V38 – 6— May 2020 A00038005 Viv and Allen Bridges' 1956 Holden FJ

MRADMC

Viv and Allen Bridges’ 1956 Holden FJ Utility

ISSUE: V38 – 6— May 2020 A00038005 MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club Inc. www.mradmc.com.au Clubrooms: 10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Correspondence: PO Box 84 Gisborne 3437 Phone: 03 5420 7683

President: Adam Furniss Welfare/ Grievance: John Parnis 0404 034 841 0425 802 593 [email protected] [email protected]

Vice President: Alan Martin AOMC Delegates: 0402 708 408 • Robert Green 0408 532 603 [email protected] • Don MacGregor

Secretary: Graham Williams Mid-Week Run Committee: 0419 393 023 0427 804 803 [email protected] [email protected]

Treasurer: Drew Jessop (OAM) Property Officer: Joe Mediero 0412 085 624 0432 810 202 [email protected]

Membership: Michael Camilleri Webmaster: Sarah Furniss 0423 718 250 [email protected] [email protected]

Catering: Clara Tine

Head Scrutineer: Brian Jayasingha 9330 3331 B.H. Mon-Fri Librarian: Alec Mead (OAM)

Liquor Rally Director: Richard Onyon License Nominee: Trevor Elliott 0414 466 966 [email protected]

Sales: Lina Bragato Editor: Robin Fletcher 0432 583 098 0434 604 896 [email protected] [email protected]

Club Objective: To encourage the restoration, preservation and operation of motorised vehicles.

Meetings: First Wednesday of every month (except Jan) at 8pm

Disclaimer: The opinions and ideas expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the club or the committee.

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au 2 MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

As the consequences of physical distancing laws begin to materialize we are seeing positive signs that the Covids are being beaten off with a stick, hopeful signs that Viv and Allen Bridges have provided us life as we know it may return to ‘normal’ in with an article on their fabulous FJ Hold- time. ens while I have cherry-picked the inunda- From a magazine perspective, the Attack tion of articles received from Peter of the Covids has meant a drop in content Amezdroz; I guess that the 14 day self- relating to reviews of past events and de- isolation after returning from overseas has tails of upcoming events; currently there focused his mind a little. are none. We also have contributions from John Van Coming to our rescue, Greg Brown has Groningen and Adam Furniss. My heart- thoughtfully provided an updated review of felt thanks to all of you for your support. the Daylesford Chillout Festival and Bullarto Tractor Pull held on March 8th, a - Robin Fletcher / Editor fleeting glimpse into the past.

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

Hi Everyone

Confirmation that the May General Meeting has been cancelled - advertised on the club web- site.

Hopefully the State Government will provide an update in the next little while about an easing of the restrictions - in the meantime we have repeated the advice from Vic Roads re your CPS vehicles.

For those members needing CPS renewals signed we suggest that you post them to the club's PO Box and I will arrange for them to be signed and posted back to you. I am checking the PO box weekly. In the unlikely event that you have a vehicle to add to CPS (given the lock- downs) please contact Brian J for information - see the contacts list below.

The Gisborne Vintage Machinery Society has advised that their Steam Rally Day for MAY has been cancelled.

Your committee is monitoring the Government's health advice and will provide further updates on club events noting that our club's activities fall into the social gathering and non essential cat- egories - so by default we can not proceed until the restrictions are lifted.

Please find a news release from the AOMC - our parent body - confirming details around the use of CPS vehicles in the current COVID-19 situation on page 6 of this edition of Mo- torMouth.

Please keep safe and well and stay in touch with your club colleagues

Graham Williams Secretary For the Club Executive

Postal Address; PO Box 84, GISBORNE 3438

Contacts http://www.mradmc.com.au/club-committee/management-committee http://www.mradmc.com.au/club-committee/general-committee

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au 4 MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

Welcome to the May edition of Motor Mouth.

Another month has gone by and we are all living in a changed world, social distancing, working from home, stood down from work or staying home to stay well and stopping the spread of COVID 19. The committee has been conducting meetings via conference call to keep the club running. Club meetings will need to be cancelled until further notice. We will advise you all in due course. The Red Plate Day held in March was the last club function. The inspection team would like to thank members who brought their vehicles in for inspection. All social distancing rules were ad- hered to which made it a pleasant morning and a total of 15 were inspected. If you require your club plate paperwork signed please don’t leave it to the last-minute contact Brian Jayasingha or the club committee. Details inside front cover of Motor Mouth. Club Permits payments due: you can still go into VicRoads and pay over the counter, or you can pay by mail. If you wish to take your vehicle out shopping or servicing, please make sure you fill out your log book with specific detail of your trip in line with Government criteria. Do not just take your vehicle for a cruise at the moment. We have installed solar panels on the roof of the clubrooms. This is an investment for the club to offset our power bills, the payback on them is 5 years. The funds for this project was provided by a bequest from our Late President Mr John Macrae. It’s a challenge to figure out what to do with something like this but John would always say “Would it benefit the club?” and the answer was yes. It can be tough staying at home, so keep in contact with your fellow club members. I am keeping busy working on my club car. When it’s time to go cruising I will be ready. See you on the road, Adam.

