E38 Charger 1971 Bathurst Chivas/Moore #42D

The 1971 press release states - “Chrysler Australia has produced a startling new high-performance six cylinder Hemi engine as a racetrack and sporting option to its new series of sporting two-doors - the Charger Coupe models.
A 280bhp version of the Hemi 6-Pack engine will be standard equipment on the Chrysler Valiant Charger R/T E38 ʻBathurst Specialʼ, designed for all-out sporting performance is Chryslerʼs entry in the Australian production car racing classic”. 
The E38 ʻBathurst Specialʼ was four years in the making and tested by a team of engineers and professional racing drivers including Gold Star Champion Leo Geoghegan.
Eleven Chargers were entered into the Hardie Ferodo 500, 1971 Bathurst Race. Chrysler entered three works R/T E38 Chargers with the rest of the Charger field made up of private entries.
The Geoghegan/Brown car appeared under Geogheganʼs ʻSporty Carsʼ, the Beechey/McKeown under ʻShell Racingʼ and the Chivas/Moore car entered under ʻLiverpool Chryslerʼ.
Chrysler team leader Leo Geoghegan was paired with Peter Brown and they drove a 43D Charger with Chrysler Blue trim, selected to show up on the black and white television of the day. The two remaining team cars were driven by Norm Beechey and Jim McKeown and their 41D car was painted in the corporate Shell yellow and red colours. Doug Chivas and Graham Moore drove the 42D car which had the same colour scheme as the Geoghegan/Brown car.
Three engines were produced for each race car. Drivers were requested not to rev their engines over 6000 rpm as prolonged over-revving down the steep Conrod Straight had caused terminal damage to dozens of cars since the inaugural Bathurst race. The E38 Chargers ran three-speed gearboxes which were not suited to the unique conditions of Bathurst. Unfortunately this denied the drivers any chance of victory.
The car started from position 16 on the grid. With overheating, gear selector problems, excessive tyre wear and fuel consumption the team did very well to finish 19th place, just three minutes behind the winning Moffat Falcon.

Item includes certificate with individual production number.