1976 ACCO
Racemobile GT

General Data

Make International
Model Racemobile GT
Date of Manufacture

1974 & 1976
Number Made 2
Number Existing 1

Engine

Engine Type Cummins 555 Diesel
Number of Cylinders 8
Cubic Capacity cc
Horsepower 220bhp
Aspiration Fuel Injection

Gearbox

In 1974 Allan Moffat, International Harvester and Cooks Body Works, built Australia's first professional race car transporter.

Given the designation the Racemobile GT (Great Truck) it was space age in its day, with comfortable living areas for both people and two cars.

It was a forerunner to the ultra modern Pantech's many of the professional race teams use today.

In Adelaide 1976, the Racemobile GT and XB GT ("B-52" Brut 33 & Thorn Red and Gold car pictured above) race car being transported, was unfortunately burnt to the ground, after the brakes got too hot and caused the diff grease to catch alight.

From this tragedy began operation "Phoenix": to resurrect the new race car and transporter from the ashes. In a period of six weeks, Cooks Body Works built the new truck, which is the one before you.

Moffat and his team weren't slouches either, building the "Phoenix" XB GT Falcon, that went on to become the XC GS500 #1 car in the 1977 one-two finish, then the #1 car in 1978 XC Cobra colours and ending up as the ultra-mean, black Federation XC Hardtop. This amazing car was generously donated by Moffat to the Bathurst Museum, in NSW, where it still resides today.

The new truck was fitted with quite a few improvements from the first Racemobile GT, but for the most part remained the same.

In the rear is room for two cars, one above the other on a hydraulic platform. Hydraulic scissor ramps enable the cars to be loaded and unloaded easily. There is also room to store tyres, engines or whatever needed above the ramp controls.  

The living quarters are quite comfortable with a fridge, shower, sink, TV, dining area, two large beds and again a fair amount of storage place. The roof also has a pop up section in the front, so you can view the races from the comfort of the truck.

Moffat used the Racemobile GT till the end of his Mazda RX-7's racing days. By then it was painted in the blue and white colours of his sponsor, Peter Stuyvesant. The mighty truck's last hurrah was a tour of the United States, when Moffat and Co. care of their sponsors, shipped it over for their 1984 Daytona 24hr campaign. The big Racemobile GT went over a treat with the Americans, amazed at its unique configuration and being right hand drive. I'm sure it would of had some tounges wagging on the freeway's!!

Moffat sold the now well travelled transporter to racer Chris Clearihan. Chris used it to move his two sports cars about, but it was soon was parked out on his property.

It sat there for many years until another racer, Norm Bolitho spotted the famous old truck in 1997 and did a deal to become its next owner. Bolitho had the truck restored to its original livery and used it to transport his historic Volvo to and from race meets. It was here that next and current owner David Bowden saw it at Phillip Island.

Being the most significant period race transporter in Australia, Bowden negotiated a deal for it in 2000. Since then the Racemobile GT has been happily running all over Australia, taking many of the great cars from his collection, including some of which it carried back in its Moffat days, to various race meets and shows.

I know this is kind of soppy, but we really love this old truck.