By Sue Matthews

March 21st was a very nice & relaxing day, sitting with our friends from the Singer car club, enjoying the serene surrounds of nature across from the waters of the river

Murray, and feasting away on Wood Oven Pizzas – absolutely delicious.

Peter & Diane Wright had invited us all to share the delights of their Pizza Making cooked in their own Wood Oven Stove and it was such a great turnout.

rob, Georgia & I headed off about 10am from our home in angle Vale. Unfortunately we couldn’t take the Le Mans as it only seats 2 and taking the 10/26, althoughit would have been great fun for Georgia sitting in the Dickie seat, and enjoying the trip in the warmth of the sun,I was a little nervous about the journey, as it was quite a distance to travel and always remembering that with our Singer cars, there is always an adventure to be had!!!!!

SINGERGRAMApr-June 2010 Vol. 23 No. 2

SINGER CAR CLUB OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The ‘Wellington Charge’

continued on page 3

ANNUAL DINNER . . .Don’t miss our Annual Dinner to be held on Saturday June 26 at the House of Chow Restaurant in Hutt Street. It’s a great opportunity to catch up with club members and enjoy a terrific meal. If you haven’t already done so, please contact the secretary on 8598 7066 or on his mobile 0419 800 917 or email pedaw@lm.net.au immediately!

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Peter Wright – a man of many talents – is not sure whether to go for that job as a “lollipop man”.

SINGER CAR CLUB OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA Inc(To preserve the marque and unite the owners)

Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at the caledonian hotel 219 O’connell St, North adelaide (cnr. Barton Tce).

Meet at 6.30 pm for a great meal or just attend the meeting which commences at 7.30 pm

OFFICERS FOR 2010President............................................ Ivan Margitich (08) 8294 5253 (W) 17 Old Drive (08) 8294 5022 (W) Novar Gardens Sa 5040 0419 800 799 (M)

Vice President................................... Kevin Keany (08) 8381 6578 (h) 4 arafura court (08) 8340 2833 (Office) hallett cove Sa 5158 0408 893 824 (M) kevin@wckeany.com.au

Secretary........................................... Peter Wright (08) 8598 7066 (h) PO Box 254 0419 800 917 (M) Tailem Bend Sa 5260 singercarclubsa@internode.on.net

Treasurer........................................... rob Martin (08) 8284 7947 (h) 1 Thornton Street 0413 216 314 (M) angle Vale Sa 5117 singercarclubsa@bigpond.com

Assistant Secretary........................... Pat Oxley (08) 8365 2820 (h)

Parts Officer .....................................Stephen Bitmead (08) 8254 2716 (h)

Conditional Registration Officers... rob Martin (08) 8284 7947 (h) Ivan Margitich (08) 8295 5692 (h) clive hill (08) 8389 3177 (h)

Committee......................................... Sue Margitich, arthur ackland, Sue Matthews, Don Schmook, Drew & Joy Marshman, Denis Moreau, Diane Wright, Pat Oxley, Peter Oxley

Official Photographer.......................Sue Matthews

Auditor.............................................. Drew Marshman, cPa

Web Master....................................... rob Martin — www.singercars.com.au

Singergram Editor............................ Jeff Vale (08) 7509 0930 (h) PO Box 572 0427 152 029 (M) Greenock Sa 5360 singergram@bigpond.com

SCCA Secretary................................ andrew Bull (03) 9689 8735 & Magazine Editor 7 Bute Street andybull@ozemail.com.au Seddon VIc 3011

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Being the last to arrive, everyone was sitting around the table chatting away or gathering in Peter’s garage looking at his 1935 holden bodied Singer 9. It was great to see Jack & Betty & Don & Shirley Schmoock.

“POP”!! goes the champagne cork and I settle into things, chatting away to Steve & Wendy Bitmead & Deidre Solly. Then out came the Pizzas. It was oh so scrumptious!!! Then, when you thought you couldn’t eat any more, out came the dessert, “Lemon Myrtle cheesecake” it was to die for.

