The Beauford Magazine
The Beauford Club
‘Autumn’ 2013 Issue 96 1
THE BEAUFORD CLUB MAGAZINE
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Committee Members POSITION
NAME
ADDRESS
Chairman
Dennis Murphy
Dennisandmaureen72@gmail.com
TELEPHONE
Vagrant
Treasurer
Neal Huitson
14 The Meadows, Sedgefield TS21 2DH nealhuitson@hotmail.com
01740 620147
Secretary & Membership Secretary
Liz Ovenden
17 Brooklime Drive, Boughton Vale, Rugby, Warwickshire CV23 0SF liz.ovenden@beaufordclub.org.uk
01788-547033
Member
Keith Woolfenden
Oak Tree House, Green Lane, Pamber Green, Hampshire RG26 6AD
01256-851406
Member
Chris Rudge
11 Honeybourne Road, Alveley, Nr. Bridgenorth, Shropshire WV15 6PR
01746-781529
Member
Michael Crozier
63 Laurel Grove, Tunstall, Sunderland SR2 9EE michael@jonhmichaelcrozier.fsnet.co.uk
0191-522-8410
Member
Bill Buckley
18 Kelsey Lane Balsall Common, Coventry CV7 7GL
01676-534877
Editor
Paul Hicks
Rosehill, Kellow, Looe, Cornwall PL13 1LE beauford.editor@btopenworld.com
01503 262069
Tony Ovenden 17 Brooklime Drive, Boughton Vale, Rugby, Warwickshire CV23 0SF
01788-547033
Webmaster
Beauford Cars Ltd.
David Young
beaufordcarsuk@aol.com
07794 452034
Please Note: The inclusion of material in, or distributed with, this magazine does not imply the endorsement or recommendation of that material. Members are advised to evaluate for themselves the suitability of material for their own purposes. Please mention the Beauford Club Magazine when replying to adverts. 4
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The Chairman’s Page Dennis
Those of you who really read the magazine will have noticed that your chairman no longer has a postal address or phone number. This does not mean we are homeless, but is because we are in the throes of moving house. We decided earlier this year that any plans to immigrate to Australia to be closer to our two younger sons had been scuppered by the rising cost of living in Australia combined with the fall in the value of the pound. So the idea was to sell our house in Maidstone and buy a smaller, and more to the point cheaper, place near the south coast so as to have some money available for flights to visit them more often. We accepted an offer on our house in June and found a place we liked by July but here we are in the middle of November still without a moving date. This is mainly down to the fact that there are six people in the chain and the original people at the bottom dropped out and a new buyer, and a new mortgage, had to be found. It’s rather more worrying than it might otherwise be as we are booked to fly out on the 10th December to spend Christmas with the boys in Melbourne. This means that at the time of writing this we’ve got just on three weeks to get everything settled! The estate agent we are buying from has been very helpful and keeps
saying we should hear something next week. There have been quite a few next weeks so far, though. The house we are buying has a garage, but there’s no shed or anywhere else for all the ‘stuff’ that accumulates after 27 years at the same address, so I phoned round some car storage people looking for somewhere to keep the Beauford for a few weeks. Some places were already full for the winter, some were only interested in long term storage but offered to ‘exercise’ your car, taking it for a drive every couple of weeks to avoid flat spots on the tyres and to get the oil and water up to temperature before returning it to the comfort of its own air conditioned, dehumidified space. All part of the service and all at a very reasonable price of course. In the end I found a caravan storage firm not far from where we are moving to who will keep the Beauford while we are away. It will be in a compound in the open air but I’ll wrap it up well and it should be fine until we get back in the New Year and can get the new house organised. It’s going to be a bit of a rush to get exchange and completion before we go but fingers crossed it’ll all work out OK. We’ve had a lot of days out as well as some longer holidays away in the Beauford this year, including a trip to visit some friends in France. We drove 5
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down to Portsmouth on one of the hottest days of the year, but that was the end of the good weather for the week and we had rain and mist for much of the time we were there. The car ran well although it’s a very long way from St Malo down to where they live near Bordeaux. If we did it again I would definitely have an overnight stop to break the journey.
On the ferry we found ourselves in with a group of a dozen or more Rolls Royces and Bentleys from the enthusiasts club who were having a trip to Benodet. Isn’t it a nice thought though, to know that you belong to an even more exclusive organisation like ours? I’d like to wish you all best wishes for Christmas and happy motoring in the New Year.
