4
10
TOOWOOMBA & DOWNS
MORRIS GROUP
A N A F F I L I A T E D G RO U P O F CO L L E C T A B L E A U T O M O T I V E R E G I S T E R I NC .
Presidents Report 3
Secretary’s & Editor’s Notes 5
Minutes—September 2020 6
Upcoming Events 8
Inside this Issue
October 2020
Volume 30, Issue 10
Jim & Tricia’s new Series E 2 door
Photos: Run to Crows Nest Falls
EXECUTIVE AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Meetings: Held on the Third Thursday of each month at the Dr. Price Rooms, Little Street, Toowoomba at 7:30pm.
Joining Fee:$15 per family (once off)
New Member Fee: $20 per member (when joining between 1st July to 31st December) New Member Fee: $10 per member (when joining between 1st January to 30th June) Yearly Renewal: $20.00 per member due 1st July
Aim: To foster the preservation and the active use of all Morris Vehicles. To encourage the rebuilding and improvement of the Morris and the installation of safety equipment in them.
Membership to the Group shall be open to any person who is interested in pursuing the aim of the Group.
Disclaimer: The Group and its Committee shall not be held responsible for any transaction begun through contacts made through the Group, its Newsletter or its Website. Material published is not necessarily the view of the Editor or the Committee.
GROUP
COORDINATOR
VICE GROUP COORDINATOR
DATING OFFICER CATERING
NEWSLETTER EDITOR & WEBMASTER SECRETARY TREASURER Brian Draper 10 Chilla Street Toowoomba, Qld, 4350 Phone: 07 4636 5913 David Wagner
34A Range Street Toowoomba, Qld, 4350 Phone: 07 4639 3683
Greg Hall
Unit 2, 28 Grosvenor Street Neutral Bay, NSW, 2089 Mobile: 0411 836 193 Email: [email protected] Jan Smith Michael Muller 12 Ward Street Highfields, Qld, 4352 Phone: 07 4630 8475 Ray Safstrom 34 Weetwood Street Newtown, QLD, 4350 Phone: 0452 520 079 Roy Hall 36 Butt Street Toowoomba, Qld, 4350 Mobile: 0407 650 706 Email: [email protected]
GROUP COORDINATORS REPORT
Welcome everyone to our October newsletter.
I hope everybodyis fine and beginning to readjust following life in hibernation?
After the on again, off again COVID restrictions which resulted in us firstly cancelling the Sep-tember meeting only to go ahead with it at the last minute, it finally looks like we are getting back to normal. That means our meetings will now be a little more consistent and we can begin to organise more car runs which more members can be involved in. That brings me to the only sticking point, we are a bit thin on runs, so put your thinking caps on and scout around
for places we can visit in our beautifulMorries.
And talking of car runs, a shout out
and thank you to the Hall’s and the
Parker’s for our last run to Crows Nest
Falls with some 7 or so Morries taking up the opportunity to get their wheels on the tarmac. Five of us walked to the lookout, a very dramatic view but again with the lack of rain the region has had, the falls are once again
becom-ingvery dry.
The “Phat Laps” event turned out to be a big day by the time we did laps down Ruthven Street.
It was a surpriseto see so manycars participating, so many in fact that it took us a half an hour
just to go down one side of RuthvenStreet in the city centre, a distance of about 500m. The
stop/start, crawling at a snails pace caused havoc for a few cars with some overheating, but thankfully not a Morris.
Our next run, which Roy has been organising with the Triumph Club as a combined run with TDMG will be on Sunday18th Octo-ber. As always you can find details about the run on the Upcoming Events page.
Well that’s all from me, your fearless leader.
Brian
“...
half an hour just to go
down one side of Ruthven
St, a distance of about 500m
T
he Series E, 2 door Saloon was purchased from a deceased estate on a property out-side Childers. A month earlier Doug and I went to the same place to pick up his 'new' E tourer. This chap, Barry, had collected 11 Morris's at one stage. He had a Series 2 two seater, two Z utilities, 2 pre war Minors and an E 4 door that I can remember. He was in the process of downsizing when he was killed in a car accident not far from his property.These two Series E's, Doug's and ours, were all that were left when he died. Tricia and I had previously bought a wreck 1938 Series 2 two seated from Barry back in 2017.
Our 1947 blue E, nicknamed Fred, came from a lady in Maryborough in 2012. I suspect it may have come from Victoria.
