Dick Johnson wass a Holden Fan!

[ferrari fan]

In the book"Dick Johnson ,The real story of a folk hero" ,the Author is stating that Mr D. Johnson "was a one eyed misogynistic Holden freak"( page 58 ,3th colum), This might come a e terrible shock to the army of hundred of thousands of fans who worship Johnson and the Blue Oval, but after all his father had always been a GM man.(end quote)
It becomes clear while reading this great and enjoyable book that ,to make a complete modelrange of the cars that Dick raced in his illustrius career there will be quit a few (early) Holdens!:mad:
Just as there are going to be a few later ford models :D in the Brock collection plus a VOLVO and BMW.
This book is very highly recommended and is a great read with exelent pics in it as well (even F1 adverts and cars but sadly no FERRARI's

[the_goldie]

Hey Ferrari Fan - don't you like Holdens?

I never thought there would come a day where I would add a Ford to the collection but now I have several - it's part of collecting bathurst winners and memorable moments like Johnsons through the trees or rock car, or just for the look of the muscle cars...

I am sure 'some' fantaical FORD fans wouldn't mind adding a Holden to their collection if their beloved Ford driver once drove it...same with Brock when he drove the Sierra, I will gladly add the Sierra to the collection.

[XR8]

hehe, you're a bit slow boys.
I got that book at least 2 Christmases ago!!!

Also, if you want to dig a bit further back, try hunting
down a copy of "The Unforgiving Minute".

It was the first book put out with Dick's life story, and I'm sure there's mention of his Holden racing history there too....

Ed :)

[mustang1966]

Thanks for the news FF

As XR8 stated this is very old news. Seems he could not get a drive with the HDT in the early to mid 70's and move across to the mighty blue oval.

I think it is a credit to Dick, the things he managed to achive without the factory support.

Cam you are correct I will be adding the DJ Torana to my collection and I am sure it will look nice next to the range of Falcons, Sierras and hopefully the mighty Mustang.

How did you mate go last night? I had to head off to work before the start of the demo derby and was a little pissed about missing it. :mad:

[the_goldie]

Hey Mark,

Yeah not too bad he got rammed with about 5 cars left and put him out the engine was stuffed and the gearbox had seen better days :) apparently he got hit a few times and it moved about 100mm!? The front brakes got jammed after a while and he was sitting there just smoking the crowd out trying to get going... and then another car rammed him and got him going. He went pretty well once he was moving. There were some HUGE hits, ashamed you missed it cause it was a pretty good demo.

[mustang1966]

Thanks now I am even more upset I missed out, it's been 3 week since I saw the fender benders.

Let us hope the V8 offer some biff and barge to keep up my addiction.

You should post a picture of your mates car up and see what kind of comments it gets.

[7Litre]

For Trivia Matters:

Dick started at the Strathpine Curcuit in a Beige FJ "38J" was his number.
His next Car was a EH, which he brought from a country salesman. Painted it Red with 17 on the side.

Then moved onto GTR XU1 which he got from Eagers Holden with a sponsorship from Shell.

And finally to the transformation to FORD was Co-Driving with Moore in a Capri.

He tried to get into the Holden Camps, but there was no openings, so Ford had the best offer.

The rest is History.

Don't Bore it, Just Big Block it...

[the_goldie]

Here is a pic of my mates demo derby car. Its Ford XE with the 99 HRT Paint scheme :D We are holden fans and didn't want to smash up one of the Generals cars so he got an old ford instead... I will post some more pics on my site.

[brchi17]

Gee ff, how much dust was that book covered in. I can remember getting that book given to me for Christmas back in 1990 !!!:D

Hey you also forgot to write why he switched camps. It was because Ford would give him a paid drive where Holden would not (possibly because they had Brock, but it could have also been because he given them such a fright when he drove the Torrana for HDT at Lakeside - he he he !!!!).

Anyway that is a great book, it just unfortunate it wasn't released for a 3rd time under another name as the photos in that book are fantastic (espically the one of the 84 XE on 1 wheel exiting the Cutting at Bathurst pg146-7).

cheers.

[XR8]

Yeah, demo derbies are great to watch!!

That Falcon looks pretty good, even with the paintjob,
nice and straight, with what appears to be minimal rust.
You might have got good money for it as a complete car!!

Too bad you didn't have faith in your GMH product, but we all know they don't go the distance anyway!!! :P

Just kidding!! Got any 'after' shots??

Ed :)

[the_goldie]

I have had added the pics: before and after to my site...

The car had a bit of rust close up...and it isn't straight anymore :D as after last night it went to metal heaven... Here is the direct link to the pics... demo derby (http://www21.brinkster.com/cambo/demoderby.asp?gr oup=demoderby)

[BATHURSTFAN]

1) The Unforgiving Minute - Dick Johnson, The Real Story Of A Folk Hero - 1984. (1sT Edition) by Bill Tuckey

2) Dick Johnson - The Real Story Of A Folk Hero - 1989 (2nd Edition)
same book with the extra 5 years in it.

3) Don't Tell Me I can't Do That - 1999.

[ferrari fan]

I've got the 2nd edition and it was signed and an extra comment by Mr. Dick Johnson to the signature for me on the 30-4-99 when the team had my garage for the raceweekend that year at Barbagallo race way
I have found it a very nice book and brought me more up to date as I only came to good old Aus in 1981
Reading the book and having the models made it even more .
This team was much more appreciative than the Flin(stone) brothers outfit. enough said!

[oldxr]

Saw the Unforgiving minute at a swap meet a while back for $15, passed on it has i already all three, all good reads.