Number 277
Austin 7 Club NSW Inc
January - February 2014
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 Director
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
Sub Editor / Webmaster
Faye Yarroll
(02) 9706 8007 0412 830 041
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: A very special year for our Club Page 2
from the editors desk
It’s been a long time coming … three decades in fact … but this year our Club celebrates thirty years of operation. Way back in 1984 Mervyn & Maureen Boatwright, John & Evelyn Emerson, Peter & Marie Maher, Kevin & Helen Harte, Jack & Fay Scotton and Robert & Noelene Smith got together to form a car-club exclusively for owners of the diminutive Austin 7. Little did they know that thirty years later the Club would have over 80 members motoring along in their much loved little cars. At our recent Christmas Function / Presentation Day I gratefully accepted the Most Enthusiastic Club Member Shield and Trophy for 2013 (please see page 10 for the full list of
Presentation recipients). I guess this was mostly due to my involvement with this magazine and our Club’s website. It’s not always easy to keep our Baby Torque fresh and interesting … but I do try my hardest. I know by the positive feedback I receive that many members enjoy reading their magazine; and the number of online readers is sometimes quite astonishing. I hope all Club members join together to celebrate this milestone year in our Club’s history. The upcoming Events are already looking promising and the Week Away Celebration is gaining momentum all the time. Please join us whenever you can this year and help make 2014 our Best Year Ever !
Robert Yarroll
“Many Happy Returns” to all Club Members celebrating their Birthday during January and February 2014. John Taylor at CompCoat Race Coatings continues to support our Club as a Business Card Sponsor. CompCoat is conveniently located at 10 Ferndell Street, South Granville. John can be contacted on:
(02) 9892 2218 Page 3
President’s Report
Happy New Year to all Club members. We enjoyed some great Club events during 2013. I thank the outgoing Committee for their efforts and in particular Maureen Boatwright for the huge amount of work she performs. It would appear that 2014 will be an equally good year (or even better) since our new Committee remains as before. It’s a pity that the only nominations received for our Committee were for those who held positions in 2013. It therefore follows that our Club should have anoth-
Events Report
This year is going to be a great one for our “babies” and owners alike. We have many exciting Club Runs planned to help celebrate our Club’s 30th Anniversary. Very shortly you will see the full 2014 EVENTS CALENDAR on our website and included in the next Baby Torque Magazine. Those members attending Australia Day festivities with vehicles on the HCRS and having the Austin 7 Club NSW as your Primary Club must contact a Committee member PRIOR to attending the event and give details of your vehicles movements during the day.
er good year for our 30th Anniversary celebrations. A wise businessman once said, “the best way to get a job done is to find someone who appears to be too busy to take on more work; as that person will be the one most likely to achieve the given task”. Looking at our new Committee, most are either in part or full time employment and thus the above wise man’s thoughts are seemingly right. Happy Sevening … Warren Gracie If you wish to attend the Shannons Sydney Classic at Eastern Creek on 17/8/14 and/or the All British Day at the Kings School on 31/8/14 then please advise me by 24 January 2014 on (02) 9822 8609 so your name can be added to the list. I hope to see many Austin 7’s on the Breakfast Run & Ladies Luncheon on 12 January 2014. Until then I wish all members and their families a Healthy and Prosperous 2014. Happy Austin 7 touring … Maureen Boatwright
I would like to congratulate the Committee on being reelected unopposed for 2014. I know only too well what a thankless task it is to manage a Club like ours. To be re-elected unopposed is the best sign of appreciation of all. You have achieved that honour and it is thoroughly deserved, well done! Mark Wellington (Club member) Page 4
INVITATION ACCEPTED
12 Jan 2014
Breakfast Run & Ladies Luncheon - South Depart NRMA car-park North Strathfield at 8:00am or meet at Grissini’s Restaurant, Metro Centre, Allison Crescent, Menai for 9:00am. Contact Maureen on 9822 8609 by 28/12/13 if you are interested in attending and advise your starting place. You don’t need to bring anything for lunch (except drinks/coffee/tea). Lunch will be in a nice shady area followed by some fun and games.
