London Luton Airport - Depart for The Isle of Man

Today I fly from London Luton Airport to the Isle of Man.

I have just taken these photographs from my hotel room window.

The fogbound ramp at London Luton Airport with EasyJet aircraft
being prepared for early morning departures.

Hopefully my EasyJet pilots later today can find their way to the Isle of Man (IOM). I would hate to think that they do a Malaysia Airlines flight with me on board this morning.

Let’s hope that their instrument landing certificates are current.

The fogbound ramp at London Luton Airport with EasyJet aircraft
being prepared for early morning departures

Thinking a bit further ahead, hopefully the weather improves for my WWII Spitfire flight over the English Channel on the 12th of June.

I have just checked on the weather forecast for the IoM over the next week. They have predicted that the weather will be good with no rain in sight. Well we will see about that.

Gotta go
Cheers

Warbo

London Luton Airport - Day 1

Wednesday 30 May 2018

It is now 1:00am local time on Wednesday morning here at London Luton Airport. I slept for 6-hours this afternoon after my flight into London, Heathrow from Sydney.

I went downstairs to reception so that I could print out my boarding pass for the flight to the IOM on Thursday. I went out side to check on the weather & as you can see by this photo, not very nice to say the least.

Early morning fog at London Luton outside my hotel room on Day 1

I managed to jag Business Class to Singapore on the Airbus A-380, then E/Y for the 13-hours flight from Singapore to London. The aircraft was absolutely chockers in all classes so I consider my self lucky that I did not get off loaded in Singapore.

I have 24-hours to kill before I depart for the IOM. on Thursday, so the concierge advised me to spend the day in Bedford tomorrow. Bedford is just a short train ride from here, so depending on the weather I will venture to The Standard Pub (used to be called The Hobgoblin) for lunch and then see what else is to offer. Let the fun begin.

Bye for now.
Cheers
Ken

Arrival into London

Tuesday 29th May - 2018

We arrived into London Heathrow 20-minutes late due to our late departure out of Singapore. 

From the time of our departure out of Sydney until we landed at London Heathrow - the total journey time was 26-hours.

My hotel the Holiday Inn Express at
London Luton Airport

I decided to catch a bus out here to London's Luton Airport instead of staying in downtown London Piccadilly for the 2-days. I am booked on EasyJet flight EZY166 to fly out of Luton to Ronaldsway Airport on the Isle of Man.

I did that because I did not want the hassle on Wednesday morning of trying to make all the connections when I take my next flight to the IOM. 

The view alongside my hotel the Holiday Inn Express at
London Luton Airport

The bus ride was one & a half hours from Heathrow.

I am settled into my room now after a very welcomed shower, this afternoon I will catch up on a little lost sleep.

As you can see by the photos the weather is overcast & and a cool 11ºc.

The view alongside my hotel the Holiday Inn Express at
London Luton Airport

So for now “that’s all folks“

Cheers

KGW

Indy 500 - As I predicted, Will Power got the win...

My congratulations go to Will Power on winning the 102nd Running of the Indy 500.​ 

He is the 1st Australian to win this massive and most iconic motor race in the world, and to think my friend Collyn Crowhurst was at the race to witness this momentous occasion. 

Aussie Will Power after today's Indy 500 win

A gorgeous Indiana day for the running of
the 102nd Indianapolis 500

My money was on Will to win this year as l predicted in one of my e-mails last week.

After 8 seasons in IndyCar - with 30 IndyCar victories and 40 poles - it was the last thing he was yet to accomplish.

Giving Team Penske owner, Roger Penske his 17th Indy 500 victory.

Fans on the frontstretch grandstands climb to their feet as the field takes
the green flag for the 102nd Indy 500

Aussie Will Power after today's Indy 500 win

Right now l am packing my suitcase for my journey to the UK later today on Qantas.

Benalla Trip - May 2018

Departed Sydney in my '31 Model A Ford on Thursday morning at 0800, drove most of the day arriving here into Jindera NSW, which is about 19 kms NW of Albury, NSW around 1500 to be greeted by my fellow Model A Ford friends that live out in the country.

Great trip today, absolutely no dramas all day, my car did not miss a beat, weather fine and not very cold.

Making a stop at the two painted silos of Goorambat,
which are located about 16kms from Benalla.
The 1940's-built silo on the right features a Barking Owl.

I will be leaving Jindera in the morning around 0730 to complete the final 2-hour's drive down to Benalla in Victoria for the Historic Car races at the Winton race track this weekend.

