Australia’s first restored vintage fuel dragster, “Banshee”, has set sail for its first trip to the United States. Banshee’s current caretakers are the Preen family of Orange, NSW, who plan to display the car at the 20th Annual California Hot Rod Reunion, to be held on 20th-23rd October, 2011, in Bakersfield, California.
Banshee was built in 1968 by John Maher, who raced it for a number of years. In 1970, Morrie Carlton purchased the car and raced it until 1976, when Jim Kerr bought it. It finally went into retirement in the early 1980s. The Preen family have spent a number of years restoring the car to as it was while being raced by Morrie Carlton, and have shown it at a number of events around Central Western NSW, in Sydney and Willowbank, QLD.
Banshee will be the first restored Australian-built dragster to attend the California Hot Rod Reunion, and there is much buzz regarding the arrival of the car in the United States by both Americans and Australians alike.
Original driver Morrie Carlton will also be joining the Preen family at the California Hot Rod Reunion, adding much excitement to all.
The Preen family would like to thank DAMCO Australia P/L, the Orange Light Car Club and Max Preen for their generous assistance in getting the car to the US.
For any further information please contact Ross Preen cacklecar@gmail.com
