WESTERN VETERAN AND VINTAGE MOTOR CLUB, LTD. Newsletter June 2003 Pictures from Wales trip 2 The Alvis Trip to Ireland 10 Directors and Officers 3 The “Poker Charity Run” 11 Poem: “Our Trip to South Wales” 4 WestRun 2003 12 The John Folan Page 5 Meals after Wheels 13 The Quiz Page 6 Other Club’s Events 14 Available Car Storage 6 Current Membership 15 Local Events 7 Current Membership 16 Overseas Trip to Wales 8 Current Membership 17 Vintage Day in Eyrecourt 9 Current Membership 18 For Sale 9 More Pictures from Wales 19 1936 Alvis Silver Eagle 1 Photographs from theTrip to Wales 2 Newsletter, March 2003 WESTERN VETERAN AND VINTAGE MOTOR CLUB, LTD. W.V.V.M.C. Limited, Registered Office: 25 Nun’s Island, Galway. Reg. No.: 132186 Directors and Officers for 2003: President: Bill Fennell ………. Tel. 091-757208, 086-8282356 Vice President: Ray O’Donoghue … Tel. 091-794241, 087-2798122 Chairperson: Larry Murphy …… Tel. 091-794639, 087-2257996 Treasurer: Padraic Giblin ……… Tel. 091-631306 Secretary: Frank Mullan ……... Tel. 091-523012, 086-2327678 Membership: John Dooley ….… Tel. 091-791970, 086-8819458 Summer Run: Sergio Magnetti …... Tel. 091-592256 Summer Run Assistant: Pat Mullins …... Tel. 091-525289 Overseas Run: John Downes ….. Tel. 091-796722, 087-2339557 Insurance: Larry Murphy ….... Tel. 091-794639, 087-2257996 Scrutineering: James McDonagh …….. Tel. 091-755482 Technical: John Folan ……..... Tel. 087-2680616 Hon. Member: Jimmy Francis …..… Tel. 091-561943 Communications Committee: Ray O’Donoghue (091 794241), David Fennell (091 757208), Ernst Wijnekus (091 794889). Social Committee: Helen Quinlan (093 24762), Pat Conacur(091 794975), Joe O’Neill (0907 59022), Ray O’Donoghue ( 091 794241). From the editor ……. WVVMC newsletter is published quarterly. Letters, trip reports, articles, cars for sale or parts wanted, interesting articles, advertisements etc. etc. for the Club’s Newsletter, can be sent to: Ray O’Donoghue, Dublin Road, Oranmore or e- mailed to: [email protected] See also our website: www.wvvmc.com If you want to have a photograph of your classic or vintage car printed on the front page of the cover please send me a good photograph + car details (colour or black/white but no Polaroids). 3 “Our Trip to South Wales” By Mick Feeney. We are here in Wales for the weekend, We came without a jerk, After all why shouldn’t we? Sure we came in Paddy’s Merc. The weather today is lovely, It really is a God send, We are staying in the Best Western, In a place they call Bridgend. We were just sitting down to dinner When a message came on the wire, We could hardly believe it, when we heard John Folan’s car was on fire. John was back on the road the next morning With another car he had acquired, So we all set off in convoy To explore the Welsh countryside. From the Brecon Mountain Railway We saw valleys, hills and streams. Wales—a land of beauty To remember in our dreams. To finish the day I’m glad to say They surely proved a winner We enjoyed Welsh hospitality As they treated us all to dinner. This is my first time away from home, I’m glad I came to Wales, There is nothing more certain when I go home I’ll surely tell some tales. Of the people I met, the best you could get, I don’t know how they all came together, They must have a pull with whoever it is That has something to do with the weather. We went on a trip to Cowbridge, And then on to the museum, Oh what an experience everyone said, It really was like a dream. On Sunday morning we went to the show And of course the ladies went shopping, You’d swear they were rich, and hadn’t a stitch The way they came home laughing. Now the trip is over but we can’t forget The people who organised it. So I’ll say thanks, and thanks again, They surely did surprise us. I’m bad at names, but I think of John James, He really made an impression, And I want to thank him and the others we met, And look forward to a future session. Poem written by Mick Feeney giving his thoughts on the Trip to Wales. See also page 8. 