singergram vol 23 no 4 mar 2010

By Jeff Vale

ONCE again the Bay to Birdwood Rally held in September was a resounding success. Maureen and I set the alarm for 5am as we had a reasonable drive from Greenock to

arrive at the start at Barratt Reserve by 7am. It was going to be a long day!

This year marked the 30th Anniversary of the Bay to Birdwood and attracted 1268 cars, trucks and motorcycles.

Add to this the number of drivers, passengers and visitors, and it is easy to understand why it is quite difficult to locate other members of our club at the starting point.

singergramOct-Dec 2010 Vol. 23 No. 4

SINGER CAR CLUB OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Bay to Birdwood 2010

Continued on pages 5 to 7

SINGER NATIONAL RALLY 2011

Maureen and Jeff Vale’s 1951 SM1500 among other marques at the start of the2010 Bay to Birdwood Rally.

Have you expressed your interest in the Singer National Rally 2011?

Get your Registration Form in now! See page 8 for more details.

SINGER CAR CLUB OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA Inc(To preserve the marque and unite the owners)

Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at the Caledonian Hotel219 O’Connell St, North Adelaide (cnr. Barton Tce).

Meet at 6.30 pm for a great meal or just attend the meetingwhich commences at 7.30 pm

OFFICERS FOR 2010President............................................ Ivan Margitich (08) 8294 5253 (W) 17 Old Drive (08) 8294 5022 (W) Novar Gardens SA 5040 0419 800 799 (M)

Vice President................................... Kevin Keany (08) 8381 6578 (H) 4 Arafura Court (08) 8340 2833 (Office) Hallett Cove SA 5158 0408 893 824 (M) [email protected]

Secretary........................................... Peter Wright (08) 8598 7066 (H) PO Box 254 0419 800 917 (M) Tailem Bend SA 5260 [email protected]

Treasurer........................................... Rob Martin (08) 8284 7947 (H) 1 Thornton Street 0413 216 314 (M) Angle Vale SA 5117 [email protected]

Assistant Secretary........................... Pat Oxley (08) 8365 2820 (H)

Parts Officer .....................................Stephen Bitmead (08) 8254 2716 (H)

Conditional Registration Officers... Rob Martin (08) 8284 7947 (H) Ivan Margitich (08) 8295 5692 (H) Clive Hill (08) 8389 3177 (H)

Committee......................................... Sue Margitich, Arthur Ackland, Sue Matthews, Don Schmook, Drew & Joy Marshman, Denis Moreau, Diane Wright, Pat Oxley, Peter Oxley

Official Photographer.......................Sue Matthews

Auditor.............................................. Drew Marshman, CPA

Web Master....................................... Rob Martin — www.singercars.com.au

Singergram Editor............................ Jeff Vale (08) 7509 0930 (H) PO Box 572 0427 152 029 (M) Greenock SA 5360 [email protected]

SCCA Secretary................................ Andrew Bull (03) 9499 6746& Magazine Editor 9 Burton Crescent [email protected] East Ivanhoe VIC 3079

SINGERGRAM DECEMBER 2010

SEASON’S GREETINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT –

Sue and I wish all members and their Sue and I wish all members and their families a very Happy Festive Season families a very Happy Festive Season and look forward to seeing you all inand look forward to seeing you all inthe New Year with renewed enthusiasm.the New Year with renewed enthusiasm.

Travel safely over the holidays and Travel safely over the holidays and make it a resolution to participate inmake it a resolution to participate inas many Singer events as you canas many Singer events as you canin 2011.in 2011.

IVAN MARGITICHPresident

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR –

THIS issue of Singergram has been delayed somewhat, for which I apologise, but unfortunately I have been laid up with pneumonia, followed by bronchitis and whooping

cough! I haven’t been ill for years and seem to have collected a medley all at once.

I would like to add my best wishes to you all for the Holiday Season and hope there will be more articles forthcoming in 2011.

Please remember, Singergram is not my magazine – it is for all members and is reliant on as many members as possible contributing a few words or photographs from time to time, not just me writing what I can to fill the pages. Unfortunately I cannot devote as much time to this project as my predecessor. With work and family commitments, I find it difficult to assemble a newsy and interesting publication without help from other members.

