A family affair for car enthusiasts

PULLED from the depths of Maribyrnong Creek a one-time four-door Tourer has been fully modified ready to race in this year’s Historic Winton.

The 1927 Tourer was dragged from the creek in 1945 and transformed into a Lancia Chandler V8 Special in 1945 by Chandler Motors.

Anglesea’s Warwick Beanland purchased the car and overhauled it with father-in-law John Hickford who has a rich history with the vehicle; having worked on it as a 16-year-old with its original owner and boss Ron Chandler.

Mr Beanland said he has known his father-in-law for over 35 years and has been influenced greatly by his passion for building cars.

“We’re both builders and work together.  John suggested we restore the car, he’s also got an original four-door Tourer and is a life member of Australia Lancia Register,” he said.

“I like learning things off him because he’s got a lot of knowledge about building old cars, my son Jordan also enjoys learning things of Grandpa.

“It’s three generations and now my son also a son whose nine months old and he’s already got a toy plastic car that he likes sitting in.”

The car, used by Chandler Motors as a workshop run-around and a race and hill climb vehicle has been restored with mostly original Lancia Lambda, seventh series running gear.

After remaining in Mildura for over 40 years the car the car was relocated in time to race in last year’s Rob Roy Hill Climb and Historic Winton, where it won the Regularity category.

The pair will take part in two days of non-stop racing over May 26 and 27 alongside 400 historic racing cars and motorbikes from the 1920s to the 1980s, plus a huge heritage display of veteran and vintage vehicles.

For more information go historicwinton.org.