The afternoon went so quickly with the warmth of the sun, sipping champagne hearing Pat & Pete’s laughter and the tales of Sue & Ivan, and we were all in awe of Peter & Diane’s peaceful lifestyle, so much so, I forgot to take many photos.

I would like to take this opportunity for thanking both Peter & Diane for their generous hospitality, and I am sure I could speak for all saying we all left with our bellies full.

THE ‘WELLINGTON CHARGE’ continued

The happy gathering at “Wright’s Pizzeria”.

Riveting conversation?Nah – just swapping recipes!

Location! Location!

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a LeTTer was received recently from Mostyn Upton who has suggested we

include a column of For Sale & Wanted items pertaining to Singers.

all would agree this could prove very useful for all members with various on-going projects.

Please email any items suitable for this column to singergram@bigpond.com but remember that if a registered vehicle is offered for sale, the advertisement must include the registration number. also, if the vehicle for sale is not registered, then the chassis number or vehicle identification number (VIN) must be stated.

I look forward to receiving your ads for vehicles or parts for inclusion in the next Singergram. – Ed.

FOR SALE & WANTED

THE LATE BAGPIPER (from Peter Wright)As a bagpiper, I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man who had no family or friends. The funeral was to be held at a cemetery in the remote countryside and this man would be the first to be laid to rest there. As I was not familiar with the backwoods area, I became lost and being a typical man, did not stop for directions. I finally arrived an hour late. I saw the backhoe and the crew who were eating lunch but the hearse was nowhere in sight. I apologized to the workers for my tardiness and stepped to the side of the open grave where I saw the vault lid already in place. I assured the workers I would not hold them up for long but this was the proper thing to do. The workers gathered around, still eating their lunch. I played out my heart and soul. As I played the workers began to weep. I played and I played like I’d never played before, from Going Home and The Lord is My Shepherd to Flowers of the Forest. I closed the lengthy session with Amazing Grace and walked to my car. As I was opening the door and taking off my coat, I overheard one of the workers saying to another, Sweet Jeezuz, Mary ‘n Joseph, I have never seen nothin’ like that before and I’ve been putting in septic tanks for twenty years.

FOR SALE 4AD dashboard (NOS). SM 1500 parts including radiators, corner bumpers, rear glass plus a Zenith Carburettor taken off an SM 1500. 9 Roadster parts including front axle, engine gaskets, side curtain glass and track, Solex carby, back shockers, electrical bits, etc. Drew Marshman, 08 8356 6010, e-mail marshper@three.com.au

established by George Singer in coventry to make bicycles in 1875, the company began manufacturing motorised three-wheelers in 1901, followed by motorwheels which were fitted to bicycles. Singer developed a 222cc four-stroke single using an engine design bought from former Beeston employees edwin Perks and Frank Birch.

a unique feature of the Perks-Birch design was that the engine, fuel tank, carburettor and low-tension magneto were all housed in a two-sided cast alloy spoked wheel. It was probably the first motor bicycle to be provided with magneto ignition.

The design was used by Singer in the rear wheel and then the front wheel of a trike.

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MaNY of us met Gifford Wright during the Singer centenary rally held in adelaide in 2004. he is certainly a worthy recipient of “club Personality of the Year” award.

Following is the email of congratulations sent to Giff by Ivan Margitich on behalf of the Singer car club of Sa – and Giff’s response.

hi! Gifford

On behalf of The Singer car club of South australia I take this opportunity to heartily congratulate you on being awarded “The classic car & Sports car Magazine’s”, “club Personality of the Year”.

Thirty years as editor of “Singer Owner” is to seriously be applauded. We so enjoy receiving our “UK Singer Owner” and know how dedicated you are into giving us a top magazine each and every edition.

When will we see you visiting australia again?

Ivan Margitich PreSIDeNT Singer car club of South australia

Ivan.

Thank you most sincerely. I had no idea that this was coming when I visited theNec show back in November.

I am glad that you appreciate the “Singer Owner” which we try to keep as good value to all our readers worldwide.

I know that you will all be missing alan & all the good work that he did over the years, being the Singer australian ambassador to many of us.

