May 2008 Easter Monday’s trip to Wyke Down was blessed with a pretty miserable day, but this did not stop a very presentable turnout. Of particular interest was the (I think) Ford Model T ‘Bucket’ of Kelvin Helsdown; what a splendid bit of engineering! I hope that he might bring it to club one night and explain the finer points to us. I think Chris Miller’s recently acquired La Licorne takes a bit of beating as well. In the end we fielded fourteen cars, which is good. Drive-It Day on Sunday April 20 can probably be adjudged a success. Eleven cars and twenty folk met at The Hatchett Inn, Lower Chute, for lunch. We had to wait a while to get served, but this was a good chance for some conversation. We seem to DO conversation – so this was not really a problem, and the meal was ultimately good. Afterwards, about half the company made their way northwards to Wilton Windmill where some ascended to the top for a conducted tour. ‘Elf ‘n Safely could not have been around in the days of serious commercial wind-milling it seems to me! Our trip to Shelycott Down Hill Climb on the first Wednesday caused a good few laughs amongst the assembled dozen or so on parade. Jim Thompson produced a completely fresh set of photographs from his vast collection – and in the words of Eccles ‘I did not recognise any of them’. The ultimate winner was John Davison (again!) who thus claimed the splendid bottle of wine donated by Jim. I have entry forms, and indeed some passes, for Popham, and request has been made for club space at the event. . Club Night at the Clatford Arms on Wednesday May 7 will be a natter. Bring you favourite motorcar since, the light has now reached the stage where we can, weather permitting, spend a while outside admiring it. There is promise of a couple of vehicles that we have not previously seen. J Anybody, please, like to organise a short road event for June 4 Club Night? Early warning!!! I have booked the Hawk Conservancy for an Owl Evening on the September 3 Club Night. We start off with a bangers-and-mash supper, then receive a talk and have a walk around the cages to look at the Owls. Then the high point is when we finally see some birds flown on the display arena. I have started a list so let me know soon, as I have to guarantee twenty heads and pay a deposit. The all-in cost will be £26. Bring the youngsters (half price I believe – will check). You will probably want to bring a torch. I did this once before, and it is a really good evening. MikeCLICK
HERE FOR Diary
Dates … . Mike
Knights-Whittome ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ and previously ! ................ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
April 2008 Sunday 9 March was the MGOC Cobweb Rally which was held at IBM Headquarters, Hursley Park. Alan Reed and your scribe travelled in a convoy of two, and we met David Roberts and Graham Smith at the very prestigious venue. There was a splendidly large collection of MG’s on display, as well as a good splattering of other offerings. In the main the weather was kind, apart from a couple or three short sharp showers. The IBM clubhouse was open to all, and there was excellent live Jazz entertainment. A subsequent phone conversation later in the week solicited the information that Henrietta was the oldest vehicle there and had won a prize – J A proposal has been made that we celebrate Drive-It Day (Sunday April 20) with a meet at The Hatchett Inn, Lower Chute, for lunch. I am suggesting that if you wish to attend you phone the Hatchett to book yourself in. I have spoken to them to ask if we might all sit in the same area. Phone 01264 730229 and mention Clatford Car Club when booking. To avoid the next party we are due at 12 noon, thus I suggest we meet there at 11.45am. Overflow car park at rear if you all come! Any ideas for the afternoon? I have entry forms, and indeed some passes, for Popham, and request has been made for club space at the event. . April Club Night at the Clatford Arms on Wednesday 2 of the month will be the Shelycott Down Speed Hill Climb. This is another version of Jim Thompson’s tremendously successful Brandstone Park Race Meeting that we held a couple of years back. Your speed up the hill is according to your recognition of photographs from Jim’s astronomical collection of makes and models. The very greatest fun evening!!! By the May Club Night the evenings should have drawn out sufficiently to make it worth while bring your car for us all to admire, fresh from it’s winter overhaul! Mike ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March
2008 Thursday
21 February saw a party of members attend the Rolls-Royce Manufactory at
Goodwood. This was our third visit to a BMW owned facility; after Oxford for the
Mini, and Hams Hall to see the four-cylinder engine plant. Though all three
organisations come under the same roof, and the very professional, confident,
and un-hurried atmosphere prevails at all three, the products are miles apart.
