TERRY AND JANET HILL'S 1966 ISUZU PR90 BELLETT 1600GT
(An interesting article from Unique Cars magazine.)
We caught up with Terry Hill at the 2016 Bellett Nationals in Albury - here's what he told us about his 1600GT...
When I was 17, I bought a navy blue Bellett sedan as my first car. When I decided to get back onto them in 2011, I found an ex-speedway Bellett 1600GT, but it was a wreck; just bits and pieces all over a workshop floor. There was a disassembled sedan with it and parts everywhere; a couple of gearboxes, multiple diffs, wheels; you name it. I didn’t know what bits went with what!
My son and I took a couple of loads to bring it all home and the first thing I did was install a hoist! I’d never done anything like restore a car; I’ve been a farmer all my life, but I did the lot; I painted it, welded up the holes and floors; even the exhaust!
There was no conscious decision to paint it Isuzu Motorsport blue; total coincidence. Plus, I had no idea it was a rare PR90 version; around 55 were ever sold here and only a handful remain.
It’s got the wrong grille and bumpers, but because of the race heritage, it’s got tricky suspension, a hot cam and a lightened flywheel. It’s not 100% and it’s a bit hot-roddy but at least it’s on the road!
... and here's how it all started
Terry gave me some progress photos, which I know are always of interest to members, so I have posted them below.
Col Shaw
Col Shaw