The Boys' Day Out

Wednesday 11th December - 2019.

Reporting live from the Bundeena Community and Services Club (Ex-Bundeena RSL).

Bundeena 'Photo Shoot' with my Classic 1931 Model A Ford, Slant Window, 4-door, Town Sedan (all Steel Body) accompanied by two retired Qantas 'Trolly Dolly' friends of mine from another life.

At the Bundeena Ferry Wharf with my 1931 Model A Ford.
It's a 4-door, Slant Windscreen, Town Sedan.
South Cronulla peninsular off to the left & Bate Bay to the right.
Photo: Steve Core

Steve Core, who helps me organise the Pre-WWII Vintage Car Show in Cronulla Mall every year has recently purchased all the goodies that are required to take an interesting photograph, so we decided that today would be the day to adventure out to test his skills and his new toys.

Last week, Steve informed me that an old mutual friend of ours, Dave Shaw, would be coming to Sydney from his residence in Kiama on the NSW south coast and that it would be good if we could all get together.

Steve Core on the left, Dave Shaw in the middle 
and yours truly on the right.
Selfie

Today was the day that we ventured out with my newly registered Model A Ford for a road journey through the Royal National Park (incidentally) this park is the largest National Park in the Southern Hemisphere.

We picked up Dave from Sutherland railway station then drove through the GREAT Royal National Park that is located on our back doorstep, finally ending up in the lovely picturesque township called Bundeena.

My 1931 Model A Ford at the Bundeena Ferry Wharf
as the ferry unloads a boat-full of day-trippers from Cronulla
Photo: Steve Core

As you can see by Steve Core's set of five photographs. They are just GOLD!!! Steve mentioned that while we were in the mood we should shoot some video in preparation for promotion of the 2020 Pre-WWII Vintage Car Show.

So stay tuned... Steve is in the process of editing the footage that he shot today for me to make a welcoming speech in the build up for our 6th Pre-WWII Vintage Car Show. Planned to be held on Sunday 5th April, 2020 in the Cronulla Mall and once again to be extended into Perryman Square right by the ocean.

Myself and Dave Shaw [right] enjoy sensational food and
delightful views across Port Hacking and into Bate Bay
Photo: Steve Core

Once we had finished telling lies, taking photographs and reminiscing of those wonderful days gone by, etc, etc, it was now time for lunch. We found the Bundeena Community and Services Club and decided that we needed to eat. Ironically we parked right next to the Club on Tom Jones Way - but that's not unusual!

As you can see in the photograph above, the food and the setting was superb. If you are ever in this part of the world ‘Do yourself a favour' and drop into this very special part of the Cosmos so close to our back door across the Port Hacking River from Cronulla as you can witness in Steve’s photographs. 

Time was against us as we needed to deliver Dave back to Sutherland Station for the 2:55pm train that takes him south to Kiama and home sweet home. Today was just one of those days, all the holes in the cheese lined up just perfectly. 

My 1931 Model A Ford at the Bundeena Ferry Wharf
in the background is Cabbage Tree Point
Photo: Steve Core

A big thanks to my ex-Qantas flying friends Steve Core and Dave Shaw for making it a wonderful relaxed day, catching up on the old parts and the new stories in our lives makes one realise how lucky a life we have had flying around the world as a Qantas Flight Attendants for all those many, many years.

So for now I will sign off and hopefully continue to travel down that 'Highway of Life' for a long time to come.

Cheers
Warbo

(NB:) Now if that is not a good story, I don’t know what is.

2019 Bathurst Wrap up

Thursday 17th October - 2019

Reporting live from the ‘Shire’ once I arrived home from a truly wonderful day at Jim & Sancho’s residence to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Motor Enthusiasts Group Car Club.

I made it home in time to watch the last 30-laps of the ‘Great Race’ of the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Roger Penske (left) chatting with Supercars legend Dick Johnson
at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, NSW

I also heard on the news that Roger Penske Co-Team owner of the winning Ford Mustang team wants to get the (Kiwi) Scott McLaughlin (winning driver) to try his luck in the US to drive in the NASCAR Series or evening better still to have a shot in the seat of an Indy car.

Not a bad rap from none other than the ‘Legend’ Roger Penske. If this ever eventuates I think this guy (Scott McLaughlin) can make it in the USA with the support of Roger Penske.

Scott McLaughlin getting high-fives from his pit crew
after winning the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Listen up, how about this for a great story.

