Volume 24 Number 5
March / April 2015
A Chapter of the International Thunderbird Club Thunderbirds of Queensland Inc. PO Box 505 Mt Gravatt QLD 4122 contact@toqinc.org Membership dues are $65.00 per annum which includes a hardcopy magazine or $35 per annum for electronically distributed magazine. Fees payable on April 1 each year. Club magazine “SOUNDS OF THUNDER� is published bi-monthly. Contributions are encouraged and should be emailed to the Editor: johnny@toqinc.org or posted to address above.
Join the TOQinc Facebook Group facebook.com/groups/TOQinc The Thunderbirds of Queensland Inc. is a non profit organization dedicated to the restoration, preservation and enjoyment of Thunderbird passenger vehicles built by the Ford Motor Company.
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President’s Report
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Club Calendar
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Events Calendar
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Editor’s Report
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‘T’ is for a Terrific Early Ford Collection
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BVRC Australia Day Rally
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Cross Australia Adventure
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Cruise In to Bayer Smash Repairs
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Billy’s Breaky Bash
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Parts and Service
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International Thunderbird Club
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Web Links
On the cover.. In 2014 TOQ members Gavin and Karen Pocock along with friends Don and Gaye Hill embarked on a 5090km coast to coast journey across Australia in their Model Ts Read all about their adventure inside..
www.tbirdregistry.com
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Our President Barry Ralph is presently working away on Lizard Island in Far North Queensland on a building project. I bet he planned that just so he could get out of writing a Presidents report..
I’m sure he would like to have me pass on to you that our Annual General meeting is being held on Sunday 29th March. We would appreciate a strong turnout of members to elect a new committee. All positions are open and we would love to have some fresh faces get involved in the running of the club. As the saying goes you only get out of it what you are prepared to put into it‌. We hope to see you there.
Rick Lowe - 1964 Mercury Comet Caliante & 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Club Victoria
Graham Luxford - 1962 XL Falcon Wagon 4
David Downe - 1977 Mk V Lincoln
March
1st
6th 15th
29th
April
12th
26th
May
1st 3rd
TBA
June
5th -7th
12th 5
CLUB RUN: Logan PCYC Car Show Lot 7 Jacaranda Avenue, Logan Central. 9am - 2pm Entrants $5 Spectators $5 Meet Logan City Tavern car park 104 Wembley Rd Logan Central 7.30am to arrive at show as a group. Run Coordinator Doug McCammon Club Committee Meeting & Social Night: Bill and Lyn Flanagan’s place Heritage Park 7.30pm Bring a plate. CLUB RUN: Hot Rod’s Diner Gatton (McGrath’s Takeaway) 86 Railway St Gatton. Meet BP Truck Stop Boundary Rd Rocklea 9.30am for 10.00am departure. Second meeting place west bound layby on Warrego Hwy http://goo.gl/noIoQ7 Run Coordinator David Cosgrove TOQ Annual General Meeting: Dennis and Merron’s Place Belmont. 10.00am BYO BBQ lunch Monthly committee meeting will be held after AGM. CLUB RUN: Fort Lytton Tour and BBQ lunch. Meet Cannon Hill Shopping Centre car park on Wynnum Rd outside Autobarn 10.00am for 10.30am departure. Run Coordinator Doug McCammon http://fortlytton.net.au/ CLUB RUN: Woolloongabba Antique Centre 22 Wellington Rd Woolloongabba for coffee in their retro style café then a look around the market. Tons of eye candy in here mostly mid century. Meet Palmdale Shopping Centre Car Park Logan Rd Upper Mt Gravatt 8.15am for 8.35am Departure. Or meet at venue 9.00am Run Coordinator Johnny Carlisle Club Committee Meeting & Social Night: Max and Carol Herbert’s place Kuraby 7.30pm Bring a plate. CLUB RUN: Fassifern Fifties Festival. Bigger and better this year with 7 acres just for the car and bike show, over 3 acres of markets and trade stalls, bands and dancing all day. Gates open from 7.30am $2 entry www.facebook.com/fassifernfiftiesfestival Meet BP Truck Stop Boundary Rd Rocklea 7.30am for departure soon after. Run coordinator Barry Ralph CLUB RUN: Morning Tea Cruise Venue to be decided upon. CLUB RUN: Cooly Rocks On Nostalgia Festival and coffee catch up Saturday morning at Breezes Café Twin Towns Services Club 9.30am Meet there. Contact Kieran Club Committee Meeting & Social Night: Tony Lake’s place Shorncliffe 7.30pm Bring a plate.
