Club Page 2020
Members in the News
Kevin does more to his Lotus Cortina
I have been doing a few more bits and pieces on the Cortina, engine bay is coming along, the boot area is basically done, sound deadening has been installed on the floor, and the wiring loom installed. The interior is back from the trimmers and I have spent a stupid length of time getting the dash upto scratch, stripping and cleaning the gauges, and assembling it all to make sure it goes together. All the silver paint has had to be redone on the centre console and the chrome on the plastic parts of the dash have been done at eye-watering expense, but looks good. Have been working out how to install a stereo system in keeping with the age, but being upto date with DAB radio and various modern inputs. Have bought a classic radio unit that does the job and looks the part, but the speakers have proved difficult to install so the are not visible. I've mounted them high up under the dash, and will have a special stereo speaker installed behind the grille in the rear parcel shelf where the original mono radio speaker would have been mounted.
I've endured nervousness, joy, blind panic and relief all within an hour with the Jensen. I took it for it's MOT, always nervous, even though you know your car, but you never know what the tester will find. Joy in that it passed with 1 advisory, a little play in a front wheel bearing. When I drove home I pulled up outside my house and blind panic as masses of black smoke started pouring out from under the bonnet. With extinguisher in hand, I opened the bonnet to be met with more smoke and fortunately no flames, but oil everywhere. The pipe feeding the oil pressure gauge had divorced the union in the block, spraying oil at 60 PSI all over my lovely clean engine bay, and the exhaust manifolds. Relief, as had the journey been longer, then the manifolds would have been hotter, with dire consequences, and probably the engine would have pumped all the oil out and done major damage, so although now dirty, I still have an intact car.
I've endured nervousness, joy, blind panic and relief all within an hour with the Jensen. I took it for it's MOT, always nervous, even though you know your car, but you never know what the tester will find. Joy in that it passed with 1 advisory, a little play in a front wheel bearing. When I drove home I pulled up outside my house and blind panic as masses of black smoke started pouring out from under the bonnet. With extinguisher in hand, I opened the bonnet to be met with more smoke and fortunately no flames, but oil everywhere. The pipe feeding the oil pressure gauge had divorced the union in the block, spraying oil at 60 PSI all over my lovely clean engine bay, and the exhaust manifolds. Relief, as had the journey been longer, then the manifolds would have been hotter, with dire consequences, and probably the engine would have pumped all the oil out and done major damage, so although now dirty, I still have an intact car.
Presentation of Alec's Picnic Collage

This year has been a difficult year for many of us, with the chance to get our cars out, or even meet, has proved almost impossible. I can't remember who's idea it was to perhaps have a picnic, when lockdown had finished, but I am grateful to them for spawning the idea. As a result, we had the offer to use Alec & Peggy's land, which was suitable due it being private and so not put our members at risk. So the first picnic was organised for the end of June, which proved successful, and we ended up having another 3 over the following months, with great weather on each occasion.
I, and the club, are indebted to both Alec and Peggy for allowing us to use their land, and as a result the club managed do quite a bit more than many other clubs in the same situation.
As a small gesture of our gratitude, from a suggestion put forward by Pete Fox, a collage of the picnics has been made by Arthur Wood and Rosemary, which was presented to Alec. I had tried to get it presented at the last club meeting with a number of members present, but alas this wasn't to happen. It wasn't the most opportune moment, but we managed to pin Alec down, unfortunately Peggy wasn't available, and pull him away from playing with his digger, so we could present him with the collage before the new lock down took hold.
My thanks, on behalf of the club, to Alec & Peggy, and to Arthur & Rosemary who have put their time and effort i
I, and the club, are indebted to both Alec and Peggy for allowing us to use their land, and as a result the club managed do quite a bit more than many other clubs in the same situation.
