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#19Inside:
• Time to experience the thrill of the rally • Side Exhaust • Aussie Racers retro • Next Month: NOJ “The Victorian era” • BN1 restoration Continued
The official newsletter of the Austin-Healey Owners Club of Victoria incorporated.
‘NOJ 392, Next Month the full story’
‘Grand Tourer’
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This Club is affiliated to the Confederation of Australian Motor Sports (CAMS), a member of the Marque Sports Car Association (MSCA) and the Association of Motoring Clubs (AOMC). We are dedicated to the maintenance, preservation and enjoyment of the Austin Healey motor car.
OFFICE BEARERS President Bill Vaughan 0428 359 029 or 5988 4264 [email protected] Vice President Ralph Fletcher 0418 567 218 or 5367 1401 [email protected] Secretary Brian Aitken 0419 025 858 or 9775 3699 [email protected] Treasurer Mike Snelgrove 0418 320 524 or 9379 2836 [email protected] Membership Bill Metcalf 0447 010 145 or 9876 2167 [email protected] Clubrooms & CMC Chris Coughlin 040 0312 552 or 9822 7712 [email protected]
GENERAL COMMITTEE
Social Barb Meredith 0417 384 712 or 9499 4610 [email protected] Librarian Barb Meredith 0417 384 712 or 9499 4610 [email protected] Website Gordon Lindner 0418 540 920 or 9707 1294 [email protected] Competition-MSCA Rod Vogt 0408 395 240 or 5962 1915 [email protected] Regalia Vacant AOMC-VicRoads Ken Styles 0431 481 082 or 9809 4382 [email protected] CAMS Tony Barrett 0427 051 297 or 9725 5587 [email protected] Registrar Iain McPherson 9850 3267 [email protected] Magazine Editor Harvey Pearce 0419 108 532 or 9836 7596 [email protected]
HUNDREDS & THOUSANDS IS THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE AUSTIN HEALEY OWNERS CLUB OF VICTORIA INC ABN 21 230 686 083 The statements of opinion or fact appearing within are those of the individual contributor(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Club or its members Registered by Australia Post. Publication No. VBH 1552
CORRESPONDENCE: P.O. Box 97 Mulgrave, Victoria. 3170. INTERNET-ADDRESS www.healeyvic.com.au GENERAL MEETINGS are held on the first Thursday of the month at the Clubrooms, 19-23 Rosalie Street, Springvale. Meetings commence at 8.00pm.
CONTRIBUTIONS: Items of interest, articles, technical information, correspondence, constructive criticism, photographs etc., are constantly being sought. Any material for inclusion to the magazine should be sent directly to the Editor, by 13th of the month.
The Next General Meeting will be held in the Clubhouse, Rosalie Ave Springvale on Thursday August 4th commencing at 8pm
THIS MONTH’S COVER “THE RED ROCKET - ADELAIDE”
Cover design by Bill & Michael Ingham
Dinner Dance
Saturday 26th November 2011 Bayview Eden, 6 Queens Road Melbourne
LOCK IT AWAY IN YOUR DIARY NOW!
2012 NATIONAL RALLY SUNSHINE COAST QUEENSLAND EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
The Austin Healey Owner’s Club of Qld Inc would appreciate your expression of interest in attending the 2012 National Rally to be held at the Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast Qld between Friday 6 April, 2012 and Monday 9 April, 2012.
To register your interest contact [email protected] or by fax addressed to 07 3839 9900, attention Chris Miles or go to www.austinhealeyqld.com.au (or download a form from our own website www.healeyvic.com.au).
Printed by GPD Digital 14/9 Elite Way Carrum Downs Vic
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CONTENTS Editor’s Notes Page 2 Coming events Page 3 President’s Report Page 4 Meeting Minutes Page 6 Competition Report Page 9 Side Exhaust Page 12 For Sale and Wanted Page 13 More from Iain McPherson on Healeys that raced in Australia Page 16 Tech Talk Page 19
FROM THE EDITOR
The Pres and others are away, there’s not much happening on the social scene and this month’s feature article is “Side Exhaust’s” contribution inspired, no doubt, by the article in last month’s edition offering special terms for Healey’s to be part of the Targa events and designed to encourage participation from our members. It would be great if we could get enough cars together, both from Victoria and interstate to make up “a team” and take advantage of the discounts. The weather certainly hasn’t been conducive to Healying of late and HMK262 is sitting in the garage gathering dust. I have two teardrop mirrors to fit and I hope I don’t have the same experience as Allan Whitehouse describes in the article on page 19. I am also contemplating indicators to replace the reflectors and upgrading the suspension but time seems to fly by. One certainty though. She’s off for a service and tune in the next few weeks so when the sun does decide to shine again we’ll be ready to roll. Murphy has struck at home. It’s not serious though. Marion has finished work and was looking forward to time together in the Healey and some travel to warmer climes during the winter. As luck would have it, my boss decided on six weeks away and I’ve gone from working one day a week to four! Still, that finishes in mid August and then I’m pulling the plug completely. A request to those of you who have placed “wanted” and “for sale” notices. Email me if you find or sell those items. It helps to keep a fresh look. On that note I had a message from Paul Miller who had items for sale associated with his late father’s car GGL-400. With our help (mostly Iain McPherson’s) he located the current owner and these items now accompany the car. We like to hear things like that. My thanks to the Healey Club of NSW for allowing us to share their articles. Until next month Harvey Pearce
