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Carlow Vintage & Classic Motor Club Show in Boland’s Carlow 11th & 12th December 2010
The 4th Annual “Carlow Vintage & Classic Motor Club winter static show” will again be held at Boland’s Garage, Dublin Road, Carlow on Saturday December 11th and Sunday December 12th next. We would hope that all club members will bring out their cars for this event which is getting more popular each year.
There will be tea and sandwiches provided on both days as well as other attractions including Santa who will be in attendance on both days for the younger folk.
There are a limited number of spaces available for convertibles and old cars in the showroom like previous years but no exhibit will be allowed into the showroom without permission from club chairman P.J. Lawler.
We would request that if any member has a car that is leaking a generous amount of oil that they refrain from displaying their car in the showroom and any car that is leaking a drop that cardboard be placed under the car. There was a major problem last year with large quantities of oil left on the floor which resulted in the showroom being left in a very dangerous condition and requiring a power polish to make it safe to walk on.
This is also an opportunity to renew your annual membership as there will be an office set up to take your subscriptions and issue you with an official receipt.
This is a fun event and a great opportunity to have a chat in comfortable surroundings as well as having a look at some beautiful old machines.
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The ADO 16 was a car everyone knew somebody who had one, it was for most of it’s life the most popular car in Britain and one of the few car’s that was vice free, but like other popular cars it has slipped into oblivion.
It was actually a natural progression from our iconic mini, a touch of Issigonis magic and behold the 1100/1300 series, whether your choice was the Austin, Morris, Wolseley, Riley, MG or theVanden Plas, your appetite was satisfied.
In truth there wasn’t a lot to choose from in any of the variations, yes the Wolseley, MG and Riley had more poke than either the Austin or the Morris, what about the Vanden Plas, you might have guessed this was not my favourite version, here we had a very unpretentious car making out it was a miniature Roller, if you pulled into the Savoy in London’s Strand the commissionaires would have probably ignored you.
I would have thought a black cab had more street credibility, however there are those who loved it.
It wasn’t until I started the research that it became obvious the ADO16 was no different to the Marina, Ital and many other Leyland models, tin rust, it is said they would fall to pieces around you, however if the original owner had either the gumption or the money to get the body zeibarted or any other of the injection fluid treatments there is no reason for the car not to be in reasonable condition, in some ways the model was lucky in that it was bought by people who were not necessarily flush with money and they had to look after their investment.
The Police forces of the UK were prolific buyers of the Austin/Morris versions though these examples would have had a hard life, especially the interiors.
Leyland did attempt to make a van version and one batch of fifty came off the production lines, but so it is said that the hydrolastic suspension was a problem and the idea was dropped, no here is a very rare motor if you know the whereabouts of one, however an estate Morris was produced for a short time, these are probably on the rare list.
It is strange to think whilst all this was going on the little Morris Minor was still selling, it didn’t have the technical razza mataz of the ADO and apart from small updates it didn’t change which only goes to show do we needall the technical innovations to get from A to B.
Out of all the versions the Austin and Morris were at the bottom of the pile, both sharing a common stage of engine tune, having a single SU giving
a BHP of 48 with a compression ratio of 8.5/1, the 1098cc engine would propel one along at about 80mph with a variable MPG of between 30 and 40,, the gearbox eventually became four speed all syncro, or you could get an optional auto box, the brakes, discs up front with drums at the rear, and of course the hydrolastic suspension, the gearbox was located in the sump and naturally front wheel drive.
The turning circle about 35foot some give a higher figure and tyres 5.50×12, which meant they would not have an ultra long life, especially at the front.
In 1967 a larger engine on the more expensive of the bunch, which was made available on the Austin/Morris1100 very soon after, so we now had the option of either an 1100 or 1300, and as a result smarter wheels appeared, improved interior trim and a better layout for minor controls, and the front grill was changed.
By 1971 of the two, only the Austin survived, though I hasten to add there was still the Morris Traveller, once again all the interior bits and pieces were upgraded together with a new dashboard incorporating fresh air controls, naturally the front grill was changed, seemingly the 1300 or if you want it to be correct the 1275cc motor appears slightly more frugal with 35 to 40 mpg and you can buzz along at 85mph, the BHP was now 58 and the compression ratio 8.8/1..
Hang on, along comes an Austin 1300GT, it is different from the base model, a 1275cc ohv motor developing a whopping 70 BHP with a compression ratio 9.75/1, twin SU’s, the Hydrolastic suspension has now auxiliary springs and anti roll bar, the tyres upgraded to 145SRx12, internally black upholstery and reclining seats and folding armrests at the rear, the fascia was also black with three circular dials, speedo, rev counter and the other containing oil and temperature gauges. In addition a night dipping mirror.
