Well, we found out today, as Dame Zara had her boot filled with barbeque picnic supplies and we headed off for the exotic meeting place of Doncaster Shoppingtown carpark - just where you want to be a 9.45 on a sunny late-summer Sunday morning.
A party of close to a dozen Daimlers - mostly V8 saloons, but with one SP250 'Dart' sports car and two pre-Jag takeover 50s Conquest saloons added for variety - set off at 10 am for a gentle run through Melbourne's leafy outer northern suburbs and thence past Eltham, Diamond Creek and Hurstbridge as the houses thinned and we headed into hilly country on the way to Kinglake.
A bracing, upper-arm boosting climb followed, as I wrangled Dame Zara's 1500 or so kilos around many a hairpin bend as we climbed the range.
As we hit the top (the suicidal motorbike riders had gone off to terrorise other motorists) and swooshed through the sleepy little town of Kinglake, we were rewarded with a wonderful view over the thickly wooded hills before we zoomed down the far side - Dame Zara's brakes were well-tested as the convoy hurtled to a stop and took the near 180-degree turn-off to the reservoir.
With an attentive kookuburra looking on, anxious to pounce on any leftovers, we engaged in the great Aussie tradition of burning sausages, falling off camp chairs and, errr, perusing the spare parts catalogue of the NZ Daimler Club. Phwoar, rubbery bits!
Despite Toorourrong being one of Australia's premier platypus conservation sites, none of the mad little critters were to be seen today, despite Daimler Club stalwart Tony Dixon helpfully calling out 'puss, puss!' at every opportunity.
Oh, I must add that an investment of a whole $7.99 on a new 4lb radiator cap seems to have cured Dame Zara's embarrassing little problem with losing coolant (after pouring about $40 worth of the stuff onto the garage floor and various other surfaces over the past month ...).
In other quick fixes, nudging the idle speed up a hair has worked wonders - no stalling at the lights and even the 'clunk' of the auto is less (not gone, but better!). A rather hasty go with the caulking gun on the back window yesterday wasn't so successful - it'll keep the rain out, but it's a rather messy job.
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2 comments:
(bugger!) I posted you a reply, then accidentally deleted it when I went to edit it!
Hi Brendan,
You can find details about the DLCV here: http://www.fletcherservices.com.au/fs_011.htm.
Well worth joining the club - there are at least 15 V8 saloons I've come across so far, and a fair few SP250s and Majestic Majors, so plenty of advice and help.
Club president Michael Pringle is also the V8 registrar - he drives an immaculate black 250 with wire wheels. mpringle@tpgi.com.au, 0418-311-422.
The Daimler national rally is on at Bendigo at Easter - maybe come for a day and meet up?
There is an early ('63/'64) 2 1/2 in a shed in Ballarat - I made enquiries about it but never went to look at it. It might be worth saving or perhaps only good for parts. I can dig out their details if you like.
Had a quick look at your photos - looks like a big job!
cheers, Tim (Dame Zara's guardian, chauffeur and amatuer mechanic)
dame_zara@optusnet.com.au
Hi Brendan,
Below is the email the seller sent me when I enquired about the shed-dwelling Daimler last year. Even though it was advertised as '1961' the engine number given is clearly in the 1964 range (chk on www.jdht.com). The car is red (brighter, lighter red than my car's Regency Red) with a tan interior. From the photos it looked in reasonably sound shape but it hadn't been running for many years.
It might be easier if you email me directly at dame_zara@optusnet.com.au - the comments to the blog don't seem to get forwarded to me via email.
'Hi Tim. There is a small amount of bubbles on the doors on drivers side, i cannot get down left hand side of car as it is to close to shed there is also some evidence of possible rust starting in the sills. The window seals appear to be in good condition, although the chrome strip on rear window isnot seated properly around seal. the age of the car I took off the rego label which says it is a 1961. The car is not running at the moment but it was before it was retired due to my father being provided with a company car, we think it may be the starter motor that needs replacing and good engine go over but cannot be sure. i would be happy to answer anything else you wish to know via email or phone 0353342184'
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