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M . A . P . S R E V I E W N E W S L E T T E R O F

M A I T L A N D A U T O

P R E S E R V A T I O N S O C I E T Y ,

S O U T H A U S T R A L I A

M A P S - T h e H i s t o r i c M o t o r

V e h i c l e C l u b o f t h e Y o r k e

P e n i n s u l a

h t t p s : / / m a p s - y p . o r g NOVEMBER &

DECEMBER 2020

It is more likely that we’ll be pushing our older vehicles into the shade in

the coming months!

Wishing all our members and other enthusiast with classic vehicles,

Happy Christmas and enjoyable motoring in 2021.

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MAITLAND AUTO PRESERVATION SOCIETY INC., PO BOX 86, MAITLAND SA 5573

OFFICE BEARERS for 2020-21 PRESIDENT PETER ANDERSON 0402 995 398 president@maps-yp.org VICE-PRESIDENT JOE INGRAM 08 8837 3126; 0407 718 225 SECRETARY MARG BASTIAN 0417 826 703 secretary@maps-yp.org TREASURER ERICA ANDREWS 08 8825 3287 (H); 0418 818 247 treasurer@maps-yp.org COMMITTEE MEMBERS RICHARD BASTIAN 0408 849 001 TREVOR BEAN 0476 105 205 KIM MCWATERS 0418 833 281 JOHN MOSS 0409 670 093 events@maps-yp.org PAT MUDGE` 0413 161 633 RON MUDGE 0438 504 996 MIKE OSBORNE 08 8837 3158 0427 373 158 ozbornes@internode.on.net editor@maps-yp.org PETER SAMPSON 0438 829 802 REGO OFFICER AND AUTHORISED PERSON KEITH PENHALL 0417 865 697 AUTHORISED PERSONS ROD NIXON 0408 807 310 TREVOR CLERKE 08 8853 7191 (H) JIM DAVIES 0417 836 994 RICHARD DUNS 08 8837 3002 (B) MIKE OSBORNE 08 8837 3158 EDITOR/PUBLIC OFFICER MIKE OSBORNE 08 8837 3158 0427 373158 editor@maps-yp.org ASSISTANT EDITOR CAROL WILKIN 0427 617690 EVENTS COORDINATOR JOHN MOSS 0409 670 093 events@maps-yp.org MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY PAM WILTON 0417 808 323 membership@maps-yp.org NEW MEMBER OFFICER RICHARD BASTIAN 0408 849 001 REGALIA POSITION VACANNT NEWSLETTER MAILING JIM SEWELL 08 8837 3826 PATRONS ROD & PAT NIXON LIFE MEMBERS RON BRIGGS+ LOIS BRIGGS LYN CLERKE TREVOR CLERKE KEN HEINRICH HOWARD HEARD+ DON ROSE + SHIRLEY ROSE+ MIKE OSBORNE MARY OSBORNE KEITH “DICK” PENHALL JENNY PENHALL JIM SEWELL JEAN SEWELL GENERAL MEETINGS ARE HELD THE FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH, EXCEPT JANUARY, 8PM VISITORS AND GUESTS WELCOME. VENUE IS NOW MAITLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE, PIONEER ROAD MAITLAND. MAPS members wishing to join other members for social discourse and a meal before the monthly meeting MUST ring the Yorke Valley Hotel on 8832 2422, TO book a place on the MAPS table and turn up around 6pm; all welcome. NO BOOKING– NO MEAL

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THE EDITOR’S LOCKDOWN LETTER!

As I commenced this item, the news of the six day lockdown had just filtered in. Well ,as least it will give me an excuse for getting the printed newsletters out on time. Amidst the news of the restrictions we face, the adverts on the TV are still telling us it‟s a good time to get away; Trump was still throwing his dummy out of the pram and fight goes on for which sports event is to be held where! So Lewis Hamilton has become Formula 1 World Champion for the seventh time and some commentators have called him the best Brit sportsman ever. I wonder if they were to get the drivers to exchange cars how the current front runners would fare?

The last newsletter in its big 35th anniversary issue was well received– and well studied by some too! As a result, I learned that Coobowie and Edithburgh have the same posts code, so let‟s put the record straight on where our members live!

Actual Coobowie members are two couples; the recent addition of Steve and Sue Rudduck to the shy, retiring Carol and Doug Wilkin.

Edithburgh is now represented by Jim Davies and Deb Thorley who have a Yorketown post box, Daryl and Jenny Oldland, Mike and Rosi Sigston, Peter and Pam Wilton. In the process of checking these figures, I realized that I‟d missed out Geoff Davey who lives at Port Moorowie, but has a Yorketown post box. I called into see Geoff after I heard he‟d had a fall from his tractor recently and he is slowly on the mend, but unable to get in his Porsche 911 due to his knee still being swollen.

