Mission Accomplished

Monday 12th November - 2018

After their oceanic journeys across the Pacific Ocean from the US to Australia and cleared by Australian Border Force - all my ‘Babies’ are now safe & sound and are under my personal care, here in the ‘Shire’.

Today I picked up the last vehicle of my three 'new' vehicles
to be cleared by Australian Border Force;
my 1964 Plymouth/Valiant 2-door, 3-speed, manual sedan

Now comes the job of putting them all back together with a lot of TLC and make them roadworthy in preparation for Australian registration. 

Trailering home my 1964 Plymouth/Valiant
with my '81 Ford Bronco

Stay tuned for further updates. Cheers for now.

‘Squire from the Shire’

Warbo

Model A Ford Club of NSW - Maintenance Day

Saturday 10th November - 2018

Hello fellow Model A Ford Club members,

For those members that have not attended one of our club's maintenance days at
Rob Taylor’s facility at GUILDFORD - you have no idea what you are missing out on.

In attendance on the day - fifteen Model A Fords

This morning thirty Club members gathered at 0930 for a bonding session to talk about our prestigious motor vehicles & also to fix the problems of the world, as you do.

Maintenance Day is a perfect opportunity for everyone
to get together to talk 'Model A Ford' stuff

In attendance there were fifteen Model A Fords on display. Our first tour of duty was to all gather upstairs in Rob’s conference room to talk about “How to use a multi-meter”. Kevin Sherson who is one of our very knowledgeable club members was our tutor. 

In this conference room there is hundreds of years of knowledge
regarding the ins & outs of the iconic Model A Ford Motor Vehicle.

I thoroughly enjoyed the valuable information that Rob explained to us all in a 1-hour presentation, we also talked about various other electrical components of the Model A Ford. 

Great supporting audio visuals were used during our 'how to' sessions

Looking around the room as you can see by the accompanying photographs, l was not the only one that enjoyed the presentation.

Time to get in close for a detailed look...
Mal Bradley inspecting a Model A Ford 3-Speed transmission
for one of our Club members.

We then adjourned down stairs to be greeted by our 'ln-house Chef' Ron Elks who had fired up the BBQ so that we could enjoy sausage & onion rolls for leisurely lunch.

In-house Chef, Ron Elks fired up the BBQ and
took culinary control of the day's lunch presentation.

There was so much happening, Mal Bradley was checking out a Model A Ford gear box for one of the members & Jim Haling was explaining certain aspects of the water pump clearance on the head of a Model A Ford.

We had detailed chats on subjects from water pumps to gear boxes

We are very fortunate to have Rob Taylor allow us to use his premises for these occasions.

We are very fortunate to have Rob Taylor allow us to
use his premises for these occasions. Thanks Rob.

Thanks again Rob, as Club members we really appreciate your generosity once again.

Cheers for now.

Warbo

Three newest family members arrive...

Wednesday 7th November - 2018

What a Day!!! It also happened to be the Mid-Term elections in the USA. (US time).

Yesterday, l took delivery of the three newest members to the Warburton family. As you can see by the following photographs taken outside the warehouse here in Sydney.

On the trailer after arrival from the US and Australian Border Force clearance
1931 Model A Ford 4-door, slant window, Town Sedan

Last time l was with the family was way back in Compton, Los Angeles (on 17th August, 2018) when l finally delivered my Babies to the Ocean Freight terminal for Asbestos testing before they were then packed into a 40ft container for shipping to Australia.

l must admit that l was very anxious to see if my precious cargo had arrived unscathed after their epic 7,500 mile journey across the vast Pacific Ocean. Yes, l am pleased to report that the unaccompanied children arrived safe & sound with out any damage.

Remember all the trouble that l went to regarding the removal of 'Asbestos' from my vehicles. Well let me tell you !!!

Newly arrived into Australia; 1964 Plymouth/Valiant 2-door, 3-speed,
manual sedan. (in Turquoise). A very rare vehicle in Australia.

The company that l used in Los Angeles, guaranteed that once they had cleared my vehicles in LA to the Australian Border Force requirements, l would have no problems with the vehicles entering Australia. Sure enough, my three vehicles passed the authorities here in Sydney with flying colours. 

