replacement firewall and dash) and the body has not been tubbed to take the wider wheels...all good points towards an easy resto.

200K?? one discussion I had with people who judge Mustangs, went like this..to restore the thing to the standard that Norm ran it in would be a whole lot easier job than some other "fancier" more highly developed runners like Bobs Z28 Camaro. Norms car only had white painted rims for a start...I understand it can be tricky to source the early rims, but not impossible because of the number sitting around whilst people run their shiney mags!

Time for less emotion maybe?? Cheers, Mick

[275 GTB-4]

With the impending sale there has been a little discussion in other places...speculation on worth etc

A local Mustang expert added:

I have had a good look at this vehicle, although it is in drag racing format, and the ford 390 engine set back behind the original mounts requiring cuts to the fire wall, cowl plenum, floor and dash all replacement panels are available. The chassis rails are still intact.

The rear of the car has not been tubbed as the rear wheels were offset outwards and therefore the rear quarters and inner wheel wells require replacement, the rear rails were not altered but are strengthened. The front guards, bonnet, grille, seats and windows are all available used or new.

The purchase cost of all these panels etc would be about $5000.00 max and the installation of them with painting in original Neptune Blue should not exceed $15000.00 (I would imagine).

289 K code engines are sometimes available and have sold for between $8000.00 and $10000.00 and may need work. A manual 4 speed gearbox might set you back $1500.00.

The sale of the 390 the tricked auto and the Lola suspension parts, racing seat, fuel tank and two sets of wheels other stuff could bring in more than $15000.00.

This car is steeped in history both as a race car (which also competed overseas at one time, not with much success) and a drag car and the current owner has all that information.

I could see that although not the same fame as the Geoghegan car this car would be a valuable asset to any historic racer or museum, enthusiast.