CVMCE NEWS Michael Gold and his Classic British Cars Classic and Vintage Motor Club of Eurobodalla Newsletter Volume 14 No 2 March/April 2015 Michael Gold and his collection of fine classic British Cars Classic and Vintage Motor Club of Eurobodalla Newsletter Volume 14 No 2 March/April 2015 THE CLASSIC AND VINTAGE MOTOR CLUB OF EUROBODALLA, Inc PO Box 684 MORUYA NSW 2537 www.cvmce.org.au 2009/10 Committee Other Appointments President: Marian Pearson 0427 267 846 – [email protected] Vice President: Peter Smith,(Sharon) 4474 2251 – [email protected] Treasurer/Public Officer: Dave Gibson (Robyn) 0468 424 610 – [email protected] Secretary and acting Editor: Huw Owen-Jones(Barbara) 4474 3237 – [email protected] Events director: Guy Fluke 4474 4530 – [email protected] Membership: May Johnson (Paul) 4473 9431 – [email protected] Committee: John Wiegold (Inge) 4471 1714– [email protected] Regalia: Bill and Colleen McCallum 4474 2397 Librarian: Trevor Moore (Georgie) 4473 9891 Life Member: Stewart Kendell Vehicle Inspectors: Andrew Green (Bikes) - 4474 2886 Andrew Redwin (Bikes) - 4473 8062 Noel Hand (Older Vehicles) - 44742128 Dean Price – 4474 2962 David Nettle – 4474 4293 Barry Apps – 4471 1294 Volker Oldenburg – 4472 9288 Graham Symons – 4476 4827 Rob Upton - 0413 000 643 Webmaster: Wendy Simes (Eric) – 4473 9696 [email protected] Bush Council Delegate Mark Beaver – 4474 3461 mcbeav@ozmail,com.au Objects of the Club: To bring together persons with a common interest in Historic, Veteran, Vintage and Classic motor vehicles and motorcycles. Principal Activities The use, maintenance, restoration and display of historic vehicles and conduct club meetings and Social Events. ________________________________________________________________________________REGULAR EVENTS General Meetings: First Monday of each month (except January and November) 7:30 pm at the Moruya Bowling Club 38 Shore Street, Moruya. Saturday Morning Coffee: At The Waterfront hotel, Moruya, Dairy Shed or Bakery, Bodalla, Maloney’s Beach Cafe or the Star at Milton. If your car has conditional registration please sign the run sheet at the relevant location or notify the Secretary ([email protected]) Wednesday Morning Runs: Meet in the car park behind the Adelaide Hotel (opposite Russ Martin Park) – 9:30 am for 10:00 am departure. All motor vehicles welcome. A run sheet will be passed around – all should sign, not just those with conditional registration so that numbers can be relayed to the coffee shop! Monthly Braidwood Runs: These are held on the fourth Sunday of the month, leaving from behind the Adelaide Hotel at 10:00 am, meeting other members at Mogo opposite the nursery at approximately 10:15 -10:20, and at the 2nd roundabout on the Kings Highway at around 10:25 -10:30, for magnificent brunch at Braidwood. All manner of vehicles and their owners very welcome. FUTURE OF THE MAGAZINE The newsletter in this format will be discontinued after the May/June issue. Future newsletters will make extensive use of the web-site and email with hard copy issues from time to time. Members who do not have access to the internet should advise the Secretary PRESIDENTS REPORT Greetings Fellow Motor Enthusiasts Well we are now into the fourth month of the year and things are moving along smoothly. At the last meeting Lance gave a talk on his motoring life He sure has had a lot of FORTHCOMING EVENTS experience driving many different Wednesday runs May 06 Tuross Country Club [email protected] vehicles which was interesting Thanks May 13 Bodalla Bakery 4473 5213-Sharen Lance. Anyone who would like to give a talk on their own motoring stories please feel free to contact Guy, Huw or myself and we will be more than happy to have you speak May 20 East Lynn Roadhouse 4478 6050-Colin May 27 Turn Inn- Tuross 4473 8112-Dianne June 03 Mossy Point Muffins 4471 8599-Jane The Waterfront Hotel is a success thanks to the Bar-B-Q Boys who turn up every Saturday tongs in hand and cook up a storm. Now the weather is turning a bit cooler you will just have to rug up, drink the fine coffee, and eat more sausages to keep warm. Mal’s Sunday run is still popular - not June 10 Shelly Beach BBQ-Moruya South Heads ($5 ph) June 17 Tuross Boat Shed (fax 4473 6112) 4473 8127-Shannon sure if it is the food or the run up the hill that keeps the enthusiasm going, most likely both Guy has been organising some interesting runs and next month at Berry will be fun June 24 Antons-Kianga 4476 1802-Janine Other runs Saturday May 2 Narooma Oyster Festival Sunday May 17 National Heritage Motoring Day Classic Vehicle Show at Berry or just get out on the road! June – Possible “Shed Run” July – No