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Ian and Kaye's run - Aston Martin Owners Club Victoria

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AREA REPRESENTATIVE<br />

& PRESIDENT<br />

SECRETARY TREASURER &<br />

MEMBERSHIP<br />

SECRETARY<br />

EVENTS<br />

CO-ORDINATOR<br />

EDITOR<br />

RUNNING AMOC<br />

Neil Boothroyd Richard Counsel Jason Vochala Tony Smith Chris Shilton<br />

39 Camelot Drive,<br />

Glen Waverly, Vic.<br />

3150<br />

Phone: 03 9887 7820<br />

AH<br />

Email:<br />

neil.boothroyd@daimler.com<br />

21Georges Ave,<br />

Templestowe, Vic. 3106<br />

4th Floor, 124<br />

Exhibition Street,<br />

Melbourne, Vic. 3000<br />

Phone: 03 9846 4085 AH Phone: 03 9654 6670<br />

BH<br />

Email:<br />

Email:<br />

vk3ylz@bigpond.net.au javochala@bigpond.co<br />

m<br />

Volume 10, Number 8 Winter 2011<br />

CONTENTS<br />

PO Box 317,<br />

Camberwell, Vic. 3124<br />

Phone: 03 9819 1015<br />

AH<br />

Email:<br />

akns007@yahoo.com.au<br />

PO Box 37,<br />

Coldstream. Vic.<br />

3770<br />

Phone: 0428 378 938<br />

BH / AH<br />

Email:<br />

cshilton@genesis.net.au<br />

Diary of events Page 2<br />

Editorial comment Page 3<br />

Pres says Page 4<br />

Yea Races. St Patrick’s race meeting 2011 Page 5 - 7<br />

<strong>Aston</strong>s at the British <strong>and</strong> European car show Page 8<br />

<strong>Ian</strong> <strong>and</strong> Kay’s <strong>run</strong> Page 9<br />

The 2010, 24 th Australian AMOC National Rally, Sth Australia Page 10<br />

<strong>Aston</strong>s at the F1 GP Page 11<br />

Mark Robinson's yellow DB4 at Philip Isl<strong>and</strong> historics Page 11 & 12<br />

Men who lack adult supervision Page 12 – 14<br />

AMOC ‘John Wyer Tribute’ at Hotel de France Page 14 - 17<br />

Laughs per minute Page 18<br />

For sale / Wanted Page 19 - 20<br />

Parting shot Page 20 - 22<br />

Published Quarterly by The <strong>Aston</strong> <strong>Martin</strong> <strong>Owners</strong> <strong>Club</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Register Incorporated,PO Box 37, Coldstream,<br />

Vic. 3770. Contributors Please Note Inclusions for next edition should be emailed to the Editor by the second<br />

Monday of the month (March, June, September <strong>and</strong> December) to the email address cshilton@genesis.net.au to<br />

ensure publication. Articles preferred in MS Word, or text format. The articles & views published in Running<br />

AMOC are of the authors & are not those necessarily of the Editor or Committee of <strong>Aston</strong> <strong>Martin</strong> <strong>Owners</strong> <strong>Club</strong>.<br />

Permission to reproduce any of the contents of this magazine should be sought through the Editor as a courtesy to<br />

the authors <strong>and</strong> artists.<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 1


Tuesday 5th July AMOC Vic Register AGM<br />

To be held at Brookl<strong>and</strong>s Classic Cars, 100 Talinga Rd Cheltenham.<br />

