Number 273
Austin 7 Club NSW Inc
May - June 2013
Committee Members
Executive
Name
Home 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
Non-Executive
Name
Events Team
Maureen Boatwright
(02) 9822 8609 0413 017 263
Spare Parts
Mervyn Boatwright
(02) 9822 8609 0412 940 001
Club Examiners
Warren Gracie Mervyn Boatwright
(02) 9569 2108 0417 417 826 (02) 9822 8609 0412 940 001
Membership
Faye Yarroll
(02) 9706 8007 0412 830 041
Editor / Webmaster
Robert Yarroll
(02) 9706 8007
Home Phone
Mobile Phone
Mobile Phone
-
As a courtesy, please do not contact Committee Members after 9:00pm.
Bendigo Bank
BSB
802-841
633-000
100008499
128875804
Banking Details
Laboratories Credit Union
Bank
Meetings
Austin 7 Club NSW Inc Spare Parts
The Austin 7 Club NSW Inc meets at 8:00pm on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at BankstownSports, 8 Greenfield Parade, Bankstown NSW. Parking is available via Mona Street (off Greenfield Parade) in the multi-level car park. Visitors are welcome.
Deadline
Austin 7 Club NSW Inc
This magazine is published bi-monthly: Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/Jun, Jul/Aug, Sep/Oct and Nov/Dec. Contributions to Baby Torque should be sent to The Editor, Baby Torque, 10 Lorraine Street, North Strathfield NSW 2137 no later than the 2nd last Friday prior to publication.
Account
Cover picture: Club members Jennie & Jim Johnston Page 2
from the editors desk
Welcome to our new look Baby Torque magazine. A Club member recently asked what would it take for me to resume the editors role again. I jokingly replied, “if you appear nude in the first edition then I’ll do it”, thinking that would be the end of the matter. It seems he’s an extremely enthusiastic Baby Torque reader because I was promptly given a photograph.
So, since no other member has shown interest in editing our magazine (and due to our unclad members unusual effort) I’m your editor once again and will keep you informed about future Club events and report on those that we’ve already enjoyed. However ... if you are the slightest bit offended by the idea of a naked member then please DO NOT look at page 13. You can let me know via email if you recognise him! Faye (our unofficial Club photographer) must be congratulated on providing so much content for our website’s Events Gallery over recent years. Where would we be without her? The excellent record of events from our recent 90th Anniversary National Austin 7 Hub Rally is entirely due to her efforts. On behalf of all members I thank Faye very much. For my part, I have decided to freshen-up our new bi-monthly Baby Torque with a few subtle design changes. I hope you find the new and larger font easy to read and continue to enjoy our magazine. Our Club has a long history and will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next year. So let’s have some fun during 2013 and stay healthy, happy and wise; and keep those little baby Austins on the road where they belong.
Robert Yarroll
“Many
Happy Returns” to all Club Members celebrating their Birthday during January to June 2013. UPCOMING
SWAP
MEETS
16 June 2013 @ Gosford 7 July 2013 @ Blacktown 21 July 2013 @ Liverpool (Fairfield Showground. Gates open 6:00 am) Page 3
President’s Report Events Report
This year’s General Meetings have been held at BankstownSports and many members are availing themselves of the Clubs facilities. Whether you wine and dine prior to our meeting or finish the night off in the coffee shop, it allows our members the chance to relax and enjoy some social time together. I sincerely thank BankstownSports for allowing us to use their Club for our meetings at no charge. I’m also delighted that Robert Yarroll is our magazine Editor again. I am sure all members appreciate the high quality magazine and website that Robert has produced over the past few years and look forward to reading our new bi-monthly Baby Torque. And finally, to update members on the status of the Proposal submitted to your Committee by Club member Eric Steinhaus, this is still being reviewed by the RMS and we are awaiting their assessment and advice. Happy Sevening … Warren Gracie Our members have been spotted driving their Austin 7’s around the country-side over the past few months including Austinmer, North Head, Dural, Bendigo, Ulladulla and Luddenham. Our next run is to the Australiana Pioneer Village at Wilberforce where we hope to see a big roll-up of our little babies. Happy Austin 7 Touring … Maureen Boatwright
If you were an entrant in the 2012 National Austin Seven Hub Rally and would like an Austin 7 Car-Sign Souvenir reproduced by Terry Woodhouse then be one of the first 20 members to contact the Committee on 9822 8609. But be quick ... don’t miss out!
