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August 2010
CHAIRMAN'S CHAT 

Hello boys and girls I am writing this chat after returning home from the July pub meet at steeton a slightly damp night to say the least. The July meet had been a intended visit by the girder fork club due to weather didn’t happen , so it was a hastily arranged quiz and film show. Even with the bad weather a excellent turn out.

Next a quick comment on Broughton  Hall firstly thanks go out to the members who turned up on Fri. eve to set up the show and to those who marshalled  on the day .overall it turned out a fantastic day good weather good friends ect. But that’s my opinion did u enjoy it  what did we do right did we do any thing wrong what would you like adding for next year please contact me or a member of your committee and let us know.

Final note on broughton hall this is a big THANK U from me for the support and donations given in support of my birdman challenge for the fell rescue pictures on web site .

Next a thought on future events firstly a trip to N E C  in November for classic car show need 20+ to make viable

Next one for next year set off sat over night stay then on to the new Lakeland motor museum return sun  please contact me so we can see if they are viable

Well that’s it bye

Dave Petty
Chairman

May 2010  

CHAIRMAN'S CHAT 

Hello every one and welcome to my second chairman’s chat of 2010

Well the snow has gone at last, enabling us to get out the love of our lives (the car not the wife) we have also had the first event of the season, a trip to Turton Tower in Lancashire. This turned out to be a superb venue but rather difficult to plan as the route took us through a lot of urbanisation . Next year we will be going north and the route will be 100% rural. I just need you the members to suggest the venue.

 For those of you who don’t come to the monthly meeting at Steeton Hall you have missed some fantastic nights. I thought two out standing ones where Maria glots  interactive and amusing presentation on Saltaire and are own ever popular Stuart James slide show. The room was almost full to capacity, a record turn out

And now just a quick mention of another club. As many of you know I am also a member of the micro maniacs (any car bellow 700cc) bubbles, reliant, bonds etc they organise some great events.

Cows is your club-run for you by a small number of volunteers. Help us to maintain our membership and improve what we do by giving us ideas for future events 

Well I've gone on long enough now ill see you Sun 27^th June at Broughton Hall. I've got a surprise for you 1pm
Thank you for your support

Dave Petty
Chairman

February 2010 No -

CHAIRMAN'S CHAT

Hello and welcome to 2010. For those who didn’t manage to attend the AGM last month  (shame on you) you’re stuck with me as chairman for yet another year ! Joining me on the committee will be John Hughes and Tony hall- two members who have been kind enough to volunteer their services - though we still haven’t got a secretary as yet so if any member could spare a hour or two a month it would be much appreciated.

The club diary dates already show a number of events to look forward to Jacks run, the west coast run, broughton hall and the Wright run-but there are lot of other runs and shows we could consider too. One suggestion  is to have a week end away. Set off Saturday morning a meal and a night in a hotel return Sunday . What do you think? 

To suggest ideas for this or any other events just send me a e-mail. My contact details are on the contacts page. Or have a word at the club night 3^rd tues of month at steeton hall nr between  Keighley and skipton  8pm . Which incidentally seems to be going from strength , slide shows film shows speakers and out side events.  

Always remember - its you the members that make this club as good as it is ! Thank you for your support and hope to see you soon.

Dave Petty
Chairman

August 2007 No - 188   

CHAIRMAN'S CHAT

Finally I have had the time since retiring to have my knee replacement done, and to catch up to put words together for the newsletter. As I was unable to attend the Presidents run in April I was told it was well attended, and everybody had a wonderful day. -Thank you Mr President. Well done to Anne & Mike and team again for a good West Coast Run, anybody who didn’t turn up missed a lovely day out. My thanks to the team from both C.O.W.S. and D.H.V.C. and all the members from both clubs for making The Skipton Festival of Transport a Brilliant Day. A great shame over the Broughton Show the first time ever to be cancelled because of the bad weather. I hope a good number of you supported Gargrave and Malham Shows in August. Also I would like to thank everybody who helped over the Lifeboat weekend in Whitby for their support to the RNLI. The Whitby station manager and station treasurer, Coxswain and crew send there personal thanks to everybody who supported them in anyway at there Lifeboat weekend. Happy and Safe Motoring 



EARLY YEARS OF A CAR ENTHUSIAST PART THREE

Following on from part one and two we have got to 1959 and just home from the RAF. Ok, we need transport. The funds from the sale of the Excelsior motorcycle two years ago bought a nice rusty 1939 Morris Eight Series E. Some welding and a tin of Dulux black gloss paint made the Morris presentable. These Morris’s were quite sort after at this period and this example proved very reliable but of course the rust was un stoppable. So the Morris had to go and was replaced with a 1954 Ford Anglia with a broken gearbox but no rust. A replacement gearbox from the breakers for five shillings (25p) proved it’s worth and the Anglia gave good service but was not as comfortable as the Morris. About this time I came across a 1936 SS Jaguar 90 sports. This was the earlier side valve version of the SS Jaguar 100 sports. It was well-used runner but the price tag was a whacking £160. This was out of the question; far to expensive but it did sow the seed that it would he nice to own a 1930’s car again. Now we go up market. The Anglia is replaced by a 1954 Series 2 Morris Minor van. Now vans at this time were restricted to 30 MPH unless it had windows in the side panels. It was possible to buy window kits. Then max speed allowed was 70 MPH. In this case with a following wind. So I fitted windows. The van then gave good service. Around 1968 I found a 1926 Bullnose Morris locally for sale for £ 360 in good condition but again funds were short. However I was determined to get something from the 1930 and as my first car had been a Morris Minor I thought it would he nice to have another. 1969. I saw advertised in the Exchange & Mart a 1930. OHC. Morris Minor saloon for sale at Aspley Guise. Where is Aspley Guise? Oh it’s just down the MI. OK down on the train about 30 miles north of London with some readies. Thinks, what am I doing’? Anyway just do it. Drive it back up the Ml motorway. I did manage to pass one very slow lorry with a heavy load. This would he suicidal today hut 38 years ago it was no real problem. Stop at Woodall Services for refreshments and I was asked this question from a gentleman I was going to hear a lot in the future. How much is it worth. Where do you get your tyres my dad had one of these hut it was an Austin’? However he then kindly pointed out he could see the tyre inner tube through one of the front tyre treads so I thanked him and he went on his way. Then so did I, arriving home with out any mishap. So that is how I got started into this old car hobby. The Morris served me well for 28 years. I now regret selling it; but I thought the time had come to move on as my collection had some what multiplied during this period. But this, as they say is another story. 
Jim Harrison

 HOW WE WERE-1979 Who is this dashing young man on the right? Girder Fork Visit Tuesday the 17th July saw the visit of the above club to our club night at Steeton Hall they had a nice selection of bikes on show and after they were judged the winner was declared as Mr Lewis Wilkinson from Earby with his 1969 Royal Enfield Interceptor 750 Twin Series 2. Along with his wife Pat they have ridden from Lands End to John o Groats twice and have also travelled through the countries of Spain France and Italy. Well-done Lewis. Page 6 C.O.W.S DIARY DATES August Tues 21st Open Night Steeton Hall Sun/Mon 26th/27th Steam Rally Harewood House D Crapper01484865567 September Sun 9th Otley Vintage Transport Extravaganza Nigel Francis 01943463467 Tues 18th Club Night Morris Craven, Transport Steeton Hall Sun 30th York Historic Rally York Racecourse Jim Beresford 01904769232 October Sun 7th White Rose Classic Car & M/C Rally Bolton Abbey Jim Pickles 01535211082 Tues 16th Club Night Chris Hargreaves A Review of the 2007 Rally Year Steeton Hall November Tues 20th Club Night Bill Dickinson 30 Years of Restoration Steeton Hall The Skipton Festival of Transport 2007 Way back at the beginning of June On a beautiful warm sunny day Classic vehicles took over the High Street - and what a fantastic display. There were cars from every decade Lorries and buses galore Motorbikes and vintage tractors You couldn’t have asked for much more. They were all turned out to perfection Washed and shiny and bright All parked up on the cobbles They made a spectacular sight. Parked, I might add, by the marshals And what a great job they do It would be chaotic without them So they all deserve a “Thank you”. So many familiar faces Chatting in groups in the sun This is what rallying’s all about When the hard restoration is done. Up at the top of the High Street Just off the roundabout A lovely old double decker waited To take us for a trip out. Up to Bolton Abbey station To meet up with the train Have a cuppa in the café Then back to Skipton again. Down to the farmer’s market Back for lunch with friends We were having a super time We didn’t want it to end. All too soon it was over The cake stall had sold its last bun! Thank you to John and his helpers And for organizing the sun! House Poet - Sue Gardner C.O.W.S Page 7 Part 4 (Final Part) Our return to Bordeaux was via a rather hilly route, which passed through a town called Lectours. Had we had a bit more power under the hood we might even have stopped at one of the many roadside melon- stalls. Those melon-stalls were really cheap but not cheap enough to warrant a clutch-burning hill start and an endless crawl in bottom gear! After Lectours and a short comfort stop it was more or less downhill to the autoroute and Bordeaux. We stayed at the same Formule 1 hotel we had visited previously and the next morning found us back on track again, heading for Tours. The road was busy with traffic, and every so often we noticed a strange-silhouetted figure stood by the roadside. Men in Black? Yes, and the wreaths slung round their necks were a grim reminder of a notorious accident black spot! With the morning drawing to a close I began to think about food and then fuel. Then the engine coughed and it was suddenly a case of finding fuel and then food. We turned off at the next village and arrived just in time to watch the supermarket pumps shut. Blast! Now we were marooned over lunchtime, and lunchtimes last for 2 I/ 2hrs in this part of the world - plenty of time to polish the engine! Alter what seemed like an age, the tank was filled and we took to the highway - but re-joining the autoroute was a different matter entirely; going back the way we had come was impossible - it was all oneway! We had to go on to the next village instead and yes, there was a 24hr service station just a couple of miles further on - aargh! But bad luck tends to go in three’s and fate had yet one more trick to play - the clips holding the air filter suddenly snapped off. Fortunately the toolbox yielded a length of bungee cord and that did the trick. The good old Villiers was fixed with a couple of elastic bands - who needs spanners? After a well-deserved nights’ rest we were ready for anything - which was just as well, because we were heading for Le Mans! The first sign of the famous racetrack was a giant stopwatch and chequered flag, perched in the middle of a roundabout. We followed directions to a visitors’ centre and then realized we were driving on the actual racetrack. It was too much for Scarlett; she took the bends at an incredible 45 mph! Arriving at the museum she posed for a photo-shoot and was immediately the centre of attention for visitors and enthusiasts alike. A must for all car buffs, the collection numbers about 50 cars of all makes and nationalities, and some of them are quite rare. There are lots to see and do and a separate gallery focuses on the famous 24-hour race. Another night in a budget hotel and we were well on our way to Rouen (pun intended) particularly as we had now developed a taste for a life on the open road. Rise at eight, shower and breakfast, on the road at nine, coffee and cakes at eleven, lunch at one, tea at four, hotel and dinner at seven-thirty, wine and French TV until bed-time! A very pleasant way to travel, but I was getting soft and developing an un-healthy appetite for coffee and cake - or was it wine and French TV? Whatever it was, it was un-British and definitely lacking in moral fibre... The next day found us further North, nearing St Omer in fact, when I noticed a medieval archer standing by SCARLETTS 2006 TOUR DE FRANCE Page 8 C.O.W.S the roadside. Then another one! A road-sign proclaimed this to be the village of Azincourt, and following further directions, we drove a couple of kilometres and parked outside a modern-looking building which seemed to be supported by a row of bent steel tubes tightly strung with wire, a bit like longbows. How odd - a French museum built to commemorate a spectacular English victory -whatever next! But it was all true, and this state-of-the-art facility featured electronic wizardry to depict the battle from various stand-points in both languages. You could even ‘hands-on’ get the feel of the weaponry involved. The circumstances were that our King Henry 1 V. son-in-law to the then King of France. laid claim to his throne when it became vacant. Nobody paid the slightest bit of attention of course, so he amassed an invasion fleet and landed at the Northern port of Harfleur while the French aristocracies were still squabbling about the succession. Henry laid siege to the town and captured a handful of dignitaries worth ransoming. ‘The problem was what to do next... A withdrawal by sea might be considered a retreat, so Henry opted to march back to English-held Calais and capture a bit more territory en route. His plan back-fired. The mustered French armies prevented him from crossing the Seine, and he was made to go around, marching at least three times the distance. When they were finally confronted, Henry’s troops were worn out, short of food and suffering from dysentery. The weather had broken, and they were sleeping after several days of pouring rain. Generous terms were offered and rejected, and outnumbered by at least four to one, an English defeat seemed certain. Of his 6,000 troops, 4,500 were archers, and Henry deployed them between flanks of trees three rows deep. Between them and the French lines 250 yards away was a rain-soaked field. Having nothing to lose, Henry attacked first, and a volley of 48,000 arrows rained down on the French, each propelled at more than a hundred mph by a bow which might require 150 lb of effort to draw it. The French retaliated with a cavalry charge backed by foot soldiers, but this was a badly orchestrated move with no proper order of command and aristocratic rivalry ousted ordinary common sense. The French knights faltered and were repulsed, becoming trapped in the muddy quagmire. Their surging rearguard of foot-soldiers cut off any chance of retreat, so they were simply pinned to their mounts or felled by further volleys of arrows fired at fairly close range. It was a massacre that claimed the lives of 10,000 Frenchmen -many of them nobility - for the loss of just 300 common English archers. A somewhat humiliating defeat even now, and the coachloads of French tourists were conspicuous by their absence. It was an interesting afternoon though, particularly as we were able to take the Bond for a drive around the battlefield. There’s a picture of Scarlett posing alongside a lineup of chipboard English archers, albeit 600 years too late. To whom do we apologize? Our last night on French soil (or English as it used to be) passed without incident, and we drove the last stretch back to Calais in a torrential downpour. No matter - the weather had been kind to us when it mattered, and that’s what counts. After an overnight stop at Peterborough we returned home safe and sound the following day. Amazingly the Bond’s 250cc two-stroke engine (small today even by lawn-mower standards) had towed the three of us plus luggage and camping gear, 2,650 miles all the way to Spain and back. That’s making a little go rather a long way... John Johnson Thanks John for an interesting article and the time and trouble to write it. Mike, Ed. C.O.W.S Page 9 My 2 wheel days. Steve Waldenberg, Leeds. It all began when my friend David and I acquired a Cyclemaster wheel and a mini motor engine. We would be about 11 or 12 and we had push bikes, so this was a useful addition. Somehow we managed to make them both run. It probably helped that David’s father had been a manager at Phelon & Moore the Panther motorcycle manufacturers before WWII, later serving his country at Barnbow tank factory. So engineering was “in his blood” We got these motors going and fitted the mini motor to an old bike. The rear tyre lasted for about 200 yards before blowing out! We then learned we needed a special extra tough tyre, which we got from somewhere, don’t ask how! We pootled around the streets of Roundhay oblivious to any requirements of the law. But then this was 1956/7 and mobile police patrols were non existent. Sometime later David got a Corgi paratrooper’s 98cc motorcycle. We stripped this down, rebuilt the engine and got the thing to run. Once again we enjoyed ourselves around the streets. No tax, no licence, no insurance! By the time David and I were old enough to officially an dlegally drive motorcycles we had lots of experience. I would be about 15, going on 16 when I took a Piatti 125cc scooter out of a scrap year adjacent to a small garage. At least I thought it was a scrap yard! We painted the thing up, and again got it going and, without a silencer drove it up and down the dirt road by the side of my parents house in Roundhay (north Leeds). It was only when I applied for a duplicate log book that I was hauled before the local constabulary accused of stealing! My folks weren’t best pleased I can tell you. I was somehow let off the hook by being made to return the Piatti to where I had taken it. This was 1960 by the way. Once I reached 17 I had to have a motorcycle or scooter. My friend David was a few months older than me and he had an ancient BSA 350. I had little money, I was still at school, but a local motorbike shop was advertising a DKR 150cc scooter for the princely sum of £29.19/6d. I scraped the cash together and took a bus down to North Street, Belgrave Motorcycles shop and bought it. They stuck some L pates on and I drove it home. No crash helmet, probably no provisional license either, I don’t remember. It got me home and I suppose I must have applied for a licence. This scooter had an electric start, no kick start. Siba Dynastart was the system, and the one unit was supposed both Piatti Scooter Corgi Cyclemaster Page 10 C.O.W.S to start the engine and then charge the battery. Only it rarely did the latter and I often had recourse to pushing the thing down the street and jumping on when it fired up. I passed my test on this abortion of a scooter and then part exchanged it for a Triumph Tiger Cub. Super little 200cc machine, went like a rocket, until the big end failed. But David to the rescue, we stripped it down and replaced the bearing. He by now was riding a 350 AJS and also had a Velo LE – which he still has and we are presently in the process of restoring it. Once I became 17 I chose to drive 4 wheels and got a provisional license the day I was 17 (1962). I learned to drive from the age of 13 on a wartime airfield adjacent to a family friend’s farm near Easingwold. I took a few lessons in a Triumph Herald at a local driving school but daily drove my father and uncle, for who I worked when leaving school, in my fathers 2.4 Jaguar ( a Mk1 saloon). But to ensure I had mobility I sold the Tiger Cub and bought a rather nice blue and white Lambretta 150. This scooter took me and girlfriends all over the place. It never let me down and was the one bike I never took a spanner to. I kept it a couple of y e a r s but by t h e n w a s able to b o r - r o w either my father or mother’s car (Hillman Super Minx and Standard 10) so my biking days came to an end when I sold the Lambretta. Should have kept it, they’re now worth a small fortune!. AJS 350cc DKR 150cc “Pegasus” Triumph Tiger Cub Lambretta Li 150 C.O.W.S Page 11 CLUB REGALIA PRICES LICENCE HOLDER 50P WINDSCREEN STICKER 65P CLOTH BADGE £1.60 LAPEL BADGE £1.60 TIES £6.00 CAR GRILL BADGE (CHROMED & PAINTED) £12.00 CAR GRILL BADGE (CHROMED ONLY) £10.00 Grill badges are available from Phil Wright; all other items are available from Sue Gardner & Chris Hargreaves at club meetings as well as at main COWS events. Historic info..... Fresh after the sucess of his ‘minimotor’ (1949 clip-on 50cc bicycle motor) Italian designer Vincent Piatti saw a market for a lightweight and easy to handle scooter. Radical design features, like the lack of a cooling fan and the totaly enclosed ‘fuselage’ set the Piatti aside from the rest. After road-testing his prototype in the Dolomites , seeking commercial interest in the scooter, Vincent showed a prototype at the 1952 Brussels motor-show. Cyclemaster, the makers of ‘Cyclemate’ a clip-on cyclemotor, which was in direct competition with Vincent’s Minimotor, bought the U.K rights to produce the Piatti. The English operation , beginning in May 1956, was to have an entirely different focus to the Belgian. Cyclemaster (later Britax), based in Byfleet, Surrey, sub-contracted almost all of the manufacturing, and in essence, were only assembling the scooter, with little direct input from the designer. In doing this they lost a degree of quality control. Only the engine was produced in-house, and English components were used throughout. To compete with other scooters on the market, many accessories were produced , like a perspex windshield and front basket. The tradition of craftsmanship was not evident in the British production of the Piatti, but the sales and marketing was strong, and a lot of the budget was spent on the service network, which claimed to reach to over twenty countries. Steve Waldenberg - as taken from various web sites! Trojan MiniMotor Skipton Festival of Transport

February 2007 No- 185   

CHAIRMAN'S CHAT

JACK HOOPER’S RUN 
SUNDAY 1  ST APRIL 2007

The run will start at Steeton Hall at 10am where coffee and biscuits will be available at £1 per person. It will be to Bowes Museum Barnard Castle Co. Durham. The normal charges will be reduced by a £1 on production of a current car club membership card, (children are free) Barnard Castle is directly north of Skipton and the suggested route from Steeton is to Threshfield in Wharfedale, to Aysgarth in Wensleydale via Buckden and Bishopdale to Reeth in Swaledale via Bolton Castle and Redmire Moor then to Barnard Castle in Teesdale
via Arkengarthdale and Stang Forest.

There are wonderful views, no really steep hills and good roads, a total distance of about 60 miles. Let us hope the weather is good, if your car is off the road come along in your everyday car and ask your friends as well.  Looking forward to seeing you, just turn up at Steeton Hall or go directly to the museum.

N.B. If anybody dose not wish to go into the Museum, Highforce Water Fall & Cauldron Snout are further up the Dale. (Both are worth seeing) for more information see Jack on run.
 

JOWETT CAR  CLUB NATIONAL  RALLY 2006

Benjamin and William Jowett built what amounted to their first pre—production prototype in 1906, so the JCC’s annual rally this year marked that centenary. Currently the club has nine geographical sections within the UK and each year it falls to a different section to stage the event. Given the Bradford origins of Jowett Cars Limited, it was appropriate that the Northern Section had responsibility on this occasion. The Bankfield Hotel at Nab Wood was taken over by Jowetteers for three nights of the May bank holiday weekend and even then there was over-spill into other, local hostelries. During Friday, 26th May. Jowett motor cars of various ages arrived with their "crews" for registration at the Bankfield. And on Saturday assembled in the allotted area In Myrtle Park, Bingley for public static display and concours judging. Original bookings had indicated that up to 170 Jowett cars might have to be accommodated but, with that sort of number you can expect some casualties’ by the time the event comes around. Even so, almost 150 chariots turned up and two—legged attendees included four generations of Jowett descendants. The oldest car was Michael Kavanagh’s 1913 ‘tiller’ (several JCC members are COWS members, also) and the youngest were a couple of Jupiter’s’ and a "Javelin" Special. Two charities had been chosen for focused
support: the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Martin House Children’s Hospice. In the end £1000 was raised for the former and, during the afternoon the ‘Bradford’ lorry of Keith Dyson and Peter Rodgers’ 1930 Light Lorry’ drove round the field collecting toys and gifts for the children served by Martin house. The latter also received cash donations of about £750
Sunday was scheduled for the ‘Scenic Run" of a little over 50 miles -— where else but through the Yorkshire dales? Selections of places of interest were noted for participants to visit en route and we were delighted that everyone managed to stay the course without having to be rescued. This achievement was assisted, no doubt, by the relatively cool weather! Sunday evening saw the Awards Dinner when the dress theme was Edwardian: lots of ladies in splendid gowns and big hats, and chaps in tails and wing collars. Eddie Farrell and Bob Gray (also COWS members) had grown "full sets" for the occasion and looked particularly splendid; Eddie, replete with appropriate insignia, could well have been taken for King Edward himself. I would like to make special mention of some ladies (also including COWS members) but that would he asking for trouble: blokes don’t care so much! The achievements of the small Yorkshire firm established by "Bill and Ben the Jamjar Men" were striking. You ou can take pride in Yorkshire’s wonderful scenery, its ordinary folk and its extraordinary folk. In this last category fall the Jowett brothers. If you would extol the merits of the county of broad acres you serve your case ill by omitting them. Read on if you’d like to know why:- In1921 for a publicity stunt a 7 hp car climbed Spion Kop with an initial gradient of 1:2.5 and then 1:3.5 to the top. In 1923 four "Long Fours" carried the Mayoral party opening the new sewage tunnel from Bradford to Esholt. This was one and a half miles at 10 mph: any faster and the cars swung from side to side ___"" remember ‘The Italian Job’ where the ‘Minis’ tried to climb up the sides of the circular tunnel?
The ‘Royal East African Automobile Association’ issued a challenge, which Jowett took up. A distance of 6.000 miles over unmade roads carrying four people and two and a half cwt of luggage. Jowett sent spares along: I valve and two light bulbs! But nothing broke and Jowett triumphed.
Other challenges included, (1) 840 miles across the Libyan Desert, and, (2) Cairo to Siwa and return. Both these were in 1925 - across desert and across country at an average of 30+ mpg.
In 1926 Mr. Frank Gray (formerly MP for Oxford) claimed British motor manufacturers were Apathetic. He challenged them to provide a car that would cross Africa. Jowett was the only firm to pick up the gauntlet and agreed to refund the vehicles, cost on completion. Benjamin Jowett was asked if they had a chance of success and replied, "Wait and see." Thereupon the two cars were sign-written "WAIT" and "SEE". Pulling trailers they were driven across Africa from west to east. They averaged over 30 mpg and, on return to the UK were used to good effect for publicity and, finally, works transport. They finally disappeared from view until the remains of one vehicle were found entombed under the wreck of a building. It was thought to have been "SEE" and was rebuilt and makes regular appearances at — for instance — the annual re-union for former Jowett employees at Bradford Industrial Museum. (This year on Saturday, August 19th.)

In 1927 the Metropolitan Police were the first in the country to equip with motor vehicles. They were supplied with 27 ‘Long Four’ Tourers.
In 1949 the ‘Javelin’ came first in class in the Monte Carlo Rally and in the Spa 24 hour race where it was 1st in the 4-litre class, too. In 1951 "Javelins" took the first 5 places in the RAC Rally. In 1953 a "Javelin" was outright winner of the International Tulip Rally.

In 1950 AND 1951 AND 1952 the "Jupiter" came 1st in class in the Le Mans 24 hour Race, in the first year breaking the 1.5 litre class record. In 1951 ‘Jupiters’ had taken 2nd and 4th in class as well. These are just a few of the better-known, international laurels out of many gained by this small, Yorkshire car maker against "big name" competition from 1949 to 1953. The innovations, the quality engineering, the sheer flair of Jowett Cars throughout their 53-year history must surely be worth celebrating. Yet, when the virtues of Yorkshire are listed: the great and the good enumerated, how often have you heard the names of Benjamin and William. Jowett?

Unsurprisingly Jowett cars attracted something of a following and in 1922 the ‘Jowett Light Car & Social Club’ was formed alter a run to Boroughbridge from Manningham Park. Several other regional clubs followed including the Southern Jowett Car Club in 1923. It is from this last club that Jowett Car Club traces its origins and this makes it the oldest, one-make car club in the world.

My wife, Angela, thinks I am completely and utterly obsessed with old Porsches. This isn’t strictly true as I am completely and utterly obsessed with all old vehicles and was one of the main reasons why I joined COWS last year. She despairs but agrees its stops me roaming the streets or collecting stamps. I can trace this interest back to my early teenage years when I would ride pillion on the back of my dad’s 63 Triumph Bonneville to all the local shows and jumbles searching for that elusive part, although I had no idea what I was looking for! This all ended abruptly when I was about 15 and we skidded on some oil, throwing me onto the road, injuring my dad and damaging the bike. We never really carried on the outings after that. My dad still has the bike, along with a VW beetle and a 1950’s BSA and is planning to get the Triumph running again this year after 15 years off the road! We currently share a 1934 Austin 7 Opal two seater, which is currently in about a million boxes in my dad’s garage.

When I started work, one of my colleagues had a healthy interest in VW beetles and campers and we would go to shows around the country. At one of these shows I saw the most beautiful car (my opinion) and knew that I would have to own one. That car was a 1963 Porsche 356 in terrible condition. So I started saving up and talking to various people about these cars and of course I saw one for sale way before I had enough money, but this was the one I had to have as it was an original UK RHD car complete with its original engine and (eventually) gearbox. I didn’t care that it had the wrong badge on the front or some of the instruments didn’t work or that it handled horribly due to it having a VW gearbox, I just had to have it. As I have found out and am still finding out you should always buy the best car you can with the money you’ve got otherwise you are just going to be chasing the rust around the body until you have spent far more time and money than the car is worth. I have to say though that it has been great fun meeting fellow obsessives, finding parts and learning about the car and I don’t think I would ever sell him.

In 2002 I took the car back to the ‘Homeland’ and drove 1200 miles around Germany, going down to the Austrian border, high in the mountains, fixing various oil and fuel leaks along the way. He developed a starting problem whilst in the mountains and after investigating all possible reasons Angela put the reason down to ‘altitude sickness’. I was even sad enough to have Angela take a photo of the car and myself stood proudly under the ‘Porsche Strasse’ road sign in Stuttgart.

Of course my obsession doesn’t stop there, if you buy a particular car then you must have all the books/workshop manuals on that car and of course why have one Porsche when there are other ones out there to be had? This leads me to the second car I have. Upa, as we call her, came all of a sudden when I was looking on that big electronic auto-jumble, Ebay. I had always had an interest in the early cars and had casually looked at quite a few for sale but in November 2003 I saw the car of my dreams. Today, a UK RHD Porsche 356is very rare as they made less than 1100 between 1951 and 1965 of which only a couple of hundred are left, but this car was much more than that as she is the third UK RHD cabriolet to be imported into the country (in 1953) and is 1 of possibly 3 or 4 of these early and distinctive RHD cars left in existence. The purchase of this car took 3 months, partially as I was greatly disappointed by her condition (the pictures that were with the advert were a little misleading, as I am sure most of you have experienced at some point) and also the seller wanted what I considered to be far too much money for a car that although rare had a number of problems namely the wrong engine (which was not running), no working electrics, no MOT and some not too tiny problems with bodywork. The spare tyre is a plant pot in a former owner’s garden and we think the original engine is happily roaming around Spain in another Porsche.
I talked at great length to Angela about buying the car, the pros and cons, whether we could afford it or not etc, etc, etc, so much so that one morning on the drive to work Angela had finally had enough and said if it would shut me up I should just get on with it and do the deed. Despite the numerous problems with the car, which I am sure put off most other people, we agreed a price. I have spent the past two years cleaning her up and locating missing parts like a suitable engine and an original radio and hope to begin using her and bringing her to some of the COWS shows this summer.

By the time you read this Angela and I will have driven 2,000 miles to Italy and back for the Porsche 356 International gathering at Padua, near Venice, hopefully with no major hiccups and I hope to tell you all about it in another article soon.

