Wolseley Hornet Special Club of Australia Inc

Hornet Special Newsletter

Issue 65 June 2016

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

2016 AGM and HORNET EXTRAVAGANZA14 - 16 OCTOBER 2016 See page 4

Robb Stewart’s 1933 Daytona’s further progess, see Newsletter Issue 64, page 4 - Now the interior is mostly finished.

Jon and Kate Cooke’s 1932 Swallow bodied WHS at the Vero Festival of Historic Motoring in New Zealand

Joe Wilson, Peter Baker (left) and Lyle Cooper (right) inspect the accelerator linkage on Joe’s car following a test run, also with Henry Hancock. All agreed that the car now runs, rides and steers beautifully with the power of the 14hp engine being noticable. Peter’s 1933 WHS is in the background.

Page 2 Hornet Special Newsletter

The land of the Long White Cloud and a Meeting of Hornet owners.by John Balthazar

In January this year Sharon and I ventured to NZ to attend the Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring held in Dunedin and organized by the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand. We were lent a 1928 Oakland sedan in very original condition with only 70,000 miles on the clock. The Oakland behaved itself reasonable well on some challenging hills and dirt roads around Dunedin, not to mention a few laps around the race circuit at Timaru. We shared the car and the driving with another couple, John and Marg Cox, also from Melbourne.

During our stay in Dunedin, our lodgings were at the very art deco “Apartments at St Clair”, where by happy coin-cidence, we found our hosts to be WHSCA member Gavin Turner and his wife Wendy.

We also caught up with Jon Cooke and his wife Kate who had driven his 1932 Hornet from Auckland (some 1500 kms) and also with WHSCA member Brian Stroud who had travelled up from Invercargill in his Morgan.

On one of the free rally days we all managed to gather together with Jon Cooke’s Hornet in front of the Apartments at St Clair, to share Hornet stories and encourage Gavin to get started on his restoration.

Gavin and Wendy Turner own a 1933 Wolseley Hornet Special which Gavin purchased when he was 18. It was discovered by accident when he was working as a truck driver and delivered a parcel to the wrong address. He noticed the car in a garage with a load of junk piled on top of it and asked the owners if they were interested in selling. Six months later he received a phone call and the car was his.

Sharon and I were privileged when Gavin picked us up from the Rally display day and drove us to his garage to have a look at his waiting-to-be-restored car. The body is in remarkably good condition. There are no dents or rust. The timber frame appears to be rigid and sound. The rear body panel and a couple of pieces of timber have been replaced at some stage, possibly due to a light rear end shunt.

The car although not fully assembled, is very complete, including all gauges, windscreen, hood bows and side curtains; stored away safely in crates.

On closer inspection the car is unusual in that the chassis and engine are 1933 whereas the Eustace Watkins body is off a 1934 chassis. The sloping grill has been adapted to marry up to the vertical 1933 radiator and associated mountings. There is also a hump in the right hand mud guard which would have accommodated the 1934 chassis rail mounted steering box, whereas the 1933 steering box is mounted on the front cross member. However these details are minor and not noticeable from the outside of the car.

Due to family and work commitments, Gavin has not had a chance to do anything to the car since he purchased it all those years ago; however he is hanging out for retirement when he is itching to get started on the restoration.

Brian Stroud believes that his 1930 Hornet tourer is the most southerly Wolseley Hornet in the world. After the rally in Dunedin, Sharon and I hired a modern car and

Gavin’s 1933 WHS with 1934 Eustace Watkins body (see adapted radiator and steering box hump in the bottom picture) has moved houses several times in unrestored condition.

Issue 65 Page 3

drove south to Invercargill to visit Brian.

He purchased the car in 1983 as a chassis with the only body panels being the bonnet sides and mudguards, so being a skilled carpenter; he set about building a new body himself.

The car has been restored to a very high standard with an eye for detail. Where parts could not be purchased they were fabricated or cast from scratch. The car has some unique features, like twin rear mounted spare wheels, thermostatically controlled radiator shutters, Hartford shock absorbers and a transmission tunnel mounted handbrake lever.