Start time: 6.30 pm.<br />

Tuesday 2nd<br />

August<br />

Sunday 7th<br />

August<br />

Sunday 4th<br />

September<br />

Tuesday 6th<br />

September<br />

Sunday 25th<br />

September<br />

Tuesday 4th<br />

October<br />

Sunday 9th<br />

October<br />

Friday 21st<br />

October - Sunday<br />

23rd October<br />

Tuesday 8th<br />

November<br />

Sunday 27th<br />

November<br />

Tuesday 6th<br />

December<br />

DIARY OF EVENTS<br />

Monthly Meeting<br />

Dinner Meeting. Venue- "The Bistro Function Room" at The Emerald<br />

Hotel. 415 Clarendon Street , Sth Melb. 6.30 pm.<br />

Mike <strong>and</strong> Maree’s Run<br />

Contact Mike Bindon on 0408 036 915 for further details.<br />

Tony <strong>and</strong> Heather’s Run<br />

Contact Tony Smith on 03 9819 1015 for further details.<br />

Monthly Meeting<br />

Dinner Meeting. Venue- "The Bistro Function Room" at The Emerald<br />

Hotel. 415 Clarendon Street , Sth Melb. 6.30 pm.<br />

Bay to Birdwood Classic Rally. Adelaide, SA<br />

If interested contact Richard Counsel for details. 03 9846 4085.<br />

www.baytobirdwood.com.au/the_classic.html<br />

Monthly Meeting<br />

Dinner Meeting. Venue- "The Bistro Function Room" at The Emerald<br />

Hotel. 415 Clarendon Street , Sth Melb. 6.30 pm.<br />

Jason <strong>and</strong> B<strong>run</strong>a’s Run<br />

Contact Jason Vochala on 0419 132 423 for further details.<br />

"A Stately Affair"<br />

Tour organised jointly by the Vic <strong>and</strong> SA clubs. Touring Mt Gambier <strong>and</strong><br />

Western <strong>Victoria</strong>. Contact Neil Boothroyd on 03 9887 7820 for further<br />

details.<br />

Monthly Meeting<br />

Dinner Meeting. Venue- "The Bistro Function Room" at The Emerald<br />

Hotel. 415 Clarendon Street , Sth Melb. 6.30 pm.<br />

AMOC Vic Reg Annual <strong>Club</strong> Concours<br />

Venue: Rippon Lea Estate. 192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick.<br />

Monthly Meeting<br />

Dinner Meeting. Venue- "The Bistro Function Room" at The Emerald<br />

Hotel. 415 Clarendon Street , Sth Melb. 6.30 pm.<br />

For further information please contact :<br />

The Area Representative <strong>and</strong> President : Neil Boothroyd on 03 9887 7820<br />

Email The President AMOC <strong>Victoria</strong> on neil.boothroyd@daimler.com<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 2


EDITORIAL<br />

COMMENT<br />

Well its almost AGM time again. Apart from the chores of office to dissolve the<br />

outgoing committee, then elect new office bearers, I do hope that you can all attend,<br />

as this is a great social event at a great venue. Paul <strong>and</strong> Gabby have again generously<br />

provided their business premises for this event, <strong>and</strong> I am sure that all of the<br />

membership would join me in thanking them for this opportunity to avail our selves of<br />

their generous hospitality. The added bonus is that they have some great cars to drool<br />

over <strong>and</strong> all of them are for sale!<br />

I do hope you find this edition too your liking, it is once again packed full of articles<br />

provided by members relating to various local <strong>Aston</strong> related events, <strong>and</strong> some that I<br />

have sourced from the internet. As editor it is always a great challenge to accrue<br />

enough material to make an edition worthwhile <strong>and</strong> to meet the anticipated time lines.<br />

The struggle continues to get enough content for your club magazine, (particularly<br />

technical articles). I am acutely aware that the quality of our club is down to the<br />

contribution of members, <strong>and</strong> I endeavour to do my bit in producing a magazine of<br />

quality within cost constraints. Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to<br />

ask the membership if they would like to contribute an article or two for future<br />

editions.<br />

I look forward to seeing you at the AGM, take care <strong>and</strong> remember, use your <strong>Aston</strong><br />

whenever you can (weather permitting), that’s what they are for.<br />

Cheers,<br />

Chris.<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 3


PRES SAYS<br />

Welcome to our July edition of Running AMOC.<br />

Whilst we are now in winter hibernation we have enjoyed a busy year to date with the<br />

usual set of RACV organized outings, including the Great Australian Rally down to<br />