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

The Association of Motoring Clubs has had many reports and requests for information concerning the use of permitted vehicles during the current Corona Virus emergency. As you would know the country is under emergency regulations regarding social distancing and private movements. Everybody is being encouraged to Stay At Home. The Association supports efforts to safeguard the health of our citizens and seeks the support of the movement to do likewise. Vehicles either registered or permitted are only to be used for: The current Emergency Regulations restrict all vehicle movements to:

• Going to work or school if essential;

• Shopping for essentials;

• Visits to medical services. Any vehicle and occupants detected by the police, not involved in one of the above can be stopped and fined. As of close of business yesterday Vic Roads have no policy on the use of permitted vehicles during this time of emergency regulations, but are discuss- ing the matter with Vic Police. It is our believe permitted vehicles are probably part of the police crackdown on caravans, motor homes and recreational four wheel drives. Permit- ted vehicles are being seen as recreational vehicles. So our advice is unless absolutely necessary for the reasons outlined above leave your club permitted vehicle at home. We will provide further advice when it comes to hand

Iain Ross President

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au 6 MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

I hope this month's MotorMouth brings a bit of joy to all our members. Whether you are in isolation or, like myself still required to leave home for work I hope all our members are keeping safe and adapting to these unfamiliar circumstances. Obviously not a great deal to report from the VPs desk this month, as far as guest speakers go. As you can see from other reports the Committee is still on top of the day to day running of the club as the bills still need to be paid and other business attended to. Thankfully modern technology allows us to not only continue taking care of business but also hold "virtual meetings". Like everybody else I look forward to catching up with all our members in the near future, and getting our classic out and about. Stay safe and value your extra time with family. Alan Martin / Vice President.

Hello everyone, Like the other Executive and Committee members, I trust you are all well, and pass on my best wishes to you and your family. Hopefully we will all be soon meeting once again, and enjoying outings with our ‘treasured pos- sessions’. I am sure our old motors will be looking forward to a long run too, similar to farm ani- mals released after a long winter, there will be many delightful journeys and springs of joy upon their release from our garages. And having unbelievably low petrol prices makes that prospect of a drive that much more enticing! And while we are in lockdown, as your club’s Treasurer, I can report that the Committee contin- ues to look after our resources and pay our bills, whilst looking at continuing some of our initia- tives from years’ past. This includes our support of charities on behalf of members, including:

• Donation to the Children First Foundation of $4,500 – the same amount as last year – to support the Foundation’s children’s retreat in Kilmore; and

• Donation to the Cancer Council’s ‘Biggest Morning Tea’ of $1,500. This will be donated whether the actual morning tea goes ahead or not. If there is such an event in the future, and funds raised, these will be added to the Club’s initial $1,500. This generosity is based on both the members’ willingness to be involved in a positive way in the broader community, and the fact we are in such a strong financial position. I again acknowledge in particular the outstanding work of the Hanging Rock committee, led by Graham Williams and his jolly bunch of volunteers, in allowing us the opportunity to be generous to others that may be doing things a bit tough, especially in this challenging time. I look forward to meeting and catching up soon, take care out there. Drew Jessop / Treasurer

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au 7 MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

Chillout Festival and Bullarto Tractor Pull, March 8th With thanks to Revisited GREG BROWN

Greetings to all our isolated members. I feel I owe an apology and explanation for the report I submitted last month about the Chillout festival in Daylesford and the Bullarto Vintage Tractor Pull, events that happened on March 8th, but in another world. It was heavy on text and light on photos. I won't go into the details, but as a variation on my computer not doing what I wanted it to do, this time it did part of it and then de- nied it had done anything. Once I discovered the problem, too late for last month's deadline, I thought I would send the images along anyway just to remind us that good times, in very diverse places and with lots of different people, will come again.

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au 8 MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

With thanks to ADAM FURNISS

The Massachusetts Department Of Transport found over 200 dead crows on a Boston highway recently, and there was concern that they may have died from Avian Flu. A veterinary pathologist examined the remains of all the crows and, to everyone’s relief, confirmed the problem was NOT Avian Flu. The cause of death appeared to be from vehicular impacts. However, during analysis it was noted that varying colours of paint appeared on the birds’ beaks and claws. By analysing these paint residues it was found that 98% of the crows had been killed by impact with motorcycles, while only 2% were killed by cars. The agency then hired an ornithological behaviourist to determine if there was a cause for the dispro- portionate percentage of motorcycle kills versus car kills. The behaviourist quickly concluded that when crows eat road kill, they always have a look- out crow to warn of danger. He discovered that while all look-out crows could shout “cah”, not a single one could shout “bike”!