4 The John Folan Page Hello again! In this issue I put pen to paper to talk about fuel leaks and what can and will go wrong as a result (Stop laughing, Paddy Fahy!). On our overseas run to Wales just before I turned off the Motorway for Bridgend I noticed the smell of petrol in the car.. As I was only a few miles from the hotel I decided to keep going and take a look as soon as we got there (bad idea). About a mile or so from the hotel the car cut out and stupidly I tried to start it again and ig- nited the fumes that had gathered in the engine bay. By keeping the bonnet closed it slowed the spread of the fire and luckily the fire brigade were on the scene in minutes, so the only damage was to the engine bay. So folks, what happened to me may be of some help to someone else. Always, as soon as you smell petrol, check to see what it is, no matter where you are, motorway or not or even half a mile from home. Do not attempt to start the car until you are certain there are no fumes trapped in the confined area under the bonnet. Open the bonnet and vent the area well for a few moments even if you have repaired the leak. So now to something that could prevent all this (again I hear a certain Mr. Fahy laughing). Check all hoses that carry fuel, the connections on these hoses and the carburettor overflow pipe for leaks. Look for signs of cracking on older hoses and replace. Check all hose clips and make sure they are tight. It is worth remembering that today’s unleaded petrol is more volatile and less kind to old hoses. So do a regular check …….. Now back to the Wales run, it was a wonderful few days, and we all had a great time. For those of you who decided not to go, it is something you should con- sider on our next overseas run. It was great to see our friends from Burnley - Phil, Margaret and Ronnie - who made the trip down in two lovely ‘Y’ type Fords, and also all the gang from the South Wales Club. The show on Sunday was superb, with a huge display of fine cars and an autojumble - they even found some fire extin- guishers which were pointed out to me (very funny guys!). All in all, it was worth doing. As for the car, it will repair, just got to bring it home. Until next time, enjoy the summer season of shows, runs and our own big one, the WestRun 2003. Lisdoonvarna and Gort and the Olympic Torch On Tuesday morning, June 17th, thirteen cars from WVVMC left Oranmore at 8.30am, picked up two more in Kinvara, two more in Ballyvaughan and were joined by two others who were already in Lisdoonvarna for a memorable occasion with the Lisdoon- varna Events Group who were celebrating the arrival of the Olympic Torch and the hosting of the Ukrainian Special Olympics Team. After Lisdoonvarna, many of the cars trav- elled to Gort and led the Olympic teams from Serbia and Montenegro to the presentation stand. 5 The Quiz Page 1. In what year was the last Alvis car built? ____________ 2. Name the main sponsors for WestRun 2002? _______________ 3. What Classic Car event takes place on August 17th.? ________________ 4. Name the editor of “Classic Car Weekly”? ________________ 5. To which car group did the “Velox PA” belong? _______________ 6. The abbreviations for the host committee of WestRun 2001? ___________ 7. Which carmaker had “Arnage” and “Brooklands”? _____________ 8. Which WVVMC Committee member lives in Glenbrack Road? _________ 9. Which car won the “European car of the year” for 2000? _______________ 10. What is the Reg. No. of Jimmy Francis’ Anglia? _____________ 11. What do the letters VSR stand for? ____________________ 12. When was the official launch of the Range Rover? ________________ 13. What make is the Z600? ______________ 14. Name four former presidents of W.V.V.M.C.? ______________________ _____________________________________________________________ 15. Which Galway Town is hosting WestRun 2003? ___________________ Please send your answers, with your name, address and phone no. to Ray O’Donoghue, Dublin Road, Oranmore, Co. Galway before August 15th. The winner of the last issue quiz was Mr. Michael Spellman, ‘Fuchsia Lodge’ Clogher, Claregalway. The correct answers were: 1) 1948, 2) Back Axle, 3) Acclaim, 4) All con- vertibles, 5) Increase octane rating, 6) Setting Timing, 7) Buick, 8) Ford, 9) Induction, Compression, Ignition, Exhaust. 10) 1966, 11) Headlight Dipping, 12) 3-door, 13) Datsun, 14) Carburettors, 15) Reliant. Garage space in Monivea Storage space in Monivea has recently been offered to the W.V.V.M.C. • This garage is located beside a private house in Monivea. • Privately owned by the people in the house. • It appears to be very secure. • It is 20ft. x 40ft. in size. • There is a covered pit towards the rear. • It is about 12 miles from Oran- more and about 15 miles from Galway. • It is available for immediate lease/rent. If interested, please phone 087 2798122 View of building from front gate.