AFTER being found in pieces, hidden in the pines of Mount Gambier, this racing car was salvaged and restored by present owner Denis Bald.
Discovering the car 1991, Mr Bald conducted a full restoration on the Number 19, 1936 Ford Heavy Hot Rod.
Originally owned by Chris Clayton, the vehicle was used as a racing car before Mr Clayton had gained his road license.
“He had said it was an excellent way to discover what was involved in the maintenance of a ‘racing machine’,” Mr Bald said.
The original engine and gear box were replaced with a later model unit as the old engine was subject to blowing head gaskets due to the extremes in temperatures and mud which would clog the radiator.
“Chris said the first time he took the car on the track the bonnet flew off – he never replaced the bonnet and continued to drive without it,” Mr Bald said.
The car was first raced on the clay pans across the border in Victoria, before the Borderline Speedway became a reality.
This classic racing car also featured in the opening night of the Mount Gambier Borderline Speedway.
“At some stage someone else drove the car and changed its number to 27,” Mr Bald said.
Mr Bald discovered the car after he was told about it dumped in the pine forest.
“It was in a sad and sorry state, but I was determined to restore the old girl to her former splendor,” he said.
“I have used as many parts as I could that were salvageable when restoring the car.”
During the process, Mr Bald said he was very fortunate to receive copious amounts of support from people in the community, in particular countless hours of help from Graham Dycer.
“Without their help I would not have been able to restore it in time to have it entered in the 1995 Riverview Classic,” Mr Bald said.
Since restoring the vehicle, dubbed “Henrietta” Mr Bald said he has enjoyed driving her at several events.
