Vehicle Profiles
In an effort to create an archive for the club, and to assist those searching for details of Veteran vehicles, we are asking members to complete a short profile of their vehicle/s. If you are looking for more information about one of the vehicles below, please contact us and we will connect you to the owner. If you are a member and would like to complete a profile, please click here.
If you are looking for information regarding a car that has been associated with our club between 1964-1995, we have a collection of members rosters and number plate records that may assist you here.
1916 Buick Model D34 Roadster
Engine Type: 4 cylinder OHV, 3 3/8” bore x 4 3/4” stroke, 170 cu. inch capacity, 35HP, cylinder cast en bloc with detachable cylinder head. Water pump, full circulating cooling system.
Details of fuel & ignition system: Stewart vacuum tank system fed from a rear mounted fuel tank. Delco starter generator, coil ignition system
Transmission: 3 speed sliding gear with cone clutch, torque tube drive to a 3/4 floating axle with bevel gear differential, 4.08 : 1 ratio. Right had gear change and handbrake, inside cabin.
How did you acquire the vehicle? Purchased as parts but very complete mechanically but no body.
Brief known history of the vehicle: Car originally came from Western NSW being found by a car enthusiast, but never restored. Parts changed hands again before I purchased it and undertaking full restoration.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: Great little roadster, the Achilles heel being the Delco system
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? When Dad was driving it at the Shepparton National we thought it was running a big end – turned out it was the arm of the raino wiper tapping on the windscreen. Easily fixed!
1909 Daimler 38 H.P.
Engine Type: 4 cylinder sleeve valve (first year of sleeve-valves), 6.3litre 2 blocks, water cooled
Details of fuel & ignition system: Fuel; hand pump to start. Pump run off flywheel compressing tank for running. Magneto for running, battery and distributor for starting. No generator- use your "home accumulator".
Transmission: 4-speed gearbox, leather cone clutch.
How did you acquire the vehicle? Purchased as parts but very complete mechanically but no body.
How did you acquire the vehicle?: I bought an S-type Bentley from Geoff Goodman and swapped it for the Daimler with Bill Hardman, about 20 years ago.
Brief known history of the vehicle: The original owner was a barrister, J.C.Knight in Tasmania. The car was probably laid up during the first world war. The car was retrieved from a shed, partially repainted to the original canary yellow, and partially retrimmed. It does not seem to have done many miles. It is probably a factory body.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: It is great on the open road and hills do not worry it. It cruises at 45-50 mph. It does not like traffic.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? Edward VII owned one and Lord Montague did 60 miles in an hour in one.
DAIMLER
TALBOT
1914 Talbot 4CBX
Engine Type: Four cylinder side valve engine, with blocks cast in pairs. Non-detachable head. 2412 c.c rated at 12HP. Water cooled with the assistance of a water pump.
Chassis number 7279 Engine number 4CBX 76
Details of fuel & ignition system: Air pressurised fuel system with a hand pump to pressurise the system prior to starting. There is a small pump on the back of the cam shaft that maintains air pressure once the engine is running. The car is fitted with a 36mm Zenith carburettor. The car has a Bosch duel ignition system which comprises a coil and switch mounted on the firewall and a Bosch ZU4 duel magneto. The car was fitted with 12 volt lighting originally with a Brolt generator, however the ignition system only used 4 volts.
Transmission: Cone clutch lined with woven material. Four speed gearbox with a conventional H pattern gate change on the right hand side. The vehicle has internal expanding drum brakes with both hand and foot brakes side by side in large drums on the rear wheels.
How did you acquire the vehicle?: My father and I purchased the vehicle about 98% complete, but un-restored from from the family of a V.C.C.A member who had started to 'restore' the car prior to his passing. Sadly the 'restoration' work did more harm than good and resulted in a few bits and pieces going missing. We acquired it in 1994, but very little was done to restore it for a number of years.
Brief known history of the vehicle: The car was imported by Phizackerley's who were the Talbot agents in Sydney. The car was purchased by William Boden, who lived in Maclean and operated the Clarence Engineering Works. The car was inherited by his daughter Elsie Boden who never married. She passed away in 1975 with the car being sold at auction in Grafton in November that year. The car sold for $10,000 which at the time was quite a considerable amount for an un-restored car. It was purchased by the wife of a local publican who said she bought it for her 20 year old son who liked old cars. She also wanted to keep the car in the district.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: Likes: performs quite well for a car of its engine capacity and size and is generally quite reliable. Pleasant to drive with good steering and very good brakes for a veteran. Dislikes: the diff is way too heavy making it hard on rear tyres. Talbot tried to overcome some issues they had with the diff on the previous 12HP model (4CT) but went a bit too far. They also made some modifications to the cooling system to the previous model, which again weren't really an improvement, or certainly not for the Australian climate.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? The first trip the car did after restoration was to the National Rally in Toowoomba, which was done without too many problems, although a few issues had to be sorted both on the drive there and back again. The car was driven in the 2018 National Rally in Forbes by my two daughters who were 22 and 20 years old at the time, which with the journey there and back was over 1500km's. The original NSW registration number was 12197
1914 Talbot 4CBX
Brief known history of the vehicle: Unfortunately, not much is known as Dad was not one for keeping records. The vehicle was original sold to Watkins & Doncaster who were a authorised Talbot agent in London. It is unknown how or when the vehicle came to Australia. He acquired the remains from a local property, consisting of basically the front half of the chassis and components. Dad managed to acquire the remaining bits and pieces, building a roadster body on the car, which was sufficiently complete to participate in its first event, the 1959 Blue Mountains Rally.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: Enjoyable to drive, it has a tight turning circle & since its new hood design (2015) the visibility has improved considerably which makes it very safe to drive the car by yourself. Dislike how hard the horse hair seat is!
Fun facts or any other details you'd like to include?: This vehicle cruises around 60kph (36mph) and uses 14 litres/100km or 22 mpg. In 1988 this car was driven from the Central Coast to Brisbane in one day (14 hours driving time).