We saw the Members will note from this month’s heading picture that the secretarial barouche has been changed for a 1961 Hillman Husky Series II. Probably this is the point where I should give a plug for Jim Thompson’s Pioneer Automobiles. I could come up with all the old clichés – ‘Nice people with whom to do business’, ‘Never knowingly undersold’, ‘Honest Dealer’, but at the end I have to say Jim is just a good mate. Husky Harry is wonderful fun, and I am enjoying him enormously. Christine says she can now come with me to events, and my response is that she can take the picnic, and the chairs, and the table, and, and! I have entry forms for Wyke Down, Popham, and Stroud. Bookings have been made for club space at Wyke Down and Popham. Indeed I now have some actual entry passes for Popham. I am still looking for an original idea for National Drive-It Day. Sunday 20 April??? March Club Night at the Clatford Arms on Wednesday 5 March will be for another good natter. Any offers to lay something on for April? Mike PS I received the following email: "I have a 1957 Morris 948 (or there abouts) engine & gearbox which came out of a woody traveller I bought some 5 yrs ago. I will be pleased to give totally free to anyone willing to collect it". Contact Mike for details of this kind offer.
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1907 Mors with 8.2 litre Curtiss V8 aero engine seen at Brooklands February 2008 The caption above says it all! David and I chanced upon this splendid sight on our return journey, and had some difficulty in catching it up – just as you see it, with no wings, few lights, brakes on two wheels, and an open exhaust. I learn that it was used on last years Peking/Paris event. C’est le vie; c’est tres formidable! Thanks to Robin Smith for bringing his amazing collection of Classic advertising material to the last meeting on 9 January. The many brochures and pamphlets provoked a great deal of attention, and importantly a lot of discussion. Breaking news this month is the betrothal of Bernard and Rosemary. We are delighted to learn this exciting news, and ponder on just how many Austin Sevens will attend the ceremony in due course. Perhaps the ‘Boat-tail’ will be ready in time for the honeymoon. I have entry forms for Wyke Down, Popham, and Stroud. Bookings have been made for club space at Wyke Down and Popham. The Rolls-Royce trip filled up so fast I could not write the names down fast enough. Joining instructions are on their way to those who were sufficiently quick off the mark. Any ideas for National Drive-It Day. Sunday 20 April???? February Club night, at the Clatford Arms on Wednesday 6 February, will be for a good natter. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ready for Romsey on Boxing Morning David’s Alvis was also with us.
January 2008 On Boxing Day morning it dawned bright and chilly, and four of us assembled in the Arms car park prior to a pleasant, brisk run to Romsey. It was good to have Alan Reid’s Moke with us for the first time, particularly after the difficulties he has had getting it licensed in UK after it’s immigration from birth in Australia. t turned out that the event is organised by one Steve Biddlecombe, an inhabitant of Romsey, and sponsored by Adrian Flux Insurance. It was held in aid of the Prostate Cancer Charity. There was not a vacant space in the big car park, and I learned afterwards that there was an overflow behind the Crosfield Hall across the road. There was a good selection of vehicles on view, with a particularly large helping of American Classics. Not a huge number of Vintage cars, though Austin Seven’s were doubly represented –your scribe’s and also Barry Gundry of the Solent Club with his very original 1924 Chummy. I think this latter vehicle was probably the oldest car on parade. What a good morning. The run home was accomplished at a good lick, well it was by A7 standards any way, and all arrived back safely. I do hear that David Roberts’ Alvis was making a bit of steam on it’s return – but nothing serious!
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December 2007 The evening of December 5 saw members at the Clatford Arms for a sociable pre-Christmas noggin. Several strange or elderly tools were produced for inspection and amusement, though a few more would have possibly provoked more discussion. Robin Smith brought along a sample of his collection of fifties Austin and Morris catalogues and other publications of that era. Hopefully he will bring a bigger selection next month. It really is interesting to see not only the cars but also the style of the advertising of the period. Chris Miller yet again produced a quiz ‘off the wall’. This time it was a series of motoring related anagrams. It set me thinking that maybe we should change 0our name to the ‘Craft Bull Accord’ meeting at ‘Old Carts Farm’. Thanks once more to Chris for his effort. Sadly the excursion to the Charity Track Day at Goodwood on the seventh was abhorted. The sight of a tree across the road between the villages at six-thirty in the morning seemed to justify the decision! I have no additional information regarding the Boxing Morning ‘do’ at Romsey, mentioned last month. However several members decided that it would be fun to go if only for the trip. J Thus the intention is to meet in the car park of the Arms (Thanks Malcolm) at nine-thirty, and take it from there. (You don’t have to travel at Austin Seven speed — we can meet up again in Romsey!) Not if it’s raining L Club night in January will be a week later than usual; on Wednesday 9 January for a post-festivities natter. I am hoping that Robin will bring his catalogues (above). Any other period publications are always interesting if you have them – so bring them along. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
November 2007 On November 7 members brought along a varied selection of old motoring books, and sparked off a lot of discussion. Amongst these were several photo albums of projects past. These never fail to amaze for the sheer magnitude of the tasks on which some people embark — and complete. Chris Miller kept us all amused with yet another of his quizzes, this time pictures of cars for sale. The assignment was to give make and price. Don’t anyone let the writer anywhere near an auction; it could be disastrous! Chris very kindly provided a hansom liquid prize for the winner.
