It was the birthday of racing great Allan Moffat during the week and what better way to celebrate then to pick out five of his best cars across his career.
The Canadian enjoyed a storied career includes races in four Bathurst victories, four Australian Touring Car Championships, an Australian Sports Sedan Championship, an Australian Sports Car Championship, two Australian Endurance Championships, tilts at Le Mans, Trans Am, the 24 Hours of Daytona, the European Touring Car Championship and victory in the 12 Hours of Sebring.
To pick just five will be difficult, but the Repco Garage has attempted to do just this.
Ford Lotus Cortina
This provided Moffat’s start in Australian motorsport after a period of persistence where he worked for Lotus after following the team from round-to-round. It also started his Ford association both in the US and Australia.
Ford Mustang
Not much to say here. One of Australia’s legendary touring cars ever, the Coca-Cola Ford Mustang developed by Kar Kraft raised the level locally and provided much success for Moffat. Although he failed to win an Australian Touring Car Championship in the Mustang, he did take victory in 101 of 151 races contested as well as a legendary rivalry with Bob Jane.
Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III
The mighty GT-HO was used by Moffat to win his first ATCC title in 1973 after the regulations turned to Improved Production. Moffat also scored victory at Bathurst in 1971 in what was really the ultimate ‘family sedan’ if you could call it that.
BMW 3.0 CSL
Moffat raced the ‘Batmobile’ in a one-off appearance for BMW at the 1975 12 Hours of Sebring event, winning it with Brian Redman and Sam Posey. A beast of a nameplate, the 3.0 CSL is revered across the world as in that year BMW managed to win the IMSA GT Championship.
Mazda RX-7
Controversial throughout its racing life, Moffat fought tooth and nail to get the Mazda RX-7 accepted by CAMS as a touring car, which he was ultimately successful in doing. Although never having the power to win at the Mountain (although he did come close), Moffat did win his last touring car title using the Japanese coupe in 1983. He also pioneered mid-race pit stops as a strategic option as well in the RX-7 at Wanneroo.