14 New Zealand Classic Car | themotorhood.com
Rare coincidence
Many years later, in 2001, Colin was
in the South Island competing in his
Formula Junior Stanguellini when he
stopped by the Ranfurly museum for
afternoon tea. As he was sitting outside on
a bench, he struck up a conversation with
a local, who was disposing of some rubbish
in a bin next to where he was sitting. After
they exchanged a few pleasantries, the
conversation turned to cars, and Colin
explained that he was competing in the
Formula Junior.
Colin recalls, “The local asked me what
other motor sport I had been involved in,
and I told him that I’d once competed in
a few rallies around the country driving a
Škoda. The local immediately responded by
saying that his neighbour in Alexandra had
two old Škoda rally cars sitting in his barn.”
Colin couldn’t resist the urge to take a
look. He eventually found the cars hidden
away in an old barn just out of Alexandra
that had once been used as a staging post
for the Cobb & Co. stagecoaches back
in the 1800s. Colin recognized the cars
immediately. Despite the fact that they had
suffered the effects of time and the harsh
cold, damp Central Otago environment inthe barn for 18 years, he knew that he had
to buy them. The owner had purchased the
Škodas in 1983 with the intent of restoring
both cars, but, unfortunately, that plan
never eventuated. Colin couldn’t believe
that both cars were still fairly intact, with
many of the original items, including the
magnesium wheels complete with the
original Goodyear Ultragrip rally tyres,
the additional gauge binnacle that mounts
on top of the dashboard, and even the
genuine Halda mechanical Tripmasters.
After returning to Auckland from his
motor racing trip, Colin was soon back
in the South Island, where he successfully
negotiated a deal to buy both cars.Rebirth
Once the cars were back in Auckland,
Colin realized that, “because the condition
of both cars was so bad, we virtually had to
build one car out of both bodies”. Once the
best car had been chosen for restoration, the
first project was to replace the entire floor
section, as well as both sill panels. A new
oil catch-can and fuel tank were fabricated.
Fortunately, Colin was able to source
many new Škoda 110L body panels locally,
including front guards, bonnet, and bootlid, which were an exact fit to the 120 S.
While the body repairs were taking
place, work started on the engine.
John Steward Motors in Howick was given
the task of rebuilding an engine using the
best parts from both engines, as well as new
parts. Despite the temptation to modify,
Colin decided that he wanted the motor
built to standard specifications.
The Škoda was resprayed in its original
bright green colour scheme, and the original
reupholstered high-back rally seats refitted.
The Czech wiring system took some time to
figure out, but, with the help of a semi-retired
auto electrician who had once worked at the
Motor Holdings plant, Colin was able to sort
everything out. The final addition, which
Colin managed to find in Germany, was a
set of genuine ’70s-style Hella spotlights, to
retain the Škoda’s original appearance.
At 90 years of age, Colin still gets a great
deal of enjoyment from this wonderful old
rally car that holds many fond memories and
has such great stories to tell. With a glint in
his eyes, he says to us, “While you’re here,
you’d better come and have a look at this,”
and pulls the cover off his stunning 1954
Mk8 Cooper, which he’s owned since 1981
— but that’s a whole new story.At 90 years of age, Colin
still gets a great deal
of enjoyment from this
wonderful old rally car
that holds many fond
memories and has such
great stories to tell