You know, it really doesn’t matter!
Do you recognise this car?
You can have lots of fun at our Club Events ... but please don’t think you need your Austin 7 to attend. You’re very welcome to join us in your modern car or you could even catch-a-ride with another member. It really doesn’t matter how you do it … so long as you come along and join in the fun. See you there!
Our new Baby Torque masthead on the cover of this magazine includes a picture of the front of an Austin 7. Can you identify this particular car? Can you identify the cars owner? There’s no prize at stake but the first to correctly inform the editor will be acknowledged in our next Baby Torque magazine.
Page 4
5 May 2013
Wings Over Illawarra Our Club has received an Invitation to attend this event. Bookings are closed.
19 May 2013
Don Avery Memorial Shield Run & National Motoring Heritage Day - Australiana Pioneer Village at Wilberforce Meet at McDonalds, St.Hilliers & Parramatta Roads, Auburn at 9:15am. There are two different eating places with BBQ’s at Australiana Pioneer Village or BYO lunch. Entry $5 Adults, $3 Children (under 5yrs FREE) and $15 Family. Please contact Maureen on 9822 9609 if you are interested in attending.
Saturday 15 Jun 2013
Saturday
Breakfast/Lunch Run - South West Meet at Mirambeena Regional Park Reserve, Lake Gilawarna, Georges Hall at 8:30am. We will travel on Henry Lawson Drive to Beatty Parade and into the car-park near the kid’s play centre, toilets and BBQ where we will enjoy breakfast (bring your own thermos of drink if necessary). A Mystery Run will follow. Please contact Maureen on 9822 8609 if you are interested in attending.
20 Jul 2013 21 Jul 2013
Christmas in July & Presidents Weekend Run - Port Stephens Our Club has been invited to join the Great Lakes Historic Car Club for a Christmas in July weekend in Port Stephens. This will also be our Austin 7 Club President’s Weekend. Bookings are closed.
18 Aug 2013
Shannons Eastern Creek Display Day A limited number of Window Stickers have already been ordered at $15 each. Please contact Maureen on 9822 8609 to secure your sticker.
25 Aug 2013
All British Day - Kings School North Parramatta Please contact Maureen on 9822 8609 to place your name on the list.
15 Sep 2013
Club Run - TBA
29 Sep 2013
Centennial Park Display Day
19 Oct 2013 20 Oct 2013
Centenary of Canberra Rally (100 Years of Canberra) Our Club has received an invitation to attend this event. However, Expressions of Interest have now closed.