Mornington <strong>and</strong> the Australia day display in the Botanical Gardens. Our attendance at<br />

the British <strong>and</strong> European car show at Flemington was down a bit this year but I’m told<br />

it went very well.<br />

Frank <strong>and</strong> Yolaine organized an exciting day for us at the Yea races, the fog on the<br />

drive up was a bit of a challenge but we ended up with 10 AM’s ( I think we out<br />

numbered the horses).<br />

The Phillip Isl<strong>and</strong> Classic lived up to its usual enjoyable day. We had a couple of<br />

surprise additions including a contingent from NSW, Liz <strong>and</strong> Geoff joined us by the<br />

track <strong>and</strong> Mark Robinson was on it racing his DB4.<br />

In May <strong>Ian</strong> <strong>and</strong> Kaye organized a <strong>run</strong> through the D<strong>and</strong>enongs. We had a very<br />

enjoyable day with 26 people <strong>and</strong> 12 <strong>Aston</strong>s in attendance. It was great to have such a<br />

large turn out with plenty of old faces <strong>and</strong> it was a pleasure to meet Graeme <strong>and</strong> Julie<br />

Jane for the first time driving their beautiful V8 Vantage.<br />

Not sure if the mag will be out before our AGM but if it is, Paul Sabine has been kind<br />

enough to let us use his premises again.<br />

So don’t forget,<br />

Tuesday 5 th of July at,<br />

Brookl<strong>and</strong>s Classic Cars<br />

100 Talinga Road<br />

Cheltenham.<br />

Pizzas will be ordered for 7pm.<br />

All Committee positions will be vacated so if you would like to have a go, don’t be<br />

shy!<br />

A couple of things to mark in the Diary<br />

In conjunction with our South Australia friends we have organized a weekend trip<br />

over to Mount Gambier <strong>and</strong> the Western District. Called ‘A Stately Affair’ <strong>and</strong><br />

planned for October 21 st -23 rd , we will travel over Friday afternoon with an overnight<br />

stay at The Barn in Mt Gambier, drive to Penny <strong>and</strong> Andy Frazer’s for lunch on<br />

Saturday, late afternoon on to Port Fairy to stay overnight at Seacombe house.<br />

I will send further information shortly.<br />

After our previous attempts at a fine day have failed we are determined to enjoy our<br />

Concours at Rippon Lea in the sunshine. We have locked in Sunday 27 th November.<br />

Once again we have booked the West Ver<strong>and</strong>a for our picnic <strong>and</strong> either the West<br />

Lawn or the Main Lawn ( if we can con the head gardener) for our Concour.<br />

Mark it in your diary <strong>and</strong> pray to the weather gods!<br />

That about wraps it up from me, See you at the AGM or the Pub,<br />

Cheers, Neil.<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 4


Yea Races. St Patrick’s race meeting 2011<br />

Words by Richard Counsel Pictures by Bronwyn Ballantyne<br />

Attendees:-<br />

Andrew <strong>and</strong> Lauren Eason DB9<br />

Frank Miles <strong>and</strong> Yolaine Dygue AMV8<br />

Richard Counsel <strong>and</strong> Bronwyn Ballantyne AMV8<br />

<strong>Ian</strong> <strong>and</strong> Kaye Morrison DB7V12 Volante<br />

Neil <strong>and</strong> Sally Boothroyd DBS Vantage<br />

David <strong>and</strong> Pat Calver DB6<br />

Barry <strong>and</strong> Madeline Watchorn DB6<br />

Peter <strong>and</strong> Anne Saglietti DB6<br />

Phil Mitchell Some German thing (Porsche)<br />

A rather wet, cool morning greeted us as we looked out the window. Do we, or don’t<br />

we. We’re tough, we can brave the conditions, with me adding, the weather is always<br />

better on the other side of the Great Dividing Range. Oh well… let’s do it! At least<br />

there weren’t any cyclonic winds. I’m really glad I didn’t wash the car, just a rough<br />

wipe over. Car packed, <strong>and</strong> off to the Eltham railway station meeting point in<br />

preparedness of a 0930hrs departure. It wasn’t long before we started to receive text<br />

messages from people who weren’t quite so brave. Eventually 9 cars turned up to<br />

support the efforts of Frank <strong>and</strong> Yolaine, our hosts. We waited for one last car, but by<br />