Get those rides out on the road and have some fun... March
6th - 8th - High Altitude Rod Run, Toowoomba Showgrounds. Visit www.toowoombahotrodders.blogspot.com.au for details. ASRF QLD SA 104-012015 22nd - 17th Annual Gold Cost Super Swap Meet, Country Paradise Parklands, Nerang & Beaudesert Roads, open to all vintage and classic cars and parts, antiques , collectables, model cars, motoring books etc. Ph: 0449 997 149 28th - Kustoms of Australia Drive n Jive, Yatala Drive In, gates open at 4pm, adults $21, children $16, double feature KOA sanction 2015/0328, visit www.yataladriveintheatre.com.au.
April
19th - Shannons 2015 Queensland Auto Spectacular, Willowbank Raceway. Queensland’s biggest combined auto show and swap meet. All information at: www.queenslandautospectacular.com.au
May
3rd - David Hack Meet Toowoomba City Airport (Spitfire St) 8am - 2.30pm $15 entry, $45 families, $10 for exhibitors max $20 per car more info 0417 630774
17th - Maclean’s Bridge Sports and Classic Car Festival at Logan Campus of Griffith University. University Drive (off Loganlea Rd) info www.macleansbridge.com
23rd - 24th - Queensland Hot Rod Show, Convention Centre, Southbank. 24th - Classic Speedway Ass. Car, Bike Show and Swap, Rocklea Showground, gates open at 5am for swap $10 per car/site, show opens at 8am with adults at $5, under 16 free. Call Tony 0407 125986 or www.classicspeedway.com 31st - Brisbane Swap Meet. New location Carina State School Cnr Creek Rd and Cuthred St. Enter via Cuthred St. Gates open for swappers 6.30am public 7.00am Admission $5 $10 Swap sites More details: www.qvva.org
Friday Nights Munchies @ Elizabeth Street Shops, Acacia Ridge. Harry’s Diner Old School Night every Friday Village Rock Diner 1st Friday of the month 512 Warwick Rd Yamanto Petrie Country Markets Historic Village.
Saturday Nights Luv My Fish, Browns Plains Rd, Opp Grand Plaza. Yank Tank Display/Cruise In 2nd Saturday of the month Masters Old Coach Rd Upper Coomera Ol Skool Cars n Muscle Machines 1st Saturday of the month. Supa Centre 314-344 Morayfield Rd, Morayfield. 6
Welcome
to another edition of your club magazine Sounds of Thunder. We’re only 2 months into 2015 and we’ve already had a number of great get togethers with fantastic member participation. Our first run for the year to Fish on Flinders at Sandgate was a great evening out. It had been one of those really hot days but that didn’t seem to deter the numbers. We easily packed the inside seating area of the Cafe. Driving across Australia is a long journey even in a modern car with all the creature comforts, mod cons and safety they have to offer. Imagine doing that trip in a one hundred year old Vintage Ford Model T. Well club members Gavin and Karen Pocock along with close friends in their model T telescoping camper did just that in 2014. This issue features their amazing day by day account of an epic journey that culminated at Kalgoorlie for a Veteran Automobile Rally that around 89 vintage cars and motorcycles attended. I’m sure you will enjoy reading their story as much as I did. Well its that time of the year again. Our financial year ends 31st of March 2015 so membership fees are now due. Please find enclosed for your convenience a membership renewal form. It has been mentioned a number of times already over the past few months that a new fee structure has been put in place for 2015/16 financial year onwards. Two levels of membership are now available. The difference being that you now have the option of paying a reduced rate of $35 per annum for an electronic version of your club magazine. This will be supplied as a web link where you can view and download a full version of the magazine to your computer or tablet. The other option is of course a hard copy of the magazine like the one you are reading right now. From this point on it will be published in full colour. The extra cost of printing the magazine in colour along with postage increases has made it necessary to raise the fees to $65. I’m sure you will agree that it’s money well spent considering the dramatic difference in quality over black and white. It is very important at this time year that you complete and return the membership renewal form with your subs so we can keep our records up to date. Please follow the instructions on the form by mailing it along with your cheque or money order likewise if you are paying via EFT scan and email the form to the club Treasurer Bill McGregor… treasurer@toqinc.org Finally I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new members Rick Lowe Graham Luxford and David Downe. Rick has joined the club with a couple of beaut Fords. A 1957 Fairlane 500 Club Victoria and a 1964 Mercury Comet Caliante Tudor Hardtop.... Graham has a 1962 XL Falcon Station Wagon that he purchased from the original owner... David has a pristine 1977 Lincoln Continental MKV that he has owned for 5 years…. You can view these fine autos in the new members section. Until next time.... Johnny 7
