CONTACT: Autumn 1971
As many of you will remember Liverpool Trustee Savings Bank Motoring Club organised a Car Rally earlier in the
year in which members of the BMB were invited to participate. The following report has been written by one of our contestants, S R
Pink.
"After driving up the M6 motorway I arrived with my navigator at the Knutsford Service area where we met the rest of the Bank
team.
The bank was represented by myself and my navigator Derek Horner in a Triumph Spitfire, Brian Godwin and his wife in a Vauxhall
Cresta, David Parkes and his wife in a Ford Cortina, Maureen Saunders in a BMLC 1100 and Bob Timmins in an MG.
The rally was over five
difficult but well organised stages devised by our hosts.
Unfortunately Derek was taken ill on the second stage, so with steering wheel
in one hand and a map in the other I drove on with difficulty.
Congratulations must go to David and Jeanette Parkes who finished 10th
out of over 60 entrants.
Maureen Saunders finished 37th, Bob Timmins in 45th place followed by Brian Godwin in 54th place. Guess who
was disqualified?"
CONTACT: Summer 1972
The membership of the Motoring Club has rapidly increased and it is hoped that now it has become established, the facilities offered to members will also increase. The Insurance Scheme is assisting members when they don't claim against their own Motor Insurance Companies for small amounts, thereby saving the loss of the No Claims Bonus. Details of the benefits to members can be obtained from any members of the Motoring Club Committee. The film show held at Head Office on 14th March provided an enjoyable evening's entertainment and it is hoped that more of these will be held during the winter months.
The visit
to Fort Dunlop was well attended, our hosts giving us a very interesting evening. We were shown the entire process of tyre manufacture
and given refreshments afterwards. The Club is now endeavouring to arrange other factory visits.
We have entered a team in the R. E.
Gillies Trophy Rally on 3rd September which will take us on a course through the Welsh mountains and hopefully we expect to better
last year's fourteenth position.
Other items being discussed at the moment include a treasure hunt starting at Shirley and covering
about fifty miles, details of which are now being finalised. A trip to London to coincide with the Motor Show is also being discussed
and if arranged will take place in October.
Several members have asked if it is possible to arrange outings to motor racing circuits
and motor cycle scrambles and the Committee are looking into this. Tickets for motor racing meetings at Oulton Park, Mallory Park
and Brands Hatch can be obtained by the Club at a reduction of up to 50p per ticket.
Over the next few editions of "Contact" I hope
to be able to pass on a few hints and tips that may be found useful.
Before a long drive, the four main things to check are:
Battery:
- check water level. Top up only with distilled water, covering the internal plates by no more than one-quarter inch of water. Ensure
that the terminals are free from dirt.
Radiator: - check water level and for leaks on the honeycomb.
Plugs: - check the leads are secure.
Oil:
- check the level with the dipstick. Too much oil is as bad as too little. If the dipstick shows a black sludge instead of clear oil,
the oil needs changing. If there are any tiny specks of metal on the dipstick an engine bearing is wearing badly and needs immediate
attention.
If you are touring on holiday this year you may find the following items useful:
Around Britain - First Aid Box and manual,
gallon of petrol, petrol funnel, list of car agents, temporary plastic windscreen, spare set of keys, spare fan belt, tow rope, warning
triangle, fire extinguisher.
Abroad - the above plus a pint of brake fluid, tyre pressure gauge, set of contact breakers, set of spark
plugs, spare bulbs and fuses, condenser, radiator hoses, rotor arm, radiator sealant and valve cores.
In an emergency you may find
that:
A sliced potato rubbed on the windscreen gives reasonable clearance from rain.
A twisted nylon stocking can act as
a fan belt.
A small coin is useful for turning some screws.
Happy motoring,
S. R. PINK
Hon. Secretary
CONTACT: Christmas 1972
This year's R. E. Gilles Rally took place on September 3rd and the Bank team did well by taking 6th place. The rally
started at Runcorn in Cheshire and took us through the Welsh mountains to Bala and back. The event was won outright by Computer Services,
Altringham for the third year running.
David and Jeanette Parkes in their 1600E must take most of the credit for the Bank's high placing
by finishing 12th (no easy task on a semi-professional Rally). Brian Godwin and myself in a Spitfire came in 23rd. Bob Timmins and
John Curtis in an M.G. finished 36th after somehow replacing a broken carburettor spring with a brake pedal return spring. Our hosts
the Liverpool T.S.B. once again gave us an excellent meal afterwards.
The Motoring Club held a Treasure Hunt on September 24th starting
at Archers Garage, Shirley. After 50 miles of driving through the countryside, all 19 cars finished at the Fleur de Lys Inn at Lowsonford.
First
prize was a battery charger won by Mr. S. Wright of Balsall Heath Branch. Second and third prizes of car-wash kits went to D. Kent
and B. Coleman respectively and Miss V. Halfacre won the ladies' prize.
On Saturday, 21st October, the club visited the Motor Show
in London in a mini-bus. After the Show we had an enjoyable evening touring the West End before returning. Brian Godwin did an excellent
job driving the coach which was appreciated by both the Club committee and members present. I extend my personal thanks to those present
for making the trip such a success.
If any members have any useful tips, don't hesitate in letting me know so that I may pass them
on through my column.
Lost ignition key ?
To complete the ignition circuit so that the car can be started, run a length of insulated
wire from the terminal marked SW on the coil to the non-earth terminal on the battery. If the coil terminals are marked (+) and (-)
check which of the battery terminals is earthed , and run the wire from the other terminal to the coil terminal which has the same
sign. Start the car by pressing the direct contact switch (normally found on the solenoid).