26 Jan 2014
Australia Day Festivities - Flagstaff Hill - Wollongong Our Club has been invited to join the Austin Motor Vehicle Club for Australia Day Festivities at Flagstaff Hill at Wollongong. Meet at Loftus Oval (off the Princes Highway) Loftus at 8:30am for 9:00am departure for Wollongong (UBD map 332 H11). Please note that cars MUST be positioned at Flagstaff Hill NO LATER than 11:00am. Departure WILL NOT be allowed until approximately 4:15pm due to road closures.
26 Jan 2014
Australia Day CARnivale - Sydney Our Club has been invited to attend the 2014 CARnivale in Sydney. For further information visit www.australiaday.com.au/CARnivale. Registration is now CLOSED.
16 Feb 2014
Mystery Twilight Run - Fish & Chips Depart NRMA car-park North Strathfield at 3:00pm. Please contact Maureen on 9822 8609 if you are interested in attending.
16 Mar 2014 21 Mar 2014
Week Away Celebration - North Coast & In-land Please contact Maureen on 9822 8609 if you are interested in attending. Accommodation is currently available. Refer to the Expression of Interest form sent with Sep/Oct Baby Torque. Join us in celebration our Club’s 30th Anniversary. Final details and costings will be forwarded to all attendees in January 2014.
Paul Pui, well known as the little Aussie with the big appetite, was snapped recently in Kuala Lumpur doing what he enjoys most … EATING. No matter where Paul travels there’s always someone ready to snap yet another picture of this incredible human eating machine.
He’s a true LEGEND!
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Herbert (Baron Austin) Austin (1866-1941), engineer, was born on 8 November 1866 at Little Missenden, Buckinghamshire, England. Son of Giles Stephen Austin farmer of Wentworth, Yorkshire and his wife Clara Jane, nĂŠe Simpson, of Rotherhithe. He was educated at Rotherham Grammar School and Brampton College and in 1884 went to Melbourne with an uncle. Soon after landing he was apprenticed to Henry Langlands junior in the oldest and most enterprising foundry in Melbourne. Most of Langlands's apprentices did well and Austin was no exception. On completing his indentures, he became foreman in R.P. Park's engineering works in Melbourne, which carried out the first commercial order for production of shearing machine handpieces for Frederick York Wolseley. His suggestions for improvements interested Wolseley, who appointed him foreman of his plant in Melbourne. There he travelled widely, assisting with the promotion of the new machines and in 1888 was transferred to Wolseley's Sydney office. In 1887 at Melbourne he married Helen, daughter of James Dron of Melbourne. Austin went to England in 1893 to become production manager of a new Wolseley company at Birmingham, assigning a number of patents which he held to the company in exchange for eighty shares. He then became interested in motor cars and produced the first Austin car in 1895. In 1901 he was elected to Wolseley's board of directors and became chairman in 1911. In 1901 Vickers Sons & Maxim took over the machine tools and motor car side of Wolseley's; appointing Austin general manager. In 1905 he launched out for himself as a manufacturer. Austin became K.B.E. and a member of the Order of Leopold II of Belgium in 1917 for his services to munitions production, but his only son was killed in action in 1915. From 1918 to 1924 he was Conservative member in the House of Commons for the Kings Norton division of Birmingham and served in 1919-1925 on the Labour Resettlement Committee. His business continued to thrive and in 1936 he gave ÂŁ250,000 to finance the scientific work of Lord Rutherford (1871-1937) at the Cavendish laboratory in Cambridge. He was appointed Baron of Longbridge. He died at Lickey Grange, near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire on 23 May 1941; survived by his wife and two daughters. Page 6
‌ without his foresight we would not have the Austin 7 and the many Austins that followed
Page 7
8 December 2013. It was picture-perfect weather today (although very hot in the open at about 34°) for those members joining our drive from Liverpool to Kearns. The venue for our Christmas Function this year was the
Macarthur Grange Country Club; located just forty-five minutes from Sydney’s CBD in the beautiful Varroville Valley of Macarthur. The exquisitely appointed Country Club is fully surrounded by
verandas boasting magnificent views to an 18 hole Links Style Golf Course. One Club member certainly worked up a good appetite today as his Austin 7 got a
flat tyre on the way to our venue. Just what you don’t need on the way to a Christmas Party! But after putting on his spare tyre he still managed to arrive on time. Well done Mervyn!