This time last year I made this same journey in my ‘57 Chevy, I enjoyed myself so much I decided to do it all again.

My ‘31 Model A Ford 4 cyl. engine uses more petrol than my big 351 Ford Bronco, even the 350 Chevy is lighter on fuel than my A Model.

I'm looking forward to catching up with other friends over the weekend.

This same weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana is the 102nd running of that great race, the Indy 500. I will be rooting for Will Power the Aussie, I believe he has qualified 6th fastest so he is once again in with a chance to be the 1st Australian ever to win the race.

This road trip will be a good rehearsal for me as the car I will be driving is the same one I will take down to Murray Bridge in SA for the National Model A Ford Rally from 1st-7th October later this year. 

This time last year it was pissing down with rain at this event, hopefully the weather will be kind to us this year.

This coming Monday afternoon I will be departing Sydney for the UK. I am really looking forward to my WWII Spitfire flight over the English Channel in June and also a visit to the Isle of Man for the TT Bike races.

1956 FJ Holden Panel Van used by the RACV for road services, I am sure that
the 1915 Model T Ford sitting behind it was not afforded
the same road side service back then if it broke down.

Friday morning; I departed Jindera at 0730 so that I would be on time to join the Benalla Historic Vehicle Tour (into down town) Benalla, Victoria which was scheduled for 10:00am sharp. 

There were 129 entrances in the Tour. Along the route, we visited the Cooinda Retirement Village, Botanical Gardens, Tim Harris’s Private Car collection, Tallis Winery, finishing up in Devenish for a country-style lunch prepared by the Devenish Hall committee.

We were privileged to visit Tim Harris’s Private Car Collection, fuel pumps and bowsers at 348 Harris Road, ‘Murrungong’ Upotipopon. Which is about 5 kilometres west on Benalla.

This gentleman restores all his vehicles and Fuel pumps himself, I can honestly say that I have never in my life seen any thing like it, anywhere in the world in all my travels.

The green vehicle in the photos is a Briton, I have never heard of one previously. Tim has just completed the ground up restoration of this very, very rare British vehicle. Only about 600 in total were ever made from 1909 to 1929 in Wolverhampton, UK.

Tomorrow at historic Winton Motor Raceway in Benalla the racing starts, the mixture of the 2 wheelers & also sidecars makes it a very enjoyable day of entertainment.

Tim's original 1920 Weaver tyre changing machine, manufactured in 
Springfield, Illinois and imported from the US many years ago.

Since leaving home in Sydney, I have driven 750 kms (466 miles), the Model A has performed brilliantly, so it looks like I will have a date with the Qantas QF1 on Monday 28th May, 2018 as I will be heading to London.

If you are a petrol head you must experience this Benalla week end of racing on your to do list.

Last year the weather was not kind to the week-end, it is amazing how much the weather plays a part here in Winton because the weather is very unsettled in this area the locals tell me.

I am tucked up in my Motel room here at the Glider City Motel Benalla watching the footie preparing my self for tomorrow’s activities.

The weather is absolutely magnificent it should make for great wheel to wheel racing tomorrow.Tomorrow is another day so I now need my beauty sleep.

Tim Harris' collection of restored Australian fuel pumps

This green vehicle in Tim's collection is a very rare Briton,
I have never heard of one previously. 

Tim Harris' collection of restored Australian fuel pumps

The Beast & The Best of Historic Winton.

If you have ever wondered what a thundering 27 litre Rolls Royce (Merlin) aero engine sounds like, they informed me here today that if you want to hear it, to just wander down to carport 39 in the competition paddock to satisfy your curiosity.

So l did.

Graham Copeland’s gigantic 1934 Railton Special Race Car gives us a glimpse of what you can do with some old parts and a fertile imagination.

I was having a chat with the owner about this ‘Beast’ and mentioned to him that l will be in the UK soon to take a flight in a genuine WWII Spitfire aircraft & of course this is the same engine that will be powering me in the Spitfire over the English Channel, only difference being that the Spitfire engine is Supercharged. Graham fired this 27 Iitres monster up for me. 

Graham Copeland’s gigantic 1934 Railton Special Race Car
is powered by a 27 litre Rolls Royce engine

Well!! I tell you... carport 39 almost shook of it’s foundations & the noise, was just unbelievable.

Whilst not exactly a streamlined beauty this Race Car is reported to be capable of 160mph before take-off occurs. However who would be so mad as to try it out on anything but a straight road.

Mechanic crank starting a Vintage ‘27 Bugatti Race Car.