Anyway during my checking, I had a picture in my mind of the bridge over the Coobowie Creek as you drive towards Edithburgh and it reminded me of the film, “A Bridge Too Far”. Perhaps a happier one would be about a London suburb which declared independence from the surrounding area, “Passport to Pimlico”. Anyway, just been told by a local that there are powerful currents at Sultana Point. Well, we need a bit of humour these days!

Anyway, you will be spared some of my humour in the next couple of months, as I am going to skip a Review issue over the Christmas/ New Year period. Efforts will be made via Facebook and the All Points Bulletins to keep members informed on any major issues and additional events.

Wishing you all the very best for the Christmas season and 2021.

Mike Osborne

EDITHBURGH”

Starring Rosi & Mike Sigston, Pam & Peter Wilton, Jim Davies & Deb Thorley, Daryl & Jenny Oldland

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2020/21 CLUB EVENTS CALENDAR

Date Venue/Area Details & Contacts

Friday 4th Dec Maitland

Maitland Markets 4.00-8.00pm. Looking for 12-15 vehicles to be

on display. Numbers to be confirmed at Dec meeting.

Thursday 17th Dec Minlaton

Midweek run to Minlaton leaving starting points at 10.00am.

SYP depart from Coobowie, NYP depart from Moonta. Meet

up at Harry Butler car park in Minlaton. Lunch at your own

choice in the town. Contact Mike Osborne 0427 373158

Thursday 31st Dec ? Stansbury Seaside Markets, 9.00am –

2.00pm

Tuesday 26th Jan Coobowie

Australia Day Lunch at Wilkins residence 11.00am on. BBQ

supplied at $5.00/head SEE DETAILS on next page

Feb Maitland Christmas Lunch

March Maitland Maitland Show

March 7th Moonta Show‟n Shine

April Spear Creek Weekender

May Wallaroo Registration Day

June Minlaton Weekender/Registration Day

September Mannum Weekender

TBA Minlaton Watsacowie Brewery with lunch

by TNT BBQ

Other events

March 8-12 2021 DLRA Speedweek Lake Gairdner

March 13/14 2021 Sellicks Beach Historic Motorcycle races

March 28 2021 Booleroo Centre Steam & Traction Rally

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From the Chair

What a month it has been since our last meeting, which was well attended. Covid has again reared its ugly head causing lockdown, at least temporarily. The impact for MAPS has seen the postponement of our Christmas lunch. I hope Father Christmas will be understanding! Before the lockdown there were two mid-week events held, both of which were well attended. Unfortunately I have home renovations taking place, with tradesman using jackhammers to remove render from my walls. Allison is not impressed with the dust and mess on the furniture and new carpets. Needless to say I haven't been able to join the midweek runs at the moment. With restrictions easing, I'm hopeful that our calendar can resume. PS: I'm going to look at another car tomorrow...

I look forward to seeing you all at the next meeting.

Cheers

Peter Anderson

AUSTRALIA DAY 2021 AT COOBOWIE

-The Club will supply the meat and maybe a couple of bought salads etc.

-Pam and Carol will do a large mixed coleslaw, a massive, delicious green salad (for Carol) and a rice salad.

Doug and Peter will cook and serve the BBQ. Pam and Carol will serve the salads, bread supply packets of butter. They can squirt the sauce on too.

BYO drinks in your own esky with own glasses etc.

Pam and Carol will do the afternoon prepared tea scones with jam and cream. Someone will do the urn with packeted everything, so that we are not sharing anything but hot water.

Please note that any personal snacks must be brought and only for personal consumption. No shared bowls.

Further to last year, we have extended our lawned areas so that tables can be more spread out. The Club‟s shades as well as our own will be erected. Parking is still no problem, plenty of space.

Other than that we think we should wear Aussie colours and be ready to sing the National Anthem! There will be at least one Aussie and/or car quiz.

Cheers, Carol, Doug, Pam and Peter

P.S. Venue location– The Wilkins‟ residence, 14 Rattley Drive, Coobowie. From Coobowie Hotel, turn towards Edithburgh, passing caravan park on right hand side. Turn off right as track goes up to Coobowie Shop ( previously Tape Builders), but take metaled road along perimeter of caravan park, going up hill and in through gates. Don‟t go to Coobowie Shop by mistake!

GUILTY OF NOT

WEARING MY BADGE

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MORE ABOUT OUR MEMBERS– WHAT ARE YOUR STORIES?

We were chatting with the Clerkes on Sunday at Pt. Hughes and something came up, re how vehicles were loaded in the early days. I emailed this photo to them. It was taken in the late 1940s or very early in the1950s. A full truck load of carrots and my late father Phil Klingberg, at our family's market garden at Bell's Road,. Campbelltown, S.A. and ready for the East End Market, Adelaide. It may be of interest for the MAPS review?

Cheers, kind regards Graham & Margaret Klingberg.

