1968 London-Sydney Marathon and the Volvos

[lightspout]

Hello.

I am researching the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon, and particulary the seven Volvos that competed.

The London-Sydney Marathon was a speed and endurance race covering 10,000 miles and ran from London to Bombay (via Tehran and Kabul!), followed by a cruise ship crossing to Perth before a final dash across the Australian Outback to Sydney. 98 cars competed, ranging from thoroughly modern Porsche 911s to a 1930 Bentley Tourer, and entrants combined manufacturer teams (BMC/BL, Ford, Rootes, DAF), commercially sponsored entrants, entrants by the various British Armed Forces, and private entries.

Seven Volvos competed in the marathon, as follows:

Australian Team sponsored by AMOCO (aust) Ltd.

Car 8 Volvo 144S - Driver P. H. Winkless
Car 43 Volvo 144S - Driver A. Welinski
Car 63 Volvo 142S - Driver R. J. Holden

Australian Entry sponsored by TVW-7, Daily News, Perth

Car 12 Volvo 144S - Driver K. Tubman

Private Entries

Car 13 Volvo 123GT - Driver J. G. Tallis (GB)
Car 25 Volvo 122S - Driver J. La Trobe (GB)
Car 33 Volvo 145S - Driver Elsie Gadd (GB)


Of these entrants, four cars reached the finish line in Sydney (8, 12, 33 and 63). In fact, Elsie Gadd's 145 was the first of the women's teams to reach Bombay.

I would be very grateful for any information about these cars/crews, their journies and experiences of the marathon, what happened to the cars afterwards, the reasons behind the failure of cars 13, 25 and 43 to reach Sydney etc. Also, if anyone can point me towards any images of the cars (especially Gadd's 145).

Many thanks in advance!

Robert Connor

[Clan]

cant help there but its ironic that a british Hillman Hunter won ... I would have thought that a volvo of that era would have easily made it after helping to look after a swedish 142 on the 1974 welsh rally .

[Derek UK]

John Tallis in #13 Volvo Amazon dragged his car out a field where it had lain since the '68 rally and rebuilt it for the 2004 re run. Finished this time and won his class. It had mechanical trouble half way across Oz in '68.

Put 1968 London-Sydney Marathon into Google images.

I have a copy of the Daily Express booklet that was isued after the event. Has pics, stories and results. No pic of the Elsie Gadd 145 but one of her with the other ladies that won the the ladies team prize.

[Clan]

Was that the Tallis from Bath , the volvo dealer ?

[johnjp]

Just found this: http://www.volvoadventures.com/120LondonSydney.html

[hactrooper]

My mother, Anthea Castell, (now Anthea Hartley)

was actually the navigator in Car 33 Volvo 145S - Driver Elsie Gadd (GB).

We were doing some 'googling' last night and found this thread. Hopefully it will be seen again as it's rather old.

She was thrilled to be reminiscing about such a wonderful achievement and happy memories and would be very interested in seeing any photos etc and giving information and any photos she may have of the rally.

Please get in touch if you would like to contact her.

Many thanks, Luke Hartley.



EDIT: apparently I can't send private messages to you Lightspout until I've made 30 posts so if a kind soul would forward on this 'message in a bottle' to him privately my email address is

lbhhartley@googlemail.com

many thanks.