Then we check out this rare & magnificent Auburn sports car [below]. As far as I am concerned this is the vehicle of the weekend. Auburn cars were produced in Auburn, Indiana from 1900 until 1937. 

The company's former art deco headquarters in Auburn now houses the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum and became a National Historic Landmark in 2005.

Check out this magnificent Auburn sports car

As far as I am concerned this is the vehicle of the weekend

I just love this photograph of this senior gentleman’s beard with the
sun shining on it while he admires the Norton motor bikes.

What more can I say about the 2 Poms in full London Police uniform
posing with their original '58 Six-Ninety Wolseley Police traffic vehicle.

When I was a young motor mechanic I cut my teeth on these Austin A30s.
Don’t miss the cute trailer. Do you think that the owner of this rig would be a Pom?

Sidecar outfits waiting for their call up to the line.
These guys that swing off the side of these machines must have a death wish,
there is no way in the world that I would venture down that road or track.

Historic Sports cars waiting in the holding area before their race

My car leaving the garage after scrutineers have checked that the Ford
is ready to race, while I attend the driver briefing.

I am leaving Benalla at 6:00am Sunday morning, for the 9-10 hour drive back to the Shire.

Have to go now.

Cheers

Warbo.


To learn more about the rare Briton motor Vehicle CLICK HERE

Mother's Day in Gulgong - May 2018

Hello from a sunny Mother's Day Sunday afternoon in May 2018 here in the historic Town of Gulgong, NSW.

Gulgong is a colonial, 19th-century Gold Rush town located in the central tablelands of NSW. It is about 300km [190 miles] north-west of Sydney.

Gulgong Railway Station

We had the pleasure of mixing it with another 151 Model A Fords to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the legendary Model A Ford.

If you have never visited this quaint country town do your self a favour and visit this area next time that you are in the general vicinity and I am sure that you will not be disappointed.

It's an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and there's plenty to do if you're looking to explore the region's heritage.

My car outside my accommodation for the weekend,
Gulgong's Ten Dollar Town Motel

We have just returned to the Ten Dollar Town Motel from the trophy presentations at the Gulgong Showground.

The trophy is so unique, it is made from a hand saw that 
features traditional artistic, hand-painted lettering.

As you can see by the photo above, my 1931 Model A Ford 2-door Tudor Delux Sedan won the Best stock ‘30/‘31 entrant of which I am very chuffed about.

The trophy is so unique, it is made from a hand saw that features artistic, hand-painted lettering.

I leave for Sydney early tomorrow morning after a splendid weekend sharing many tales about our vintage vehicles and catching up with various acquaintances that I have met over the years.

The township of Gulgong holds many untouched country treats
and is steeped in rich history.

Now for a little bit of trivia. This Heritage Town of Gulgong appeared on the first Australian paper $10.00 note until 1993 alongside the famous Australian Poet, Henry Lawson - who once lived in Gulgong. Hence the nick-name for town: The Ten Dollar Town.

Show & Shine at Gulgong Showground today.
Check out the guy in shorts, no shoes and a beer.
Could some one please tell him that it is only 6ºC [43ºF] today. 

The Ten Dollar Town Motel where I am shacked up for the weekend is centrally located in the very heart of the historic Gulgong township, easy walking distance from the Henry Lawson Centre, the Pioneer Museum, the Prince of Wales Opera House, the oldest Opera House in Australia. 

The town is full of many other remnants that show the 19th-century character of this noble country town.

Gulgong is a town where history continues to live, so I think that it is appropriate that we shared the 90th Anniversary of the legendary Model A Ford here in this environment, I'm sure Henry Ford would be proud of us.

That’s all for now.

Cheers

Warbo

Shannons Insurance were in Gulgong with their
classic 1959 Goggomobil Dart

48-Hours with the Regters

'Round the World' in a Model T Ford

In the Summer of 2012 Dirk & Trudy Regter of the Netherlands started a journey in their 1915 Model T Ford, that would rack-up 80,000 miles and visit over 50 countries, covering all the main continents of the world.

After a break at home in North Holland, the pair returned to the southern hemisphere in February and March of 2018, where the couple toured both islands of New Zealand. Then they transported their 1915 Model T Ford by shipping container by sea from Auckland, New Zealand to Brisbane, Queensland. 

In the first week of April 2018 they commenced the first leg of of their 'Around Australia' loop by heading south from Brisbane for my home town of Sydney.

