Singergram vol 24 no 2 jun 2011

By Deidre Solly and Susie Margitich

[Two reports on the Shepparton Rally were received for publishing, so have been placed here in order that I received them. Thanks Deidre and Susie. – Ed]

When I heard that the 2011 Singer national Rally was to be held in Shepparton and there were lots of cows in the park I knew that this would be a rally not to be

missed.

Actually they are not real cows but life size statues which have various art work painted on them. There are about 70 in the district and they are moved around at times. It is called a “Mooving Art exhibition”. For those of you who don’t know I have a collection of dairy memorabilia so I was keen to take lots of photos of the cows.

The first thing I had to organise was getting my Singer to the rally. This meant organising a hire trailer and a hire car. My

SINGERGRAMApr-Jun 2011 Vol. 24 No. 2

SINGER CAR CLUB OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Shepparton Shines

Continued on pages 5 to 11

ANNUAL DINNER.....

One of the many cows moooving around Shepparton at the time of the Singer National Rally.

Our Annual Dinner is on June 25 at the Strathmore Balcony Restaurant in North Terrace. Please phone Sue Matthews or Rob Martin NOW – you may still be able to get a seat.

Pass on this web link if you would like to share this issue of Singergram with your friends and family – http://issuu.com/singergram/docs/singergram_june_2011

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 2011President............................................ 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) [email protected]

Secretary........................................... Peter Wright (08) 8598 7066 (h) PO Box 254 0419 800 917 (M) Tailem Bend SA 5260 [email protected]

Treasurer........................................... Rob Martin (08) 8284 7947 (h) 1 Thornton Street 0413 216 314 (M) Angle Vale SA 5117 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

SCCA Secretary................................ Andrew Bull (03) 9499 6746 & Magazine Editor 9 Burton Crescent [email protected] east Ivanhoe VIC 3079

SINGERGRAM Page 2 JUNE 2011

PRESIDENT’S REPORT – by Ivan Margitich

The big event since my last report has been the national Rally at Shepparton Victoria, easter this year. Singers are

alive and well. The Victorian Club is to be congratulated on their outstanding efforts. Sue and I attended with our 1935 Singer Le Mans Four seater after trailing from Adelaide. We had a good trip over and so far as we were concerned the rally was interesting and well organised. Also attending from our Club were Peter and Pat Oxley, Rob Martin and Sue Matthews, Jeff and Maureen Vale, John and Vanessa eason, Deidre Solly, Max and Rosemary Lane and Kevin Keany.Without going into categories of winners we were pleased that Jeff and Maureen Vale took out an award for their well prepared Singer SM sedan (Black Betty) and Kevin Keany received a hard Luck Award for his efforts in getting the car there but having to push it to the car display.Congratulations must go to John and Vanessa eason, who with their Singer Special took out the “Peoples Choice Award”. A more detailed report of our trip and I’m sure that of others appear in this magazine. It was great to meet up with many Singer enthusiasts and enjoy wandering around the diverse display of our marque. Putting the rally aside we have not had any car outings but our regular meetings have been well attended and the usual exchange of information between members restoring their cars. Kevin Keany worked extremely hard getting his car prepared and ready for the rally and he was pleased as punch he was able to make it to the rally and whilst there start it for the first time and drove it a short way on the display ground. We look forward to the garage crawl to Kevin’s home on Sunday 17 July. I’m sure we’ll hear more about his trip when there.For my own part the rally has spurred me on to resuming work (much to Sue’s disgust) on the Singer 4AD chassis and engine which has been sitting in my garage for a couple of years without much being done to it. Winter is a hard time for we sports car enthusiasts, tinkering with our boys toys as it is very cold in the garage. Our Singer Annual Dinner at The Strathmore hotel north Terrace Adelaide is on Saturday 25 June 2011 so hope all attending have booked with Sue Matthews, otherwise do so immediately or you may miss out. I look forward to seeing you there.

IVAn MARGITICh, President


SInGeRGRAM is happy to place your For Sale or Wanted ads in this space.

Please email any items suitable for this column to [email protected] but remember to notify the editor when the content of the ad is changed or no longer required.