IN NEED OF TLC

The L/H picture below shows the 1937 Austin Seven Ruby in which Mary and I went to a 2001 Sever Fifty Motor Club event with the car‟s owners, Tim and Isabel Fakes. Sadly, Tim and Isabel passed on and the car sold, but with the wonders of the Internet, their daughter has located the car. It is in the hands of an enthusiast and it is hoped that little car will be as bright as it was when we drove it around the Silverstone Circuit in England.

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OUT AND ABOUT

Many of you will know Lynne and Kip Newbold. Formerly residents of the CYP. By way of Facebook, I spotted this picture of them ready for the first Bay to Birdwood

“The Newbold family with their 1926 REO T6 Roadster, ready to take part in the Inaugural Bay to Birdwood run on Sunday September 29th, 1980. From l to r, Ash, Ben, Rochelle,

Lynne and Kip. “

More comings and goings as regards cars.

GOOD NEWS– the Armstrong Siddelely Sapphire recently shown for sale has found a nice new home with Michael and Dawn Hornsby, joining their excellent Buick saloon. The Sapphire will be a great project to get back on the road, but with the assistance of the ASOC I am sure. It was nice to get a message of thanks for spreading the word of the car being in need of a good home.

Word has it that Ted Buttfield has bought a Chev Corvette… MAPS President, Peter Anderson looks to be cornering the market in the Mercedes Benz area with the purchase of another couple of the marque. GETTING THE OLDER CARS OUT I know that Richard Bastian is keen to get some suitable runs organised for the 1920s and 30s vehicles. We have fair number on the club‟s books, but rarely see them on runs. No doubt this is due to the speed, distances, traffic and comfort which the later vehicles cope with better. However, let‟s see if we can get at least a couple of suitable runs on the club‟s calendar. Over to you with the wooden wheelers for your ideas. Mike O

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HOW TO JOIN THE COUNTY SET!

Prior to the Austin brand becoming part of the British Motor Corporation, it used the names of many English Counties, such as Cambridge and Hertford prior to WW2. Paint codes were similarly patriotic, using names of castles and palaces.

With post war introductions phasing out the wide range of pre war models, the Devon, Dorset and Hampshire were aimed at export markets. The Somerset saloon and its big sister the Hereford followed these. However two relatively rare models were introduced; the A90 Atlantic, in convertible and coupe versions and the A40 Sports. I won‟t dwell on the Atlantic other than to say it has often been maligned by people who‟ve never driven one!

The Austin A40 Sports was launched at the 1950 Motor Show.

Jensen designer Eric Neale had been working on a sleek body for the original Jensen Interceptor, when the Jensen Brothers returned from a visit to Longbridge with a request for him to produce a four-seat tourer for the Austin Devon Chassis. (This may appear strange as the A40 was available in a locally built Australian soft top variant.)

The Jensen contract enabled them to get their hands on the Austin 4-Litre engine for their new Interceptor project. So the Austin A40 Sports was born.

In order to achieve the construction of the Interceptor and A40 Sports to the tight deadline set by Jensen and Austin, Eric Neale utilised a lot of common parts between the two models. The A40 Sports doors, for example, were lengthened for the Interceptor. Many trim parts were utilised from the Austin Devon Saloon with the door handles coming from the Austin A90 Atlantic parts bin. The power output of the excellent A40 1200cc OHV engine was boosted by the addition of twin SU carburetors. Eric Neale was extremely proud of the A40 Sports and drove one of the prototypes as his family car. At the time, the A40 Sports was a massive contract for Jensen. The production run of 3500 – 4000 cars was beyond their experience.

A new factory was set up at Pensnett in Brierley Hill, Staffs. to produce the finished bodies. Three completed motorised chassis were driven from Longbridge each day, with the drivers sitting on temporary seats. Jensen then fitted the largely aluminum bodies and they were duly driven back to Longbridge for finishing by Austin. Many were exported, and following the introduction of the A40 Somerset Drophead Coupé in mid-1952, the A40 Sports was discontinued in 1953.

Producing the attractive Italianesque A40 Sports gave Jensen the revenue and financial stability they needed to produce their later models. The A40 Sports played a significant part in the history of Jensen Motors and in the story of post-war Austin record-breaking.

The A40 Sports was made in 2 types: Firstly, a floor change Austin Devon gearbox produced from model launch in Oct 1950 to end of July 1951. The second type used the A40 Somerset column change and was introduced in August 1951 and produced until June 1953.

Total production of both A40 Sports types was 4,011.

As regards examples of the A40 Sports, the last one I saw was at Bute over a decade ago, in deep red colour.

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Whilst I‟ve never owned an A40 Sports,, I had a couple of Somerset saloons back in my late teens when the comfy seats were a priority. This is a lot of car to be powered by the 1200 cc motor and the front suspension has a tendency to have soft shockers. The Somerset coupe used the A40 Devon chassis and the bodies were built by Carbodies, an independent concern. They made “soft top” versions of various UK sedans as well as Austin Taxis. The larger, Austin Hereford, powered by a 2.2 litre, 4 cylinder unit was produced in 4 door sedan, 2 door convertible and ute, as well as a “woody” bodied 2 door estate. I would not mind one of those, or even better a later A90/ 95!