David Roberts and I (and possibly others?) went to the Classic Car Show at Birmingham NEC a couple of weeks back, and found it to be a good day out. There was a very varied display, and the standard of presentation of most of the exhibits was quite outstanding. There were some bargains to be had on the Trade and Jumblee stalls, and I for one returned home a few quid lighter. On Boxing Day morning I am told that there will be a gathering of like-minded souls in the big car park behind the shops at Romsey, adjacent to the Bus Station. If anyone knows any other information relating to this ‘event’ would they please let me know. I am proposing to go; perhaps we could get a party. There is also a huge meet at Wickham Square. I attended this last year, but it was far, far too crowded for my taste.. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
October 2007 October the third saw an enjoyable evening at the ‘Arms’, when members brought along many interesting pictures of their motoring past. It is amazing just how much of this history exists, and I make my oft heard plea – Do write on the back just what it is all about, else when you are gone the picture will be worthless! A couple of members went to the Tywford Waterworks Open Day on 7 October. Sadly they are not yet back in steam after their asbestos problems of the last three years. The good news is that the wretched product has all now been cleared and rebuilding of the boiler brickwork has been sanctioned. Never the less it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see just how huge are the innards of a water-tube boiler. There was an immense amount of other interesting kit on view, some of it running. It was a good visit.
Aladdin opened his cave once again last Sunday, the genie came out of a chimney and magiced the weather, Derek was in his heaven, and all was well. A contingent of eleven Austin Sevens from our friends in Solent A7C turned up, which was good to see. Mike Gerring was there with his Austin Seven engined Brough Superior motorcycle, all complete with it’s original Watsonian sidecar. Member Malcolm Randall was out and about in his magnificent Tasker ‘Little Giant’ traction engine, which is shown above. It is interesting that Malcolm lives only a few hundred yards from the site of the old Taskers factory in Anna Valley where the vehicle was born. Gordon Pewsey of the Portway Group was there with his ‘big’ Austin. There was a handful of preserved tractors, and a whole host of models in steam at several scales, some of them even trundling up to Wyck Down for lunch. Then of course the whole object of the exercise; about a dozen rollers, traction engines, and lorries all in steam, smell, and smoke — absolutely bloody wonderful J. Thank you Derek and Sandra for putting on this fabulous day, which is one of the highlights of the transport year.. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ September 2007 Our BBQ on 5 September was adjudged a success by all to whom I have spoken. Jolly good grub provided by Helen and Malcolm, and ably dispensed by Peter. The ‘Oak’ was very trusting, and allowed payment at the bar after we had eaten. Should anyone have missed this little piece of administration perhaps they will sort it out with me. A splendid evening and an excellent turnout. The quiz picture last month was solved by Peter Evans who correctly identified that both the Morgan and the Lancia utilised sliding pillar front independent suspension. He was suitably rewarded. Abbotts Ann Fete on 1st September was well attended by CCC, and what a success it was for a first attempt. Well done to Steve Carroll who masterminded the whole thing. We fielded fourteen cars in the end, and Keith and Brian achieved status on the podium ( 2nd and 3rd ). Damn these racing Minis, with all the stickers, I hear the cry! I hope that this will be repeated next year.
About half a dozen went to the Longstock event over the weekend 8/9 September. This has grown over the past few years and was well worth attending. There was a goodly selection of jumbly to raid. How splendid it was to see the horses ploughing for real – not a sight to be missed. An expedition by Austin Seven to the Goodwood Revival meeting on the Friday 31st August was a great adventure. Entry turned out to be via a pass of the Chichester Theatre, mainly due to a rather nasty RTA near the circuit. When once we – TC MG mounted Graham Smith and myself – fought our way to the right car-park all was well. We had a most interesting day, particularly as they have now opened up the paddock to all. Apart from the competing cars there was some other mouth-watering automobilia to be taken in. On the track it was all pure heaven, enhanced by good weather. Two of us (at least) made the trip to the Model Engineer Exhibition, held in the new and impressive Grandstand at Ascot.. As it was the centenary event the organisers had rounded up a large collection of winning/celebrated models from events passed. One could stay for the whole three days, but in the end fatigue takes over! To pick out one model from so many is difficult, but for me I have to go for the ¼ scale model of a pre-war blown twin-cam Austin Sevens which was correct in every detail, even the running. Club night on Wednesday 3rd October will be a ‘Bring Your (Some!) Favourite Motoring Pictures’ evening. No doubt this will set the lamp swinging well and truly, and will be the first ‘inside‘ meeting of the autumn. As usual I put out a plea for events — even ideas for events — to keep us amused over the winter. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ August 2007 What a good evening was Wednesday 1st August. It saw a goodly handful of members depart the Arms car park on a search for information, traveling as far away as Longparish on the other side of the dreaded 303!! David Roberts had laid on a route which took in some splendidly quiet roads, and incorporated some even-more splendid obscure questions. The participants became involved with Mary-the-less in a dragons den, whilst smoking coloured grain in a larkwhistle — Cludo was never so good. We all made it back to base before the light failed, and had an amusing session outside in the dusk, marking the papers. By achieving the most correct answers as well as the shortest route Jim and Chris Thompson were the eventual winners. All accomplished in a very nice Jowett Javelin. David generously provided the prize bottle. A trip to Stockbridge High Street back last April 15 would have presented the visitor with an exhibition of British motoring history when the Bean Car Club paused there for coffee on the morning of that Sunday. Both sides of the road were taken up with entrants on their way to (I think) Bournmouth for tea.
