June 2011 - Flxible Clipper Club of Australia

The Flxible Clipper Club of Australia Inc.
No. A 00 15104 P
CLUB NEWSLETTER
Issue 276
President Bill Hardinge likes the look of his clipper from every angle!
0
June
2011
The Flxible Clipper Club of Australia Inc.
No. A 00 15104 P
Postal Address: 270 Ellis Rd. Nth. Bunyip. Vic. 3815
Statement of Purpose
I.
To preserve and operate Flxible Clippers
II.
To preserve and operate other ex – Commercial Highway Coaches and Buses in general and
ex – Ansett Pioneer vehicles in particular.
III.
To assist those Club Members wishing to acquire and restore a Flxible Clipper or other Highway Coach.
IV.
To provide persons with an interest in Highway Buses and Coaches with an opportunity to share this
interest with others.
V.
To share materials of common interest via Club Newsletters and Journals.
VI.
To provide a medium for the sale and exchange of parts for members.
VII.
To promote and display a truly Classic Coach………… The FLXIBLE CLIPPER!
COMMITTEE 2010 / 2011
President:
Bill Hardinge
03 5964 7807
Vice President:
Ian Williams
03 5424 1199
Treasurer:
Derek Birch
03 5629 8503
Secretary:
Derek Birch
270 Ellis Rd. Nth. Bunyip. Vic. 3815
Journal Editor:
Dale Clifford
03 9801 8760
0403 359 065
[email protected]
Committee:
Dale Clifford
03 5962 6133
0428 540 588
[email protected]
John Schoen
Club Website:
0418 372 242
[email protected]
[email protected]
0428 862 520
[email protected]
R. (Bob) Turner 0417 877 476
[email protected]
TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE
www.alphalink.com.au/~flxible
Cover: Pictured is AF-84 owned by Bill Hardinge while on duty for filming of a Coca Cola advertisement in 2000. See
member profile later in the news letter.
EDITORS RAMBLINGS.
There have been a few changes since the Club meeting at the Temora Easter get together and you are currently reading
the efforts of Geoff and Narelle Wing with the undertaking of our first newsletter as Editors. After some discussion we
proposed that we take over the reins from John and Gayle Schoen and give them a much deserved rest. We are thrilled to
be entrusted with the responsibility and look forward to bringing you the club news into the future.
We would like to thank both John and Gayle on behalf of all club members for their great work since September 2007
(Doesn’t time fly), I know they have put a lot of time into each and every issue with great photos, stories and a personal
touch that is leaving a standard we hope we can live up to. Also thanks to Dale Clifford for his excellent work on providing
the newsletter front covers each month.
For the foreseeable future we intend to retain the Newsletter as a monthly edition but there are a few things I would like
everyone to consider.
The Newsletter is a platform available to all club members to share news, make announcements, propose ideas and
advertise items for sale or wanted so please get involved and use it! I think everyone has thoroughly enjoyed the April
issue, packed with stories and photos from different contributors; this is how every month can be. Thank you to Ian
Yabsley for chairing the meeting at Temora keeping things on track and the lads in line. Also for issuing out “homework”
for a story on each day of the Easter break it made sure the work was in on time and really added to the newsletter
content.
Like many others I am guilty of having great plans to contribute and never quite get there, we all are time poor and have
plenty of other things to fit into busy lives but please take ten or fifteens mins and send us your pieces. E-mail and post
are both fine. We would be thrilled to receive any photos, stories or news pieces that may be relevant or of interest to
members, it doesn’t have to be directly related to Clippers. So you are all now journalists so go forth and we look forward
to hearing from you.
Happy clippering, Geoff Wing
Monthly Club Meeting Minutes - 1st June, 2011
Meeting Opened 8.15pm
Present: Bill Harding, Barb & Derek Birch, Morris Rushton, John Godwin & John Schoen,
It has long been common practice to list apologies from members from whom we had received phone or written contact
since the last meeting, however we will now assume a general apology from all active members who were unable to
attend accepting that most members would attend a meeting if they could.
