Sunday, November 7, 2010

QCAR at Milang

Two videos I took on jetties at Milang on the run Brenton and Jason organised. A relaxing day and great roads. A very enjoyable event.



Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Brought Porton Pictures

I've been told not to be flippant with this blog post.



These pictures were taken by Robyn.



They are very nice.





Please look at them.





And admire.


A bench.


People and a bench.


Trees, cars and people.


35 acres of Thunderbird. I lurve this picture.


A night time shot.


Little house. Big car.


Pow wow.


Lucinda submariner. I won't mention anything about Brenton.


Boys and sheds.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Elvis Drives a Monaro


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFecU-Xa4Jc



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZBG5AY8AUQ


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q04_ClDxRsk


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpzV_0l5ILI&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpzV_0l5ILI&feature=related

Yes, We are a Car Club!

At the recent Car Club weekend away I believe all sorts of matters mechanical were discussed. I believe Peter Jones gave the group a long dissertation on the design evolution of the NGK spark plug.

Part of his speech I believe included these incisive comments:

"You should consult your engine tuner who should be able to advise you on the correct heat range to get the best from your engine. As a general rule, an engine may benefit from a colder grade of plug where modifications made have increased the temperature in the combustion chamber (increased turbo boost, nitrous oxide use, increased compression), colder plug will conduct heat away from the firing tip more quickly and thus help reduce detonation/plug damage. "

And . . .

"Generally speaking no. Plugs may not last quite as long as with a standard petrol engine and the ignition system may have a harder time generating a spark. The denser charge in the combustion chamber means a higher voltage is required to jump the gap. For this reason it may help to reduce the spark plug gap by 0.2mm. If spark plugs become prone to overheating then it may be necessary to replace with plugs one grade colder."

I was told the audience was in awe of Peter's vast knowledge.

Pictures from the motoring technical seminars. Taken by Rod.


Photo: Part of the Jensen Interceptor suspension.
Splitting The Lower Anti-roll Bar Ball Joint.
You need to separate the anti-roll bar from the spring pan. This can be done at the joint at either the top or bottom of the “Link Anti-roll Bar” (84). If you have a ball-joint splitter then the bottom one is the easiest to do (bloody difficult otherwise so you’ll have to undo the top of the link). If you’re replacing the “mounting Rubber Anti-roll Bar” (81) now’s a good time whilst the main anti-roll bar is detached at one end.


Photo: A WB Holden
The last Holden to wear the Kingswood badge was one of the variants of the WB series utility released in 1980. Although the WA and WB projects at Holden were meant to have resulted in all-new full-size cars, the 1973 fuel crisis and cost-cutting meant the scope of changes became more limited each time. Eventually, the WB project was condensed into a major upgrade of the luxury Statesman models and a facelift of the HZ-series commercial models with new headlights, tail lights, grilles and the updated Holden "Blue" six-cylinder engine (4.2 litre V8 optional). The Kingswood was now available on utility only with the panel van joining the One Tonner, but the 5.0 litre V8 engine was no longer officially offered as an available performance option although some were built. There were no passenger car versions of the Kingswood, their place in the Holden range having been absorbed by the Commodore. Production of the entire WB-series finished in 1984 when Holden announced they were vacating local production of large luxury and commercial vehicles—due to economics—to concentrate on their medium car range, i.e. Camira and Commodore, and imported Isuzu commercial product.



Photo: A Facel Vega from 1954
Facel started out by building bodies for other manufacturers before going it alone in 1954 with a De Soto-engined car called the Vega. Once the car became established the company rebranded itself Facel Vega, and the car became the FVS. From the original 4.5-litre V8, the FVS moved to 5.4-litre Chrysler power – and the tubular-framed chassis car boasted 335bhp. To rein in all that power, a brake servo was fitted in 1957, and disc brakes were an option the following year. It was a simple recipe and the quality was there, as was the driving experience.