Mike O

“You Buy A Car - But You Invest In An Austin”

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Mid week run Pt. Turton CLUB RUN PARTICIPANTS Wednesday October 21st 2020

Our second midweek run attracted ten cars to the Harry Butler Memorial, before the drive to Pt. Turton for luncheon. Given that half the cars had made the trip from the Copper Coast area, it demonstrated the support for these additions to the Club's event calendar. The cafe at Warooka, Oscars at Pt. Turton, plus the Tavern at Turton proved to be popular refuelling stops for the drivers and passengers. Good to see our two new Committee members, Peter Sampson (MGB) and Kym McWaters ( Mazda 929) on the trip and showing great enthusiasm to the Club. Mike O

NAME/s VEHICLE DRIVEN on the run

YEAR & MODEL

John & Norma Moss 1969 Morgan +8

Bev & Joe Ingram 1994 Ford Probe

Leon & Natalie Hall 1977 Mercedes 450 SLC

Christine & Peter Sampson 1972 MG-B

Jeanette & Trevor Bean 1952 Plymouth

Mike & Mary Osborne 1955 MG TF 1500

Mike & Rosie Sigston 1953 Austin Healey

Richard & Marg Bastian 1974 Jaguar XJ6

Peter & Pam Wilton 1976 Holden HJ Ute

Kim McWaters & Gary Jones 1985 Mazda 929

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MARTINDALE HALL VISIT, NOVEMBERS 8TH

The weather could not have been better for the MAPS run to Martindale Hall in the Clare Valley. A chance for a couple of cars to go topless too! A good selection of classic cars, plus some taking the trip in their moderns. After taking in the visit to the historic property, the members went to a variety of eateries with the Magpie Stump at Mintaro being the nearest. One group went to the Watervale Hotel with excellent reports. On the way home, the Auburn Fair proved to be a popular stopping place. We spotted the W Team about to enjoy ice creams at the Cogwebs Hub cafe in Auburn and joined them. Well done to the MAPS members from the Lower Yorke Peninsula who got up early to make the journey. I think everyone was pleased to have taken the trip.

“It would make a great MAPS Club-

house”

NAME/s YEAR MAKE & MODEL

Mike & Mary Osborne 1966 Triumph TR4A

Ian & Wendy Burman 1967 Triumph TR5

John & Norma Moss 1969 Morgan +8

Alec Anderson 1972 MGB

Robert & Ina Stapley Modern

Monica Smith Modern

Dick & Jenny Penhall 1967 Ford XR Fairmont

Carol & Doug Wilkin 1978 Ford XC GS Coupe

Peter & Pam Wilton 2000 Mercedes Benz SLK 230

Jim Davies & Deb Thorley 1958 Ford Zephyr

Treven & Gayle Burnet 1970 MGB

Neil & Raelene White 1979 Holden HZ Statesman

Jeff Woods 1964 Jaguar 3.4 MK2

Bill & Di Hicks 1978 Toyota Corona

Joe & Bev Ingram 1994 Ford Probe

Leon & Natalie Hall 1977 Mercedes Benz 450SLC

Richard & Marg Bastian 1973 Jaguar XJ6

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JUST SOME OF THE CARS—AND ONE OF THE LADIES AT

MARTINDALE HALL

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NAME/s YEAR MAKE & MODEL

Mike & Mary Osborne 1972 Rover 2000TC

Jim Davies & Deb Thorley 1965 Morris 1100

Peter & Leanne Wallis 2001 Mercedes Benz 200

Leon & Natalie Hall 1977 Mercedes Benz 450SLC

Richard & Marg Bastian 1974 Jaguar XJ6 Dick & Jenny Penhall 1967 Ford XR

John Moss 1969 Morgan +8

Malcolm Penney 1964 Ford XM Ute

Peter Sampson 1972 MGB Roadster

Andy Ewins 1968 MG Midget

Ron & Pat Mudge 1979 MGB Roadster

Malcolm Davis & Dee 1979 Chrysler Sigma

Rex & Jenny Herde 1970 Valiant VG Kym Boxhall 1954 Austin Healey 100/4

MAPS MIDWEEK RUN, KULPARA,

LOCHIEL, BALAKLAVA & BLYTH NOVEMBER 2020

An excellent turnout on a day with perfect weather for the Midweek Run. Well done to Jim and Deb notching up the miles from Edithburgh to the Kulpara starting point. Run sheets were provided and apart from a minor hitch with a top water hose for one member‟s car, I think the day was trouble free. The run from Kulpara to Lochiel and onto Balaklava via Nantawarra is enjoyable apart from a few semis on the short Highway One section.