formal B2B run this year - a day for the motoring enthusiast so come along and enjoy the cars and the shops in Berry. The Seaside Fair was once again well attended by our club and last weekend a group sallied forth to Cooma. A report is in the Magazine Look forward to seeing you at the next monthly meeting or the Waterfront whichever is sooner Marian P Travel safe I was encouraged to join CVMCE by John Marsden, whose pride and joy is a1950 Riley RMB and I bought a similar vehicle in Melbourne. The previous owner had bought it through Shannons – it had been out of use for many years and they literally had to chase the chickens out of it! It had been lovingly restored. My interest, and later passion, for cars of British origin, skill and then workmanship (those halcyon days of recovery), was born in the years immediately after the war when as a child of six I was permitted to sit in a succession of cars such as Morris 8 and 10's, Standards, Triumphs, Rileys and Humbers, to name just a few. I would twiddle the steering wheel, gaze in awe at the various instruments, and, above all inhale the intoxicating aroma of leather and oil these cars exuded. This is something that has stayed with me in all those years since. We didn't own a car at that point in time as my father, like all returned servicemen, struggled to find his feet commuting on the 7.59 train from Stansted to London, and my sister and I relied on a lift to school from more affluent (and important, as you had to be) neighbours. However things did take a turn for the better when Dad returned home with an old Rolls Royce of 1923 vintage, a 20/20 he had somehow picked up for the princely sum of £100! This car, from memory rego KK 7577, was pure magic for us children; it had tables at the rear of the front seats and there was massive room in the back for all of us and the dogs. It was a nightmare to drive with only rear wheel brakes, a squeeze type horn and a dazzling array of ignition settings on the steering column. My mother developed bicep muscles that would grace a world champion boxer from steering the beast! I was initiated into a regular Sunday morning ritual which consisted of my father lighting his pipe, lifting the hinged nearside bonnet, removing and polishing the beautiful brass carburettor. It had an engine and chassis never to be forgotten. Our next car was a handover from my paternal grandfather: a fifties Daimler, with a pre-selector gearbox, in which I learnt to drive. A smoother, more comfortable car would have been hard to find anywhere, and if I were to win lotto I would seek to own one. When I came out of the army, where I had already been driving Austin Champs, I eventually passed my driving test in a Morris Traveller, which was by then the family car and a very clever and successful Minor variant. Then I was off to commence a seagoing career in a brand new cargo ship of the very Scottish ANCHOR LINE, as a cadet Navigating Officer, shipping a full cargo, some 350,000 cases of Scotch Whisky to New York and other East coast ports, every five weeks.Cars were soon briefly forgotten. My interest was rekindled some four years later, when, having qualified as a deck officer and joined my first P&O ship, HIMALAYA, girlfriends entered the equation! You needed a ragtop to impress and when the ship's doctor made me an offer of his light blue Triumph TR3A it became my first car, What fun was had in that little car, with its Standard Vanguard two litre engine, roaring through the streets of London at all hours with a varied number of passengers. To this day I have such fond memories of it but cannot remember what happened to it. I do believe I traded it in for a red 1971 TR6 which was to become my next car, although I had set my heart on the GT6, a car I am still keen on owning to this day. Next, after I had purchased my first house just outside Cambridge, I wanted the Dolomite Sprint, but ended up with one of its main rivals of the time, a 1974 Alfa Romeo GTV 2000, 105 series, which the local motor dealer sold to me. Two-door it may have been, but a better handling, pleasure to drive car would be hard to find even today. One of the influences in my present day choice of classic cars was the experience of driving my dad's P4 Rover 90 in the early sixties. Despite the lingering legacy of the suicide doors, they were (and still are) beautiful, comfortable and so pleasant to drive cars with the freewheel gearbox, that in quite recent times I decided reluctantly to part with my yellow TR6 I had gone to much trouble and expense to acquire privately in Melbourne, and find a Rover P5B Coupe in the UK to bring to Australia. These are