As a small gesture of our gratitude, from a suggestion put forward by Pete Fox, a collage of the picnics has been made by Arthur Wood and Rosemary, which was presented to Alec. I had tried to get it presented at the last club meeting with a number of members present, but alas this wasn't to happen. It wasn't the most opportune moment, but we managed to pin Alec down, unfortunately Peggy wasn't available, and pull him away from playing with his digger, so we could present him with the collage before the new lock down took hold.
My thanks, on behalf of the club, to Alec & Peggy, and to Arthur & Rosemary who have put their time and effort i
John Bates has been busy in his garage changing the colour of the wings and running boards on his 1938 MG VA Tourer, from Gray to Black. Not as easy as you think when you end up doing the underside as well and with aerosols but it wasn't rusty

Arthur Wood has a 100 amp oiled cooled AC transformer welder complete with the necessary leads and a small amount of suitable electrodes for a donation of £20 to club funds. He purchased this welder at the age of seventeen in order to build a 750 special and used it extensively when building the Sebring particularly on the stainless steel and mild steel chassis parts. It is very heavy with lots of copper inside and of course the oil.
David Finch has found a guy who does repro tax discs. He will reproduce with fantastic originality. All there including first registration disc with issuing authority, date, year, year end expired, ref number and tax class and price. if interested contact David
David Finch has found a guy who does repro tax discs. He will reproduce with fantastic originality. All there including first registration disc with issuing authority, date, year, year end expired, ref number and tax class and price. if interested contact David
Kevin does a bit more,but to the Lotus CortinaHave been doing a little more on the cars, besides ripping the garden apart and building a new shed from scratch! Finally got around to fitting the front valance to the Cortina, which marks the end of the major welding. I have also gone around the shell and welded up any stray holes that had been drilled during its life which shouldn't be there.
Soon I hope to have the underside, inside, boot area and engine bay painted, so the long task of putting it back together can start. Front suspension is ready to be installed, and just bought 2 new rear springs, so not far off getting it back on its wheels. |
Pete Fox and his 1918 Ford Model T Roadster just out of hibernation at Hartlebury Castle Concours June 2018
Chairman Kevin does a bit more
I have been doing a bit more on the car, firstly have rebuilt the prop shaft as the UJs were past their best to put it mildly. The new exhaust arrived and now has been put on, I didn't realise the old exhaust was a bit of a Frankenstein system, made of bits bent to fit. By comparison the new system just slotted in, and has straight through silencers, which gives the car a nice rumble.
Since rebuilding the engine and engine bay, the underside of the bonnet has always let it down. I have now remedied this by painting it and putting Hardura, which lines the engine bay, between the cross-bracing. The blue is slightly lighter than it should be, I will get a better match, but is a vast improvement over what it was.
Since rebuilding the engine and engine bay, the underside of the bonnet has always let it down. I have now remedied this by painting it and putting Hardura, which lines the engine bay, between the cross-bracing. The blue is slightly lighter than it should be, I will get a better match, but is a vast improvement over what it was.
Geoff Salminen Checks out his collection
The following is my update for work over the last six weeks ( sorry, no photos, no camera !! )
The Morris 8 has had all the rubber brake pipes replaced, the copper pipes and cylinders are fine. The actual brake covers are terrible, they have not had much use but have become hard and shiny. I have used strong sandpaper and a saw blade to re do the surface but it is still no use. I have just been given a complete set of original “Raybestos” covers but I will have to wait to get them changed.
The Ford “Y” has had the rear panel and rear wings resprayed. “Paint tracking” had developed where the wings join the body. I am now letting the cellulose harden before cutting back, at the moment there is no hurry.
I had the “33 Rover out last week, fortunately not far as it developed an bad misfire. I did get it back to the garage safely, it is either the condenser (most likely) or the coil. That I will sort in due course.
The Rover P4 has not been out since January, It has a new battery on trickle charge. A neighbour is not using his car at the moment so he has parked on the drive in front of the garage.