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au 9 MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

Maurice Gatsonides ….. The man we should ALL love to hate

Maurice (“Maus”) Gatsonides was a Dutch inventor and rally driver who was born on February 14th 1911 in Gambong, in Central Java in the former Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia).

In an attempt to improve his driving, in particular his cornering speeds in an effort to make himself a faster driver, Gatsonides invented a device to measure his cornering speed. This device, the Gatso speed camera, is used today by many police forces to catch speeding drivers.

In 1958 Gatsonides founded the company "Gatsometer BV" in the Netherlands, a company that engages in the design, manufacture, installation, and operation of traffic enforcement solutions around the world. The company works with users to analyze the situation, advise on the best solution, arrange financing, create public awareness, install roadside equipment and operate the enforcement system.

Whilst known for inventing the speed camera, Gatsonides’ primary interest was in motor racing, winning the 1953 Monte Carlo Rally in a Ford Zephyr.

In 1949, he built his own car, nicknamed the "Platje" (English: "Flatty") because of its aerodynamic shape. The car caused a sensation at the Dutch Zan- dvoort Racetrack, passing all opponents including MG's. Maurice was forced to sell the Flatty to pay creditors after trying to put his own V8 sportscar into production; the Flatty however, survived. It has now been restored by Joop Bruggeman and is the last surviving Gatso car.

Speaking about his invention before his death in 1998, Gatsonides once said, ‘I am often caught by my own speed cameras and find hefty fines on my doormat. Even I can't escape my own invention because I love speeding.’

Source: https://wikivisually.com/wiki/ Maus_Gatsonides

With thanks to PETER AMEZDROZ

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

With thanks to JOHN VAN GRONINGEN

A patient in Melbourne was diagnosed as suffering from Corona virus today.

He was told that he would be immediately placed in an isolation room and fed on a diet of flounder, pizza and flat bread.

He asked the doctor whether that diet was going to cure him.

The doctor replied, “No. They are the only things that we can slide in under the door!”.

With thanks to Cyclists Bad for Economy JOHN VAN GRONINGEN

Sanjay Thakrar, CEO at Euro Exim Bank Ltd got economists thinking when he said: “A cyclist is a disaster for the country's economy -

- He does not buy the car and does not take car loan - Does not buy car insurance - Does not buy Fuel - Does not send his car for servicing and re- pairs - Does not use paid Parking - Does not become Obese - Yes,.....and well, damn it !! Healthy people are not needed for economy. They do not buy drugs. They do not go to Hospitals & Doctors. They add nothing to country's GDP.

On the contrary, every new McDonalds outlet creates at least 30 jobs - 10 Cardiologists, 10 Dentists, 10 weight loss experts apart from people working in the McDonalds outlet.

Choose wisely: A Cyclist or a McDonalds? Worth thinking about”

PS. Walking is even worse - they do not even buy a bicycle.

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

May

6 8:00 pm General Meeting CANCELLED 17 9:30 am Cars & Coffee CANCELLED 19 8:30 pm Exec. Committee Meeting TBA 27 9:30 am Midweek Run CANCELLED

June

3 8:00 pm General Meeting TBC

16 8:30 pm General Committee Meeting TBC 21 9:30 am Cars & Coffee TBC 24 9:30 am Midweek Run TBC

The Club’s Head Scrutineer, Brian Jayasingha, has

scheduled Red Plate Inspection Day for: Sunday June 7th at 8:00 am

If you have a club car on VicRoad’s Club Permit

Scheme, it must be inspected by Brian’s team of scrutineers at least once per year.

Contact Brian on (03) 9330 3331 during business hours, Monday to Friday, to book your car in to be

inspected at either of the specified days. Further dates will be nominated for later in the year.

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

Words: Viv and Allen Bridges

This month The Shed takes a look at Viv and Allen Bridges’ FJ Holdens, a 1955 FJ Holden Special Sedan and a 1956 FJ Holden Utility.

1955 FJ Holden Special Sedan The sedan was purchased from Preston Motors Russell St Melbourne by Mr E. C. Casley for 1,148 pounds( $2,333) on the 3rd March 1955. It was sold 18 months later to Mr J. Briscoe who was a neighbour in Maidstone. I purchased the vehicle in 1991 from Mr Briscoe's daughter who had garaged the car unregistered for 12 years after Mr Briscoe's death with the car showing 95,000 miles.