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
SUPPER ROSTERS AUGUST Anne and Jeff Gillard
AUGUST Thursday 4th General Meeting in Clubrooms commencing 8.00 pm Sat/Sun 6-7th Phillip Island - 6 hour relay Sun 7th Alfa Club Sprints, Winton Wednesday 10th Committee Meeting Thursday 11th ROF Run East Sat/Sun 12-14th Historic Winton (Long Track) Festival of Speed Sunday 14th Fang Run – Early Morning Run – See separate note for details Sat/Sun 20th-21st MSCA Rd 6 Phillip Island (incl Rd 3, Vic Supersprint Championship) Sunday 28th Lunch in Williamstown. See the details below Wednesday 31st Peninsula Lunch Run – TRIOS CABARET – Cranbourne Racecourse, Grant Street, Cranbourne. PH 59 963233
(Don’t forget if attending the luncheon, please ring venue 24 hours in advance and mention the Healey Club)
PLEASE MARK IN YOUR DIARY September 25th Bringing back A Brain Buster drive, simple navigation and questionnaire. Watch next two magazines for all the details SEPTEMBER Thursday 1st General Meeting in Clubrooms commencing 8.00 pm Thursday 8th ROF Run West Wednesday 14th Committee Meeting Sunday 25th Winton Round Round 7 MSCA Sat/Sunday 24/25 HSRCA Historic Wakefield Park, Goulburn, NSW Wednesday 28th Peninsula Lunch Run – RYE HOTEL , 2415 Nepean Rd, Rye Phone 59 85 2277 Sunday 25th Bringing back A Brain Buster drive, simple navigation and questionnaire. Watch next magazine for all the details. We will be heading in a southerly direction.
Barbs Briefings
No much to report this month, all quite on the Social Scene, most members are up north or Overseas experiencing much warmer weather than Melbourne. By the time this magazine goes to printers and is delivered, we would have held our “Christmas in July” event at Rusty Springs, Avenel. 22nd-24th July. Watch Septembers issue for lots of photos and a report. I am sure Gordon will be snapping away during the weekend. Don’t forget our “Fang Run” on 14th August. Early start 8.30 am from the meeting place. See the details below. On Sunday 28th August, we are hoping to get a group of Healeys down to Williamstown for lunch. If interested please call Barb on 0417 384 712. We have found a venue called Pelicans Landing, right on the water looking out over the bay. We can have a self drive day, or if enough takers, a small drive will be mapped out. Cost at this stage for a 2 course set meal - $50.00 PER PERSON, includes shared dips and bread etc then Entrée and Main Course. ARE YOU INTERESTED !!!!???? Call Barb 0417 384 712
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FANG RUN SUNDAY, 14TH AUGUST, 2011 The idea of aSunday morning fang is simple. Early start (8.30 am) couple of hours drive on a variety of interesting scenic roads. Coffee & cake and Home for lunch To join us on the day. Pick up the Monash/Princes Freeway and drive towards Warragul. Leave Princes Freeway at Pakenham/Koo Wee Rup exit. Take first exit at roundabout towards Pakenham. At next roundabout turn left. Meet fifty metres on in the car park on the left front of Pakenham Paints. We depart this meeting point at 8.30 a.m. sharp. We chose this meeting place as it is the only safe area to meet and park prior to departure. Please call Selwyn or Barb if you are interested in participating in this event. Barb - 0417 384 712 Selwyn – 0412 546 208.
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President’s Report
Hi everyone. Bill’s away so no report this month. Our VP Ralph didn’t have anything to say either!
MY MOTTO
MY MOTTO
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, coffee in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally
worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride! Have a wonderful day! And pay the undertaker with a bad check.
Pretty apt for a Healey owner!
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AUSTIN HEALEY OWNERS CLUB OF VICTORIA INC. Minutes of “General Meeting” held on
Thursday 7th July 2011 AT 19 – 23 ROSALIE STREET, SPRINGVALE
Meeting opened at 8.10pm Present: 57 financial members
No Visitors 1 New Member – Ray Watson who has a BN4 under refurbishment.
Apologies: Harvey Pearce, Terry Grig, Gayle Minter, Phil and Greg Howe, Maurene Cant, Louise Goad, Bruce Dixon, John Olsen, Warren and Heather Gartner, Max and Helen Storey, Peter and Lyn Edwards, Deanna Hall, David and Yvonne Thomson, Paul and Julianne McPherson, Rod and Sue Vogt, Bill and Carole Vaughan.
