W.H. Lowe image archive

Carl,
I had better stop posting for now. It is only my first day! Do you have any photos of a metallic brown 365 GT? I drove it to a motor show in Shepparton with my Mum. I was 17 (1970) and had L plates on it. We were pulled up by the Police because I was cruising at 125 MPH. No speed limit then, he just wanted a look!!
Geoff

 

Hi guys,
I knew that green as Moss Green. It was my grandfather's favourite colour. I knew it as Moss Green. Most of his cars were Moss Green including the LM250.
Regards, Geoff Lowe

 

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Hi Carl,
Thought you might like this. W H Lowe's first Ferrari. I was just a toddler. I think this was his only Ferrari that wasn't Moss Green (Verde Medio)
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Such an important part of the history of Ferrari in Australia, IMO the FCA would be smart to engage a researcher /author to write a dossier on W.H Lowe before more memories are lost with time.

 

These past two pages are exceptional and huge thanx to the Lowe family for engaging in our forum of proper enthusiast's!!

 

Interesting to have you on here Geoff, apologies for some of the childish banter in advance.[emoji3][emoji3]


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There is a photo NOT in this thread, but I think Carl ? put up once before.

Its a photo of the front of the W.H Lowe showroom front from a side shot, across the road is the cream Bentley S3 Flying Spur I owned, my gut feeling is this is a photo from when the car was owned by the Barr-Smiths of Adelaide, (you ask big deal?

If so that would have been about the time Tom Barr-Smith junior owned the S.Aust 250SWB (the Smoker family car)

 

For me as a child/teen, a highlight of driving down Whitehorse Road Balwyn was looking into the Lowe showroom window.

But also the size of the building to the rear.

 

...........in fact whom on here currently has a/some Lowe delivered cars in their shed?
My hand is up as it went to Adelaide via Lowe's...on the warranty card.

 

I don’t think they were approved to sell Mondials

 

My 365GT 2+2 was a Lowe delivery. In those days Melbourne had more Ferraris per capita than anywhere else in Australia.

 

My 330 was a tourist delivery through Lowe's and remained a Vic car until Jim bought it from Duttons.

 

I grew up not far from Lowes, and was even than a car spotter, it was still rare to see a Ferrari, for that matter any high-ed car, how times have changed.

 

Geoff, I own 330GT 8685 still in original Verde Medio -- never been painted and still original upholstery.
Thanks for your contribution to Lowe history
Howard

 

This thread is GOLD!
Thanks to Carl for starting it and the Lowe family for the contributions.
And especially to ‘keepers’ like Howard who keep these fabulous machines on the road.

 

Is there an annual number list of Ferrari cars sold new in Victoria-Australia available for the pre "say" 1970 period?

One could work through the various registers in place and books with the listing, but a number would be nice to know.

I don't think the 250GTE book or the 330 register online is totally accurate as I know of one car's 1st owner NOT mentioned..

 

Stunning.

 

Bill Lowe :
Bill imported NEW into Australia in 1929 a Lombard AL.3 1100cc twin cam supercharged race car chassis #334 .Formula 2 style period racecar.

Raced by Bill in the 1929 Phillip Island Grand Prix, Bill finished second outright and raced in that event from 1929-1934 with the Lombard, raced and Hillclimb the car often and owned it up till around 1951.

A famous formula car that ended up with the Leech Bros (250 GT owners, Maserati 300s owners, etc)

I'd like to know more about the life of Bill Lowe Ta.
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The LCCA formed in 1924 by gentleman race car enthusiasts of the time was a wonderful club, prewar gentleman racers with a love of racing, trials, hill climbs, and post-war these gents continued along with the new bread of racer "Davo, Hunt, Jones, Stillwell, Whiteford and "Millard' who often raced the finest racers the Brits and Europe could offer.

The club instigated the AGP at Phillip Island in 1928, the Albert Park GPs, long-distance touring car racing, rallies, and trials, managed Sandown Park, but sadly went into liquidation in 1994? Due to the Sports car race at Sandown, they guaranteed..

Such a shame as their club rooms in Queens Road was old worldly and perfect for the enthusiasts

I'd suggest that Bill Lowe would have been very much involved with this fine club .

 

Big thanks to the Lowe family for posting here to finally bring some credibility to this rabble.
Welcome.............and hold on to your skirts.
I look forward to reading your posts of many of the memories you must have of a time and involvement in cars and events that we will never see again.
Thanks boys.

 

Andy what a lovely introduction and wonderful that a descendent of those responsible for the pioneering spirit that brought Ferrari to Australia is here. There's a bit to read here I see, I'll go through it and respond accordingly.

Ditto Geoff! As per above, let me start reading. And thanks for responding. (I did send this this link to Peter after we spoke at Michael Barker's funeral however I suspect he didn't see it)

CJ

 

OK, Andy and Geoff, the first question is would you have any images you could share, particularly of any of the W.H. Lowe showroom and workshop? I'd be happy to scan them if you wish. The problem is that many of the people associated with W.H. Lowe during heady times are playing the harp. Coupled with most people today that consider themselves into into Ferrari have very little interested in how it all started in Australia I think it needs to be documented.

My association with W.H. Lowe is tenuous at best. My father took me there in 1977. I was 10. Michael Barker gave me a 308 GTB brochure, I still have it. My father was looking to purchase something interesting and had narrowed the choice to a 308 GTB or a 911. I recall Dad going over the 308 GTB they had on the floor which was the demonstrator 308 GTB in Azzurro. Dad went over the car very carefully and after considering the build quality, was of the opinion it was the biggest heap of junk he'd ever seen. He drove to Hamiltons Porsche that afternoon and ordered a new 911. That was the only time I visited the showroom. In a strange twist of fate, I was to own that 308 GTB 19 years later. Dad had suggested I buy I house, and when I came home with that car instead, his opinion hadn't changed. However he warmed to it over the coming months to the point where he used to drive it and we also did a few events together which was fun. I still have it.

This is an obituary I wrote for Michael, I'm sure it brings back some memories:

 

And here it is, the 365 BB! #17401


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I'm happy to name him if you are comfortable with that!