Trevor Fidlers story...

In 1971 I bought a rotary engine and gearbox with the idea of putting it in a Healy Sprite or MG Midget, but cutting a long story short, I bought Peter Turnbull’s Turnham Ford.

Peter fitted the rotary into the Turnham and the Rotary Turnham was born. Being standard it was of course very reliable, but having the rotary engine fitted it wasn’t eligible to run as a clubman, so it ran as a Group A Sports Car. I fitted disc brakes to the front soon after acquiring the car, and eventually bought a set of Mawer 10” rims and fitted Dunlop slicks that were available at the time. The scrutineers of the day (Ray Long being one at Baskerville and Eddie O’Sullivan at Symmons Plains ) didn’t approve of the oil cooler being at the front of the car, so I had to refit it at the rear as well as putting in a stronger roll bar.

With a few refinements the Rotary Turnham eventually managed exactly 60 seconds around Baskerville and 64.1 seconds around Symmons Plains in 1973.

1972 Tasmanian Hillclimb Champion ( Sports Cars )

Gary Nicholls bought the car in 1974-75 and he sold it eventually to Peter Aylett. At present the car is owned by George Chandler and it has been in his workshop for maybe 20 years.

Some of the Group A cars that were competing in those times were:
Peter Turnbull — Turnham Climax
Allan Ling’s — Lotus 23B FVA driven by Bruce Gowans
Geoff McHugh’s — Traco Renmax
Steve Roomes — Elfin 350
Max Thompson — Elfin 400
Bob Wright — Tasma Repco

Click on photos to see larger image...