Celebrating 60 years of the Ford Thunderbird ...and the Thunderbirds our club members are most passionate about Dear members Thunderbirds of Queensland is considering producing a calendar in 2015 consisting of club members cars. It will be an 18 month calendar covering July 2015 to December 2016. As 2015 is the 60th Anniversary of the Thunderbird, it has been decided to devote the first calendar to Thunderbird cars only. We will aim to have a photo of each of the Thunderbird 'categories' in the six months of 2015 (eg July – Baby, August – Square, September – Bullet, October – Flair, November – Glamour, December -70s) and a mixed selection of Thunderbirds in the 2016 section. If you are interested, please submit a colour photo of your car. Please use a minimum 8 megapixel camera with the highest resolution setting to ensure a sharp, clear image. To give yourself the best chance of having your photo selected, it also should include a suitable background which complements the car. Use your imagination! Submissions should be emailed to me at calendar@toqinc.org by Monday 13 April 2015 to be eligible. We are looking for sponsorship to help fund the calendar which will potentially make it available to members at a reduced cost. If you know of an individual or company who would be interested in sponsoring or part-sponsoring the calendar, please let me know as soon as practicable. Sponsors names and logos will appear on the calendar. If you have any questions, please contact me. Regards Tony Lake, Vice President.
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T is for a Terrific Early Ford Collection
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he last club get together for 2014 in mid December had a great turnout of members with around 13 cars attending Gavin and Karen Pocock's place at Upper Caboolture for BBQ lunch and to check out their collection of early Fords. They included a 1911 Model T Town Car, a 1915 Model T Runabout and a 1932 Ford Sedan... a few members from another classic car club they belong to were also along for the day, adding to the display a 1915 Model T, C Cab owned by Col and Gloria Evans and the Blue 1928 Model A, owned by Ray and Loraine Richards. Gavin fully restored all four of his cars, including his gorgeous 57 Thunderbird, with meticulous detail. There were some fascinating stories to be heard about the journeys of his restorations.
In 2014 Gavin and Karen and friends Don and Gaye Hill completed an Across Australia Adventure driving their Model Tees from Brisbane to Perth, taking 23 days and nearly 6000 Kms to complete with only a few rest days in between for servicing. Gavin and Karen had this adventure on their to do list for some time, it’s now ticked of the bucket list :-) Check out the full feature story on their journey further on in this issue. 9
Thanks to Gavin and Karen for a leisurely Sunday BBQ and an interesting day looking over their vintage collection. Thank you to his classic car club members for joining us on the day. Keep those classics moving‌ Kieran
Gavin has a selection of baby bird parts he is looking to move on, including some suspension parts, and a few other 57 bits and pieces... plus some tail fins, Gavin believes are off a 57 Mainline or similar vintage Fairlane, they are the same shape as the T Bird but have a tab at the very top which is to fix a chrome strip to. You can contact Gavin on 0418 433 898 to enquire about the parts he has for sale. 10
Bayside Vintage Restorers Club
Australia Day Rally
We had a great turnout of club members on our second run of the year this time to celebrate Australia Day at the Annual Bayside Vintage Restorers Club Australia Day Rally. We have been enduring an abnormal run of hot days this summer but despite the prospect of another day of sweltering heat classic car enthusiasts arrived in droves. The Ormiston State School grounds were filled to capacity. Over 500 cars turned out on the day and the diversity of vehicles was astounding. The BVRS turned on a great morning. Supported by the Redland Shire Council all participants were treated to free breakfast. Other activities included a big raffle that our own Doug McCammon struck it lucky winning a pretty cool tool kit. Part of the day included a choice of three different touring runs around the Redland Shire. These runs departed midmorning culminating at the Alexandra Hills Hotel where lunch could be purchased for a very reasonable 8 Dollars.
