Phil74Camper wrote:The State Library of NSW does have all the Modern Motor and Wheels magazines of the time, so it may be worth a visit for a look through the 1957 issues. They are stored off-site, so you would need a library customer card and book them in first.
I have page prints of the Mobilgas Rallies ('56-'57-'58) from the Sydney Morning Herald, but there are no good photos. I haven't checked the Sun, Daily Telegraph, Mirror or any of the interstate papers.
The Mobilgas Trial followed the '53-'54-'55 Redex trials - the '53 was won by a Peugeot, the '54 by Gelignite Jack Murray's Ford V8, and the '55 by Laurie Whitehead's VW. The Mobilgas was the 'official' CAMS-sanctioned trial, while the competing Ampol Trial which also ran '56-'57'58, was 'unofficial.' VW (Jack Witter) only won the '57 Ampol, and the '56 was won by a Peugeot and the '58 by a Holden. But all three Mobilgas trials were won by VWs - Eddie Perkins in '56, Laurie Whitehead in '57 and Eddie Perkins again in '58. In fact, in 1956 VWs finished 1-3-4-6; in 1957 1-2-3-4-5-6; and in 1958, 1-2-4-5.
Laurie Whitehead's 1957 winning VW did appear in one VW ad of the time.
That seems to be this photo. Note the missing hubcap and the position and shape of the driver's right shoulder in relation to the driver's door window. Also the flag holder's fingers and the flag folds.
