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The Morris Eight Tourer Club
of New Zealand (Inc)

Ornate lead lighting in the glass door panels and windows, plush carpets run down the hall, the passage, and into the distance.

The visitor can only drool at such luxury not normally enjoyed by many car clubs. But here we were, a sprinkling of Morris Register members visiting The Sporting Car Club of South Australia.

Actually, we used the back entrance, which is the usual entry point when attending general meetings of this club. This section is "A modern add on" to what was the home of George Fife Angas in 1835.

Once inside, the warm hand of friendship was extended and we were invited to look around. So up the polished staircase to the afore mentioned carpeted halls we climbed.

First to the library which it's claimed to be the best motoring library in Australia. The library contains over 5000 books dating from the advent of motoring, and a comprehensive collection of magazines and technical manuals - most of which can be borrowed by members.

The walls lined to the ceiling with bookshelves all filled. The large bay window area, a quiet reading room.

Librarian's counter complete with computer, to assist with quick location of desired reading matter. The décor still befitting a building of the era. The light fittings, leaded windows, chairs, tables, and serenity inductive of a good read guaranteed.

Further down the hallway are committee rooms and offices. A V6 Clisby Formula One motor stands silently on its display stand further reminding the visitor that we are in the home of "The finest and best equipped car club in Australia."

We return to the general meeting room which is said to accommodate 200 people. (There is another smaller, which accommodates 100)

On stage are the reasons we Morrie folks are present. Four Morris Minors. The subject of the three after-meeting speakers. Two of the speakers are joint members of The Register, and S.C.C, and one Morris Register only.

The vehicles on display are:

John Wien-Smith's 1929 OHC Minor Roadster, body by Holden.

( New Zealand readers may already know of John, who resided in Wellington in the mid 60's, and is a member of The Vintage Car Club of New Zealand.  He often returns to The Land of The Long White Cloud for rallies.)

Each of the owners were called upon to tell of their vehicles, and the history. You can well imagine the joyous calls when Woodie mentioned the fact that he'd taken his little treasure from "under the noses of The Vic's."

The vehicles well and truly discussed. The meeting was called to a close, and was time to socialise at the bar, have coffee, savour the fine culinary delights offered for supper, (frankfurts, sauce, and bread) Who kept count of how many some people ate?

A couple of quick notes on the S.C.C of S.A.

The club was formed in 1934, more than 1000 members of every age group, "From 9 to 90." Caters for motoring enthusiasts who follow Historic Racing, Road Racing, Hill Climbing, (the Easter Collingrove Hill Climb is legendary in South Australia). Rallies, Veteran, Vintage and classic cars, to mention but a few of the motoring interests covered.

The club has an impressive web site for those wishing to find out more.

All in all it was a really enjoyable evening. Many thanks to our hosts The Sporting Car Club of South Australia.

We still love our little club house, with bars on windows and doors, (no! not the local prison.) Nuffield Hall. It's mine and it's yours.

Barry Booth.

PS.

On the way home that evening, Woodie had a police escort most of the way. Was it the little dim lights that attracted their attention? Were they car enthusiasts? Or was it because the little car had wet itself with the excitement of once again being the centre of attention that night?

Whatever it was, the radiator was bone dry next morning.

Something of interest arose tonight at our Morris Register of SA. meeting.

John Wien Smith, who owns the green Series 1 Minor, has just received award from The Sporting Car Club of SA, for 50 years of membership.

Seems his father was an early member of that club, and ran a single cylinder 1904 De Dion Bouton.

John still owns that vehicle, and recently shipped it to the UK to join in with The London to Brighton.

Just recently, he found out that he had been made Life Member of The UK Morris Register after 25 years of membership.

Regards

Barry.