Bulletin of the Veteran Car Club of South Australia,...

Bulletin October 2016

www.vccsa.org.au

Bulletin of the Veteran Car Club

of South Australia, Inc.

Vol. 11, No. 03 – October 2016

Chairman: Hamish McDonald 8556 2271 Public Officer: Dudley Pinnock 8379 2441 Treasurer: Tim Rettig 8338 2590 Rallymaster: Neil Francis 8373 4992

Committee: Phil Keane 8277 2468 Julian McNeil 8272 8759 Andrew Hayes 8271 9111 Ian Voysey 0432 454 942

Secretary: Peter Allen 8353 3438 Address for Correspondence: P.O.Box 193, Unley Business Centre, Unley 5061

Email: [email protected] Website: www.vccsa.org.au Website Coordinator: [email protected]

Bulletin editor: Frank Cord-Udy 0432 751 227 [email protected]

Photo from the Creepy Crawly Run in Willunga – 11th September 2016

Member of the Association of Veteran Car Clubs of Australia (AVCCA)


From the Chairman As we reach the end of a very busy month for our club, I am mindful that the start of this month commenced with the passing of VCC-SA member Barry Foster. His interest in all things veteran (bikes and cars alike) will be missed by many. I am sure many of you would have your own special memories of Barry and his pre-war vehicle exploits. The social side to our club came to the fore recently with a solid turn out of members at the film night organised by Tim Rettig. Those attending were treated to the screening of the film “Sully” followed by a very filling supper. Thanks for your efforts here Tim, it was a great night for all. It was certainly a busy month for our veteran vehicles that commenced with the Creepy Crawly Run. This was our first club event in a long time in which a veteran motorbike participated. Thanks for that extra effort, Larry, to share your 1903 FN with those on the run. It still has a great turn of speed for its age, because the Austin 7 on the run struggled to keep up with you. Not sure if this is a great method for comparing your speed, but you presented a challenge for it to keep up with you! The Motorfest Run, hosted by our club, was also well supported as the vehicles journeyed around the city and finished in the Port Adelaide area. Neil has some stories and images of the event to share at the upcoming Gathering, along with some further images of the Bay to Birdwood Run. Talking of the ‘B2B’ this has been a rather interesting event in the past with some members speaking highly and others not so. Your Committee has argued for a better hearing of our needs leading to this year’s event and whilst some of the requests were met, some promises fell short. I think the better relationship with the organisers can only be a positive as we continue the conversation for future Runs. Of particular note was the number of veteran vehicles taking part from interstate. We were lucky to see David Wright from Victoria in his 1911 Fiat and Chris Sorrensen from Queensland in a 2 cylinder Model F Buick. Chris’ journey to take part in the event was particularly interesting to hear, as they had to make an extensive detour to get around the flood waters in regional NSW. It’s amazing to think that at this time last year we were experiencing a heat wave of 35 degrees! Well done and many thanks to all VCC-SA members for taking part in this iconic event and sharing your wonderfully presented vehicles with the general public.

Your Committee continues to reflect on the feedback gathered through the forum process and as such next month we will be offering a shakedown run the day before the London to Brighton. So those of you who like to make good use of your vehicles when you get them out and ready, or who run their vehicles on a special permit, would appreciate the opportunity for a morning shakedown run the day before. See details later in the bulletin for this. Some further new initiatives for our club are also un-folding, with next month being the first of what could be a regular format where members can share an update on their restoration projects. In the lead up to this, our November Bulletin will feature a list of vehicles undergoing restoration by club members. If you would like to share your vehicles details, please let a member of the Committee know so your vehicle can be included in this list.


Some members over the Christmas break have asked if there is interest for a possible run. The Committee has supported this request with early discussions on the possibility of a Proclamation Day Run(28th Dec). The run will leave and head down to the Old Gum Tree ceremony and then wind its way to Kingston House for their well renowned Devonshire Tea ($10 per person). We need around 20 members to take part for this to occur. If you are interested in taking part, please indicate this at the Gathering on the sheet provided. Finally, November is the National Veteran Rally in Tasmania. Several VCC-SA members and I will be taking part, so I would like to get in early and offer my apologies for next month’s Gathering. See you on the road in your Veteran soon. Hamish McDonald (Chair)

Meetings The Club holds informal gatherings at 8pm on the first Wednesday of each month, except January, at the Colonel Light Gardens RSL, Dorset Ave. Park behind on what was the bowling green, enter from Windsor Ave. Assemble at 7.30 for a pre-meeting chat. The only formal club meeting is the Annual General Meeting, held on the first Wednesday in July each year.