FOR SALE & WANTED

FOR SALE – I am clearing all my Singer parts, mainly for 9/4AD roadsters, SM1500 and Hunters. Ask – I may have it. Sedan parts include radiators, SM1500 rear glass plus a Zenith Carburettor taken off an SM1500. VW Solex carby – may suit 9 motor. Roadster parts include front axle, side curtain glass and track, back shockers, chromed indicators, electrical and body bits, etc.

Drew Marshman, (08) 8356 6010, e-mail [email protected].

FOR SALE – 4 x 17” rolled edge 4-stud wire wheels; 1 x 16” straight edge 4-stud wire wheel. Assorted Singer Nine 4A/B & 4AD spares.

Please ring (08) 8331 8695 for further information.

WANTED – Hood bows for Singer Nine 4AB.

Please phone (08) 8331 8695.

SINGER PARTS FOR SALEIn a second hand furniture shop on Unley Rd. just south of Culvert street on the eastern side of Unley Road.

Sorry but I cant remember the name of the shop.

There is a gearbox minus change mechanism, a distributor , a starter motor and a generator which has “singer 1933” written on it. The asking price is $60 for the lot.

Good luck!

John eASOn.

PS give me a call if you cant find the shop 0413161270

SINGER 9 ROADSTER 1939-1949

The original Roadster was an occasional four seat, two door tourer and had the overhead camshaft, 1074 cc I4 engine used in the Bantam range but tuned slightly to give 36 bhp (27 kW) by fitting a better manifold and downdraught SU carburettor. Performance was handicapped by the use of a three speed gearbox and top speed was in the order of 65 mph (105 km/h).

The body was built in the traditional method of aluminium panels fixed to a wooden framework. The suspension used leaf springs and was non independent with rigid axles front and rear. The brakes were mechanically operated.

Post World War II cars had the chassis stiffened and the engine mounted further forwards.

nearly all production post war was exported.


next door neighbour helped me load the Singer and then we found out some of the wiring on the hire car was broken so with a quick visit to the local auto electrician I was ready to leave on the Thursday morning before the rally.

With an overnight stop I arrived at Shepparton soon after lunch on Good Friday. Mark Leach and John Yeo were on hand to help me unload the Singer and park the car and trailer. however we did it in the trailer paddock and when I crawled under the trailer to undo one of the ratchet straps I became covered in prickles.

Well the rest of the rally went well. I loved the Singer Rally cow parked at the entrance of the motel. We had a good run on the Saturday to Tatura and Rushworth. I started off following Peter and Pat Oxley until they turned around and went back the way we had come. The Benfers drove past me so I followed them and eventually arrived at Tatura although I think I went on a different route than what was on the instructions. At Rushworth it was good to see some of the Singers in the easter Parade along with horse drawn vehicles and huge tractors.

Sunday was a lovely sunny day and it was great to see all the Singers out on the grass area near the lake for judging. It was quite hard to choose a car in each category. Then off to a winery for lunch and the option to climb Mt. Major in our Singers. I drove my car up the mountain but it was not too difficult as the road wound its way around rather than straight up. Sunday night was the national Rally Dinner. And SA Singers

SHEPPARTON SHINES – continued


Another of the “mooovers” around Shepparton.

Lunch at the old winery in Dookie.



won some trophies. Congratulations!!!!!

Monday I was able to see the Anzac Parade and then went to the local car clubrooms for the Singer Olympics and lunch. I was fortunate to be in the SA Olympic team and we won the Singer Olympics!!!!! not that I scored too well but I did get 2 fan belts on the tap. Max Lane excelled in the hub cap toss with a perfect score and Rob Martin was our best scorer overall. Stephen Bitmead was the fourth member of the team who contributed to our win.

And finally it was time to say our farewells and begin our journeys home. It was a great rally. Thanks to John haywood and his team. I look forward to the next one at Raymond Terrace.

– Deidre Solly

We are now safely home after enjoying another national Rally with our Singer Car Club friends and families. It is a much more fun filled time being a participant without the

pressures of arranging events, their timing and scheduling of the various venues. Our turn is not for another 6 years but, the wheels of my mind have been turning with ideas for our next big foray on the Singer stage.

On the way over Ivan and I overnighted in St. Arnaud where we were joined by Max and Rosemary Lane in their pretty Singer Gazelle and Kevin Keany towing his restoration, a mid blue Singer 10. We arrived there at about 4.15 pm after traversing minor roads that bypassed horsham. They made us feel like we were the only people on earth, as only the odd vehicle passed us on these long but straight and narrow roads.

