11th Australian National Ford 'T' Rally "T's Convene in 2013" - Barossa Valley, South Australia.

Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration
Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: 11th Australian National Ford 'T' Rally "T's Convene in 2013" - Barossa Valley, South Australia.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Chantrell - Adelaide, Australia on Thursday, September 26, 2013 - 06:12 pm:

Next week many Australian Ford 'T' owners will converge on the picturesque wine region of the Barossa Valley in South Australia for the 11th Australian National Ford 'T' Rally named "T's Convene in 2013". Entries finalised around the 150 mark. The host club The Model 'T' Ford Club of Australia Inc. based in Adelaide has done a marvellous job in preparations. . It promises to be a great rally.


Photo courtesy of Tourism SA.

We know many of you will be travelling this weekend, so from afar. I for one would like to wish everybody that is coming to have a safe trip, watch out for the "men in blue", drive safe and we "Crow Eaters" are very much looking forward to seeing you on the rally!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Thursday, September 26, 2013 - 11:30 pm:

I do look forward to the tour reports and photos!
Please everyone, drive carefully, and do enjoy! W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Dumas on Thursday, September 26, 2013 - 11:50 pm:

David,

Where are you staying? How many days the rally run?
How many miles do you cover?

We were in Australia in 1995, took the Ghan from Alice Springs to Adelaide. We were only there a few hours but shared a lunch table with local folks. It was one of our favorite places, seemed to be off the tourist track a bit and the area was lush and green.

Ted


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Warwick Landy on Friday, September 27, 2013 - 12:37 am:

Leaving early tomorrow morning for the 650 mile interstate trip. Very much looking forward to catching up with all our Model T friends. Should be in the Barossa Valley tomorrow night ready to enjoy some of the wine the region is famous for.
Ted, rally check in is on Sunday with five days of touring, Monday to Friday. I am not sure how many miles we will be doing but we will update you all as the rally progresses.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Andrew Brand on Friday, September 27, 2013 - 05:34 pm:

Felicity and I are on the road now. Got away early. Good driving weather.
Staying with family at Hahndorf tonight. See you at check-in tomorrow.
Due to unforeseen circumstances we're in a different tow vehicle this year, but so far it and the Torpedo are getting along well. They're both Fords after all.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Chantrell - Adelaide, Australia on Sunday, October 06, 2013 - 05:46 am:

What a terrific rally. Lots of miles, friends, great scenery and model 'T's.

Sunday - Check In & later an Evening Welcome Night with supper.
Day 1 Monday - Lyndoch & wineries, around 100kms
Day 2 Tuesday - Sevenhill near Clare. Great day at 240 kms
Day 3 Wednesday - Breakfast at Seppeltsfield, 20kms. Evening gathering & supper.
Day 4 Thursday - National Motor Museum at Birdwood, around 90kms.
Day 5 Friday - Kapunda, around 56 kms. Final dinner and presentations.

Hopefully much will be written about our rally. One highlight for me was the celebration on 100 years of the assembly line with the 1913 'T's. All the 1913 cars were invited to have a photo taken at Seppeltsfield. The winery had each driver hold a small bottle of 1913 port valued at $1000 per bottle. No, we did not get to keep the port...

Bob Sellar surprised the winery boss by using his 100 year old port to top up his radiator. Only joking, but the cellar master had second thoughts!!! Well done Bob!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Chantrell - Adelaide, Australia on Sunday, October 06, 2013 - 05:49 am:

More fun at the 1913 line up...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Warwick Landy on Sunday, October 06, 2013 - 06:14 am:

ready to head off on tour!the family beside some of the Barossa Vines!T's lined up outside one of the many wineries.3 100 year old T's at KapundaAndreww Brands TorpedoSome rear ends!My favoutite picture and road for the week!1926 Port, 1926 T. Only $350 a bottle!1912 Duncan & Fraser TourerDress up day for everytone!Neat little speedsterVoted best Veteran and Entrants choice, 1910 Tourersome of the 150 T'sCommercialsA wonderful week had by all rally participants.A big thankyou to the organisers for a great week. Looking forward to hosting the next rally in 2016 close to home!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Chantrell - Adelaide, Australia on Sunday, October 06, 2013 - 06:20 am:

Our family is normally privileged to drive a 1911 tourer. About 3 weeks before the rally I started to prepare 'Mabel'. Repairing tyres, repainting 2 wheels, bands plus a raft of other maintenance to get her ready for the 2 hour drive to the rally and 5 days of "fun in the Barossa".