After a 50,000 mile around-the-world journey in this magic machine,
Dutch couple Dirk and Trudy Regter finally piloted their 103-year-old Model T Ford
in fine style into Sydney today and rolled right into one of the warmest
Autumn weeks in Sydney's history.
Photo: Steve Core

Dirk & Trudy live in a small town in the northwest Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Combined with the city of Volendam, Edam forms the municipality of Edam-Volendam. Approximately 7,380 people live in Edam. The entire municipality of Edam-Volendam has 28,492 inhabitants. 

The name Edam originates from a dam on the little river E or IJe where the first settlement was located and which was therefore called IJedam. Edam is famous as the original source of the cheese with the same name.

Me sitting in Dirk & Trudy Retger's 1915 Model T Ford
and my 1931 Model A Ford, Tudor Deluxe, 2-door, 
Sedan at McMahons Point
Photo: Steve Core

The Warbo Report: Now that the Pre-WWll Vintage Car and Bike Show is over for another year, l have time to sit back and reflect about many of the side-issues connected to this year's show, none more important than meeting and being involved with our friends from Holland, Dirk & Trudy Regter who are at present driving around the world in their 1915 Model T Ford.

We had covered their journey extensively in our Show's Facebook and Blog pages over the preceding 4-weeks once we became aware that these two adventurers would join us on the tiles in Cronulla Mall for the Pre-WWll Vintage Car & Bike Show on April 15th 2018.

The Model T Ford World Tour entourage taking in the sights of the Cronulla beaches 
after a long day on the road.
[LtoR]. Support Vehicle Team: Sjaak Retger [Dirk's brother] and Coby DeWit. 
Middle: Dirk & Trudy Regter. [Right] Ken Warburton.
The Dutch group were in Cronulla for three days and were the star attraction at the 
Pre-WWII Vintage Car & Bike Show in Cronulla on Sunday 15th April, 2018
Photo: Steve Core

Setting up the Model T and the Model A
for a Video Shoot for the Channel 9 News Sydney
Photo: Steve Core

Phil Campbell (events coordinator) from the Model T Ford Club here in Sydney contacted me and mentioned that Dirk & Trudy would be in Sydney on the same weekend as our car show. Phil asked me if we were interested to include the "round the worlders" in our show on April 15th, 2018.

l did not need to be asked twice. What a wonderful opportunity to introduce these adventurers to the 'SHIRE' to share their experiences and stories with the large numbers of general public that attend our car show.

ln the same conversation, Phil asked me if l knew of any Caravan Parks in the Cronulla area, l asked him - why?

Now to cut a long story short, these adventurers usually camp out when travelling around the globe. With that in mind, l offered my residence here in Woolooware to the Regters for their time in Sydney, to which they gratefully accepted.

The Dutch four-some is wide awake on a Sydney Train as we head
from Woolooware Station in the Sutherland Shire into Circular Quay
in the city of Sydney. [LtoR] Trudy, Sjaark, Dirk & Coby
Photo: Steve Core

Dirk pauses to check out a '62 Ford Falcon Futura convertible on The Corso in Manly.
Photo: Steve Core

Great Southern Land: With everyone up on the front bow section of the Manly ferry,
Ken goes into Tourism Director mode as we transit across the Sydney
Harbour Heads - passing the opening out into the vast South Pacific ocean
on our way to the seaside resort of Manly Beach
Photo: Steve Core

May l say that it was an absolute delight to have them stay at my residence, we shared many of their stories & experiences in the short time they were here (48-hours) before they moved onto Canberra to continue their world-wide journey in their 103-year-old Model T Ford. 

l consider myself to be an adventurer & that I possibly think outside the square. Well, let me assure you, l am still in kindergarten when it comes to the adventure that the Regters have undertaken.

Have you ever driven in a Model T Ford for any length of time let alone 80,000 miles or (128,747 Kms) visiting all 5 Continents & 50 Countries along the way. 

On a Summer-like Saturday we made an ice-cream stop in Manly at Ben & Jerry's
Ice-Cream, located on the South Steyne beach-side strip on Manly Beach.
Photo: Steve Core

After a whistle stop tour of Manly Beach and Sydney's glorious harbour on their
brief 48-hour stopover in Sydney, Model T Ford pilot, Dirk finds Sydney Trains are so comfortable that he grabbed 40-winks on the way home - all to the rhythm of the rails.
Photo: Steve Core

The Regters and their 1915 Model T Ford along with their support vehicle
were a major drawcard at our Pre-WWII Vintage Car & Bike Show
in the Cronulla Mall on Sunday, April 15th.
Photo: Steve Core

What an achievement & what a constitution, especially at their age. They are as tough as nails.

l was humbled for the Regters to spend time with me here in Sydney on their massive adventure of circumnavigating the world to raise funds for their charity of choice. (SOS Children's Villages International).

