morris register newsletter col v1...

Volume 37, Number 2

www.moreg.org.au

The Newsletter

Morris Register of Victoria Inc.

www.aomc.asn.au

This Month:

• Letters and emails 4

• President’s Page 6

• Cars and Characters - Graeme Francis 7

• Out of Town - Reports from NSW, Queensland and the UK 8

• Report - Run to Police Air Wing 10

• Report - Annual Dinner - a highlight of the year 11

• In Brief - Wireless Morris and book review 12

• Antipodean Adventure - Stephen Hands tells a fascinating story 13

• Three month calendar and two more pages of events 16

• Technical - Hotchkiss head gasket purchase, and 14/6 exhaust design 19

• Minutes of September 2013 meeting 20

• Morris Market Place 21

MORRIS

CENTENARY

1913 - 2013

October 2013

Note:

The October club run is one week early this month - on 29 September.

See pages 16 and 17.

MORRIS REGISTER of VICTORI A Inc. Vol 37, No 2. October 2013

Office Bearers 2013-2014

President 9725 0286 0408 381 614

Clive Jones & Evelyn

[email protected]

Vice President

9873 3117 Daniel Zampatti

[email protected]

Secretary &

Public Officer 9728 8614

Sharon Balthazar [email protected]

Treasurer 0457 543 889

John Habgood & Amanda [email protected]

Technical 1 9878 3914 0412 321 430

Don Shaw & Marie Please ring 8.30am to 6pm weekdays

[email protected]

Events 9499 7793 0438 598 933

Tony Healy & Helen [email protected]

Editor 9874 4756 0488 000 726

John Gerrand & Jan [email protected]

Technical 2

5250 1328 0417 304 703

Rodney Smith & Alison [email protected]

Permit Officer Mark Coutts

[email protected] 9793 7135

Registrar John Balthazar


New Members Information Sharon Balthazar


AOMC Delegate Jim McIndoe 9436 6438

Barry Walters 0403 539 330 [email protected]

Internet web site Roger Jackson

[email protected] Librarian

David and Bronwyn Taylor [email protected]

5659 0094 Regalia

John and Annette Brooksmith [email protected]

9690 5063 Supper

Roster (page 5)

Incorporation number: A0000847X P.O. Box 367 Box Hill Vic. 3128

http://www.moreg.org.au

• To renew red plate club permits, or to obtain one for

special use, please send the Secretary a SAE, or see them at the next meeting. Proof of current financial membership of Morris Register Vic is required.

• The Register meets on the first Friday of each month

( ex c ep t J anua r y ) a t 8 . 00pm a t t h e Horticultural Centre at 82 Jolimont Rd in Forest Hill. Melway reference Map 62 F4.

• New members and visitors are always most welcome.

• The Register acknowledges and greatly appreciates the

support of the City of Whitehorse, in its contribution to our club under the Council's Community Grants Program for the 2008/2009 financial year.

• With the exception of official notices, responsibility for

the contents of the newsletter rests with the author(s) of each contribution, not with the Register and its members.

• Public Liability Insurance is provided by CGU Insurance

Limited, policy number 15T1474023. This policy covers the Morris Register of Victoria for public liability of $20 million, and property in Physical or Legal control of $100,000. The register is also covered for Cash in Transit. A copy of the Certificate of Currency is available on request.

Members are reminded that all vehicles that take part in Club Outings must be appropriately registered with VicRoads, and it is the responsibility of owners to ensure that their vehicles are at all times roadworthy. Members with their vehicles on the VicRoads Club Permit Scheme must maintain financial status with their primary club and ensure their log book is filled in correctly for each day the vehicle is used.

Published Club events and runs are open to any AOMC affiliated car clubs and their members.

Deadline for November 2013 Newsletter:

Friday 18th October 2013

Please send all Newsletter contributions preferably in electronic form

to: [email protected] Or to: John Gerrand, 2 Norman Street, MITCHAM, 3132

Front Cover

Graeme Francis introduces his 1927 Morris Cowley tourer, one of two Cowleys he has owned. Graeme has favoured British cars since his early driving days, and now focuses only on Morris. Read more about Graeme and his interest in Morris cars in Cars and Characters starting on page 7.


The Morris mid-life crisis

Many people have written, talked,

researched, typed, sketched, photographed, brewed, corrected, printed, folded, stamped and/or posted to get this issue of the Morris Register Newsletter to us all. A big thankyou to:

John Balthazar Stephen Hands

Sharon Balthazar Tony Healy

John Brooksmith Brian Jackson

Jane Dawkins Ross Jamieson

Max Dawkins Barrie Jones

Graham Francis Clive Jones

Jan Gerrand Martin Redmond

Judy Gold Rod Smith

Martin Wheeler

The benefits of motorcycles are obvious, says The Age reporter - lower purchase price, lower running costs, less garaging space, traffic weaving ability and easier parking to mention a few.

But what about the advantages of an old Morris? Many, although admittedly not all, Morrises will carry more people that a motorbike, they may be safer in an accident, they may protect the passengers better from the weather, and often they have brakes on four wheels.

And there is, of course, many Morrises have a mid-life crisis of there own, to match that of their owner.

Perhaps an unintended, but valuable, benefit of belonging to our club is that of mid-life crisis support. Cars and people alike can participate. If so, it might be worth trying to claim a tax deduction for the annual subscription.

The Newsletter

Figures provided by VicRoads and published recently in The Age show that since 2011, motorcycle licensing rates for men aged 41 and over have risen by 10.5 per cent. Car licensing rates for the same group over the same period rose by 5.3 per cent.

For women 41 and over the equivalent rates were much higher for motorcycles (17 per cent) but the same (5.3 per cent) for cars.

Could this explain why Friday night club meetings are attended disproportionately by men? The ladies are off riding their motorbikes. No, probably not.

But also in The Age report, Dr Rajat Roy, lecturer at Curtin Business School specialising in marketing and psychology, links this upsurge in vehicle licenses to people over 40 “having a good old-fashioned mid-life crisis”.

Perhaps our club could take advantage of the mid-life crisis phenomenon to cultivate more interest in Morris cars. Indeed, what better challenge to adopt to fulfil one’s life than restoring, maintaining and/or driving an elderly Morris?