Certain people told me that l was going overboard with my preparations regarding the removal of 'Asbestos', however let me assure you all that it sure was a good feeling not to have the worry of the Authorities slapping a $7,000.00 fine (per vehicle) plus all the other charges that could have come my way if they did not pass muster here in Aussie.

May be l did go overboard with the preparation of my vehicles before they departed LA however - l have also spoken to a couple of chaps here in Sydney that took a punt on their vehicles not being tested once they arrived here. Shock! Shock! Horror! 

Guess what? Their vehicles were inspected on arrival into Sydney & they are now in all sorts of shit including huge fines.

My 1930 AA Ford Truck with dual rear wheels.

l am very glad that l did it my way, because l can no longer afford to loose any more hair.

Now that l have the vehicles are here and safe & sound in my hot hands l will go about putting them all back together (brakes, engines, clutches, heads, manifold gaskets, etc, etc) before registering them so that l can start driving & enjoying them hopefully before Christmas.

Just to refresh your memories about the new members to the Warburton clan, they are:

1) 1964 Plymouth/Valiant 2-door, 3-speed, manual sedan. (Turquoise). Very rare vehicle.
2) 1930 AA Ford Truck with dual rear wheels.
3) 1931 Model A Ford 4-door, slant window, Town Sedan.

In summary, yes, it has been a long drawn out adventure. It all started way back in Santa Clarita in California at the Independence Day Parade on the 4th of July 2018, when l purchased the AA Ford Truck - I was on my way back to Phoenix from the 2018 Model A Ford Rally held in Reno, Nevada.

Now that this experience is behind me, l am looking forward to the next one that l hope is not that far around the corner.

Just remember!!!  - 'Adventure before Dementia'.

Hope you enjoyed the story.

Cheers for now

Warbo

Motor Enthusiasts Group - Cronulla Show & Shine

Sunday 4th November - 2018

On Sunday the 4th of November my Shire-based, local Car Club the Motor Enthusiasts Group held their Annual Show & Shine in the Cronulla RSL car park in Cronulla. The group is a regional group that caters for all marques & ages of motor vehicles. 

My '57 Chevrolet 2-door Bel Air in the
Cronulla RSL car park

Last Sunday's Show 'n' Shine was our best attended ever. About 46 cars turned out, the sun shone and the weather was great. After the morning's judging was completed, everyone adjourned to the Cronulla RSL Club directly across the road for refreshments.

We had an amazing variety of vehicles turned up, undoubtedly this is one of the strengths of our club.

Helping to recreate the '50s era, today I displayed
my US-drive-in restaurant-style 'Carhop' food service tray

l entered my '57 Chevy Bel Air for judging & l am pleased to say that my black '57 Chevy was lucky enough to win the 'Modified Class'.

Gaining plenty of attention on the day was my newly acquired US-style Carhop tray, complete with food. A carhop is a waiter or waitress that brings food to a car in a drive-in restaurant. The word Carhop is play on the term Bellhop. Popular in the US from the '50s through the '60s - carhops were slowly phased out by the innovation of drive-thru style service.

l am looking forward to our Motor Enthusiasts Group's next outing.

Cheers for now

Warbo

An old girl named 'Sheila'

Wednesday 31 October - 2018

The ship transporting my latest purchases from the USA arrived into Port Botany yesterday after a 3-week voyage across the Pacific Ocean to Sydney. l was at home killing time organising all the paperwork necessary for the authorities so that my vehicles can be cleared ASAP.

While scrounging through some of my car memorabilia,  l found a DVD of all the National Model A Ford Meets held in Australia from 1972-2008. Having nothing better to do for a couple of hours l decided to sit down & have a look at these previous National Rallys held in various cities all over Australia.

As you all are probably aware by now I own a 1931 Model A Ford 4 door Slant Window Town Sedan that is my daily driver when I am in America called 'Sheila'.

With me as you know there is always a story behind the purchase of any of my vehicles, usually l see one & fall in love with it & can not help myself & purchase it.

