Well, here we are again and no change. Someone else should be writing this lot. In an effort to keep the AGM moving I threatened to continue as the Club Captain if someone didn't hurry up and offer to do the job-they all gazed at their shoes (bas....ds). So that's why you are stuck with my ramblings for at least another year-unless someone would like to volunteer?

I'll start with the Garage Tour since that is the most recent event that I am required to comment on. My threat to start ringing members if no one volunteered worked a treat. I had members offering right from the first mention of a tour. I have always found members are more than happy to have others visit and view their pride and joy. This makes garage tours very easy to set up.

This time we started just down the road from the VCC rooms at Mike Kerr's. Mike has been playing around with this particular project for some time now and still hasn't managed to submit a design proposal to the technical committee. The more he plays the more he changes it. The design reminds one very much of Brian's Road Rat-no surprise here that Brian takes a very keen interest in the projects progress. Mike is the first to admit that it seems to have been 3 steps forward followed by 2 steps back-you get the picture. Never mind I am sure that it will eventually reach the "design stage" and from there to completion-one day.

Next was a short trip to Seaview where Martin Lucas has his second "7" project sitting all alone in a huge new workshop, thanks to an understanding employer. Martin proceeded to explain the reason behind building this 'racing special'. He had some spare time while he was waiting for his Leitch Lotus 23 project to arrive (and it still hasn't at the time of writing this - "it might be today" was Martin's reply when questioned at lunchtime, 01/05/01). This project has a few ideas of Martin's own thinking on how to build a suitable 7 for racing. This was a very interesting machine and I will be following its progress since it is just across the road from where I am employed.

Then it was on up to Stokes Valley to see how Don Flowers is progressing with his Toyota HiLux chassis based project. Imagine if you will, a very solid looking chassis with a Rover V8 at the front, the original front suspension still in place, the start of a base for the spacious cabin, and a Rover de Dion rear suspension crafted onto the back end. I think I heard someone say that the chassis had been shortened a bit-so well done I didn't notice. This project just goes to show what can be done with basic parts put together in the right order to achieve a very promising looking vehicle. I am sure there will be a few from the tour following Don's project with interest.

Next up was a project I had been meaning to catch up with for some time-Matthew Cooley's Saker SV1. This is what you might refer to as re-engineering a completed project. The Saker came with a tired motor and stuffed gearbox. The idea - biff the little motor and put in something serious-a Toyota 4 litre V8 coupled to a Renault gearbox. As you would expect if you had seen Matthew's last racecar, this car is starting to look very good. The beautifully made exhaust system was at the skite night but looks even better when seen sitting in its right place (even if not bolted in yet). This project should soon be back on the road and then the race track at selected Inter Marque meetings.

After a brief lunch at McDonalds in Upper Hutt it was a short trip over the Haywards Hill to Dave and Sandra Bray's next project. This is one very nice kit all the way from England. As you would expect the Bray's are making an excellent job of assembling this Jaguar XK120 replica (with some help from one Mr Ian Price who can't keep away). This kit could easily be mistaken for the real thing when it is finished and probably will fool all except the experts, and some of them will have to look twice.

From here only the brave continued on up to Paraparaumu, and there was still a good turn-out. The reason-Dave Frost's Almac Cobra replica powered by a very tidy looking Ford 351 V8. Someone was heard to say - "Ebony's replacement?" At present it is still in its black gel coat but progress is happening. Dave has sourced some very original looking parts from England to help it look like the real thing. These Cobra's always look impressive. I'm sure Dave must go into his garage at night and make those car noises while sitting in it (damned hard to make a rumbling V8 sound though).

So to conclude, a special thanks to the guys for letting us view their projects/garages, and thank you to all who turned out to make it another successful tour. Start thinking about whether you would like your garage/project to be included in the next tour in maybe another 3 to 4 months if sufficient projects are at the right stage. (Andrew Priest-your name has been recorded!) Maybe the guys in other areas could make contact and visit each others projects. Remember-if you don't ask you won't know whether others are interested, and believe me, they will be

.

 

To finish I will just quickly skim back through last months magazine since I remember there were a couple of things I wanted to comment on.

Page 24-Barry Rosser - Sorry Barry, the members have clearly indicated that the Skite Night is for members enjoyment. The public can attend, but it is our night to stand around and chat and catch up with what's on view. This is a tradition that has stood since the club was first formed. We are happy to participate in shows organised by others but you would be hard pressed to get many members willing to organise a show of our own from past experience. That's not to say it can't and won't be done though.

Page 28-Ross Bridson's Snippets. I must pass on a word of caution after reading Ross's comment about liking to solder everything as well as crimping. If you solder too far back from the actual crimp you will be setting up a stress point where your wire will eventually snap if it is under any sort of load or flex. Crimping if done correctly should need no solder for a good connection. From my own past experience-buy the correct tool or borrow one to do crimp jobs you can rely on, solder can introduce problems of its own-dry joints!

Opinionated-I'm still working on your identity, but your sex has me really confused after your last two articles-do you have a split personality, cross dress or what?

Last but not least I would like to thank Grant for his efforts and help over the past year. His sense of humour coupled with his business like manner made my job enjoyable over the last year.

Oh yeah, a special thanks to Mr Robinson for his efforts as our Treasurer over the last 3 years-was it really that long? I thought Brian would help out for a year, but for someone who confessed to having no previous experience he did a fantastic job and stuck at it. Take a bow Brian.

And Alan Stott, what can I say-take a deserved rest. John Bell of course will continue to sit there quietly making the odd pertinent comment. Never could see John as a shop keeper!

Till next month,

Cheers, The Ankle Biter.