SCARLETT'S 2006 TOUR DE FRANCE
A Visit to Chartwell Gate Gate-vaulting by Moonlight Honfleur ,Le  Mont St Michel and St Malo. The Garlic  Festival

Most journeys have a beginning, middle and an end; and in some ways this trip actually started in 2005 when the idea of a Bond Club
‘foreign’ rally was first mooted. Normandy and Brittany were an obvious first choice - handy for the channel and noted for their quiet roads and unspoilt scenery. The rally was to be organized for Bonds by the Bond club. Nothing to do with 007(!) - these Bonds were lightweight aluminium threewheeled cars powered by a small Villiers motorcycle engine. A 200 or 250 cc two stroke pulling a small family plus luggage and camping gear? What kind of lunacy is that (I hear you say!)? Well, Bond’s did make bigger 4- wheelers too, only none of them turned up...

Scarlett is a 1962 Mk G Bond Minicar Estate. That means she is large enough inside to have a small rear bench seat as well as a bit of a boot, and that’s really quite roomy for a microcar. Truthfully, there is nothing quite like her on the road today, but she does need regular attention (maintenance) if she is to be at all reliable over long distances. There is nothing arduous about this - it’s just checking, greasing and oiling really - but it does need to be done regularly!

I agonized a little bit over deciding just what spares to take - but space and weight being at a premium these were small and light, and (like most of the tools we carried) were needed only for peace of mind. Then, after a thorough routine service, we were ready to go. Statistically (I told myself) with no motor home or trailer to worry about, we were three times less likely to suffer from a breakdown
(oh, yeah!).

The rally was timed to coincide with the beginning of the school holidays, which allowed us two days to travel from Silsden to Newhaven. We set off on the Saturday morning to drive the first leg as far as Peterborough and by mid-day on Sunday we were well on the way to Brighton. It was then that I spotted a sign which said ‘NT Chartwell’ and realized that we must be close to the ancestral home of that most venerable of Englishmen Sir Winston Churchill. Since we had plenty of time on our hands, it seemed a good idea to pay a visit (he wasn’t there.) We left the Bond in the car park and ate our lunch on a picnic bench while we waited for our timed entry to the house itself. According to the blurb Mr. Churchill had acquired Chartwell for £5,000 and I guess it might fetch a thousand times that amount
if it were seen on the market today. It’s actually the perfect gentleman’s’ country residence. Unpretentious, nicely proportioned, comfortable and quite manageable (with the help of a cook, a cleaner and a gardener, that is).

Other than being a politician and winning WW2, Churchill was a keen writer and historian. His profession had provided him with a study, an extensive library and a private cinema - now re-converted back to a dining room, as Lady Churchill had wanted. Being an enthusiastic painter he also had a studio, and had even won prizes for his pictures unlike a certain Adolf Hitler, who (coincidentally) - also dabbled a bit with a paintbrush... 2
Churchill’s talents were extensive, he enjoyed practical work, had an eye for beauty and an acerbic wit, his books are fairly readable, too. At the age of 60, when most folks are reaching for their carpet slippers, he roused our politicians from their lethargy and galvanized the country into taking a stand against Nazi Germany. He won the war, lost the next election, but was then Prime Minister again - at the age of eighty! Sir Winston Churchill was 95 years old when he passed away. There were no gilded pensions in those days and his income proved insufficient once he stopped working. Sympathetically, a group of friends elected to buy the property in order that he might continue to live there until he died. Lady Churchill survived him, but she has no wish to remain at Chartwell once he had passed away.
From Chartwell it was but a pleasant afternoon’s drive down to our Travelodge at Brighton. Next morning we had to be up at 5.45 am to get to Newhaven on time. There we joined forces with some of the other rally goers, and it was but a pleasant and enjoyable cruise across the channel to Dieppe. This being our second trip abroad (we took Scarlett to Northern France, Belgium and Holland last year) I was surprised at how quickly I adapted to driving on the right. In no time at all we had covered the 45 miles or so to our first campsite at Caudebec-en- Caux, met with the organizers and put our tent up. We were right on the banks of the river Seine, and it was startling to watch the huge bulk carriers, piled high with containers slowly drifting by.

It was a good site - the owners friendly and the facilities fine. As the sun began to set on a beautiful summer’s evening our rally organizer suggested a walk into town in order to partake of ice cream, coffee or beer (though not necessarily in that order). So, it was nearly midnight when we arrived back - to find the gates locked and the whole place in total darkness! After a moments’ hesitation we clambered over the gate, and wondered how those less agile than us were ever going to get to bed that night. It was rather irritating the next day to have a certain person smugly point out that we could easily have used the side gate instead! Now why didn’t I find that funny? The next day we had a run to the Pont Normandie and Honfleur the former is a bridge, and is immense. It’s a huge arched affair a bit like the one at Dartford crossing and it stands well clear of the water to give adequate clearance for shipping. We learned all about it whilst enjoying coffee at the bridge cafe cum museum, where we stopped for a comfort break. The Bonds weren’t exactly comfortable with the heat. It was all a bit too much for one of the 197cc minicars, pulling, as it was a family of three in temperatures nudging 38C. A bit of a struggle, to say the least.

We then pressed on to Honfleur, a very picturesque Olde Worlde port at the mouth of the Seine with some rather interesting buildings.
One in particular, a church, had a ceiling, which looked like two up-turned wooden boat hulls placed side-by-side~ - Clearly the local carpenters were more interested in boats than buildings! We spent a pleasant afternoon wandering around the shops and pavement cafes. It was an excellent drive back to camp; the route took in some lovely scenery and the roads were quiet enough to be almost traffic-
free. No queues, no hold-ups, no hassles! Wednesday was ‘free’ so we chose to spend it in Caudebec. It was the hottest day of the holiday so far - and shade, cool drinks and ice cream were all that were required. Some adventurous souls decided on a drive into Rouen, where they encountered a small tornado (leaving Raque and Rouen in it’s wake...?) but I opted for a visit to the local Maritime Museum, and learned about life on the Seine before the ‘Mascaret’ -a borelike tidal wave was tamed. There was a Joble on display, too - a general flat-bottomed broad-beamed sort of boat that ferried people and cargo across the river before the bridges were built.

On Thursday the rally moved to a new base at Cherieux 170 miles away. Some of the party departed back to England at this point, so we were now the only car being actually driven rather than towed around France. We made the journey in about 4 hours of driving, and somewhat surprisingly, arrived there before the motor homes! Friday’s run was to Le Mont Saint Michel, which is a famous monastery built on a rock a short distance off-shore. You’ve probably seen pictures of it. With a village and suitable fortifications it was pretty much impregnable - a veritable symbol of French national identity. The monastery is really quite interesting; it’s a complex labyrinth of rooms and passages, topped by an amazing roof garden. Little wonder then that young men were queuing at the door to sign on. They could then escape a life of drudgery and poverty, and enjoy security, regular meals, free-hair cuts and library tickets.

The Saturday run to St Malo marked the endof the Rally Week. First stop was a small coastal town called Cancale and we arrived there to find most visitors sitting down to enjoy a leisurely seafood lunch. Some of those huge platefuls of crabs, lobsters and mussels were still moving (!) - but rather too slowly to make it back to the beach... We stopped to buy ice cream. There were lots of different flavours all cunningly labelled in French. June chose one that looked like toffee, but tasted like Fisherman’s Friend! - Which is handy if you happen to have a sorethroat, I suppose.

St Malo turned out to be a fortified seaport with lots of narrow and attractive pedestrianised streets. The warm sunshine was glorious and when we reached the other side of town we clambered down a set of steps onto a perfect yellow sandy beach, where we could look out on some of the ancient fortifications and watch people swimming and windsurfing in the sea. I even managed to buy an English newspaper, how much better can you get? Brittany had just one more treat left in store for us, and that was a visit to a local Garlic Festival. Forget Sunday markets and Car-boots, a French Garlic Festival combines the best of both, topped with a little bit of local ‘dressing’. There were farmers serenading their hens, painted chipboard farmyard scenes (some of which were turned by electric motors) and stalls selling everything from ladies underwear to milking equipment (for farmers, that is). And there was me thinking that ‘British’ eccentricity was dead! Not true - it’s just moved a bit further South, that’s all!

 (To be continued.)
John Johnson

December 2005- No 178   

CHAIRMAN'S RAMBLES
Dear Friends
By now we will have had our final meeting for this year. We have had some very good rallies and one or two not so good; due to rain.

The anniversary run, to places where the club have held meetings etc, was very well attended, the pie & peas were a surprise; the pie was meat and potato, peas and red cabbage, which made it more like a meal. The meal was subsidised as was the tea and coffee at both Steeton Hall and Tarn House. One surprise was the cake with our emblem in colour on the top, this was made by a friend of Sue Gardner; our thanks to them.

Thanks must go to the officers and committee for their time and effort in keeping the club a float. Special thanks must go to Sue and Andrew who are “knocking it on the head” as our editors, they have done a fine job with input from the club members. Anyone who fancies taking over as Editors will get the full backing of the committee and officers.

Don’t forget January is the AGM where you can all have your say, then the annual meal in February; see Barbara or Alan McCormick for details.
Finally thank you for making my position easy. Have a lovely Christmas and a better New Year

Len Fox

EDITORIAL

Susan & Andrew Naylor

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

1375 E Cockburn, Haworth
1376 A Quinn, Embsay
1377 R Boyle, Silsden

Don’t forget that subs. for 2006 can now be sent to:
Mike Naylor, Membership Secretary, 2 Chatsworth Crescent, Pudsey, Leeds, LS28 8LD.
Mike Naylor

STRESSED OUT UK DRIVERS

Chill out. It could help your motor insurance. A significant number of Brits are committing 'driving sins' as a result of being too stressed out while on the roads, new research has found.

More than 30 million motorists admit that they take unnecessary risks while driving because they are stressed out at being late or needing to get somewhere quickly, research by swiftcover.com found.

"It's worrying when people are so stressed and harassed behind the wheel that they are putting themselves and others at risk,"

"British motorists are being put under more and more pressure as congestion worsens and people continue to choose the car over other forms of transport so, in the future, incidents of bad behaviour are likely to go up."

The seven deadly driving sins outlined by the company included driving while holding a mobile phone, breaking the speed limit, parking illegally, overtaking another car dangerously, changing clothes or eating and drinking at the wheel.

Time pressures of modern life are causing these stressed out car journeys, the survey creators think.

IT HAPPENED BECAUSE...........

• Coming home, I drove into the wrong house and hit a tree I didn't have.
• The other car collided with mine without giving warning of its intention.
• I thought my window was down, but I found it was up when I put my head through it.
• The guy was all over the road, I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him.
• I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law and headed over the embankment
• In an attempt to kill a fly, I drove into a telephone pole.
• I had been shopping for plants all day and was on my way home. As I reached a junction, a hedge sprang up, obscuring my vision and I did not see the other car.
• I had been driving for 40 years when I fell asleep at the wheel and had an accident.
• I was on my way to the doctor with rear end trouble when my universal joint gave way, causing me to have an accident.
• To avoid hitting the bumper of the car in front, I struck the pedestrian.
• An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my car and vanished.
• I told the police I was not injured, but on removing my hat, I found I had a fractured skull
• I was sure the old fellow would never make it to the other side of the road when I struck him.
• I saw a slow-moving, sad faced old gentleman as he bounced off the roof of my car
• I was thrown from my car as it left the road. I was later found in a ditch by some cows.

91 MODEL T FIXED

Breakdown firm GEM Motoring Assist would have been forgiven for refusing to help motorist Mark Rand when he phoned and told them he needed some help with a transmission problem. It’s not every day the average mechanic is required to help fix a 91 year old motor after all. But, undaunted, GEM mechanic David Williams rode out to the rescue and dually sorted the 1914 Model T Ford's shattered reverse gear transmission drum. "Some organisations will not deal with a car once it reaches eight or ten years old but that would have put Mr Rand in an impossible position," said Mr Williams. The Model T, named Gladys Emmanuel after the nurse in Open All Hours, is reportedly running smoothly again. "It was the only time I have had to call for help for Gladys Emmanuel and now she is in fine fettle again and running sweetly," said Mark.

PREPARING A CAR FOR WINTER

Whether you plan to run your classic through the winter, or lay it up away from the ravages of salty roads and sideways learner drivers, serious thought must be given to where exactly you will store your old car. Ideally it should be in a de-humidified fully weatherproof garage, but not everyone is in such a fortunate position. A damp and draughty garage is not a pleasant place at the best of times, and if possible any leaks in the roof or walls of your garage should be fixed during the summer months. A leaky garage will do your car no favours whatsoever, and makes for an unpleasant place in which day to day maintenance and repairs are to be carried out. However, some measure of ventilation is not a bad thing in a garage, as a current of air will circulate around your car helping to dry it off if its parked up while still wet, and will help keep condensation down to a minimum. It has been said that a soaking wet car may well be better off outside, than being parked up in a hermetically sealed garage for this very reason.

Now is a perfect time to investigate any leaking window seals that your classic may have - I've discovered strange fungal growths on dampened carpets before now, and whereas in summer (ha) any damp carpets can be hung out to dry after a shower, in winter the opportunity to dry out soggy carpets is minimal at best. Take a good look around all window seals, door seals and other areas where there are gaps in the bodywork, such as where the wiper spindles appear through the scuttle, where aerials and rear view mirrors are mounted, and so on. Pull off any door trims and make sure that the plastic liners usually attached to the door frame are in good order, and whip out any carpets and sound deadening to check for rust holes in the floor (a popular route for water to get in), and any seals that are fitted to pedals as they disappear through either the floor or bulkhead.

If your classic car has a sunroof, check its sealing is ok and while you're at it, test to make sure the drain pipes aren't blocked (also worth checking that any door drain holes aren't blocked either at this point). One of the killers for any classic or vintage car is mud build up underneath. Clumps of mud and crud harbour damp like nothing else, and can continue holding dampness against your cars bodywork long after warm weather returns.

To do the job properly, firstly wash underneath with a pressure washer; this removes a lot of crud. Then jack the car up, support it on stands and whip off the wheels. Take a stiff wire brush to all the nooks and crannies under the arches, either end of the sills, behind headlamp bowls and so on, and dig out all accumulated mud, leaves and other dubious substances. It’s a filthy job I can testify to this as I have just done Susan’s Disco.

Once this is done, have a quick look and check that all paint or underseal is in good order and, once it is and everything is dried out (especially if you've jet washed the underside also), apply a protective waxy substance wherever you can, something like Waxoyl or Dinitrol should do the trick. There's no need to apply it with a shovel, just a nice consistent layer should do. Likewise a light coat of a waxy mixture applied to any box

LETTERS RECEIVED
Dear Eds,
Well the summer has been and gone, I hope you had a good one. We took the Bond abroad for the first time and it didn’t do too badly. We thought we would just camp in northern France, but after a few days in Amiens and then Paris we headed north through Belgium and into Holland. We wanted to take part in the Dutch National Microcar Rally at Arnem. That was really good, we received a prize for the furthest driven (1,300 miles) and then we drove back to Calais and homewards. We stopped at the UK National where again we won the distance award having travelled more than 2000 miles this time, plus we also came third best Bond on the field! All this on a 250 cc two stroke, carrying three people, luggage and camping gear.

The Bond was driven every day and gave faultless service over the four week period – a commendable feat by any standards.

John Johnson  (Juliet & Nikki)

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL With the longest day here – and gone by the time you read this, means it is downhill to Christmas – groan! Sorry.
We have already been on a few nice rallies this season but still have Broughton Hall, the STAR National Rally, Newby Hall and Hebden Bridge – amongst others to look forward to.
This year’s STAR National event (that’s the Sunbeam Talbot club) is to South Wales. We shall be going in convoy to the rally, which runs from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. Having gone all that way, if the weather is kind, we shall stay around there for a few days more.
What are you hoping to get up to with your old wheels? Please do write and let us know.
As we write this we can tell you that we have been approached by the BBC to be a feature in a day time “magazine” show; short clips about a range of things in one programme we gather. Our bit will be on Classic Cars – the fact that Susan is a female owner of a rare Talbot makes an interesting feature apparently. We have managed to rope Chris Bryant in to as his Alpine featured in a film driven by a famous film star. A number of you have helped in films/TV before so will know the score – Susan has to be somewhere near Castle Howard at 9.00 a.m. on a Tuesday morning and they hope to have finished with her by 2.00 p.m. The finished item will probably only last a couple of minutes! We’ll let you know how she got on.

Susan had a wonderful run to St Anne’s a few weeks ago – thanks to Mike and the team. A few people got lost after trusting the car in front to be going the right way! The number of times that happens. There is one bit of the journey where Susan convinces herself that she is going the wrong way and poor Dulcie Gardner (her brave co-pilot) has an agonising 5 minutes while it is proved that they are in deed going the correct way! The Fish & Chips at St Anne’s were on form and the little café on the front does some super homemade cake – and what portions!
We hope to see you all at Broughton – let’s hope the weather is kind.

Susan & Andrew Naylor

(This arrived literally just as we were going to press, Eds)

WELCOME (NEW MEMBERS)
 1364 H Moulds, Bingley
1365 D Petty, Pudsey
1366 A Parfitt, Keighley
1367 LA Walker, Cullingworth
1368 E Horner, Cleckheaton
Welcome Back
668 F Greenway, Steeton

BROUGHTON HALL This notable event in the COWS diary; Broughton Hall our Annual Show, is a success simply because of the number of willing volunteers that help – often behind the scenes. If you think you may be able to help – even in a small way – please can you contact Barbara McCormick, our Treasurer. One of the jobs, for example, is to man the tent for a stint during the show, if we can have many volunteers it means that each volunteer only does a short stint. There is also field set up duties to do (usually on the Friday before the show) as well as marshalling on the day. Every little helps.

FANCY THAT !  this is for all you health nuts. It puts everything into perspective, I think. Learn from this.
Health Question & Answers
Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise, everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, which means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have body fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!!. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO ...... Cocoa beans ... another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around! Q: Is swimming good for your figure? A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape! Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets. And remember: 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 - Chardonnay in one hand - strawberries in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming - "WOO HOO! What a Ride!"
Chris Bryant (who else! Nice one)

Eight Million Scratch Heads on Oil
Eight million motorists have no idea which oil they should use in their car, despite almost half of all owners claiming they check their dip stick on a monthly basis. According to new data from car care people, Comma, 61% of women didn't know if they should top-up with a mineral, synthetic or semi-synthetic oil. Men faired better, with only 1 in 5 happy to admit they were unsure what to put in their engine. For motorists still none the wiser, Comma has compiled an online guide available at www.commaoil.com

This Smells Odd
When a man attempted to siphon petrol from a motor home parked on a Seattle street, he got much more than he bargained for. Police arrived at the scene to find an ill man curled up next to a motor home trying to steal petrol and plugged his hose into the motor home's sewage tank by mistake. The owner of the vehicle declined to press charges, saying that it was the best laugh he'd ever had.

Creative Writing
A creative writing class at Slippery Rock University was asked to write a concise essay containing the following elements:
Religion Royalty Sex Mystery
The prize winner wrote: "My God," said the queen, "I am pregnant! I wonder who did it?"

Could you murder for a detective car?
Cars and TV detectives go hand-in-hand, and the private ads are a goldmine of iconic motoring gems. A Jaguar MK11, more commonly associated with Inspector Morse, can be found nestling in the classifieds for under £9,000.

At the other end of the scale, Chief Inspector Jack Frost gained his detective spurs driving around in his trusty Ford Sierra Estate - yours for just £700. S
till with the Blue Oval, the dynamic Dempsey & Makepeace duo chased villains in an Escort Cabriolet - examples of which can be snapped up for £750 according to www.ardata.co.uk

Cult 80s classic Hart to Hart featured the luxury and opulence of a Rolls Royce Corniche to ferry Jonathan and Jennifer Hart around. Today, a 1979 example with 130,000 miles is on the market for £16,950.

And who can forget the bright red Ferrari 308 GTS driven by Tom Selleck in Magnum PI, another 1980’s cop star, and yours for just £27,995 (1985 45,000 miles).

Although Val Kilmer played The Saint in the 1997 remake of the 60s classic driving a Volvo C70, Roger Moore took to the streets of London in the original behind the wheel of a Volvo P1800 - spotted by Cardata for just £2,999 (1973 example, 25,000 miles).

Unfortunately for Chief Inspector Barnaby from Midsomer Murders, his Rover 75 has plummeted in value by an incredible 36% over the last 12 months. And with nearly new and used Rovers currently flooding the market, anyone wishing to follow after one of the nations best loved detectives is ideally placed to pick up his car.

PLUGS & POINTS
The club are trying to set up a directory of service providers and craftsmen, please keep these coming in
… Vehicle Upholstery, Hoods, Roof-lining, Trim etc
Eddie Farrell is a COWS member and he has recently re-upholstered in leather the front bench seat on my Jowett 'Javelin'.
I am delighted with the job he has done. Previously he did similar work for another member of the Jowett Car Club (Northern) but dealing with both front and back seats. She was similarly very pleased with the result. Eddie has worked on a number of cars in the care of Geoff Tuley doing upholstery and general trim work and making replacement hoods.
Geoff has been very well satisfied and offers to let members inspect the work that Eddie has completed for him.
Eddie Farrell's telephone number is 01274 834693
David Midgley

Car Covers I had a cover made for the bike a few months ago, and was supplied promptly. It’s made out of a new lightweight non scratch and breathable material, has its own carry bag and was very reasonably priced. If you want to know more, the company is Thoroughbred Covers Ltd, based at 347 Kirkstall Road in Leeds. Tel 0113 2795079. Website is www.throughbred-covers.co.uk
Andrew Naylor

 MAIL TO THE EDITORS
If you have a vehicle, which has not been on the road pre 1988, you do not have to declare it SORN.
But the DVLA will not send you a new V5C. So if you want to have the new V5C you will have to send your old V5 to DVLA,
but if you require your old V5 back, for historic reasons, request them to send it back or otherwise it will be shredded.
You won’t be made liable to declare SORN.
 Len Fox
 
MAIL TO THE EDITORS
I am a COWS member and I am also helping to organise the Yorkshire Rover Rally. The details for this rally and an entry form are attached - could you please circulate this at your next meeting(s) and could you please put it into your/our club magazine. The rally has been at Lotherton Hall for the last few years, but a ridiculous increase in the price from Leeds Council has forced us to find a new venue - hence "Classics on the Common". Thanks
 Dave Perrins
(Sorry to hear about the spot of bother you are having with Leeds CC. We can certainly publicise the event here in the magazine, Eds)
The event Dave is talking about is “Classics on the Common”, Heath Common Wakefield on 21st August; see “events page” for contact.
It is organised by the Rover P4, P5 and P6 Rover Clubs in collaboration but any classic is very welcome. Entry £4.

 

WEST COAST RUN Just to say thank you to all the entrants who took part in our 5th annual West Coast run to St Anne’s on sea, I hope an enjoyable day was had by all with the sun shining most of the time. I think most of you will have got caught in the rain on the way home I know we did before we left St Anne’s with torrential rain between 5.30 and 6.00pm that left us with very wet clothes after we went to pick up fish and chips. When we arrived back to the car, the only one left, and a flooded promenade, we enjoyed the fish and chips even if we had a smelly car and steamed up windows. We heard someone passing a comment outside to say, “I wonder what they are doing in there?” Winding my window slightly down I corrected his thoughts by telling him we were eating fish and chips!

Well thanks again to all who helped and to the marshals who I think you will agree did an excellent job and to you the entrants who turned out in you splendid cars to make this a successful day out.
Mike Naylor

webmaster@cravenoldwheels.com             http://www.cravenoldwheels.com/

February 2005 - No 173   
FROM THE FLOOR (No Chair)

Dear Friends
It was great to see you at the AGM. Alan McCormick had offered to stand as Chairman if we could find a Secretary. Unfortunately no one came forward so we have a vacant post. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the committee for their hard work and contributions during 2004. It is pleasing to see so many staying on in 2005. The committee will consider co-opting further members at their next meeting.

If I might be permitted to utilise this space to highlight a few events that we have heard about.

Neil Kershaw has contacted me about reviving the Whitby Weekend and joining forces with Whitby Car Club (you may recall Neil lives over there now). He is has found a place that entrants could possibly stay; Sneaton Castle from £25 per room B&B. Please contact Neil if you are interested (details are given on page 6). You might also like to check out Sneaton Castle on the web www.sneatoncastle.co.uk.

We have again been invited by the Whitby Lifeboat crew to put on a display of old vehicles at the annual Whitby Lifeboat weekend on 2nd & 3rd July. Please contact me about this event.

We have been invited, through Ken Swindles, to go to Gargrave show again, which is on the weekend before Malham so that will make it Saturday 20th August.

(NB Details of Neil’s Whitby Run may have changed since John’s note – hopefully he has not jumped the gun)

EDITORIAL

We were disappointed not to be able to make it across for the AGM; there just never seems to be enough hours in the day and Andrew is working across the country (he is supposed to be in the “North of England” crew but was sent to a job in Cambridge the other day!).

For anyone that was not there, it was announced that this will be our last year as editors and we will stand down after December’s issue.

The next edition (April) we would like to be the bumper one for events so please, please do let us have any dates & contact details that you know. Please do not assume that someone else will have told us – we would rather that a dozen people tell us the date for an event than no-one. It will also make us think that there are COWS members out there reading this magazine. Particular events we would like details of are: Hebden Bridge, Grange over Sands and any local country shows like Malham.

We have a couple of trips planned already with the Sunbeam Talbot club that we are looking forward to, each one will involve an overnight stay/long weekend and we really enjoy those as you really get the opportunity to chat to fellow enthusiasts much more so than you do at a static display and if alcohol and good food are the fuel of the evening all goes well. We were interested to hear that Neil Kershaw is eager to resurrect the Whitby Weekend but with a twist – to combine it with Whitby Car club and have somewhere that will take us for just one night – it seems a very reasonable rate too. Please do get in touch with Neil soon because if the event is to go ahead there is much council red tape to plough through first; never a speedy process. (see his e-mail pg 6)

We are also desperate for photos for the front & back cover; perhaps you have a favourite from the 2004 season, if so please send it through and we will scan them into our computer and return them directly.

There is a trophy each year for the person who makes the most contributions to the magazine during the year. Please do send us your reports of any rallies you attend or items related to vehicles or snippets of news that you might pick up.

Andrew has a milestone birthday next year (40 again!) and is eying up something big and thrusting on two wheels … more on that next time!

Susan & Andrew Naylor

E - MAIL TO THE EDITORS

Greetings dear Eds from the seaside Kath and I have just enjoyed a lovely lunch at Steeton Hall with fellow Autobods. A great time was had by all. During the general chit chat I discovered, though not really surprised, that I am organising a Whitby Weekend this year.
To cut a long story short and knowing you are going to press for the mag in the next few days thought that I would send - in the vain hope that you can still include it, the following. The Whitby Lifeboat weekend has been brought forward to the first weekend in July this year, to Saturday, 2nd and Sunday, 3rd July. This is due, amongst other things, to tide conditions being more favourable at that time for the Lifeboat "events" being planned. SO as the first weekend in June seems too close to the "full" lifeboat event after discussing with various members at today’s dinner we decided to go for the July weekend rather than June.

As you will appreciate as this has only been decided today things are still in the very early stages of planning. As things are at the moment the run will start in the Skipton area and finish at Whitby as before but exact start place not yet known. I have tentative enquiries at a place on the outskirts of Whitby that has both 140'ish beds plus secure parking in its grounds with night porter on duty. I have still to sort this out but will have done so for the March meeting. The Whitby Old Car Club members are keen to join us and I have ideas to make some slight changes to make the event even more enjoyable. There is a possibility of an evening do at the overnight accommodation but more later when I have had chance to talk to the premises owners.
Hope that you can get something into the current edition.
Many thanks,

Neil Kershaw
(This arrived literally just as we were going to press, Eds)

JACK HOOPER'S RUN Sunday 3rd April 2005

Meet as is usual at Steeton Hall where coffee will be available at 10.00 a.m. The visit is to Thorp Perrow Arboretum woodland gardens and the Falcons of Thorp Perrow situated in North Yorkshire near Bedale. The suggested route is via Silsden, Silsden Moor, Addingham, Bolton Abbey, Greenhow (Stump Cross Cavens) to Pateley Bridge. Then to Lofthouse in Nidderdale, across the moors to Healey and Masham.
An entrance fee of £3.50 instead of the normal £5.75 and also a guided tour of the arboretum and falconry taking one an half hours at 1.30 p.m. have been arranged Dogs are welcome but must be on a lead at all times. There is ample parking, picnic space, a tea room and restaurant. If you go directly to the arboretum, please wait for me in the car park to get a pass for the reduced fee.

I hope that the weather is fine and we have a safe journey, the distance is about 50 miles. If your old car is not on the road come in your everyday car and as usual any friends are welcome. For more information please ring me on 01535 272571 or at meetings.

Jack Hooper

OTHER EVENTS

14 Aug 2005

Pendle & District Rover Association, Pendle & District Vintage & Classic Cars and Motor Cycle show Towneley Park Burnley. All vehicles welcome. This will be the 21st Classic Car Show and family fun day held in conjunction with Burnley Rotary club and sponsored by East Lancashire Newspapers. There will be an Autojumble and stalls cost £8. There are 14 classes and entry forms can be downloaded from the website www.pdra.org.uk The entry fee is £3 per vehicle and £2 per motor bike payable by cheque or PO to P&DRA with SAE. For further details please contact Bill Heywood, 22 Deerstone Road, Nelson, Lancs BB9 9LN telephone 01282 699289.

WELCOME (NEW MEMBERS)

1359 G Glassfield, Essex
1360 M Hyland, Grassington
1361 H Appleby, Keighley

WELCOME (BACK)

784 C Pritchard, Cowling

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

Mike Naylor has asked us to remind those that have not renewed their membership (think that might include us!!!) that they must do so straight away otherwise the February edition will be the last one they will receive.
(now there’s an interesting dilemma for us... tee hee) Seriously – get those cheques in – think what you’ll be missing!

FANCY THAT !

Duke of Hazard
The Duke of Gloucester has resigned as president of the Institute of Advanced Motorists after being banned from driving for speeding. He received a six month ban last month after accruing 12 penalty points from four speeding offences over three years. The Duke, 60, has been president since the early 1970s.

Patrol print checks coming
Police could soon be scanning drivers' fingerprints with a tiny device fitted to the dashboard of patrol cars. Northants officers are testing a unit, and it could be introduced nationwide within 18 months. The scanner is linked to six million records stored on a database. Currently, drivers must give consent before a scan takes place, but a new law would make it mandatory.

