Fun Run to Maselsp oort - The Free State Veteran Car Club, South

Veteraanmotorklub
Posbus/PO Box
28322
Danhof
9310
www.fsvcc.co.za
KOMITEE:
VOORSITTER:
Philip Heyns
082 462 0827
VISE-VOORSITTER/
REDAKTEUR:
Hennie van der Walt
083 305 8800
Volume 2
May 2015
Fun
Run
to
Maselspoort
50 Years (1965—2015)
SEKRETARIS:
Johan Ackerman
079 906 0096
PENNINGMEESTER:
Jan Hugo
082 774 4800
ADDISIONELE LEDE:
Pierré Maartens
082 413 8537
Theo Potgieter
084 551 6122
GE-KOÖPTEERDE
LID:
Ockie Fourie
084 434 2329
ADMINISTRASIE/
GASLAMP:
René Greenland
073 3080 827
Die jaar is amper halfpad en êrens gedurende die jaar is dit die koue tyd—om te
hiberneer! Al die yster van ons oumotors is te koud om aan te vat en die bene in die arms,
vingers en bene wil nie saamwerk om die instandhouding of restourasie te doen nie.
Nou is die kans om algemene oukar kennis na te vors. Nou kan jy die unieke kenmerke
van jòu oukarre naslaan en lys watter verskille is daar tussen jou kar en die ‘n jaar voor,
en na joune. Dit kan lekker wees om elkeen se weergawe hiervan by ‘n Tegniese-aand te
verneem.
Members are requested to
submit interesting stories about their cars, or perhaps
freak mishaps or breakages which occurred during the period since you have started
to be in charge of all the horsepower under the bonnet.
We are also attempting to re-publish interesting snippets of events that hit the lead
columns of motoring periodicals when we were young and our old cars were new!
Ons verslae oor byeenkomste getuig daarvan dat daar tòg ‘n groepie lede is wat hul
oukarre en hul vriende geniet.
Lekker lees, en onthou om beriggies en ander interessante nuuswaardighede vir ons te
stuur.—Die Redakteur
Page 2
Gaslamp
SOMERTOER—15 Februarie 2015
Tien motors en hul lede het deelgeneem op ‘n uitdagende roete na Krugersdrifdam. Na ‘n geselsie en ‘n sappie,
het ons die roete terug na Bloemfontein aangepak en Philip en Christa Heyns het vir die grap deelgeneem met
hul 1974 Datsun 120 Coupé, en het vir Hennie van der Walt met sy 1959 MGA 1600 met 1 sekonde geklop!
Maar, Philip het die roete uitgemeet en kon dus nie amptelik wen nie! We all enjoyed the afterburn braai.
Hennie se 1959 MGA 1600
Jimmy se 1956 DKW 3=6
Johan se 1933 Chev, Pierré se 1931 Chev en Leon se 1928 Chev
Die Volksblad
URGENT!!!
The Sunday Times
Our Club has a website! We desperately need
photographs for the Gallery. Please send photographs of your cars and those taken at club
events, to [email protected], so that we
can place them on the website for all to admire!
Volume 2
Page 3
The Sunday Times
Page 4
Gaslamp
UIT DIE Stoel
Stadig maar seker is dit
besig om winter te word en
ongelukkig is dit minder aangenaam
om ons ou motors, veral die oop oues
van toeka, te gebruik.
Ons byeenkomste die afgelope jaar is
goed bygewoon in ag genome dat
ander gewilde byeenkomste soos die
George Motorskou saamgeval het met
een van ons eie
byeenkomste.
Ongelukkig moes ons die besoek aan
die planetarium kanselleer as gevolg
van min belangstelling en hoë
toegangstariewe. Dit is vir ons
moontlik ‘n aanduiding dat ons
byeenkomste verkieslik motorverwant
moet wees.
Ons klub herdenk vanjaar ons
vyftigste bestaansjaar en het die
bestuur dit goed gedink om die
feesvieringe saam met die afsluitingsfunksie en algemene jaarvergadering
te laat saamval en wel op 21
November. Dit beloof om ‘n groot
geleentheid te wees wat nie
misgeloop moet word nie. Maak dus
noual ‘n aantekening in jou dagboek
en probeer om dit nie te mis nie.
