Doug Partingtons
THE 1922 WIKNER FORD SPECIAL

  • The Wikner Ford Special is recognised as the oldest known Australian built racing car.

  • Purpose built in 1922 by Geoff & Roy Wikner in Leura in NSW.

  • All the aftermarket components including the RAJO overhead valve cylinder head, the Buffalo centre lock wire wheels and the Mercury lowered front axle were imported and fitted by the original builders. The car is based on a 1918 Model T Ford with many of the components hand crafted by a local blacksmith.

  • The car is “as built”, with only 4 known owner’s, and has been in the current ownership for over 52 years. Originally raced at the legendary tracks of Penrith, Gerringong Beach Kiama, and also at the opening of The Olympia Speedway Maroubra, NSW December 5th 1925.

The cars early history is documented in Wikners biography “The Flight of the Halifax” which includes early historic photographs. Mention is made of the car in Sydney newspapers of the period. Additional history of Wikners involvement in the Australian and English motoring and aeronautical development scene is recorded in “QANTAS by George” the autobiography of George Roberts. The car was actually road registered in the 1930’s

The current owner demonstrated the car at a Lakeside Qld Tasman Cup meeting in 1963 where it was recognised by the late Tom Sulman.; Sulman had been Wikners engineer on the Flight of the Halifax. In recent years the Wikner has competed at over thirty historic events in four states with total reliability.

The Wikner Ford Special has a category Ja CAMS Historic Log Book No H0891 and Certificate of Description No J.025.05.22

It is featured in several magazine articles in particular Unique Cars July 2008, Restored Cars March 2001 and the cover of The Oily Rag spring 2001 It is also featured in an ABC TV Landline documentary 2004. The Wikner Ford Special is a star attraction at any historic event, its originality and patina is outstanding. This is a rare and outstanding example of a unique Australian Special Racing Car that is an iconic example of the early history of Australian Motor Racing.