The French Connection 1

The French Connection
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Volume 26, Number 11 2014
www.clubautofrancais.com
Club Automobile Francais
P.O. Box 330
Campbelltown 5074
South Australia
CLUB MEETINGS LAST Thursday of the
Month (except DECEMBER) Austin 7 Clubrooms, 262 Tapleys Hill Rd. Seaton
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Cover picture
OK, did you guess this one? Yep, it’s a 1953 Panhard Junior cabriolet. I’ve never
seen or heard of one before, It’s based on a Panhard Dyna with the same 850cc aircooled flat twin
engine. This example has been totally restored and is on sale in the UK for just 32,500 pounds.
The French Connection
PRESIDENT’S PRATTLINGS
I cannot believe another year has almost
gone, with Christmas rapidly approaching –
where does the time go? The club has had
another successful year with , again , an active social program arranged by our Social
Committee , with most events well attended.
We look forward to our Club Christmas
Lunch at the Lakeside Hotel – bookings for
this lunch are limited to 50 and bookings will
close after our next meeting as firm numbers need to given to the hotel. If you haven’t booked , you need to do so very soon as
late bookings unfortunately will not be accepted.
We have had many highlights during 2014 ,
particularly our very successful Swap Meet,
and I thank all members who have helped to
make 2014 so successful.
Kathy and I thank all members and families
for your support and friendship during 2014
and we look forward to another great year
in 2015
Kathy and I wish all our members and families a happy , Holy and save festive season
and may 2015 bring you all everything you
may wish.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY AND
REWARDING NEW YEAR TO ALL.
Happy Motoring,
Trevor Donaldson
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Club Night
Thursday November 27
GENERAL MEETING
Presentation about the R12 fitted
with bath and toilet
NOTE Meeting starts 7 30 sharp
COMING EVENTS
November 27 General Meeting
December 7 Christmas lunch at
West Lakes details p 2
January 29
General Meeting
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THE EDITORIAL
Valerie and I got to 2 Club outings this month. Firstly the Semaphore Twilight Walk with
Fish & Chips and then the Clayton Bay Picnic.
We took the trophy winning 16TS to Clayton and it went very well. The only problem was
that at speed the engine noise drowned out the radio/CD unless the volume was way up,
which then made the sound quality poor. Decent speakers may be the answer.
I don’t seem to have had time to spend on the DS21 as I needed to check the extensive garden watering system to find out why a lot of our native plants died over last summer. The
answer was that most of the drippers were totally clogged.
Below you will find an article from the local press in September
about the Bendix brake pads Euro+ range. It sounds promising.
I had a lot of trouble with this issue (don’t I always?) with the
auto wrap feature in the Publisher software. This normally allows you to add photos into a text file and ‘magically’ the text
wraps itself around a photo. But it wasn’t happening, no matter
what I did. So I went to bed feeling very annoyed. The ‘gods’
took pity on me and in the morning it was back to normal.
I came across an interesting car book at our local Browse In &
Save shop recently and had to buy it. It is titled ‘1001 Dream
Cars’ and originally cost $40+ so at $10 for 320pages was a good
buy. Quite a few of our favourite French cars appear (of course,
I hear you say) but I was surprised by the number of makes which I had never heard of:
they were very low volume models.
This is the last French Connection for this year, so I wish you all a happy, safe Christmas &
start to the New Year. I should see many of you at the Christmas Lunch.
The Editorial
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This engine is currently available here in the new base model Peugeot 308. The only downside is that it requires, like most of the hi-tech Euro engines, premium fuel.
It is a pity that the local Peugeot dealer apparently has no interest in this Club.
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The Clayton Bay Picnic
The weather was kind, sunny and getting hot in the sun. The limited shade under trees was
gone before we arrived, after meeting in Strathalbyn. A stronger breeze would have been
nice. This contrasted with the storms and rain of the day before.
Craig put up his sun shelter, as did the R8 group nearby. A deficiency in chairs in our group
was solved by Craig backing up his Bedford ute and using the tailgate as seating.
Club Citroen found some shade in a far corner of the paddock/reserve.
I thought that there were less cars than at previous events, perhaps because the publicity
was later than usual. For some reason the cars were displayed further from the toilets,
BBQs and the shop than in previous years.
Apart from CAF member & friends Renaults and the Citroens (3x 2CVs, an SM and a Traction) there was a Delage and a Le Zebre from the 20s.
Other cars which appealed to me were a red Porsche, a Triumph TR5, a 30s Alvis tourer and
a Jaguar XK120 coupe.
The Caravelles of Sally Thompson and Colin Pauley were much admired.
We decided to travel home via Milang to get a closeup of the lake and the cute little shacks
by the shore. It was good to see that the lake is still full.
Don S
See photos page 9
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The Twilight Walk & Fish and
Chips Supper
This turned out to be more an afternoon
walk, (for some) and a fish & chips dinner.