Welcome!

We are delighted to welcome new members this month:

Ron & Liz Broadway who live at Leopold. They own a 1958 Morris Major Series I sedan.


Letters and emails Letters and emails to the editor are welcomed. Send contributions to: [email protected] or post to: John Gerrand 2 Norman Street MITCHAM Victoria 3132

Email from Rodney Smith (member):

Hi John

Here is some info about the Geelong speed trials for t h e n e w s l e t t e r . T h e i r w e b s i t e i s www.geelongrevival.com.au . I will be attending both days (display only). Can any one else come down and help fly the Morris 100 flag ?

Ed: If you can support Rod and help to boost the Morris 100 presence, please contact Rod on 5250 1328 or email: [email protected]

Email from Judy Gold (Editor, Morris Register of

NSW Inc.):

Hello John

Have just read September’s edition of your Newsletter. Someone took July’s and I didn’t see your ‘What Morris is this” article.

I would like to tell you about a 1938 Morris 12/4 Series 3 Saloon.

In 1939 my grandfather purchased the above car brand new, from York Motors, Sydney. At the time, our Dad had a 1927 Armstrong Siddeley Tourer.

When Grandad passed, Nan gave his Morris to Dad, as she thought a Tourer was unsafe for her then two grandchildren.

It was two-tone green with a sliding head but not dipping headlights. When there were 4 children, Dad sold the Morr is and bought a 1947 Oldsmobile. Many years later, he taught me to drive in it.

The attached photo is of Mum holding my sister and me behind my two brothers at Manly c. 1950.

In 1988, Jim & I saw an ad for a burgundy 1938 Morris 12/4 Series 3 Saloon for sale. The rest is history, as they say, and our ‘Morrie’ will be at the National Rally in Forbes.

Thank you. Regards, Judy

Ed: Many thanks for your email, Judy. We look forward to seeing you and the 12/4 at Forbes. Coincidentally there’s another 12/4 Series III mentioned on page 7 this month.

Email from Martin Redmond (UK Register):

Hello Sharon and John

I have also sent this email to Ken Coad at the Morris Register of NSW and I apologise if by doing so I duplicate any of the channels of communication or trample over territorial matters!

In 2011 I drove a Morris 25 (1938 3.5 litre OHV) from Bedford in England to Vladivostok in Siberia, shipped the car to Los Angeles and then drove across the U.S. to New York before returning to the UK. My journey is well known to the UK Morris Register.

That is the end of the testimonial!

I am now investigating the possibility of taking the car across Australia, a journey which I plan to accomplish in instalments over a period of 3-4 years. If the rust doesn't get me first.

My daughter lives in Melbourne and the first leg of my journey will be from there to Cairns, at which point I would hope to leave the car - for perhaps as long as 12 months.

All this sounds very firmly organised and achievable but as you will know large plans depend on lots of little ones falling into place and failure in one part can render an entire project redundant.

The reason for this email is that I am looking for contacts in the Cairns area who might be sympathetic to my project and who in turn might put me in contact with a facility which would be able to accommodate my car for an extended period. I am not at all sure of the area that your club covers or whether any of your members might have contacts in the Cairns region but I should be grateful if you would give this matter your consideration and perhaps consult with your membership.

My journey around the world started like this and I was blessed in finding like-minded individuals as I undertook the trip who made the whole thing possible.

I hope you can help me

Kind regards, Martin Redmond

Continued on page 5 �


Simply send your email address to [email protected]

and we will email you the colour edition instead of posting you the black and white one.

Letters and emails (cont.)

Ed: Thanks for your email, Martin. We do know of your global circumnavigation in the ‘25, and covered it briefly in the June 2011 issue of The Newsletter. If readers have any information that might help Martin plan his next challenge, his email address is [email protected]

Email from John Brooksmith (member):

I see from the Morris Register of Victoria Newsletter that you have spoken to Don Shaw and you want a Morris J Van

There are two J Vans in the Register (mine is one) but neither is for sale - Don is aware of both as he did the Roadworthy tests.

I know of one for sale in UK. Have a look at http://www.jtypevan.com/ Harvey Pitcher runs the site

And there is a guy in Sydney who knows the whereabouts of nearly every J Van in Australia - Peter Bateman [email protected]

Peter is not aware of any for sale at the present, but he is a good contact to find one if they come up. I also know of a guy in UK who may want to sell a High Value Package Post Office J Van (a rare Ex UK Post Office Van used to carry banknotes). I have seen that one. It needs a fair bit of bodywork, but essentially it is all there.

I have just returned from a visit to the Commercial Vehicle show at Gaydon UK. There were four J Types there - three vans and a tipper) and on my visit to UK I also visited the J Type 65th Anniversary.

Have a look at my Blog below to see a few fun things.

We had a J Type get together in Melbourne in April this year and got 13 J Types together for a photo which we displayed at the UK 65th J Anniversary, and last November we got seven J Types to the Commercial Vehicle show at Sandown.

I am hoping to get better than seven J Types to that Commercial Vehicle show this year - I haven't got the date of the show yet, but I am working on it There are a number of J Types around, you just have to know were to look !

Two were sold on E Bay a few months ago, and they are both at Tullamarine being restored.

Cheers and good luck.

Ed: John Brooksmith copied this email to The Newsletter to keep readers across this interesting correspondence on J vans. Thanks, John.

Email from Barrie Jones:

Dear Editor,

My father, Phil Jones, restored a 1952 Morris Oxford (original rego ZJ 801) a number of years ago, and went to at least one of your days out in it.

I purchased this vehicle in 1975 from my grandfather’s estate and have kept it since then. He purchased it in November 1957 and I have the original owners certificate and other stuff. Only four owners in 61 years.

I am wondering if any of this may be of interest to your members. The car is not driven much these days, as in my family I own a 1960 MGA deluxe MkII, my son a 1976 Rubber Bumper MGB Roadster and my wife owns an MGF 1999 and is also a daily driver of a 2003 MG ZT-T, the wagon. Anyway the fleet has sort of grown.

In my youth when I first purchased the MO I was given a few more and had five in the back yard in the mid 70’s. Most went to Sims Metal.