I draw your attention to the Model Engineer Exhibition to be held in the new Grandstand at Ascot Racecourse. Website http://www.model-engineer.co.uk/Home.html tells all. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ . July 2007 Wednesday 4 July Club Night was a miserable evening weather-wise, the result was a quiet session except for the romantic tales being expounded in the new ‘Smoke-a-torium’. As I touched on last month the kerb-stone onto the grass area has now been removed, and those with low slung ‘stuff’ under their cars can now gain access without fear. The entry is between the two potted bushes. Very many thanks to Malcolm and Helen for progressing this so quickly.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________. June 2007 Club Night on Wednesday 6 June was a very enjoyable, and well attended session. The weather was kind, and this enabled us to enjoy a pleasant evening around a good number of interesting cars, including some which we have not seen previously. New member Steve Tucker produced a Burlington Special, a marque that your scribe had not come across before. John Davis came with his very nice MGB. Both of these feature in the heading picture, sandwiched between two Austin Sevens. Also, John Davison brought out his rare AC ME3000 which has been in hibernation for a while. I learn from Helen and Malcolm, our new hosts at the ‘Arms’, that they intend to have a section of the kerb-stone removed from the edge of the grass area. This will be splendid as it will allow the low slung cars to get onto the grass and thus permit us all to park together in a group.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________ May 2007 Club Night on Wednesday 2 May was a short “information gathering” road run organised by Chris Miller. Well that is what I put in the last newsletter! Indeed it described it very well, at least the part that John Davison and myself completed. We were approaching Wallop on the Salisbury Road when there was quite the biggest backfire that I have ever heard – the guard at the aerodrome thought that an attack was in progress! In fact the drive to the distributor had decided that it wanted dentures instead of it’s own teeth, and thus stopped turning. We coasted on in silence for a way and found a convenient gateway in which to stop. The one mobile phone between the two of us had a flat battery so that was that. Whilst we wondered, lo and behold we saw Chris approaching in the MG. Splendid fellow that he is he about-turned, went home and swapped over to his Jeep, and returned to tow us home. Thus I rather lost track of proceedings, but later established that Geoff Porteous had actually won. There was, as usual, the splendid argy-bargy regarding the veracity of the answers – but that is the fun of it all. By the way, has anyone seen Richard Hovell since he bravely disappeared down the track to Charity Down Farm in his TC? - short-cut perhaps? Thank you Chris for yet another good event.
Fortunately I had enough spare parts to repair Veronica prior to Popham the following Monday, but this turned out to be a bit of an adventure also. Having called at Approach to fill up, I noticed that the dynamo had stopped charging. So back home to change over the dynamo (twice) prior to an eventual arrival at the aerodrome. We had a good turnout, and were joined by several of the Solent Austin Sevens on our patch. A good day spoiled by rotten weather. (Did get some good jumbley though. J ) Believe it or not Christine and I had a miserable journey home again the Monday after that, from a Solent evening run. Much missing and loss of power with the lights on – cured I hope after a new coil and an overhaul of the switch panel. And if that was not enough the computer floundered towards an early grave with a burnt out video card. Not in itself a total calamity but the good soul in Bombay had me re-format the hard disk in his efforts to detect the problem. Fortunately I managed to take the disk out first and save most of my data onto another machine. For the record I was on the phone to India from eight o’clock in the morning until ten to six in the evening on one occasion (— I know it was India because he was four and a half hours ahead of me). Putting everything back and configuring it all takes such an age – which is why this newsletter is even later than usual. The Bill Targett Memorial Rally was a good day last weekend, and I came all the way home from Colden Common with the lights on, so that’s good. __________________________________________________________________________________________________. April 2007 On the forth of the month we had an entertaining evening when members brought something to the ‘Bring an Interesting Bit’ evening. Without doubt the conversation centred around Chris Miller’s splendid geological compass; leastways that is what we now think it to be! Certainly it is a wonderfully executed artefact which I covert myself. We had some other bits of broken metal all of which had their own story to relate. Wyke Down was blessed with fine weather – I must find out who they speak to at the Met office and get him on my Christmas card list. We fielded ten vehicles in the end, and I believe that all the crews enjoyed themselves. The show gets bigger each year, and this time spread onto the adjoining golf range. There were some truly magnificent vehicles present. There was good autojumblee to be had. I had several approaches from yet more ‘interesting vehicle’ owners in the area.