Verder wil ons ook ‘n beroep op ons
lede doen om hul epos-adresse en/of
selfoon-nommers. aan die bestuur te
voorsien. Daar word beplan om die
nuusbrief voortaan elektronies aan
lede te stuur. Die selfoonnommer
word weer benodig om lede aan ons
byeenkomste te herinner.
Groete,
Vir diegene wat nog nie daarby Philip Heyns
uitgekom het om hul
vrywaringsvorms te voltooi en terug
te stuur nie, word ‘n vriendelike dog Please be advised that the new contact
dringende beroep gedoen om te person for the SAVVA Collectors Vehicle
reageer. Dieselfde geld met Insurance is Yolande Erasmus and her
betrekking tot uitstaande ledegelde, email address is
[email protected].
ongelukkig bly dit elke jaar ‘n
The
contact
telephone number remains
probleem en moet die bestuur baie
the same.
tyd daaraan spandeer.
Down Memory Lane ...
Volume 2
Page 5
PRETRIT : 17 Mei 2015
We travelled from the
Clubhouse, on an enjoyable
run of about 50km to
“Slightly Nutty”, a wedding
venue on the Maselspoort
Road.
There we had
marvelous fresh scones and
tea, and even tried their
B o em fo nt ei n
b rewe d
Cheque beer! It was really
nice to have PJ and Johanna
Smith in their roundback Alfa
Spider with us on the run.
Lekker gebraai daarna by die
Klubhuis!
Hennie & Helena’s 1947 Rover, Bill & Marieta’s 1973 Triumph Stag, Philip & Christa’s 1974
Datsun Coupé and Jan & Judy’s Citroën Light 15
Page 6
Gaslamp
ONTHOU! 13 JUNIE 2015
14:00
Ons kom by die Klubhuis bymekaar en gaan kyk na ‘n lid se versameling, voordat ons by Pierré
en Lydia Maartens gaan braai vanaf 15:30.
Die bring en braai beteken — bring net ‘n vleisie, ‘n bordjie en ‘n servet, die Duitse bier en
wyn en enkele ander drankies sal voorsien word.
Pierré se nuut gerestoureerde ‘28 Ford (sien “Under the Bonnet”) sal daar wees!
NB! On 27 June 2015, C & F Motor Spares (sponsors of our Rendezvous Tour) will be
celebrating their 20th Birthday! They request 10 cars for an exhibit on that day. Should
you be willing to assist, please contact Hennie van der Walt on 083 305 8800.
SAVVA Technical Tip 89 - Electronic ignitions for 6 volt cars
In the last Technical Tip we discussed fitting electronic ignition modules to cars. Also mentioned
was the possibility of a 6 volt unit for the DIY enthusiasts. I have had numerous enquiries as to the
availability of these 6 volt circuits so the following is where you’ll find them.
Some 8 or 10 years ago I fitted a “build your own” unit to a 1935 Buick 8 cylinder with great success.
Over the years the car has started first swing of the engine, hot or cold, and I haven’t looked inside
the distributor once. This system still uses the points to operate the I.C. but only a miniscule
current goes via them so they should last indefinitely. The condenser is no longer used so the points
won’t get a positive or negative build up on either side of them. Once built-up the unit will fit into a
small box approximately 8 x 6 x 4 cms that can be fitted to the firewall. Like all electronic devices it
is advisable to drill a few holes in the box for air flow. The number of pistons or the type of
distributor used is immaterial, they are however negative to earth so should you wish to use positive
to earth you’ll have to sort that out yourself.
The kit was purchased from Electronics 123 in Pretoria. Incidentally, it’s cheaper to buy the kit than
buying the components separately. It contains all the components including the heat sink for a 12
volt ignition, then for a few extra Rand they will supply 3 or 4 resistors to convert to 6 volts. The
wiring diagram included outlines the resistor changes that are necessary for the 6 volt conversion.
Tools wise, one will require a small low wattage soldering iron and a small pair of side cutters to cut
the legs off the components once they are soldered into position.