I still have one that needs a new home - a green rusty 1950’s MO. The previous owner wanted a change and has installed bucket seats of unknown origin.

I am hoping that you can help me find a new home for it . Most everything else is still there. $100 and pick up from Springvale. All the parts are there and it has been under cover for the last 8 years for what its worth.

Ed: Interested readers can contact Barrie Jones on 0408 178 932.

� Continued from page 4

Like to be reading The Newsletter in full colour on every page?

Orange

Red

Blue


Clive’s Comments Words from our President, Clive Jones

Welcome to the October Newsletter.

The Morris Annual Dinner was well attended by around 80 guests, all celebrating the 100 years of Morris cars. Some were from as far as Bendigo and Leopold and some like me, from almost around the corner. Lots of talking good company and food abound.

Feeling a little tired on Sunday morning I nearly slept in. But I was glad to attend the club run to the Victoria Police Air Wing. It was excellent. Working in aircraft parts manufacturing, I appreciated having a close look at the helicopters we generally see and hear in the sky above us. We expect our pilots to be tested each year but the support crews are also tested in all aspects of their work. They are at the highest standard, ready to perform their skilled work of rescuing Victorians. We are in safe hands.

In reading this months BMC magazine I came across an article on one of our members. Neil Wakeman has been busy restoring an MG Y, painted in one of my favourite colours -

burgundy. Neil has restored many cars and looking at the pictures this one looks to be at a high standard. Even the Jack All System has been restored.

Have you just started or just finishing a restoration? Give our editor a call. He would love to add your restoration story into The Newsletter, for all the members to read about.

The list of events for October is endless. Have a read of the club calendar for Euroa Show and Shine, Melbourne to Maffra Rally, Antiques Classics & Collectables on the Hill, RACV Motorclassica and not to forget, the club weekend at Nagambie 26th to 28th October. Hope to see you in Nagambie.

See you at the next Morris meeting.

Clive Jones Sporty Morris 8

Supper at club meetings

Supper roster

October: Fred Organ

November: Peter Fleming

December: Dave and Sue Gerrand

Please bring: tea towels and milk. Advise secretary if more tea, coffee, sugar are needed for the next meeting.

As well as the rostered people below, everyone is asked to bring a small plate of biscuits or cake,

Bendigo Swap Meet

Morris 100 Display This year the historic vehicle display at the Bendigo National Swap Meet will feature 100 years of Morris.

Rob Moors would like to hear from anyone who would be willing to display their vehicle/s. Each exhibitor will be issued two weekend passes to the Swap. Trailer and tow vehicle parking space will be allotted if requested.

Vehicles will be required to be on site by 9 pm Friday, 15th November, and remain until 1 pm Sunday. Security will be on site all of this time. Veteran and vintage will be undercover.

Please contact Rob Moors asap with the details: • Your name and contact details

• Model

• Year of manufacture

• Body type

• Special features

• Brief history

• Dimensions - length by width

Rob Moors, Display Coordinator. 555 Mandurang South Road Sedgwick Vic 3551 Phone (03) 54396254 Mobile 0427396254 email [email protected]

MORRIS

CENTENARY

1913 - 2013


When The Newsletter visited Graeme recently to discover more about him and his Morrises we noticed a parallel. We knew Graeme had an interest in Morris cars, but the fascinating details he seems to have kept hidden. So we certainly struck Morris gold!

Graeme had built up good experience with British vehicles by the time he acquired his first Morris in 1990. There had previously been an Austin A40 and later a couple of Vauxhall Victors.

A work colleague had taken Graeme to a Morris run at Lilydale. “I met John and Margaret Cox at Lillydale Lake - they were driving a dark blue 1928 10.9 hp Cowley*,” Graeme recalls. “Later I heard that the Cowley’s motor had blown up, so I offered to help John fix it. We took the motor out to discover that a conrod had broken. We were able to repair the damage and get the car going again.

“By then I knew John and Margaret’s Cowley quite well, and I bought it from them in 1990. Soon afterwards we set out for the Bay to Birdwood Run. There was smoke blowing from the oil filler but we reached Adelaide OK. We ran the Bay to Birdwood without any problems.”

In 1991 Graeme launched into a significant restoration project by purchasing a 1938 Series III Morris 12/4. “I bought it from a farm in the Dandenongs, just before the Cockatoo fires,” he explains. “I drove it around the farm and it seemed to go OK. I thought that this would be an easier car to drive and maintain than the vintage Cowley.”

Restoration of the 12/4 has been delayed by lack of space, but now that Graeme’s second Cowley has been sold he can make some progress. Already he has restored the internal trim. Front end work was needed, including replacement of the king pins.

Graeme pointed out some of the rather unique features of the 12/4, including the multipoint front end greasing arrangement - one grease nipple feeds via tubes to top and bottom kingpin pivots as well as to the nearby tie rod end!

We inquired about the ‘other Cowley’. “It was a green wide-track 1929 Cowley,” Graeme explained. “I saw it in the Vintage Drivers’ Club magazine and bought it in about 1994. It gave me all sorts of trouble from the start. I was on my way to the Bay to Birdwood Run in it, and had got as far as the turn off from Doncaster Road to the Eastern Freeway when the motor blew up, and I had to trailer it back

Cars and Characters

Graeme Francis

home. It turned out that the oil holes in the top of the big end bearings had been welded over by a previous repairer. And there were more problems after this because the oil dippers in the big end caps were inadequate. I have since sold it - too many problems.”

We concluded with more stories about gold fossicking. Graeme enjoys ‘going bush’. But where, we enquired? “Mostly in Victoria,” he reveals. Ah! So now we know where to look!

Above: Graeme with his Morris 12/4 sedan which is currently under restoration.

*Ed: The 1927 Cowley is pictured on the front cover.

One of Graeme Francis’ interests is gold fossicking. A

characteristic of gold fossickers is that they will

enthusiastically discuss their hobby with you, but they

are a bit cagey about the details - locations particularly.

Work in progress on the 12/4. Top: The comprehensive instrument panel. Bottom: The engine bay.


