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LANDROVING IN KZN
Land Rover Owners Club KZN
Image by Viv Richards
Monthly Newsletter March 2015
LROC KZN Committee Chairman: Brian Moore [email protected] Cell: 082 8420064 Radio and Safety Officer: Grant Barnard [email protected] Cell: 073 1517879 Secretary: Mark Kirkbride [email protected] Cell: 082 6709063 Treasurer: Brendan Mitchell [email protected] Cell: 083 2824318 Webmaster: Andrew Kirkbride [email protected] Cell: 079 7436488 Trails: Leon Jacobs [email protected] Cell: 073 2147756 Gates: Zack de Lange [email protected] Cell: 076 7669944 Social: Brian Moore [email protected] Cell: 082 8420064 Co-opted Membership: Liesel Mitchell [email protected] Newsletter Editor: Michelle de Lange [email protected] Cell: 081 2124794 Member Without Portfolio: Winston Reed [email protected] Cell: 082 6456969 Member Without Portfolio: Erik Warburg [email protected] Cell: 082 4874950
Contents Page Editor’s Letter 2 - 3 News and Events 3 – 7 Story of the Bantam Jeep 8 - 10 Featured Member 11 - 12 What’s On 13 Just for Fun 14 - 15 Classifieds 16 New Members 17
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The Editor’s Letter
e live in an extraordinary country.
We are blessed with mountains, oceans, forests and deserts. Our landscape is diverse and beautiful and we are lucky enough that it is on our proverbial doorstep. In KZN, Land Rover ‘paradise,’ for many of us is an easy half an hour drive. With a moment’s notice we can leave ‘civilisation’ behind and head out into the ‘wilds’. This ability to step out of the confines of our day to day lives into the natural world, I believe, is one of the reasons why it is so addictive. We tend to live in the future, always looking forward, worrying and stressing about what will be. 4x4ing grounds us. It holds us firmly in the present and in that grasp, we find our freedom. Until the next time Michelle
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News & Events Being a fairly quiet month for the club, a quick jaunt in the valley kept those with severe 4x4 withdrawal symptoms sane for the time being. Inanda Valley – by Mark Kirkbride
Image by Mel Henderson
e arrived at Waterfall shopping centre some time before 08h30 and were shocked to see that there was already a quite respectable group of Landies assembled. Blimey! People are keen to get going!
Of course, I had forgotten to bring the outing register along so had to go back home and fetch it. People signed in the register and a few stories were swapped in the parking lot as more and more people arrived for the outing. In the end we took up a whole wing of the Spar parking with Land Rovers and a few other makes who couldn't resist the magnetic attraction which Land Rover owners exude. All in, there were 23 vehicles that left the car park after Leon did the drivers briefing. We had Don join us later down the road as his Rangy started spluttering on the way to the meeting and he had to go back and fetch the Defender. The vehicles spread on out on the road through to Inanda dam and we made good time to the first photo opportunity on a long stretch of straight road to show off our convoy. Off we went again and over the dam bridge
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and turned right towards Inanda Mountain. As we turned off the tarred road to take a more interesting route up, we stopped again to deflate tyres and snap a few more shots. We then proceeded along a now familiar track up the mountain. We do stop at a shebeen along this road but scooted past this time due to the more family oriented trip. We joined the tarred road at the top again and with Leon mopping up the stragglers from the back headed towards the mountain view site.
Landies were lined up along the ridge of the mountain for more photo opportunities and a cold refreshment or two. It always gives me pleasure to show people this for the first time as the views are absolutely spectacular on a clear day.
Image by Mel Henderson
Image by Viv Richards
Leon and I then quickly planned the next leg down the mountain as the original route I proposed was going to take too long. Leon led the way but we had to stop in a hurry before we got to the tar road again as Leon's Pajero/Landy was spouting fuel from the tank. The pipe had come loose due to the tank moving in the support cradle and had to be quickly reattached as it was using more fuel than a V8 Landy should. 10 minutes later we were back on the road and found another nice little track down the mountain that had just been graded. It was like a freeway and we made good time to Big Rock from there.
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Image by Mel Henderson
We had our first river crossing here around big rock and we paused on the other side to make sure everyone was happy and see if anyone wanted to play. We saw Don ascending big rock and were prepared for some disaster to strike as it seems to follow Don around like his dog. No drama.. made it down and we were able to proceed to the picnic spot at Slip and Slide without further ado. I was a bit concerned about where we were going to put all the vehicles but everyone squeezed in and there was still space for braais and chairs in the shade.
Image by Mark Kirkbride
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Tjop and dop was consumed with plenty of banter and stories around the fires as the kids and dogs played on the river slides.