the pinnacle of what was once a fine and proud industry in the UK and need to be shown around the world as proof of what was our heritage. Similarly shipbuilding with the liners ORION, QE, QM, CANBERRA and ORIANA now forgotten showpieces of an era when skill, craftsmanship and genuine passion reigned supreme. And so to 2015 and my thoughts. The cars I have I enjoy every time I take them out, but this is not often enough and my time with at least one, possibly two, of the voluntary organisations I support will be cut back so I can enjoy the Wednesday runs and other activities the club organises. My son has finally returned the Datsun 260Z to it's rightful owner, as he is unable to get it through rego, and it is now going to be totally restored in what will be my final hurrah and regrettably will likely result in the sale of one of the three pictured on the cover of this magazine! There is no doubt in my mind, that despite what I may have written above, the Datsun is the most thoroughly enjoyable car I have ever driven and deserves to live again. Well done indeed those clever Japanese with European help in design and thoroughly good engineering skills. Michael Gold Rover P5B Coupe Sunbeam Alpine Triumph Dolomite Michael also has a collection of models of many of the cars he has owned FORMULA VEE – 50 YEARS IN AUSTRALIA Back in 1965 a new low cost road racing category began. Volkswagen Australia organised a demonstration by an American built lightweight open wheel racing car using VW beetle components. Canberra VW Dealer Greg Cusack lapped the Warwick Farm circuit at a surprisingly rapid pace and before long the category was under way. Local enthusiasts began building the compact frames with Beetle motor, gearbox and predominately VW suspension. Sleek fibreglass bodies completed the package and racing fields grew rapidly. Local racing car manufacturers Nota, Mako, Renmax and Elfin produced more sophisticated machines and drivers such as Colin Bond, Larry Perkins, and John Bowe began illustrious careers aboard these Vees. Racing was characterised by extremely close wheel to wheel action with slipstreaming an essential skill. In recent years a 1600 cc division was added to the original 1200 cc group, with strict controls on minor motor modifications ensuring driver skill remains the prime requirement for success. As an example of Formula Vee performance, the 1600 version is currently quicker than the V8 Utes around Wakefield Park, Goulburn. A “mid field” Vee can be yours for as little as $8,000. If however, you want to be “up the sharp end” of the 1600’s, you’ll need around $25,000 for the package plus razor sharp reflexes and a handy offsider. Guy Fluke HSRCA Meeting Wakefield Park Sunday 22nd February 2015 The day dawned foggy and warm as I headed up the hill to Wakefield Pk with Germany's finest flat six singing behind my head. Arriving just after 9am, a sea of cars and trailers supported the rumours of 150+ entrants. Wandering around revealed the following eclectic mix: MG TC Special, Volvo 240 Turbo, Ford Sierra Cosworth, Nissan Skyline GTR "Godzilla", Cooper JAP, Austin Healey 3000, Triumph TR3, Lotus 23B, Brabham BT29, Falcon GTHO, '69 Mustang "Boss" and Torana A9Xall in the first 10 minutes! There were some immaculate vehicles. Lynn Brown's Holden HD X2 with all the “bling” under the bonnet was a favourite. Best noise went to Geoff Morgan's green Porsche Carrera (maybe I am biased here). The roller skate black Lotus Elan of Jim Davidson showed just how wide fibreglass flares can be. On the track, competitive racing ensued over the next 4 hours. In the pits, the atmosphere was friendly. A simple "hello" resulting in an invitation to view the cars close up, photograph everything I wanted and receive a potted history of vehicles and drivers. A terrific day of action with access to all areas for $20.00. How good is that? Its on again in September- see you there! Mark Beaver BERMAGUI SEASIDE FAIR ENHANCED BY ATTENDANCE OF LOCAL CLASSIC MOTOR CLUB In news just to hand, the township of Bermagui by Sea was “party central” on Saturday March the 14th as thousands turned up to embrace the Bermagui Seaside Fair . The fair began with the traditional parade of local schools, service organisations, and Classic bikes and cars. Toddler walking pace tested both clutches and cooling systems for the crawl to the oval display area. An outstanding array of sixteen C.V.M.C.E. cars took pride of place with Club cabana and signage erected in only one hour. Peckish members soon found food stalls and the inevitable motoring yarns began over lunch. With so much to see and music wafting [blaring?] it was rated a pretty