Yesterday the visit to the Ford Transit Assembly Plant at Eastleigh finally came to fruition. Whilst we did not actually see where they make white-van-man, we did see the production of Transit from the assembly/welding together of basic panels right through to the completed vehicle driven off the assembly line. I think we were all impressed with the standard of finish, and the care that went into production. Our guide, Barry Saunders, was most helpful and informative. Afterwards we adjourned to The Bridge at Shawford for lunch, where we were well looked after. Sadly the ghost of Victor Meldrew was nowhere to be seen, but the spectre of filling hydraulic systems by vacuum was a hot topic. (see US Patent 5060703 for full details J ) This will be our first visit to the Clatford Arms since the arrival of the new Landlords - Helen and Malcolm. We wish them well, and that we have a long and happy relationship with them We had a dozen or so members at the Club at the Popham Fly and Drive In. This was the usual good show, but spoiled by the weather. Thus there was little aircraft activity. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ March 2007 March rushes by apace and it is just about time to start the annual polishing ceremony in honour of the approaching rally season. The first event is as I write only three weekends away – Wyke Down – and then they follow thick and fast. I have just marked up my own calendar and find that Veronica is committed on no less than seventeen occasions up to the turn of the year. Here’s wishing us all a dry, reliable, sunny, and pleasant summer. Despite his enforced absence (at the behest of a Pirate) David Roberts left us a an amusing quiz for our last meeting at the Clatford Arms, which was won by Chris Miller – the quiz not the Arms! There were rumours that we left one poor soul travelling around the Circle into eternity, looking for Strand station – this may not be true. Richard Green and David Hilton have spent the winter rebuilding a ‘LoCost’ (yet another Lotus 7 derivative) which they intend to race during the summer. LoCost is a very strict formula, run by 750 Motor Club, with the intention of keeping cost at a ‘minimum’. Their first event is at Donnington on Sunday 25 March. I believe it is their intention to take the wheel at alternate events, of which there are about a dozen in the series. The photo shows them testing the car at Llandow circuit where it ran very well in shake-down trials. I am sure that you all wish Richard and David (hereinafter referred to as ‘Our Brave Boys!) a satisfactory and very safe season.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ February 2007 February has been nicely busy. At our monthly meeting Richard Green produced a well balanced quiz, at which no one knew all the right answers! Well some of us did if, firstly we read the question more carefully, and secondly did not suffer from age-related amnesia. As has been the case in the past with these ‘table top’ events there was a great deal of good humoured banter as well as a lot of pseudo-competitiveness. Then, on the fifteenth, we raided the Midlands with visits to BMW’s engine manufacturing plant at Hams Hall, and then to the National Motorcycle Museum. Plant Hams Hall satisfies the BMW need for four-cylinder engines World-wide. The morning was a lesson in ethos, the pervading atmosphere is one of un-hurried professionalism. The place is immaculately clean, and indeed polished – eating off the floor would not be a problem. Our Guide asked us ‘How do you measure clean?’ Hams Hall does indeed measure clean, as well as just about everything else; materials, fluids, bought in components, as well as all the more obvious quality control aspects. When asked if the engines were ‘hot run’ the response was ‘Absolutely not, it would be an admission of failure!’ There were relatively few ‘associates’ to be seen in the manufacturing area, and not many more in the assembly hall. And hall is probably the right word – compared with most factories it is acres of space with individual stations where there are associates doing their bit. They are served by a fleet of unmanned Darlek-like trolleys which carry the engine from post to post, even adjusting the height to suit each operator as it arrives in front of him or her. An engine, on which machining of raw castings and forgings is commenced on a Monday in Birmingham, is installed as a completed unit in a finished vehicle in Germany by Thursday. If the engine is for a Mini then it is installed down the road at Oxford on Tuesday! There is no stock – every unit is made to a customer’s order. Close to a thousand engines get shipped daily. On leaving BMW our coach, driven by the excellent Vince, took us on to The Motorcycle Museum. We were able to obtain a good lunch in the Museum Restaurant, and as an aside this is worth remembering as a good stopping off point in the future. The Museum is excellent, consisting of five halls of well displayed exhibits. It is amazing that it has recovered so well from the terrible fire which gutted the whole place just a few years back. There are some six hundred machines here, and I did not detect a speck of dust on any of them. Truly there will have to be another trip by your scribe as it is hard to take it all in during one shortish visit. An uneventful ride home brought us back to Clatford by around five-thirty. Mike __________________________________________________________________________________________________ January 2007 The January meeting on the second Monday of the month was supported by about a dozen members, who had enjoyable discussion on matters motoring. We never seem to be without a topic!!! It was good to see the splendid collection of photos which Peter Evans brought with him, detailing the many stages in the restoration and rebuild of his Lagonda.