Warden’s basket case
Residents have been barred from putting up hanging baskets outside their flats - because traffic wardens have threatened to ticket the vans which water them. Harrogate Council's housing department maintains the window boxes, but its parking enforcers won't allow colleagues to pull up nearby, as they're stopping on double yellow lines.

Worst Drivers named
Motorists in Harrow, north-west London, have the worst driving record, according to new research. A study by insurer Admiral found nearly 10% of people from the area had been in a smash last year that was their fault. Drivers in Galashiels, Scotland, came out best in the survey, with an accident rate of only 3.9%.

Love is … getting married on Ford's Detroit Motor Show stand beside your favourite car. Glenn and Elizabeth Stempeck, from Redford, Michigan, tied the knot next to the newly unveiled Mustang soft-top at the event's charity night. Onlookers were amazed - but delighted for the happy couple.

A Ford UK spokeswoman reckoned it would be "unlikely" that a similar ceremony would be permitted at the next British Motor Show.

Speeding excuses
Staff at the road safety scheme which administers speeding fines in mid and south Wales say drivers go to amazing lengths to avoid fines:-

* My ex still has keys to my car and keeps taking it without asking. I haven't reported this to the police.

* My budgie was ill and I was rushing it to the vet

* I was desperate for the loo and had to speed to the nearest public toilet

* An ice-scraper fell out of a compartment in the door and jammed under the pedal.

* I picked up a hitchhiker who commented that they liked my car so I let 'this person' drive the vehicle. I don't have their name or address.

* I was in a hire car and the speedometer was in a different position - I was actually looking at the rev counter by mistake.

* As I entered onto the motorway, my car was dragged along in the slip-stream of a truck. My brakes aren't very good, so I had to keep pace with it.

VALENTINE ???

Flowers and hearts might be too much for your passion wagon this Valentine’s Day, but if you’re looking to add that loving touch to your vehicle, or if you’re still searching for a Valentine’s gift, DVLA Personalised Registrations has the answer.
One in five customers now purchase a registration as a gift for a loved one and with more than 20 million combinations available at www.dvlaregistrations.co.uk you can be sure to find your perfect personalised plate. Whether you’re looking for a ‘LUV’ plate like VW04 LUV for someone’s favourite vehicle, or something more subtle such as your partner’s name or initials, the DVLA choice is huge.

Louise Pierpoint, publicity manager at DVLA Personalised Registrations, commented: "People looking for that elusive and individual gift are increasingly opting for a personalised number. With such a huge selection of numbers available, there are plenty of Valentine’s numbers to suit all tastes and pockets."
DVLA Personalised Registrations start from £250 including VAT and assignment fees.

AVOID SPEEDING FINES WITH A VAUXHALL

Owners of Vauxhall cars and vans can now enjoy the benefits of a competitively-priced Driver Safety and Information System that could save them from speeding fines, licence endorsements and even higher insurance premiums.

The award-winning Origin b2 monitor has been added to the range of accessories available through Vauxhall retailers throughout the UK. It costs £429.95.

No matter how careful you are at observing the speed limit, there is always a risk of being caught on camera if, e.g., you have failed to react quickly enough to changing speed limits on an unfamiliar road. With the number of fixed speed cameras set to triple to over 13,000 by the end of this year, the pitfalls ahead are even greater.

Using the latest GPS satellite technology, the dashboard-mounted Origin b2 device not only warns drivers of approaching speed cameras. It also offers valuable safety benefits such as alerting drivers to accident black spots, school and even congestion charging cameras.

It is the only legal system on the market that can detect all types of speed camera, from Gatso and Truvelo to DS2 Speedmaster and mobile police laser traps. It features a high resolution LCD display and a variety of alerts for impending hazards, including a spoken warning.

The system’s database can be easily and quickly updated via the internet or an optional modem and it comes with six months’ free subscription to updates. The GPS position display will also help emergency services to identify the vehicle’s location in the event of a breakdown.

The Origin b2 is powered via the cigarette lighter and is easily installed, although professional installation is an option available through Vauxhall retailers. It is portable between cars, making it even better value, and is covered by a 24 month warranty.

BRAKING BAD HABITS

Many motorists unwittingly drive with faulty brakes because they rely on having them checked only once a year. This is one of the findings of a survey carried out by Green Flag Motoring Assistance and road safety charity Brake. More than half of drivers surveyed relied on the annual service to check brakes despite the fact brakes can deteriorate to a dangerous condition in less than a year. Of the drivers and motorbike riders surveyed, most had not had their brakes checked since their last service and 7 in 10 of those had no idea of the percentage wear when they were last checked. Despite this the majority were confident their brakes were in good working order, showing a lack of understanding about how quickly brake pads can wear down. More than 1 in 7 admitted they were not confident their brakes were in good working order.Brakes can be in a good enough condition to pass an MOT but may not last for a full year and could become dangerously worn before the next service.It is, therefore, essential that when drivers get their vehicle serviced they check with their garage how long it will take their brake pads to wear down, warns Green Flag.
Of vehicles tested at MOT stations last year the number of failures due to brakes was 5.7% of motorbikes, 11% of cars and small vans, 14.9% of large vans, 7.7% of buses and coaches, 29.2% of trucks and 37.6% of truck trailers. Mary Williams, chief executive of safety group Brake, says: "It is shocking that so many drivers are relying on potentially lethal brakes.  It is so simple to make sure your brakes are working before every journey and relatively inexpensive to have them checked by a professional and it could save lives."

"Drivers need to realise that they have a responsibility to other road users to make sure their vehicles are in a safe condition."

As well as passing its MOT, it is essential to have your vehicle serviced at the frequency recommended by the manufacturer but be warned that you may run into trouble between services.

Only get brakes checked by an expert mechanic at a reputable garage.

When your vehicle is serviced, ask your garage about the state of safety-critical components such as brakes. For example, if your garage notices your brakes are slightly worn but not worn out they may not mention if your brakes are unlikely to last until the next service.

INTER CAR CLUB QUIZ NIGHTS

We have been asked to put in a plug for the quiz nights at the Golden Fleece in Birkenshaw. Apparently COWS have put up teams before but a team is defined as two people plus a captain and you can just turn up – so Dave Caswell tells us.

Future dates are:
March 10th
April 7th
May 5th.
We would be interested to know what you think of this event, which sounds like a pleasant way to spend a winter/spring evening.
Trophy & wooden spoon up for grabs.

10 CAR INSURANCE SECRETS

SPOTTING A WRONG’UN

Looking over a used car is not a task most buyers relish, but bad cars are not too difficult to spot. Before you set off, check what might go wrong with that particular model. Running an internet search can throw up results, as can visiting www.carsurvey.org
or contacting an owners’ club. Finally, ring a dealer for advice about when expensive work might be needed. Buying a car through an Approved Used scheme will include an inspection, but if you want to go the DIY route, the following are all worth checking:

1. Clocking is big business: digital odometers are as easy to fiddle as tumbler ones. Compare the mileage with the service history, owners, etc.

2. Check the Chassis or VIN number plate. Is it new? Have the numbers been altered? Check the engine number and cross-check with those on the car log book.

3. Look at the quality and level of the oil. Sludge in the filler neck means it has been affected by water. If the engine is warm, the seller might be disguising starter problems.

4. Scrutinise wings for filler, rust repairs and dents. Check inside the wings; buckling will indicate crash damage. Look for consistent panel gaps.

5. Check the car’s paperwork. The most important documents are the log book, old MOTs and workshop receipts. These will help to establish mileage, condition and major repairs.

6. Check the boot floor for rippling or buckling probably suffered in a severe rear end impact. Is the rear bumper straight and are there any signs the body has been repainted at the back?

7. Welding marks across the width of the car are a sure sign of a cut and shut (one car made of two). This is a potential death trap and you should walk away immediately.

8. Peel back the window rubbers to check for colour changes or over spray. Inspect the car’s paint quality, looking out for an orange peel effect, different densities of metallic flakes and paint runs.

9. Examine both posts for body filler by tapping up and down and listening for a different tone. Peel back the interior trim to check for signs of welding. An oversized sun-roof is a common trick to disguise roof cut or damage.

10. Worn tyre rubber will reduce the car’s selling price but may indicate wheel alignment trouble or suggest the car has been in a crash. Kerbed alloys are common but replaceable. Check brake disks for wear.

Useful numbers:

AA Car Data Check 0800 234 999 AA Inspections 0800 085 3007 AA Legal Helpline 0906 0101300 www.theaa.com

Citizens Advice Bureau www.adviceguide.org.uk

DVLA 01792 772 134 www.dvla.gov.uk

RAC Vehicle Examinations 0870 533 3660 RAC Legal Services 0870 5 533 533 www.rac.co.uk

Used Car Checks 08700 468602 www.usedcarchecks.com

Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association 01132 538 333 www.vbra.co.uk

Society of Motor Auctions 01788 538 301

What Car HPI Check 0845 123 2617

December 2004 - No 172   

CHAIRMAN’S CHAT

Dear Friends

This is my last Chairman’s Chat. Thank you for your support over the last 3 years. I have decided to take a year out to recharge my batteries so would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you at the AGM in January and our Annual Dinner in February.

I will not be organising my Skipton to Whitby run in June next year because we have increasing difficulty securing overnight accommodation. However, there is still the Whitby Lifeboat weekend on the 2nd and 3rd July. If you would be interested in bringing your vehicle along (the lifeboat crew would welcome your support) please do contact me; secure parking can be arranged for anyone wanting to stay for the weekend.

The most recent COWS monthly meeting was an excellent show from Paul Wooding; he always does give us an interesting evening. In January it is our AGM plus a small film show. In February we have Val Nixon from the RNLI coming to the monthly meeting which follows our Annual Dinner (which is actually lunch) on 6th February. If you would like a ticket for the Dinner please contact Alan or Barbara McCormick.

That’s it for now, once again thanks for your support during my time as Chairman, safe motoring in 2005.

E-MAIL TO EDITORS
Hello born again biking teenagers, please print a big thank you to all COWS members who signed the petition objecting to the DVLA ownership tax, it has been sent to the FHBVC to add to their ammunition against another stealth tax.

Chris Bryant

FANCY THAT!

A 1931 eight litre Bentley Sedanca de Ville that had been owned by a Cumbrain Lord has failed to reach its reserve at auction. It had attracted interest from around the world, as it is the only remaining example of the model.
Lord Brougham of Brougham Hall in Penrith first owned the car, which he paid £3,000 for.
Only 100 Sedanca de Ville's were built, but Lord Brougham owned two.
Because of the unique nature of the model, which boasts a back-seat drinks bar, it was expected to fetch between
£240,000 and £260,000.

EDITORIAL

Hopefully you will get this magazine before Christmas. The pressure is a bit less for us with the December issue as we are not aiming for a set publication date.
A huge thank you to Chris & Sue for providing the front cover photo – a particularly fine seasonal one we think you will agree; spot on in fact.
We have said we will stand for re-election if necessary in 2005 but feel that we have done a fair stint as Editors so, if there is no-one that wants to take over this January we will only do one more year and then that will be it; we will be hanging up our mouse and keyboard. To do the magazine you do not need a computer – obviously it can make life easier, but it is not essential. If computer access is a problem for whoever takes over, we will happily continue to be webmasters of the website but think a new editor would be good for the club to inject a bit of variety – you must be sick of us and our format by now. We have learnt that you cannot please all the people all the time and to think that you can, can only lead to disappointment; this would be the piece of advice we would pass on to the new editors.

We hope that you all have a happy and peaceful Christmas & New Year and look forward to hearing from you with snippets for forthcoming magazines …

Susan & Andrew Naylor


WELCOME BACK

1271 I Dalziel, Bingley


10 CAR INSURANCE SECRETS

The car insurance market has become increasingly competitive over the last decade. Despite this, there are still some things your insurer won't go out of their way to tell you. Here are 10 things that could reduce your premiums.
Could you save money on your car insurance?

1. Many insurers average yearly mileage at 12,000 miles. If you don't drive anyway near this amount, you should tell your insurer as it could reduce your premium.

2. If you don't use your car to travel to work, you could also be entitled to a discount.

3. You may find you get a higher than expected quote from some insurers. This is because they only tend to sell to certain groups of people. If you think your quote is too high, shop around, as it may well be cheaper elsewhere.

4. If your car is parked in a garage rather than on the street or on a drive, you could significantly reduce your premium.

5. If other people are going to drive your car, name them on the policy as it will be cheaper than simply opting for "any driver".

6. If your policy offers a hire car in the case of a claim, you can ask for it to be removed if you think you can manage with public transport or lifts from other people.

7. If you don't have to drive to work, consider leaving your car in the garage. This will bring your premiums down.

8. If you have an older car that is nearing the end of its useful life, it may not be worth taking out comprehensive. BUT you should be of             very careful when estimating the value of your car and what insurance you require.

9. As female drivers are statistically less likely to have accidents, women may benefit from getting a quote from a firm that specialises in covering female drivers.

10. You should be wary of cancelling your car insurance halfway through a year as it is only full years that count towards your no claims bonus.

And don't forget to shop around for the best deals.

MY MORRIS COWLEY

I saw a Morris Cowley advertised in the Vintage Advertiser (NECPWA) as my friend was looking for an open top vehicle, I phoned him and told him about this one that was advertised. We had been to look at one or two cars but as usual the adverts flatter. We decided to have a trip up to Morpeth where the car was situated; we arranged to meet in a Pub car park, as this was easier to find. To my surprise it was Tom Gatenby who drove in to the car park. My friend Michael and his wife Anne were pleased at the appearance of the Cowley, He said if it went as good as it looked, he would buy it. We followed Tom to his house and he took us for a test drive, after the test drive into the house for the negotiations. These were soon concluded, we loaded the car with the bits and pieces and I was elected to drive it home. After checking all the usual, I set off to bring to Michael’s and Anne’s home in Pudsey nr Leeds. I hadn’t gone very far when I approached downhill to a roundabout; I thought it was a little short on stopping power. I drove it most of the way in sunshine although it was cool. I nearly arrived at Michaels in daylight. I was hoping it stayed light, as the dynostart was not charging. A few days after picking up the Cowley, I took the vehicle to my garage for a full check over. Upon checking the brakes we found some of the brake linings missing totally, this accounted for the lack of stopping power. I replaced the dynostart, after finding that it was down to earth on the charging side. I replaced the clutch drive plates to alleviate clutch drag. I also fitted brake lights and flashers as Michael thought it safer for him. We recoloured and reproofed the hood. In between all this we had a trip to Beaulieu and purchased five new tyres and tubes with where fitted on our return. After the refurbishment the Cowley was taken back to Michaels home. I took Michael out on one or two occasions to familiarize him with the vehicle as he previously had driven modern vehicles. After about 12 months he hadn’t taken to the Cowley like a duck to water. Basically Michael’s too tall to fit in the cockpit comfortably. Reluctantly he said he was going to sell it again after a mad rush of blood I made a bid, which he reluctantly accepted. So the Cowley was mine when I went home and told the wife, she was not surprised as I usually keep bring home vehicles (not as expensive as this I may add) We take the Cowley to Morris Register National Rally at Thoresby Hall, In three years it has always come home with an award. This year it succumbed to the heat on the Saturday run. I tried most things at the lunch halt to start the engine, doing everything apart from totally stripping the Magneto. My friend returned in his modern to give me a tow, we gave it a tow and surprise, surprise, it started, I returned to Thoresby Hall. Next day after cleaning virtually everything it refused to start. I had failed to tell you that the replacement dynostart has failed on the way to Thoresby Hall, that had not bothered me on the run as the engine would still run being magneto ignition. On the Monday we trailored it home. On returning home I totally stripped the Magneto and cleaned it, replaced a carbon brush that was slightly worn.

After refitting it started first swing of the handle. Other things I have done since returning home I have converted the charging system to alternator making a bracket and taking the drive from the cam, this previously drove the fan being left hand rotation caused a slight problem with fans etc. I have also fitted a electric fan for the radiator cooling. I am also going to convert a old magneto to coil ignition and carry as a spare along with another good magneto. (Belt and bracers) I hopefully won’t be caught out again. The next job will be to replace the prop-shaft U/J coupling that has got play in it. I would be interested to hear if anyone has a spare or if not if they would be interested in having some reproduced at a reasonable cost. If interested ring Ken Holden on 01274-882574.

Ken Holden

FANCY THAT!

A Rolls-Royce fitted with seats that fold into a bed, which was specially ordered by the late Lord Mountbatten, has been sold at auction for £69,700.
The car, reputedly the last model Henry Royce designed himself, was sold to an anonymous bidder at Bonhams recently. Lord Mountbatten ordered the car in 1929 and it was completed in 1930. He used it daily to drive to and from his Broadlands home in Romsey, Hampshire, before selling it on to CG Pullin esq of Ampfield, Hampshire. The special seating in the Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom II Sedanca de Ville is referred to in a letter from Lord Mountbatten that accompanies the car.
The vehicle has a personalised number plate - LM 3698 - with the numbers of Lord Mountbatten's old Mayfair telephone number.

COVENTRY MUSEUM OF TRANSPORT 10th OCT 2004

I found this trip, arranged by Michael Kavanagh & John Ogden, very interesting. The museum is dedicated to transport that was made in Coventry. The numbers of companies represented was amazing. Their products only seemed to miss out tramcars. The exhibits were all well labelled and spotless. The bicycle gallery was very interesting to me as my wife’s grandfather used to work for Mr Starley making bicycles. This company were the developers of the safety bicycle that replaced the Penny Farthing, they called it the Rover and then expanded into cars. The older motorised vehicles were arranged in date order so that we could see the cars and motorcycles of the same period and consider the choices available.

The visit to the storage depot was very interesting as many of the vehicles were in need of restoration and we often had to squeeze past to get to the ones near the walls. Of particular interest were 3 prototype Ferguson cars; the staff had to tell us what they were. I was attracted to a small grey van called an ‘Economobile’ the driver sat in the centre and had open doorways, it had front wheel drive and dated from 1930. In a coincidence ‘The Automobile’ for this November ran a short article about the van. The creator of it died in 1930, which explains why the idea was stillborn. The son of the inventor was also an engineer and became a professor of engineering. I had a most enjoyable day and wish to thank the organisers

Alan McCormick

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF ENGLISH
You couldn't make it up...

Tokyo Hotel: “Is forbidden to steal hotel towels please. If you are not a person to do such thing is please not to read notis”.

Bucharest Hotel: “The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be unbearable.”

Belgrade Lift: “To move the cabin, push button for wishing floor. If the cabin should enter more persons, each one should press a number of wishing floor. Driving then going alphabetically by national order.”

Paris Lift: “Please leave your values at the front desk.”

Athens Hotel: “Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 and 11 a.m. daily.”

Japanese Hotel: “You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid.”

Moscow Hotel: “You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian & Soviet composers, artists & writers are buried daily except Thursday.”

Austrian Ski Lodge: “Not to perambulate the corridors in the hours of repose in the boots of ascension.”

Hong Kong Tailor Shop: “Ladies may have a fit upstairs.”

Bangkok Dry Cleaners: “Drop your trousers here for best results.”

Paris Dress Shop: “Dresses for street walking.”

Rhodes Tailors: “Order your summers suit. Because is big rush we will execute customers in strict rotation.”

German Camp Site: “It is strictly forbidden on our Black Forest camping site that people of different sex, for instance, men and women, live together in one tent unless they are married with each other for that purpose.”

Hong Kong Ad: “Teeth extracted by the latest methodists.”

Rome Laundry: “Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time.”

Swiss Mountain Inn: “Special today - no ice cream”.

Copenhagen Airline: “We take your bags and send them in all directions.”

Moscow Hotel: “If this is your first visit to the USSR you are welcome to it.”

Norwegian Lounge: “Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar.”

Roman Doctor: “Specialist in women and other diseases.”

Acapulco Hotel: “The manager has personally passed all the water served here.”

Tokyo Shop: “Our nylons cost more than common, but you'll find they are best in the long run.”

Japanese Hotel: “If you want just condition of warm in your room, please control yourself.”

Chris Bryant

October 2004 - No 171   

CHAIRMAN’S CHAT  
Dear Friends
The season seems to have flown by, but not very good weather for us! I would like to say a very big thank you to Barbara for taking my car home for me from Gargrave Show. Also to all those who enquired over my health, I am now back working.
May I remind you that in this news letter there are forms for the nominations of officers and committee?
Please get the person you nominate to sign the form before it is returned to Alan McCormick at the club.
There are also letters from Ghurkha Veterans and The Whitby Lifeboat.
By the time the newsletter is published we should have had a successful coach trip to Coventry Car Museum.

Finally I am sure you join me in wishing hearty congratulations to Juliet Watson and John Johnson on their recent marriage.!

There are some good speakers lined up for the coming months. I hope we will see you during the winter months but not for December as we don’t have a meeting! (I’m sure we all remembered that anyway). Meantime “Happy and safe motoring to all”.

EDITORIAL
First of all we must apologise for the lateness of the magazine this month. The magazines seem to come round so quickly and it seems to always coincide with a time when we are both working long hours.
We were a little concerned about the lack of photos this month. Len Fox kindly send us a couple of amusing pictures from Malham and we have dug out an old photo for the front cover.
For the December issue it would be great to have a picture of a classic car in a seasonally Christmas setting – does such a photo exist or are we all just so protective of our classics???
We were tickled pink to hear of the nuptials of John and Juliet – they will be on their honeymoon when this is published – all best wishes from us. Andrew first met John Johnson at the gliding club at Rufforth and we were both part of the same party that ventured to Germany on a gliding holiday a few years ago – it was quite a surprise to find he had joined COWS too. John has migrated to motor gliders and Andrew to microlights.
Andrew now has his full licence and much to my mother’s delight (not) he can take me flying with him. We have has a couple of excursions and it puts a whole new meaning to “shall we nip over to the east coast for lunch”! Of course I am waiting for the time we can substitute East Coast for Paris or Brussels – dream on!

We have another vehicle in the Naylor stable: a scooter. OK OK so it’s not a bike …. But wot fun! So much so Susan is thinking of taking her bike licence (don’t tell her Mother). We have been for short trips up into North Yorkshire and with our his ‘n’ hers yellow helmets and black & yellow all-in-one wet weather suits we look a right pair ?. Judge for yourselves:

We hope that whatever you have been up to this summer you have had fun too – drop us a line and tell us about it pleeeease.

Susan & Andrew Naylor

WELCOMES & NEW MEMBER

1358 S Stewart Crossflats

SOME CLASSIFIED ADS  

• USED CARS: Why go elsewhere to be cheated, come here first!
• FOR SALE: desk suitable for lady with thick legs and large drawers.
• DINNER SPECIAL Hot / cold Sandwiches Turkey £2.35 Chicken or Beef £2.25 Children £2.00
• FOR SALE BY OWNER
  Complete set of Encyclopaedia Britannica. 45 volumes. Excellent condition. £500.00 or best offer. No longer needed. Got married last weekend; wife knows flipping everything.

NEW SIGNS AIMED AT ROAD HOGS
A new attempt is being made to educate England's motorway drivers to keep in the proper lane. Messages are being shown on signs on several motorways saying "Keep left unless overtaking" and "Don't hog the middle lane". The messages will be shown on parts of the M1, M6, M18 and M62 in the north of England and the East Midlands. Roads Minister David Jamieson said: "Poor lane discipline causes frustration to drivers and can disrupt the flow of traffic.” Messages are being carried at various points on motorways in South Yorkshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire.
Drivers hogging the middle and outside lanes were "stealing" up to 700 miles of motorway space from other drivers in peak periods.

  DVLA NEW TAX
New Tax to Hit "Laid Up" Classics and Disabled Drivers. A consultation document recently issued by the DVLA details plans to introduce a new tax on all cars registered on their system, even ones that are not used on the road by their owners.

An annual fee of £4.50 is proposed on all vehicles kept on the DVLA's computer. For most cars used on the road, this extra tax will be collected with the Vehicle Excise Duty (formerly called road tax).

However, it will also apply to disabled drivers, pre-1973 classics and cars kept off road under the SORN (Statutory off Road Notification) regulations. None of these categories currently pay VED, so this will be an entirely new and separate tax.

"This means that people are going to have to pay tax to keep their own vehicles in their own garage," said ABD spokesman Nigel Humphries. "£4.50 a year may not sound much, in fact it hardly seems worth the DVLA's trouble to collect it where this cannot be done through VED. But it's a dangerous precedent, and a matter of principle. Why should we pay anything for the details of our property merely to be held on someone's computer?"

Enthusiasts often have several cars kept off road - future projects, possible parts cars, "saved" cars they hope to pass on to others to restore - and they will have to write out and send off a separate cheque for each vehicle every year, as the off-the-road anniversary of registration arises. The DVLA will then have to bank them. That's a lot of trouble and expense for nothing, and how much will the DVLA have left of the money after it has administered this bureaucratic leviathan on behalf of one hapless individual?
 

SUPER FUELS ?
The torque and power graphs produced for unleaded, Optimax and Ultimate fuels as the car accelerated from low through to high engine revs were virtually identical. Maximum torque was the same for the three fuels, and horsepower was almost equal throughout the acceleration range, except at very maximum revs where Optimax and Ultimate managed just 1 extra bhp. But even this 1bhp is not significant because at other points in the rev range the standard unleaded petrol gave marginally more horsepower anyway.

“Looking at them cold, any automotive engineer would simply assume they were three runs using the same fuel in the same engine, with no alterations to anything,” said Ian Sandford, the managing director of Superchips. “There’s certainly nothing here to suggest that using either super fuel would give a noticeable difference in performance.”

The basic reasoning as to why the super fuels boost performance is that they have a higher octane rating (they are more explosive). Normal unleaded is 95RON (research octane number), while Optimax is 98RON and Ultimate is 97RON. But why didn’t the fuel with increased RON rating have the expected effect?

Sandford says modern engine management computers can automatically adjust the ignition timing to ensure the spark plug ignites the fuel at the optimum moment — if a fuel with a lower-than-normal octane rating is used. However, if better-quality fuel is used, the computer will not normally automatically alter the timing to give more power.

We may have only been testing one car over one gallon of fuel, but the results certainly suggest the implication that all cars will be immediately improved is wildly overblown.

Shell has already run into trouble with this. In February this year the Advertising Standards Authority upheld complaints against the claims Shell was making in its adverts, including that Optimax gives “an extra burst of power just when you need it”.

To be fair to the oil giants, they make another key claim about Ultimate and Optimax — that they help keep your engine clean and reduce emissions as well as boosting performance. Detergents within the fuels, they say, significantly reduce deposits on inlet valves and in carburetors. Our test was to see if there was an instant boost — we couldn’t test the fuels’ long-term cleaning power. But after thousands of miles a clean engine with fewer deposits may well perform better. “We wouldn’t expect to see a benefit over just one gallon of fuel,” said a Ford spokesman, “but using these fuels regularly is going to give you benefits.”

Both Shell and BP said they stood by their claims and had carried out extensive tests to back them up. A spokesman for Shell said tests on 37 cars on the British market found most showed benefits in acceleration and power, and one in eight customers was now buying Optimax. BP said that despite producing leaflets saying Ultimate "starts working from the first tank" they had never intended to suggest the fuel gave an immediate boost from first use. In a statement BP added: “The magnitude of the benefits varies from vehicle to vehicle and full performance benefits increase with distance driven. Because of this, short-term tests will not accurately demonstrate the full benefits of the fuels. However, the test data did also show some immediate benefits on most vehicles.”

Over the long term then, these super fuels may have benefits, but as our test shows you shouldn’t expect a fill-up with the pricier fuel to turn your Fiat into a Ferrari, or to respond as Popeye would after a good dose of spinach.

FANCY THAT!
A Dutch veterinarian was fined 600 guilders for causing a fire that destroyed a farm in Lichten Vourde, the Netherlands. The vet had been trying to convince a farmer that his cow was passing flatulent gas; to demonstrate, the vet ignited the gas, but the cow became a "four-legged flame-thrower" and ran wild, setting fire to bales of hay. Damage to the farm was assessed at $40,000. The cow was unharmed.

PULLED BY THE POLICE? Never answer like this.....

1. I can't reach my license unless you hold my beer.

2. Sorry, Officer, I didn't realise my radar detector wasn't plugged in.

3. Aren't you the guy from the Village People?

4. Hey, you must've been doin' about 125 mph to keep up with me. Good job!

5. If you'd try the stuff I just had, you wouldn't be so damn uptight

6. I was trying to keep up with traffic. Yes, I know there are no other cars around. That's how far ahead of me they are.

7. What? You need a license to drive?

8. Wow, no wonder your wife sleeps around, with your breath!

9. Yes, I know my driving is not 100%, but you have to agree that it is still pretty good for someone who is completely drunk.

10. Can you come back in 5 minutes? I'm in the middle of a telephone conversation.

11. Do I have any fruits or vegetables? I don't know. Is cocaine a fruit or vegetable?

12. Whoops, that's the fake one... here ya go, this is the one.

13. You're lucky this car needs a tune-up or you'd have never caught me.

14. There's no way I was going 85. I had the cruise set at 80.

15. What's wrong, Ossifer? I swear to drunk I'm not God! And really, there is no blood in my alcohol.

16. That uniform makes your bum look really big.

17. I was going to be cop, but I decided to finish high school instead.

18. I can’t have been doing 90, my car’s knackered!

(that last one sounds familiar … think it still cost the person 3 points!)

COUPLE FACE PRISON
A crackdown on drink driving in France entered new territory this month when a couple went on trial for allowing an intoxicated dinner guest to drive away from their home and cause a crash that killed him and four others.

The case of Angelique and Jean-Sebastien Fraisse, who face up to five years in prison and a £50,000 fine, is being closely watched because a conviction could open the way to a flood of prosecutions and civil actions for indirect involvement in drink-driving. The couple are being charged with “failing to prevent a crime or lesser offence causing bodily injury.”

In theory, hosts in Britain who allow a guest to drive after getting drunk could be charged with aiding and abetting drink-driving, but in reality the issue is not so simple, say lawyers and road safety campaigners. Much depends on if they had known he had been drinking too much or if they had encouraged him to drink or to drive home.