It looks fairly original, match-ing numbers, low 59000 miles (?), has had a repaint and a new upholstery job done on it. The engine goes and runs quietly with no rattles. The brakes are shot as is the bat-tery. We are currently awaiting
a new master cylinder and rubbers from our Morris 8 Club in NZ. We've driven it up and downthe road and it seems to run very well with no noises coming from the gear-box or diff. I suspect we may have to replace the clutch at some point.
The king pins will also needto be replaced. Spare parts don't seem to be any problems so far. As an unusual feature on the motor, someone in the past has fitted an external water pump and there is a PVC valve in the oil filler pipe, with a pipe exiting under the car. The fuel tank was half full of rotten petrol which was drained as was the pump, fuel lines and carby. The car was sold to us registered but hasn't beendriven for about 3 years. The exhaust system looks like it is in good nick.
We can't explain why we bought it, we didn't need another car, maybe as an investment, may-be as a run about until our 8 tourer is finished or maymay-be may-because it was there and was a good price.
As Doug said we will both be the slowest cars in this club now. Hopefully it will return to the roads by Xmas.
SECRETARY & EDITOR NOTES
Well, we had our monthly meeting after all last month when the COVID restrictions for the Downs were eased on the day, increasing gatherings of people to 30 from the previous 10. A quick communication to members was sent out that the meeting was on and we had a nice
turnout of 14 which included new members accepted on the night, Sean & Cathy O’Donaghue.
The gathering increase also allowed us to go ahead with a monthly run which was previously cancelled. We had a very pleasant drive out to Crows Nest Falls where we took in morning tea followed later by lunch. It turned out quite a pleasant day with everyone enjoying themselves.
My car “Iffy” has given me some headaches over the last few days with firstly on Wednesday,
while driving along Greenwattle Street, the brake pedal went to the floor without warning. I immediately flipped a U turn and cautiously headed back home to investigate what was going
on. Turned out the shoe adjustment on the left rear wheel had slackened right off allowing the wheel cyl-inder piston to reach the end of its travel and lose brake fluid out through the handbrake lever slot. Quickly sorted it out but will keep a close eye on it and will soon replace the adjuster parts.
The very next day, I had been doing run setting in the Lockyer Valley and was heading back home when I suddenly lost power and had to call the RACQ to get transported home on a tilt tray. A quick compression test showed nil pressure on cylinders 1 & 2 which confirmed my suspicions that the problem was a blown head gasket.
Got the head off fairly quickly and sure enough, the gasket was burned through the very narrow point be-tween the two cylinders. Spent the next couple of days cleaning everything up and while it was all apart, it was a good time to give it a valve grind. Got it all back together and running nicely
on Saturday. With that out of the way, I can again return my attention to “HAZ”, the ‘59 four
door of Greg’s which I am stripping at the Vintage Car Club in preparation of body repair work
and repainting. This is a project which will take some time but hopefully have it back on the road later next year.
Roy
October
Jim Robertson & Dennis SmithFor a bit of R&R and to escape Sydney, Lana and I are heading up to Toowoomba for a couple of weeks for the Christmas and New Year breaks. Un-fortunately we will miss the Christmas Party
com-pletely as we’ll be arriving two weeks too late. To
make amends however, I am creating a run to Hol-land Wines in Crows Nest, sort of thought that we should all finish 2020 in style; it has thrown a lot at us! Check out the flyer on the back page for infor-mation. Numbers are needed so please let Roy or myself know or drop a line to our club email ad-dress—by 4th December.
The only hiccup in our plans will be the border
situ-ation, let’s hope that it is opened in time for the
fes-tive season, otherwise we may well have to wave at you all from the NSW side!
OPENING: Brian opened the meeting at 7:40pm and welcomed everyone
ATTENDANCE: As per attendance book
APOLOGIES: Jim & Tricia Robertson, Rachel & Tim Berry
VISITORS: Sean & Cathy O’Donoghue
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: As per newsletter
Moved Roy Hall, seconded Mick Muller that the minutes printed in the newsletter be accepted as read. Carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Inwards:
•
Email & Hard Copy Newsletters from various clubs•
Heritage Bank Statement•
Peranga Community Assoc. event cancellationOutwards:
•
Newsletters to members and other clubs•
Bereavement card to Magda Close & familyMoved Roy Hall, seconded Dennis Smith that the correspondence inwards and outwards be accepted. Carried.
TREASURERS REPORT:
Presented by Secretary, Ray Safstrom.
