1939 PLYMOUTH SPECIAL

THE EX-CLEM DWYER, SYD NEGUS

One of a long line of Australian built specials both pre and postwar, Clem Dwyer in Western Australia devised a car using a Plymouth chassis and engine /gearbox. Plymouth was the most popular of the Chrysler Corporation products at the time that also included de Soto and Dodge.

The body was styled much like the Maserati 6C. After the war, the first major competitive race known as the Victory Grand Prix was held at the Caversham circuit in WA and was won by the Plymouth. Shortly afterwards it was sold to Ed Harris and then it passed to Wally Gibson who won the 1947-48 Gold Star, an award for the top Western Australian driver.

The famous driver Syd Negus was the next owner and won many events with the car between 1948 and the mid 1950s. In 1956 he converted this most successful car into a 2-seater sports car using mainly Riley parts among others. The Special ran in the 1957 W.A. Sports car championship where it lead from start to finish; despite protests that it did not comply with sports car regulations the car was reinstated as race winner. Negus then purchased the ex-Mildren Cooper – Bristol in 1957 and the Plymouth was replaced.

John Blanden, in his book ‘Historic Racing Cars in Australia’ published in 1979 states of this car, “Looking back over its competition record, it would have to be the most successful car ever to race in Australia for it is recorded as having had 286 races, sprints and hill climbs, only failing to finish twice, once running out of petrol and once when a radiator hose burst. Syd won four Gold Stars as W.A. State Champion, four Silver Stars as winner of the Handicap Section”.

The history file which accompanies this marvellously successful and provenanced car bears testimony to this quotation. The opportunity to purchase such a wonderful piece of early Australian motor racing history should not be underestimated. The car comes with trophies and its CAMS Certificate of Description. Winner, Patriotic GP 1940, Victory GP 1946; Competitor, Australian GP 1951 – 10th, 1953 - 18th.

CHASSIS NO: P01-37

ENGINE NO: P28-170115

UNREGISTERED