Minutes of Previous Meeting: Motion that the minutes of previous meeting, held on 5 May 2011, be accepted. Moved: Gordon Lindner Seconded: Keith Nankervis Carried. Matters arising from the previous minutes: Nil. Welfare: No reports of sickness at this meeting thankfully! Correspondence In: Flyers Shannons Melbourne Motor Show Auction advice E Mail
1. Request from Tom Buxton to assist in locating a lost Healey 2. Notification re CAMS “Silver” Officials training course scheduled for 7 July 3. Advice from CAMS re “Bronze” scrutiny course scheduled for 9/10 July 4. Advertisement from Andrew Turley offering custom printed number plates 5. Note from AHOC of Vic member Brian Dermott re special deal he has organised for people interested in TAGA
events. 6. Flyer from Denis Welsh re their sponsorship of the upcoming “Colorado Conclave” 7. Flyer from Veloce Books re latest motoring books
Magazines July“Crankhandle” SPCHCC (Southern Peninsula Classic and Historic Car Club) magazine June “Healeys West” magazine from WA AHOC June “Flat Chat” magazine from NSW AHOC June “Goblin Gazette” from Sprite Driver’s Club June “Cat-A-Log” magazine from Jag Car Club May / June “Healey Torque” magazine from Qld AHOC June “Healey Howl” magazine from South Australian AHOC May HRA News (Historic Rally Association) Letters Letter from Pam Morane thanking the Club for their condolences on the passing of Frank. Cheques from Mark Ingham for magazine advertising. Invitation from RACV to participate in “Motorclassica” in October Invitation from Sprite Driver’s Club to join them at “Berry Merry Show ‘N’ Shine on November 27th. Letter from Ross and Gail Chilianis advising their change of address to Mornington. Letter from AOMC inviting participation in a seminar called “Streaming Your Club’s Operations” on 30 July. Invitation to attend the Victorian Goldfields Railway celebration at Muckleford” station between Maldon and Castlemaine on October 23rd. Correspondence out: Nothing significant this month. REPORTS: Financial: Mike Snelgrove submitted the following report: Operating Account Opening balance as at 1 May 2011 $19,220.70 Deposits $ 1,040.00 Payments $ 3,833.04 Closing balance as at 31 May 2011 $16,427.66
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Special Purpose Account as of 31 May 2011 $2,842.78 which has since been transferred to the Operating Account and this Special Purpose account closed. Term Deposit Account at 17 April $51,393.68 Membership: Peter Heading reported that our membership currently stands at 583. Recent new members are: Ray and Anne Watson, Daniel and Marie Tenaglia, Leigh and Helen Goodall, David and Di Ozanne, David and Donna Margolin and back in March, we had Brad and Suzzanne Beck and Patrick Conway and Chris Skipton Conway. (The Committee and Members extend a warm welcome to all new members – please make yourselves known to me when next at an event or meeting – Secretary Brian Aitken) Social: Barbara discussed the recent invitation from the Jag Club to attend their “Christmas in July” event at the Club Rooms on 17 July next and confirmed that Gordon will circulate a flyer via e mail. The next Club event is the Rusty Springs week end on 22 – 24 July which is now fully subscribed. Coming up we have Selwyn’s “Fang” run on 14 August – see the next magazine for details including a change to the starting location! Finally, Barb is planning a self drive to Williamstown for lunch in late August – details to be published in magazine and circulated via e mail once finalised. Also there is a gap in the supper roster for the September meeting – anyone who can assist please notify Barb ASAP. Ralph spoke about the combined mini rally to Mildura in early October and noted that take up has been slow so far – please contact him by the end of August if you wish to attend. All details are in the July magazine. Editor: Harvey was not able to be at the meeting but along with his apology, he requested that all articles and reports for the August magazine be to him by 15 July. Regalia: Ron Boyle has obtained samples of new “up market” jackets and would like members reactions – please have a look and let him know what you think! Competition / MSCA: Rod is presently on holiday but has covered off most competition issues in the July magazine report. Peter Jackson talked briefly about the upcoming Winton event and Rob Raverty gave a rundown of the excitement at the MSCA event at Sandown on July 3. Rob reported that the track was both wet and oily in the morning which resulted in various Team Healey entrants keeping spectators amused with lurid pirouettes, none of which ended in tears fortunately, however a Nissan Club member did a serious re shape of a 240Z and his own anatomy early in the day. The track improved later in the day (surprisingly without the formation of ice!) however because of conditions, the regularity competitors did poorly. Russel Baker did run well all day without attracting the unwelcome attention of the man with the noise meter! Cars / parts for sale: David Kisby has had some original pattern stainless steel windscreen retaining springs for BN1 & 2 cars made up if anyone would like a set – $10/spring. He also has a virtually new 100/4 muffler for $40.00. Call David on 5975 7983 if interested. Ralph Fletcher also has a set of HS6 1.75” SUs available if anyone is interested. General Business: Barb reported that progress with the new library is actually happening but she is not at liberty to divulge the details as they are secret woman’s business. Watch this space. Brian Froelich noted that an additional limited number Frederique Constant Healey logo watch donated to the club by Rob Elliot following the Swiss rally (which was auctioned by Geoff Gillard to raise money for the Club) is available at a Chadstone Jeweller for a heavily discounted price around $2.5K – contact Brian for more details if interested. Ralph Fletcher discussed the RACV Motor Classica event coming up in October and noted that anyone with a superb Healey they wanted to display (at considerable expense!) can obtain an entry form from Brian Aitken. Ralph also reminded members that if they are interested in doing some form of TAGA event such as the Victorian High Country on 4 – 6 November, they should consider entering soon. Finally, the evening raffle was drawn with Bill Metcalf taking the spoils. Meeting closed at 8.40pm Next meeting: 4 August 2011.
PUT THIS IN YOUR DIARY NOW! Bringing back Brian’s Brain-buster
Sunday September 25th A Brain Buster drive - simple navigation and a questionnaire
Watch the September magazine for all the details. We will be heading in a southerly direction.
(Marriage counselling on request at the conclusion)
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Many girls like to marry a military man - he can cook, sew, make beds, is in good health, and he's already used to taking orders.