To order I suggest you go into their website - electronics 123, then
to Electronic Kits & Modules, then scroll down to Car Accessories
and look for GB646. I have just phoned them and the cost is R177
for the kit plus R35 for the resistors to convert to 6 volt. They have
a mailing service so work on R35 for postage and packing. Stocks
are continuously in and out so it could take two weeks if they are
awaiting stocks to arrive. Their phone no is 012 332 2356.
Best of luck! Please let us know how you get on.
Caption describing picture
or graphic.
Volume 2
Page 7
Page 8
Gaslamp
Verjaarsdae / Birthdays
Baie geluk aan die volgende klublede wie verjaar het, of nog gereed maak vir die geleenthied! Dieselfde wense ook vir
diegene wie se name nie hier genoem word nie. Dis stellig omdat ons nie jou volle besonderhede het nie!
JANUARIE
1—Fred Beckley
APRIL
1—Roelof Bekker
8—Ockie Fourie
2—James Smith
12—Johan de Wet
12—Eileen Ackermann
12—Marthie Esterhuyze
13—Gerrit Jacobs
15—Evert Engelbrecht
14—Johann Ackermann
15—Con Joubert
16—Bill James
23—Theo Potgieter
17—Janet Coertzen
25—Cathy McDonald
26—Jannie Venter
28—Christa Heyns
28—Nico Padt
JULIE
2—Johan Prinsloo
12—Fanie du Preez Jnr
13—Anita du Preez
OKTOBER
13—Pieter Pienaar
1—Geoffrey Johnson
16—Helena vd Walt
2—Saartjie du Toit
20—Marietjie v Rensburg
10—Geoffrey Johnson
21—Hennie vd Walt
16—Fiela vd Merwe
17—Annetjie Fouché
MEI
FEBRUARY
2—Michael Giani
6—Pierré Maartens
8—David White
AUGUST
14—Louis Coetzer
15—Joyce Padt
12—Hannes vd Merwe
14—Rassie Erasmus
16—Jeanne White
20—Mildred Jackson
NOVEMBER
14—Tiaan Snyman
18—Jimmy McDonald
22—Jopie Fourie
9—JJ Swart
17—Hennie v Niekerk
18—Flip Smith
24—Koot du Toit
16—John Jackson
20—Henna Durow
26—Eric Grimbeek
21—Fanie du Preez Snr
26—Amanda Joubert
MAART
1—Mari Haumann
2—Bert Scheepers
29—Jan Hugo
31—Elmarie Lessing
SEPTEMBER
4—Louisa Lessing
JUNE
10—Cules Vorster
4—Lydia Maartens
1—Hermien Coetzer
13—Gerrie Lessing
6—Willie Botha
4—Dalene Engelbrecht
13—Tommy Lessing
15—Zibeth Botha
10—Drien v Niekerk
18—Eddie Haumann
29—Smartryk Niemann
11—Sonia Fourie
19—Zandri Smith
29—Judith Odendaal
13—Engela Prinsloo
22—Fred Vroomen
14—Elize Swart
29—Beminde Jacobs
25—Johan Ackerman
29—Marietjie Venter
6—Philip Heyns
7—Hannes Fouché
7—Coreen Vroomen
8—Jan Vos
11—Willie Parlin
14—Brenda Snyman
17—Fanie v Rensburg
25—Leon Coertzen
29—Lanie Watson
30—Elsa Beckley
30—Freddie Durow
DESEMBER
25—Johanna Smith
Volume 2
Page 9
Ons Hoor …
► Tannie Liefie Erasmus van Winburg is onlangs oorlede. Ons innige meegevoel aan Oom Rassie.
►Ou lid, Chris Froneman is ook onlangs oorlede. Chris was op die reëlingskomitee van die eerste “Cars in the
Park”.
► Former club member, Connie Maree passed away recently. He assisted with many old car restourations.
► Voorspoed aan Philip Henning wat onlangs ‘n operasie ondergaan het.
► Welcome to new members, David & Jeanne White with their 1955 Fiat Topolino, 1960 DKW, 1984 Jaguar, 1948
Morris Minor 850 and Royal Enfield 125. We hope to meet you at the Clubhouse soon.
► Welkom aan Freddie en Henna Durow van Clocolan met hul 1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe. Hoop om julle gou
te ontmoet en by die Rendezvoustoer te sien. Freddie gaan saam met Helmuth Rohde van Clocolan in sy Model
T aan die Veteran Run in Vryheid deelneem.
