Issue 583 August 2019

Extracts from the National Steam Centre Newsletter

Graham Stacey enthusing with Laurie Hall over his first drive of his “Little Grey Fergy “

In this Issue

Daves Birthday Who Invented the Ute Pinnaroo Museum August Steam Supreme 2

Bill McRobb snapped a few photos, for us when he came across a very well set up machinery museum which is situated at Pinnaroo SA right on the Victorian border a couple of 100 km South of Mildura.

The display is set up in a purpose built building at the and by implementing a roster system have enabled the Mallee Tourist and Heritage Centre based at the former Heritage Center to develop into a major tourist attraction in railway station . It forms part of a collection that along with a Pinarroo that is open every day. number of other display seeks to conserve items of local The genesis of the machinery section was The Gum Family historical significance and tell the story of various aspects of Collection of restored stationary engines, tractors, machines, farm early white settlement in a dry land area. and household memorabilia . The Heritage centre was created by drawing together a number of local groups from around the district after making a site available and providing initial funds. Once off the ground grants were obtained and many local businesses, organisations and individuals contributed while local trades people assisted with building construction and surrounding landscaping. While Bill McRobb concentrated on the machinery displays other aspects common to life in the Mallee are represented such as the local Overall view of the stationary engine hall with a line vegetation , water , fire and land of portable oil engines on the left while those on the use as well as settlement history right are smaller kerosene / diesel engines of the type and the role of women in these used on pumps and lighting plants . Although most of communities. These display are these items are in running order without more run by various groups of volunteers and an effective exhaust extraction system enthusiast on a volunteer basis in the building this is not possible at the moment . August Steam Supreme 3

A view from the other side of the building concentrates more on machinery for handling and processing grain while the far wall has wheatland tractors.

One engine that caught Bills attention was this 6 hp single cylinder “Supercharged” 2 stroke Jelbart. Serial no 384 of 6” bore and 8” stroke it was made in Ballarat in 1910 and originally used for chaff cutting and pumping.

Jelbarts where considered quirky engines, by most being 2 stroke with a weird stepped piston which was larger at the back end to act as a charging pump. This draws extra volume of mixture into the crankcase on its forward stroke . On the return stroke this is pumped through external transfer pipes on it’s way to the normal end of the cylinder . What is novel is that on its way it passes through what would normally be the water jacket of the cylinder head to assist in the vaporization of the kerosene. It enters the cylinder through ports that are uncovered by the piston where a deflector on the crown directed the spent charge out the corresponding exhaust ports. Being hit and miss on light load they have a distinctive trailing off to their exhaust beat occasionally followed by a loud backfire as the mixture in all these passages is depleted before another lot is admitted. Jelbart's passionately believed in their products guaranteeing no other tractor could better their fuel economy. There was also claims of exceptional power and reliability. The first might have been right due to their supercharging effect but I do know they have a reputation for being very hard to start and get to run properly with many getting returned to the factory for repair and improvements. We have a scarce 4 hp languishing in our Museum that despite being rebuilt by none other than the legendary Frank Gough no one has been able to get it to run!.

A Trojan car engine was another quirky engine that caught Bill’s eye . On display was the works showing how a pair of pistons shared a Y shaped connecting rod . It was a 4 cylinder 2 stroke with each pair of cylinders connected at the top to a common combustion chamber . August Steam Supreme 4

A Trojan car engine . It lies on the flat under the front seat . Photographed by Warwick Bryce at Goldsmith.

The Y shaped connecting rod . It has to flex slightly as it goes up and down due to the moving from side to side of the crank pin. This causes first one piston and then the other to get ahead of its oppersite which is used to advantage to get assymetrical timming between inlet and exhaust ports.

An explanation of the principle was found in a book on Opposed Piston Engines courtesy of Plough Books August Steam Supreme 5

Mystery Object The final piece of machinery is a bit of a drawn in as the wheel is further rotated. There are a number mystery object while claiming to be a pipe threader of machines of different sizes , this being one of the smaller as just how it works is not obvious. the bigger ones had a bevel gear reduction drive to turn the die. Anyway an interesting bit of Vintage workshop machinery. Printing Presses Another display that caught Bill’s eye was the building set up as a printing works. This contains a collection of presses and letterpress types demonstrating the changes in printing technology. The display is accompanied by a video "STOP PRESS! Preserving a Craft", which covers the history and the process involved in Letterpress Printing. This is rather ironic display considering the trouble we are having getting rid of our presses that are considered beyond the scope of our museum!