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COMPETITION REPORT AUGUST 2011
COMPETITION REPORT TEAM HEALEY and MSCA NEWS COMING EVENTS Events marked with * count towards the Competition Championship. Sprint and Regularity events require a basic CAMS level 2S licence only. (contact Rod Vogt) 1. MARQUE SPORTS CAR ASSOCIATION (MSCA) CALENDAR FOR 2011 Round 6 Sunday 21st August *Phillip Island Round 7 Sunday 25th September *Winton Round 8 Saturday 5th November *Calder confirmed Sunday December 4th 2011 (to be confirmed) will be Round One for the 2012 MSCA Championship and also for our 2012 AHOC Competition Championship ( and the MSCA BBQ/Presentation for 2011.) ENTRY FORMS for these events will be sent to all on the Team Healey email list and are available on the MSCA website www.msca.net.au . If you want to get involved ring Rod Vogt on 5962 1915 or 0408 395 240 or email [email protected] . Spectators are encouraged. Entry is free and you are welcome in our pit garage. Competition starts at approximately 9.15am 2. OTHER EVENTS 6/7th August *Phillip Island 6 Hour Relay (no AHOC team, but Sprite Club is entered) 12-14th Aug *VHRR Historic Winton (long track) 21st August * Round 3 Vic Supersprint Champs at Phillip Island (run by MSCA) 24/25th Sept *HSRCA Historic Wakefield Park, Goulburn NSW 15/16th Oct *Winton Six Hour Relay Race – supporters/helpers wanted for Sunday 16th 5/6th Nov *Historic Sandown COMPETITION REPORTS I am writing this report two weeks early, on the 1st July, as I leave for 8 weeks away in the wilds of the Kimberley region – there will be no report for the September magazine. Stop that cheering! HSRCA HISTORIC MEETING AT EASTERN CREEK, SYDNEY, 25/26th JUNE Peter Jackson and Brian Duffy ran their 3000’s in races that combined Group Sa Sports Cars with the older Groups J, K & L sports and racing cars and two Austin A30’s representing pre 1960 Touring Cars. Peter and Brian qualified first and second respectively with Peter posting a fastest lap of 1.53.69 for pole position and Brian on the front row with a new personal best lap of 1.54.61. Laurie Sellers from NSW filled third place on the grid one second behind Brian and Colin Goldsmith in his NSW 3000 qualified a promising 6th . The 18 car field included an Elva Courier, two Formula Junior open wheelers of 1100cc capacity ( both of 1959 vintage), an MGA, a Triumph TR3A, an Elfin Streamliner, two MG TC Specials and a 1934 Lagonda Rapier Special. This proved to be a slightly weaker field than usually seen in J, K and L. Peter won the two scratch races quite comfortably, if such a thing is possible, with Laurie Sellers some ten seconds behind in second place each time in his big Healey. Colin Goldsmith had two fifth places in his Healey, so Healeys dominated the events. Where was Brian Duffy you ask? After his fantastic qualifying effort he suffered driveline failure on the start line of race one and his weekend was over! The third race for the weekend was a handicap race which is always a lottery and more so here where the handicaps were calculated on the basis of a 6 lap race which was shortened to 5 laps at start time and the chequered flag dropped after only 4 laps! Peter started in last place and flew through the slower cars to finish 5th and needed those extra two laps to complete the task. POINTS EARNED TOWARD THE COMPETITION CHAMPIONSHIP, with 4 fastest laps: Peter Jackson 945 pts 1.53.70, 1.53.89, 1.54.23, 1.54.25 Brian Duffy 539 pts 1.54.62, 1.55.15, 1.57.29, 1.59.23 Remember, Brian completed only five laps in his one qualifying session
TRIVIA Jackie Cooper, the first child actor to be nominated for a major Academy Award, passed away recently at age 88. He may be best known recently for playing Perry White in the first three Superman movies, and won awards for directing episodes of M*A*S*H. What you may not have known is that he raced Austin Healeys in the early 1950’s. His 100S was one of the first four brought in to the USA, and he raced it at Sebring in 1955 with team mate Roy Jackson-Moore. Sir Stirling Moss announced his retirement from competitive motorsport at age 81. He says it was time after frightening himself while practicing for the Le Mans 24 Hour Historic support races. I hope we can all get to 81 before having to hang up the helmet. If giving yourself a “fright” is the catalyst then I would have retired after my first event! Where is ROGER? Like the Adventures of Naked Man in The Age, Roger the goat refuses to go away. While travelling up to Winton for the recent short course historic meeting I spotted a new Café in Yarck which we may visit on a Healey run. The lady running the “Giddy Goat Café” will welcome Healey Club members if you are passing.
