Galpin Ford Dealership - Private Museum

US Wednesday 22nd August - 2018

After yesterday’s breakfast outing at Crazy Ottos Restaurant in Acton, California & then later visiting Dennis Neice's property at San Canyon, my good Kiwi mate, Mike Lawrence took me to the Galpin Ford Dealership’s Private Museum.

We grabbed a hearty US-style breakfast at
Crazy Otto's in Acton, California

Galpin Ford, located in North Hills, California has been the number one volume Ford Dealer in the world for the last whopping 24-years. Next door to the dealership they have a private museum that features around 50+ cars, mostly from the blue oval, but they have a keen interest in the custom cars of Hollywood.

Below are a few photos that I thought you may be interested in. In the first photo [below] is the red Cobra No 66 - which is an original Cobra race car.

An original Shelby Cobra race car

Designed by the legendary Carroll Shelby, who after winning the 24-Hours of Le Mans in 1959, Shelby began race-car building. In 1962 he introduced the Shelby Cobra, at the time was the world’s fastest production car. He went on to design the Shelby Mustang GT for Ford, a car that helped define a generation.

The red Ford GT40 [below] has never been registered to be driven on the road with only 550 original miles on the Speedo. These magnificent vehicles were built from 1964-1969, there were only 105 produced.

Ford GT-40 - originally produced to win
long-distance races against Ferrari

The famous Ford GT40 won 24-hours of Le Mans four times consecutively from 1966-1969 including a 1-2-3 finish in 1966.

The very famous NZ race car designer & driver Bruce McLaren along with fellow Kiwi Chris Amon won the first victory for any American manufacturer at the 24-hours of Le Mans in front of Henry Ford ll in 1966.

This kit car once belonged to entertainer Liberace.

The big cream vehicle with his trademark candelabra sitting on top of the radiator shell is a kit car once owned by one of the most famous entertainers in the world, none other than the flamboyant Wladziu Valentino Liberace (1919-1987).

The Pink Panther mobile - the driver has to wear a helmet
because he sits out in the open.

Finally the legendary Pink Panther mobile was built in 1969 and was on of the most exuberant and radical cars of the era. Shaped like an anteater, it is an outstanding 23ft long and 6ft wide & is powered by a massive seven litre engine.

Featuring prominently in the Pink Panther cartoon opening and closing sequence, the car was the work of legendary Hollywood car designer Jay Ohrberg — responsible for the Back To The Future DeLorean, the 1966 and 1989 Batmobiles and David Hasselhoff’s vehicle in Knight Rider.

The 'Pleasure Capsule' of the Pink Panther Mobile

Behind the driver and engine is what is known as the 'Pleasure Capsule' - an interior with pink shag reclined seats, square-tufted upholstery, half a dozen faux-fur pillows, a 1970's era car phone and a bar.

This vehicle just exudes the '70's Classic era cool with its space age styling.

The Galpin collection acts as a wonderful selling tool and shows the dealership’s dedication to cars, Ford history, custom cars, hot rods, and automotive history, but it’s more than just a museum – it’s a showroom in itself. All interesting vehicles from a by-gone era.

Cheers
Ken

Pre-certification work is complete...

US Saturday 18th August - 2018

Finally all the hard preliminary preparation work has been done, yesterday we delivered 'Hoover' my 1931 AA Ford Truck to the warehouse in Compton, Los Angeles.
 
As we completed all the work required on the other two vehicles during this past week, we delivered all three vehicles to the Compton warehouse so that they can make them ready for fumigation & asbestos swab testing next Monday (20th August).

In the photo below, all three vehicles are parked safely in the warehouse waiting for their final inspection fate on Monday.

Update: After endless hours of preparation work
all three of my cars sitting in Compton awaiting final certification

The company that we are using here in LA to complete certification, asbestos swab testing & what ever else is required only do their testing on Mondays. So if I hadn’t delivered all vehicles by yesterday - I would have to wait another week for the process.