The car was rust free except for the engine and engine bay which had sur- face rust and the body had been repainted in enamel, the engine was seized through non use, the brake drums were full of ant nests and the leather interior was cracked and sun- burnt. I brought it home on a trailer and I removed every nut, bolt and panel and all mechanical parts then replaced or refurbished them, all bright parts were re chromed. Being trailered home to begin the restoration journey

The engine was re built as well as gear box and diff and the interior re uphol- stered. The complete car was renewed taking 2 years totalling 1,000 hours. The restoration was made far less difficult for me by being a staff

Better than new after 1,000 hours of restoration

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

member of GMH for over 20 years and the information and contacts in those days was plentiful and encouraging. The car has had many honours bestowed upon it since I have had it including 10 years on the Holden show circuit winning many awards as well as advertising for Holden and Rare Spares, used in promotions, chauffeur- ing TV personalities including Bud Tingwell, Rachel Griffiths, Frankie J Holden, Bert New- ton, Ray Martin, Barry Humphries as Dame

Edna, Shannon's and a few others. The car is still in showroom condition after 30 years of ownership and used for club midweek runs and some events. The 2 tone colours of the car are Moonee Grey over Birch Grey.

1956 FJ Holden Utility The ute has had a less glamorous life. It was an ex Colac vehicle. I purchased it in Hamilton Vic in 2001 as a dented body shell with no hang on parts attached but it came with many crates of parts both old parts and new old stock and I brought it all home on a trailer and restored it over 7 years. The same process now occurred once again, every nut and bolt, panel and upholstery was renewed cleaned or replaced with a few exceptions (modifications) ...... I fitted it with the following VS Commodore parts:

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

- v6 commodore ecotec engine; - turbo700 auto trans; - limited slip diff; - rack and pinion steering; - 4wheel discs and callipers; - air- con; - heater- demister; - cruise control; - 100 ltr alloy fuel tank, (original tanks are only 40 ltr +/-); and - a hard cover on the back in place of a tarp type.

In 2010 we drove the ute to Perth with no problems and averaged 7 litres of fuel per 100 kilome- tres. The colour of the ute is Odyssey. The ute is used for club midweek runs and other social events. Both car and ute get out at least once or twice a month.

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

The Holden FJ series was produced by Holden from 1953 to 1956. The FJ was the second model of an "all Australian car" manufactured by Holden and was based upon the established 48-215 series, commonly referred to as the "FX". Plans for the 48/215's development moved into gear in 1944, when the Federal Government asked manufacturers to submit proposals for the production of an Australian car; a move aimed at accelerating post-war industrial growth. General Motors-Holden's (GMH) - its technical and manufacturing expertise advanced through wartime mobilisation - accepted and completed the challenge of building the nation's first successfully mass-produced car. Adapted from a US design, the first Holden was nevertheless a uniquely Australian car, however it was far from luxurious, in fact it would be many years for today's basic features to be introduced. Prime Minister Ben Chifley launched the car 'made in Australia, for Australia' in 1948, and no- body guessed what a runaway success this plain and practical sedan would immediately prove to be. Australians took the Holden straight to their hearts. Demand outstripped supply and the waiting list stretched through 1949 and beyond. At a time when safety was not an issue, no doubt due to the lack of cars on the road, the 48/215 had a single tail-light and lacked turn indicators. The interior was trimmed in either leather or woollen body cloth, while a PVC material was introduced in mid 1951. Options of the day included an 'Air Chief 5' radio, a rear venetian blind, left-hand side sun-visor, a locking petrol cap and a heavy duty oil bath air-cleaner. The exterior body colour range was limited to four: Convoy Grey, Seine Blue, Gawler Cream and Black. The lack of refinement in the first all Australian car had absolutely no effect on sales with Holden working furiously to lift production rates (which rose from an initial 10 units a day to 100 per day in 1951, when the first Coupe Utility was launched). During the model life of the FX, many small improvements were made such as a change from lever-type shock absorbers to a modern telescopic variety with wider rear springs (dubbed 'Air- ride'). The very first Holden ute was released in 1951 and in 1953 the fleet and taxi orientated "Business" sedan was introduced - all at a time when production had been increased to an incredible 200 per day. Although its official model code is 48-215 (representing 1948 and 2.15 litre), the first Holden is widely known as the FX. And there has been plenty of speculation over the years as to why this came to be. Officially of course this first Holden was, not so simply, dubbed the 48/215. And that was more than a mouthful for the used car salesmen when placing their classifieds. From the next model (FJ) onward, Holden adopted a two letter model designation. Unique Cars and Parts believe the unofficial designation "FX" came about by the smart thinking of one such car sales- man, when placing an ad at a time when you paid for every letter, FX was much cheaper than 48/215.

