JOYCE WRECKERS, A DISAPPEARING RELIC

As a child living in Peterborough (SA) in the late forties, early fifties, our family often made the eighty mile journey over dirt, usually rough roads, to visit relatives living in Port Pirie.

The method of transport I can remember was Willy’s Knight, Vauxhall, Vangard, and early Holden.

Very rarely was our journey completed without a mandatory stop over in a little town just short of our destination for much needed spare parts to keep Dad’s cars on the road.

He would order parts on the inward journey, and collect them on the way home.

This town, Warnertown, the wrecker Joycie's.

Fifty years later the two names are still synonymous to the motor vehicle restorers of South Australia.

If asked, I bet there would be quite a show of hands from members of our club alone, who at one time or another have journeyed the two hundred plus kilometres north of Adelaide, in search of those much needed parts to complete their restoration.

It came as a shock to the members present at the October 2001 meeting, when the news of the sale of Joycie's to a neighbouring farmer was announced.

The farmer, perhaps understandably tired of the vermin, foxes, rats, and snakes that sought refuge within the piles of motoring history spread over many acres, two, and three cars high, is planning to very shortly, call in the scrap metal buyers, and the lot fed to the crusher!

With the imminent loss this "restorer’s Mecca," I was soon on the phone to a relative (by marriage) her maiden name Joyce, in the quest for any history, or stories of interest regarding her uncle’s business.

Following another lead suggested by her, **(brother 5/8^th. ) I found that………
 
 

LESLIE EDGAR JOYCE

On one such outing near Warnertown, the Pilot with no warning, came to a bone shuddering halt.

In the darkness the shooters found they'd driven into an open well.

Just how they extracted the Pilot from that well, I was not told

The most memorable vehicle he wrecked was a 1940 six cylinder Vauxhall single seater " It was a huge brute.’ He recalls

Even the snooty Packhard rubbed fenders amongst the rows of previously loved vehicles, no class distinction here.

Sadly, the metal cruncher has been located within the boundaries of the fifteen to twenty acres of wrecked vehicles, and is gnawing away steadily on so much or our motoring history.

Mr Joyce, as we know, is now in retirement. Despite the old bones not being what they were in years gone by, he is still very active around home.

Now the garden takes up a lot of his time, and not unlike his Warnertown premises, there is very little wasted space.

His energies are spent tending to huge crops of, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, or whatever he can put his green thumb to. His neighbours certainly are enjoying the fruits of his labour.

Well done Les. You've certainly done a lot to help motoring folks over the years, and now in retirement your tradition goes on. But now garden produce is your stock.

Barry.

**(5/8th Melva's brother Lee is the fifth child of eight in the Joyce family)

Last weekend, hearing things were on the move, a couple of carloads of Morris Register members descended on sleepy little Warnertown.

One of the vehicles, a large 4WD, towing a car trailer, four passengers on board, arrived at Joicies full of expectancy.

The weather was far from welcoming, the wind howling across the plains, the rain bucketed down... Vertically.

Undaunted, the soggy band sifted through the fast disappearing collection of vehicles.

(The new owners it seems are under council orders to clean up quickly.

And so, three truckloads a week are disappearing off to the scrap metal merchants. The new owners, not being licensed to trade as motor wreckers, can only sell parts as "scrap metal")

Very little Morris stuff was collected on the day, Steve did score five or six MO Oxford Grilles, one lucky explorer poked at a mound of grass from which it seemed was doing its best to conceal an unusual wheel. Sure enough, after some scratching around, out popped a "Pork Pie" wheel to suit his three wheeled Morgan.

The Land cruiser owner, loaded his car trailer with, the wheel, a floor pan to suit his Morris restoration, and a starter motor for a Cowley. (a fair load for the trailer and 4wd.)

The following article can be attributed to the saying.. The chase is more gratifying than the kill.  We had a terrific time even if we spent fifty quid for two bob, worth of bits

The whole thing started with a Morris Ute Ex. ETSA) purchased for $10 The only things missing were a stub axle and wheel The owner, (name withheld) found out that the aforementioned bits were to he found in an old. disused wrecking yard somewhere along the track to Alice Springs

Not withstanding, "Her indoors" request urgent kitchen renovations he conned three fellow enthusiasts to accompany him to "The Bonanza in the Bush’

Having been a Boy Scout in his youth and being mindful of "being prepared", he took his trailer Now this is not your ordinary 6’ x 4’, his would ‘have the capacity for a Matilda tank

His reason for this decision was that there might be a couple of other bits that might come in handy"

Preparations for the trip included enough food, water, fuel and equipment for an Around Australia Expedition He carefully selected Service Personnel consisted of an electrician, mechanic, spare parts manager and trades assistant

Disregarding the brass-monkey weather forecast. the intrepid group set out before dawn. The precipitation during the trip necessitated numerous delays for bodily relief, which is the politically correct way of saving "the sight of rain makes you GO more often’

Eventually arriving at their destination they were confronted with 10 acres of iron oxide. (i.e. rust). with odd bits looking like car bodies emerging from the sodden landscape

The Group Leader dispersed his troops in a grid pattern on a search and rescue operation. It is worth noting that each was equipped with a walky talky, flares, crowbars, axes, body cutters, wet suits, bolt cutters, K rations and snake bite kits.

They were warned about the snakes, but considering the rain and hail was traveling horizontally, it was thought that the snakes would have to be wearing snorkels and would thus not constitute a problem.,

After several hours two likely car carcasses were discovered but the required items were missing. To salvage something it was decided to turn them over to see what goodies lay underneath. No joy. the ‘goody bits" disintegrated into a heap of rust.

By this time the rain and hail had got into top gear so they retreated and regrouped in a nearby shed. Lo and behold the shed was stacked with lots and lots of real good bits. The only trouble was that the roof,( what was left of it) Let more water inside than was falling outside.

A strategic retreat was ordered and the troops reassembled at the First Aid Station to administer to cuts, bruises, broken limbs and tetanus shots.

Auditing revealed that the complete Treasure Trove for the day consisted of 3 wheel rims. 2 dented hubcaps, half a rusty front floor pan, starter motor bones and a body plate for the princely sum of $35.

While most of it was put into the boot, considerable time was used in trying to find a space small enough to tie the 3 wheel rims onto the trailer bed.

Logistics of Operation Overkill are as follows;

4 blokes at 15 hours each = 60 hours at $20. Hire of Landrover and trailer, Fuel at $0.25 per km for 600 km, Hire of tools and equipment, Catering ( 4 blokes x 3 meals $10 each) $120.00

Misc. )First aid, bandages, splints etc.) $100.00

Total $ 2,270

With eight parts found this works out to $285.75 per bit.

An Anonymous Observer.

(Editor's Note - The Editor advises that while the above article has the basic elements of truth it is certain that it contains the odd porky or two.)