The Ford Fairmont Entry
Car 6  Combined Ins. Co. of America, Australia, Ford Fairmont, C.T. Hodgins
Car 6, Combined Ins. Co. of America's entry Ford Fairmont driven by Clyde Hodgins
Photo courtesy Alan Sawyer
The Ford Fairmont Survival Car was built from a 1965 Falcon Fairmont by students at Sydney Technical College under the sponsorship of the Combined Insurance Company of America (CIC Insurance), and which featured, in its original form. Pillarless steering and engine deflection plates as well as other safety features. It was eliminated at Lake King in WA.

Sun-Herald motoring Editor, Clyde Hodgins, who was in the crew, reported: "Near Marvel Loch a tie-rod pulled out of its socket and we didn't have a spare. We tried fixing it with copper wire, then wire from a spare brake disc caliper, then fencing wire and finally welding wire from the Rover service team. It was heartbreaking having to stop every few minutes. One piece of wire lasted only .06 miles. We settled down to spend days in the bush, waiting to send for the Southern Cross Ford dealer to come and see us.

"After a camp-pie meal and a time for cool thinking, engineer Doug Wait had the brainwave of bolting the tie-rod together. It worked and got us to Southern Cross to replace the part. But we were three hours late at Lake King which eliminated us officially.... But we were proud of the performance of our Falcon Fairmont 1965 model. Apart from a hold-up when the engine mountings came loose in Afghanistan, it gave us no worry at all."
Alan Sawyer.
Home I A Tale Of Two Cities I How It All Began I The Entrants I The Rules I Timetable I The Route I Their Story I Photo Albums
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Ladies I How They Finished I BMC I Ford I Holden I Other Marques I Site Map I Memorabilia I Credits/About Us I Links
Home I A Tale Of Two Cities I How It All Began I The Entrants I The Rules I Timetable I The Route I Their Story I Photo Albums
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Ladies I How They Finished I BMC I Ford I Holden I Other Marques I Site Map I Memorabilia I Credits/About Us I Links