GSM CAR CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA

6 November 2001
Newsletter No: 6

Hi all GSM fans

Don't know about you but I can't believe its almost Christmas again! Since out last newsletter things have been happening in your little club.

Firstly we used the money in the bank to have GSM T-shirts made, most of which have been sold. at a small profit and when they are all sold, we will embark on a project of having some Golf-shirts made. We make about R5.00 on a shirt because the volumes that we order dont realy allow us to demand much of a discount, but gradually we hope to work up to items that are more fancy, like Windbreakers for instance.

Our last newsletter invited you to what was to be our first attempt at a club outing, at the smallholding of Les Boshoff, in Joostenbergvlakte. The weather however proved to be a bit otherwise and lots of members chickened out, as was to be expected. The 9th September was not such a good day weatherwise.

At the sametime we got Dave and Esther Brown to plot a Mini-rally for us, and we actually had two entrants competing! If I remember correctly the run was about 30km's and took about an hour. Congratulations to Julia, Gloria & John the winners of the run and Rosemary & Patricia for coming second. Quite a battle I believe! Thanks to the Browns for the trouble and expense they went to. It is certainly much appreciated and I am sure that next time, with better weather we will have more entrants. The about 30 people who attended, what was to be a party for Bob's birthday, were more than surprised by the "red carpet treatment" laid on by Marge and Les Boshoff! As you arrived, a glass of sherry was offered and a sitdown braai at a long table, complete with table cloths, to seat at least fifty people with the most scrumptous salads was served! All this under cover, amongst beautiful Fords, Chevs, NYPD Plymouths, Jeeps, bakkies of various makes and vintages. Willie Visagie braved the elements and braaied all the meat beautifully! Thanks Willie! In order to show our genuine appreciation Peanuts found a sponsor for a lovely glass vase, with GSM engraved on it.

At this outing, we had three cars, Hein van der Watt's Flamingo, Sidneys Dart, and John Amm brought his Dart on a trailer! This is a very interesting car. It was brought from Zimbabwe, without a motor, with plenty of evidence that it was once a race car. The engine mountings seem to indicate that it was Climax engined at some stage. The light metalic blue car also has a perfectly shaped Dart boot lid, but it is made of metal. Anyone got any ideas of this cars history? Keith Johnson from Barrydale came all the way with some supporters to attend this party. He bought a Dart in Diep River, near Bergvliet in Cape Town, and we believe that this car was originally owned by Tony Kotzé and was the first Dart to be entered in a 9 hour race,. still at Grand Central.

Since the above outing we were invited by the Cape Street Rod Club to take part in a breakfast-run to Suikerbossie in Hout Bay on 21st October 2001. This, has definately been our most successful event, and we thank the Street Rod guys on your behalf, for including us in their agenda. Together with them, we started from the Multi-Club clubhouse in Parow and the Constantia shopping Centre, driving in a long convoy of probably close to one hundred Street rods and eleven GSMs, consisting of seven Darts and four Flamingos, with their owners and their supporters. Once again about thirty fans were carried to our destination at Suikerbossie. After a delicious breakfast, we took all eleven cars to Bob's house and we took some fabulous photos, courtesy of Nadia le Roux. These photos will be at our next event, where you can place orders should you feel like it. Copies can be made very economically, thanks to Andrews Sickler's lady friend. All the cars ran beautifully and got home safely. A vote of thank to Chris Walters and his Chairman, Roy Robertson.

Before we tell you of our next event, we would like to welcome a few new members. From Somerset West, we have John and Pat Engelbrecht with a beautifull dark blue Dart, bought from Frost Bros. in Knysna. This car is almost the same colour as Clarry Taylor's car, also very pretty, that is now on the road and running. From Robertson, we have Louis Buys, not only is he member number 50 but he has a Flamingo, purchased from Louis Botha in Bloemfontein, and a Dart ex Hilton Inggs in Knysna. The Flamingo was a rally car and the Dart, a very early car was raced in Cape Town by Tim Jordaan. We are doing our best tracing the history of these cars. Anybody that comes across any info, please pass it on. From Australia, although he does not own a car yet, we have Gary Gray. He is an ex-Capetonian who was Reggie Biggs's pit mechanic in the days when your Chairman was still a little boy. I think it is appropriate to mention that since he started stirring this Club, not even two years ago, no less than sixteen cars, in various stages of repair have been "unearthed" or found around the Western Cape. Thank you Peanuts! Keep up the good work. I have a idea the value of your toys has also increased tremendously, thanks to him. In Bellville, not a new member but an owner of a Dart and a Flamingo is Joe Booysen. Come on Joe, get these cars on the road please.

Now, at our next event, on the 25th of November, just around the corner, we would like to set our target on fifteen cars! We have booked for twenty cars, mainly but not only GSMs, for a "brunch" at the Spier wine estate. Most of our members will find this a fairly central point. We have arranged to meet at PJ's, a restaurant at 94 van Riebeeck Road Kuils River at 9.30 on the 25th, coffee and champagne will be available there. Then at about 10.15 we will drive to Spier, where parking has been arranged for between 15 and 20 cars. At Spier's "Tuck Shop" you may then purchase a basket of food and wine which can then be enjoyed on the lawns under the trees and a lot of talking can be done. Unfortunately you may not bring anything to eat or drink. It must be bought at Spier. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Now some general news. Janin van Niekerk, Bob's daughter and John Engelbrecht are working on a Website for the Club, that will have photos, stories , all the newsletter, technical info and who wants to buy or sell what! Sounds absolutely great! This will be available soon.

Thanks to Sandy Brunette, we now have a complete parsts list for the Darts, early and later ones, also details about shocks for your cars. This can be very valuable.

Derick Tessner has built and will offer for sale, a 1/24 model of a Dart with hard & open top. This he has done for the Slot Car Fraternity & a Flamingo will follow shortly.

Fritz Le Roux was overseas and could not attend Bobs party, but I will try to get him to Spier. This man was involved with GSM from the start and should prove a very valuable source of info.

All that remains, is wishing you and yours COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON! from Peanuts, Rose and Piet. Spier will be the last get together for 2001. Take care over the festive season, see you at Spier, then in 2002.

Kind Regards,
Piet van Niekerk