Image s by Leon Jacobs
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There were two groups leading out of the valley... One group went up river to Mafula stores and up the sand mining river to Inchanga while our group went down river and back up to the Waterfall side. Reflecting later, after seeing the plethora of photographs on the Facebook page, I thought that although it was a quick, spur of the moment outing, with no route planning except on the day, it was exceptionally well attended by a really great bunch of enthusiasts, intent on having a relaxed day in the sunshine in a beatiful part of our back yard. We are truly blessed to be able to still do this here. Mark Kirkbride HowZedBra!
Image by Viv Richards
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The Story of the BANTAM JEEP (and how the standard WW2 jeep really came into being) – By George Goswell Despite over 60 years having passed, many people are still able to recognize a WW2 jeep, most referring to it simply as a 'Willys'. It is likely that they therefore also believe that the ubiquitous jeep with its unmistakable grille must have been conceived, designed and built by Willys Overland but the reality is somewhat different. It actually owes its existence to the American Bantam Car Company and the genius of Karl K Probst. The story goes like this: In 1930 Austin of England founded the American Austin Car Company in the United States. Unfortunately, economical little cars never proved popular there and by 1934 the company was almost bankrupt. It was taken over by its Chairman, Roy Evans, who re-launched it as the American Bantam Car Company. He retained the small car concept based on the original Austin design but made improvements and increased the range of models available. As early as 1938 Bantam had spotted the potential of a light reconnaissance vehicle for military use and lent the National Guard three of its Austin based Roadsters to evaluate. The company continued to press the case for such a vehicle until a meeting with the Military was finally arranged at the Bantam factory on June 19th 1940. Worried by the mobility and ease with which the German Army had taken France and intelligence reports that the Germans were about to convert the Volkswagen for military use, they at last showed a real interest in Bantam's proposal. A series of meetings developed Bantam's original car based proposal into a military specification for a 4 x 4 hybrid car / truck type vehicle weighing not more than 590kg. Aware of Bantam's limited design and production facilities and the fact that the company was not financially sound it was decided to offer other manufacturers the opportunity to tender as well. The overall task was to design and submit 70 finished vehicles for evaluation (including 8 with 4 x 4). A prototype had to be delivered within 49 days, the rest within 75 days. The rather unrealistic weight limit resulted in no interest being shown by traditional truck manufacturers like Dodge or GMC and initially only Bantam and Willys responded to be joined later by Ford in submitting designs and prototype vehicles for evaluation. Bantam persuaded Karl Probst, a freelance engineer, to head their project and when the drawings for the tenders were examined by the Military on July 22, Probst's vehicle came closest to matching the specification though Bantam did conceal the fact that their vehicle was likely to be a little over the weight limit. An order was placed and by the end of September Probst had completed the drawings, sourced the parts and the Bantam prototype was delivered. Having tested it to destruction and being satisfied with its performance, the
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army commissioned 70 more to be built. Despite Willys failing to submit a prototype by the deadline and Ford showing little interest in the project at all at this time, both manufacturers were allowed access to the trials of the Bantam prototype and subsequently to Probst's drawings. Willys and Ford prototype models, the Quad and the Pygmy, were to follow in that order but clearly outside both the time and weight limits. Trials continued into the winter of 1940 and should have resulted in an outright winner. The Bantam GPV (General Purpose Vehicle) had been delivered on time and met the specification in most respects. It performed well bearing in mind the nature of prototypes and minor defects were soon corrected. It also had many recognizable features of the later standardized jeep. However, the Military identified strengths and weaknesses in each vehicle. The Bantam was considered too high off the ground and underpowered. The Willys Quad had a more powerful engine but was far too heavy. The Ford Pygmy had the best steering (though linkages were easily damaged) but its tractor engine had insufficient power. There was also concern about Bantam’s limited production capability and that even Willys Overland might not cope given the imminent need for a very large number of these vehicles. All of this resulted in a political decision in March 1941 that all three companies would receive an initial order for 1500 vehicles each, provided that they met the original specification though the permitted weight had now been increased. Vehicles that looked remarkably similar during the trials became even more alike as each company adapted their design and copied the better ideas from each other or from Probst's plans ready for the first production runs. However, in July 1941 the military decided that standardization was needed, it being impractical to operate and maintain three different designs. All three vehicles now performed well but it was decided that the Willys design represented the best overall value for money at $739 (compared with $1166 for a Bantam) and it was adopted as the standard army vehicle. Willys secured the contract to provide the next 16,000 vehicles. In awarding Willys the contract, the army produced a list of improvements and alterations that were required. Apart from general improvements to the battery, generator, air filter and fuel tank, the standard jeep was now to have blackout lights, sealed beam headlights, pioneer tools (axe and shovel), double bow canvas tilt, trailer socket, centre dash handbrake control and radio suppression. The classic standard jeep design was about to emerge. The 40 BRC (the production version of the Bantam) was now no longer required by the US Army as it was 'non-standard'. The Bantams already in service with the army together with the continued output from the factory were passed to the British and Russian armies under the terms of the Lend-Lease Act. Interestingly, having observed the trials, the Russian Purchasing Commission wanted the Bantam by choice. By the end of October 1941 the army were keen to find a second source of supply for two reasons; Willys could no longer keep up with the growing demand for jeeps and there was the need to safeguard the supply of jeeps against the Willys plant being bombed or sabotaged.
