Peterallen - Bolwell Mk 7.

[PeterAllen]

Not much (any)? Datsun anticipated in this one but with the GTO just about finished I thought I'd start on my next project.

 

 

I would love to hear about any 'issues' from folks who own one or have owned one. Thanks

 

As usual, no time frame planned, just a hobby.

Edited February 24, 2017 by PeterAllen

[C.A.R.]

Congrats on the purchase Pete.
Who/How/Why/When did the purchase come about?

 

Edit/ Is that a Dunlop Mag wheel I spy?

Edited February 22, 2017 by Lurch ™

[Cozza]

That's great Peter. Does it come with the shed? ?

[PeterAllen]

Lachlan. i just put the word out through the Bolwell Club and the phone hasn't stopped ringing - well... I've inspected two cars in two weeks.

 

I'm told the front wheels are Volvo and they must be much prized as the other seller quite proudly told me he had four.

 

 

Mick. Big sheds are for girls. I've got an old septic tank with are tarp over it, but it a shed to me.

[PB260Z]

Hi Peter

 

Congratulations, they are a fantastic car, we had a customer at the servo who had one back in the early 90's.

Have really liked them ever since.

 

Good luck with the project.

 

Cheers

 

PB

[260DET]

Looks like an interesting project, just a restoration or more than that?

[dat2kman]

That rim is from the Volvo 242GT

Theres a fairly quick historic Group T race car up this way, but not as quick as the Datsun!

As these ran Torana suspension and mechanicals, the rear axle to body pick-up points were not condusive to good handling.

 

The guys on the Bolly-ablog should be able to assist.

I knew a few of these and the owners, when they raced.

Ranald McLurkin Snr, was the gun driver, his car was sold to Alan Edwards, who was a teacher at a school i attended.

It was this very car, that gave me the impetus to start racing.

Alan would bring it along to the school for our elective subject "Mechanics" which I did.

 

I wasnt an academic type!

[gav240z]

Ran Mclurkin is that Ashley's father from Moorabbin Auto Spares? Pretty sure he raced these? But maybe getting my wires crossed?

[C.A.R.]

Ran Mclurkin is that Ashley's father from Moorabbin Auto Spares? Pretty sure he raced these? But maybe getting my wires crossed?

 

Correct.

In the same Group D sports cars era as my old man too.

Although Ran Snr in his Nagari & TVR was lightyears faster than my old man in his AH Sprite...

[gav240z]

Yeah small world indeed. Exciting new project.

[dat2kman]

Alan Edwards in the ex McLurkin car.

Few others as well!

Ranald Snr in the TVR in 3rd

2nd is a Nagari.

 

The Mark 7's were all Holden Six powered, usually a 186ci motor.

Edited February 23, 2017 by dat2kman

[zed240au]

Looks like a great project Don't forget to get the GTO out and enjoy it

[Agno]

Mmm Bolwell. A Ford powered Nagari is right up there as a dream car for me!

Edited February 23, 2017 by Agno

[KatoKid]

Surely #lstheworld

[Paulo]

Hi Peter, re the Volvo wheels, if you go down the path of Volvo/aftermarket wheels, please be aware that there are "early" and "late" wheel dimensions, and some suit Ford to XD.

 

Found out the hard way when restoring a1966 122S Volvo and purchased 5 stud 6x14 rim Globe "Bathurst" style mags. They fitted a P1800 (the Saint car) of 1968 and seller swore they would fit. Being a long term project, I didn't find out 'til much later and the seller had passed on.

 

My lug dimensions are 114.3mm. Just a cautionary tale, and I'm sure you'll have much fun with the restoration. A friend is doing repairs to a Bowell 7 at the moment and another is rebuilding a Nagari.

[PeterAllen]

Thanks Paulo, I'm sure there'll be many traps like that during the restoration.

 

The car has a Torana front end but I can't recall whats in the rear. May be a HR?

 

My first thoughts are for wire wheels but I'll just have to see what off-set I can have with the guard widths, etc, etc.

[C.A.R.]

My first thoughts are for wire wheels but I'll just have to see what off-set I can have with the guard widths, etc, etc.

  

 

IMHO Peter, leave the wires for the pommy cars.

A period set of Minilights of Mawers would set it off perfectly

[Howdy]

Awesome find Peter. My Bro had one back in the 80s. They are so light which makes the big block 186 red motor push them along surprisingly fast. The only annoyance was the access to the back as his had no hatch.

[nizm0zed]

you get all the cool toys dont you?

Given the quality that the other toy is built to, this should end up pretty impressive

[Paulo]

Minilites/ lookalikes (Speedlite)were produced in South Australia, but the castings were sold to a business in QLD a couple of years ago. I was lucky, got a set of new in box 8 spoke minilites 15x6 gray from Stewart Wilkins Motorsport. I have attempted contact (# advised from original producer SA), no results, but I guess if there is enough interest, they may start producing again.

 

Like your thought pattern Lockey!  Good one Pete and all the best.

[Paulo]

By the way, fuel tank issues should be expected, and if it is like the example Mk 7 seen recently, beware of the battery position, and isolation of electric wiring to rear.

[PeterAllen]

Paulo. Could you elaborate on those issues, either here or by PM. Thank you.

 

 

Great racing at PI today - Go Ant West 

[dat2kman]

Google search Barry Cambell, he has a number of Mk7's, including the ex Matt Pintar now Group T Prod Sports race car.

Barry has been involved with Bollies for many decades.

Name drop me in your conversation, he will be very receptive.

 

Barry is good mates with Kieth Carling, well known Sports Sedan driver of many decades, too!

They'd know more than anyone, about car setup on these.

They are based on the Gold Coast Qld

[PeterAllen]

Thanks. While I'm primarily interested in making this stock rather than a performance vehicle, all information is good.

 

The cost of wire wheels with a bit of 'in-period' dish will probably rule them out. I'm now thinking of the old Hotwire wheels, even with a dab of body colour paint inside the spoke, and there are plenty of them cheap on Gumtree. I'm a long way off that stage but as I learnt with the GTO it's good to know what the project needs so you can grab a bargain if one pops up. Spare triple side-draft Webers anyone?

 

Researching is proving difficult as these cars seem to have lost favour over the last decade or so (and owners died off) and there are no active forums. They need a Gary Doolittle. Another aspect is the cars were sold mainly in kit form and the style, componentry and quality of finish varies greatly from car to car. The previous owners of my car have given it 60s, 70s and 80s touches, depending on when they owned it, and I now want to take it all back to when it left the factory.

 

My thanks to you all for the feedback.

Edited February 27, 2017 by PeterAllen

[gav240z]

Researching is proving difficult as these cars seem to have lost favour over the last decade or so (and owners died off) and there are no active forums.

 

Well as is customary of my Gen Y group we want everything for nothing, in order to start a forum on these cars I'd need to be into them and own 1 myself. So if you can source me a farm fresh example I'll take care of the rest. 

 

I've watched this a few times.