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Only one month into the New Year we have already gained a number of new members. Today we welcomed to the fold David Downes with his immaculate 1977 Mk V Lincoln . You can see David’s Lincoln in the new members section. Climate aside it was a nice way to spend a special day with good friends and lots of the likeminded auto enthusiasts and their special cars.
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Johnny
Cross Australia Adventure 2014 Scarborough QLD to Scarborough WA 5090 km
I was asked to throw a few words together regarding our resent trip to Kalgoorlie in our 99 year old Model T. I guess you have to go back 12 years to get the full story, Karen & I were lucky enough to be selected to participate in the Model T Tour back in 2003, 43 Model T’s were invited to drive across America from Los Angeles to the Ford Motor Company Headquarters in Detroit in celebration of the Centennial of the Ford brand. We shipped our 1915 Model T, along with 3 other Australian built Model T’s to LA and travelled 4300km over 19 days to Detroit to partake in the 4 day Centennial Celebration with 10,000 other Ford and Ford related vehicles. From Detroit the four Aussie Model T’s continued into Canada and drove East along the shores of Lake Erie to Niagara Falls, here we crossed back into the US and eventually finishing in Baltimore for the long sail home. We drove 6600km in 28 days across two countries from West to East. Fast forward 9 years to 2012, one evening Karen cheekily expressed a desire to drive across the Nullarbor, not in a modern or the Thunderbird, but our Model T…….. what could one say. Two weeks later we received an invitation to a Veteran (Pre-1919 Vehicles) vehicle rally in Kalgoorlie WA and so the seed was sown… Now you have the background to the story, let us tell you our Adventure…
Two Model T’s, a 1915 Runabout and 1916 Telescoping Apartment (Camper) assembled at Queens Beach Scarborough to a crowd of enthusiastic well wishers. We had convinced fellow Model T members Don & Gaye Hill to join us in their newly restored 1916 Model T on our quest to cross Australia in our Model T. We had 5090km, 23 days ahead of us, crossing one of the driest Continents in a 20HP, no Air-Con vehicle. Yes, we had back-up, our close friends had offered to tow our enclosed trailer which has a kitchen and sleeping quarters, while Don’s brother towed their car trailer. Both trailers were purely for the trip home. Their use in-case of a breakdown hadn’t been considered. 12
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Day 1. (30km) Scarborough - Caboolture. Thursday 25th September (2.00pm) and the weather bureau had predicted severe weather for the afternoon, after dipping the rear wheels in the water off Scarborough Queensland, we said our goodbyes and left to the cheers of the growing crowd. Shortly after departing we had to take shelter in a Service Station from a heavy rain shower just 10km into our trip, we were soon home, a little wet but excited for what lies ahead. The Hill’s Model T had only travelled 35 km before the start of the rally and had developed a major oil leak from the rear of the motor, along with a saggy rear spring. Not a good start but preferred to work on the car in the comfort of our own garage then by the side of the road, it was out with the read end. We discovered a reproduction rear main bearing had failed, an easy fix for tomorrow. A quick call to the local members regarding the need for a rear spring and our call was answered. Day 2. (220km) Caboolture - Dalby. A local supplier had a bearing we needed on the shelf, it was a mad dash to pick it up and fit. The Diff and Rear Spring were quickly slid back under and all ready to hit the road by 10.00am. After a few hours driving we made Dalby, our repairs to Don’s Motor was a success, but the Rear Spring had sagged once again, the Telescoping Apartment on the back of Don’s 16 T was too heavy for the original spring. After a visit to the local wrecker we fitted a pair of HQ Holden Bump Stops, this proved to be successful for the duration of the trip. Day 3. (300) Dalby - St George. We had left the traffic behind today and it was time to sit back and enjoy the Australian Outback, we find the Model T’s are comfortable cruising at 70–75 km, giving us an elevated view of the country. Brigalow bush and sink holes as far as one could see, Moonie was our lunch stop and a chat to some of the local. At St George we were greeted by fellow Model T Member and the owner of the local Bakery. Trent arrived in his Model T Bakers Van filled with goodies for the Bakery….. oh, the cream buns were to die for, they were gone in minutes. Day 4. (230km) St George - Lightning Ridge. Easy day drive today, a part from the Hill’s running out of fuel 5km from town. We got in early enough to book an underground Opal Mine Tour and do a little Opal shopping. First time visitors and well worth a trip back, one day. Day 5. (325km) Lightning Ridge - Bourke. We drove through a few interesting country towns today with many shops windows grilled or boarded up. Don’s T seized the Fan Hub this afternoon, generally a Model T can cruise without a fan, but the Temps were getting hot and it was necessary to stop for repairs. Kidman Camp Grounds were lush green and the trees made for a cool shady place to camp for the night. The Paddle Steamer moored on the river bank made for a tranquil sunset whilst enjoying a coldie.