But that did not matter. Thirteen members
eventually turned up; Valerie and I arrived
later and Geoff & Chris Chennels later still,
having already attended the Club Citroen
Pizza Lunch in the hills.
The weather was pleasant and we setup adjacent the Semaphore jetty entrance and
the children’s playground. It was good to
see Henk, with his electric sports tourer (I
should have taken a photo) and Joy.
Peter Hebart had his 403 nearby, Craig and
Ann came in the 204 and the Chennels used
their lovely 2CV. The rest came in our
‘moderns’.
There was a kiosk close by, where some
bought their fish and chips, whilst others of
us ventured up Semaphore road to the wellregarded Sotos fish shop. I took the opportunity to take a walk up the road. As I recalled from my last visit there are some interesting shops, mostly closed on the Sunday!
Some of us had far more chips than we required. Geoff decided that the seagulls
needed feeding and they were very keen on
that idea – see the photo (sorry about the
quality) of the ‘birdman’.
As twilight approached we left for home. It
had been a relaxing, enjoyable event. Don S
The French Connection
A beautifully restored & very rare Australian made 1920s Chic
CAF member cars were entirely Renaults — plus
one Bedford ute.
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CAF member profile – Don (John) Stacy
I was born in Adelaide in 1938, so I’m a prewar product. I moved to Perth in 1968, married Vera-Ann
there in 1970 and then moved to Darwin in 1971. Both sons, Callum and Adrian, were born there. We
liked living there, even in the wet season, but Cyclone Tracy resulted in a move back to Adelaide in
late 1975. I enjoyed sailing and racing a Black Witch catamaran in Darwin before Tracy trashed itditto our house.
I have lived in Hawthorndene with Valerie for nearly 10 years. We love living here except when it’s
the bushfire season!
My first job was with the SA Housing Trust as a trainee draftsman and I commenced studying Architecture part-time. I eventually realised that I had little or no creative ability and was sick of
study. I got a job with the Dept. of Civil Aviation as a draftsman and then moved to the buildings
section. Through a number of departmental name changes I stayed there until I became part of the
Federal Airports Corporation in 1988. I was responsible for building works on the Airport.
My favourite movie is probably War and Peace or Dr. Zhivago but I particularly enjoy French movies.
My favorite music genre is Classical – particularly French, Russian or Spanish but also Jazz, Folk and
World, especially Indian (love the sitar) Oh, I nearly forgot my nostalgia for pop from the 50s and
60s.
I was never a sportsman but enjoyed sailing and dragonboat racing and tried to play tennis!
I enjoy watching motorsport, tennis and sailing.
My major hobby is playing around with, restoring (sort of) and driving older French cars. An uncle
gave me a 1928 baby Peugeot, which was not running and, at 15, I could not get it to go. After a couple of English cars and a Fiat 1100, I got a Peugeot 403 and ‘the die was cast’. After 2 more pommy
cars, TR3 and MiniCooper, I owned French cars almost exclusively from then on, starting with a Citroen ID19, followed by a 404 and then an Alfa Romeo Guilia Sprint Coupe.
But they were mostly Peugeot 403s and 404s, which I ran on a shoestring as a second car. I usually
paid around $300 and did some tidying up on them. I bought a new 504 auto in Darwin in 1973. It was
a ‘lemon’ unfortunately but we had it for 13 years. I then tried a VW Passat and then a Ford Meteor,
both no substitute for a proper French car!
At one time, after my sons went to the UK, I owned the 504, a 403, a 404 and a 505STI. Next came
a 505GTI then a 405. Moving on we replaced Valerie’s car with a 406. Then came a Golf diesel, replaced by a Citroen C4 diesel and finally our current Golf petrol. But of course I also have a nice
16TS and the problematic DS21.
So you could say that I am a French car ‘tragic’. I believe that the great days in Australia were the
60s and 70s. They managed to combine comfort and
handling with good styling and practicality.
I like driving in France and have been trying to learn
the French language for years.
My all-time favourite French car is the Alpine A610 and
non-French car is the 1960 Ferrari 250GT SWB.
The first car I drove was my father’s 1935 Hudson
Terraplane.
The first car I owned was a 1947 Hillman Minx
Drophead Coupe (very rare – I have never seen another
one) followed soon by a 1949 MG TC. Whilst I owned it
I was a member of the MG Club.
In 1988 I was instrumental in starting Club Automobile Francais, was the second President and am currently on the committee and serving as
editor.
I am also a member of Club Citroen of SA.
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Collection for Sale
Renault Colorale 85, 15 cwt Coupe Utility 1953 model. In good restorable condition, with another complete Ute for spare parts.
Citroen B14 Doctors Coupe 1927 model. One of 2 in the world! Part restored pus lots of
spare parts—engines, gearboxes, and diffs.
Peugeot 203 Van 1953. Older restoration.
