Ladies Day 11 December 2011. Members gathered at North Strathfield in five Austin 7’s and one modern for the start of our Annual Ladies Day Run. First stop was beautiful Oatley Park where we were met by another two Austin’s, two Buick’s and another five moderns. There was Maureen & Mervyn Boatwright and their friend Lal, Sandra & Paul Boatwright with Jessica, Katie and Jackie, Madge & Allen Blythe with five family members, Jeanette & Cliff Edwards, Helen Lewis & Carolyn Thompson, Amy & Paul Pui, Judith & Bob Riches,
Ken Rolley, Joanne & Mark Wellington and Faye & Robert Yarroll. Everyone enjoyed a lovely morning tea at the Park, complete with scrumptious Christmas cup cakes and home-made cookies. After these yummy refreshments it was time to further explore the Park, and when walking down by the water’s edge we found the local Amateur Swimming Club competing in races. Joanne and Faye were also sighted getting their photo taken with Santa! You just never know who you Continued on Page 6
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
-
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 the 2nd 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
Other Events of Interest
Members at our recent Annual General Meeting were presented with reports from Club Officers outlining a very successful year of operation and events. The election resulted in the return of the previous Committee, so I guess that’s a vote of confidence in them and the other Club officials. No vote was required from the members present as all nominations were in favour of the sitting committee. We can now settle into another year of events for our Austin 7’s; and the calendar looks very promising with a National Rally in South Australia and two or more events each other month. The Committee extends an open invitation to all members for their input regarding Club events they wish to attend or organise; so please don’t be shy about approaching a Committee member with your ideas. So, it’s time to start preparing our Sevens for another fun year. Happy Sevening ... Warren Gracie
it’s on again … see you there!
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Events Report Welcome to 2012! And what could be better than enjoying a year packed with great runs for you and your Baby Austin 7 travelling around the countryside. Ladies Day was enjoyed by 29 people travelling in seven Austin 7’s and another seven moderns. We visited Oatley Park for morning tea and went for a bush-walk to check-out the native plant life and birds, and finally to Webster’s Lookout. Then off to Evatt Park at Lugarno and Clubs Rivers for lunch. We watched heavy
rain fall during lunch; but by the time we left the club the weather had cleared for our trip home .. how lucky were we? Our first run for the year will be to the Scarborough Hotel for Breakfast; and don’t forget the Pre-Meeting Sausage Sizzle at Bicentennial Park (please RSPV for both). See you at the sausage sizzle! Happy Austin 7 touring. … Maureen Boatwright
Coming Events 11 January 2012 … Pre-Meeting Sausage Sizzle - Bicentennial Park Our Club will provide a Sausage Sizzle prior to the General Meeting on Wednesday 11 January 2012 in Bicentennial Park at Homebush Bay. If coming from Homebush Bay Drive direction get onto Australia Avenue and be prepared to turn right at gate entrance at the park. The BBQ will be in the first available area on left. Cooking will begin at 6pm. We will provide sausages, bread, salad, plates and cutlery, etc and all you need to bring is drinks, tea, coffee, etc. Come and join your fellow members to celebrate the beginning of a new year filled with outings and touring our wonderful countryside in our beautiful babies. For catering purposes please RSVP to a Committee member by Thursday 5 January 2012 if you will be joining us. 15 January 2012 … Breakfast Run - Scarborough Hotel - Scarborough Departing NRMA car-park North Strathfield at 7:45am or Heathcote Railway car-park at 8:30am. Please contact the Events Team on 9822 8609 if you are interested in attending and advise your starting place. Our destination is the Scarborough Hotel, 383 Lawrence Hargraves Drive, Scarborough. 26 January 2012 ... Australia Day - NRMA Motorfest / Flagstaff Park NRMA Motorfest - Sydney. Entries are now closed. Flagstaff Park - Wollongong. The Austin Motor Vehicle Club has invited us to join them in a Run to Flagstaff Park at Wollongong to celebrate Australia Day at an event organised by Wollongong Council. Meet at Loftus Oval off Princess Highway at 8:30am to depart at 9:00am. Please contact the Events Team on 9822 8609 ASAP if you are interested in attending. You MUST advise a Committee member prior to 26 January 2012 of the intended movement on Australia Day of your HCRS registered Club vehicles. 12 February 2012 … Breakfast Run - Hawkesbury River Marina Brooklyn Departing NRMA car-park North Strathfield at 7:40am. Our Destination is Page 4