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

That unofficial designation was quickly adopted, as is evidenced by newspaper classifieds from the 1950s. Regardless of whether you call it the 48/215 or the FX, it remains the most important car in local history. It was the first successfully mass-produced Aussie car and the one which launched the Australian industry. FJ Series In late 1953 General Motors Holden gave their FX Holden a facelift; the FX was a bit dull com- pared to other makes and models of cars on the road and was starting to show its age. The FJ, of monocoque construction, broadly followed the silhouette of its predecessor, but featured a bolder horizontal styled front grille, along with comfort and decoration upgrades in a new sedan model named the 'Holden Special'. The very basic front grill was the most noticeable change, gone was the vertical slat grill to be replaced by a beautiful finned version, the detailed front grill included a second bumper bar look that gave it a very sophisticated and elegant look which made the FX front end look like the FJs impoverished brethren. Changes to the FJ over the FX included: Cone shaped hubcaps, 5.90 x 15 tyres, new bright met- al body decorations, new front grill, bumpers and fins on the rear guards. The FJ also had a much improved list of options for the marketplace. The "Special" FJ had rear passenger assist straps, chrome instrument surrounds, deluxe leather seat trim, armrests, front door courtesy switches, dash facia grille extending to glovebox, window winders and the new two-tone finish that continued for many years afterwards, colours available also extended to 12. Engine capacity wasn't touched but the FJ had a few minor mechanical updates. In 1953 Holden created a new variant of the FJ to hit a more specific market, 25 of the new Hold- en FJ Panel Vans hit the market, Holden also planned a Station Sedan (Wagon) which got to the prototype stage but never made it to manufacture. In 1956 Holden 250,000 was built and Holden lifted production to 100,000 per year which was staggering considering it started at 10 per day with the FX. Today we would consider the performance laughable, but at the time the 48/215 was considered by the Australian public to be quite a performance machine. From 0 to 100 km/h in around 20 seconds running out to a top speed of 130 km/h, which was much better than the 4 cylinder British cars then available, and not far behind the big and expensive American V8's. The 48/215 had no carpet, no radio and no armrests and people thought it was well equipped. Despite the high price (when judged against average incomes from the time), the 48-215 offered more for the money than any of its competitors. And it was a car which genuinely measured up to Australian conditions at a time when every driver frequently faced potholed dirt roads - a time when the roads connecting the capital cities were yet to be fully sealed. The Holden stood the test where the similarly priced British 'fours' left their suspension components by the roadside.

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

The features which made Holden an institution - and Australia's best selling car - were virtually un- challenged. The maker's boast of '80 miles per hour and 30 miles per gallon' was lived up to and the light monocoque 4.4 metre body could seat six in comfort. Power came from the "grey" 2.15- litre, 6-cylinder 45 kW engine, coupled to a three-speed column-shift manual gearbox. This torquey powerplant would propel the car from walking pace to full speed in top gear with no drama, a fea- ture which set it apart from the high-revving English cars which came to Australia after the war. 48/215 owners hardly ever needed to use first or second gears for anything but standing starts. But, in spite of its attributes, it's worth remembering that the 48-215 was no dream machine. In many ways, the bare bodied newcomer was the epitome of austerity. It had one key-operated door lock (on the passenger's door), no chrome mouldings, one tail-light and no turn-indicators. Inside, the story was much the same. To keep it light and affordable, the 48-215 had no heater and origi- nally only one sun-visor: on the driver's side. Ventilation was effected with flipper windows and an adjustable scoop between the bonnet and windscreen. Demisting was effected by a sleeve or handkerchief

The Grey Motor Holden got its first engine building experiences during World War 2, building aeroplane, boat and even torpedo engines completely in-house. After building complex radial military engines and marine diesels, the humble Grey straight six which powered the first Holden may have seemed an easy job. But that was not the case. There was little doubt the success or failure of GM-H's 48/215 rested largely with its engine. There was no requirement for it to break new ground in an engineering sense, but its reliability, durability and flex- ibility had to be first rate. Fortunately, the engine Holden built was a jewel and it became a major factor in the initial success of Australia's Own. A 6-cylinder engine was settled on as a compromise between the British cars (which were mainly fours) and the US models, which often offered a V8 version. The Holden engine, which had its block painted dull grey (hence its nickname), was a square engine, featuring a four-bearing crankshaft, gear-driven camshaft and full pressure lubrication system with provision for accessory oil fil- ter. It had a capacity of 132.5 ci (2.15 litres), a compression ratio of 6.8 and developed 60bhp / 45kW (rated at 21.6hp). The fuel system used a cam driven mechanical fuel pump feeding a single- barrel, manual choke downdraft Stromberg carburettor. An oil bath air cleaner was an optional accessory. Delco Remy electrics (starter, generator, distributor etc.) were used on early engines until Bosch units were phased in early in 1953. This engine impressed almost everyone who became involved with it. It was a torquey, low stress unit which was extremely flexible, tough and easy to work on, as well being economical and offering lively acceleration.