Out of Town

UK Morris Centenary Rally

one of our members who drove all the way from Cologne, Germany. We also had a large contingent from Switzerland this year - the Wolseley, Austin & Morris club of Switzerland. There was a 10/4 Special coupe (1938), a Morris 8 Series E, a 1970's London Taxi, two Austin Cambridge's (an A55 & A60) to name a few. They came from various locations including Geneva & Zurich. I'm not sure I would like to drive a Series "E" that far!

All the best, Martin Wheeler

Contributed by Martin Wheeler

Hi John

Here are some pictures of our National at Thoresby Park in Nottinghamshire last weekend (10th &11th August 2013)

I took my 25/6 up and covered a total of around 450 Miles over the weekend. One of the pictures was taken outside a working windmill - the club run on Saturday afternoon ended up there and the picture shows some of our cars outside - one of which is of

Peter Fleming, Stephen Hands and David Smallacombe met up with Terry Prodger and John Fryirs from the NSW Register at Shepparton during a leg of the National Veteran Car Rally this week (mid September), where they were given the privilege of driving Terry's 1913 and 1914 Oxfords

National Veteran Car Rally Contributed by John Balthazar

Stephen Hands and David Smallacombe taking detailed notes and measurements from

Terry Prodger’s 1914 Oxford in preparation for rebuilding David's 1914 project.



Out of Town (cont.)

All British Day - Queensland Contributed by John Balthazar

John Balthazar writes from

sunny Queensland:

Sharon and I attended the All

British Day in Brisbane on

Sunday and caught up with Col

Schiller who had his Morris 25

and MGTA Airline coupe on

display and also with a few

members of the Queensland

Register who had a fine

selection of Morris's on display.

National Veteran Car Rally (cont) Clockwise from right: Terry Prodger's 1913 and 1914 Ox-

fords side by side at Shepparton. Note the difference in the track which was increased in 1914 to accommodate wider

coachwork.

Terry Prodger explaining the finer points of the 1914 Oxford to Stephen Hands and Davis Smallacombe prior to taking it

for a spin. Reported to be quite a lively performer by all who have driven her.

Peter Fleming and Stephen Hands at the controls of the 100 year old Oxford, recently imported from England by

Terry Prodger of the NSW Register.

Top: A representative line-up of Morrises at the All British Day. Bottom left: Two fine Morris Commercial examples. Bottom right: Morris Register Queensland members swap yarns over a cuppa.



Run report - 8 September 2013 Police Air Wing

Last month’s visit to the Victoria Police Air Wing was

one of those runs that you would kick yourself if you had missed it. President Clive Jones described it as “excellent” (see page 5), and with a career in the aircraft manufacturing industry, he would know.

Members left the Forest Hill club rooms mid morning to follow an ingenious Healy ‘corkscrew’ route to Essendon airport, cleverly avoiding any travel on fast and busy freeways.

Those who knew the old Essendon Airport precinct were duly impressed with the extensive modern re-development of the area, and took advantage of a new busy coffee shop for morning tea. Adequately restored, the group drove the short distance to the Police Air Wing where we were met by Leading Senior Constable Jim Stafford who generously gave us two hours of his time to show us around.

The tour started with some interesting background information and short video clips showing the range of police, rescue and ambulance work that the Air Wing undertakes. Jim Stafford also revealed his own interest in classic cars - he drives a Morris Mini Minor.

That was interesting enough, but the wow factor peaked when Jim took the group into the helicopter hanger for a ‘look but don’t touch’ visit. Pictures rather than words will give you the best impression.

Sincere thanks to Leading Senior Constable Jim Stafford for a fascinating and informative two hour tour. Thanks to John Brooksmith for the introduction to Jim, and to Tony Healy for planning the event.

Left: Our guide for the tour - Leading Senior Constable Jim Stafford - explains the operation of one of the helicopter’s control systems.

Below: A closer view of the cockpit controls.

ATTENDEES

Fred & Karen Morris Minor

Clive & Evelyn Jones MGB

John Brooksmith “J” Van

Ross Jamieson Sprite

Jim McIndoe 1936 12/4

Peter & Lyn Cardwell 10

Clare Cooling & Helen Williams MO

Rob & Dot Barry E Series 8

John Gerrand and Jan 1927 Oxford

David Andersen Flatnose Cowley

Max Dawkins and Jane Cammy Minor

Kevin Power Modern

Peter Brown Modern

The group inspects one of the larger Police / Ambulance / Rescue helicopters


Morris 100 Annual Dinner - 7 September 2013

Sharon Balthazar, club Secretary and annual dinner organiser extraordinaire, was right to be ecstatic with the response to Annual Dinner invitation (The Newsletter, Sept 13, page 15). Voted by many as the biggest and best club dinner for many years, this was certainly a great event.

There was plenty of opportunity to catch up with members we haven’t seen for some time, particularly as quite a few country members were able to attend.

Rosebank Receptions expertly prepared and served a memorable three course banquet for us. The night was further enhanced by many members donning their best evening glad rags - thanks everyone!

It was an informal evening, although the obligatory raffle was held, featuring a $500 first prize - a very generous gesture that the committee believes is worth repeating at the 200th Morris anniversary.

Our congratulations to Sharon and John Balthazar and all who worked to make the Morris 100 Annual Dinner such a great success.

The group inspects one of the larger Police / Ambulance / Rescue helicopters

Above: One particularly popular spot was the buffet service station.

Below: One of the many tables of happy diners.

Below: The raffle is drawn. Steph Gerrand, chosen for her persuasive ticket selling charm and because she had nothing up her sleeves, prepares to draw a ticket from President Clive Jones’ top hat. Sharon Balthazar supervises.


In Brief

The Author, Jon Pressnell, is a well known moto r ing historian and has written several books on the Morris Minor and the Mini, as well as being a regular contributor to Classic and Sports Car magazine. To mark the centenary of the first Morris car, he sets out to tell the

story, for the first time, not just of the cars, but also of the Company itself and the personalities and politics involved. This aspect alone makes the book a worthwhile investment; it helps to explain the context of certain models and why some seemingly odd decisions were taken.

