Gulson Bathurst 1980

[Evan Bottcher]

Did I ever point out that the Gulson ALFASUD ran 23rd in the 1980 Bathurst?

http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/bathurst_1980.htm

Okay, so only 34 cars finished... But don't ever tell me my model doesn't have a racing pedigree!

Pah!

[Sheldon McIntosh]

Sounds good until you see that it qualified behind Escort 1.6GLs and Geminis.  I'm sure it sounded better doing it though.

[Scott Farquharson]

That would be a great car to find!  A Group C Alfasud....a true big banger...I may just ring Ray and find out where it is.

[Paul Newby]

Hey Scott,

Here is a photo of the Green Sud, courtesy of Ray Gulson.

I wouldn't worry about trying to find it though.... 

I'm not 100% sure about the story but the Group C Sud was purchased by Andrew Leithhead and Phil Whalley in the 80's and it ran in 6 Hour events and the like until it was rolled at Oran Park I think in the late 80's. The car was reshelled and I think (though I'm not totally sure) that there was a continuation of the Group C logbook.

I believe this Sud was then "retired" when Leithhead brought his Group A GTV6 (another sad story...  ) and all the good bits like the close ratio Autodelta gearbox were dipsersed among the "faithful." The shell was then sold to another Sud racer with the logbook. It still exists in I believe average condition but whether it can be built up into Group C Bathurst spec and whether it would get a Certificate of Description (despite the Group C logbook) is another question.

Gulsons also took a silver Sud (on Momo Vegas  ) to Bathurst in 1981 but it failed to qualify. And no, I have no idea what happened to that one. Probably sold on the lot to a Canberra suburban housewife... 

[Fast Eddie]

And thanks to a lot of work from a gent in NSW recently, Graham Hoinville has apparently given the nod that an appropriately aged Sud can now be run in Group Sc.  subject to the usual inspections etc.

Not sure what goodies list they will run off though. Probably standard but 33 running gear allowed.

Sadly the guy in NSW didnt progress his Sc Sud project any further and has since changed marques.

[Scott Farquharson]

Well, I think if you found whats left (the shell and logbook) I think you would have enough for a C of D.  Based on what you have said no one else could claim to have the car, they may have a piece but the major component is the shell etc.

Someone should do it.  It would be fantastic.

[Paul Newby]

A Group Sc Sud....

Haven't heard about that one and I'm on the Group S racing Association committee... I think some of the racers have had a problems with Porsches and Alfas (105s and 116s) running as touring cars as well as sports cars. At present there is conjecture as to whether a BMW 3.0 CSL should run in Sc. A normal Sud Ti would be construed as a 2 door sedan much like a BMW 2002 is. I could see a case for a Sud Sprint, but they didn't come here until 79 as 1.5 and earlier (76?) Sprints would only be 1.3. I couldn't see anyone wanting  to run a single carb 1.3 in the rough and tumble of Group S ...

Yes, the guy with the Group C Sud logbook knows what he has, though I'm sure it isn't as straight forward as I've described it. But he also has another Sud to race, and he doesn't get out in that much either...

[Fast Eddie]

The guy submitted documentation proving it's racing history Internationally and here and it was approved in principal.  Why would a sud be less eligible than a sprint?  the sud at the time was a twin carb 1.5 2-door just like the sprint was from 79 onward as you say.

Nonetheless i wont be going down that path