A LAP of iconic Mount Panorama will be a highlight of Governor General Quentin Bryce’s visit to Bathurst next Tuesday.
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The Governor General will be treated to a ride in the George Reed Special.
It’s a replica of the car built by Bathurst local George Reed and raced to victory by Warwick Pratley in the Australian Grand Prix, at Narrogin Western Australia in 1951. The car is now part of the National Motor Racing Museum’s permanent collection.
The vehicle is “the baby” of council employee and vintage car enthusiast Norm Rutherford who will be in the driver’s seat for Ms Bryce’s tour of the Mount.
“I hope I can handle the pressure,” Mr Rutherford said yesterday. “That car’s been pretty much my baby right from day one.
“It’s a replica of the original which was destroyed in a speedway accident up the coast in the early 1960s.
“Myself and Terry (Morgan) did most of the mechanical work down here at the depot. Brian Welch did the paintwork and Gordon Halloran did the bodywork.”
Mr Rutherford said the Governor General would be the most important VIP to experience the joy of riding in the George Reed Special.
“I’ve had to promise to be on my best behaviour, but if the Governor General asks me how well the car goes, who am I to go against her wishes? I have to do what I am told,” he quipped.
Tim Pike from the National Motor Racing Museum said the George Reed Special is still highly regarded in Australian motorsport.
“It was invited down (to Melbourne) for the 85th anniversary of the first grand prix in Australian last year,” he said.
“The car stills runs beautifully. It’s got a big Ford V8 engine in it, but to look at it you would think it looks more like a cute little sports car.”
Mr Pike said the Reed Special had a top speed of about 100 miles per hour but would keep to the 60km/h limit on Tuesday.