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Day 6. (175km) Bourke - Cobar. Today turned windy and hot as we approached Cobar, the last few KM into town were exhausting and glad to get out of the T. We had time to look around town and visit the open cut mine lookout. Lunch by the lagoon and a visit to the historic Train Station before heading to our camp site for the night. Day 7. (455km) Cobar - Broken Hill. Big day’s drive, we pull out of town just before daybreak to a very fresh morning, it was so cute to see all the kid goats feeding on the side of the road, it soon turned to horror as they started to run across the road in front of us. Not sure if it was the slow moving vehicles or just the sound that spooked them but we were luck not to clean a few of them up. As the sun appeared, the temp had sunk into single digits and didn’t we know it, we were soon grabbing for a blanket and fitting the side curtains to keep warm. The winds become strong again by midafternoon, whichever way the road turned we seemed to have a headwind. It made a long day even longer and we got into Broken Hill late afternoon. Day 8. Today we had a day off driving, time to give the vehicles a service, greased the bearings, oiled the pins and replaced the Fan Hub bushes on Don’s T, the continued seizing of the fan had flogged the bushes out, luck I carry a spare set under the seat. By mid-morning we were done and time for sightseeing, first visit was the local galleries, an underground Silver Mine and later out to Silverton for a beer at the famous Silverton Hotel from the famous Mad Max fame. Day 9. (285km) Broken Hill - Peterborough. Yet another day of long straight roads with Emu and Roo’s lining the roads. Peterborough or Steamtown is well worth a visit, it has a magnificent main street with historic building and a Train Museum you have to visit, they do a light show at night worth a look. Peterborough was the hub of all the rail gauges and the town was made on the rail industry. Day 10. (135km) Peterborough - Port Augusta. We met up with the Qld Model A Ford members driving home from their National Rally in Busselton WA and had lunch with them in Williamson, known for the best pies in SA. They were telling us of the high winds they experience crossing the Nullarbor and the rain they had driven through, not what we wanted to hear. Back on the road and we were soon climbing a steep twisting range, as we reached the top the temperature soared and we found ourselves driving into a headwind as we descended into Port Augusta, time for a swim. Day 11. (390km) Port Augusta - Streaky Bay. Another early start with a big KM ahead, we stopped for morning tea in the tiny town of Kimba around 10.00am. A gentleman stopped and invited us to look at his collection of bits & pieces. The fellow was the caretaker of the local Tip and had dragged home truckloads of car bits over the years. It was like a lolly shop to the man, Model T’s & A’s, old motorbikes, Austin A30, bathtubs and the kitchen sink, we were glad he showed us through. We arrived at the Streaky Bay to howling winds off the water which made for a miserable afternoon, making the best of the situation we all ventured to the Pub for feed of local seafood.