1000hrs, it hadn’t shown, so off we went creating a line of cars down the main street.<br />

Our route notes showed we were to travel along our normal path out though St<br />

Andrews, up the “windy bits” to Kinglake West, through to the Melba Highway, with<br />

a small detour along Break O Day road into the back of Yea Township.<br />

The trip up the “windy bits” became quite exciting, with the fog closing in <strong>and</strong><br />

visibility getting down to about 6 meters over the top at Kinglake. Evidence of the<br />

Black Saturday bushfires were still very visible. I hadn’t travelled this road since. A<br />

very slow <strong>run</strong> indeed, not traveling any faster than 60KMH, <strong>and</strong> mostly at 30KMH. It<br />

was like a “White out” in the snow….only grey!<br />

Once we reached the Melba Highway, the fog cleared. A short squirt to the<br />

Flowerdale turn off, then some fun along Break O’Day road <strong>and</strong> into Yea. A slight<br />

glitch in my MS Windows based navigation aid, AKA Bronwyn, saw me miss the<br />

turn off, as did <strong>Ian</strong> <strong>and</strong> Kaye, so I decided to stay on the highway <strong>and</strong> follow <strong>Ian</strong> in<br />

the distance. Not long <strong>and</strong> we were at Yea <strong>and</strong> the race course. As we knew where<br />

to go, I set up camp as per instruction. It was only 5 to 10 minutes before the others<br />

arrived. Although a little overcast, it was dry <strong>and</strong> mild. The course was in excellent<br />

condition. Tables were set up <strong>and</strong> plenty of food was on h<strong>and</strong>. As expected, Frank<br />

being in his natural habitat, was made our tipster. During the day, this didn’t work out<br />

too well! There is nothing quite like the atmosphere at a country race meeting, with<br />

local stalls <strong>and</strong> produce. The ladies at the local church hall committee stall were doing<br />

well selling home made cakes <strong>and</strong> sweets to make some money for their roof<br />

restoration. There were 7 races on the day, with club members having varying<br />

success in the betting ring. There was supposed to be an aerial acrobatics display, but<br />

the authorities wouldn’t let the plane depart due to conditions back in Melbourne.<br />

Most cars had left by 1600hrs <strong>and</strong> with the assistance of Peter, Anne <strong>and</strong> Phil, we to<br />

packed up camp <strong>and</strong> departed at 1630hrs. The trip home took us straight back to<br />

Melbourne via the Melba Highway.<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 5


After a somewhat interesting start <strong>and</strong> trip to Yea, I think we finally ended up with a<br />

great outing. Thanks to Frank <strong>and</strong> Yolaine for again organizing what has become their<br />

signature club <strong>run</strong>.<br />

Looks rather wet<br />

Almost IFR (Instrument Flight Rules!)<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 6


Café <strong>Aston</strong><br />

Some flashy horsepower, this side of the rail!<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 7


<strong>Aston</strong>s at the British <strong>and</strong> European car show (Flemington<br />

Racecourse)<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 8


<strong>Ian</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Kaye's</strong> <strong>run</strong><br />

What a cheery bunch! A great <strong>run</strong> <strong>and</strong> time had by all. Article to follow (as author of<br />

article currently overseas! That’s her on the left waving! Ed<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 9


The 2010, 24 th Australian AMOC National Rally, South Australia<br />

Article by Lucia Capodanno (accompanying Jason <strong>and</strong> B<strong>run</strong>a)<br />

This was a very well thought out <strong>and</strong> enjoyable trip. Everything was perfectly<br />

planned <strong>and</strong> organised. On the way to South Australia, I had to overcome my evergrowing,<br />

excitement <strong>and</strong> many curious questions were bouncing around in my head.<br />

However I managed to keep occupied with a three hundred page book <strong>and</strong> a piece of<br />

technology to help me breathe in <strong>and</strong> out (also known as the IPOD).<br />