The sat/nav in our new Mitsubishi Pajero had to be trusted and it was a great three hours of travelling and seeing little towns that modernity has forgotten. Film crews for mid 20th century movies could not choose better than this area. even car clubs could have some great long runs out in the large flat countryside. It was a wonderful Autumn day and the night proved to be clear but cold. We all left the motel for dinner in The Farmers Arms

Some of the earlier model Singers on display at Shepparton.



hotel. The atmosphere was pleasant and the food fine. next morning the Lanes departed 30 minutes before us and Kevin followed behind us for the trip onto Shepparton via Bendigo on Good Friday morning.

We arrived into Shepparton around 11.30 and our trusty sat/nav found us to The ParkLake Motel at about noon. We found many members already installed in their rooms. Ivan helped Kevin dismount his Singer and I took care of taking the luggage to our suite and unpacking.

The Vics did a grand job of herding us to their pre-arranged venues. Moo cows were everywhere – resin full-size ones painted in many and varied hues all over town. Deidre Solly was delighted and collects cow memorabilia. I wonder if she could score a full size one?

A welcome get-together buffet dinner was held on Good Friday evening and we all enjoyed meeting up with Singer friends again. Breakfasts were also briefings on what plans were in store for the day.

Saturday we were travelling to Rushworth where our Club were to be part of the easter parade of vehicles, horses and agricultural paraphernalia. Rushworth is a Victorian heritage town so the vintage, antique and food stores did a great trade. There was a Farmers Market and stalls. Lots of alternative type goods and clothing I thought.

The Criterion hotel hosted our lunch of Sausage and hamburger BBQ with salad in their beer garden. We hurried lunch as we had to be in the parade and were designated a certain place in the line up. On the way to Rushworth we enjoyed a driving and observation run break at Tatura which was one of the places that housed “enemy aliens”, similar to Loveday in SA. During WWII. The museum was very interesting and the volunteer gave a most informative talk to us about the men, women and children who were interned there. On Saturday Morning tea at Waranga Basin – and those vanilla slices – Yum!


night we enjoyed an Italian style meal at Boccaro’s and the Mellanzano was a hit with most of us.

Sunday morning the Concourse d’elegance was held in the large park opposite our rally home. It was expertly run and all the cars were placed in their appropriate classes. Kevin Keany eventually pushed his unregistered vehicle across the main highway from the motel and then even managed to start it for the first time and drove it round in circles a couple of times. he was a very happy man.

We were told to pick up our packed lunch from the rally registration room and after 11.00am were able to depart Shepparton for an afternoon picnic lunch, observation run (grounds for divorce) and even a hill climb. Our lunch destination was in the grounds of an old winery in Dookie called Tallis Wines. The weather was just perfect and all of us enjoyed our lunch and the winery did good business as after tasting their Voignier I just had to buy some. I now wish I had bought more. Ivan and I chickened out from the hill climb to Mt Major which is the highest point in Goulburn and we decided we needed to return to Shepparton for a short rest before enjoying the Sunday night trophy dinner.

Congratulations to all those lucky people who won trophies. I am sure Jeff will have a list of them for print out in the magazine. It was reassuring to see younger people enjoying the rally with their children. One can not help but notice the ageing population of vintage car owners. It is good to witness some young ones still have a love of tinkering with old engines. “God Bless ‘em”

On Monday it was also Anzac Day, so several of our members were in the Anzac Parade and partook in the Memorial Service. Ivan and I did a little touring around the city of Shepparton and were grateful for the free time. Lunch was held at the Goulburn Valley Car Club where we competed in the traditional Singer Olympics. each state chooses four of their members and we were given a series of tasks to negotiate, e.g. throwing a fan belt over a tap, knock em downs or putting hubcaps into a hoop. Four goes each. Well guess what, SA beat the socks off the other states, we won. Good on you team. After a BBQ lunch we


Kevin Keany was beaming when he got behind the wheel of his Singer for the first time.



said our goodbyes to those leaving and for those staying another night it was off to the local RSL for dinner just down the road from the motel. They were the busiest place in town and had trouble fitting us in, after all it was Anzac Day, but they did so and the food was good.

We had a wonderful time seeing all our Singer friends again and even missed those who were not there. hopefully we will be able to enjoy everyone’s company in two years time when nSW hosts the rally at Raymond Terrace. We are looking forward to it already.

