ex John Reaburn Buchanan Holden

[Buchanan Holden]

1959 Buchanan Holden Special



Owner/Driver:
Kangaroo Stable / Kean Rogers since 1997

Prepared by:
Kangaroo Stable USA/Australia

History:
The car was built by Athol Hodge in Numurkah at the end of 1959 . It was first raced by Gordon Carruthers for Hodge Motors at Tatura racetrack.


Ad from June 1960


It was purchased by John Reaburn in April 1960 and raced successfully until the end of 1963 when John went overseas and left the car for his father to sell.


"Athol Hodge" with his Buchanan Holden special


Sold in 1965 to Roger Godfrey of Moe. The car then passed to Charlie Rose in Trafalgar around 1969. He kept it until 1972.

It reappeared at Sandown Auto wreckers who owned it until June 1973 when Steve Miller purchased it. After ten years Terry Healy of Brunswick became the next custodian from August 1983 until September. Greg Smith kept it from September 1983 through November 1984.

David Doubtfire, prominent member of the VHRR, took the car over and began restoring it to its original specification as John Reaburn raced the car. Both John Reaburn and Athol Hodge inspected the car and confirmed its authenticity. David applied to CAMS and was granted a Class Lb Logbook in 1987 which the car still retains. He eventually sold the car to Mark Minnarelli of South Australia in 1989.

Richard Bowen then found the car advertised at Collectable Classics, who brokered the car on behalf of Mark. Richard returned it to Victoria in 1995.

Since January 1997 the car has been part of the Kangaroo Stable and has been brought up to current safety standards with side intrusion beams, roll hoop, cut off switch and fire retardant system. All work completed to maintain compliance with CAMS Lb category rules in Australian historic racing. The car now races in historic events on the west coast of America but will return to Australia in the next few years.


Specifications:

Chassis - Buchanan designed, built by Pressed Metal Corporation

Engine - Holden Grey 6cyl, 3x 1.5inch HS6 SU carburetors

Gearbox - Holden 3-speed, Lancia 4-speed for selected tracks, currently Holden 4-speed

Differential - Holden banjo style

Front Susp. - Narrowed early Holden crossmember, coil springs & telescopic dampers

Rear Susp. - Holden leaf springs & telescopic dampers, trailing arms

Brakes - Holden drums front & rear

Steering - Holden steering box & linkages



Racing History 1960-1961

Phillip Island
3-Apr-60
G.T. Car Handicap
5 th
J. Reaburn
G.T. Car Scratch
2 nd
J. Reaburn

Hume Weir
12-Jun-60
Sports Car Scratch
2 nd
G. Carruthers

Phillip Island
18-Sep-60
Touring & G.T. Car Scratch
5 th
J. Reaburn
Touring & G.T. Car Scratch
1 st
J. Reaburn
Saloon Car Handicap
1 st
J. Reaburn

Port Wakefield
Touring & G.T. Car Handicap
2 nd
J. Reaburn
All-comers handicap
1 st
J. Reaburn

Phillip Island
11-Dec-60
G.T. Car Scratch
1 st
J. Reaburn
Touring & G.T. Car Scratch
2 nd
J. Reaburn
Touring & G.T. Car Handicap
2 nd
J. Reaburn

Phillip Island
30-Jan-61
Touring & G.T. Car Handicap
1 st
J. Reaburn
G.T. Car Scratch
2 nd
J. Reaburn
G.T. Car Handicap
2 nd
J. Reaburn

Phillip Island
12-Jun-61
Touring & G.T. Car Handicap
3 rd
J. Reaburn
G.T. Car Scratch
1 st
J. Reaburn
G.T. Car Handicap
1 st
J. Reaburn

Phillip Island
10-Dec-61
G.T. Car Handicap
1 st
J. Reaburn
G.T. Car Scratch
2 nd
J. Reaburn



HILL CLIMB

Templestowe
25-Sep-60
Sports Cars 2001 - 3000 cc
1 st
J. Reaburn
G.T. Over 1600 cc
1 st
J. Reaburn

Hepburn Springs
16-Oct-60
G.T. Cars 2001 - 2600 cc
1 st
J. Reaburn
New class record

Rob Roy
1-Nov-60
G.T. Over 1600 cc
1 st
J. Reaburn
New class record
Sports Cars 2001 - 3000 cc
1 st
J. Reaburn

Templestowe
13-Nov-60
G.T. Over 1600 cc
1 st
J. Reaburn
Sports Cars 2001 - 3000 cc
1 st
J. Reaburn

Rob Roy
19-Apr-61
G.T. Over 1600 cc
1 st
J. Reaburn

Rob Roy
2-Jul-61
G.T. Cars 2001 - 2600 cc
3 rd
J. Reaburn
Sports Cars 2001 - 3000 cc
3 rd
J. Reaburn