2014 Events • • •
May 4th & 5th June 14th & 15th July 14th & 15th
Stoneleigh Newark Powderham (Exeter)
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From the Editor Welcome to our Autumn Edition. Hasn’t time flown by and what a wonderful summer we have had. Our wedding car season has just about come to an end and holidays beckon. I think that I once mentioned that I am not ‘wet weather certified’ and shy away from winter weddings, especially being close to Dartmoor. Our Beaufords are now stored away in their nice warm garages and we are considering what work we can do on them during the winter months. During the summer, as I mentioned, we had an issue with one of the gearboxes. It started with a slight knocking which I was certain was a big end bearing. I have had an old 260Z engine in the garage for a long time so I thought that this would be the ‘alert’ to get on and restore it - just in case. Well I did a full rebuild - rebore, new pistons, crank polished and an uprated camshaft. I even polished the ports and head. What a wonderful looking piece of engineering it now is. But back to the story. I was at a wedding and the gearbox started rumbling except when the clutch was pressed. Now that is a classic sign of a gearbox bearing on the way out. As I mentioned in the last edition, I changed the gearbox with an old 160J SSS box that I had and off we went - It is so much better matched to a 240/Laurel engine than the original. Not being keen on gearbox work, I took the box along to St Austell Transmissions. When they took it apart, they found that the main input bearing shell had disintegrated and a number of the bearings had ‘escaped’. “You’re lucky that it didn’t do a lot of damage” they told me. “We’re surprised that you didn’t hear it with the bearings having
come out like they have - it would have been a knocking sound - a bit like a big end bearing”. Wallah! a nice shiny engine and no need to change it. So back to what to do this winter. The 160J gearbox does occasionally jump out of 2nd gear and I have changed the detent springs so its not that. So I may just put the repaired gearbox back in the Beauford. However, if I do, I think that I will try the nice shiny 260z engine. Beware of the acceleration brides! So just word to the wise - don’t rush to the conclusion that a slight bottom end noise from your L series Nissan engine is going to be ‘big ends’. But back to important matters. Many thanks to our contributors this month Ian Johnson for the lovely cover picture taken at Lincoln cathedral. Hamish Freeman seems to have solved the vexing issue of vapor locks during hot weather and Colin Ingley has started his diary of a Beauford Project. I am sure that Colin’s diary will bring memories flooding back. We now need a winter/christmas picture for the winter edition so get the camera clicking or look out those treasured pictures from times gone by and send them to me. Keep the articles coming! It just needs me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. 7
OVENDEN’S OFFERING Liz As this edition of the magazine is the Autumn edition, thought I ought to start writing now as according to the weather forecast for the next week or longer it seems that winter may be upon us. Our Beauford has not been out a great deal over the last few months because as I am currently waiting to have my left knee replaced I do have problems getting in and out of it as my knee will not bend. It was ok in the summer with the top down because that meant I could just step into the car and sit down, but unfortunately it’s a bit cold now to have the top down! Was supposed to go into hospital and have it done on the 28th October but fate stepped in. First of all I hurt my right foot and could not put my weight on it for a couple of weeks (this meant in effect that I did not have a leg to stand on!) and then a day after I was supposed to have the operation, I had an abscess in my tooth which is not good news when you are having a joint replaced, so I guess it was not meant to be then. At the moment I am scheduled to have it done early January. Meanwhile we are still getting new members joining the Club and even some old ones coming back to us
which is good news and our total of members is higher than it has been for a while. I pulled out all the stops in contacting members about renewing t h e i r subscriptions as I know how busy some of you are and sometimes it’s so easy to think “I’ll do that tomorrow” and then forget. I did try to contact most members by email but after ringing the outstanding ones I came to realise that emails are at the mercy of hosting companies – I know our hosting company periodically has a dispute with other hosting companies, the latest being btinternet.com, whereby any emails sent to anyone with that address were not being delivered. They seem to have settled it now but it’s a real pain when you don’t realise that this is happening. At the end of the day I only had one member from last year who did not rejoin. I did have high hopes and had phoned him on several occasions to remind and was always told that he would sort it tomorrow. Oh well, I think I did well to just have one. Did anyone see the first episode of Strictly Come Dancing? There was a Beauford on it registration number UUY 413V (had to rewind several times to get the number). I am sure I remember this registration from 8
