Well, I don’t know what to say. May already, and Cars in the Park
2004, history! However, your committee has everything in hand, and
has made some good plans for the months to come. Read all about them
in the following pages.
There have been some interesting activities by
certain members of the club, and strangely these are all centered
around the building or modifying GT40 cars. Both Doug Wishart and
myself have taken the plunge and gone for the rose jointed racing
suspension designed and produced by John Botha, GT40 Developments,
Johannesburg. Doug has purchased the complete set-up while I have
taken the more conservative route (cheaper) having purchased the
frame, uprights, A-arms, transverse link and radius rods only. The
rest I will get locally. Doug and I drove up to Jo'burg at the end
of March to collect and it must have been quite a sight seeing
Doug’s truck with two suspensions sticking up in the air, on the
road back.
Of course Doug could not help jumping the gun. He
was unable to quell his enthusiasm and wait for the constructors
scheduled at his place for Saturday 12 June. We were going to do the
‘cut and weld’ thing then, but an impromptu constructors a few weeks
ago, saw
Ron
Allen, with a giant angle grinder, surgically remove the old
suspension from Doug’s GT40 chassis. A few days later Doug had
tacked the new sub-frame into place and carted the chassis off to
Allan Stacey, who did an excellent job of welding on the new frame.
The constructers at Doug’s place is still on, but Doug will have to
find something else to impress us with.
Meantime I am getting all my bits together and as
of now, all I need is springs and engine mounts and I will be
announcing a constructors as well.
Money bags Ron Casteller has not been idle either. He was not
satisfied with the road handling of his blue GT40 (he has two
GT40’s, sic) and has roped in Bugs Theunissen to help design and
make up a new front suspension. Once back on the road, Ron will
decide whether he needs to do the back suspension geometry as well.
To stay with 40’s for a little longer, there is more news. Brian
Tarbotton, the builder of three Cobras so far, has made the right
decision. Brian is going to build his own GT40 chassis. He has been
gathering information, checking the old chassis (KCC/KVA), the John
Botha modification and Peter Bailey’s creation. The metal has been
purchased and cut and soon welding will commence. Brian is quite a
large man and will have to design in some leg space, something even
the original 40 lacked. Do we see another constructors looming?
For some reason, news of Cobra construction has been thin on the
ground. I know of a few members building and ask such members to
contact me if they would like to host a ‘constructors meet’ later in
the year. Hey Dave! how about it.
Dave Burton is always busy building and I’m sure would welcome a
constructors soon.
In our previous news letter you may have noticed the article on the
latest V10 Cobra produced by Ford. Here is a pic of the latest GT40
on display.
This all goes along with the news of a new
‘retro-look’ Mustang. It seems as if the designers of modern cars
are acknowledging the fantastic design shapes of the 60’s.
Let us get back to club things. The lunch run to Pietermaritzburg
proved to be a fairly popular one except the rain came down and
drenched a few open Cobras.
The club rally arranged by our chairman, André
Roodt proved to be a success except for me who got horribly lost but
managed, in so doing, to win the booby prize. As always, Doug and
Karen were on the ball and won first prize. Second and third prize
went to Francois & Mercia Erasmus and Kirsten & Maretha Venter
respectively.
We thank André for stepping in to arrange the
Port Shepstone run and lunch. We could not contact Dick Crosbie, who
was scheduled to arrange this. Only on the Saturday I received a
call from Dick to inform me that he had sold up in Port Shepstone
and now lives in
Johannesburg. His news letter had been forwarded to him rather late
and it was only then that he realized that we were requesting an
arrangement from him. So we lose a member and Jo'burg gains one. We
wish Dick and his family the best in his new venture.
The run of the year thus far (for me) was the
evening run to Pietermaritzburg and dinner at the Boston BBQ at the
Golden Horse Casino. To run at night was a new experience and the
buffet at the
Boston
was superb. I still have stretch marks on my abdomen. Thanks go to
Butch Bauer for arranging this superb venue.
The turn-out for Cars in the Park was excellent.
We were allocated the same area as last year, which I for
one am not happy with. It seems that we as a club are being moved
back out of the main stream of events slowly but surely over the
years. The spot is a little cramped and very dusty. By the time
afternoon arrived you could not distinguish the colour of the cars.
I suppose Land Rovers and military vehicles find that area OK, but
to move us of the stretch of road we have occupied for quite a few
years, is once again the thin edge of the wedge. However, the
organizers did contribute a braai barrel and charcoal and the braai
together with excellent company saved the day. We started off with a
bacon and egg roll breakfast washed down with a slug of champagne.
Our thanks to Doug and Karen Wishart who arranged this excellent
activity. Doug did have a small problem as he arrived in Pmb. At
first he thought the alternator in his Cobra had packed up. After
managing to borrow a replacement, the real cause of the noises
turned out to be the starter motor. Johan Viljoen, who is building a
Cobra in Pmb., was able to help out with spares. Thanks for your
help Johan. By the way, how about a constructors meeting at your
place?
A very interesting run is coming up. We meet at
Blue Galoon (ask Chris Simpkin if you are not sure) at
08h30 for a 09h00 sharp departure on Sunday 30 May.
George Louwrens will be arranging a lunch at a fancy venue
overlooking the bay. This should prove to be an excellent run to get
the spider webs out of the old gas guzzler.