Illustrated with more than 700 photos, most of them originals, rather than colour photos of contemporary restorations, this book covers Morris history from the

Book Review: MORRIS - The Cars and the Company (Jon Pressnell)

early days of assembling bicycles at the back of his parent’s home, through the development of his first car, the successful years in the 1920s, the turbulent times in the thirties, the BMC and British Leyland eras, to the final Morris Ital in 1984. There is coverage of Morris’s work during two World Wars and an interesting piece on “The car that would not die,” the Ambassador and Hindustan, in India. Based on the Series II Oxford, itself derived from the MO series, and still in production, this must surely rank as the longest-lived design in automotive history – 65 years!

Despite a few factual errors, such as the old chestnut that Saxon bought 10,000 Type U Continental engines, this is a book that all Morris enthusiasts should have on their shelves. Well worth $75.00.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy, Tony Johns is importing some to order.

Contact: Stephen Hands 9563 1391, or 418 563 734 [email protected]

Contributed by Stephen Hands

I have been sent this photo by a friend of mine Robin

Tindal.

Morris 8 used as Wireless Car in World War 2

Contributed by Rodney Smith

It appears to show the Morris 8 wireless vehicle mentioned in Harry Edwards’ book - Information

Manual Morris 8, as quoted:

"... the British Army were supplied with a number of Morris 8 Tourers fitted with special tread tyres and finished in khaki. These vehicles equipped with Marconi No 1 transmitting-receiver sets, were known in Army parlance as "Car 2s. 4x2. Wireless". Research has shown that the Eight was used by the Signals Training Centre at Catterick and as early as 1935 Eights of No. 3 Company 2nd. Divisional Signals drove past in the Kings' Review at Mons Barracks, Aldershot. ..."

Interesting to note is the vehicle has no bumper bars, the chrome has been painted over and appears as though the passenger seat has been removed and the radio operator sits on the left-hand side of the vehicle facing the right-hand side with the radio set behind the driver - this would be rather cramped!


An Antipodean Adventure

Recently a friend of mine from the Riley Club, Steve

Whelan, brought me some photos belonging to a friend of his, Brian Seddon. They were clearly taken in the 1920s, featuring his Grandfather’s Bullnose Morris and came with a request for more information about the car.

I was able to tell Brian that the car was a 1925 season Oxford (no Barker dipping headlights and nickel plated brass hub caps, rather than the nickel silver/steel composite caps fitted in 1926). The bodywork was by Reese and Aitken, who were the in-house body builders to the Victorian Morris Agents, F. McOwan and Co. As many of you will be aware, the vast majority of cars imported into Australia in Pre-War years were bodied locally to avoid the heavy import duties on complete cars. Some American manufacturers were able to partially “cheat” the system by setting up a plant in Canada, which was part of the Empire and thus avoid the worst of the duties.

In an effort to make the “All British” Morris more attractive, McOwans offered both the Oxford and Cowley in cheaper Standard and more expensive Deluxe specifications. Brian’s Grandfather’s car was a Deluxe Oxford. While the Standard cars had what was basically similar bodywork, they were less well finished and the Deluxe versions were fitted with more attractive mudguards, a better windscreen, different hood and in 1925, at least, the front wheel brakes came as standard, whereas they had to be paid for with the cheaper car.

The Deluxe cars differed even from their English counterparts in that the lights, shells included, the horn and the steering column were all nickel plated. As well as being of superior construction, the body on Deluxe Oxfords was upholstered in “Antique” textured leather and the hood wrapped around the upright hood bows and was referred to in the catalogue as


being “Gipsy Cut,” with two round portholes. The dashboard was covered in engine turned aluminium and at least in some cases, a more expensive Watford speedometer was fitted. A nickel plated bumper bar adorned the front of the car and a nickel plated “Auto-Reel” spotlight was fitted to the windscreen as part of the specification. Interestingly, the bonnets on neither the Deluxe, nor Standard Oxfords featured the nickel edge trims that all English bodied Oxfords do, which makes me wonder if they were made locally, despite the hinges, catches, handles and louver and rivet details all being identical.

Brian’s Grandfather, Edward Ewell (1882 – 1955) lived in Brighton, then, as now, a middle to upper middle class suburb of

Melbourne. He was able to afford to fit some after-market accessories to his car, such as the sun visor fitted to the windscreen, the rear seat windscreen and a rather grand “Bird” mascot on the radiator cap.

The box on the Driver’s side running board contains the battery and is so positioned because the front mudguards come well back and there is no off side rear door, which helped with rigidity on the generally bad local roads. A curiosity is that for some reason, the Lucas electric horn has been fitted facing to the rear!

Edward’s car bears the registration number 83-496. My Cowley, dispatched from the factory on the 19th of June 1925 was first registered 84-794 around October that year, so Edward’s car was probably a couple of months older than mine. A search could be made through the registration records of the day, but unfortunately they are incomplete and many have been lost.

Brian tells me that in 1926 his Grandfather’s family undertook a driving holiday to Canberra, Sydney and possibly Bathurst and Young. The accompanying photos show the car and the family on that trip, although the first photograph (top of next page) with Brian’s then twenty year old aunt, Edna, at the wheel appears to have been taken in the driveway of the family home, as evidenced by the “inside” of the suburban paling fence in the background and may not have been part of the holiday, although she shared the driving with her father on the trip (a very progressive father and daughter!). Perhaps they were trying out her adjustable backrest, a.k.a. the cushion, prior to departing.

The first photo taken on the road (top of this page) shows Edward, his wife, Henrietta and their younger daughter, Thelma, Brian’s mother, then aged 14.


Stephen Hands tells a great story backed up by detailed knowledge and investigative research to make this article fascinating reading. You’ll enjoy it.


An Antipodean Adventure (cont)

This is a scene typical of so many Australian holiday snaps for many years; when you crossed the border into another State, you stopped for a photo at the border sign. That this was taken on the outward journey is obvious from the fact that the sign says Victorian Border. As they had approached it, the other side of the sign would have read, NSW Border. Frustratingly, the line of writing below says, “34 miles to ………”, the name of the town is illegible, so it is hard to be sure where they crossed the border.

On the way to Canberra from Melbourne in 1926, there were three places where one would be most likely to cross into New South Wales. The first is across the Murray River between Wodonga and Albury on what was then the Federal Highway, now the Hume Highway. I doubt that this is that location, as the border is right at the bridge and looking back towards Wodonga one would see river flats and a raised roadway over the flood plain.

