The 27th 'Chryslers On The Murray'

Sunday 17th March - 2019

Over the weekend Peter Deane and myself attended the 27th 'Chryslers on the Murray' celebrations. We drove my 1964 Plymouth/Valiant from Sydney down to Victoria via the Hume Highway. 

My '64 Plymouth/Valiant, on its first big road trip in Australia
adjacent the old railway bridge that spans across
the Murrumbidgee River floodplain in Gundagai, NSW.

The last time that we attended this event was in 2013 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Chrysler Valiant's introduction into Australia, at that time we attended those celebrations in my ORIGINAL 1963 Valiant Regal sedan. 

Recently I sold that vehicle to one of my son's mates that absolutely loves this vehicle, he recently told me that when he and his mates are driving the '63 Valiant around the 'SHIRE' they all feel so 'COOL'.

My '64 Plymouth/Valiant in Holbrook, NSW
in front of HMAS Otway - the retired Oberon Class Submarine

We departed Cronulla at 0630 on Friday morning, and we hit the road running. Gundagai was our first stop to stretch the legs and enjoy a nice extra hot coffee at Macca's. This was my '64 Plymouth's first outing since I imported the vehicle into Australia last year, I am pleased to say that it performed beautifully, without a hiccup.

We then pushed onto the small town of Holbrook for another short break to check out the Submarine hull of the retired HMAS Otway, an Oberon Class Submarine. Of course you can not drive through town with out calling into the famous Holbrook Bakery & Coffee Shop for a fresh apple pie and cream, washed down by an extra large Latte Coffee. 

Peter Deane [left] and myself enjoy a recuperative stop at the
Holbrook Bakery & Coffee Shop

By now it was time to push onto our final destination, just across the NSW/Victoria state border in Wodonga, to set up camp in our Airbnb 3-bedroom house that we rented for the weekend. 

We arrived around 3:00pm Friday afternoon and unloaded the car and settled in to our accommodation. I wanted to detail the car for judging first thing on Saturday morning at 0900. So I managed to find a garden hose in the back yard and spent the following 2-hours giving the Plymouth some tender loving care. 

After arrival into our Airbnb in Killara, Wodonga
I managed to spend 2-hours detailing my car for Saturday's Show.

As you can see by the photograph [below] of my offsider, he was once again looked after like a 'Silk worm' by the Trolly-Dolly.

My off-sider, Peter Deane enjoying a full breakfast
that I prepared in our Airbnb fully equipped house in Wodonga

We arrived at the mustering area at Gateway Lakes on the Lincoln Causeway by 0800, parked the car then walked around the swap meet for an hour or so. During our stroll around the park I called Russell Cope to find out where he was at. 

Now Russell is one of the foundation members of the Chrysler Restorer's Club of NSW. We met him and his son Steve in another part of the park, these days Russell has limited mobility probably because he is 87 years-of-age, I just hope that I am on the right side of the turf at that age, let alone be enjoying myself with my son at 'Chrysler on the Murray'. 

I managed to catch up with old friend Russell Cope.
Russell is one of the founding member's of the Chrysler Restorer's Club

This year's event attracted around 650 entrants, down by about 200 from last year. The theme this year was leaning towards the VE, VG and VF models of the Mopar brand.

A Chrysler Hearse - complete with unique Gulf Wing side windows.

I was disappointed to find that there were very few older Classic Vehicles on display (one to be precise) and hardly any 'R' and 'S' model Valiants. The weather was picture perfect, a lot different from the rain-soaked conditions in and around Sydney over the same weekend. 

I also managed to catch up with some friends I'd met 6-years ago that helped me procure a radiator for my '63 Valiant Regal when I was indeed in BIG trouble.

1929 Chrysler ‘565’ Saloon. (This was the only Classic Vehicle on display
over the weekend - which I found to be very disappointing).