Bill found it surprising how such a small town could have such a good display. I find it interesting how in these rural districts the people all get together and support these kinds of projects to the benefit of the district. In our case we battle along largely on our own and in fact compete with other organizations for funds , members and visitors . I wonder if in these country areas , where everyone depends on each other to a much greater degree than in a big city, if the whole community acts together as a sort of a club of their own where as we are just the minority with a special interest. Warwick

An internet search turned up a bit more info on Wiley & Russell maker Greenfield Mass. USA . In the 1870’s they were one of the 2 largest manufactures of taps and dies in the world having invented the split die that was far superior to the old threaded plates. This machine is one of their hand operated “Bolt Cutter and Nut threader “ Imagine the bit of water pipe is not in the machine at all. The die is clamped in the split collar on the end of the spindle in the headstock . The item to be threaded is clamped in the self cantering double jaw vice. Then as the hand wheel is rotate the work is forced forward into the die by the vertical handle allowing the die to catch then the work is August Steam Supreme 6

Who invented the Ute ? Internet pic W i t h t h e d e m i s e o f l o cal production just what a Ute is and who invented it is up for debate with it looking like a number of players are attempting to rewrite history for their own benefit . Long time Automotive Engineer and more recently automotive Historian Warwick Bryce looks into the subject and not all might like his opinion . DEFINITIONS First we need to define a few things so it is clear what we are IS IT A UTE ? We will apply a simple test . It must tick all the boxes talking about, most previous commentators have failed to do this leading to misunderstandings and disputes. Yes A useful vehicle with load space at the back Invention to think up a new device or process that has not Yes 2 doors existed before . Webster's Universal Dictionary / Oxford Advanced dictionary Yes Closed roof Inventor the first person to think up the new design . Yes Derived from a passenger car By definition it follows there can only be one inventor even if several people in different countries arrive at the idea Yes Passenger compartment and load carrying are one load independently one has to be the first. bearing structure with no gap or join in between. Utilitarian / Utility designed to be of practical use / to This can be easily picked because they use car type rear provide such a service. quarter panels. Coupe closed horse drawn vehicle with 1 inside seat for 2 people and an outside seat for the driver - Today relation to cars. A roofed 2 door motor car usually with a sloping back . Oxford A Coupe 1925 Ford Model T Internet So by now you can see where we are going For sale on Internet

Utility or Ute Australian term for “Fully Closed Coupe Utility Vehicle” this is not in the dictionaries but is what the 1960 Chev El Camino Y.Y.Y.Y.Y. Ticks all the boxes manufactures referred to them in their day and is the accepted and is clearly derived from a passenger car closed term by Australian Automotive Historians so this is right in coupe. Now an American classic but coupe utilities were my book! Ford , General Motors, Darwin, Loffler , Wright never very popular over there with Pickup trucks being So with that out of the way what makes a Ute? preferred , August Steam Supreme 7

concept dreamed up by Ford. Legend has it in 1933, a Gippsland farmer's wife wrote a letter to Ford Australia, asking: “Can you build me a vehicle that we can use to go to church on Sunday, without getting wet i.e. ( with a closed top ), and that my husband can use to take the pigs to market on Monday?” Just as a side point a farmer brought a Holden HR Ute into the garage in Whitfield where I worked to get the brakes fixed. He was on his way back from delivering pigs to market in Wangaratta. The lingering smell was so horrendous that the boss told him to bring it back after it had been washed out . No way would anyone dare go to church in that Ute! Taking the project on was Lewis Bandt, Ford’s first body designer at the Geelong plant. He came up with a concept of 1960 Chev C 10 stepside pickup . Score Y.Y.Y.N.N. modifying a 1933 closed coupe, by incorporating tub Not a Ute , No passenger car version and a separate bodywork in the back and strengthening the structure so that it load tray. could carry a load. The prototype was approved and Ford put

The Closed Coupe Utility often gets confused with another it into production in 1934 as the Model 40-A Light Delivery . early relation the Roadster utility vehicle which has a canvas roof instead of closed top. Interweb pic but needs to Holden Produced 1934 Pontiac Roadster. b e c r e d i t e d t o T h e A u s t r a l i a M o t o r i s t

Norm Darwin pic Several writers in popular publications suggests these are the first Utes but by the Australian industry accepted definition they are not true Utes as they are derived from open top roadsters not hard roofed coupes. Not that I think it is an attempt to rewrite history just not a clear idea what a Ute really is? . This 1934 add distinguished the utility from a light Pickup truck by having the body work continuing in an unbroken line from the cabin to the tail. Score Y.Y.Y.Y.Y. The new vehicle was designated as a Coupe Utility from inception With Australians love of simplifying our language no doubt it quickly come known as a “Ute”. Internet Image A 1934 Ford Fully enclosed 1924 Dodge Roadster utility Old enough to be a Coupe the vehicle from which the Ute contender for the invention but scores Y.Y.N.Y.Y. not Car sales UK being derived from a Coupe so not a true Ute in my book. was derived .

