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The
Morris Eight Tourer Club
THE BAY TO BIRDWOOD 2000
Why is it? that a car/vehicle behaves itself all through the year, and then practically on the eve of the big event, every thing seems to go wrong. That seems to be the story with a number of Morris Register vehicles. One having clutch troubles, resulting in the complete interior and firewall of said vehicle having to be removed to reach the offending clutch.
Another having had brake repairs, new master cylinder, wheel cylinders and linings, still wouldn't hold the lifeblood of the braking system, and poured it all over the floor.
Seems the new linings were over size, allowing the wheel cyl. pistons to travel past the fluid delivery orifice. The owner of this vehicle was in danger of instant baldness, tearing his hair in frustration.
The orange Cowley
is on heat so I'm told, and the bearded owner is praying for a cool day
as time has run out for the necessary repairs to be carried out.
These are only a few of the hard luck tales to reach my ear, and I'm sure there are others.
The week preceding The Bay to Birdwood Has been a typical October week, temperature in the 29 to 32 degree mark, and as usual folks are complaining about the heat.( In a month or two, this will be the cool change we've all been looking for.)
This week is the time for the Motorfest. Pre, and after Birdwood. motoring events organised and hosted by Adelaide car clubs. By arranging these runs it gives our many visitors a chance to visit in their older vehicles, some of Adelaide's tourist sites.
River cruises, Visits to wildlife and botanical gardens, beaches tours, old fashioned movie shows, steam train runs, winery tours, to mention but a few.
Any one who knows of Adelaide's past records when hosting The Formula One Grand Prix is always a bit wary when the October temperatures soar. So often hot days precede the big race day, and then on the day, the skies open, and in comes the rain.
It appears this week is to be no exception. Through Friday night the heavens have opened, and the lovely drenching rain the gardens needed has arrived. Temperature forecast in the vicinity of mid teens. (Just what the orange Cowley driver was praying for).
Five am Sunday the alarm is ringing it's time to hit the road, join the many others assembling on Barrat Reserve adjoining "The Bay" (Glenelg)
The weather looks a bit iffy, light misty rain greets the writer as I open up the shed. The trip across town adds to the un-certainty of what weather to expect as in places the roads are bone dry, while in others quite wet.
Already on the lawned median strip of Anzac Highway folks are setting up barbeq's , picnic tables etc..adding to the carnival atmosphere.
Today is going to be busier than usual. As the closing of the Olympics clashed with the usual Birdwood run, the event was moved back a week. Now clashing with The City to Bay Fun Run. Meaning that at eight am, thousands of runners will be un-leashed, and running to "The Bay" along Anzac Highway.
We motoring people will be flagged off at nine, and travelling in the opposite direction down "The Highway". Interesting.
Here at Barrat Reserve the vehicles are assembling. Motor Cycles, Cars, Commercials. Lined in order by volunteer marshals on the finely manicured grass.
By this time the clouds have parted and there's a hint of blue sky. . a little later, there's no mistaking it. The sun is shining for us.
The 1,700 vehicles all built and ready for sale before December 1949, are lined for the start. Some vehicles and their drivers have come from overseas, many from inter-state
At last we're flagged off. Commercials and motorcycles first, concourse vehicles, followed by the remaining hordes.
Out on the streets and into the hills the crowds have increased. Flag waving children, cheering adults, make the drivers feel like royalty. The smell of BBQ's fill our nostrils at every turn. It's a party day for all.
The run to Birdwood
went off well. The little Y ute behaved, the clutch clutched as it should,
and soon we were picnicking with the others spread out across the fields
amongst the River Red Gums.
Time to relax, swap yarns of our trip up, and once again walk among the many vehicles now more suitably spaced for photos.
The judging of the concourse vehicles saw many fine examples of motoring history lined up for judging, the winner being vehicle no. 0880 a 1948 Jaguar Mk. 4 Drop head Coup'e owned by Mr. D A Evans.
As "The Mill" is the largest motoring museum in the Southern Hemisphere, time was spent drooling over the vehicles on display too.
Richard's Isis. When brakes weren't a problem. |
The sun still shining brightly around four p.m., made it hard to leave our picturesque surroundings and head for home, but there is work tomorrow. It really has been a wonderful day.
The initial Bay to Birdwood was in 1980 a biennial motor rally and is open to vehicles built and delivered before 31/12/49.
In later years, a similar rally to cater for Classic Motor Vehicles not eligible to enter The Bay to Birdwood is held on the alternate year to The Birdwood run, and is quite a success.
However. The drivers of all of the vehicles involved in both runs share a common fear.
With the removal of leaded petrol from the service station, and the introduction of Lead Replacement Fuel. What is going to happen to these vehicles?
We know that lead is a fairly recent additive to our fuel, and as the engines of most of our cars are low compression, "should handle Un-leaded," but what about the pollutants given off from older vehicles with no catalytic converter fitted?
There are firms who claim to, " Pop our pill in the tank and all will be well." Hah!
There are rumours that fuels of different brands will not mix, and the motoring organisations do not want to speak to the car clubs to answer our questions. Once again the motorist is being treated like a mushroom. Keep them in the dark, and feed them bulldust.
News on the fuel products from over seas doesn't sound too promising either.
Happy motoring .
Barry Booth