► Welkom aan Con & Amanda Joubert van Bloemfontein met hul 1964 GSM Flamingo. Hoop om julle gou weer by
die Klubhuis te sien.
► Tannie Zouna Fonternel vertel dat “Gaslamp” se naam uitgedink is deur wyle Gustav de Villiers, stigterslid van
die Klub, en entoesiasties aanvaar omdat dit beide Afrikaans en Engels dien.
► Eddie en Mari Haumann het ‘n 1930 Ford Model A Tourer van Fanie gekoop, en ons hoop hulle sal die kar geniet.
► Fanie en Anita du Preez se 1970 Mercedes Benz 280 SL is byna klaar gerestoureer (sien “Under the Bonnet” vir
foto’s).
► Theo Potgieter het begin om sy 1951 Hudson Hornet, wat hy gekoop het, na Bloemfontein te ry vanaf George of
so, tot in Middelburg. Toe onstaan problem en hy tou die kar terug vir herstelwerk deur die verkoper. Theo,
waar is die kar nou!?
► Nico Esterhuize se oë wat nou problem gee, veroorsaak dat hy heeldag voel of hy in ‘n warm stort staan, hy
luister nou baie radio én TV. Nico, kom saam met Marthie na ons funksies, ons vrouens sal haar beny as jy so
heeltyd by haar inhaak!
► Louis Coetzer sê die pille wat hy gebruik werk nog nie, maar hy is vol moed. Hy is baie beter as wat hy was voor
die tweede operasie, en kan met een kierie loop. Louis is vol moed dat dit beter sal word en ek het hom
verseker ons dink almal aan hom.
► Hennie van Niekerk voel ook beter na die rugoperasie, alhoewel nog rehabilitasie gedoen word. Beide fisio
skoondogter en biokinetikus baat ook by sy pyn. Baie dankie aan Drien en Hermien wat dié twee padwaardig
hou!
► Gladys Boulogne, vrou van OVSVMK stigterslid wyle Piet Boulogne, is onlangs op die ouderdom van 98 jaar in
Parys, Vrystaat oorlede.
► Zandri Smith verwag haar tweede baba, wel, as die resep werk James, kan jy volgende jaar inskryf vir
“Kinderdoor” op TV!
Page 10
Gaslamp
Volume 2
Page 11
Don’t forget our
CARS IN THE PARK
10 AUGUST 2015
At Bobbies Park, Fichardt Park, Bloemfontein
Page 12
Gaslamp
ROAD RAGE ...
A gentleman was driving down the road when the light turned yellow just in
front of him. He did the right thing and stopped at the crosswalk, even
though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the
intersection.
The tailgating woman behind him was furious and honked her horn, screaming curses in frustration, as
she missed her chance to get through the intersection.
As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious
police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station
where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed and placed in a holding cell.
After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to
the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects. He said, "I'm very sorry
for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, giving the guy in
front of you the finger and cursing at him. I noticed the "What Would Jesus Do" bumper sticker, the
"Choose Life" license plate holder, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, so naturally
I assumed you had stolen the car."
OUD
MAAR
NOG LANK
NIE KOUD
David White Automobile Museum is die
resultaat van ongelooflike passie vir die
bewaring van ons geskiedenis, met die
klem
veral
op
veteraanmotors,
-motorfietse en –enjins. Of dit nou enjins
was wat moes water pomp of elektrisiteit
verskaf, werk moes hulle werk. Die enkele artikels wat David White Automobile Museum by vanjaar se Bloemfontein
Courant-buitelug
en
–sportekspo
uitgestal het, is ou enjins wat uit die
vroeë 1900’s dateer, asook ‘n sogenaamde
Continental-radiale-enjin (bo), wat in
vliegtuie en Sherman-tenks van die
Tweede Wêreldoorlog gebruik is. Die
museum word op ‘n tydelike perseel
gehuisves terwyl die nuwe perseel in
aanbou is. Die publiek sal dit kan besoek
sodra die bouwerk voltooi is. Kom loer in
en neem ‘n tree terug in die verlede.—
Bloemfontein Courant 16 April 2015.