Balaklava‟s town triangle provided shade for the morning tea stop with provisions from the local shops on hand. The next section to Blyth, our lunch stop was free of other traffic and the shelter in Blyth was ideal for the informal lunch stop.

Ron Mudge‟s MGB managed to hold the BBQ, chairs, table and food, but I had to explain that was at the expense of being able to take the hood down! Our trip home via Lochiel was to the tune of the Austin Healey 100/4‟s exhaust note, a great way to finish the day out.

Mike O

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FROM BOB & JEN LANDT

Hi Mike,

Some time ago I sent in this article. I have revised it. I don‟t think it had appeared in the MAPS REVIEW. I thought the members might enjoy it. Our regards to all,

35 Years is a long time. Thanks for sending on the 35th Anniversary edition. I don‟t think when we started the club we ever expected the success it has been. It is a great feeling.

I remember well when we set it up in the old council building on the corner (now a BB) Membership was to be a family membership not a single membership. Maybe this was the reason for its success. We had a draw for the membership numbers and Ken Heinrich was drawn as number one. When we unpack a few more boxes we may find out a little more of the history and photos.

Warm regards, Bob and Jen.

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A VISIT IN THE MID 80s. Many members of the Maitland Auto Preservation Society (MAPS) may not know that we had a world famous car designer visit Maitland during the early stages of the proposed GARAGE MOTOR MUSEUM founded by MAPS under its then aims in the constitution. This was in 1985 about the time of the first of the Mitsubishi TP Magna sedans. Brooke Stevens life story was amazing. He was a designer for Studebaker, Jeep, Cadillac and other motor Companies in the USA and Canada in the forties through to the seventies. He was over from the USA to visit Bill Page an early member of MAPS. Bill an engineer had a love of good design and was an engineer on Days Rd. Croydon Park, Adelaide. He had a number of Studebaker Larks; one Lark as a prize winning show car and the other as an everyday driver. He also had a 1926 Studebaker tourer with very low original mileage. His main vehicle was a rare WB model Holden Statesman Caprice with extras that weren‟t on the normal accessory list and a Ford F250 work truck. Bill brought Brooke Stevens over to our home at Maitland to see the MAPS car club museum which was under construction. Bill Page had supported the Garage project in many ways. After lunch, we looked at Jen and my 1937 Studebaker President which was under restoration and then went up to the MAPS, Garage Museum. Brooke was most interested in the pieces we had already collected and the items that had been donated and found. Petrol pumps, tools, books and a 1903 single cylinder De Dion and early four cylinder Star engines. The De Dion motor was from under a hay stack near Maitland and the Star from Whyalla. Here is a little from Wikipedia on Brooke Stevens “CLIFFORD BROOKE STEVENS June 7, 1911 – January 4, 1995 He designed home and kitchen appliances that were popular being recognized as the originator of the robin's-egg-blue phase of 1950s kitchen appliances.

He also had practiced architectural design and graphic design. Of note is his design of the Miller Brewing logo he is credited with convincing of Miller to switch from brown bottles to clear bottles. Stevens redesigned the 1962 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk on a minuscule budget. The fast, elegant GT remained until the end of American production. According to Hendry, Stevens also styled "three innovative products for family car use for the 1964-66 period" (which were never manufactured). He then designed Harley-Davidson motorcycles including the 1949 Hydra-Glide Harley creating the new suspension forks in the front, bucket headlight, and the streamlined design. All Harleys since, including models in production now, are based on Stevens' body designs. He designed the Willy's Jeep Wagoner, introduced for 1963. This model was so popular that it was offered in the same form by Jeep's subsequent owners, Kaiser Jeep, AMC, and finally Chrysler, until 1991. Stevens designed the Oscar Mayer Wiener mobile, an American pop-culture icon. He designed engines for Briggs and Stratton. He also designed logos for major manufacturers and organisations. Stevens designed the post-war Skytop Lounge observation cars for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad's Hiawatha passenger trains. He also designed a series of "Excalibur" racing sports cars in conjunction with Kaiser Motors. Beginning in the mid-1960s he and his sons began production of the Excalibur, styled after the 1930s-era Mercedes roadsters. He modernized the Aero-Willy’s sedans that were offered in Brazil in the 1960s, and there is a very Studebaker Hawk-ish look to the body of these cars. Stevens' design contributions to the recreational boating industry included collaborations with Outboard Marine Corp. to style the Evinrude Lark and Johnson Javelin outboard motor series. He also designed the Evinrude Lark concept boat, eventually produced as the Cadillac Sea Lark.