Boxing Day at Wickham Square was manic! It was wall-to-wall people, but worth the trip never-the-less. There was a lot of nice machinery there, and a very good atmosphere. Perhaps we should all make a note that there was a similar gathering at Romsey, and perhaps we might go en masse this December; it’s not so far to travel. We learn that mine hosts of the Clatford Arms, Roger and Denise, are to leave us shortly – not sure quite when. Thus I take this opportunity to thank them for all the co-operation and help they have given us, and wish them well for their future. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ December 2006 For the December club night we held a motoring quiz which was organised by Chris Miller. The usual ‘discussion’ regarding some of the answers took place – but that’s all part of the amusement. Chris very sportingly provided some splendid prizes, and the overall winner was John Davison. Friday 8th December saw another Goodwood Charity Track Day arranged by Chris Darwin. Your scribe was there along with Graham Smith (Solent A7C Secretary) who some of you know as he has been to several of the rallies with us. I managed a 3m41s lap (39.1mph) in the Chummy. Having got the hang of Woodcote and the Chicane, the ‘in’ lap would have been even quicker – buts that’s what they all say! Pics in sepia as they seem more period like that.
The February 15th visit to BMW Engine Plant at Hams Hall is now well in hand, and places are going quickly. The cost is £25 to include coach, and entry to the National Motor Cycle Museum in the afternoon. Lunch will be in the Licensed restaurant at the museum. Shout quickly if you want a place. At very long last I have finally got permission to take a party to the Ford Transit works at Swathling near Southampton. This will be in the New Year, probably in April. This should be a most interesting visit as there are so many models of Transit all going down the same line. Finally, A splendid Christmas to all, coupled with very best wishes for the New Year, particularly in matters motoring. The ‘A7’ Carol
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ November 2006 On the first of November we held ‘Un soirée des Objects Bizarre’, and jolly bizarre some of the objects turned out to be. The prize for the most bizarre must go to Keith for his what I can only describe as a comfort funnel! I really do wonder if there is any connection between this and the opisometer which David produced. I think I will quit here whilst I am ahead. Never-the-less I am a bit concerned about some of the membership since two folk turned up with curling tongs. It all turned into a lot of fun.
And finally, thanks to those who started an administrative fund to cover the costs of the Newsletter and the like. Small (very) occasional donations to the "Admin Tin" would be welcome. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4 October 2006 This months meeting was on 4th October when one of the members produced a handful of old Autocar and Motor magazines. Thumbing through these produced some sparkling conversation! The thought of procuring a type 35 Bugatti for less than a hundred pounds brought tears to the eyes, whilst some of the accessories available just prior to the war were of no little amusement. A few of us got to Derek Marder’s last Sunday for his Open Day and Road Run. A splendid and relaxed day which as usual went off without a hitch, due to the invisible organisation of Derek and Sandra – to both of whom many thanks. A slightly fuller report at http://www.windling.demon.co.uk/SolentA7/6marder.htm
I still pursue both Ford at Eastleigh, and BMW at Hams Hall, but no one these days seems to want to respond to email or letter. I have just sent of another loft of pigeons so we shall see, and continue to wait with baited breath. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ September 2006
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ Another visit to Thruxton was made on Sunday 3 September for the Classic Car Show. Alan Reed achieved fame in the Andover Advertiser as a result, and we found a new member in Keith Harvey who was there with another ‘bubble’, this time a Heinkel. The level of presentation of some of the exhibits was very high, and indicative of many hours labour to achieve the standard. A splendid thirteen vehicles were on parade for the village Fete on Bank Holiday Monday. A big thank you to all those who presented their vehicles. It is a great shame that on this occasion they attracted less than average attention, even being utterly ignored by the Mayor. Our attempt to raise funds with a collection for the Hospice met with only derisory contribution. I fear that if we are to have our own display next year it will need to be at an alternative venue. Again thanks to those who turned out. Club night on Wednesday was a short (night!) navigation run, which was completed by a number of folk. The weather was very kind on this occasion, and we were able to continue deep discussions outside until a late hour! We were pleased to see Keith Harvey, he of the Heinkel Bubble. Are we to see a third, on the basis that after a wait three always come along together? I attended the Wallop Vintage Day on 27 August, and would commend it for next year. A very pleasant ‘laid-back’ event which I much enjoyed. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ August 2006 We really are not having a lot of luck are we? The barbeque was effectively blown away by the windy weather, and it was not possible to light up without sparks blowing everywhere. Never-the-less, Roger was cooking barby type grub in the kitchen for those who wanted it. My plateful was excellent. The result of all this was that the meeting was fragmented, and whilst there were many good conversations taking place they were taking place very separately!