Sunday was really more of the same, so we decided to depart Wodonga around lunch time for the 7-hour drive back home to Sydney. I ended up driving into my front yard at 7:00pm on Sunday night after a thoroughly enjoyable weekend away playing cars beside the GREAT Murray River that actually had water flowing down stream which was a great sight.

Lauded as the biggest Chrysler Show in the Southern hemisphere, the border town event continues to grow through word of mouth and repeat participants. At the end of the weekend, thousands of dollars will be raised & donated to the local Thurgoona, Bonegilla and Kiewa rural fire brigades, because with out their dedicated help, this magnificent Chrysler event would not be possible.

I never knew that Chrysler built boats, ever... I discovered this
by reading the display sign about the 1976 Chrysler Conqueror
 - 105 Speed boat. Built in Plano, Texas. The boats were never
marketed in Australia. Very interesting I thought.

The Albury/Wodonga Chrysler Club is a small social club, however they have bragging rights that they are running the biggest Chrysler Show in the southern hemisphere.

The road stats for our Sydney-Wodonga-Sydney trip: 725 miles return trip or for you young ones 1,166 kms. Averaged 26 mpg during our journey. 

Safe travels, looking forward to my next adventure.

Cheers

Warbo

Extraordinary History of my new AA Truck

Monday 11th March - 2019

It has been another exciting few months for me planning & organising our 5th Annual Sylvanvale Pre-WWII Car Show. We have managed to retain many of the charming vintage vehicles from our previous shows PLUS recruit new exciting treasures never seen before at our Cronulla exhibition.

Only 5-weeks now until the BIG Show day in Cronulla - Sunday 14th April 2019.

This year I am going to display my 1929 AA Ford Flat Bed Truck to the public for the 1st time in its original Patina on the tiles of Cronulla Mall.

This is the first time I ever laid eyes on my new truck, which was
at the 4th of July Day Parade in Santa Clarita, California.

Last year in America I attended the 4th of July celebrations in a town called Santa Clarita, California, located about 60 miles north of Los Angeles. The previous week I had attended the National Model A Ford Rally in Reno, Nevada. I was on my way back to my residence in Phoenix, Arizona & was coaxed by my friends to participate in the 4th of July Parade in my 1931 Model A Ford 4-door Town Sedan. (see photo below).

Little did I know what was ahead of me before the sun went down over the west coast horizon of California that afternoon.

Whilst tweaking & dressing my Model A Ford in the muster area of Main Street, Santa Clarita and before the commencement of the parade I heard the familiar distinct sound of another Model A Ford driving down the road & thought nothing more of it until I looked up to see what Model A Ford was about to join us for the parade.

My decorated Model A Ford Town Sedan which I drove in the 
4th of July Day Parade in Santa Clarita, California

As I looked up from securing another American flag to my Model A Ford Town Sedan I was gob smacked to see this magnificent 1929 AA Ford Truck parked next to me in all its glory & original patina. Immediately I fell in LOVE with this uncommon relic (as you do). I dropped every thing that I was doing & walked over to introduce my self to the owner/driver to have a chin wag with him.

I have a very special soft spot in my heart for this particular vehicle that Henry Ford produced, ever since watching a Documentary on how they built the Hoover Dam (1931-1936) in the Depression. That was the moment in my life when I decided that one day I would like to own one of these work horses. All of the trucks that were running around in that film working to build the dam were AA Ford Trucks just like this one.

A view inside the cabin, note the simplicity and bare bones fitout.
Also the front windscreen ventilation system and lastly, the 
bullet hole in very top of the side panel [probably happened 
during the prohibition era in the US]. 

One of my favourite sayings is: 'There is always a reason'

That afternoon after the Parade I arranged to meet up with the gentleman that owned the AA Ford Truck at a BarBQ that my friend had arranged once the celebrations were finished.

Over a few beers at the BarBQ we spoke about the history of the truck, during our discussion Rick the owner happened to mention to me that this vehicle was actually used in the early '30s on the construction of the Hoover Dam. I could not believe my ears in the magnificent historical story directly connected to this truck that he was telling me.

