Mallory Owen, roadster lister, a bit of his bio.
Just south of Kitimat, but still in The Great White North of BC Canada
nestles Williams Lake.
On a hill overlooking the town lives a 1964 Datsun Roadster awaiting
restoration. Also living there is a 1967 Datsun Roadster. Formerly rusty and
bedraggled, it is now restored and driven daily, even as the cold of The GWN
descends. It was restored by its owner, Mallory Owen over a two year period.
Dion, his 16 year old son loves to drive it to school, or anywhere. Dion also
likes his 86 RX-7 which he can't drive because it needs an engine.
Nineteen year-old son Torrey also enjoys driving the Datsun. He drives a 67
MGB that, although collectible, is really not practical. By his own admission
"MG's just don't compare".
Many years ago in the era known as "the 60's", Mallory, then a teenager,
frequented a race track in Ontario called Mosport. He still recalls with
excitement watching the likes of Bruce McLaren, John Surtees, Jim Clark, Denis
Hulme, Jochen Rindt, Graham Hill, Dan Gurney, Jack Brabham, Jim Hall, Jackie
Stewart race. In those days spectators could enter the pit area and speak with
their heroes of racing. Mallory particularly enjoyed those opportunities.
Mallory's family came from England and settled in Barrie, Ontario. There was a
large garage/workshop on the property where they lived. With their British
background, Mallory's family were big on British cars. He can remember his
mother having to tolerate Austin Minis, Jags, MG's, Austin Healey's, Envoys,
Austin 1100's often being repaired in the driveway because the garage was
full. He also remembers a Lotus Europa with a 180 HP Corvair engine. He
learned about a DKW 1000 2 stroke as well as a BMW Isetta.His brothers even
raced a Mini Cooper S (S is for special). It went fast and was the first Mini
under 1:45 seconds at Mosport. It blew up a lot though.
Mallory's first car was a 1960 mini 850. It was slow and fun. Next he put in a
1071 Cooper S, head planed to the water jacket, janspeed headers, 40mm weber
and full race cam. It was fast and fun. It barked on the heels of 340 Dusters
and the like. The Mini got stolen and performed poorly after that. Mallory
then bought a 1963 875 Sunbeam Imp. It took him back and forth to university.
Finally he bought a 1967 Volvo 122, enough of British cars. It took him to
Williams Lake. Where he worked with young offenders, spent time as a house
husband and now sells floor hockey pucks that he invented. He is often
referred to as a hockey guy because he teaches hockey on his backyard rink
http://www.floorhockey.net/hockey_enhancement.htm
Mallory hopes to put up pictures of his Datsun soon.
Mallory was very impressed in the 60's with a new Datsun sportscar. Even
though it was Japanese it looked good and won races. He never forgot the
Roadster and when he got older he saw in a field in Williams Lake a 64
Roadster, which he bought. Then he bought 2 more. He and his sons enjoy
Roadsters. I think they will collect more. Torrey wants to go soon to check
out 2 more Roadsters in another field. He hopes one is the HOLY GRAIL 67.5.
One day Mallory met a man in a parking lot. The man was looking at his
Roadster. He said he also had a Roadster. It was also a 67. His had a 2 Litre
engine. He had stored it for over 20 years. The man was willing to sell it, he
needed money and would sell it cheap ($2000 maybe). Mallory explained to him
that his 67.5 SRL 311 was worth a great deal more. The man was most thankful
and is now a good friend. He did not sell the car. That is why Mallory does
not have a 67.5 etc. Are all Roadsters owners so supportive of fellow owners?
Mary, wife and mother is most supportive of the three guys. She is a teacher
and counselor. She enjoys riding in the 67. She especially likes that it has a
forklift engine to make it go.
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