Truck Racing last Sunday was good. A few members went, and had the benefit of seats in the members grand stand opposite the chicane. The quick trucks were putting in laps around 82 / 84 mph, and to see these braking to negotiate the chicane was a sight for sore eyes. The powerful ones went on out of the corner with about twenty degrees of opposite lock on as they accelerated up past the pits. Stirling Stuff!!! __________________________________________________________________________________________________ July 2006 Unfortunately, after a good spell, the weather broke earlier in the week, and thus only a few members turned up to the meeting. Never-the-less it was dry on the evening, and those who did turn up were rewarded with a good natter amongst the cars until the light failed, when they adjourned to the bar. It was good to have Geoff Foss with both his Daimler and his Citroen, neither of which we had seen previously.
I had a trip to the Goring and Streatley Regatta last Saturday, which was a very good day out. Amateur rowing, lots of amusement and good weather. The high point was a trip on the Steam Launch Consuta, reputed to have 100 bhp at her disposal and a top speed of 27 mph. Smooth and silent – an unforgettable experience.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ June 2006 On Saturday 20 May eight members traveled to the Haynes Motor Museum at Sparkford. Personal view is that it is a very good museum and certainly worth a visit Wednesday 7 June saw a good gathering of members and cars in the car park of the Clatford Arms for the first outside evening of the year. We were able to meet, for the first time, the new landlord of the ‘Arms’ who came out to chat to us and to tender his support for the future. Thank you Roger – much appreciated. It was good to see a couple of new faces. Welcome to Brian and Mike. I have provisionally booked a visit to the Ford Motor Company plant at Eastleigh. This is where they make the Transit, and will be of special interest as there has been a recent new model. The visit will be on a morning in October or November, and limited to fifteen persons. I am starting a list now, and places will be on a FCFS basis. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ April 2006 The much trailed visit to Morgan Motor Company finally came to pass on Tuesday 25th April. Twelve cars and twenty-eight people set out at the un-godly hour of eight in the morning, from the Clatford Arms near Andover, and headed for Worcestershire. Sarah Dowding of 'Classic Travelling', who is also a member of our group, had organised a day out for us in the Cotswolds. Despite some fairly stiff traffic at that hour of the day the party arrived more or less together at Pickersleigh Road, Malvern, in time for the ten-thirty appointment. Tony Stickler's 1929 Bentley was a source of delight and amazement where-ever it appeared. (Indeed, two of the Morgan executives were seen literally running out of a building to see it as we left the factory!!!). It is hoped that he did not attract a ticket from the rather unfriendly police van parked by the dual carriage-way. At Morgan we were greeted by our guide, and with him we then spent a most interesting hour and a half touring the assembly shops. The Morgan factory was an eye-opener, and I believe that the whole contingent was impressed by fact that in this day and age a motor car is still produced by a totally hands-on operation. The comparison with the BMW Mini Plant Oxford that some of us had seen last Autumn was staggering, and one has to wonder at the ratio of resource employed to the number of vehicles built. Perhaps someone can tell us. Traditional body making skills abounded everywhere one looked, and the marked absence of any form of machinery bore testament to this. It was interesting to be told that the weekly output was fourteen vehicles, of which some seventy percent go for export. The next port of call was the ‘Hollow Bottom’ at Guiting Power, for lunch. This splendid establishment produced for us, at the drop of a hat, a very good selection of food, and served it with speed and pleasantry. After lunch we made the short trip up the road to Bourton-on-the-Water, to visit the Cotswolds Motor Museum. This was larger than expected, and houses some very interesting exhibits. Bernard Griffiths was pleased to see that they have several good bits of Austin Sevenobilia, and was very soon in conflab with the resident engineer . The tea shops of Bourton did a good trade when we came out, and then we made our way homewards. Sadly, Sarah had a problem on the way back, and only just made it. The dirt in the carburettor turned out to be a fly in one of the jets. Finally it should be mentioned that there is some doubt that Phil Hatley has yet washed his face since the event, in case he washed away the smile that a day in the passenger seat of the Bentley produced! Particular thanks are due to Sarah, not only for organising the route and the super route cards, but also for finding us the splendid ‘Hollow Bottom’ for lunch.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ May 2006 Club night again saw us on the road, this time for a short run around the local lanes to blow away some of the winter cobwebs. There were a few questions along the way, and a cryptic question based on the answers saw the winning bottle of plonk go to David Roberts. It was most heartening to see so many entries, and indeed twelve cars made the trip. It was also pleasant to see a number of new faces, all of whom were most welcome - we hope to see them again. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ April 2006 Club night saw only a modest number of members on parade. Never-the-less an amusing quiz organized by Richard Green kept us well occupied — and very aware that we should not enter the local quiz scene! Alan Reed and John Davison seem to have had a misspent youth, and were thus able to answer more questions than the rest of us, which saw them walk off with the bottles of wine which Richard had generously provided as prizes This was the first evening this year that we were able to dally a short while in the car park prior to going into the warm. Richard, Mike, Alan, and Bernard all came in their ‘interesting’ transport. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ March 2006 The Charity Track Day at Goodwood was definitely a success, and the pictures show that everyone was enjoying them selves to the full (particularly Alan above !). Certainly your scribe was fulfilling a dream of some fifty-eight summers, having been at the very first meeting at the track. Jim, Mike, Alan, and Bernard were present.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ March 2006 Nothing was planned, but Chris Miller turned up to club night with a ready-made quiz. Thanks Chris – splendid effort and much appreciated. Whilst it was based on the initials of road signs it is quite amazing what you can come up with if you don’t know the correct answer. Much merriment ensued, and I think the Hilton Equipé was the winner. We have been promised a space at the Wyke Down Rally on Easter Monday 17th April, so please put Clatford Car Club in the box on your entry form. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ February 2006 Club night was to have been a talk by Alec Stevens on the history of the AJS company and his experiences with Dolly. Sadly Alec was taken into hospital on Tuesday afternoon and was thus unable to be with us. Hopefully he will soon be restored to good health. As a result we all had a very good natter, and the world was a much better place by ten o’clock ! ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ January 2006 A dozen or so members at the Clatford Arms to enjoy a splendid and amusing evening put on by Jim Thompson. "Brandstone Park" (guess who Googled on this?) turned out to Jim’s interpretation of Motor Monopoly. The plot was to pick up a photo from a face-down pack, and identify the Make, Model, and Year of the revealed car for three points. This moved you around the circuit whilst trying to avoid a stop in the pits or an excursion into the scenery. Jim had produced a huge number of photos from his even huger and encyclopedic collection. Later we learned that these were all photos of cars he had sold over the years – would you buy a second-hand car from this man? Well, probably! The ultimate winner was Chris Miller who was followed home by John Davison and Bernard Griffiths. Jim had generously provided some wine for the winners, and the first three all received a cup – (well actually it was a Pioneer Automobiles china mug J ) Thank you Jim for a good evening. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ What's behind Clatford Car Club? It all came about a couple of years ago when I said to a pal that I had seen a number of 'interesting' vehicles in peoples garages as I passed by. Perhaps we should try and round them up. Well this went on for some time until he very rudely said 'stop talking and do something!' So I did. Originally I sent out fourteen letters - and ten people turned up at the Clatford Arms on the night. Two others sent apologies, and the thirteenth came to a later meeting. Since then others have crawled out of the woodwork - if I may put it that way. Currently there are about twenty-five names who we have seen at least once. The letter of July 2005 said ...............
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preparations
being made for the implementation of an additional production line to take the
Phantom Drophead, thus releasing the original line solely for the Phantom
Saloon. This has necessitated a tremendous amount of rearrangement of
departments, and some of these – like the leather shop – are to be
accommodated in craftily acquired space found by constructing mezzanine floors
above the production area. All this is going on without cessation of production.
The product itself is a huge motor car by any standards, and certainly one is
going to make a statement when arriving at a destination! The build quality is
without doubt at an impressive level, and few if any will surpass it. The
interior wooden trim would not disgrace many cabinetmakers of old, and some of
the inlays you would not find in even good quality modern furniture. The paint
finish, achieved within a clinical paint shop, is still finished by hand, and is
without doubt as good as it gets. In order to cope with the increased production
this paint shop, too, is having to be increased in size. The 6¾ litre, V12,
453bhp engine produced by BMW, and grafted on to a 6 speed (ZF?) automatic
transmission accelerates the two ton car to 100 mph in about 6 seconds, and dies
away at a governed 149mph!!! The clever bit, I think, is hiding all the wiring
and services for the thousand and one devices which are on offer, and indeed
finding a space for the devices themselves. After all - who can live without a
self-drying umbrella storage receptacle within the door shell?
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