Engine Type: Four cylinder side valve engine, with blocks cast in pairs. Non-detachable head. 2412 c.c rated at 12HP. Water cooled with the assistance of a water pump.
Chassis number 7239 Engine number 4CBX 39
Details of fuel & ignition system: Air pressurised fuel system with a hand pump to pressurise the system prior to starting. There is a small pump on the back of the cam shaft that maintains air pressure once the engine is running. The car is fitted with a 36mm Zenith carburettor. The car has a Bosch duel ignition system which comprises a coil and switch mounted on the firewall and a Bosch ZU4 duel magneto. The car was fitted with 12 volt lighting originally with a Brolt generator, however the ignition system only used 4 volts.
Transmission: Cone clutch lined with woven material. Four speed gearbox with a conventional H pattern gate change on the right hand side. The vehicle has internal expanding drum brakes with both hand and foot brakes side by side in large drums on the rear wheels.
How did you acquire the vehicle?: Along with my sister and brother, I grew up with the car. When Dad restored his second Talbot (1967) the car spend a little more time in the shed, being driven by different members on occasions. In the early 1980's once my brother got his licence, it has been used more often. I was allowed to drive it at the age of 16 when I obtained my learners permit and have continued to the present day.
1911 Talbot 4M
Engine Type: 4 cylinders – 2 mono blocks, side valve. 19 litre cooling capacity with water pump
Details of fuel & ignition system:Fuel was originally gravity fed from a fuel tank under the front seat. Now fitted with an electric pump as original had too many taps and filters. Bosch DU4 magneto
Transmission:Four forward and reverse ‘crash’ change. Right hand gear lever on outside of body
How did you acquire the vehicle?: Purchased from deceased estate of early Club Member, Mr Jack Dance in 1987.
Brief known history of the vehicle: Unknown to me. There may be some reports in early Club magazines. Jack was a former tyre dealer but stories abound about Jack’s constant flat tyres. I replaced all the tubes and some of the tyres after the purchase. One tube I removed had 15 patches.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: I don’t like that it overheats easily due to very thin cylinder wall thickness. It’s much better in the winter as it was designed for the Northern Hemisphere, not the Antipodes.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? It’s good to drive in the winter. Good for the driver. Passenger? It is at least 10 – 15 degrees cooler in the back seat (or so I have been told). It’s a good idea to dress warmly with a jacket, scarf, hat & gloves and sometimes with a blanket over the knees.
1909 Talbot 4A Tourer
Engine Type: Single block, 4 cylinder, side valve, water pump cooling system.
Details of fuel & ignition system: Gravity feed fuel system. Magneto power system.
Transmission: Three speed, gate change gear box.
History of the vehicle: The 1909 Talbot tourer car, Model 4A, Engine No. 130, Chassis No. 2630 was located by Jim Hewitt in a scrap heap covered with sheets of iron under a tree on a property near Ungarie about 1960. At some stage the car was made into a trailer and was used on the farm. Jim Hewitt who had a garage in West Wyalong purchased the car, dismantling it and storing in his
garage at West Wyalong.
Don Manwaring and his wife Dorothy purchased the car from Jim Hewitt in 1980 for the sum of $3,000, but did not collect it until 1998. When the car was picked up it was in a poor state of repair, however the engine, gearbox and axles were still fitted to the chassis. There were a number of panels, such as mudguards and bonnet but they were in poor condition. The acetylene gas headlights were missing and it is alleged a Priest pinched them.
The vehicle was conveyed to Don Manwaring's shed in Cootamundra where it was fastidiously restored over many years by Don and his son John and a friend Peter Kelly. David Strachan at Worongary on the Gold Coast in Queensland rebuilt the body and the mud guards. A fellow in Newcastle restored the beaded edge wheels making the spokes out of spotted gum timber.
When the car was stripped, green paint was found on the body. Frank Hiscock a motor vehicle spray painter in Cootamundra painted the car British racing green. There is no roof on the car however the wood hood bows were fitted, but one was split. I have since purchased a new hood bow to replace the split one.
On 12th July 2020 we were sitting with Hastings Auto Restorers club member Len Colbert at a club outing when Len informed me his friend in Cootamundra was going to sell his early Talbot car. My ears pricked up straight away as I had observed Talbot cars at veteran rallies and appreciated their design and mechanical advancements to other veteran cars.
That night I rang Don Manwaring and organised a visit to Cootamundra to inspect the car. On 15th July 2020 we attend Bill Johnston's funeral in Sydney. Then the following day 16th July we visited Don Manwaring, inspected the Talbot, and took it for a drive about Cootamundra. Don had a price of $45,000 on the car that included a car trailer. As we have a car trailer I made an offer of $40,000, no including the trailer that Don accepted.
On 25th July nine days later we travelled to Cootamundra with our Pantech trailer and collected the Talbot. The Pantech trailer was a benefit as it poured rain all the way back to Port Macquarie.
The Talbot does not have a battery and operates on magneto. I find it easy to crank, with just two pulls of the crank handle it fires up. I have registered the car with the Veteran car club and have driven a number of times in the Port Macquarie surrounds.
WOLESLEY
1914 Wolseley Model C7 Colonial wheel base
Engine Type: 4 cylinders IL SV with recirculating system via pump Horsepower 16/20 Colonial wheel base (10 feet 4 inches) Bevel drive all electrical lighting, combined oil/air pump; and air compressor starter
Details of fuel & ignition system: Dual system Magneto and coil
Transmission: 4 forward plus reverse
How did you acquire the vehicle?: Inherited from Max Chapmen by his daughter Louise Yeomans.
Brief known history of the vehicle: This 1914 Wolseley was restored from two Wolseleys, both manufactured in the same year. One left the factory at Adderley Park, Birmingham, England on 30 July 1914 and the other on 14 October 1914. Both cars were shipped to Australia but to different agents. The car was restored by Max Chapman from some parts recovered near Mittagong NSW, and other parts from around NSW, Australia and the world. The engine was powering a sawbench in a workshop on the Central Coast NSW. Restoration was completed in 1997 and its first run was on 15 June 1997and its first rego day was 2 November 1997.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: We love the air start and dual system. Its a spacious reliable car. We don't like the authentic horsehair padded seats in the front and the back which are extremely hard on the bottom!
