Australian rally driver Chris Atkinson maybe the last driver to contest the top flight World Rally Championship, but 70 years prior before the inauguration of the title three Australians contested the rally in a Holden.
With the latest edition of the Monte Carlo Rally finished it is the perfect to reflect on an all-Aussie effort on the world’s most prestigious motorsport events.
In what was a herculean logistical effort at the time, one 48-215 Holden was shipped to Monte Carlo for friends Stan Jones and Lex Davison – already legends at home – alongside UK-based Tony Gaze, who was drafted in by 1952 Australian Grand Prix winner John Barraclough.
Gaze was in a position to submit the entry forms and was in attendance as the FJ went through customs.
Here is the Repco link, Research Manager Charlie Dean ran in the 48-215 for Davison and Jones, before the work was completed at his home in Kew. Not only did Dean provide a pseudo ‘workshop’, but proved a between man for the intrepid Australian team and parts suppliers.
Limited modifications were allowed, with the 48-215 including a Buick Speedo, 10 gallon fuel tank, two driving lights and recessed fog lamps. Also added were a heater-demister, windscreen washer and an electric fuel pump.
The effort cost a remarkable £4000 in the day and with no support from Holden it was a success just arriving in Monte Carlo. It was a frantic lead up to get the 48-215 prepared for the rally, with just two weeks to prepare the entry before the freight ship left Melbourne.
Dean also tuned the engine to increase power and reliability, while it was painted green featuring the word Australia on the side in addition to a kangaroo.
Starting the rally in Glasgow of all places, it was a 2100 mile journey through Wales, England and France before hitting the alps, but the conditions were treacherous.
One of 440 entries, the Holden failed to lose a point on arrival to Monte Carlo thus qualifying for a final stage through the Col de Braus, but with no experience on the stretch of road except for riding shotgun with another competitor left expectations low for the trio.
This was further emphasised once passing through the stretch of road as due to the stage’s regularity timing structure, the trio held dim hopes of a good result.
When the results came out on the last night of the rally, 64th place was a welcome surprise.
A trip to Monza followed before it was imported back to Australia and was used in a rally where Davison’s wife Diana finished second alongside Pat Wilson in the women’s section.
Later it was used in trials before being crashed, then sold as a road car to an unsuspecting new owner no doubt!