While the Bolwell Mk V was designed
for general consumption, the Bolwell brothers' set
about designing a race special, the resultant Mk VI
(SR6) being a mid-engined masterpiece that was raced
very successfully in various Australian sports car
events – and is still around today!
It’s only fault came in the excessive cost and
complexity of manufacture, so much so that only one
was ever produced!
To quote from the book “Great Australian Sports
Cars” by Mike McCarthy, "Yes, there was a Mk
6. The one and only of its kind, the Mk 6 was an open
two seater sort of an enlarged Lotus 23 but using Holden
parts including Australia’s own six-cylinder
engine sitting behind the cockpit where it was adapted
to a back-to-front.
It first raced on 22/11/69 fitted with a Repco Holden
engine and a modified VW transaxle, then later with
a red 202 Holden and a Mark 5 Hewland transaxle The
SR6 is now generally in its 1976 format."
The SR6 was competitive in circuit racing and hill climb
events in fact, it held the out right record at Morwell
Hill Climb and was timed at 156 mph at Phillip Island.
The car has been fully restored with a ground up rebuild
to racing condition.
With current logbook. the SR6 is classified as a Group
Q car, where it has the ability to race as a front runner
in the fastest historical racing category, without the
expense.
SPECIFICATIONS: Holden stretched 186 6 cylinder "Red"
motor (approx HP 250), triple Weber carburetors, steel
crank, roller rockers, Hewland FT 200 transaxle, fully
adjustable independent front & rear suspension 10"x13'
front alloy rims/14"x13" rear alloy rims
Girlock alloy disk calipers. Timed top speed 156 MPH.
Text and Images courtesy Bolwell
Car Club:
www.bolwellcarclub.com.au