Lou Molina first started motor racing in 1938 and during a long and varied career spanning more than 60 years, he built and owned a large number of well-known local race cars, many of which will appear at this year's Historic Winton.
One of Lou's first vehicles as a teenager was an Austin Seven and in his later life he acquired another A7 roadster which was, in fact, the last vehicle that he ever drove; Lou suffered a fatal heart attack in 2002 whilst unloading the A7 from its trailer.
He competed in three Armstrong 500s at Phillip Island, including one event where he rolled his vehicle five laps before the finish and still managed to finish third. Lou was Alpine Rally Champion in 1957 and competed in Australian Grand Prix meetings in 1953 and 1958, plus the NZ Grand Prix in 1954.
These cars of Lou's are appearing at 2009 Historic Winton:
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Molina MG TB Special and Molina MG TC Special - both of which will be driven by two of his grandsons
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MM Special - driven by John Anderson
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Monda Holden Special - driven by Bryan Sala
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Vulgarilla MG Special - driven by Ian Mawson
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Essex - driven by Roger Rayson
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a Sunbeam - driven by John Blanchard
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a Bugatti Brescia and
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his Austin Seven Roadster.
The late Lou Molina achieved fame in many fields of endeavour. In the 1950s, Lou was best known as the proprietor, with his brother Joe, of the Imperial Hotel, opposite Parliament house in Melbourne. This followed a long family history of introducing Italian-style food and cooking to Melbourne from 1910 when his parents arrived in Australia, with Lou’s father as Head Chef at The Windsor Hotel in Spring Street. Lou was apprenticed to his father at Marios restaurant and was a natural in the kitchen, ultimately sharing his skill and enthusiasm with motoring racing enthusiasts all over Australia. The tales of Lou catering at Bathurst at the annual Easter race meetings are the stuff of legend, and his generosity in this manner was characteristic of Lou throughout all of his life.
Lou was educated at St. Patricks, East Melbourne and Assumption College, Kilmore and was then apprenticed to his father at Molinas restaurant at 55 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. In 1938 he rode as a mechanic in the Albury road races at the Wingara circuit, and thereafter became addicted to motor sport. In his early career Lou raced the Ballot Olds, the MM Special, the Monza Special, supercharged Volkswagens, Holdens and a Ford Anglia. The MM Special built by Lou and close friend Silvio Massola, with body by Brian Burnett, was powered by a ‘grey’ Holden motor and was the first use of this engine in racing in Australia. Lou was invited to race it in New Zealand for the first New Zealand Grand Prix in 1953 and came 10th; in 1954 he raced there again, but retired unplaced. He was successful in the Light Car Club of Australia Alpine Rally in 1957 winning outright in his Volkswagen navigated by Peter Ward. Lou drove in a number of Armstrong 500s at Phillip Island, partnering Graeme Bob Jane in 1960 in a XK Ford Falcon and in 1961, partnered Doug Whiteford in a Ford Anglia winning his class – to name a few of his racing successes.
Lou featured in the film of Neville Shute’s book 'On the Beach' in the racing scenes at Phillip Island. Many of the cast of than film were regulars at the Imperial Hotel where Lou was a fine host. Lou moved on from the Imperial Hotel when, with brother Joe and son Anthony, they purchased the Brighton Club Hotel, which they operated until Joe retired. Lou and Anthony then purchased the Anchor & Hope Hotel in Richmond and filled it with mementoes of his racing career, and this hotel was the favourite haunt of motoring enthusiasts from Melbourne and all round the world. Sadly, the hotel was destroyed by fire and Lou, with typical drive and enthusiasm, rebuilt the hotel to its former glory and operated it up until his retirement.
In retirement, Lou’s enthusiasm for motor sport and cooking was not diminished in any way. He built up a collection of MGs and raced an MG TC Special that he called 'Vulgarilla' and purchased an MG TA special and another TC Special, all of which were raced with great skill and enthusiasm. He was assisted in this endeavour by his friends Barrie Papps and Jack Mayes. Lou became a member of the Vintage Sports Car Club where he used his yellow Brescia Bugatti Butterfly as well as a Speed 20 Sunbeam and an Essex Special (a replica of the Wizard Smith car).
Lou continued to cook for his mates and every Monday he would do so in either his shed in Brighton or Silvio Massola’s garage. He welcomed friends of friends and always told amusing stories of the ‘old days’ of racing. He obtained an Austin 7, which marque was his first car, and attended Austin 7 Club events with an enthusiasm that was undiminished. Lou, with Jack Mayes featured in an ABC program 'The Big Country' about his racing, particularly at Winton. Lou died in 2002 from a heart attack doing what he loved best – mucking round with cars.
Further information or photos please contact
Erny Molina This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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