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somewhere but do not have it on my records, so if it was one of yours, do let me know. Subscriptions As mentioned above, I only had one member who did not renew this year and believe it or not, the next magazine (not this one) will include a subscription form for the year 2014/15 – don’t forget that you can pay by using the bank to bank credit transfer system (BACS), should you wish to do so. “Beauford” scrolls I was recently asked by a member if I had any Beauford scrolls as David had run out and apparently the company they came from would only do orders for 100 at a time, which was silly as they would not want that many. Anyway, I spoke to a contact I have and he said he thought he could get some made. Tony removed our scroll from the back box and we sent it off to him. Two weeks later I received 12 polished stainless steel scrolls and am very pleased with them as they are slightly sturdier than the others and should not crack. The cost of these is £20 each which includes postage and packing so if you would like one then either send a cheque or pay via BACS (and email or phone call please) and I’ll get it off to you. Security In our Beauford we have a tracking device which we purchased from RBS. This device works with a standard sim card. You place the sim in the small device and then hide it somewhere in the car. At any time
you can dial the number, which then rings twice, cuts off and then texts you back with the exact longitude/latitude location of where the car is (hopefully in our garage). This was working extremely well until O2 (our sim provider) together with Vodafone, Orange/EE etc decided that if you have a sim card which does not make a voice call at least once every six months then you obviously don’t want it and they will then take for themselves any credit you have on it and also cut off the number and give it to someone else. We tried explaining what the sim was being used for and how it was not easily accessible but to no avail – we were just told that we had to take the sim out of the car and use it for a voice call every six months. The fact that there was £20 credit on it made no difference, they have just taken that as theirs together with the number – we were not best pleased. Anyway, all was not lost as Tesco (and I believe Asda as well) do their own phones and currently their sim cards (price 99p) can have a credit on them forever and a day and will not be “removed” after a year plus provided the sim makes a text call at least once in every six months then all will be ok. We have now diary marked to ring the car at least once a month. Details of this tracker system it can be found at www.rbspropertymarking.co.uk). The latest version of this will also tell you where your car has been as well as where it currently is at any one time. The tracker also comes with a microchip (they originally made microchips for pets) which can be hidden in your car for identification purposes. 9
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Shows - 2014 Stoneleigh – 4 th and 5 th May. Although it’s still a bit early to confirm actual dates for Stoneleigh next year I am 99% certain that as this is the bank holiday week-end it will be the correct date. Details of AGM times will probably be in the next edition. Imperial War Museum, Duxford, 28th July 2014. The Club has been invited to attend this show and I have received the following from the organisers. You might be especially interested in our Spitifire, Merlins and Motors Day on the 28th July 2014. There is a strong vintage feel to the day which I feel would suit perfectly your car club. Peterborough Classic and Vintage Show, 13th and 14th September. One of our members, Paula Thacker MBE and former Mayor of Peterborough has managed to persuade the Council to put on a show in Peterborough on the Embankment in the centre of the City. There will be Cars, motorcycles, engines, Commercials, tractors, Horticultural, Ex Military, vintage caravans, live music, refreshments, funfair, arts and crafts etc. and I do hope that we can get a few Beaufords there as well. This is the first show they have put on and entry will be free to the public. Am quite looking forward to this one! Although I don’t have dates yet, there will also be the Powderham Rally near Exeter which this year was held on the 13th and 14th July – this is the show which was right in the middle of our really hot spell of weather and
where Tony and I did not quite make it! Newark – again I don’t have the dates yet but I suspect it may well be the 14th and 15th June. Stoneleigh
Since writing about Stoneleigh earlier, I have now heard from the show organisers who confirm that the dates are definitely the Sunday and Monday 4th and 5th May. I have also now booked our AGM for Sunday 4th at 3.00 p.m. Please let me know if you have anything you would like to discuss at the meeting. Beauford Cars In case you are one of the many members who has received an email purporting to come from David at Beaufords, having spoken to David I can confirm that he is not stuck in the Philippines, he has not lost his wallet and he does not want to borrow £2,550 to get back to the UK! On a more serious note David has told me that he has been quite busy lately, having sent out quite a few brochures on the cars together with spare parts etc. He has heard that there have been occasions when people have been unable to contact him and hecannot understand why, as he has a dedicated mobile phone for Beauford and if he is unable to answer it, it does go to message service. The number is 07794 452034 so please leave a message if you would like him to ring you. 10
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A Rolling Road Block Dennis
We saw something quite amusing the other day. We turned onto the main road behind a road works lorry, a van with a trailer carrying temporary lights and a couple of cars. As we went along we could see that the traffic lights in the trailer were switched on. The cars between us
and the trailer gradually went their own ways and we were behind the trailer. Not only were the lights still on, they were still w o r k i n g , running through the sequence. I assume they were LED b a t t e r y operated rather than been left with a generator running.