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OVERALL STANDINGS:
2011 COMPETITION CHAMPIONSHIP. Points events average 1 Peter Jackson (3000) 3802 4 950 2 Russ Baker (3000) 3411 4 853 3 Brian Duffy (3000) 3285 4 821 4 Rob Raverty (3000) 2826 3 942 5 Brian Aitken (Sprite) 2491 3 830 6 Mark Bird (100/4) 2208 3 736 7 Steve Pike (3000) 1857 2 928 8 Bill Vaughan (Sprite) 1723 2 861 9 Tim Westover (3000) 1635 2 817 10 Leon O’Brien (100/4) 1615 2 807 11 Cary Helenius (100/6) 1610 2 805 12 Hugh Purse (100/4) 1546 2 773 13 Peter Kaiser (Sprite) 956 1 956 14 Damian Moloney (100/4) 942 1 942 15 Geoff Leake (100/4) 938 1 938 16 David Kelly (100/4) 901 1 901 17 Rod Vogt (Sprite) 895 1 895 18 John Goodall (100/6) 803 1 803 So at roughly the halfway point of our season, at 30th June, after 12 events Peter Jackson fills a familiar position at the top of the table. But if you look at the average points scored, Rob Raverty, Steve Pike and others are scoring well and need to get four or more good results posted to have a chance 2011 ASSOCIATE CLASS Points events average 1 Graeme Marks (Mac Healey) 1871 2 935 2 Larry Varley (Williams spcl) 1499 2 750 3 Hamish MacLennan (MGB) 1364 2 682 4 Tony Rogers (Porsche 911) 847 1 847
A CLOSING THOUGHT “There is a fine line between courage and foolishness. Too bad it’s not a fence” CHEERS ROD VOGT
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A TRUE STORY The Australian Government and the NSW Forestry Service were presenting an alternative to NSW sheep farmers for controlling the dingo population. It seems that after years of the sheep farmers using the 'tried and true' methods of shooting and/or trapping the predators, the Labor Government (Peter Garrett - Environmental Minister), the NSW Forestry Service and the Greens and tree-huggers had a ‘more ‘humane’ solution. What they actually proposed was for the animals to be captured alive. The males would then be castrated and let loose again. Therefore the population would be controlled. This was ACTUALLY proposed to the NSW Sheep farmers Association and Farming Association by the Federal Government and the NSW Forestry Service. All of the sheep farmers thought about this amazing idea for a couple of minutes. Finally, one of the old boys in the back of the conference room stood up, tipped his hat back and said, "Mr Garrett, son, I don't think you understand our problem" "These dingo’s ain't f…… our sheep - they’re eatin’ ‘em." You should have been there to hear the roar of laughter as Mr Peter Garrett and the members of the NSW Forestry Service , the Greens and the other “tree huggers” left the meeting very “sheepishly”.
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MSCA SANDOWN JULY 3rd 2011 The Team Healey field for Sandown comprised Russell Baker (3000) in sprints and Leon O’Brien (100/4), Tim Westover (3000), Hugh Purse (100/4) and Rob Raverty (3000) in Regularity. Rounding out the Healey Club involvement was David Kelly officiating as Clerk of Course with Selwyn Hall assisting. The weather forecast unfortunately proved to be accurate with a cold, windy and wet morning greeting the team. Leon had fortunately organised a triple garage which provided a welcome refuge from the wind and rain. After an uneventful scrutineering, even for Hugh, the driver briefing was held in drizzling rain which is the usual precursor for the Regularity practice and nominated times session. Leon and Hugh both found turn 12 slippery with interestingly choreographed 360’s drawing cheers and applause from the crowd. Hugh had Steve Pike along as his campaign advisor and tyre pressures were adjusted to provide more grip. Several iterations were required before the pirouettes were contained. The track conditions remained wet for the morning sessions and into the early afternoon with all drivers finding the track challenging and more so when oil was deposited along the length of the back straight. Team mascot, Roger, decided the wind and rain was excessive and opted for a hardtop. Rob Raverty failed to heed the advice of Sue, his race manager, and nominated an ”it might dry up in the afternoon” time and paid the price with low regularity scores. Tim Westover circulated confidently and without incident in the 1:55’s patiently waiting for the weather to improve. Russell Baker was warming to the wet track challenge in his now glorious sounding 3000 and progressively worked down from 1:54’s into the 1:42’s and without any spins or departures from the black stuff. The weather finally improved at around 2.30pm which provided one dry run for Regularity and all drivers took full advantage thereby decimating their regularity scores. Russell managed a fifth sprint session with very consistent laps around his best time for the day of 1:37, which will do no harm at all to his club championship aggregate points and average. The weather undoubtedly took its toll on the visitor numbers but Brian and Annette Aitken, Russell’s stalwart support crew Elaine and trusty pit manager Martin braved the cold and added to the garage camaraderie and atmosphere. Leon’s friend Dan and young son Max also enjoyed the day despite just missing Leon’s 360’s. Rob Raverty
WHAT IS A CALORIE? Calories are the little bastards that get into your wardrobe at night and sew your clothes tighter
MY WARDROBE IS INFESTED WITH THEM
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The Grand Tour By the 18th Century Britain was the wealthiest nation and young Englishmen often filled time between university and the beginning of a career with an extended tour of continental Europe - 300 years later, we call this the ‘gap year’. In the 19th Century the Grand Tour became an American phenomenon as these newly wealthy citizens of a young country inherited a western tradition and travelled widely. By the 1960s the Grand Tour had been adopted, in a less formal fashion, by college students worldwide who purchased ‘round-the-world plane tickets, Eurail passes, and set off with backpacks staying in youth hostels the world over. The Backpacker ritual is still going strong. The Grand Tour was also adopted by keen motorists and roads started to replace galleries and museums as the place where culture could be found and experienced. Motoring soon developed its own unpredictable, exciting and adventurous history, with its own legends and artists and so soon became the focus of its own kind of Grand Tour. The Bentley Boys were early heroes of the motoring Grand Tour. In 1930, while at dinner in Cannes, Woolf Barnato bet 100 pounds that in his Bentley Speed Six he could be at his club in London before the Blue Train reached Calais.
