RARE RACER

THIS HOMOLOGATION SPECIAL FROM BELLETT WAS A COMPETITION HERO BACK IN ITS HEYDAY

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For John Hickey and partner Robyn, owning the spectacular-looking Isuzu Bellett GT-R had an air of inevitability about it. Their interest in motorsport and the cars behind them goes back a long way, to the days when they were much younger and punting the then relatively new Mini Coopers.

John clearly recalls the first time he fell under the spell of a hot Japanese model. He was out and about for an event with the Toowoomba Auto Club (Qld) and was invited to a local shop to see the latest toy.

"It was in the workshop and had triple Webers on it."

We're talking mid-1960s.

“It was the new Prince Skyline GT-B and I asked how much? It was more than I could afford but I bought it.

“It was a lovely car to drive and it was quick.” he recalls.

A call-up to the Army in the Vietnam war put a bit of a spanner in his motoring career, though it did eventually pay off. John ended up transferring to the Air Force.

“It worked out pretty well,” he says, “I got a trade and they let me do my own thing.”

Once back in civilian life, the procession of cars resumed and, in addition to running a business, he would make a little money on the side by fixing up cars and selling them on.

It was years down the track when the whole Japanese thing was rekindled with the purchase and restoration of another Prince Skyline. That was sold on to a friend and fellow enthusiast, Peter Landan. And he's the man responsible for the Bellett landing on our shores.