LETTERS RECEIVED

To the Members,

For many years now the members of Craven Old Wheels and Dales Historic Vehicles Societies have contributed an enormous amount of effort towards raising monies for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in general and Whitby Lifeboat, (I am pleased to say), in particular. As is commonly known, the work of the Lifeboat Service and the bravery of the Crews can only be sustained because of the generosity of the public who regularly dig deep into their pockets to show support.

The public are regularly being asked to provide funds for all manner of worthy causes worldwide and often the means of obtaining financial support is left to those willing workhorses who often put that particular cause before family and other personal commitments. So it has been with your members. Each year come rain or shine you have brought your immaculate vehicles to Whitby for public scrutiny in support of our Lifeboat. Those efforts, that enthusiasm and that dedication have raised many thousands of pounds for the RNLI.

As well as the annual run, members have also helped to raise money on our flag weekends. Every member of the Management Team, the Crew, and all Whitby Lifeboat supporters are aware of the efforts and contributions you have all made. This is greatly appreciated by all at Whitby. Whilst it is perhaps unfair to single out one member of the Society, it would be remiss of me not to mention the work of John Ogden, who to my knowledge has for years liased with the police, the RNLI and other authorities to ensure that the visits pass without a problem. Thanks John.

As a young man in the 60s and 70s, working in Settle, Ingleton, Skipton and Cowling I appreciate the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales. I also appreciate how far it is to travel to Whitby on a regular basis. I can not over praise the contribution the members have made to Whitby Lifeboat. I wish to place on record my thanks as Coordinating Chairman of the Whitby Lifeboat Management Group, on behalf of all at Whitby. I wish continued success to all members. Safe motoring

Geoff Cooling
Chairman Whitby RNLI

_______________________________

Dear Sir,

I would like to personally thank you for your very generous donation towards our fundraising effort. The response has been overwhelming; many people have sent a contribution through the post as you have done so. I am enormously grateful that you and the members of Craven Old Wheels Club have made an effort for contributing towards our cause. It has given us heart that we may reach our target amount.

Thank you for your proposal regarding organising a “Teddy Bear Run” in the Barracks, but due to our future commitments towards Iraq we may have to re-consider in the later date.

Finally, many of the letters we have received are extremely touching and have been placed in an album, to allow all members of the Squadron to read them. The Ghurkha soldiers are, to a man, deeply touched that you have chosen to help the fund

On their behalf, I thank you very much and all members of your club

Sincerely yours

Captain (QGO) Krishnabahadur Gurung QG Signals


TIPS FOR IN-CAR RELAXATION
According to a survey commissioned by Dunlop Tyres, men are now just as likely to jump in the car when they need to chill out,
as watch their favourite team play sport.
Here are some suggestions on how to add to enhance your surroundings and make the most of in-car relaxation.

Colour Therapy
Buy a car in a relaxing shade or introduce some flashes of colour with cushion covers, car mats or added extras.
Rose is both stress-relieving and relaxing.
Green is stress-relieving.
Blue & Viola are relaxing.

Aromatherapy
Sprinkle a few drops of aromatherapy oil around your car to help soothe your troubles.

Juniper helps breathing and concentration.
Mint assists breathing and calm.
Seaweed stimulates mental activity and is recommended in moments of confusion and anger.
Camomile has calming properties for nervousness.
Fern is a plant with a delicate aroma and relaxing qualities.
Freesia is known for its anti-depressant and relaxing qualities.
Grapefruit restores health and enthusiasm and is used to combat difficult moments.

Music Therapy
Many experts suggest that it is the rhythm of the music or the beat that has the calming effect on us although we may not be very conscious about it. They point out that when we were a baby in our mother's womb, we probably were influenced by the heart beat of our mother. We respond to the soothing music at later stages in life, perhaps associating it with the safe, relaxing, protective environment provided by our mother.

Among the first stress-fighting changes that take place when we hear a tune is an increase in deep breathing. The body's production of serotonin also accelerates. Playing music in the background while we are working, seemingly unaware of the music itself, has been found to reduce the stress.

Music was found to reduce heart rates and to promote higher body temperature - an indication of the onset of relaxation. Combining music with relaxation therapy was more effective than doing relaxation therapy alone.

August 2004 - No 170   

CHAIRMAN’S CHAT  

Dear Friends
Many thanks to all those who contributed to the success of Broughton Hall. The judges, Sir Andrew and Lady Smith were delighted with the welcome and hospitality they received on the day and have agreed to return next year to judge again. We have had our visit from “The Girder Forkers” also the Yorkshire Air Ambulance have received the cheque. Next year we will receive a proper invite to Gargrave Show. It will be run similar to Broughton Hall in that the driver and one passenger will receive free entry.

The trip to Coventry Car Museum will be on Sunday 10th October. The cost will be £10.00, and the coach will pick up down the Aire Valley, calling at Skipton, Silsden, Keighley, Bingley and Foster Square Bradford. Book early to avoid disappointment!

I would like to take this opportunity to than Neil Kershaw and his wife Cath for all their hard work and support to the club over many years. We wish them all the very very best for the future in their new home in Sleights near Whitby.

That’s about all except to remind members that we will be needing nominations for both Chairman and Vice Chairman for next year.

Happy and safe motoring to all, and enjoy the rest of the rally season.

Additional note from John ... If anyone would like to go to Gargrave Show on 21st August – free entry to old vehicle, driver plus one passenger, please contact John Ogden.

JULY COWS MEETING

We were joined by the Girder Fork club and had a very interesting talk from Paul Gowling from Yorkshire Air Ambulance. This also gave us the opportunity to present the cheque for the £200 donation from COWS to them personally. Unprompted, those members present also authorised the donation of that evenings raffle money; £50, to Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

STRANGE BUT TRUE

A woman was reporting her car as stolen and mentioned that there was a car phone in it. The policeman taking the report called the phone and told the guy that answered that he had read the ad in the newspaper and wanted to buy the car. They arranged to meet, and the thief was arrested.

EDITORIAL

We hope that you all enjoyed Broughton Hall; we are sorry that we could not make it this year.

We also hope you are enjoying your summer motoring despite the less than seasonal weather – please do let us know what you have been up to – even if it’s just a short piece. Perhaps we can start to recommend B&Bs and Guesthouses that are “old vehicle friendly”.

We now have a full colour cover and it is a shame not to use it to best effect. Please do send in your photos featuring your vehicle or other vehicles enjoying a rally or a holiday – did anyone go on the Grange run, Susan wanted to go but she had a bad back. We are also desperately short of short articles for the magazine – please do send us a few words or point out any interesting articles you have read or funny stories with a motoring theme – we are really getting a bit stale.

We particularly like stories about “my first car”, “a funny thing happened on the way to …””I remember when …” so come on – help us out here.

We have a small confession to make, we have a couple of longer item pieces that we keep extracting text from to make short articles and recently one of these we have used was from “Tony Barclay”. Apparently, a member of the club contacted Mike Naylor to see if he could get a message to Tony. Mike had no record of him and after searching in vein through our (dis)organised filing system we too could not find an address for the source of the articles. So Tony Barclay is not actually a member – but we think his articles are worth printing (especially as we have little else to insert) and Susan recalls us getting a covering letter stating we had permission to publish, so ... Andrew is experimenting with putting short moving clips onto the website. It is a careful balance of keeping the file size small enough not to take minutes online to download, maintaining sufficient quality so that the pictures look clear and able to be reasonably enlarged for viewing on screen. It is still “work in progress” but for those of you with internet access keep looking out for them and let us know what you think.

The events page from how onwards starts to look a bit thin, so if you have any dates for 2005 please do let us have them for the October magazine – then we can all start dreaming of long summer days while the Autumn wind and rain is lashing on our windows – yes I did say Autumn not summer ?

Susan & Andrew Naylor

WELCOMES & NEW MEMBER'S

Broughton Hall continues to be a good marketing day for the club …

NEW MEMBERS

1344 D King Kildwick

1345 D Cole Pudsey

1346 D Cockshot Silsden

1347 M Jackson Barnoldswick

1348 E Brown Lightcliffe

1349 M Jennings Huby

1350 M Wright Halifax

1351 B Reid Skipton

1352 A Lyles Shipley

1353 K Ackroyd Keighley

1354 T Holdsworth Keighley

1355 S Berry Bolton

1356 D Wellman Guiseley

1357 P Goring Preston


LEADED PETROL STATIONS

Having noted that the petrol station at the Selby Fork Hotel on A1 had closed, in addition to the one at Harewood a little while back, we thought you might find it useful to print an up-to-date list (we obtained this from Bayford Thust’s website): www.leadpetrol.co.uk)
WEST YORKSHIRE
Alwoodley Motors
King Lane
Alwoodley
Leeds

Bickerton Filling Station
York Road
Bickerton
N Wetherby

Central Garage
153 High Street
Boston Spa
Wetherby

JSR Service Stations
South Street
Keighley

Teales Recovery
Leeds Road
Robertown
Liversedge

Thrust Swillington
35 Wakefield Road
Swillington
Leeds

NORTH YORKSHIRE

Biggin Lane Garage
Church Fenton
Tadcaster

Chromemetal Ltd
Ripon Road
New Park
Harrogate

GRB Auto Engineers
Byland Road Garage
Coxwold
York

John Gill Limited
Northallerton Road
Aiskew
Bedale


Ingfield Service Station
Skipton Road
Settle

Lemans 24 Hour
Leeman Road
York

Thrust Coastways
Malton Road (A64)
Flaxton


LANCASHIRE

Forton Motors
Lancaster New Road
Cabus
Garstang

Lower Lane Garage
Preston New Road
Freckleton
Preston

Leedhams Garage
Dunsop Bridge
Clitheroe

ONE MAN & HIS CARS

Continuing the tale from June’s magazine …

One evening a chauffeur-driven limousine arrives at the house. The chappie in the back says he has a sports car at home, not in working order but all there. Singer Le Mans he says. Now we had had one of those before, but it was worth a look so we visited a back yard in Leigh, uncovered a two seater sports – made vague excuses about thinking it over. I came home and looked through my books and there it was, a 1934 works team car raced at Le Mans, Brooklands, etc. One of three hand-made cars, none known to have survived! Wow, oh wow!

Casually I went back and offered my Ruby as a straight swap and towed home a piece of motoring history. Remember the Ruby was free therefore so was the famous Singer Le Mans AVC 484. I rebuilt the engine, repainted it and used it as an everyday car. Fun, fun, fun, and I was daft enough to sell it! It’s now disappeared again, possibly to the States. I would have to win the lottery now to buy it back. The 60s and 70s were the time to buy great cars, most of which were rarely more than £50 but which would now be worth thousands, MGs, Allards, Armstrong Siddeley, Aston Martin. I’m now on my 63rd car but three stand out in the last fifty years of motoring; the Morgan three-wheel, the Sunbeam saloon and the fantastic Singer Le Mans works team car. Incidentally my wife took her driving test in the Singer. I am pretty sure the Examiner was so terrified he passed her rather than repeat the test.
Tony Barclay

LETTER TO THE EDITORS

Dear Susan & Andrew

… if any COWS members are visiting Beaulieu this year they may care to make themselves known at the Wolseley Register stand – red field 30-34 right by the entrance, where I’ll be helping man the stands and will be glad to see you.
Mike Stanley

RALLY REPORT - BROUGHTON HALL

We have received thanks from Sir Andrew and Lady Smith (our guests at Broughton Hall) for the very warm welcome they got from COWS and the Girder Fork club. They enjoyed the day so much that they gave a personal donation to the Fell Rescue and offered to do it again next year.

The weather was fine for Broughton Hall until about 5 o’clock then we had showers. Considering the weather we had had the few days before we should count ourselves extremely fortunate.
John Ogden

We hope you like the colour photos on the front and back cover kindly given to us by Mike Naylor. We particularly like the one of the “traffic jam” Mike encountered on the way.

Please do send us photos for the front cover - please note that it needs to be in portrait orientation – turn your camera 90o and snap away - Eds

CLASS WINNERS 2004

Dear Members, I would like to thank everyone who attended Broughton Hall Game Show. I thought the organisation was brilliant, and the turn out of vehicles was excellent. All in all, a super show. Congratulations to all those who won trophies. Keep the wheels turning

Broughton Hall Show
The Motorcycle Trophy   
 I G Hartley 1957 Frances Barnet

The Heavy Commercial Trophy
I Waterhouse 1942 XWD Humber Staff Car

The Light Commercial Trophy
P Kavanagh 1923 Jowett C Cab Van

Class 1 Vehicles up to 1930
1st Place 1903 Gladiator The Yorkshire Car Collection
2nd Place 1928 Chrysler Plymouth T Denton

Class 2 Vehicles from 1930 to 1940
1st Place1933 Singer Le Mans E Watkins
2nd Place1933Humber 16/60 S James

Class 3 Vehicles from 1940 to 1950
1st Place 1946 Triumph Roadster L Parry
2nd Place1948 Singer 10 J Dowding

Class 4 Vehicles from 1950 to 1960
1st Place1959 MGA J S Northcott
2nd Place 1954 MGTF Dale & Anne Efemy

Class 5 Vehicles from 1960 to 1970
1st Place 1967 Austin A40 V Whitaker
2nd Place1967 Humber Super Snipe M Naylor

Class 6 Vehicles from 1970 +
1st Place1971 Triumph Vitesse M Steeples
2nd Place1972 MG Midget G Gott

The Tarn House Clock
A Wright 1959 Morris Minor Convertible

Philip Wright

JOSEPHINE GOES (SOUTH) WEST

Well we did it – 873 trouble free miles in Josephine to Devon and Cornwall and back. Mind you we would not recommend doing the journey home in one stint against the clock – but that’s another story. Our route down started on the M1 to get some miles under our belt, down to junction 21. We then came off and eventually joined the Fosse Way, which took us the majority of the way there and then a variety of A & B roads to Sidmouth. The AA route finder on the internet was very good. Sidmouth was lovely and well worth a visit – we did feel rather young – clearly a retirement Mecca. From Sidmouth and the Sunbeam Talbot National weekend meeting (no prizes for Josephine this year)

We travelled further into Devon and across the border to Cornwall and the Eden Project (well you’ve got to go haven’t you). On the way we managed to take in Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor. We can also recommend the Tourist Board’s “Book a bed ahead” scheme. We called into Tavistock Tourist Information Centre and asked for a B&B in the Bodmin area. They (Tavistock and Bodmin Tourist offices) made all the phone calls and got us booked in – they charge a 10% fee, which the B&B knock off the bill – so you pay no more than if you had booked it yourself but you have saved the cost of all the phone calls.

The B&B they put us in was fabulous. You always take a bit of a risk I suppose though obviously all B&Bs they contact are Tourist Board approved – we did stay in a very strange place in Northumberland once, but overall we have been highly delighted with this service.

Our travelling companions took their Best in Show/Masterclass winning Talbot (Grace) to Lands End and had a photo taken at the signpost – apparently it is a service they offer. So we are keen to take Josephine & Grace to John O’Groats now!

SPEEDING - IS IT WORTH IT?

Arguments over speeding and the use of deterrents have reached new levels this year when death threats were issued against campaigners who supported anti-speed schemes but is their anger clouding their judgment? Mary Williams, chief executive of road safety charity Brake, called in police after being singled out by anti-camera campaigners in January.

The charity confirmed its founder had been the subject of alleged death threats that appeared on a website for sports car enthusiasts. It was reported that one member suggested she be 'knocked off' or have her brake cables cut and another described her as a 'witch who should be burned at the stake'.

Admittedly, anger over the explosion in speed control schemes has grown in recent years, especially as campaigners claim it is not speed that kills, but bad driving. But research carried out suggests the wrong questions are being asked. Drivers should stop asking: 'why do they stop us speeding?' and instead ask 'is it really worth it?'. In-depth analysis of a range of journeys covering local roads, dual carriageways and motorways suggests speeding just isn't worth it in terms of time saving.

At its most basic level, on the majority of long journeys, the most time you could save by speeding at the most reckless level would barely cover the time needed to take off your coat and fire up your computer. In reality, speeding will only cut your journey by a few minutes. For example, driving from Peterborough to Slough at the posted speed limits should take 1hr 44mins. If, like many drivers, you drove at 90mph on motorways, your journey time would drop to 1hr 29 mins, a 15-minute saving but only with no traffic and no hold-ups.

Take another journey, this time from Reading to Birmingham, a 98.5-mile run taking 1hr 50mins at the legal limits. If you drove at 80mph whenever you hit a motorway, the journey time would drop by just six minutes and at 90mph by 11 minutes. But once again, this is on a clear road at average speeds. Even doing 100mph would only cut 18 minutes from the journey. Speeding in built-up areas at 50mph instead of 30mph would save four minutes.

If you drove like a lunatic, doing 100mph on the motorway, 70mph in 60mph zones and 50mph in 30mph zones, you would still only cut 30 minutes off the journey if the road was completely empty; there were no hold-ups and you didn't get lost.

In a real-world round trip of 230 miles, a test driver managed a trip from Peterborough to Southend-on-Sea in just under two hours at the posted speed limits. On the return journey, even driving as fast as possible, the driver still took the same amount of time. The reason is clear. Although overtaking a lorry on a busy road may make you feel you are making up time, the actual benefit to your journey is less than two seconds.

Cameras cause more road deaths' claim. Campaigners who are calling for fewer speed cameras have warned that they actually encourage motorists to drive more dangerously, because they are constantly checking their speed. According to Safe Speed, the campaign for 'genuine' road safety, drivers spend so long looking at their

instruments to keep below posted limits when there are speed cameras that they are effectively 'driving blind'.

Its research is based on a straight single-carriageway A-road, with a 50mph speed limit. Looking at a camera positioned 100 yards before a crossroads, which is highly visible and when traffic is light during daylight hours, a driver would lose up to 67% of road observation checking the speedo five times at 50mph. Checking just once would reduce observation time by 13%.

The Safe Speed website says: 'The road to hell is paved with good intentions and so it is with speed cameras. Good intentions abound and yet the road to hell is right outside your door.' According to Safe Speed, there is a clear tendency for road deaths to increase where speed cameras are most used.

The top four speeding fine areas (Essex, Lancashire, Thames Valley and Derbyshire) collectively saw road deaths increase between 2002 and 2003 by 12.2% from 376 to 422, despite issuing almost 600,000 speeding tickets between them, Safe Speed claim.
 

June 2004 - No 169   

CHAIRMAN’S CHAT  
Dear Friends

Well here we are again, doesn’t time pass quickly? Half way through the season. My many thanks to Mike and Ann & their helpers for a very well organised West Coast Run. Again, many thanks to those who attended the Whitby Run. A very special thank you goes to our Whitby member Chris Vasey for the secure parking and transport provided at Whitby. Also, to complete my list of thanks, to the marshals at Whitby for their sterling work.

This is my last few months as Chairman. Len my Vice Chairman is unable to step up as Chairman for personal reasons, but he is willing to stay on the committee. I will be taking a year out to recharge my batteries; therefore, in January the club will need at least a Chair and Vice Chair. Please give this serious thought and don’t be a shrinking violet – you can’t get stuck with the post because the club rules state 3 years as the maximum term. If you are interested at all, please approach myself or any member of the committee and we will be able to invite you as a guest to a committee meeting so that you know what goes on before you formally put yourself forward, if that would help.

I look forward to seeing you all at Broughton Hall; let’s hope we have a good day. Please do remember that between 11.00 a.m. and the prize giving, cars are not permitted to move without a marshal in jacket escorting you; this is for health & safety reasons.

Happy motoring.

RALLY REPORT - WHITBY  2004
We had a number of cars entering Whitby this year following a now familiar route.
A stop for a bacon buttie at the top of Blue Bank was a must. (A tradition! Eds)
Even Alan & Barbara McCormick and their two Chinese girl guests could not resist the smell of grilling bacon.

The run was uneventful with us all reaching the bandstand safely. Whitby was busy and we
set up the collecting tins & buckets PDQ for the RNLI. We appeared to bring the cloudy weather
with us from Skipton on Saturday but Sunday was glorious.

We were entertained by a pan pipe band called APU on Saturday
and then Keith Swales entertained us with more easy listening music on Sunday.

On the day £543.82 was raised and the Station Master, Roy Wetherill and the Coxswain, Mike Russell
have asked me to pass on their personal thanks to everyone concerned.
It was brought home to us just how important the RNLI are when they got a call out at 4.30 on the Sunday afternoon
to escort a trawler into safe harbour.

EDITORIAL

We gather that last month’s cover was a bit snazzy for some so hopefully this month’s appeals to those with a more traditional outlook. We were planning to feature a COWS logo in close up on each of this year’s magazine covers and then hold a competition at the end to see if anyone could tell us which car/person was wearing the logo. So, can anyone guess whose car the badge was from last month? – a clue: it was taken at Leven’s Hall on Jack’s Run. Perhaps you should go round Broughton Hall and see if the car is there…

We have also been asked by the committee to separate out the COWS events from other events. We are always receptive to people’s wishes; we will just have to make sure we know exactly whose event it is. If we have offended any organiser by placing an event in the wrong table please accept our apologies but please do let us know so we can correct it.

Since the last magazine we have been on two fabulous rallies – Mike Naylor’s West Coast Run and Whitby. The weather was kind to us on both – stayed dry anyway.

Mike does a super job of co-ordinating the West Coast Run; nothing was left to chance – the route instructions were spot on, lots of bumph from St Annes, even little bits of string to tie the bumper plate to and the plaque to come home with is very impressive.

John did us proud again for Whitby. There is a lot of preparation that needs to happen for such events – getting permission from councils to park in odd places and also to get a licence to collect for charity. This all has to be done up to a year ahead.

I do hope that John decides to do Whitby again as it is such a lovely place and so handy to be parked at the bandstand. Unfortunately, we were not able to stay for both days so we had to cram – hot chocolate at Elizabeth Bothams’ and Fish & Chips at Magpie into the same day! Mind you Susan was led astray by our President and easily persuaded to have a pudding after her Fish & Chips.

When we arrived at Whitby a number of members commented on how well Josephine was going – Andrew interpreted that as being me driving like a demon! (she was going well …?) All bodes well for our trip to Devon. I have done a route planner on the AA website (highly recommended) you can click a box which says “avoid motorways”. Pontefract to Sidmouth (our B&B) – a mere 6.5 hours – early start Friday then!

We will be unable to get to Broughton Hall so hope that you will all let us know how it went and send us your favourite photo of the event to feature in August’s magazine, which will be duly returned if you are not able to e-mail a copy to us.

Keep On Old Wheelin!

Susan & Andrew Naylor

WELCOMES (new members)

1338 B Crawley, London Colney

1339 C Clough, Guiseley

1340 J Ellison, Heysham

1341 S J Ridealgh, Oswaldtwistle

1342 E Jones, Calverley

1343 A Clare, Skipton


WELCOME BACK

1052 E Farrell, Bradford

It’s great to see old friends coming back to the fold.

YORKSHIRE TONGUE TEASER

e.g. Ardintdoowt = I didn’t do anything

Test yourself:-

1. Intitot

2. Geiusit

3. Summatsupoereer

4. Gerritetten

5. Wotspwithee

6. Wotsmarrawi-im

7. Iyamtgorrit

8. Azeeginityer

9. Uptill

10. Eez goinoam

11. Asta gorrit reight

12. Is themum

13. Purritineer

14. Iyamteard nowt

15. Thaal atter gerra newan

16. Eesezitint burraberritis

17. Wiv gorra gerrus imbux

18. Lerrus gerrus answesht

19. Summonum alattergerroff

20. Owzeeno

21. Aberrittinters

22. It duntmarrer

23. Eez gunna gerrit

24. Lerrimpurrisaton

25. Eez gorrit atoam

26. Aalclowttha ifthawantsta

27. Thacan ifthawantsta

28. Eeseseeantadit burraberreas

29. Thacancumto owerowse

30. Owdustathinktha’sdun?
 

SEE HOW YOU SCORED !
10 & under – you show definite signs of being from south of Watford Gap

20 Correct – You’re on yer way to becoming a settler

25 correct – Tha’s settlin in well

30 correct – Thawantsta brush up on thi Queen’s English!!!!

Chris Bryant
(To get confirmation (q 30) see Chris – he did not supply the answers!! If you think q 23 just remember q22 – it’s just for fun!)

MY FIRST ROVER

Whilst I was happy with my Hillman Super Minx it was only natural that I would want a Rover of my own; having been brought up on them by my Dad. The opportunity came in 1977 when Hollin Bank service station offered a used Rover P4 for sale. It was Dad who saw it first and suggested we had a closer look. The car was a two-tone grey 110 registered in Jan 63 and priced at £195. Following a test drive, a £5 deposit and paying the remaining £190 later I became the third proud owner of 6893 TE on 12 April. Mum and Dad had paid half the cost as an early 21st birthday present.

TE was useable immediately and I rapidly became accustomed to driving a much larger more powerful car. I very much enjoyed the experience, learning quickly that the handling was very different to the Hillman and that sharp corners in particular needed careful treatment!

Despite being a runner, TE needed some TLC and she looked a bit jaded. Plenty of effort was expended in cleaning and polishing every inch of her. By the time of the second MOT in my ownership became due, it was clear that she needed some attention to her chassis and by this time Dad had gained sufficient expertise to tackle this by himself. Various repairs were carried out to the front body outriggers, the chassis immediately behind them, and to the rear downward sweeps between the rear axle and petrol tank area. The opportunity was taken to remove the bumper sections and have them re-chromed and all this work took 12 months, I relied on my Super Minx in the meantime.

Paul Kirkup


MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Keep a log of all the maintenance you do on the car. Especially if you have more than one old car, it can be a nightmare trying to keep track of the jobs you've done to your pride and joy. Draw up a schedule of tasks that will require attention, basing it on the service schedule that the original manufacturer specified. As well as the main things like regular oil changes and so on, don't forget the more infrequent little things, such as dropping a dab of oil into the back of the dynamo every now and then, or lubricating the door hinges for example. The more preventative maintenance you can do the less likely your classic car is to let you down when you're miles from anywhere. That’s the theory anyway!

Get yourself acquainted with your starting handle if you are fortunate enough to have one for your car, watch out for the kickback though and don’t grab the handle with a closed hand as you can easily break your thumb (so I am informed) if it kick’s back.

I like the semaphore indicators, but not everyone is aware of them nowadays. So make sure they're clocked before swinging to the centre of the road.


ONE MAN & HIS CARS 

We read about Tony Barclay’s first car last time now let’s hear about number 2 & number 3 & number 4 & …

After 2/3 years of buying the Morgan 3 wheel sport, I started courting (now 25 years old) so I bought a 1930 Austin 7 cabriolet from a friend for £15, still no brakes but who’s worried about minor details for in the Austin there is little performance. One highlight of my journey from Bury to Bolton each morning was a side-by-side (?) race with an invalid car flat out, with crazy overtaking. We were the scourge of other motorists. Super fun and it couldn’t be done today. I sold the Austin to a friend (or enemy) and purchased a superb 1937 Riley Kestrel 6 cylinder pre-selector gear change, a good car but moved to Horwich, nr Bolton and in the few years changed cars nearly as often as my baby daughter’s nappies. Riley 1½ litre 1954 – a terrible Wolsley overhead cam engine job, 444 poss. Engine lost a con rod just as I was delivering it to a new owner! A superb 1950 Ford V8 saloon then shared a 1928 MG 14/40 with friends – bought a 1939 MG Tickford TA and took that to Southport for a straight swap for a fabulous 1931 Sunbeam 18 HP saloon, one titled lady owner. Very large but superb. As the MG had only cost me £15 (this was the late 60s) this was a good swap and remains, out of some 60+ cars, one of my favourites. In fact I recently saw it advertised and rang the chappie up. It had been laid up for most of the time since I sold it but the price was now over £14,000 and it would not now go in my garage. At the time I was Manager at Leigh Co-op and one day a customer said he had two Austin 7s for sale, one a rare 65 sports and the other a Ruby. I bought both for £15! I sold the sports to a friend for the same money and gave the Ruby to my wife. Then came the offer that enthusiasts dream of “Wow, Man”. Pauline was fed up of the Ruby, so it went for sale or exchange for something interesting.

One evening a chauffeur-driven limousine arrives at our house … more next time!

Tony Barclay

We like to leave you wanting more … Eds.

RALLY REPORT - WEST COAST RUN 2004

The sun was shining gloriously over Ilkley as the entrants arrived in both open top and saloon cars
for the start of our 4th West Cost Run.

           
The cars departed at 9am on a beautiful scenic route to St Annes where the marshals
awaited their arrival at approx 11-30 to position them on the promenade.

   

   
Although the sun shone throughout the day a slight hiccup with an electric failure at the bandstand quickly
overcome by Ken Watkinson just happening to have a 240v generator in his boot and a drop of petrol from
Tim Denton got the Tannoy system up and running, (thanks Ken & Tim).

The crowds of day trippers enjoyed the cars on show bringing back memories of the cars they once had.
All too soon 3.30pm arrived time for the raffle and plaque presentation but not before being entertained by the young
14year old Ben who I found busking on the promenade with his Ukulele giving various George Formby renditions, the site from the band stand to see you all singing along to Leaning on a lamp post while Geoff Tully collected among the crowds with Bens Ukulele case was something special a perfect ending to a wonderful day.

Thanks to all who took part and to all the helpers for there hard work both at Ilkley and St Annes.
We hope you had an enjoyable day as much as we had and a nice and safe drive home in the lovely evening sunshine.
We hope to see you all again next year for our 5th West Coast Run.
Mike Naylor

FUEL PROTEST (?)

We felt we could not let this issue go by without some reference to petrol prices – we would welcome your thoughts.

The BBC News website reported:

“Some of those involved in the 2000 fuel protests say they are planning further action, including go-slow demonstrations. Asked if the Conservatives would back new protests, Mr Howard replied: "I think that as long as they are peaceful and within the law they may well be supported."

The government is refusing to comment on whether Chancellor Gordon Brown could rethink September's planned fuel duty rise. But the Tory leader told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I can understand that people might be very angry indeed if the government were to proceed with an increase in fuel duty at this time - it would cause great hardship to many people. "I would entirely understand if they wanted to protest peacefully and within the law."