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Fitting a Tow Hitch Socket VOSA/IVA compliant by Hamish Freeman
Having ordered the tow bar variant of the rear end with the kit, I finally got round to fi8ng the hitch this year but baulked at where to fit the sockets. Fi8ng below the hitch would certainly lead to their swi= removal by the road when traversing some of the potholes in our vicinity whilst either side of hitch would not be allowed in lieu of the proximity of the number plate and more significantly to the detriment of tow bar strength. To put this in perspecBve, I was probably the first “home build” to go through IVA and certainly the first to be t e s t e d a t S o u t h a m p t o n , w h e r e I experienced what can politely be described as “an increased level of cauBon” due to so many unknown factors,
which in turn led to frequent referrals back to VOSA headquarters. Amongst many other things, I was instructed to forget the Beauford site for the number plate and to fit it in the plain of the bumpers in order to achieve the required visibility at the angles now required. Having looked at the rear end for some Bme, the thought struck me that why not use the original number plate site as a place to fit the sockets, the extra cable length requirements being insignificant. Having thus done, it is something that others who have had to move their rear number plates to pass IVA might like to consider. Access to plug in the two cables is adequate without injury to hand or arm. 12
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Fuel System Modifications to Eliminate Vapour-lock by
Hamish Freeman In 2011 we suffered the indignity of having to return home after Stoneleigh on top of a rescue truck due to fuel starvation, even with two pumps in line. Despite intensive testing, I couldn’t find a fault with any one component nor were there any air leaks into the system. My
candidate. After a lot of head scratching I decided that the problem had to be vapour locking and the only place where this could occur was in the filters.
external swirl pot had its own air-bleed back to the tank thus was an unlikely
main filter before the fuel rail was horizontal, as per Ford Sierra 2.0 litre
The one thing that had bugged me from the onset of fuel starvation was that the
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GT installation, and thus had no automatic tendency to self-bleed but relied on vibration to persuade the fuel to fill the pot. This was the first thing to be moved and is now mounted
The large filter was probably the main culprit but by this time I had invested in a professionally made 1.0 l external s w i r l p o t f r o m S t a ff o r d Ve h i c l e Components together with competition
vertically on the ! front scuttle. When a clear plastic pipe was temporarily put in line it was noted that this filter now self-bleeds perfectly and very quickly due to the high level of recirculation fuel flow in order to maintain 2-2.5 bar in the fuel rail with a large capacity high pressure pump. Tests have shown that even on some of the hottest days this year it did not get hot under the bonnet, being on the far side from the exhaust.
low pressure and high pressure pumps from Car Builder Solutions for the fuel supply as well as two high flow clear plastic filters that would enable me to check for any air or vapour accumulation. On the basis that a picture is worth a thousand words the following sketch and photos show the revised circuit: Since fitting the above we have not (yet!) experienced any further fuel starvation problems.
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Colin’s Beauford Project Imagine my surprise when the Editor invited me to share my Beauford Building experiences with other readers of our Club Magazine. My journal was intended to a personal record about my building a Beauford kit car that I could look back on from time to time and not a literary masterpiece. So please bear with me if I ramble a bit.
holiday with a friend. We did about a thousand miles in that week no troubles, other than the lack of space for luggage! My second, was a Westfield SEi around 1991. It was all very different then, just had to finish the kit and get it registered! Now, of course, we have to contend with IVA!
I learned about car repairs from my father, who wouldn't take his car to a Our Dutton on our honeymoon garage unless there was absolutely no Hopefully you will be able to follow my alternative. He was basically self taught, journey from the first motor bikes and beginning. then converting his knowledge to four First, some wheels. If a special background. This will tool was needed he be my third project would go to the shed, over the years. My rummage through his first was a Dutton box of junk and adapt Phaeton around 1978. something that would I can remember work. getting it registered and insured, on the I can remember Monday, finishing it on needing to replace Westfield SEi with our two Mini's the Monday evening the bearing on the and taking it out for a axle of my Ford test drive about 9.30pm, then driving down Cortina, the Haynes manual said we need to Tenby, South Wales next day for a a hub puller a press and various other My record really is from begining to end of the project and will spread over a couple of issues.
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‘gizmos’. Dad thought about it for a bit then bolted an old wheel to the axle and, using lump hammers on both sides, we managed to drive the half shaft out of the axle. Its amazing what you can do with a 'Brummagem screwdriver'. The bearing we used the same principle, using a chisel and extension for a socket set tapping at the same time from both sides we removed the bearing. Putting the new one on was a reversal of the process except using the old bearing on top of the new ones so as not to damage it we we hit it. Sadly, Dad died in 2008 and I so missed his input to the project - telling me “no, not that way - like this”. So, having built two kit cars p r e v i o u s l y, t h e Dutton Phaeton over 30 years ago and the Westfield SEi, just over 20 years ago, I wanted
something a bit easier to get in and out of. I looked around and thought about it for a while because I wanted a car that would seat more than two in a little comfort with classic styling. I decided on the Beauford because I could also supplement the running of it and also make a little money by using it as a wedding car. I went to see David and the guys at the factory in Stoke-onTrent and had a chat them - they were very friendly and helpful. So the decision was made! What have I let myself in for? Anyway, I suppose the project officially started when my bid was successful for the donor car, 27th March 2011. I'm not counting the searching and failed bids of the previous two months. From this point forward my ‘ramblings’ are in the form of a diary - blow by blow.