Volume 2
Page 13
OVS VETERAAN MOTORKLUB / OFS VETERAN CAR CLUB
THE 2015 C & F Motor Spares Claudi van Rooyen Memorial RENDEZVOUS TOUR
(FOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BEFORE JANUARY 1984)
Hosted by the Free State Veteran Car Club from 10 – 13 September 2015, in the picturesque Eastern Free State area, with
accommodation at the Fouriesburg Country Inn in Fouriesburg.
As with previous Rendezvous Tours hosted by our Club, the three day competitive event, at an extremely reasonable cost, will
emphasize usage of the old cars and kindle new and existing relationships. We would like to request owners with older cars,
to make a concerted effort to participate.
Those not interested in the formal reliability run, may enter as non-competitors, allowing them to enjoy their old cars on the
open road. Entry forms available on our website from 1 July 2015 (www.fsvcc.co.za).
For more information, please contact:
Hennie van der Walt 083 305 8800 [email protected]
Philip Heyns 082 462 0827 [email protected]
Theo Potgieter 084 551 6122 [email protected]
Page 14
Gaslamp
Under the BONNET
Pierré Maartens’ beautiful 1928 Ford Model A —
Before and After
Hennie van der Walt’s MG TC still has a way to go — BUT— Fanie van Rensburg’s MG TC is almost done!
Looks like another
winer!
Fanie du Preez’s 1970
Mercedes Benz 280 SL
Send details and photographs of your latest restoration or favourite vehicle in your collection to
[email protected], to have it published .
Volume 1, Issue 1
Page 15
28 MAART 2015—SPORTMOTORDAG EN DAMESAAND
By die sportmotordag, het nuwe lid Dr Con Joubert (oud ortopediese chirurg, saam met Dr JJ Swart en Dr Doors Fonternel,
oorlede
staatmaker en stigterslid, lyk dit of ortopede ’n voorliefde het vir
oukarre), ’n praatjie gehou oor sy wedervaringe
met GSM Darts en Flamingo’s. Con se 1964 Flamingo is gerestoureer en ons hoop om die motor eersdaags by die klub te sien.
Con moet een van die mees gesaghebbende sprekers oor die Suid
Afrikaans vervaardigde Glass Sport Motor wees!
Helena van der Walt het met Ida Klopper, van “Kokkedoor” faam, gereël om ‘n versiersuiker
blomme vervaardigings kursus vir die dames te hou. Dit was die stilste twee ure wat die
mans nog by die klubhuis gehad het!
Marieta James, Christa Heyns en Ida Klopper
Esmé Kruger en Amanda Joubert
Die eindresultaat!
Anita du Preez
Page 16
Gaslamp
A PERFECT FERRARI STORY!
We all grow up digging around in sand boxes hoping to strike it rich and find some hidden ancient treasures. What
we typically find is an old Matchbox car or a
present left behind by a cat. Either way it’s very rare to find
something desirable. Well, that’s not quite the case with a young group of boys in California. They were digging in
their yard when they found something that would make anyone’s jaw drop and their mouth start drooling. In 1978,
these kids were digging in their yard when they came across something big, something metal, and something very
very valuable. A buried Ferrari!
Farmers Insurance was contacted and because of the VIN number they traced the
last owner. After the investigation, it turns out that the owner of the car had actually
hired thieves to steal the car and dump it in the ocean so he could claim insurance
on it. The thieves buried the car with the intention of returning to pick it up.
The buried Ferrari was then auctioned off after being on display with the incredible
story being reported across America. It was purchased by a young
mechanic
who owned his own shop in California. The going price was estimated to be between
$5,000 and $9,000.
He fully restored the buried Ferrari and often enters the car
into car shows. Here is a picture of the car after the complete
restoration.
The car even has a vanity plate which reads “DUG UP”.
How perfect is that ?
Totsiens, tannie Gladys!
Van Zouna Fonternel
Meeste lesers van GASLAMP sal nou seker regop sit en vra: totsiens wie?
