Let me start by saying that I'm no writer... Most people were already there at TTP when I arrived before 9am. Said the usual hellos, bit of chit chat, then we headed off about 9:10 for the 10min drive to Tiley Reserve. I got everybody lost getting out of the carpark due to recent building work blocking our usual exit. Arrived in a nice convoy, and parked in our usual spot on the perimeter of the oval, up the back by the hill. We had enough Vettes for two rows of cars, all up there were about 20 club members cars on display, I think that's a record since I've been going. With our great viewing location on the hill, sitting in the shade under the trees with a nice breeze, albeit on the ant nests, we could watch the oval fill with cars over the next couple of hours. Great collection of US cars to look at, more Mustangs than anybody ever needs to see in one place. Unfortunately, unlike last years rainy day, it was a very warm and sunny day, and due to the heat some of the oval people were leaving early, and large gaps were appearing on the oval. As a club display, we held out to around 2:30 with the last of us leaving just before 3pm. Even the organisers were impressed with our clubs turn out of cars and vowed to give us a little bit more space next year. If you missed it this year, hope to see you next year!
Photos by Alan Litchfield
A large number of club members met for the last Zipple Cruise of the year. Anzac is always a day- time run & this year we met at the Homemaker Centre along with about 350-400 other American Cars, Rods, Cruisers & Classics. The criteria is that all cars must be American.
We cruised up the freeway, turning at Hahndorf, then through the hills to the Birdwood Motor Museum. Here we paid $10 to be able to park on the lawns & had entry into the Museum.
There were food vans, live music, sun shining so this made for a great day for a picnic with fellow car enthusiasts.
Gary McPhee who's grandson Noah was born with a congenital heart condition had asked members of CCSA to assist in an inaugural event to be held by Heart Kids SA in the carpark of Drake’s Foodland Distribution Centre, Beverly. The event was arranged to help support the Fathers of Heart Children. This was a first time event, and to make matters worse, the weather forecast was not the best, so the organiser’s were a little worried as to how many vehicles and people would attend. To say the least the organiser’s was overwhelmed by the response. They were expecting around 30 vehicles and 150 - 200 people. It turned out that around 70 vehicles (not all Corvettes) and over 350 people attended, with many vehicle owners (and clubs) promising to attend future events. I don't know how much money was raised, but I take my hat off to the organiser’s & volunteers who ran the event in a very professional and safe manner for everyone.
There were 10 (1 nonmember) Corvettes in attendance, one having to leave after only a short time due to other pressing matters, and one came very late, but at least they made the effort. There were many other great vehicles as well, ranging from three Ferraris, a beautifully restored Fiat 500,a Ford Mercury 1942, a couple of other fancy sports cars, several Holden's of various models, plus several other American show cars. Ian Gregor also brought along his 2017 Can am Spyder RT Limited to add to the display. Superman, Supergirl and Ironman also made appearances to entertain the crowd throughout the afternoon. Thankfully the weather held out and no one had to get out their chamois to wipe off the raindrops from their pride and joy. I would like to thank the following members for coming along with their cars. Graeme and Joy Walker, Greg Woods, Ian Gregor, Alan Litchfield, Danny Robinson, Neil Portlock, Alan and Jan Orchard, Peter Bartlett and Chris Galloni (yes Peter brought his car out with Rain forecast) for their support on the day.
Write Up by Ian Gregor and Gary McPhee
Decided to do a scouting run over the upcoming Club cruise route (didn’t want any surprises on the day). Asked Jim if he would like to join me as Jim is much the same as me, aging, no retention span, spends more time trying to absorb the info rather than retain it, circuit breaker nano second and we both have the ability when the circuit break trips to attain stratospheric heights without needing to breathe – basically old redheads. Also asked Jim if he would be willing to be last car on the cruise and he answered yes with a twinkle in his eye and a grin on his face.