This year’s Supercheap’s Auto Bathurst 1000 was won by a Ford Mustang, driven by Scott McLaughlin (a Kiwi), his co driver was Alex Premat (a Frenchman). Race car team owners, Dick Johnson (an Australian) he was a 5-time Australian Touring Car Champion and a 3-time winner of the Bathurst 1000.

Scott McLaughlin pilots the #17 Ford Mustang
down through the esses at Mount Panorama

The world famous Roger Penske (an American) who I am sure does not need any further introduction to the world of motor racing was at the track to witness this outstanding victory and event was the other half owner of the victorious Ford Mustang race team.

Roger Penske commented after the race, that victory here at Bathurst was on his bucket list, and compared it to winning (can you believe it) the Indianapolis 500.

Part of the huge crowd packed in around Turn One at Bathurst,
also known as Hell Corner, the cars then hurtle up Mountain Straight.

Roger Penske has won the Indianapolis 500, 18-times, an unrivaled record by any team owner at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. So if that is not a ‘HUGE’ recommendation & rap for our Bathurst event coming from somebody like Roger Penske, I do not know what is.

Warbo

MEG 10th Anniversary Run to Wilton

Sunday 13th October - 2019

Today’s run was south of Sydney, to Jim & Sancho's 25-acre rural property in Wilton to celebrate our Motor Enthusiasts Group's 10th Anniversary.

Club Members arriving outside Jim & Sancho's house

Our visit to Wilton today also coincided with the running of the most prestigious Motor race on the Australian autosports calendar, the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

A Red 911 Porsche parked beside my 1931 Model A Ford 2-door
Delux Tudor Sedan, plus the other Mercedes are owned by fellow Club
members are parked in the tranquil rural setting

As you can witness in the accompanying photographs, this amazing place owned by fellow MEG Club members Jim & Sancho is where they are raising old cars.

Vehicles of various makes and models and conditions, neatly parked
in this shed just waiting to be restored and then transferred
to their other ‘Man Shed’ in Revesby

Club members met at Sublime Point lookout at 10:00am [see earlier post] and from there it was only a short 30-minute drive inland to Wilton where we arrived just in time to watch the start of this famous Mount Panorama 1000km race.

Complementing the cars, a great collection of signed Australian Team 
cricket bats - all signed by members of the teams

Once the great race had started and the cars and drivers settled down on the Mount Panorama Circuit for the next 6-hours of high speed wheel to wheel motor racing it was now time to check out Jim & Sancho's man shed and other classic motor vehicles that had been scattered around the property.

Plenty of Mercedes on display and one Rolls Royce

We were in for a magnificent afternoon of food & drinks, beautiful motor vehicles, catching up with old friends, and also admiring this wonderful rural property that Jim & Sancho had offered the MEG Club to celebrate our 10th Anniversary in fine style. 

We were all spoilt rotten, they treated us all like 'silk worms'.

We were well catered for with plenty of food to go round

As you can also see not only do they collect classic vehicles, they also have some of the latest mean machines in their stable, from the latest Ford Mustang ‘Bullitt’, various Porsches, Chevy Chapelle, Chevy SS, 351 Ford Falcon, plus so many more treasures that are not in these photographs.

Highly collectable cars lined up on the driveway

In one of their other sheds they had display cases full of Model cars, not to mention the Cricket paraphernalia that you would die for, as you will see in the photographs.

Quite a few Mercedes lined up in the Man Shed

I would say that Jim & Sancho have a very soft spot in their hearts for all makes and models of Mercedes Benz, after walking through their ‘Man Shed’ this afternoon.

The photograph showing the Red 911 Porsche parked beside my 1931 Model A Ford 2-door Delux Tudor Sedan, plus the other Mercedes are owned by fellow MEG Club members are parked in the tranquil rural setting.

The #12 Ford Mustang of Fabian Coulthard
competing live at Bathurst

I managed to snap this photograph off the TV screen [above] that Jim & Sancho had set up for the punters to view the race.

Also today I was pleasantly surprised to see this mirror [below] in their collection, & here is the reason why; Way back in the middle ‘70s when I was a young ‘Trolly- Dolly’ with Qantas, I was known as the ‘Mirror Man’. (Leave it with me and I will look into it for you).

A classic Coca-Cola mirror brought back a piece of history
 and many personal memories from the past for me

There is always a reason & here it is... as a side line to my flying days to make extra money, I also ran a business called ‘CHEWIE NEWGUTT’. I imported English Pub mirrors (Coca-Cola, Southern Comfort & various beers) etc, from Leeds in the UK. 

We would import 10-ton of these glass mirrors of various designs in wooden crates, when the glass arrived here in Australia, I had a 5000 sq.ft factory in Peakhurst where we would manufacture the wooden picture frames and then on-sell the finished product to the retailers.

