As I mentioned in my previous post about The Maze, fate often plays the main role in determining the direction our lives take. In 1962 I had bought my first car, a black Morris Mini 850. BMC as it was then called had fitted a very poor quality gearbox to the early cars and I was one of the lucky ones who received the updated gearbox. The local dealer at that time was Lorimers at Gordon. When I went to collect the car the mechanic who had fitted the new gearbox came out to talk to me. His name was Henry Nehrybecki. For some reason my Mini had appealed to him, he said he liked the little bits of bullshit that I had added to the car. He invited me to have a look at a car he was building in the workshop.
I had had an interest in motor sport from an early age so an invitation to see a racing car actually being built was amazing. Even more amazing when Henry asked if I would like to help him with the construction if ever I had some spare time. I had started life as a motor mechanic but it was not a successful career choice for me. I dropped out when I was up to my third year of apprenticeship. All of this happened around 1963, for the next two years I spent every Saturday in the workshop. I learned more about cars and engineering in those 100 days than I did in the three years of apprenticeship. He was a perfectionist and a very good teacher. I was very much the gopher but it was very interesting and enjoyable to see the car gradually come together.
Henry had worked for Eric Broadley's Lola team in England working on their sports cars, Formula Junior cars and finally the Formula One car. I never did find out why he left but his decision certainly added another very interesting chapter to my life.
The car was finally ready for it's first test drive in 1965, Henry drove it to Oran Park where Kevin Bartlett was waiting to give it a few fast laps. I actually got to drive the car up to the grid which really made my day. It was powered by a 1098cc Cooper S motor mounted on top of the gearbox in the same way as the Mini's. The motor was in the rear, mounted east west but it was tilted forward at around 30 degrees so that the weight was in front of the rear axles.
1965 at Oran Park. The flared guards were later replaced by cycle guards.
1965
The Lolita is still racing today, looking much the same as when it was built in 1965. The following photos were taken in 2008.
Henry moved on to larger and much faster cars, building the very successful Matich SR4 for Frank Matich.
Matich SR4
SR4
Although I spent over two years of my Saturdays and some midweek evenings working on the Lolita project as an unpaid volunteer, I feel very fortunate to have worked with a master crafstmen. I learned a lot about quality, workmanship and attention to detail.
My father would greatly appreciate your article and kind and thoughtful comments: Best regards Damien Nehrybecki
ReplyDeleteHi Damien,
DeleteI had a bunch of happy coincidences involving Henry.
I visited his sales shop on the Pacific Highway, Crows Nest, circa mid '70's, Henry being the sole rep for Lamborghini in either NSW or Australia, me being a gob smacked lad, impatiently waiting to be old enough for a drivers licence. I still have a brochure showing Lambo's then available machines, including the 'Bravo'.
I worked across the road from the BP petrol station in Artarmon where Henry had the lease of the whole premises or maybe just the workshop.
I was later employed in the early '80's at the end of Kookaburra Rd, Hornsby Heights, and next door a large factory was built. It became 'Lolita Automobiles'. Henry introduced himself to my boss & I, and he invited us to look over his workshop any time. Every once in a while a gorgeous burble would idle by our side entrance, and I'd drop whatever I was doing to rush over to see and drool over some stunning exotic Italian machinery.
Henry moved Lolita Automobiles to 8/8 Leighton Place, Hornsby. I discovered this by following a Murcielago and surprise surprise here was Henry. As always Henry was friendly, patient of my queries and talkative while I listened and dreamed. The most fascinating was a semi built monocoque chassis with a power plant of a WRX in its rear end.
Some years later at the 'Tasman Revival' at Eastern Creek I wandered into a tented area to have a gander at BlackJack's BT 19 and lo and behold was the superb Matich SR4, blue in colour. But even better was proudly standing in front, Henry himself. Once again we chatted for a fair length of time.
My favourite teacher, Nev, and I would talk cars and whenever the word 'Lamoborghini' arose inevitably Henry's name was discussed somewhat in awe. Neville was the Service manager at Scuderia Veloce, Lindfield during the '70's, knowing intimately the ins & outs of Ferrari cars.
Henry Nehrybecki, a wonderful bloke. My fondest regards to him.
I'm lucky to have lived behind Henry's workshop as a kid in Hornsby heights. He was a great bloke, very talented. I also met Ian Pope during my life as an Auto Electrician, another fella involved in the
ReplyDeleteLolita Mk 1. My earliest memory of Henry was him taking me for a drive in a Lamborghini Espada - what a hoot for a young kid.
I met Henry and Meon his son when my 2.5 litre Urraco was was restored in their workshop over a year period. On the numerous occasions my Mum drove me up to Hornsby Heights to collect the Lambo after various work had been completed, I'd contemplate the magnitude of the bill. It was always much much more than my estimate. Nevertheless it was willingly paid because to drive it again was a adrenaline rush. I never spared the horses. 7500 rpm in 5th gear down Bendooley Hill on the Old Hume Hwy outside Berrima was better than six.
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