Once he told me the story behind this vehicle I just had to have it...

I captured this image in the first moments when I fell in love with
this vehicle after hearing about its extraordinary history

We negotiated for quite some time before I eventually persuaded him to sell the Truck to me. (money talks all languages even American).

As I mentioned earlier in my story 'There is always a reason' if I had not been persuaded to participate in last year's 4th of July Parade in Santa Clarita California I would not be the proud owner of this very rare Classic vehicle, so you see 'things are meant to be' I believe.

Another very interesting part to this story about the purchase of this truck is that the engine is Russian built. This also adds to the uniqueness & rarity of my acquisition. (of course this engine is not the original one, however it adds to the mystique of the vehicle).

My truck in California with the engine stripped out during asbestos 
certification in preparation for export home to Australia

These Trucks were built in America from 1927-1932. Ford licenced the manufacture of the Model A Ford & AA Ford engines to a variety of Nations, notably the Soviet Union. There were 985,000 GAZ AA engines built in the USSR from 1932 until 1956. In some countries like Uruguay & Cuba these AA Trucks are still in use, more than 90-years after their introduction.

So to finalise my story, I could rave on all day & l do not want to bore you any longer. My AA Ford truck is quite unique here in Australia, especially being powered by a Russian built (50 H.P.) 4-cylinder engine, 4-speed manual transmission. This model AA Ford Truck is one of the short wheel based models with dual rear wheels capable of carrying a pay load of 2 ton. 

The truck after its arrival into Australia and clearance by Australian Border Force
Awaiting its trailer ride home to the Shire. Still bearing its California licence 
plates and at this stage, unable to be driven on Australia roads.

I sincerely hope that you enjoyed reading my story about a very special vehicle that comes with one hell of a pedigree.

If I have not bored you to death as yet & you would like to read more about some of the vehicles that will be exhibited in Cronulla at the 2019 Sylvanvale Pre-WWII Car Show all you need to do is 'CLICK HERE'.

Please enjoy the stories.

Warbo

Intro: My '57 Chevy Bel Air

Thursday 7th March - 2019

Recently I decided to replace the two photographs on the head banner of my blog page.

For many months now, every time you logged onto my blog page you would see a Turquoise 1964 Plymouth/Valiant, 2-door, 3-speed manual sedan kept in company by the 1931 Model A Ford 4-door Town sedan. These two vehicles I purchased in Santa Clarita, California in July 2018. 

Two different cars of mine now feature
on my new blog headline banner

I just thought that those two photos were growing a little tired by now, so I have updated those (2) photos with (2) of my later model vehicles for you to see & enjoy. I also decided that I would write a story on both of these classic vehicles of how & where I became the proud owner of them both.

1) 1957 (Black) Chevy 2-Door Bel Air.

Way back in 1957 when I was a spring chicken I cast my eyes over one of these beautiful cars & decided that one day I wanted to own one of these classic vehicles. Even then as a 10-year-old child I believed that the '57 Chevy was the best looking car of the fifties.

Two striking examples of iconic design lines from the '50s and the '70s
paired together here. The Sydney Opera House c.1973
& the Chevrolet Bel Air c.1957
Photo: Steve Core  

So to cut a long story short & fast forward 49-years here is what happened.

On one of my trips to the States (October 2016) I attended the Hershey Swap Meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania, now if you do not know any thing about this swap meet let me tell you a little bit about it. This meet takes place the first full week in October, where you can visit over 9,000 vendors, view over 1,000 cars for sale in the corral, & admire the approximately 1,200 cars at the car show on Saturday. (Put this event down on your bucket list).

One of my American friends is a vendor at this swap meet selling Model A Ford parts, I casually mentioned to him that I am in the market for a '57 Chevy. This chap is a motor mechanic & he said that one of his clients has his '57 Chevy in his (Cleveland, Ohio) workshop for repair. So I decided to call in & see the Chevy on my road trip back west to Phoenix, Arizona. As soon as I laid my eyes on this '57 Chevy I immediately feel in love with it.