The December issue is a little lean on content as it seems my requests for a few paragraphs or photographs on our various events (including the Bay to Birdwood) and members’ restoration projects have fallen on deaf ears. Perhaps my emails are still buzzing around in cyberspace! Any articles or photographs of interest to other Singer enthusiasts would be greatly appreciated.

To those of you who have contributed – a big thank you – and I look forward to seeing you and hearing from you all in 2011. A Happy and Safe New Year to everyone.

JEFF VALEEditor


SINGERGRAM is happy to place your For Sale or Wanted ads in this space.

Please email any items suitable for this column to [email protected] but remember to notify the editor when the ad is no longer required.

FOR SALE & WANTED

FOR SALE – I am clearing all my Singer parts, mainly for 9/4AD roadsters, SM1500 and Hunters. I also have an MG Magnette ZA twin carb inlet manifold (1.25” carbies).Ask – I may have it. Sedan parts include radiators, SM1500 rear glass plus a Zenith Carburettor taken off an SM 1500. VW Solex carby – may suit 9 motor. Roadster parts include front axle, side curtain glass and track, back shockers, chromed indicators, electrical and body bits, etc. Drew Marshman, 08 8356 6010, e-mail [email protected].

Singer made first four wheel car in 1905. It was made under licence from Lea-Francis and had a 3 cylinder 1400 cc engine.

The first Singer designed car was the 4 cylinder 2.4 litre 12/14 of 1906. The engine was bought in from Aster.

For 1907 the Lea-Francis design was dropped and a range of two, three and four cylinder models using White and Poppe engines launched.

The Aster engined models were dropped in 1909 and a new range of larger cars introduced. All cars were now White and Poppe powered.

In 1911 the first big seller appeared with the 1100cc Ten with Singer’s own engine.

The use of their own power plants spread through the range until by the outbreak of the World War I all models except the low-volume 3.3 litre 20 hp were so equipped.

A fine is a tax for doing wrong – A tax is a fine for doing well!

_______________________________

Give a man a fish and he will eatfor a day.

Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

VALE – NANCY BROWNIt is with deep regret that we report the recent passing of long time Singer member Nancy Brown.

Harry and Nancy would have been together 50 years at Christmas 2010.

Harry sold his plum Singer Roadster to Drew and Joy Marshman who then sold it on to Arthur Ackland who still enjoys it.

We send our sincere condolences to Harry and all the Brown family.


It is always so very impressive to see such a large number of cars, trucks and motorcycles assembled in one area. Considering that most of these makes are no longer in production, it is great that so many are remembered with affection by so many people.

We queued for a hot breakfast and reviving coffee, then wandered up and down the rows of assorted vehicles. As we passed the various makes and models, Maureen said so many times “Didn’t we have one of those?”. On many occasions I had to answer in the affirmative as we have owned about 55 different cars since we were married nearly 44 years ago!

There was a flurry of dusters and chamois before the first vehicles departed the Adelaide Shores and headed toward the city. There was even an aerial display of old planes to entertain the crowd.

The route was lined with thousands of enthusiastic sightseers and it’s a wonder the hooters didn’t burn out before we reached Birdwood. The weather was perfect for the run and it was great to see so many people dressed in clothing of the appropriate era of their vehicles.

We found the run quite steady this year, though a few participants did experience some unscheduled stops along the way. The RAA and support vehicles were in demand again and most entrants arrived at Birdwood in time for lunch.

On arrival we caught up with fellow enthusiasts Ivan & Sue Margitich, Peter & Pat Oxley and John & Vanessa Eason. I believe other members were in attendance, but with so many people milling around we didn’t get to see them all. Good fellowship, good food and even a glass of good wine to end a great run through the Hills.

We said our farewells and packed up our picnic tables and chairs. All was loaded into the boot and it was time to set off for home.

The ground was very spongy under foot in the paddock where we were parked and – you guessed it – we weren’t going anywhere just yet as the wheels were spinning and our SM seemed to be sinking!

Fortunately there was plenty of help on hand to push us onto firmer ground. Thanks!

Needless to say the next day was spent cleaning in readiness for the next outing.

BAY TO BIRDWOOD 2010 – continued

Ivan Margitich breaks out the picnic hamper from the back of his superb1935 Singer Le Mans at the finish of the 2010 Bay to Birdwood.