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After some festive cheer with plenty of conversation and laughs it was time to indulge in an amazing banquet luncheon. Let me tell you, nobody went hungry. The banquet was presented beautifully and the food so tasty that I think just about everyone went back for seconds!
After lunch it was time for Warren Gracie (our Club President) to present our Annual Awards and Trophies. See page 10 for a full list of this years winners. In addition to the usual Shields and Trophies, this year we had two extra Speciality Awards.
After taking some time to digest our mains, out came the delicious desserts of a pavlova with fresh fruit and cream, Christmas pudding with brandy sauce and fresh fruit platters. Oh dear, once again everything looked amazing and tasted even better. Congratulations must go to the Macarthur Grange Function Centre for the great food, great views and a great day which I’m sure everyone enjoyed. Lucky-door-prize winners today were Carolyn Thompson and Bob Riches. Russell Linfoot held the winning ticket for our beautiful Christmas hamper.
The first was the Pinocchio Award presented to Mark Wellington. During this years Centennial Park Display Day there was a Competition where members looked at a number of items quickly and then had to write down as many items as they could remember. Well, much to the judge’s amazement,
Mark displayed an incredible talent for listing items that weren't actually there; inventing about 18 out of his 20 items. Mark was certainly in good form that day and put a smile on everyone’s face.
The other Specialty Award went to Paul & Amy Pui for the Austin 7 Most Trailered in 2013. We all know how much Paul loves to trailer his Austin 7 to Club events! Paul not only has a habit of trailering his car but he has also helped out as our Tail-End Charlie (or tow vehicle in his 4WD) during the year. What would we do without him? Congratulations to those Club members who received an award this year. We look forward to seeing Club members at events during 2014; our 30th Anniversary year. Article written by Faye Yarroll
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SHIELDS Club Member of the Year …………....……………........…......……. Faye Yarroll Club Car of the Year …...……….……………………...………..... Warren Gracie Don Avery Memorial Shield ………...……..………….Paul & Sandra Boatwright President’s Shield ……………………………………... Graham & Maria Burgess Most Enthusiastic Club Member ……………...….………..…..….. Robert Yarroll Longest Distance Travelled in an A7 ……...….. Mervyn & Maureen Boatwright Motor Sports ………...…………………………………………….. Paul Boatwright
TROPHIES Club Member of the Year …………………...………………………... Faye Yarroll Club Car of the Year ………..…………………………….………... Warren Gracie Don Avery Memorial Run …………………………...... Paul & Sandra Boatwright President’s Weekend Away ………………………..…. Graham & Maria Burgess Most Enthusiastic Club Member …………….…...………………... Robert Yarroll Longest Distance Travelled in an A7 ……….…. Mervyn & Maureen Boatwright Motor Sports ………………………………………………...…….. Paul Boatwright A7 Achiever of the Year ……………………………………....... Graham Burgess Point Score Winner ………………………………………..… Maureen Boatwright Crankshaft Breaker …………….……………………….... Don & Barbara Scanes Centennial Park Memory Test - Winners ……….……….. Robert & Faye Yarroll Centennial Park Memory Test - Special Pinocchio Award ...… Mark Wellington
THANK YOU GIFTS Club Raffle / Door Prize Lady …………………...…………….........……. Amy Pui In Appreciation …………………..………………………………….....…. Ron Selig Tail-End Charlie ……………………...……………………..……… Paul & Amy Pui see our website for more ... AUSTIN 7’S FOR SALE
FOR SALE 1927-1929 Austin 7
Rolling chassis No.41741. Ideal for Chummy, van or Latrobe bodied sports project. All the hard bits included, i.e. guards, radiator surround, windscreen, engine No.M41311, bonnet, steering, etc. Contact - Wayne Styles on (03) 9592 1672 AH
FOR SALE 1929 Austin 7 Tourer Contact - Merv Boatwright on (02) 9822 8609
FOR SALE 1936 Austin 7 Roadster $9,000 or near offer. Contact - Merv Boatwright on (02) 9822 8609 Page 10
reminder
Austin 7 Club NSW Inc
Your Club Membership renewal was due on 1 January Single Membership Fee for 2014 ………… $50 Family Membership Fee for 2014 ………… $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.