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

Through the 1950s and early 1960s the grey engine was carried over into each new model series. During these years the grey engine was reworked with the addition of a new camshaft, the boosting of the compression ratio, the incorporation of larger valves and throat surgery in the form of improved carburettors. By the time the FB Holden was released, the capacity was 2.26 litres and the output was just over 56 kW (75 kW at 4200 rpm) with maximum torque at 1400 rpm. The Grey engine went into its 15th year of service under the bonnet of the EJ Holden, which ceased production in the middle of 1963.

Source: www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

Sourced from

Some unusual engine designs have gone on to find success in sports cars and even mainstream best-sellers. Others have ended up following technical blind alleys, but all offer an insight into the engineering thinking required to push car design forward. Here’s our run-down of unusual engines in order of appearance: Single-cylinder - First used: 1885 The single-cylinder internal combustion engine dates right back to the very first identifiable car, the 1885 Benz Patent-Motorwagen. The 954cc four-stroke motor was mounted underneath the passenger’s bench seat and generated less than 1bhp. However, it was simple to produce and work on, and it quickly grew in power to 2bhp. Single- cylinder engines have been used ever since in a variety of lightweight and economy cars, and the design is having a renaissance thanks to its suit- ability as a range-extender unit for electric cars.

V-twin - First used: 1889 The V-twin engine offers a number of appealing traits for use in a car. It’s compact, torquey and usually light as most are derived from motorcycle units. The first car to use a V-twin was Daim- ler’s Stahlradwagen, but the configuration really found favour in the 1920s when companies such as GN and Morgan adopted the design for sporting models. The only current car using a V-twin engine is still a Morgan with its 3 Wheelers that offers 82bhp from its thumping S&S 2.0-litre motor.

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

The world’s most Unusual Engine Designs V4 - First used: 1897 The V4 has endured a poor reputation over the years, much of it due to the Ford version that wheezed its business under the bonnet of various models during the 1960s and 1970s. Its compact di- mensions and inherent smoothness should have made it ideal for use in cars and Émile Mors was an early adopter in 1897. The largest ever Grand Prix engine was the V4 used in J Walter Christie’s 1907 machine that boasted a capacity of 19,891cc. Lancia made the design its own for classics such as the Appia and Fulvia, while Porsche used a 500bhp V4 in its 919 Le Mans racer to power the rear wheels.

Sleeve valve - First used: 1903 First invented by the American Charles Yale Knight, the sleeve valve engine did away with typical ‘poppet’ or ‘mushroom’ valves in favour of a ‘sleeve’ that slides around the piston, this supposedly provided a noiseless engine. Driven by a geared shaft, the holes in the sleeve align with intake and exhaust ports in the cylinder wall. British car firm Daimler championed Knight’s twin-sleeve invention and refined it before using it in a multitude of its models, as did US truck manufacture Willys. However, the new design was described as fault-prone as the engine struggled to stay fully lubricated - this led to high rates of oil consumption. A second, more efficient, variation of the sleeve valve engine - named Burt-McCollum after its inventors - came just a few years later and used a single sleeve that was able to reduce the high rates of oil consumption that plagued Knight’s engine. Adopted by Scottish car makers Argyll and later by Bristol in its radial engines, the sleeve valve eventually died out due to its inability to run at high rpm and improvements in traditional ‘poppet’ valve engines rendered it inefficient and expensive.

Straight-eight - First used: 1919 Like so many engines used in early cars, the straight-eight was first developed for aircraft use. The power of eight cylinders coupled to the long, thin aerodynamic shape of this motor made it ideal for planes. It was first adopted for car use by Isotta Fraschini, followed by Leyland Motors in 1920, but it was Bugatti in Europe and Duesenberg in the USA that popularised the design. Bugatti (pictured) dominated racing with its various lightweight cars, as well as the luxury end of the market, while Duesenberg ran straight-eights at the Indianapolis 500, in Grand Prix events and at the Bonneville Salt Flats. 10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

The world’s most Unusual Engine Designs Straight 12 - First used: 1920 The sheer length of a straight-12 engine meant it was only ever destined to be used in luxury cars, which was the case with the French-made Corona. Its 7238cc capacity made it powerful and it was also very smooth, but the cost and impracticality of the design means there’s no record of any cars ever being sold with this motor. Packard (pictured) took up the challenge later in the 1920s and built one prototype that was used by Packard family member in 1929 until his death when the car was scrapped.