17 Nov 2013
Ladies Day - TBA
Dec 2013
Christmas Function / Presentation Day - TBA Page 5
29 March - 1 April 2013. It’s a long twoyear wait for Austins Over Australia to come around. The Yarroll’s attended their first fun-filled AOA at Forbes in 2011 and the Bendigo event couldn’t come fast enough for them. After packing their bags and loading Herbie (their little 1932 Austin 7 Box Saloon) onto his trailer Faye and Robert headed off from Sydney to Bendigo via an overnight stay at Holbrook. Their small Satellite Navigation device got a good work-out again as country travelling for the Yarroll’s usually means relaxing aboard a luxury coach. But not this time around; it involved lots of shared driving and stopping at petrol stations along the way to refuel their thirsty Holden. The countryside between Sydney and Holbrook is very scenic; and their trip to Bendigo couldn’t have been better. Arriving in the afternoon it was a simple matter of locating their accommodation overlooking popular Lake Weeroona. The lake is home to many different birds and also attracts people wanting to enjoy the serenity of the park or the exercise options available including many jogging paths and walk-ways. Page 6
Registration at AOA Rally Headquarters was the next item on the agenda after a day discovering Bendigo. We drove to the All Seasons Hotel where we checked -in and collected our Rally bag and goodies. We then sought-out some Melbourne Austin 7 Club members staying at a nearby motel. After a cuppa and chat we set off for our accommodation again and a leisurely stroll around the lake before bedtime. Rally entrants gathered at the AOA Headquarters early on Good Friday morning before setting off on a 46klm scenic drive to Castlemaine; where we boarded the Gold Fields Steam Train to Maldon. There was plenty of chatter and lots of laughter on board the train during our journey as entrants enjoyed the company of other Austineers. Our picnic lunch-packs were waiting for us upon our arrival at Maldon. Nobody went hungry. Well done to all the hard working caterers. After all … feeding a hungry mob of over 400 is no small task! After lunch it was time to stroll through Maldon historic township and visit the Maldon Machinery Museum and State Battery Museum before boarding the
Chinese Association of Bendigo. This evening we witnessed the Bendigo Torch-light Procession and Fireworks. This was an opportunity to pay tribute to local community heroes and was a spectacular display of illuminated floats decorated in this year’s theme Embrace Your Senses. On Easter Sunday morning we mustered at the Bendigo Jockey Club for our AOA Picnic and Display Day. Things were now getting serious as judging of over 240 Austins was on the agenda today. Herbie dwarfed by the Bendigo Art Gallery
steam train again for our return journey to Bendigo. Tonight was our Welcome Supper and time for everyone to meet and greet other rally entrants at the All Seasons Hotel. After muster at Rally Headquarters on Saturday morning, we set off to visit the famous Bendigo Pottery and its many shops, galleries and museum. A tasty morning-tea provided another opportunity for Austineers to socialise together and study the magnificent display of Austins in the nearby car-park. That afternoon we explored many great events at the Bendigo Easter Festival. Thousands of people gathered for the Awakening of the Dragon festivities. This event is held in Bendigo’s Dai Gum San Chinese precinct. Large crowds witnessed the awakening lion dancing, dragon dancing, folk dancing and music; making this afternoon a very colourful and traditional display organised by the
A scrumptious BBQ lunch was served after a fun filled morning that included some exciting Rocker Cover Racing. After lunch it was time for the Easter Bonnet Parade where men, women and kids alike paraded their colourful hats with pride. Tonight was our Gala Dinner at Rally Headquarters where some were attired in 60’s and 70’s clothes. Wow ... we saw some very colourful outfits indeed. AOA Rally Director Adam Francis and his team certainly showed us what Bendigo has to offer and made Austins Over Australia 2013 a great success.
Faye & Robert at Bendigo Page 7
John O’Groats ~ Lands End by Robert & Lizzy Rhodes (UK) was, according to the map, an A road. Surrounded by spectacular scenery of tranquil lochs, high Munros and vast moorland we saw stags, eagles and many highland cattle looking very at home. We soon turned East to Thurso and up to Dunnet Head, the most Northerly point on the mainland, and from there on to our hotel at John O’Groats. As is usually the case we were joined in the hotel bar by other intrepid Seven crews and notes were swapped on the different routes and overnight stops planned ... for those who were planOur adventure began a ning to stop! week earlier, in Bridport, The next morning we when the Austin was load- woke early full of the exed onto the trailer and citement of the adventure towed up to Fort William. ahead. Last minute checks We unloaded the car on and re-checks were made Thursday morning and on the car and the short drove further north via distance driven to the Loch Ness and the Great start. Nearly 40 cars gathGlen. We cut across coun- ered at the very tip of try for an overnight stop in Scotland and the first were Lairg. Then up to the north away by 9.30am. We were coast of Scotland and the amongst the last to leave stunning Kyle of Tongue. at 10am following a photo Despite being single track session by the John with passing places this O’Groats sign and a brief Easter 2012. “Are you end to enders?” the receptionist asked as we proudly entered our names in the log book at the Lands End Hotel reception. We had just made it from John O’Groats to Lands End and were proudly filling in the book alongside other A7 drivers, cyclists, walkers and all manner of other means that had previously gone “end to end”. We had completed the challenge during the Easter holidays in our 1930 Ulster as part of a demonstration run to mark the 90th anniversary of the little cars.