The second possibility is on what was then known as the Cann River – Bombala road, now the Monaro Highway. This would cross the border in heavily forested, mountainous country and one would expect the trees to be the tall, straight trunked Mountain Ash, like those in the next photo, so I am doubtful that they took this road. Also this would have been a rather more adventurous route to have taken in 1926, especially with your wife and daughters aboard.

This leaves us with the third border crossing on the Princes Highway, so named, even in 1926. This is in less heavily forested country and my 1927 edition of “The NSW Motorist’s Road Guide” describes it thus: “….the going is easy through the forest to the NSW Border, indicated only by a board, with the absence of any settlement.” Bingo!

The next photo (below, left) shows the car in mountainous country, possibly heading inland towards Canberra, which involves climbing over the Great Dividing Range, where one would find these magnificent Mountain Ash eucalypts, so beloved of 19th century ship builders for making masts. The photo could have been taken later in the trip while climbing the Blue Mountains (also part of the Great Dividing Range), on the way to Bathurst, but the surrounding country does not look quite rugged enough. Many of the lesser roads in the mountains are still just like this today.

The fourth photograph (above) shows their car outside Parliament House in Canberra. Today, we refer to this building as “Old Parliament House,” but it is clearly very new in the photo as witnessed by the boxes stacked beside the steps behind the car and the rock strewn earth where there would soon be lawn. There are two other things to note in this photo. The first is the luggage stacked on the running board and the canvas water bag hanging from the front bumper bar.

For those of you who are too young, or did not grow up in Australia, water bags were an essential part of travel from well back into the 19th century, until cars lost bumper bars and highways gained frequent roadhouses. A little water seeped out through the canvas and as it passed through the air, it would evaporate, taking heat from the water within the bag, so it didn’t matter how hot it was, when you stopped you had cool water to drink.

This photo also tells us one other important detail; the date of this trip. Parliament House opened in 1927. We know that their holiday was in 1926 and Thelma was a 14 year old school girl (at Presbyterian Ladies




An Antipodean Adventure (cont.)

College, where she was later Dux of the School), so it is most likely that they undertook the trip during the summer school holidays, which ran from mid December until early February (all other holidays through the year would not be long enough for such a journey). That it was summer is confirmed by the family story that there were bushfires on the trip and that Brian’s aunt blistered her hands while driving. Although, I doubt that it would have been because of the fire, far more likely as a result of her soft young hands not being used to holding a hard coated steering wheel for extended periods on rough roads. With a 1925 car, this could have been the 1925/26 summer holidays, or the 1926/27 ones. The construction of Parliament House was more or less finished by Christmas 1925, but painting and fitting out inside took more than a year. In the photo, the Australian Coat of Arms has not been picked out in its colours, so the 1925/26 date is the more likely and conforms to family recollection of the date.

The final photo (above) shows the car crossing a magnificent timber framed bridge, either early in the morning, or late in the day from the length of the shadows. At first, Brian and I thought this must have been late in the trip, possibly over the Murray River, but Brian was able to uncover a reference in a note left by his Aunt to the effect that it was the Tuross River on the New South Wales coast near Bodalla. This was confirmed by a newspaper article from 1954, showing the distinctive framework of the bridge in a collapsed state, cutting the highway until a new bridge could be constructed. The bridge had stood for some 75 years, withstanding many floods, only to collapse under its own weight, just after a car had crossed and another was waiting to cross!

Edward’s father grew up in the Bathurst area and there were family connections to Young, so these two towns were possibly on the route, when they might normally be considered out of the way. While there is no photographic evidence of them visiting either town, Aunt Edna recalled that they visited the caves at Jenolan, only 75km from Bathurst, so it is highly likely that they would have caught up with relatives while in the area. On a modern map, their journey totals some 2,108km (1,310miles) and this does not

allow for any sightseeing, or the fact that modern roads have frequently removed winding sections that would add to the total. It is quite likely that their total mileage would have been well over 1,500, possibly closer to 2,000, quite an undertaking for a family holiday in 1926! One hundred miles in a day was considered fairly good going on our roads in those times, so there were probably fifteen days, or more, of driving. Allowing time for sightseeing in Canberra, Sydney and the Blue Mountains, then catching up with family in Bathurst and Young, the whole trip would have taken more than a month and may well have occupied the whole 6-7 weeks of the school holidays. What an adventure!

I would like to thank Brian for making these family photos available and for telling me what he knew about the trip. It’s just a pity that the family no longer owns the car and that it appears to no longer exist.

Postscript:

The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 5 April 1954

OLD TIMBER BRIDGE COLLAPSE CUTS HIGHWAY ON SOUTH COAST

An old timber bridge across the Tuross River, near Bodalla, on the South Coast, collapsed on Saturday and stopped traffic on the Prince's High way. The two centre spans of the bridge lie twisted and shattered. The bridge collapsed suddenly at midday as one car was leaving the bridge and another approaching it. Milk and supplies were brought across by rowboat for people cut off from Bodalla.

Stephen reports: This is the same bridge that the Oxford was photographed on in 1926. We were unable to identify the bridge, assuming it to be either the Murrumbidgee or the Murray, but Brian Seddon found a reference in his Aunt's papers to the big bridge near Bodalla. Brian Google searched and found the newspaper article, which showed the bridge and gave us positive identification.



Calendar Compiled by John Balthazar

If readers know of any event that they believe would be of interest to Morris Register Members, please advise the Editor so that the event may be included in the Calendar.

Calendar of Events

SEPTEMBER

Sunday 29th Bay to Birdwood Vintage Run see www.baytobirdwood.com.au

Sunday 29th Morris Register Club Run An ‘early October run’ to Tesselaar Tulip Farm

357 Monbulk Road, Silvan

Sunday 29th Spring 2013 Launceston Swap Meet - Organised by Veteran Car Club of Aust (Tas) Inc. Venue: Willis Street Council Car Park Launceston Tasmania Start time - 9 AM $10 per site Contact - Ken Watts Phone 0411 404 560 After hours

OCTOBER

Friday 4th Club General Meeting - Guest Speaker from 3Bond

from 8:00 pm, 82 Jolimont Road Forest Hill

Sat / Sun 5th & 6th Morris Register Club Run - Euroa Show & Shine. See page 13. Advise Tony Healy as soon as possible if you plan to attend.