I have already mentioned the constructors meeting to be held at
Doug and Karen Wishart’s place at 14h00 on Saturday 12 June.
We can’t call it the ‘Cut and Weld’ constructors meet
anymore. So Doug will find something new to show us. It is a BYO
braai thereafter and maybe we will get a glimpse of the
Le Mans
start.
In stead of taking our dream cars up to
Tarlton Raceway it has been suggested that those of us that do
not compete, go up in normal cars. If we go four up in a vehicle the
cost of the outing will be low. The Cobra -Corvette Shootout
will be held on Sunday 27 June. We will meet at Polo Pony
for a departure at 07h00 sharp on Saturday 26. We hope to
sleep over in the Boma at the Tarlton track and head for home on the
Monday morning. You MUST make your intensions known to André
Roodt however. Those members who want to compete must get their race
license sorted out.
The 2004 Classic Wheels Expo is expected to be bigger and
better this second time round. Start polishing or finishing your
build. We intend having a great stand this year. Please let André
know if you would like to display your pride and joy. This is
extremely important as planning has commenced.
The show is over the two days 3-4 July
(Saturday –Sunday)
As some of us will be sleeping in a caravan(as
part of the stand), you can leave your car on the stand for the
duration of the show and feel safe.
Sagren Naidoo has a very good pictorial of his
Cobra build and we are twisting his arm to give a talk on the
construction during this show. I have been requested to give a
similar talk on the construction of a GT40 replica.
Chris Simpkin is organizing a breakfast at Blue Zoo for
Sunday 25 July. We meet at the Pav. for 08h30 departure.
Now for
a mystery run.
The ladies are being requested to organize a breakfast or brunch
run. Bring your spouse along in your gas burner and meet us at the
Pav. at 08h00 on Sunday 15 August.
On Sunday afternoon 29 August, we plan to
attend the Barnyard Theatre once more. This has proved to be
an excellent activity in the past and on the proposed day we will
enjoy the ‘Diamonds and Dust’ music show. Doors normally open
at 12h30 so that you can get seated, enjoy your own picnic basket
(remember all drinks must be purchased at the theatre) and then the
show. At R90 per couple (on this day you get two tickets for the
price of one.
Normal
price R90 each) it is well worth it. One problem does exist. The
theatre will not book any numbers without payment within 24 hours of
booking. I need your commitment. Please call me (Vic Wait 082
8714370) as soon as possible but no later than 15 June.
Once
I have numbers, I will twist Nick Carter’s arm to pay the deposit
for us.
Something new on our calendar is a Poker Run.
George Louwrens has already approached the Casino near
Richards Bay and they have responded positively and will sponsor
such an event. The run will involve two other motoring clubs and
will take place on Sunday 12 September. Please watch our
Website and your cell messaging for details. In all probability we
will meet at Blue Galoon early that morning. There will be a
luncheon at the Casino and prizes to be won.
Do not miss out.
On Sunday 26 September, we meet at the
Blue Galoon once more. This is also an early meet for 07h00
as we departure at 07h30 to have breakfast at Joe Kools.
Just think, You may bump into your favourite Shark.
We meet at the Pav at 08h00 on Sunday 10 October. From there
we follow André Roodt as he will have organized a destination
together with the Microlight Club guys. There is the possibility
that we can swap passengers for the return trip. You are not
obligated in any way. This should prove to be an interesting outing.
On Sunday 24 October, we meet at the Polo Pony service
station, gas up and depart at 09h00 for a BYO braai at Midmar Dam.
It should be interesting to see what effect the raising of the dam
wall has had on the amenities.
John Acutt still has those parts for sale. Here follows a list. Any
reasonable offer will secure. Contact John on 031 207 7024 or 082
443 8083.
Complete XJ6 front & rear suspension with 3.07:1 diff.]
Four
pot front, two pot rear calipers, electrogalvanised, overhauled&
fitted with SS pistons by Grant Desham of Natal Re-sleeving.
Original price R6000. If you are quick off the mark, you can get the
bundle for R3000.
XJ6 brake pedal box, overhauled and cleaned. Original asking price
R300 now R150 (a steal).
One pair of rear over-riders for Cobra. From Aurora Parts (UK) New.
Original price R800, now R400.
The
following parts for GM V8 or V6 engines:
TCI No.
240900 “Breakaway” Torque converter (new) R 2344-00
Accel No. 8081 “One Wire” Alternator (new)
800-00
2X Tilton Mini Starter Motors
(new) 2650-00 each
Moroso Thermostat Housing & Filler neck (new)
350-00
The
above parts at 50% off.
Or if you want to pay 50% of the price, that’s also OK.
I have
some bits to get rid of as well:
3 x BMW
inline brake boosters @ R1 each
1 x Golf brake master cylinder @ R2
1 x VW Combi brake master cylinder and booster @ R5
1 x Ford Granada brake cable (collectors piece) @ R1
Call me
(Vic) on 082 8714370
Then I can also point you in the direction of a complete Citroen.
Not so good body but everything works, including the 5 speed
transaxle with inboard brakes!!
GT40
builders take note!
All
this for two grand!!
Contact
Ken on 033 3975121
André
Roodt is looking for an abandoned Cobra project, say 60-80%
complete. Do you know of anyone. Please contact André on 082 495
4870
Happy
hunting
Cheers my chinas.
Vic
Wait -
17 May 2004