My Rover 45 has not been out but following Allan's advise I have the battery on trickle charge. It is in the older garage and is now looking very dusty.
On Sunday if the weather allows, because of living in a small cul de sac with no one passing, I thought of putting the Morris 8 on the fore court of the Moorpool Hall.
The Morris 8 has had all the rubber brake pipes replaced, the copper pipes and cylinders are fine. The actual brake covers are terrible, they have not had much use but have become hard and shiny. I have used strong sandpaper and a saw blade to re do the surface but it is still no use. I have just been given a complete set of original “Raybestos” covers but I will have to wait to get them changed.
The Ford “Y” has had the rear panel and rear wings resprayed. “Paint tracking” had developed where the wings join the body. I am now letting the cellulose harden before cutting back, at the moment there is no hurry.
I had the “33 Rover out last week, fortunately not far as it developed an bad misfire. I did get it back to the garage safely, it is either the condenser (most likely) or the coil. That I will sort in due course.
The Rover P4 has not been out since January, It has a new battery on trickle charge. A neighbour is not using his car at the moment so he has parked on the drive in front of the garage.
My Rover 45 has not been out but following Allan's advise I have the battery on trickle charge. It is in the older garage and is now looking very dusty.
On Sunday if the weather allows, because of living in a small cul de sac with no one passing, I thought of putting the Morris 8 on the fore court of the Moorpool Hall.
Kevin Birch, Chairman is busy working and doing things in his Garage
Doing stuff whilst off
It all started with the decision to replace the fuel lines on the Jensen, as the old were some form of plastic that had hardened and gone brittle, and had got a cheap plastic filter right by the exhaust, which wasn't a good idea. The new pipe would be copper, with a decent filter relocated away from any heat, at the tank and braided hose for the flexi bits. So petrol tank out, which meant exhaust off, and start to remove the old pipe which wasn't difficult as most of it was held in place by cable straps. A suitable location for the filter was found, a bracket made up and new pipe accordingly bent and installed correctly, fixed to the specific chassis tabs, together with the brake pipe, using the correct clamps, which again I made. The tank was cleaned, flushed out, re-painted and put back in, after the tank straps were repaired and and new rubbers made up out of a bicycle innertube. Fresh fuel put in and the engine fired up with it's glorious rumble, did I not mention that the exhaust was still off at this point with only the down pipes connected. It sounded quite like Christian's LaFrance, but louder!
Well one job leads to another,
When I removed the tank, I noticed the Panhard rod was bent, this is the second time this has happened, and is obviously weak as it is easy to straighten. A piece of tubing was sourced to go over the rod, which was slipped over and welded up, giving it a bit more strength. Whilst under the car I also found play in the prop, and on removal one joint being virtually seized with no movement in one direction. The exhaust is well past it's best too, so a new one has been ordered together with the new UJs and will be installed when it comes.
Kind Regards
Kev
It all started with the decision to replace the fuel lines on the Jensen, as the old were some form of plastic that had hardened and gone brittle, and had got a cheap plastic filter right by the exhaust, which wasn't a good idea. The new pipe would be copper, with a decent filter relocated away from any heat, at the tank and braided hose for the flexi bits. So petrol tank out, which meant exhaust off, and start to remove the old pipe which wasn't difficult as most of it was held in place by cable straps. A suitable location for the filter was found, a bracket made up and new pipe accordingly bent and installed correctly, fixed to the specific chassis tabs, together with the brake pipe, using the correct clamps, which again I made. The tank was cleaned, flushed out, re-painted and put back in, after the tank straps were repaired and and new rubbers made up out of a bicycle innertube. Fresh fuel put in and the engine fired up with it's glorious rumble, did I not mention that the exhaust was still off at this point with only the down pipes connected. It sounded quite like Christian's LaFrance, but louder!