Congratulations! Victoria on a well convened Singer Car Club Rally.

– Susie Margitich

AWARD WINNERS

Vintage Roadster up to 1930 Terry & Julie Curtis NSW 1929 Junior Sports

Vintage Saloon up to 1930 Morrie & Wilma Lunney VIC Hillman Hunter (There were no Vintage Saloons up to 1930, but several votes were received for the Lunneys’ Hillman!!)

Pre War Roadster 1931-1939 Peter & Dorothy Pyett NSW 1936 Bantam Roadster

Pre War Saloon 1931-1939 Alan Cannane VIC 1933 9 Saloon

Le Mans Peter & Lorraine Lester VIC 1934 Le Mans

Post War Roadster 1940-1952 (9/10/4A) Ian & Jackie Martin NSW 1949 4A Roadster

Post War Roadster 1952-1956 (4AB/D) Peter & Diana Bilston VIC 1952 4AB Roadster

Post War Saloon 1940-1955 Jeff & Maureen Vale SA 1951 SM1500 Sedan

Rootes Group Singer 1955 on Gary & Caroline Handran QLD 1962 Singer Vogue (Also Furthest Distance Travelled in a Singer – over 1500km from Brisbane)

Singer Special John & Vanessa Eason SA 1937 ‘9’ Special Roadster

Singer Commercial Rick & Margaret McDonald VIC 1950 9hp Singer Ute

Singer Under Restoration Reid Bridson VIC JWF Italia Singer 9 Special

Master Class (Previous Rally Champion) John & Maureen Benfer QLD 1934 Le Mans

People’s Choice (Singer I would like to own) John & Vanessa Eason SA 1937 ‘9’ Special Roadster

RACV Choice Award Brian & Angela Kelleher NSW 1950 4A Roadster

Hard Luck Award Kevin Keany SA 1948 10hp Tourer







ThOMAS Jay McCahill pioneered Automotive Journalism in 1946 with his first article published in the American Magazine “Mechanix Illustrated”.

‘Uncle’ Tom, as he became known, tested American and european cars and raced a few.

his comment on the Singer nine is interesting (from Restored Cars no. 188, 2008).

“The Singer Nine tourer, with its peppy OHV cam 1100cc engine, was priced at $1,500, which Tom regarded as providing a ‘swell practice car’ for prospective competition drivers to begin with as it gave every performance sensation of the bigger cars, while minimizing the dire consequences of the mistakes they would certainly make. Hi view was that beginners would do well to start out with a Crosley, Singer or an MG as they stood more chance of escaping the penalties of their inexperience”.

REMEMBERING ‘UNCLE’ TOM – from Denis Moreau

TRAFFIC CAMERAMy husband was driving when he saw the flash of a traffic camera. He figured that his picture had been taken for exceeding the limit even though he knew that he was not speeding.Just to be sure, he went around the block and passed the same spot, driving even more slowly, but again the camera flashed.Now he began to think that this was quite funny, so he drove even slower as he passed the area once more, but the traffic camera again flashed.He tried a fourth and fifth time with the same results and was now laughing as the camera flashed while he rolled past at a snail’s pace.Two weeks later, he got five tickets in the mail for driving without a seat belt.You can’t fix stupid.

– Thanks to Pat Oxley for this one!


SINGER NINE SPECIAL FLIES AGAIN from James Redwood

[The following email with accompanying photograph and article were received last week from John Redman. I would welcome some of your restoration photos and an article on your trials and tribulations. I’m sure our members would be interested to read about it in a future issue of Singergram. Many thanks - ed]

To the editor,

Over Easter I competed in the National Historic Race Meeting in my Singer Special. The car’s appearance gave rise to an article in the program.

Attached is an excerpt from the Easter historic’s programme and a photo.

One correction is the car was designed and built by Don Bradey with assistance from a panel beater. Tom was his father and owner of S&K and Pete his 15yr old brother.

Plenty of photos from the restoration.

Next event is the SCC Winter Cup Hill Climb on the 26th of June.

Regards James Redwood


SINGER NINE SPECIAL FLIES AGAIN from James Redwood


REGAL RAMBLE by Deidre Solly

1,341 miles in my Singer!

