Remembering our Diggers on

ANZAC Day - 25 April 2011

Wonderful Oatley Park Wonderful Oatley Park The destination for our 20 March 2011 Twilight Mystery Run was

Oatley Park. But instead of an enjoyable drive from North Strathfield

to Oatley Park our Events Team had to postpone the outing because of heavy rain. In fact, so much rain fell on Sydney that day it was offi-

cially our wettest March day in 27 years. Our Events Team will en-

deavour to re-schedule this Club run for another time.

Page 2

Committee

The deadline for all contributions to Baby Torque is ALWAYS the last Fri-

day of each month. Contributions should be sent to The Editor, Baby

Torque, 10 Lorraine Street, North Strathfield NSW 2137.

Magazine Deadline

Club Meetings

The Austin 7 Club NSW Inc meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month

at 8:00pm in the NRMA Training Rooms, NRMA Building, George Street,

North Strathfield. Parking is available in the NRMA car park opposite the

building.

Name Home Phone Mobile Phone

President Warren Gracie (02) 9569 2108 0417 417 826

Vice President Paul Pui (02) 9958 1791 0413 621 078

Secretary /

Public Officer Maureen Boatwright (02) 9822 8609 0413 017 263

Treasurer Helen Lewis (02) 9709 2344 0407 108 196

Spare Parts Mervyn Boatwright (02) 9822 8609 0412 940 001

Club Examiners Warren Gracie

Mervyn Boatwright

(02) 9569 2108

(02) 9822 8609

0417 417 826

0412 940 001

Membership /

Registration Faye Yarroll (02) 9706 8007 0412 830 041

Editor /

Webmaster Robert Yarroll (02) 9706 8007 -

As a courtesy, please do not contact Committee Members after 9:00pm.

Banking Details

Austin 7 Club NSW Inc

Spare Parts Austin 7 Club NSW Inc

Bank Laboratories Credit Union Bendigo Bank

BSB 802-841 633-000

Account 0000009132 128875804

Page 3

Unfortunately our Twilight Run to Oatley Park was postponed due to inclem-ent weather. But at least our gardens will not need watering for a while. Club members going to “Austin’s Over Australia” at Forbes during the Easter break should have a good time. I wonder what odds Centerbet will put on the camel that our Club jockey will be riding?

Some members were recently concerned that Baby Torque devoted too much space to Concessional Registration and should contain other stories of inter-est. This article was included because a number of members have asked me what the practice is at Registration Renewal time. So it’s apparent to me that

not all members are aware of all the requirements. The Conditional Registration reminder about other events will continue to be placed on the back page of Baby Torque. Happy Sevening ... Warren Gracie

Presidents Report

Events Report

Unfortunately there was no run to Oatley Park in March due to the extreme weather but I’m sure we’ll visit there in the future. Our next run is a mystery and will be organized by Bob & Judith Riches. It sounds like a lot of fun and

action. Don’t forget to phone 9822 8609 if you are going to lunch in Pitt Town and what starting point you are leaving from.

Expressions of Interest are required in regard to the Presidents Weekend to be held 24-25 September 2011 in the Kiama Area, and our President is think-ing of joining the Kiama Vintage & Classic Car Rally for Charity on Sunday 25 September. Please let us know what you would like to do. Happy Austin 7 touring … Maureen Boatwright

Page 4

Club Gossip

Is there any truth in the rumour Paul Pui has

been enduring intense aerobic workouts in

preparation for his inaugural Camel Race at

Forbes? Any photographic evidence to confirm

this rumour would be appreciated.

2011 Wings Over Illawarra

I woke up early on Sunday 27 February 2011 to go with my grandad Mervyn

Boatwright and Mark Wellington on a nice run down to Albion Park for the

2011 Wings Over Illawarra open day. There was a great view of the Illawarra

Escarpment on the way down Mount Ousley. When we got to Albion Park, after

approximately a 2 hour drive in the Austin 7’s, we joined the other 500 vintage

cars. The three of us got an arm band then drove into the airport. We got in

early so we could get a good spot. When the open day started people flooded in.

Although there was a few food stalls for lunch, most people came for the air-

show. At the airport, outside there was a lot of planes there to look at from the

outside or if you paid you could go inside for a better look. There was also some

racing cars on display and a hot air balloon giving rides (even though it only went

up 8 metres in the air and was tied to 3 cars by ropes). There was jumping cas-

tles and face painting for the kids, and even Ronald McDonald was there. Around

the back there were some more aircrafts to look around and inside, and a heli-

copter giving some joy flights. There was a huge crowd but we found a spot

where we could see. We waited a while for the first big aircraft to take off. When

it finally did, it took off right in front of us and did loops around the airport.