Day 1: Horsham Olde Inn – 30 th September<br />

Everyone arrived in one piece, except for a particular case of a pair of slippers,<br />

melting at the back of an overheated DBS. In the evening we all headed out to the<br />

Inn’s restaurant where the meals <strong>and</strong> deserts were very good if a bit long to serve –<br />

Wait! We are missing a chicken parma, oh no! It’s OK, here it comes.<br />

Day 2: Novotel – 1 st October<br />

Friday was a pretty relaxed day, we arrived <strong>and</strong> checked in at the Novotel Barossa<br />

Valley Resort. There was a welcoming cocktail party at 6:30pm, we then snacked at<br />

Henry’s restaurant.<br />

Day 3: Concours – 2 nd October<br />

This is the big day! The concours at Peter Lehmann Wines, Tanunda!<br />

The l<strong>and</strong>scape was lines of big tall Red Gum trees, hectares of lush green lawns <strong>and</strong><br />

exotic Australian birds. Although I thoroughly cleaned the wheels of Jason’s <strong>Aston</strong>,<br />

it’s not my fault we didn’t win! But good work to the people who did.<br />

In the evening, we attended the “James Bond” black tie dinner/gala. Everyone was<br />

very nicely dressed for this fine dinner. There was a live b<strong>and</strong> playing, a couple of<br />

courses of dishes <strong>and</strong> endless apperetives. After all the talking, dancing <strong>and</strong> eating,<br />

we went back to the hotel at 1am in private coaches.<br />

Day 4: Mallala Track – 3 rd October<br />

Throughout this weekend, it was nice <strong>and</strong> warm. However today it was a bit chilly,<br />

with a light breeze. This was the perfect place to take your car for a <strong>run</strong>. Thankfully<br />

none of the cars had broken down. The rest of the day was pretty simple <strong>and</strong> you<br />

could just do your own thing. We went to Adelaide to visit the city.<br />

The presentation Dinner was on that evening, <strong>and</strong> by the looks of it very important.<br />

The winners were announced <strong>and</strong> presented with their trophies.<br />

Congratulations to all who won a trophy.<br />

Day 5: Last Day – 4 th October<br />

For some of you the trip was going to continue, but for me this is where it ended.<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 10


<strong>Aston</strong>s at the F1 GP<br />

<strong>Aston</strong>s on display in the Shannons section of the Australian Formula One Gr<strong>and</strong> Prix<br />

Mark Robinson's yellow DB4 at Philip Isl<strong>and</strong> historics<br />

Nice <strong>Aston</strong>s !<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 11


Warming up for the serious track work ahead<br />

Men who lack adult supervision<br />

Has anybody noticed the quad bike in the next room, I guess that’s for climbing over<br />

the couches! Ed<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 12


RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 13


Thanks to Lorne Cole for these ones. Ed<br />

23/06/2011<br />

AMOC ‘John Wyer Tribute’ at the famous Hotel de<br />

France, 10 June 2011<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 14


As the champagne flowed during lunch in La Chartre-sur-le-Loir, so did<br />

the stories of the legendary team manager John Wyer. Known as<br />

‘Death Ray’ (for his famous glare), the formidable Englishman guided<br />

works teams from <strong>Aston</strong> <strong>Martin</strong>, Ford <strong>and</strong> Porsche to extraordinary<br />

success over a 21-year period until his semi-retirement at the end of<br />

1971.<br />

The Hotel de France, a 50-minute drive from the Le Mans circuit, was discovered<br />

by Wyer in early 1953 <strong>and</strong> became his team’s base for the 24-hour race for as<br />

long as he remained actively involved in motor racing. During that period, the cars<br />

would be tended in the courtyard, <strong>and</strong> driven to <strong>and</strong> from the circuit on the public<br />

road for practice <strong>and</strong> race.<br />

Incredibly, this practice was maintained up to <strong>and</strong> including the 1970 event when<br />

the orange-suited Gulf mechanics drove the three Stuttgart-owned, blue <strong>and</strong><br />

orange Porsche 917s to the circuit on the road for the very last time.<br />

So it was appropriate that the <strong>Aston</strong> <strong>Martin</strong> <strong>Owners</strong> <strong>Club</strong> (AMOC), under David<br />