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Day 12. (110km) Streaky Bay - Ceduna. Our first drop of rain today and made for a wet start, again at our morning tea stop in Smoky Bay we were approached by a fellow to visit another car collection in town, Model A’s, Corvette’s, Harleys all beautifully restored. At Ceduna the winds were still blowing and we wondered what the next few days would bring. It gave us time to do some much needed washing and a service on the vehicles in the afternoon, some of our group booked into a cabin to escape from the dust and winds, a wise choice as they continued through the night. Day 13. (300km) Ceduna - Nullarbor Roadhouse. While the crew ordered coffees, Karen & I took a short tour of the eastern bay in the T, while enjoying a quiet moment by the water a fur seal paid us a visit after checking us out he was back in the water, nature, don’t you love it. Today we start the famous Nullarbor and the scenery changed within a few KM out of town, from tree lines hills to nothing and I mean nothing. Not a tree or shrub to be seen. The winds had dropped and it was a pleasant drive. The highlight of today was our first view of the Great Australian Bight and what a sight it is, no whales, but miles of crystal blue ocean and tall rocky cliffs as far as one can see. Words cannot explain how spectacular the view was. Just down the road was tonight’s campsite, it was a flat dirt patch of ground beside the Nullarbor Roadhouse, $2 dollar showers and $8 beers, a vast contrast to what we had just seen, however the sunset was breathtaking. Day 14. (190km) Nullarbor Roadhouse - Eucla. We awoke to sound of an aircraft preparing to take off at day break. We were soon back on the road for the second leg of the Nullarbor, today we had 6 lookouts to visit along this leg and everyone was worth a stop, unfortunately we couldn’t stop long but we promised ourselves we would do this again and give time to appreciate what nature had provided. We arrived in Eucla in time to visit the abandon Telegraph Station, now buried amongst the sand dunes but a part of history. We continued walking over the sand dunes to the waterfront for our last view of the Bight and found the old supply jetty for the Telegraph Station.
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Day 15. (340km) Eucla - Caiguna. Strong head winds again this morning and stifling heat, not a pleasant days ran, a rather boring countryside until we crossed a small range at Madura, from here the scenery changed and the temperature dropped considerably. We were told this morning by a truckie there were two wild camels cleaned up a few KM down the road, apparently they are a common site along the Nullarbor. As we approached, the road was a mess, glad it wasn’t us, they were huge animals and would have made a mess of the vehicle that struck them. Day 16. (370km) Caiguna - Norseman. We finally finished the Nullarbor trouble free. A long flat straight road, but we can finally say we made it across and have the Tee Shirt to prove it. We were all surprised at the number of people walking or riding the Nullarbor, something I will leave to them.
Day 17. (205km) Norseman - Esperance. Karen & I left early this morning so we could catch this afternoon’s Bathurst Telecast. The scenery had changed from the flat treeless plains to pine forest and salt pans. We did manage to check out downtown Esperance and the local Shark Skin Leather Shop, leather goods made from Fish & Shark skins, shoes, wallets, handbags, belts a very interesting shop. We were surprised at the market for the local seafood product, right down to the frames. Day 18. While everyone else did the touristy thing, I was given the day off to sit and watch Bathurst 1000. From the little I got to see of town and what I was told, it has some awesome beaches and fishing spots and a wonderful place for summer holidays. Day 19. (480km) Esperance - Albany. Yet another big days drive and it was both Ray & my birthday, so we spent most of the day driving, the landscape was again changing, we were starting to seeing all the wild flowers along the sides of the road and sandy dunes on the horizon Banksia’s and other trees we couldn’t identify. We drove hard to get into Albany before dark, birthday celebrations were at a local Steak & Seafood restaurant, yum, two of my favourites. Day 20. A day off from behind the wheel after yesterdays effort, Albany is an Old Whaling Town with loads of history. They were busy preparing for the Centenary of the Anzac Celebrations and the War Memorial had been beautified for the event. The rugged coastline is well worth a visit and the Wild Flowers were now everywhere you looked, a longer day was needed to take in all the sights.