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In early November Ford were awarded their first contract to build 15,000 jeeps to the Willys design specification from Willys drawings. The Willys MB and Ford GPW varied in minor detail only as the Military insisted that the parts be interchangeable. With the increased supply it was now possible to supply the standard MB/GPW vehicles under Lend-Lease arrangements and production of the Bantam 40 BRC was phased out. Interestingly, it was Ford who designed the pressed radiator grille to replace the heavier and more costly slat grille of the early Willys MA design. Willys then incorporated this into their definitive MB model. In all, 2675 Bantam 40 BRC vehicles were built, 62 of which had four-wheel steer as requested by the US Cavalry. Sadly, the company never again produced vehicles. Having been first to suggest and build a 'jeep', Bantam was made to share Probst's plans with competitors then lost out in securing any work under contracts for the universal jeep and spent the rest of the war building trailers, aircraft parts and torpedo motors. And ……… then came the Land Rover, born from the above.
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Ten Minutes with Russell
Tell me about your very first Land Rover?
2003 Disco 2. Drove to Cape Town, collected and drove back to Durban. The first time that I climbed into it was when I drove it out of the lot. I had not driven an auto for 30 years and kept looking for a clutch pedal.
How long have you been 4x4ing and who taught you to 4x4?
About 18 months, entirely taught by LROC KZN.
What land Rover do you drive now?
The same Disco2, just slightly modified after following Don and Mark
Does your Landy have a name and what inspired that name?
Not as yet
If you could have one modification/accessory fitted to your Landy, what would it be? A big winch/wench, sliders and a new rear bumper.
What is your favourite Land Rover memory?
Driving back from Cape Town in my first Landy. Stopped in Colesberg in the dark. Woke up on bank of the Orange River. Absolutely stunning views!
What is your worst Land Rover memory?
Bending 3 out of 4 doors in one day (thanks Mark). Where have you been in your Landy?
Only where the LROC has dragged me so far
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Which was your favourite?
So far the last gates at Killarney in the rain. I'm still too new at this to have great adventures but they are on the horizon.
Where would you still like to travel to in your Landy?
Northern Namibia, especially Ruacana falls where I spent 17 months of national service.
If you could own any Land Rover (besides what you own already) what would it be and why?
Defender 90 tdi so that I can be more competitive
Besides land-rovering what else do you enjoy doing?
Biking, anything with two wheels. Love my 95 ZZR1100 which has gone 315Km/H on the clock.
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TRAIL GRADING: All our Events / Trails are graded according to the 5 grades below.
1. Complete novice soft dirt road trail, no low range required. Suitable for all Land Rovers including the Freelander.
2. Limited low range required but suitable for the novice driver. Suitable for all Land Rovers including the Freelander. 3. Low range and limited off road knowledge required. Suitable for all Land Rovers with certain trails not suitable for
the Freelander. 4. A low range technical trail suitable for the experienced. The inexperienced will be able to do the trail, as assistance
will be available from the more experienced members. Suitable for all Land Rovers except the Freelander. 5. Extremely technical, suitable for the experienced and/or modified vehicles only with the possibility of vehicle
damage.
What’s On…. LROC KZN PROVISIONAL EVENTS DIARY 2015
When What, where More Info. CONTACT
PERSON Grade
19 April
1ST GATES
EVENT 2015 –
PECANWOOD
MERRIVALE
Pecanwood in Merrivale. 7:30am Registration and Scrutineering Entry: Free Braais and charcoal will be provided. Please note there are no camping facilities and no pets allowed. An email with further details will follow shortly.
Zack de Lange 076 7669944 Leon Jacobs 073 2147756
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26 April MUSEUM TO
MUSEUM TRAIL More information to follow.
