Wolseley Hornet Special Club of Australia Inc

Hornet Special Newsletter

Issue 63 December 2015

WHS Club ContactsSecretary

Bill Russell, ph (03) 9349 2262

PresidentJohn Prentice

ph (02) 6281 2618Editor

Henry Hancock, ph (07) 3878 2850

3 Gilia Court Indooroopilly Qld 4068hlaevt@aanet.com.au

Gerry Dunford, right, at the Bathurst AGM display with the Pre-War MG Register admiring the restoration work that Col Schiller and daughter Christina have done on the old Oldings Coachcraft ‘34 WHS Airline Coupe that he previ-ously owned. The car is back in black as it was when owned by Digby Cook in 1952 and raced at Castlereigh Airstrip (see Newsletter Issues 57 & 58).

Hornet at Collingrove Hillclimb 2015David Armstrong a t Vintage Collingrove See Page 2

Thank you John & Fran Higham, John & Lynne Prentice and Bill & Rhonda Trollope

WHSCA AGM 2015 Bathurst, NSWDisplay with the Pre-War M G Register and circuts of the Mt Panorama race track

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I entered the Hornet in the Vintage Collingrove Hill Climb in October 2015.

I did 10 runs up the hill, 8 timed runs and 2 demo runs (to take a husband and wife up the hill) and really enjoyed it.

My best time was 59.7 seconds which is about the same time as an MG TC with 16” wheels and a well tuned engine, so I was quite chuffed! My best time up the hill with my historic clubman with an 1100 cc BMC motor is 36.7 sec-onds. The Hornet was slower but was good fun and I had number 77 which is my old race number.

We also did a run “around the ga-rages” put on by the Gawler Car Club and guess what .... of all the cars on the run, the local Barossa Valley weekly Newspaper, The Bunyip, published a picture of the Hornet in their paper.

People really like the Wolseley Hornet Special!! David Armstrong

Hornet at Collingrove Hillclimb WHSCA AGM Bathurst 2015The Wolseley Hornet Special Club of Australia’s annual get-together and AGM commenced on Friday 13 November 2015 with the Hornet Specials from Queensland and South Australia arriving by midday at the Bathurst Quality Hotel, after a brilliantly sunny but pleasantly cool morning’s travel. The thunder clouds gathered for intermittent showers by 3.00pm and at 6.00pm, the scheduled starting time of the meeting, people were still arriving from Victoria and the ACT with tales of heavy rain and trees across the roads. This recalled the 2010 AGM in Canberra when the Clucases and the Balthazars arrived ....“The white lines disappeared under water for 300m ahead. The whole landscape was a sea. Worse still, the sea wasn’t calm. The current was strong … with the full offside of the car facing the current; the water flowed up and over the driver’s door in a wave” (see Newsletter Issue 43, December 2010).

The President welcomed all and noted that the at-tendance at this AGM was the biggest ever. A special welcome was extended to Jon Cooke from New Zealand, as well as to Tony Eccles, President of the Wolseley Car Club of NSW, and his wife Karen, who had been delayed but would join us for the weekend.

Apologies were received from Geoff Kenward, Mi-chael Santin, John Summerfield and Liz Aird.

The resignation of Peter Wells from WA due to ill health was noted with regret and the President noted his long contribution to the Club as WA Vice President and as one of the first members of the UK WHSC from the early 1950s. The resignation of Malcolm Smith from ACT due to ill health was also noted with regret.

The President welcomed ten new members who had joined the Club: Bob Collette (Qld), Bevan Cursley (NSW), Judy Bromham (Vic), Peter Jeffries (SA), Ian McConville (Vic), Terry McGrath (WA), Bill Scherek (Vic), Stewart Donetta (WA), Gavin Turner (NZ) and Dick Serjeantson (UK President of WHSC).

The President reminded members that the Club’s Constitution conferred equal rights and responsibilities to participate in the Club’s proceedings to members and their partners, including the right to stand for office.

A folder was circulated and the Secretary noted that the Club had received and sent a wide range of correspondence during the year including correspondence with the UK Club; inquiries from new members; letters of condolence in regard to ill or deceased members; correspondence with the Registrar of Incorporated Associations, etc.

The Treasurer’s report was circulated and the President noted that the accounts show a comfortable balance at 31 March 2015 of $2036.60, and acknowledged the outstanding work of John Ireland who is happy to do the job for yet another year, but is looking to somebody to take over in 2017.It was agreed that the (Australian) Subscription Rate for 2016 be raised by $5 per annum. The high cost of UK subscriptions partially due to the low Australian dollar was noted and the Committee will explore the possibility of receiving the UK magazine electronically in exchange for a lower sub.It was agreed that a Paypal Account should be established which will make payment by overseas members easier and minimize cur-rency exchange and transfer costs.