The Federation Meet the Clubs Tour began on Monday 28th March. But why was it called the Regal Ramble? Well we travelled on the Duke’s highway, the Princes highway

and visited the towns of Kingston, Kingscote.I set off early in my Singer for Mt Barker where we had morning tea hosted by the Adelaide hills Motor Restorers Club. Then it was off to Murray Bridge for lunch at the Auto Collectors Club. Then off we went on the long haul to Bordertown.I stopped for petrol at Tailem Bend and evicted the passenger I had picked up – a grasshopper in the back resting on my pillow (side curtains off at this stage).There were lots of trucks on this stretch of road to Bordertown and every time one passed my soft top Singer it happened to shake, flap and rattle with me tightly holding the steering wheel to keep the car on course.We stayed at Bordertown for two nights and the Bordertown Vehicle Restorers Club took us on a tour of Poocher Swamp, Clayton Farm, Wolseley and Serviceton. Clayton farm had a great display of cream separators. We looked over the old station at Serviceton where the exchange between South Australia and Victoria happened in the old days. To finish the day we had dinner at the Woolshed Inn hotel Motel. however the first night I was woken by something rustling in my food bag. I got up to investigate suspecting a cricket but it turned out to be a mouse after my Weetbix. It disappeared behind the fridge but the next night I kept my food in the car.Wednesday we set off for naracoorte where we had a look over the Sheep’s Back Museum and the local club served us lunch at their clubrooms. We all admired the displays in their sheds at the clubrooms and they were building even more sheds. Then it was off to Penola with stops at Bool Lagoon and Father Woods Park where we viewed the big wooden sculptures.Thursday we explored Penola viewing the many historic buildings built in the 1800’s. Also we visited the John Riddoch Centre, a fantasy and model railway museum and the Mary McKillop Interpretive Centre. next day it was off to Mt Gambier. First I visited echo Farm which was interesting as they had lots of old style toys eg steam boat. Then I went into Mt


REGAL RAMBLE – continued

Gambier itself for lunch and then toured the Blue Lake and the other Lakes in the area with a climb up to the Centenary Tower.Saturday the Mt Gambier Veteran and Vintage Car Club took us on trip to Casterton where we met up with the local car club. As Casterton is ‘The home of the Kelpies’ we saw a display of the dogs working the sheep. Then we were given a BBQ lunch and explored the town. Again that night a great dinner organised by our hosts.Sunday was a tour through nelson to Port MacDonnell where we had lunch and then visited Donald and Sheila Feast’s Museum. here was a Valiant enthusiast’s delight with rows and rows of immaculate Valiant’s with others in the wings waiting restoration. The museum also contained all sorts of other treasures too numerous to mention.Monday it was off to Millicent to see their great Museum and then the Beachport Old Wool and Grain Store Museum. Beachport was a great place to have lunch and then we travelled on to Robe and Kingston. The Southern Ports Vehicle and Motor Restorers Club hosted us for another great dinner. The next day they took us on a tour to Mt Jaffa and then we were free to sight see in Kingston. The highlights of course where the Big Lobster and Kev’s Tractor Collection.Wednesday 6th April we set off for Meningie where the Coorong Mechanical Restoration hosted us for lunch and then on to Victor harbor (free accommodation for me as I was home). As we had about 80 cars on the trip it took a while to get across the punt at Wellington.Thursday hMVC was the host club and we divided into three tour groups. I led one group to Port elliot where we had a short history talk at the Railway Station and people explored the town. Then we ventured up Cross nest Road for the view at the Lookout and back to Victor harbor for lunch. A chance for me to go to the bank, buy the local paper and have a Subway lunch. After lunch we visited Stephen and Vida Schild’s great museum. That evening it was our finale dinner. The hotel Victor put on an excellent three course meal and

a few speeches were made. Friday 8th April it was off to Kangaroo Island for those choosing to go on the tour extension and morning tea at our clubrooms for those leaving the tour. It was a great spectacle to see the cars being loaded onto the ferry. We had a calm crossing as it was a nice sunny day. On arrival we headed off for our accommodation and began to explore the Island. Once checked into my cabin I walked