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? This was the second Wolseley in the family with its little sister 1913 Wolseley called The Elephant. The 1914 Wolseley was affectionately known as Tinkerbell due to its capricious nature!
RENAULT
1911 Renault AX
Engine Type: 2 cylinder side valve, mono block, 1060 cc, 8 KW, thermo syphon cooling with radiator and fan at the rear of the motor.
Details of fuel & ignition system: Gravity fed fuel system from tank underneath driver's seat. Magneto fixed ignition.
Transmission: 3 speed plus reverse with progressive change. Cone leather clutch. Hand brake to the rear wheels and foot operated transmission brake.
How did you acquire the vehicle?: Evan Quamby advertised it in the club magazine. I loved the look of the Renault and organised to view it. I had already met Evan through the vintage Vauxhall connection. The Renault looked even better in the flesh. Then a ride in it and the deal was done.
Brief known history of the vehicle: It was originally owned by a single family in Maryborough, Queensland from new through to the late 50's It was then purchased by Sam Hecker who used it in its original state before repainting it in the 60's. Sam passed in the 90's and left it to his daughter. Evan then purchased it from Sam's daughter in 2001. Maria & I became the happy owners in 2020.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: Like: The uninterrupted view, no windscreen, no hood and no instruments to distract the driver. Watching the grass grow
as we drive by. No real dislikes at this stage as we are still in the honeymoon phase. Although the handbrake being applied by pushing away from you will take some getting used to.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? The Renault was affectionately called Penny as Sam Hecker soldered a penny over a hole in the radiator. The hole has now been fixed by Evan and the penny has been moved to a less obvious place on the radiator, so the penny and name remains.
VAUXHALL
1911 Vauxhall A Type
Engine Type: 4 cylinder, side valve, mono block, 20 hp, 3 litre, pressure fed lubrication, thermo syphon cooling.
Details of fuel & ignition system: Pressurised fuel tank from compressor driven off rear of camshaft. Bosch magneto variable ignition.
Transmission: 4 speed with reverse. Multi plate clutch. Handbrake to the rear wheels and foot operated transmission brake.
How did you acquire the vehicle?: IPurchased from Jim Weir, fellow vintage Vauxhall enthusiast in 2016.
Brief known history of the vehicle: Believed to be sold new in Brisbane. Found in a derelict state in the 60's at Molong, NSW. Restored by Jim Weir in the 70's. Jim then sold it on before purchasing it again in 2000. Maria & I purchased it in 2016.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: Like: Motors well. Dislike: Maria won't drive it.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? The famous 50 bob is also an A Type Vauxhall which in the hands of Boyd Edkins, held many inter city records - now owned by the Adam's family.
MAXWELL
1912 Maxwell AC Messenger
Engine Type: Two cylinders, horizontally opposed with side valves, constant loss lubrication, thermosyphon cooling
Details of fuel & ignition system: Fuel is gravity fed to a carburetor of Maxwell design
Transmission: Two speed planetary
How did you acquire the vehicle?: I bought it from USA in 2008 from a deceased estate after friends in USA told me about .
Brief known history of the vehicle: Prior to my purchase all owners were in the USA, starting with Roscoe Smith who bought the car new for his work stringing power lines to outlying areas. His business grew to become listed on the NY stock exchange and he started a museum. The Maxwell was in that museum for many years. After his death the Maxwell was owned by Roscoe Smith's nephew Dave Bush. The next owner was Leonard Votroubik, followed by
Lester Robinson. Up to this time the Maxwell had not been restored. Lester restored the car cosmetically and carried out some mechanical work. I bought the car in 2008 and completed the restoration.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: It performs well for a 2 cylinder car but its very slow on hills when low gear is needed.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? The Maxwell motto was "Perfectly Simple, Simply Perfect". It is certainly an extremely simple car, as for perfect. not quite, its been a challenge. Notwithstanding it completed the Perth to Sydney tour in 2012.
1917 Model 25 Maxwell Tourer
Engine Type: 4 cylinder side valve engine. 186 cu in displacement. Two main bearings with thermo-syphon cooling.
Details of fuel & ignition system:
Gravity feed fuel from the tank in dash to single jet carburettor – updraft. Ignition is Bosch DU4 magneto, modified from Simms-Huff low tension magneto, with battery assist for starting.
Transmission: 3 speed forward and reverse. Sliding first gear with sliding dog for second and top.
How did you acquire the vehicle?: With the help of John & Max Burke purchased from the Harris Street Museum in Sydney in 1998.
Brief known history of the vehicle: Purchased and restored by Cedric Holland from Penang, where it was the first taxi on the island. First outing was the 1988 Bi-Centenary Rally
What do you like & dislike about your car?:
My car is relatively easy to drive and performs fairly good. The down side is the two main bearings and crankshaft breakage (Take it easy on the hills!)
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? No. It is not a ‘T’ Ford!!
FABRIQUE NATIONALE
1911 Fabrique Nationale 2400. #99
Engine Type: 4 cylinder. Monoblock. 2 valves per cylinder, camshaft driven, side valve. Thermo syphon cooling. 2400cc.
Details of fuel & ignition system: Bosch DU4 magneto. Zenith carby. FN made their own carby, but were not successful.
Transmission: 4 Speed and reverse sliding gear type.
How did you acquire the vehicle?: Bought restored from Doug Marshall
Brief known history of the vehicle: This car left Belgium on 30th June 1911 bound for Sydney. It was sold to a station near Yass ,"Eubindal" presumably via Dalgety and Co. Later this car moved to another station "Cunningham Plains' and then became the spares car for #296 on another property. Both cars were collected by Greg Knoddler in 1960 and brought to Newcastle. Doug bought the remains from Greg Knoddler and restored the car, building a replica "Cann of London" body copied from Peter Adam's 2400. Returned to the road in 2004, this car has travelled about 60,000kms.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: This is my favourite car, and our favourite touring car. We have had many grand adventures and great times with it.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include?See the magazine or website for some of our travel blogs.