During the past week we have removed all the brake shoes, clutch plates, head gaskets & manifold gaskets from the three vehicles to be exported back to Sydney. Hopefully that will ensure the vehicles a clean bill of health once they hit the shore in Sydney at the Container Terminal in Port Botany in a few months time.

My 1964 Plymouth/Valiant on the Car trailer all ready to be delivered
to the warehouse in LA for export to Australia compliance

In the photo [above] you can see my 1964 Plymouth/ Valiant on the car trailer all ready to be delivered to the warehouse in LA.

[Below] Prior to unloading 'Hoover' from the car trailer yesterday you can see the two Anzacs at work in our high-vis vests. 

My Kiwi mate, Mike Lawrence [right] is my right-hand man
here in LA

Without my Kiwi friend Mike Lawrence life would have been a lot tougher to prepare the vehicles this week, he is my right hand man here in LA - he makes things happen.

Unfortunately I do not have a photo of Mike’s wife Judy at the moment, she was also a tower of strength when needed & what’s more Judy makes the best cuppa tea here in America.

My 1931 Model A Ford slant window 4-door sedan with wheels and brake drums
removed asbestos certification prior to shipping to Australia

[Above] My 1931 Model A Ford slant window 4-door Town Sedan was already in the LA depot with the wheels & brake drums removed for inspection on Monday 20th August.

[Below] If you look closely on the right-hand side (looking at the truck) you will notice some orange tie-down straps on the tray, those straps are supporting the engine of the truck. We had to remove the engine so that the clutch plate could be removed.

Custom forklift wheel tines - a very clever and safe innovation
to lift the vehicle from the trailer without any damage

[Above] you can see the tines of the forklift preparing to lift 'Hoover' from the car trailer, a very clever & safe way to lift the vehicle without damaging anything.

Tomorrow is Sunday, I am off to a swap meet. This afternoon (Saturday) I will help my friends set up all the assorted gear that they hope to sell tomorrow.

Work in progress, now I can relax a little and I am really looking forward to the certification results next Wednesday.

Cheers for now 
Warbo.

No ugly windmill farms for us please...

US August - 2018

Whilst I was driving over from Phoenix, Arizona to Los Angeles in California, on the massive Interstate Hwy 10, I drove past these windmill farms and I took these photos which I wanted to share with you. 

Located just before Palm Springs in California, this is the visual pollution that are greeted with for as far as the eye can see in this area.

These are the thousands upon thousands of Ugly windmills that our piss weak government want to bring into existence in Australia without us, the people that put them there have absolutely no say in the decision. Not to mention the cost of these inefficient eye sores.

Rest assured this is what will happen in Australia if the lefties, do-Gooders, greenies & minority groups get their way.

Please just remember these photographs when the powers to be are spruiking about renewable energy, you can rest assured that they will not exhibit any photographs like these in their campaign to win you over.

Just something for you to think about !!!

Cheers 
Ken Warburton

Preparing my cars for shipment

US Monday 13th August - 2018

As you can see by the photographs below, I have had the pedal to the metal since I arrived from Phoenix, Arizona into Simi Valley here in the south-eastern corner of Ventura County, about 40-miles from downtown Los Angeles. 

My work started yesterday by preparing my vehicles for shipment back home to Australia. All three vehicles have their extensive asbestos reports & checks scheduled for next Monday here in the Los Angeles suburb of Compton. 

There's no rest for the wicked you know.

My '64 Plymouth/ Valiant up on the hoist after the removal of
gearbox, clutch plate & all brake linings.

T

This photo shows the '64 Plymouth/Valiant engine bay, without the head on 
the engine, (by the way, the head gasket was not a gasket containing asbestos).

The photo below shows that once we removed the engine from the Model AA Ford Truck we had to make up a bracket to support the transmission from falling out of the chassis during the 7,500 mile journey across the Pacific Ocean to Sydney.

We had to make up a special bracket to support the exposed
transmission during sea shipment down to Australia

Second photo is taken from the rear of the truck [below] showing the brake drums removed with out the brake shoes in place.