Photo: A Mini Moke
A utility vehicle intended for the British Army, for whom a few twin-engined 4-wheel-drive versions were also built. Although the 4WD Moke could climb a 1:2 gradient, it lacked enough ground clearance for military use. The single-engined front-wheel-drive Moke enjoyed some popularity in civilian production. About 50,000 were made in total, from 1964 to 1968 in the UK, 1966 to 1982 in Australia and 1983 to 1989 in Portugal. The car featured in the cult 1967 TV series The Prisoner, and is popular in holiday locations such as Barbados and Macau, where Mokes were used as police cars. Mokes were also available to rent there as recently as March 2006. "Moke" is archaic British slang for a donkey.


Photo:A Nissan Xtronic CVT transmission
The Xtronic CVT will deliver powerful acceleration and smooth driving performance in various driving situations. An Outline of XTronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) by Nissan. Xtronic CVT has been used officially in the Nissan Teana and Nissan Murano to help on improving fuel economy and facilitating powerful driving performance.


Photo: Barak Obama's Presidential limousine
Most details of the car are classified for security reasons. It is completely fitted with military grade armor at least five inches thick, and the wheels are fitted with run flat tires. Due to the thickness of the glass, much natural light is excluded, so a fluorescent halo lighting system in the headliner is essential. The car can seat seven people, including the president. The front seats two, and includes a console-mounted communications centre. A glass partition divides the front from back. Three rear facing seats are in the back, with cushions that are able to fold over the partition. The two rear seats are reserved for the president and another passenger; these seats have the ability to recline individually. A folding desk is between the two rear seats. Storage compartments in the interior panels of the car contain communications equipment. The Secret Service refers to the heavily-armored vehicle as "the beast"


Photo: Dessert.

Port Broughton Weekend Away

by Robyn Brody

The weekenders all arrived Friday and settled in to watch the sunset and enjoy a shared meal.

Saturday, back to the now famous 'Camp Kitchen' for a communal brekkie before motoring to Wallaroo. First stop - refreshments. A leisurely walk on a small section of the heritage trail to get us though till lunch. A visit to the museum and the drive home. Bubbles on the beach at Fisherman's Bay before dinner at Palette to Palate followed by after dinner drinks.

Brenton, Jason and Bryan arrived Sunday morning for another big brekkie at the Dock of the Bay. Off we went via Mundoora to Redhill for lunch at the local pub after another museum visit. An easy motor to Snowtown (some folks were banking on that!) where it took Julie and Liz so long to buy our pies for tea, we were beginning to think it was the Sweeney Todd bakery.

Back through some beautiful green countryside to the Bute Hotel for more refreshments before the the drive home.

At this point, someone suggested that rather than just be a food and wine club, we should think about expanding to have a car component to Qcar. General decision - we need time to think about that!

Captions to photos not by Robyn Brody.


Fish, Chips. Is there more to life than this?
(Many would say, "Yes there is.")


South Australian's just love a shnitty.
(Why?)


Isn't this lovely! Those little cane baskets were just so popular in the 70s. (I'm sure that same little petrified basket of bread hasn't been making the rounds of the table for the past 40 years. No couldn't happen. Could it?)


The (in)famous salad selection! Brian, Peter, Bryan, Brenton and Jason look on in astonishment at the vast and appetising selection. You can just tell Brenton is thrilled - indeed I predict that this meal will one day be the inspiration for his first cook book - "The Joy of Coleslaw".

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

The "I Had A Farm In Africa" Run

Monarto Zoo was the destination for a recent run. I could look up the date it was held on but hey, bugga it!

The zoo is free range (just like the chooks). I have got that right haven't I? And a preserve for African animal species.



And here we have a fine herd of that great ape Homo Sapiens Blokeyus. Looks like they're off on a forage and reconnoitre.



They're looking sheepish as they've just been busted planning a game that involved no hands and a water bottle.



A QCar member reads out loud the 'to whom it may concern' meal time death and disability waiver before everyone heartily attacks their lunch.



The "Who can break into the car quickest" games had to be called off. Here we see the group break up after being spotted and photographed.



Some anonymous quotes heard from the day . . .

