GSM CAR CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA

Newsletter No 29
13 May 2007

Hi all you GSM “Petrol heads”

The last newsletter said we were only five months away from our Jubileum? Guess what? Time marches on……, and now we are ONLY 130 days away! That gives exactly 18 weekends!

We have managed to secure our event to take place on Monday 24th September 2007. Not only is that a significant date, being Heritage Day, (What better day could have been chosen for an event such as our marques 50th birthday? A genuine South African heritage happening!!!!!!). This was sanctioned by Mr. Johann Rupert himself, to take place at his new museum on L’Ormarins!

Apart from being a very busy man, Mr. Rupert, as was his late father, is very involved in S.A. Heritage in all forms, such as art, music, historic building, etc... Therefore this day will be an extremely busy day for him personally and he will probably have to fly to Cape Town from somewhere in the world to be with us.

We are very grateful that he has granted us the privilege of using L’Ormarins and its facilities as a venue, and has expressed the wish of being present in person as well!

We sincerely hope that he can arrange his schedule to attend out function as a most welcome and honored guest.

THANK YOU MR RUPERT FROM ALL OF US!!!!!!

In an earlier Newsletter, possibly a year or more ago, we roughly set out a programme of events, which commenced with:

1. Friday 21st, A process of registration/arrival afternoon/evening, (arrival if you wish) Welcoming and cocktails etc:
    

2. Saturday 22nd, Display of cars Darts, Flamingo and *Proteas in the parking or other suitable area. Owners of cars to be present to provide information to guests.
   
   *The Protea, also a fiberglass S.A. manufactured sports car preceded the Dart by a few months in 1957. Mr. Rupert owns one, and he would like Mr. John Myers, its designer, to be included in the Jubileum. I am not aware of a Protea Club, so if you know of any Proteas, please invite them too. Later we can arrange a short scenic drive through the nearby passes for the benefit of our up-country visitors. Dinner and speeches that night.
    

3. Sunday 23rd, Possibly a day at Killarney, a few laps of the circuit, and a braai for lunch with prize giving.
     

4. Monday 24th, Photos of cars and owners back at L’Ormarins with Bob van Niekerk before departure.

When this was proposed it was mentioned that nothing was cast in stone, and changes could and probably will be made, as was done by including Proteas.

We will be having our Annual General Meeting soon, first week in June, Please work on a programme that you think would be an improvement and it could be debated and finalized at the AGM. We would also welcome suggestions of what “pack” to give delegates at the registration/welcoming on Friday.

Please remember this is a ONCE ONLY event. We are fortunate to have a 78 year old surviving member of the trio that designed the cars. A photo of Bob and you at your car, signed by him, could be quite unique, never to be repeated. Genuine Africana if you like!
Any one that misses this event will be sorry in time to come!

Just by the way, I am around when the first car was built, and if anyone at that stage would have suggested a possible Jubileum celebration fifty years later, I think that poor sole would have been certified! My point is think ahead….! What about another fifty years later? The cars are receiving far better care and treatment than when they were new, so if they lasted fifty years, they certainly will last another fifty!

Many thank also to Car magazine for all its assistance, and Michelle Lupini of CLASSIS CAR AFRICA!

Peanuts and Rose have just returned from an extensive visit to the Eastern Cape. Armed with phone numbers and addresses of GSM members and friends they managed to confirm the existence of at least twelve GSMs. Some cars were actually seen, others were spoken about, but the enthusiasm of the GSM crowd was very encouraging!

Peanuts if spending many frustrating hours on the GSM register, doing a fantastic job of tracing the history of all the cars. Please don’t get me wrong when I use the word frustrating. It is not meant to dampen anyone’s spirit, but he will write about a blue Dart/Flamingo that belongs to Mr. A, when Mr. C will phone and say “No that’s hogwash! That was my car and it was always green!” I believe that once we have the register sorted, it will and can only add value to your pride and joy!

At present it seems that most if not all the cars and its in that area (Eastern Cape) will be making their way to the Jubileum. Some under their own steam and some not, but they will be there!

We are working hard on the KZN crowd, and we certainly desperately need all the members and their cars in the North to attend as well!

Peanuts and I are thinking of a visit to Johannesburg/Pretoria at the end May. Will it be possible to arrange a meeting of all GSM members/friends/acquaintances at Swartkops for a braai? We can arrange a venue with Peter du Toit. Or are there better suggestions? Please advise. Phone Rose 021 9302852. Please.

The transporter plan has not been dropped, but we have not been able to come up with an economical or practical solution. If any one can suggest a sponsor or benefactor it will be appreciated tremendously!

Now, accommodation! Time is running out! Esta Brown, a lady on our committee has access to vast amount of info regarding guest houses and B&Bs near Franschhoek. She can be phoned on 082 733 9916. This is not far from L’Ormarins.

Fortunately we also have members who are prepared to accommodate visitors in their homes. This obviously will work on first come, first served basis, so don’t snooze, cause then you will loose! I am prepared to assist with bookings and arrangements as well.

We have also made contact with a gentleman who owns a cream Dart with a maroon hood, virtually under our noses. This car is unknown as it has not been seen by many people. The car is in Queenstown at present but should be back soon. I would love to see it and possibly trace its previous history. It apparently is in good condition.

“The Real GSM Story” is the name of the book by Sandy Brunette. Need I say more? It will be about 230 pages, with plus minus 160 pictures, and it will sell for R250.00. The good news is 25 have already been sold. The printers should have it soon, and once again faithful old Peanuts has come to the rescue and has promised to carry the can if the printers have to be paid! A numbered edition of 1000 will be on sale on 1st September 2007. Peanut’s reads slowly, it will take him the rest of his life if he has to read 975 books, so lets have your orders please. You will not be disappointed!

Auto Cape Show at the CTICC will take place on the 23 and 24th June 2007. It is the third time around and has always been well attended. John Damant, Hein van der Watt and John Engelbrecht have been requested to have their cars on display this year. Showing a car or two that has not been seen before would make a change. Let’s not over expose a particular car, or harass the owner too much! OK?

As far as progress is concerned, not too much to report, John Bam has his Flamingo in the painting stages. Knowing John it will not come out of there until it is perfect. Peanuts has two Flamingos on their wheels, one for his wife and the other for Colin Smit. Ronnie Roberts is working, and so is Dave Brown. I think Dave will beat Ronnie to the post! Any Bets?

In closing I would like to thank all the members that responded to the request for paying subs early. Thanks very very much. Now how about the rest of you guys? There is still a large amount of money tied up in spares as well!

Finally, the L’Ormarins Museum was officially opened on the 6th May. Two persons from each club were invited to attend. Peanuts and Hein van der Watt represented our club, and Sandy Brunette and I attended as ex- or old racing drivers if you like. (See web page for photos) This is undoubtedly a world class museum and should be seen. There are four large halls, with twenty cars in each, very well displayed. There are also enough cars, (another about 120 not on display) to be able to rotate displays. This will happen on a quarterly schedule, so that you will not see the same cars each time you visit! A restaurant will open soon, and I believe you may take a picnic basket and enjoy your day on the lawn. GSM Club members enjoy R50.00 entry, while members of the public pay R60.00 each and R30.00 for children. There is a large selection of not only rare historic cars with a history, but also some exotic Ferraris, Porches and Mercs. South Africa can be proud of this museum and it certainly will attract overseas tourists.

Kind GSM regards, go well, and see you at the AGM.

Piet van Niekerk