Correspondence: Western Sydney Historical Truck Club are having an Old Hume Hwy run on August 27th to
28 . Details can be found on www.wshtc.com.au/event
th
Payments: H.J. Richards p/l for 6 months newsletter publication and postage $625.68 and Dale Clifford:
Postage reimbursement for newsletter covers $8.00
General Business:
It was discussed and agreed by those in attendance at the meeting that Geoff and Narelle Wing could take over the
newsletter.
Due to the Easter rally, timing of the April news letter and change of editors the May N/L has been rolled into the June
issue.
Monthly Club Meeting Minutes - 1st June, 2011 cont.
General Business: cont.
John Godwin brought in a book called “The Bus Builders of Auckland.” It had a section about Ansair buses build under
licence and it showed a picture of a transit bus with twin headlights which was not seen in Australia.
Bill Hardinge is going to New Zealand in a couple of months to do some sightseeing and hopefully locate some clipper
expats.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Un-financial members will not receive future newsletters.
Thanks to all members who have paid subs. promptly. Please make cheques/money orders payable to the Club and not
Derek personally. If you find it more convenient to transfer direct to our bank, the details are BENDIGO BANK
PAKENHAM BSB: 633 108 A/C: 1335 17045
*Please advise Derek by phone, fax, email or carrier pigeon when you bank directly.
Club Meeting CAR PARKING:
OH&S regulations now require members
attending the meeting at Driver Bus Lines Depot to find street parking and to wear HI-Visibility clothing whilst on the
premises. BE SEEN BE SAFE! Parking available in front car park – off Rickett’s Road.
Reminder! : Please remember to return your survey form – Derek has only received 10 back so far...
Receive your newsletter via email. This is not only environment friendly, but reduces
the production/postage costs for the Club.
Contact Geoff & Narelle to add your email address to the electronic mail out. E-mail:
[email protected] or PH: 03 63 912536 or Geoff on: 0438 515 266.
New Club Website Construction Update:
Chontelle Butcher is creating a new website for the club with help from a friend. Members will be asked to supply photos
and details of their vehicles in the near future to be added to the website. The site will have a public section and a
members only section which will be accessible by a pin/password.
The rest of the meeting was spent looking at photos from the Temora Easter Rally on a disk from John Thoroughgood, he
was the person in the little black car speeding ahead and taking photos at all intersections. Also time spent looking at Bill
Hardinge’s now scanned clipper album.
Meeting closed at 10.30pm, next meeting will be Wednesday 6th July, 2011.
Stork Talk! – Congratulations to budding Grandparents’ Ian and Meredith Yabsley and their daughter and son in law;
Louise and Mick Selles on the announcement of their coming first child, expected arrival due in January 2012. I’m sure
everyone from the club sends their well wishes about this exciting news.
NEW MAGAZINE: There is a great new magazine doing the rounds called Vintage Trucks and Commercials, it’s an
Australian publication and accepts articles and news pieces from readers on their interests and vehicles.
Website is: vtcmagazine.com.au or keep an eye out at selected news agents.
CLIPPER WORKSHOP & PARTS MANUAL.
Darrell Booth is presently compiling the manual & has advised that his main aim is to standardize all modifications &
upgrades. Anyone who wishes to contribute anything to the manual contact either Darrell or Derek by phone or email.
Darrell Booth Phone: 0418 400 211 Email:[email protected]
H A U L I N’ THE H U M E
OLD HUME HIGHWAY ROAD RUN—AUGUST 27TH-28TH 2011
Join us for a nostalgic trip retracing as
much of The Old Hume Highway as
possible South out of Sydney and relive
some of the sounds, sights and smells of
the pre-emissions era. Departing from
‘Uncle Leo’s’ in Casula, we will follow
Highway 31 down through Camden, up
over Razorback, through the ‘hole in the
wall’ at Picton, and cover the picturesque
drive through Mittagong, Berrima,
Marulan, Goulburn, The Cullerin Range
and eventually into Yass. The day will
finish with dinner and a ‘modern slide
night’ where some historic road transport
photos will be shown along with first hand
stories of life on the road.
