GSM CAR CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA

8 July 2004
Newsletter No: 17

Hi GSM fans

Well folks, compiling the newsletter is great fun! This WP section of the GSM club has worked fairly well, I think. It has been an honor and a pleasure being part of the trio looking after the club business the last 4 years.

Without going into lengthy detail, most of the original members know that it was the passion we shared for GSM. Peanuts was eight years old when his father joined the firm. He grew-up with GSM. Although I was never really part of it, I was already there.

I thought we tried our best, not worry too much about formalities such as the constitution. We took over the name ONLY of the club, no infrastructure, no money; nothing and we built what is there. During this time, I think we sort of resurrected the interest in GSM, (many shows and exhibitions) and raised the market value of your cars considerably. I thank you all for helping us with that, because we could not do it without your assistance.

Since the end of last year it became clear that we needed a constitution. I was aware that one existed, the one formed in 1978, and a new one was thus unnecessary, I thought. What it said did not interest me, but I suppose if someone forked out R150,00 a year for membership fees, that someone had the right to know where his money went and what was likely to happen to it.

We have had a meeting to follow-up on the one at Bob’s home, once again the register was signed by just short of fifty people, an old constitution was obtained and discussed, and it is being refined to suit present conditions. Once the draft is ready it will be discussed at another meeting and who knows what will happen after that.

The 2004 AGM was held at the Multi Car club hall on 23 June, a few new arrangements were made. If they work, which I sincerely hope they do, it will take a load of our shoulders in some instances. May I also respectfully remind you that our year starts on the 1 July and that subs are now due.

The main aim of the club should obviously be to promote GSM cars in every possible way, not forgetting to enjoy ourselves whilst doing so. This brings us to compile a register of all cars, running or otherwise.

Peanuts has started with this register, and Bob van Niekerk suggested that each car be rated on a percentage point as to originality. This to be addition to the criteria in the constitution (owner history etc.) The idea is that in the longer term, ten or twenty years from now, when lots of us will not be around anymore, the cars will still be. Owners will hopefully strive to get there cars as close to 100% original as possible. This will also increase the value of your investment, making it more that just a toy that annoys some of your family. We must also remember that some owners will not want their cars anywhere near original, and we will and must respect that too. In order to be able to do this, it was decided that a Technical Committee be formed. This will consist of Peanuts, Sidney Ehrenrech, Clarry Taylor and myself. It is also envisaged to number the Levy Darts and design a badge for them.

While jobs were handed out, Vic Levin undertook to draft the proposed changes to the constitution. Thanks Vic!

Finally, as far as jobs go, we now have a new webmaster. On behalf of everyone involved, we would like once again to thank John Engelbrecht for his efforts to get the website up and running at very little cost to the club. I am not sure that he escaped from carrying some major costs himself. Thanks John. Our new webmaster is Martin Kruger. He lives in P.E. and presently owns a Flamingo. He bought his first Flamingo when he was not even twenty years old from pocket money earned delivering newspapers. Martin loves GSMs and shares our passion. I am sure he will do a splendid job. Please dial in to the website and let us know what you think.

Our membership of Proudly South African has resulted in an invitation from Hilary Gardner to take part in major exhibition of GREAT SOUTH AFRICAN INVENTIONS. This show will take place from 13 August to 31 December 2004 at the MTN Science centre, Canal Walk. I invite you to take a look at the detail of the great S.A. Inventions at Peanuts office. Just to name a few, the Telurometer, Creepy Crauley, portable toilets, and literally dozens more. It will be a great honor to have a Dart and a Flamingo on this show. Fantastic coverage. I am sure it will be the only cars on display.

Please don’t forget the Kroonendal School show at Hout Bay the 3rd October 2004 mentioned in the last newsletter.
Also we have the Panorama Wieleskou on 29th and 30th October 2004. Last year it was very successfully and competently handled by Hein van der Watt. He will be handling it again this year. Please assist him. Thanks Hein.

Kind Regards

Piet van Niekerk

click to view:  Minutes of AGM Cape Town.