GSM CAR CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA

4 July 2006
Newsletter No: 25

Hi GSM members and fans

I can’t blame you if you feel a bit neglected! The last newsletter was in March/April, but I think this one might have made the wait worthwhile. I’ll leave you to be the judge!

The “Brunch Run” on 23rd April, apart from rather dreary weather, was a huge success. Clarry and Madge had returned from Greece, and I think that the venue Clarry suggested,(Family Restaurant on the Stellenbosch Road.) proved to have been great! The attendance was better than expected, the venue was good, the food was tremendous and a good time was had by all.

We are thinking of arranging another social outing soon, details will be available soon. Our problem is that not all our members have e-mail, not all check the website and our best results come from contacting each and everyone by phone just before the event. We try our best not to skip anyone, but if you should fall through the cracks, please forgive us. Thanks to our chairman for carrying a considerable telephone bill, and to Rose and Esta for all the phoning to organize reservations, menus, parking and many other things. A large vote of thanks to you from all of us. Please do us a favour, when you are called, kindly check if your buddies have been phoned. That way no one will be left out. Thanks.

Peanuts is working very hard on the GSM Register and the stories about your cars, especially the history, where you bought it and why, who was the first owner, what motor is in the car, is it original? What colour was it, what is it now? If we can have all that it would not only make very interesting reading, it would also enhance the value of your car!

Thanks to an effort by John Damant, we have uncovered some facts and cars that you may have known about, but I certainly did not! John has been following up on some e-mails and traced a Flamingo in Pretoria which has been owned by a father and son since new. The car is Gold, has wire knock-on wheels and is powered by a 2.2 litre Triumph TR 2 motor, with two weber twin choke carbs, a four speed overdrive box and judging by the photos is in beautiful condition.

Thanks to a very long standing friend of mine,. Dennis Wolf, that I have known since before my GSM days, when I owned a TC MG in 1952. He was only six or seven years old then, we found a Flamingo in Tokai! This is a real “basket case” No motor, chassis with some new bits welded into it, more or less in the right places, at Pollsmoor prison, body and Taunus diff behind a stable, doors in a groom’s room, half a grille, but a chassis number! It happens to be a car that was also owned by Victor Peterson in Kuilsriver, and since Peanuts bought his other car, for Rose, what else could he do but buy this one. This is going to be a major restoration job! Good luck Mr Chairman!

Another Flamingo that will be coming to Cape Town from Gauteng, will be a new toy for Willie Meissner Jnr. Willie bought the car from Rudi Appel in Pretoria. He has owned it for twenty or more years, has had it on blocks in storage for about seventeen years and it seems to be in reasonably original condition. Willie intends to use this car as his everyday transport. This car also passed through the hands of Con Joubert from Bloemfontein. Splendid Willie!

Peanuts has gone to a vast amount of trouble to assist members who are in the process of restoring Flamingos. He has had around ten “kits” assembled which consist of all the door-, windscreen-, and rear window rubbers, track rod bushes, panhardrod bushes for one car. Also available, and in the process of manufacture is the original aluminum trim around the door windows and guttering with the rubber insert. Original specification radiators from Radiator King are also to be had. Should make life a lot easier. He spends a few hours every day, after work, sorting out a new Flamingo chassis. He is learning a lot about front and rear shocks and springs. Please give him a call, it can save you hours of battling with something he has already been able to sort out.

John Amm has been very brave, and I think fortunate to buy Dart No 5808. The car has been in Plattekloof for a number of years. A Mr Chris Lotter has owned the car for a long time. He also was instrumental in starting the first “DART” and FLAMINGO CLUB. A forerunner of the GSM Club of SA as we know it today. The car is almost 100% complete and original but needs more than just a bit of work to get it ship shape. Originally the car was bought from TONY KOTZe MOTORS, at 74 Strand Street Cape Town by Mrs Cherry Crisp who raced it at Killarney. At that stage it had the 100E with Willment OHIV conversion that has since disappeared. It now has a 1500cc Ford motor. When Cherry went back to the UK, in 1959 Denis Joubert bought the car, and it was to be his first racing Dart. Since then he has owned and raced many Darts, some light weight cars purposely built for him by the factory. John intends having this car ready for the 2007 Jubileum. We are thinking of you John and are keen to see the finished project. It shold once again be a very good looking car!

While thinking about John Amm, a very big thanks to both him and Neil Lobb for delivering spares to members all over the country. Getting bits and pieces to members restoring cars is a very difficult job. Some parts are too big and heavy to send by post, or to fragile, so the assistance by John and Neil is a tremendous help.

The John Bam Flamingo is almost ready for its new Blue coat of paint. This car will have Alfa running gear and Jan Driedijk suspension. The car is on its wheels. Presently the engine compartment is receiving attention. This should prove to be an interesting car.

John Philips Flamingo has been fitted with a roll cage, which suggests an interesting job awaiting the car. At the moment the car is with a body specialist in Parow, Deon, who has a plan to sort out gel coat stars and cracks. I think he is going to be very busy if his plan works. Let’s hold thumbs!!

Another Flamingo that should appear soon, is the one owned by Andre Knoop. I am sure that this car, judging by the patience displayed by Andre, will be an example the club can be proud of. Andre acquired the car, probably five or more years ago and has had more than his fair share of bad luck, without ever driving the car as far as I know! If I am not mistaken the car arrived from Gauteng and was displayed “For Sale” at a service station in Durban Road., Bellville. This happened before our branch of the GSM Club got going. Apparently a few people were interested but the car invariably changed hands just before an offer could be made. This resulted in a few owners, one of them being Tania Le Roux, the daughter of Gert, who owns the good looking Levy Dart. From reports, the car had been changed and modified to the extent that it was not pleasant to drive. Very soon, it went from one “expert” to another, without much improvement! The less said about that part of its history the better! Andre however persevered! Some progress has however has been made. It is one again receiving attention and hopefully Andre will enjoy driving it before the Jubileum! They are pleasant and good looking cars and I am sure you will have lots of fun and become a proud owner.

Last year Fritz le Roux sadly passed away before he was able to get started on the restoration of his Dart. Although we knew he was suffering from cancer, he lead a very active life with a vast range of interests such as building and renovating houses in Somerset West before reselling them again. Unfortunately his condition suddenly changed and Gabby, his wife, was left on her own. Our deepest sympathy…….

A few weeks ago another valuable member of our little club, Ivan Liebenberg died in his sleep. Ivan retired from Technichrome in Bellville some two years ago to go and live in Mosselbay. He would have loved to restore a Dart, but didn’t get the chance. Ivan was a very special friend to Peanuts and often assisted the club by quietly donating funds to allow the club to offer its members a few free drinks. Ivan will be missed by all who knew him. Our sincere sympathy to his family.

In closing this long, possibly disjointed news letter, a few dates to remember!

Remember the Annual General Meeting on 26th July at 19.30 for 20.00 at the Multicar Club Hall in Parow. All members must attend

Piet van Niekerk

Dates to remember :-

Birthdays :-

Vehicles for sale :-