We also had to make the bracket to secure the spare wheel in its correct stowage. Third photo shows the rear wheel brake backing plate & axle. Note the size of the leaf springs, any wonder this truck can carry a 2-ton load.

We also had to make the bracket to secure the
spare wheel in its correct stowage.

All the brake linings have also been removed from the AA Ford Truck.

 The rear wheel brake backing plate & axle. Note the size of the leaf springs,
any wonder this truck can carry a 2-ton load.

My AA truck's Russian-built Ford engine on the shop floor
after the removal of the clutch plate.

I have not had a chance to work on the Model A Ford as yet, that will start on Wednesday this week. The whole rear end will need to be removed so that l can split the torque tube to remove the gear box, so that l can then remove the clutch plate.

All brakes need to be striped to remove the brake linings, then the last thing will be to remove the head from the engine so that I can remove the head gasket.

[Below] Loading my new 1931 Model A Ford slant window 4-Door Town Sedan onto the car trailer to prepare it for the workshop & its dismantlement on Wednesday.

Trailering up my 1931 Model A Ford, slant window,
4-door Town Sedan

This morning I was talking to the shippers in LA they need the three vehicles at their depot by noon this Friday so Quarantine can inspect them & if there are any issues they will fumigate them so that they will be ready for the asbestos swabbing on Monday 20th, August.

The last photo shows my Toyota Echo (year model 2000) loaded to the interior roof & boot with car parts & tyres before the journey from Chandler to California on Wednesday morning.

My 2000 Toyota Echo loaded to the interior roof & boot with car parts & tyres
before the journey from Chandler to California on Wednesday morning

As you can see by all the trouble I am going through I do not need to have any issues with the Australian authorities when these vehicles are imported into Australia, because they can impose HUGE fines, impound the vehicles, charge you for any work that they think needs to be done to make them asbestos free & then charge you for storage at $65.00 per day while the vehicle is being processed. 

I will keep you updated as I work my way through this long process and once this ordeal is over l will post here on the blog what the final outcome is. Stay tuned. 

Just remember this, “adventure before dementia”.

Cheers from Simi Valley, California USA.

To be continued...

Cheers
Warbo

Bronco parts & my Desert Water plan

US Friday 10th August - 2018

This morning l ventured out into the desert once again, only this time l found a really neat looking Bull Bar for my ‘81 Ford Bronco in Australia on Craig’s List for only $75.00.

Buckeye is 75-miles west of Phoenix on the way to LA out in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. This is real cowboy country with Rattlesnakes & scorpions every where. 

A US flag, rooster & my Toyota Echo (with air conditioning) at the entrance
to Mike's property in remote Buckeye, Arizona

The reason why I took the photo of Mike's fridge is to show you this cowboy's arsenal of ammo. Mike the owner of this property is married to a Mexican wet back, this fridge is full of ammunition, he said that if the Government ever tried to confiscate his arsenal he would go down with the ship, if you know what I mean.

Mike's fridge with his well-packed arsenal of ammo

In the other photo with the US flag, rooster & my Toyota Echo (with air conditioning) is the entrance to Mike's property.

I have also decided that I am now a man on a mission to water Australia. Radio Broadcaster, Alan Jones has been on the case now for years & years. With the National disaster that is about to engulf our way of living in our beautiful country with the drought, I have decided that l am going to become an activist to show these useless Politicians how we can water Australia. 

The state of Arizona has open canals running all through the state,
delivering much needed water to the farmers & population.

All they need to do is to hop on a plane & come here to Phoenix. I will personally take these bludgers out into the dessert & show them how it is easily done. This state has open canals running all through the state, delivering much needed water to the farmers & population.

Imagine if you were to announce this project to the punters in Australia, it would create REAL employment for years for thousands of Australians, building this dream of mine to bring the life blood of any Nation (water) to reality.