Jon and Kate Cooke – 1932 Wolseley Hornet Special.Jon Cooke has visited our shores on numerous occasions and has attended the last two AGM’s so it was great to catch up with him and actually see his car.

John has owned this 1932 Swallow Bodied Wolseley Hornet Special for 50 years and does most of the work on it himself. The car is in very original condition and has an unrestored oily rag patina which has tremendous appeal and makes it highly desirable. The rear styling of these Swallow-bodied cars is extremely attractive. The tiny Brooklands windscreens while giving a very sporting appearance, offer little protection from the weather and Jon sensibly opts for a full face helmet when driving long distances. The all aluminium body is well polished and the minor dents and blemishes are hints of what must have been a fascinating past. If only cars could talk.

Brian and his 1930 vertical-dynamo car. Brian visited Australia in 2011. See Newsletter Issue 47, December 2011, for a picture of the car on the road and Newsletter Issue 33, May 2008 for the story of the rebuild.

The shapely rear styling and the interior of Jon and Kate’s Swallow-bodied Hortnet Special at the Vero Festival of Historic Motoring in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Joe and Bev Wilson’s 34 / 35 WHS SoldJoe writes ... with Peter Bakers help, got the motor in last week (See Newsletter Issue 64, page 2 for the problem - Ed.).I really don’t know what caused the problem, but 4 pistons had seized on a couple of occasions. I was aware of when this happened, and should have stripped it before the AGM in Bathurst??

The alloy had jammed the oil rings in their groove, which would account for the smoke and smell at Bathurst.A hone and a new set of pistons and all sounds sweet.I am keen to see how the steering is as I have increased the castor with a wedge. The car was flighty on the open road, and the steering was, I felt, unpleasantly light.Cheers, Joe 25 April 2016 Continued .... Page 7

Page 4 Hornet Special Newsletter

2016 WHSCA AGM Weekend Extravaganza

All enquiries: John & Annabelle (03) 9874 5475, jclucas@topspin.com.au

Drive the Mt Tarrengower Hill ClimbRelax and be driven around in our own bus for the weekend

Be astonished by eccentric individuals with eclectic motoring collectionsExplore the culture and curios of historic Maldon and Castlemaine

Dine at Maryborough’s Supreme CourtFreeze on the Hornet Morning Frostbite Run

Browse the huge Talbot Farmers’ Market – by far Vic’s biggest and bestWine and dine at the celebrated Quoin Hill Vineyard

Get blown away by one of Australia’s largest wind farms

2016 WHSCA AGM Weekend Extravaganza14-16 October, 2016

in

Maryborough - the heart of Victoria’s gold�elds(170km NW of Melbourne)

InterstatersBus it from Tulla to Southern Cross, then train/coach direct to Maryborough in time for the AGM

Melbourne billeting available either side of the AGM

Le�: Maryborough Railway Station. “A railway station with a town attached,” Mark Twain (1895)

Right: Built in 1876-77 the Maryborough Post O�ce was built as a combined court house and post o�ce.

Book now, by sending $46 per person by cheque or something to J&A. �at covers your Sunday winery lunch and our weekend bus hire. Everything else is pay as you go.

Full weekend program available soon.

�e Bristol Hill Motor Inn1 High Streetph (03) 5461 3833info@bristolhill.com.auwww.bristolhill.com.au

Room rate for two peopleStandard Room $130/nightFamily (up to 4/5 beds) $155/nightExecutive Room $150/nightSpa Room $175/night

Home Base (ours exclusively for the weekend)

First in Best Dressed, so phone the motel now. Quote Ref: Wolseley Hornet Special Club

Issue 65 Page 5

SA NewsI entered the Hornet in the McLaren Vale car rally with over 600 cars.

While I was talking to a fellow about the car, a lady approached me and said she was the Mayor and that she had been asked to pick the car she would like to take home.

