Repco is an Australian automotive engineering company that gained fame for developing the engines that powered the Brabham Formula One cars, which won the 1966 and 1967 World Championship of Drivers titles.
In the late 1950s, Charlie Dean, the head of Repco Research, wanted to create a road car that would form a testbed for the companies products, a promotional tool and an expression of Repco's innovative capabilities.
They developed a one-off vehicle, the 'Repco Experimental Car'. It was a highly specified, comfortable high-speed car of potentially modest cost using largely production-based components from its time. It was initially fitted with a Ford Zephyr engine, but a Holden engine was slotted when the Repco 'Hi-Power' head was developed.
The pretty coupe was used during the filming of 'On The Beach', a Hollywood movie shot in Australia featuring Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner and Fred Astaire in 1959. The car was one of several used in the productions racing scenes filmed at Phillip Island. It was dubbed the 'Repco Record' during breaks in filming, a name never officially endorsed by Repco but an appellation that stuck!
After testing various Repco components and changing the car's livery, especially rear window treatment, the Repco Record was sold into private hands. It is still in Australia, last sold several years ago and pops up occasionally at historical events.
In the late 1950s, Charlie Dean, the head of Repco Research, wanted to create a road car that would form a testbed for the companies products, a promotional tool and an expression of Repco's innovative capabilities.
They developed a one-off vehicle, the 'Repco Experimental Car'. It was a highly specified, comfortable high-speed car of potentially modest cost using largely production-based components from its time. It was initially fitted with a Ford Zephyr engine, but a Holden engine was slotted when the Repco 'Hi-Power' head was developed.
The pretty coupe was used during the filming of 'On The Beach', a Hollywood movie shot in Australia featuring Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner and Fred Astaire in 1959. The car was one of several used in the productions racing scenes filmed at Phillip Island. It was dubbed the 'Repco Record' during breaks in filming, a name never officially endorsed by Repco but an appellation that stuck!
After testing various Repco components and changing the car's livery, especially rear window treatment, the Repco Record was sold into private hands. It is still in Australia, last sold several years ago and pops up occasionally at historical events.