With that out of the way The above leaves me no doubt what a Ute is and which Who INVENTED the UTE ? manufacture was first to put one into production but it does Ford Australia ? not answer who THOUGHT of it first . We like to think of the ute as an Australian invention with the August Steam Supreme 8

Brandt's Replica In retirement Lew longed for a ute but not Mini Ute being able to find an I saw one at Winton a cute little thing and according to the original, in 1975 he owner about 10 where made in the UK based on the longer created a replica from a wheel base minivan. That one being a later private import cut down 1933 Ford though there sedan . Tragically in 1987 has been a on his way home from number of filming a documentary on local the subject he collided with a sand truck and was killed in his conversions ute. A reproduction was built from the wreck by members of some more the Early Ford V8 club and this car and his name went on to stylish using become a legend featuring on stamps and postcards as well as the sedan being the subject of detailed scale models. It is still going on boot lid and with the latest a TV series on Australian Inventions that rear Changed the World. But is the Ute really an Australian window. invention I ask ? Lets look at a few mores candidates . 1968 Mini Ute. A true ute but the 2 in the background are not Holden It was many years before Utes appeared badged as Warwicks 1925 Chev Holdens , GM’s Australian own brand. Based on the popular A bit closer to home is this Chev score Y.Y.N.Y.N. 48-215 sedan the first Holden Ute went on sale in 1951 despite definitely not a ute with separate tray and no roof . At best it it being mentioned at the sedans release in November 1948 could be considered as having the Ute treatment but that is not that a utility version would follow. That it was late is obvious strictly right. A 2013 buckboard would be closer to home from the code 50-2106 with the 50 indicating the intended year of start of production . 21 is GM code for Australia , 06 code for Coupe Utility style . It was a huge success particularly in county areas with sales ultimately exceeding 50% of the ute marked. Don Loffler She’s a Beauty !. Warwick’s FJ Holden ute doing what utes were made to do, carting firewood on the farm in Whitfield in the 1970’s Warwick’s Chev creation with Yappy and Crappy out the Score Y.Y.Y.Y.Y. front of his house . General Motors Motor Body Builders You might think Ford well and truly beat General Motors but Conversions of Sedans and Roadsters into Pickups , Buckboards that is not the case. GMH produced Chevrolet and Bedford and what eventually became known as Utes was common . Often to coupe utilities were released in Sept ‘34 less than 3 month get a bit more life out of a car in hard times. There is even the legend after Ford. Norm Darwin . These closely resembled Fords of a Rolls Royce getting the treatment. except having 3 windows instead of 5. - True Utes

Let’s look at conversions for the answer . CONVERSIONS In the search a few interesting ones came up.

Norm Darwin Warwick photo . This 1924 Chevrolet Roadster with car rear quarter panels was built by Miller Bros in Sydney NSW . Called In particular a cc 1974 Citroen DS station wagon. a Standard Utility Delivery it has been considered to be the The conversion was done by Dutton's Citroen dealer in Father of the Coupe Utility. Score Y.Y.N.Y.Y. Melbourne in the 1980’s . The current owner is passionate Norm Darwin Early Australian Automotive Design about Citroens and obviously as well Utes! Is it a true Ute ? Y.Y.Y.Y.Y. August Steam Supreme 9

America on Wheels Allentown Pa manufacturer to produce a Ute. This superb museum was the first of many to be visited by Unfortunately the idea that the Coupe Ute was an Australian Phil Randall and Warwick on their 2018 USA Vintage invention sounds a bit like rewriting history to me. Machinery tour . Tucked away upstairs behind Mack trucks REWRITING HISTORY THERE IT WAS ! Typical car yard scene of these days . A fine range of useful A cc 1925 T model Ford with the ute treatment rugged and capable vehicles but what are they ? The dicky seat lid had been removed and a floor and sides Applying the Ute test of having 2 doors , separate tubs and constructed to enable a load to be carried while still no passenger car version the Score Y.N.Y.N.N. I am sorry maintaining the passenger car rear sheet metal and mudguards. The information sheet mentions this was a popular conversion by tradesmen in the district to allow them to carry their tools and equipment to jobs around town. While I cannot say who thought of it first this T model definitely ticks all the boxes and predates Ford Australia's Coupe Utility vehicle . Score Y.Y.Y.Y.Y. SUMMING UP It is quite clear after market body builders made the first Utes in small numbers either as conversions or bespoke bodies to fit onto rolling chassis from other car manufactures

they are not utes in my book but rather Pickups and Crew cabs. There is nothing new in this , the car retailers are at it right now. The end of local production in Australia has brought about the demise of the Ute and the local car retailers have wasted no time in branding their substitutes as utes which by my reckoning do not conform to the true meaning of the word. Ironically the last of the Ford Falcon utilities were not true Utes either but pickups. Close inspection shows no connection between the cabin and tub .