Well one job leads to another,
When I removed the tank, I noticed the Panhard rod was bent, this is the second time this has happened, and is obviously weak as it is easy to straighten. A piece of tubing was sourced to go over the rod, which was slipped over and welded up, giving it a bit more strength. Whilst under the car I also found play in the prop, and on removal one joint being virtually seized with no movement in one direction. The exhaust is well past it's best too, so a new one has been ordered together with the new UJs and will be installed when it comes.
Kind Regards
Kev
1925 Ford Model T Tourer Update by David Spruce
Got a new set of radiator hoses to fit as they are leaking.Once this situation is clear it will be out and about . Also got new garage doors coming as well as side opening doors will allow the height a bit of clearance as it is VERY tight at the moment.
Collecting the Model T with guest appearance by John Davies I think
Collecting Model T and transport to its new home in Stourbridge

Message from David Spruce 22nd Feb 2020
Good morning Chris, hope you are well , I would like to let you know that I have been and brought the Model T off Stephanie Nutt , the late Gordon Nutts wife. I have always liked the car and known Gordon for over 30 years so it going to be a great pleasure to own the car and look after it the way Gordon did. John Davies is going to teach me how to drive it . collecting it in 2 weeks
Best Wishes David Spruce
Good morning Chris, hope you are well , I would like to let you know that I have been and brought the Model T off Stephanie Nutt , the late Gordon Nutts wife. I have always liked the car and known Gordon for over 30 years so it going to be a great pleasure to own the car and look after it the way Gordon did. John Davies is going to teach me how to drive it . collecting it in 2 weeks
Best Wishes David Spruce
Model T Ford produced by Gordon Nutt and given to David Spruce by Stephenie Nutt
What’s going on in my Garage –Man Cave – Junk Yard
Kevin suggested we keep each other up to date /entertained with what we are each doing to keep occupied with our vehicles during this time of isolation with no meetings and events to occupy ourselves
I’ll start, last year I decided to go to LED lighting on my 6Volt Traction Avant, Indicators and side and stop lamps. The reason for this is simple I was fed up of not been seen, I had indicators but 6V and festoon bulbs were not seen by modern drivers and the Citroen brake lights were a mixture originally only having one unit another being fitted as an update from 1950’s models with what I think is very dark red glass and even I had to admit could be seen on a bright day. Along with all this living on a main road which we do, in Left hand drive car, with 6Volts was dangerous, Hand signals even if understood by those behind, no good as LHD and if you waved out of the driver’s window when turning left it causes great consternation to those behind as was passenger trying to get out/escape from this vehicle in front.
So the job was started, I bought from one of our January auctions a pair of indicator units that could take LED single filament bulbs, acquired two old side light units from Ebay for the front that with a little fettling took the shortest LED bulbs I could find ,and were painted Black ( the chrome was past it)
I made some lamp brackets that attached to the bumpers and that didn’t catch the rear boot lid and were obvious to those following from some 22mm copper pipe bent and flattened. I had to replace the flasher unit with modern electronic 6V unit as the old ones won’t trigger with the small current used by LED’s another benefit when using 6V. All went well and worked but on first outing to the Bonded Warehouse weekend. I realised not having a warning light I could not tell if the indicators were on or not, by my normal method of seeing the ammeter wobble so had to find a bleeper that was fitted and can even be heard over the cacophony of noise made by a Traction.
That was last year during the cold season I investigated how to sort out the rear lights. Because the units use festoon bulbs and 6V LED Festoon bulbs are big and didn’t fit on advice I went to Classic Dynamo & Regulator Conversions wwwdynamoregulatorconversions.com and purchased some LED boards that fit inside D and pork pie Lamps etc, the board having white LED on one edge to light up the number plate and two phases in the red LED’s lower for side light and high intensity for brake. Don’t ask me how but they can do wonders with these LEDs and Phil the owner will always explain to you if you really want to know.
So come the last few weeks as the tundra frost has left my garage I have been fitting these units and can say that they work and can certainly be seen. See photos and I will feel much more confident slowing down and turning into our drive.