Contact the organisers to receive an entry
ENTRIES CLOSE JULY 31ST, 2011
form and accommodation information.
All entered vehicles must be over 30 years WESTERN SYDNEY HISTORICAL TRUCK CLUB ORGANISERS
old
Ron Kirk
Bruce Gunter
Phone:
0408
625
573
Phone: 0424 172 877
Entry fee $25.00 per vehicle
email: [email protected]
email: [email protected]
Everyone with a love of Australian Road Transport History Welcome
Darrell Booth has spoken with organiser Ron Kirk and they are thrilled to
have clippers coming along. They originally were expecting around 12
trucks for the run, so far they have 50 trucks and climbing, plus clippers! It
is up to individual club members to register for the run and Saturday night
dinner. Plans for meeting on the Saturday morning and possible club
activities on Sunday are being discussed and will be included in the July
N/L. It should be a great run.
CLUB VEHICLES SO FAR:
SMALL AF-17
YABSLEY AF-116
EVANS AF-111
PHELAN AF-39
PHELAN US 47
BOOTH DENNING
BOOTH AF-129
DOYLE AF-100
BAKER AF-45
BIRCH AF-60
KENDALL AF-99
WING PD-4107.
SAFETY CONCERNS: An apparent “safety issue” (refer to one Derek Birch) was overcome for AF-60 on the way to the
Temora Easter meet when it was discovered that the wheels weren’t shiny enough!!! Luckily suitable new tubeless
replacements were sourced from Laurie Doyle (See ad in for sale section) and were already in stock at Don Kendall’s
workshop. After a pit stop and a little elbow grease AF-60 was sporting beautiful chrome wheels. Final approval was given
by 2 year old Jack Wing who upon inspection at Temora said “Daddy, Derek’s bus looks flash!”.
EASTER 2012 RALLY:
Easter 2012 is going to be an absolute blast and we hope to see as many of you as possible. 16 days with friends relaxing and
exploring the most feature-packed state in Australia, what is there to think about??? The tour will see us travel around the state in an
anti clockwise direction. There will be a mix of optional planned day trips and free time where you can get out and about and explore
all the great things Tasmania has to offer.
Dates for the trip are as follows:
th.
Sail on The Spirit of Tasmania Melbourne to Devonport on April 6th (Good Friday) arriving Saturday 7 Return trip to Melbourne will
nd
be the evening of Sunday April 22 . Over the 16 days we will be utilizing 6 caravan parks as our base to then travel out and see the
sights of each region.
Planned bases:
Stanley, a historic town on the far north west coast of Tasmania, the major attraction of Stanley is “The Nut”, which gives a great
view right along the coast. In its early days, Stanley was known for wool production and fishing; the latter is still the predominant
industry. Stanley is filled with historic buildings, visit Highfield estate, an elegant original 1830's homestead. While we are stationed at
Stanley we will drive the coast and visit towns dotted along the way.
Strahan, a harbour side village on the rugged West coast, explore the magnificent rain forests, take a ride on the Abt rack and pinion
railway, cruise Macquarie Harbour, visit Sarah Island; Australia’s first penal colony and travel up the Gorden river to experience the
environment where the old Piners logged Huon Pine and look out into the unforgiving seas through Hells Gates.
Hobart the beautiful capital city nestled under Mt Wellington. Kick back at the lovely convict built Salamanca place, home of Tassie’s
largest market held every Saturday, stroll along the historic waterfront. Ride the Red Decker’s hop on hop off tour. Get into the city
and get some retail therapy. Stock up at the Cadbury chocolate factory. Visit the Tasmanian transport museum. Maybe sink an ale at
the Cascade brewery. Drive the picturesque fruit growing Huon valley and maybe sample some Tassie salmon.