1912 Fabrique Nationale 2400
Engine Type:4 cylinder. monoblock. 2 valves per cylinder, camshaft driven, side valve. thermo syphon cooling,
Details of fuel & ignition system: bosch DU4 magneto. Fuel tank at rear pressurised by exhaust gas.
Transmission: 4 speed and reverse, sliding gear type
How did you acquire the vehicle?: Bought it complete from Fred Jones.
Brief known history of the vehicle: Left Belgium on 24th January 1912, sent to London for a "Cann of London" touring body to be fitted. Sent to NSW and sold
via Dalgety and Co to "Bookham Station" near Yass. Later it became a farm ute on a nearby property, Collected in 1960 by Greg Knoddler and brought to Newcastle. Some restoration work was done and then the car was sold to Fred Jones who completed the restoration.
GRANT
1914 Grant Model M Roadster
Engine Type: It is a single block engine, detachable head, four cylinder, 1500cc engine which is quite gutsy for the very small size of the car. Valves are extraordinarily large, cooling is thermosyphon. Lubrication is all splash fed.
Details of fuel & ignition system: The fuel tank on this little roadster sits under the dash and is gravity fed to a Solex (non original) carburettor. Ignition is via a "Swiss" brand magneto which is the original brand magneto the car left the factory with. Swiss magneto later became Swiss American, and then later again, just American. Throttle is via a small lever on the steering column. Advance retard for the ignition is also from a small lever on the steering column.
Transmission: The car has two forward speeds, (high and low) and reverse. It has a sliding gears transmission incorporated in a transaxle with the differential. The cone leather faced clutch is in the engine flywheel.
How did you acquire the vehicle?: The car became available after over fifty years of sitting not running in the garage of Llorelle Colley, (the daughter of Hunter Thomas who restored the car) which was only three kilometres from our home. With my mechanic husband, and his well earned reputation of never failing in making cars go again, I figured it would be a great challenge and a wonderful thing to get it back on the road after so many decades silent. The deal was done and we brought the little car home. After three years of repair work we successfully drove it for the first time in January, 2020. We have worked on and repaired every single part of the car except the upholstery and bodywork. I made and fitted a new canvas hood and hood bag and I received a genuine oil box as a gift from the only other Grant Model M Roadster owner in Australia, Alex Selley in W.A. It was the only part missing from the engine and as there are only fifteen of this model car left in the world, I am extremely grateful to Alex for his generosity in gifting me the part.
Brief known history of the vehicle:
The car was bought as a pile of rusted parts by Hunter Thomas of Georgetown, NSW, from Tea Gardens, NSW in November 1961 and restored in 1962. It is believed that the car was once used as a race car by mischievous local youths in its early days. In 1974 it was awarded "Popular Choice" at the Hunter District Vintage Car Club Easter Rally and has been exhibited in the Newcastle Show and Newcastle Mattara Car Show in 1964.
What do you like & dislike about your car?:
It's cute! This is a fun little town car that is interesting and challenging to drive as it's so different to our other, more standard, veteran cars I am used to driving. It's a real people magnet due to its tiny size and unique look. It climbs hills brilliantly, rarely losing speed, and is a very comfortable ride due to its three spring suspension- two full elliptic at the front and one transverse leaf at the rear. It helps not to be too large as the cabin is tiny. Being great friends with your passenger also helps! There's next to no room for any luggage so this can be a downside. Unfortunately the car was restored with incorrect wheels and tyre size. They are currently too small and so the car sits too squat on the road. With correct tyre and wheel size (28 x 3" beaded edge), the car would motor along at a taller and speedier rate.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include?
The Grant Model M Roadster was only built in 1914 with a production run of about 3000 cars. About fifteen survive around the world today, two (and one under restoration) are in Australia. Almost all of them are in museums or not on the road. When the roadster was first produced it had a price tag of $495 which at the time was an intentionally lower price (by $5) than a T-Ford and marketed as a sports car. The original colour scheme of the Grant Model M was an all black body on a "rich red" chassis. Unfortunately, to the Grant Motor Company's dislike, the car developed a reputation of being a cycle car, which it isn't, and so in 1915 the company brought out the Grant Six, a much larger capacity car with a conventional tourer body and the little Grant roadster was discontinued. James Grant from the USA has just produced a book (December 2020) on the surviving Grants of all models around the world.
S.C.A.T.
1909 S.C.A.T. 25/35
Engine Type: 4 cylinder side vale 2 blocks 4.7 litre tube type radiator with water pump
Details of fuel & ignition system: Gravity feed from tank mounted behind drivers seat. Magneto ignition
Transmission: 4 speed and reverse, Multi plate disc clutch in oil, torque tube 3.25:1 final drive
How did you acquire the vehicle?: Purchased from descendent of owner of an apple orchard at Baulkam Hills where it worked as a truck until the early 60’s when the fibre timing gear stripped.
Brief known history of the vehicle: A very worn out original car that was mechanically complete, that had worked as a truck on an Apple orchard at Baulkam Hills until the early 60’s
What do you like & dislike about your car?: Nothing it’s a fast and agile Veteran, oh but it is Italian so I should mention oil leaks here!
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? The car has the same engine type as the 1911 Targa Florio wining car so I decided to build the body similar to the Targa Florio cars of the time
ALBION
1911 Albion A3 16H.P
Engine Type: 2cyl. T Head. Monoblock. Large tube radiator with the water pump driven from the governor camshaft.. Dry sump ,lubrication to bearings, big ends and cylinder wall driven by camshaft. Engine speed, fuel and mixture, spark advance controlled by governor from single hand lever. Max. Revs 980 rpm.