Woolf Barnato's Blue Train Special started the GT legend
The next day, as the Blue Train steamed out of Cannes station at 17.45 hrs, Barnato, with one of his friends as relief driver, set off in the mighty Bentley. From Lyons onwards they had to battle against heavy rain. At 4:20h, in Auxerre, they lost time searching for a refueling rendezvous. Through central France they hit fog, then shortly after Paris they had a burst tyre, requiring the use of their one and only spare. And yet, racing non-stop through the night along the bumpy 1930's roads, they reached the coast at 10:30h, sailed over to England and were neatly parked outside The Conservative Club in London, by 15:20h - four minutes before the Blue Train reached Calais.
There are a few who re-enact this trip today and are amazed at how hard it is to manage the trip overnight even on the modern Autoroutes with Eurotunnel crossing. Certainly, a dusty and rattly blue 100/6 reggo 9DPK only just made it back in 1965 on the same roads as Barnato - and what seemed like the same ancient ferry. When Austin Healeys from Australia go Grand Touring in Europe, they like to find those places where stuff happened, when motoring history that’s worth talking about took place. That’s why the Stelvio Pass and its 48 hairpins is clogged with Europes’ tourists when you want it to be open and free to re-enact the Morley brothers climb to a Coupe des Alpes. Although that was before it was sealed, so its hard to really imagine. In Australia too you can take a motor sport Grand Tour and many have taken trips to Bathurst or the Australian Grand Prix when it was in Adelaide to see and feel history being made. Unless you’ve driven up it, you have no idea how steep is the road up Mt Panorama or how blind McPhillamy Park or how narrow the Dipper. For much of the year, Bathurst is a country road past a winery and the fact that it’s a 60 limit is no real problem - that seems about the right speed for ‘going across the top’, even though a time under 2 mins 50 secs mins means you have to exceed 160 kph many times on that bit of road.
Healey Heaven? Sunny spring Adelaide and the cops shut a whole Hill for you to enjoy
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Just stop-starting around the traffic infested roads of the old AGP circuit in Adelaide - now marked up on the maps as the V8 Supercar track, which is not quite the same - the ghosts of the Big Healeys competing for the Sebring Cup in 2000 echo from the glass and stone canyons. Sitting in a traffic jam in the middle of ‘Banana Bend’ is not very evocative of a scary place taken at 6,200 rpm in overdrive third with the 4:3 diff, wondering whether it was going to grip. A lot of modern Healey history has been made on the testing roads of Tasmania or around the Adelaide Hills, as that piece in last month’s magazine about the new Targa Tours evoked quite well. But what makes that experience so rare and special is that you run over the same closed roads just before the competition happens.
The Aussie GT is a Hungry Healey on testing roads
closed for your pleasure You can use all the road, whizz through junctions without seeing any traffic but not have any competition pressure. It’s an amazing feeling to be not competing in a competition - all the thrills with none of the spills. Much of the glory with none of the pressures.
This year in Strahan, arriving in the cold West Coast drizzle after a fiendishly testing Targa day your reporter was knackered. So was almost everyone else - after parking the car in the wet parc ferme competitors all slunk off to find a warm room and shower and the strength to hunt down something to eat in the overcrowded pub. Many had to wait until very late by when anything decent had already been eaten. But on one side of the parking area, on a Strahan Village cottage terrace, was a happy and sunny group of revellers. Laughter filled the grey damp gloom and the pop of corks could be heard. It was all the folk from the Tour inspired by the redoubtable Rowan Sproule, who was very keen to recount what a FANTASTIC day he had had as leader of a tour group. All his tour group were there and they had great stories to tell; the blokes were getting lubricated ready for the great dinner Party they had organised at a pre arranged table at Franklin Manor, while the ladies spruced up. There were Ferraris and Lancias and Aston Martins and old Aussie muscle cars and some great enthusiasts in the group. No, there was not a spare seat for dinner. You are a dreary, dirty, smelly competitor person and Not With Us. This experience - plus seeing all Tour people flushed and happy at the gala Dinner - reminded us that the only way you can legally enjoy driving your sports car briskly on closed country roads without a crash helmet is as part of the Targa Tour. Without a crash helmet also means without stress, without disaster anxiety. But still a big thrill. Is this the modern day equivalent of the motoring Grand Tour translated into Australian? Maybe - there is certainly no lack of Healey Culture on all the Targa roads which are redolent with the contemporary history of the Aussie Big Healey. But that’s a story for another time.
FOR SALE
BN1 Austin Healey Parts for Sale Original inlet manifold with carburettors/air cleaners. After-market extractors, generator and starter motor $ 400 Diff assembly brake drum to brake drum with 4.1 diff $ 400 Diff centre 4.1 only 56,000 miles $ 300 Diff centre 3.9 $ 400
100-6 Fibre glass bonnet new $ 120 Front bumper bar assembly $ 220 Ross Chilianis Phone 97812668
REGISTRATION PLATES- After owning a BN4 for 30 years, I have sold it to Geoff Bennett in Adelaide where it is now registered. The Victorian plates - BN4 106 are available at nil cost. (VicRoads have acknowledged they have been retained and can be reused). Greig Provan 9844 3066
BN2 Gear box serial Number I 4690 casting Number AEO 3174 the disc on the top is stamped Type C26A The bell housing is off a BN4 with linkage to convert to Hydraulic clutch. The gear box came with a BN1 I purchase and restored using the BN1 gear box and is not required by me. I was advised the gear box had been reconditioned. There is no Over Drive $1200.00 Keith Bailey on 07 3351 5362 or [email protected] C/Over Reconditioned clutch bell housing fitted with modified First Motion Shaft seal & re-bushed clutch fork. Suits BN4, BN6, BN7,BT7 ( allside shift Healey’s )Price $180.00 Bruce Dixon on 9511-6097 100/4 crankshaft 10 thou under standard size and has been machined for the denis welch rear seal,ready to use $1800.00 ono. Mark Ingham 0411259229
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WANTED
Healey 100/4 engine block. Graeme Marks 0418 367 743 Rear aluminium Cockpit Moulding, for 3000mk1 (BT7) four seater RHS only, Condition needs to be good enough to remove scratches, that is, not damaged. Barry Giddings [email protected] 94100294 or 0458 910107
Healey 100/4 tacho assembly & tail shaft. Serviceable parts or information appreciated. Garry Fitridge 0357522560 or 0432793748 or [email protected]
SOLD IT OR FOUND IT? Please let me know Ed
Following the tragic death of the Human Cannonball at the Kent Show, a spokesman said: "We'll struggle to get another man of the same calibre”.