Port Arthur: The Tasman peninsular has not only natural beauty, dramatic coastline and a marine life reserve but also the historic
penal colony settlement. Port Arthur is officially Tasmania's number one tourist attraction, and no visit to the state is complete
without seeing it. It was established as a convict settlement and soon became Australia's largest, in operation from the 1830 until
1877.
Swansea on the tranquil East coast is to be our gateway to world renound sights such as Freycinet national park and Bay of Fires. We
will visit many other beach side towns along the way such as Orford, Coles Bay, Bicheno and the game fishing town of St Helens.
Longford will be our Northern base, a lovely country town. Twenty mins from Launceston, you can drive the wine region of the Tamar
valley. Visit the World heritage listed properties of Brickendon and Woolmers Estate housing the National rose garden or see the
steam and tractor museums at Westbury. All over the North taste the fares of country bakeries and tea rooms, find a treasure at the
many antique shops and just enjoy the tree avenues and English influenced landscape.
CURRENT ATTENDEES:
WING’S GM PD-4107.
BIRCH’S AF-60.
SCHOEN’S MCI-7.
BOOTH’S AF-129
BAKER’S AF-45
SMALL’S AF-17
YABSLEY’S AF-116
THANE AF- 11
BUTCHER’S AF-97
KENDALL’S AF-99
BARR’S AF-3
If we have missed you off the list or you would like to add your name please contact us asap. As you can
appreciate there is a large amount of organization involved for this trip with many individual bookings to
be made. We need to get final numbers for Easter as soon as possible to cement our place on the boat and
our stops around the state.
There will be a cut off date put forward soon, so think about it… But not for too long!!!!
Indicative pricing for The Spirit of Tasmania is $300-$375per vehicle for a standard length clipper.
$183 per person for a Twin inside cabin, $132 concessional rate.
There are many options for accommodation on the ferries, other options not quoted so far are 3 and 4
berth inside cabins, twin and 4 berth porthole cabin, Ocean recliner seats, shared cabins or deluxe cabins.
Pricing for these and further details on the trip in general will follow in the coming months but please don’t
hesitate to contact Geoff or Narelle Wing with any questions you may have.
All enquiries to Geoff Wing Phone: 0438 515 266 or E-mail: [email protected]
Following Easter Gatherings:
2013 Yarra Valley Victoria - John & Gayle Schoen
2015 Destination TBA - Darrell Booth
2014 Coonabarabran - David Baker
2016 Destination TBA - Doug Small
MARKETPLACE:
If you are searching for something for your vehicle; or wish to submit an item to be included in the newsletter, please
contact Geoff or Narelle Wing with details.
Flxible Clipper Club Mugs (new style) – Now in Stock, contact Derek to purchase
JOURNALS: SPECIAL OFFER 2 FOR $20 – copies of 04/06 issues are available for purchase
at this special price. Contact Derek Birch on 03 5629 8503 or 0428 862 520.
NEWS ON NUT COVERS: News just in from Truck Bits Australia, stainless steel nut covers (1.5”) for Clippers are now
AVAILABLE. The cost is $2 each. Contact Derek Birch
CLUB BEANIES: Some members think it may be cold in Tassie and have ordered 100 Clipper club branded Beanies in
preparation. Available to all club members, price will be approx $15. Contact John and Gayle Schoen. Gayle we wait in
anticipation for the dual person club snuggie!!!
 Chrome Headlight Rims: to fit Clippers $68 + GST
 Clipper Header Panel: 1.6mm steel. Curve from door to driver’s window. $420 + GST
 Rear Hinge Flange Hoop for Engine Door: Same size as original. $375 + GST
Contact Morris Rushton 03 97626426
AF-75: As advertised in the April newsletter. Enquiries to Graham on: 0408 930 575
CLIPPER CARAVAN: All enquiries to Bill Hardinge on 03 59647807 or 0418 372 242
TUBELESS RIMS TO SUIT CLIPPERS:
They are 22.5 x 7.5 10 stud Budd pattern with the correct offset,10 external cooling holes and
painted white. They are drilled to suit Rockwell and cost $110.00 each including GST.
