Clarkes Point Reserve At the far end of the leafy French settlement of Hunters Hill lies Woolwich Peninsula. Best known for its landmark pub, the historic Woolwich Pier Hotel, Woolwich has some awe-inspiring views of Sydney Harbour. Clarkes Point Reserve is a popular place to watch Sydney’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks, and a superb spot for a Sunday picnic. Clarkes Point Reserve was also the destination for our Mystery Run on 20 February 2011. See page 7 for the full story.
Committee Name
Home Phone
Mobile Phone
President
Warren Gracie
(02) 9569 2108
0417 417 826
Vice President
Paul Pui
(02) 9958 1791
0413 621 078
Secretary / Public Officer
Maureen Boatwright
(02) 9822 8609
0413 017 263
Treasurer
Helen Lewis
(02) 9709 2344
0407 108 196
Spare Parts
Mervyn Boatwright
(02) 9822 8609
0412 940 001
Club Examiners
Warren Gracie Mervyn Boatwright
(02) 9569 2108 (02) 9822 8609
0417 417 826 0412 940 001
Membership / Registration
Faye Yarroll
(02) 9706 8007
0412 830 041
Editor / Webmaster
Robert Yarroll
(02) 9706 8007
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As a courtesy, please do not contact Committee Members after 9:00pm.
Club Meetings The Austin 7 Club NSW Inc meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 8:00pm in the NRMA Training Rooms, NRMA Building, George Street, North Strathfield. Parking is available in the NRMA car park opposite the building.
Magazine Deadline The deadline for all contributions to Baby Torque is ALWAYS the last Friday of each month. Contributions should be sent to The Editor, Baby Torque, 10 Lorraine Street, North Strathfield NSW 2137.
Banking Details Austin 7 Club NSW Inc
Austin 7 Club NSW Inc Spare Parts
Bank
Laboratories Credit Union
Bendigo Bank
BSB
802-841
633-000
0000009132
128875804
Account Page 2
Presidents Report Australia Day was such a hot day, and so it was very pleasing to see our Club’s Australia Day activities so well attended with seven Austin 7’s on display at the NRMA Motorfest and five little 7’s at Cattle Duffers Flat on the banks of the George’s River ... which was much cooler than Macquarie Street! And it was another hot day for our Clarkes Point Reserve BBQ and Bubbly event. We were very lucky to be joined by a cool breeze late in the morning. The Committee continues to deal with Club business and at our last meeting, amongst other items, appointed Mervyn Boatwright as a further Club Vehicle Inspector for Conditional Registration purposes. Please read my article on page 12 of this magazine regarding Conditional Registration renewals.
accessed from all over the world, I think this is to our advantage, and much effort is put in by our Editor/Webmaster to make it the success it is. The Club has been approached by the producers of the Underbelly television series with the aim to possibly hire some of our Austin 7’s that would have been on our roads during the Underbelly era. Whilst preliminary correspondence is ongoing, any Club member with an Austin 7 built between 1925 and 1933 who may be prepared to partake in this filming should contact me on (02) 9569 2108 or 0417 417 826. Happy Sevening. Warren Gracie
Our Club’s website continues to be
Page 3
Events Report The mystery destination for our February Club Breakfast Run was beautiful Clarkes Point Reserve at Woolwich. A tasty breakfast of sausages, bacon, eggs, tomato and pineapple served with BBQ buns, and of course Bubbly and orange juice, was enjoyed by all. The highlight of the morning was watching Paul Pui professionally breaking eggs single-handed onto the hotplate. Thankfully, we all finished eating before the weather turned unbearably hot. In the four Austin 7’s and three moderns were Paul & Amy Pui, Bob & Judith Riches, George & Sue McGill, Graeme, Joanne, Ewan & Angus Gullick, Warren Gracie, Paul, Sandra, Jessica, Katie & Jackie Boatwright and Mervyn & Maureen Boatwright. Robert & Faye Yarroll joined us later in the morning. Bob & Judith Riches have kindly offered to organise the April Club Run and planning is well advanced. There are three other Runs still to be arranged for 2011 being May, June and November. So, if any members would like to organise one of these, or can suggest a destination or help in any way, please contact the Events Team on 9822 8609. Our next Club Run on 20 March is to beautiful Oatley Park with it’s great lookouts and scenery. Please join us on this fun twilight event. Happy Austin 7 touring … Maureen Boatwright
Club Gossip Is there any truth in the rumour Bob Riches wants to beef up his Smart car? The rumour says he is considering the popular Smart Monster Truck or Smart Tank conversion. Can anyone confirm this rumour?