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Day 21. (240km) Albany - Pemberton. This area is renowned for its Arty Fare, we stopped many times to peruse the gift shops and gallerys along our way, we also had to stop at the Giants of the Forest, for a Tree Top Walk, a must do if in the area. On arrival in Pemberton Karen notice a fresh Marron sign, so it was down the road for a bag of Marron for dinner. What’s a visit in Pemberton without a stop to the famous Gloucester Tree, 61m high “Fire Lookout” that you can still climb if you dare. Day 22. (160km) Pemberton - Bunbury. Today the roads were lined with massive Karri Trees, trees with a huge girth. The scenery was spectacular and one we all enjoyed. We stopped for lunch at Busselton and met up with 3 fellow club members that were driving around Australia in their Model T and Caravans, yes towing a Teardrop Caravan with the Model T’s. We had a good old laugh about their adventures and joked about our journey being almost over and them just over halfway, but we were soon back on the road for our last stop of our adventure. Day 23. (170km) Bunbury - Perth. Only a short drive this morning and we hit Friday Perth traffic. We had travelled just over 5000km across some of Australia’s harshest countryside but it had nothing on what we experience on the last 30km into Scarborough. Perth threw everything at us, traffic jams, broken down vehicles, stop lights and 35 Degree heat. By midday we had finally reached our destination and mostly trouble free. We couldn’t get onto the beach to dip the wheels so we had to bucket water from the ocean off Scarborough to signal the finish of a drive of across Australia. We had a few celebratory drinks tonight to toast the achievements of the past three weeks, but there was little time to relax, tomorrow it was back on the road.
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Day 24. (600km) Perth to Kalgoorlie. The drive across Australia was behind us, but we still have a six day Veteran Car Rally ahead. After saying goodbye to our friends who towed our trailers (they were jumping onto the Indian Pacific to head home), the Model T’s were soon loaded onto our trailers for the 600km mad dash East to Kalgoorlie. After spending the last 3 weeks in the Model T, climbing behind the wheel of the Jeep was like being upgraded to First Class, Air-Conditioning, Reclining Seats, even a Radio. We were soon at Meckering the site of the famous 1968 Earthquake, quite an interesting display showing twisted Railway track and pipelines. The further east we travelled the darker the clouds looked, 20km out of Coolgardie we struck road works just as the heavens opened. The dirt road become soft and slippery, glad we were in 4WD’s, the front of our trailers turned red with clumps of thick red mud. Luck was on our side, the road was soon closed after we had passed through due to flooding and hazardous conditions, with many entrants stuck for hours to get through. We made Kalgoorlie by nightfall and were soon setup for the week. Day 25 - 30. (600km) The next 6 days we joined the 89 other Veteran Vehicles on a hub tour in and around the Kalgoorlie district. Some of the vehicles were very rare with only three or four left in the World, Cars and Bikes you never see on the other side of the country. During the week we visited the Royal Flying Doctor, a Super Pit (Gold Mine) Tour, Ghost Towns, a Brothel Tour, Ladies enjoyed High Tea and the blokes were treated to a vintage racing demonstration put on at the trotting track. The week was filled with real country hospitality laid on by the Veteran Car Club of WA. Although the pace was more relaxed and the distances were a lot shorter than the drive across Australia, it was an enjoyable finish to our adventure.
An adventure we will remember for a long time, would we do it again? Absolutely………
Gavin & Karen Pocock 19
Cruise In
to Bayer Smash Repairs Around 50 hot rods, classics and muscle cars rolled into Bayer Smash Repairs at Loganholme on a perfect Sunday morning early February for the Deuces Limited Cruise in. Randy and Herby Bayer making all feel welcome.. The BBQ running hot with snags and a coffee van on hand to help combat the early rise.. A cool event we’ll attend again.
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Billy’s Breaky Bash Darling Point Wynnum Manly
A
breakfast run in February has become a regular club event. Great to be out early and avoids the summer heat of the middle of the day. Being summer in Queensland, rainy days have become a regular companion to our breakfast outing. Even when Queensland lapses into the worst of dry weather spells, backing the T'bird out of the garage is a guarantee to end the drought. Rain on the roof when we woke up was a reminder that nothing had changed. But it didn't discourage our group that gathered under the shelter at Cannon Hill and we made our way out on to Wynnum Road and headed down to the bayside.
Once we got to our destination at the beautiful Darling Point, the showers passed, the sun came out and the waterfront at Wynnum looked it's very, very best, as it does with full tide, calm water and the sailing fleet on the bay. All was well with the world!! Helen and Libby were our advance party and had reserved the prime spot for our shelter and BBQs‌ Well done Helen and Libby.