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Together with Bob Hammond's 1956 Lone Star Meteor, these designs may be credited with introducing post-world war automotive styling to leisure craft. Other work in the marine industry include designs for Owens Yacht Company and Cutter Boats as well as a line of stainless steel marine hardware for the Vollrath Company. He is also often cited with inventing the concept of planned obsolescence (the practice of artificially shortening product lifecycle in order to influence the buying patterns of consumers in favor of manufacturers), he did not invent it but rather popularized the term. Stevens defined it as "instilling in the buyer the desire to own something a little newer, a little better, a little sooner than is necessary". His view was to always make the consumer want something new, rather than create poor products that would need replacing. There is some debate over his role in this controversial business practice with inventing the concept of planned obsolescence”. I‟m not sure I‟d want to be remembered in anything that can be classed as planned obsolescence but it was an amazing thing to have him visit and look at a project far away from his home in the USA. An add on to the story: We were warned before we knew Brooke was coming: While on a flight from Adelaide to the Gold Coast in 1985 for the release of the first Mitsubishi MAGNA series in Australia, the then President of Chrysler World Markets came from the luxury of first class to tell us Brooke Stevens had told him he was coming to meet a couple of Chrysler / Mitsubishi dealers at Maitland, Country South Australia Jen and I spent some time talking about cars and Australia prior to the plane touching down to the American gentleman kneeling in the walkway while we sat. The Executives were quite keen to find out how we knew their boss and what the conversation was about. Little did they know that we didn‟t know him and only knew his position by the badge he was wearing on his coat. Bob Landt

80 YEARS AGO It was the evening of November 14th, 1940, and the German intruders had just watched the heaviest air raid yet seen in the war. There was virtually no opposition as the planes made their bombing runs in the crowded air space over the target. Down below was the object of it all, Coventry! Cer-tainly Coventry was the heart of the British motor industry, also a major centre for ma-chine tools and light engineering. It wasn‟t a large city, either, with a population of only 125,000-odd in 1940. In fact, Coventry was so small that the raiders scarcely had to aim. They‟d hit something for sure. The “something” included Alvis, Riley, Armstrong-Siddeley, Daimler & BSA, Lea-Francis, Humber/Hillman, SS Cars (Jaguar), Stand-ard Triumph, also Morris Motors big engine and body plants. Alfred Herbert Limited was another, famed for its machine tools. Most were clustered within the city proper, which took some doing with a community as small as Coventry. “The Daimler” was a 10 minute walk from the central station, Morris Motors body plant was even closer, just next door to the depot. Coventry wasn‟t big and spread out like an American city though it is now with the UK‟s brand of urban development. Not all the plants were giants, carrying names of international fame. If Rover, Rootes and Riley took a pounding that night, so did many of the smaller outfits, older plants for the most part, unfamiliar as well but with origins back to the dawn of the Brit-ish motor industry when Coventry was also a centre for bicycles, machinery and carriag-es including Charlesworth Motor Bodies Limited. (An extract from Bulletin 376, from Best of Old Car Weekly by Rolland Jerry) as fea-tured in the recent Alvis Archives bulletin.

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CLASSIC CARAVANS AT MENINGIE.

On Thursday, October 29th, Peter and I hooked our classic caravan onto the Triton and headed to the Lake Albert Caravan Park in Meningie for 10th Birthday Gala Celebrations of the Vintage and Classic Caravan Group of SA.

This was the 3rd and longest run we had embarked on since completing the restoration of the van. As we had experienced a few „teething‟ problems on our previous outings, we stopped at Pine Point for Peter to do a quick check and everything was travelling well.

Next stop was for fuel at Pt. Wakefield. The first thing Peter noticed was that the passenger side hub cap on the caravan was missing. Oh well, these things happen. We continued on, taking the „scenic route‟ through Gawler, Mt Pleasant, Palmer, Murray Bridge and onto Meningie.

On arrival, Peter was pleased to see that we were among the first to arrive, so he was able to „drive through‟ to our site rather than having to reverse in. The Park was great! Nice green lawns, excellent amenities block, lovely camp kitchen and right on the Lake. By Friday evening there were 68 classic caravans, quite a few being towed with cars from the same era.

On Saturday, Peter and I enjoyed the boot sale/ swap-meet set up on the vacant block across from the caravan park followed by a drive around Lake Albert.

Saturday evening, we dressed for the 10th Gala Dinner. It was a „Black Tie/ Formal theme. Tables were set with lace cloths and candelabras in the fairy lit marque. We strolled along the red carpet, had our photo taken and enjoyed the catered 2-course meal. During the evening a presentation was made to Bob Freak who organized the first outing to Tanunda in 2010 from which the group was formed. He also cut the cake we enjoyed with coffee.

Between Sunday‟s pancake breakfast, shared lunch of Pt. Vincent garfish and dinner at the Coorong Brewery Restaurant, we checked out a car display in the main street, chattered to old friends, made new friends and enjoyed the fellowship of like-minded members.

We had a trouble-free trip home on Monday.

The whole event was run in a „COVID safe‟ manner, with social distancing encouraged and „shared meals‟ served by one person.

Pam Wilton.

Foot note: We FOUND the missing hub cap just south of Price on our second trip to Adelaide later in the week! Lucky!

