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GSM CAR CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA
28 January 2006
Newsletter No: 23
Hi GSM Fans,
The last newsletter wished you compliments of the season, just the
other day….and already we are at the end of January 2006! How many
shopping days to Christmas? Just goes to show that 2007 is around
the corner!
Following up on our last newsletter, the Panorama show was another
great success. Thanks Hein. The GSM gazebo, supplied by George
Sickler was a blessing. Although we had to tie it down to the hedges
and fences, it kept us well sheltered from the unrelenting sun. All
our regular exhibitors turned up again, and our albums created a
large amount of interest. I never cease to be surprised by the level
of interest and the nostalgia generated by our photos and newspaper
clippings. Thanks Peanuts for painstakingly putting them together.
Those albums are absolutely invaluable!
Our Christmas party was tremendous. Fortunately I don’t have to go
into too much detail, because everybody was there! Close to 75
people turned up, and I hope it will teach you not to miss the next
one if you weren’t there! Too much lovely food! Everyone went home
with a doggybag! Thanks Rose, Esta, Martie, Gloria and Marion. Apart
from the eats and drinks and just talking to everybody, the club was
able to “officially” thank all the members we rely on all year
round. Who bring and fetch their cars to all our shows so
religiously! Beautiful Merit awards were handed to Hein, Clarry,
Sidney, Mias, John Engelbrecht, Zim, Jeff Simpson, Peanuts, Gert and
myself. Rose and Esta were not left out, they were also assured that
we all appreciate the time and effort they put in, often at times
they would really rather be doing something else!
Our website has been updated during the last week, and we have had
tremendous feedback from Nico de Lange in Gauteng. Thanks Nico, and
thanks Martin and Tracey, our webmasters in P.E.!
The Website will bring you up to date on the latest WORLDWIDE SILVER
JUBILEE developments via the minutes of a meeting held at Peanut’s
home beginning 2006. I am convinced we are going to have an
unforgettable event, but it is not going to happen on its own, lots
of elbow grease, sweat and tears will still be required. Let’s not
forget that it’s no good doing the right things…..if the right
things are not done right! Reminds me of the saying….its not what my
club can do for me, but what I can do for my club! Car Magazine
wants to road test a GSM Dart and a GSM Flamingo & Levy Dart. These
tests are to be published during 2007, hopefully just before our
event. Obviously we well have to supply cars that can stand up to
very critical scrutiny. We cannot afford to have negative comment,
even though our cars will be all of half a century old! They will be
compared to Austin Healey, MG’s, TR2’s and the rest………. You will
notice the reference to Worldwide; it will be fantastic if we can
have Ted Carden and Eddy Perk at our show, with their cars!
In closing, we are again allowed to use “our” regular Boma at
Killarney for the Historic Classic Racing on the weekend of 11/12th
February. Bring your own meat, chairs and liquid refreshments, and
your GSM’s please, coals will be provided, shade as well!
At Zwartkops, Peter du Toit will have five of his Darts and
Flamingos racing. Peter, one of our new members, he has just joined
our Cape Town chapter of the GSM Club, also is the owner of
Zwartkops race circuit. He has been a staunch GSM supporter for many
years and he and his sons and Fanie Viljoen have raced Darts in
Gauteng for a long time, successfully! He has indicated that he may
bring an early (’58) Dart to race in Cape Town, in the Historic
event. As he and his sons drive Chevrons and other exotic historics
he will obviously be very busy during that weekend, but we will try
to get him to the Boma at some stage. During the weekend of the
4/5th February he has a variety of people driving his Darts,
including the 5FM DJ Sasha Montenegro!
Johan Walters who normally keeps the local GSM flag flying in his
indecently fast yellow Dart will not be ready for the event. He has
recovered from his contact with the pitwall at around 160km/h, but
the car has not. Still about two months to go before we see him back
on the circuit after a major rebuild!
A bit of good news, Rudi Appel, (tel.0128110255) has a blue 1964
Flamingo for Sale. The car is running, and he has just spent
R17000.00 on the engine and mechanicals. All the lights and hubcaps
are there, but the body needs some attention. He will sell for
R30,000.00. Phone him. It sounds like a good opportunity to have a
car at the Jubilee!
See you at Killarney soon, kind regards.
Piet van Niekerk |