Bevan Fenner RIP

[Mike Kelly]

Bevan was, for a long time, a keen military vehicle collector and restorer - I cannot over emphasize his amazing aptitude and general ability with anything mechanical . For some years Bevan was employed at the prestigious REPCO research division where his boss was Charlie Dean who was considered to be one of the leading auto engineers in Australia. Bevan's knowledge of military vehicles was second to none, up there with the very top shelf guys. As a kid, Bevan witnessed the terrifying sight of V1 flying bombs hurtling over London , later on, during his auto mechanic career at RR, he was a scrutineer during the filming of the race car scenes in the 1959 film ON THE BEACH where he met Fred Astaire.

Back in 1973, Bevan recovered a 3/4 ton Dodge Command Car body from Nth. Queensland, a round trip of over 2000 miles, around the same time, he purchased a M3A1 scout car from the Govt. disposals auctions.

In 1976 Bevan imported a WOA2 Ford from the UK and over the next 30 + years the Ford, still in unrestored original condition, was driven to many military vehicle events and vintage car shows.

Bevan's last rebuild was his MB Willys jeep which ran like a Swiss watch.

Attached pic: date is early 1977, a club trip with the WOA2 leading a circuit of the Drysdale ( or was it Colac ? ) footy ground (myself driving the Ford while Bevan was on the Tannoy).

1933-2023.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVmD8UxUCHk

[Mike Kelly]

Just adding more to Bevan's history:


Bevan was heavily involved with Land Rovers, his long work career involved modifying and repairing these venerable vehicles. In the late 1950s Bevan purchased a series 1 Station Wagon and he drove it through outback Western Australia and the Northern Territory. In 1962 , Bevan was the founding member of the LROCV. One of Bevan's later projects was restoring a 1950 Land Rover to better than new standard. In many ways Bevan was Mr. Land Rover, having a detailed knowledge of the mechanical side of things. I believe engine tuning was his special talent, Bevan could get the last drop of HP out of any engine, this innate ability is a rare talent to have in your kit bag.

Found this on-line:

On March 20th 1972, the first meeting was held between the then Minister for Lands, Mr Bill Borthwick and representatives of the Cross Country Jeep Club (CCJC) and the Land Rover Owners Club of Victoria (LROC) to discuss the growing problem of track closures. Four Wheel Drive (4WD) delegates to the meeting were Mike McCormick (CCJC), Bevan Fenner (LROC/CCJC), Alex Flack (LROC/CCJC)

Bevan served for many years as the VMVC delegate to the The Association of Motoring Clubs.

More info: https://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-c...an-fenner.html

[Mike Kelly]

Reading this article about Bevan I discovered more about the early days - he was a genuine a 'tour de force'

A correction is in order: Bevan worked at Repco research and Leyland Australia before he worked at ULR, his boss at Repco was the famous Charlie Dean.

https://www.4wdvictoria.org.au/image..._September.pdf

And, more info has come to light. Bevan mentioned, while he working at RR, he had been involved in 'hotting' up Holden grey engines . Bevan did the porting jobs on the modified Holden heads among other things.

https://adagia.org/content/1893

[Mike Kelly]

How Bevan found his WOA

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/a...%20vehicles%22