good way to pass a couple of hours. The weather was just about right, warm with an increasing breeze and despite a heavily amplified auction going on for some time, members rated the outing as a social success. In an outstanding conclusion to the day, it can now be confirmed that, during the drive home to Moruya, your humble events director, unleashed his British thoroughbred and passed a car! Yes, that’s correct, a tardy Ford Falcon was despatched to ignominy by 40 frisky horsepower, courtesy of the “Blue Whale”. Guy Fluke WHICH BANK NOW? A sad day for Moruya residents – St George, Moruya is closing down. It is a first-class sub-branch which has been operated by excellent friendly and efficient staff. Perhaps it’s a good thing that our Treasurer lives in the North and can use the Batemans Bay Branch.- Another sign of the march of the digital age. Anyway, who needs pass-books, cheques or even cash machines when we can pay bills at home on our computers or even on the move with our mobiles. If we need that old fashioned cash – there’s always cash-out at eftpos! HOJ TYRE SAFETY Reports that European Union bureaucrats are determined to put an age limit on vehicle tyres can’t be ignored, especially as the UK seems liable to follow…and Australian States could take a liking to the idea. With that in mind it was interesting to come across an item in the UK magazine The Automobile concerning an interview with Dougal Cawley of Longstone Tyres, a well-known supplier of tyres for classic vehicles. He is reported to have said: “Rubber compounds have improved over the years, but due to banned substances being removed, change has been forced upon the manufacturers and exact replication is not now allowed. This means that materials do not last as long and, as a result, perish quicker. These days you may find modern tyres that start perishing at less than five years old. In general, tyre manufacturers recommend a safe lifespan of no more than ten years.” At present in the UK there is no legal tyre age; annual roadworthy testing (the MOT) includes examination of the tyres for tread wear and sidewall condition. If they are judged not roadworthy they have to be changed, as is the situation in New South Wales. When it comes to guarding the interests of their citizens Governments tend towards the “monkey see, monkey do” philosophy. All well and good, but there also seems to be a tendency of applying this to introducing restrictions and penalties. At present a garage undertaking an annual inspection will insist on unsafe tyres being replaced, undeniably a good thing. But should such a ruling be introduced here it would mean that a garage would order a perfectly sound tyre to be scrapped and replaced because it had reached its use-by date. And that would not be a good thing! This is of particular interest to owners of older cars, the tyres of which are kept in good condition, cover not all that many kilometres, and are usually garaged and protected from UV rays. Incidentally, could it be presumed that it is the same bunch of bureaucrats that enforced the prohibition of substances that enabled tyres to last longer, who are now calling for laws to ban tyres that are not lasting as long as previously? It is something on which we will all have to keep an eye. Eric Wiseman COOMA WEEKEND TRIP REPORT Twenty two of us trotted off to Cooma last weekend ……some to take part in a Cooma Car Club pre 1960’s car event but most of us to just get away for a couple of days to enjoy the crisp autumn mountain air. This article is a report mainly on what we post 60’s people did. We’ve got to know a few of the Cooma Club People over the last 10 years as they have been great supporters of our Bay to Bermagui event. The trip was a good opportunity to check out their magnificent club rooms and to enjoy their hospitality. Most of our group left Moruya at 8am on Friday morning to arrive at our motel, the Kinross Inn, at around Midday after a morning tea stop at Bemboka. The heavy rain all the way up was intimidating and we were in no doubt about what we were going to experience for the rest of the weekend. After a pleasant lunch at The Loft Restaurant in Cooma we headed out to Buckenderra Holiday Village to have a look at Lake Eucumbene which was at 54% capacity we also checked out some cabins before heading to Adaminaby for refreshments at the pub prior to heading home. Michel Nader and Rankin McCarron both knew Ron Rankin the publican who used to live down this way. Our Rankin was in fact best man at his wedding 50 years ago. The Snowy Mountains Museum which was on our agenda was unfortunately closed but with a bit more planning, a