There were numerous planes taking off and flying around in loops. Later on we

took off and headed home.

Ashley Cottell - junior member

Page 5

Coming Events

17 April 2011 ... Club Run - Mystery Destination

Departing from NRMA Car-park North Strathfield at 8:30am and arriving at Kellyville Ridge at 9:30am OR departing from Etta-mogah Pub, Cnr Merriville & Windsor Roads, Kellyville Ridge at 10:00am (coffee is available at the McCafe opposite the pub).

Finish at a venue for lunch in the Pitt Town area (lunch has been booked). Please contact the Events Team ASAP on 9822 8609 if you will be attending and advise your chosen starting place. Organised by Bob & Judith Riches 15 May 2011 ... National Heritage Motoring Day - Mystery Run

Departing from NRMA Car-park North Strathfield at 7:30am heading south for breakfast and continuing south for a Mystery Run. Please contact the Events Team ASAP on 9822 8609 to book your place for breakfast. Organised

by Mark Wellington 19 June 2011 ... Don Avery Memorial Shield Run

Departing from NRMA Car-park North Strathfield at 9:30am. Organised by

Warren Gracie 17 July 2011 ... Sydney Landmark Run

Visiting Lady Macquarie’s Chair, Milsons Point, Luna Park, Blues Point Re-serve, Cammeray (suspension bridge) and much more. Finish at Paul & Amy’s place for a BBQ lunch. Please contact Paul or Amy if your are inter-ested in attending. Phone 0413 621 078 or 9958 1791. Organised by Paul &

Amy Pui 1 - 5 October 2012 90th Anniversary National Austin 7 Hub Rally - Tanunda, S.A.

The Headquarters for the National Rally will be at the Tanunda Show Grounds Hall which is in a very nice setting and has plenty of parking available. Prior to preparing and issuing entry forms the Austin 7 Club SA need to get an indication on how many people are likely to enter the 2012 National A7 Rally. Conse-quently they need your help by completing and return-ing an Expression of Interest Form as soon as possi-ble. Also, please give a form to anyone else you know who may be interested in attending this rally.

Page 6

Invitations Accepted

22 - 25 April 2011 ... Austin's Over Australia - Forbes, NSW

For those attending this event, please contact the Secretary

if you have not received Newsletter No. 4 which includes

the Registration Form.

6 - 8 May 2011 ... Central Tablelands Autumn Tour - Orange, NSW

Eligible Vehicles – Manufactured Pre 1931. Please contact the Events

Team on 9822 8609 to get an Entry Form and Accommodation List. En-

tries Close on 20 April 2011.

FOR SALE $3,950

A7 TOW CAR

1975 Mercedes Benz 280 SE

Automatic, fuel injected and air conditioned. An original car in excellent condition. Historic num-ber plates NOT transferrable.

Phone Cliff Stockley on

(02) 6555 9807.

FOR SALE $2,000 ono

CAR TRAILER This trailer was made for our A7 Ruby. Inside dimensions 3,460mm x 1,450mm. Electric brakes with controller. Hand brake and jockey wheel. Spare wheel. New tyres on trailer. Ramps. Registered Dec ’11.

Phone Kevin Fahey on

(02) 9639 6312.

Forms may be obtained by:

logging onto the 2012 Rally page on the Austin 7 Club SA website at

www.austin7clubsa.com.au,

asking your Events Director for a hard copy,

asking Ralph Drage (2012 Rally Secretary) to send a hard copy.

Coming Events - continued

Page 7

These minutes are to be confirmed at the next General Meeting

Minutes of the March 2011 General Meeting

Held on 9 March 2011 at NRMA Train-ing Centre, George Street, North Strath-field. The meeting was opened at 8:15 pm by Warren Gracie who welcomed all Members to the meeting.

Minutes taker: Maureen Boatwright Attendees and Apologies

There were 23 members in attendance. Apologies: Helen Lewis, Carolyn Thomp-son, Joanne Wellington. Moved: Kevin Harte Seconded: Mark Wellington

Minutes of previous meeting read and accepted. Moved: Robert Yarroll Seconded: Helen Quartly

Business arising from minutes.