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AUSTIN-HEALEYS THAT RACED IN AUSTRALIA
Jim Abbott hit the ground running when he arrived in Australia from England. He took over the publication of the magazine put out by the Light Car Club of Australia and re vamped it as Australian Autosportsman, and then established the sister magazine Australian Watersportsman. He developed Lakeland Hillclimb in the backyard of his property at Lilydale which held its first Meeting on the 15 March 1964. He promoted the Racing Car Show at the Exhibition Buildings and developed and raced several cars, starting with a Daimler SP250. He also imported a BT7 Mk2 3000 in the early 1970’s. Jim recognised that engine swaps had become a familiar part of the automotive scene and more particularly in competition with the creation of the AC Cobra and the Sunbeam Tiger. After talking the idea over with some of his motoring friends, Jim decided to advertise for a car which would be competitive in all forms of motorsport- hillclimbs, circuit racing, as well as drags and sprints, but which would still be suitable for the road. He narrowed his search down to an MGA, TR2, or an Austin-Healey. In January 1965 he placed an advertisement in his own a magazine for a – “Bent, battered, or blown up sports car wanted. Prefer an Austin-Healey 100/4, but any sports car will do.” He had no response, so he commenced a trek around the wreckers’ yards. In spite of the many of them wrecking Austin- Healey’s in those days, he was unable to find one which still had chassis rails straight enough to enable an engine swap. He had almost given up when he got a phone call from a wrecking yard which had a 100/4 that was not badly damaged and the asking price was only $400. His good luck was that, as well as having minimal damage, it was a BN2 with larger brakes and beefier rear end – therefore a better proposition than he had dared hope for. This car came from Auburn Auto Salvage, Canterbury. It was a white car, BN2 229703, and was first registered GML 209 on 20 April 1956 by Una O’Loughlin who ran the Thistle Café in Sassafras. In November 1964 it passed through the hands of Alan Coffey Motors in South Melbourne and then to Auburn Auto Salvage in whose name the registration lapsed. After giving careful consideration to the type of engine to be fitted, Jim decided on a 313CI Dodge Truck engine as it was the best all round proposition under $800 – he paid under $200 for the engine he fitted 51/2 inches further back in the chassis. He settled on a gearbox out of a 21/2litre Riley. The biggest problem was the fitting of the radiator which was out of a Mk 5 Jaguar and the fitting of the extractors. The front brakes came from an Austin A105 fitted with Triumph TR3 calipers. It was hoped that the car would be finished in time for the NSW Drag Championship on the 20th June1965. He did meet the deadline, but a few minor bugs showed up during road testing and required sorting. These were overheating, thrown water pump belt, ground clearance, flooding carburettor and jumping out of top gear. This delay enabled the bodywork to be finished off properly, with flared mudguards and the hardtop being moulded into the body.
The Healey Taipan was born and was reregistered JFT 544 to ensure it was still a multi use car. The unwanted Austin-Healey parts were advertised for sale – “All in excellent condition as the late model BN2 had only done 55,000 miles”. At its debut outing at the Riverside Dragway in August 1965 the car turned in a best time of 13.81 seconds with Don Prowse, the official mechanic for the car, at the helm. One of the features of the day was a match race between Jim in the Taipan and 1965 Hillclimb Champion Tim Schenken in his White 500 “Go Kart”. The Healey ran a time of 14.15 seconds and the Kart 14.13 seconds.
Australian Hot Rod magazine reported that, “This new acquisition to the ranks looks like being a top contender as anything which can run into the 13’s at it first outing is certainly worthy material”. Then at its first circuit race at Calder 29 August 1965, Racing Car News reported on that Meeting – “Terry Morris (Zephsca) took the lead followed by Jim Abbott in the Valiant(?) powered Healey and Alan Newton (Jewitt Holden- he later owned a BN1 Austin-Healey). Abbott’s car showed good pace, but gearbox and oil cooling troubles started to set in and he was out at Repco by Lap 6. Don’t be surprised to see a slush box in this car next time out.” As predicted, Jim did fit an auto gearbox and it was thought that when development was finished it would be a real flyer. At Riverside in October 1965 the car was again driven by Don Prowse but it was suffering from high speed electrical breakdown. Despite lack of revs it managed a run of 13.65 seconds, behind Allan Caelli in the ex-Murray Carter Corvette which ran 13.22 seconds. At Lakeland on the 31 October 1965 the car suffered from tremendous wheel spin in the wet, but scored a win over Mike Oberman in an E Type – but one second slower than his practice times. Then in December 1965 Jim bought the wedge headed Chrysler engine out of Eddie Thomas’s dragster. The Austin-Healey was now a dedicated drag car. It was reported that- “ “Squire” Abbott expects times in the low 11’s for the ¼ - might be interesting.”