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I don't have a trailer and Beauford said they could deliver it when it is ready (for a small charge). It's coming Saturday 18th June!
The kit has arrived! • But wait a minute -
I’ve got the back axle, front beam, engine and gearbox in the garage. I decide to put the kit on the drive until I can fit them.
• At least the chassis
and body tub, all the other bits and pieces go in, eventually!
• Although I've got axle
stands and ramps (and bricks) at the ready, Paul offers to leave the castor wheels to allow me to move it around. As there were still some bits missing, windscreen, coil over shocks, hood, bonnet sides, fuel sender, wing piping and headlamp rims, it partially makes up for it.
And So - It Begins
• My next challenge is to
prepare the parts for the kit build. I start by stripping down the back axle and checking it out. I clean all the loose rust off the swing arms, brake shield etc. and give it a couple of coats of black hammerite. The wheel bearings appear to be sound, but I do need to replace the rubber boots on the
halfshafts and the front top mounting bushes. The brakes are ok, but will clean and paint the calipers with red Hammerite and replace the seals and fit new brake pads. The flexible pipes are new and the metal pipes are sound but I will replace them with new copper. I bought a flaring tool off Ebay to make my own, fortunately I had used one before because there were no instructions with it! The shock absorbers are passable, but I will replace them a n y w a y. I t a l l looks pretty good. I Just need to hang it on the kit The kit having arrived on the Saturday was duly stored.
• I start on the
Monday by having a good look at it and trying to work out which bit goes where.
• Anyway, I have decided not to adopt my
usual approach of procrastination as it would not help and as the back axle is 18
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cluttering the garage I have fitted it. It’s taken me six hours to fit the bump stops and three to fit the axle assembly, it all seems to have gone together relatively easily.
• My next decision is
to look at it sensibly. Although I've made a start and can at least walk around my garage, the chassis needs painting before I really go any further.
• I have bribed my wife
and she has agreed to help. She has started at one end and me the other. A tin of black Hammerite each and we are managing to paint all the accessible surface of chassis.
• The next day, I have
jacked the the front of the kit up and using my ramps, on end (don't try this at home children), supported the chassis at a workable height and we are painting the areas we had missed or couldn't get to.
• As I will be going
underneath, I have braced the chassis with battens of wood for addition support.
• While it’s up in the air, I I will take the
opportunity to put the engine and gearbox in place under the car. The
engine and gear box has been sitting in garage since removing from the donor car. I have made a little trolley for the engine and dismantled the beam, stub axles anti-roll bar and brakes for cleaning and painting.
• At this point I
don't intend doing anything with the engine so I have cleaned it down, and wheeled it between the ramp having removed the battens of wood. The manual suggests this as a method of installing the engine or at least lifting the chassis over the engine, but they construct it from 3mm gauge box section now and its not lift-able, at least not by me! Anyway it worked.
• The engine is now under the car on home made trolley
• I have spent the last hour lowering it down by stages, until I could install the engine mounts and secure to the car. I've still got the gear box mounts to drill
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and secure, but I think that I will leave that for another day.
• I started to pack up, then thought I might as well put the front beam in place and got carried away.
• The engine is in place and the front suspension fitted (loosely). Time for tea!
• I have already cleaned, prepared, painted and part assembled the front wishbone and stub axles so I will put them on next.
its own four wheels. I will need to tighten the bolts but I'm pleased with the days work!
• I'm feel that I am making progress. • The next step is to tighten most of the
front suspension bolts. The anti-roll bar concerns me slightly because the bolts that came with the kit are slightly smaller than the ones that came off the donor car so I will use the original bolts with new nyloc nuts and large washers.
• The instructions for
• I’ve just wasted 30
fitting the front beam said to use the original bolts but the thread did not extend far enough to tighten them properly. So I’m off on a trip to Scewfix so that I can replace them with suitable bolts.
minutes searching for one of the cup washers for the anti-roll bar, for some reason I hadn't put it with the rest. I am fitting new brake discs (the old ones were badly corroded) and am fitting the refurbished and painted calipers.
• I am determined to
get the brakes completed, so have ordered a brake flaring tool and copper brake pipe from Ebay.
• The tie rod ends
are sound, but when I took them apart the split pins were completely corroded and disintegrated, so after I And so removed the castle nut there was no hole to fit new ones. I thought about drilling them out, but for the sake of £20 I think that it is wiser to replace with new.
• The coil over shocks were not delivered
with the kit - they had not been delivered to the factory. So I’ve cut two lengths of wood, about 13" long, drilled them for the bolts and the car is now standing on
to bed!
