Author Topic: Benhson & Hedges 500 1972 (Read 1063 times)

Scarlet · « **on:** July 25, 2015, 03:52:05 PM »

I think this is the 1972 Benson & Hedges 500 Pukekohe. Looks like an Avenger coming up to the left hander (dark bonnet) probably would be a TC. Was a 6 hour production car race for NZ assembled cars
Apart from the darker car the six leading cars are all Fiat 125T , the seventh Fiat 125T is behind to the right of the Avenger, looks like a standard Fiat 125 is to the left of the Avenger.
The Fiat 125T was NZ made for this 1972 race, all were yellow with black grill and the rear panel between the lights, all had Ward mags, black interior with high back seats,lowered suspension, a large fuel tank filled half the boot and the 1608cc engines were either fitted with twin Webber or Dellorto producing 125hp
About 83 were built and only about 30 remain, I was fortunate to own two of them, only selling both of them a few months back
A 265 automatic Valiant Charger won that day

avenga · « **Reply #1 on:** August 01, 2015, 12:46:38 PM »

Nice photo.

The Chrysler Valiant Chargers dominated the B&H for most of the 70's. A Chrysler Valiant Regal 770 318 V8 won the event in 1970 and 1971. Then a Chrysler Charger 770 265 Hemi 6 automatic won the B&H for the next seven years in a row between 1972 and 1978. That gave Chrysler a nine-year domination of the B&H.

Just unbeatable during that period.

That is one of the main reasons I brought my Charger, it is a Chrysler Valiant Charger 770 265 Hemi 6 auto just like they would have raced back in the B&H.