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Newsletter March 2012 GTMOC
NewsletterMarch 2012
GTMOC
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Who’s WhoSecretary
Bob Snooks 73, Plough Lane Stoke Poges Buckinghamshire SL2 4JW
01753 662 951 0r 07730 703 180 [email protected]
Treasurer
Steve Bliss 17, Marti Close Melksham Wiltshire SN12 7JA
01225 793 121 [email protected]
Membership Secretary
Bob Hadlington 1 Callcott Drive Quarry Bank Brierley Hill West Midlands DY5 2NF
01384 894 [email protected]
Newsletter Editor
Roger Brown Brownhill House Ruyton XI Towns Shrewsbury Shropshire SY4 1LR
01939 261 121 Fax 01939 260 626 [email protected] www.eleventowns.co.uk www.eleventowns.com
Editor’s columnWinter puts some restrictions on enjoying our cars,particularly those with no lid. My local club, ShACC(Shropshire Alternative Car Club), had a good turnoutfor their Christmas/New Year run and lunch at the endof December. We gave the Spyder an airing for therun which took us into Wales on some superb roads.We had the top down (you can’t appear soft withpeople looking) but took the precaution of wearingscarves.
Since then, we have had some fairly cold weatherwhich I am using as the excuse for not having fulfilledmy resolution to do all manner of maintenance jobson the cars. In particular, I must get round to theunder-bonnet clean up of the Spyder.
On the bright side, we can now look forward to theSpring and Summer activities. Detling is too far awayfor us to go but that weekend we have the Loton Parkspeed hill climb to amuse us. There is Drive It day on22nd April when we will probably join the MG clubfor the Dragon Run. Then it is Stoneleigh so, if youhaven’t done so yet, book your camping.
The next issue will be at the beginning of June socontributions by the 10th May please. Reports ofmeetings, runs and track days, accounts of building,tips for maintenance, sources of components - theyare all very welcome. About the only practicalrestriction is for the text format to be Word, OpenOffice or rtf so that I can read it. Pictures do not haveto be very high definition.
We need pictures of members’ cars for the cover.Portrait format, which is the less common mode forphotographing cars, suits the space best but we havea square one this time which looks fine. So, lets seeyour pride a joy, shooting from the unconventionalangle is a bonus.
Send contributions to: [email protected]
Thanks to Barry Smith, Andrew and AngelaCornelius, Mark Hensen , Trina Roberts andMalcolm Jones for contributions to this issue.
Front pageSuperb location for this picture of the Corneliusfamily Libra.
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East MidlandsChristmas Dinner
Mark Hensen sent in pictures of the East midlands Christmas dinner although where it was is asecret. However, it looks as though a good time was had by all. Howard Yeoman drove his K3 buthe was the only one to arrive in a GTM. He is seen paying the bill in the picture so if you can spothis card details the treasurer would like to know.
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Shropshire run andlunch
Just to show that one GTM was out in the winter cold with the roof off, hereis the start of the Shropshire Alternative Car Club run on 27th December
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The laws of physicsA letter to the Materials World scientific journal fromCraig Durham pointed out some of themisunderstandings on energy efficiency.
The first law of thermodynamics makes it very clearthat you cannot create or destroy energy - it can onlybe changed from one form to another. As regardsmotor cars, the main concern is with potential (stored}energy being converted into kinetic (movement)energy. There has been, and continues to be, plentyof debate on what is the most efficient and “clean”way of making this conversion. In particular, therehas been a lot said about the virtues of electricallypowered cars.
Mr Durham found some very interesting figures thatbear on this debate. The internal combustion enginehas been estimated to be about 20% efficient whichsounds pretty bad with 80% being lost as heat andnoise and used in running the ancillary components.
The electric motor also loses energy in various waysbut apparently achieves the laudable efficiency ofaround 80-90%. However, Mr Durham points out thatthere is a fly in this ointment. - the electricity has to
be generated. He cited the UK situation where mostof our electricity comes from coal, gas or nuclearpower stations and the coal and gas stations are of theorder of 30-60% efficient at best. You then have toconsider the efficiency of the batteries which for thelatest technology has been estimated at 77% with thosein use rather less.
You could also bring into consideration theenvironmental factors involved in mining and disposalof the lithium etc, but that aside the net result is thatan electrically powered car is only about 18-36%efficient. Plus or minus a bit, there is nothing in it sono need to feel guilty with your old fashioned motor.
The fact is you can’t win as you can’t get out morethan you put in. Indeed, you can’t do so well as tobreak even as there are always losses when you makea conversion. Actually, there would be no loss atabsolute zero temperature, but then you can’t reachabsolute zero.