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At Lakeland in December 1965 “Dragster” Jim managed a best time of 35.03 seconds in the over 3000cc Sports Car class and a 35.55 seconds in the Racing Car class. To recoup some of his expenses, in January 1966 Jim advertised replica fiberglass bonnets incorporating a large scoop for sale for $30 - suitable for any Austin-Healey, and various remaining Austin-Healey parts no longer required. By February 1966 Jim had lost interest and announced a change of plans for 1966. He removed the Chrysler engine, which eventually went into the dragster of David Gale. He advertised the car for sale, fitted with either a Chrysler or a Ford engine and redesigned for the road. Later it was still available and this time was advertised with a 318 CI engine and auto for $1800. Later again in June 1966 it was advertised with a Ford V8. Jim Abbott went on to create the Taipan Vee in April 1966 for the new Formula Vee category, and played with his ex- Lemans Sunbeam Tiger. Then he stuffed a Ford V8, engine left over from the Sunbeam Tiger, into the ex-Alan Hamilton Porsche Spyder. This car was an interim factory prototype, which lead to the 906 Carrera. In December 1967 Jim announced that the Taipan had been sold and was now fitted with a Hemi Chrysler engine. The new Owner of the Austin-Healey was Peter Sutton from Ringwood. The car had been sitting around gathering dust. It was not in the best of health and had a 272 Ford engine loosely sitting in the chassis. With the help of a group of friends he removed the Ford engine and fitted a 1954 Chrysler Firepower engine of 331 CI. He reduced the weight of the car by a further 3 cwt., fitted an MGB rack and pinion and disc brakes from a TR 4. The car was painted red and renamed “Little Red Ram”.
By the time they finished the car Fishermans Bend had closed down in, which left the crew frustrated as the nearest drag strip was at Echuca, until the drag strip at Calder was opened in April 1968. The car ran under 14 seconds at Castlereagh in Sydney, and competed at “Speed Week” at Surfers Paradise. The car then ran regularly at Calder during 1968 and at the September Meeting ran a time of 13.84 seconds. Peter took the car back to Surfers Paradise for the National Championships in November 1968. An interesting comparison is the performance of Jim Bosgra from Southport who managed a time of 14.70 seconds in his 4 cylinder BN2 at Surfers Paradise in September 1968. This car was described as indecently fast and had already carried him to 2 successive Stock Eliminator wins at Surfers Paradise. In February 1969 he got down to a time of 14.39 seconds. This car was running in a different class to the Little Red Ram, but it demonstrates that cubic inches and big horsepower are not always required to be successful in motor sport. This car, BN2 229769, has been owned by Gavin Williams from Adelaide for the last 20 years. Peter pulled the body off the chassis in 1977 and sold what was not required, which was basically the chassis rails. In 1983 Peter fitted a 434 Fuel injected engine in a space frame chassis designed to achieve better traction and acceleration, a nine inch diff, but he still retained the original Austin-Healey panels. The chassis rails have passed through many Owners over the years, and finally ended up with Owen Holmes via his friend Peter Coffey (son of Alan Coffey who had a hand in the car all those years previously). Unfortunately the chassis was burnt, along with Owen’s BN1 and BN2 in the 2009 Black Saturday fires. Since the early 1980’s I have lost contact with Peter Sutton. In recent times I have spoken to a lot of people about the car, be they from Austin-Healey, Drag or Street Rod backgrounds, and without exception they all remember the car , but don’t know what happened to it. I have been to where Peter used to work and live without success, so at this stage the story on the Taipan/Little Red Ram cannot be completed. Anyone out there got any further information? Iain McPherson
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Will I Live to see 80? - Here's something to think about. I recently picked a new primary care doctor. After two visits and exhaustive Lab tests, he said I was doing 'fairly well' for my age. (I just turned 60.) A little concerned about that comment, I couldn't resist asking him, 'Do you think I'll live to be 80?' He asked, 'Do you smoke tobacco, or drink beer or wine?' 'Oh no,' I replied.. 'I'm not doing drugs, either!' Then he asked, 'Do you eat rib-eye steaks and barbecued ribs? 'I said, 'Not much... my former doctor said that all red meat is very unhealthy!' 'Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf, sailing, hiking, or bicycling?' 'No, I don't,' I said. He asked, 'Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or have a lot of sex?' 'No,' I said. He looked at me and said,... 'Then, why do you care?
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One day when God was looking down at Earth and saw all of the wicked behaviour going on, He sent one of his angels to earth to look into it. When the angel returned, he told God, "Yes, it is bad on earth, 95% are misbehaving and only 5% are not. God was not pleased so he decided to e-mail the 5% that were good because he wanted to encourage them and give them a little something to help keep them going. Do you know what the e-mail said? NO? Okay, I was just wondering because I didn't get one either.
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Haven’t we all experienced this!
(This article appeared in “Healey Torque”. The Journal of The Austin Healey Club of NSW, May 2011)
******************************************************************************************************************************************* The Club received this message of thanks from Pam Mornane. Pam’s message embodies what our club is all
about. *******************************************************************************************************************************************
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Please talk to us if you are considering selling or buying a Classic Sports Car
PHONE: (03) 9872 3900
www.healeyfactory.com.au