Wednesday 5th October. ‘Bay to Birdwood’ photos and run reports/reviews. Wednesday 2nd November. ‘Restoration Round up!’ Various members will present a short talk with images of their vehicles awaiting restoration or under restoration.

Wednesday 7th December. ‘Noggin and Natter Night’ – with images from the national rally

Upcoming Club events 29th October 2016 VCCSA Club Run on Saturday to Patritti Wines, Clacton Road, Dover

Gardens SA 5048. This is an opportunity to blow the cobwebs out of the car and fill the tank ready for the following days ‘Down Under’ London to Brighton run. Meet at the Colonel Light Gardens RSL car park at 9.00am for a 9.30am departure.

6th November 2016 VCCSA - Annual Norton Summit Hillclimb. Further details of the history of the run included in this Bulletin.

Upcoming Local & National Club events 8th - 9th Oct The "Burra to Morgan" run is organised by the Northern Automotive Restoration

Club SA Inc. See the website http://www.narc.org.au for more details.

14th - 16th Oct Springtime Above the Snowline – Alpine Tour run by the VCCA(Vic). The rally is based in Mt. Beauty/Tawonga South in Kiewa Valley, Victoria. Daily excursions have been planned, weather permitting. No entry fee as this is a ‘minimal organisation’ rally. See the website http://www.veterancarclub.org.au


for more details.

15th - 16th Oct Classics at Hart – Classic Motor Cycle Display at Harts Mill, Port Adelaide. The COMCC presents an exhibition of classic motorcycles representing a history of motorcycling in South Australia. See the website http://www.classicowners.org for more details.

30th Oct ‘Down Under’ London to Brighton Run hosted by The Vintage Sports Car Club of S.A. Inc. Entry Forms needed to be received by the 30th September, 2016.

30th Oct - 4th Nov National Veteran Tour – Tasmania run by the VCCA (Tas) Inc. Expression Of Interest form has been placed on our clubs website. Further details can be obtained from John Biggelaar Email: [email protected] or by post mail addressed to: The Secretary National Veteran Tour 2016 PO Box 170,Riverside, Launceston,Tasmania, 7250.

24th – 30th Sept 2017 National Veteran Vehicle Rally, Clare Valley, South Australia.

The Expression of Interest Form is available from our web site http://vccsa.org.au/events-2/National-Veteran-Vehicle- Rally-Clare-2017. Coordinated by the Sporting Car Club of SA and the Veteran Car Club of SA, the 2017 rally will be based in the regional township of Clare, the focus of the Valley’s rich blend of attractions and activities, including vineyards and wineries as well as regional mining and pastoral commerce.

Contact Peter Templer 0417 081 502.

Do not miss this wonderful opportunity – register your interest now!

Upcoming Swap Meet events 16th October Strathalbyn 12th-13th Nov Bendigo 20th Nov Regency Park

15th Jan ‘17 Hahndorf 5th Feb ’17 Victor Harbor 19th Mar ’17 Clare

Notices Historic Registration in SA Remember the obligation is on YOU to comply with the H R scheme.


‘Retroautos’ magazine of interest Please see a link below to Retroautos, a free on-line classic car magazine that is being published in Australia. We are forwarding this to members out of interest, however please note that the Veteran Car Club of S.A. does not have any association with the publication. Follow the link here to download the October 2016 issue: http://issuu.com/retroautos/docs/retroautos_october_2016

For sale /wanted For Sale

Veteran and Vintage Headlights. Bill Jansen has just acquired about 300 Vintage and Veteran Headlights in various states of condition. He is going to sell these headlights as single headlights or as a pair if he has them. If anyone is interested in any of the headlights and would like photos, just send him an email. It will be no good asking him what they fit but if anyone interested sends him a photo, dimensions, mounting points or any other special features then he will do his best to help them out. Contact: Bill Jansen [email protected] Zenith Lyon carbie Contact: Andrew Mitchell Ph: 0438943799

Wanted

Information on CAV car DYNAMO system and wiring diagram for 1910/1911. Contact: Robin Sharp (03) 5824 1871 Electric brass CAV model B headlight for my 16HP Darracq to replace one stolen. It is about 250mm in rim diameter and 210 deep. See photograph.

