1965 JWF Valano GT

It was the classic case of three schoolmates with like interests that eventually evolved into a profitable business. It was the early 1950s and the area was the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia. Ian “Sam” Johnson, Geoff Williams and Grant Furzer were at school together and shared a common interest in model aircraft. No doubt much to the detriment of their school work.

Their interest was soon discouraged by neighborly complaints about the high-pitched scream so typical of model aircraft engines. As a result, they soon turned their attentions to the building of 1/12-scale competition cars of the period, in particular the front-engined GP cars from such manufacturers as Ferrari, BRM, Maserati and Vanwall. Quite amazing, really, as such cars were virtually not seen in the antipodes and the trio would have been guided soley by pictures in magazines. Equally amazing was that their cars had working steering and suspensions. To placate any nosy neighbors, the cars were powered by model train electric motors. The cars ran on a concrete track into which were set recessed metal strips that provided the electricity and direction. That certainly makes you think as to what came first—our three lads or Scalextric, which was not introduced until 1957.