Coming Events the Hawkesbury River Marina, Dangar Road (Lot 501 McKell Park), Brooklyn. Please contact the Events Team on 9822 8609 if you are interested in attending. 19 February 2012 … Twilight Run - Mystery Destination Departing NRMA car-park North Strathfield at 3:00pm. BYO meal or buy at a shop near our destination. 4 March 2012 … Breakfast Run - South - New Venue Departing NRMA car-park North Strathfield at 7:30am or Heathcote Railway car-park at 8:15am. Please contact the Events Team on 9822 8609 if you are interested in attending and advise your starting place. 23-25 March 2012 ... Sydney Vintage Car Restoration - Crookwell This will be a long-weekend based in Goulburn. Ten rooms have been secured at our motel. Please contact the Events Team on 9822 8609 if you are interested in attending. Numbers are required NOW. 15 April 2012 … April Run - Destination TBA 29 April 2012 … Breakfast Run - North 23-24 June 2012 ... Weekend away at Mt.Victoria Our Club will be staying at a very nice Guesthouse at Mt Victoria. So far eleven en-suite rooms have been booked - the remaining rooms do not have ensuites. On Sunday we will be joining the Vauxhall Club and other clubs for lunch at the Guesthouse and also enjoying Kitty & the Bagman at the Mt.Victoria picture show. Please contact the Events Team on 9822 8609 if you are interested in attending. 1 - 5 October 2012 90th Anniversary National Austin 7 Hub Rally - Tanunda, S.A. Make sure you have booked your Barossa Valley accommodation as there is immense interest in this Rally. Remember, there’s only 10 months to go and more than 140 Austin 7’s will be attending. The renowned Bay to Birdwood Run is for vehicles manufactured before 1956 and will be held the day before the Rally starts (Sunday 30 September 2012). Please contact the Events Team on 9822 8609 if you require an Expression of Interest form or further information. Those staying at the Barossa Motor Lodge will need to leave for the Bay to Birdwood at about 5:30am on the Sunday.
Invitations Accepted 4 February 2012 ... Leura’s Automobile Picnic in the Mall A great display of cars from the 1920’s. This event is part of a month long Festival of 1920’s nostalgia throughout the Blue Mountains. Please contact the Events Team on 9822 8609 if you are interested in attending. 6 May 2012 ... Wings Over Illawarra 2012 Cars will NOT be admitted to this event without an official sticker. Please contact the Events Team on 9822 8609 if you are interested in attending. Page 5
Ladies Day Continued from front Page
Some of our beautiful ladies … might meet when wandering through a park! Some members relaxed on the grass and one was caught having a nap in the sunshine … it looked very much like Ken Rolley! Then we all set off for Webster’s Lookout to take in the wonderful views over the river and surrounding areas. Our next stop was Evatt Park at Lugarno. We parked the little Austin’s and strolled through the Park and down to the water’s edge where children were feeding the ducks and swans; and giant-carp were swimming around. We later departed for our lunch destination. After all this walking and sightseeing, and generally working up a good appetite, arriving at Club Rivers at Riverwood was a welcome surprise. Lunch was at Helen’s Restaurant and the meals were very good. From surf & turf, to crapes or steaks and everything in between, there was something for everyone; and nobody went hungry. Having so many members present and the chance to enjoy a tasty meal together proved to be the perfect recipe for a happy and memorable Ladies Day and final Club Run for 2011.
… and some little ones too.
Page 6
A big thank you goes to Maureen Boatwright for organising this Event and to everyone who attended. See you all next year!
