Rabbit Hole #63

... chasing #49 and Down the Rabbit Hole (again)

Dec 08, 2022

Nota Sports and Racing Cars … the HRB Ford Special

I have to admit that I’ve developed a real affection for the classic Australian Clubman cars.

Everything about them speaks to the independent Aussie spirit and I flat out love it!

I have recently fuelled my obsession with a bit of a dive into Nota Sports and Racing Cars. … Can’t help it! … They’re awesome!

… so many great cars, a fabulous history and the owners are absolutely passionate about preserving the marque.

They also have a great Facebook Group page.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/513248692181090 … check it out!

This page always has something exciting and discussion worthy.

I am easily distracted (generally speaking) and when it comes to 7s, my friends tell me that my condition is really a derangement syndrome and that it’s incurable.

… pretty much a stream of Search Engine consciousness followed by down the rabbit hole we go (again) … all the time!

A perfect example of my Chronic Surfing Disorder is born out by the experience I had whilst perusing the Nota Facebook group page.

I came across the pleadings of a previous owner who had lost touch with his beloved (but sadly sold on) Nota #49. … Seller’s Remorse is so sad!

He had written … “It’s one of those cars I would love to catch up with” and he submitted the post along with a picture of his ex-ride.

I’d love to find out more about #49 too and have surfed the web but can’t find any info on the car.

I have a copy of “The Nota Files” (an excellent book written by Rod Moore and Bruce Bloodworth) and there’s not much meat on the bone about #49 in there either.

I’m not Australian, and don’t have access to a lot of information about historic Nota cars but do know that #49 was the 1st Nota fitted with a Mini engine.

( btw … I did write the previous owner of #49 in the hope of finding some history, some stories and maybe a picture of two. … Who knows if he will reply? … I do hope so! )

Following the string of comments in the Facebook article I found a photo of Nota #49 being chased by Nota #63.

The owner of Nota #63, Matt Liersch, contributed to the conversation and posted a photo with the comments:

“The ex Peter Cohen (HRB special) as it sits today.”

Isn’t she lovely? … Great Pic!

In my excitement to research #49, I must confess that I approached Matt under the mistaken belief that he was the owner of #49.

Messenger Convo (with fall on sword apology)

7Spot Jim:

“I apologize Matt.

I was chasing down a rabbit hole (looking for #49) and completely misread your photo comments.

I did send a message to the previous owner to see if he has some pics and a few stories to share. … We’ll see!

I’d love to find out more about the history and the engine change.”

Matt very graciously responded and offered to fill me in on a few details about his car.

Things I now know:

. the car (built in 1965) was not completed by Nota and was originally fitted with a BMC engine

. now fitted (by Robert Hughes) with a 109e Ford engine.

I was curious about the engine change and how it came to be that Ron Hughes completed the car.

Messenger Convo

Matt:

“It’s very simply explained.

The car was bought by Robert Hughes.

His intention at the time was to run a BMC engine when purchased from Nota. Between then and it being fished by him he decided to run a 1098cc Kent engine from an Anglia and a gearbox from a Mk1 Cortina GT.

Probably decided he would get more performance from the Ford engine which was extremely popular, modern and accessible at the time.”

7Spot Jim

“Interesting that Helen (wife) Robert (son) and Betty (daughter) is what the HRB stands for.”

Matt:

“Yes correct.

I have the history on that and the name as it was built 1.5 hours from where I live.

I have photos of it in the day.

Robert was a big man. I struggle to understand how he fitted in it.”

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words and, that being the case, I’m amazed to see how this little car has spanned the breadth of time to help both Robert and Matt tell their stories.

The photo above showed Robert Hughes going for it back in the day and here’s Matt going for it now.

Thank you Robert

and

Thank you Matt!