REGAL RAMBLE – continued

into Kingscote to explore the shops and then viewed the Pelican Feeding. I met some other tour members at the pub for dinner and then returned to my cabin.Saturday the Kangaroo Island Motor Club hosted us for a drive to Flinders’ Chase where we had lunch and the option to visit Remarkable Rocks and Admiral’s Arch. In spite of driving down the roller coaster road to these tourist spots and negotiating the very strong wind that nearly blew me out to sea it was worth it. There were some seals at Admiral’s Arch and it was great to watch them moving around. The small KI Club then hosted us for dinner that evening.Sunday we were able to tour at our leisure as long as we got to Penneshaw to catch the ferry home. I chose to travel to Parndana to view the Wildlife Park where I fed the kangaroos. I kept my fingers well away from the bird cages as I heard one of our group had got clawed on the arm the previous day as he did not read the ‘Do not Feed’ sign. Then I visited Island Beehive and the emu Ridge eucalyptus Distillery collecting some souvenirs and then headed for Penneshaw. I went for a walk around Penneshaw with 2 other hMVC couples including a look at Frenchman’s Rock.Cars began to line up and after awhile we all boarded the ferry and again had a relatively good crossing. My Singer was parked in the back corner of the boat and consequently was the last car off the ferry. By now it was beginning to get dark so I began the trip home. Singer headlights are not the best and the road kept disappearing as I drove along but I did get home in about an hour without meeting up with any kangaroos on the road.The Regal Ramble was a great trip. I can recommend these tours to others as I have now been on two Federation Tours. The weather was great most of the time. My Singer actually went topless on a couple of occasions. Mt. Gambier was a bit overcast and there were a few showers. We had perfect weather in Victor harbor. Kangaroo Island was quite windy and we had a few heavy showers but we still enjoyed our touring.My Singer travelled all those miles trouble free. I did not need the services of the RAA who travelled with us and the guys had a great time. They did however have a few problems to deal with on the trip with some of the cars. Special thanks to Lou and David the RAA guys. Also the trip would not have happened without the work of the organisers.Many thanks to Joy and Bill Watson and nola and Arthur Clisby. Let’s hope someone will organise another tour in two years time!!!


THE FAMOUS AND THE INFAMOUS WITH SINGERS!

SUReLY every Singer owner has seen the pictures of Marilyn Monroe draped across the bonnet of an equally sexy Singer Roadster, but how many have seen an early Pakistan’s

Mr Universe strutting his stuff and trying to look as tough as his sturdy transport?


SINGER OWNERS CLUB UK – 60TH ANNIVERSARY

[This article was received from Alan and Val Carter in the UK and our congratulations go to the SOC with best wishes for many more years of Singer motoring. Part of the report is reproduced here. Unfortunately the

pictures are rather poor quality, as they were scanned from photocopies – Ed]

On a cold but dry Sunday 6th March 2011 at the Salisbury Arms hotel in hertford, 60 members of the Singer Owners’ Club gathered for lunch to celebrate the 60th

Anniversary of the Club where it all started on 4th March 1951 by Keith McDowell CBe. Many of the members came in their Singer cars giving a good range from the 1930s through to 1969.

An account was given to the gathering from its inception to the present day by the current President, David Freeth, and this was followed by a very amusing speech by the Founder Keith McDowell himself.

Unfortunately the attendance was rather pathetic, but we did have a run through northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Warwickshire which was very pleasant but unfortunately sparse of classic cars, whereas in other parts of the country the turnout was fantastic, the weather being brilliant and helping so much.

Above: Singer cars took over an entire street in Hertford during the Founders Day celebrations.

Right: Gifford Wright and his wife Eileen have owned this

1937 Singer Nine since 1975.



JUST FOR FUN . . .

This brings a whole new meaning to “bucket seat”!

I think he’s carrying the wrong spare wheel!

Is this what they call a scratching post?

Who needs reversing cameras?

Wonder what the cornering is like!


MEMBER’S PROFILES – Peter Oxley and Max Lane

heRe are another two members’ profiles. Many thanks for your participation. This information is purely to introduce yourself to other members and perhaps provide some

light entertainment! All questions are optional. More profiles will appear in the next issue of Singergram. email the editor if you require a form.

NAME: Peter Oxley

BORN: I think so!

BRIEF HISTORY: Mischievous boy. Mis-spent youth. Responsible adult. Mischievous old man!

WHAT DO YOU COLLECT: Tankards. Small items of old “stuff”.

FAVOURITE FOOD: Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.

IDEAL HOLIDAY SPOT: Yorkshire – Coast, Wolds, Dales.