A pity we did not take a leaf out of the South Africans book and call them “ Bakkies “ ( various spelling ) which has a broad enough meaning to cover all variations of the product eliminating any need to change the meaning of Ute . Warwick Bryce

Acknowledgements Webster's Universal Dictionary Oxford Advanced dictionary . Early Ford V8 Club Warwick Photo Outback travel Australia Hemming . Wiki . Norm Darwin— “100 years of GM in Australia”, “Early Australian Automotive Design” . Don Loffler— “She's a Beauty” . .CONCLUSION Considering the original designation of a ute Peter Lynch. Vintage Trucks 7 commrcials , Playtoyclassiccars . John and the dictionary definition of invention Ford Geelong Wright— “Heart of the Lion”. American cars for sale internet deserve credit for being the first large scale original vehicle August Steam Supreme 10

Happy Birthday Dave Regardless of what, it will make just the thing to fit a bulky looking load on and couple up behind a traction engine. Founding member Dave Mickle and several friends from his retirement home enjoyed a morning with MSTEC members down at the Museum last Thursday. The occasion was Dave’s Birthday or rather the 68 anniversary of his 21 st . For old times sake Robert Jones and Fred mynard had Dave’s former Yorkshire steam Wagon “Ethel” in action much to Dave's enjoyment.

It is in immediate need of straightening of the draw bar and a bit of rust treatment of the wheels. Any takers? Incidentally Harding's have been long term friends of our club and were instrumental in giving us the girls land Army hut which is now our club rooms . Fortunate indeed to have such supporters. Grahams Fergy At the previous Social Meeting a Little Grey Fergy was offered for sale at a very attractive price. Graham Stacey jumped at the opportunity but became a bit despondent when it Vintage Trailer became obvious it was not a runner and was located in a very Trevor, prop of John Harding House removalists of in accessible position . However with encouragement from Dandenong, generously though MSTEC would like his members he persisted and it duly arrived with the appropriate vintage solid rubber tyred 4 wheel trailer for our Museum. permissions. This was Grahams first encounter with tractors We are still tying to find out about its history but indications after much advice from members and tractor dealers new coil . are it was built by his father utilizing solid rubber tyres from plugs, distributer cap battery and oil was purchased. This an early cc 1920 motor truck, possibly a Vulcan. The chassis expenditure had Graham a bit uncomfortable having a “bean is electrically welded up out of tapered flange I beams dating counter” background but all turned to smiles when it started it to just before or after the WW2. Having a drop deck and and the engine was found to be in excellent condition . While tapered main frame suggests it was built for a special purpose. at the moment it looks pretty rough it is remarkably original making it a very desirable acquisition. It just shows you what a August Steam Supreme 11 great club we have when we can introduce new members to such a wonderful hobby. Len Brighton and John Mills encouraging Graham Whiskey, Wine and Fire Festival – 18 – 21 July 2 Following on from the great success of the 2018 Whisky, Wine and Fire Festival at Caulfield Racecourse in 2018, we provided a display of three engines for this year as well. The Club’s Marshall S-Class steam roller, K.L. Bulldog and Mini-Mac McDonald footpath roller were transported to Caulfield Racecourse on the Wednesday before the event and set up for an operating static display. Several thousands of patrons attend each of the four nights of the event, and we put on a great display!

So many people loved blowing the steam roller’s whistles (a special manifold was created so two whistles could be mounted this year) or admiring the Bulldog gently bouncing up and down as it fired. We handed our several hundred rally flyers and answered so many questions about our club, the steam roller, Mini-Mac and the Bulldog. Along with blowing the whistles, starting the Bulldog also attracted a huge circle of onlookers. On each the night, travelling musicians made a point of visiting and played music in time to the Bulldog’s exhaust beat or in tune with the whistles. This event provides a great opportunity for the club to promote what we do, and to a crowd that would rarely see such machinery in action! I’d like to thank Dean Stewart, Andrew Fairweather, Brenton Gogerly, Phil Randall, Adam Powell, Duncan and Kasper Meyers, Peter Jackman and Daryl Killingsworth for all the help during this event. Neil Meyers Display in daylight