I would love to come to australia again at some time in the future & will closely watch what you are planning in your magazines in the relatively near future as I don’t think I dare wait for the 200th!!!

Off to holland tomorrow with 29 UK SOc cars & 58 members for the Dutch Lustrum. It should be quite a convoy!!!

Thanks again for your very kind comments & regards to all those great Singer friends I was lucky enough to meet for the centenary.

rgds Giff.

AWARD FOR GIFFORD WRIGHT WELL DESERVED

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IVaN and I set off for the North adelaide aquatic

centre, our meeting place to commence this years mystery run. We were somewhat apprehensive about our journey as it was the first time we had driven the Singer LeMans for two years.

We were to meet at 9.30 a.m. This particular Sunday – unlike other times when using this as a meeting place, where we had no trouble parking and meeting up with fellow members – this year the car park was full and parking nigh impossible.

Pat and Peter were there and as we waited for Diane and Peter Wright travelling the long journey from Wellington near Tailem Bend, we chatted away enjoying a morning that was proving to be a fine glorious autumn day, great for open car touring. Peter and Diane arrived also like Pat & Pete in their modern vehicle.

The six of us set off from North adelaide at around 9.45 a.m. for the journey towards the coast, travelling via Wellington Square, hindley Street, West Terrace and oops. henley Beach was closed due to roadworks, so we made our way down Burbridge road and eventually made it onto henley Beach road for a brisk run to the coast. We journeyed along the esplanade and then Seaview road/Military road and back onto the esplanade to enjoy the fresh sea air. We arrived at our breakfast stop at around 10.30 a.m. It is a bistro attached to The haven Motel overlooking the Pattawalonga Marina and called “Plank”.

When I booked the staff were most helpful.

We had a table outdoors overlooking the water traffic coming and going. Most of us ordered the Big Breakfast except Diane who ordered the Vegetarian poached eggs Florentine. I specifically asked for soft Poached eggs and got firm/hard, whereas Diane’s were perfect. I sent

ANNUAL MYSTERY RUN – 18 April 2010 by Sue Margitich

Good food and good fellowship – who needs more?

Sue & Ivan arrived in style with their Le Mans

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mine back and I think caused friction in the kitchen. We waited for a good 20minutes for our meals and everyone else had finished theirs when my replacement breakfast arrived. I was most unimpressed with the service and general upkeep of their cutlery and crockery. apart from this small glitch we enjoyed ourget together and were sooooo! happy the Le Mans’ first outing went without a glitch.

Perhaps next year we could have a mystery run and instead of breakfast do lunch??

ANNUAL MYSTERY RUN – continued

Old Brickwood Farm, West Grimstead, Salisbury. SP5 3RN Tel: 01722 712829 e-mail: sales@flexolite.co.uk

OIL FILTER ADAPTORS

Flexolite oil filter adaptors enable older oil filter systems to use modern spin-on oil filters and are available for wide range of classic cars.

All Flexolite oil filter adaptors are easy to fit and make changing the oil filter a clean and simple operation. The adaptors do not affect oil pressure switches, warning lights, or pressure-relief valves. In many case they will provide improved start-up oil pressure due to the use of anti-drain valves in modern spin-on oil filters and all cars will benefit from the improved filtration found with modern filters.

Fitting a Flexolite oil filter adaptor also makes it easy to fit an oil cooler to your classic – vital for competition cars as well as older cars which keep pace with modern motoring conditions. Controlling the temperature of your engine oil will add to the life of your engine.

All Flexolite oil filter adaptors use standard, readily-available spin-on filters which can be found at most car accessory shops. Adaptor kits come complete with fitting instructions, any gaskets or seals required, and one spin-on filter. If your car is not listed please contact us for more information as we are constantly adding to our range. We are happy to make adaptors to order or in small batches for owners’ clubs etc.

Many British cars of the 1950s and ‘60s shared engines so if your particular model is not listed please look at other marques which used the same engine. If you are not sure about any particular application or do not see your model listed please ask for availability – we are always increasing our range.