Page 8
While we were enjoying the A celebrations last year so too the world. Here is a story fro about their big adventure in th
Lizzy &
Austin 7’s 90th Anniversary o were other folk all around om Robert & Lizzy Rhodes he UK … the editor
Robert
visit to the souvenir shop! You can imagine the scene ... wife shopping, husband anxious to get going as all the other crews drove off! We were waved off by members of the Caithness and Sutherland Vintage Vehicle Club and turned south for the first time in four days. After only half an hour we met several cars from the South Wales A7 Club travelling in the opposite direction ... heading north for a midday start. Not much further down the A9 we had to stop as the most amazing rattling noise was emanating from under the bonnet. At Helmsdale we lifted the bonnet and found the fan pulley had come loose on the spindle. The fan was quickly removed and the problem easily solved. Oh well ... we don’t need a fan anyway. Lunch was taken at Tain and a consolation chat with the first casualty, a Box Saloon with a charging problem and a more worrying petrol leak. Our next stop was the Halfords store in Inverness. On the way up we had sprung an oil leak and were using about a pint of oil for every 100 miles driven. On consult-
ing the original handbook it seems that 1pint/100 miles was the expected consumption in 1930 so maybe things weren’t so bad after all. With extra oil on board we continued south on the A9 through the Cairngorms and to Pitlochry for our first night’s stop. Pitlochry is a Victorian tourist town surrounded by mountains and proved to be a good choice. Day two was to be a big day so we started early and were soon driving through Perth alongside the early dog walkers, joggers and yoga classes on the banks of the River Tay. Shortly afterwards we arrived at the Forth Road Bridge, little did I know how terrifying it would turn out to be. We encountered a very strong cross wind and frightening bump steer every time we hit an expansion joint (and believe me there are a lot). By the time we reached the Edinburgh side my knuckles were white from holding onto the wheel so tightly and it was time for a break. Skirting round the Scottish capital we turned south west onto the A702 Page 9
John O’Groats ~ Lands End … continued ... and A701 running South West alongside the head waters of the River Tweed. This section was one of the highlights of the trip, the scenery was stunning and the roads deserted as we swept down into the town of Moffat. One of the great advantages of an A road trip is the opportunity to visit places such as this. Places usually bypassed at 70mph on the motorway. Moffat is a really nice town with a wide main street set amongst the rolling hills of the border county. Having filled up with petrol and oil (again) we continued south and onto the old A74, now relegated to a B road, but still the size of the main truck road it once was. The M74 has taken all the traffic and once again we enjoyed a traffic free run down to Gretna and across the boarder into England. Joining the A6 and through the Lake District the car was going well as we climbed over Shap summit and headed down into Lancashire and our second overnight stop with Page 10
my parents in Wigan. Twelve hours since we left Pitlochry and 280 miles later we were happy to collapse into familiar surroundings. The following day started slowly as lots of local friends and family wanted to come and meet us and wish us a safe journey. We eventually escaped and followed the English and Welsh border along the A49 and the River Wye via Monmouth to Tintern. An early evening stop at Tintern was in order as the weather had been miserable all day and we had spent the whole day with the hood up unable to see any of the passing countryside. Hence the reason for not recording much about this day! The forth day dawned bright and dry so the hood came down and we set off for Chepstow and the Severn crossing. The old bridge and M48 was our only planned motorway section of the whole trip. No sooner had we crossed the Severn and left the