1937 AUSTIN BIG SEVEN PARTLY RESTORED. WITH LOTS OF PARTS. Contact Robert Waller on (02) 4573 1272 after 6:00pm Page 4
Coming Events 20 March 2011 ... Twilight Run - Oatley Park Departing from NRMA Car-park North Strathfield at 3:00pm. BBQ’s are available if you want to cook. Bring your own food. 17 April 2011 ... Club Run - Mystery Destination Departing from NRMA Car-park North Strathfield at 8:30am and arriving at Kellyville Ridge at 9:30am OR departing from Ettamogah Pub, Cnr Merriville & Windsor Roads, Kellyville Ridge at 9:45am. Lunch will be available at very reasonable prices at a Sports Club. Please contact the Events Team ASAP on 9822 8609 if you will be attending and advise your chosen starting place. 15 May 2011 ... National Heritage Motoring Day - Mystery Run Departing from NRMA Car-park North Strathfield at 9:45am 19 June 2011 ... Don Avery Memorial Shield Run - TBA 1 - 5 October 2012 90th Anniversary National Austin 7 Hub Rally - Tanunda, S.A. The Headquarters for the National Rally will be at the Tanunda Show Grounds Hall which is in a very nice setting and has plenty of parking available. Prior to preparing and issuing entry forms the Austin 7 Club SA need to get an indication on how many people are likely to enter the 2012 National A7 Rally. Consequently they need your help by completing and returning an Expression of Interest Form as soon as possible. Also, please give a form to anyone else you know who may be interested in attending this rally. Forms may be obtained by:
logging onto the 2012 Rally page on the Austin 7 Club SA website at www.austin7clubsa.com.au, asking your Events Director for a hard copy, asking Ralph Drage (2012 Rally Secretary) to send a hard copy. Page 5
Invitations Accepted 22 - 25 April 2011 ... Austin's Over Australia - Forbes, NSW For those attending this event, please contact the Secretary if you have not received Newsletter No. 4 which includes the Registration Form. 6 - 8 May 2011 ... Central Tablelands Autumn Tour - Orange, NSW Eligible Vehicles – Manufactured Pre 1931. Please contact the Events Team on 9822 8609 to get an Entry Form and Accommodation List. Entries Close on 20 April 2011.
Other Events of Interest 12 March 2011 Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Motorfest - Myall Park Sports Reserve Located off Yamba Street, Hawks Nest. Arrival 8:00 am - 9:45 am. Official Opening 10:00 am. Entrants fee of $10 per vehicle. Please contact the Events Team on 9822 8609 for an Entry Form and more information.
New High Resolution Photographs on Club Website If you haven’t already noticed, our Club website is constantly changing and always worth a look. One of the latest changes is the way our Events Gallery is presented. You can now view the many photographs taken on our Club Runs in High Resolution, meaning all our pictures are bigger, brighter and crisper. And they have easy zoom capabilities too. So, if you haven’t checked out our Club website lately, it’s about time you did.
