GSM CAR CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA

Newsletter No: 4
13 March 2001

Dear GSM owners and enthusiasts

Since the last newsletter in November, we have had a few new applications for membership, but the flood has abated. Although we don’t normally make a whole production of new members. I would like to welcome as a new member someone who, for a long time, was only on the fringes of GSM and I would like to see his involvement become "total".

Not only did he embark on a project of reviving the GSM Dart, but he also made small changes to the moulds to bring the cars "up to date" in 1981, and actually built about 14 cars. These cars were considered "replicas" by the purists, and did not get the recog­mtion that I personally thought they deserve. Well, time marches on and twenty years down the road, there are a number of his cars still running and as they have become classics in their own right, we have decided to recognise them as part of our GSM marque. I am ofcourse talking of Jeff Levy, who now lives in Potchefstroom. Please Jeff let us have your story, in writing and some pictures aswell, we need it for our archives and the historical collection Peanuts is busy constructing.

Now, what a Club we have? Almost a year old and we have never had a meeting! I suppose at the first meeting you guys and dolls will kick out the Chairman and Secretary. At least we have had a few really great socials! Well, we are working on another social, and then will set aside some time for a meeting, or should we arrange a meeting and set time aside for a social. Take you pick! More about that soon. Just as a teaser, we are thinking of a "bring & braai" at a rural venue, with some other interesting happening aswell.

The motoring press is giving the Cape Street Rod Nationals on the March 14 April a fair amount of publicity, and we will be there, so please let us show the public what a young enthusiastic GSM club can do!

The Multimotor Club are arranging a Safari for cars manufactured prior to 1981. Two starting points will be used for the 80km run, one at the Parow North Clubhouse, and one at Constantia Village Shopping Centre. The starting time is 9.00 on 20 May 2001. A route map will be provided, and a static display will be the end result at the River Club in Observatory. There will also be an Auction at round noon for people who want to sell one of their cars. Anyone interested, please call Peanuts for more info.

Since writing the above. Rosemary, our very efficient and patient typist has received some very interesting e-mails. tracing two genuine Darts in New York, and one highly modified Delta in British Columbia, Canada.

The Darts, one in the hands of Rodger Martin and the other owned for many many years by Ed Rossler.

Rodger Martin, a Marine Architect, had a Dart before, but was unlucky enough to loose it in a fire that also destroyed his home in America. That car was #6312. Rodger was in South Africa recently and bought another car, #5917, Steyntjie Steyn in Bloenifontein and has shipped it over to Rhode Island where he lives.

Ed Rossler, formerley from Johannesburg has #5913 which he and his brother raced very succesfiilly in the early sixties. His brother actually won the class C Sportscar Championship in that car in 1962. They then went to England in 1963, shipped the car out. in 1966. The car was then stored until 1970. and then he says the history is somewhat sad. We are writing to him to find out what happened and will keep you posted.

Peter Gough won the overall Sports Car Championship and Class E in 1965 also in a 1000cc engined car.

Rodger Martin has been in touch with a Len Drake, who owns the Delta and is going to restore it. We will endeavour to get the story on this little car as well.

Thanks again in closing, to all that attended the Historic Killarney meeting on 20 February. especially Hein, Zim, Sidney and Bob. Please guys and dolls get your cars mobile. The public are hungry to see them!

By the way, our Chairman Peanuts went in for a operation but is now on the road to recovery.

Kind regards
Piet