The Sunday afternoon before the rally I had her out adjusting the new bands when I blew a head gasket. Up early Monday morning and lifted off the head to confirm the diagnosis. Monday night after work I find the NOS head gasket I have priced at $5. Ready to fit the head I strip the bolt in the middle of the engine block.

So I rung around Adelaide and found a mobile helicoil guy. He came early Wednesday morning. Home again after work and with a friend put the head back on. New gasket, full of water and running a treat in the shed. All is well at 9.30 pm and the kettle gets another work out.

Thursday night home after work and with the remaining daylight plan to drive the car around a bit. I start the car and it now had a knock. But what? It wasn't there the night before. After a while I found the radiator overflow tube had come unsoldered from the bottom tank and was hitting the fan. After a quick fix all is well; but no daylight left to drive the car.

Friday night home after work, start the car and on the road. 'Mabel' was running sweet and off the petrol station to fill her up. About another mile or two down the road she starts missing really bad. I pull in and find I have emptied the top tank. A blown head gasket? Anyway, I get her going and then refill the radiator to try and limp home. About 400 yard from home I stop at a petrol station to put more water in when she just stops.

Now, this is where the fun begins. The carbie appears to be flooding, so I turned the fuel off. But the fluid still kept coming. Yes, I had the contents of the radiator filling up the carbie and coming out of the choke hole. Now we phone our lovely wife and ask for her to come with the tow rope.

After dark and finally getting 'Mabel' back in the shed I just gave up. I had had enough. I just shut the doors, came inside, had a cup of tea and rang around some friends. Looks like we will take our caravan and have a non-driving holiday...

Later on an old friend that I had told after the episode turns up at my front door. He reminds me that my family has had 'T's for over 50 years and stuff happens. He also says something like "Don't be so damn stupid and get back on the horse!!!" After much talking and soul searching he loaned us his beloved old 1913 tourer for the rally. This car was found in 1950 and has been on the road for over 50 years. She is gorgeous. I was truly humbled by such an offer.

This is why I love our hobby. Yes we drive and restore cars, but the people are the difference. I would like to publicly thank Greg Mahon for being there when I was really, really down, giving me a well deserved kick up the bum and allowing us to drive on the this rally.

Below is me with the "borrowed" 1913 tourer. Yes the port was 100 years old too, but I did not get to keep it either. Thank you Greg.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kerry van Ekeren (Australia) on Sunday, October 06, 2013 - 06:36 am:

I'm glad it worked out to be fun for all, wish I was able to make it, well it will just have to be on my bucket list for 2016, that's a little closer to home. How many T's all up?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Chantrell - Adelaide, Australia on Sunday, October 06, 2013 - 05:53 pm:

Hi Kerry, we missed you too and your lovely 1916. The official list says 154 entrants.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Erich Bruckner, Vancouver, WA on Sunday, October 06, 2013 - 11:43 pm:

Warwick, smashing. Good to see you guys again. Looks like a fantastic time. Cool that your kids get to experience this sort of thing with you. Best regards from Vancouver USA


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dare - Just a little South West . on Monday, October 07, 2013 - 04:56 am:

WOW, l just loaded the pics l took into my computer, it certainly didn't take long to take that many Hi Res pics ...., when l get a chance l'll load many of them up for the forum.

John - rally director for 20-13 ... great job you and your fellow rally committee, volunteers and club have done ..l know we will all be back on your next round.

David Dare
Rally Director 2016 National Tour.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dare - Just a little South West . on Monday, October 07, 2013 - 05:30 am:

Here is a sample selection of the fun that was had over this past week in South Australia.




















there are plenty more to follow.