Nil Correspondence

3 Membership renewals, Careflight,

Happy Holidays at Holiday Point, Vin-tage & Veteran Car Club of Goulburn, Willeys Whippet Overland Knight Re-storers, Berrima District Historic Vehi-cle Club, Liverpool Super Swap Meeting – Fairfield City Showground. Letter to Classic Wiring Looms. Moved: Helen Quartly Seconded: Robert Yarroll

Treasurer Report

Paul Pui read the Financial Report Moved: Bob Riches Seconded: Mark Wellington

Spare Parts

Mervyn Boatwright read the Spare Parts Report Moved: Bob Riches Seconded: Trevor Hail

Editor/Webmaster

Website receiving 1,000 hits a month with many visits from UK. Happy St.Patrick’s Day is clearly shown on the

cover of the Austin 7 March Magazine. Membership

We now have 70 financial members. 2 have dropped out.

Public Officer

Contact made with our Insurance com-pany requesting information re volun-tary workers & committee not being cov-ered over the age of 70. An email has been received explaining only voluntary workers are not covered over 70 years of age, club members have no age limit in reference to insurance cover. Welfare

Card sent to country member Tim Paton who has not been well. Events Team

Twilight Run to Oatley Park – bbq avail-

able or bring picnic (BYO). April run will have lunch at a club in Pittown at rea-sonable prices. Moved: Trevor Hail Seconded: Mark Wellington

General Business

A talk will be given by Neil Wilson in a

few months in regard to restoring roof bows & furniture. Bob Riches produced a box containing parts belonging to Paul Beaumont, a 750 Phoenix shaft & a hi-pressure oil pump. Warren Gracie spoke about Presidents Run for 2011 that may incorporate a Charity run in the Kiama area. Lucky Door prize won by Gordon Love, Raffle won by Helen Quartly. Meeting closed 9.05pm

Page 8

Car of the Month

It seems like Denis and Helen Quartly have been members of our Club

forever. Denis learned to drive in an Austin 7, and over the years there’s

been a few little Austin’s in the Quartly garage. Denis simply loves them!

Way back in 1957, while travelling to work, Denis found out the hard way

that Austin 7’s brakes don’t always stop quickly. Actually, they never

stop quickly! Well, the Austin came off second best to a slightly larger FJ

Holden. But some of the remains of that tough little beast were eventually

transplanted onto another chassis and Denis was on the road once again.

In their earlier Club days, Denis and Helen where proud owners of a ma-

roon and black Austin Ruby. Helen remembers how upset Denis was

when it rained on the way home from a Club run to Fagan’s Park. Denis

didn’t like his beloved Ruby getting wet! They enjoyed the Ruby for quite

some time and that little car is now in the hands of a South Australian

Club member.

Since 2005 there’s been a 1929 Austin 7 Chummy Tourer named Bub living in the Quartly garage. When Denis and Helen got their green and

black beauty it was already restored, but that didn’t stop Denis wonder-

Denis and Helen’s1929 Austin 7 Chummy Tourer named Bub

Page 9

Information Sheet

If you would like to see your Austin 7 featured in this magazine please

complete and return the “Car of the Month - Information Sheet” available

from the Editor.

ing how he could improve little Bub even further. He finally realised that

apart from tweaking the “carby” there was nothing else to do.

And guess what? Denis doesn’t like driving Bub in the rain. He was

probably worrying about the possibility of rain the day he ran out of pet-

rol not far from home. Denis always remembers now to turn the fuel tap

“ON” before setting out on a journey!

Bub has brought much happiness to Denis and Helen and has even won

them the Most Popular Car award at the Riverstone Festival. Bub was

also spotted at the 2010 Eastern Creek Display.

On behalf of all Club members, the Editor wishes Denis and Helen a very

enjoyable 50th Wedding Anniversary on 6 May 2011.

Denis and Helen Quartly

Page 10

A Wheely Good Restoration

Restoring an Austin 7 doesn’t happen overnight. And usually it’s a never

ending story as there’s always something else that needs to be done. This

is Faye Yarroll’s account of the recent restoration of a little 1932 Austin 7 Box Saloon’s wheels.

The project was so simple. Fully restore five wheels and fit them with new

tapes, tubes and tyres. This should ensure trouble free wheels and tyres

for ages.

Step 1. It would be wise to speak to an expert to find out the best way to

go about this simple job. So I asked some Club members, and I was

promptly told, “no problems ... that’s so easy you can do it yourself.” So,

with new found confidence, Robert and I decided to tackle the job.

Step 2. Simply take the five wheels off the car. Well, at least we couldn’t

mess that up too much. Then it will be just a matter of removing the old

tyres, tubes and tapes from the wheels. A pretty easy job we were told. Well, all I can say is those experts probably haven’t actually performed

this amazing feat themselves. Yes, theoretically it should be an easy and

quick job ... but we are mere novices, NOT experts. Well, after removing

much of the skin from my knuckles we did remove the tyres, tubes and

tapes from the wheels.

