Jack Murray & the "Grey Ghost"

mercman from oz

mercman from oz

Well-known member
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Jack murray is probably not well know outside Australia, but locally, he is a Hero. Back in 1954, Jack and his Co-Driver droved a 1948 Ford Super Deluxe Fordor Sedan in the "around Australia" endurance trial and came First. His son has just written a book on his dad which is available on-line or at good book stores. The following excerpt gives some insight into the man:-

There’s so much more to the ‘Gelignite’ Jack Murray story than just cars, speed and explosions.
In Gelignite Jack Murray—as told by his son Phil Murray— this comprehensive, accurate and frank book reveals the man behind the wheel. As readers learn more about this Aussie larrikin legend, they begin to see a very multi talented individual in athleticism. Various sports with various successes—including cycling, VFL, schoolboy football, stock car racing, hill climbing races, car endurance events, Australian and NSW Grand Prix racing, international and Australian rally driving, wrestling, boxing, hunting ocean boat racing and waterskiing… to name most, but not all.
This captivating book is a great read for those interested in the history of Australian motorsport, who enjoy a good laugh, and have an interest in the way we were and the characters who shaped us as a nation.
 
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This is the car that was affectionately known as "The Grey Ghost". A stock standard 1948 Ford Super Deluxe Fordor Sedan owned and driven by Jack Murray. You can read all about this car and the exploits of Jack Murray in the book that has just been released.
 
I wonder if the book has what happened to the grey ghost .

I knew the guy who bought it as a burned out wreck from Watson's Bay sometime I guess in the 70/s, as he asked me to co drive with him in the round OZ repco rally in 79.

I could not go at the time , but of course in hindsight ......
 
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Happily, the "Grey Ghost" lives on today. It is a bit worse for wear, but it is now safely back into the care of the Murray family and is securely stored in a Warehouse near Sydney. This is a picture of the car in its present condition.
 
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TRAX have just announced their latest releases including a replica of the "Grey Ghost" in the livery that it competed in the 1954 REDeX Trial. This scale model is in 1/43rd Scale in their Select Series. You can find more information on their Top Gear Web Site.
 


I was wracking my brain to try and remember the old guy.

Found this site .

entrant 72

http://repcoroundaustralia.blogspot.com.au/p/entrants-51-100.html

Don Whitby was the owner then, we lived about 1 km apart..

The story ends after Darwin.

I know exactly where the car broke down, as my mate took his spare engine up to him.

I searched for the grey ghost's history and found that his brother Phill has the car now in safe lockup in Petersham Sydney and says it was never destroyed by fire.

I suppose I have to believe him, but this is not the story I know first hand , if indeed the grey ghost that did the 79 rally was the real thing.
 
The original car was not destroyed by fire. It is an Imported model, and differs from the Australian assembled 48 Fords in quite a few areas. There are plenty of rumors floating around stating that the original was destroyed by fire, but they are false.
 
The car that did the 79 rally was bought by Don Whitby from a garage in Watson's Bay, about 7KM from Bondi in the 70/s.

It was stored under an awning with a fuel bowser driveway on a slight angle down to the awning.

One day a fuel spill and fire engulfed the car.

Don bought it as a rusty derelict and restored it for the rally .

Would be nice to know if is the real one.
 
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Here are two pictures of the "Grey Ghost" taken a few years back when the car was on the north coast of New South Wales. From the shot of the rear, you can see that it was an imported 48 Ford. The Australian assembled 48 Fords never got the lowered rear Bumper like on Jack's 48, nor did they get the Strip above the Licence Plate that said FORD. All Australian assembled 48 Fords retained the twin chrome strips like on the 46 Fords. As you can see from these photos, the old Ford will need some help to bring it back to its original condition, something that I hope will happen, as this car has a place in Australian History.
In the 1954 REDeX Trial, it was competing against brand new cars, yet won overall, quite a feat over 9600 miles. It again competed in the 1955 REDeX Trial and was renumbered car 56. The 55 Trial course was lengthened to 10500 miles. After the front runners were disqualified, it seemed like the "Grey Ghost" may have been announced the winner, but Jack refused to turn up for scrutineering, but that is another story.
 
I see it's right hook. Could have been NZ assembled as we got the lowered bumper and the Ford spear on the back. I notice the front bumper has 46/early 47 bumper over riders like all your Ozzie 46-48s. Great story. I read about this car and the Redex trials in an Eddie Ford publication way back in the 70s'... think it was Restored Cars.

GB
 
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Issue number 241 (March/April 2017) of Restored Cars Magazine has a great updated story on Jack Murray & The Grey Ghost. Back Issues of this magazine are available from Restored Cars office in Newstead, Victoria.
 
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Here is a picture of the Grey Ghost during the 1955 REDeX Trial. You will notice that it has the correct USA Style Bumper Guards fitted in this picture. In the 1954 REDeX Trial, a Bull Bar was added, which necessitated the removal of the Bumper Guards. However, it appears that Bull Bars were banned in the 1955 Trial. That is why the Grey Ghost had the correct Bumper Guards reinstalled.
 
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Graeme, you have a sharp eye picking out the early Bumper Guards/Over Riders on the front of the Grey Ghost. Refer to the previous Post and Picture for an explanation. The above picture shows an australian assembled 1948 Ford. (Please ignore the aftermarket Blinker Lights) First off, you will notice that the Trim on the Trunk Lid is a carryover from the 1946 model Ford. This is very strange, as the profile of these strips doesn't match the new "smooth" Strips of the updated model? Also notice that on our cars, Ford Australia never lowered the rear Bumper, which is a carry over from early years. In addition, on the late 47 and 48 Fords produced in the USA, the Bumper guards were spaced wider. This revised rear Bumper was never offered on Australian Fords. If you look closely at the pictures of the rear of the Grey Ghost in an earlier Post, you will see that it has the correct later model rear Bumper with the wider spaced Bumper Guards.
It is my personal opinion that the Grey Ghost originated from New Zealand.
 
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