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Trina’s coupeI bought the coupe back in January 2004 when it wasin need of a little tlc. The sunroof had been brokenwhich had also caused a lot of stress fractures to theroof and the tub was very rusty. However I stillbought it and we got to work straight away. The firstpart was to strip it all down and see how much of thefloor needed replacing, in the end it turned out to beall of it but we didn't have to remove the body so thatspeeded things along. One problem we had was therewas some kind of paint that had been used withoutprimer so it was peeling off in strips and exposinglots more rusty metal.After all the welding was done, it was time to sort outthe cracks in the roof, a little on the bonnet where themaster cylinders had been and the rear light openingswere made smaller so we could fit some new onesfrom Europa specialist spares. The body was sprayedwith etch primer and a topcoat of two-pack RoverFlame Red. While all this was going on,the two subframes and the hinge for the bonnet weresent for bead blasting and were sprayed in two packblack. The steering column, handbrake, brake backplates and many other smaller bits and pieces werealso sprayed and if they weren't sprayed black, theywere sprayed red!The rebuild time was very exciting and couldn't waitto see it on its wheels again. Practically every nut andbolt fitted is stainless steel and the heads are allpolished to add a bit of bling. The engine is standard1275 A+ painted black with a downdraught Webercarb, the suspension has been modified with stainlesssteel tie bars, rose jointed bottom arms and Konishocks all round. The brakes are Minisport8.4" drilled and grooved discs with refurbishedcallipers and super minifins on the rear. The interiordidn't escape a bit of sprucing up either with new redcarpet, Cobra cub seats, Sparco steering wheeland gear knob. We extended the wiring loom a littlebit to allow the fuse box to come into the car and theloom was recovered in black loom tape.The MOT day came and it passed first time! phew!It was quite funny watching the MOT chap trying toget in and out of the car he nearly went flying acrossthe workshop at one point I bet that would have beena fail!All that seems a long time ago, but I’m proud to sayits has passed every MOT since.
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Cautionary tale
Here is the finalproduct
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There was a sobering reminder last year of what could happen when car enthusiasts get together for a run.The spectacular crash in Japan involving no less than eight Ferraris, three Mercedes, a Lamborghini, aSkyline and an unfortunate Prius was prominently reported, with suggestions that the total value of thewrecked cars was $4M. GTMs may not cost that much but they are valuable to us. Apparently, one car wentout of control while overtaking in wet conditions at rather in excess of the speed limit .
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Web pages to goI have been advised that the GTMOC pages on IanJohnson’s web site are about to disappear as he haschanged his ISP - but we have saved the valuablecontent. To remind you, here are some of thepictures.
Rossa
K3
Coupe
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Membership renewalsdue1st January to 31st March 2012
Blair Askew 1122
Richard Benjamin 291
Anne Britton 638
Robin Brown 119
Andy Coghill 131
Andrew Craystone 808
John Dickens 1008
Andy Dumelow 1223
Paul Elliment 1247
Alexander Gibson 1141
Craig Kenyon 1091
Jonathon Kimberley 569
Daniel Lewis 1219
Gillian Macmillion 1240
Darren Mansell 1245
Alan Marcon 1241
Nick March 692
Robert Medhurst 1221
Keith Phillips 1261
Stuart Poole 767
Martin Price 1120
Steve Shield 238
Julia Wag 274
Peter Webster 1244
Melvyn Woodman 565
Regional GroupsReminder of the two regional groups:
The Southern group meet on the first Tuesday ofthe month at The Fishery, Elstree, Watford WD6 3BEThe pub serves good, reasonably priced, food ifrequired.
The group started to meet back in 2002 (ish) and havebeen meeting every month since then. We have had26 people attend a meeting but unfortunately numbersare not so great these days. Regulars meet whatever
the weather with a hard core of 9 of us and occasionalvisits from other members. We've even had a Scottishmember join us when he was on a business trip toLondon..
The venue was picked because it is handy for the M1and M25 as most of the regulars have about an hoursjourney to get there. We are a friendly bunch andwould love to have some other members join us. Youdon't have to come every month but would be nice tosee as many of you as possible.
Don Stephenson organises the East Midlands meetat The Roman Way, Newark (junction of A1/A46) onthe second Tuesday of the month. There are somepictures of their Christmas dinner on page 3.
Why not organise a gathering in your area? Volunteersare wanted to act as regional organiser/convenor/whatever you wish to call it. It should be a veryenjoyable job that is not too onerous.
No interest has been forthcoming on a Shropshireand mid Wales area section but the two GTMs weknow of in the region do belong to the ShropshireAlternative Car Club.
If you are in the area, contact me (Roger Brown) [email protected].
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TechnicalWeb sites
In addition to stuff on the forum(www.gtmdriver.com)
There is a lot of useful information atwww.sidewinderforge.co.uk/netlibrabild
Tips
Barry Smith has a few tips that sound as though theyare from bitter experience:
Winter woes - Way back we had starting trouble(Libra 1.8vvc version) - the solution was to changethe battery to an Exide 450 CCA (Cold CrankingAmps) the original Metro battery was only 350 or380 CCA.