Mr Howard has already pressed Tony Blair to ensure the tax hike would not happen in the wake of the oil price rises.

"Just last year Gordon Brown said because of the high level and volatility of oil prices the increase in fuel duty he was then proposing should be put off," he told Today, stressing that prices were now higher. He later qualified his remarks further during a visit to Kent, saying: "Protesters should not stop people going about their daily business."


What is “legal”?

Refinery blockades: could fall foul of laws on obstructing a public highway or trespass, depending where protesters stood

Go-slows on motorways: Police could possibly charge protesters with dangerous driving if creating hazard for faster drivers, or perhaps with obstructing highways

Demonstrations: No problem if on common land and causing no obstructions.

April 2004 - No 168   

CHAIRMAN’S CHAT  
Dear Friends,
Typical April showers welcomed us on Jack’s run but no amount of water was going to dampen our spirits and I was pleased to see a good turn out of both old and not so old vehicles to take part. I was also pleased to see Jack back on his feet literally after his knee op. I did stop and do a double take though as I entered Steeton Hall to see a lady feeling said knee!

Arnold Guthrie was also up and about after his short stay in hospital.

It is with great sadness that I report the death of Donald Whitaker and our deepest sympathy goes to Vera, John & Philip and families. We hope to see Vera and the boys at future rallies with the A40. There was a good turnout of COWS members at the funeral, which was held last month.

Also, condolences to Barbara and Alan McCormick on the loss of Barbara’s mother.

I have had a small number of applications for the Whitby Run but have decided to proceed with the event with some minor modifications which will mean that there will no longer be an entry fee. Consequently, those who have sent me a cheque will receive it back shortly. I have rearranged the secure parking and decided not to order plaques, hence no fee now required. I can accommodate another 20 vehicles on this basis, so if you would now like to take part please contact me ASAP and before 29th April to secure one of these 20 places – please note there is no entry fee now. The permit from the council has also come through so we will be able to raise money for the RNLI on both days. There will be no organised evening do, in view of the numbers but we shall all meet up at a suitable public house on the Saturday night.

If anyone is interested in a day trip by coach to the revamped Coventry car museum in September time please let any committee member or myself know. The cost would be in the region of £10 per head with suitable pickup points on route from Skipton through Bradford.

A plea for anyone who can spare some time at Broughton to help Marshall – please contact either Ken Holden or myself.

I hope to see a good number of you at Mike’s West Coast Run on 23 May.
 

JACK HOOPER'S RUN
We all assembled at Steeton Hall at the start of this annual event. Jack was handing out route details and chatting to everyone and it was not apparent that he has had a knee op just a few weeks before. Ken Holden was kindly chauffeuring him. There were a number of modern cars taking part; people whose classic was currently off the road or, like us, they had an open topped car but no roof handy! Unfortunately, the weather was very much sunshine and showers. Jack’s route to Leven’s Hall was spectacular. There was one particular point where you climbed up a hill and the view from the top looking down towards the Lakes was fabulous. The route also took in some very pretty villages too. There was just one short breakdown on the way that we were aware of and a quick tow to the top of a hill and a fiddle with the fuel system and they were off again.

            Leven’s Hall was reached but unfortunately the showers
were more persistent. The old cars were allowed to line up by
the house and they made a very pretty picture.
Many of us retired to the restaurant/café and had a very
pleasant lunch, others had brought a picnic. It was great to meet up with people who you had not seen for a while (we find it difficult to
get to the monthly meetings). We managed a look around the topiary gardens (in the rain unfortunately) and a mooch in the gift shop.
All in all, a very pleasant day and thank you Jack for organising it.

EDITORIAL
Here we are in colour (well the cover and back page anyway). We hope you approve of the new format—all suggestions/comments gratefully received. Can you believe we have been editing the mag for 3 years!

Jack’s run is now under our belt and as you will see form the “Events” pages we have many more events to look forward to this season. A big thank you to those members who have kindly let us have dates and contact points for some of your favourite rallies. Mike Stanley rang us one night and we quickly scribbled some notes down—problem is towards the end of the list my handwriting became illegible—Mike can you let us have the details of the ones I missed, sometime? Sorry and thanks.

It was good to hear that Sue & Chris’s Anglia is one (or more) steps closer to being completely rebuilt and back on the road; they hope in time for Broughton. I remember when I tried to get the Alpine ready for Broughton; I was so focussed on getting there I forgot to get Tax. I recall being the only car on the M180 on the Sunday morning, well nearly the only car—just a police car and me! Why is it that other people get away with deliberate tax evasion for years and I get caught within half an hour of leaving home?

My Father was doing a bit of clearing out and found this picture of my Mother standing beside their first every car; a Ford Pop. Dad recalls paying extra to have a heater! I have written to the relevant Ford car club to see if the car still exists but they have not replied; I imagine they get loads of such queries. Has anyone got any old family photos they would like to share with us? If so please send them to us and we can scan them in and return the photo straight away; a stamped addressed envelop for the return of the photo would also be appreciated.

We are planning on being quite adventurous this year (for us!) and taking Josephine to Devon to the Sunbeam Talbot National Rally at Bicton Park, near Budleigh Salterton in July. Jim Wilkinson says he is happy to go in convoy with us, which will be a great comfort.

Susan & Andrew Naylor

p.s. We have used some jokes supplied by Len Fox as short fill-ins throughout the mag – Thanks Len – Eds.

Husbands are like wood fires. ....When unattended, they go out!
What do you do with a sick Budgie? ..................................................................Give him tweetment.
What is a bee with its legs crossed doing on a motorway?    ............   Looking for a BP station!

WELCOMES

(new members)
1335 B Wilkinson, Embsay
1336 T&H Wood, Clitheroe
1337 J Moulson, Bradford

WELCOME BACK
519 A Kormes, Cullingworth
1128 A Whitrick, Bradford
 

PLUGS & POINTS

As you know we do not take product advertising in COWS at all, however I was recently approached to do so from a firm based in Las Vegas. They are called DWG and make a range of products for car care in the US. After some dialog I agreed to test some of the product and if it was any good I agreed to recommend it in the magazine. (I didn’t think it would be so there was nothing to lose, and some free samples to test, aaahhh the perks of being ½ a COWS editor!)

Some test samples duly arrived after about a week. COWS members may be aware of my liking (Susan say’s obsession, but I beg to differ), with polish / waxes/ dressings of all kinds car, so it is with great delight I say I feel I have found one of the best products I have ever used. It was the easiest and fastest product I have ever used, giving a fabulous shine to the whole car.

DWG make a range of products Here is a little of what they say:

------------------------------------------------------

DRI WASH ’N GUARD® is the latest technological advancement in vehicle cleaning.
It has changed the perception that washing and waxing a vehicle is the best way to restore and maintain pristine condition. Extensive testing on a wide range of vehicles has shown exceptional results compared to traditional wash and wax products. And in most circumstances because there is no need for water and additional products, it is exceptionally cost effective and also helps our environment.

We have also applied our ‘new approach technology’ to a complementary range of high quality exterior and interior treatments.

DRI WASH ’N GUARD® has developed a loyal following and is now not only popular with car and motorcycle owners but also specialist users (classic vehicles, marine craft, caravans etc).

We are confident that our products will exceed your expectations.

DRI WASH ’N GUARD® is an easy-to-use liquid emulsion which has been developed combining a waterless cleaning system and a protective glaze.

In a simple ‘spray-wipe-buff’ action the formula safely removes dirt and grime. During this process our exclusive glaze bonds with the surface providing an exceptional shine and enhanced protection against even the harshest elements.

The formula is widely used by car, motorcycle and specialist owners (classics, marine craft, caravans etc) and can be applied to most hard, non-porous surfaces including metal, fibre-glass, sealed plastics and glass. You’ll also never have to worry about weather conditions. As the formula doesn’t require water and is not affected by freezing or hot conditions it can be used in a garage or workshop.

------------------------------------------------------
I was so impressed with the Dri Wash and the Metal Polish that I have actually bought some. You can get the products in the United Kingdom from Ken Andrews. If you want to know more contact Ken on 01256 889001 or check out http://www.dwgint.com/

Email Ken at: info@go-waterless.co.uk
Finally I have to say that I am not connected in any way with the product and am passing this on as a reader recommendation only,
and of course as a very pleased user of the products.

MY FIRST CAR
My first car was a 1935 Morgan 3 wheel Sport purchased from Liverpool for £150 on HP about 1954. May parents took me in the Rover Speed 14 and followed me home. The controls of a Morgan were a mixture of car and motorcycle, conventional gear change and handbrake, footbrake but advance/ retard lever and a throttle on the steering wheel. The journey across Liverpool was frightening, tramlines, which dictated the direction of the narrow V twin 1000cc engine. My younger brother and I simply yelled at people to move out of the way and hoped that they did! About half way to Bolton all suddenly jelled and we took off – left parents standing and about everything else as well. Rear tyres didn’t last long. On one journey to Catterick in North Yorkshire, we set off with tread on our rear tyres and arrived back home with one bald one! Front tyres were not so bad – in fact some wear could be saved by cornering on two wheels, one back and one front, great fun! After 2/3 years I started courting so bought a 1930 Austin7 cabriolet from a friend for £15 – but that is another story …
Tony Barclay

Having learned to drive in mum’s Triumph Herald I wanted a car of my own, although with two existing cars in the family I could generally have access to the triumph, or later, when it was replaced, by a Rover 2000. Still, I hankered after one of my own and took some time to make up my mind what I wanted. Eventually I decided that a Hillman Super Minx would suit me very well, and scanning through the private car sales in the local paper one evening in 1975 I found one for sale in Padiham. To say that it was cheap was an understatement even in those days. The asking price was £30, but it was worth a look so Dad and I made an appointment and went over to see it.

It looked alright, and seemed to run OK, so a deal was done and I became the owner of CEN 139C, a 1592cc 1965 Super Minx Mk III. She was alabaster in colour (light grey) with a forest green stripe down each side enclosed in a stainless steel trim. Dad drove it back to Fence and I followed in the Rover 2000, but in the cold light of the following day it quickly became apparent why the price was so low. Serious tin worm had taken hold of the wheel arches and sills and parts of the floor pan were perforated as I found when I lifted the damp rear carpet and found a family of maggots living there. There was nothing for it but to put her in the garage and get down to some serious repair – but that is another story … I still have CEN although she is in very poor condition now and probably only fit for breaking up. Over the years I have driven many thousands of miles in her quite how many I cannot say as the speedometer wore out and I replaced it with a second hand item but forgot to note the changeover mileage. I do remember the 100,000 miles coming up though on the way to Raby Castle in North Yorkshire whilst on holiday with some friends

Paul Kikup

Does anyone else have any short tales about their first car – we would like to make this a regular feature. Eds.

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

Dear Friends
Thank you ever so much for the lovely card with your kind thought and best wishes, which Barbara & Alan brought with them
when they visited with flowers.
I remember the lovely days and happy times we’ve had on many club runs and get togethers.
Wishing you all the very best and hoping to see you all in the Spring.

With love from
Donald & Vera  (Austin A40)

(Sadly Donald has since passed away and Vera asked that we still print the letter which was received just too late to be included in the last magazine. She told us she hopes to continue to run the A40 with the help of her two sons. Eds.)

Hello
I am a member of COWS and thought that you might like some news on what is happening on the local classic Rover front.

The local branches of the Rover P4 Drivers Guild, The Rover P5 Owners Club and the White Rose region of the Rover P6 owners club are all coming together to plan joint events and outings. This has partly been prompted by this year being the 100th year of Rover. We are also trying to contact local members of the Rover SD1 and Rover Sports Register clubs.

Although the clubs will continue to operate separately, they will now have joint meetings on the first Tuesday each month, at the Kirklands Hotel, 605 Leeds Road, Outwood, Wakefield. Through COWS can I extend a welcome to any Rover owners to join us?

One of our first attempts at working together is that we are all now planning a major Rover get together on Sunday 22nd August at Lotherton Hall, near Leeds (this rally was previously the poplar P6 regional rally). All classic cars will be welcomed, but any model of Rover will be especially welcome!

I should be able to supply details of the rally organiser's name & address, entry forms etc. in the next week or so.

Cheers
Dave Perrins

Hi
I wonder if you could help us.
We are hoping to put on a classic car show for our annual village fete on July 10th 04 and would like to know if any of your club members would like to participate?

This is a fund raising event to help run the recreation ground and kids play area which is not supported by the local authority. We are in Whitemoor, a small village situated between Newquay and St Austell in Cornwall.

Last year we put on a Harley Davidson show and attracted 35 machines. We will be holding this again this year but want to widen the scope to appeal to car enthusiasts as well.

If you think this may be of interest to some of your members, it would be great to hear from you.

Cheers
Cllr Steve White
Chairman, Whitemoor Recreation Ground, Cornwall
www.whitemoor.com our village website. There is a small caravan club site in our rec ground.

A man fell out of the 10th floor window. He is lying on the ground with a big crowd around him. A Policeman walks over to him and says “What happened?” The man says “I don’t know, I just got here.”

LETTERS TO THE CLUB
Dear Mrs McCormick
Thank you once again to all at the Craven Old Wheels Society for the donation to Whitby Lifeboat.
From Whitby Station Brach, RNLI

Dear Friends
Thank you very much for your generous donation of £200 to Sue Ryder Care here at Manorlands.
Your kindness in supporting our work is very much appreciated and our official receipt is attached.
As you know, we are very dependant upon voluntary donations and contributions and appreciate all the help and assistance given to us by so many people, in so many different ways, which enables Manorlands to continue to provide care and comfort to its patients.

Once again, thank you for your kindness and generosity,

Dear Mrs McCormick
We were delighted to receive the kind donation of £200, given by Craven Old Wheels Society. I have pleasure in enclosing a Certificate of Appreciation for the above amount. Please could you pass on our thanks to everyone for their generous support.

This donation will be put to good use to provide facilities for families whose children are being treated here at the Regional Children and Adolescents’ Cancer and Leukaemia Unit here at St. James’s in Leeds.

Thank you for choosing to support Candlelighters in this way. It really is appreciated by everyone here at St James’s.

Yours sincerely...

CHECKS FOR THE NEW RALLY SEASON
Even if your car has a full MOT it’s essential to give the old girl a thorough checking over prior to setting out on your first run. Just because the MOT inspector has given your car a clean bill of health, there’s no getting away from the fact that most oldies need more maintenance than your average modern machine, and even more so if the car hasn't seen regular use for a while. In fact cars that have seen little regular use, while maybe being less worn mechanically, will probably require more servicing in order to get it into a reliable regular runabout.

The bottom line is check over all its systems and replace anything that looks faulty, or is easily replaceable. For example, if your classic motor car has hydraulic brake and clutch mechanisms, in most cases replacement seals only cost a few pence and its well worth going around and replacing all hydraulics seals, you don't want them giving out on you while your using the car.

Give the brake & clutch lines/linkages a good going over also. Likewise take a long hard look at the tyres - they may have oodles of tread left, but how are the sidewalls looking? are there any hidden bulges on the inside walls? Take each wheel off and have a good look. Barrelling through twisty lanes puts huge loads on the sidewalls of your tyres, so best play safe. And talking of tyres … Radials give better grip and seem to last longer than the crossply variety of rubber. However this extra grip can potentially be a problem. Whereas crossplies gripped less and let the car slide a little, radials grip on much better and in so doing pass extra loads through the wheel and into the suspension. It’s not unknown for A40s and other BMC machines to exhibit stress cracks between the wheel mounting holes, so have a good look while the wheels are off and replace any wheels that look suspect.

Also now is the time to hunt down any electrical gremlins that your classic or vintage car may possess. Try all the lights, and remove all lenses and ensure that none of the bulb connections or holders exhibit any signs of. The wiring in an old car is usually fairly simple, and an original manufacturer’s workshop manual will have a nice clear wiring diagram from which to work. Many electrical problems stem from faulty earths. Random cutting out of the engine can often be traced to a faulty main earth lead that runs from the engine or gearbox, across to the chassis or body. In fact ensure that the engine’s electricals are in tip top condition. Intermittent engine running faults can usually be attributed to either fuel or electrical problems. To try and eradicate electrical gremlins from your car, check over the spark plugs, plug leads, distributor cap, points, rotor arm, and the low tension wire that runs from the coil to the distributor. When looking at the distributor cap and coil, look for any hairline cracks in the plastic - these spell bad news and will require replacement. A good way of seeing if there’s a problem with either is to run the car at night - if you get a nice display of sparks around the engine, you're in for replacing some of the above.

The main objective is to track down and rectify any potential problem areas before they start giving trouble. Give the carb(s) a once over, and check that any inline filter is not blocked. While you're poking around this side of the engine, take a look at the fuel lines and check that none are either corroded or chaffing on the bodywork somewhere, especially underneath where pipe work is out of site.

If you have a look through your handbook you'll see that many classics were designed to receive regular maintenance. One of the muckier routine items is often greasing, something that is also often overlooked. Many classics built up until the 1980s (unless you have a Jag XJ which soldiered on until the early 1990s) were fitted with grease nipples, and lots of 'em. They are commonly found on suspension and steering components, propshaft joints, handbrake linkages and pivots, and so on ... each car is different so make sure you know where they all are. Another thing worth bearing in mind is that some mechanical items, such as the stub axles on Triumph Heralds and Spitfires, seem to survive better being lubricated via their grease nipples with oil instead of grease, so its always worth asking around with people who already own such cars, to find out if your collectible car has any of these foibles.

Last but not least check the engine itself - give it an oil and filter change, and lubricate all control cables and anything else that looks like a dab of oil would help. No matter how much preparation you do, sods law says that something is bound to go wrong at some point. Therefore it’s wise to carry around a basic toolkit at all times, and a selection of consumable spares that you might need while on the road - things such as bulbs, a few hydraulic seals, some spare plug leads, first aid kit, water, oil, gearbox oil, and even a tin of fuel just in case. Don't forget either that you may get stuck in queues of traffic on your regular run to the shops, so how is your cooling system looking? Replace any cooling hoses that show any cracks, same with fan belt, and make sure you have a healthy mix of antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor in your water system (normally 30-50% is a safe bet).

February 2004 - No 165                   

CHAIRMAN’S CHAT  

Dear friends,

First of all I would like to thank Paul Wooding for a very entertaining film show to round off a very successful AGM last month. The turnout for the AGM was very good; I counted 65 members. We had so many volunteers for the committee that it was decided at the AGM to accept all nominations on the basis that many hands make light work. We are considering setting up deputies for the various committee offices to bring in some continuity.

I would like to say thank you to retiring committee members Brian Bolton and Chris Hargreaves for all their hard work and support.

At the AGM we appointed Jack Hooper as Honorary President. This was so well received that there was spontaneous applause in the room.

Keeping on a theme of good news it was decided that we would give some Club funds to various charities. Consequently, £200 each has gone to: Manorlands Hospice, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue, Candlelighters, Whitby Lifeboat.

In this magazine you will find an entry form for my Whitby run. There is an entry fee of £10 but this includes secure overnight parking and a plaque and will ensure that the event breaks even cost wise.

After our meeting in November when various club matters were discussed in open forum, the committee have concluded that one in three club nights will simply be a noggin & natter and periodically we will hold a quiz. This is to complement a continuing programme of guest speakers.

I would like to thank Barbara McCormick for co-ordinating the Annual Dinner, which was attended by 66 people. The evening time for this event seems to have been well received as some members stayed on after the dinner for a drink.

At the Annual Dinner various awards were made and full details will be published in the next magazine.

Obviously, because I am writing the column I was re-elected to the post of Chairman; as per club rules this will be my last year in office and we are already aware that Len Fox feels he will not be able to take over as Chair because of family commitments. For a list of other officers appointed at the AGM, please see page 1.

I would like to wish you well for the coming old wheelin’ season.
 

A WINTER'S TALE 

Early in 196I I had a 1931 Sunbeam 6 cylinder saloon of pretty regal proportions. Only having had one lady owner and been chauffer driven from new it was a car of Rolls Royce quality and great engineering. I heard of the pretty rare Sunbeam coupe for sale in Halifax or Huddersfield, and the asking price was low as it had some fire damage because the carburettor had gone up in flames. My brother and I set off from Leigh one snowy morning taking a spare carb and battery etc. We eventually found the house and the car was outside in the snow.

We offered about £25.00 I think and this was accepted, I think the lad’s parents were just glad to see it go. Working outside in the snow to replace the carb was no fun, but we managed and got it started. Great just drive it back now. Our route would take us over the notorious snake pass, and approaching it had stopped at nearly every garage en route as the radiator was leaking quite badly. The rear of the car was gently floating as it turned out both rear shock absorbers had been removed. The snow became a blizzard and naturally the wiper motor packed up, but in true vintage style you could manually operate the wiper arm so the journey continued. Steam from the radiator, an undulating rear end, with left hand operating wiper arm darkness loomed. Marvellous! Well somehow we made it over the snake pass; later the police told us that we were the last two cars to make it before the road was closed. I still remember the trip today, and that’s forty years on. The car eventually turned out to be a very nice car and I only parted with it because two Sunbeams were too expensive to run on my then somewhat meagre salary.

Tony Barday

JACK HOOPER'S RUN

Sunday 4th April will see the start from Steeton Hall of my 2004 run. Coffee will be available from 10am.

The destination is Levens Hall which is situated at the junction of the A6 and A590 in Cumbria. The suggested route is via Glusburn , Elslack and A59 to Slaidburn taking in some picturesque countryside and fells on the way. Full route details available on the day. Levens Hall is a large Elizabethan house situated in gardens that are famous for its topiary. There is also a restaurant serving light meals and snacks. Special parking has been arranged and reduced entrance fees. This is £6.00 per car with two occupants, with an additional £1.70 per person to visit the house. This compares to a normal entry fee of £5.80 per person and £7.50 per person for house and garden. If possible please bring exact amount as this will help club members collecting them and also marshalling cars.

Looking forward to seeing you, just turn up at Steeton Hall. If your old car is off the road come in the everyday one, and friends are welcome as usual. For further information please see me at a meeting or telephone me at home on 01535 272 571.

 Jack Hooper

EDITORIAL

We were tickled pink to hear that our old friend Jack Hooper has been appointed Honorary President for COWS; that’s the best news we have heard in a long time and well deserved. We tried to persuade Jack to change the title of his run – traditionally the first in the COWS calendar – to “The President’s Run” but Jack being Jack doesn’t want such a fuss. Do please note – Jack tells us every time – if your old car is off the road please do turn up in your modern car. Sue’s father knows Jack and has received an invite and he does not have an old car to come in so there will be at least one modern car taking part.

We always feel that once we have Jack’s run under our belt the ribbon has been cut at the start of the new season. We hope to attend a few more rallies this season and are contemplating taking Josephine to Devon for the Sunbeam Talbot National Rally.

Can we make a plea to everyone to drop us a line or leave us a message on our answer-phone with details of rallies that you will be attending in and around our region. Please do not assume that someone else will have told us. The next edition of the magazine we feel is the main one to list events and enable you all to plan the rallies you will be attending.

A final plea – we have a nice supply of longer articles to include in the magazine but we also need short snippets to help us fill in here and there. So please do let us have any short items for the magazine.

Here’s wishing you a happy rallying season – let us know what you get up to!

Susan & Andrew Naylor
 

RECOMMENDATION

1 lb sticks of Body Solder.
Available from PTS Plumbing, Rhthell Court, Billington Road, Burnley Tel Mel 01282 830 310

WELCOMES

1329 I Waddington Nelson
1330 J Eades Cowling
1331 C Brough Bingley
1332 G Pepper Haworth
1333 D Renton Denholme
1334 G Binns Stirton

Welcome Back
509 H Crowther Queensbury

 MEMBERSHIP

Thank you to all the members who have already paid their new subscriptions. To those who have not, this is the last magazine  you will receive until you have paid your £6 (after 28th Feb it is £8 to renew)


 PRESENTATION

At the AGM, Brian and Hilary Bolton were presented with a cut glass vase in recognition of their services to COWS.

Alan McCormick


ANOTHER PET NAME

I have remembered another pet name for a car, this was a 1922 Gwynne tourer, which was called ’Naughty Nelly’ as you might expect.

Alan McCormick
 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Susan & Andrew

Re dumped cars, a friend of mine rents a yard from me to house so called dumped cars. If the police send him to a vehicle that is on the road untaxed he can remove it. Local inquiries are made to try and find the owner prior to this, but if no joy the vehicle is removed. To recover the vehicle costs approx £80 plus £12 per day storage fee. If no owner comes forward within seven days the car can be scrapped or in some cases sold on. It’s surprising how many good vehicles are brought in. Cars at present can not be taken from private premises except in the case of council houses where the vehicle has become a nuisance.

Len Fox

Dear Susan & Andrew,

Dave Caswell is reintroducing the inter club quiz nights. The one's we used to go to at the Dyneley Arms then at Golden Fleece. The new quiz’s will be on March 4th and April 1st at the Golden Fleece (Birkenshaw). Anyone who requires details can obtain them from Dave Caswell on 01274-618589. Hopefully we can make a team up for them. The last one I attended, Jack Hooper & I were the only ones from COWS, If you will put it in the Newsletter we may have a better attendance and result. Thanks.

Ken Holden

PARTS FOR A CLASSIC

Sooner or later, whether running or restoring a classic car, you'll need to find replacement spare parts for it. Much will depend on what make and model of old car truck or fire engine you have, and even the year it was produced. Popularity of a particular classic often has a direct bearing on the supply of old bits and new spares for that car as it enters its dotage.

The MG and Austin / Morris / British Leyland / BLMC / Rover Group (!) Mini is a good case in point. The Mini was first produced in 1959, and soldiered on through the 1960s, 1970s (when joined by the Clubman), 1980s (when it was meant to be replaced by the mini Metro), 1990s (which saw the reincarnated Cooper go from strength to strength) through to recent times, when it was replaced by a totally new (BMW) Mini, sadly a Mini in name only. Not many changes over 40+ years, yet delve a little deeper and very few, if any, parts found on the original Mk1 will fit an end-of-the-line fuel injected Mini Cooper. Many many changes were implemented, for instance the early cars had floor starter buttons, sliding windows, 'wet' or 'dry' suspension, exterior door hinges, different grilles, engine displacements (A series throughout mind you), smaller front and rear screens, interior trim, and so on. Therefore despite its popularity then, even for a Mini with a large industry still supplying spares for it, certain items can still be tricky to find depending on the year of car. If you run a Mk3 Mini, you can go and buy a brand new body shell, but if you have an earlier example, you can't. Many parts which on the surface look identical can differ in detail ways. The point here is before attempting to source spare parts from anywhere other than a marque specialist, gen up on your subject and make sure you know what you're looking for before shelling out serious cash for parts that may or may not belong to your cars year of production. Many of us have had the “rivet counters” as I call them, informing us that bit is not correct. It is helpful, but when you have just paid a huge wedge of cash for it, it’s a real bummer! Two terms to look out for are OEM and NOS. OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, i.e. this part is made by the same company as that which made the original piece on your car. NOS has a similar meaning, here standing for New Old Stock, which refers to original contemporary parts for your car, from the original supplier or manufacturer. NOS/OEM parts often command a price premium, as most enthusiasts strive to keep their car as original as possible, and for instance a replacement NOS front wing will always be preferable to a pattern (i.e. non OEM) part, which may well not fit or look 100% correct. However, in the case of rare cars, pattern parts may be the only realistic option.

Auto jumbles have always been prime hunting ground for many old car restorers, although in recent years there has been an influx of Parts for classics) cheapo-quality tool vendors creeping into the auto jumbles, often where at one time purveyors of proper old tools and spare parts would be found. Many vendors of auto jumble don't know what they have, often selling on stock from garage clearance sales etc. It is here that bargains can be found, so long as you know what you are looking for. If in doubt seek some advice from fellow club members. I used to be a little apprehensive of buying anything at these stalls, as I couldn’t even tell you what points or plugs were on our cars by looking at them. However thanks to our good friend and classic car mentor Jim Wilkinson, (hope you don’t mind being called a mentor Jim), we are learning the ropes now. A good rummage through the odds and sods boxes can net you a bargain, and I must admit to quite enjoying doing it. Although Susan tells me that the garage is filling up a bit and did I really need that large plastic box of exhaust nuts and washers. Well it was a bargain and will last a lifetime …………………..err several actually!

Quite often, especially in the case of rare vehicles there is no option but to pay an apparently high price for an item, although haggling is always worth a try - especially if the weather is poor and sales are down. I think I’ve a lot to learn in this department though, finding it awkward to do for some reason. If the gent on the stall has been standing around in the drizzle since dawn I think he deserves a fair price for that widget anyway. Susan tells me I’ll just have to try and overcome my naturally shy disposition in time for this seasons auto jumbles as we need a roof kit for the Alpine and they are not cheap!!

Then there are enthusiasts having their annual clearout of surplus junk, trying to make room in their garages by selling on oily bits they no longer need. Here a buyer is in a strong position, as chances are the seller doesn't want to cart their old junk back home again, and active haggling can see you pick up some rare bits for a good price.

Scrap yards can still yield some useful classic car finds, although the ever increasing stranglehold of bureaucracy that seeps across the channel from Brussels, is making the traditional automotive recycling centre (which is what a scrap yard is after all) a thing of the past.

Scrap yards are more and more moving to being dismantlers, where the parts removed are taken from the cars, cleaned, and stored in a warehouse. This makes life a lot easier, and cleaner, in many ways, although I'm still in favour of being able to clamber around piles of rotting hulks for illusive bits and pieces. Preparation is the key to getting the most from a scrap yard visit. Draw up a list of what you want, and plan accordingly. Hoping to get a panel from an old car? They make sure you have a hammer, selection of stout tools including hacksaws and chisels, wire brushes, WD40, possibly a blowlamp, and some overalls and gloves - most yard owners won't lend out tools, so make sure you cover all the bases yourself. Read your workshop manual the evening before will refresh your memory or what’s involved in removing the pieces you need. It’s worth negotiating with the yard owner the cost of buying the part(s), as there doesn't seem to be much point struggling for hours to get the cylinder head off that Mk10 Jag if the owner wants too much money for it, especially as with most mechanical parts found in a yard, there's no way of proving the integrity or serviceability of such an item. Always take sturdy gloves with you in the yard, and overalls are worthwhile as yards are not renowned for being the cleanest of places. Cars if stacked more than 2 or 3 high are notoriously unstable, so clambering to the top of that pile of crusty Cortinas or disintegrating Datsuns is fraught with risk. Of course, if crawling around in oily puddles whilst being gnawed at by a mangy mutt isn't your idea of fun, you could concentrate your search for classic car parts on the For Sale adverts to be found in any of the many magazines, newspapers and owner club newsletters that are available on the subject. The key to success here is dedication, make the classifieds section of any magazine the first port of call, and scan it thoroughly. If you spot something, ring up there and then, don't dither else someone else could beat you to it.