For the many vehicles that have by-pass filters we are able to supply a conversion kit using a remote filter head that takes a modern spin-on filter. Contact us for details.

Prices do not include UK VAT @ current rates. Carriage extra.

I found this on the Internet the other day and thought other members may be interested.

I have had no luck in finding a suitable oil filter cartridge for my SM1500 sedan, so intend ordering one of these from the UK.

Hopefully if one of these is fitted, it will not interfere with the authenticity of the vehicle.

The Flexolite website lists hundreds of vehicles that can use one of their many adaptors and I can supply that list in PDF form if anyone wants it. Just email me at singergram.com.au and I’ll send it by return email.

Unfortunately the only Singer listed is the “SM1500 up to 1956”, but if you know that your vehicle uses a filter that was used on another make, maybe it will be on that list.

The cost of the adaptor for the SM1500 is £44+VAT and shipping.

I’ll hold off ordering for a few weeks, so if anyone wants to place an order, I am happy to include it with my own. It may save some shipping costs if a bulk order is placed.

Please let me know asap if you may be interested.

– Jeff Vale

Those who did not attend the “Garage crawl” to angle Vale on June 6 really missed out on an excellent lunch! rob Martin and Sue Matthews, who have only recently moved

to their new place in angle Vale, opened their beautiful home to club members for a great afternoon.

after a “cook’s Tour” of the new house, the guests moved to the various garages (definitely cannot call them ‘sheds’) to view a fine collection of Singers – from the superbly finished LeMans and 10-26 to the bare chassis of a 4aD. Many of us felt rather envious of both the collection and the way they are housed.

rob and Sue have further plans of landscaping and pergolas for their half-acre property and we wish them well in their venture. Where do they get the time to do all these things?

The weather was cool but at least the rain stayed away. a wood fired chiminea under the verandah kept the chills at bay while the boys congregated around the barbecue (or was it the red wine that kept us all warm?).

Steak, snags and chicken were on the menu – rob has obviously cooked a barbecue or two in his time as everything was just perfect. We shared our salads and crusty bread during the main course before an array of desserts were presented – all absolutely delicious.

There was much laughter during the afternoon which reflects well on our hosts. On behalf of all present, we thank rob and Sue for a great time.

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‘GARAGE CRAWL’ – 6 June 2010 by Jeff Vale

Red wine was mandatory at the Garage Crawl

This is what we like to see – a great partnership.

Still sleeping together after all these years.

Wake up Sue & Ivan!!

The weather over the past weeks has been less than ideal to complete my new shed reorganisation, consequently most of my parts are stacked up in the small shed with

mountains of other material that always seems to accumulate in a garage.

This made it impossible to have a proper “Garage crawl” The members who attended, well the blokes, were able to have a look at my restoration to date of the 1953 4aD and 1926 10/26. To compensate, I have started a record of the restoration of the 10/26 and I will publish it in parts over the coming magazines. The story starts some years ago…..

Rob Martin’s 10/26 Restoration – Part 1

I SaW an advert in “The Trader” magazine for expression’s of interest in a 1926 Singer “10/26” Tourer “restoration Project”. During the subsequent phone call, I discovered

that the owner was David Bion, a work acquaintance, who I had previously tried to entice into joining The Singer car club.

I took a couple of visits to view the dismantled car, made some enquiries and settled on a price I was happy to pay, which was eventually accepted by David.

We proceeded to transfer all the parts to my back verandah as this was to be the temporary home of the car until I built another shed to store most of the parts in (still building sheds today!!!)

The car came with two full chassis including spare suspension, steering and brake components, 11/2 engines, 3 gearboxes and an almost complete differential. The “half ” engine had smashed a hole in both sides during the obvious failure, but had some

good parts. The main body section was in surprisingly good condition, considering it was 75 years old and only has two small pockets of rust on the lower edges of the scuttle. When I dismantled the back seats, I discovered some “order tickets” which indicate the body was built by horwood and Bagshaw, the agriculture implement builders, here in South australia.

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THE REAL ‘GARAGE CRAWL’ – by Rob Martin

Like a jigsaw – first empty the box . . .

