Grandad's photos

Off to Hamilton for the day to check out a race car for sale. We had lunch on the riverbank which has some nice features. The Waipa Delta is against the wharf, about ready to leave for its lunch time struggle up river. The paddle wheels are dummies, the boat has two diesels driving propellors.


The old gunboat Rangiriri retired from service in 1889 and was placed on the riverbank in 1982 to rust away quietly.


The park has a Spitfire, I think this has come from Te Rapa Airbase which is now a shopping centre. It's a late Mark with the clipped wing tips.

Then off to look at the race car, which I bought. Ugly Brute will be on the market just as soon as we finish digging up its history. This is a 1960's Special, named the Orchid (not a Lotus - get it?). It has a 1500 cc pre-crossflow Ford engine, 4 speed box, Herald front suspension & discs, Cortina rear diff and 5-link suspension. The body is fibreglass Buckler. It drives, but needs some finishing, painting & wiring. It came with extensive race history paperwork. Funny - the guy I bought it off is brother-in-law of Ron Jones, my high school mate who had guinea pigs, motor trolleys and a father that used to throw radio valves at us as we biked away from his electrical shop.