Step 3. Prepare the wheels for sandblast-

ing and powder-coating. This meant the

old hub caps had to come off. That can’t

be too difficult ... they’re only about 3”

across. Once again a small job was like

building the Titanic. But with persever-

ance those little caps did come off. Then

all we had to do was repair any imperfec-tion in the steel wheels. That meant lots

of sanding, cutting and filling to create

the perfectly smooth finish we wanted.

Well, after working hard on the five

wheels I guess we now know how to pre-

pare the wheels for sandblasting and

powder-coating.

Step 4. Take the wheels to the sand-

blaster and powder-coater. We did all the

hard work and he gets paid to do the

Page 11

Tell Us Your Restoration Story

Your fellow Club members are interested in any restoration work you’ve

completed on your Austin 7. Please send your story with photographs to

the Editor at the address mentioned on Page 2 or via the Club’s email.

easy job. I just hope he doesn’t blast straight through the metal wheels or

spokes. We need all those little spokes to hold up the car!

Step 5. Put the new tapes, tubes and tyres onto the newly restored

wheels. The tapes were easy. The tubes and tyres were another thing al-

together. But once again, with perseverance and the removal of the re-

mainder of the skin still left on my knuckles, we succeeded at last.

Step 6. New hub caps. Although the new caps are made from stainless

steel, we thought we’d highly polished them before installation. So out we

go to buy some metal polishing gear. The end result is hub caps with a

beautiful mirror finish.

Step 7. Use the sparkling new brass nuts we bought to attach the newly

finished wheels back onto the car. Well, this was child’s play after every-

thing we’ve been through.

So, the project is finally finished, and aren’t we relieved. The wheels and

tyres look great and should serve us well into the future.

And I guess, with all our new found knowledge we can now consider our-

selves EXPERTS at restoring Austin 7 wheels. It’s amazing how much

we’ve learned since joining the Club!

Page 12

After various exploratory cycle rides around Birmingham he came to

Longbridge, where he found a small derelict tin printing works, which

proved to be just what he wanted. It was situated beside the Bristol Road,

the River Rea and the joint Great Western Railway line from Longbridge

to Halesowen. The asking price was £10,000, but after some haggling a

price of £7,750 was agreed. Thus the Austin Motor Company was born with £20,000 pounds capital, financial help having been secured from

friends.

By the end of 1905 he had shown

plans of his first car at the Olympia

Motor Show. The first car produced

in 1906 was a 25hp Endcliffe Phae-

ton costing £650.

With orders picking up, his work-

force of skilled craftsmen increased

and in that year made 120 cars. One reason that he was able to get a

new car to the market place so quickly was because he was multi-

talented, a draftsman, skilled engineer and having marketing expertise.

In 1913 he decided to start making

trucks. The first example being in

the 2-3 ton range. This venture was

short lived; having produced about

2,000 in total, Austin decided to

concentrate on cars.

In February 1914 the Company

changed from private to public

ownership and the capital was increased to £50,000. In that year he pro-

duced about 1,000 cars with 2,000 employees. It must have seemed at

the time that he now had the capital to move the company forward. But

his vision was short lived, as in August the First World War began. By September all the resources of the factory were harnessed to turn out

munitions. The armed forces’ appetite for weapons and equipment of

every kind increased so much that the factory expanded accordingly, but

this also gave rise to a lack of workers that could get to the site both day

and night.

... this story will be continued in a future Baby Torque magazine ...

The Austin History - Part 2

Copyright on the article / pictures belongs to John Baker www.austinmemories.com or the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

Endcliffe Phaeton

3 Ton Lorry

Page 13

Austin Seven TE1753 ... where are you?

These photographs were taken

in the Cambridge area (England)

in about 1957. The Rolls Royce

Silver Ghost was owned by the

Cambridge University Gliding

Club and used by them at the Marshall Airfield to tow their

gliders into the air. It eventually

declined to proceed (as they say

in Rolls Royce circles).

The photograph at right might

amuse you ... a bunch of under-

graduates staring morosely at

the Ghost’s engine wondering

what the hell was wrong with

it ... and none of them having

the slightest clue!

Does anyone know if TE1753 still exists with its special body?

If you do please send an email to

Lesley Marriner (the Senior Edi-

tor for the Midlands Austin Seven Club) at marrinerkl@yahoo.co.uk.