>>
check out our website at www.austin7clubnsw.org.au
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Handy Hint: View pictures in Single Page Mode for best quality! Page 6
A BBQ, some bubbly ..... ..... and a great view too 20 February 2011. There’s no better way to spend a summer Sunday than to join a Mystery Run with the Austin 7 Club. And that’s what a group of little Austin 7’s did when they left the NRMA car-park at North Strathfield for a BBQ Breakfast with Bubbly. The mystery destination was Clarkes Point Reserve on the Woolwich Peninsular. The day was very hot and balmy but that didn’t stop the BBQ from firing up and corks popping. Vice President Paul Pui was the star performer of the day with his expert display of egg cracking. Thirteen adults and five children enjoyed a yummy BBQ, with the adults happily washing it down with a glass or two of bubbly. Two more adults arrived later. As usual, Members found plenty to chat about and the conversations took place with a backdrop of sailing boats and the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the distance. After the chatter subsided a pleasant stroll was undertaken through the Reserve and beyond where we came across a group of Bentley’s and Rolls Royce’s together with an MG, Maserati and a Lamborghini. Everyone was relieved when a gentle breeze arrived at about 11am ... what a blessing! And while we were enjoying ourselves, there was a constant procession of admirers checking out our little Austin’s in the car park. A big thankyou to our Events Team for organising this fun BBQ which allowed us to drive our Austin 7’s to yet another great Sydney destination. Page 7
These minutes are to be confirmed at the next General Meeting
Minutes of the February 2011 General Meeting Held on 9 February 2011. The meeting was opened at 8:20 pm by Warren Gracie who welcomed all Members to the meeting. Minutes taker: Maureen Boatwright Attendees and Apologies There were 21 Members in attendance. Apologies: Joanne & Mark Wellington, Helen Lewis and Carolyn Thompson. Moved. Ken Rolley
Seconded. Robert Yarroll
Minutes of previous meeting read and accepted Moved. Bob Riches
Seconded. Judith Riches
Business arising from minutes Nil Correspondence Membership renewals 3, The Depender, Austin 7 Journals SA, 8th Annual Central Coast Show N Shine 27/2/2011, It’s Time Email from Faye & Robert Yarroll. Letter to Melva Beavis regarding double payment of membership fee. Treasurer Report Paul Pui read the Financial Report Moved. Cliff Edwards
Seconded. Maureen Boatwright
Spare Parts Merv read the Spare Parts Report. No banking done this month. January’s money will be included with February’s banking. Editor Our Editor thanked Kevin Hart and Brian Hayward for providing photographs and an article for Baby Torque magazine. Request for more photographs of Club cars for our website. Business Cards Sponsorship now available on our website for $52 per annum. Membership Received Membership Fees from 53 members. 25 Members have not paid and have received reminders.
Public Officer Awaiting return of stamped documents from Fair Trading including Constitution. Then every member will receive a copy of the Constitution. A register for the borrowing of magazines and books is available together with a list of books held in our library. Welfare Maureen Boatwright’s mother passed away on 3 February 2011 aged 88 years. Events Team A calendar of 2011 Club Events was included in February’s Baby Torque magazine. There are great photographs in this magazine of our Australian Day activities. Please contact the Events Teams on 9822 8609 by 16 February 2011 if you will be attending the 20 February 2011 Mystery Run. Coming Events as per Baby Torque magazine. Warren Gracie asked members to organise or assist with Club Runs for 15 May, 19 June and 20 November. 17 July will be a Sydney Landmark Run organised by Paul & Amy Pui. Please add this Run to your Events Calendar. Chanel 9 requires Austin 7’s for street scenes. Brian Hayward will check further. Set in 1925-1933 to be filmed during April 2011. Warren Gracie to check. Moved. Ken Rolley
Seconded. Kevin Harte
General Business Moved at last Committee Meeting for a second Vehicle Inspector. Details in March Baby Torque magazine. Trade index for older cars on website. CMC reports more Inspection Stations and Confederation of Clubs to govern as one body, like CMC-Bush Council. We have requested Sections A or B at Shannon’s Eastern Creek. Bus Museum has a hold-up on new location. Muscle Car Show had 800 cars and raised $10,500. Our Club had 7 cars at NRMA Motorfest and 5 A7’s and 2 moderns at Cattle Duffers on Australia Day. Denis Quartly won the door prize and Helen Quartly won the raffle. The meeting closed at 9.15pm
Page 8
Recent Happy Snaps
Page 9
Car of the Month ... A Long Term Labour of Love
Phil (circled) with a neighbour, a few mates and his 1929 Austin 7 Roadster
Phil Pratt has been a Club member for more than 20 years. Back in 1960, when Phil was just a lad of 14, he thought all his dreams had come true when he received a 1929 Austin 7 Roadster as a present.
The goods old days!