• The flaring tool has
arrived but does not have any instructions with it. Fortunately I've used one before or it could have been potentially dangerous or waste of money! So here we are, well into the build and I’m happy with progress so far. In the next edition, I will continue with the build but for now, I need to sleep! 20
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The National Association of Wedding Car Professionals (NAWCP) was originally set up to counter the proposal by the Law Commission (but not exclusively) to require all wedding cars to have full local authority private hire licences. Now that the Law Commission seems to have accepted the convincing and clearly overwhelming arguments put forward by the NAWCP and others in the industry, including the Beauford Club, in the various responses to their Consultation Paper. The retraction of the clause shows the benefit of proper collective representation by the NAWCP. We believe it would now be to the advantage of us all to establish the NAWCP as a properly constituted organisation that will be recognised nationally and will add value to our businesses by providing a full and professional service to the wedding car industry. Consequently, we plan in the near future to put forward to the membership a Constitution for the NAWCP on which all members will be able to vote. The Constitution will embrace the following future aims of the NAWCP: The future aims of the NAWCP are: ■ To become government stakeholders to ensure we are consulted in advance on any future proposals that will affect our industry. ■ To promote membership of the NAWCP to the general public as the gold standard for the wedding car industry. ■ To produce and promote a set of professional standards that members will happily work to, thus giving the public peace of mind and security when booking wedding cars. ■ To keep all members updated on any known proposals either technical or legal that may impact their businesses. ■ To provide where possible legal opinion on existing subjects effecting the operation of our industry, such as the carriage of minors, the disabled and the illegal use of wedding cars for other work. ■ To assist those members new to the industry with help and advice on setting up a sound professional wedding car business. ■ We will always happily listen to any approach from associated companies who wish to offer benefits to our members and we will actively seek such approaches. .. The above are not exclusive and the NAWCP will always listen to suggestions from the membership and the general public alike as to how we can improve our service.
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The Europe wide Road Worthiness Test by
David The draft European wide MOT proposals have come under serious scrutiny in recent times. One of the most onerous suggestions was to outlaw the modification of classic and vintage cars. This would mean that replacing an engine with a later one or modifying the existing one would mean failure. The same would apply to all the major mechanical parts such as gearbox, axles and the body itself. We have several members who have had to make serious changes and many others contemplating a major change. One member who has several vintage Rolls Royce Phantoms with the V12 engine – one of the most expensive engines to have to rebuild, anything up to £50,000 – has replaced them with later Rolls Royce V8 engines together with their gearboxes. This would mean an instant failure despite the fact that the change would keep some really beautiful cars safely on the road. One really stupid proposed rule is that if the car was originally fitted with cross ply tyres then you can’t fit radials. So many sizes of cross plys are no longer available meaning you have to fit radials. There is also the proposal that more modern cars must have European type approval to be able to pass the test. Again possible huge problems for the replica and kit car industry. Many of our members are running Beauford’s, Bramwith’s, Imperials and other similar makes which almost certainly do not have the correct European Type Approval. So what happens to them, will they just become so much scrap?
GOOD NEWS The government have been fighting Europe on behalf of all classic and vintage car owners, have an assurance that these rules will not apply to UK registered Historic Vehicles. MOT testers will be still able to use their own judgement as to the fitting of non standard parts such as radial tyres and flashing indicators etc etc, provided these modifications are safe and working correctly. At a meeting of EU representatives with the UK’s Minister of State for Transport Stephen Hammond MP it was agreed in principle that the proposal may well be downgraded from a Regulation to a Directive which means the UK will be able to cherry pick parts of the directive that suits our automotive environment. So far there is no word as to any changes to the non historic vehicles rules. Consequently we are not at this point able to give such good news to our kit and replica owners. We believe the UK is one of the largest manufacturers of these types of vehicles in the world outside of the USA so we suspect the government will also be fighting on your behalf. Having said that if the Regulation is downgraded to a directive the current status quo should be maintained. The changes to the proposals are not as yet ratified so we can’t be 100% certain that the EU will accept them but common sense says that they should. So it seems sensible to lobby our MEPs on this specific issue. If the European wide Roadworthiness Test does come in as originally proposed (very doubtful) it is hardly likely to happen before 2020 22
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A=er Quasimodo's death, the bishop of the Cathedral of Notre Dame Sent word through the streets of Paris that a new bell ringer was needed. The bishop decided that he would conduct the interviews personally and went up into the belfry to begin the screening process. A=er observing several applicants demonstrate their skills, he decided to call it a day. But just then, an armless man approached him and announced that he was there to apply for the bell ringer's job. The bishop was incredulous. 'But you have no arms !' 'No maSer,' said the man. 'Observe !' And he began striking the bells with his face, producing a beauBful melody on the carillon. The bishop listened in Astonishment; convinced he had finally found a replacement for Quasimodo. But suddenly, as he rushed forward to strike the bell, the armless man tripped and plunged headlong out of the belfry window to his death In the street below. The stunned bishop rushed down two hundred and ninety five church Steps. When he reached the street, a crowd had gathered around the Fallen figure, drawn by the beauBful music they had heard only a moment before. As they silently parted to let the bishop through, one of them asked, 'Bishop, who was this man ?'. 'I don't know his name,' the bishop sadly replied
' BUT HIS FACE RINGS A BELL' 23
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WAIT! WAIT! There's more The following day, despite the sadness that weighed heavily on his heart due to the unfortunate death of the armless campanologist, the Bishop conBnued his interviews for the bell ringer of Notre Dame. The first man to approach him said, 'Your Excellency, I am the brother of the poor armless wretch that fell to his death from this very belfry yesterday. I pray that you honour his life by allowing me to replace him in this duty.' The bishop agreed to give the man an audiBon, and, as the armless man's brother stooped to pick up a mallet to strike the first bell. He groaned, clutched at his chest, twirled around, and died on the spot. Two monks, hearing the bishop's cries of grief at this second tragedy, rushed up the stairs to his side. 'What has happened ? Who is this man ?' the first monk asked Breathlessly. 'I don't know his name,' sighed the distraught bishop, 'but...' (. . . Wait for it ....)