Yesterday I scored this bull bar for my '81 Ford Bronco

As Alan Jones says “we could feed the world” if we were to redirect all the wasted water from Northern Australia to the farmers in the waste lands in the outback our country would flourish like you have never seen in the history of our Nation.

Just remember where you heard it first. Remember my forecast about the Donald, well wait until you see what I am going to do about this little project of mine. I am going to need help along the way, so please join me on the Warburton Train to water Australia.

Yesterday I picked up this spare wheel cover for my
'81 Ford Bronco for just US$25.00

If one of these brain dead politicians would announce this before the next election, they would not need another policy to sell to the electorate, game over, trust me.

Not only that it would destroy the Labor Party as my hero the Donald has done to the Democrats here in America.

Keep an eye on this space !!!

Cheers for now.
Warbo

Heading back to California & Arizona

Wednesday 8th August, 2018.

Today I departed Sydney for my second trip to the US in two months.

My mission this trip is to prepare my three new cars that I purchased last month in the US for shipment to Australia. The cars must comply with the strictly enforced rules by the Australian Border Force regarding the total ban on deadly asbestos.

Onboard my Qantas A380 today for my Sydney departure.
Lucky to score a spare seat next to me on the upper deck
in Business Class.

Asbestos used to be a popular material because of its high level of fire resistance, and up until the 1970s it was used in gaskets, Brake linings, clutches, and other car parts.

The initial ban on importing goods with asbestos into Australia was brought into law back in 2003, but in July 2017 a warning was issued by the Australian Border Force (ABF) that a harder stance would be taken against those flouting the laws. 

My three new cars that I have the get certified in California as being
asbestos free before I can import them into Australia

Asbestos testing is carried out on imported items that are deemed to be a risk by the agency, even if the importer has declared that the item doesn’t contain the material, and importers are expected, by law, to know whether an item contains asbestos.

Read more about my three new cars HERE

2018 All Ford Day - Eastern Creek

Sunday 29th July - 2018

Today l attended the All Ford Day at the Sydney Dragway at Eastern Creek along with fourteen of my fellow Model A Ford Club Members to celebrate the 90th Anniversary (1928-2018) since these magnificent vehicles were first sold to the public here in Australia.

At the All Ford Day, Model A Ford owners were
celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the vehicle's launch in Australia

Presented by the Combined Ford Clubs of NSW, there were hundreds of Fords on display today, all makes & models. If you are a fan of the blue oval badged vehicles you sure missed out on a spectacular assortment of beautifully presented Ford Cars.

As you can see by the photographs it was a wonderful Winter's day to be wandering around checking out your most favourite model Ford.

'Rattle Trap' an early Model T Ford race car
this particular one still races regularly

As you all know l have a special soft spot for the Model A Fords, however I did spot another favourite Ford while I was wandering around checking out all the merchandise.

As soon as l laid my eyes on this Gold 1967 XR Falcon GT 4-Door Sedan it took me back to the first time l ever saw one at the Sydney Showground Speedway.

Even to this day in 2018, l think that this fifty-one-year-old,
'67 XR Falcon GT is a horny looking machine.

During my youth as a junior petrol head, every Saturday night l would catch the train from Miranda to Central, then bus it out  to watch the Speedway events at the Sydney Showground.

In those days when a new car model was released to the public, the car companies would take say, six, of the new models to the Speedway on a Saturday night & in between certain events would drive the new models around the cinders under the bright lights that were hung all around the circumference of the track. 

It was spectacular promotion to say the least because the cars would glisten and sparkle under those bright lights as they drove around the track.

I took my 1930 Model A Ford Special Delivery Wagon to display 
at the All Ford Day at Eastern Creek

l specifically remember on one Saturday night way back in 1967 watching these new Ford XR Falcon GT vehicles drive around the track. From a distance the wheels looked like they were all chrome wheels, however at a closer look they were fancy chrome dress rims.