Libra/Spyder, If you hear zinging noises from theback end check the exhaust mountings & heat shieldfor cracks, stainless steel is prone to cracking ifstressed too much.
If your exhaust flexible keeps breaking make surethat the two pipes that it joins together are in line ¬ at an angle to each other.
Gear change sloppy, check the bracket under the carwhich attaches to the engine, the original on oursbroke.
Malcolm Jones has sent us this suggestion forbattery terminals:
Quick clean and simple solution for those with noninsulated positive battery terminal. Cut one from anempty plastic milk bottle and secure with self tappingscrews. Folds back easily if you want to use jumpleads any time.
I still have the clean up and protect everything inthe engine compartment job on the list but I also needto look at the reversing light. I gleaned from theforum that the switch is on the bulkhead side of thegearbox and there is a strong possibility of a dodgyconnection. Why do so many jobs involve lying onthe floor?
I also noted a couple of potentially useful addresses:
www.stainless-exhaust.com
www.plastics4performance.com
Please send me your tips, solutions and questionsfor this column to [email protected]
Web siteStuart Poole has let us know that he is still workingon the GTM/Coupe history but it is still a work inprogress. We have not had any other contributions orsuggestions for new content so the only new materialon club’s web site at www.gtmownersclub.co.uk inrecent times is this edition of the newsletter.
So, let us know what you would like to be includedor, even better, produce some content. The areas thatI would like to see are technical articles/advice andmore historical information and photographs.Another possibility is a gallery of members’ cars.
Currently, the Members Only section has links to thenewsletters and committee contact details. Let usknow if you think there should be change there. Emailto [email protected]
Although the newsletter can be accessed from themembers area of the web site, it is more convenientto receive it by email, so if you have not yet done soplease fill in the form on the last page.
The password to enter the members page isimperial
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Club RegaliaAll of the following regalia can be bought by mail order (postage and packing extra) with theexception of the mugs and glasses which are only available at shows. Please make your chequespayable to ‘GTM Owners Club’.All garments have an embroidered owners club badge and are available in several colours and sizes.Please phone /e-mail to check choices available. If you are thinking of purchasing items at a Kit Car,show please contact me beforehand so that I can ensure that I bring the relevant stock as space in theLibra is limited.
Waterproof jacket £44.00
Fleeces £27.00
Sweatshirts - Round Neck £13.00Sweatshirts – V Neck £14.00
T- Shirts - Round Neck £8.00T- Shirts – V Neck £9.00Ladies T – Shirts £9.00
Polo Shirts £14.00
Baseball Caps £9.00
GTMOC Tax Disc Holders (stick on) £1.50GTMOC Mugs £4.00GTMOC pint glass £4.00GTMOC Leather Key Fobs with enamel badge £3.00GTMOC Enamel Badges £2.00GTMOC Window Stickers (3” dia.) £1.00GTMOC Embroidered Badges £2.00
Enquiries to Bob Snooks
01753 662951 or 07730 703180e-mail – [email protected]
Prices are for stock items and are subject to change with new orders.
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Events Calendar 2012Information to date
APRIL7-8 The European Kit Car Show, Detling - club area, no marquee
MAY6-7 The National Kit Car Motor Show, Stoneleigh - club area, large marquee,
AGM 2.00 PM and evening barbecue on Sunday
JUNE10 Kit Car London to Brighton
15-17 Pageant of Power – Cholmondeley Castle
16-17 Le Mans 24 hour
16-17 National Kit Car Festival, Newark - club area, small marquee
29 - 1 July Goodwood Festival of Speed
JULY7-8 Le Mans Classic
7-8 British Mini Showdown, Shakespeare County Raceway, - club area
20-22 Silverstone Classic - club area?
AUGUST12? Mini in the Park, Santa Pod Raceway - club area?
SEPTEMBER1-2 NEW Donington Kit Car Show - club area?
14-16 Goodwood Revival meeting – bringing the 1950s to life!
OCTOBER20-21? The Great Western Kit Car Show, Exeter - unable to book club area
Would you like to see a wider range of events listed? A comprehensive list with a strong bias to theShropshire/Welsh borders area can be found at www.shacc.org.uk
For Sale and WantedWe can accept GTM related adverts from members. Please send to the editor
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#PLEASE READ –
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING FUTURE NEWSLETTERS
NAME MEMBERSHIP NUMBER
EMAIL ADDRESS
If you do not have an email address please tick here
If you have found your way to this newsletter on the web site but have not sent us your email addressplease complete the details below and return to the Club Secretary (Bob Snooks). Alternatively, you canemail Bob with the details at [email protected] We can then send you the newsletter as anemail attachment.
By not sending out printed copies to everyone we will keep down the club’s costs.
ADDRESS
Women are angels.
And when someone breaks ourwings,
We simply continue tofly….usually
On a broomstick.
We are flexible like that.
Men are like wine.
Some turn to vinegar
but the best improve with age
CEM Joad