Some of the best finds are those advertised by people who have no clue about old cars or their parts, Scour notice boards on your weekly run to Sainsbury’s, check out the adverts posted in your local newsagent window, and keep your ears and eyes open. Many interesting 'finds' can be acquired simply by people approaching you when you park up in your classic car.

Using a search engine such as Google or Hotbot, you'll find all manner of websites, some good, some not so good some indifferent. Another method for acquiring useful car spares, and one that can work well financially, is to buy a trashed example of your old car. For this you need the space to store a spares car, but it can be invaluable when you need parts urgently for a daily use classic, and with a bit of hunting can often find a ragged example of a popular classic, perhaps beyond viable restoration, for £50 or so. Any spares you don't need can always be sold on, usually covering your initial outlay for buying the complete car if you've bought wisely.

There is of course a captive audience for most older cars nowadays, in the shape of the many owners clubs that have sprung up over the years. All have a common thread running through them, namely an interest in one or more particular makes and/or model of vehicle, and entering into this mysterious world of treasure hunts, classic car runs and camaraderie can lead you to all manner of available rare parts. Of course if you have any spares for sale or items you want to locate, why not put an advert on the COWS Website and of course in this very magazine. It’s free to all COWS members. Happy hunting.
 Andrew Naylor

SAFE WORKING!

Garages and workshops can be dangerous places. You are surrounded by all sorts of substances which were not designed to mix together, like water and electricity for example. Mix a flammable substance such as petrol or thinners, with an exposed flame, and watch your overalls, eyebrows, hair, and or surrounding environment go up in smoke. Worst you could be risking the life and limb of others.

Do  make sure, when working on a car, that it is supported on suitably strong axle stands and/or ramps - i.e. NOT JUST THE JACK.

Do always assume that the worst will happen some day - are you prepared?

Do make some provision for fire in the garage - one stray spark could soon set things going nicely.

Do use a mains power breaker when operating power tools. It could save you from getting a shock if by chance you jigsaw through its power cable.

Do always think before using power tools of any sort. Are there animals, children, rare car parts (glass particularly) etc that could be harmed from the sparks issued by your angle grinder or welder?

Do  protect your eyes when drilling, grinding, welding, and sawing or any other activity that creates dirt, grit.

Do always protect your ears too - blobs of hot weld down your ear is mighty uncomfortable I'm told, and repeated racket can lead to tinitus and other hearing complaints.

Do  think of your skin! Use gloves etc when operating power tools.

Do remember that engines and gearboxes are heavy! Sturdy toe-capped footwear is a good idea when handling heavy lumps of machinery.

Do ensure that when moving heavy/awkward loads that you lift properly. Bend your knees and keep a straight back.

Do  make sure you dispose of old oil responsibly. Pouring it down the drain will cause pollution. Many councils have oil recycling facilities nowadays.

Do  wear face masks when sanding paintwork - old paint can contain lots of unpleasant things like lead, and the dust will do you no good at all.

Do  try and have a mobile phone to hand when working in the workshop, it may come in handy in an emergency!

Don't ever use tools beyond their working range, whether it’s hammers, trolley jacks, screwdrivers or whatever.

Don'tcut corners 'just this once' - many people have suffered through cars coming down on top of them, following failure of a trolley jack or bottle jack.

Don't jack up cars on a slope or soft ground. Sods law says the jack and/or stands will tip over when you least expect them to.

Don't get covered in old engine oil - its horrible stuff anyway, and there are reports linking it to skin cancer.

Don't smoke near petrol tins. Sounds obvious, but it happens.

Don'tstore flammable liquids like petrol in open containers. Not only will it evaporate, the vapours are mega-combustible and
you don't want to knock a tin of fuel over the floor with power tools in the area.

Don't make a racket late into the night. Neighbours will not approve, and you may need their assistance with lifting off your Herald’s body shell from its chassis one day.

Don'tuse grinding disks for cutting, and vice versa, they're liable to shatter and embed themselves into the nearest squishy object (you).

Don'tuse cheap tools. Crappy screwdrivers and spanners have a nasty habit of snapping under load - avoid where possible.

Don't forget when welding, strip out any interior trim (including hidden sound deadening & waxoyl type rust preventers) from the area being welded. You don't need an inferno to distract you from getting a good seam.

Don't use a blowlamp until you've checked for combustible items in the vicinity, e.g. rubber bushes, bits of car trim, dogs etc..

Don't use an electric welder face shield when mig welding - the safety lenses are rated differently

Don't leave rubbish lying around the workshop. It can be a fire risk and you may trip on it. Same goes for power leads - stash them away when not in use.

So, the above list can only be a guide, but common sense is the budding mechanics greatest friend when faced with a classic car restoration. Short cuts are often taken through circumstances, but these must be avoided. If the axle stands you own struggled when asked to hold up a rusty old Morris Minor, they aren't going to last long propping up that Bedford OB coach. Invest in tools that comfortably exceed the maximum requirement you're ever likely to have.

 

December 2003 - No 164                   

CHAIRMAN’S CHAT

Dear friends,  I am pleased to report that after last months meeting we have managed to secure some nominations from some new faces for the committee and more importantly the Treasurer’s post. All the feedback we got at the meeting from those present will be discussed at the next two committee meetings and I would like to thank those who spoke up. I hope that everyone had a good old wheeling season in 2003 and wish you all the best for 2004. Unfortunately due to work pressures I only managed to get to Broughton Hall, Ripon and the Whitby Lifeboat weekend. This is also why I would welcome another nomination for the post of Chair. I have always believed that the Chairman of the club should have an old vehicle and therefore be able to attend some rallies and be seen out and about for the club. I will stand if there is no-one else for next year but then the rules of the club will demand that I step down. The weather maybe cold here but I know of at least one of our club members who is in sunnier climes visiting family down under for Christmas. Wherever you are and what ever you are doing, Pauline and I hope that you do have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

EDITORIAL
Those who attended the November meeting experienced a slightly unusual event but whatever the rights and wrongs with how that came about, I believe that those present felt that in the end something was achieved that might not have otherwise. Certainly one or two things were cleared up and Andrew and I would summarise it as being that (not sure what others present thought):
a) We should simplify the rules of the club so that we can strike the right balance between having a robust framework to run the club within and it not feeling as if everything we try to do is an onerous task.
b) There is more scope for variation at club nights and sometimes just a noggin and natter is OK; we do not have to always have a speaker organised.
c) The committee need any offers of help to do anything, however small to help spread the load.

I must admit that Andrew and I can rarely attend club nights due to the demands of our jobs, but it is a very useful experience. For example we met Tim who we discovered has a 1960’s series Alpine as a potential project so we spent some enjoyable time talking
“all things Alpine”. This is the true benefit of having the monthly meets and if you have never been before I would urge you to attend, we are a friendly bunch and you just might find someone who has the right hand, threaded wot'sit grommet that matches the left hand one you need to make a pair. Anyway enough of our drivel, here is a bumper edition of the magazine to enjoy. We especially hope you like the middle pages – “something to pull out and keep”, as they say. Just carefully take out the middle page and fold it into quarters (centre fold first then fold top to bottom) and stand it on your desk or sideboard as a reminder when those red letter days are (COWS meets of course!)
Merry Christmas to one and all and here’s to a happy 2004’s worth of old wheelin’.
Susan & Andrew Naylor

WELCOMES
1325 A Teague Bradford
1326 D Fortune Bramhope
1327 J R Trowsdale Skipton
1328 P&S Rodgers Huddersfield
Welcome to the above new members. We hope to see you at one of our many gatherings – see back page for details of events we know about so far.


RISE IN DUMPED CARS The number of abandoned cars on the streets has soared by 27% in a year according to government figures. Indications are in 2001/ 02 councils removed 293,000 vehicles in England and Wales, an increase of 63,000 on the previous year. The problem cost the taxpayer £14.6m compared with £11.5m in 2000-2001.

PET NAMES
Many people have a name for their vehicle to denote affection for it. Traction engines were all named and many railway locomotives carried them, but not many cars or motorcycles carry a name given by the owners.
One of the first cars to be given a name was an electric driven road speed record holder in 1898! The driver Jenatzy called it ‘La Jamais Contente’ (the never content). The most famous name was first used in 1900 Daimler designed a new style of car which was a great improvement on all the existing ones. The agent for the South of France Emille Jellineck said “you will not sell many cars if you do not have a nice name for it. I call my hill climb cars after my daughter Mercedes; which the French consider to be a nice name so why not follow my example”. The rest is history. My first car was a 1931 Standard Little Nine called ‘Clementine’. The next as a 1952 Austin A70 Hereford. When my companion at work saw it he exclaimed’ My mate that is a great big passion wagon’. And proceeded to repeat that message to all and sundry. So I had ‘The Passion Wagon’. This companion then bought a 1932 Morris Cowley which had an enormous wooden boot built over the luggage grid. This produced a tremendous over steer and became ‘Dumbo’. I met a young lady with a 1936 Hillman Minx Reg. No. BER 29 called Bertha’. She later married me. Her present car is the 1952 MG Y Type known as ‘Meg’. I know that our editors Talbot Tourer is called ‘Josephine’ but they will need to tell me why. Can we compile an impressive list by sending your pet name to the editors?
Alan McCormick

 MODERN MOTORING ?
Whilst slightly outside the scope of the club, I have an elderly Volkswagen Polo which has served me faithfully for a number of years. I had to pay a visit to a scrap yard in search for a gearbox. It’s clocked up an awful lot of miles therefore its book value is depressingly low, but being sort of reluctant to throw things away if there is still a chance they can be saved, (bet that struck a chord!) and reluctant to find a suitable replacement – I usually manage to fix it. This time it was a leaky gearbox. I don’t know why because it had only done 200,000 miles from new.

Changing the drive shaft oil seals didn’t work because the flanges were worn and new ones were over £70 each. (That made my eyes water) Solution – locate and buy a second hand gearbox. Now comes the point of the article; because this sort of thing is not quite as easy as it used to be. An awful lot of scrap yards have sadly disappeared, and most of those that remain are buried under a heap of EU legislation. As a kid, I used to spend many a happy Saturday morning looking at the more private parts of popular cars, and climbing around heaps of rusting junk. I learnt more doing that, (and by littering my bedroom with Airfix models) than I can give credit for. Now, it’s almost impossible to get the models (page 3 excepted) and an unpretentious, honest-to-God scrap yard is a virtual exclusion zone. It’s almost as if 1984 has suddenly come true.

I was allowed to enter a yard, but only after my identity had been established and personal details noted down. I walked through a narrow locked door, and the time was duly recorded. I had to wear a luminous jacket and hard hat. No rusting heaps of mangled metal here, just rows and rows of neatly blocked up vehicles, some of them supported on huge steel racks – like dexion – three or four cars high. I looked for my vehicle (all details listed on a computer), but my movements were at all times scrutinised on close circuit television. Finding the car briefly checking the condition, mileage etc, I thought it might do. The price? £65 +vat. Can you really charge vat on second hand goods? (that’s always been our policy mate – we’ll take it off for you for free, and guarantee it for 3 months) There isn’t much oil in it ! (Regulations mate, - every vehicle must be drained of all fluids upon entry to the yard- sorry vehicle recycling centre.) A day’s notice was required, I decided to take it although it wasn’t the cheapest on offer, I only wanted one more weekend lying on the garage floor… Driving home I reflected upon how things had changed. Owners now had to pay the scrap yard to take a vehicle for recycling. The regulators and bureaucrats had turned a pleasure trip into something approaching a visit to a morgue! New “one off” parts make old cars unviable to keep, new legislation makes them expensive to get rid of , little wonder then that a growing majority simply torch or abandon them. The taxpayer eventually picks up the tab. The cost? About £50 per car, and with 293,000 cars recovered last year alone, it all adds up. The problem is that in 9 out of 10, those who opt to abandon a vehicle get away with it. They probably also drive without insurance, since that too is an exorbitant cost compared with what it used to be. Result – a growing number of people are happy to use the road on their own terms, trusting to luck and viewing the rest of us with a mixture of amusement and contempt. I hope I never run into one of them!
John Johnson

MOBILE PHONES IN CARS
 Making or receiving hand-held mobile phone calls while driving a car is an offence from 1 December 2003 with a £30 fixed penalty or a fine of up to £1,000 if convicted in a court of law. Sending text messages while in control of a vehicle will also be an offence carrying the same penalties. Drivers will still be able to use car kits and hands-free kits. The penalties for drivers of goods or passenger-carrying vehicles range up to £2,500, while all drivers can still be prosecuted for the more serious crimes of careless and inconsiderate driving, dangerous driving or causing death by dangerous driving.

If convicted of causing a death, a prison sentence will almost invariably be imposed if a phone was being used at the time. Defining Mobile Whether your vehicle is moving or stationary, if the engine is switched on it is classified as 'driving' under the new law. Even if you have pulled over to take a mobile phone call, if the engine is still running, you could be penalised. If you need to hold the phone at any point while using it, you will be contravening the law. A mobile phone needs to be securely held in a cradle mounted in the car to be classified as a 'hands-free' unit.

Guidelines

• Drivers will be able to use hand-held phones when trapped in congested traffic, as long as the engine is switched off. This does not override the laws on dangerous parking or where drivers can stop.

• Devices held in the hand for at least part of the phoning operation will be illegal; it will need to be fitted in some sort of cradle. This will also apply to transmission and display devices such as navigation units.

• It will be legal to carry switched on hand-held phones in vehicles, and for the phone to receive data. It is only when the driver picks the phone up that an offence could be committed.

• Driving without proper control of a vehicle will be strengthened to a £60 fine and endorsement. Mobile phone users, even with the correct equipment, can still be prosecuted if they are driving irresponsibly. The law will cover other distractions, including eating, drinking and smoking.

• Employers could face a 'cause or permit' offence if they require employees to break the law.

• The AA advises motorists to avoid using hands-free phones whenever practical. Difficulties in enforcing the law means hands-free phones are legal but safety is still an important concern.

LRP FUEL PHASE OUT
Demand for LRP has been falling as fewer and fewer vehicles use it, hence there are less petrol stations stocking it. Possibly by the end of next year it will cease to be available altogether. Therefore, do find out if your can use unleaded petrol without the need for additives. If not find a suitable additive which you can add to available fuel, remember the advice seems to be not to mix types of additives. If all else fails there are still outlets that sell good old fashioned four star petrol …at a premium of course!

LETTER TO THE EDITORS
With the clocks now showing one hour earlier than they should, which in theory means I am writing this on borrowed time, it’s not a bad idea to reflect on what has been one of the best years for rallies / Old Wheeling / camping … anything in fact! For me, the weather made it a truly memorable summer, and the promise of endless sunshine, ice cream and picturesque scenery gave rise to the notion that we should once again head south. Also having road tested my “new / borrowed” Bond Minicar for the best part of twelve hundred miles or so, I inevitably became somewhat attached to it, and in spite of it breaking down on almost the first trip out (which as you may recall, resulted in a breakdown truck retrieving us from Lytham-St Anne’s), when Ray the owner said that he had decided to sell the car I decided to buy. What it really needed was a good run out so we decided to take it a bit further and drive it down to the South Coast and hopefully find a bit of sunshine en route. Thus began a truly epic tale, with breakdowns, heat waves and heartaches alike as we set out in innocence, confident that our little 250 cc engine would carry us all the way down to Land’s End and back. It didn’t My only hesitation in sending you the first part of this gripping account is that the COWS readership will be heartily sick of reading about our half baked exploits. I am only sorry that I have nothing shorter to offer you, but that’s how it is… (coming soon in Feb’s mag)
John Johnson

LETTER FROM THE EAST
 At last we have paused from our hectic schedule that began back in March this year. As we cleaned and cleared our Thackley home we were uncertain about selling the house in time to meet the July completion date, however, things went through at the eleventh hour, and we arrived in time to see our new home being erected on this lovely home park, where fifty or so similar mobile homes nestle among the oak and willow trees with the river Waveney flowing past two boundaries. Everyone is friendly and welcoming, just like the folk in the small villages in Suffolk where Anne and I grew up. Now four months or so after moving in and most of work is completed to make it home, including a workshop at the rear. The nearness of friends and family means we see more of them, and we visit old haunts which we left behind in 1989 to live in Thackley. The classic car and motor cycle scene is very active with many shows advertised in the summer months, just like it has been flourishing in Yorkshire during our stay. We send our good wishes to all our old friends in COWS, and the motor cycle club. Happy motoring
Sincerely,
Anne & Roger Price

STOP THEIF !
Parking: Many classic motor policies dictate the parking arrangements you'll need. Some say the car must be garaged overnight, or alternatively be off the road between certain hours. Either way, make sure you know what’s what. Best of all is to park in a locked alarmed garage, preferably directly outside your remote country idyll, with the hounds set loose. Alas not many of us are in the fortunate position, although garaging should really be arranged wherever possible.
Driveway parking is ok so long as you don't tell porkies to the insurance company and pretend that it is garaged. Try to ensure that your driveway has some form of lighting; most car thieves don't like everyone being able to see what they're up to, and maybe enough to put off some of the casual light-fingered brigade. If you leave the car in the drive or garage for a period of time, it may be worth getting one of those removable (or folding) security posts, which are usually set into concrete. If nothing else, make sure your driveway has a nice set of gates across it, as otherwise it’s an open invitation for your common tea-leaf to wander in and meddle with your car.
Alarm: You might want to invest in a car alarm or immobiliser device. Quite a wise idea as classics aren't usually too difficult to break into. One thing to remember when installing the alarm is the polarity of your car - check first how best to install an alarm onto an older car that may well be positive earth or has 6 volt electrics. Steering bars/locks may deter some criminally minded people, but they are really just a minimum precaution, as they can usually be hack sawed off, or in extreme cases the steering wheel itself can be bent out of the way, rendering the lock null and void. If you really want to push the boat out, fit a tracking device. Common sense dictates that leaving anything worthy of pinching visible inside the car, is not a good move. So hide away that rare copy of COWS Christmas magazine! and your period Motorola radio, permanently tuned to Radio Caroline.

Something quite easy to overlook when it comes to convertible cars is the tax disk. At the best of times, protecting your knickknacks in a classic roadster is tricky, but don't forget that little disk. If your classic is later than 1972, then that’s potentially £155 you risk losing if someone does take the disk. The only way of slowing down someone taking the disk is to fit a motorcycle style tax disk holder, and try to fit it in such a way that both removing the holder, and the disk inside, is an involved process and one that most tea-leafs wouldn't have time for.

The easiest way to slow someone down from nicking your auto is to jack it up onto axle stands, and remove the wheels. That way only iron-man contenders can walk off with your classic. Another good move is to throw a sheet over it if you're not bothered about the paintwork - the less attention it attracts the better, plus you're less likely to get ear-ache from your neighbours, who (strangely) might not share your delight in overlooking that crusty old '57 Chevy Belair, crumbling away to oblivion in your back yard.

PLUGS & POINTS
An Unusual mechanical problem Barbara and I were out in the Austin Seven Nippy for a ride when we heard something metallic drop off the car. On looking in the mirror I saw a lump of something in the road, so we stopped that object was the engine oil filler pipe complete with the cap! On an Austin Seven there is a strange engine lubrication system: - An oil pump delivers to two jets in the side of the crankcase. The crankshaft has holes drilled into it to catch some of the oil and fling it into the big ends. This oil filler pipe screws into the crankcase between the two jets. In the time that it had taken to stop the engine the whole of the engine compartment was running with oil and nothing escaped it. It was running out of the bonnet louvers and had covered most of the underside of the car. I screwed the offending pipe in, topped up the engine oil and continued on our way. What may seem to be a very haphazard lubricating system is very efficient!!! . Now I have one more item to add to the regular checks on the car.
Alan McCormick

October 2003 - No 163

CHAIRMAN’S CHAT

Dear friends,

I hope you have all enjoyed the season and the glorious weather, I just hope winter is not going to wreak revenge – let’s get our old wheels tucked up.

Down to business, we need a Treasurer, the club cannot function without one and you will see that the nomination forms are enclosed with this magazine. Jim Harrison has kindly offered to hold anyone’s hand as they get to grips with the role and Bryan is always at the end of the phone to answer questions. It is not a difficult role but it is a vital role. The books are at the auditors so that piece is out of the way. At our last committee meeting we discussed winding up the club if a Treasurer could not be found – it is that serious.

Alan McCormick has finalised the date of the Annual Dinner, it is Sunday 25th January in the evening (5.30 for 6.00) and a cost of £13 per head, please contact Alan McCormick to get your name down.  There will not be a Christmas do this year due to lack of interest.

We have heard that Sue Gardner has had a short stay in hospital but she is well on the way to recovery and we would like to send our good wishes to her.

I now have an answerphone at home so hopefully you will find it easier to contact me. I have had only two couples express an interest in reviving the Whitby Run, so unless I get many more the event will not run. I will have to start organising in earnest in January so please register your interest with me by the AGM.

For those who like to put dates in diaries, next year’s RNLI Whitby Lifeboat weekend will be 31st July/1st August. I was over in Whitby recently and the Coxswain specifically asked me to pass on his thanks to those that supported the event last summer. I will be looking for a dozen cars again next year; just give me a call.

Those that missed September’s club night missed an interesting talk on Airedale wildlife by Mr P Britton, so don’t forget our old vehicles may be hibernating but the club doesn’t and Alan McCormick has pulled together a great line up of speakers for us. I look forward to seeing old and new faces at this winter’s programme of talks and slide shows; see the back page of the magazine for details.

EDITORIAL
I can’t believe that our next edition will be the Christmas one – doesn’t time fly when you are having fun!

We must recount the tale of our journey to the Sunbeam Talbot National Rally in September … There we were tootling in Josephine south bound on the A1 on Friday afternoon. Andrew commented on how light the traffic was. Now for those with younger cars let me explain, we are used to the road ahead looking clear as we travel at 50 mph – though a look in the rear view mirror usually brings us back to the reality that is modern road traffic as the queue stretches out behind, but on this afternoon even the road behind was clear – strange. Then all became clear as Andrew spotted an abnormally wide load complete with police escort in the distance behind us. As we were not (to our knowledge) contravening any road traffic law we continued to tootle as the wide load gained on us. It then became clear that the police escort was behind the load and could not get passed the wide load to ask us to move over and neither could the wide load pass us … so we continued on our way visualising the queue behind the wide load! Eventually the wide load edged over to the outside lane and the police car moved to the hard shoulder and put on his “blues and twos”. We decided that maybe we should move over.

Has anyone got any witty ditty to include in December’s edition of the magazine – something to cheer us up as we eagerly anticipate the Spring and the first rally of the 2004 season. We have a number of longer articles so we would like some short items, jokes etc. as fill ins. Also if you could let us have dates of 2004 rallies you know of (with contact details) we can include them in December’s magazine and we can all spend the winter looking forward to the new season.

Don’t forget the clocks go back on the evening of Saturday 25th/Sunday 26th October, but we only have to get to 21st December before the nights to start getting lighter.

Susan & Andrew Naylor

“THE COMMITTEE'

O give me your pity,
for I’m on the Committee,
which means both morning and night, we attend and amend
and contend and defend
without a conclusion in sight.

We confer and concur,
we defer and demur
and reiterate all of our thoughts.
We revise the Agenda
With frequent addenda
And consider a load of reports.

We compose and propose,
We support and oppose
and the points of procedure are fun.
But though various notions,
are brought up as motions
There’s little that really gets done.

We resolve and absolve
but never dissolve, since that’s out of the question for us.
What a shattering pity, to end our committee,
Where else could we make such a fuss?

Anon.

On a serious note please do consider whether you can spare your club some of your valuable time and join the committee;
nomination form enclosed in this edition.  If you feel you can only offer help on a limited basis please approach any member
of the committee with your offer of help – perhaps you can suggest a speaker for a winter club night, or you are willing to
help organise Broughton Hall, or you are prepared to organise another rally. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

PLUGS & POINTS!

Airedale Autoparts Unit 3 Midland Mills Trading Estate, Station Road, Cross Hills, Keighley.BD20 7DT
Tel 01535 632211
Mobile (07850 632211

I think we should all know about this firm who stock a huge range of auto parts at trade prices, just mention you are a COWS member. I have used the firm this week for oil, plugs and filter for my Triumph Roadster. Example, 1 gallon, (Duckhams) 20/50 Classic, the original green stuff cost £6.75, plus vat, now that’s cheap for that quality oil.
Len Parry

Wax Seal
Well the nights are drawing in, time to get into the garage and do those little jobs that you promised you would do after the rally season had finished. I like to apply an annual coat of Waxoil to all our vehicles. I find it a particularly satisfying job, for some unusual reason. Why? I don’t know, as apart from stinking the whole house out for days while it dries, it’s also a good reason to wash the garage floor as it also gets a good application. Last year I came across a product called “Wax Seal” by Comma.
It’s a complete anti rust treatment which penetrates rust and displaces moisture from the deepest cavities, (so it says on the tin!). I found it less messy and easier to apply as it’s an aerosol. Two tins would treat most cars, (It took three to treat Susan’s Discovery though!). I recommend you try a couple of tins if you are about to buy Waxoil or similar. I obtained a box of 12 tins from Andrew Page’s in Leeds and negotiated a good bulk discount!
Andrew Naylor

WELCOMES
No new members since the last magazine however we can report that our current membership is 249. This compares with an all time high of 266 in 2000 but in 2001 it dropped to 230.

SINCERE APOLOGIES
Apologies for missing the Broughton Hall Light Commercial Vehicle class winner in the last magazine.
Belated congratulations to Mr G B Deighton who won this class with a Morris 8 Z Type LAN.

(Heads held in shame - Eds)

FANCY THAT!

A ditty from the Coach drivers Mag:

A man knocked on the pearly gates, face looking sad and old stood before the man of fate for entry to the fold.
What have you done down there, St Peter asked, to gain admission here?
I’ve driven a school bus, he said, for many a long year.
The pearly gates swung open wide and an Angel rang the bell.
Come in at once, St Peter said, you’ve had your share of hell!
 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Sue and Andrew,
Many thanks for your email. I am sorry not to have been back to you before now with an update, but I have been working here, there and everywhere over the last 4-6 weeks. Next week it is to rollicking Redcar and the glories of the Teesside Coast.
Ah, well, it keeps Doris the Daimler on the road!

Apropos my cylinder head.

To summarise: -

• I received no less than 23 different items of advice: 4 were from COWS members; 5 from the VSCC; 8 or 9 from DLOC (Daimler and Lanchester Owners Club); the remaining 5 or 6 from assorted sources. Not unsurprisingly, almost all the respondents had their own particular thoughts, opinions and, dare I say, prejudices, but a number of common themes emerged.

• Metal stitching has a place in engineering repair but only when the stitching can come into direct contact with good metal, on and at the same elevation on all sides of the stitch. Typically, a metal stitching repair is in the form of a cross and, providing there is good sound metal all around the stitch it can work. In my case, all the original cracks emanated from the plug sockets so, by definition, there was an end of one of the cross members that was not in direct contact with good metal.

• Another recommended method is the Pre-Heated Gas Fusion Welding technique used in safety critical repair situations such as utilities pipe work, undersea construction; high pressure loaded conduits etc. Twice, my wife and I drove down to Coalville in Leicestershire (apparently a centre of excellence for specialist engineering techniques) to meet with Harold Palmer of Cast Iron Welding Services Ltd. The company is long established; has ISO 9002 Quality Assurance and, more importantly, Lloyds Approved Certification for their work. The company is situated 5 miles from Junction 22 of the M1. The senior director, Harold Palmer, a man in his early 50's is a super guy and, quite frankly, what he doesn't know about metallurgy; metal-smithing; and metal repairs (Ali; Cast Iron; Malleable Iron; Bronze; Alloys etc) wouldn't cover a postage stamp. Harold made us very

welcome, showing my wife and I all around the works and showing us the various stages of the Pre-Heated Gas Fusion Welding Process.

• In summary, Harold gave me a quote which, whilst expensive, would have seen the almost re-manufacture of my cylinder head with extensive re-machining to exacting tolerances after the Gas Fusion Welding. I was tempted to let Harold do the work but, as a last alternative approach, I was able to locate a thoroughly reconditioned head, complete with new valves, guides compression spring etc., at a price, including fitting, of around £300 less that Harold's quote. Under the circumstances, I elected to have the recon head fitted (after I had had it tested over a 24 period to 80 psi) to make sure that it was as good as the seller said it was.

• The head was fitted around 4 weeks ago. After minor adjustments, I took the car on its first real test - a 157 mile round trip up into North Yorkshire, to Skipton, Grassington, and all points beyond. Trouble free throughout! Suppose that I have covered about 600 miles in the last month, all entirely trouble free.

Given that she has the very torquey Wilson epicyclical gearbox, and the smoothness of the semi-automatic gear selection, she will, for example, come up the 4-mile long incline from Junction 25 (Brighouse) to Junction 24 (Ainley Top) of the M62, four up, at a constant 55-60 mph in top gear. On the level, she will happily pull away in 3rd from a standing start and you can take her into top at around 7-8mph.

Including the initial metal stitching etc, the replacement of the cylinder head has set me back over £2,200. That's a hell of a lot of money for a fairly mundane 64 year old car but, the proof is in the pudding - she now goes like a dream- passing her 2003 MOT with flying colours last Wednesday.