Gladys en Piet Boulogne was stigterslede van ons klub. Tannie Gladys is op 24 Mei 2015 op
Parys, Vrystaat, oorlede. Sy was 98 jaar oud. Oom Piet is reeds lank voor haar oorlede. Hulle
was baanbrekers en raakvatters as inwoners van Bainsvlei vir baie jare. Oom Piet het onder
andere die skoolbus bestuur en tannie Gladys het die tennisklub gestig - en gespeel tot op hoë
ouderdom. Oom Piet het menige jong klublid raad gegee met die opbou van veteraan motors en
tannie Gladys was ‘n steunpilaar by sosiale funksies van die klub. Ten spyte van persoonlike
terugslae en tragedies het hulle die geloof behou en was hulle vir ons almal ‘n voorbeeld en
inspirasie.
Ons innige simpatie aan die kinders, kleinkinders en agterkleinkinders. Hulle het ‘n trotse
erfenis.
Volume 1, Issue 1
Page 17
Page 18
Gaslamp
Volume 1, Issue 1
Page 19
DID YOU KNOW? The first tyre ever made was white? This is the natural colour of rubber.
Carbon was added to increase their durability!
’n 1934 Ford V8 Phaeton wat ná 38 jaar gevind is in
’n ou motorhuis op ’n plaas in die Rietbron-distrik –
ongeveer 90 km suid-oos van Beaufort-Wes. Die
80-jarige Ford het ’n ongelooflike lae mylafstand van
15,204 myl (24,468 kilometer) oor die jare afgelê!
Toe die nuwe eienaar die ou Ford skoonmaak,
ontdek hy toe ’n paar interessante items in die
motorkar:
‘n Lisensieskyf van 1959 met die plakker nog
1.
aangeheg. Let op die kort telefoonnommer van die
Katbergse
ingenieursfirma!
2. Lidmaatskapkaart van die Padveiligheidsraad se
Veiligbestuurskema van 1952.
3.’n Handleiding vir leerlingbestuurders uitgegee deur die
Kaapstadse verkeersafdeling.
Die prys van die tweetalige handboekie van 24 bladsye?
Slegs drie pennies, oftewel 2½ sent!
1
2
3
Page 20
Newsletter Title
THE 1956 CHRYSLER NORSEMAN
(By That Car Guy (Chuck) on May 03, 2012)
On the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean lies the wreck of a magnificent ocean
liner with some precious automotive cargo still inside. The ship was struck
at night while on her way to New York and sank with loss of life.
This vessel is not the Titanic, but rather the Andrea Doria, pride of
the Italian Line. She sank on July 26, 1956, after a collision with the MS
Stockholm the night before. At 160 feet down you could touch her hull; at
240 you can touch mud.
Somewhere in a cargo hold is a show car that never made it to America for display. It is a 1956 Chrysler
Norseman, or rather the 1956 Chrysler Norseman, as only one was ever made. And more amazingly, both the
Andrea Doria and the Norseman began their lives in 1953, then sank together three years later.
This car looked like it could have entered production the next day, as
it didn't have protruding aluminum wings, a plexiglas bubble roof, or
spinning turbine blades. It was... a car.
But it wasn't a typical American lead sled of the time either. Here's
the wooden body buck used to bend the panels over. Long and low
and sleek, the fastback Norseman looked like an early 1960s car, not
one from a decade before.
The car's name is said to have come from the Exners' Norwegian descent, and Ghia's Italian craftsmanship is
unmatched. I can't help but wonder whatever happened to that buck... maybe it's in storage somewhere, waiting
to be found.
As mentioned, work commenced on the Norseman in 1953 as its design
was finalized. The Ghia team spent 50,000 man-hours and
approximately $200,000 to build the car. The work continued until it
was finished, then the car was crated for the voyage to New York and
loaded deep into the ship.
And most tragically, the American team that designed the Norseman
never got to see it.
Its most prominent design elements were the pillarless wraparound windshield, cantilevered roof, and lack of
door vent windows (Again at least a decade ahead of its time. The earliest modern car without vent windows I
can name is a '68 Camaro.). But would the advance of visibility make the car less safe if it went bottoms-up?
Hardly!
Mr. Exner sent me a copy of a 1994 letter in which he had written: "Father had explained its cantilevered roof
looked pillarless, but was actually held in tension at the "A" pillars by two 1/4" diameter steel rods which, in
theory, were designed to "snap" in a roll-over situation and allow the roof to spring upward." So the rods weren't
holding the top up, but rather holding it down? I think the word "brilliant" barely begins to describe the thinking
here. Like the Titanic, very few pictures were made of the completed Norseman because it needed to skeedaddle
on across the big pond. After all, it was going to a car show circuit... lots of pictures would be taken of it then,
right?