Round the World in a “Baby” Car by Gladys de Haviland Regular readers of this magazine will recall my request for information about Miss Gladys de Haviland, a young English-woman who in the late 1920’s set off on a world tour in her Austin 7. My call was heard around the world, mainly due to the wide readership of Baby Torque via our website. Through the research and assistance of various people including Keith Robertson (New Zealand), Ian Mann (Austin Motor Vehicle Club) and Brian Haywood (Austin 7 Club NSW), I am now able to include in future magazines a brilliant narrative written by Miss de Haviland about her adventure. When reading this I suggest you be mindful that this young woman undertook her adventure in the very early days of motoring, and in a world very different from today. I cannot deMiss Gladys de Haviland termine when or where this article was originally published, and therefore I cannot acknowledge its publisher. However, I am very happy to present her narrative to Baby Torque readers in this 90th Anniversary Year of our beloved Austin Seven. I recommend you read Miss de Haviland’s story, as it is not only a testament to her personal courage and endurance but also a fine example of the ruggedness and reliability of her “Baby” Austin 7. … the Editor Page 7
Car of the Month ... Les & Edna Lewis’ 1936 Austin 7 Les Lewis was born in the Sydney suburb of Auburn. During his early years, he lived with his family at Baulkham Hills, and then at Parramatta, and finally moved to a property at Luddenham where he still lives today. As a young fifteen year old, and unknown to his mum and dad, he bought himself a Royal Enfield motor cycle. He didn’t keep it long and sold it to buy a new 1945 BSA. Les had a passion for bikes and cars, and in 1947 he sold the BSA and bought his first car … a 1936 Chevrolet Roadster. A few years later the Chevy was sold and along came an Austin truck; and didn’t he have fun in it as a younger bloke. In 1951 Les set his eyes on a charming young woman named Edna and five weeks later they were engaged to be married. Les and Edna married on St. Valentine’s Day in 1953; and three years later they started their family. After a few more years Les bought a 1936 Austin Seven Ruby from a butcher in Guildford. Well, he really bought a body shell with two chassis and a heap of parts. He then heard about a shed full of old Austin parts for sale at Blacktown. So he set off quickly and managed to secure two ute loads of parts before heading home as proud as punch. The restoration project began and Les joined the Austin 7 Club of NSW ... and has been a member ever since. Les had to do a few things to transform his pile of bits and pieces into the
Edna and Les Page 8
It only took about twenty years to restore … but what a great result! beautiful car we see today. He made a new wooden frame, a new firewall, new window frames and new chrome bumper bars. He also fixed the radiator, rebored the motor and added new pistons; replaced the clutch-plate and finally cut-back and repainted the whole car. Apart from all this, Les still says, “it was a simple job.” The rebuilding of his little baby Austin only took about 20 years to finish. Les and Edna also established a successful horse spelling yard and had up to forty-five horses grazing on their property; and in Parramatta they ran a pet and saddlery business until they retired in 1982. As well as his Austin Seven restoration, Les has just completed a total restoration of an Abbot four-wheel horse buggy. So, you might ask … what is his next project? Well, Les says he wants to fully restore his 1951 Mercedes Benz 170S. Well, best of luck Les and Edna ... and we hope to see both of you during 2012 touring in your newly restored Austin Seven.
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 9
NEW ARROWS MAKE IT EASIER THAN EVER It’s always a good idea to regularly check-out what’s new on our Club website. There is now three new coloured arrows on our Home page. Simply double-click on the GREEN ARROW and you’ll go straight to our Events Gallery, the RED ARROW will take you to our Sponsors Links and use the BLUE ARROW to Contact Us via email. Our Club Sponsors have recently updated their websites. So why don’t you use the RED ARROW to check them out today? It’s well worth the look!
RENEW
NOW
is your p membershi over due? Austin 7 Club NSW Inc
Membership Fees were due on 1 Jan 2012 Single Membership Fee for 2012 ………… $50 Family Membership Fee for 2012 ………… $55 Joining Fee ………………………………………………… $30 The Joining Fee applies to all new members and those who have NOT renewed their Membership by 31 January each year. Page 10
Recent Happy Snaps
Page 11
These minutes of the Austin 7 Club NSW Inc are to be confirmed at the next General Meeting
Minutes of the December 2011 General Meeting Graph shows 2,500 visitors and 10,000 page visits on our website during the year. Everyone loves our website. Membership Officer: 80 financial members. Reminder to pay by 31/1/2012 or extra to pay. Held on 14 December 2011 at NRMA Training Centre, George Street, North Strathfield. The meeting was opened at 8:10pm by Warren Gracie who welcomed all members to the meeting. Minutes taker: Maureen Boatwright Attendees: 29 Apologies: Deirdre Hayward, Denis & Helen Quartly Visitors: Nil Moved: Mark Wellington
Seconded: Robert Yarroll
Minutes of previous meeting read and accepted: Moved: Faye Yarroll
Seconded: Robert Yarroll