As you can witness in the screenshots above, l spotted 'Sheila' (Green) in all its glory parked next to another Model A Ford (Yellow) in a mustering car park somewhere in Perth. 

Here's the story on how I acquired 'Sheila'. Way back in June 2013 on one of my jaunts to America, l was preparing to depart Phoenix Arizona in my RV for the journey of a lifetime, to drive to Alaska & return (Approximately 8,000 miles or almost 13,000 kms give or take a few kms, round journey) with the heir to the throne, my son Nathaniel.

Before l left Phoenix, my new best friend Sammy Guthrie suggested to me "why don't you call in & meet these Model A Ford people along the way to Alaska?" l thought that would be a good idea.

My first port of call was to drive to Sedona in Arizona to meet up with Ross & Lee-Anne Morgan, as they are Model A Ford enthusiasts. 

One of the imported US vehicles in Perth in 2004 for the National
Model A Rally. Note the sign on the side "Texas to Perth"

Now to cut to the chase, when l arrived at their residence in Sedona, Ross took me out to his garage to show me his Model A Ford, l immediately fell head over heels in love with his car, he told me that this car's nickname is 'Sheila'. l wanted to know how & why his Model A Ford was called 'Sheila'.

Ross then explained to me that a group of dedicated Model A Ford Club members & himself shipped their vehicles to Australia to attend the 2004 Model A Ford National Meet in Perth, Western Australia, & that is how his vehicle was called 'Sheila' because they liked the name.

Once the National Model A Ford Meet in Perth was over the American's then shipped 'Sheila' & the rest of their vehicles back home to America.

Anyway to cut a long story short, l ended up purchasing 'Sheila' from the Morgans the following morning & continued on my merry way to the Alaska, & the rest is history.

Whilst l was watching the DVD of the Model A Ford National meets, l was particularly interested in looking more closely at the 2004 Rally in Perth to see if 'Sheila' was featured in any of that footage way back then in 2004.

Sure enough, as you can witness in the screenshots here, l spotted 'Sheila' (Green) in all its glory parked next to another Model A Ford (Yellow) in a mustering car park somewhere in Perth. 

Screenshot from the DVD, the Morgan's checking in for a flight in Australia.

Not only that, l also recognised Ross & his wife Lee-Anne (the previous owners) standing chatting to other Model A Ford folks probably in the queue checking in for a flight.

In the other photograph (above, top) you can see another one of their parties Model A Ford with 'Texas to Perth 2004' written on the side of their vehicle.

This story may not mean too much to anybody else other than, Ross & Lee-Anne Morgan & yours truly, however l think it is worth a mention due to all the different consequences & all the holes in the cheese lining up along the way, in other words it was "meant to happen" that l am now the proud owner of this very special & and well-traveled 1931 Model A Ford Slant Window Town Sedan called 'Sheila'.

l hope that you enjoyed the story about 'Sheila'.

Cheers
Warbo

All Chrysler Day - Penrith

Sunday 21st October - 2018

The 32nd annual All Chrysler Day at the Museum of Fire, Penrith, Sydney.

The Chrysler Restorers Club of Australia held their All Chrysler Day event at the Museum of Fire out in Penrith, in Sydney's greater West on Sunday.

One of today's few vehicles that you could purchase if you desire.  
This 'S' type Valiant is definitely a handyman special, as you can see 
by the photograph. This Valiant is in need of a lot of TLC.  
You can own it for only $2,000.00.

Major Sponsor of our event Shannons insurance were also well represented
 with their display of the FAMOUS 1959 Goggombil Dart,
that was made famous by Shannons advertising campaign many years ago.

All types of makes & models of the MOPAR range of vehicles were in attendance, we enjoyed the spectacle of 217 vehicles on show to the spectators that attended the day's events.

On display was a glimpse into Australia's motoring history from the early 1920s and onwards, featuring a great selection of Chrsyler, Dodge, DeSoto and Plymouth cars and the very well know Valiant and Charger models.

The R&S Valiant Club were well represented with this 

expansive display of vehicles from their club.