Externally the car had a full length flash with bright work top and bottom, GT letters were on both the grill and the rear end, this was all finished with a PVC roof covering, there is one doubt, some say the Morris was dropped completely and others ,that it received the same treatment.
The reckoning is that about 3 million ADO16’s came out of the various factories, it wasn’t just Longbridge, a steady stream came from Cowley
There is a fairly active club for the ADO16 and also some excellent internet sites, spares do not appear to be a problem, however anyone contemplating buying any of the models must be vigilant in the inspection for rust, apparently some owner’s have had rusting sills and to cover it up new sills have been welded over the top, which only exacerbates the problem by making the metal sweat, and it is necessary to get the car jacked up or on to a lift, the bottom is prone to rust as is the back end, inner wings at the front can give problems.
There has not been any mention of sub frames but ignore them at your peril.
If you are offered one cheap, walk away, do not give it a second thought, even though it is a lovely little, well sort of medium car you will almost without doubt be shelling out money left right and centre, sorry to be such a bore on this subject, get a good one and enjoy it making sure the body has been oiled and the underseal is in good order.
There is a report that 250 CKD MG 1100’s were assembled here, no doubt Santry, apparently two door saloons, however the MG was dropped in 1971, the Kestral went in 1969, but the Wolseley kept going to 1973 the Austin and the Vanden Plas lasted right up to 1974, the end of another era in motoring history.
TED LAY
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WWW.KILKENNYMOTORSHOW.COM
Kilkenny garage proprietors have decided to employ the self-help approach in a bid to drum up a bit of business during these particularly difficult times for the industry.
Garages representing 13 of the top marques have come together to organise the first Kilkenny Motor Show. The big event will be in The Hub, Cillín Hill on the Carlow Road on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 26, 27 and 28. And the event will be free.
“We could sit back, moan and feel sorry for ourselves but it was decided to be pro-active and to do something positive,” insisted local Renault dealer John O’Brien, a member of the organising committee.
The car dealers of Kilkenny City present this unique event! Ten of the dealers of Kilkenny will have their new models of cars on display indoors at The Hub so you can peruse all makes at your leisure under the one roof!
Date: Friday 26th – Sunday 28th November
Time: Fri 2pm-9pm; Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 12pm-6pm
Adm: Free
Refreshments: Langtons @ Cillin Hill; Market Yard Shop
Further info: www.morrisseymotors.ie or www.lyngmotors.ie
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EVERYTHING COMES TO THOSE WHO WAIT, CLUB MEMBER OLLIE GLEESON HAS ACQUIRED A NEW CAR. A GREAT MEMORY OF HIS, THE CAR WHICH HE GOT MARRIED IN A 1952 FORD POPULAR
ALSO VINCENT MAHER HAS RECEIVED A VEHICLE THAT HE HAS BEING WAITING FOR IT TO COME AVAILABLE.
A 1980 VW PICK UP A ORIGINAL KILKENNY REG VAN ” 475 DIP ” .
VINCENT REMEMBERS IT WHEN IT WAS BRAND NEW AND ARRIVING IN “LOWRY’S HARDWARE FOR THE FIRST TIME .
HE MIGHT BE A GRANDAD NOW, BUT OUR CHAIRMAN IS STILL LIVING THE DREAM, PAUL HAS RECENTLY ACQUIRED A LONG TIME DREAM CAR OF HIS A 1969 MG 1300
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WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP THIS A RECESSION FREE ZONE , BUT IN THE PRESENT DOWNTURN ITS NO HARM, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE TO SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT OUR CALENDAR FOR THIS YEAR.
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The Dublin Toy and Train Fair will this year celebrate 11 years in operation, attracting collectors in search of a great day’s browsing and buying.
Collectable toys of all kinds will be available including Diecast models by Corgi and Dinky, construction sets by Meccano and Bayko, lead soldiers by Britains and Crescent, trains by Hornby, Triang, Trix, Wrenn and Marklin.
Antique dolls, film annuals from the 1940’s-1960’s, jigsaws, teddy bears and not forgetting the very collectable Beanie Babies will also be available.
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This Sunday the 7 th of november Carlow vintage and classic motor club are driving to JFK park in Newross co Wexford. We are meeting at the “Lord Bagnel Hotel” in Leighlinbridge and we are leaving at 11.00 am sharp.We are stopping off for lunch at the “Horse and Hound” Ballinaboola.Everyone is welcome to come even non members .For more information contact PJ on 0876722972.