I must stress the competence and helpfulness showed to me by Harold Palmer. Although, Harold didn't end up repairing my old head, I would have no hesitation in recommending him and his company to all COWS members faced with any metal related problems concerning their engine or the gearbox housings. As stated, the contact is Harold Palmer. The company is Cast Iron Welding Services Ltd. Their address is:
Samson Road, Hermitage Industrial Estate, Coalville,
Leicester LE67 8QT.

Contact/ Info details are:
Telephone: 01530 811308
Fax: 01530 835724
Email: hp@castironwelding.co.uk and the company’s website is www.castironwelding.co.uk

Harold is usually there by 7.30 am most mornings but, be aware, they close at 12.00 noon on a Friday. Obviously, they have their priorities right! Sorry to have been so long winded but you gave me such excellent coverage in the August edition (for which I thank you) that a full and detailed response was called for.

Best wishes and regards to all COWS members.

Sincerely,

Clive Farrand 

(thanks for letting us know the outcome, glad you have managed to sort things out!….Eds)
 

REUNION

This June (2003), The Dalesman Magazine published a picture of my 1934 Austin Seven Nippy Sports car. Two friends brought this to my attention and looking at the picture it was taken at Malham Show in 2000. In mid July Barbara and I set out in the car to join more Austins on tour into North Yorkshire. The most distant point was Aysgarth Falls.

A week later we took a holiday in the South West. When we returned, amongst the post was a letter from North Yorkshire Police.
This made us worry what we had done wrong.

On opening the letter we discovered that we had not offended, but a Mr

Palmer of Leyburn had seen the picture and was astonished to see that the number plate and car had belonged to him in the early 1930’s. He lived only 50 miles away from us, though the car number belonged to Bristol. The police are not allowed to tell him who I am however could inform me of the inquiry.

There had always been a problem over the history of the car as it was registered in 1938 and Bristol had destroyed the old records and we did not have a log book. After exchanging letters and phone calls we went to visit him at his home. He was the first owner of the car and was delighted to see it again. He showed us some pictures of the car, including one with a young lady who later became his wife, sadly no longer alive. The puzzle of the number was resolved because he had lived in Bristol at that time. The car was red from the factory with a stone guard for the radiator and no Austin script badge, He still has his local club badge that can just be seen on one of his pictures.

To complete the record we took pictures of the first and latest owners with the car. All of us were delighted to have made the connection and we hope to see them again.

Alan McCormick

Thanks Alan, what a truly delightful tale, – can anyone match that? Eds

August 2003 - No 161

CHAIRMAN’S CHAT

Dear Friend’s,

We are more than half way through the season but hasn’t the weather been kind to us.

I would like to thank all the members who helped us set up for Broughton Hall this year, their help was greatly appreciated and also my thanks to those who manned the COWS tent on the day.

One of our members has been in the wars when a car came out of a side road into the side of their Ford Anglia when they were on the way to Newby Hall. I am talking about Sue Gardner and Chris Hargreaves. I understand Sue was quite badly bruised and the last I heard they were waiting to hear whether their beloved car had been written off. We hope Sue is on the mend and that the future of their car turns out to have a happy ending after all. It just shows that we can be as careful as anything with our vehicles; it’s other drivers we have to worry about.

Chris & Sue very kindly organised the Trip and Sip events, however, due to lack of support these are being discontinued. This is a pity because I know that those that did attend, the same few, thoroughly enjoyed them.

Talking of things discontinued, I have had to cancel the ‘classic vehicle’ element of the Hartlepool Lifeboat weekend, due to lack of interest.

However, I have been asked to resurrect the Whitby Run weekend. Having assessed the situation, I believe that we would need 35 vehicles to make the weekend a viable and suitably attractive run to generate funds for the Lifeboat. If you would genuinely like me to do the run next year please get a message to me ASAP. I understand that one of the problems members had previously was the unwillingness of B&B’s to let rooms for one night. I have been introduced to a Whitby Pub Landlord who is interested enough to help us secure accommodation for one night. If the run goes ahead it will be on 5th/6th June 2004.

It was great to see so many friends and COWS members at Ripon Old Cars Clotherholme Farm event. I went along to help marshall and ended up helping to judge! Len Wadsworth made us all so welcome.


 

EDITORIAL
Many thanks for all your recent contributions to the magazine and the website. You are all spared the further adventures of Josephine, for the time being anyway! Secondly apologies for the lateness of this issue of the magazine, we have had two computer malfunctions, (operator malfunction I should say really!). We are up and running again with just the loss of the contents of our email being the only thing we were unable to completely recover. (I now realise the importance of backing up data on separate disk, and will follow my own advice from now on!) Therefore, if you have emailed any details for the for sale/wanted section, and they are not in this month’s magazine, would you please send them again.

Our ‘system’ is to print out such e-mails as soon as we get them and put them in the appropriately marked box. However, this method is not foolproof if each of us thinks the other has printed the e-mail out! So we apologise unreservedly if we have missed items, and will add them to the website ASAP and put them in the next magazine of course. I don’t think you ever stop learning with computers!

On a happier note, Sue and I had a very pleasant few days around the Scottish Borders in Josephine during week two of our summer holiday, covering about 400 miles in all. We are at present starting on the starting handle until we bottom the starter motor fiasco. When it’s all sorted out we will tell the whole story, and I would not like to hand crank any car larger than 1179cc, it’s too much like hard work when it’s cold!

I have found that she starts first time even from cold recently though, as well as hand priming the fuel pump prior to starting, if you give 2 or three pumps on the accelerator mechanism on the carb at the same time, this makes sure that there is fuel in the cylinders and she fires first time, remembering of course that the hand brake is on and it’s in neutral. I wonder how many accidents happened in years gone by with people being run down by their own cars?

Also Susan has learned some new expletives from the exercise so it’s not all bad!

Susan & Andrew Naylor
 

CLUB COMMITTEE POSTS …

In the October edition of the magazine you will find a flyer to enable you to nominate club officials to be voted for at the next AGM. We are still in need of a Treasurer. All enquires welcome, even if you can only do the job for a year.

WELCOMES

Welcome to the following members who have joined COWS this month:

1310 D Bonham Hunsworth
1311 S Oddy Pudsey
1312 G Wood Ripon
1313 J Tinker Bunnsall
1314 J Follows Calverley
1315 W N Hutton Horsforth
1316 J Beavan Austwick
1317 N Osborn Skipton
1318 M Bell Barnoldswick
1319 A Shackleton Barnoldswick
1320 C Vasey Whitby
1321 J Hurl Sowerby Bridge
1322 P G Kitching Saltaire
1323 G Duce Longwood
1324 C Dixon Pudsey

BOND WIDOWS LAMENT!

Oh I’m only a Bond owner’s widow,
And were not even married yet,
But think that this summers the summer
I’ll surely live to regret!

The work that began as a weeks worth,
Like Topsy it’s growed and growed,
I think it was last years long tripping,
Pulling all of us proved quite a load

There are cracks and so on in the bulkhead,
Some holes in the bonnet and boot,
Those jobs that seemed good twenty years past
Are not really going to suit!

I’m only a Bond owner’s widow,
and I’m even wearing a ring
I’ll think I’ll move into the garage,
For better or worse that’s the thing
 

Juliet Watson  (Johnson one day!)

FANCY THAT!

Having a bad day? Whilst working on his beloved vintage motor cycle on the patio, his wife saw him burst through the glass patio doors into the lounge whilst trying to remain hold of the handle bars. it had slipped into gear accidentally, with engine running! He laid cut and bleeding on the floor. Emergency services were called. While the paramedics were loading him into the ambulance she righted the bike and blotted up the spilt petrol and put it in the toilet. Upon the man’s return he looked at the shattered patio door and damaged bike. He went into the bathroom and consoled himself with a cigarette while attending his business. About to stand, he disposed of the tab end between his legs. The wife who was in the kitchen heard a loud explosion and her husband screaming.

Finding him lying on the floor with his trousers blown away and burns on his buttocks, legs and groin she once again called the ambulance. The same paramedics turned up and as they carried him out asked her how it happened. They both started laughing so much that one paramedic stumbled, the man fell off the stretcher down a small step and broke his left hand.

Still having a bad day? A couple were in the middle of extensive house renovations, the woman came home to find her husband in the kitchen shaking frantically, with a wire running from his waist towards the electric kettle. Intending to jolt him free of the deadly current she whacked him with a handy plank of wood, breaking his arm in two places. Up until that moment he had been happily listening to his Walkman!

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Sue and Andrew,
We have been discussing the future of the “Trip and Sip” events and have decided not to organise any more. April had 7 members (including Sue and Pam), with May’s meeting attracting 11. This type of meeting is obviously not wanted by the membership. Also just a short note to let all our wonderful COWS friends know that we really appreciate all the "get well" messages and offers of support after our unfortunate car accident in our Ford Anglia 105E whilst en-route to Newby Hall. Both my mum's (Pam Gardner) and our telephone have never stopped ringing since the news quickly filtered through to everybody. We really are lucky to have so many great people to call our friends and we send our huge thanks to you all,
love
Sue & Chris.

Dear Editors,
I write to tell you that I was both surprised and delighted (!) when attending the annual COWS dinner at Steeton Hall last, I was awarded the Hughes Trophy for contributions to the magazine last year. In fact, it did more than that it shut me up!

Thinking that you might be looking for some future copy, I am sending you a prime example of why I no longer have any time for the present form of motoring journalism, whether this be the television or media press, your present and quite excellent publication excepted of course!

(oh go on then, we will print the rest….Eds)

This lengthy article featured in the Daily Telegraph Motoring Supplement, and if you can be bothered to read every word, it’s all about where to put your hands on the steering wheel of your car to remain fully in control at all times. If this were dated 1st April, I would naturally assume it to be some kind of a joke, but no it’s not and is actually at the centre of a heated debate with (of course) the hidden implication of an appropriate legal sanction if you fail to comply.

Well words fail me. If we were crashing into each other with monotonous regularity, and it transpired that the way one holds the steering wheel was in some way to blame then I might be more sympathetic, but it occurs to me that more accidents are caused through inattention –distractions like turning tapes/cd’s etc, talking to a mobile, lighting up, reaching for a mint, picking your nose(?) than could ever be the result of holding a wheel in a position other than ten-to-two or changing your grip when you felt like it.

Is this all that motoring holds for us now? Are our lives so sterile that the only topics worth discussing are to do with the position of your hands on the steering wheel? And it seems that driving with one hand on the wheel is now almost (technically) a hanging offence! But vot about zer loss of control? Surely it eez not pozeeble to remain properly in control viz only zer von hand on zer steernin veel! Eez crazy, no?ha

Well actually Mr Europhile, I have it on quite good authority that the Civil Aviation Authority have yet to insist that aircrew fly with two hands on the control wheel/joystick , and you may be interested to know that the majority of aircraft (which are actually considerably harder to control than the modern automobile) are flown and landed with just one hand (Not always the same hand either) There is as yet no plan to complicate the control systems still further- or insist that a pilot develop a third limb – so for the time being these other kinds of mundane tasks such as navigation and changing radio frequency will have to be performed simultaneously.

So while aircrews get on with the business of flying us around the world, the real issues are being debated in the motoring press….

Best wishes.
John Johnson

(Like Arnie might say “He’ll be back” ………….....but next month!........ Eds)

WEDDING CAR

A young lady by the name of Janice Rodgers is getting married on Friday 12th September 2003, at Hebden Methodist Church, near Grassington. She would like a car to take her from home in the village to Hebden Methodist Church, about two hundred yards away, then after the service to the wedding reception at Connistone Hall on the A65 at Connistone Cold.

If anyone can help please contact Janet on 01604 456173


  N.P.T.R.  2003 RALLY REPORT 

Friday 6th June dawned very wet but by lunchtime was dry and overcast. Due to a late finish at work we did not leave until mid afternoon, so decided to take the main roads to Llandudno i.e. the M65, M6 and A55, arriving in warm sunshine at about 5.45pm. We booked into our hotel the St George, which is the oldest and possibly largest in Llandudno, and got washed and changed for dinner. Sixty four of us sat to an excellent three course meal, followed by tea and coffee. After the meal everybody had an enjoyable evening talking and drinking in the bar until bed time.

Saturday 7th June we awoke to a beautiful sunny morning and had a very good buffet breakfast. Afterwards some of us had a brisk walk to the ski slope, whilst others, (the less energetic) had a car ride, where a Toboggan trophy run was organised. This was to consist of two timed runs down the cresta course with a trophy for the fastest competitor, however because of technical problems, the trophy had to be awarded on style. We were then due to go to the top of the Orme by cable car, but owing to more problems, we had to go by tram where a buffet lunch was provided in the visitor centre. After lunch we descended again by tram and had a few hours to ourselves! After being dragged around the shops we returned to the hotel to prepare for another excellent meal, presentation of awards and revelry in the bar.

Sunday 8th June the morning was quite wet but this was to be to our advantage. The seagulls had been using our cars for target practice throughout the night, and we found the results of their night bombing fairly easy to remove! After breakfast and cleaning duties, we were handed our run sheet and clues for the treasure hunt, which covered 32.5 miles of scenic countryside, finishing in Felin Isaf Mill, a water mill, again in bright sunshine, which was closed for our party to partake of lunch. Afterwards prizes were awarded for the hunt and we had a look around the mill, said our goodbyes and headed for home. We arrived home about seven o’ clock after a very enjoyable weekend.

Bill Heywood

BROUGHTON HALL CLASS WINNERS

1900-30, R Edge, 1927 Austin 7
1930-39, W Glee, 1934 Mera
1940-49, D Normanshire, 1946 Standard 8
1950-59, T J Brown, 1951 Pontiac
1960-69, A Robb, 1967 Daimler Jag
1970-70, R Roberts, 1978 Mercedes
Light Commercial Vehicle, Mr G.B. Deighton, Morris 8 Z Type LAN

Congratulations to all.

HELP NEEDED!

Dear Susan and Andrew,

I am a relatively new COWS member, I have a serious problem with my car and I will be grateful if COWS colleagues can help or advise me.

Firstly, details of my car: -

• It is a 1939 Daimler Fifteen 2.5 litre DB18-1, chassis number 46911.

• It has a four-light "Sports" saloon body numbered BNDB 7321.

• It has six cylinder engine, with the low 5.5:1 compression cylinder head, numbered 90549

Now, to my problem: -

Since acquiring the car, I have only managed to drive her less than 200 miles on account of water penetration into the combustion chambers of all six cylinders.

As a result of this penetration, I have had the cylinder head removed by a competent mature Motor Engineer. Fortunately, the valves, the valve guides and the inlet ports were in good condition. Additionally, the main engine block, the con rods, tappets, rockers etc all appear to be in good condition. The only obvious problem was the water penetration from the (un-pressurised) water jacket to the cylinder head compression chambers.

The head was sent to an Engine Reconditioning Specialist company who, on pressure testing the head to 50 psi, found 11 major cracks in the top of the cylinder head compression chambers, the majority of these cracks running from the Spark Plug Socket to either the Inlet or the Exhaust Ports.

This company called in a specialist Cast Repair Engineer who has metal-stitched all the accessible cracks. Some of his work was done in my presence and he appears to have done a good job as far as he could. Subsequently, the damaged exhaust valve seats of the previously applied inserts were removed and replaced by the Engine Reconditioning Specialist company. However, when they pressure tested the repaired head to just 20 psi, new cracks became evident, mainly beneath the newly applied inserts, in places inaccessible to further metal stitching.

The Engine Specialist company suggested that my Motor Engineer re-assemble the engine and apply the American-produced Silver Seal Ionised Ceramic Block Seal repair process via the water jacket. This process has been applied twice, over two days, at my Motor Engineers, with me being present throughout both processes. Sadly, it has not worked, and water continues to leak into all six cylinder head combustion chambers, result in the engine being unusable.

Possible Solutions: -

In addition to being a member of COWS, I am a member of the Daimler and Lanchester Owners Club (DLOC) and the Vintage Sports Car Club (VSCC). I have asked everyone I can think of for advice, even to the extent of approaching participating competitors at the VSCC meeting at Cadwell Park the other day. As a result of this trawl for advice, my options, in priority, appear to be: -

1. Ask Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust if they can offer technical advice or, better still, offer a physical solution for the restoration, repair or replacement of my "sick" cylinder head.

2. Consider a form of workbench-based, head off, specialist ceramic impregnation of the water jacket element of the cylinder head. Various people have suggested this approach, but no one can give me the names of companies who carry out this work. Does any COWS member have suggestions?

3. Try to locate a (non-porous) second-hand low compression head. Problematical, given that only a few hundred of these DB18-1 heads were made before the war and that only a very few remain.

4. Explore the cost/availability of a batch-cast replacement head, although I am not aware of the availability of a small batch of such heads. (I believe that a one-off cast new head would be prohibitively expensive)

5. Consider the availability/cost of removing the entire Pre-WW11 low compression engine unit and replacing it with a Post-WW11 higher (7:1) compression engine unit. Very much a "last resort", as I don't want to detract from the originality of the car.

In the last 3 weeks I have spent well in excess of £1,200 trying to have these water leaks cured without success and, as you will appreciate, I am feeling somewhat despondent at the moment.

Any help or advice that you, or our COWS colleagues, can give me will be very gratefully received.
Sincerely,

Clive Farrand
Tel: 01484 657583 Mobile: 07732 302370 Email: farrand@huddfld.fsnet.co.uk
 

We have published this letter in detail as we hope that there maybe some help out there for Clive among our army of COWS members...EDS


FRAUDULENT BUYERS

We were concerned to read a letter in the classic motoring press about possible fraudulent attempts to acquire vehicles from club websites.

The prospective purchaser appears to be from Nigeria and agrees to buy the car for the full price, sends a cheque for more money and asks to be refunded the difference through their shippers! Having agreed to the vendor waiting for the cheque to clear, the purchaser started to apply pressure and be very threatening once the cheque had been banked saying the ship was about to leave etc. For more information see ‘June 2003 Intelligence Briefings’ page on www.met.police.uk/fraudalert/

April 2003 - No 160

Chairman's Chat
Dear Friend’s, Since the last magazine, we have had the sad news of the death of two of our members, Ray Pritchard and Jack Poole. Our thoughts are with their families. By the time you read this, Jack’s run to Castle Howard will have taken place and I hope that you had a good day. Unfortunately, I had to miss out on that run and will miss the West Coast Run due to other commitments. I hope the weather is kind to you on 18th May and I look forward to seeing you at club nights when you can tell me what great days out I have missed. In the event that anyone cannot make the run on 18th May but has some time in the afternoon spare, I am the organiser of a fund raising event at St. Andrews Church in Skipton. The Marske Fisherman’s Choir will perform and the proceeds from the event will be split equally between the RNLI and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Tickets are £5 or £3 for concessions and it starts at 2.00 p.m. and lasts a couple of hours. John Ogden (John let slip on the phone that he has had a slight mishap tidying up his beard and has had to shave it off, so be warned
 

….. John will be ‘in disguise’ at April’s club night…. Sorry John couldn’t resist, Eds.)

Welcomes
Welcome to the following members who have joined COWS this month: 1297 C Farrand Huddersfield 1298 D Butler Oakworth 1299 R W Barker Trawden 1300 A P Morrell Ilkley 1301 M Driver Steeton We hope you enjoy your membership and reading our bi-monthly scribbles. Oh by the way, the initiation ceremony to join COWS proper is to send in an article for the next issue of the magazine after your name has been printed! (We’re not proud, we’ll try any trick in the book, Eds. It was April 1st when I typed this!)

Editorial
Hello again, where is the year disappearing to already! Jack’s run under our belts means the season is off to a flying start. Sorry we missed it but Susan was on a short (belated birthday) break with her mother and club member Dulcie Gardner visiting the Lost Gardens of Heligan, the Eden Project and lunch at Rick Stein’s Restaurant. Andrew and Father-in-law left looking after themselves and the cats. Despite two out of the party of three being old car nuts it was concluded that it was a bit far to go in Josephine (OK where is our spirit of adventure …..) Well our spirit of adventure is planning to take Josephine Northward to Scotland in the summer. We thought we would set off and see where we ended up. It’s years since either of us went to Scotland ‘properly’, i.e. not just a weekend in the borders. So ... if anyone knows of any ‘old car friendly’ places to stay please do get in touch. Which I suppose could be an item for the next edition of the magazine … has anyone come across particularly nice places to stay with an old car? Usually the number one criteria is secure off street parking, another might be tolerance to revving engines in the mornings, thermos flask filling service perhaps, as well as the more basic requirement – clean and tidy rooms. Do let us know and we can all share our experiences. So that leads onto another plea, if you do not want to be reading a blow by blow account of our trip to Scotland in the August, October & December issues of the magazine – send us some material to print – please. We cannot be the only members taking their old vehicle on holiday this year. Don’t be bashful! Thanks to Alan’s peg tip (page 4) it reminds us of one of many amazing fixtures the late Joe Gardner used to concoct. We recall him assisting one entrant on the Bradford to Morecambe run with a pebble and a piece of bailer twine - don’t ask us what it was for, all we remember was it worked and enabled the car to finish the rally from the Whoop Hall coffee stop. Then there was another time on the Whitby run that one of the Simpson clan had a problem with his carburettor, yours truly (this time) got some bits from the Chandlers and we fixed it on the pier! Next time we saw him we asked if he had got it fixed properly but no, the bodged repair was holding …. How long did it stay on – Brian can you remember, was it two or four years? Come on – there must be some similar stories our there – let’s have all your ‘running repair’ stories and prove how ingenious we Northerners are! Plus you never know your ingenuity could help a fellow enthusiast get home.
Susan & Andrew Naylor

QUICK QUIZ When you spend £10 on unleaded petrol, how much goes straight to the government in taxes and duty?
 a) £2.50 b) £4.50 c) £6.50 d) £8.50

What is the overall rate of tax on unleaded petrol?
a) over 5% b) over 50% c) over 500% d) over 5000%

Answers, bottom of page 8

Fancy That... Heard of Friends Reunited? How about Classic Cars reunited, think I’m joking? I have found (without looking too hard) three web sites offering to put you in touch with your old banger and/or give you some history on your car. Some of the sites are in their infancy but as one site puts it – from small acorns … www.longlostcars.co.uk
www.drivearchive.co.uk
www.classic-cars-reunited.co.uk

All the sites require that you register your details and/or part with a small amount of money – of course!

Who’s says Italians can’t Drive? The speed limit on Italian 3 lane motorways is to be raised from 130 km/h to 150 km/h (93mph) from 1st January 2004. Italian transport minister Pietro Lunardi stated "All psychologists and doctors say people who go faster drive better and are more careful. Only 9% of fatal accidents were caused by speeding. Where it is safe to go faster, it is the right thing to do."

Survival guide Britain’s 2.5 million or so white van drivers now have a survival guide aimed at helping them to cope with the pressures of work, and of being motoring’s Public Enemy No 1. The guide advises Van Man to “drive as if you will meet yourself coming the other way, be courteous and careful”. Produced jointly by RoadSafe and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, it includes this advice for all road users: be doubly wary of rental vans because, driven by inexperienced drivers, they are even more likely to do something daft.

Happy Birthday Ford Ford’s latest model is . . . the Model T. In a time-warp move and 95 years since the Model T first appeared, Ford has built six new Model Ts identical to the original. It has taken two years and the help of 250 engineers and suppliers to source and make parts for the 2003 Model Ts. More than 15 million Model Ts were built. The T revolutionised our world and the six “new” models will be seen at events this year as Ford celebrates its 100th birthday.

Myth: Speeding is always more heavily punished than driving slowly Section 145 of the Highway Code says: “Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.” Driving in such a manner can be deemed to be careless and inconsiderate, and can carry a penalty of between 3 and 9 penalty points and a fine of up to £2,500.

Right Speed, Wrong Speed Solihull Council have admitted that a 30mph speed limit that has been in force for 15 years should have been a 40mph limit. Drivers prosecuted for exceeding the limit may have recourse to compensation and removal of any points on their licence. The road in question is the B4118 between Castle Bromwich and Water Orton which crosses the M6 on the north-eastern outskirts of Birmingham.

Quick Quiz: d) £8.50 c) over 500%

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS Movin’ on Having offered for sale my collection and major DIY classic car care equipment in the February issue of the magazine and mindful of rumours concerning our departure from Yorkshire to return to our roots in East Anglia, we feel it would be prudent to provide an explanation for these actions. We are both beyond the three score years and ten ‘year stone’ of our lives, which have been enhanced beyond our expectations during the 14 years of life in Yorkshire and our membership of COWS since 1992. Whilst we are still reasonably active and fit enough we hope to withstand the horrendous pressures and stress of moving ‘house’. We owe it to our family, relatives and life long friends to move much nearer to them should we need succour in later years. Our plans have recently changed and been brought forward somewhat in that we are moving this July not next as we first thought. As most of you are aware we sold the Zephyr and the Indian Enfield during 2000, both vehicles were conceived in an era of motoring with which I am most familiar, the 1950’s and 60’s. My apprenticeship to motor engineering was passed dealing with pre WWII cars and lorries for the most part. After 3 years in the RAF, I took a job in a garage that dealt with BMC vehicles and later on was employed at one serving the Rootes Group. Thus many new technologies were experienced that stood me in good stead when rebuilding and maintaining my own vehicles. It was a move from the motor-trade to hydraulic control systems engineering that brought us to Yorkshire in 1989. My health dictated events of late, the most unpleasant being the intermittent attacks of vertigo when walking about! The effects of surgery to replace both hips and repairs to other bits, the diabetes and the arthritis can all be managed and do not disable me but the loss of balance does and can. We now accept the fact that we run a car that someone else services every year or 10,000 miles or so and a good thing too. I truly do not miss the ‘thrill’ of crawling about under the old Zephyr to keep it going year after year and in days gone by it really was a thrill. I do hope there are a few young classic car enthusiasts who will have to learn by their experience of DIY car maintenance and repairs to keep alive the various skills needed to change a half shaft, set differential gears, rebuild engines … Here’s strength to their arms and backs in the future. Anne joins me in sending this message.
Roger Price

Insurance at shows and runs. I was recently asked to recruit entries for a static exhibition. When I asked the person who seemed to be in charge of the event about insurance for the participants the answer was ‘I had not thought of that’. So I am not recruiting any entries till I am satisfied that there is suitable cover. Any body who is trying to enlist entries for any event must satisfy one of the club officers BEFORE placing any entry forms on the table at meetings.
Alan McCormick, Club Secretary
 OBITUARY It is with sadness that we have to report the death of Jack Poole on the twentieth of February at the age of 80. He had been a member of COWS for over 20 years and used to be known for his immaculate large touring cars and as a source of bits and pieces. He was always ready to help with advice, and to instil enthusiasm. I remember visiting him to buy a pair of fog lamps for our MG. I shall remember him each time I use the car. In recent times he had to reduce his activities due to poor health. His funeral was pleasant and stylish, as he was in life. Alan McCormick TRAVELS IN A BOND part 2 Time was moving on apace so we loaded up and headed for Lymington, (remind us never to go through the New Forest again as we had problems both ways in Lyndhurst resulting in car overheating!) We reached the ferry in good time and travelled over as a motor cycle combination, (book in advance) without question. The journey across the Island was uneventful, as there had been an accident, so we took the back roads. Who was the person in our car who thought the Isle of Wight had few hills! We reached the campsite and as the first to arrive had a choice of pitch. The only thing on the field when we arrived was the exhibition centre. What a stroke of genius this was, not only did it give us a rendezvous point throughout the week but it also provided a fridge for those in tents without such luxuries! Our organisers soon made an appearance and from the outset may I say that this rally was brilliantly well organised from start to finish, (thanks Arlene, David and Paul), we had a wonderful week. Friday was not an official rally day so we spent it watching planes and organising a flight for John later in the week, a chance to put some time in his log book and fly an interesting plane. Then into Ryde so Nicky could enjoy some rides and make a few sandcastles. The campsite could not be bettered, not only did it have all facilities but it was just near a large Tesco’s which did very reasonable meals so I had a rest from using the two burners on a couple of occasions. Fortunately, also there were no scooters allowed – this was very important as there were about a thousand (at least), on their annual rally, the weekend we arrived! Saturday The first official day of the rally dawned and people were arriving all the time. We set off for our first run to Cowes. Unfortunately Steve Pepper’s Schmitt soon developed problems and by the time we’d stopped to help we saw very little of Cowes, John and I have, however, been before. There were lots of things organised for the children on this rally, which was super, and may I again express our gratitude to the McNeices. Sunday This saw us visiting St Catherine’s Lighthouse including a trip up the lighthouse tower and a guided tour. Lunch had been pre- arranged at the Buddle Inn and was very enjoyable. The run continued along the coast road taking in some wonderful views. (the IOW is also home of Minghellas ice cream – the best in the country! - John). In the evening we went to the IOW steam railway where we had a free trip on “an evening special” followed by a ride on an old steam driven carousel! All part of the rally as we were to take part in the Island Steam Show the following day. Monday It was off to the Steam Show where there was lot’s to see and do and we even took our own turn around the arena! The Bond was running on new plug cap (no suppressor) given to us by Paul Smith (a most unusual engagement present!) Tuesday into Godshill, which is very picturesque, if a little trippy. Then it was back to Newport where we could have gone to the bus or boat museum, but didn’t, preferring instead to explore Newport. We then made a trip to Newtown which is an old haunt of ours completing the day very nicely. Wednesday and it was the famous Needles, Battery and Alum bay where Nicky filled the ubiquitous item with coloured sand. Nicky and I had a bus trip around the island in the evening (again all part of this excellent rally) while John went off for that flight in an old bi-plane. Thursday saw us sampling wine at the local vineyard and then off to Ventnor and the challenge of “the hill” the scene of many motoring events and hill climbs once held on the island. The Bond managed very well and we took in a lovely beach at St Helens on the way home. Throughout the week we had lot’s of entertainment in the form of quizzes, Bingo and videos. Many thanks to all who contributed. Friday brought what was really the first rain of the week and we had to pack up! The exhibition centre once more came into it’s own as we were able to drive underneath and pack in relative dryness. We sailed back to Lymington and then made up to Aylesbury for the National Microcar rally this year organised by the Isetta Owners Club. In spite of the cost(which was rather high) we really enjoyed ourselves, particularly the barbecue and band on Saturday. The Sunday was very good too. Sunday afternoon saw us on our way North once again. A straight forward journey really with few problems except tiredness, the Bond coping with a 6 hour- 200 mile trip in it’s usual determined fashion. So weary and cold we arrived home after three weeks away and having covered 1263 miles in all! Juliet Watson p.s. for those of a technical mind and interested in 2 strokes - the plug problem was finally resolved when I figured out that the “new” oil I had bought especially for the trip was sensitive to the amount that I was mixing into petrol. Unlike previous oils, if I ran any richer than a strict 20:1, the plug lasted little more than 100 miles or so! A very expensive oil it turned out to be!
John Johnson

Considering hiring your car out for film & TV work? If you are serious, register with more than one firm and beware those that want to charge you a fee to register. Always clarify the insurance value of the car first with the agent. Remember that if you are hiring the car you’ll have to upgrade your insurance from social, domestic and driving to and from work. These firms regularly supply the TV and film industries: Central Film Facilities 01694 781 418 TLO Vehicles in Action 01753 862 637 AK Vintage Vehicles 01306 886 496 Action Cars 020 8863 6889 The Classic Car Agency 01306 731 052 Ray Tomkinson’s Cabs 01204 361 462 Props R Cars 01207 529 089 Bikes on Film 020 7229 8882 Miller’s Action Vehicles 020 8908 5515

February 2003 -  No 159

Chairman's Chat
Dear Friend’s, having given my written thank you’s for the last newsletter thinking it was my last column as Chairman, here I am again. What can I say? I was delighted to see some old faces (I am sure they will forgive me the ‘old’) both back on the committee, (after all there is nothing like experience) and turning up at the AGM. I would like to take this opportunity for thanking Ann and Dale Efemy for organising Broughton Hall for the past two years. Also my thanks to retiring committee members: Bob Bentley (who also acted as Vice Chair), Maurice Jennison and Ken Swindles. Since the last issue of the magazine we were saddened to hear of the death of Jean Harrison, our thoughts are with Jim. We have a full year of events ahead of us with Jack setting the standard with his run on 6th April to Castle Howard. Having seen the excellent turnout for the AGM I look forward to meeting members old and new in the months to come.