My 1963 (original conditional) Valiant Regal sedan on display

After last week's torrential rains in Sydney, we were blessed with good weather, it did not rain one drop all day allowing all the exhibitors to show off their pride & joy to the many thousands of people that wandered around the grounds checking out all of the merchandise.

Two Dodge commercial utes in the display today, 

both magnificently presented.

Don't you just love this bumper sticker under the bonnett 

of one of the Mopar vehicles today.

Many thanks to all those proud owners of the Chrysler brand for their commitment to display their vehicles to make the 2018 All Chrysler Day such a success. 

NSW Police Officer Bill standing beside her brand new Chrysler 300, 

6.4 litre engine Highway Patrol Vehicle. (HWP-150).

Rear view of the Chrysler 300 - HWP-150.

Cheers  

Warbo

Leading Stoker, John Percival Ingle - Memorial

Sunday 14th October - 2018

Today would have been my Father's 100th Birthday. Born Alan George Warburton on 14th October, 1918 in Marrickville NSW. I was blessed to have had my magnificent Dad in my life for 60 wonderful years, unfortunately I lost him 10-years ago.

Today, l was invited to the Royal Australian Navy's Naval Chapel at Garden Island here in Sydney to share with the Ingle family (life-long friends of my family) a moving Memorial Plaque presentation in honour of their father Leading Stoker, John Percival Ingle. A great bloke who helped guide me through my formative years.

Today, l joined Joanie & Barbara lngle at the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet Base
East at Garden Island in Sydney. Which made a perfect back drop
with the Sydney Harbour Bridge & the sails of the Sydney Opera House.

My Dad & Uncle Jack, as I used to call him, both served in the Royal Australian Navy, John passed away 12-months ago. During the Memorial Service today held in the Naval Chapel at HMAS Kattabul overlooking Sydney Harbour conducted by Naval Chaplain Richard Quadrio bought back many memories for me.

The Chaplain spoke about grieving, he said that grieving comes in waves & today l rode one of those waves on this very special occasion. l was extremely moved by these words from the Chaplin.

Naval Chaplain Richard Quadrio delivered
an impressive & moving invocation

The measure of a man is not determined by his show of outward strength, or the volume of his voice, or the thunder of his action. It is to be seen, rather, in terms of the strength of his commitment. The genuineness of his friendships, the sincerity of his purpose, the quite courage of his convictions, his capacity to suffer, and his willingness to continue 'growing up'. (Grady Poulard).

How moving are those words of wisdom.

A dedication to all those men & ships who have served in
the Royal Australian Navy all over the world

Once the memorial Service was completed I walked around the Chapel in silence, reflecting my mind back to my Dad. I came across one of the many stained glass windows of the Chapel. Right there before me l discovered this stained glass window of the HMAS Yarra (U77)(1936-1942). This ship was one of the three ships that my Dad had served duty on during the Second World War.

The HMAS Yarra was a Grimsby-Class sloop of the Royal Australian Navy that served during WWII. On the 4th of March 1942, Yarra was lost in action, attacked and sunk by a force of Japanese cruisers and destroyers while attempting to protect ships withdrawing to Australia.

HMAS Yarra in the Persian Gulf in 1941

Fortunately for my father he was not on board the HMAS Yarra on that fateful day, he had been transferred to the HMAS Adelaide before the sinking of the HMAS Yarra in 1942.

Dad also served on the Queen Mary, making many trips from Australia to the Middle East carrying 15,000 Australian troops.

I always remember Dad telling me how unstable the Queen Mary was, he told me that it would roll from side to side tied up at a wharf, apparently when the war broke out they had to complete the construction of her in record time to get the ship into service, hence the stabilisers were not built into the ships construction. 

HMAS Yarra, immortalized with guns blazing in a figurative 
sea battle in Stained Glass in the Chapel's windows

Once the service was completed, you can see l joined Joanie & Barbara lngle in the grounds of Garden Island, that made a perfect back drop with the Sydney Harbour Bridge, also accompanied by the sails of the Opera House.

Leading Stoker, John Percival Ingle's Memorial plaque.