The '57 Chevy parked under the Prince Alfred Bridge in Gundagai, NSW.
The bridge, opened in 1867, is a wrought iron truss & timber road bridge.
The bridge spans across the Murrumbidgee River floodplain.

Of course this vehicle was not for sale. I met up with the owner & began negotiations to purchase his vehicle, as luck would have it, this gentleman was in the process of selling his house & downsizing, so you might say that I was in the right spot at the right time because he had no room to garage this vehicle & by me buying this vehicle from him would save him quite a few head aches.

We came to an amicable deal & I now owned my life long dream a 1957 Chevy 2-door Bel Air.

The '57 Chevy framed under the backdrop of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Photo: Steve Core  

There was still a huge problem because I then had to drive my RV back across America to the West Coast & then on down to Phoenix, Arizona, as soon as l arrived back in Phoenix I boarded an aircraft & flew back to Cleveland Ohio to take delivery of my new 'Baby'.

Once I had taken delivery of my new vehicle, I decided to take a HUGE gamble & drive it back to Los Angeles. All of my American friends advised me to ship it to the West Coast on a Truck, I was having none of that & decided to take the PUNT & drive it back to LA. 

Distance: Cleveland Ohio to Los Angeles is 2,350 miles (3,782 kms). Two and a half days later I arrived in Los Angeles. The only problem that I experienced with the car was I lost the passenger side wiper blade in one of the rain storms I drove through.

The vehicle is as close as possible to original condition
where the chrome & trim are in stunning condition.
Photo: Steve Core  

When I arrived in LA I immediately organised to have the vehicle shipped back across the Pacific ocean to good old Sydney town.

So that my dear friends is how I come to own this '57 Chevy. Now I want to tell you about these highly sort after icons.

The Chevy Bel Air is an iconic car that debuted in the 1950s. The 1957 Chevy Bel Air remains to be one of the most popular made, it's really one of the most popular Classics of all time. These models are highly sort after by collectors & enthusiasts. If you want to pick up a '57 Chevy Bel Air today, it will cost you from $80,000 - $100,000 Aussie $s based on condition.

Here's the engine bay with the 350-cu.in 5.7 litre Chevy engine.
Sitting on top of the engine you can see the 650 Edelbrock Carburetor.

There are many high dollar collector cars BUT how many can be called a true work of art. The 2-door 1957 Chevy Bel Air is one of few. It is a rolling Mona Lisa. If Leonardo da Vinci had ever designed a car it would be the 1957 Chevy Bel Air.

It is safe to say that Chevrolet will never produce another car like the 1957 2-door Bel Air, this vehicle is a time capsule of a by-gone era.

Some interesting Specifications:

* Price. '57 Chevy in 1957. $2,300.00.
* Outside Length. 200 inches (5,080 mm). Width 73.9 inches (1,877 mm). Wheelbase 115 inches (2,921 mm).
* Estimated curb weight. 1550 kg/3,420 lbs.
* How fast is this car? Top speed 155 km/p (96 mph).
* Engines available. 4 Standard engine options. 1) 235.5-cu.in a 6 cylinder. 2) 265-cu.in V-8 "Turbo Fire". 3) 2 x 283-cu.i V-8's a " Turbo - Fire" twin barrel carburetor & a "Super Turbo Fire" 4-barrel carburetor.

In March 2017, the '57 Chevy landed at Port Botany in Sydney from the USA.
Here we are trailering it out of the Customs clearance facility. It still
has its original Ohio number plates on it.
Photo: Steve Core  

Modifications that were carried out by the previous owner.

* 350-cu.inch 5.7 litre Chevrolet engine.
* 400 Turbo Hydro Transmission.
* 3.55 Ratio differential.
* Headers powder coated.
* 650 Edelbrock Carburetor.
* Rack & pinion power Steering.
* Classic Instrument Gauges. (after market).
* Front Disc brake conversion.
* Mag Wheels.
* Huge Aluminium radiator.

