Wolseley Hornet Special Club of Australia Inc Hornet Special Newsletter Issue 50 September 2012 WHS Club Contacts Secretary Bill Russell, ph (03) 9349 2262 President Lyle Cooper ph (07) 3312 2365 Editor Henry Hancock, ph (07) 3878 2850 3 Gilia Court Indooroopilly Qld 4068 hlaevt@aanet.com.au AGM 2012 Goulburn NSW 19th, 20th and 21st October [amended date] Excellent and extensive program organized by Bill and Rhonda Welcome John Higham John has bought Mike Ryves ‘34 WHS in Canberra. He has had a number of T type MGs, MGB and MGA during his working years and he went into historic and classic motor bikes in a big way (MVs, Ducatis and BMWs) for many years. He’s now mainly interested in pre war cars and has a 1927 Alvis 12/50 ducksback and 1933 Alvis Firefly. Plus a 1933 Riley 9 Lynx. Continued Page 8 Highlights this issue Mike Ryves’ car sold ..... page 1 Gerry Dunford’s birthday ..... page 2 WHS UK price ..... page 2 AGM Program ..... page 3 Wolseley Hornets in Australia [The Book - input required] ..... page 5 A Mystery Solved ..... page 7 Another Mystery ..... page 7 Unqualified Apology by Adelaide Agents . ..... page 8 Parts Wanted ..... page 8
Excellent and extensive program organized by Bill and Rhonda
Welcome John HighamJohn has bought Mike Ryves ‘34 WHS in Canberra.He has had a number of T type MGs, MGB and MGA during his working years and he went into his tor ic and classic motor bikes in a big way (MVs, Ducatis and BMWs) for many years. He’s now mainly interested in pre war cars and has a 1927 Alvis 12/50 ducksback and 1933 Alvis Firefly. Plus a 1933 Riley 9 Lynx.
Continued Page 8
Highlights this issueMike Ryves’ car sold ..... page 1Gerry Dunford’s birthday ..... page 2WHS UK price ..... page 2AGM Program ..... page 3Wolseley Hornets in Australia [The Book - input required] ..... page 5A Mystery Solved ..... page 7Another Mystery ..... page 7Unqualified Apology by Adelaide Agents . ..... page 8Parts Wanted ..... page 8
Page 2 Hornet Special Newsletter
Celebrating with Gerry were, from the left, Bev Wilson, Peter Baker, Laraine Hancock, the Birthday Boy, Rita Scho-field, John Ireland (Treasurer), and right photo, from the left, Joe Wilson, Dee Ireland, Henry Hancock, Jo Lord and Monty Schofield. The Hosts? working of course – thank you very much, Margaret and Lyle.
President Lyle and Margaret Cooper held a birthday party for Oldings Coachcraft WHS Coupe owner Gerry Dunford, centre left.
John Summerfield is shocked at the price wanted for the ‘32 March advertized in The Automobile - June 2012. This reflects the concern of UK club members as commented on to Lyle Cooper at his UK visit earlier this year.
IN 1931, Wolseley, one of Britain’s oldest car companies, in-troduced the Hornet. Its flexible, six-cylinder engine made it popular with the average motorist, and even today its sporting performance is relished by many devotees of open-topped cars.
This car featured in Bill Boddys article in MAYFAIR magazine, February 1986.
The Wolseley Hornet was introduced in 1931, and was very much a product of Wolseley’s new owners, Morris. The Hornet contained many parts from Lord Nuffield’s company including their six-cylinder 1,275cc engine, also used on the MG Magnette. Large picture, two pictures above and the picture above that: A Hornet March Special made in 1932 seen from four different angles including a driver’s eye view. Top left: An unusual 2+2 Hornet, a Swallow Speed model first seen in 1933.
The Wolseley Hornet was a car born through the circumstances of the time. First introduced to the motoring public by the Nuffield-owned Wolseley company, it was a little saloon unusual that it had a very small six-cylinder engine. The rea-son for this was the gearbox. By the time the Hornet emerged from the age-old Wolseley concern ..... Continued Page 5
Issue 50 Page 3
AGM GOULBURN WEEKEND19, 20, 21 OCTOBER 2012
The exciting program for the AGM weekend in Goulburn has been organized by Bill and Rhonda Trollope.
There are several pages which need your attention. If you are coming, would you please be good enough to return the loose forms or advise Bill & Rhonda of the activities you wish to participate in by mid September so that bookings at the various places can be made in advance.