Page 10
The little car was running but, as usual, the brakes didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have much braking ability. In fact, they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work at all. However, the roadster was pretty special having had some adventurous panel-beating performed to create seating for two extra passengers. That
little Austin 7 made Phil the proudest and luckiest kid on the block. Phil clearly remembers collecting the car with his mother. It was mum’s first experience at towing and Phil’s first experience at both driving and being towed at the same time. Not being very wise about this new towing thing, it seems Phil now thinks it would have been better to check the Austin’s brakes before they set off rather than find out at the very first corner that the little car couldn’t stop. Wow ... what a hair-raising ride home for Phil and mum. Phil says the fun he and about 20 mates had learning to drive that little car around his suburban back yard was simply the best. Well, it’s been some years since 1960 and Phil now shares his life with his lovely wife Pauline. Over time Phil has replaced or reformed the Austin’s missing, cut or rusted body sections including the floor, mudguards and running boards. The little Roadster in still a work-in-progress and will eventually get a gleaming Silver paint job. Keep up the good work Phil and Pauline. Everyone in the Club looks forward to the day when you can bring that little Austin 7 Roadster on its first Club Run.
It’s taking shape .....
.... but there’s still more to do.
Information Sheet If you would like to see your Austin 7 featured in this magazine please complete and return the “Car of the Month - Information Sheet” available from the Editor. Page 11
Conditional Registration Renewals When a Club member’s Austin Seven is due for Conditional Registration renewal the Roads & Traffic Authority will send renewal papers that include a white Form No.1259 that requires certification of vehicle roadworthiness and Club membership details. In the Club Membership Details section of Form No.1259 you must nominate your Primary Club first. This Club is required to certify your vehicle and membership. When you nominate the Austin 7 Club NSW Inc as your Primary Club we will inspect your vehicle and certify your membership and then complete the necessary Declaration. For members who can’t present their vehicle to a Club Vehicle Inspector (i.e. non-Sydney members) your vehicle can be inspected for roadworthiness by an RTA Authorised Inspection Station to obtain a Pink Slip. Once this slip is obtained you still need your Club membership certified, so complete all the details on the left side of Form No.1259 and record the Pink Slip number as the Safety Inspection Report Number on the righthand side of the form. It’s important to remember that not all Authorised Inspection Stations using the new RTA On-Line Vehicle Inspection System can process Conditional Registrations and issue Pink Slips. You may need to find an Authorised Inspection Station that can issue a traditional Pink Slip. The Form No.1259 should then be handed or posted to a Club Vehicle Inspector for Membership certification and Club stamping prior to registration renewal. Use the details below if posting your Form No.1259 to one of our Club Vehicle Inspectors whereupon it will be certified and returned by post the next day. Due to RTA requirements the Club must keep records of all certifications and therefore a copy of every Form No.1259 is retained by our Club Vehicle Inspectors. When a Form No.1259 is handed to a Club Vehicle Inspector at a Club meeting or event where no copier facility is available it will be certified and returned by post the next day. Mr Warren Gracie 10 Old Canterbury Road Petersham NSW 2049 (H) 9569 2108 (M) 0417 417 826 Page 12
Mr Mervyn Boatwright 8 Arwon Avenue Casula NSW 2170 (H) 9822 8609 (M) 0412 940 001
How Long Have You Owned a Car? Can you imagine having the same car for 81 years? I guess it’s warranty would have expired by then! Mr. Allen Swift ( Springfield - Massachusetts - USA) received this 1928 Rolls-Royce Piccadilly P1 Roadster from his father, brand new, as a graduation gift in 1928. He drove it up until his death in 2009 ... at the age of 102! He was the oldest living owner of a car from new. Just thought you'd like to see it. He donated it to a Springfield museum after his death. It has 170,000 miles on it, still runs like a Swiss watch, dead silent at any speed and is in perfect cosmetic condition after 82 years. That's approximately 2,000 miles per year.
FOR SALE
You can now become a
Business Card Sponsor for just $1 per week.
Austin 7 Tow Car 1975 Mercedes Benz 280 SE Automatic, fuel injected and air conditioned. An original car in excellent condition. Historic number plates NOT transferrable. Phone Cliff Stockley on (02) 6555 9807.
