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Wolseley Hornet Special Club of Australia Inc
Hornet Special Newsletter
Issue 65 June 2016
WHS Club ContactsSecretary
Bill Russell, ph (03) 9349 2262
PresidentJohn Prentice
ph (02) 6281 2618Editor
Henry Hancock, ph (07) 3878 2850
3 Gilia Court Indooroopilly Qld [email protected]
2016 AGM and HORNET EXTRAVAGANZA14 - 16 OCTOBER 2016 See page
4
Robb Stewart’s 1933 Daytona’s further progess, see Newsletter
Issue 64, page 4 - Now the interior is mostly finished.
Jon and Kate Cooke’s 1932 Swallow bodied WHS at the Vero
Festival of Historic Motoring in New Zealand
Joe Wilson, Peter Baker (left) and Lyle Cooper (right) inspect
the accelerator linkage on Joe’s car following a test run, also
with Henry Hancock. All agreed that the car now runs, rides and
steers beautifully with the power of the 14hp engine being
noticable. Peter’s 1933 WHS is in the background.
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Page 2 Hornet Special Newsletter
The land of the Long White Cloud and a Meeting of Hornet
owners.by John Balthazar
In January this year Sharon and I ventured to NZ to attend the
Vero International Festival of Historic Motoring held in Dunedin
and organized by the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand. We were lent
a 1928 Oakland sedan in very original condition with only 70,000
miles on the clock. The Oakland behaved itself reasonable well on
some challenging hills and dirt roads around Dunedin, not to
mention a few laps around the race circuit at Timaru. We shared the
car and the driving with another couple, John and Marg Cox, also
from Melbourne.
During our stay in Dunedin, our lodgings were at the very art
deco “Apartments at St Clair”, where by happy coin-cidence, we
found our hosts to be WHSCA member Gavin Turner and his wife
Wendy.
We also caught up with Jon Cooke and his wife Kate who had
driven his 1932 Hornet from Auckland (some 1500 kms) and also with
WHSCA member Brian Stroud who had travelled up from Invercargill in
his Morgan.
On one of the free rally days we all managed to gather together
with Jon Cooke’s Hornet in front of the Apartments at St Clair, to
share Hornet stories and encourage Gavin to get started on his
restoration.
Gavin and Wendy Turner own a 1933 Wolseley Hornet Special which
Gavin purchased when he was 18. It was discovered by accident when
he was working as a truck driver and delivered a parcel to the
wrong address. He noticed the car in a garage with a load of junk
piled on top of it and asked the owners if they were interested in
selling. Six months later he received a phone call and the car was
his.
Sharon and I were privileged when Gavin picked us up from the
Rally display day and drove us to his garage to have a look at his
waiting-to-be-restored car. The body is in remarkably good
condition. There are no dents or rust. The timber frame appears to
be rigid and sound. The rear body panel and a couple of pieces of
timber have been replaced at some stage, possibly due to a light
rear end shunt.
The car although not fully assembled, is very complete,
including all gauges, windscreen, hood bows and side curtains;
stored away safely in crates.
On closer inspection the car is unusual in that the chassis and
engine are 1933 whereas the Eustace Watkins body is off a 1934
chassis. The sloping grill has been adapted to marry up to the
vertical 1933 radiator and associated mountings. There is also a
hump in the right hand mud guard which would have accommodated the
1934 chassis rail mounted steering box, whereas the 1933 steering
box is mounted on the front cross member. However these details are
minor and not noticeable from the outside of the car.
Due to family and work commitments, Gavin has not had a chance
to do anything to the car since he purchased it all those years
ago; however he is hanging out for retirement when he is itching to
get started on the restoration.
Brian Stroud believes that his 1930 Hornet tourer is the most
southerly Wolseley Hornet in the world. After the rally in Dunedin,
Sharon and I hired a modern car and
Gavin’s 1933 WHS with 1934 Eustace Watkins body (see adapted
radiator and steering box hump in the bottom picture) has moved
houses several times in unrestored condition.
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Issue 65 Page 3
drove south to Invercargill to visit Brian.
He purchased the car in 1983 as a chassis with the only body
panels being the bonnet sides and mudguards, so being a skilled
carpenter; he set about building a new body himself.