They can be drilled to suit Kirkstall and cost $220.00 each including GST.
Contact Laurie Doyle on 0409548611.
WANTED:
Parts wanted for the restoration of AF-127:
 Ansair Flxible Clipper front badge
 Large window frames, prefer complete with glass two L/h and two R/h
required.
Please if anyone can assist Redline coaches with parts to get another clipper back on the road
contact Martin on: 0419 329 257 or E-mail: [email protected]
1968 GMC PD-4107
The GM Luxury Liner: Ex Pioneer Express # 727, Murrays # 104.
Now a well appointed and functional motorhome.
Features: Convenient kitchen: Overhead cupboards, gas stove/oven/grill, microwave, wardrobe, custom moulded
shower, queensize bed in the rear, couch that folds into bunks up the front and another single on lounge. Table dining
area, Radio/ cassette with 6cd stacker, amp and 6 speakers throughout. Canvas blockouts for front windows. 12 volt
fridge/ freezer. Two gas bottles. Gas hot water with 800 litre main water tank plus approx 200litre rain/drinking water
tank with filters, both with 12 volt pumps, also outside shower. Huge underslung through bin storage. Large cranking
and house batteries with hard wired chargers. Composting toilet. Twin roof mount air conditioners/ heaters. Kubota
8kva lowboy diesel genset with only 140hrs since new and wired to start from inside. Five solar panels along roof. Roll
out awning down the left hand side. 12 and 240 volt power outlets in bins as well as a gas outlet to hook up a bbq/
heater etc to main bottles. Reverse camera, towbar. Can live fully self sustained. Lots of storage inside and underneath.
8V-71 Detroit, four speed spicer. Full air bag suspension, easily cruises at 100kmph and handles the Hwy beautifully. Well
maintained and presented. Might not be a clipper but it has about three times the room! They are a true American built
classic.
Direct enquiries to Geoff Wing on: 0438 515 266, 0363 912 536, [email protected]
CLIPPER CHARACTORS / CLUB MEMBER PROFILE.
The club member profile is a new section that puts the spot light on the people that make the club tick and meet others
that we don't see often enough, so keep the phone close by because you might be next!. This month we talk to the most
important man in the club, because without him it might not exist… Club founder and President Bill Hardinge had an
interest that developed into a passion. He has dedicated himself to locating, saving and preserving Ansair Flxible Clippers.
His mission has taken him thousands of kilometers to every corner of the country…. But why? This issue we find out.
Name: Bill Hardinge
Live: Launching place, Victoria
Vehicle: AF-84: Pioneer Tours D-63.
What do you do for a living? Built and maintains radio/ television towers. Bill has erected over 400 self supporting
towers and guyed masts. He formed Radio Masts (AUST) Pty Ltd with his son Grant in 1983. His work has taken his all
over the country and even overseas.
Member since: The very beginning! Founding club President, life member and club patron.
Where did your interest in Flxible Clippers start? Bill has memories right back to their early days on the road when he
would often spot them around the Wimmera area. But there was a defining moment that cemented Bill as a Clipper nut.
It was the mid fifties and Bills Father had purchased an old Federal bus with ideas of converting it into a motor home;
their family caravan was a little tight for space with Bill being the eldest of seven children! Bill was dropped off at the
place of purchase to drive the Federal back to Horsham. He was out on the open road with the throttle flat, thinking he
was really sailing along when another large vehicle vaguely appeared in the rear mirrors. Within no time the distance had
closed in considerably and in another breathe a bullet shaped Ansair Flxible clipper effortlessly slipped past as if he was
standing still. This gave the required impression and Bill vowed that one day he would own one. Another 15 odd years
passed by of busy work and long hours when Bill was on a job up in Emerald Qld. There a clipper passed through town
carrying drill rig pipes stacked on racks inside, it had been converted into a steel carrier with the entire left hand side cut
away for access to the long lengths of steel (Surely there were laws against this sacrilege). It was decided that if a clipper
was cheap enough to be butchered like this then it was time to have one. From then on an eye was always open for a
retired clipper looking for a new home.