Details of fuel & ignition system: Petrol gravity fed from tank in front of passenger dash. Low tension ignition. Mechanical make and break spark inside combustion chamber. Float bowl and jet on off side of engine then fuel travels through a hot water jacket to the near side of the engine where the governor controls valves to regulate the air and mixture going to the combustion chamber.
Transmission: Leather faced cone clutch,- 3 forward and reverse gears. Gearbox and Differential
one cast aluminium unit. Chain drive to rear axle. Brakes, foot brake to contracting cast iron shoes on tailshaft. Handbrake to expanding shoes on rear wheels. Maximum speed 35kph. Weight 1700kg.
How did you acquire the vehicle?: Purchased partly restored in 2010. Previous owner had spent 10 years assembling vehicle from a heap of parts. I reset the piston rings, valves and ignition system. A lot of problems with insulation and points, finally making porcelain insulators and platinum points. Built a new body. First rallied at the Canberra 1-2 Rally in 2013.
Brief known history of the vehicle: Found @ 1980 near Wauchope NSW. Stored dismantled by Peter Adams. Malcolm Bailey assembled the car between 1995-2010. Rod Holmes acquired it in 2010, restored and had it running by 2013, attending rallies in Canberra, Newcastle. Kalgoorlie WA. Goulburn, Dalby Qld., Yamba. and local events.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: Different technology to most other veterans. Reliable and comfortable. Very underpowered and slow. Heavy.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? Named "BLUEBELL" because she is blue and made in Scotland. Albion made the same model form 1904 to 1912. Sold as chassis, owners built bodies for passengers or commercial use. Chain sprocket changed for heavier commercial use.
1908 Albion Lorry A3
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Engine Type:
Two cylinder, T head. Monoblock. Large tube radiator driven by the governor camshaft. Dry sump, lubrication to bearings, big-end and cylinder walls driven by camshaft. Maximum engine speed governor controlled to 980 rpm.
Details of fuel & ignition system: Petrol; gravity fed from tank in front of passenger’s knees. Passes through tap to carburettor bowl and jet to patent carburettor on off side of engine where a governor controls valves to regulate the air and fuel mixture to each combustion chamber. Low tension ignition generated from two large bar magnets on front of crankshaft. Mechanical make and break spark inside each combustion chamber.
Transmission: Leather–faced cone clutch – three forward and a reverse gear. An exposed
shaft runs from the clutch to the gear box and differential that are combined in a single aluminium casting, A chain drive connects to each back wheel. Breaks: foot break to contracting cast iron shoes onto tailshaft behind diff. Hand break to expanding shous on rear wheels. Maximum speed, 29 kph , carrying capacity ca 1300kgm
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How did you acquire the vehicle?: In the 1940s my family had a dairy farm at Berowra, approximately 40 kms north of Sydney. Abandoned in the bush on a nearby farm (now Wideview Primary School grounds) was an old lorry. The owner told me I could have it for nothing if I drove it away. And I did! The story of this old Albion was published in the August 2012 volume of Spit and Polish.
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Brief known history of the vehicle: The original owners were Mr Turner and his son-in-law Mr Charles Woof who had a large poultry farm at Berowra. The Albion carted loads of poultry feed from Hornsby and on week ends a bench seat was provided on the back tray to take weekend visitors from Berowra railway station down to Berowra Creek (now Berowra Waters). In the 1930s the Albion passed to Mr Chandler and then to Mr Thorn who lived on a nearby farm. By the time of WW2 the Albion was abandoned to lie in the bush where I found it. With lots of cleaning and greasing I got it firing on kerosine and drove it back to our farm in Turner Road. With a new wooden tray and drivers seat, repainted in its original red and orange and me with my new driver’s licence the Albion was ready to go! My elder brother Sandy Holmes owned the famous 1912 Prince Henry Vauxhall “Fifty Bob”. Together we
attended the first meeting of the VCCA in 1954 and became Members 9 and 10. The Albion’s first outing was to the city in 1951 to take part in the procession celebrating 50 years of Federation of the Australian States. Then Brighton Rallies and later the Blue Mountain’s Rallies in 1956, 1957 and 1959. Imagine those trips with a top speed of 29kph but half the time in low gear! In 1976 the Albion and I moved to a farm at Wellington where the Albion went in to retirement except for carting seed and fertilizer at crop sowing time. On retirement from farming the Albion and I moved to Dorrigo where the Albion lorry took up residence in brother Rod’s shed with his beautiful 1911 Albion A3 car known as Blue Bell and together they took part in the 1 and 2 Cylinder Rally at Yamba and also to several local shows and the Rusty Iron rally at Macksville.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: The old lorry has always lived up to the Albion motto “Sure as the Sunrise” but it would be great to travel at 40kph!
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? With the old Albion lorry living in the same shed as beautiful Blue Bell we are hoping they will produce some little Albions!
LE ZEBRE
1911 Le Zebre Type A Torpedo
Engine Type: One cylinder 600c.c with thermosyphon cooling. Cast iron cylinder with aluminium crankcase.
Details of fuel & ignition system: Gravity fed fuel system, with Bosch ZE1 magneto
Transmission: Wet steel on steel clutch with conventional sliding gear transmission, two speed forward and reverse
How did you acquire the vehicle?: I purchased the car from Barry Perdriau who had owned it for 66 years.
Brief known history of the vehicle: The car was imported by Mark Foy on the vessel ‘L’Afrique’, arriving in Sydney on the 11/11/11. The car was gifted to one of his mistresses in
the 1920’s but returned to mark a few years later after her untimely death. The car then sat in a shed at Medlow Bath until Mark’s passing the 1950’s. Barry subsequently purchased the car and restored it in time for the inaugural V.C.C.A NSW Rally to Bondi Beach in September 1954.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: The car is very easy to work on as it is so compact. Unfortunately, the car is very slow due to its 4HP motor. A 6HP versions came out the following year.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include?There are only two Le Zebre Type A’s in Australia. The other car is located on Sunday Island in Western Australia in a state of disrepair.
