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GSM CAR CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA
28 June 2005
Newsletter No: 21
Hi all GSM fans and Club members.
Once again we are approaching the time of year that we hold our AGM.
We are now in possession of an audited set of accounts, and we are
still solvent. Our next large expenditure will be for the ten
Flamingo windscreens that have been ordered. I suggest that anyone
wanting one gets in touch with Peanuts, pays his deposit and waits
as fast as he can for delivery. We have not been advised as to the
final cost, but a great effort is being made to keep the price not
too much above R1, 000.00. Incidentally we have windscreen rubbers
at R325.00 each.
The Cars at the Castle show was held on the 12th March. GSM had five
Darts, three Flamingos and a rolling Flamingo chassis complete with
engine and gearbox, courtesy of Bob van Niekerk who fortunately had
the foresight not to connect the prop shaft or supply a battery. Can
you imagine what some of less responsible members, which form about
99% of our membership) would have gotten up to if they could have
driven the chassis? A big thanks you once again to the diligent
members that brought their cars! It is also evident that the
condition of the cars at the shows is improving all the time. Let’s
see what happens next year.
In April we were invited by the Street Rod Club to attend a church
service. They recently lost one of their stalwarts (Gellie
Geldenhuys) in a bad motor accident. The minister was so impressed
with the Street Rods in the resulting funeral procession that he
invited them to a service with their cars, and they extended the
invitation to GSM Club as well. Again we had our regular nine or ten
cars, GSM given pride of place, almost in the church foyer. It
looked tremendous! (Even if I probably am a bit biased). After the
service the clubs went their own ways on a fun run. Thanks to Ronnie
we were able to secure a booking at an awesome restaurant called
Reebokskloof, near Paarl. A fantastic carvery was offered and coffee
outside on the grass. Great day!
While at Reebokskloof, shortly after lunch a new member with a new
car rocked up! John Phillips, a former farmer from Paarl joined us
with his Flamingo he recently went to buy in Durban. This is a car
that belonged to Rory Webster and his wife Sue. This was Sue’s car
she used daily. John has been interested in motorsport for many
years and always wanted a Flamingo. He was loosely associated with
the development of the Assegai sports car still in existence and
finds itself in Portugal. The acquisition of the Flamingo is only
part of Johns dream. He is planning on using the car for more than
just a runabout! Somewhere in the plans he is going to make use of
the services of both Jan Driedijk and Peanuts. Peanuts will be doing
his usual engineering work and Jan the engine and mechanical work.
John however does want to keep his car original. It needs to be for
the other part of his dream? I can almost guarantee nobody will be
able to guess what that is!
John Bam and Jan Diedijk are progressing well on John Bam’s
Flamingo. This car will be a Flamingo, when you look at it. Closer
inspection however will reveal that the running gear and engine will
be Alfa.
This going to be a very interesting car and it is not impossible
that it will be ready for Piper Day 2006 to run in the sports car
race. Good luck John! We are all holding thumbs. While talking about
racing, Johan Walters, who keeps the GSM flag flying high at
Killarney, had a horrific accident during the last race meeting.
Johan, coming up the main straight hit the wall in front of the pits
at approximately 180kms/hr. His car was all but destroyed! He asked
me to tell you guys that you are driving a very safe and strong car!
He was unfortunate to break four ribs, but luckily no bones in his
legs or arms. He is back at work, and preparing one of his other
Darts to race again towards the end of this year. The new car will
have a more powerful motor. He says he wants to go faster!!!
Via the Multicar Club, we may enter two cars at the Show in the No
Wet Classic division on 2nd and 3rd July 2005 at the new Cape
Convention Centre. This will be a Concours d’Elegance. Hopefully we
can get Hein (Flamingo) and Clarry (Dart) to exhibit. Let’s support
them and visit the stands. If I am not mistaken we will need a few
members to man the stands, so please contact Rose if you could spare
a few hours during the weekend. This is going to be a massive show,
mainly of new cars and models, with a Classic division where we will
feature.
The next booking we have made is for the 5th November 2005. Panorama
Wiele skou. At this venue we have lots of space and if we can muster
15 or 20 cars that will be fine. It sounds far off, but it is not.
It was Christmas only,…… it feels like last week. Please contact
Hein, he is the GSM-man for the wiele Skou.
Just in case you need anything for your GSM or any other old car,
The Multicar club will be holding an auction at their club venue in
Parow on 12th June 2005, at 15.00hrs. This is your chance to buy, or
sell peculiar parts for peculiar cars. You will be surprised what
you can find at these old car auctions.
Kind regards and happy GSM motoring until next time and don’t forget
your subs are now due and Gariep Dam Easter 2007.
Our AGM is on the 27 July 2005 at 7.30 for 8.00pm at the Multi Car
Club Parow. See you all there.
Piet van Niekerk |