Production numbers for the 1957 Chevy Bel Air 2-Door Sedan: 62,751. Total.
Who designed the '57 Chevy? Designer. Clare R Mackichan. (1954).

What does Bel Air mean? It's French, meaning literally "beautiful air".

Successor: Chevrolet Impala in 1975.

Manufacturer: Chevrolet. (General Motors).

So for now my fellow classic car enthusiasts, I hope that you have enjoyed my story about my 1957 Chevy Bel Air.

Cheers for now.

Warbo

A Horse-race to remember...

Hyperno Wins the '79 Melbourne Cup

Yes, that famous horse race was 40-years ago this year, I remember that as clear as if it were just yesterday for a very special reason. That year and that race in 1979, sticks firmly in my memory bank because that was the year and the day, 40-years ago, that I purchased my 1977 Porsche 2.7 Coupe in Melbourne, Victoria.

Way back then I was only a young man, I had joined Qantas Airways 5-years earlier, employed as an International Trolly-Dolly, & the world was my oyster.

My friend Anthony Clarke (best man at my wedding) called me up one afternoon in early November of 1979 to tell me about his friend in Victoria who was selling his 2-year-old 1977 Porsche in order to purchase a Ferrari.

Photo of my 1977 2.7 Porsche Coupe taken on the day of the
2018 Concourse De Elegance at Wanda Beach, Cronulla.

Anthony was well aware that I had a love affair with the 911 Porsches ever since I started my motor mechanic apprenticeship as a 16-year-old kid.

I said to my wife at the time (and I have only had one of them) why don't we fly down to Melbourne & check this vehicle out, while we were at it we could go to the Melbourne Cup at the same time. Of course she agreed, why wouldn't you.

We flew staff travel down to Melbourne, I had pre-arranged to meet up with Anthony's friend (Dr. Robert Cannon who was a dentist). We meet him at his practice in Collins Street, Melbourne. He told us the story that he intended to purchase a Ferrari so he wanted to sell his Porsche. He gave me the keys to his Porsche that was parked in the under ground parking bay of his building. 

He said have a look at it & take it for a spin if you like. My wife & I caught the elevator down to the car park level, as the elevator door opened there right in front of us was this magnificent Yellow 1977 Porsche 2.7 Coupe. I almost passed out, because the colour of this vehicle was my favourite colour (yellow). 

My 1977 2.7 Porsche Coupe taken at the
Parklands Resort & Conference Centre at Mudgee.

Over the previous years of looking at these beasts in brochures & magazines I said to myself, if ever I am lucky enough to own one of these incredible sports cars that is the colour that I would like to have. Of course if you are trying to purchase a 2nd hand Porsche you really have no choice with the colour unless you purchase a new car. That, for me, was totally out of the question because of the price tag.

So far so good. This Porsche was originally sold by Hamilton's Porsche of South Yarra, they were the Porsche Distributors in Melbourne at the time, and it came with an Australian Compliance plate. So far we had ticked all the boxes. Now for the BIG road test. I was absolutely shaking in my boots as I jumped into the driver's seat, turned on the ignition switch & fired up the engine. No other car looks like it, or sounds like it, no other Sports car can match its unique driving dynamics.

Before I had driven out of the underground garage I was SOLD. We drove around the city of Melbourne for quite some time, I was in my element. Once the road test was over I drove the Porsche back to the car park with out bending it. I do not think that the Dr. would have been too impressed if I had bent his vehicle.

So to cut a long story short we negotiated a price & I was now the owner of this 1977 Porsche 2.7 Coupe. I paid for the car, insured the vehicle then drove off to Flemington Race Course to experience the thrill of my 1st Melbourne Cup. What a Day.

My yellow 1977 2.7 Porsche Coupe joins a group of Porsches at
the 2018 Concourse De Elegance at Wanda Beach, Cronulla.

