1986 VAN DIEMEN RF86 Formula Ford

FOR SALE

SOLD new to Azois Schmellmann (Switzerland) 25 February 1986 and raced in Europe for many years by him. We have applied to Van Diemen Heritage (Derek Wild) in England for further history on the car and awaiting their reply but in the meantime have ascertained the car was sold to a UK buyer in the early 1990's and raced very successfully for some years. We have their letter of authenticity from Van Diemen confirming build etc..

Two years ago (2007) George Parlby (a wealthy Sydney businessman) commissioned Tim Beale of Anglo Australian Motorsport who runs a successful team of Spirit Formula Ford racing cars in both State and National (current) Formula Ford motor racing to procure FIVE mid 1990's cars overseas for him and a couple of his mates to race in 2010.

Beale (Anglo) being a Englisman with extensive history in the UK Formula Ford found the cars in various conditions both in the UK and New Zealand ... one of which was this car in very good condition.

RF1041 (this car) came minus engine and wheels but was by far the tidiest and most original of all the cars so Parlby decided on it as his car and commissioned Beale and his team to rebuild it and find the best engine from any of the other cars ... they gave the engine a thorough  inspection, installed it and rebuild the entire car to a “ready to race” condition including some Rebel (Australian) alloy wheels which fitted perfectly. The car also now has a current CAMS log book.  

Poor old Mr Parlby after spending all this money tried to sit in it and ... alas he was far to big as Van Diemen’s were renown for having small cockpits. I received a phone call not long after offering me the car at his “cost  price” so we took it Oran Park GP Circuit with my son Tom who posted a 1m 15.02 lap and I bought it as it would have been THIRD on the grid in the last State FF round ... a very quick little car and extremely reliable ... nothing went wrong at all.

It is well understood the age threshold for Historic Formula Ford is being raised by CAMS from end 1983 to end of 1990 in year 2010 so it is anticipated this car will be eligible for historic racing then as a potential race winning car.

I am in two minds to keep it or sell it but if you would like to make me an offer around $30,000 I would consider selling it ... if not look out in 2010 as no doubt prices of these good cars will go up considerably ... wait and see!