. . . then sort out the pieces!

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2010 Annual Dinner

House Of Chow

82 Hutt Street

Adelaide

26th June

7.00 pm – 7.30 pm

Come and join us for a wonderful evening

with your Singer fellows.

Choose to join in on the Asian Fusion banquet or select from the varied modern Australian

a la carte menu

Please ring Sue Matthews or Rob Martin 8284 7947 or 0413 216 314by the 12th of June so bookings can be made.

Don’tmissour

Annual Dinner!

June 26

Please RSVPnow!

Shown right is a collection of parts including the hood bows, luggage rack and various steering and suspension components. In the foreground is the bonnet which is bolted in place on the car. access to the engine is via two side panels which can be removed completely. The hole in the bonnet ( bottom) is where the filler cap of the fuel tank is placed with the tank just in front of the dash. Occupant protection from leaking fuel tanks was not apparently a big issue in 1926.Part 2 of the 10/26 restoration will appear in the September edition of Singergram.

10/26 Restoration – Part 1 – continued by Rob Martin

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There are plans afoot for a weekend in the Barossa Valley. This will include a wine tasting (one can’t visit the Barossa without tasting some of the local produce), some

good food and an interesting drive within the Barossa. also, it is hoped to have somewhere interesting and perhaps a little different for the overnight stay (no - not a tent or swag!).

Before I go too far with preparations, I need to have an indiction of how many will be attending. Naturally cost is always an important factor, so I will do my best to keep these to a minimum without skimping on a good time and getting value for money.

It is anticipated that an all-inclusive price can be worked out so the only extra expense involved would be fuel costs and personal purchases such as bottles of wine!

I don’t want to give too much away, so I’ll keep a few things to myself as the element of surprise is always nice.

The proposed itinerary will go something like this...

ESCAPE TO THE BAROSSA – 28-29 August 2010 by Jeff Vale

Saturday:Noon Meet for lunch on the outskirts of

the Barossa.1.30pm Travel to the accommodation (tba)

and book in.2.30pm Drive to a winery (tba) for wine

tasting.4.30pm Back to accommodation to freshen

for dinner.7.00pm Dinner (venue tba)

Sunday:6.00am Morning jog and work-out in the

park (just kidding!!)8.00am Breakfast9.30am Depart accommodation for short

drive and stop within the Barossa1.00pm Lunch2.30pm Depart at leisure for home

all driving will be on sealed roads and will not cover long distances. The emphasis will be on a social get-together with some points of interest.

Please email Jeff – singergram@bigpond.com – if you can suggest something of particular interest for this weekend.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTSPlease advise the Editor at your earliest if any event is not listed.

Discuss these coming events with fellow members and help make each event truly worthwhile.

Monthly meetings are held at the Caledonian Hotel, O’Connell Street, North Adelaide – 6.30 pm for meals and 7.30 pm for meeting –

2010Jun 21 Monthly Meeting. (A week later than normal due to public holiday on June 14).

Jun 26 Annual Dinner – House of Chow, 82 Hutt Street, Adelaide – 7 for 7.30pm. RSVP to the secretary 8598 7066 mobile 0419 800 917 or email pedaw@lm.net.au IMMEDIATELY

Jul 12 Monthly Meeting.

Jul 25 Lunch at the Birkenhead Tavern and trawl through the Port Dock Markets or vice versa (further details to be announced).

Aug 9 Monthly Meeting.

Aug 28-29 Escape to the Barossa – Overnight stay. Good food, good wine, good friends. Please advise Jeff Vale by phone 0419 152 029 or email singergram@bigpond.com as soon as possible if you are interested in a great night away.

Sep 13 Monthly Meeting.

Sep 26 Bay to Birdwood Rally.

Oct 11 Monthly Meeting.

Oct 17 Strathalbyn Swap Meet.

Nov 8 Monthly Meeting.

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED IN 2,065 YEARS

APPARENTLY NOTHING

DO WE BLAME THE POLLIES OR OUR APATHY ???

“The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”

Cicero - 55 BC