The car has been restored to a very high standard with an eye
for detail. Where parts could not be purchased they were fabricated
or cast from scratch. The car has some unique features, like twin
rear mounted spare wheels, thermostatically controlled radiator
shutters, Hartford shock absorbers and a transmission tunnel
mounted handbrake lever.
Jon and Kate Cooke – 1932 Wolseley Hornet Special.Jon Cooke has
visited our shores on numerous occasions and has attended the last
two AGM’s so it was great to catch up with him and actually see his
car.
John has owned this 1932 Swallow Bodied Wolseley Hornet Special
for 50 years and does most of the work on it himself. The car is in
very original condition and has an unrestored oily rag patina which
has tremendous appeal and makes it highly desirable. The rear
styling of these Swallow-bodied cars is extremely attractive. The
tiny Brooklands windscreens while giving a very sporting
appearance, offer little protection from the weather and Jon
sensibly opts for a full face helmet when driving long distances.
The all aluminium body is well polished and the minor dents and
blemishes are hints of what must have been a fascinating past. If
only cars could talk.
Brian and his 1930 vertical-dynamo car. Brian visited Australia
in 2011. See Newsletter Issue 47, December 2011, for a picture of
the car on the road and Newsletter Issue 33, May 2008 for the story
of the rebuild.
The shapely rear styling and the interior of Jon and Kate’s
Swallow-bodied Hortnet Special at the Vero Festival of Historic
Motoring in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Joe and Bev Wilson’s 34 / 35 WHS SoldJoe writes ... with Peter
Bakers help, got the motor in last week (See Newsletter Issue 64,
page 2 for the problem - Ed.).I really don’t know what caused the
problem, but 4 pistons had seized on a couple of occasions. I was
aware of when this happened, and should have stripped it before the
AGM in Bathurst??
The alloy had jammed the oil rings in their groove, which would
account for the smoke and smell at Bathurst.A hone and a new set of
pistons and all sounds sweet.I am keen to see how the steering is
as I have increased the castor with a wedge. The car was flighty on
the open road, and the steering was, I felt, unpleasantly
light.Cheers, Joe 25 April 2016 Continued .... Page 7
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Page 4 Hornet Special Newsletter
2016 WHSCA AGM Weekend Extravaganza
All enquiries: John & Annabelle (03) 9874 5475,
[email protected]
Drive the Mt Tarrengower Hill ClimbRelax and be driven around in
our own bus for the weekend
Be astonished by eccentric individuals with eclectic motoring
collectionsExplore the culture and curios of historic Maldon and
Castlemaine
Dine at Maryborough’s Supreme CourtFreeze on the Hornet Morning
Frostbite Run
Browse the huge Talbot Farmers’ Market – by far Vic’s biggest
and bestWine and dine at the celebrated Quoin Hill Vineyard
Get blown away by one of Australia’s largest wind farms
2016 WHSCA AGM Weekend Extravaganza14-16 October, 2016
in
Maryborough - the heart of Victoria’s gold�elds(170km NW of
Melbourne)
InterstatersBus it from Tulla to Southern Cross, then
train/coach direct to Maryborough in time for the AGM
Melbourne billeting available either side of the AGM
Le�: Maryborough Railway Station. “A railway station with a town
attached,” Mark Twain (1895)
Right: Built in 1876-77 the Maryborough Post O�ce was built as a
combined court house and post o�ce.
Book now, by sending $46 per person by cheque or something to
J&A. �at covers your Sunday winery lunch and our weekend bus
hire. Everything else is pay as you go.
Full weekend program available soon.
�e Bristol Hill Motor Inn1 High Streetph (03) 5461
[email protected]
Room rate for two peopleStandard Room $130/nightFamily (up to
4/5 beds) $155/nightExecutive Room $150/nightSpa Room
$175/night
Home Base (ours exclusively for the weekend)
First in Best Dressed, so phone the motel now. Quote Ref:
Wolseley Hornet Special Club
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Issue 65 Page 5
SA NewsI entered the Hornet in the McLaren Vale car rally with
over 600 cars.