A few pictures of a mostmemorable run.


CLAYTON PICNIC DAY – 28 November 2010 by Deidre Solly

I SET OFF for Clayton in my Singer, a ¾ hour leisurely drive, and on arrival was soon joined by many other vehicles. There were about 65 vehicles on display which included

about 20 from the Historic Motor Vehicles Club plus a group of Renaults and the Cadillac Club complete with huge American flags.

Morning tea and a stroll around the vehicles were next on the agenda. Then it was time to open my bonnet for perusal by a HMVC member who had recently purchased a Singer 4AD Roadster from Bendigo.

While engaged in discussion Ivan and Sue arrived in their 4AD and were introduced to Stephen and Vida (new Singer owners). From here we progressed to Ivan and Sue’s Singer, the bonnet was opened and further discussion occurred. Stephen and Vida plan to join the Singer Club.

It was a most relaxing day, no entry fees, no costs, just enjoy the scenery and the company of other vehicle owners. I recommend this day to everyone for next year!

RACV Singer National Rally –Shepparton 2011

Andy Bull and his hard-working team have lined up a fantastic program for the National Rally to be held at Shepparton at Easter in 2011. The latest newsletter states in part ...

Dear Singer Enthusiast,

We are pleased to let you all know that we have well over 100 confirmed attendees for the rally and the rooms at the Country Comfort are filling fast.

With people changing address both physical and email we have tried to contact everyone we can but are sure that 1 or 2 people may have slipped through the cracks. So please ask all your Singer Friends if they intend going. If they haven’t registered and booked accommodation yet please pass onto them the Mooovletter No1 or contact us via the registration form below and we can get it to them. Particularly, please check with anyone who you know doesn’t have email.

Your committee has been working hard finalising the program. The lake opposite rally HQ is full and the Shepparton area is looking fantastic with all the recent rain. The floods you may have seen on the news are subsiding, all our venues for the rally are unaffected by the floods.

We can let you know that we have arranged for our Singers to be an important part of an Easter Parade. This is being held in a beautiful historic country town. We will have lunch at a traditional country pub built in the 1800’s. Also the opportunity to explore the famous Easter Market in the town. You will even be able to explore a POW Museum from WW2.

The feedback from Singer Enthusiasts around Australia for the rally is very encouraging and your rally committee will be in contact with you all in the New Year with more details.

Your 2011 RACV National Rally Committee

Email [email protected] to obtain all the relevant information and a registration form.


ONCE again Maureen and I unwrapped “Black Betty” – our SM1500 – in preparation for a leisurely day out. This time it was

a run to explore Kapunda, organised by the Routes Group.

We live in Greenock in the Barossa Valley, so it seemed a little ‘Irish’ to be driving 25km east to Gawler for the start of a run which finished at Kapunda which is only 15km west of our home town! Nevertheless, it was well worth the extra travel to meet fellow car enthusiasts alongside the banks of the river in Gawler.

There were numerous Humbers and Hillmans on show, but we could only muster two Singers to join the convoy. Besides Maureen and I in our SM1500 Sedan, John and Vanessa Eason arrived in their very distinctive 1937 Singer Nine Special.

There was much bonnet-raising and tappet-talk before the event commenced. The drive was quite sedate – just the way we like it – and there was no fixed itinerary for participants to follow once they arrived at Kapunda. Instead, we were given a list of venues of interest, some of which were opened at special times to accommodate the group. We could visit as many or as few as we liked, with the only stipulation that we all had to meet at the Lutheran Church Hall for lunch.

We certainly enjoyed Kapunda, even though it is just down the road from where we live, and spent most of our time in the Museum – well worth the visit.

The lunch was spectacular! Typical country catering with trestle tables groaning under the weight of a splendid array of finger food. (We’re told the calories leak out once the item is bitten into, thank goodness!)

Our thanks to the Routes Group organisers for such a terrific day out.

Part of the line-up at the start of the run.

John and Vanessa Eason’s 1937 singer Nine Special.


ROUTES GROUP OUTING – Sunday, 7 November by Jeff Vale

THIS group of photographs was sent in by Ivan Margitich. They were given to him by a member of the Volkswagen Club. It is interesting that Singers feature in each of them.

