Hi All GSM fans,
 
After an unusually quiet time, a recent communication either a newsletter or flash went out inviting you on a run to Darling. Darling is of course the home of Evita Bezuidenhout at the Perron, or old railway station. Evita is not only the most famous white woman in South Africa, but also the South African Ambassador to the independent homeland of Bapetikosweti. Born in the Orange Free State as Evangelie Poggenpoel, this lady from Bethlehem, has become a celebrity of note. Not only is she connected with the present South African president and parliament, but she has been to America, and has been photographed with virtually every roll model in the world, from Pik Botha, Bishop Tutu, Chris Barnard, Mandela and Princess Diana and the queen. We were entertained to a wonderful buffet lunch, Bobotie, and then her show of Xmas in July. Not a cheap outing, but thoroughly enjoyable. Browsing through her Museum (Nauseum as she calls it) with all the apartheid political stuff is quite amazing. I shall go again soon, to see some of the other shows. I thought only a few people would attend, but we ended up with three full tables of GSM members, about 26 in total, with some new members also attending with their wives. Only a few GSM cars pitched, the weather turned out good, but looked ominous earlier on, which could explain why we had more limos than GSM cars.

On the 8th August 2009 we enjoyed a run to Villiersdorp. Once again the weather was suspect. It didn’t look like rain, but it was cold. Only 16 degrees in Cape Town, and that is not while you are moving and exposed to the wind. The top of Franschhoek pass was really something else. Real cold. Never the less we had three Darts and four Flamingos.

Deon and Annatjie Smit, I think, took their Flamingo on its maiden run to Darling. Colin Smit took Janine and both children to Darling and Villiersdorp in their Flamingo. Judging by the smiles, everyone was happy and enjoyed the cars. Clarry and Madge took the Meissner Flamingo to Villiersdorp, while his Dart was driven by his son Adrian. Peanuts took his Dart to Darling, but visited Villiersdorp with Rose’s Flamingo. Colin allowed me to take his recently acquired Dart (ex Vic Levin) to the Tractors show. All I can say is that it is really a lovely car, comfortable, stable and a pleasure to drive, even open, without its hardtop. It has made me change my mind, and I can’t wait to get my car going. It should be completed possibly by year end. I will use it without the hardtop until I have that ready.

Andre Knoop joined the Darling run, and is seriously looking for someone to complete his Flamingo as soon as possible. Clarry is doing a fantastic job in Denis Joubert’s Dart, it will look like and drive like a brand new car when complete. After that Clarry will start work on his Flamingo, and “clean up” his already clean Dart. Quite soon we are going to have a large collection of immaculate GSMs.

On the 5th of September Bob will be celebrating his 81st birthday. We have not been on a breakfast run for a while and thought it would be an ideal opportunity to take Bob and Laurette to Suikerbossie in Hout Bay on Sunday 6th September for breakfast. Suikerbossie is close to Bobs home and they serve a wonderful full English breakfast for R65.00 per person. Please phone or e-mail Rose before Friday the 28 August if you want to join us. It can then be arranged where and what time we can meet. Our first breakfast/braai at Killarney for Bob’s birthday was nine years ago. I remember we had Bob’s Flamingo, his Dart, Sidney’s Dart and Gert le Roux’s Levy Dart. Since then the scene has changed dramatically. Four cars at an event have changed, and the values of GSM’s have skyrocketed. Not a bad investment you guys have made. I don’t know of any share or property that has grown like the value of your GSM. All this is due to the Jubilee, the book and our runs and Xmas dinners, and loads and loads of elbow grease and hard work, not only by you, the members but also the club executive.

These shows have done a lot to keep our little band of 70 odd members, as they spend weekends away at venues and lots of memories are made driving to the various destinations in convoy.

Kroonendal Cars in the Bay has been Important because we felt a car show in Hout Bay without GSMs will be a sin, because the only living originator of the GSMs lives in Hout Bay, and is well known in the community. This show, although not as big as George, has been rather popular and successful because it is well organized, cars are displayed with enough space in-between so that you can move around it and see it properly, and tremendous period music is played all day long over a good PA system.

Earlier this year our Chairman and his wife did a tour around the Republic of SA. and visited various Cars in the Park at Zwartkops, Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg. This made him think that we in the Cape should have more shows, a larger variation, at different venues, and why should we not have the biggest/largest car show in RSA in the mother city?

Together with the Multicarclubs Secretariat, The Crankhandle Club and Kroonendal, they have decided to have a show that would beat all shows in Cape Town, once a year. Keeping in mind that indoor venues are not available and our weather cannot be trusted, it was decided to have this show in summer, close to year-end so this year it will be on November 15th in Parow, at the Jan Burger Sport Park and Northerns Rugby fields.

This show will alternate with Hout Bay, 2009 in Parow and 2010 in Hout Bay etc., The Rotary will assist at the gates and money would benefit various charities as suggested by Rotary.

The show will be huge. HUGE. There will be more than 1000 cars all pre 1978. Food stalls, spare parts stalls, wine and beer, music, Police dog show, Fire Dept demonstration, slot cars, radio controlled cars, Killarney racing cars on display, Street Rods, Classics and Vintage motor cycles, stationary engines, tractors and model car exhibits and spitbraais.

GSM decided they will have their annual Concourse at this show, now it seems that 8 clubs will have their Concourse on the same day. Our GSM Concourse will be divided up in three groups:
1. GSM Dart
2. GSM Flamingo
3. Levy Dart

The Concourse will be judged by the GSM owners who have their car on display. Hein van der Watt will be in charge of the Concourse. Trophies will be handed out on the day. We need to show our cars with a good display. Any one with idea can let us know and help with the layout.
Trophies will be handed out for the best club display by the organizes. John Amm kindly lent us the double gazebo to take to the George Show and we are hoping to borrow it again. (Hint-hint- John)

At the entrance fee of R20.00 it is a one day show not to be missed. It is going to be BIG. Peanuts is going to need assistance, it’s a staunch and brave effort and he is calling all volunteers to come and assist. Please phone Rose and tell her where and what you would like to do. THIS SHOW WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE 15TH NOVEMBER 2009.

Just before the show, on the Friday evening 13th November we will be enjoying our Annual Christmas Dinner. This will be held at the Pot Belly Restaurant on the R44, a kilometer outside Klapmuts. The cost is R120.00 per person. The cost would have been R170.00 per head but we have received 5 sponsors namely: Clive Spolander, Deon Smit, Colin Smit, The GSM Club and Fouche Engineering. Wayne Harley has kindly offered to sponsor the wine. No alcohol can be brought in as there will be a cash bar available. There will be seating for 80 people. Annatjie and Deon are in charge of the arrangements.
Events:

1. Suikerbossie 6 September 2009 – R65.00 per head- phone Rose by 28 August 2009
2. Whales & Wheel Show – 26 September 2009 – Advice whether your GSM will be there.
3. Fish & Chips – October – 30 People only – date to be advised.
4. Christmas Party – Pot Belly – 13 November 2009 – R120.00 per head.
5. Classic Cape Car Show – 15 November 2009
6. The Cape South Easter – 6th, 7th February 2010.
7. The George Motor Show – 13th , 14th February 2010.

STOP PRESS:

Clive Spolander has bought Flamingo # 64054. Another Flamingo in Cape Town. Thank you Clive and Theresa
Alf Todd’s Hayden Dart is for sale. R65,000.00.
John Bams Hayden Dart V8 is for sale: R95,000.00
Andre Knoop’s Hayden Dart is for sale: R80,000.00
John Amm has two GSM Darts for sale: Phone Rose.

Regards
Piet