We over-nighted in Melbourne that evening after watching the Melbourne Cup. The following morning we were up at the crack of dawn to commence the long drive home to Sydney via the more scenic coast road. Arrived home safely in the 'SHIRE' with my pride & joy.

It is hard to believe a car that shares its roots with the 1930's VW Beetle and is the most influential sports car of the 20th Century (voted by a panel of 133 car journos from around the world, by the way).

The Porsche 911 is an incredible sports car, no question. Thing is, it should never have worked. This rear-engined Coupe is a Teutonic middle finger to laws of physics because centrifugal force should fling it off the road at every corner.

That's after what happened in the '60s, '70s & '80s when overly ambitious drivers lifted off the throttle mid-corner. But other more talented drivers used the 911's power, light weight & inherent agility to dominate races like the Monte Carlo Rally, Targa Florio & the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

My yellow 1977 2.7 Porsche Coupe joins a group of Porsches at
the 2018 Concourse De Elegance at Wanda Beach, Cronulla.

In 1977 this car's price ranged from $28,160.00 to $33,940.00 - depending of course on what extras you custom ordered with it.  These days, classic 911s can cost ten times more than a brand new 911 Turbo, which is $390K by the way, however not every 911 will cost you a large house. Being such an enthusiast, such vehicles have become motoring legends as well as classics.

Landmark Porsche 911s: Porsche turns 70. Over 7 generations an automotive icon has been forged. No one model of car has ever set so many hearts awash with LUST & ENVY...

Two years ago my pride & joy was looking very tired after 40-years, so l decided to give it a BIG LICK.

I stripped the vehicle down & we then took the paint back to bare metal. The vehicle now looks better than brand new as you can see by the photographs, the original Colour looks sensational. These photographs were taken at the 2018 Porsche's Concourse De Elegance at Wanda Beach, Cronulla in Sydney.

I hope that you have enjoyed the journey of my 1977 Porsche 2.7 Coupe.

Regards for now.

Warbo

Sydney Tram Museum - Open Day

Sunday 24th February, 2019

Another great day’s outing for the Model A Ford Club of NSW today. Our Club were once again asked if we could support the Annual Vintage Tramway Festival open day of celebrations at the Sydney Tramway Museum at Loftus.

Lined up on Main Street of the Tramway Museum at Loftus
vehicles from the Model A Ford Club of NSW help recreate the era.

For more than 80-years until 1961, trams were an important part of life in Sydney. The 25th February 2019, will mark the 58th Anniversary of the day that the last tram ran on the Sydney tram network. 

Unlimited tram rides are offered to all paying guests 
on the Museum's Tramway Festival open day

The Sydney Tramway Museum was founded in 1950 to preserve examples of the city’s tramway heritage, the exhibits not only include almost every type of tram which ran on the former Sydney system, but extend to examples from other Australian & overseas cities, chosen to give a National & international picture of the development of tramcar design.

Plenty of colourful characters on the day

This museum has approximately 28 trams, however not all these trams are operational. Here is a list of the Trams that are indeed still in use at the Museum: 2 x C class (1896-1926). 1 x F class (1899-1916). 1 x L/P class (1918-1951). 2 x O class (1908-1958). 1 x P class (1921-1960). 2 x R class (1933-1960).

A variety of trams lined up - all offering tram rides on sections
of the Museum's own incorporated 3.5 kms of tram line

The 626 'O' Class cars serviced the Sydney Metropolitan area… particularly around Easter time, when the RAS (Royal Agricultural Society) held their Annual Show [State Fair] at the Moore Park complex. With a capacity of 80 seats + 80 standing, the famous old cross bench trams, when coupled, could shift a load of 320 people.

The Display Hall houses the Museum's assemblage 
of trams and vast collection of tramway memorabilia.

Sydney’s longest tram route was from the Fort Macquarie Tram Depot, now the location of the Sydney Opera House, via George Street & Pyrmont to Ryde, a distance of 17 km.