motorway than the heavens opened with a torrential hail storm. Navigation was impossible, the map floated away and we accidentally found ourselves on the M5 and crossing the River Avon. After drying out at the Bristol motorway services we cut across to the A38 and a route that took us to Taunton, Crediton, Okehampton, around the edge of Dartmoor and to Tavistock. Crossing the Tamar into Cornwall via an incredibly steep hill at Gunnislake we wished the poor car could have its fan back after a prolonged period of high revs in first gear. Confidence and crew moral noticeably increased as we headed across Cornwall towards Lands End. A quick stop at Penzance to text the finish control “We are 20 minutes away, put the kettle on” and the Cornwall A7 Club were out in force to welcome us home. It was fantastic to see over 20 people forming a welcoming committee and the chequered flag. By now it was early evening and the sun was setting on a journey that had taken four days and covered 870
1930 Austin 7 Ulster
miles. The following day we welcomed the arrival of 3 more cars before setting off for home. We visited the Lizard to complement our visit to Dunnet Head and retraced our route to Tavistock, over Dartmoor to Exeter and home to Bridport. Out of the 37 cars that started 31 finished in a
very fitting tribute to these amazing little cars and a good demonstration of what they are still capable of 90 years after their first inception. The quickest time was 21 hours and half a dozen cars had managed to complete the trip in under 24 hours! Our
total trip mileage was 1,300 miles covered at 32mpg and the leak meant the car consumed just over 2 gallons of oil! See you in 10 years for the 100th Anniversary!
hodes R y z z i L Robert &
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
28 April 2013. Todays run to the Luddenham Hobby Farm was a real eye opener, especially as some members thought we were going to see animals suitable for a small farm. The Sydney Society of Model Engineers (SSME) began in 1906 at Summer Hill and by 1932 had to move to larger premises in Ashfield. Changing technologies and model engineering interests eventually necessitated even larger premises and
tions from our departure place at Liverpool to Luddenham. Members attending were Merv & Maureen Boatwright, Paul & Sandra Boatwright with Jackie, Jessica & Katie, Warren Gracie & David Cox, Helen Lewis & Carolyn Thompson, Paul & Amy Pui, Ken Rolley and Robert & Faye Yarroll. From the Vauxhall Owners Club were Angel & Fay Aranega with Nicolas & Sofia, Stuart & Gail Sheldon with Kirsty & Sarah and George & Clare
… a small but grand selection of our baby Austins at Luddenham ... in 1971 they opened their 25 acre property at Luddenham.
Sheldon. Don Scanes met us at the Park in his A7 and Warren Tite in his modern.
Model Park now supports 12 different sections catering for trains, boats, planes, cars, slot cars, tether cars, largescale off-road and stationary steam models and more. The Society is the oldest model engineering club in Australia and the oldest continuously operating model engineering club in the world.
It’s fair to expect that children would have the most fun here but we had plenty of adults having a ripper of a day too.
Today six A7’s and four moderns enjoyed a jaunt in perfect weather condiPage 12
Some tether cars went over 300kph so you could only catch a glimpse of them before and after their run! Thank you Maureen for organising another great Club outing. Please see our website’s Events Gallery for more.