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The council supplied electric BBQs are a great development. Some tend to operate more like a warming tray than a BBQ but somehow we all got to create our gourmet breakfasts and, most importantly, catch up with the happenings, gossip as well as Barry’s tropical adventure to Lizard Island.
Beaut morning, beaut event but being the very social people that we are, a number of our group had had late Saturday nights and an early Sunday start so it was clear that once we were on our way there were going to be a few quiet Sunday afternoon households. We’ll all be back (with brollies) on a Sunday morning in February 2016 !! Cheers Bill
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We have compiled a list of repair or service shops who have been found to be of great help in the restoration of our Classic Cars, this is not a commercial ad nor do the Thunderbirds of QLD Inc. take any responsibility for workmanship or service! However if you have found a good shop that has provided what you require then let us know and we shall list them for others to try out.
EXHAUST INNOVATIONS - Custom Exhaust Systems. 5/33 Steel St Capalaba. 3390 3200 ANNVID Auto Upholsterers - 24 Smith St Capalaba. 3390 3444 COL ROBINSON & CO - Power Steering Box Rebuilds. 2/19 Kitchener Rd Kedron 3350 5000 GLEN HENDERSON - Parts & Advice Anything Thunderbird. Greenbank 3297 5342 KEITH 4 WHEELS - Whitewall tyres, wheels and quality wheel alignments by Kiwi Pete. 11 Smallwood St Underwood. 3841 6244 (See advertisement below) INNOVATIVE AUTO DESIGN - Specialising in compliancing of American & European Classic Cars. 3/14 Lapis St Underwood. 3290 2177 or 0411 311473 ACCESS TOWING - Tilt Tray Service. Parkridge 0418 721987 KNIGHTS OLD SCHOOL BRAKES SERVICE - Wynnum Ph 3393 3188 OZ RODS - Hot Rod and Street Machine Specialists. 3805 7155 www.oz-rods.com BRIAN ARMSTRONG AIRCONDITIONING 0447 349495 AH 3802 2994 WEBER AUTOMOTIVE - General Auto Repairs 1/5 Percy Rd Brendale 0417 616 118 www.weberautomotive.com.au
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JOIN THIS GREAT CLUB
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International Thunderbird Club
http://intl-thunderbirdclub.com/
Thunderbird Registry
http://www.tbirdregistry.com
LOVEfords
http://www.lovefords.org
Thunderbird Headquarters
http://www.tbirdhq.com
The Bird Nest
http://www.tbirdparts.com/main.htm
Thunderbird Ranch
http://www.tbirdranch.com/
Home of the Thunderbird Italien and XM400 Mercury Concept Car
http://www.tbirdsquare.com/
Squarebirds.org
http://www.squarebirds.org/
Automotive Mileposts: Thunderbird
http://automotivemileposts.com/ contentstbird.html
Jim Wulf's Tbird Garage
http://www.tbirdgarage.com/
All American Auto Parts - Ballarat VIC.
http://www.allamericanautoparts.com.au/
Jim Osbourne Reproductions
http://www.osborn-reproduction.com/
The Old Car Manual Project
http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/
Colour Codes - Tbird Cross Reference
http://goo.gl/qCrQee
Vintage Ford Publications
http://mustangtek.com/Litterature.html
Auto Colour Library
http://www.tcpglobal.com/autocolorlibrary/
Plan 59 - Museum of Mid Century Illustration
http://www.plan59.com/
Original Auto Interiors
http://www.originalauto.com
Ford V8 Workshop
http://www.wrljet.com/fordv8/
Permanent Painted Coatings Australia
http://ppcco.com.au/
Cruzin Magazine
http://www.cruzin.com.au/
Pinky’s Car Shows and Swap Meets
http://www.pinky.com.au/queensland.htm
QLD Historic Motoring Council
http://www.qhmc.org.au/
QLD Motorised Sports Council
http://www.qmsc.org.au/
Roadside Architecture
http://www.agilitynut.com/roadside.html
Internet Movie Cars Database
http://imcdb.org/