Business arising from minutes: Nil Correspondence: Inwards: 16 membership renewals, The Overland Telegraph (Willeys Whippet), The Depender, Baby Torque Western Australia, Bent Wire, Drive Chatter, The Lightshaft—Vic, Ultimo College Tafe, a letter from Kevin Harte (reply to letter sent by Committee). Outwards: 2 x letters to Kevin Harte. Moved: Mervyn Boatwright
Seconded: Helen Lewis
Treasurer Report: Helen Lewis read the Financial Report. Moved: Maureen Boatwright
Seconded: Cliff Edwards
Spare Parts: Mervyn Boatwright read the Spare Parts Report. Moved: Bob Riches
Seconded: Mark Wellington
Editor: Robert Yarroll thanked everyone who provided photographs and stories for Car of the Month and those yet to come. Christmas party was a fun day - thanks to Ross Bell as our auctioneer. New member Eric Steinhaus was welcomed to the meeting, and two new sponsors websites. Page 12
Welfare: Ron Selig is now feeling better after a day visit to hospital for tests. Public Officer: Maureen Boatwright reported our External Audit is due by the end of 2012. Eric Bourn has a book to be handed to Library for inclusion with other books to be made available to members for reading/technical advice. Events Team: Goulburn/Crookwell bookings are about to close. Remaining rooms available at Mt.Victoria Guesthouse do not have en-suite facilities. Good runs coming up next year involving the Vauxhall Owners Club & AMVC, our club has reciprocal runs with these clubs and 2012 Rally in S.A. Australia Day festivities - please notify Committee prior to 26/1/2012 of where your vehicle will be during the day. Moved: Paul Pui
Seconded: Ken Rolley
General Business: Kevin Harte asked questions regarding Insurance Policies. Thanks given to Robert and Faye Yarroll for all they have done for the Club. The meeting closed at 8:45pm. Door Prize - Won by Kevin Harte Raffle 1st Prize - Won by Ken Rolley Raffle 2nd Prize - Won by Barbara Fahey
Where did that little yellow baby Austin go? Remember the cute baby Austin 7 hanging in a tree in a car yard on Ashfield’s Parramatta Road? Well, after more than 50 years of hanging around, it moved on to a new owner. Not long after the second world war, this car was used extensively as general transport in a market garden in North Lincolnshire, England. It was severely modified aft of the front seats, and was a familiar sight as it went about its daily routine in the village until its owner decided to forsake the life of a market gardener and settle on a farm in South Yorkshire. He took not only his family with him but also the little car that gave further service as a general farm runabout. I’ve lived in Sydney for most of my fifty plus years and it would have been only a couple of years after I began work that a now yellow and black 1937 Austin 7 Doctor’s Coupe was placed in a fig tree above a Parramatta Road car yard. Like many people, I’ve driven past it many times each year, becoming a little more endeared to it with each passing. I thought it was cute. The thought of going in and asking the yard operator if he would like to part with it never seemed to be a proposition with even the remotest possibility of success. I just kept driving by and admiring it. One day I noticed, as did many passers-by, that the yard was bereft of all but the Austin 7. It was now a different ball
game. I decided to chase up the yard operator and during the following weeks I found myself buying petrol at Great North Fuels opposite. I paid for my petrol and wandered over to the other side of Parramatta Road and took my first ever (in thirty one years) close up look at the little yellow car. It appeared comfortable and I suppose somewhat resigned to just hanging around. Very uneventful. An enquiry at the nearby motorcycle shop shed no light. So, I wandered back passing by the everpresent little yellow car and noticed next door some demolition work and a builder’s pole providing a temporary meter box. On the pole was the hire Company’s name Smalls and their phone number. Moments later I had discovered the hirer’s name was Meriton, and I had a phone number and contact name. He was out to lunch. Some people seem to spend their whole life having lunch. After some patience on my behalf and another phone call, I discovered the car yard portion had been sold off but again a name and phone number was provided. Then another phone call and this time I was speaking to the new owner of the property with a car in a tree. Now began the well-known dealing and manoeuvring that only a vintage car freak can and will stoop to. This article is based on a story written by John Bates (date unknown). Page 13
Austin Seven All Spare Parts correspondence should be addressed to: Mr Mervyn Boatwright, P.O. Box 366, Casula Mall. NSW 2170 Telephone: (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.
Brake Spring 1927-1936
Brake Cams 1923-1936
$3.00 each
$38.50 pair
Page 14
Condenser 1935-1939 $22.50 each
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.
Supper Roster 11 January 2012
Your Committee
8 February 2012
Faye & Robert Yarroll
14 March 2012 11 April 2012 9 May 2012 13 June 2012
Maureen & Merv Boatwright Helen Lewis & Carolyn Thompson Amy & Paul Pui Ken Rolley 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 28 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.
RTA Conditional Registration Any Member using a vehicle on RTA Historic Conditional Registration Scheme (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 move-
ments 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.