WANTED BY MEMBER Original pork-pie ta illight and 6 volt Luca s wiper motor for 19 36 Ruby Roadster. Al so, any book or catalogu e on King of the Road or Lucas headlights.
Please contact Jim Johnston on
(02) 6769 3650
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Ladies Day 2013 17 November 2013. Celebrating our Ladies Day is an annual highlight on our Club’s social calendar. But it didn’t take long for todays plans to get a little washed-out. We gathered at the NRMA car-park at North Strathfield under very cloudy skies with a ninety percent chance of rain. However, upon our departure three Austin 7’s and five moderns gallantly battled a non-stop down pour of heavy rain as we made our way to Café Belle Fleur at Glenhaven for breakfast. Located inside the local Flower Power and perched on the edge of an expansive lake, Café Belle Fleur has become a favourite spot for locals and visitors alike to enjoy some yummy food and a good coffee while the children burn off their energy in the adjacent play area. But today’s chilly weather resulted in a very cold morning inside the café so a hasty executive decision was made to trade our lakeside tables for a warmer area inside the café. Once we were settled into our new location it was simply a matter of ordering our breakfasts. Lots of warm coffee and tea came our way and naturally some BIG hearty breakfasts were desperately needed by the usual culprits. Enjoying the very relaxed atmosphere were Maureen & Merv Boatwright, Sandra & Paul Boatwright with Jessica, Katie and Jackie, Warren Gracie, Helen Lewis, Amy & Paul Pui with Amy’s mum, Judith & Bob Riches, Carolyn Thompson and Faye & Robert Yarroll. After our extended breakfast our ladies took time-out to browse through the lovely gift shop located on the upper level. Some even picked-up a bargain or two ... or three! The rain continued to fall heavily outside; so our planned drive to Fagan Park at Galston for a BBQ lunch wasn’t looking good at all. Another executive decision was made and a much dryer Plan “B” was implemented. So off we went to the Dural Country Club for a social chat and snack in the lounge area while the children played in the indoor playground. Although we experienced a great deal of rain, it did prove to be a very enjoyable and relaxing Ladies Day. Hopefully in the near future we can rearrange our visit to Fagan Park and its many wonderful gardens. Page 12
F SA
FARMING SMALL AREAS
EXPO 2013
3 November 2013. The Farming Small Areas Expo was established in 2003 and has grown to well over 150 exhibitors ... from large commercial and trade sites to small home-based businesses and just about everything in between. The Expo attracts small area land holders, families, day trippers and those looking to make the much publicised tree change, and the event is part and parcel of the official NSW Field Day calendar. This years’ Expo featured the best in agricultural, commercial and leisure pursuits, and hosted a comprehensive two-day miniature cattle show, equine arena displays, fabulous how-to demonstrations, a vintage and veteran car display plus a raft of free hands-on and family-fun activities. While Sydney-siders choked on dense smoke yesterday from the many hazardreductions conducted throughout the Hawkesbury Valley and other outer-Sydney regions; it was slightly better for us today as the smoke wasn’t quite as thick. Joining us at the Expo were Merv & Maureen Boatwright, Warren Gracie, Russell Linfoot, Paul & Amy Pui, Bob & Judith Riches, Ken Rolley, Don & Barbara Scanes and Robert & Faye Yarroll. Our Club members displayed five Austin 7’s, a Liege and a Simca. There were also Fords, Buicks and other vintage and classic cars for the many interested Expo visitors to admire.