Congratulations to two

club couples celebrating

50 Years of Marriage on

6th May 2011

Denis & Helen Quartly

Eric & Ann Bourn

Page 14

5 x 19” AVON SIDE CAR TYRES (3.5” x 19”) $80 EACH

Contact Merv Boatwright (on behalf of a Club Member)

on (02) 9822 8609 or at m.boaty@bigpond.com

1937 AUSTIN BIG SEVEN

PARTLY RESTORED - WITH LOTS OF PARTS

Contact Robert Waller on (02) 4573 1272 after 6:00pm

1 x FULL SET (8) 1929 A7 BRAKE SHOES

NEW BONDED LININGS $100

Contact Kevin Harte on (02) 9614 1512

1 x SET (2) RUBY HEADLIGHTS

Contact Kevin Harte on (02) 9614 1512

1935-37 AUSTIN 7 RUBY TOURER - GOOD CONDITION

Contact Trevor Wilson on (08) 8524 8036

All Spare Parts correspondence should be addressed to:

Mr Mervyn Boatwright, P.O. Box 366, Casula Mall. NSW 2170

Telephone: (02) 9822 8609 Email: m.boaty@bigpond.com

Spare Parts will NOT be brought to meetings unless requested before-

hand due to the vast number of parts in stock nowadays. Please contact

Merv by the Thursday evening prior to the meeting with details of the

parts you need. All Members choosing to pay by cheque for parts should read the instructions at the bottom of their invoice. Please make all

cheques for Spare Parts payable to Austin 7 Club NSW Inc Spare Parts.

New Parts for your Austin Seven Gudgeon Pin - Standard Type - $2.20 each

Gudgeon Pin - Floating type - $9.00 each

Gudgeon Pin - Oversize - $9.90 each

AVAILABLE NOW

Spare Parts

Page 15

If bad weather conditions are looming, please contact Maureen Boat-

wright on Saturday evenings or from 6:30am on the Sunday of the run

(H) 02 9822 8609 (M) 0413 017 263 or Warren Gracie (H) 02 9569 2108

(M) 0417 417 826.

And please remember to always carry the

following documents in your Austin 7:

Comprehensive Insurance Policy

Clubs’ Certificate of Currency

Baby Torque Magazine

Bad Weather

2011 Supper Roster

13 April 2011 Warren Gracie

11 May 2011 Joanne & Mark Wellington

8 June 2011 Maureen & Merv Boatwright

13 July 2011 Helen & Denis Quartly

10 August 2011 Faye & Robert Yarroll

14 September 2011 Sandra & Paul Boatwright

Point Score Trophy

Don’t forget the Austin 7 Club NSW “Point Score” program.

Our aim is to see as many people as possible attending

events and meetings (including monthly general meetings). Participation in an event or outing from the starting point

to the finish will score you 2 points, while attending a gen-

eral meeting will score you 1 point. These points are

awarded whether you attend in your Austin 7 or modern

car. The person with the highest points tally will receive a

trophy at our Christmas Luncheon / Presentation Day. So

come along and get involved.

The Austin 7 Club NSW Inc has

been active for over 25 years

and aims to bring together peo-

ple with the common interest of

restoring, preserving and driv-

ing Austin Sevens. We are an

informal family club that regu-

larly takes our "Babies" to the

road for some fun social touring.

Spare parts are available to

Club Members through the Club

Spares Division and our techni-

cal people will give advice,

where possible, in regard to the

restoration of these cars.

Postal Address:

P.O. Box 6009 North Ryde NSW 2113

Email:

info@austin7clubnsw.org.au

Website:

www.austin7clubnsw.org.au

Austin 7 Club NSW Inc

your vehicle. If you wish to at-

tend invitational events outside

Club runs, you MUST contact a

Committee Member to log the

trip, otherwise your

registration and in-

surance is NOT

valid.

You should carry a

copy of the Clubs’

Certificate of Insur-

ance (Public Liabil-

ity) in your Austin 7

at all times together

with the most recent copy of

this “Baby Torque” magazine.

Any Member using a vehicle on

RTA Conditional Registration

(HCRS) and attending a Secondary

Club Run or any event listed un-

der Invitations Ac-

cepted or Other Events

of Interest MUST con-

tact a Committee Mem-

ber to advise your vehi-

cles movements PRIOR

to attending the event.

The committee of the

nominated primary

club on your condi-

tional registration must be aware,

and approve of, all movements of

"Dedicated to the preservation and

enjoyment of all types of

Austin Sevens"

Conditional Registration

Member of The Council of Motor Clubs, Inc