The President also acknowledged the outstanding work our Regis-trar, Michael Santin, whose report was circulated as he was unable to attend the meeting. Key issues in Michael’s report were:9 Hornet Specials under active restoration1 WHS coupe Sanction 114 imported from UK2 further Sanction 78 Daytonas have emerged in NZ664 separate vehicle identities are now on the Register.

Newly elected President John Prentice presents the Howard and Alison Kenward Trophy to retiring President Lyle and Margaret Cooper

Spare PartsCol Schiller writes:Could you please advise the members of my spare Wolseley 9 (1934?) Picture right, maybe someone else is restoring one and needs extra parts.Contact: colin.schiller@bigpond.com

Stainless Steel FasternersA New Zealand firm “ANZOR” has opened a branch in Brisbane (but not in any other capital city as yet). They specialise in a wide range of stainless steel fasteners and most of their screws are available in slot head, including raised head countersunk and cup washers, with no minimum quantity required. You can order on-line from: www.anzor.com.auLyle Cooper

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36 of the 50 1934 Sanction 114/127 WHSs imported into Australia are now represented with photos – only 14 are missing.

Office Bearers were elected as followsPresident –John PrenticeTreasurer-John IrelandSecretary- Margaret Cooper; Bill Russell to serve as Acting Secretary until Margaret is available following completion of round Australia touring etc.Vice Presidents as follows:NSW – Bill TrollopeQld – Peter BakerACT – John HighamVic – John ClucasWA – vacantSA – David ArmstrongNZ Rep – Jon CookeEditor – Henry HancockRegistrar – Michael SantinHonorary Life Patron – Gerry Dunford

Wolseley Hornet Special Book - The book has been a great success and is sold out. Bill Russell advised that consideration will be given to a reprint when there is a sufficient waiting list and sufficient new information to justify a revised edition.Web Site – The President acknowledged the excellent work done by John Clucas in establishing the Club’s website. John advised the meeting that the website can be accessed by typing the web address into the top bar, NOT into the Google search box.Newsletter - The President acknowledged the excellent quality of

the Newsletter produced by Henry Hancock, as well as the very useful DVD Henry had produced with back issues and Spare Parts Manual for issue to members attending the AGM and to new members.

Lyle Cooper raised the issue of whether a small charge should be levied on spare parts provided from those donated to the Club, particularly by Gerry Dunford and the Kenwards and he offered to serve as Spare Parts co-ordinator – this was agreed.

It was decided that the AGM and Hornet weekend would be held as per normal rotation in Victoria – Victorian members to organize. It was decided that Peter Baker and Jon Cooke should look at the possibility of a New Zealand excursion for members some time in 2016.

The President thanked John and Fran Higham, John and Lynne Prentice and Bill and Rhonda Trollope for their contributions to the planning of the weekend.The meeting then adjourned to an excellent dinner at the Hotel restaurant where trophies were awarded.

Club Trophies for 2015 were awarded as followsHoward and Alison Kenward Trophy for service to the Club – Lyle and Margaret CooperWheels and Wings Trophy for promoting Hornets – Joe and Bev WilsonGullan Trophy for competition excellence – John and Sharon Balthazar

After-Dinner Speaker - Joe WilsonJoe’s love of cars commenced when he held a light for his father over an Austin 10 in the 1940s– his father had borrowed 100 quid from his mother to buy the car.He purchased his first vintage car in 1959 – and has had 17 cars - he is a member of the Vintage Sports Car Club UK; Vintage Car Club Qld; Alfa Car Club as well as the WHSCA. Joe held a Churchill Fellowship to visit Britain to study car restoration.

10 Hornets lined up in Russell Street Bathurst which was closed for the Pre-War car display, together with 97 MGs (9 Hornets here as Murray and James Couper had not yet arrived).From the Left: Lyle & Margaret Cooper’s ‘33, Peter Baker’s ‘33, Brian Parkinson’s LeaFrancis engined Historic Racer, John & Sharon Balthazar’s supercharged ‘34, David & Yvonne Armstrong’s ‘34 Sports Saloon, John & Lynne Prentice’s ‘34, Joe & Bev Wilson’s ‘34/35, John & Annabelle Clucas’s ‘35 and Col Schiller’s ‘34 Airline Coupe (Missing: Murray & James Couper’s ‘32 Sports).

