News
Alvis Day
1 November 2008
The Alvis Group was somewhat overshadowed by the substantial wedding parties that were also gracing the grounds of the Horse & Jockey Inn on the 1st day in November. perhaps a popular choice at the start of the racing season. It was clear from the beginning though, that the Alvis Car Club had a better selection of cars. Wedding Guests were frequently sneaking out of their groups to take a look and ask questions. We were really quite popular. One lady of discerning taste was keen to acquire the keys to Richard Budd's TC21. The wedding cars paled by comparison!
Chris Forsey made a significant effort to come, from Googong, near Queanbeyan. It is great to see this new member taking a keen interest in the Club. Chris also attended the Beechworth dinner of the JNBC Tour, with his father Keith. We are looking forward to seeing your TD21s on the road as well, Chris. Bev Anderson made an equally large effort to attend, from the other direction on the Central Coast; she is a great supporter of the Club her father founded.
David and Maureen Clarke ventured over from Bowral, their Speed 20 not yet up to the trip but they were pleased to catch up with their Alvis friends. Mike Menzies and Sue Hague, also from the Southern Highlands, were intimidated by impending rain and left their beautiful SD 12/50 beetleback at home, which was a relief to the other vintage car participants, as Mike won the Vintage prize last year. The Cunninghams were out in force, no doubt looking forward to their cars being back on the road. Now that Eric is no longer committed to official club duties he has no excuse for not getting back down into the garage!
The other participants, all with Alvis entries in the competition were ready to race. Vic had the easiest time, being the only entrant in the Pre War category. He won unopposed. With Rob Gunnell's new FWD (Effie) taking out the Best Car of the Day, and Mike Menzies' SD a scratching, Paul Lunsmann found himself without an opponent in the Vintage category as well. So the real competition was in the Post War category. Alan Russell and Geoffrey Farrance started out well, with Philip Dadd catching up around the bend. Richard Budd and Kendall McSkimming then showed their true colours taking over the lead with Norman Webster pulling out along the straight to win by a head.
Congratulations to all and thanks to Richard for a delightful day.
Fairfax Rally
20 October 2008
Yes, finally we made a rally in 2008, having risen at 4am to get the birds and puppy dogs settled and away by 7, whoops make that 7.30. Having had rain earlier in the week we opted to leave the roof on and try the side curtains for the very first time. They were okay at up to 40mph but over 50 they start to flap, and when those semis pass you hold on to more than the steering wheel. We are about the same distance north of Sydney as is Picton south, where we all met for the start at 10am. We made it in a breeze and even had time for coffee.
Our first instruction sheet was handed out by our trusty leader, Mike, and we headed south to make Bungendore for lunch. Well aren't these runs fun - tricky maybe a better word - getting bridge numbers after you have gone over them and finding the establishment date of ?Ye Olde Bicycle Shop? had been painted over! Not to be fooled we stopped the Beast and called on the current owners who were quite bemused by our question and were sure it was in the late 60's. Wrong! it turned out to be late 40's. Maybe another member of our group had called before us and got them to tell us the wrong answer. That will go into the memory bank.
We meandered along passing some of the more patient drivers and took in the fabulous scenery. Why do Aussies want to go overseas? It is all here, just take your time and choof around the countryside.
At Bungendore locals came to see the cars and the Alvis ranks swelled from 10 to 13. Then it was west to Binalong via Yass. A jolly evening was had by all. On Saturday we decided to travel in sports mode, so it was down with the roof and on with the sun screen. Again we were gob smacked with scenery. Morning tea in Tumut at a beautiful park then on to Tumbarumba for lunch and Corryong in Victoria. Sunday we travelled via Burrowa Pine Mountain National Park, on to Yackandandah for lunch and then in convoy to Beechworth to meet up with the JNCB tour.
Don't you like coincidences? On the first night at Binalong my wife Carol was seated at dinner next to Paul Lunsmann (the eventual winner) only to find he is a neighbour of ours at Smiths Lake about 300km north of Sydney. We had never met before. Then in Beechworth I was particularly attracted to a Speed 25 Alvis from Victoria and when I spoke with the owner Frank Morane, I found that the triple SU carburettors on his car were originally from ours.
Special thanks go to Mike Menzies & Sue Hague our organisers who arranged a splendid rally, and to Geoff Farrance for following us from Bungendore to Binalong.
Rob's Ramble
13 September 2008
Rob's Ramble for 2008 was just that: not a trial, nor a rally, but a pleasant drive through the kind of country Alvises were made for, on a day that was made for it.
We met at Nurragingy Reserve, Doonside. Four Alvises were present: Richard Budd's TC21, John Doig's 12/60, Bob Blacket's 12/50 with newly fitted full flow oil filter and Rob Gunnell's FWD. They were supplemented by Norman Webster, Bev Anderson, Bruce Cunningham, and Heather Goldsmith's moderns. Ross Pratley was prevented from joining us at the start by water problems with his 3½ litre.
There was time to chat and look under bonnets before Heather briefed us on the route. We travelled via Windsor Rd to Pitt Town with its historical hotel, church and houses, which some stopped to visit, and then through Cattai to Wiseman's Ferry for morning tea. There Max Goldsmith with his Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III joined us, while Richard Budd had to head off.
Crossing the Hawkesbury on the ferry we found ourselves in company with a friendly group of Harley Davidson riders showing great interest in the Alvises.
Our route followed the winding river bank through several small river towns to Mangrove Mountain. Waratah Rd took us to historic Waratah House, home of Ross and Carol Pratley. The garden, where Ross's 3½ litre awaited us, provided a graceful setting for the Alvises on display. We adjourned to a garden pavilion for lunch and more good talk, and eventually the participants made their separate ways home.
This was the first Alvis event I had attended since accompanying Bert Salt, then Secretary of the Alvis Register, in his 12/60 in England in the early 1970s. That, together with a fast twilight run in I think Tony Cox's Speed 20 tourer through English lanes at about the same time, and Rob's Ramble last month are amongst my most memorable Alvis motoring experiences. The first sensation in the FWD is the mechanical noise; but the comfortable ride, the light, accurate and forgiving handling, and the torque delivered by the supercharger at any engine speed soon become apparent to the passenger. Eighty years ago, the FWD was a remarkable achievement.
So my thanks to Rob for having me along; and the thanks of all participants to Heather and Rob for organising the ramble, and to Ross and Carol Pratley, Aaron and Sandy for their hospitality