No color photos of the car are known to exist. Even the car's true
hues are open to speculation by some. Again, Mr. Exner informed me
that the car was a light metallic green, a bit lighter than this scale
model, and it had a silver roof.
The lack of photos even caused speculation whether an engine was
fitted in Italy, or was there one waiting for it here? But Mr. Exner
provided paperwork that shows a 331.1 cubic inch V-8 Hemi with 235
horsepower, connected to a PowerFlite automatic, was in the car before it left the Tuscan shores.
Volume 1, Issue 1
Page 21
Built by Ghia a year after they built the Lincoln Futura (Which as we
all know, later became The Batmobile), the Norseman was 227.5
inches long, 82 inches wide, and 56 inches tall. It had a 129-inch
wheelbase. For a comparison, a 2012 Honda Accord 4-door is 32.6
inches shorter, 9.3 inches narrower, 2.1 inches taller; the Honda's
wheelbase is 18.8 inches on the wee side.
I think the Norseman's styling was about 10 years ahead of its time
(Again, having been styled in 1953); to me, it looks like an early,
sleeker 1960s car rather than a typical frumpy, bloated '50s sedan. Its smooth sides and horizontal trim suggested aircraft travel, not unlike a 1959 or '60 Chevrolet... just much better done. The flip-up headlights were
invisible when closed, the tail fins were superbly integrated into its sides, and the wheel openings were nicely
exaggerated; thankfully, no fender skirts were tacked on to spoil the effect.
The Norseman's interior was as advanced and
elegant as the rest of the car, and its rear quarters
suggested a BMW 630-635 Series with a prominent
console separating the chairs. The seat belts (2-point
lap belts) retracted out of the doors and center
consoles; one is visible there on the back seat. All
four seats had their own power cotrols... special lighting was all around the interior.
Again, this car was way ahead of its time!
Its rear window was power-operated and slid up into the roof. This was a novel
idea at the time, and was later offered on the 1963 Mercury Monterey/
Montclair and Ford's SportTrac, though those windows went down instead of
up.
The Rambler Marlin's hind quarters are similar to the Norseman. Was it
inspired by the Norseman? Maybe. But before the Marlin, it was on AMC's
concept car, the Tarpon, based on the Rambler American. The Norseman also
did not have door handles; a push button was fitted instead.
The Norseman has grabbed my attention and will not let go. The more I read about and study this car, the more
amazed by it I get. And if I find a kit, a scale model Norseman will grace my shelves some day.
This romanticised image of the Norseman being loaded on the ship does not show the
car enclosed in a crate, as it truly was. In fact, that rig looks a little perilous, to be
kind. But it's a nice image to suggest the day in 1956 when the car was beginning a
trip that it would never finish.
When the Andrea Doria sank, Mr. Exner, Sr., was recovering from a heart attack and
surgery. In time, the family carefully told him that his car was lost in the sinking. But
Mr. Exner, Sr., took it in stride. Mr. Exner told me, "I might add that when mom and
I told father about what happened, he smiled broadly and loved the idea that one of
his show cars had become part of one of history's famous ship wrecks. He was very romantically inclined that
way, and followed ship wrecks, the Wild West, Joan of Arc, etc."
What's left of the Norseman in 2012? Probably very little. Fifty-six years of shallow salt water are not good for
sheet metal, but glass, leather, rubber, plastics, and thicker metals may still survive. I have a book about diving
on the Andrea Doria, "Deep Descent," and it seems that china plates, portholes, and photographs are the most
popular artifacts brought up from the wreck... nothing was mentioned about finding any pieces of any of the nine
cars on board.
So the Norseman lives on as she was, but only in memories, grainy photographs, models, sketches, and paintings. We'll never know the effect it would have had on future cars' styling, but surely some of its advanced design elements and features would have made their way to production.
They say imitation is the highest compliment, and there's a gentleman building a replica of the Norseman. Marty
Martino has the car well under way, so maybe soon his Norseman will travel the show car circuit the original one
never had a chance to make.
Page 14
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