Peugeot 203 sedan 1953. Complete.
Renault Dauphine Gordini 1962. 95% restored.
Lots of parts, parts books, owners handbooks etc. to suit the above.
Phone Malcolm Poulton - 87394034 (Glencoe SE)
A Peugeot 504
Ute—not seen in
Australia. In wellused unrestored
condition. So
where do think
this was photographed?
This market is
supposed to be
bigger and better this year.
There will be a
Citroen display
on the Friday
night.
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For Sale
Isn’t she a beauty!
A reluctant Sale
We have to sell our beautiful and carefully
restored 1962 Peugeot 404 due to space
considerations, etc. Mechanically sound and
mostly original. This was one of the first of
this icon model sold in South Australia. It
comes with a range of spare parts, memorabilia and other items that we can discuss.
Phone Daryl on 0427 606 113 or email:
[email protected]
For Sale
a heater/demister unit
for a Renault 21 TXE
Brand new, unused—will send to anywhere in Australia.
Was $600 new, asking $200.
Contact Jim Campbell (03) 64256449
(Ulverstone Tasmania)
For Sale
RHS Tail-light lens for
Renault 15/17 Good condition but
needs yellow touchup. Don 8370 2674
For Sale Renault Koleos
Privilege 2009
Top of the range auto with leatherseats and 2-way sunroof.
Full Renault service and kept under
cover .
2.5L petrol(shared motor with X-trail)
Very well equipped and versatile —
4x4 on demand.
Silver duco and beige leather.
$17,950
Wanted
0438 816 103
for an R16—Tyres 155 x 14 , or even 165 x 14, preferably Michelin, with useful
amount of legal tread. Don Stacy 8370 2674
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RENAULT EURODRIVE give our financial Club
members a 10% discount on leases of their
cars in France. This involves booking direct
with the Sydney office. Check their website -www.renaulteurodrive.com.au. for details of the normal rates. NOTE—check
with Paul Hodges on 1300 55 11 60 for current offers.
Lion automobiles have relocated to Unit
3/56 Audrey Ave Blair Athol. This is located behind the BP service station on Main
north Rd. Phone is still 8162 9350
Web Sites of interest to French
car fans
Aussiefrogs.com.au
Bringatrailer.com/category/french
Themotorreport.com
Citroen.com.au
Peugeot.com.au
Renault.com.au
RenaultOwnersClub.org
Autonews.com
Autoblog.com
Membership Fees
Full membership
Concessional
(student, pension or unemployed)
Family
$40
$30
+$10
CAF Life Members
Don Roberts (1999) deceased
Peter Bennett (2005) deceased
Max Easther (2011) deceased
David McDonough (2006)
Peter Roberts (2011)
Don Stacy(2011)
Colin Redmond(2012)
Bob Scobie (2013)
Max & Mary Medwell (2013)
The French Connection
2014 COMMITTEE
PRESIDENT
Trevor Donaldson
0409 281967
[email protected]
VICE PRESIDENT
Kim Horsnell
8364 1369
[email protected]
SECRETARY
David McDonough
8365 2730
0414 372 210
TREASURER
Steve Chamberlain
7324 3748
0458 008 130
PROGRAM CO-ORDINATOR
Jeff MacGuire
8270 3351
[email protected]
GENERAL COMMITTEE
0412 016844
Kym Olsen
GENERAL COMMITTEE
8393 9885
Bob Scobie
GENERAL COMMITTEE
Carolyn Chamberlain
7324 3748
0417 329169
[email protected]
HISTORIC REGISTRATION
Colin Pauley
82613673
10 Rosslyn Ave. Manningham 5086
MAGAZINE CIRCULATION
Ron Clark
0402 784 963
NOTE for new members Please allow up to six weeks for new
membership to be processed.
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CLUB INFORMATION AND SERVICES
CLUB MEETINGS
7.30pm – LAST Thursday of the month Austin 7 Clubrooms, 262 Tapleys Hill Rd Seaton
CLUB MAILING ADDRESS
Club Automobile Francais
P.O.Box 330, Campbelltown, SA, 5074
CLASSIFIEDS & MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTIONS
Must be received by end of week 3 of the month
EDITOR
Don Stacy 8370 2674
[email protected]
DISCLAIMER
Options expressed in French Connection are not
necessarily those of the Editor, CAF or its officers and all articles are published in good faith
and responsibility will not be accepted.
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The French Connection
Escape grey
days in the Renault Koleos — at
low weekly
prices plus 0%
p.a. comparison
rate finance^,
you won't find a
better value
premium SUV.
Like all Renault
passenger vehicles, the Koleos
is backed by a
5-year unlimited
km Warranty
with Roadside
Assistance and
3 years Capped
Price Servicing.#
284 Unley Rd. Hyde Park 5061 contact (08) 8306 7777
NOTE - Clio prices now reduced by $1,000