Wright’s painstaking (I’m sure Wyer would have approved) direction, chose the<br />

Hotel de France on the Friday before the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours to celebrate the life of<br />

John Wyer, 40 years having passed since he relinquished day-to-day <strong>run</strong>ning of<br />

the team to John Horsman. Several personalities who knew Wyer, <strong>and</strong> had<br />

suffered his notorious never-suffer-fools-gladly, 'Death Ray' temper were present.<br />

Sir Stirling Moss on fine form Derek Bell, Master of Ceremonies Michael Salmon, Salmone to John<br />

Wyer<br />

Five-times Le Mans winner Derek Bell, who first drove for Wyer in 1971, was<br />

Master of Ceremonies <strong>and</strong>, first-up, introduced a now recently retired Sir Stirling Moss.<br />

Moss was the star driver of the <strong>Aston</strong> team on <strong>and</strong> off in the late-Fifties <strong>and</strong><br />

recounted the story of the 1959 Nürburgring 1000km.<br />

“I never thought I’d hear myself say it,” the great man told the appreciative<br />

audience assembled after lunch, “but in 1959 I offered to cover the costs of a<br />

DBR1 to be entered at the 'Ring, should we not win.”<br />

He was as good as his word, though, winning one of his greatest races, <strong>and</strong> then<br />

going on to break the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa opposition at Le Mans just a few<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 15


weeks later, which enabled Salvadori/Shelby to earn the British company’s first<br />

<strong>and</strong> only victory.<br />

Veteran privateer Michael Salmon (always called ‘Salmone’ in the Italian style, for<br />

some reason, by Wyer) recalled his experiences of <strong>run</strong>ning DB4 GT Zagato ’22<br />

XKX’. Having decided that a Ferrari 250 GT SWB was becoming “too common”,<br />

Jaguar stalwart Salmon had purchased a Zagato with the intention of <strong>run</strong>ning it in<br />

the new GT Championship.<br />

David Wright makes the<br />

presentation to Sylvia Pasteau<br />

<strong>Aston</strong>s in the square in front of the<br />

hotel<br />

Harley Cluxton: fond memories of<br />

Wyer<br />

He soon came to the conclusion that the new car was deficient in the going,<br />

stopping <strong>and</strong> cornering departments. Salmone took the issue up with Wyer, now<br />

the company’s General Manager, who offered to let his race mechanics “have a<br />

look at it”. The result was an altogether different car, which enabled the talented<br />

Englishman to finish fourth overall at Spa, right in ‘SWB country’. All for the sum<br />

of £280.<br />

Could this figure be correct, he asked? “We are never wrong,” came the reply from<br />

the laconic Wyer, black hair Brylcreemed <strong>and</strong> parted with millimetre precision,<br />

wreathed in cigar smoke <strong>and</strong> sitting behind an imposing desk, calmly stating that<br />

“this IS <strong>Aston</strong> <strong>Martin</strong>...”<br />

In later years, Wyer was to <strong>run</strong> Ford Advanced Vehicles, <strong>and</strong> then the Gulfsponsored<br />

JW Automotive GT40, Mirage <strong>and</strong> works-supported Porsche 917 teams.<br />

As a young driver, Derek Bell had to watch his step but, despite destroying the<br />

unloved Mirage-Weslake V12 in a testing accident at Silverstone right in front of<br />

JW (“I saw it all, Bell” – before calmly driving off in his Shelby Mustang), soon<br />

became a lynchpin of the team, driving the 917s in 1971, the Mirage DFVs in<br />

1972-73 <strong>and</strong> winning Le Mans with Jacky Ickx in the Gulf GR8 in 1975.<br />