$3,950
There has always been a lot of interest in Austin 7’s, and it seems every month more people are surfing the web and discovering our Club’s website. Businesses and individuals are now invited to become a Business Card Sponsor on our website for just $1 per week on a 52 week sponsorship. So don’t wait, simply visit our Business Card Sponsors page at www.austin7clubnsw.org.au and print off a Business Card Sponsorship Form. Send your completed form to us together with your business card and sponsorship cheque and we’ll do the rest. Page 13
Spare Parts All Spare Parts correspondence should be addressed to: Mr Mervyn Boatwright, P.O. Box 1055, Menai Central. NSW 2234 Tel:/Fax: (02) 9822 8609
Email: m.boaty@bigpond.com
Spare Parts will NOT be brought to meetings unless requested beforehand due to the vast number of parts in stock nowadays. Please contact Merv by the Thursday evening prior to the meeting with details of the parts you need. All Members choosing to pay by cheque for parts should read the instructions at the bottom of their invoice. Please make all cheques for Spare Parts payable to Austin 7 Club NSW Inc Spare Parts.
New Parts for your Austin Seven
Crown Wheel & Pinions
19” Cast Iron Brake Drum 16” Cast Iron Brake Drum
$215 each AVAILABLE NOW
Early and Late A7 Models Please phone for price
Five 19” AVON SIDE CAR TYRES (3.5” x 19”) $80 EACH Contact Merv Boatwright (on behalf of a Club Member) on (02) 9822 8609 or at m.boaty@bigpond.com
How to Interpret Car Advertisements FOR SALE: Jaguar XK 150. One for the enthusiast, unfinished project, 99% complete, no serious rust. A British classic. $30,000 ono. One for the enthusiast means it would suit an automotive tradesman with 30 years experience and a fully equipped professional workshop. Unfinished project means it’s beyond me where all the bits went, I think I’ve lost a few parts. 99% complete means the bits that are missing are near impossible to find, and if you do find them they will cost a fortune. A British classic means it leaks oil. Page 14
Bad Weather If bad weather conditions are looming, please contact Maureen Boatwright on Saturday evenings or from 6:30am on the Sunday of the run (H) 02 9822 8609 (M) 0413 017 263 or Warren Gracie (H) 02 9569 2108 (M) 0417 417 826. And please remember to always carry the following documents in your Austin 7:
Comprehensive Insurance Policy Clubs’ Certificate of Currency Baby Torque Magazine
Point Score Trophy Don’t forget the Austin 7 Club NSW “Point Score” program. Our aim is to see as many people as possible attending events and meetings (including monthly general meetings). Participation in an event or outing from the starting point to the finish will score you 2 points, while attending a general meeting will score you 1 point. These points are awarded whether you attend in your Austin 7 or modern car. The person with the highest points tally will receive a trophy at our Christmas Luncheon / Presentation Day. So come along and get involved.
2011 Supper Roster 9 March 2011
Amy & Paul Pui
13 April 2011
Warren Gracie
11 May 2011
Joanne & Mark Wellington
8 June 2011
Maureen & Merv Boatwright
13 July 2011
Helen & Denis Quartly
10 August 2011
Faye & Robert Yarroll Page 15
Member of The Council of Motor Clubs, Inc
Austin 7 Club NSW Inc "Dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of all types of Austin Sevens" Postal Address: P.O. Box 6009 North Ryde NSW 2113 Email: info@austin7clubnsw.org.au Website: www.austin7clubnsw.org.au
The Austin 7 Club NSW Inc has been active for over 25 years and aims to bring together people with the common interest of restoring, preserving and driving Austin Sevens. We are an informal family club that regularly takes our "Babies" to the road for some fun social touring. Spare parts are available to Club Members through the Club Spares Division and our technical people will give advice, where possible, in regard to the restoration of these cars.
Conditional Registration Any Member using a vehicle on RTA Conditional Registration (HCRS) and attending a Secondary Club Run or any event listed under Invitations Accepted or Other Events of Interest MUST contact a Committee Member to advise your vehicles movements PRIOR to attending the event. The committee of the nominated primary club on your conditional registration must be aware, and approve of, all movements of
your vehicle. If you wish to attend invitational events outside Club runs, you MUST contact a Committee Member to log the trip, otherwise your registration and insurance is NOT valid. You should carry a copy of the Clubs’ Certificate of Insurance (Public Liability) in your Austin 7 at all times together with the most recent copy of this “Baby Torque” magazine.