This Holden Ute looks familiar!

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Minutes of meeting, at Performing Arts Centre, Maitland 8pm, Thursday, November 5 2020

1. Meeting opening and welcome: Peter Anderson chaired the meeting welcoming all in attend-ance and explaining the evacuation procedure. He also explained Covid Safe Plan rules re social distancing and tea / coffee at the conclusion of the meeting. The club also has trained COVID Mar-shals 2. Present: as per sign on sheet 3. Apologies: as per sign on sheet 4. Introduction of visitors: 5. Confirmation of the October 1 minutes: Moved Marg Bastian „that the minutes of the October 1 meeting be accepted‟ seconded John Fitzgerald Carried 6. Business arising from minutes: *Ni 7. Treasurer’s report: *Moved Erica Andrews „that the treasurer‟s report as tabled and accounts for payment be accept-ed‟ seconded Rod Nixon Carried 8. Correspondence: In *Lyndon and Tiffany Polgreen re membership *All American Day Car Show – Sunday February 21 2021 at Tilley Reserve *Shannons Auctions* Newsletters *Smoke Signal Veteran and Vintage Motorcycle Club – October 2020 *Vintage Bulletin The Vintage Sports Club of SA – September, October 2020 *The Con-Rod – NARCS – September / October 2020 Out *DPTI re new book for Jim Davies *Rod and Pat Nixon re Club Patrons *Card to Joan Correll (thinking of you as has pancreatic cancer) *Federation update Moved Marg Bastian „that the correspondence be received‟ seconded Trevor Clerke Carried 9. Business arising from correspondence *Joan Correll who recently passed away was recognised as former treasurer and member 10. Events Club as in Review *November 8 – run to Mintaro / Martindale Hall (Pt. Wakefield 9.15am) $15 entrance fee *November 17 – mid week run (Kulpara 10am) *December 4 Maitland Progress Association has fun day with static display 4pm to 8pm – cars needed *December 6 – Christmas lunch at Yorke Valley Hotel: money and forms to Richard Bastian December 24 Minlaton Christmas Parade *Ardrossan street party – cancelled *January 26 – BBQ at Coobowie Other as in Review *November 22 All Japanese Day Classic Ingle Farm to Birdwood

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11. Report from committee meeting: next meeting November 26 12. Regalia Officer: *All available *Maybe new person taking over role 13. General Business *Commemorative item from Blacksmith for 35th Anniversary available from Richard Bastian for $20 *Sympathy card to family of Mr Sandercock of Ardrossan a former member *Extra Reviews (small) available *Lucky numbers 14. Next meeting: December 3 2020 Christmas meeting with a variety of activities since supper not possible at this time (can dress up) Meeting closed: 9pm Marg Bastian conducted a quiz with questions relating to the 35th Anniversary Review for which Mike Osborne was congratulated .Tea / coffee

CLUB LIBRARIAN, RON MUDGE , HAS ASKED ME TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE GROWING COLLECTION OF BOOKS IN THE CLUB’S STORE ROOM. The list is available on a PDF on the

Club’s web page https://maps-yp.org

NOW PAY ATTENTION!

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Definition of acceleration Ever wonder why a Top Fuel dragster gets a rebuilt engine after each run? Here‟s why! • One Top Fuel dragster outfitted with a 500 cubic-inch replica Dodge Hemi engine makes more horse-power (8,000 HP) than the first 4 rows of cars at NASCAR‟s Daytona 500. •Under full throttle, a dragster engine will consume 11.2 gallons of nitro methane per second; •A fully-loaded Boeing 747 consumes jet fuel at the same rate but produces 25% less energy. •A stock Dodge Hemi V8 engine cannot produce enough power to merely drive the dragster’s super-charger.• With 3000 CFM of air being rammed in by the supercharger on overdrive, the fuel mixture is compressed into a near-solid form before ignition. Cylinders run on the verge of hydraulic lockup at full throttle. •At the stoichio metric 1.7:1 air/fuel mixture for nitro methane the flame front temperature measures 7050 degrees F. •Nitro methane burns yellow. The spectacular white flame seen above the stacks at night is raw burn-ing hydrogen, dissociated from atmospheric water vapor by the searing exhaust gases. •Dual magnetos supply 44 amps to each spark plug. Which is typically the output of an electric arc welder in each cylinder. •Spark plug electrodes are totally consumed during a pass. After 1/2 way thru the run, the engine is „dieseling‟ from compression and the glow of the exhaust valves at 1400 degrees F. The engine can only be shut down by cutting the fuel flow. •If spark momentarily fails early in the run, unburned nitro builds up in the affected cylinders and then explodes with enough sufficient force to blow the cylinder heads off the block in pieces or split the block in half!! •Dragsters reach over 300 MPH +… before you have completed reading this sentence. •In order to exceed 300 MPH in 4.5 seconds, a dragster must accelerate an average of over 4 G’s. In order to reach 200 MPH well before reaching half-track, at launch the acceleration approaches 8 G‟s. •Top Fuel engines turn approximately 540 revolutions from light to light! •Including the burnout, the engine must only survive 900 revolutions under load. •The redline is quite high—9500 RPM. THE BOTTOM LINE: •Assuming all the equipment is paid for, •the pit crew is working for free, •& NOTHING BLOWS UP, EACH RUN WILL STILL COST AROUND $1,000 PER SECOND. Top Fuel Dragster Facts: *0 to 100 MPH in .8 seconds (the first 60 feet of the run) *0 to 200 MPH in 2.2 seconds (the first 350 feet of the run) *6 g-forces at the starting line (nothing accelerates faster on land) *6 negative g-forces upon deployment of twin „chutes at 300 MPH The current Top Fuel dragster elapsed time record is 4.420 seconds for the quarter-mile (2004, Doug Kalitta). The top speed record is 337.58 MPH as measured over the last 66′ of the run (2005, Tony Schumach-er). An NHRA Top Fuel Dragster accelerates quicker than any other land vehicle on earth . . quicker than a jet fighter plane . . . quicker than the space shuttle . . . . quicker than snapping your fingers!!