Promoted in 1967 with the sporty appeal as a 'Mustang-bred Falcon' and offering a V8 Windsor engine, the XR Falcon GT heralded the start of the Aussie muscle car era. Even to this day in 2018, l think that this fifty-one-year-old ,‘67 XR Falcon GT is a horny looking machine. 

1915 Model T Ford Fire Engine

In the other photos you can see the wide variety of older Fords, there's a red 1915 Model T Ford Fire Engine, a Model T Ford race car that still competes in races to this day, & finishing off with two photos of Model As.

Hope you enjoy the few photos, brings back plenty of memories for me.

Cheers
Ken

Cockpit Video: My Spitfire Flight

Flight Date: UK - Tuesday 12th June - 2018

I wanted to share my Spitfire Flight Cockpit Video with you that has just been posted on You Tube;

With the Boultbee Flight Academy, at Goodwood Aerodrome, in Chichester, West Sussex. I finally accomplished my dream of flying in a genuine WWII Spitfire Aircraft (1,600-hp supercharged Merlin engine) over the English Channel in a re-enactment of the 'Battle of Britain'.  

l can now boast that l am a Spitfire pilot BECAUSE l flew that beast for 5-minutes over the English Channel.




For your optimum viewing: please use the Pan & Tilt feature of the video in the top left hand corner to get full 360º views with the video. Or use your mouse to grab and drag the image to change and enjoy the panoramic views.

Read about my WWII Spitfire 40-minute flight CLICK HERE



 

Home after 52-days of World Travel

Friday 28th July - 2018

l arrived home into Sydney on Wednesday July 18th completing a spectacular circumnavigation of the world from East to West in 52-days.

The only other time that l have circumnavigated the globe was way back in the late '60s early '70s, during that time my world travels were from West to East across the Pacific Ocean to Vancouver in Canada by ship, taking closer to 3-years to complete.

Since my first Cherry Blossom Cruise to Japan in 1967 as a 20-year-old onboard the P&O cruise ship the SS Himalaya l have been fortunate enough to travel to many parts of the world.

The first of my world travels began back in 1967
when I sailed from Sydney on P&O's SS Himalaya to Japan.
She was withdrawn from service in '74 and scrapped.

As you know l spent 34-years employed by Qantas Airlines as an International Trolly-Dolly & not once in that whole time did l get to actually circumnavigate the world as crew. In the late sixties Qantas promoted itself as a 'Round The World Airline'. 

During my employment with Qantas for all those years Qantas flew to many countries on many continents, but flights never linked up with a continued 'Round the World' service.

When the Dunlop tyres of the Qantas Airbus A-380 touched Sydney's runway at 0800 last Wednesday morning it was a very crisp, cold morning, a pleasant change from the scorching heat of the desert in Arizona.

Taking me 27-hours to get from Phoenix, Arizona home to Sydney
my Qantas Airbus A-380 delivered me safely.
Ironically passing directly over the same spot where I sailed out of Sydney
aboard the SS Himalaya some 51-years ago. 

From the time l departed my trailer in Chandler, Arizona until l walked into the front door of my home here in the 'Shire' 27-hours had elapsed by.

l would rather drive 'Sheila' my 1931 Model A Ford, slant window, Town Sedan for 652 miles (1,050 kms) in one day through the scorching desert than be copped up in a piece of Aluminium tubing flying half way around the world feeling like a sardine in a can, however it must be done because the alternative is a long swim across the Pacific Ocean.

l have endeavoured to cover my spectacular trip with keeping my Blog up to date.

Monster Energy Supersport TT Race 1:
Dean Harrison leads Conor Cummins at Tomer Bends

My journey starts off in the Northern Hemisphere where l attended the daunting TT Bike races on the Isle of Man. If you are a motorbike enthusiast or just a straight out 'Petrol Head' like myself this event must not be missed. Make sure that it is No.1 on your bucket list. Absolutely awesome!!!