Return your forms to: Bill Trollope 229 Bobbin Head Road Turramurra NSW 2074 Ph 02 91444000 [email protected]
Owing to the full day visit to the Sydney Vintage Car Restorations (SVCR) on the Saturday, a Partner’s Program has been put together for partners who do not want to attend SVCR.
The weekend’s activities will close at lunch on Sunday, however there are also suggestions for optional tours for Sunday afternoon.
As previously advised accommodation is at a premium in Goulburn at weekends, so bookings need to be made NOW! The venue is: Best Western Centretown Motor Inn 77 Lagoon Street, Goulburn Ph 02 48212422 [email protected] Quote: “Wolseley Hornet Special Club”
If you/your partner are attending the Dinner on Friday 19 October, payment for same of $50 p/p (3 course meal) needs to be made IN ADVANCE.
If you/your partner are attending the Sydney Vintage Car Restorations Tour on Saturday 20 October payment of $30 p/p (which includes lunch) needs to be made IN ADVANCE. (N.B. If partner is only attending for a short while, they will still be charged $30)
These payments should be made by 1 OCTOBER 2012 to the Treasurer of the Club - by cheque to Wolseley Hornet Special Club of Australia Inc or bank transfer. John will directly pay the venues.
WEEKEND PROGRAMFriday 19 October
Annual Dinner
7.00pm drinks for 7.30pm. Cascades Restaurant Function Room, at the Best Western Centretown Motel 77 Lagoon Street Goulburn.
Cost $50.00 head, fixed menu, (Entrée, Main Course, Desert, Coffee/Tea) – drinks at your own costPAID IN ADVANCE by 1/10/2012
TreasurerJohn Ireland Wolseley Hornet Special Club of Australia Inc.83/40 Riverbrooke Drive Heritage BankCoomera Qld 4209 BSB [email protected] Account No. 8958866
Page 4 Hornet Special Newsletter
Saturday 20 October
Sydney Vintage Car Restorations (SVCR) Tour of Factory
9.00am Depart: Centretown Motel for Crookwell (48km) 60 minutes drive to SVCR, Lot 3 McIntosh Road Crookwell for a tour of the factory with a talk on the current restorations being carried out, approx ten cars in various stages at the moment, followed by a steak and salad lunch. After lunch demonstrations of lead wiping, panel forming, wheeling, louvre making and file finishing.(Min number required 10-15 people.)
Cost $30.00 head to be PAID IN ADVANCE by 1/10/2012. (NB If partner only attends this venue for a short while they will still be charged $30)
There is a Separate Partners Program for those who do not wish to go to Crookwell
Optional for Partners attending Sydney Vintage Car Restorations: Lindner Quality Socks – visit to the local sock manufacturing factory, 6 Goulburn Street Crookwell, tour the factory and see the sock manufacturing machines and visit the shop for the vast range of socks available for sale.
3.00 – 4.00pm Depart: SVCR Crookwell for return to Goulburn.
6.30pm AGM: Bradley Room, Tattersall’s Hotel, 76 Auburn Street
7.30pm Informal Dinner: Bradley Room, Tattersall’s Hotel, 76 Auburn Street Goulburn (buy your own)
Sunday 21 October
9.45am Depart: Centretown Motel for Historic Waterworks Pump House (c1885) Marsden Weir off Fitzroy Street Goulburn. 10am - 12 noon. (The steam pump will be operating this day) Cost: A donation is required - $5.00 includes a guided tour.
This will be the end of formal activities.
Lunch is available at the Waterworks Café. (buy your own if you wish to stay)
OR Depart for optional afternoon tour
Optional ToursSunday 21 October - Afternoon
12 noon Depart: Waterworks for National Trust Riversdale Homestead (c1830’s), Twynam Drive Goulburn for a house tour.
Cost: $3.00 head plus $3.00 if you wish to do a garden tour. 12.15pm - 2.00pm. Lite Lunch available(buy your own. Devonshire tea also available.)
2.00pm Depart: for Railway Rail Heritage Centre 12 Braidwood Road Goulburn Museum Tour (Cost $10.00 head) 2.15pm - 4.00pm
Return to Goulburn . . .
Or for the die hards a trip to Wakefield Park for the Triumph Owners race day which conducts a round of the CSCA sprint series which includes MG, Spitfire, Jaguar, Healey, Lotus and Morgan.