Cheers
David Dare.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dare - Just a little South West . on Monday, October 07, 2013 - 05:43 am:





there are always more.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Chantrell - Adelaide, Australia on Monday, October 07, 2013 - 06:10 am:

Keep them coming Warwick & Dave!!! I can only echo your sentiments and thank the Rally Committee for a job well done!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR on Monday, October 07, 2013 - 09:55 am:

I don't remember his name, but the chap in the black baseball cap with the Centennial patch and lots of pins on it rode with me for a few days when he was here in the US. He was traveling around the States and enjoying as many Model T events as he could. He was here in Fayetteville for our Ark. Tin Lizzies Spring Tour in '12. It was a lot of fun having him along, and we had some good Model T discussions. It's good to see him here in the pics.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR on Monday, October 07, 2013 - 10:23 am:

It seems that his first name is Neil.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dare - Just a little South West . on Monday, October 07, 2013 - 04:06 pm:

-Neil Bagot from Victoria Australia


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dare - Just a little South West . on Monday, October 07, 2013 - 04:57 pm:

-Neil Bagot from Victoria Australia

As we all know the cars are just part of the hobby we love, the people are the other part.

more pics.....





















Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dare - Just a little South West . on Monday, October 07, 2013 - 05:08 pm:

OK this is the last from me ...





Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Tuesday, October 08, 2013 - 12:31 am:

So many nice, nice, cars! I still love those "Southern" variations.
Thank you all for sharing your photos!
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Horlick in Penn Valley, CA on Tuesday, October 08, 2013 - 01:46 am:



These photos are great. They look just like any large tour here in California with a little queesy twist...



There, the queesy feeling is gone!

In my RHD T I run with the edge of the road close on my right shoulder, as it should be!


TH


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dare - Just a little South West . on Tuesday, October 08, 2013 - 02:45 am:

HA HA HA that was very funny.
You have made my left hook now a right hand drive .... yeah! thanks.

OK - my 13 runabout is a left hand drive car driving on the wrong side of the road by an American, all we need now is for that pic to be turned upside down.....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dare - Just a little South West . on Tuesday, October 08, 2013 - 02:54 am:



Joss Sanderson AZ with my 10 year old son Mathew. No broken cars at my home this week..


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Terry Horlick in Penn Valley, CA on Friday, October 11, 2013 - 11:44 am:

Here you go, mate!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Aldrich Orting Wa on Friday, October 11, 2013 - 12:02 pm:

What a terrific run that must have been!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob McDonald-Federal Way, Wa. on Friday, October 11, 2013 - 01:02 pm:

Do you have seat belts to keep you in your cars down there. GRIN.

Bob

PS. Great pictures.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dare - Just a little South West . on Saturday, October 12, 2013 - 02:36 am:

Terry, l've got a headache from looking at that pic.....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dare - Just a little South West . on Saturday, October 12, 2013 - 02:37 am:

If l knew my way around a pic adjuster a whole lot better, l'd have moved the cars about 4 feet off the ground......


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Chantrell - Adelaide, Australia on Sunday, October 13, 2013 - 06:21 am:

On the Tuesday it was very cold, single digit celcius temperature that morning in the Barossa Valley, gusts of 80km/hr winds and very cold. But it was a lovely crisp morning. Here is a photo of my wife Michele "enjoying" Ford motoring in the back of a lovley 1913 tourer on the National Rally at its best! I explained it would be warmer with the hood down; she did not share my sentiments...


I will sign off with a photo of the 1910 Ford that won Best Veteran (pre-1919 manufacture) and People's Choice Awards. This car named "George" was on his first ever run or rally from Western Australia. Alan & Julie Long trailered "George" approximately 2,800 kms (or 1750 miles) one way to be part of our rally. The 1910 of the Long's was a worthy winner. He is superb.


Now to plan for the next national in 2016!!!


Posting is currently disabled in this topic. Contact your discussion moderator for more information.
Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration