GSM CAR CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA

Newsletter No 27

2 February 2007

Here we are in 2007! January has been! Only 335 days to Christmas! Scary? No not really. What is scary is that we are only eight and a bit months away from our Golden Jubileum!

Slowly, the plan is coming together! We have had tremendous coverage from Car in their February issue. This issue will become a collector’s item, and we are very fortunate to feature so prominently in this particular issue. As a club, I would like to extend a special and large THANK YOU to CAR and the people who made it possible. Here I am including not only CAR, but also the members of the GSM Club that have put up with all my frequent requests to attend “photo shoots” all over the peninsula at often very odd and inconvenient times.

Not only do cars have to be prepared and cleaned, but their owners have to take time off, and spend considerable amounts on the ever increasing petrol price. All I can say once again is THANKS GUYS!!!!! Without your patience and cooperation it would not have worked.

In the same vein, I would like to bring thanks to Stuart Johnson as well. I am sure most if not all of you saw the Car Torque broadcast on Sunday 28th January. This was aired at 12.30, thanks to the cricket. I am convinced that it was a better time slot than the usual later in the afternoon, because not only motoring fans, but also cricket fans saw it during the test lunch interval.

Stuart is an expert on GSM and its products. Thanks Stuart. Great photos and commentary.

Then, that’s not all! Koos Roets has completed his 58 minute documentary for Supersport! We are not sure when that will be broadcast, but he will let us know. This program is very good! I have seen an advance version, combining the GSM anniversary with that of Lotus 7, which incidentally is also fifty years old in 2007. Here you will see interviews with Peanuts and Stirling Moss and Colin Chapman.

Once again we managed to parade eleven cars at the Timour Hall Saturday exhibition. A hug thanks to Peanuts, Sidney and Trevor, Geoff Simpson, Whitey Geldenhuys with his very pretty V8 Rover Flamingo, Zim and Martie, Jaci van Niekerk, Hein van der Watt, Clarry Taylor, Mias, Vic Levine and Gert le Roux.

Whilst I was rather disappointed by the spectator and exhibitor turnout, I will admit that I have never seen more photos taken of especially the GSM cars! The spectators also included a large sector of visitors from abroad that had never seen or heard of GSM’s before. I understand that Sunday was a very busy day and we could have had far greater exposure if we could have been included then. (See the website for photos soon) I am told that Classic Car Africa will feature a Dart and a Flamingo on its next cover!

Before I mention a few important dates, I would like to tell you about The V8 Rover Flamingo of Whitey’s. This is a “new car” he rescued from Stellenbosch a few years ago. Apparently it was yellow and spent some years in a container. Installing the balanced and modified Rover V8 is a work of art. It also makes the right noise! It is not quite like Whitey would like it yet, but almost there. I think it is orange, with a purple glitter. An awesome colour. Should be a magic car when sorted!

Can’t wait to see John Bam’s car either! Blue Alfa engined and sourced Flamingo, suspension and all.

That makes four ‘new’ Flamingos if we include the one Willie Meissner brought down from Gauteng, and John Phillips’s car from Durban.

And that’s not all. Clarry Taylor is also making plans to restore a Flamingo. This car is presently not in good shape in the estate of the late Dave Acheson. Dave sadly passed away towards the end of 2006. A major job which Clarry faces if he succeeds in procuring the car. Nobody better to do the job though!

Now, just a few interesting dates:

Thursday 8th February. Drive through Cape Town with two overseas classic cars at lunch time. Two Darts and one Flamingo. Clarry, Geoff and Piet van Niekerk.

Friday 9th February: Huge CAR MAGAZINE party in Johannesburg. Tim du Toit’s Dart into the venue. A very neat Dart in daily use.

Sat 10th and 11th: The same “boma” we have been using for the last 6 years. There is shade, a cement floor, viewing deck, a braai facility with plenty wood and coals & grid thanks to Peanuts, even a tap with running water has been added! All you need bring is meat, chairs and liquids refreshments.

During the lunch interval a Classic car procession is planned. All the cars will be on the track at the same time. MG’s together, TR 2’s together, Healeys etc. We would like as many GSM’s on the track. We have our own parade. How about it guys? Can we rely on you once again? I sincerely hope so!

All the classics will be allowed in the centre of the circuit. Probably arranged in groups. They are planning to cultivate this into a lawned area. Probably to early now, but sounds good. Multicar Club is also showing interest! Is this a sign of greater things to come?

Looking forward to seeing you at Killarney!

Cheers
Piet van Niekerk