(.. . . It's worth it... ....)
'HE'S A DEAD RINGER FOR HIS BROTHER'
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THE BEAUFORD CLUB MAGAZINE
Chip n Trace by
Stan RBS Ltd 15 The Downage, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 7NB 01474 350 883 Modern cars are becoming more difficult to steal and with extensive structured ID numbering systems for the individual parts it much easier for the police and trading standards to link stolen components back to the original vehicle crime. However this year two of Britain’s biggest police forces, The Met and Manchester, have admitted that they screen out up to 60% of crimes because after initial review they are considered as unsolvable. Budget restrictions means the police have to ensure that every penny spent is seen to be effective and if they cannot track where a stolen vehicle has been taken or the owner cannot provide ID that will stand up in court of items that have been taken then clearly these are crimes that the police are most likely to put on the unsolvable list. Austerity and poor performance of traditional investments has put up the values of the TR their lack of modern security has made them a target for thieves. As a potential victim we can all do something about this and it need not be expensive. Autumn is often the time TR enthusiasts plan to take a car off the road for some winter fettling or work in the garage on a project. The car will have its battery removed so any alarms or trackers will not be working but you can fit ID tags to the important component and help deter theft.
CHIPnTRACE needs no power source and works all the time. 1. Holographic anti-tamper ID tags. These are easy to fix with a self-adhesive backing which has a two-layer glue. The second layer will leave a permanent message 2. RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification microchips. Simply drill a small hole, insert the chip and cover over with paint. Or superglue in place. These microchips conform to the International S t a n d a r d ISO11784/5 are the only ID markings that are backed by EU legislation. 3. Warning signs for doors and windows 4. You can register all the ID marks including manufacturers’ serial numbers and a photograph on your own secure account at The National Mobile Property Register. This is approved by The Home Office for police use and is FREE RBS has a special offer to the members of the Beauford Owners Club. Their Normal Price is £29 but for Club Members it is just
£19 (inc vat and pp) This provides CHIPnTRAC Security tracking without annual fees and GPS/GSM self-monitoring tracker.
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THE BEAUFORD CLUB MAGAZINE The system has a rechargeable internal battery (spare included) that will provide power for up to 7 days.
of your monthly free text message allowance for the tracker.
A voltage converter is included to allow connection to either 6volt or 12 volt systems (positive or negative earth) and will power the tracker and charge its internal battery. A 150Ah 12volt battery will last up to 4 months in alert mode and over 1 year in sleep mode.
Included with all their security products is their recovery service.
When the GPS signal is weak the tracker uses the mobile phone signal, if available, for an approximate location Controlled by your mobile phone. The vehicle’s position is simply a phone call away and you receive back a text message with the grid co-ordinates to give the police for intercepting the vehicle. If you have a web-enabled smart phone you can see the location on Google maps.
CLUB RECOVERY
They promise that they won’t leave you on your own if the vehicle is stolen. You can contact RBS and they will, with your authorisation, help monitor the tracker and liase with the police. There are no fees for this service. They also arrange for the recovery and secure storage of the vehicle, although this may involve payment of your insurance police excess. Normal price £149 Beauford OwnersClub is ’ £99 (inc vat and pp)
Using you phone you can set alerts which the tracker will monitor.
Normal prices are as advertised in ‘Practical Classics’. If you are interested, why not visit the RBS website for more details.