Sunday 6th Australian National Show & Shine Euroa - Seven Creeks Park, Euroa 8:00am - 3:30pm Contact: Rob Asquith 03 5795 1347 0439 398 195 [email protected]

Sunday 6th Centenary Day of the Morris Car Show n' Shine – Caribbean Gardens enter off Ferntree Gully Road from 8:45am 'til 2:30pm $5 per vehicle. Contact Gary Turner (03) 5977 5686

Saturday 12th Melbourne to Maffra Rally - The 5th Melbourne to Maffra Rally for vehicles over 15yrs of age will start from Berwick Showgrounds on Oct 12th 2013. Ian Kennedy Gippsland Vehicle Collection 5147 2118 & 0412 387 102

Saturday 12th Antiques Classics & Collectibles On The Hill - St Mark's Church, 1 Church Street, Emerald from 10:00am Contact: 59684046

Sunday 13th Picnic at Maffra - in the grounds of the Gippsland Vehicle Collection, 1a Sale Road, Maffra.

Sat/Sun/Mon 26th/ 27th

/ 28th Morris Register Club Run - Nagambie weekend - see page 13. Bookings essential

by 6th September

25th to 27th RACV Motorclassica Royal - Exhibition Building Melbourne Visit: www.motorclassica.com.au for more details

NOVEMBER

Friday 1st Club General Meeting


Sunday 3rd Morris Register Club Run - TBA.

Sunday 10th Romsey Swap meet - Recreaction Reserve Romsey

Sat 9th & Sun 10th Sandown all Historics - Vic Historic Racing Register (Brian) 0427 395 296 Venue - Sandown Park www.vhrr.com

Monday 18th AOMC DELEGATES' MEETING - (AGM) Venue: Chevrolet Car Club 1/3 Edgecombe Crt, Moorabbin Contact: (AOMC Office) 03 9555 0133

Sat16th & Sun 17th Bendigo National Swap Meet - Bendigo Show Grounds, Holmes Road Bendigo Morrises are sought for a Morris 100 Centenary Display - see page 6

DECEMBER

Friday 6th Club General Meeting


Saturday 7th Morris Register Christmas Party - location to be advised

Sunday 8th BMC EXPERIENCE GRAND DAY OUT, Bundoora

Sat 30th & Sun 1st Dec

Shannons Classic Motorshow at Geelong Revival Motoring Festival now open for entry at: http://www.geelongrevival.com.au/the-event/motor-show/


• General Meeting

• Guest speaker: Malcolm Holt speaking about Three Bond sealants and adhesives.

• Plenty of opportunity for a chat over a tea or coffee

Next Morris Register Club Meeting

8:00 pm, Friday 4 October Club Rooms, 82 Jolimont Road, Forest

Coming Events

Jolimont Road

Canterbury Road

Springva

le R

oad

Terr

ara

Road

82

N

Club Events

Members and friends - join us for lunch and a chat

12:30pm Friday 4 October

Knox Club, cnr Boronia and Stud Roads - Wantirna

Usual bistro food and prices. Seniors menu available.

Please RSVP by Wednesday 2 October to Jan Gerrand (9874 4756) so that we can

arrange a booking.

Everyone welcome.

Voted by last month’s group as one of the best locations yet

NOTE THE EARLY DATE !

LATE SEPTEMBER CLUB RUN - Sunday 29th September

TESSELAAR’S TULIP FARM, 357 MONBULK ROAD, SILVAN (MELWAY 123 B 5)

This a special day at Tesselaar’s, a day of food, wine, jazz, and tulips. ENTRY FEE IS PAYABLE.

We will depart clubrooms at 9.45am and proceed generally via Canterbury Road, York Road, Monbulk Road. ETA at venue app. 10.45 – 11.00am.

Inasmuch as this is a relatively short run with a “food place” at the end, perhaps a cup of tea/coffee in the carpark at the clubrooms prior to departure would be a good idea. So, arrive early and BYO if you are going to indulge in same.

Enquiries: Tony on 9499 7793 or 0438 598 933


OCTOBER CLUB RUN Sunday 6th October

To:- EUROA SHOW & SHINE - EUROA

As part of the Morris 100 years celebrations, space has been reserved for us to display a range of Morrises.

Inasmuch as Euroa is a fairly long jaunt (there and back) for our old cars (some of them at least), I have tentatively reserved 6 rooms at the Centre Town Motel in Nagambie for the Saturday night, the 5th October. It is about 40 kms from Nagambie to Euroa, and accommodation in Euroa is fully booked.

Registrations were due with Tony Healy by Friday 6th September, but late registrations should may OK if you ring Tony by 27th September. However, Tony may now need you to make your own motel booking.

Tony Healy 9499 7793 or Jim McIndoe 9436 6438


Coming Events (cont)

OCTOBER WEEKEND AWAY - Saturday, Sunday, Monday 25th, 26th, 27th October

Weekend will include visits to Tahbilk Winery, Goulbourn Weir, Euroa Museum, lunch at a winery etc., etc.

This a weekend of leisurely driving of our prized possessions, avoiding the Hume Highway as much as possible, travelling via pleasant side roads, enjoying the company of other members, and hopefully including some of our country members who will find this part of Victoria easy to access. The return journey will also be an integral part of the weekend.

Registration has officially closed but please advise Tony at once if you wish to participate in this event.

Tony Healy 9499 7793 Jim McIndoe 9436 6438

Itinerary will be mailed / emailed to intending attendees ASAP

NOVEMBER CLUB RUN Sunday 3rd November

Yarra Ranges Regional Museum in Castella Street, Lilydale, followed by lunch at the Coldstream Brewery.

Departure time from the clubrooms will be 9.15am

CHRISTMAS PARTY Saturday 7th December Details to be advised

DECEMBER CLUB RUN Sunday 8th December

To:- BMC EXPERIENCE GRAND DAY OUT

Cooper’s Settlement, Bundoora Park, Plenty Road, Bundoora (MELWAY 19 F 4)

A chance to view some of our cars younger mechanical cousins and meet their owners – John Brooksmith attended last year and assures me it is a great day. Event is from 10am to 3pm – food and drinks available at the venue. FREE ENTRY & FREE RAFFLE!!