My car was her choice!.... I promptly informed her that she could not take it home!!

However I received the Mayors Choice Trophy and a couple of bottles of wine. Also, they want to use the car for advertising next year’s event.

Two weeks after that I took my Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire down to Victor Harbour for the British Classic Tour. I was surprised to be informed that I had won the Best Saloon and I received a very nice, large trophy. Again there are very few of these cars on the road - I think two in SA and about fifteen in Australia.

Due to being so rare, the car creates much interest wherever I go.

The two trophies look quite nice together, the smaller one for the Hornet & the larger one for the Siddeley.

Cheers, David Armstrong

Oh oh, Subs are OVERDUESubscriptions to both the Australian and UK Clubs were due on April 1.The options for Australian Club membership are set out below.WHSC (UK) - To belong to the UK Club with their posted Magazine and access to their spare parts is $70 per annum except that after 30 April 2016 it attracts a $10 late fee.The Treasurer collects this money as a courtesy to members to save time and currency exchange fees.Australian Newsletter by email only (NO membership) $10 yearAustralian Newsletter by email with WHSCA Membership $20 yearAustralian Newsletter hard copy Posted with WHSCA Membership $35 year

Combined UK and Australian Membership with Emailed $100 because it is after 30 April 2016Australian Newsletter Combined UK and Australian Membership with Posted $115 because it is after 30 April 2016Australian Newsletter

If you have not yet paid and wish to continue membership, please forward your subscription immediately to:

Wolseley Hornet Special Club of Australia Inc C/- John Ireland, Treasurer83/40 Riverbrooke Drive, Coomera Qld 4209deeandjohn@ngvemail.com

OR by bank transfer to:Wolseley Hornet Special Club of Australia IncHeritage Bank Ltd BSB: 638-070 Account No: 8958866 Reference: your name

WANTED - A website designer for the WHSCA. All content will be supplied. We just need someone with the technical expertise to produce a website that is less hackable than the one we have (it has been taken down several times). Do you have any relatives who can do it? All enquries to John Clucas 0419 592 275.

Page 6 Hornet Special Newsletter

Progress report on restoration of 1934 Hornet Coupe. by Ian McConville

I have completed the restoration of the body woodwork. I was able to reuse about 25% of the original wood which was a mix of ash and what appeared to be cedar. The remainder were used as patterns except for those that were too far gone where I guessed/ worked out the shapes. The big test will come when I fit the steel shell over the frame.

A new wiring loom was made up and is currently being braided. That will be the next item to fit. You may note an ‘additional’ box on the firewall to the right of the cut out. This houses relays for the headlights high and low beam and the fog light. My experience with other cars I have restored is that relays a must if you want maximum brightness in your headlamps and no overheating of the light switch, unless of course LED bulbs are substituted. I have not quite accepted this new technology for headlamps and use halogen bulbs.

As far as I can ascertain, without dismantling, the engine appears to have been reconditioned. It has good even compression, the valve/rocker chamber is clean and some head studs are new. Here’s hoping. My car has the Lucas Startix system which I have wired up. I am not sure if I will use it or bypass. Has anyone experience with this gadget?

er.

ent.

Last week I picked up the body shell and guards from my panel beater bloke who replaced the corroded areas and finished off the guards ready for a final coat. Doors and dickie lid are in good condition. I have opted for running boards fashioned from ply and wood. The steel ones were not able to be restored and making new ones is quite a task. I believe you will not be able to pick the difference when they are covered in ribbed rubb

The next big challenge will be interesting, that is fitting the body shell. I am hoping that once I have bent back some of the edges around the windows and rear wheel arches, I can slip it over. I will let you know in the next instalm

I still require information on mounting the spare at the rear of the car and how the dickie seat is constructed and trimmed or if there was ever one in there. There was none of that with the car. So if anyone can assist, let me know.

Issue 65 Page 7

Bill Trollope reportsProgress has been slow last year and so far this year, with other priorities taking precedence, however I have made headway.