While I was talking to a fellow about the car, a lady approached
me and said she was the Mayor and that she had been asked to pick
the car she would like to take home.
My car was her choice!.... I promptly informed her that she
could not take it home!!
However I received the Mayors Choice Trophy and a couple of
bottles of wine. Also, they want to use the car for advertising
next year’s event.
Two weeks after that I took my Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire
down to Victor Harbour for the British Classic Tour. I was
surprised to be informed that I had won the Best Saloon and I
received a very nice, large trophy. Again there are very few of
these cars on the road - I think two in SA and about fifteen in
Australia.
Due to being so rare, the car creates much interest wherever I
go.
The two trophies look quite nice together, the smaller one for
the Hornet & the larger one for the Siddeley.
Cheers, David Armstrong
Oh oh, Subs are OVERDUESubscriptions to both the Australian and
UK Clubs were due on April 1.The options for Australian Club
membership are set out below.WHSC (UK) - To belong to the UK Club
with their posted Magazine and access to their spare parts is $70
per annum except that after 30 April 2016 it attracts a $10 late
fee.The Treasurer collects this money as a courtesy to members to
save time and currency exchange fees.Australian Newsletter by email
only (NO membership) $10 yearAustralian Newsletter by email with
WHSCA Membership $20 yearAustralian Newsletter hard copy Posted
with WHSCA Membership $35 year
Combined UK and Australian Membership with Emailed $100 because
it is after 30 April 2016Australian Newsletter Combined UK and
Australian Membership with Posted $115 because it is after 30 April
2016Australian Newsletter
If you have not yet paid and wish to continue membership, please
forward your subscription immediately to:
Wolseley Hornet Special Club of Australia Inc C/- John Ireland,
Treasurer83/40 Riverbrooke Drive, Coomera Qld
[email protected]
OR by bank transfer to:Wolseley Hornet Special Club of Australia
IncHeritage Bank Ltd BSB: 638-070 Account No: 8958866 Reference:
your name
WANTED - A website designer for the WHSCA. All content will be
supplied. We just need someone with the technical expertise to
produce a website that is less hackable than the one we have (it
has been taken down several times). Do you have any relatives who
can do it? All enquries to John Clucas 0419 592 275.
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Page 6 Hornet Special Newsletter
Progress report on restoration of 1934 Hornet Coupe. by Ian
McConville
I have completed the restoration of the body woodwork. I was
able to reuse about 25% of the original wood which was a mix of ash
and what appeared to be cedar. The remainder were used as patterns
except for those that were too far gone where I guessed/ worked out
the shapes. The big test will come when I fit the steel shell over
the frame.
A new wiring loom was made up and is currently being braided.
That will be the next item to fit. You may note an ‘additional’ box
on the firewall to the right of the cut out. This houses relays for
the headlights high and low beam and the fog light. My experience
with other cars I have restored is that relays a must if you want
maximum brightness in your headlamps and no overheating of the
light switch, unless of course LED bulbs are substituted. I have
not quite accepted this new technology for headlamps and use
halogen bulbs.
As far as I can ascertain, without dismantling, the engine
appears to have been reconditioned. It has good even compression,
the valve/rocker chamber is clean and some head studs are new.
Here’s hoping. My car has the Lucas Startix system which I have
wired up. I am not sure if I will use it or bypass. Has anyone
experience with this gadget?
er.
ent.
Last week I picked up the body shell and guards from my panel
beater bloke who replaced the corroded areas and finished off the
guards ready for a final coat. Doors and dickie lid are in good
condition. I have opted for running boards fashioned from ply and
wood. The steel ones were not able to be restored and making new
ones is quite a task. I believe you will not be able to pick the
difference when they are covered in ribbed rubb
The next big challenge will be interesting, that is fitting the
body shell. I am hoping that once I have bent back some of the
edges around the windows and rear wheel arches, I can slip it over.
I will let you know in the next instalm
I still require information on mounting the spare at the rear of
the car and how the dickie seat is constructed and trimmed or if
there was ever one in there. There was none of that with the car.
So if anyone can assist, let me know.
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Issue 65 Page 7
Bill Trollope reportsProgress has been slow last year and so far
this year, with other priorities taking precedence, however I have
made headway.
