Trax 1974 WRC Rally Car - arrives in June 2013

Not only is the 40th Anniversary Event of the Leyland P76 occurring in June 2013, but another exciting arrival is expected that same month - Top Gear, makers of Trax diecast model cars have announced that they will be releasing a 1/43 diecast model of the 1974 Evan Green/John Bryson Leyland P76 WRC entry. For those who will be attending the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76 Event in June, Top Gear will have a stand at one of the events on that weekend and have offered some merchandise to the organising committee that will be awarded to Concours winners.

This car is famous for winning a stage of the 1974 WRC rally, the famed Targa Florio section. Ultimately the car ran 13th outright. A spectacular achievement for a car with limited factory support and in a car that had never been rallied or raced before. The majority of entrants dropped out along he way, their cars failing to withstand the rigours of rallying.

The famous book 'A Bootful of Right Arms' was written by Evan Green about the rally, and it's a must read for rallying and automotive enthusiasts, as well as Leyland P76 fans. There is a great deal of information on preparing and modifying a car for rallying, and the repairs that they performed exposed some areas of the Leyland P76 that the factory would have upgraded if the car had made it to a Mark II version.

 The rally ran from London to Munich via Africa, as you do.

The original world rally car still exists in unrestored condition. Evan Green has sadly passed away, but John Bryson is still with us. Most recently his son Matt Bryson and Gerry Crown have rallied a Leyland P76 in the United States and have entered that car in the Peking to Paris rally that is about to start (the Leyland P76 is on its way to Peking right now).

It is very exciting that Trax are producing this car in diecast model form. Its a great celebration of Australian motoring history and will be keenly sought after by Leyland fans and rally fans. Order yours today at the Top Gear website.  

Dont forget to order your 40th Anniversary Merchandise by 24 May 2013

40th Anniversary Registrations extended to May 15

Ryan Fords car

I would like to thank the 88 people that have registered for the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76 in June 2013. Im told that there are a few extra registrations being processed today. This is fantastic news and is a tremendous result for the Leyland movement.

The really GREAT NEWS is that the organising committee have decided to extend the registration period to 15 May 2013. 

If you have been umming and ahhing over whether to come or not... just say YES and register here. 

See you all on the 29/30th of June!

Leylands at Old Parliament House - 1979

Look at that lineup of cars in the background many classics incl a Kombi, Capri and XA Coupe

Back in 1979 Neville Humphries grandparents took their nearly new Leyland P76 six-cylinder 3 speed manual Deluxe, on a round Australia trip - towing a caravan. Like all good Aussie tourists, they visited Canberra and took a snapshot of their car in front of the then actual Parliament House (before it was Old Parliament House).

I'm not sure if this car sill survives, but Neville is a well known member of the Queensland club who owns several Leyland P76's including Targa Florios and an amazing custom P76 in metallic blue with a turboed Nissan six cylinder and majestic mag wheels that can burn the optic nerve from the gleam reflected off the deep lustrous chrome. 

Will Neville recreate his grandparents 1979 photo on June 30 2013 at the Leyland P76 Concours on the lawns of Old Parliament House?

HURRY REGISTRATIONS CLOSE MAY 1ST FOR THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT ON JUNE 29/30 2013

Formal Dinner Dress Code - Formal, but not overboard

There has been some discussion among the fashion cognoscenti of the Leyland P76 movement over the dress code for the formal dinner on the 29th of June at Rydges Lakeside. It is a formal dinner, so this means probably not jeans and thongs. It does not mean cummerbunds and top hats either. Now never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be offering fashion advice, but here goes...

Lets be sensible - think a notch above 'neat casual'.

No one will be refused entry if they choose not to dress in a suit jacket/blazer and tie. 

I am aware that women have impeccable fashion sense, so this post is directed at the male attendees, who must wipe the grease from their hands before jumping into fancy duds for the formal dinner.

To assist those folks I have just spent 90 seconds googling and have selected some images to illustrate what could be appropriate and what may not be appropriate. Your mileage may vary.

Probably not appropriate for the formal dinner

 Probably not appropriate for the formal dinner

Probably not appropriate for the formal dinner 

Probably not appropriate for the formal dinner 

Probably appropriate for the formal dinner 

Probably not appropriate for the formal dinner 

 Probably not appropriate for the formal dinner

Probably appropriate for the formal dinner 

Probably appropriate for the formal dinner 

Probably appropriate for the formal dinner 

Probably not appropriate for the formal dinner  

Buy the latest BMC Experience magazine

Since the change in name and focus from 'The Mini Experience' to 'the BMC Experience', the magazine has become one of the best motoring publications in Australia. By covering the contribution that British originated companies have made to Australia's motoring heritage, it is uncovering little known and soon to be forgotten facts and memories, and offering them to a new audience. 

The latest issue is one of the best so far - especially if you are a Leyland P76 fancier. Issue 5 has on its cover two perfect examples of the Leyland P76, and on the pages are several well written and lavishly photographed articles on the Leyland P76, including a trip to a well known leyland P76's collectors home. There is also a column by Steve Maher on the Leyland P76 40th Anniversary event in June, and some free event advertising generously donated by the publishers of 'the BMC Experience'. 

It is at your newsagents right now or you can order a copy and subscribe at www.bmcexperience.com.au

I am very much looking forward to seeing how they cover the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76 Event in June! If you haven't yet done so, register now - registrations close on 1 May 2013.

Merchandise now available to order

Great news for anyone attending the 40th Anniversary event in June - the merchandise has been finalised, and is now available to pre-order!The image above is just part of what is available. Download the order form for the full range.

Click here for the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76 Merchandise Order Form 

Thanks to the NSW Leyland P76 Club for organising the merchandise.