W12 - First used: 1927 We may have become accustomed to the W12 layout thanks to Bentley, but the design dates back as far as the 1920s. Back then, Land Speed Record pioneers such as John Cobb and Sir Malcolm Campbell adapted the large capacity Napier Lion aero W12 to set sensational new speed markers, as in this, Campbell’s Blue Bird. The W12 then lay dormant as an idea until the Life F35 Grand Prix car of 1990, which proved under- powered and unreliable. Audi then picked up the design for its 1991 Avus concept car and this developed into the W12 used in a variety of VW Group models.

V16 - First used: 1929 Maserati was first out of the blocks with a V16 engine in its Tipo V4, closely followed by Cord in the USA. Alfa Romeo adopted the layout for its Tipo 162 and its 3.0-litre unit delivered 490bhp, while Auto Union developed its V16 for use in the Type C. After the Second World War, only BRM (pictured) dabbled with the V16 configuration with its screaming 1.5-litre motor for Grand Prix use. This engine produced 600bhp but problems with its supercharging system meant it was not reliable enough to deliver on its early promise.

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

The world’s most Unusual Engine Designs

Radial - First used: 1935 The light weight and simplicity of the radial engine design were not lost on aircraft manufacturers, and it was also used in many tanks. However, size and valve design made it less attractive to car companies, so the first use was in the 1935 Monaco Trossi grand prix machine. Its air-cooled, two-stroke radial motor was also supercharged and arranged with two rows of eight cylinders. Power was 250bhp, which was not that impressive from a 4.0-litre engine of the period. Overheating proved a problem, but the car failed to compete due to terrible understeer caused by 75% of the car’s weight being over the front axle.

Flat-12 - First used: 1946 Porsche kicked off the flat-12 design trend in 1947 when Ferdinand Porsche came up with a 1.5- litre unit for Cisitalia (pictured). It was to be used in the Italian firm’s Grand Prix car but never saw the light of day due to its complexity. So, the world had to wait for Ferrari to pick up the baton in 1964 with its Formula 1 cars, but again it was Porsche who put their mark on the design with the Le Mans-winning 917. However, Ferrari was first with a flat-12 road car courtesy of its 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer, with the second word referring to the engine layout.

Gas turbine - First used: 1950 The first use of a gas turbine engine in a car was, perhaps surprisingly, from conservative British carmaker Rover. Jet 1 (pictured) was the result of the UK’s lead in this technology following the Second World War and it was based on the P4 chassis. Acceleration was good for the period, taking 14.0 seconds from 0-60mph, and it could cruise at 90mph. However, 6mpg was less appealing. Development saw the engine reach 230bhp and top speed climb to 152mph. General Motors and Chrysler both made attempts with the gas turbine engine, and various motorsport campaigns at Le Mans, Indianapolis and Formula 1 failed to progress the idea. However, there are plans to use a gas turbine with range extender hybrids from British firm Delta Motorsport. Perhaps the most notable land vehicle application for gas turbine engines today is in the US Army’s main battle tank, the M1 Abrams.

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

The world’s most Unusual Engine Designs

Triple - First used: 1953 The triple is an in-line three-cylinder engine that has been around for much longer than the current crop of compact units like those used by Ford and Volkswagen. The design came to prominence in the 1950s when DKW (pictured) and Saab used two-stroke versions of the design for their small family models. A measure of how good these engines were is the DKW was to give two- time Formula 1 champion Jim Clark his first racing experience and Saab won the Monte Carlo Rally with a 93. Now, the layout is prized for its small size, efficiency and strong torque characteristics.

BRM H16 - First used: 1966 British Racing Motors was nothing if not innovative in its approach to the new 3.0-litre regulations in Formula 1 for 1966. Where others used V8 and V12 motors, BRM came up with the H16, essentially two flat-eight motors laid one on top of the other. Each had its own crankshaft, which were joined by gears, but this design made it very heavy. It was used in the Lotus 43 (pictured) and driven by Jim Clark to victory at the US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen in ’66. However, that was to be the H16’s only win and it was soon dropped in favour of a V12 design.

Rotary engine - First used: 1967 Mazda will be forever linked to the rotary motor. Many of its most memorable models have used this engine design and it’s hard at work with a new sports car based on the RX-Vision Concept. However, the engine was created by German engineer Felix Wankel, who developed it at NSU before the company did a deal with Mazda. That resulted in the 1967 Cosmo 110S coupe (pictured) and founded a line of sports cars that used the rotary engine’s smooth, high-revving character to great effect.