Or
Visit the War Memorial (there would be a cost involved but minimal)
Dinner: (Suggestion)Fireside Inn (a la carte)23 Market StreetGoulburn
Issue 50 Page 5
PARTNER’S PROGRAMSaturday 20 October
9.45am Depart: Centretown Motel for Garroorigang Homestead: Braidwood Road Goulburn.10am - 11.30am House Tour, $10.00 a head, tea coffee available on request $5.00.
Followed by: (note numbers in brackets denote the number on the map you will be given)
Argyle Antique Centre (18): 176 Sloane Street GoulburnFyshwick Antique Centre (22): 76 Sloane Street GoulburnView Terrace Buildings (23): next door to Fyshwick Antiques
Lunch: Paragon Café: 174 Auburn Street Goulburn. (Suggestion only, there are plenty of cafes to choose from)
The following afternoon program is suggestions only and you can chose what is of interest
Lansdowne House (c1822) Goulburn’s oldest homestead: Bungonia Road Goulburn. and St Clair (c1840): 318 Sloane Street Goulburn.
Courthouse Book Emporium (25) old police station and court house, look at history room in one of the old cells. 260/262 Sloane Street Goulburn.
South Hill Heritage Estate (old homestead) and Art Gallery: 3 Garroorigang Road Goulburn.
Gardens:
Belmore park (1)Rose Gardens (9)Victoria Park Rose Garden (22)
Churches:
St Saviour’s Cathedral (5)St Peters and Paul’s Catholic Cathedral (10,11)
Return to accommodation: (main event returns from Crookwell between 4 and 5pm)
6.30pm AGM then Informal Dinner: Bradley Room, Tattersall’s Hotel, 76 Auburn Street (buy your own)
Continued from Page 2 .. MAYFAIR . (dating back to 1895) it had been under the control of the ambitious Bill Morris, later to become Viscount Nuffield, for nearly six years. This was 1931 when changing gear on a motor-car had lost its one-time terrors. Nevertheless, lots of people who used
their cars as a means of transport rather than for sport were happier if they could use the gear lever as little as possible. With clutches inclined to be fierce and syncro-mesh not always foolproof, this was not surprising. The small six-cylinder engines allowed greater flexibility, and were a bit of a
vogue at that time. Moreover, the six-cylinder engine was smooth-running, and carried a certain status value, ever since the Napier Company of Acton had introduced it in practical from in the earlier days of the motor-ing movement.
WOLSELEY HORNETS IN AUSTRALIA – YOUR INPUT IS REQUIREDThe new book on Wolseley Hornets in Australia is un-
derway with many owners having already forwarded the forms included in the March Newsletter to Michael Santin. More responses are expected. Please provide all the information that you know about your Hornet, or any others that you know of, or any information, articles, photos etc that you may have to:[email protected] or Michael Santin2/71 Airlie Road, Montmorency, Vic 3094
Page 6 Hornet Special Newsletter
Six Weeks in the UK and not a Hornet seen! Excuse - our itinerary was set long before the Wolseley Hornet Special came into our life.We were within 40km of the AGM, near Oxford, but we knew hospitality would devour the day and we were expected in Cornwall before dark.We did visit Robin Moore [many times President of the Wolseley Hornet Special Club UK and well worth telephoning for information or parts - ed.] while in the south and had a pleasant afternoon with him and his wife, Marjorie. He produced an old photo album which had great photos of his trials days in Singer LeMans and some great shots of a couple of famous 3 wheel Morgans which I was aware of. We left with some much needed Hornet parts and were a sight at the airport with an 18” wheel with a bit of rope through it as a handle.Now we’re home, restoration is back on track.I don’t know why, but I always start at the back so rear end, brakes, steering box and gear box are done. Howard had intended to use a non free wheel box, but the bell housing was broken and the box case had a hole corroded in the bottom. Into stock, and I have produced enough parts to build a good box. Looking forward to meeting lots at Goulburn.
