Chassis Restorations
PE 041
Larry's last Bathurst car, Jack's first!
2003 marked LP's final crack at the Bathurst 1000. After retiring from full-time driving in 2002, LP returned in 2003 to co-drive with Steven Richards. This season also marked the first year of Project Blueprint, designed to ensure further parity between Holden and Ford. It meant massive front suspension changed for the Holden teams, upgrading from Macpherson Strut to Double Wishbone. After the Sandown 500 Perkins Engineering set about designing and manufacturing it's own front uprights, having purchased and used uprights from another team. The parts were completed just in time for the 2003 Bathurst race. The #11 Castrol Commodore saw big improvements in car speed and competitiveness with Steven Richards qualifying the car 6th for the Top 10 Shootout. During final Practice Saturday morning LP lost concentration on an in-lap, after arguing with officials about signin paperwork before jumping in the car, and made heavy contact with the wall at the "Cutting". The car was heavily damaged in the Right Front corner, and would miss the Top 10 Shootout. After an all nighter by the PE crew, the car was repaired in time for Sunday morning. Starting 10th, Richo and LP would go on to finish 4th. After the Practice accident LP immediately called an end to racing, and this event would be his last as a professional racing car driver.
The car has been restored immaculately to the condition it would have been Sunday morning prior to the race, still with some damage through the floor and tunnel section. It has the orignal race engine, PE 184, the original cylinder heads, air box, rocker covers. The interior and exterior is 100% accurate based on research, photography and experience.
Thanks must extend to; James White/Jimmys Fab Shop, Shaun Hockey, Tony Freeman, Barry Abbettmeyer, K&A Engineering, Les and Mika at Advanced Vehicle Design, Phil Munday and Repair Management Australia, PPG Paint, Castrol.
PE 017
Perkins Engineering's first Bathurst 1000 Winner.
After a few years trying to regain ownership of the 1993 Bathurst Winner, in 2016 Chassis PE 017 was returned to Perkins Engineering after a swap with PE collector and friend David Gardner.
This car was very significant for LP and PE. It's the last true win for an Australian built Holden Engine at the Mountain.
LP and Gregg Hansford dominated all week, quickest in every Practice session bar one, Provisional Pole Postion in Qualifying, Pole Position in the Tooheys Top Gun Top 10 Shootout and the Race Win on Sunday.
It was a fight all day between Car #11 and the Gibson Motorsport Chev powered Holden Commodore driven by Mark Skaife and Jim Richards.
The car is undergoing a full restoration, with the orignal engine going back in the car.
Stay tuned for updates.
PE 019
LP and Gregg Hansford's 1994 Bathurst 3rd place Holden Commodore VP is currently undergoing a full restoration alongside the 1993 Winner. Owned by longtime PE Collector David Gardner, the car is receiving an immaculate restoration to 1994 Bathurst Podium specification. PE's first Bathurst with a Chev power plant and unfortunately Gregg Hansford last ever Bathurst 1000 before he was tragically killed.
The pair did their best to defend their Bathurst crown, but 3rd was the best they could do, having led the race throughout the day.
PE sold the car to Privateers Peter Doulman and John Cotter, and it's in very original condition.
Looking forward to seeing this VP completed.