Moved Ray Safstrom, seconded Brenda Brown that the report be received and the accounts be paid.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
•
New Member Application received from Sean & Cathy O’Donoghue who have recentlymoved to Highfields from Brisbane.
•
Sean spoke about the 1951 Minor they have acquired which is fitted with a 1000 motorand painted in a green Holden colour. Sean & Cathy look forward to participating in club runs with the car.
•
Their membership application was put to the meeting whichwas accepted and passed by members.
•
Brian Draper mentioned the “Phat Laps” parade of classic carsto be held in Ruthven Street this Sunday 20th. Interested members to meet 3:30 at Bunnings for a lap or two and end with a coffee stop at a suitable venue.
•
Roy Hall mentioned that due to COVID-19, no run had beenplanned for this weekend but with todays easing of re-strictions, he suggested an outing to Crows Nest Falls which was agreed to by members. Roy and John Parker to organise
MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING OF TOOWOOMBA & DOWNS MORRIS GROUP
a start time/place and advise members.
•
Merle Muller outlined the plans for our Christmas party to be held at the Royal Hotel,Ruthven Street North on Saturday 5th December. Menu will be from the Bistro. Venue for desserts/coffee to be decided on. Attendance numbers are to be provided at the No-vember general meeting.
•
There will be no Carnival of Flowers Parade this year. Some floats will be on static displayat the Grand Central Car Park.
Brian Draper thanked all for attending and there being no further business Brian closed the meeting at 8:45pm.
MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING OF TOOWOOMBA & DOWNS MORRIS GROUP
Held on Thursday 17th September, 2020 at Dr Price Rooms, Little Street, Toowoomba.
One only wire wheel requir-ing restoration. Size 350 x 19 with 6 stud holes, suites an early Morris.
Make an offer. Contact: Paul on 0437 010 576
$
ne g
A few members doing “Phat Laps”
down Ruthven St:
Dennis & Jan and Roy (just visible in
his TR4), Brian & Barb (inset)
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday 15th October General Meeting 7:30pm Dr. Price Rooms, Little St.
Toowoomba.
Sunday 18th October Combined TDMG & TSOAQ (Triumph Sports Owners
Associa-tion Qld) run to Gatton, Qld Transport Museum with guided tour $6 plus Lights on The Hill Memorial. Meet 9:00am at the upper Kmart car park for a 9:15am departure. Run via Flag-stone Creek. BYO picnic lunch.
Sunday 15th November Brisbane Southside Morris Minor Car Club, Issi Day. Lake Apex,
Gatton for BYO Morning Tea then on to Lions Park in Laidley for BYO lunch.
Thursday 19th November General Meeting 7:30pm Dr. Price Rooms, Little St.
Toowoomba.
Sunday 22nd November Jim & Tricia’s Day Out. Meet 9:00am at the upper Kmart car
park for a short run to Lions Park, Hodgson Vale for a
BYOmorning tea. Then on to Thiess Park on the Heifer/Ma Ma
Creek Road for a BYOlunch. Return to Toowoomba via
Flag-stone Creek Road.
Saturday 5th December Toowoomba & Downs Morris Group, Merry Little Christmas
Par-ty at the Royal Hotel from 11:30am. Followed by tea, coffee &
desserts at Maree’s.
Thursday 17th December General Meeting 7:30pm Dr. Price Rooms, Little St.
Toowoomba.
Sunday 20th December Greg’s run to Holland Wines, Crows Nest for a wine tasting day
out followed by lunch at the Grand Old Crow Hotel, Crows Nest. Meet 9:00am at Reg Veacock Park, Harlaxton then on to Goombungee for a BYO morning tea then via Haden to Crows Nest. The winery has cheese platters available @ $10pp and
wines range from $15-20 a bottle. See the back page poster for
details. 2021
Thursday 21st January General Meeting 7:30pm Dr. Price Rooms, Little St.
Toowoomba.
Thursday 18th February General Meeting 7:30pm Dr. Price Rooms, Little St.
T O O W O O M B A & D O W N S M O R R I S G R O U P Postal Address 36 Butt St Contact Us [email protected] TDMG REGALIA
Polo shirts with logo $32.50 | Bucket Hat or Cap with logo $16 Jacket with logo only $55 | Jacket with name and logo $60.50 All regalia can be order direct from:
Toowoomba Embroidery Centre
581 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, Ph (07) 4639 3255 TDMG stickers, external type.
i.e. adhesive on the back to stick on the outside of glass.
Available from the Secretary @ $1.50 each.
