This vehicle is a replica of Norm Beechey's improved production touring car which competed in only 4 races during the 1968 season.
The original car arrived in Australia in early 1968 and was shown at Calder in March as-received.
Race preparation began immediately and the car was first raced at Warwick Farm on July 21 setting a lap record, but did not finish.
The second race meeting was at Calder in August where the car won with the throttle linkage jammed open and Beechey used the ignition key to control the car's speed.
Third outing was at Catalina Park in the Blue Mountains on 18 August, and the car's last meeting was at Warwick Farm for the ATCC round where Beechey qualified second and retired on lap 12.
The car was sold LHD through Beechey's used car yard in Brunswick and has been seen in two other yards during the 70's but, despite Norm advertising Australia-wide in 2000, no trace of the car has been found. (Bob Jane's ZL-1 was found as a result of this advertising however).
The car in the photo was bought sight-unseen through an importer in 2000, and by total coincidence turned out to be a Tuxedo Black SS (or clone).
Repairs were made to the body by the owner at Kangan Batman TAFE Vehicle Restoration project, along with fabricating the all-aluminium interior, roll cage, subframe connectors and aluminium bootlid.
The boot is filled with two stainless LPG tanks holding 140 litres filled through a Le Mans filler in the tail-light panel. The unfinished bonnet is fibreglass with two cold-air ducts surrounding the air cleaner and inlet manifold, electric water-pump and cooling fans are fitted to the radiator.
The engine is 4-bolt 350 with Turbo 350 auto trans, AirGap inlet manifold, Impco gas 4 barrel carb and Flowtech Afterburner headers.
Wheels are American Racing Torque Thrust D.
This car is driven daily and returns the equivalent of 25+ mpg on a mix of highway/city driving. NOTE: Modifications to the interior in no way replicate the Beechey car.