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

The world’s most Unusual Engine Designs

Flat-eight - First used: 1968 The flat-eight has long been favoured in aircraft, but its smoothness is outweighed by the cost of manufacture and that’s why it took until the Porsche 908 for the design to see the light of day. Built for sport car racing, the 3.0-litre unit took advantage of the new Group 6 rules in 1968 that increased maximum engine capacity to 3.0-litres. It wasn’t a success straight out of the box, but 350bhp was a solid starting point and the 908 found form in 1969, helping Porsche lift the International Championship for Makes for three years in a row from 1969 to 1971.

V5 - First used: 1983 Think of the V5 and you’ll most likely come up with the VW Mk4 Golf and its offshoot models such as the Bora (pictured) and SEAT Toledo. The 2.3-litre motor made its debut in the Passat in 1997 and came with 148bhp as it aimed to bridge the gap between the firm’s in-line four and V6 units. It met with limited success despite the clever engineering needed to make such a compact unit. Before that, only General Motors had toyed with this layout and decided against putting its diesel design into production.

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

The world’s most Unusual Engine Designs

VR6 – First used: 1991 Distinguished from a regular V6 by its narrow angle (15 degrees) and staggered V configuration, Volkswagen’s VR6 engine consist- ed of two cylinder banks, housed under one cylinder head covering both rows. First seen as a 2.8-litre unit in the Passat and Corrado producing 172bhp, and later as a 188bhp 2.9, the VR6 was manufactured for the sole purpose of transverse engine instillations in front- wheel drive cars. The decreased angle and staggered configuration allowed the engine to be fitted into vehicles previously sporting 4-cylinder engines and later featured in the Mk3 Golf. Another factor differentiating the VR6 is its unique sound which is unlike that of inline or V configured engines. With the ability to use the firing order of a straight six-engine and featuring two overhead cam- shafts for both 12- and 24-valve variants. The VR6 was notoriously thirsty and the only model to currently use the latest, 3.6-litre 276hp VR6 is the seven-seater Atlas SUV (pictured).

W8 - First used: 2001 It may have ended up as a technological blind alley, but Volkswagen’s W8 engine remains an intriguing design. It splices two narrow angle V4 engines on to a common crankshaft, which allows an eight-cylinder engine to occupy the space normally reserved for a V6. More cylinders give greater power, torque and smoothness and, in the Passat, the 4.0-litre W8 offered 271bhp and 273lb ft. Sales never took off and only around 11,000 W8s were ever built.

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

The world’s most Unusual Engine Designs

W12 Twin turbo engine by Bentley The first production car to use the W12 engine was the 2001 Audi A8 (4D). Other cars to use the W12 engine are the 2003-present Bentley Continental GT, 2005-present Bentley Continental Flying Spur, 2015-present Bentley Bentayga, 2004-2011 Volkswagen Phaeton W12 and the 2005-2010 Volkswagen Touareg W12.

W16 - First used: 1995 Bugatti may be most closely associated with the W16 engine in its Veyron and Chiron models, but engineer Ramon Jimenez was first to build a supercar with this configuration (pictured). The Frenchman spliced together four Yamaha 1000cc motorcycle engines to achieve a W12 with two crankshafts and 80 valves capable of 560bhp. Bugatti upped that considerably with its 987bhp unit for the Veyron and now makes 1479bhp in the Chiron.

With thanks to PETER AMEZDROZ

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

FOR SALE *** For those tractor-tragics amongst us (Robbie Green, I’m looking at you), Don Patton has a contact in Mildura who is offering the following tractors for sale. If interested, contact Don in the first instance on 0414 336 894.

Ford 3000 $8,000 ono Champion Mk2 $10,000 Chamberlain $7,500 ono David Brown $5,500 ono McCormack International $4,000 ono Fordson Dexta $6,000 ono

Champion Mk2 backhoe (grader Chamberlain w. option) forklift

Fordson Dexta Ford 3000

McCormack International David Brown

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

FOR SALE ** Delightful looking 1966 Corvette Sting Ray fitted with a 327Ci engine and automatic transmission. - I have the matched engine in a crate and will include it in the sale. - The vehicle had a full restoration a couple of years prior to my purchase. - I purchased and imported the car from Los Angeles last year. - The vehicle has Full Vic registration. - The car is in excellent condition. - I am asking only $85000 for the car and the original motor.

For further information or arrange an inspection call Murray on 0418 356 177

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

HT Bathurst Monaro Fuel Tank ***

Wanted: A HT Bathurst Monaro fuel tank in repairable condition.

Please call Allen on 0409 135 900

Gisborne Miniature & Model Railways First Sunday of every month 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Train rides $2 per ride Webb Crescent, New Gisborne

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au MOTOR MOUTH The voice of Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club

10 Webb Crescent, New Gisborne Vic. 3438 PO Box 84, Gisborne Vic 3437 www.mradmc.com.au