Page 13
These minutes of the Austin 7 Club NSW Inc are to be confirmed at the next General Meeting
Minutes of the April 2013 General Meeting Held on 10 April 2013 at BankstownSports, 8 Greenfield Parade, Bankstown. The meeting was opened at 8.10pm by Warren Gracie who welcomed all members. Minutes taker: Maureen Boatwright Attendees: 17 Apologies: Joanne Wellington, Amy & Paul Pui, Carolyn Thompson, Helen Lewis, Helen & Denis Quartly, Paul Boatwright, Paul Kinder, Barbara and Kevin Fahey. Visitors: Nil Moved: Mark Wellington
Seconded: Ken Rolley
Minutes of previous meeting read and accepted: Moved: Mark Wellington
Seconded: Faye Yarroll
Business arising from minutes: Regarding Proposal - TCIS Insurance will contact Committee within a few days and we are still waiting a reply from the RMS. Maureen apologised for not including Paul & Amy Pui in Apologies for March Meeting. Run Log: 7 vehicle movements between 15 February 2013 and 7 April 2013. Correspondence: Inwards: Overland Telegraph, 2 x Baby Torque W.A, Lightshaft VIC, The Depender, Bent Wire, Drive Chatter, Vintage & Veteran Car Club (Goulburn), Flyer - Motorlife Museum Kembla Grange Auction 19 May 2013, Letter from Covercraft at Seven Hills. Terry Woodhouse A7 Club Vic sent card & 20 National Rally Entrants Austin 7 Direction signs. Outwards: Nil Moved: Robert Yarroll
Seconded: Mark Wellington
Treasurers Report: Warren Gracie read the Financial Report in Helen Lewis’ absence. Moved: Ken Rolley
Seconded: Robert Yarroll
Spare Parts Report: Mervyn Boatwright Page 14
read the Spare Parts Report. Moved: Ken Rolley
Seconded: Graham Burgess
Editor: Position Vacant. Membership Officer: Faye Yarroll reported 81 financial members, letter sent to David Snape (NRMA) for Business Card Sponsorship renewal, website activity very good, events gallery new photos of AOA2013 and new video clip and information of Austin 7 books for sale published by Ian Itter. Welfare: Thank you card received from Russell Linfoot, card sent to Ada Thompson who is recovering in hospital after surgery. Public Officer/Secretary: Nil. Events Team: Christmas in July and Presidents Weekend - 5 rooms booked at Port Stephens. $265 per double. On National Motoring Heritage Day our Club will visit the Australiana Pioneer Village at Wilberforce on 19 May 2013. Moved: Mark Wellington
Seconded: Robert Yarroll
General Business: Ken Rolley suggested a framed photo of Club Cars be given to BankstownSports to show our Clubs Appreciation for allowing us to use their Club to hold our General Meetings. CMC raffle for Prostate Cancer Research for 1963 Chrysler Valiant Car has raised $11,500 and will be drawn at Shannons Sydney Classic Day on 18 August 2013. If you were one of the entrants at the National Rally at SA and would like to be one of 20 members to obtain a wonderful memento, then please contact Maureen on 9822 8609. Four door prizes (A7 clocks) donated by Ken Rolley. Meeting closed: 8.50pm Door Prize - Won by Ron Selig Raffle - Won by Kevin Harte
All Spare Parts correspondence should be addressed to: Mr Mervyn Boatwright, P.O. Box 366, Casula Mall. NSW 2170 Tel: (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. 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. 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.
!
DISCLAIMER: The Austin 7 Club NSW Inc (the Club), its Officers and the Committee cannot be held liable for any errors and/or omissions in items that are published in good faith in this Baby Torque magazine. It should be noted that the publication of an advertisement or expression of views in articles and reports in this magazine does not necessarily imply endorsement by the Club. Page 15
Austin 7 Club NSW Inc "Dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of all types of Austin Sevens"
Our Club is a member of The Council of Motor Clubs, Inc The Austin 7 Club NSW Inc has been active for 29 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.
Postal Address: P.O. Box 6009, North Ryde. NSW 2113 Email:
info@austin7clubnsw.org.au
Website:
www.austin7clubnsw.org.au
RMS Regulations & Club Rules Members are to observe all RMS Regulations and Club Rules as contained in our current Constitution and Members Mate booklet. If this Club is nominated as your Primary Club under the RMS Historic Conditional Registration Scheme (HCRS) then the following documents MUST be carried in your vehicle at all times. ď‚· a copy of your RMS Certificate of Approved Operation of Vehicle ď‚· a copy of this Clubs Certificate of Insurance (Public Liability) ď‚· a current or recent Baby Torque magazine If bad weather conditions are looming please contact Maureen Boatwright (Home) 02 9822 8609 (Mobile) 0413 017 263 or Warren Gracie (Home) 02 9569 2108 (Mobile) 0417 417 826 Saturday evenings or from 6:30am on the Sunday of the run.