definite must see for any future trip. We finished off our Friday at The Roses Lebanese Restaurant, a favourite of and recommended by the Nader’s and it turned out to be the perfect place to finish our first day. The weather forecast for the rest of the weekend was not good so those of us who had post 1960’s cars and couldn’t enter for the Cooma club event decided to spend Saturday morning in Cooma checking out the shops before heading to the Wild Brumby Distillery near Jindabyne for a German themed lunch and non-alcoholic beer and yes it can be done. A stop off at Nuggets Crossing in Jindabyne, a nap, a shower and a happy hour on return to our motel and it was time to visit the Cooma Club rooms for a roast dinner prepared and served up by the local Lions Club. This was a good low key evening with just a few speeches, a warm welcome and some enthusiastic dancing to the music provided by a lone karaoke style entertainer. Barry Apps and Ingrid Petts do indeed make a good “Fred & Ginger”. This club didn’t take out any awards for cars but Jim Wilson did rate an honourable mention for his Plymouth Belvedere, mainly I think because it was the exact same car that Johnny O’Keeffe wrote off in the early 60’s, doing extensive damage to himself. The three days were well filled in and many thanks for the enjoyable company of a most convivial group. Despite the weather everybody had a great time and the common feedback was “When is the next trip away?”. Thanks to President Peter Wolf and Rogan Corbett, prime movers at the Cooma Club. They have invited us back and insisted that they would be happy to open their clubrooms to provide morning or afternoon tea when we do. Peter Smith AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AN ENTHUSIAST Jim Wilson wrote At the Bermagui Fair a fellow came up and asked if we were interested in either of his friend’s Chrysler cars for sale. The owner has health issues and the cars are both for sale: Right hand drive Aust delivered 1959 Belvedere Hardtop ( Converted to a convertible) Right hand drive 1958 Dodge hearse ( surviving one of two made according to seller) Both rare as and look like excellent basis for resto. The hearse is apparently a genuine low mile car. Interested folk should call Glenn Smith on 0427 99 1613 he has all the details and is acting for the owner. RENEWING YOUR CONDITIONAL REGISTRAION Requirements for completion of an RMS Historic Vehicle Declaration form – they are now as follows: The owner must be a financial member of CVMCE. The vehicle must undergo a safety check. This can be completed by a designated Club Vehicle Inspector, OR you can obtain a pink slip. After this has been completed, the final part of the process is to have an authorised Committee Club official sign and stamp the Historic Vehicle Declaration form, certifying both vehicle eligibility AND the member’s current financial status. Having the safety inspection carried out by a designated Club Vehicle Inspector will satisfy a Committee Club official that the vehicle is also eligible for historic registration. In this case, the vehicle will not need to be sighted by a committee Club official for Historic Vehicle Declaration certification. HOWEVER, should you elect to obtain a pink slip for the safety inspection, please note that the CVMCE has adopted a significant change to the process. A Club official must now sight the vehicle and determine its eligibility for historic registration, prior to having the Historic Vehicle Declaration certified. Note that designated Club Vehicle Inspectors are also deemed to be Club officials, and in most cases will determine vehicle eligibility. Further note for vehicles issued with a pink slip. Whilst the Committee Club officials authorised to stamp the Historic Vehicle Declaration form, retain the authority to certify vehicle eligibility, they generally lack the detailed vehicle knowledge, which our Club Vehicle Inspectors have. Unless familiar with the type of vehicle, it is expected that they will defer to a Club Vehicle Inspector for assurance of the vehicle’s compliance with eligibility, before certifying the Historic Vehicle Declaration form. In all cases a Club Vehicle Inspector is entitled to seek the counsel of one or more of his colleagues if vehicle eligibility is questionable. Under new CVMCE policy, a Committee Club official is not authorised to certify the Historic Vehicle Declaration form until the above has been complied with. Committee Club officials are aware of the new sequence of requirements, and are bound by CVMCE policy to adhere to the new guidelines. SERVICE DIRECTORY
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