Isle on Man
Ian Hutchinson on the back wheel of his Tyco BMW Superstock
at Ballagarey during a qualifying session

Once the TT races had finished on the loM. l then flew back to London Luton. l then drove to the Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit in West Sussex, where there is also an aerodrome. With the Boultbee Flight Academy, I finally accomplished my dream of flying in a genuine WWII Spitfire Aircraft (1,600-hp supercharged Merlin engine) over the English Channel in a re-enactment of the 'Battle of Britain'  l can now boast that l am a Spitfire pilot BECAUSE l flew that beast for 5-minutes over the English Channel. 

I can now boast that I am a Spitfire pilot BECAUSE I flew that
beast for 5-minutes over the English Channel.

During the 40-minute flight the real pilot performed some impressive manoeuvres in the Spitfire including a Victory Roll - Wing Over - Half Cuban - Barrel Roll - finishing with a Loop. l must admit that with the 4G forces that you experience during these manoeuvres l was feeling a little nauseous & looking forward to the old Terra Firma. 

To watch the in-cockpit video of my Spitfire flight CLICK HERE

The following day l drove back into London to the Kia Oval in Kennington to watch the first of the 20/20 Inetrnational Cricket matches between the Aussies & the Poms, our team was completely thrashed, however it was a wonderful experience & the weather was splendid.

I managed to catch a one-day International Cricket match
Australia Vs England at the Kia Oval, in Kennington, London

It was now time to depart old England & fly to North America. 

On my flight from London to Phoenix in Arizona l had a transit stop in New York, that flight gave me an opportunity to see the New York skyline with out the Twin Towers, the last time l flew into New York was as a crew member with Qantas in 2000, before the horrible events that took place there in 2001 that changed the world.

Once l arrived in Phoenix, Arizona it was now time to prepare 'Sheila' my Model A Ford Town Sedan for the long road journey north through the deserts of Arizona & Nevada to join the Model A Ford National meet in Sparks, Reno, Nevada.  

Model A Ford making its way around the shore of Lake Tahoe
Photo: Amy Taylor - MAFCA

There were another 500 Model A Fords from all over America for this week long Rally, when you were driving around town it was like scenes from the late '20s early '30s, especially when you were involved with events organised by the organising committee up & around Lake Tahoe.

Because of the dangerous & stressful & scorching journey's drive north through the desert from Phoenix to Reno Nevada l decided to head west through Sacramento towards the coast once the Rally had finished. When l hit the coast road l could then drive south towards San Diego because l wanted to check out the Donald's wall (or fence) at the border between Tijuana, Mexico & San Diego in California. 

A Model A passes through Virginia City, Nevada on a short tour
while attending the MAFCA National Convention in June 2018. 

Before l made it to the Mexican border l stayed with friends in Santa Clarita CA, this town is 60-miles north of L.A. l was invited to attend the 4th of July Independence Day Parade in my Model A Ford, which was a hoot.

In Santa Clarita, I got to meet Hollywood actress, Nicole Tompkins.
She owns and drives her own Model A Ford
On the left with her WWII Veteran grandfather & on the right with me

The 2018 Independence Day celebrations proved to be a very expensive day for me in Santa Clarita CA. because l purchased a beautiful 1930 AA Ford Truck that l have subsequently nicknamed 'Hoover'. The reason being that when the Hoover Dam was being built in 1931-36, these trucks were the main work horse & the back-bone form of transport at the time.

To read more about my meeting with actress Nicole Tompkins CLICK HERE

From Santa Clarita CA, l headed south towards Tijuana, checked out the progress on the US/Mexico Border wall. Once my inspection was complete l then turned east along the Northern Mexican border towards Arizona. 

The US/Mexican Border Fence extends out into the Pacific Ocean
On the left is San Diego, California and the right Tijuana, Mexico.
The round building on the right is a Bull Fighting Ring
the Plaza Monumental Playas de Tijuana

Thank you for taking the time & interest in all my escapades & adventures. l hope that you enjoy reading my blog with the accompanying stories & photographs. 

So here ends my adventure over the past 52-days. 

"Don't die wondering"

Cheers

Warbo