This, strictly speaking, was outside Wyer’s time as active head of the team, but<br />

such was his respect for Wyer that Harley Cluxton, who’d purchased the Gulf GR8<br />

programme in March 1976, was present at La Chartre to give his reminiscences of<br />

the man, most often a passionate, informed spectator in the pit garage.<br />

Journalist Simon Taylor explained the terror of approaching Wyer as a cub reporter<br />

for Autosport in the late 60s, while JW Automotive parts supremo, Maitl<strong>and</strong> Cook,<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 16


told of the perils of asking for a pay rise: “I wish you all the very best in your new<br />

position, Cook...” – outside the company, that is.<br />

In all, it was a wonderful event with some side-splitting <strong>and</strong> sometimes<br />

unrepeatable (such as why the amorously inclined Peter Gethin was passed over in<br />

favour of Derek Bell) anecdotes enjoyed by a capacity audience which included<br />

David Richards, Chairman <strong>and</strong> chief executive of Prodrive <strong>and</strong> current Chairman,<br />

<strong>Aston</strong> <strong>Martin</strong>, <strong>and</strong> many stalwarts of Le Mans <strong>and</strong> the AMOC such as Brian<br />

Joscelyne.<br />

The meeting concluded with a presentation to Sylvia Pasteau (daughter-in-law of<br />

Noel Pasteau who ran the hotel in Wyer’s day) of a picture of the hotel with a<br />

Wyer-era DBR <strong>Aston</strong> parked in front. This generous donation was made possible<br />

by long-serving member of the AMOC David Holl<strong>and</strong>.<br />

By way of symmetry, in the courtyard of the Hotel de France that afternoon sat<br />

<strong>Aston</strong> <strong>Martin</strong> DBR1/2, the actual car which had won the 1959 Le Mans 24 Hours.<br />

And mid-afternoon, once proceedings had broken up, there was only one way the<br />

almond green car was going to return to the circuit for the next day’s Le Mans<br />

Legend historic race: on the public road, of course.<br />

Text: Steve Wakefield<br />

Courtesy of Classic Driver Magazine<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 17


The Power of the Truth<br />

A distinguished young woman on a flight from Switzerl<strong>and</strong> asked the Priest sitting<br />

beside her, “Father, may I ask a favour?”<br />

“Of course. What may I do for you?”<br />

“Well, I bought an expensive woman’s electronic hair dryer for my mother’s birthday<br />

that is unopened <strong>and</strong> well over the customs limits, <strong>and</strong> I’m afraid they’ll confiscate it.<br />

Is there any way you could carry it through Customs for me? Under your robes<br />

perhaps?”<br />

I would love to help you dear, but I must warn you I will not lie.”<br />

With your honest face, Father, no one will question you.”<br />

When they got to Customs, she let the priest go ahead of her.<br />

The official asked, “Father, do you have anything to declare?”<br />

“From the top of my head down to my waist, I have nothing to declare.”<br />

The official thought this answer strange, so asked, “And what do you have to declare<br />

from your waist to the floor?”<br />

“I have a marvellous instrument designed to be used on a woman, but which is to date<br />

unused.”<br />

Roaring with laughter, the official said, “Go ahead, Father. Next!”<br />

A Lawyer Joke<br />

LAUGHS PER MINUTE<br />

ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?<br />

WITNESS: No.<br />

ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?<br />

WITNESS: No.<br />

ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?<br />

WITNESS: No.<br />

ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the<br />

autopsy?<br />

WITNESS: No.<br />

ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?<br />

WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.<br />

ATTORNEY: But could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?<br />

WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive <strong>and</strong> practicing law.<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 18


Racing with David Brown <strong>Aston</strong> <strong>Martin</strong>s by Chris Nixon. Volumes One & Two<br />

(Vol 1 with John Wyer) The definitive history of the 13 years of the <strong>Aston</strong> <strong>Martin</strong><br />

factory racing programme Throughout the 50's. Published by Transport Bookman Ltd<br />

1980. 1st Edition. Both books are in excellent, if not mint condition. Tight spines <strong>and</strong><br />

bindings, no foxing, no clipped or marked pages <strong>and</strong> no bumped corners. Both books<br />

have matching excellent condition dust jackets. Dust jackets are wrapped in library<br />

quality clear pvc wrappers with paper backing. $800.00 for the set. Books are in<br />