Joe Wilson
Joe’s UK visit and WHS progress
The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 27 January 1933, page 12
Issue 50 Page 7
For some time I have been con-cerned as to the reason for the seemingly, non-standard radiator fitted to Mike Hawthorne’s oth-erwise standard 1931 VD Hornet – with the very attractive fabric, coupe body.If you look at the pictures you will see my fabric saloon on the right with the standard, short radiator fit-ted with thermostatically operated
shutters. This is the standard Hornet radiator, fitted from the start in April 1930, sitting on the chassis cross -member, with a louvered panel between the dumb-irons, and with a hole for the starting handle. On Mike’s car you will note that the radiator continues below the cross- member and sits between the dumb-irons with a hole in the grill for the handle. It also has a thin, flat strip down the centre.Did this radiator signify a different model? Was it a later modification?Well, as it turns out - None of these!Whilst trolling through the back issues of the UK magazine (on the CD) I came across an article listing all the modi-fications to the ’30 and ’31 cars as announced in The Autocar magazine. There, in Feb 1931, it states that the “deep” radiator was now offered as an option to the standard radiator (meaning the shell only, I assume).It also states that standard VD chassis, left over when the ’32 models were introduced, could have the later, i.e. Hornet Special, modifications fitted to customer order, bringing them up to post April ’32 specificationSo, there we have it! Mike’s car has the factory fitted, optional radiator, making it unique here in Australia and, I would suspect, in the UK also. This is an exciting addition to our selection of the early cars. It also solves the mystery of the different radiator – not really a mystery at all. Sharp eyed readers may have noted that the two cars illustrated have identical front guards – indicating that they probably had the same bodybuilder. That smart two seater with the Swallow like tail, carrying two young ladies, that appears in the well known Dalgety advertisement also has the same guards – Bill thinks the builder was Kellow, which, if so, would indicate that they were quite busy at the time with Hornet chassis. John Ireland.
A Mystery Solved
Another MysteryThe photos of the ‘34 WHS below were sent to Joe Wilson by a friend attending the VSCC meeting at Prescott recently.The Rev Counter drive and Magneto are a bit of a puzzle. Does anyone have comments?
The Wolseley Hornet Special Club of Australia Inc. (Victoria, No. A0035489S) exists to encourage the preserva-tion and use of Wolseley Hornets, Sports and Specials. The Club and its Committee take no responsibility for the accuracy of this newsletter’s content nor for the consequences of acting upon any information published herein.
Continued from Page 1...... .John Higham
He restored the Firefly over about 2 years starting in 2008 which was a major project and it has been on historic registration for last 2 years. All these cars are “on the road”. John says“Back in 1970 I was interested in getting a WHS and one came up for auction in Sydney as part of a major sell up by a large caravan dealer. People came from everywhere, including USA and UK to the auction. It took 2 days to get through the complete collection. Anyway my wife convinced me that I couldn’t spend our house deposit of $4,000 on the WHS. It was a cream car and I think a four seater. So when I saw Mike Ryves car advertised in the VSCCA magazine I thought I could make amends for missing out 42 years earlier. The two cars are chalk and cheese really. The auction car was in excellent condition and ready to use. I think it sold for about $2200. I’d love to know what happened to it?” John is coming to the AGM so maybe someone can tell him what happened to that car - ed.
DISCLAIMER
WOLSELEY HORNET CARSUnqualified Apology By Adelaide Agents
Public opinion has emphatically declared the Wol-seley Hornet to be the most outstanding light car in the world today, both for road performance and petrol economy. Without question, the silent third gear and rapid acceleration are amazing. Accordingly, one can understand the motoring public assuming the the Hornet’s superb quality and a high selling price must be linked together. Such an assumption is entirely erroneous. Despite its peerless qualities, the Hornet is well within the range of low priced vehicles, and the 4-passanger saloon model, with most luxurious body, is selling in Adelaide today for £265. In a very few weeks the Hornet sporting model, capable of touching nearly 90 miles per hour, will be available to the law-abiding community of South Australia, at a price within the reach of those who love to know, if not to test, the paces of a thoroughbred. The local distributors, Messrs Adelaide Motors Ltd., whilst gratified that the motoring public has so correctly summed up the qualities of this fine British production, desire to apologize for the impression so voiced abroad that the car is only suitable for those with a bottomless pocket. In actual fact, although the Wolseley Hornet is Sir William Morris’s peerless production, its selling price is sufficiently low to ap-peal to all those advocates of Imperial preference who have for many years looked to the day when such a British car would emerge triumphant.
The Advertiser (Adelaide), Tuesday 16 August 1932, page 11
Editor’s Note: Advertisements for the Hornet are very rare in Adelaide papers - but this add certainly makes up for that with its extraordinary enthusiasm.
Parts Wanted
John Ireland believes that some of the parts ordered from the UK may be available from local members’
stock piles and has suggested a regular “Parts Wanted” section in the Newsleter.Please email or write to the editor and your request will be listed.
WANTED1 1/8 SU Carburettor body with horizontal flange (original equipment).Lyle Cooper07 33122365