Joe Wilson receives the Wings & Wheels Trophy

John Balthazar receives the Gullan Trophy Murray Coupers ‘32 Sports with Lyle Cooper’s and Peter Baker’s red ‘33s behind.

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Display at Russell Street

John Higham discussing David and Yvonne Armstrong’s ‘34 English-built Sports Saloon with David. David and Yvonne drove the car from Adelaide. John’s restoration of his ‘34 is progressing well. Behind: The Prentice ‘34, Wilson’34/35, Clucas’35 and Schiller ‘34 Airline Coupe.

Brian Parkinson, right, discussing his Lea Francis engined Historic Racer with a spectator. In the foreground, John and Sharon Balthazar’s supercharged ‘34 Special and in the background the ‘33s of Peter Baker and Lyle Cooper. Peter drove his car from Brisbane accompanied by Henry Hancock.

Col Schiller compares the similarities of the G H Olding coachcraft bodies and discusses the mechanicals on his Airline Coupe with John Prentice and his roadster. The mudguards appear identical, but the Coupe does not have the smoothly integrated front apron of the roadster.

On Mt Panorama racing circut

John and Sharon Balthazar lead Joe and Bev Wilson and David Armstrong with Victor Kucinskas onto the Racing Circut.

Gerry Dunford riding with Joe Wilson

John Balthazar giving Jim Lowe a ride in his old car in which at Mt Panorama in the early 1950s, the windscreen flopped back and jammed his fingers to the wheel (see Newsletter Issue 51, December 2012)

Murray Couper riding with John Clucas

Saturday Night Dinner at The Oxford

Jon Cooke, Brian Parkinson, Rob & Fay McCarthy, Karen & Tony Eccles and Bill Russell

From the Left: Rupert Thorne, Bev Wilson, Peter Baker, Joe Wilson, James Couper, Peter Jeffries and Matthew Baker

Monty & Rita Schofield, Margaret Cooper, Murray Couper, Jim Lowe, Lyle Cooper and Col & Christina Schiller.

David Armstrong, Bill Trollope, John & Fran Higham, Trish Handley & Bob Collette and Yvonne Armstrong.

Peter Baker leads the field over “Skyline” .....

John & Lynne Prentice at “The Dipper”

The Wolseley Hornet Special Club of Australia Inc. (Victoria, No. A0034589S) exists to encourage the preserva-tion and use of Wolseley Hornets, Sports and Specials. The Club and its Committee take no responsibility for the accuracy of this newsletter’s content nor for the consequences of acting upon any information published herein.

Sunday country tour to Abercrombie HouseThe weather was bright and sunny on Sunday when after breakfast the Hornets took off on the scenic 35km trip to Blayney, a small town on the Mid Western Highway. The bucolic country scene was disturbed as the Hornets of John and Annabelle Clucas and John and Sharon ...... roared ...... past those merely enjoying the peace and tranquility.

Not much was happening in the main street of Blaney as everyone appeared to be at the country market where we also stopped and some of us bought hot coffee as it was now seriously cold - even for the locals.

We then went a further 13kms to Millthorpe, a quaint town settled in the 1840s, classified by the National Trust with lovely 19th century buildings still lining the narrow streets. The coffee shops were doing a roaring trade and after a purchase or two from the shops we then followed the Mitchell Highway back towards Bathurst for our lunch stop at Abercrombie House. The Hornets lined up in front of the house for a photo opportunity which befitted the English-built cars.

Abercrombie, built in the 1870s by the Stewart family who were one of the first settlers in the Bathurst district, has been owned since 1969 by the Morgan family. Christopher Morgan presented a history of the area and the story of the house and then led us through all the rooms (including bedrooms used by the family) and hosted a lunch for the Club in their Ballroom with a restored ceiling of gold leaf. Also housed on the property are 16 Austin Sheerlines one of which Christopher’s father drove when they moved to the house. He intends to dispose of most of them in the near future.

After a delicious repast the pleasant day ended with some of us leaving for home, while others took the 5kms back to the motel in Bathurst. The only hiccup on the whole weekend was Lyle’s newly restored Hornet breaking down at the exit of Abercrombie House and having to be towed back on a trailer – but that’s another story . . .

The evening meal at the motel restaurant was followed by a short meeting covering a couple of mat-ters left over from the AGM on Friday evening.

Lyle Cooper

Seven Hornets lined up at Abercrombie House

Lunch in the Abercrombie House ball-room

John and Annabelle Clucas’s ‘35 leading John and Sharon Balthazar’s ‘34 - the berets were necessary.

Peter Baker follows Lyle Cooper into Abercrombie House