western veteran and vint age motor cl ub, ltd. Newsletter June 2008 Photos Meals after Wheels 2 Snippits\Crossword 11 Directors and Officers 3 Techno Classica 12 For Sale/Club Crest 4 Meals after Wheels 13 From the editor 5 2008 Membership 14 The Epitome of Style 6 2008 Membership 15 Charity Committee 7 2008 Membership 16 The Larry Murphy Page 8 Membership Director 17 Events Local\National 9 Blast from the past 18 WestRun 2008 10 Run Photos Limerick/Cork 19 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow See Review on page 6 MEALS AFTER WHEELS RUN KINVARA, APRIL 2008 Triumph Herald 1200 Hillman Imp Mk1 1964 MG Midget Mk2 Wolsleley 1660 & Rover P4 Landrover Series 1 SWB Daimler 250 V8 Fords are popular in Co Cork Breakdown ahead halts run Charleville Spring Run April 2008 VW Type2 Van. German Matra 530 SX 2 Newsletter, March 2008 western veteran and vintage motor club, ltd. W.V.V.M.C. Limited, Registered Office: c/o Mark Hanley & Co. Accountants;. Devon House, The Crescent, Galway. Reg. No.: 132186 Directors and Officers for 2008: Chairman: Frank Mullan Tel. 091-523012, 086-2327678 Secretary: John Keane Tel. 091- 790963, 087-2411091 Finance Director: Larry Murphy Tel. 091-794639, 087-6424475 Membership Director: Michael Spellman Tel. 091-798017, 086 -8210679 Events Director: Bill Fennell Tel. 091-757208, 086-8515558 Technical Director: David Fennell Tel. 091-757208, 087-2273747 Communications Director: Ray O’Donoghue Tel. 091-794241, 087-2798122 Newsletter Editor: Ian Doherty Tel. 091 849789, 086-8295332 Hon. Members: Jimmy Francis and Phil Denson Hon. President: Ernst Wijnekus WVVMC newsletter is published quarterly. Letters, trip reports, articles, cars for sale or parts wanted, interesting articles, advertisements etc. for the Club’s Newsletter, can be sent to: Ian Doherty, Tara, Kilskeagh, Athenry or e-mailed to: [email protected] See also our website: www.wvvmc.com 3 For Sale FOR SALE 1965 Daimler V8 Saloon, maroon, auto, excellent condition, phone 093 27940 after 6pm. Tuam FOR SALE Mercedes 250 Limousine Manual, LHD, 7/8 seater, Excellent Condition, Interesting History! Previous Middle-Eastern Royal Family Ownership Phone 087 2493806 (Anytime) Athenry Garments with Embroidered Club Crest We are in the process of procuring garments with the club crest. These include Jumpers with round or v neck, shirts with long or short sleeves, fleece body warmers and rainproof breathable windcheaters. The prices are approximate and may vary with quantity ordered. If interested please detatch the order form and return to Larry Murphy with 50% deposit no later than 9th July. Orders placed will be ready for the WestRun. Balance to be paid on collection. Jumper round neck €43.50 Pay 50% now and the Jumper Vee neck €43.50 Shirt Long or Short Sleeve €28.00 balance on collection. Fleece body warmer €22.00 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Detatch or photocopy Order Form: I enclose cheque payable to WVVMC Ltd for Name………………………………….. €________ being 50% of total cost. Address……………………………….. Return form to Larry Phone…………………………………. Murphy, 18, Beech Grove, Return by Oranmore, Co. Galway. July 9th 2008 4 From the editor……... Dear Members, The Classic and vintage season is now in full swing and we are only a few weeks now from our premium event, the Westrun. We look forward to seeing you all in Clifden. I wish to thank sincerely all those who have given me interesting items, ads and old magazines to use, and also the“usual suspects” who never fail to come up with an article for publication. As promised, I have written a small feature article. This edition I have reviewed a 1974 Rolls Royce. Next time I hope to feature a 1951, 1 owner Ford Anglia. Yes, 1951, one owner! In April, I went with my young son to Charleville to participate in their Spring Run. As far as I know, I was the only WVVMC representative there. The run took us through some beautiful countryside as we went southwards through Castletownroche and into Blarney. We stopped at the Woollen Mills for afternoon tea and afterwards headed back up a different route through Ballyhooley and on to Bulgaden. The run was held up for some time when the lead car broke down on a narrow lane. My son was interested to know why old Fords seemed very popular in Cork. It seemed that almost every model was represented, Anglias, Escorts, Capri’s, Granadas, Cortinas, Consuls, Zodiacs. I explained that most of these cars were built in Cork and that possibly some of these guys were the very same guys who built them. As always, if you have something to contribute to this magazine, old photos, books