I have had the body on and off several times getting everything fitting correctly. As I did this I removed each item and stored some parts in the lounge room of our house. My long-suffering wife has not said too much yet but I feel that it is only a matter of time. All the bits in the lounge are 100% finished and ready to go to the paint shop.

I have painted all the internal timber and panels and have recently finished re-swinging the doors; what a painstaking job that was; and have just started on the floor boards. As I fitted some angle brackets to the bodywork I had to rout out some areas underneath the boards to get them to fit. I have done some repair work to the rear steel tub as well where it was cracked and had holes that are not needed.

I want to be sure that everything fits so that I am not messing around after painting and damaging things. This has slowed me down, how-ever I feel that it is the best way for a good outcome. So it’s almost to the point where I can go to the paint shop, which I am hoping to take place soon.

I have to spend some time on the fuel tank, repair and rechrome the radiator surround and headlights, and that’s about all apart from trim and wir-ing. I was intending to re-manufacture my exhaust pipes in stainless steel,

but went for ceramic coating of the original, both inside and out, and they reckon it will see me out. Looks pretty good too!

I sent away for the steering box parts from the UK Club and although a bit pricey they are of excellent quality, I plan to fit these while the body is in the paint shop.

To sum up, I will not be ready for Victoria, but reckon that next year’s AGM should be its debut.

Had a short drive yesterday and all is good, and the steering is transformed. Still pleasantly light, but with easier tracking and some self-centring. I may even go another couple of degrees??Cheers, Joe 27 April 2016

Just reporting that the Hornet is sold and will be going to Kin Kin (south of Gympie - Ed.) Richard Harris, a member of the Vintage Car Club of Queensland.Cheers, Joe 20 May 2016

See Joe’s advertisement at http://www.prewarcar.com/classifieds/ad198567.html

Joe and Bev Wilson’s 34 / 35 WHS Sold ......Continued from Page 3

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.

Wanted

1932 / 33 RADIATOR MASCOTFurther to the article on page 6 of Newsletter Issue 64, March 2016, these (mascot and plinth) are now available chromed from the UK Club for GBP 85 + postage (the Editor paid GBP 13 postage), see photo right.

If anyone would like a plain brass casting, which requires fettling, screws and chroming, they are available from the Australian Club spares for $138 + postage, see photo left.

CAR BADGE

The Club has ordered a batch of Wolseley Hornet Special Club of Australia car badges to be available at the AGM in October. The anticipated cost is $29 each. Lyle Cooper and John Balthazar have organized this.

31

MATERIAL: 3mm BRASSETCHED DEEP

6

28 Ø5 HOLES40

Ø77

GROOVE

PANTONE 287

PANTONE 485

CHROME

Ø51

Ø77

108

WATER PIPES Lyle Cooper reports

I have been beavering away in the workshop since the beginning of the year trying to get the water pipes for the 32, 33 & 34 engines bent up as per the originals which were steel tube. (The sedans had the pipes painted).

All the workshops I approached advised that the bends on the pipe which comes out of the water pump were too close together. I pur-chased some copper pipe and eventually talked a small business into letting me modify a spare clamping piece they had, to clamp the 2 ¼” flat between the bends and we were able to bend up the pipes in the same configuration as Wolseley did 84 years ago.

I’ve had four sets chromed and will bring them to the AGM in October and they will be available with an exchange cast brass fitting, i.e. the fitting that bolts onto the back water jacket plate. I would be grateful for any spare fittings that you may have.

The cost for outlays only - is $80 per set raw; or $170 chrome plated plus postage.

I am desperate for 12” brake shoes. I only have 1 set, so need 3 sets if anyone has spares. Also I need a distributor for a 1934 Hornet Special and I am missing an alloy oil filler cap.

I have a brand new rocker shaft for 1934 Hornet if anyone needs one.

Cheers, Bevan Cursely Ph (02)6493 5640 or mob 0498 750 909