Plenty of cabinets chock full of model cars

If you are old enough you would remember these mirrors circulating in all the shops throughout Sydney. (Well that was me, the ‘Mirror Man’). So needless to say, when I saw this Coca-Cola mirror displayed in the Man Shed today, it bought back many memories for me.

Just a small part of the household collection of cars on display

So my friends that is the end of another weekend adventure, I certainly hope that you have enjoyed this report, because I sure have been delighted in sharing this great MEG 10th Anniversary BarBQ with you all.

Thanks once again to Jim & Sancho for making the effort to make today such a smash hit.

See you soon. Cheers

Warbo.

Run to Wilton; 1st stop Sublime Point

Sunday 13th October - 2019

Hello once again fellow enthusiasts.

My local Shire-based Car Club, the Motor Enthusiasts Group celebrated their 10th Anniversary today, when the group conducted a Sunday run to fellow Club Member's Jim & Sancho's 25-acre rural property in Wilton, which is 85Kms south of Sydney.

Peter Deane and myself taking in the views & relaxing
with a cuppa at Sublime Point

For a first stop leg-stretcher, Club members were requested to meet at Sublime Point lookout at 10:00am. 

Sublime Point is approx 45-minutes south of Sydney and is perched at 415m high above the Illawarra Escarpment, offering 180º expanded views out over the Pacific Ocean and of the 17-beaches of Wollongong directly below.

My 1931 Model A Ford at Sublime Point

Those gorgeous tall bright red shrubs [or small trees] are Waratahs - the State emblem of NSW. They can grow up to 13 feet tall. The name 'Waratah' is the aboriginal word for the species.

From Sublime Point it was only a short 30Km or 30-minute drive inland to Wilton, where we arrived just in time to watch the start of the famous Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 race being held at the Mount Panorama Circuit.

Looking south, tall & healthy Waratahs frame the view over the
City of Wollongong below and the coastline looking as far as Kiama.

Our visit to Wilton today also coincided with the running of the most prestigious motor race on the Australian calendar, the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Part II, Wilton - coming up next... 

Stay tuned

You Tube: Warbo's Model A Ford Grenfell Weekend

21-22 September - 2019

Hi folks, we've put together a 3-minute Slideshow of my photos from the Model A Ford Club's, 2019 President's Run weekend to Grenfell & Cowra, NSW.

Just simply click on the 'You Tube' play arrow below to view the slideshow and don't forget to hit the full screen icon to view it up nice and large...

The last of the photos from Grenfell, NSW

21-22 September - 2019

Here's the last of my photos of our visit to Henry Lawson's Birthplace - Grenfell, NSW.

Lawson is perhaps Australia's best known poet, fiction & bush writer of the colonial era. His birth place is dominated by a very large sugar gum tree [left of photo] planted by Lawson's daughter. There are twelve interpretive plaques positioned along the curved walking path. Each plaque has a different theme and tells the story of Henry Lawson's life.

Here's Henry Lawson's white obelisk, erected in 1924 - you can see members
of our Model A Ford Club wandering around reading the twelve plaques.

Grenfell was the first town to honour Henry Lawson after his passing in 1922. The monument [above] honours one of Australia's most prolific authors. Short story titles that you may have heard of include the slapstick story The Loaded Dog and the moving poem The Drover's Wife.

A bust of Henry Lawson is situated in Grenfell's aptly named Main Street, next to the Ambulance Station. Just push the button and you can listen to some of Henry's most famous poems while you are immersed in Grenfell's quiet country charm.

A vacant place exists either side of the bench next Henry which
beckons you sit... so I took the opportunity to take a minute and
reflect on what Lawson's birthplace means to me. 

Henry peacefully sits; eyes cast over his beloved birthplace, contemplating the visit he never had. Weary but relaxed Henry is poised, pen in hand, notebook blank. A vacant place exists either side of Henry which beckons you sit... so I took the opportunity to take a minute and reflect on what Lawson's birthplace means to me. 

The heritage listed Grenfell Railway Station

By 1887 the railway reached as far as Murrumburrah, and the Cobb & Co coach company met the trains three times a week and carried passengers and mail onward to Grenfell. The station has been witness to some moving scenes. In August 1914, John Taylor, Mayor of Grenfell, fare-welled the first contingent of local men leaving for the World War I.

The Grenfell Railway Station was officially closed in April 1975, the railway Station precinct is a site of NSW State heritage significance and is accessible all year round.