“do you need a little tractor for your small farm?” Then the Expo was definitely the place for you. And not only can you choose from the usual brand-names, but there were also ones from India, Korea, Japan and all over the place. And most even had cup-holders! The old grey Ferguson is merely a dim but very fond memory now. “and Honey ... they’ve shrunk the livestock!” Miniature cattle were on display today. Galloways, Dexters, Lowlines and Auslines from across the State were gathered for the inaugural Farm Services NSW Small Breeds Cattle Show. And beautiful Alpacas, just about everyone’s favourites, were well represented. You could watch sheep being sheared the old way ... with hand-clippers. And if you’re into horses then there were all types to keep you happy ... and one even had a sulky behind! Yes ... we all enjoyed another great day in the big smoke … literally! Page 13
These minutes of the Austin 7 Club NSW Inc are to be confirmed at the next General Meeting
Minutes of the December 2013 General Meeting AUSTIN 7 CLUB NSW INC. GENERAL MEETING MINUTES DATE: 11/12/2013 Wednesday PLACE: Bankstown District Sports Club, 8 Greenfield Pde., Bankstown Meeting opened: 8.12pm by Warren Gracie Minute taker: Maureen Boatwright Attendees: 20 members in attendance as per attendance book. Apologies: Joanne Wellington, Denis Quartly, Helen Quartly, Brian Haywood, Deidre Haywood, Sandra Boatwright, Ken Rolley, Ron Selig Vistor: NIL Moved: Robert Yarroll
Seconded: Carolyn Thompson
Minutes of previous meeting read and accepted Moved: Mark Wellington
Seconded: Robert Yarroll
Business arising from minutes: NIL Run Log: 3 Permissions to move from 4/11/2013 to 04/12/2013 as per Ledger for HCRS vehicles. Correspondence In: 4 Magazines from: Lightshaft, Bent Wire, Baby Torque W.A. Vintage Motor Club Bulletin, Invitation from Clarendon Classic Rally 2014-20/21 September, Gnoo Blas Classic-Orange-8/9 February, 2014. emails 9. Correspondence Out: NIL Moved: Mark Wellington
Seconded: Cliff Edwards
Treasurers Report: Read by Helen Lewis and accepted. Moved: Maureen Boatwright
Seconded: Bob Riches
Spare Parts Report: Read by Mervyn Boatwright and accepted Moved: Mark Wellington
Seconded: Elaine Taylor
Editor: Robert Yarroll thanked members for
Page 14
their kind remarks. Cars for sale (green car now has price on it-$9000). Events Gallery most looked at on website, cars for sale second most popular. Sydney Harbour Bridge story shows what the bridge looked like then. To be a Business Card Sponsor costs as little as $1 per week, does anyone know anybody who might be interested. Robert thanked the Committee for their hard work during 2013. Membership Officer: Faye Yarroll reported there are 84 memberships, renewals are now due. 44 members already renewed. There have been 15,000 visits to A7 Website during 2013, 57% are new visitors. Welfare: NIL Public Officer/Secretary: Nothing to report Events Team: After the Breakfast Run to Menai arranged for January 12, we will continue with our Ladies Day lunch, fun & games. This is due to Ladies Day festivities being postponed due to heavy rain starting just before lunch on November 17. There will be many great events happening during 2014 and these will be listed very soon. Our club members have been invited to join the Vintage Motor Club on their Mountain Rally in July. Reports moved: Bob Riches
Seconded: Mark Wellington
General Business: Paul Pui suggested Robert’s summary of his 2013 report should be published in the magazine. Merv Boatwright spoke about a carburettor & showed everyone at the meeting the orginal carburettor off the cozette supercharger from the Ulster. Meeting closed: 8.45pm Door Prize: Won by Paul Pui No Raffle Tonight
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 in stock. Please contact Merv by the Thursday evening prior to the meeting with details of the parts you need. All Club members choosing to pay for parts by cheque 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. Come along and get involved.
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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.
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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 since 1984 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. a copy of your RMS Certificate of Approved Operation of Vehicle a copy of this Clubs Certificate of Insurance (Public Liability) 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.