How did the club start? Gary Driver had purchased AF-34 and in 1983 restoration had begun in their workshops. While
Bill was there one day checking progress there was a discussion with an employee of Drivers and it was suggested that a
group of like minded people should get together to discuss the location, restoration, parts sourcing and their interest in
clippers. Bill rounded up nine like minded people and on the 5th of October 1983 the first official meeting of the Ansair
Flxible Clipper club of Australia was held. Positions were nominated and from there it has grown. This first meeting and
many to follow were held in Driver's workshops which Bill remembers as a little cold.
Vehicle history if known: AF-84, Pioneer Tours D-63 ran the “West Lander” Adelaide to Perth run for Ansett Pioneer for a
reported fourteen and a half years! (Work that out in miles!!) Then ran on the dirt on the Broken Hill express. After
Pioneer it ran for a few other operators before coming into Bill’s possession including Mc Cormick’s and fellow member
Ken Turnbull.
How long have you had your vehicle? After looking at 17 or so clippers AF-84 was purchased straight off a school run at
Casterton Vic in November 1978. In 1984 Bill removed the Deutz V6 714 (now in AF-126) and fitted a Detroit diesel 6V-53
from a “GM” Bedford coupled up to an Allison MT-41 auto. Transmission was rebuilt by X Pioneer apprentice Bob Fisher.
In the nearly 33 years under Bill’s ownership AF-84 has clocked up an astonishing 500,000 plus km’s, many towing heavy
trailer loads of equipment for Bill’s tower work and going “Around the block” many times. Total road mileage is in excess
of three million km’s! Bill’s first clipper purchase of mention was AF-34 out of Tasmania as a rolling chassis (no eng or
trans) but Bill thought that the complete coach interior was far too good to be removed and this vehicle was sold to Gary
Driver of Driver Bus Lines, it was the first coach in their now extensive historical fleet and remains in their collection
today.
Other interests: Bills other keen interest is classic Jaguar cars (he admits to being a sick man!) and he has owned a total
of 14 since 1966! His current is a 1959 Mk 9 which had factory fitted power steering and four wheel disc brakes.
What is your most memorable Clipper moment? (Holiday, club trip or while in service.)
After a direct involvement with the club and clippers in general that spans pushing four decades it was impossible to
select one great memory ( I suggested having Halle Berry sit on his knee while driving AF-84 for the filming of race the sun
would sit pretty firmly in my mind!!!). Every club gathering and Easter meet holds a special place in Bill’s heart, having a
passion for Clippers as a vehicle is one thing but being able to share it with a club of family orientated people as
passionate as he is makes it all the more rewarding. Catching up with fellow members, seeing so many vehicles brought
back from the brink and getting back on the road where they belong are high lights of every trip.
For my part Bill is an integral part of what makes our club the magnificent living, breathing thing that it is. Lifelong
friendships built over a common interest is a thread that flows through its veins and between people that within their
everyday lives would never have met. His dedication has located and photographed vehicles that have since gone into
the hands of enthusiastic members for restoration as well as accounting for vehicles since lost. His extensive knowledge
regarding the history of the coaches has filled in many gaps for other club members and has built a library of reference
that will benefit the club for many years to come. We as a club certainly appreciate your work.
SNAPSHOTS.....
AF-5 (X Pioneer D-6) in GrayHound Tours Tasmania paint scheme owned by Charlie Ayers, also of Tasmanian Coach Lines.
Photo courtesy of Ian Cooper.
AF-5 photographed by Bill Hardinge at Bagdad, Tasmania 1975. Currently M.I.A, thought to be buried at Carlton Beach
tip, Tas.
This newsletter is the official publication of The Flxible Clipper Club of Australia Inc. and the opinions and Advertisements appearing within do not necessarily reflect
the view of the club or its members.