By the way they were a HUGE drawcard at our Pre-WWll Vintage Car and Bike Show on Sunday 15th April 2018. Proving to be a real crowd favourite.

Thanks for the memories.

Cheers

Warbo

After a 3-day stay, the Retgers prepare to leave my home in Burraneer
and embark on their next sector of their Around Australia leg;
Sydney to Canberra

You can follow Dirk & Trudy's progress on their Website CLICK HERE

or on Dirk's Facebook page CLICK HERE

Where the grass is greener...

From the moment l noticed the manicured couch grass lawn at the entrance of Andrew Byrne’s factory unit, l just knew that l was in for a very, very special afternoon.

The manicured couch grass lawn 
that greeted us on arrival

We were all greeted at the front entrance by Andrew and ushered into our parking spots. As soon as l parked my 1931 Model A Ford 2-door Tudor Deluxe Sedan, l believe Andrew’s daughter arrived with a piece of 60x90 cm piece of cardboard to place under my vehicle in case l had any oil leaks (and as you know all Model A Fords & Model T Fords leak oil). Every vehicle that was parked on the concrete pad in front of the building had these pieces of cardboard placed under the vehicles for obvious reasons.

This is a special place to be lucky enough to be invited to by the very private Byrnes family.

Our Model A Ford Restorers Club of NSW plus the Model T Ford Club of NSW were invited to a showing of the Byrne’s private Ford collection of motor vehicles and paraphernalia exhibited in the Museum, however there was one condition: NO PHOTOGRAPHS.

Garry & Marilyn Amesbury’s Model T Ford. This modern kitchen, 
would have been used extensively in 2008 when they drove their 
1927 Model T Ford 20,000 km around Australia

Everybody adhered to Andrew's request, they do not want their treasure plastered all over social media, and l totally agree with them.

All we had to do was to show up in our Model A & Model T Fords, a magnificent lunch was provide for all their guests by Andrew’s beautiful Mauritian wife with the help of their son & daughter. We were spoilt rotten.

After lunch we were all invited into their unbelievable Car Museum to drool over their Ford Motor Vehicles. Absolutely astonishing.

When everybody was through checking out the merchandise it was now time for afternoon tea. Cakes and sweets were in abundance, washed down with Coffee or Tea.

That’s not all, Andrew’s family distributed a raffle ticket to every one in attendance when we arrived. Peter Deane from the Model A Ford Restorers Club of NSW was lucky enough to win the 1st prize, a lovely bottle of Liquor. There were also another three prizes won by various other members, lovely Ford “Tee“ shirts.

Shown in the accompanying photographs are some of the Model A Ford & Model T Ford vehicles that attended this wonderful day.

Some of the Model A Ford & Model T Ford vehicles
that attended this wonderful day

Don’t forget to inspect Andrew’s couch grass lawn that l was greeted with upon my arrival setting the tone for the day.

Check out the photograph of Garry & Marilyn Amesbury’s Model T Ford. This modern kitchen, would have been used extensively in 2008 when they drove their 1927 Model T Ford 20,000 km around Australia, raising money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

I might add that we never had to put a hand in our pockets all afternoon due to the hospitality and generosity of the Byrne family.

I would like to add to this story my personal gratification for a wonderful afternoon.

The Byrnes are truly an inspirational family.

Thanks so much for our wonderful and inspiring afternoon.

Ken Warburton. (Model A Ford Restorers Club of NSW)

N.B. We were allowed to take photos out side the private collection as you can witness above. You can also see the neatly cut pieces of cardboard that were placed under our vehicles when we arrived in two of the photos.

2SSR-FM Radio Interview

Promoting our Pre-WWII Vintage Car & Bike Show event for Sunday 15th April in Cronulla, Event Director Ken Warburton called onto the Gymea Studios of 2SSR-FM Community Radio to chat with delightful presenter of the 'Good Life' program Ann Warren.

To listen to the podcast CLICK HERE

Pictured: Ken Warburton and Ann Warren
Photo: Steve Core

Event: Pre-WWII Vintage Car & Bike Show

Date: Sunday 15th April, 2018

Time: 9:00am to 4:00pm

Location: Cronulla Mall, Cronulla, NSW