Blown Fuse ?
Domestic fuse wire can be used
as temporary replacement (six strands of 5 amp wire serves as a 30 amp fuse) or wrap the blown fuse in a piece of silver paper from
a cigarette packet or bar of chocolate.
Over large spanner?
If the only spanner available is larger than the nut it is required to undo,
slide a screwdriver blade into the space between the nut and the spanner to achieve a better fit.
Frozen door lock?
Warm the key (or
lock if possible) with a match or cigarette lighter.
Leaking radiator?
In an emergency, a handful of oatmeal, a raw egg or a spoonful
of dry mustard added to the water may seal a serious leak temporarily, but the radiator must be replaced or repaired as soon as possible.
Happy
Motoring.
S. R . Pink
Hon. Secretary
CONTACT: Spring 1973
At the Annual General Meeting of the Motoring Club,
the following Committee was elected:-
Chairman B. W. Godwin
Secretary: S. R. Pink
Treasurer: C. J. Houghton
B. A. Coleman, R. J. Fernie, D. R. Horner,
D. J. Parkes, R. I. Timmins, S. E. Wright.
Anyone interested in joining the Motoring Club can obtain further details from any member of the Committee.
In
our first year we organised a film show, a visit to Fort Dunlop, a Treasure Hunt, a trip to the London Motor Show and also sent a
team to the R.E. Gillies Trophy Rally. Now that the club has become established, I hope that during 1973 we will be able to offer
more activities.
By the time this edition is printed, we should have entered two teams in the West Midlands Annual Adult Road Safety
Competition on February 8th and held a film show on February 27th.
The Discount Purchase Scheme now includes eleven companies, offering
discounts of up to 40% on most motoring items. The Insurance Fund proved to be very popular and we were able to help several unfortunate
members who had accidents.
If anyone has a motoring problem, there are eight of us on the Committee and between us we may be able to
help solve it, so don't hesitate in contacting me.
Tips passed on by members
Now that summer is on the way, when you clean the car next
Sunday, get underneath and wash away the deposits of salt that have accumulated during the winter.
When changing your plugs, clip clothes
pegs with numbers painted on them to the appropriate plug lead.
A long holiday drive is likely to be your car's hardest task of the
year and the most inconvenient time for a breakdown. At least a week before going away, send the car in for a complete service and
inspection. Get the garage to change the oil, adjust the brakes and check steering, suspension, tyres, the ignition system and the
lighting circuits.
Any hoses that look even slightly damaged should be replaced.
If the car is carrying a full complement of passengers
and a heavy load of luggage, increase the tyre pressures by 2-4 p.s.i. and don't forget that by carrying too much weight you are breaking
the Law and invalidating your Insurance cover.
While on the subject of holidays, if you are staying on the British coast, I would recommend
the "A.A. Book of the Seaside". It is a comprehensive guide to every beach, cliff and headland along the entire coast and saves buying
guide books and maps every year.
Happy motoring,
S.R. Pink
CONTACT: Summer 1973
A sad loss to the Motoring Club has been the resignation
of our Chairman, Brian Godwin. Brian was mainly responsible for re-starting the Club, and throughout the last two years has given
the benefit of his valuable experience to members. A new Chairman has not yet been elected and it will be difficult for the Club to
find someone of his calibre.
The latest addition to the discount purchase scheme has saved nineteen members the sum of £18.21 in the
first six weeks of its introduction. Further details may be obtained from any member of the Committee.
Membership is now approaching
ninety, and on the 10th June a very good day's entertainment was had, when we visited the Vauxhall Sports Spectacular at Luton.
The
R. E. Gillies Trophy Rally between Trustee Savings Banks throughout the country has, unfortunately, been postponed until the 21st
October. The team will be the same as the last two years with the exception of Bob Timmins who has been replaced by Steve Wright.
Included in the individual entries is Julie Hale, giving the Bank a chance to win the Henstock Ladies Trophy.
On the 15th July Steve
Wright organised a Treasure Hunt, which took 24 cars through some very attractive countryside in the Belbroughton area, the results
being as follows :-
1st-M. Dalton; 2nd-N. Barlow; 3rd-C. Hooper; 4th-S. Pink
The Booby Prize was won by Roy Scott.
Prizes were a colourtune,
map reading light, car cleaning brush, polishing kit and jump leads respectively.
In May, the Club purchased a 1963 Wolseley Hornet.
A certain amount of work has already been carried out on the car but its future, as yet, is undecided. Any member interested in learning
car maintenance can contact us and hopefully we will be able to give practical instruction.
A visit to Mitchells & Butlers Brewery
at Cape Hill has been arranged for the 27th October, further details of this will he circularised nearer the date.
The Committee meet
on the first Wednesday of every month at the Guild Club, Station Street. Members are reminded that they may come along at 8.30 p.m.
after the meeting to discuss Motoring topics or put forward any suggestions that they may have.
HINTS
1. Battery. Top up with distilled
water until the plates are just covered. Do not over-fill. Clean the battery terminals and smear them lightly with petroleum jelly.
Clean the earth connection and check that it is tightly attached. When charging make sure that the battery is topped up. Remember
not to use any naked light as gasses given off are explosive. Switch off the charger before disconnecting battery.
2. Plugs.
Clean oily plugs in white spirit and have them abrasive-blasted by a garage. Wire brushing of plugs is not recommended.
AND REMEMBER
CLUNK,
CLICK, EVERY TRIP.
Happy Motoring.
Steve Pink & Chris Houghton