A neat concept from the brain of Paul Kelly and the pen of Scotty Harrod, as seen in the SM Hot Rod Annual 2009. It represents the kind of custom rod that might have been built in Oz in the early 60s, using cheap, available parts. This one is FC Holden based, using not only the engine, gearbox, rims, pedals, steering column and brakes, but also instruments, tiller, badges and rear lights.
One of the joys about putting together the Hot Rod Annual was researching the history yarn on the racing history of the Norman supercharger. One of the real pleasures was talking to Alan Jones. No, not the Aussie GP champ, but a bloke from Queensland who campaigned a FJ speedway saloon in the early 70s. The FJ was powered by methanol injected, Norman-blown grey motor - all put together by the owner and totally competitive against the rising tide of red and V8-powered machines. Grab the mag for more info, great quotes and pics.
We featured Peter Wooley's Norman-supercharged FJ Holden back in SM, Jun 2006. The setup features a ton of neat fabrication work courtesy of Peter's on Dean, including new brackets, inlet manifold, a water/methanol injection system, neat air box and an electronic clutch.
If that gets your nostalgic juices flowing, be sure to grab a copy of the 2009 Street Machine Hot Rod Annual, which features a tribute to the blokes who have fitted Normans to their street and race cars over the last 40-odd years. Including:
* George Cole's 'Wrecker II' Viva
* The Burnett/Don 'Alki Burner'
* The Syrmis/Richards 'Time Machine'
* Cliff Kiss's double-blown rail
* Alan Jones's howling FJ saloon car
And plenty more! On sale November 25.
...is coming! We're up to our elbows in it now and having a ball. In the meantime, here's Shane Corr's '24 Dodge roadster, complete with a Speco-equipped 138 big block.