Kew, <strong>Victoria</strong> <strong>and</strong> pick up is most welcome.<br />

Contact: Nigel Watson ph; 0425 850 909.<br />

FOR SALE<br />

Bonhams at the Goodwood Festival, 1 July 2011<br />

This special-bodied – by Carrozzeria Bertone – LHD 1954 <strong>Aston</strong> <strong>Martin</strong> DB2/4 Drophead<br />

Coupé (£500,000 - 700,000) is interesting, <strong>and</strong> comes from the era of the post-War, North<br />

American super-rich indulging themselves with imported performance cars. As one of a <strong>run</strong><br />

of eight cars commissioned by Bertone board member, the American industrialist Stanley<br />

Harold 'Wacky' Arnolt, the car had been shown at Pebble Beach in 1955 (taking home a 3rd<br />

place trophy in Class C, 2-seater sports cars $4500-10,000) by its first owner, Mrs Edith C<br />

Field. This car is currently included in the forthcoming Auction.<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 19


1961 <strong>Aston</strong> <strong>Martin</strong> DB4 Vantage Convertible<br />

To be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RMs Salon Prive event, June 23, 2011 Chassis<br />

No. 1068L Estimate: £250,000 - £320,000 240 bhp, 3,670 cc DOHC inline sixcylinder<br />

Vantage engine, triple SU carburettors, four-speed manual gearbox with<br />

overdrive, independent front suspension with upper <strong>and</strong> lower control arms, coil<br />

springs <strong>and</strong> anti-roll bar, live rear axle with trailing links, coil springs <strong>and</strong> Watt<br />

linkage, <strong>and</strong> hydraulic four-wheel disc brakes. Chassis 1068L<br />

The 1961 DB4 Vantage Convertible offered here, chassis 1068L, carries fascinating<br />

celebrity provenance, having been ordered new by none other than the legendary<br />

actor, playwright <strong>and</strong> diplomat Sir Peter Ustinov. It was delivered to him at<br />

Switzerl<strong>and</strong>’s Montreux Palace Hotel on 27th July 1962 <strong>and</strong> registered 911 CGT. As<br />

the DB4 was intended for use on the Continent, Mr. Ustinov specified the car with<br />

left-h<strong>and</strong> drive <strong>and</strong> the uprated Special Series (more commonly known as the<br />

Vantage) engine. Originally delivered in Desert White with red Connolly hides, the<br />

DB4 was also equipped with such desirable items as chrome wire wheels <strong>and</strong><br />

overdrive. Copies of the <strong>Aston</strong> <strong>Martin</strong> build sheet confirm that 1068L returned to the<br />

works for servicing three times between 1962 <strong>and</strong> 1968. In September 1979, it was<br />

noted that the exterior of 1068L had been refinished in Royal Claret, <strong>and</strong> it remains in<br />

this colour today. After Mr. Ustinov, the next owner was Major R.L. Peel, followed<br />

by David Fyle Jamison. The current owner purchased 1068L in 1984 from the famed<br />

racing driver David Piper in the UK, <strong>and</strong> following acquisition he drove it from the<br />

UK to Switzerl<strong>and</strong>, where it joined a private collection. Prior to the collection of the<br />

car, David Piper had the car serviced, fitted a new hood <strong>and</strong> re-trimmed the interior.<br />

The current owner informs us that driving the car to Switzerl<strong>and</strong> was a very<br />

memorable experience <strong>and</strong> that the car, although not fully restored, performed<br />

beautifully. Since then, 1068L has seen very little use. However, it starts promptly<br />

<strong>and</strong> does not smoke even when cold. While the current owner advised that it will<br />

benefit from sympathetic recommissioning prior to road use, 1068L nonetheless<br />

remains an exceedingly rare example in left-h<strong>and</strong> drive Vantage form with celebrity<br />

provenance to boot.<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 20


Parting Shot<br />

A selection of DB4 Convertables<br />

RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 21


RUNNING AMOC Winter 2011 22

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