Well dudes, I guess one of us has to kick of the wrap up of last saturdays cruise. Needless to say the memory of it has lived on into the week, and still buzzing from the experience. And to all who couldn't make it, you were truly missed. But those who did turn up were 4 hardcore hombres. Chris and his Deluxe, PA-Man as his copilot, fearless Dave and his GTR and yours truly in my GT.

Gathering early on a foggy knoll called Thalassas park, there was much exchanging of Bellettness which turned into a mini mechanics session for last minute checks and adjustments. Then it was off, down through the Southern Vales. Three mad mice on wheels cutting up the hills of the Fleurieu, buffeting strong winds at times, moments of sunshine, but mostly weather akin to Mt. Fuji on a drizzly, misty late Japanese autumn day, adding authenticity to the experiance.

3 Belletts rumbled into the destination, Goolwa Motor Museum, only for the owner to rush out the door in amazement of some patina he had not seen for many years. We ere welcomed into the foyer, which resembled a historic shrine of motoring and racing memorabilia. This dude had amazing pedegree and was keen to spin historic yarns of his itimate family connections to past local and national racing experiences. Then we were ushered into the main hanger which sports about 35 of the most unusual and rare vehicles through the ages as he has aquired them.

A quick lunch in the main street of Goolwa, and back into the saddle for another frenetically paced Bellettorama up the lower end of South Rd. At one point Oz and Josh parted into the fog, Dave and I peeling off to lob into Angove's cellar door. Well, surprise for Paul when these 2 GT's rocked up.. . He hosted us to some fine wine tastings and warm company. Congrats Paul, you have mastered a fine establishment,

A quick cheerio, and 2 GT's were at it again, like a pair of wild hounds howling through Kangarilla, back to Dave's cave.

I finally got home to the other side of town, a bit pooped, but totally high off the day.

p.s. forgot my camera but Dave and Oz were wielding their high tech units anyway. So expect some ripper pics.

B.

Yep, that is a lot of words with no photos. Will be an extra bellett joining you all if it happens again next year. Come on Oz and Dave give us some photos.

all the talent and the extreme photographic endowement has not helped one bit when it comes to uploading via a pathetic wireless connection supplied by work and Vodafail!!!

and my tardiness in posting was not improved by being at onether Bellett.net members garage last night as we stripped the GT motor he has for rebuild.

will get them up tonight on my home ADSL.

OZ

here they are

and a few more

more

and more

and last but not least

Thanks for the pics oz, and again sorry i couldnt make it.

Well, the quantity may have been low, but the quality was through the roof! Fatty Finnis' museum doesn't look to bad either...remember when he had an S600 stuck up on the roof at Collectable Classics? I tried to talk him out of it god knows how many times. Wonder if it is the same car? The Opel Olympia was for sale at Kevin Fields' Vintage Auto Parts for a million years, and I reckon that orange Lloyd Hartnett used to be Sir Eric Rainsford's original factory pink one too

Great story and photos guys - thanks for sharing.

Did anyone notice the 2CV with Northern Territory plates - I have seen that driving around before up here.

Looked like a great day and well written - it almost felt like I was there.

Cheers
Neil

Just freakin' awesome, OZ ! No words needed.

Next time Flibbbbles. Rosters can be a pain

B.

Hey people!

Sorry it's taken so long to get back on here; I've been knocked around with something this week... and have been having many early nights!

Lame excuse!

Yeah it was a good cruise despite the weather; Mike "Fatty" Finnes' museum is pretty good despite all the boring Jaguars.

Bruno and I had just done the rack rubbers in the GTR the day before, so it was good to take it for a shakedown and see how she steered! Might need shocks too; my head hit the roof when I went over an undulation on a train line at speed... but other than that, she was good!

My photos were pretty similar to Chris's so I won't both re-posting a bunch of stuff from almost the exact same angle, but here are a few shots of cars Chris hasn't covered in his post.

Cheers,

Dave

Hey Claws,

Although nothing is official, we try to do a couple of cruises per year, plus of course the Bay to Birdwood on the odd years (even years is for vintage & veteran cars) and also the All Japan Day, which is a static show.

Given that so many of us are SMASA members for club rego purposes, I'm wondering if we should put some Belletts on the grass at the next SMASA Show and Shine! I think it's in February, so we've got plenty of time to think about it.

Cheers,

Dave

some great shots there, Dave.

good to see other people focus on different things. the museum is worth another trip. Maybe March or April 2013

Bakery was a great choice for lunch inspite of the shower and the wind.

The Bellett sedan managed to out corner both GT's on the day but was quickly caught up on the straights. Though the guys were just being nice but maybe their front ends need some more attention than mine does! a bit more horsepower in the old '68 Deluxe would be a real treat. It doesnt like hills much or anything much more than slight incline to loose its speed.
Maybe a Freshened up 1600 ex Florian motor may be a real good option for the old girl....

one day...

OZ

my large number of posts for the photos were for Redback as he seems to like more and more and some more
did have quite a few more but glad Dave was prolific with his snapping as well...

we all very varied in our artistic talent?? and how we see things and what we like and think is good photos, interesting photos, artistic photos etc etc. Good to have variety. Be very boring if we were all the same or even very similar.


OZ

Spot on, Oz. Happy with more. Hey, this is not the first time I've seen Bellett sedans disappear into the distance around the corners. They have a knack for it Maybe it's the extra 200 kg spare parts in the boot which keeps the arse end stuck to the ground
Yes, i took a bit of caution around some of those rough and slippery looking esses. Partly, I'm finding the new shocks still a bit rigid, also haven't run those wheels and tyres before, and i think there's still a bit of the "ol ball joint incident" in the back of my mind.

But definitely pushing up hills and straight lining, the GT never ceases to amaze. I think it's the twin carbs at half throttle, between 2700 and 3500 rpm which make her sing and pull some extrordinary hp. And all for a cup of petrol

B.

nice to see a sedan mixing it up with the many GTs around now!!! I must get mine out for a drive again one day!

may have a spare GT or Twin Cam hamging about the place that could make a real good Rat Racer!!

looks can be deceiving, its all whats under the bonnet and behind the wheel that counts.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. another horsepower project on its way?


OZ

Hey Guys, doesnt matter how many get "out there" as long as you have fun, it certainly looks like and sounds like you did.
Well done, great photos. Keep em out there.
Dave M.