I have had the body on and off several times getting everything
fitting correctly. As I did this I removed each item and stored
some parts in the lounge room of our house. My long-suffering wife
has not said too much yet but I feel that it is only a matter of
time. All the bits in the lounge are 100% finished and ready to go
to the paint shop.
I have painted all the internal timber and panels and have
recently finished re-swinging the doors; what a painstaking job
that was; and have just started on the floor boards. As I fitted
some angle brackets to the bodywork I had to rout out some areas
underneath the boards to get them to fit. I have done some repair
work to the rear steel tub as well where it was cracked and had
holes that are not needed.
I want to be sure that everything fits so that I am not messing
around after painting and damaging things. This has slowed me down,
how-ever I feel that it is the best way for a good outcome. So it’s
almost to the point where I can go to the paint shop, which I am
hoping to take place soon.
I have to spend some time on the fuel tank, repair and rechrome
the radiator surround and headlights, and that’s about all apart
from trim and wir-ing. I was intending to re-manufacture my exhaust
pipes in stainless steel,
but went for ceramic coating of the original, both inside and
out, and they reckon it will see me out. Looks pretty good too!
I sent away for the steering box parts from the UK Club and
although a bit pricey they are of excellent quality, I plan to fit
these while the body is in the paint shop.
To sum up, I will not be ready for Victoria, but reckon that
next year’s AGM should be its debut.
Had a short drive yesterday and all is good, and the steering is
transformed. Still pleasantly light, but with easier tracking and
some self-centring. I may even go another couple of
degrees??Cheers, Joe 27 April 2016
Just reporting that the Hornet is sold and will be going to Kin
Kin (south of Gympie - Ed.) Richard Harris, a member of the Vintage
Car Club of Queensland.Cheers, Joe 20 May 2016
See Joe’s advertisement at
http://www.prewarcar.com/classifieds/ad198567.html
Joe and Bev Wilson’s 34 / 35 WHS Sold ......Continued from Page
3
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The Wolseley Hornet Special Club of Australia Inc. (Victoria,
No. A0034589S) 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.
Wanted
1932 / 33 RADIATOR MASCOTFurther to the article on page 6 of
Newsletter Issue 64, March 2016, these (mascot and plinth) are now
available chromed from the UK Club for GBP 85 + postage (the Editor
paid GBP 13 postage), see photo right.
If anyone would like a plain brass casting, which requires
fettling, screws and chroming, they are available from the
Australian Club spares for $138 + postage, see photo left.
CAR BADGE
The Club has ordered a batch of Wolseley Hornet Special Club of
Australia car badges to be available at the AGM in October. The
anticipated cost is $29 each. Lyle Cooper and John Balthazar have
organized this.
31
MATERIAL: 3mm BRASSETCHED DEEP
6
28 Ø5 HOLES40
Ø77
GROOVE
PANTONE 287
PANTONE 485
CHROME
Ø51
Ø77
108
WATER PIPES Lyle Cooper reportsI have been beavering away in the
workshop since the beginning of the year trying to get the water
pipes for the 32, 33 & 34 engines bent up as per the originals
which were steel tube. (The sedans had the pipes painted).
All the workshops I approached advised that the bends on the
pipe which comes out of the water pump were too close together. I
pur-chased some copper pipe and eventually talked a small business
into letting me modify a spare clamping piece they had, to clamp
the 2 ¼” flat between the bends and we were able to bend up the
pipes in the same configuration as Wolseley did 84 years ago.
I’ve had four sets chromed and will bring them to the AGM in
October and they will be available with an exchange cast brass
fitting, i.e. the fitting that bolts onto the back water jacket
plate. I would be grateful for any spare fittings that you may
have.
The cost for outlays only - is $80 per set raw; or $170 chrome
plated plus postage.
I am desperate for 12” brake shoes. I only have 1 set, so need 3
sets if anyone has spares. Also I need a distributor for a 1934
Hornet Special and I am missing an alloy oil filler cap.
I have a brand new rocker shaft for 1934 Hornet if anyone needs
one.
Cheers, Bevan Cursely Ph (02)6493 5640 or mob 0498 750 909