"But I didn't see Kimba the White Lion . . ."
"I love Africa, it's such a lovely country . . ."
"I believe Madagascar was based on a true story . . ."
"Cheetah's Pfft. My Morris 1100 can outpace one . . . given a minute or two . . ."

Random Shot



This image from Robyn. I think from the winter Photomania run last year. She has sent it to me now to place up on the website not because of any age-related forgetting type syndrome . . . (what was I typing) . . . but because, in Robyn's words, it's "mean looking".

Good O

**Update**
Taken at St Kilda - nothing to do with Harvey's "location disorientation syndrome". Took so long to get it to Harvey so proves nothing wrong with Robyn's short term memory!

**Obviously an editorial blonde blog moment!!

The Ortum Leafs Run

Now I wasn't on the Ortum Leafs Run so I'm going to guess what occurred. I believe Brenton and Clinton organised it and that in general they headed hillswards. I hear lunch was had at the Bridgewater Inn, which is quite different to the Bridgewater Mill next door - by about $20 per spoonful.

These photos taken by Sandy T . . . btw . . . Glorious they are too.




Eric's Mini. A Cooper S no less. Taken out of the museum for the day . . .



Chris and Wayne's German super car. Ho hum. ;-) Oh to have such ho hum times . . .



Later on the bomb squad arrived and everyone was allowed back into the pub to dine.



Clinton, off camera, doing his famous Marilyn Monroe "Happy Birthday Mr President" monologue and song to the delight of Michelle and adoring hubby Brenton.



"Sharply acidic but sweet on the after taste with a pronounced aroma of garlic."
Luckily not the wine but the verdict on main course from Chris and Wayne.



Suzanne in the barge. Sorry very lovely, statuesque vehicle. It's no way as big as most suburban housing blocks and nooooooo it doesn't need it's own oil well to keep it running. Brenton's Jeep has first dibs on that oil well . . .

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Skippy Island II - Photos by Robyn & Julie

For more of the arty, skeeenick shots by Robyn see her Flickr page at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/46673360@N05/

(Click on the pictures to see them at a larger size.)



Rod practicing his saluting. He could often be heard above decks mumbling, "Aye, aye sir, anything you say sir, anything, anything . . . just ask . . . please".



Do not look at the above picture.



Brenton: "No, I won't listen to another Smurf joke."



"Cheers"



Boot scooting practice. What else is there to do outside at 2am in the freezing cold?



'Achey Breaky Heart' causes that reaction in most people.



And now for a Strauss Waltz . . . Breanton leads . . .



"zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.............................."



walk, walk, walk . . .



False advertising - there was no Thomas inside.



Rod: "Glad I took Burglary 101 at tech . . ."



"If you look long and hard enough the halucinations cease . . ."



The first two eliminated from the 'best bums' competition.



Our driveway.



Sal - "So the kangaroos just stand in the middle of the road, not even looking out for cars, no wonder they get bowled over. They're so stupid - we're so much smarter."



Lighthouse tour guide: "I'll take this photo but just to ensure it's truly memorable I want you all to stare directly into the sun and squint."
The group obliges.



Julie: "I told you what the penalty was if you 'sashayed' instead of doing the 'do-si-do' "



Brenton daydreaming, staring off into the distance admiring the view. He's thinking," I've got a full tank. I can nearly make it to the end of that beach over there before having to fill up again . . ."



walk, walk, walk . . .



Tools of the trade.



Awwwww.



Julie, Rod, Bryan.



Each bedroom sported a pair of lighthouse shaped bedside lights. They're there just in case you miss seeing the 80 metre tall one in the backyard; the one that shoots out a beam of light that can be seen for tens of kilometres. Yep, just in case you miss that one.



David: "And if I stand like this with one hand out just so . . . it looks like I'm making a very important statement."



Sal announces, "Let's go whaling!"



"No I'm not sharing the only chair - you'll just have to stand . . ."


Home sweet home - with lighthouse.

Words by Harvey. Complaints will be duely ignored . . . unless forwarded in triplcate . . . along with a paper bag filled with cash.