to loan me or just a general whinge or gripe please make contact . Ian Doherty 086 8295332 or [email protected] OBITUARY Tom Gleasure, RIP “Mulgrave Lodge” Castlecountess, Tralee, Co.Kerry Sadly, the WVVMC has learned of the sudden death of Tom Gleasure, whom many of you will have met during his annual visits to Galway for our Summer Run. Tom was a very friendly and courteous man who was a regular entrant in our Westrun throughout the 1980's, 1990's and 2000's. He usually attended in his 1948 Bentley, 1956 Rolls Royce or his 1960 Triumph TR3A and happily drove them all the way up from Tralee. I, myself and other Club members would meet up with Tom at many other vintage car ral- lies around Ireland and he always made time for the chat - about what cars we had bought and sold and about we thought we might buy and sell! Tom, his brother, Pat, and his family are well-known across Kerry and south-west Ireland through their family business, “Gleasure Funeral Directors”. Unfortunately, WVVMC club members did not hear of Tom's death until some time after the fu- neral had taken place. He will be sadly missed On behalf of all in the WVVMC, I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to the Gleasure family on their sad loss. John Walsh Former WVVMC President 5 The Epitome of Style Rolls Royce Silver Shadow 1 Researched and Reviewed by Ian Doherty A good friend of mine recently purchased a 1974 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow. I called around for a closer look. When new, these cars were well out of reach of even well-heeled executives and professionals, being only affordable to super-rich tycoons and famous people. Most of us mere mortals have never even travelled in one except perhaps on our wedding day. The Silver Shadow was produced from 1965 to 1980 being re-named the Silver shadow 2 in 1977. The earlier Silver Shadow 1 (as it then became) had a number of modifications and minor facelifts during its lifetime, the biggest probably being the change from the 6.2 Litre 172hp engine to the newer 6.75Litre 189hp V8 in 1970. From the moment you sit into this car you know it is special. The door closes with a solid “thud” unlike the “tinney” clank of lesser cars of that era. The cabin is completely soundproof, the seats are thick and comfortable, just like your favourite armchair, allowing you to sit quite high, making you feel, dare I say it, superior! The rear is even more comfortable having quirky vanity mirrors to admire oneself and little stainless toggle switches to operate the interior lights. Back in the drivers seat I notice the ignition key is surprisingly small for such a substantial car. But one turn of that key and all 6.75 litres spring to life. Although quiet, the growl of the eight cylinders lets you know that this is no pussycat. Power transmission is by way of a General Motors sourced “turbo-hydramatic 400” automatic system. Being unaccustomed to driving an automatic I had to imagine I only had one leg. The selector is situated on the steering column and struck me as a bit “weak and spindly looking” being only about 10mm diameter. When you apply the power to those rear wheels you can feel the front of the car lift. At first, I thought there was something wrong as there was no jolt where I ex- pected the gear changes would happen. It was only later that I realised she had been secretly changing up through the gears. Truly seamless gear changes! The smoothest ride imagineable! Steering this car is absolutely effortless. As you look across the long bonnet you feel less of a need to steer it and more of a need to just point that spirit of ecstasy (flying lady) in the direction you wish to go. The brakes, for the time, and even for today are fantastic. The car has an extremely complex high pressure hydraulic self levelling and braking system licensed by Citroen. For it’s time this was the most innovative feature of the car but was the main contributor to that “magic carpet ride” comfort. Despite its enormous price tag when new, you can bring home a mid ‘70s UK Silver Shadow in Condition 1 for less than €15K. But beware! There is a reason for this. Running costs are huge. With Petrol heading for €7 a gallon and at 12 MPG, don’t expect to go too far. Parts availability is good, with most items available next-day from Flying Spares in the UK. Some items have been “patterned” and others are available as new, used or re-conditioned. My thanks to Paulo Sousa for allowing me to review his lovely car. 6 Charity Committee As you are aware, we will be raffling a fabulous 1970 Mini Cooper at the Westrun Gala Dinner.