The expression “Shooting Through like a Bondi Tram’ comes from express steam trams on the Bondi line, the fastest form of transport a city reliant on horse drawn conveyances at the end of the 19th century.

Plenty of colourful characters to complement the colourful cars,
buses & trams on display.

These wonderful people movers (no pollution) also traveled over the Sydney Harbour Bridge up to the North Shore until 1958.

The standard height of the overhead wire on Sydney’s tramways was 5.8 metres (19 feet), Double-deck buses were 4.4 metres high (14.4 feet).

The Display Hall houses the Museum's assemblage 

of trams and vast collection of tramway memorabilia.

In 1909 a total of 564 trams crossed the Sydney CBD intersection of King & George Streets between 5.00 & 6.30 pm - a tram every ten seconds.

What do you think the current NSW Gladys Berejiklian's Liberal Government would give to have these statistics.

Operating throughout the day, a tram passes
vehicles from the Model A Ford Club on static display

The last tram to operate in Sydney was in 1961, between the City & La Perouse.

As a child l can remember my Mum taking us kids into the CBD shopping & travelling from one end of the city to the other on board the trams, & for those of you that are old enough we even witnessed Bea Miles a famous eccentric identity of Sydney jumping from one tram to the other as they passed each other.

Wonderful, wonderful memories.

Vintage cars along with vintage buildings, vintage trams & buses
complete the integrated street scene setting on the Tramway Festival day

How fast do trams go? From the advent of four-motor trams such as the Sydney 'O' class, trams were expected to run at around 40 to 45 kmh (or approx 26 mph) on a level track with a full load. On good straight downhill track, speeds of 60 kmh could be achieved. 

Modern Trams being built today for street operation typically will have normal running speeds of up to 70 kmh (approx 42 mph).

The trams carry an amazing authentic array of advertising signage
that convey you back in time to another era

Now with all that useless information, l can highly recommend anyone that is interested in going back to a different era to spend a few hours at the Sydney Tramway Museum located at Loftus, less than 1-hour south of down-town Sydney. 

It's Australia's oldest Tram Museum and the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere. You will really enjoy the surroundings & friendly volunteers that are only too happy to take you back in time.

Until the next adventure, stay safe.

Cheers for now.

Warbo

Classic 1938 Ford Truck with long Australian family history

Sunday 17th February - 2019

At this past weekend's 43rd Berrima District Historic Vehicle Club Rally, I managed to catch up with Stephen & Tanya Chalker-Holz & their son Mitchell.

What a pleasure & honour it was to talk to Tanya about the history of their very rare 1938 Ford 2½ ton truck. This Ford Classic, is renowned for it’s unique shaped grill, which is often referred to as a “beer barrel” grill.

Restored to factory specifications, including the original paint colour.
The timber used in the restoration: The flatbed tray is constructed of WA Jarrah,
and the Toolbox & Headboard are made of Redwood.

The Australian Government purchased 500 of these trucks from the Ford Plant located in Windsor, Ontario, Canada for the war effort. These vehicles arrived in Australia in a knocked down form & the Ford plants here in Australia re-assembled these vehicles to Australian Army requirements.

After the war, the Australian Government couldn’t afford to bring these vehicles home, so they were mostly left in the theatres of war in which they operated, like Africa & New Guinea.

After the end of World War II, in 1946, Tanya’s Grandfather attended an Army Auction in Goulburn, NSW where all surplus military vehicles were being auctioned off. You had to be a Primary producer to put your name down in the ballot to be eligible to purchase a vehicle.

Tanya’s Grandfather elected to put his name down for a truck & this is what he received.

This rare 1938 Ford 2½ ton truck is a family heirloom and has
been in the Chalker-Holz family for the last 76-years.

For many years this vehicle worked on the family farm & later was used as the local fire truck in their district until 1965, then tucked away in a shed on Tanya’s Grandparents farm in Mittagong.

