National Motor Racing Museum & Local Bathurst Enthusiasts: Classic Restos - Series 45

Fletch travels to the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst to visit the National Motor Racing Museum situated at the escape road at Murray’s Corner on the iconic race circuit. The Museum was opened in 1988 by the late motor racing legend Peter Brock and features between 110-115 racing cars and motorcycles from all forms of the sport. Plus an extensive memorabilia collection including race suits, helmets and a photographic display. Curator Brad Owen says the Museum undergoes regular changes, so there is always something new to see.

Amongst the famous race cars and motorcycles is the 1977 XC Ford Falcon that featured in the 1, 2 finish by Allan Moffatt and Peter Bond. The 1968 XR GT Falcon of Freddie Gibson and Harry Firth. The 1969 Holden HK Monaro GTS 327 of Bruce McPhee & Barry Mulholland.  Plus, one of the mighty 1966 Mini Cooper S vehicles that filled the top nine places at Bathurst, a feat that remains unbeaten in 40 years.

Bathurst for many years was also the home of motorcycle racing, and the Museum features bikes from all categories of bike racing including Wayne Gardner’s 1987 500cc World Championship bike.

There are plenty of examples for car & bike enthusiasts alike.

Living in Bathurst, it’s not hard to get into cars, the whole community gets involved, and Fletch catches up with Stu the Shannons Regional Development Officer located in Bathurst, an enthusiast of course, and chats about his beloved 1960 Cadillac 4-door. Stu has spent over 1,000 hours detailing the vehicle inside and out. Finished in a distinctive Palamino Blue the car is now restored to its original condition,  with the original Cadillac 390 cubic inch motor.

Another collector with an impressive man-cave is Steve who says it has been a long time in the making and now is home to a beautiful collection of cars. A Peter Brock fan from a very young age and the reason that he got into cars. Understandably his pride and joy is a 1985 Group A Brock Commodore that he has owned now for 30 years and still has only 27,000 Km on the clock, and it takes pride of place in the collection. But there is a whole lot more to Steve’s collection, including an L34 Holden Torana, a ’71 Chevrolet Camaro, a ’71 Smokey and The Bandit LHD Trans Am, a white Corvette, a Holden Gemini, an FC Holden, a Holden Commodore SV5000 Limited Edition sedan, and an ’82 VH Holden Commodore SS. All in various stages of restoration and a couple for the future. There is no shortage of restoration work here but plenty of passion to go with it.