Warbo

Visit to the Japanese Gardens, Cowra, NSW

Sunday 22nd September - 2019

You cannot help but feel completely at peace when you walk through the lush gardens and cascading water features of the Cowra Japanese Gardens & Cultural Centre. 

These Japanese Gardens and Cultural Centre were established to recognise and develop the relationship between the people of Japan, a relationship that has its origins in the Prisoner of War Camp that housed the Japanese POWs during WWII.

Our Model A Fords parked in the car park at the Japanese Gardens
this scene could easily be from the 1930s

In 1960 the Japanese Government decided to bring all their war dead from various parts of Australia to be interned at Cowra. This was the beginning of the friendship between Japan and the town of Cowra.

These tranquil and well-planned gardens acknowledge the history of the area and underline the importance of peace.

Beautifully manicured & maintained gardens 
makes you feel like you are in Japan

As we walked into the gardens we were greeted by the beautiful blossoms on all the various tree shrubs, and further along on our Pepplecrete pathway, we were given the 'once over' by a friendly bearded dragon who was keeping guard on the route.

Because of my handicap with the injury to my leg we decided to hire a golf buggy [below] to make our adventure around the Japanese Gardens more pleasurable. 

Getting a littler power assistance from Bob Ward for our 
Golf Cart exploration of the Japanese Gardens 

It is a pity that we were not a couple of weeks later because all of the flowers were just starting to bloom and in a week or so the gardens would have been a sight for sore eyes.

A friendly bearded dragon keeping a keen eye
on who crosses the pathway

All of our Model A Fords parked in the car park at the Japanese Gardens made a wonderful sight, almost reminiscent of a 1930's picnic gathering. After a delightful visit, we warmed up the engines in preparation for our drive back to our Motel in Grenfell for a well-earned rest.

Spring is when the Sakura [Cherry Blossoms] begin to bloom
and the garden erupts into a wonderful burst of coloured trees

So that my friends is my final report of the Model A Ford Club's adventure to Grenfell and Cowra recently. I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed my stories and photographs of a magic weekend away on the road with my friends from the Model A Ford Club.

So until my next Adventure before Dementia, stay tuned.

Cheers for now...

Warbo

Visit to Jeff Connolly's Chrysler Car Museum in Grenfell.

Sunday 21st September - 2019

Our Model A Ford Club's visit to Jeff Connolly's Chrysler Car Museum in Grenfell.

The first photo below shows Jeff (in white shirt on the right) as he was kind enough to give us a personally guided tour of his wonderful Museum, there are around fifteen vehicles on display, plus various engines in repair in the work shop. 

Jeff meticulously explained the history of all his prized possessions in great detail, which all of our Club members really appreciated.

Jeff took the time to walk and talk us through his prized
cars in his magnificent collection. Club Members were hanging 
on every word that came out of Jeff's mouth.

WOW!!! Jeff's Chrysler Car Museum is well worth a look for all you petrol heads. The Museum features Chrysler vehicles spanning the years from 1930 right up to the present day, including Jeff's original and I mean original 1971 Charger R/T option E49. 

When Jeff was telling us the history about this vehicle I was completely blown away. This Charger is so original it still has the original paint job, not only that this fine example of Australian motoring history, it is still shod with the original tyres that it came out of the factory with and of course very, very, very low mileage.

An original 1971 Charger R/T option E49. 

This vehicle the E49 featured a tuned 'Six Pack' version of the engine characterised by Triple side-draft Weber Carburettors, and it goes like s**t off a hot shovel. The Charger R/T E49 engine produced remarkable torque on a seven bearing configuration which enabled considerable power development previously unobtainable from 6-cylinder engines and not surpassed until the Porsche Turbo 911 (300) release of 1975.

The Valiant Charger achieved critical acclaim, winning the 1971 Australian 'Wheels Magazine - Car Of The Year Award'. It was also popular in New Zealand where they were assembled from imported kits.

I could rave on and on about this magnificent beast, however this is one hell of a piece of machinery from the early '70s. You just have to see this GEM. Now for the Good Bit: There would be no change out of $450,000 Australian Dollars if you wanted to purchase this highly collectable vehicle.

A 1933 Chrysler Royal Straight 8 Coupe

[Above] This true treasure was last owned by my friends in the Chrysler Restorers Club, Barrie & Lorna Osborn, they completed a ground up restoration of this very rare Chrysler Coupe. Many years of heart ache finally produced this magnificent motor vehicle. Now this is a real motor vehicle.