Shock - Movement – Speed – Stockade
w w w . r b s propertymarking.co.uk
We also include component marking from CHIPnTRACE with 4 Holographic anti-tamper ID tags and a RFID microchip So what else do you need? Just a SIM card to fit in the tracker. This can be a PAYG card and with text message at just 8p – 10p each time you use it - the running cost is unlikely to be more than £5 a year.
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RBS have set up an automatic discount with orders form Club members. Go to the website, scroll down to SPECIAL CLUBS and click on Beauford then enter the password
Beaum8 We would all be very interested if you have any experience using these devices. Just drop the editor a line and share your experiences.
Or, if you have a contract mobile ask your provider for a second SIM card (different phone number) and then you can use part 26
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More Vexed Questions for our Wedding Car Industry by David Q. Can minors be carried without seat belts in my pre 1965 wedding car (if no approved seat belts are fitted)? A. Yes. Provided that no minor under the age of thirteen is carried in the front seat of the car and no child under the age of three is carried anywhere in the car. If you do carry them and have an accident the driver will be 100% liable even if the minor’s parent volunteers to take them on their lap. Remember in law it is the responsibility of the driver to confirm the ages of the children. Q. Can minors under the age of sixteen be carried on their own? A. Yes but it is not advisable. The driver could be leaving him/herself open to some very nasty and unwanted accusations. The NAWCP highly recommends that minors are always accompanied by a responsible adult known to the minors. Without the adult present the driver would have extreme difficulty refuting any accusations. Q. Can disabled persons be carried? A. Yes. Provided the passenger feels competent to get into the car with some assistance from the driver or other person. Remember the seat belt law still applies and disabled passengers must wear any seat belt provided, unless they c a n p r o d u c e a c u r r e n t d o c t o r ’s certificate of ‘Seat Belt Exemption’. Q. Do I have to carry a disabled passenger’s wheel chair?
A. You are not legally required to do so, but morally, if you have the space then please do. When making a decision you must be fair and must not be seen to be discriminating. The way things are going it may well be that all licensed (i.e. Private Hire) vehicles will in the future be forced to carry wheel chairs. This would only apply to our members who go down the Private Hire licensing route. At present each local licensing authority has their own rules. Q. How many passengers can I carry? A. Check your Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C). Section S1 should give the number of seats including the driver. If it does not then you need to check back with historic records to see what the manufacturer originally stipulated. (The best place to try is the library at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in Hampshire and/or the library at the Heritage Motor Centre at Gaydon in Warwickshire; if your cars are not British contact the NAWCP, they may well be able to help). If you overload your wedding car you could be open to prosecution. Just because they are small passengers (minors) don’t think you can get away with it, each passenger must legally have a full seat. If you have an accident with an overloaded car the consequences could be dire. Your insurance company could repudiate your insurance cover. 27
Regalia A little something for the weekend sir? or even that difficult Christmas present? Please have a look at our current regalia. All prices include postage and packing apart from the chrome on brass car badge which due to the increase in postal charges I now have to charge an extra £1
Top row: Our new club version of the Beauford scroll which is in polished stainless steel which makes it more durable. Price £20 Middle row (left to right): Chrome on brass car badge often used where the bars between the headlamps join Price £20 + £1 postage (total £21) Chrome and blue car badge (suitable for badge bar) Price £16 Sew/iron on fabric badge for jackets/sweaters/T-shirts etc Price £1.50 Bottom row (left to right): Old style key ring Price £2.50 Key ring new type Price £4.50 Lapel/Tie/Cap pin Price £2.50
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And Finally
The Explanation of "Coincidence" A chicken farmer from Suffolk went to the local bar . He sat next to a woman and ordered champagne. The woman said: "How strange, I also just ordered a glass of champagne." "What a coincidence" - said the farmer, who added: "It is a special day for me .... I am celebrating..." "It is a special day for me too ... I am also celebrating!" - said the woman. "What a coincidence" - said the farmer. While they toasted, the farmer asked: "What are you celebrating?" "My husband and I have been trying to have a child for years, and today, my gynaecologist told me that I was pregnant!" "What a coincidence!" - said the farmer - "I am a chicken farmer and for years, all my hens were infertile, but now they are all set to lay fertilised eggs." "This is awesome!" - said the woman. "What did you do for your chickens to become fertile?" "I used a different cock" - he said. The woman smiled and said:
What a coincidence! 29
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The Classic Beauford Insurance Run for enthusiasts by enthusiasts since 1965
Beauford Club member discounts Agreed value with free certificate for classic Beauford vehicles Wedding hire cover available Option to retain salvage Up to 90 days European cover UK & European breakdown cover available Family Fleet multi car policies also available if you own 3 or more cars
Call us now on
0845 373 4777
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www.heritage-quote.co.uk
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