The Canadian Hell Drivers thread

[Harv]

The recent posting on the French Hell Drivers flogging some left-hook Torries made me realise that I don't know too much about the Canadian Hell Drivers. I've seen some of the photos, and understand that SunnyTim owned a repro at one stage. The information though seems to be scattered. I figured I'd post this thread to bring it together before we lose too much of it.

If anyone has any more info, photos, memories or memorabilia, please post it. Apologies to any photo owners whose images I've "borrowed".

Image below shows the Canadian Hell Drivers (stunt driving team) balancing on top of their EK Holdens driven on two wheels past the Coronation Stand at the Easter Show 1962, Sydney Showground NSW. Photo taken 21st of May 1962 by Barry Newberry (Australian Photographic Agency) and stored at the NSW State Library online website.



The image below shows the Canadian Hell Drivers at the Nambour Showgrounds Qld, May 1962. Held at the Sunshine Coast Council Library’s online website. Photo taken by Robinson Studios. Presented as part of a Queensland tour, the evening show was attended by approximately two thousand people and comprised action packed sequences including crash cars and high speed ramp jumps. Vehicles featured the 1962 E.K. Holden range of sedans and utilities provided by the Nambour Holden dealers Williams Motor Company Pty Ltd.



Not sure of the original origin or location of these ones (lifted them from the forum), though they are sold repeatedly as prints/posters on eBay. I suspect they are lifted from the promotional film that was shot at Fishermans Bend... still trying to get hold of a copy of that film from the South Australian State Library.






The image below shows a tin sign made to repro the cover of the 1962 Australian Tour brochure:


SunnyTim has a signed copy of this brochure... pretty pretty please for a scan posted here?

The image below shows a Canadian Hell driver’s car which was mocked up by SunnyTim, with signwriting by SunnyRob for the 2005 FB/EK Tenterfield Nationals. The car was originally an Egyptian Tan and Snowcrest White car, and was sold by Tim in 2005. Any more background on this one Tim?



The images below show the Trax 1:43 diecast models released of the Canadian Hell Drivers (apparently the blue roof is incorrect – should be red):







You can still buy them here:
http://www.ppmcars.com.au/holden-ek-can ... -5331.html

Apparently, the Canadian Hell Drivers returned for their second Australian tour (in EH Holdens) in 1963-1964.
http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/cl ... ult_14.htm

Cheers,
Harv

[Harv]

Ladies and gentlemen,

As promised, please find attached below a link to the YouTube video of the EK Holdens driven by the Canadian Hell Drivers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1O4YKF ... e=youtu.be

This is a Cinesound Review film of the Canadian Hell Drivers at Fishermans Bend driving EK Holdens, demonstrating stunts such as the 'wingover' (putting the car over a ramp and then attempting to drive on two wheels), precision driving, and also with the stunt drivers on roof of car during wingover. Also includes silent out-takes of the same event, but includes footage of stunts taken inside the vehicle. Original file located in the State Library of South Australia, archival number BRG 213/F-373.

Note that the material is copyright GM Holden Ltd 191 Salmon Street Port Melbourne, Victoria 3027. No publication without written permission of the copyright holder. Permission was granted to me to upload and publish this material (to YouTube and then to this specific thread) by GMH letter on the 10th of October. Note that GMH required Copyright GM Holden to be watermarked over the footage (thanks Paul).

Many thanks to GMH for the permission, to the State Library of South Australia for the copy, and to Paul for providing the IT skills that I lack . And no, you’re not going deaf... only about the first minute and a half has sound (the rest are silent out-takes).

For those with a taste for early Holden stunt driving, here are a few more:

The Lucky Hell drivers (EH Holden):
http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/cl ... ult_14.htm

The Holden Precision Driving Team (HQ Holden):
http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/cl ... ult_19.htm

The Holden Precision Driving Team (News Flashback footage with a variety of vehicles)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-oeGXBZAZw

Cheers,
Harv (Western Sydney Hell Driver).

[Craig Allardyce]

Wow, twin steer EK's. Top work Harv.

[bootlegger]

Tim I think its time to build another. Ill drive. You get on the roof.

[Harv]

Tim I think its time to build another. Ill drive. You get on the roof.

Thank goodness they used sedans and not wagons. There would be a good chance I go out to Dave's to look at the wagon only to find him building ramps .

I wanna see you guys drive out of the cannon. How they dropped an EK from that height, even with a ramp landing, beats me.

Cheers,
Harv

[Harv]

I double checked... no ramps being made at Dave's place .

I do love a good Vauxhall though - Pommie version of the Canadian Hell Drivers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVS7kEr8gRQ
This was Walthamstow Stadium, East London in 1969. Must have been late in the season given the dings and new (unpainted) panels on the cars.

Over to Germany in 1968:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mciehafB8BQ
(ouch... one driver killed each year ).

... and the Nordic leg of the tour, Kristiansand, Norway in 1967
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czl_BlI-4Sk

and Mikelli, Finland in 1968:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejr_nnf3yj0

Cheers,
Harv (Western Sydney Hell Driver).

[bootlegger]

I double checked... no ramps being made at Dave's place .

I do love a good Vauxhall though - Pommie version of the Canadian Hell Drivers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVS7kEr8gRQ
This was Walthamstow Stadium, East London in 1969. Must have been late in the season given the dings and new (unpainted) panels on the cars.

Over to Germany in 1968:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mciehafB8BQ
(ouch... one driver killed each year ).

... and the Nordic leg of the tour, Kristiansand, Norway in 1967
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czl_BlI-4Sk

and Mikelli, Finland in 1968:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejr_nnf3yj0

Cheers,
Harv (Western Sydney Hell Driver).

I know one thing Harv that transmission tunnel I just finished will survive any ramp.

[Harv]

I know one thing Harv that transmission tunnel I just finished will survive any ramp.

Cool .

A bit off-topic, but the last drags we went to at Eastern Creek had an eye-opener. One of the St Marys Engines cars (Valiant from memory) crapped the transmission. Bits of high-speed alloy came through the transmission tunnel, into the cabin, then punched out through the windscreen plenum. Driver was lucky to not get hit. My son got a grand tour of the car afterwards... made him stop and think a bit about how munch grunt a race engine transfers.

Cheers,
Harv

[parisian62]

Hi Harv

Just had a look at the clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1O4YKF ... e=youtu.be

Check out the EK approaching at 52 seconds. That looks like a left hand drive? or were they dual control?

Stewart

[parisian62]

OK so maybe I should have just kept watching...dual controls at 2:02...

[Harv]

Found two more photos of SunnyTim's repro:




... though sadly none of the car being shot from the cannon

Cheers,
Harv

[Harv]

Found two more photos of SunnyTim's repro:




... though sadly none of the car being shot from the cannon

Cheers,
Harv

[Harv]

Front cover of the Souvenir Programme for the EH tour:



Cheers,
Harv (I loves me some Autofury)

[Harv]

Looks like the French like lef-hook Torries.

French Hell Drivers in LJ Toranas in Tasmania in the early 1970's:


French Hell Drivers in LH or LX Toranas (?) at the Hutt Raceway, Wellington in the 1980's (sponsored by Shell New Zealand):


Cheers,
Harv

Cheers,
Harv

[Craig Allardyce]

possibly 2 steering boxes fitted?

Definitely left and right steer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1O4YKF ... e=youtu.be