Autographed signature of Leo Geoghegan on
the firewall of the Valiant Pacer

[Above] Jeff told us that the red Valiant Pacer was on loan to the Museum from a friend of his, this was the Pacer that Leo Geoghegan raced way back. When Leo visited the museum before his death in 2015 at the age of 78-years-old, he kindly autographed the firewall of the Pacer. How cool is that?

Club Members enjoying our personally guided tour
of the Chrysler Museum in Grenfell

As I mentioned earlier, if you are or if you are not a Mopar enthusiast just do yourself a favour at your earliest convenience and check out this GEM of a Museum.

I wish I had a man shed like Jeff's... make sure you put this one down in your little BLACK book if you are within a 100 miles of Grenfell.

Address: 46 Main Street, Grenfell, NSW, 2810
Contact Person: Jeff Connolly.
Opening Hours: Open by appointment only and for major events.

Tomorrow is another day and we drive our Model A Fords to Cowra (about an hour's drive) to enjoy more exciting adventures.

See you soon. Cheers

Warbo

The 2019 Model A Ford Club's President's Run to Grenfell

21-22 September - 2019

Welcome to the Model A Ford Club's 2019 President's Run to Grenfell & Cowra, NSW.

Lined up in front of the 30-metre-high painted commodities silos
situated on Grenfell's West Street

Grenfell is a quiet country NSW town situated on the western plains and is an ideal holiday spot for history buffs. Its heritage is rich in gold, bushrangers and poetry. In the 1860s, gold miners seeking their fortune came in their thousands, and the lure of gold also drew Bushrangers from near and far. 

Grenfell has a rich & colourful history of gold mining,
bushrangers and poetry

Grenfell is also the birthplace of Henry Lawson, one of Australia's best loved short story and verse writers, Lawson was born on the Grenfell gold fields in 1867.

With my car on the Heritage listed Grenfell Railway Station,
the Station opened in 1901 - before the Wright Brothers flew at Kitty Hawk

On this weekend the Model A Ford Club of NSW visited this historic area in our vintage Model A Fords to the delight of the locals. Approximately twelve Model A Fords attended the President's Run along with forty-five Club members for the 4-day weekend event.

Our Model A Fords lined up outside
the turn-of-the-century Grenfell Railway Station

By now you are probably fully aware of the accident that I had 7-weeks ago on my way back to Sydney from Bathurst with the '55 -'56 -'57 Chevrolet Club. I accidentally fell into a cattle grid while taking photos as I was walking backwards, I ended up in Canberra Hospital for an operation and skin graft to repair the horrible injury that I sustained from falling into a cattle grid.

So needless to say I was very happy to know that a member of the local Grenfell District Ambulance service was staying in the room next to me at the Grenfell Motel just in case I managed to get myself in any more strife.

A NSW Ambulance parked next to my vehicle at the motel, had some Club 
Members speculating that I was now travelling with my own medical team in tow.

On the Saturday morning we visited various attractions around the township, that included a visit to the Historic Grenfell Railway Station where the local Lions club hosted a BBQ lunch for all our club members and the opportunity to display our vintage Model A Fords for the locals to admire.

Grenfell Lions Club hosted us for a BBQ lunch on the
platform of the historic Grenfell Railway Station

We were also requested by the local press to exhibit our vehicles out side the huge, recently painted commodities silos for another photo opportunity.

Later on in the afternoon we visited the Chrysler Museum & Henry Lawson's birthplace in Grenfell, I will write another story for my blog about these attractions shortly.

Please enjoy the stories and photographs of Grenfell & Cowra.

Cheers for now,

Warbo

Bathurst on the way home from Grenfell

Monday 23rd September - 2019

On the way home from the Grenfell Model A Ford weekend...

My car sitting on the famous Start/Finish line of the
main straight of the Mount Panorama Circuit at Bathurst.

We decided to give the Model A Ford a quick few qualifying laps around the Mount Panorama Circuit to bed in the tyres and brakes, and also make sure the mixtures are correct. 

Prepared for the G-force loadings, the Model A Ford 
heads down the mountain and through the esses.

The most important thing in running in a race like this is to have your mixtures correct or you could blow a Con Rod out the side of your engine on Conrod Straight, not forgetting to choose the correct gear ratios for the the ‘BIG RACE’ around the mountain on October 13th, 2019 at Mount Panorama in Bathurst, NSW, Australia.

On the top of the mountain at around 850m,
Sulman Park merges to McPhillamy Park, this is where
the diehards camp out on race weekend 

The entrance to Pit Lane at Mount Panorama

Stay tuned: Grenfell Model A Ford weekend story coming up next...