I will happily buy one or can offer one of the following brass oil lamps as a swap: - Germania LHS sidelight (no glass,minor dents) - Lucas King of the road tail light no 432 (no burner) - Dietz sidelight in very good condition Contact: David Martin 0410377876


Lost & Found Help Wanted

"This photo is of my great-grandfather taken in London before WW1. He was a professional chauffeur all his life retiring in 1960 and this is the only photo we have from his early driving days. Can anybody help with identifying the maker of the car? Also, would anybody have any contact in the UK that could possibly run the number plate to see what other information can be gained? Any help would be most gratefully received. David Chantrell."

Sunday 30th October 2016

for

Veteran Cars and Motorcycles

Arrangements for the 29th Down Under London to Brighton Run are being made and

now is the time to mark your calendar

Enquiries to Ian Loader phone (08) 83827243 or 0418349693

or email: [email protected]


VCCSA ‘Motorfest’ Run Report – Friday 23th September 2016 Report by Neil Francis Photos by Ian Voysey

It was perfect weather for the “City To The Port - Veteran Vehicle Run”. Eight veteran cars lined up at Veal Gardens to meet the Vintage cars arriving from the Motor Fest Headquarters Glandore for morning tea. We had our morning tea with 62 people, 19 Vintage cars, 3 motorbikes and 8 veteran cars. Our run took us through the city, past the Adelaide Oval, then regrouped on War Memorial Drive before continuing on to Alberton Oval (the home of Port Adelaide Football Club) for lunch.


Lunch was a very happy and chatty affair with the blend of both interstate and Adelaide people. Thank's to the interstate people for bringing their magnificent cars and Phil Keane for organising the run and perfect weather.


Letters to the Editor That’s a wrap for the Bay to Birdwood Run 2016 The Bay to Birdwood organisers would like to thank the community for coming out on Sunday 25 September and supporting this great South Australian event. This year’s event was the Bay to Birdwood ‘Run’ for veteran, vintage and early classic vehicles manufactured upto 1960. There was a field of 1005 entrant vehicles participating in the 70 kilometre run from West Beach to the National Motor Museum in the Adelaide Hills. The Bay to Birdwood also officially welcomed a new Chairman on the day, Michael Neale. Michael is Managing Director and Principal Consultant of Literally Brilliant, a marketing consultancy company, and previously held senior marketing roles with organisations including San Remo and the University of Adelaide. Michael says, “I am excited to be taking an active leadership role in this iconic South Australian event, which is loved and supported by the community”. The finish event at the National Motor Museum saw a crowd of 7000 people enjoy food, entertainment and children’s activities and the fabulous fashions.

Photo courtesy Epsom Road Studio Another highlight of the finish was the Concours d’Elegance. This year entrants went to great lengths to impress the judges with their vehicle, personal attire and overall presentation. The highly coveted trophy for the 2016 Bay to Birdwood Concours d’Elegance was presented to Ryan Turner and his family who won with their 1926 Pontiac, a vehicle that was in Ryan’s family for over 40 years. For the first time the Bay to Birdwood held a new judging category and trophy ‘Preservation Class’ for vehicles that are substantially unmodified. The winner of this was Natalie Halstead with her late husbands motorbike a 1958 Sunbeam. Brenton tragically died in June in an accident while restoring a vehicle for the Bay to Birdwood.