CRUISE Met at 8.30 Hungry Jacks Firle. We left home under heavy clouds and drizzling rain to find only about six vehicles parked. Glad that I revised dining from 20-30 to 10-15 on the scouting trip. A member with a Javelin decided to meet at his own designated meeting point and arrived slightly late to join the rest of the boisterous party inside Hungry Jacks. Jim was present and due to his agreement to be the last car and mother the little ducks, had arrived in his huge UAV. I mean this thing was on steroids with tinted windows so dark that even your reflection screamed for release. Body color misty camouflage grey to assimilate into the surroundings and Jim referred to it affectionately as SGH (shot gun hauler). Remember I mentioned red head/short fuse and no oxygen required. After the meet and greet and normal discussion of do’s and don’ts completed, we departed with approximately thirteen cars which was outstanding considering the weather. A quick phone call to Tony at the Green Man Pub to increase our numbers for meals back up to 28-30 which he did graciously and was very accommodating. Finally, on the road and to his word, Jim was there at the rear protecting his flock against all possible evil acts. All his lights were on including the 300mm light bar, four light force spot lights and travelling so close to the first duck that his bum was quivering. We proceeded up Magill Road heading towards Lobethal and onto Woodside. Not 10 mins later we had our first non-scheduled U-turn. Mr. Falconer had informed that a couple of ducks had missed the turn but were being ushered back to the correct route - from other accounts SGH had raced ahead rounded the lost ducks up and mothering them to the correct route. Once all together again onwards we continued. Lobethal is approx. 15-20km away and is constantly throttle/brake up and down dale for the entire distance. Some comments were made at the comfort stop but fortunately no sick bags required. As we passed through the outskirts of Woodside, we collecting our wayward President who was waiting patiently with Karen – evidently Wally was not happy being left out of the cruise. Pressing onwards towards Meadows via Hahndorf and Echunga this was a welcome change to the Adelaide-Lobethal Road being much straighter and cruising at higher speeds. It was good to see the drivers using good protocol in watching the car in front and vice versa watching the car in the rear. We finally arrived at Meadows as another opening of the heavens occurred. Coffee was consumed and buns and savories sampled and then finally the comfort stop – the main reason for the break. Off again through Kuitpo Forest and now heading to the coast via Willunga Hill. A quick left and then a quick right and we were on the straight sections heading towards Yankalilla. Not quite at Yankalilla a quick turn to the left and then heading towards Victor at speed. A left turn some 20km down the road and we ended up climbing whilst circumnavigating Billy Park conservation area. Next turn is right heading back towards Victor but not far down the road a very quick exit left onto Crows Nest Road and now we’re climbing to the summit in a twisting throttle/brake/throttle brake motion. Very quick reprieve given at the Crows Nest lookout where all could see for miles down towards Middleton, Goolwa and the Coorong in the distance. Enough chit chat and more brake/throttle, the snake road continued until we did a left turn at Middleton and a snail crawl through Goolwa. Up over Hindmarsh Island bridge to the marina and back. This was the planned Uturn. Oh no, missing in action, two cars not seen. SGH and the duck in front of him had missed the turn in Goolwa but ever to the rescue SGH had rounded up the delinquent duck and corralled them at Currency Creek. Some 15 mins later all ducks are together and executed a left turn and head towards Ashbourne and the Green Man pub some 15-20 mins down the road. Arrived at the Green Man pub to find it packed and so to the car park. I was thankful I had booked and increased the
numbers for meals. We had our own separate dining room which was fortunate as we are a large boisterous group when we get together – a result of good friends and happy campers. Tony at Green Man pub explained the ordering and paying process and food for the ravenous horde appeared ….. oh by the way the weather had turned and was now blue skies and sunshine …. All part of the service little ducks.
I believe a great day had by all and all I had to do was: 1. Meet somewhere. 2. Drive somewhere. 3. Have a break somewhere. 4. Drive some more somewhere. 5. Have lunch….you guessed it… somewhere.
To all who attended I and made the day what it was I offer huge kudos and to SGH (shot gun hauler) kudos as well for your time on the scouting trip and mothering the ducks as well. Glad to see no buckshot was required. It was a pleasure to be mother duck for a day.
NOTE: Jim and I would never be politicians with all the constraints. On the scouting run we solved the problems of the world by shooting/incarcerating/burying/forced education centres/deporting/confiscating. By the end of the run we were happy and calm as two redheads can be.
Until the next cruise, happy Vetting… Cheers AJ and Julie ‘ 54 vette cruising.
PS The writer of this commentary may have taken some poetic license as I believe this version is better than we met somewhere, we drove somewhere, we stopped somewhere and we drove more and had lunch somewhere but honestly folks that’s how easy it is to organize a club cruise.