Club Events



I am proposing to get a batch of Copper Composite cylinder head gaskets made to suit Vintage Cowley and Oxford engines. They will be modified around the long, curved, end water passages, as shown in the

drawing below, to stop a major failing with many modern gaskets that start to leak in this area.

These gaskets will be made by a reputable company in Malaysia in two sizes: 70mm bore for 11.9 engines and 75mm bore for 13.9 engines.

Initial pricing is $65.00 each, landed in Australia.

However, if I can get sufficient orders for 100 or more gaskets, the price will drop to $55.00 each. (local postage extra). Once the order is placed, delivery should take about 6-8 weeks.

If you are interested, let me know how many and what size you require.

Stephen Hands, 03 9563 1391

[email protected]

Technical


Cowley and Oxford Cylinder Head Gaskets

Morris 14/6 Series 3 exhaust design Contributed by Martin Wheeler

G'day John

Here's something you may want to publish. It's a drawing with dimensions for a Morris 14/6 Series 3 exhaust. My mate came around and took some measurements from my car so he could have one

made and then sent me this drawing - it may not be exactly original but should fit. It just may help some one who is looking to have one made.

All the best, Martin


Minutes Morris Register of Victoria Inc General Meeting

held at the Horticultural Centre, Forest Hill on 6th September 2013

WELCOME to all.

APOLOGIES: Peter Fleming, Don & Marree Shaw, Annette Brooksmith, Daniel Zampatti and John Habgood.

EDITOR: Another fabulous newsletter – thank you John. Technical articles and stories of interest are always welcome.

MINUTES of the previous meeting were confirmed. Moved: Ross Jamieson. Seconded: Stephen Hands.

EVENTS: Tony handed out Sunday run sheet. Lists were passed around to record who was going to Tesselaar's Tulip Farm on the 29th September, the Euroa Show'n'Shine and staying overnight Saturday in Nagambie. October weekend away – let Tony know if you plan on going.

Annual Dinner is tomorrow night. We have almost 80 people booked in to attend. Looking forward to a great evening. I spoke with the owner today and there is an opportunity to add a couple more tonight if anyone wants to make a last minute booking.

TECHNICAL: Morris in New Zealand was for sale at $6000 NZD now reduced to $3000 NZD. Morris 25 Series II on Trade Me. Gaskets to Go have vintage Oxford and Cowley Gaskets – if the order is for 5 the price is $59.95 each or if we order 100 $49.95 each. They will make other sizes. Stephen Hands to put ad in newsletter to get expressions of interest. Jim Withers is still in business. Clare sold her Morris 25. The purchaser is after a wiring loom diagram. 1930 Morris 18” wire wheels for sale, they are 3 stud, after discussions decided maybe they are off a Model A??

Graham Facey needs Series E Timing Cover, alloy angled engine mounts and side light chrome rim (after car hit his Special recently)

EPA needs submissions by 22/9 to object to the proposed changes to the 1/1/1930 emissions 5 second rule - Ross Jamieson has registered intention and preparing one.

FOR SALE: Rob Barry is selling their E Series in excellent condition inside and out $5,000? Only had 3 owners.

AOMC report: re: CPS scheme. In July Vic Roads were leaning towards AOMC thoughts rather than Federations. Hopefully the new regulations won't apply to cars already on the road. Minor safety changes are good !

GENERAL BUSINESS: Regalia available for purchase. Classic Cars September 2013 issue has article on William Morris. Morris book from Tony Johns $75.00 lots of pictures. See Peter Fleming. BMC Experience issue 5 has 8/40 article. AOMC Spring Seminar on Restorations at Moorabbin on 21st September.

Thank you to all the Rob Roy helpers. VSCC will be donating $200 to the club. Australia Day in the Gardens entries are available on Federation website. Available to first 400 people only.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.03pm and was followed by supper and chat

Interested in newly made cylinder head gaskets for your Hotchkiss powered

Oxford or Cowley?

Stephen Hands is accumulating a bulk order to get some good ones made.

See page 19

Like to be reading The Newsletter in full colour on every page??

Simply send your email address to [email protected]

and we will email you the colour edition instead of posting you the black and white

one.


Morris Market Place Advertisements will be run for two issues

unless advertisers advise the editor otherwise. Please inform the editor,

quoting the ad number in the bottom right corner, if you want your ad to appear

once only or more than twice.

[email protected] or (03) 9874 4756

Wanted For Sale:

Workshop Manuals: Morris 8 1935 Pre-Series, Series 1 & 2 - $30. Repro. Morris 8 “E” Series - $25. Repro. Morris 10 Series “M” - $25. Morris 8 Series E Illus-trated Parts List $35. Morris 10 Series M Illustrated Parts List $35. Morris 8 1935, Ser I & II Illustrated List of Spare Parts” priced at $30 plus P & P Contact: Brian Jackson (03) 9379 8792 E-mail:- [email protected] 0908SA99

For Sale

Advertisers should be aware that The Newsletter is posted on the Morris Register of Victoria website.

Contact details in advertisements can be accessed by Google and other global search engines.

Wanted:

Cowley gearbox top to suit Bullnose. Prefer cast iron

Contact: Daniel Zampatti 03 9873 3117 0913WB02

Wanted:

1936 – 38 Morris Eight, chassis.

Morris Eight, Radiator shell, early brass/chrome.

Morris Eight, chrome sidelight rim.

Morris Eight, 16 inch Easyclean wheel, suit Ser. 1 or 2.

Contact: Graham Facey 5996 0381 or 0408 569 047

Email: [email protected]

0913WC02

Wanted:

Morris Series E alloy engine mount/timing cover

Chrome rim for Morris 8 Lucas sidelight.

Lucas P700 headlight rim - brass.

Contact: Graham Facey 5996 0381 or 0408 569 047

Email: [email protected]

1013WA02

Wanted


MORRIS REGISTER OF VICTORIA Inc.

NEWSLETTER

If undeliverable please return to:

THE EDITOR PO BOX 367 BOX HILL 3128

The absolute end!

Thanks to Brian Jackson for this picture

morris register newsletter col v1...

Documents