George Goswell 0836581324
30 April – 3 May
TEMBE
ELEPHANT PARK
Camp over in an area out of bounds to day visitors. The trip is run as a fundraiser for the Tembe Honorary Officers who are busy with various projects in the park. Chalets and camping options available. FULLY BOOKED
Erik Warburg 082 4874950
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17 May CARS IN THE
PARK
More information to follow. New venue - The Gold Circle Horse Training Centre in Ashburton Co-ordinates: 29°38'43.23"S 30°28'8.62"E
George Goswell 0836581324
24 May 2ND
GATES
EVENT 2015 –
INANDA VALLEY
More information to follow
Leon Jacobs 073 2147756
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21 June
3RD GATES
EVENT 2015 –
HIGHSTAKES
CATO RIDGE
Rate is R70 per 4x4 vehicle per day. There is also a venue fee over weekends and public holidays of R30 per car/vehicle, which is redeemable through the bar or kitchen. In other words, each 4x4 would pay R100, of which R30 is redeemable, and visitor`s cars would pay R30, which is redeemable
Zack de Lange 076 7669944 Leon Jacobs 073 2147756
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Just for Fun THESE ARE ACTUAL COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY "THOMAS COOK VACATIONS" FROM DISSATISFIED CUSTOMERS: Supplied by Brian Moore 1. "On my holiday to Goa in India, I was disgusted to find that almost every restaurant served curry. I don't like spicy food." 2. "They should not allow topless sunbathing on the beach. It was very distracting for my husband who just wanted to relax." 3. "We went on holiday to Spain and had a problem with the taxi drivers as they were all Spanish." 4. "We booked an excursion to a water park but no-one told us we had to bring our own swimsuits and towels. We assumed it would be included in the price." 5. "The beach was too sandy. We had to clean everything when we returned to our room." 6. "We found the sand was not like the sand in the brochure. Your brochure shows the sand as white but it was more yellow." 7. "It's lazy of the local shopkeepers in Puerto Vallartato close in the afternoons. I often needed to buy things during 'siesta' time -- this should be banned." 8. "No-one told us there would be fish in the water. The children were scared." 9. "Although the brochure said that there was a fully equipped kitchen, there was no egg-slicer in the drawers." 10. "I think it should be explained in the brochure that the local convenience store does not sell proper biscuits like custard creams or ginger nuts." 11. "The roads were uneven and bumpy, so we could not read the local guide book during the bus ride to the resort. Because of this, we were unaware of many things that would have made our holiday more fun." 12. "It took us nine hours to fly home from Jamaica to England. It took the Americans only three hours to get home. This seems unfair."
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13. "I compared the size of our one-bedroom suite to our friends' three-bedroom and ours was significantly smaller." 14. "The brochure stated: 'No hairdressers at the resort.' We're trainee hairdressers and we think they knew and made us wait longer for service." 15. "When we were in Spain, there were too many Spanish people there. The receptionist spoke Spanish, the food was Spanish. No one told us that there would be so many foreigners." 16. "We had to line up outside to catch the boat and there was no air-conditioning." 17. "It is your duty as a tour operator to advise us of noisy or unruly guests before we travel." 18. "I was bitten by a mosquito. The brochure did not mention mosquitoes." 19. "My fiancée and I requested twin-beds when we booked, but instead we were placed in a room with a king bed. We now hold you responsible and want to be re-reimbursed for the fact that I became pregnant. This would not have happened if you had put us in the room that we booked." BE AWARE ... THEY WALK AMONG US and THEY VOTE!
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Classifieds
If you wish to place an advert, please forward the info to [email protected]/[email protected]
Please note that ads will run in two successive newsletters thereafter, they will be removed. For ease of reference those highlighted in red have already appeared and will not appear in the next newsletter unless you specifically send me an email asking me to keep the ad. _____________________________________________________________________
Various Defender parts and body panels needed for 6x6 Defender project. The vehicle is basically only a rolling chassis and I have a motor and gearbox now, so I will be needing stuff like; 1. Defender firewall with dash, fenders, doors for 5 door configuration, etc. 2. 110 Hardtop bin with full roof and 90 full roof 3. Various other Defender bits and pieces.... Fair prices will be paid for said parts and any unwanted items, will also be received with open arms as well as any donated stuff towards the cause of the project. Gideon Van Zyl Email : [email protected] _____________________________________________________________________
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New Members
WELCOME TO THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS
Monthly Newsletter of the LROC of SA KwaZulu-Natal
P.O. Box 70650, Overport, 4067
Find our Home Page at www.landroverclub.za.org
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this Newsletter are not necessarily those of the Club’s
Committee, Members or the Editors and may, be incorrect.
Remember it’s your club and you will get out of it what you want to. You have purchased THE BEST 4 x 4 x FAR and now it’s time to use it. See you at the next club event.
New Members who have joined or re-joined LROC over the past few months
Member No Surname Member Name Salutation Email Address
577 Stott Peter Peter and
Denise [email protected]