“The Bay to Birdwood would not be possible without the entrants, partners, committee members and our volunteers. We extend our appreciation and special thanks to them for helping us deliver this major event for historic motoring enthusiasts and the wider community,” said Michael Neale. For further information visit www.baytobirdwood.com.au or www.facebook.com/baytobirdwood For media enquiries, images from the event or interviews please contact: Belinda Petersen, 0402 358 000 www.baytobirdwood.com.au

Photos from the 2016 Bay to Birdwood ‘Run’


Norton Summit Hillclimb – VCCSA Club Event - 6th November 2016 A Brief History of the Norton Summit Hill Climb With the VCCSA Annual Hill Climb more or less only a month away on the 6th November, it’s appropriate to look back at the first series of hill climbs organised by the Automobile Club of South Australia in 1904, 1905 and 1906. Formed in September 1903 as the Automobile and Motor Cycling Club of South Australia, the state’s first and foremost motoring body had little interest in its first season for competitive motoring events. Although some motorcycle racing had occurred at bicycle meetings at the Adelaide Oval in October 1902 and October 1903, it was not until October 1904 that the first competitive event for motor cars was held at the Morphettville racecourse. The Motor Derby, a mix of race and novelty events, was not entirely successful, and was to be the first and last “motor racing” event organised by the club. Henceforth, the utility of the motor car would be demonstrated to the public through reliability trials and hill climbs. The first “hill climbing contest” took place on Saturday December 17th, 1904 over a four-mile course “… from the East Torrens Hotel (now the Tower Hotel), Magill, to the “White Gate”, a familiar landmark on the new road, about two miles from Norton’s Summit”. About fifteen cars, ranging from 5 to 15 h.p., participated, along with “seven or eight cycles”. Perhaps not surprisingly, largest of the motorcycles, Napier Birk’s 3 h.p. Imperial Rover, was the fastest up the hill in a time of 11 min. 32 sec., while the largest of the cars, E. Rymill’s 15 h.p. Darracq, was fastest of the cars in 12 min. 3 sec. Lewis advertising after the 1904 event – the cars were De Dions and Talbots, recently landed for new owners, but driven in the event by Lewis staff. After the event, afternoon tea was hosted by Sir Richard and Lady Baker at their property “Morialta”. Does anyone know where this house is? The club was back again in December 1905, over the same course. Among the twenty one cars competing this year, many had been stripped back into “racing” trim by their owners; the reduced weight yielding faster times. E.S. Rymill’s 15 h.p. Darracq “which, like many others, had been dismantled for the occasion” was this time fastest of all comers in 9 min. 30 sec., with Jackson’s


prototype 2 ¾ h.p. water-cooled Lewis the fastest of the motorcycles in 10 min. 6 sec. No invite to the Baker’s this time, so the competitors had to stop at the pub for refreshments after the event. The third and final event was held over the course in December 1906, and Darracq, with a reputation to defend, was represented by some impressive machinery. H. Nichols’ 24 h.p. Darracq (the “White Streak” discussed in previous editions of the Bulletin) was present in the hands of A.G. Rymill, while E.S. Rymill had traded up from his 15 h.p. Darracq to a 24 h.p. (or 28 h.p. depending on reference) machine of the same make. With new rules in place to ensure that the competing cars were in “touring dress”, speeds were down a little from 1905. Nevertheless Darracq went on to secure a clean sweep of the three Norton’s Summit events when E.S. Rymill won in 9 min. 44 sec, 24 sec. ahead of A.G. Rymill in his similar car. Interestingly, the first motorcycle home was W. Crowle on a 2 ¼ h.p. Indian – a much sought-after machine these days. The most exciting incident in the 1906 race was seen “about a mile for Magill, the road takes a sharp turn on the edge of the hill” when Murray Aunger, driving one of the 12 h.p. Lewis Talbots, “plunged past another car, right in the sharp turn. The performance was a wonderful example of driving skill, but the spectators held their breaths for a second as the two cars, one almost on the fence and the other jammed under the hill at the other side of the road, swung round with what seemed no more than a foot or so to spare at any point.” With machines leaving the start at one-minute intervals, Aunger was presumably overtaking at some speed. As in 1904, the “after party” kicked on at Sir Richard and Lady Baker’s residence, and it seems a good time was had by all. Although the Automobile Club’s annual hill climb continued for two more years (up Anstey’s Hill in 1907, and the Old Belair Hill in 1908), it never again tackled the road to Norton’s Summit. At least not until 2006 when the VCCSA held its first revival of the event. Magneto Ballast! What else would a magneto fixer use for weights when making trellis? We are assured that no customer’s magneto was injured in the process. TG

Bulletin of the Veteran Car Club of South Australia,...

Documents

Transcript of Bulletin of the Veteran Car Club of South Australia,...