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Flathead Ted
Brake Floaters
The kit everybody is talking about in the USA
Available from
Flathead Ted
Brake Floaters
The kit everybody is talking about in the USA
Available from
BASINGSTOKE FESTIVAL OF TRANSPORT
MAY 2008.
Our now regular club stand at this event broke previous records with 22 vehicles on the stand. If you missed this one you missed one of the best shows. The weather was as perfect as possible which makes a change. I had a good run in my V8 Pilot doing the 95 mile journey in two hours. A nice steady 50 miles an hour on the M25 and M3 in the early morning saw only minimal traffic.
Ginger Dann and Mick Gamble were already setting up the club stand as I arrived. We had our usual spot near the entrance. Just the spot to see all the other vehicles coming on to the field. One of the best car shows in many ways, varied cars, lorries, busses, traction engines, motorcycles and military vehicles. All very interesting. Also real auto jumble. I did not see anything for the V8s but there was some literature one member managed to find. If you look hard enough it is surprising what can be found.
Back on our own stand and members started to arrive in their cars. Daniel Powell in his 1932 Ford Model 18 Victoria. The first year for V8s and of course the oldest car on the stand. The 1951 Ford convertible owned by Rob and Rita Young contrasted with the Victoria and showed how the V8 had advanced in nineteen years but still retained the basic flathead principle but no parts between the two models would have been interchangeable. John and Tricia Clarke came up from the south coast in their 1936 Model 68 Phaeton. A beautiful car which has been the subject of much work. Our editor with his son and fellow club member Alex arrived in the 1934 Phaeton. Andy had clocked 101 miles from Gloucester to be at the show. Our man from Somerset, Edwin Phelps arrived in his 1938 Model 81A saloon also having clocked over the 100 miles. Ginger Dann came along in his 1940 RO1T van loaded with barbeque equipment. Just having fitted a new rotor arm and spark plugs Ginger says the van is now running smoothly. A good day for committee members turning out saw Geoff and Sheila Smith in their 1946 Model 69A Coupe. Geoff has just completed a 12 Volt conversion on the coupe and reports that it is now running reliably. Mick and Sally Gamble arrived in the 1948 Ford V8 Pilot. A 115 mile trip from Leicester. Quite a few members on the stand had done a long journey to get to Basingstoke but on the other hand it proved to be a good central meeting point. A good mix of V8 Pilots saw most versions of the Pilot on display. Dave Leach had his Estate Car on the stand. He was also doing marshalling duties for the Thorneycroft Society the main event organisers. We also had the 1952 ET6 Breakdown Lorry and Pilot Pickup owned by Tom Mansbridge. Tom is our contact man with the Thorneycroft Society for our club stand. Reg Watson fielded his clean black V8 Pilot. Gregg Shadbolt and family brought along both Greggs` black V8 Pilot saloon and his Fordson ET6 Flatbed Lorry. Both immaculate vehicles that have been the subject of many hours work. Ginger and Marilyn Dann managed to get several vehicles on site including the green stretch V8 Pilot Limmo, blue saloon and blue original Reynolds Pickup Truck. Chris Hawkins arrived in his clean V8 Pilot iron grey saloon together with our London Area secretary Malcolm Cariven in his green example. Southern Area secretary Bob Flint made the journey from Poole in Dorset in his excellent green V8 Pilot. Richard and Carol Savin arrived in their immaculate and long time owned V8 Pilot. Richard carried out a 12 Volt conversion on his vehicle last year and reports better reliability since. I am struggling here to describe the different cars and commercials on the stand as all have been restored to a high standard and each was a pleasure to view. Our thanks must go to Ginger and Marilyn Dann for organising the stand and putting on an excellent barbeque through the day, together with plenty of teas and coffees!! Alan and Jennie Shaw joined us on the stand together with Tony Collier. Alan is just getting his Pilot back on the road after a radiator overhaul and Tony is in the middle of engine work on his 1938 Model 81A.
An excellent day for all concerned.
Your roving reporter
Chris Sanders.