Welcomes
Welcome to the following members who have joined COWS this month:

1289 P BRADLEY BRIERFIELD
1290 K DRAKE HOLMFIRTH
1291 M JOHNSON HAWORTH
1292 T HYND BRADFORD
1293 A GOLDEN BLACKBURN
1294 A JOHNSON BRADFORD
1295 M KAVANAGH OXENHOPE
1296 G McHUGH FARNHILL

Subscription Reminder
 Please note that it is now membership renewal time; our membership year
is 01/01-31/12 Please send your subs to Mike Naylor, his address is given on page1. It’s a mere £6.00 if received by the end of February, after that date it is £8.00. (Gordon Bennett!) YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED (Susan, where’s the cheque book?)!

Editorial
We love this time of year if for no other reason than Spring is approaching, nights are getting lighter and there seems be so much to look forward to; look at the back page for a start. Jack’s Run always gets the rally season off to a good start and it would appear (see Jack’s item on page 4) that he has come up trumps again.

Talking about coming up trumps, I think that the 65+ members who turned out for the AGM will agree that our new meeting place gave us a warm welcome. The décor is very nice, we heard lots of positive comments about the taste of the beer even if there were a couple of grumbles about the cost – hey we can’t have everything and as a non beer drinkers (that night anyway!) we thought the venue was delightful. Another delightful part of the evening was to hear that John Ogden had agreed to stand as Chairman of the club for another year. It was great to see old friends at the AGM and Paul Wooding’s film show was fascinating – where does he get them from, we were taken back to the heady racing days of Fangio and the Nuremberg ring among other things. We were also pleased to see Jim Harrison there among supportive friends following the tragic loss of his wife to cancer. Please see his letter and tribute on page 7.

Talking of letters we were pleased to receive a back copy of Wolseley World from member Mike Stanley. It is always interesting to see what other clubs put in their magazines, how they lay out the content etc. We have got so many details of events that we have not had the space to include the full Club Regalia section. It is good to see there has been some spring cleaning going – the For Sale page has overflowed too! It is good to see the Committee Members table on page 1 full. So it seems that we have a great deal to look forward to; we hope you agree.

Susan & Andrew Naylor

Jack Hooper's Run - Sunday 6th April
 The run will start at Steeton Hall, (coffee will be available from 10.00am), which is situated on the road between the first traffic lights on the old road from Keighley to Skipton and the first roundabout from Keighley on the dual carriageway A629 to Skipton.

        Steeton Hall
COWS New Venue is Steeton Hall Hotel. It's just off the A629 up the road from the railway station. The full address and contact details are as follows:
Steeton Hall Hotel, Station Road, Steeton,
Keighley BD20 6RY
Tel: 01535 655676,

The destination is Castle Howard near Malton in North Yorkshire.
       
It is possible to get a full breakfast if you wish and also overnight accommodation if you want to make more of a break of the event by staying overnight. For further information see me at meetings or telephone me on 01535 272 571 or contact Steeton Hall on: 01535 655676   

As well as the 18th century house at Castle Howard there are extensive grounds and gardens, fountains, playground, exhibitions and cafe.
Reserved parking and reduced admission fees are expected.

                       
                                                               Castle Howard

The suggested route is from Steeton to Ilkley, Blubberhouses and Middleton crossing the river Ouse by the toll bridge (15p) at Aldwark. Then via Easingwold and the Howardian Hills to Castle Howard.
If your old car is off the road, come in the everyday one.
Ask your friends to come along also if they wish.

Looking forward to seeing you, just turn up at Steeton Hall.

Jack Hooper

Letter to the Editors

Dear Susan & Andrew
Please find enclosed items for possible future use in the COWS magazine. I also enclose a copy of Wolseley World which contains an article on a trip made to Ireland. This is in relation to your upcoming item on the trip to the Isle of Wight. On the Irish Trip we covered 1389 miles in 12 days! I look forward to seeing you again during the coming year, certainly at Broughton but hopefully at other COWS events.
Best wishes
Mike Stanley
(Sounds like we have a competition brewing here, John Johnson covered 1,263 miles over 3 weeks, so Mike you are the winner at the moment.
Unless any other member knows different? … Eds.)

Dear Susan & Andrew
Please can you insert the enclosed advert in the magazine. We are clearing out in readiness for our move back to East Anglia. Thank you, yours sincerely, Ann & Roger Price
(Happy to do so) Roger, you have really swelled the for sale column – see page 9. Best wishes for the move, hope the distance will result in you sending us some
“Tales from the East”? … Ed's)

Motor Models
After passing a model shop several times and noticing that the front window was crammed with model cars I finally made it inside and had a look around. It’s very impressive with a huge range of model cars. Managing to locate a model of our everyday car as well as another Sunbeam Alpine in white, to add to Susan’s growing selection. Well I tell her it’s her collection anyway! The point is if you are in the market for a model of your classic this could be a good place to visit. The shop is in Main Street, Boston Spa. There will be a new website launching in mid February with an awful lot of completely new models so check out the website as well if you can at www.motormodels.com

Travels in a Bond
Monday the glorious 12th, and no we are not getting out our guns to go and shoot some hapless bird on the local moors, but loading up the Bond for our marathon trip down South. By mid day we had packed everything in, sleeping bags stowed safely under the dash and the three of us cosily ensconced on the front seat! We started the engine only to find it racing out of control, a wiggle here and there released whatever was jammed and we were away. We steamed along the A629 towards Bradford then picked up the A650 to Wakefield. Once into Wakefield it was the A61 and everything seemed to be going swimmingly................................................
Then the problems started, the engine began to misfire then just as we made Barnsley it stopped. All hands on deck to push her through the traffic lights and off the road. “”Ah well there’s always a silver lining, it’s about lunchtime anyway”. We enjoyed our sandwiches in less than salubrious surroundings, and then John set about finding the problem. The usual elderly gent stopped to inform us “He’d once had one like that”, meanwhile John fitted a new spark plug and once again we were off! Problem easily solved or so we thought.
It’s not a good thing to be too confident because Sheffield saw us stuttering once more. “Is it the oil” John muttered “or what?” “Why don’t you try another spark plug?” I suggested brightly, lot’s more muttering but eventually another spark plug was fitted and away we went. We positively purred along the A38 through Derby with some nostalgia, as this was my stamping ground in college days. “We are doing really well” said John “but we could do with some fuel so we‘ll pull off at Coleshill” “great we can ring Auntie Margery and let her know we are nearly in Coventry”. You may have already guessed it! Our trusty friend did not want to start after our fuel stop, and in addition to this someone had left his address book at home so we couldn’t ring Auntie Margery either. Much scratching of heads, (7pm by now)…….the spark plug cover! Inspiration at last, so a little ingenuity, and a piece of wire and we were purring along again. Half an hour later we were sitting in AMs front room, never has a G&T tasted so good! Day 2 saw us enjoying the sights of Coventry.

The Cathedral is one “modern” building you should see. It seems to exude peace and hope. The large stained glass window giving the feeling of the bursting of light into an otherwise dark world. I know the place you will want to visit is the transport museum, an excellent collection including Thrust 2, it’s free as well! Day 3 We were on the road again still happily running on our piece of wire not having been able to find a car spares shop in Coventry, …strange that. We battled along to Kenilworth, then stopped, picked up a new plug cap and set out to explore the castle. It really is well worth the trip, wonderful red stone and an interesting history, including a Royal visitor in the form of Queen Elizabeth I. The Bond leapt into life once more and we headed for the Cotswolds. Too good to be true of course as we ground to a halt again, the new plug cap obviously did not agree with the old engine so it was back to our effective piece of wire, we just hoped it wouldn’t rain ! Later in the day we pulled on to a campsite in the small attractive village of Long Compton. Four days in the Cotswolds was not enough and we will definitely call again. Highlights being Stow on the Wold, Bourton-on-the-water, Evesham and Blenheim Palace. The food was wonderful, as long as Long Compton has a superb farm shop and excellent Post Office cum store, in addition Stow boasts a great selection of shops. There was a very good ice cream place so one member of our party was happy (and it wasn’t Nicky or myself!) Still all good things come to an end and we felt it was time to move further south. The Bond was sporting yet another plug cap and seemed to be running well although John didn’t feel happy about the bright red cap, and the problem was niggling him. We drove on to Salisbury and spent one night on a campsite, which had to be seen to be believed. The field was rough uncut grass, and one had to cross a large field full of goats to get to the toilet, (only one!) To cap it all we discovered the toilet was locked and there was no one around. You try telling a seven year old she will have to wait or go in the corner of a field! Needless to say we decamped, paid what we felt it was worth as there was still nobody in evidence, and headed for Salisbury where we found an excellent site in the village of Tilshead. Showers, washing up, washing machine, toilets, (open all night) and a lovely flat pitch. Four nights here was not long enough. We visited Salisbury, a very impressive Cathedral, what a spire! Andover and Stonehenge, we will be back!

Part 2 next month

December 2002 -  No 158

Chairman's Chat
Firstly the important news, about Tarn House Hotel, where the club has met for many years, it has become necessary to find new accommodation for the club because the site has been sold for redevelopment. Our thanks go to Lynsey and all the staff at Tarn House Hotel for the hospitality they have shown over the years. A new venue has been found and the first meeting to be held there will be the Annual General Meeting, which will take place on the 21st January 03. Steeton Hall Hotel is our new home. Finally I would like to thank the officers and members of the committee for all their help over the last twelve months, and last but not least, Pauline and I wish you all a Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year, with good motoring for 2003.

Welcomes
Welcome to the following members who have joined COWS this month:
1286 G A Heaton Bradford
1287 R Kiernan Preston
1288 R Brown Ilkley

Editorial
We cannot quite believe that another year is ending and we (as a club) have an exciting new beginning with a new venue for our monthly meetings starting in the New Year. Tarn House has been very good to us and been a lovely setting to meet, particularly on a warm summer evening. You will note that there is so much to tell you in this magazine that we have a bumper edition, 4 pages extra. We thought it would be nice to look back over the year with some photos in the centre pages. Unfortunately we cannot run to colour photos, as it would have doubled the cost of the magazine production for this edition. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have been kind enough to send in contributions to the magazine and to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Susan & Andrew Naylor

Mad.......but Fun Times

Early in the 1950’s one of my friends found a 1928 MG 14.40 Tourer, price £20, (now £30/£40 thousand?) My motoring friends considered this a good buy and as none of us could afford £20 we split the cost between the four of us. Sound and runable but the charging system was defunct, so for lights we needed a good battery. Ignition was magneto, starting was by handle and a four seat tourer (open top) with only two doors; front passenger side and rear driver side. Large running boards allowed us to exhibit a very mad system of changing driver on the move. Rear passenger would open his door, walk along the running board, climb in to the driver’s seat that had previously set the hand throttle to maintain speed, and so each of the four moved anticlockwise. Great fun for us, horrifying to watch and today, probably jail.

On another occasion we decided to take the car to Silverstone for a Grand Prix meeting. Two of us drove through the night. Now I remember we had to conserve battery power, so only sidelights were used unless a corner could be seen when the navigator would briefly switch the headlights on, complete the corner and back to sidelights. To add to the entertainment value, the bonnet sides would lift at anything over 40 mph, so the navigator would have to go out on the running board, lean over and push the sides down. And today’s youngsters think a hand brake turn is fun! How about two Aston Martin Sports Cars on a side-by-side race down Lord Street in Southport. My friend in the other Aston lived at the bottom end of Lord Street and we had stopped outside his flat when a member of the Constabulary got off his pedal bike and came towards us. He duly complimented us on the cars and asked us please not to use Lord Street as a racetrack! Oh for a return of those great days. A motorcar drive was an adventure, nearly empty roads and polite police. Dream on you youngsters!
Tony Barklay

Letter to the Editors
Hi Andrew and Susan. As you will all be aware I have served on the cows committee for the last twelve months and although personally have not made a great contribution I would like to pay tribute to all the other committee members and officers for the tremendous effort and work they have put in to make the society the excellent club that it is.

I would like to thank them for all of their own free time they have spent on club business, the travelling to committee meetings some from the Leeds or Bradford area's all at their own expense without complaint, with their only thought to make our/you club the successful club it is. Also to John Ogden for chairing both the committee meetings and the club meetings in a excellent and caring manner. Lastly not forgetting Andrew and. Susan your newsletter team who keep us all informed of what is going on. It's been a pleasure to be part of the team.

Jim Harrison.

(Thank you Jim – Eds)

FAME !
Our very own Jim Harrison appears in the December issue of 'Heritage Commercials' magazine featuring himself and his Mail van. The article is a two page spread (is that a euphemism for ‘centre fold’ Jim? – Eds.) The photographs in the article were taken at a rally at Leighton hall near Carnforth in 2001.

Lead Replacement Petrol !

We are grateful to Phil Wright for bringing this item to our attention.
A quote from the AA website: “Leaded four star petrol was withdrawn from sale in 2000. Now it looks as if the product that replaced it will go the same way. Lead replacement petrol (LRP) is essentially a 97-octane (super) unleaded petrol with an additive to give the valve seat protection that some cars need. LRP now (mid 2002) accounts for only 2.7% of total fuel sales, and forecourt managers will increasingly be tempted to switch pumps to more profitable products. Trends indicate that you won't be able to find LRP from the end of 2003 except at a few specialist outlets hoping to keep something no one else has.” Basically, they advise that if you have a pre-1992 car it's important that you find out whether or not it can run on 95-octane Premium Unleaded petrol, the normal grade sold in the UK.

There appear to be 3 possible options:
1. Dose unleaded fuel with a proprietary branded additive The favoured option. We can't say that valve seat recession can't happen with these additives because of the enormous range of engines out there in conditions ranging from pristine to near collapse. In normal or moderately hard road use however, the valve seat protection afforded by these additives is perfectly satisfactory, and engine life will be just as good as with leaded petrol. The AA advise that the following fuel additives were found satisfactory in engine durability tests set up by the British Historic Vehicle Clubs: • Millers VSP Plus, (manganese) • Millers Oils Ltd. Freephone 0800 281 053 • Red Line Lead Substitute, (sodium) • Delta Oil Ltd. 01476 861 195 • Superblend Zero Lead, (potassium) • Superblend Lubricants Ltd. 0116 291 1700 • Castrol Valvemaster & Valvemaster Plus (phosphorus) • Castrol Ltd. 01793 452 222 • Carplan Nitrox 4-Star (potassium) & 4-Lead (manganese) • Carplan Ltd. 0161 764 5981 You should take care, however, as mixing and dose-rates can be quite difficult to get right in small amounts. Once you've chosen an additive stay with that brand rather than swapping between products.

2. See what happens on unleaded only Not completely unreasonable, in that driven reasonably for limited mileages, the valve clearances will not be taken up between services, so with moderate care no harm should result. Look out for loss of compression or reduced valve clearances, in which case action must be taken right

3.Use a specialist-supplier of leaded four-star petrol. When four-star was withdrawn from sale a concession to the regulations allowed 0.5% of petrol sales to be leaded, for 'characteristic' vehicles. But there are relatively few suppliers and the fuel's more expensive. Extreme hard use tests have shown that the valve seat protection afforded by leaded petrol is superior to that of LRP additives but the advantage isn't great and isn't needed in normal road use. Having the option of leaded petrol for racing unconverted vintage cars could be useful though. It makes no sense to drive long distances to buy leaded, or to mix it with additised fuels if it's hard to find. There are strict and sensible regulations controlling the storage of petrol: it may only be kept in the vehicle's normal petrol tank or as a few litres in approved spare cans. There are about a hundred filling stations that still sell leaded four-star and the current locations can be obtained from the Bayford Thrust website: www.leadedpetrol.co.uk.

October 2002 -  No 157

Chairman's Chat
Dear Friends, I hope that you are all having/had a good vehicle rallying season, both Pauline and I would like to send everyone best wishes for the winter months ahead. On a sad note I have to report the loss of Dixon Robinson and our condolences to his wife Freda. As you know I am not standing for re-election as Chairman next year and I can report that Jim Harrison also has decided to step down as committee member; I would like to thank Jim and the rest of the COWS committee for all their hard work and support this year. As Bryan reported at the last COWS meeting, the club is now in CRISIS.

We are not being melodramatic here, but without Jim and I, that leaves the club without a Chairman, Vice Chair, Secretary and too few general committee members. This is putting undue strain on the remaining stalwarts of the committee. In this edition of the magazine you will find a nomination form for all the committee posts. We know all about the "British Reserve" but this is no time to be a shrinking violet. The committee members will not be sidling up to you suggesting you stand and no-one will think you too big for your boots if you step forward - or other such nonsense that seems to prevent people applying. It is not an onerous task; the committee meet six times a year. The post of Chairman is only available for 3 years at a time so you would not get 'stuck with it'. Without a committee there is no club, surprising as it seems because someone has to make sure we have current insurance cover, book Tarn House for meetings and Dinners, organise speakers for meetings, organise club events, liaise with MSA, collect subs, produce a newsletter to tell everyone what is happening and keep the books. I would therefore like to thank those members who have been a huge help this year in addition to the committee; Maggie for organising the raffles and Pam & Sue Gardner for organising the Christmas Dinner. Either myself or, I am sure, Alan McCormick will be happy to talk to you about what is involved with the role of Chairman, Roger Price or Sue Naylor will be happy to explain the role of Secretary and any other committee member will be happy to talk to you 'off the record', if necessary, about what they do.

C.O.W.S. NEEDS YOU!
 

Editorial Well here we are again - better in health than in temper
(so the saying goes). We have been having more problems with NTL as our internet provider. As you know we were never happy with the convoluted website address for the COWS website but another snag was hit when we ran out of space!
Photos - which let's face it are the nice things about websites - take up a lot of space. Anyway, to cut a long story short we got talking to this chap who put us in touch with a couple of companies that we could buy a domain name from and host it free. With frustration getting the better of us we put our hands in our pockets and have purchased cravenoldwheels.com Now isn't that a nice simple easy to remember address? So there you have it, we have yet another, (sorry), web site address but this time we have it for good - no more messing around, honest! The eagle eyed among you will have spotted the fact that the old website address redirects you automatically.

Sue & Andrew Naylor

P.S. Am gathering information on fuels for an article next issue.
Have you any experience of using new fuels or additives, e.g. Shell Optimax or the new Bio Diesel for example? Please let us know your thoughts.

Welcomes
Welcome to the following members who have joined COWS this month:
1283 J.B. Wilkinson, Cleckheaton.
1284 B.Boyd, Bradford 1285 G Mosley, Shipley.

Plugs & Points
Valve Clearances (Tappets). When checking the valve clearances make sure the rocker is pushed right back onto the pushrod and that the feeler gauge is undamaged. The clearance is correct if the gauge slides through with slight stiffness, i.e. touches both sides.

Flat Spot or Hesitation May be caused by a blocked jet or damaged accelerator pump diaphragm on fixed jet carburettors.

Shock Absorbers Need a new one for an MOT? Change as an axle set as it may affect the cars handling. Anyway if one is on the way out, chances are the other is not far off!

Check your bulbs It's the time of year when the evenings are getting darker all that sooner, and it's ever so easy to get caught out with the odd bulb not working if we haven't checked them recently. So do make sure that you check that all your lights are in good working order. How about making sure that you have a spare set of bulbs in the car, just in case you get caught out a long way from home?

Protect your Chrome It's a bit messy to get off, however it does wipe off with white spirit or a turpentine substitute. Waxoil or a similar product sprayed on the surface will seal the surface and protect from moisture through winter. Spray rear surface at the same time!

Fancy That!...
Compressed Air Powered Vehicle. Sounds almost too good to be true, however we could be driving on fresh air sooner than you think! The CityC.A.T.® uses compressed air as its energy source and requires no gasoline or batteries to drive the engine. With a range of 120 miles or 10 hours in urban conditions, the City C.A.T.® is a practical car for an in-town and around-town city lifestyle. It provides the most comprehensive solution to urban pollution. The company are based in America, and prices for the range of vehicles they plan to make will be around £7,500. If you want to find out more you can visit their website at http://www.theaircar.com/

No Metric Road Signs! A message has gone out to local councils regarding the 'creeping metrification' of road signs. The government guidance came about after Tony Bennett of A.R.M. (Active Resistance to Metrification), was charged in Kent with criminal damage to metric road signs. Every local authority has now received a letter from the DOT stating that "Any sign which incorporates metric distances is not a traffic sign within the meaning of section 64 of the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984". This includes all private roads used by the public, such as car parks, stations and airports. Such clear guidance on imperial measurements is a refreshing change where pounds and ounces are now illegal! For more information visit the website http://www.bwmaonline.com

Classic Car Parts. Owners of British classic cars can now seek out their missing bits and pieces on a new website. West Drayton, Middlesex based parts dealer Howard Robinson specialises in stuff for over 25 year old cars, mainly British, but has some foreign car bits also. See what he has to offer at www.collectorscarparts.co.uk

Government's Camera Con? According to a government report, more people die at home each year than on the roads. It's true! Seventy-six people die in accidents in the home each week compared to sixty-six in road accidents. Causes include DIY accidents, fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. However, only a few months before these facts emerged, the government was claiming that their proposals to lower speed limits, increase speeding fines and install more speed cameras were because 'road deaths are the biggest killer.'

Le French Connection. Now it seems that the French are getting on the speeding bandwagon as well. Around 100 Britons were caught each week in July on the A26 in northern France, being fined on the spot £70 for driving as little as 4mph over the limit and frog marched to the nearest cash machine (excuse the pun!). Perversely, French motorists, especially those with local number plates, were generally ignored unless they were driving at least 20mph over the speed limit. A spokesman for a Calais courier firm summed up the situation by saying,
You Britons are referred to as "pigeons ripe for plucking"!

"All this with no regrets." Final Part of this Motoring memory by Ken Walker

Try as we might we couldn't get up the hill. We couldn't return the way we had come, that was an even steeper hill. We finished up in a farmyard in the dip with Tom seeking the advice of a very Welsh farmer. I came clean and told him what I had done and the answer was to run the engine and hope that it would clear eventually. Tom was quite right in his concern as to where the oil was coming from and happily between himself and the farmer endeavoured to minimise the offending oil leak.

After a period of time during which both Mother and Iris bemoaned the prospect of spending a night under the stars in a farmyard' Riley designed to fire first on three and after a few more minutes on four cylinders. This was fine, but I learned at this point that the thermo-siphon technology was not intended to satisfy a car standing still with the engine running for an hour or so, so we now had a problem with the thing overheating. More time. We limped back home stopping frequently and coasting down hill as best we could and arrived back very late at night with all hands exhausted and discouraged. Father, who had not come was beside himself with worry. The post-mortem examination next day with Tom, Father, Jack from down the road, me and a new addition Ken Hughes, revealed that there was a lot wrong with our troublesome car. Ken was full of beans about what to do about this that and the other. He had much experience with cars and urged us to allow him to help. The main problems which our trip had shown us was that the oil leak had to be attended to, the overheating was due to the engine labouring due to general inefficiency, and it had been noticed that the oil pressure, whilst very healthy upon start up, dropped off dramatically when the engine reached working temperature. This would be the subject of a diagnostic examination by Ken. At the words 'engine out;' Father haemorrhaged. I was thrilled. The engine was taken out whilst the car was parked at the unused end of our road and there it stayed for six months. Ken was a Shropshire lad, time meant nothing to him and it showed. The engine block sat in our back garden covered by a sheet while Ken sought out some of Mr Lockwoods patented special 'knackered bore rings'. Instead of going after all necessary parts simultaneously, he acquired the rings then ordered the bottom end shells. When these arrived he ordered the top end bushes, when these arrived he … The crankshaft, amazingly for the day, was of the two bearing fabricated type and had an incredible fifteen thou' ovality on the bottom ends. We had to find a regrind specialist who could handle a two bearing crankshaft. It was not the easiest of tasks. It defeated me at the time why two or three should make a difference. But that was the case and we had to wait. The engine had overhead valves from side camshafts driven through a gear arrangement inside the beautifully polished alloy timing case. The timing gears were sloppy as all hell and it posed a real problem. Not only would this detract significantly from the performance of the engine, but the main source of the racket kicked up by the same. It eventually was decided, mainly due to the horrendous costs involved, to refit the gears as they were, but with an additional oil supply. A gearing specialist had quoted a price for a replacement centre gear wheel made of a silent running fibrous material somewhere in the region of twice the value of the car. That was out. While the engine was out I had my first experience of pulling a gearbox to bits.

I was primarily concerned with the grinding and crunching one experienced when driving the thing. This was not confined to any one particular driver, so I assumed that any synchromesh activity was inobviated in some way. It didn't take too long to establish the problem. Upon opening up the gearbox I discovered that there was no synchromesh mechanism in the box whatsoever. It was, I learned from the old timers known as a crash box. Hey ho! Not the best choice of adjectives. It looked like we were all about to do some learning about old time driving.

The engine was returned to it's seat of former sick glory and came the day when, the batteries having been on trickle charge for months, we pushed the button. After some difficulty with the timing and carburetion the beast elected to give us the benefit of the doubt and deigned to run. It was amazing the difference. It was very much quieter than before and ticked over beautifully. That was short lived however, as soon as the oil became hot the timing gears broke into their own cacophony, now more noticeable. It was a damn shame about that end of things. We had already figured out a scheme for some extra lubrication, and this project was implemented. The oil pressure gauge, on the right hand side of the instrument panel was served by a one eighth inch pipe from somewhere on the engine. A tee piece was inserted adjacent to the gauge and a similar pipe branching off to a little brass cock handy for the driver below the line of the wooden dash board. Another pipe was then led back to the engine room and terminated with a union and adapter drilled into the timing case over the main gear wheel. The idea was that when one got fed up with the racket one could give the gearing a squirt of oil. It was successful, so many squirts per mile kept the noise down. With the additional feature of heavier grade oil, the problem became acceptable. My Father passed his seventh driving test and the world was then wide open to all sorts of travelling abuse by our family. Father did not like driving much, but Mother couldn't half drive him.

The Riley remained with us for about two years. The pneumatic seats were a constant source of family disunity. The home made brake linings, half an inch thick Girling material, brass riveted into the shoes, whilst effective, were a source of worry. The brake cams between the shoes had a funny habit of locking the brakes on with smoke and heat resulting. A piece of wood was permanently sited under the bonnet to 'adjust ' the voltage regulator when starting. Apart from these minor idiosyncrasies, our motoring endeavours were satisfactory. Satisfactory that is until Uncle George's visit.

Uncle George was an American brother of my Mother. He was rather posh, indeed was the Vice President of a large corporation in the States, and was too polite to cast any clouds around our motoring graces. Father and Mother tripped down to Stevenage in Hertfordshire from Merseyside to collect Uncle George, taking grandmother with them. For a variety of reasons the trip was a disaster. In spite of the Mr Lockwood's patented oil control rings Ken Hughes had fitted, the car used a lot of oil and we were obliged to take copious amount of lemonade bottles wherever we went. It was a fine hot day when they set off for Stevenage. Grandmother installed in the rear but with the complaining distance Mother armed with the ubiquitous lettuce and tomato sandwiches, Father with his jar of tranquillisers. At a place near Brownhills in Staffordshire, (pre-motor-way days), my Father's feet started to slide all over the pedals. He was never one to complain very much and persevered with his slippery condition until the next stop for a tea ceremony. It seemed that one of the lemonade bottles of oil had burst, due to heat in the tool boxes under the bonnet and as sod's law would have it, right over my Father's feet. This was a licence for Mother to embark upon a 'get rid of this thing' kick, a kick which was destined to bode the end of our experience with said Riley. Uncle George on that occasion could only comment that it was the only car that he had ever been in where he could wear his Homburg without discomfort. Praise indeed from a Caesar who normally drove an umpteen litre Buick. As the under age driver of our family car, without the opportunity to get my fill of the thing, and by now being hopelessly in love with Madame Riley, I was heart broken to learn of my parents decision that the last straw had come and gone. The Riley was part exchanged for "a modern car" and a chapter closed in motoring history. Ken Walker

Many thanks to Ken for this article. We hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we did. If you have any motoring memories or simply interesting experiences you had this rally season, please sent them in, or next month you will be hearing about Josephine's adventures,............again !
    

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