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

The road home from South Australia

Friday 5th October - 2018

We did the Paddle Boat Cruise onboard Captain Proud from Murray Bridge, not too much to report about the voyage because it was an evening cruise & that means that it was dark so you could not see anything of the “Mighty” Murray River anyway.

Captain Proud Paddle Boat Cruise on the Murray River

Peter & myself decided to depart the Murray Bridge Rally early on Friday morning so that it would give us an extra day to drive back home to Sydney. 

Instead of me busting my arse on the drive home we decided that it was much more civilised and safer to allow 3-days instead of two for the return journey.

Alan Russell and I in his citrus orchard in Waikerie, SA
posing alongside the '64 Valiant Regal sedan I sold him back in 2008

Peter has to be home to start work first thing on Monday morning at his Motor Mechanics workshop & I have be back to do further work on importing my three new vehicles from the US later this month.

From Murray Bridge, SA, we drove North to a little town called Waikerie, SA, the reason being as you can see by the photographs of the Blue 1964 Valiant Regal Sedan & my Model A Ford nestled in the orange orchid.

The still original nice looking interior of the
'64 Valiant Regal sedan

I sold this '64 Valiant to Alan Russell who owns and runs a Citrus Orchard here in Waikerie on Anzac Day (25/4/2008). This vehicle was originally purchased brand new by my Dad's middle-brother and when my Uncle Jim Passed away 20-odd-years ago, I purchased this vehicle from his family. 

So I decided that being so close to Waikerie on this trip I wanted to call in and have another look at this old vehicle of mine & I was definitely not disappointed to not only see the vehicle but also catch up with Alan.

Our two cars in the citrus orchard in Waikereie, SA

After spending an hour or so with Alan we pushed on to Balranald and spend the night there in a Motel so that we could enjoy breakfast at the Balranald Bakery this morning.

What’s more we were advised by another motorist while we were fueling up in Balranald that 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 & Emu’s that were along the Highway.

Warbo

Run to Mannum, SA

Thursday 4th October - 2018

Today’s live report covering the run to the historic Murray River port of Mannum will be short & sweet because Peter & myself are due to board the period-style Captain Proud Paddle Wheeler this evening for a 3-hour dinner cruise on the “MIGHTY” Murray River.

Sartorial elegance; mustering prior to the Rally today.

Do you recognise the SQUIRE from the SHIRE !!! This photo [above] was taken while preparing for the day's tour at the muster point at Meet Headquarters Unity College at 0830 this morning.

One hundred and fifty Model A Fords gather for
morning tea on a local football/cricket oval

Today’s drive was a leisurely tour winding through the beautiful countryside north of Murray Bridge, covering 140 delightful kilometres finishing up in Mannum. About 80 kms from Adelaide, Mannum is peaceful river community that supports a population of around 2,300 people. 

Aboard the Mannum ferry crossing the mighty Murray River

Located on the Willow and Gum tree-lined broad banks of the Murray River, Mannum is where 150 Model A Fords & their passengers gathered to enjoy an pleasurable lunch on the lawns of delightful Mary Ann Reserve.

Mary Ann Reserve is adjacent to the town's business centre and provides 350 metres of lawned area and recreational facilities right next to the expansive banks of the Murray River.

About to roll onto the car ferry at the Mannum Ferry Terminal

How impressive do the 150 Model A Fords look parked on the football oval taking a break for morning tea. We then returned to head back to our base of Murray Bridge by crossing the “MIGHTY” Murray River on the free Ferry.

Gotta go.

Cheers
Warbo

25th Model A Ford National Rally

Tuesday 2nd October -2018

The 25th Model A Ford National Rally here in Murray Bridge, South Australia has attracted 206 entrants, 178 Model A Fords, 400 Adults & 19 children.

At this afternoon's opening 'Nibble & Natter' get-together, it was a chance to rekindle old friendships & make some new ones & keep those Model A’s alive in their 90th year.

Model A Fords lined up in the car park this 
afternoon for the welcoming Nibble & Natter.

It is so nice to see this event so widely attended by Model A Ford enthusiasts from all over Australia & New Zealand.

The unique auto-themed podium on the presentation stand at
tonight's Nibble & Natter welcome and opening of the Rally

This event is proudly presented by the Model A Ford Club of South Australia. Over the course of the following 6-days, each day we have a Program with various events including:

Vehicle Judging, a choice of Optional Runs, breakfast, lunch or dinner Cruise on Captain Proud Paddle Boat on the mighty Murray River, Mandatory Run to Mannum on Thursday which is an easy drive with a couple of hills, windy in parts & one steep descent. Approximate distance for round trip 140 kms.

Technical talks by Guest Presenter, Mentor & Trainer - Mr. Allan Bergman M.Eng.(Dip) M.I.M.I on the Model A Ford Carby (Zenith) & a recap in Overview of Engine & How it Works in relation to Ignition & Distributors. Hubley practice & Heats, trading tables, craft Demonstrations. 

Two Model A Fords with their teardrop caravans

As you can see we definitely will not be bored.

Saturday evening is the Presentation Dinner, finishing off on Sunday morning with a farewell Breakfast. Then it is time once again to head back home & prepare your self for your next adventure in your Model A Ford. Where ever that may be.

Part of today's line-up of Model A fords for the
Rally's welcome and opening ceremony

We are looking forward to the following few days of excitement here in Murray Brisdge, South Australia.

To be continued.
Cheers
Warbo

Day 3 - Visit to the National Motor Museum

Day 3 - Sunday 30th September - 2018

The National Motor Museum is located in Birdwood, South Australia. 

What an absolute stunning surprise this was. Every motor enthusiast in the country needs to visit this magnificent collection of vehicles and motorcycles, presented in such a huge facility and extremely well laid out. 

It stands as a tribute to all those involved in the creation of this superb and enormously varied presentation. If you love cars more then you may love wine, then this museum may take precedence over all the local wineries you may visit. Well priced and situated in a lovely town, including scenic drive to and from.

This 1935 Chevrolet Delivery Van made confectionery deliveries 
for the Allen's sweets company which started in 
Melbourne in 1891

The Museum has successfully collected and refurbished, rebuilt and restored cars, trucks, bicycles and motorcycles either powered by an internal combustion engine or by muscles of humans. The collection speaks for itself. It boast of the development of motor cars from a century ago to the present day fast and furious, beautiful and luxurious types.

It is an educational tour to complete. Totally a day invested to learn and appreciate the genius of the man and the machines he has created.

Australians have embraced motoring as a fundamental part of our lives,
and for many, it has been an obsession.

A 1920's era replica garage complete
with a fully stripped Model T Ford chassis

Old engine tuning equipment

Learn more: The National Motor Museum