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THE HISTORIC VEHICLE SCENE IN THE UK Speaking on the virtual NEC show, David Whale, Chairman of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs said, “The significant value to the United Kingdom that the historic vehicle industry generates simply cannot be ignored by those in power. We face the most challenging times ahead over the next few years and these results give us the justification to ensure that our freedoms to enjoy our transport heritage continue unhindered. As a sector we cannot be ignored and will be instrumental in the recovery of our nation’s economy post-Brexit and post-COVID. The most heart-warming news was that there are more enthusiasts than ever who are immersing themselves in our community and that is really positive for the future.” The number of historic vehicles on DVLA ( Registration) database has increased to 1.5 million. 56% of historic vehicles are on Statutory Off Road Notices. ( i.e. Laid up or in restoration) The historic movement now worth over £7.2 billion to UK economy including over £0.9 billion from overseas. Nearly 4,000 businesses employ over 34,000 people. 700,000 enthusiasts – up from 500,000 in 2016. Historic vehicles account for less than 0.2% of the total miles driven in the UK. 35% of owners either already or are willing to contribute to a carbon reduction scheme.

Let‟s put this all into perspective.

Imagine this………..

You are driving a new $140,000 Lingenfelter twin-turbo powered Corvette Z-06 down a beautiful, smooth, free stretch of highway. You have it all to yourself. Over a mile up the road, a Top Fuel drag-ster is staged & ready to “launch” down a quarter-mile strip as you pass. You have the advantage of a flying start. You run the „Vette hard, on up through the gears and blast across the starting line & pass the dragster at an honest 200 MPH…. The “tree” goes green for both of you at that exact moment.

The dragster departs & starts after you. You keep your foot buried hard to the floor, and suddenly you hear an incredibly brutally screaming whine that sears and pummels your eardrums & within a mere 3 seconds the dragster effortlessly catches & passes you. He beats you to the finish line, a quarter-mile away from where you just passed him.

Think about it – from a standing start, the dragster had spotted you 200 MPH…..and it not only caught, but nearly blasted you off the planet when he passed you within a mere 1320 foot long race!!!!

That, my friends…..is **Acceleration**. Submitted by Mossy Moss

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MAPS Christmas 2020 Song to the tune of ‘Jingle Bells’

Cruising down the road, the day is shining bright.

On our way we go, such a lovely sight. It’s MAPS Club on the move, on the way to lunch

We’re all in a happy mood, a most congenial bunch.

COVID times, COVID times, virus everywhere. Sanitiser, distancing and don’t sneeze in the air, oh,

COVID times, COVID times, Sign your name right here

Covid Marshal’s watching and will catch you, never fear.

The cars are looking schmick, they’re polished to a shine. Heading to a park, to drink our beer and wine.

Someone’s looking sad, forgot to pack their stuff, But they could suck their hand wipes, cause they’re a hundred proof! Ohhhhh,

CHORUS

Everything is closed, Easter came and went

People staying home, no tourist dollars spent. Piling on the weight, drinking like a fish.

Sitting on the net buying useless crap on Wish! Oh,

If you are unwell or have a little sniff, Tickle in your throat, muscles feeling stiff,

Get a Covid Test, it’s free and there’s no pain, But when the swab goes up your nose, you’d swear they’d pierced your brain!

Christmas time is here, 2020 style.

We’re in lockdown now, no reason for a smile No more Santa’s knee, no hugs or mistletoe

Wear a mask that tightly fits and ‘thmn the mne thf mnow’ Pardon?

CHORUS We wish you a Merry Christmas We wish you a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas…….. AND A HAPPIER NEW YEAR! -Carol Wilkin