What next full service on both cars as the TR was not used last year and the Traction is due refreshing and maybe a look at the paint work, repairing the damage done by the wall across the road from when it went walkies by itself after I parked it on the side of the road. That’s another story for those that haven’t heard it.
Take care of yourselves and try and get something positive done in these trying times
Chris
I’ll start, last year I decided to go to LED lighting on my 6Volt Traction Avant, Indicators and side and stop lamps. The reason for this is simple I was fed up of not been seen, I had indicators but 6V and festoon bulbs were not seen by modern drivers and the Citroen brake lights were a mixture originally only having one unit another being fitted as an update from 1950’s models with what I think is very dark red glass and even I had to admit could be seen on a bright day. Along with all this living on a main road which we do, in Left hand drive car, with 6Volts was dangerous, Hand signals even if understood by those behind, no good as LHD and if you waved out of the driver’s window when turning left it causes great consternation to those behind as was passenger trying to get out/escape from this vehicle in front.
So the job was started, I bought from one of our January auctions a pair of indicator units that could take LED single filament bulbs, acquired two old side light units from Ebay for the front that with a little fettling took the shortest LED bulbs I could find ,and were painted Black ( the chrome was past it)
I made some lamp brackets that attached to the bumpers and that didn’t catch the rear boot lid and were obvious to those following from some 22mm copper pipe bent and flattened. I had to replace the flasher unit with modern electronic 6V unit as the old ones won’t trigger with the small current used by LED’s another benefit when using 6V. All went well and worked but on first outing to the Bonded Warehouse weekend. I realised not having a warning light I could not tell if the indicators were on or not, by my normal method of seeing the ammeter wobble so had to find a bleeper that was fitted and can even be heard over the cacophony of noise made by a Traction.
That was last year during the cold season I investigated how to sort out the rear lights. Because the units use festoon bulbs and 6V LED Festoon bulbs are big and didn’t fit on advice I went to Classic Dynamo & Regulator Conversions wwwdynamoregulatorconversions.com and purchased some LED boards that fit inside D and pork pie Lamps etc, the board having white LED on one edge to light up the number plate and two phases in the red LED’s lower for side light and high intensity for brake. Don’t ask me how but they can do wonders with these LEDs and Phil the owner will always explain to you if you really want to know.
So come the last few weeks as the tundra frost has left my garage I have been fitting these units and can say that they work and can certainly be seen. See photos and I will feel much more confident slowing down and turning into our drive.
What next full service on both cars as the TR was not used last year and the Traction is due refreshing and maybe a look at the paint work, repairing the damage done by the wall across the road from when it went walkies by itself after I parked it on the side of the road. That’s another story for those that haven’t heard it.
Take care of yourselves and try and get something positive done in these trying times
Chris
COVID-19 Update 17th March
Due to the current climate of the corona virus a decision has been taken that the Club weekly meetings on a Thursday are being suspended until further notice. The mid month lunch meetings are also being suspended.
We have taken this action following the recommendations of the government and the fact that as a club with the majority of it's members over the age of 70 and many with underlying health issues, ensuring we all stay as safe as possible is a priority.
I hope you all fully understand the action we have taken and we will keep you all informed of future activities.
If any member knows of a fellow member who may not have received this information, can you please pass it on, thank you.
Howard Whatmough,
Club Secretary.
Kevin Birch,
Chairman.
We have taken this action following the recommendations of the government and the fact that as a club with the majority of it's members over the age of 70 and many with underlying health issues, ensuring we all stay as safe as possible is a priority.
I hope you all fully understand the action we have taken and we will keep you all informed of future activities.
If any member knows of a fellow member who may not have received this information, can you please pass it on, thank you.
Howard Whatmough,
Club Secretary.
Kevin Birch,
Chairman.
Newscutting from KSCA website |
Sent in by Christian Ditchfield
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