Then in 1999 they brought the truck home to Gosford, to where the Chalker-Holz family now live, where they embarked upon a 10-year restoration.

By now Tanya’s father was in his 80s (a carpenter by trade) did all the timber work to return this vehicle to its former glory. Restored to factory specifications, including the original paint colour. The timber used in the restoration: The flatbed tray is constructed of WA Jarrah, while the toolbox & headboard are made of Redwood.

Since its restoration in 2010 this master piece has driven over 30,000 miles (48,000 kms) to Adelaide, Brisbane, Victoria & appeared in several movies including Hacksaw Ridge directed by Mel Gibson in 2016.

Before Tanya’s father's death he was able to see his father's truck in Hacksaw Ridge on the big screen. Tanya’s Dad just shook his head & could not believe that his father's farm truck & the very same truck he learnt to drive in as a 15-year-old was now in a Hollywood movie.

Restored to Ford factory specifications, including the original paint colour.
The timber used in the restoration: The flatbed tray is constructed of WA Jarrah,
while the toolbox & headboard are made of Redwood.

Stephen & Tanya were telling me that their son Mitchell will eventually inherit this truck which he is very proud of. So it certainly looks like this automotive relic from another era will stay in the loving hands of the Chalker-Holz family for a 4th generation.

Now the best news about to come... 

The Chalker-Holz family have assured me that their pride & joy (this 1938 Ford Truck) will be on exhibition at Cronulla for our 5th Sylvanvale Pre-WWII Car Show on Sunday April 14th, 2019 to help raise much needed funds for the Sylvanvale Foundation to support people with disabilities to reach their potential.

Whatever you do, do not miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to view this this 'Classic'.

As the event organiser, I am delighted that 20,000+ Motor Enthusiasts will be able to enjoy this very, very special part of history right here on the tiles of Cronulla Mall on Sunday, April 14th, 2019.

See you there,

Ken Warburton

Visit to the Sydney Jewish Museum

Wednesday 6th February, 2019

Thirty members of our Model A Ford Club visited the Sydney Jewish Museum in Darlinghurst in inner Sydney today.

We all mustered at a coffee house at Circular Quay before boarding a bus that delivered us to the Museum in Darlinghurst Road. Once we all processed through the security checks we entered into another world.

Part of the facade of the Sydney Jewish Museum
in Darlinghurst

The Sydney Jewish Museum was established in 1992 by the generation of Holocaust survivors who came to Australia. The Museum is an institution that collects and preserves historic objects, commemorates and educates, with a mission to challenge visitors’ perceptions of morality, social justice, democracy and human rights.

The Museum collects and conserves original memorabilia related to the Holocaust, Judaica and Australian Jewish history to make these available for display and research for generations to come.

After recent renovations the Museum offers fantastic displays
and exhibitions of curated items in a modern environment.

Seeing that there were so many of us, we were divided into three groups of 10 people in each group. Our group's guide (Vera) whose parents were survivors of The Holocaust took us all on an informative, but frightening journey for the following one & a half hours.

Our guide Vera [in white, with her back to the camera] conducts
our tour group through the exhibitions and displays.

I was well aware of what to expect, because in 1969 (50-years ago) when I was a young man travelling around the world in a Volkswagen camper van, I visited Dachau the First Concentration Camp, which was established immediately after Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933.

For these people that say the Holocaust never happened, WELL, let me tell you, just allow yourself a few hours one day to visit the Sydney Jewish Museum, I can assure you it would be well worth the visit.

For lunch we headed for the Courthouse Hotel located on
Taylor Square on Oxford Street in Darlinghurst.

Once our guided tour of the Museum had finished all thirty of us made the short stroll to the Courthouse Hotel located in Taylor Square on Oxford Street in Darlinghurst for a Pub lunch & discuss the morning's events.

Our group enjoying lunch inside the Courthouse Hotel after an
enlightening visit to the Sydney Jewish Museum.

Cheers for now.

Warbo.