Today's events is a constant reminder of all the sacrifices our forefathers made for us to enjoy the way of life that we enjoy today.

Thanks for sharing my Dad's 100th Birthday & the lngle families Memorial Plaque presentation.

Cheers

Warbo

Home from my 10-day trip to South Australia

Monday 8th October - 2018

Yes, I made it home at 1300 on Sunday afternoon after a very enjoyable 10-day's cruising the Southern States of Victoria & South Australia in my 1931 Model A Ford Tudor Delux Sedan attending the 25th Model A Ford National Meet held at Murray Bridge South Australia, also celebrating 90-years of the Model A Ford in Australia.

During the final leg of my drive home yesterday my mind drifted back to June this year when I attended the Model A Ford National Rally in Reno Nevada USA.

Back home after a 2,200 mile trip from Sydney to participate
in the 25th Model A Ford National Meet in South Australia.

As you can see by the speedo (brand new speedometer) reading in the photo [above], I drove a very similar distance here on this Rally as I did in America recently. When I finally parked the Model A Ford in my garage yesterday afternoon we had driven 2,200 miles (3,540 kms) to participate in the South Australian Rally.

Our next Model A Ford National Rally will be held in Ballarat in the State of Victoria in 2020, if all goes well, I hope to attend that meet.

Cheers
Warbo

Road hazards and Gundagai

Sunday 7th October - 2018

While we were fuelling up in Balranald, we were advised by another motorist who had just driven over from Hay that it would be very dangerous to attempt the Hay Plains at that time of the afternoon because of the hundreds of Kangaroos & Emus that were along the Highway.

In America recently I had to deal with the excessive heat driving through the desert, here in Aussie I had to deal with the Kangaroos & Emus that shared our highways with us at dawn & dusk.

Don’t mess with a 1931 Model A Ford, because you will
definitely come off second best.

I can assure you that weaving my Model A Ford through these animals was very intimidating at times & of course very, very dangerous, we made it unscathed thank heavens and my Model A Ford performed magnificently on the journey.

This afternoon bought back many memories driving into the Town centre of Gundagai, this old wooden bridge that is now derelict, is the same bridge that I have driven over many, many times in my youth on my way to Melbourne to watch the car races at Calder Raceway in the early to '60s.

The old Gundagai Prince Alfred timber road bridge

The timber viaducts & trusses are a wonderful example of early engineering solutions to crossing the major flood plain of the Murumbidgee River. First built in 1866, the bridge formed part of the Hume Highway until it was replaced in the '70s.

I can remember driving across it as clear as yesterday, if there was a semi-trailer coming the other way the whole, rickety-old bridge felt like it was going to fall apart. Not longer open to any traffic, it was listed by the National Trust as being of national significance. 

Parked across the street from the Lotts Family Hotel and the old
Gundagai Theatre on Gundagai's Sheridan Street.

We had a great evening meal at the Lotts family Hotel in Gundagai, it's a great old-fashioned country pub - perfect if you've had enough of fast food and drive-thrus out on highway. Quaint country towns like this have suffered with advent of highway by-passes that see small towns receive less passing traffic and their small businesses suffer accordingly.

Cheers
Warbo

Breakfast in Balranald

Saturday 6th October - 2018

Leaving the State of South Australia behind, and after passing through Mildura, NSW we were headed another 165kms down the Sturt Highway for an over-night stop in the NSW township of Balranald.

On our journey over to South Australia last week we had called into the Balranald Bakery and spent time there last Saturday.

Posing in front of the Balranald Bakery with the '31 Model A Ford.
Bakery owners Paul & Jo Fenna on the left and Peter Deane
sitting on the front bumper

Know as the gateway to the outback, this Riverina district town Balranald, is a perfect stop over point for anyone travelling the Sturt Highway between Adelaide and Sydney.

We wanted to enjoy another sensational breakfast at this home-spun bakery, with the owners Jo & Paul Fenna. The Fenna's fell in love with the Model A & wanted photos so they could post them on their Facebook.

For anyone travelling through Balranald I can highly recommend this spot for a great food stop and friendly service.

Warbo