1967 Matich SR3

The famous Australian, Frank Matich, is a well-known and accomplished racer. He began his racing career by racing his MG TC, which was later replaced with an Austin-Healey 100/4. Later, he moved to a Jaguar D-Type with support from Leaton Motors, which led to a fourth-place finish in the Australian Tourist Trophy at Bathurst in 1958. By 1960 he was driving a Lotus 15 that was powered by a 2.5-liter Coventry Climax engine. Later, he drove a Lotus 19 which provided many podium finishes, though he never won the Australian title in the car. His accomplishments with the Lotus 19 did not go unnoticed, and soon had support from a wealthy businessman named Laurie O'Neill and Total Oil's Australian branch.

During the early 1960s, Matich was driving Elfin Sports Cars, Brabhams, and a Lotus 19B. By 1964, Matich was a serious contender for many of the major races in Australia. Driving the Lotus in 1964, Matich won the Tourist Trophy at Longford. The following year, however, would be a different story. In June 1965 the throttle on the Lotus stuck open and sent the car and Matich hurtling into a fence behind the paddock area. A fire quickly consumed the car and left Matich with serious burns. Total later abandoned their sponsorship and sold the Brabham.

Laurie O'Neill provided funding to Matich for the building of a prototype Elfin 400 powered by a 4.5-liter Oldsmobile engine. Though it was raced for only a short time, it captured many lap records. It was later sold to Neil Allen.

By the 1970s, the Formula 5000 had caught Matich's attention. The five-liter V8-powered racing cars seemed suited for his expertise. McLaren sent Matich a racer; a second car, a M10B was later sent over. With these amazing machines, Matich was able to secure the Australian Grand Prix in 1970.

In 1970 he constructed his own racer, the Matich A50. The work was done with help from John Joyce at Bowin Designs. The machine proved its capabilities by securing another Australian Grand Prix victory in 1971.

This 1967 Matich SR3 racer is currently campaigned by James Freeman.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2007