Remembering Chris Amon’s motorsport career in pictures

10 August, 2016

I had the pleasure of meeting Chris only the one time, at his home in late 2011. The occasion was rather a special one for Chris, as he got to see the BMW 3.0CSL — dubbed the ‘Batmobile’ — 38 years after he raced it with Hans-Joachim Stuck.

In our September issue of New Zealand Classic Car Michael Clark remembers his dear friend as a good old-fashioned Kiwi bloke from the sticks who loved his family, doted over his dogs, appreciated a good red, was good to his mates, and wondered what those clouds up there might bring if there was a chance of getting out on the lake.

Donn Anderson recalls watching the master at work on the racetrack as he lead the 1968 British Grand Prix, and surely en route to his first-ever Formula 1 victory.

We have lost a truly great New Zealand sportsman, a wonderful driver, and a good bloke to boot. Gone is the trio at the top — Chris Amon, Denny Hulme, and Bruce McLaren — and things will never be quite the same.

Here’s a few extra photos that couldn’t make the tribute in the September issue of New Zealand Classic Car — grab your copy here to read the full tribute.


Merry Christmas from NZ Classic Car magazine

The Classic Car magazine team is taking a few weeks’ holiday from the work computer and heading to the beach for some kickback time.
Merry Christmas, and have a wonderful summer holiday to all our readers, followers, and fans. Enjoy this special extra time with the family. We will be posting archive articles again in mid to late January.
Have fun, be good and be careful out there.

Two engines instead of one?

Popping two motors into a car is not only complicated, it doesn’t always end well. Donn Anderson recalls early attempts, including John Cooper’s ill-fated original Twini Mini built 58 years ago

For a boost in performance, better traction, and perhaps improved handling to some, two motors seems an obvious solution. It would also eliminate the need to develop a larger engine replacement from scratch, but would that outweigh the not inconsiderable technical difficulties?
The idea of using a pair of engines dates back at least 86 years to the Alfa Romeo Bimotor single seater racing car that was officially timed at 335km/h, or 208mph. Taking a lengthened Alfa P3 chassis, the Italians fitted two supercharged straight eight 2.9-litre and 3.2-litre engines, one in front of the cockpit, and the other behind the cockpit.