BRUSH
1910 Brush Runabout D26
Engine Type: Two Cylinders - 2.5 litres Side Valve - Thermo Syphon
Details of fuel & ignition system: Standard Unleaded 91 - Coil Ignition
Transmission: Epicyclic - Neutral, High, Low and Reverse - Moving the gear lever declutches
How did you acquire the vehicle?: 1980/81 George Green Auctions - I first bought Georges 1912 SIX LITRE AIR COOLED MODEL D FRANKLIN - I found that the engine was in very bad shape and the laminated timber chassis rails were broken. With the fantastic help of the late Barry Perdriau we built 6 new Cylinders with separate heads, all with outer ribbing for maximum air cooling and a sailing mate/
mate/builder built the two new laminated timber chassis rails. Realising that this would take many years to restore the Franklin I bought my 1910 Brush Runabout D26 at the second Auction.
Brief known history of the vehicle: I soon learnt of the 1912 First Crossing of Australia by a Brush and the late Drew Schack of Perth, suggested I do an 80th Anniversary drive of my Brush in 1992 from Fremantle to Sydney to raise community interest in this piece of early motoring history. We had a great sendoff driving up the beach at Fremantle with an escort of WA veteran cars and flagged of by the Mayor and Drew.
My Brush and I participated in the 1& 2 rallies of the VCCA NSW and Vic. The next big run was Darwin to Melbourne in 1996 to Honour the Bean Runs which Birtles did in 1926.
In 2000 the Centenary of Federation Committee contacted me suggesting I drive the Brush “Around Australia” as a "linking event” in conjunction with community activities at cities towns and villages en route. With the aid of 5 friends I undertook this challenge. It was very successful - 14,790 kms in 80 days including 20 full days on exhibition.
In 2012 I led the Centenary Expedition of 43Veteran !or 2 cylinder cars and motor cycles “Across Australia” Perth to Sydney - including 5 Brush Runabouts - honouring the 1912 First Crossing. Willie Nelson’s “ON THE ROAD AGAIN” is my theme song - so: In 2022 my Brush and I with my co-driver Mike Irwin will be on the road again - “Brisbane to Broome Expedition” for Veteran Cars and Motorcycles"
What do you like & dislike about your car?: I love my Brush for giving me fantastic satisfaction and success with few problems over 40 years of veteran motoring "AroundThrough and Across Australia” meeting thousands of Aussiea. My Brush is named “Jean Frances” after my wonderful Mother in Law - Bothe ladies became cherished friends. The Franklin was named “Mabel” after my late mother.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include?
“NO” I say to the many Aussies who ask “have you had it since new?”
A few Aussies have berated me saying “You should have it in a museum!” - to which I reply “My Brush is alive and well and enjoys being driven and meeting people on the road - and most Aussies love to see the veteran cars and bikes out on the road.
HUPMOBILE
1916 Hupmobile Model N Touring
Engine Type: 4 cylinder cast en bloc – 33/4” x 51/2” L head 242.9 cubic inch rated at 22.5 HP. Thermo syphon cooling system with a cellular radiator.
Details of fuel & ignition system: Fuel gravity fed from the scuttle mounted fuel tank to a Zenith carburettor. Dixie magneto on the export models – coil ignition on the home models (U.S.A)
Transmission: 3 speed gearbox with multi plate clutch (all steel) ¾ floating axle, spiral bevel.
How did you acquire the vehicle?: Located in a scrap yard in Rand NSW in 1965 in a very sad state, minus the body.
Brief known history of the vehicle: Local car from the Rand District where it was owned by Denny Farley. Restored and driven in the 1970 International Rally from Sydney to Melbourne and home again.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: Well made solid car
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? Was imported to Australia by Phizackerley’s in Sydney. Arrived in Australia in January 1916
1913 Hupmobile Model 32 Tourer
Engine Type: 4 cylinder side valve mono bloc. 182 cubic inch, 3¼” x 5½” rated at 16.9 HP. Splash lubrication circulated by flywheel. Thermo syphon cooling system.
Details of fuel & ignition system:
Gravity fed scuttle mounted fuel tank, Zenith carburettor with a Bosch high tension magneto with variable spark
Transmission: 3 speed sliding gear with a multi plate clutch running in oil. Unit construction engine and gearbox. Torque tube with straight cut differential.
How did you acquire the vehicle?: Purchased in a semi-complete state from Albury N.S.W. Attended its first National Rally in Burra, South Australia in 1994.
Brief known history of the vehicle: Puchased new by George Howard who used the car in the Berridale area of N.S.W. Put off the road in 1916 until better tyres were produced – too many punctures. Later sold to George Smith of Albury.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: Good reliable car, no dislikes.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include?
Non electric – ‘arm strong’ starting system. Hupp slogan – “Built like a warthog – twice as strong!!” Has large high mounted headlights and all steel body.
Nickname; “George”
1911 Hupmobile Model 20 Roadster
Engine Type: 4 cylinder L Head, 2 banks of 2 cylinders. 3 1/4” bore x 3 3/8” stroke, 1.8 litre capacity, 16.9 rated HP. Thermo syphon cooling
Details of fuel & ignition system:
Gravity fed from rear mounted fuel tank, Breeze carburettor, Bosch High Tension fixed spark ignition
Transmission:Two speed sliding gear, slow and slower speed but both are too quick for the brakes. Multi plate clutch (10 plate) with torque tube drive to the live axle
How did you acquire the vehicle?: Chased it since I was
a young apprentice in 1980. Eventually purchased it and commenced complete restoration in 2010
Brief known history of the vehicle: Car was purchased new from Evers Brisbane. Imported by Phizackerley’s. Original owner gave the vehicle to his daughter as a wedding present in 1918. Left on property tip. Discovered by Qld veteran enthusiast who started restoration.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: Looks great, direct steering, lots of brass. You work it out.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? Total weight 1,200 lbs, 86 inch wheel base with 56 inch track
1911 Hupmobile Model 20 Touring
Engine Type: Four cylinder side valve engine cast in pairs. 3 1/4 bore x 3 3/8 stroke 1.8 litre capacity. Thermo syphon cooling system
Details of fuel & ignition system: Gravity fed from rear mounted oval tank to Breeze carburettor. Bosch high tension fixed spark magneto
Transmission:2 speed sliding gear gearbox behind multi plate clutch. Torque tube drive to live axle. Transverse rear spring, semi-elliptic leaf front.
