The Mystery Of The Whipsaw Ford Falcon Is Solved

If you've driven the Whipsaw trail, you've no doubt driven (or tried to drive) up "Falcon Hill" but do you know how it got its name? The name derives from a bronze plaque placed there back in the '70's. It commemorates a trip made by some guys who apparently drove a Ford Falcon through the Whipsaw trail. Ever since I first saw that plaque, I've wondered who those guys were. Well, now I know.

The car was owned by a fellow named Skip Marsh, co-piloted by Errol Semancik and the navigator was Graeme (don't know his last name). Errol's son, Daryn, sent me their names and the accompanying photos. They did the trail in 1979. Daryn reports that the only modification done to the car was the addition of studded snow tires. His Dad paid him a penny for each stud that he took out of the six tires, so I guess he remembers the studded tires rathery clearly. The car had the stock 298 C.I.D. motor and C4 transmission. When they finished the trip, Skip sold the car to a guy from work and he drove it for a few more years on the road.

Proving that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, Daryn has a 1958 Ford Zephyr sitting on 1980 Toyota running gear and 33" tires.

	Falcon Hill getting its name.	The tow hook is funny but I think having the amber roof light is even funnier.
		Daryn's Ford Zephyr.