At the time of this Singergram being printed, I have been unable to contact the person who gave these pictures to Ivan, so have published them with the hope of some sort of explanation in the next issue.

OLD PHOTOGRAPHS


MEMBER’S PROFILE Suggested by Pat Oxley

ENCLOSED with this issue of Singergram is a form that I would like you to fill in and return to the Editor as soon as you can.

This information is purely to introduce yourself to other members and perhaps provide some light entertainment! All questions are optional. We’ll start with the Editor....

NAME: Jeffrey Owen Vale

BORN: Yes. 4 November 1947.

BRIEF HISTORY: Born in Leicester, England. Emigrated to Australia in 1959. Grew up in Barossa Valley. Married to Maureen in 1967. Moved around the state - Whyalla, Loxton, Adelaide - then to Perth in 2000. Back to the Barossa in 2007. Have two daughters and three grandchildren.

WHAT DO YOU COLLECT: I’d like to say money, but that’s not the case! Have a small collection of old cameras and movie projectors including my grandfather’s first hand-cranked movie projector from the 1930’s. Also have quite a collection of old silent films - In addition to home movies, have some Pathé newsreels from WWII, Queen’s Coronation, comedy shorts from Our Gang, Buster Keaton, Disney cartoons, etc.

FAVOURITE FOOD: You can’t beat a good roast – preferably with Yorkshire pud made by my mum!!

IDEAL HOLIDAY SPOT: Love lots of England, America and New Zealand but if I had to stay within our shores it would have to be Esperance in WA.

TOP THREE GUESTS YOU WOULD INVITE FOR DINNER: Galileo, Margaret Rutherford, David Attenborough. (That should get a conversation going!)

FAVOURITE MUSIC: Wide range – like all sorts from Country to Classical. Not keen on most operas (can’t understand what they’re on about).

FAVOURITE AUTHOR: Don’t read a lot of books but like Dan Brown and Stephen King.

CLAIM TO FAME: Too many to list (haha). Past President of a Lions Club. Have travelled quite a lot, partidularly UK, USA and NZ. Have restored cars – Morris Minor1000,HT Monaro, Goggomobil Dart and Singer SM1500.

CLAIM TO SHAME: Having a roll of film developed at the local chemist shop and having the young female shop assistant show all and sundry a nude photo of myself that I didn’t know was on that roll of film.

QUOTE TO LIVE BY: Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.

FAVOURITE CAR: My first car – 1947 Triumph Roadster

CAR MOST HATED: New Chrysler 300C (It’s megafugly!)

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE: Nothing that won’t incriminate me!!


CALENDAR OF EVENTSPlease advise the Editor at your earliest if any event is not listed.

Discuss these coming events with fellow members and help make each event truly worthwhile.

Monthly meetings are held at the Caledonian Hotel, O’Connell Street, North Adelaide– 6.30 pm for meals and 7.30 pm for meeting –

201116 Jan Breakfast at the Oxleys – 10am at 1 Hillview Court, Athelstone. Champagne optional!

10 Jan Monthly Meeting – Caledonian Hotel, O’Connell Street, North Adelaide

13 Feb All British Day – Uraidla

14 Feb Monthly Meeting – Caledonian Hotel, O’Connell Street, North Adelaide

Easter Singer National Rally – Shepparton. This is a ‘must-go’ event for all Singer enthusiasts.A fabulous and fun-filled weekend for everyone. Please get your entry in now. Email [email protected] to get all the relevant information and a registration form.

THEGUESS GRILLSUnfortunately I didn’t receive any entries for this competition!!! I’ll have to drink the prize myself !!!

In case you were interested, the correct answers were: A 1931 Singer Super Six; B 1958 Singer Gazelle Series IIA;C 1933 Singer Silent Six; D 1926 Singer Junior; E 1954 Singer Hunter.

A B C

D E

Silver in the Hair

Gold in the Teeth

Crystals in the Kidneys

Sugar in the Blood

Lead in the Ass

Iron in the Arteries

And

an inexhaustible supply of Natural Gas!

I never thought I’d accumulate such wealth

O.M.G., I’m rich!!!! (from Pat Oxley)


singergram vol 23 no 4 mar 2010

Documents

birdwood rally

sue margitich

president sue

h ivan margitich

greenock sa

h po box

singer national rally

rob martin