How did you acquire the vehicle?: Purchased from a fellow motorcycle enthusiast in Sydney in 1999. The car was completely disassembled with many body parts and mudguards missing.
Brief known history of the vehicle: The car was imported by Phizackerley’s and sold to the Law Union & Rock Insurance Company. Later discovered in a quite dilapidated condition before being salvaged and rescued.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: Two speed – ‘slow’ & ‘slower’ both too quick for the brakes!
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? The touring body allows for two extra passengers or pushers in the case of a long hill.
1915 Hupmobile Model N Touring
Engine Type: 4 cylinder cast en bloc, 3 3/4 inch by 5 1/2 inch L head, 242.9 cubic inch capacity rated at 22.5 horsepower. Thermo syphon cooling system with cellular radiator.
Details of fuel & ignition system: Gravity from tank to Zenith carburettor, Dixie magneto.
Transmission: 3 speed, all steel multi plate clutch, fully floating rear axle.
How did you acquire the vehicle?: Built from 2 cars – one purchased from local car club member, the other found on a property in QLD by a property clearing contractor. Sold as unrestored parts to Burke family. Parts from both used to make one car.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: Very early model N, good performer, solid build.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? All restoration work done in house, indicators have been fitted for safety.
ESSEX
1918 Essex Model A Touring
Engine Type: 4 cylinder F Head with overhead inlet and side exhaust valves. 179 cubic inch capacity, 3 3/8 x 5 inch rated at 18.2 HP. Circulating splash oiling system, thermo syphon cooling system.
Details of fuel & ignition system: Stewart vacuum tank delivering fuel from rear mounted fuel tank. Essex own constant depression piston type carburettor. Coil ignition with separate starter motor and generator. 6 Volt electrical system.
Transmission: 3 speed forward and reverse, multiplate cork and steel clutch.
How did you acquire the vehicle?: Purchased in semi restored state from Cessnock local. Vehicle had
been restored and used but left in a garage for 40 years.
Brief known history of the vehicle: Vehicle acquired in 1970’s as a complete restoration by previous owner. Restored and used very seldom. Parked and left until I acquired it.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: Great goer, very easy to drive, good brakes.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? Fitted with shutters on radiator which are manually controlled from drivers position. Vehicle casting dates on cylinder head and engine block – 23/5/18 – Car number indicates very early production of right hand drive export vehicle.
BUICK
1918 Buick Model E34 Roadster
Engine Type: 4 cylinder OHV, 3 3/8 x 4 3/4 inch, 170 cubic inch capacity, 35 HP, monobloc with detachable cylinder head. Water pump circulation, circulating splash oiling system.
Details of fuel & ignition system: Stewart vacuum tank, rear mounted fuel tank, Marvel carburettor. Delco starter generator with coil ignition
Transmission: 3 speed sliding gear, cone clutch, torque tube drive with centre control.
How did you acquire the vehicle?: Purchase from club member as a disassembled chassis, with no body.
Brief known history of the vehicle: Remains of car came from a property in Foxes Lane, Moree.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: Excellent car to drive, electric starting with electric lights. Dislike pedals being too close together.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? Similar to D34 Roadster, changes include longer rear springs, gear driven oil circulator, slanted windscreen, and amp meter on dash.
1916 Buick Model D45 Touring
CHALMERS
Engine Type: 6 cylinder OHV non detachable mono block engine. 3 1/4” bore x 4 1/2” stroke of 224 cu inch capacity (3.7 litre). 45 Brake Horsepower. Water pump circulatory cooling system with cellular radiator
Details of fuel & ignition system: Rear mounted fuel tank with Stewart vacuum tank, Marvel carburettor and Delco starter generator with coil ignition
Transmission: 3 speed sliding gear, cone clutch, torque tube, spiral bevel differential and full floating rear axle
How did you acquire the vehicle?: Purchased at auction in sad condition, tidied up to make usable.
Brief known history of the vehicle: Ex Sydney car used as an extra in the movie ‘The Picture Show Man’.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: Like that it is a good performing six cylinder veteran that can drive all day in top gear.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? Cantilever rear springs make it interesting on rough gravel roads. Wheel base is 115 inches with the track being 56 inches.
1913 Chalmers Model 16
Engine Type: 4 cylinder of 3.8L capacity with overhead inlet valve and side exhaust. It has a two bearing crankshaft. A piston pump squirts oil over the timing gears back into sump where it fills four trays for the big ends to dip into. It has a very short block to compensate for the two bearing crankshaft.
Details of fuel & ignition system:
Four cylinder Bosch magneto.
Transmission: 3 speed with the clutch being made up of 40 plates of alternating bronze and steel which works well when the oil is warm.
How did you acquire the vehicle?: Vehicle wa found in a bad state on a very large property at Ashley near Moree.
Brief known history of the vehicle: Only known history of the car before I acquired the car is that it was used as a mail delivery car. I dragged it home on a trailer in 1970 and set to work restoring the car over an 8 year period. It's first rally after restoration was the 1978 International Rally to Queensland.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? Chalmers has only 2 foot pedals. An accelerator and a brake and clutch combined pedal. Press brake/clutch pedal half way to activate clutch and fully pressed for brake. Unable to keep in gear and apply foot brake on steep hill so hand brake is used to compensate. Takes a little getting used to but works well.
Over the years, our family have had many everlasting memories of trips, in the Chalmers, all over N.S.W, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania.
FORD
1914 Model T Ford Tourer
Engine Type: Single block, 4 cylinder, side valve, thermosyphon cooling system.
Details of fuel & ignition system: Gravity feed fuel. Magneto powered trembler coil to each cylinder.
Transmission: Pedal operated, two speed planetary trasmission.