TOP THREE GUESTS YOU WOULD INVITE FOR DINNER: Blank - Blank - Blank. Can’t cook anyway!!

FAVOURITE MUSIC: Dean Martin, Harry Secombe, Michael Crawford.

FAVOURITE AUTHOR: Only ever read one book – by Dennis Wheatley – never had the time!

CLAIM TO FAME: Grandfather to ten grandchildren.

CLAIM TO SHAME: Not reading more books!

QUOTE TO LIVE BY: Work hard – be honest. Don’t spend a penny if half-penny will do!

FAVOURITE CAR: Jaguar Mark I and II.

CAR MOST HATED: Freelander

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE: Peter Oxley is my name, England is my nation, Adelaide South Australia is my dwelling place and God is my salvation.

NAME: Max Lane

BORN: 29 June 1941 (St Peter’s Day).

BRIEF HISTORY: Born and bred in Woodville; school Woodville Primary and High Schools. Fitter & turner, Design Draftsman, Acoustics - Noise Control Consultant, OHSW Consultant. 22 years in Lions Club.

WHAT DO YOU COLLECT: “Dust”!! (Rosemary suggested! But I’m never stationary long enough!)

FAVOURITE FOOD: Roast lamb.

IDEAL HOLIDAY SPOT: Robe.

TOP THREE GUESTS YOU WOULD INVITE FOR DINNER: Billy Connelly, Michael Parkinson, Max Walker.

FAVOURITE MUSIC: Jazz & 50’s - 70’s Modern.

FAVOURITE AUTHORS: Wilbur Smith.

CLAIM TO FAME: Prize-winning teddy bear maker.

CLAIM TO SHAME: See above h

QUOTE TO LIVE BY: Don’t worry – be happy!

FAVOURITE CAR: Cortina GT 500.

CAR MOST HATED: Vauxhall Viva.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE: Built a string bass which I play in three jazz bands, including at Halls Gap Jazz Festival.


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 –

201125 Jun Annual Dinner – Strathmore Balcony Restaurant, 129 North Terrace, Adelaide - 7.30pm. Please ring

Sue Matthews or Rob Martin Ph:- 8284 7947 or 0413 216 314 (Rob) or 0414 974 122 (Sue).

11 Jul Monthly Meeting – Caledonian Hotel, O’Connell Street, North Adelaide.

17 Jul Garage Crawl and BBQ – Kevin Keany’s place. 11.30am. 4 Arafura Court, Hallett Cove SA . BYO everything – meat for barbecue, salad or sweet to share and a chair.

31 Jul Almond Blossom Festival – Willunga. All day entertainment. Old cars needed for the parade. Contact Stephen Schild for entry forms - phone 8552 8646 or 0419 848 512.

8 Aug Monthly Meeting – Caledonian Hotel, O’Connell Street, North Adelaide.

21 Aug Willunga Swap Meet – See details on page 21.

12 Sep Monthly Meeting – Caledonian Hotel, O’Connell Street, North Adelaide.

16 Sep Strathalbyn Swap Meet.

16-18 Sep Victor Harbor Rock-n-Roll Festival – Classic cars to be featured. Get your entry form for Sunday on-line. See details on page 12.

25 Sep Bay to Birdwood Classic

10 Oct Monthly Meeting – Caledonian Hotel, O’Connell Street, North Adelaide.

30 Oct Combined Rootes Group Run – Organised by the Sunbeam Car Club – Details to be advised.

14 Nov Monthly Meeting – Caledonian Hotel, O’Connell Street, North Adelaide.

20 Nov Breakfast Run – Details to be announced.

10 Dec Christmas Function – Keep this date free. Details to be announced.

iStuffGot my son an iPhone for his birthday the other week, and recently got my daughter an iPod for hers, and was dead chuffed when the family clubbed together and bought me an iPad for father’s day.

Got my wife an iRon for her birthday.

It was around then the fight started......

NEW MEMBER

It is a pleasure to welcome Sally-Ann Day as a new member of our Singer Car Club.

We all fondly remember Alan Day who did so much for our club and it is heartening to know that his beloved Singer Roadster ‘SInG-49’ has been left in the care of his nephews and nieces.

hopefully we will see Sally-Ann and her partner Chris Collyer on some of our club outings in the not too distant future.

Documents

Singergram vol 24 no 2 jun 2011