FOR K.M.C. MEMBERS WISHING TO JOIN THIS RUN WE WILL BE ASSEMBLING AT “TUB & TILES” ON THE CARLOW ROAD AT 10am
| JFK Arboretum Kennedy Park, New Ross, Co. Wexford. Tel: + 353 (0)51 388171 Email: ckelly@duchas.ie URL: http://www.heritageireland.ie |
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There is a school of thought that believes had the company provided decent marketing and used skilled car assembly workers and not shipbuilders, had there been some common sense applied, in fact an awful lot of common sense, well the engines were forged at one end of the country and then sent 400 miles to be completed and then sent back again to be fitted to a body that was pressed elsewhere, our car choice would probably outsold the iconic and much praised mini.
We again had the typical malaise that affected the British Car Industry, demarcation strikes, which lost so many man hours.
One tends to forget that the mini was not perfect, it had problems, it was very basic at first, one couldn’t actually call the back seat comfortable, nor the front come to that, but that aside it was great fun in town, our car has been called the poor man’s Porsche, being one of the few rear engined cars, yes all but forgotten except for the dedicated band of “Impers”. The Hillman Imp and the badged Singer and Sunbeam models.
Impers you say, any one who owns one of Rootes Imps or cars using Imp parts, is one, I think it rather charming, I can’t think of too many other cars one could do it to. The clubmen are very dedicated, their web sites informative and well organized.
Only just over 400,000 Imps were produced during the life span of thirteen years, one writer says “It didn’t really catch on with the British Public”, alas it wasn’t the Imps fault, Rootes got themselves into an unholy mess, Chrysler was no better, so the marque passed into History.
I read a report that the great late Ayrton Senna raced Imp’s at one stage, of course the car managed to build up quite a reputation in motor sport, in many ways the choice of a Coventry Climax alloy engine was perfect and as they were able to cant the engine this improved the road holding plus Rootes managed to put in a decent rear suspension of coil springs and semi trailing wishbones, the front end was unusual Large lower swing axles and coil springs with co-axial telescopic dampers, which eliminated need for upper locating wishbones. I just said to Eileen you would believe I was mechanically very able, how do you check the oil?
The Imp was the first British car to use a diaphragm spring clutch, in fact the gearbox synchromesh is very robust so much so that one can change gear without using the clutch. Not that I am advocating such on a car that is well over 40 years old, but it was possible when new.
The Coventry Climax engine used was originally designed as a racing engine, despite its diminutive 875cc capacity it has a high compression ratio of 10 to 1, it is a three bearing unit but runs very smoothly, all but the sports model have a single solex downdraught carb, the sports engines have twin Stromberg’s plus an oil cooler.
The relevant data for the various models is:-
Imp de luxe 81mph, the dreaded 0-60 23.7secs petrol consumption 38.1 mpg
The super imp you will get about 78mph and a 0-60 time of 22.8 and petrol consumption goes up to 35mpg
The Imp Californian will touch 78mph the 0-60 is 22.1 and overall consumption 34mpg
The Chamois is not much different to the Imp de luxe.
However the Sunbeam Imp sports 90mph and 0-60 in a blistering 16 secs and petrol consumption is good at 33.1
I suppose you would say the Imp was the first hatchback as the rear window opened. Though it didn’t on the Californian, Stilleto and Chamois,
In addition to all that was going on with Rootes they were making continual improvements to the cars, then there was the Husky Estate which for its size would swallow a large amount of luggage, itwas a development of the Commer Imp Van, an impressive line up, it didn’t stop there either as there was a Rallye Imp with a 998cc engine which produced 65bhp. though it wasn’t production line stuff designed specifically for sports use which it had considerable success.
The Imp was well priced, at one time it was the cheapest car in Britain the de Luxe at 549.00 and the Super at 576.00, however in 1966 the mini was cheaper but by 1968 the rolls had reversed.
I can find mention of John Sheppard and the Irish Imp Club, there seems to be a connection with Route 25, which seems to be a useful contact though no doubt our Declan would point you in the right direction, now there is a UK firm Speedy Spares that specialize in Imp and many other classics, they do mail order or can be found near Brighton in Sussex.
Enjoy your car whatever and if you see me approaching shut the bonnet quickly as always regards Ted
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DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND WE ARE HAVING EXTRA MEETINGS OVER THE WINTER MONTHS, SO WE HAVE ONE EACH MONTH NOW WITH THE FIRST THIS TUESDAY THE 2nd AT THE USUAL PLACE O’LOUGHLINS GAA CLUB, AT THE USUAL TIME 8.30……………….. SEE YA THERE
PLEASE BRING YOUR ” TRACTOR RAFFLE TICKETS” AS WE ARE TRYING TO WRAP UP THE MONEY SIDE OF THINGS
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