Brief known history of the vehicle?
The Model T Ford was purchased new in 1914 by Thomas Alfred Webb, a farmer of ‘Rosebank” Tarana near Bathurst. The car was driven by the Family for many years in the Tarana, Bathurst District and was eventually converted to a utility and used on the farm.
In 1959 George Green of Dover Heights in Sydney and his friend Bill Chadwick from Bathurst visited the property and inspected the car, which was on blocks in a barn on the property’ at Tarana. George discussed purchasing the car with Clement Webb, a bachelor and one of Thomas Alfred Webb’s sons; however he was undecided about selling the car.
In July 1961 after periodical visits and discussions Clement finally decided to sell the car on the condition he retain the utility body. The side and tail lights, which were hanging in the barn, with wire handles fitted were used as lanterns.
The car remained in its original condition for some 25 years and was used in various displays and charity events by George Green, with the Veteran Car Club in Sydney. Later an original tourer tub was acquired in Ipswich, Queensland and fitted to the car.
About 1986 the car in its original condition was sold to Ray Thomas in Newcastle. He retained the car for a short time and sold it in January 1987, still un-restored to Peter Rolfe of Bradbury in Sydney.
Peter Rolfe restored the car over a period of some 6 years. He joined the Model T Ford Club in Sydney and was assisted by members of the club with the restoration.
How did you acquire the vehicle?:
I first noticed the car in 1995 at the “T’s Alive” National Rally for Model T Fords in the Barossa Valley, South Australia, when Peter and his wife participated in the event.
I purchased the car from Peter in February 1998. Since then Marcia and I have attended three National Model T Ford Rallies at Goulburn, Renmark and Windsor. Also a Bush Council Rally in Parkes and a number of other events and club runs.
We have also attended three National seven day Veteran Car Rallies at Toowoomba in 2005, Canberra 2008 and Mittagong in 2011. A highlight was winning the Carnival of the Pines parade best dress and car in 2007.
The car is basically original with the correct engine number C17371, the correct headlights, etc. It is Monza red in colour painted with two pack paint. It has a good fitting top with side curtains and tonneau cover for conveyance on a trailer when the top is down.
My wife and I have attended to numerous adjustments and repairs since purchasing the car, including the removal of the motor to fit a new magneto.
-Laurie McGrath
REO
1909 REO Roadster
Engine Type: Single block, 1 cylinder engine, water pump cooling system.
Details of fuel & ignition system: Gravity feed fuel system. Was Magneto power. Converted to electronic with battery
Transmission: Two speed planetary transmission
History of the vehicle:
The car is a 1909 REO Roadster Model ‘G’, one cylinder. Engine No. 15424, Chassis No. 15424
Little is known of the cars history. It was allegedly stored for 50 years in an upstairs apartment in New Jersey in the United States of America.
In the late eighties the car was purchased by Mr & Mrs Troutman and shipped to Utah. Unfortunately Mr Troutman passed away before restoring the car. Mrs Troutman sold the car to a Mr Roger Jeffs in Logan Utah the owner of Finders Keepers (Antique store) where the car was on display in the antique store.
In September 1994 Ron and Martha Franklin from
Tuscon in Arizona purchased the car and called it ‘Ruby’. Ron repaired and rectified a number of mechanical items; however he did not fully restore the car. Click here to read Ron Franklin's history of the vehicle.
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In 2003 Phil and Marney Bagnal at Coffs Harbour purchased the car and shipped it to Australia. Phil restored the car shortly after including the engine. Unfortunately he had Jack Brain fit a Gardiner diesel piston. That has the ring at the top of the piston.
My wife and I purchased the car on 11th January 2016 from Phil and Marney Bagnal.
In March 2016 we were participating in the one and two cylinder rally at Morwell in Victoria when the piston ring exited the top of the bore causing extensive damage to the engine. The motor has since been restored.
- Laurie McGrath
MOTORCYCLES
1916 New Imperial Light Tourist solo motorcycle
Engine Type: Single cylinder 297 c.c side valve, air cooled engine
Details of fuel & ignition system: Amac carburettor, EIC Magneto mounted behind the cylinder block – gear train driven.
Transmission: Two speed Burman gearbox, no clutch.
Chain-cum-belt. Chain drive from engine to gearbox and then belt drive from gearbox to rear wheel.
How did you acquire the vehicle?: Had to swap a ‘bitsor’ for its very sad remains in 1985. Commenced restoration in 1997 and finished it by 1999 for the National All Veteran Bike Rally
Brief known history of the vehicle: The bike was purchased new in St Arnold, Victoria. Cylinder was removed for repair and lost at the machine shop around the end of the war. Tank was kept in the wash house and still have the original paint colour.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: Great bike, slow but will pull over any hill in low gear. No need to run and jump to start, bike can be paddled off by the rider in the seat.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? When the bike was sick (poor compression) with my father riding, he was passed by two Penny Farthings on the National Rally at Kalgoorlie
1914 Abingdon King Dick
Engine Type: 500cc engine, air cooled and side valve. Runs on a slide valve B & B carburetor.
Details of ignition system: Ignition is a Bosch ZE1 magneto.
Transmission: Transmission is vee belt and can be varied by adjusting the pulley on the motor.
How did you acquire the vehicle? First saw AKD at Newcastle Swap Meeting in 1988. I put a deposit on it and picked the bike up from Quirindi, opposite Burning Mountain, on the way back from our trip to Expo88.
Brief known history of the vehicle: The AKD was used by a Mortician to do his rounds and then partically rextored until I bought it.
What do you like & dislike about your car?: It is a good reliable machine, pulls well on open road, handles OK and comfortable to ride but struggles on steep hills without adjusting drive belt pulley.
Fun facts or any other details you’d like to include? On Tasmanian Veteran Bike Rally, 2 years ago, we went up a steep hill, in Burnie, bike stalled, I attempted to jump off and bike lay on top of me. All I could think of, at the time, was don't scratch petrol tank. Luckily all good in the end.
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