More than 28 years of history
A car mechanic workshop in Sydney that is run by passionate automotive enthusiasts that have more than 27 years of trading history together with over 200 years combined motorsport and mechanical experience within the team.
Founded in 1994
Peninsula Sports Car Services is an Australian success story, first established by passionate motoring enthusiast Geoff Morse back in 1994. Geoff was already involved in the long-established “The Morris Minor Centre of Australia” so his reputation had been well forged within the classic car community.
The early years
Geoff made the decision to sell MMC & rebrand his mechanic business to ‘Peninsula Sports Car Services’, in keeping with the peninsular location of the Northern Beaches, and very quickly built an enviable reputation for high quality repairs, mechanical restoration and modifications for classic British sports cars.
These early years saw the workshop filled primarily with MG’s, but over time this broadened to include Austin Healeys, Aston Martins, Jags, Triumphs, Morgans, Sunbeams, Lotus’, and even Mini Coopers (yes the real ones before BMW bought the brand).
Award winning workmanship
Amongst many other achievements Geoff’s meticulous attention to detail saw him win awards at the Healey Concour & Sydney Concour – testament to his quality craftsmanship & specialist focus.
More than 20 years later Peninsula Sports Cars has a very well established reputation in the community & spends as much time on the race track as it does in the workshop.
A focus on serving car enthusiasts
Fast forward to 2021 and Geoff has turned another chapter in his life, handing the Peninsula keys over to George and Darren. Geoff has spent a lot of time very carefully searching for the right successors to uphold the values & ethos that Peninsula Sports Cars is known for.
George and Darren both have long, varied automotive and motorsport backgrounds including their own collection of various road as well as race cars from different eras.
Meet the owners
Little did our wives know that when they introduced us at a dinner party one night, we’d end up owning 30 cars together, buy, rebuild and race a V8 supercar, and become owners of this great little business called Peninsula Sports Cars.
Often called ‘my little mate’ and ‘the big fella’ (I’ll let you figure out who is which) we’ve found a place to channel our love for cars, fine tune our fleet, tell stories, get out of our wives hair and enjoy building something we’re passionate about.
They even jointly own these (plus other classic cars);
- 1993 Perkins V8 Supercar chassis PE018
- 1970 Datsun 1600 historic rally car
- 1977 Mini Moke Californian
George Appleby
George has owned, raced, rebuilt, restored, driven and worked on an incredible array of classic, performance, exotic, race and muscle cars.
He even had a stint in Australia’s premier open wheeler category at the time, Formula Holden (some say he resembled Alan Jones, check out the photo and you be the judge).
An absolute mechanical guru, he can and has, fixed just about anything and everything mechanical, and loves the challenge of making it work.
He loves his Jags and Ferraris (his son is named Jag, true story), and even Dattos, but the favourites would have to be Aussie muscle cars, in particular Holdens.
Some of the cars George owns;
- 1979 Group C A9X Torana ex Seton
- 1989 Bentley Turbo R
- 1972 E Type Jaguar roadster
- 1974 L34 Torana SLR5000
Darren Freeman
Darren grew up in and around cars thanks to his Dad’s passion for motorsport and cars in general. He learnt to drive in the family Kombi when he was nine, and competed in his first motorsport event at 15 in the family’s daily driver, a Nissan Skyline.
Over the year’s he raced Formula 2, Formula 3, Sports Cars, Sports Sedans and more. His passion leans toward open wheelers, and British and European classics sports cars, but then again he can enjoy just about anything with 4 wheels.
Motorsport is part of his Freeman DNA, as is anything adrenalin related, something he shares with his sons.
Some of the cars Darren owns
- 1977 Group C A9X Torana ex Grice
- 1999 Swift 008.a Formula Atlantic
- 1972 Volvo P1800ES
- 1963 Group S MGB race car
Geoff Morse (Morsey) – Founder
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
Born Christmas Day 1948 in Sydney, grew up in the country around New England, Inverell. Now living in Davidson, Frenchs Forest
First car you drove
First I drove was a 1934 Chev, standard sedan, mechanical brakes, crash gearbox, purchased for 30 pound aged 15, followed by a 1952 MG TD both before getting my licence at 17
How old were you when you learnt to drive
Learnt to drive aged 12 around the paddocks of a property at Elsmore near Inverell. Model A ford truck from the late 20`s.
First car you owned
In the late 1970`s I competed in many hill climbs & super sprints in my Sunbeam Tiger. First full race meeting was in 1983 HSRCA Historic race meeting January at Amaroo
First motorsport event
Never won a race . however I did win the Group S championship in the early 90`s. Numerous accidents in the old Alpine, nick named Elvis {many hits ]
Favourite colour
I like my race cars blue, my lucky colour ?
Favourite car or type(s) of cars
Always been a Sunbeam man, Tigers my choice although all I can afford now is a Rapier.
What do your mates call you and why
Morsey
What got you hooked on cars and/or motorsport
Dad started taking me to race meetings when I was about 15 and I loved it. Never stopped loving it.
What type of cars/boats/bikes/machines etc have you worked on
Anything and everything classic, British and Sports – MG’s, Aston Martins, Austin Healeys, Sunbeams, Triumphs, Hillmans, Morris’ and so many more.
Mechanical specialities
Never been a qualified mechanic, but always done most of my own work including engine rebuilds
How long have you been in the industry
All my life, and that’s a fair while!
What do you do when you’re not working on cars
Now semi retired whilst not working I spend my time in the garden & enjoying time with my 5 grand children & hopefully more cruising the oceans when Covid allows
Some of our partners
Over the years Peninsula Sports Cars has forged strong relationships with a number of partners with active relationships with local car clubs, associations and motoring enthusiast focussed brands. We have an enviable network of contacts to help sports car owners get the support they need for road vehicles, track day cars or race cars.