Rick Shearman’s Lynx Restoration Project

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It’s been a decade since my last update on this restoration project and progress has been slow but steady! I originally bought this machine from club member and veteran restorer, Tony Luke. He had rescued the chassis and hull from a farm in the SE of SA and had made a start on piecing the bits back together. The rear axle had been removed and sat under a super spreader and much of the armour had been cut up to make useful things around the farm . Sadly the engine and gearbox were missing, probably transplanted into a farm vehicle of the day. However the special coupling that goes between the gearbox and transfer case was still there. It consists of large steel balls that allow some lateral movement a bit like the front knuckle in some 4x4s.

Tony managed to get the chassis back together and made a start on the hull before getting side tracked by the Bedford QL Radio truck that has been on many a club run in years passed. I made him an offer and the rest is history.

The Lynx is one of 170 armoured cars made in Canada and sent to Australia for the 1st Armoured Corps. They were disposed of by the army in 1956/57. It had a driver and co- pilot who navigated, manned the radio and also fired a Bren gun mounted behind 30 mm armour. A Ford side valve engine V8 was rear mounted and drove a single speed transfer case via a conventional ford truck 4 speed gearbox. However, the box was mounted on its side and a complicated system of rods and cranks ran from a selector unit, to a gearshift in the driving compartment. I was lucky to inherit those parts , and with the help of Sam Cutajar, soon had a blitz box transformed into the correct configuration. Club founder, Alan Newton helped me install the box and provided much assistance. He was also restoring a Lynx at our farm which he sold prior to his death, but its location is now sadly unknown .

The Lynx then sat for a couple of years while shed construction took priority.

Finally, I was able to source a “rebuilt” engine from another collector and by 2020 the driveline was complete. Unfortunately, the water pumps leaked and one of the heads had a hairline crack that was only leaky when the engine was hot! Aaron Fell helped me strip the pumps off, replacing with new ones from a speed shop interstate and timing the engine with the “special ford v8 timing tool”

This progress gave me enthusiasm to start the hull which was still in 2 pieces.

Templates were made from chipboard and 10 mm mild steel laser cut to fit. Much grinding was needed to make parts fit but by 2021, the hull was back in one piece and painted the desert sand colour that it left the factory with.

While the pumps were off we supported the block and used a fire pump to pressure wash the block. Much rusty dirt was liberated! Aaron was also of great assistance getting the radiator and fan mounted as we has to custom make a spacer to ensure the fan sat exactly halfway between radiator hoses and core. Unlike many other ford v8s of the time, the fan is driven directly off the crank pulley and has minimal clearance from vital parts!! Radiator hoses had to be fashioned from various falcon hoses and some 90 degree bends that were in the catalogue at Repco. An exhaust shop in Richmond bent me up some stainless pipe for the connectors and did an excellent job, even able to roll a ridge at the ends like original design. Progress was good but alas the horror of the hydraulics were yet to be revealed! The Lynx has an ordinary brake system using many parts familiar to Ford Blitzes. However it also has a hydraulic clutch and throttle system using some parts also common to Staghound and M8. These 2 systems share a common reservoir in the engine bay and are plumbed with 3/8 brake pipe. Hard to bend and very hard to flare. Even harder to flare so it won’t leak! Also impossible to flare both ends on the bench as the flared end won’t go through the holes in the chassis! In retrospect, I should have used copper as the pressure in clutch and throttle lines is minimal. To date, the brakes are done but not without much effort to stem the leaks, and the throttle master cylinder is back at Power Brakes with a leaky seal.

Hopefully in a month or 2, the leaks will be fixed, the drive shafts attached and a maiden voyage will be attempted! Possibly in time for the Rego Day BBQ?

Barossa Wine Tour 26 July

Kev Tipler organized another of his famous wine runs to the Barossa Valley on Friday 26 July.

We met for coffee and breakfast at the Tanunda Bakery.

We then drove to Chateau Tanunda for tastings. Tastings were $10 per head but were not charged if you purchased any wine to take away. We were well looked after by staff who provided tastings on a range of their products. All were well received. We also received a further 15% discount off purchases as Sam Cutajar’s friend signed up as a member and purchased a substantial quantity of wine.

We then drove to a friend of Kev’s who has a substantial collection of early fuel bowsers, and related memorabilia, an early US muscle car, and several historic Triumph motor bikes. The ladies opted to visit Wohlers shop in Tanunda.

The next stop was for lunch and wine at One Drop wines in Nuriootpa. A wide variety of Tapas was available with a range of their wines. The meals were delicious, and the staff very friendly.

We then cruised up to Menglers Hill for a spectacular view over the Barossa Valley before visiting the Barossa Valley chocolate factory for coffee and cake (and many chocolate purchases!)

A big thank you to Kev for organizing the day. A great day out for all those who attended, and the rain stayed away for a lovely sunny day.

Re-enactors Normandy event 17-19 May

The re-enactors group will be holding the 2024 Re-enact SA Tactical, on the 17th, 18th and 19th of May 2024 at Bennet’s block, Chain of Ponds, South Australia.

Details attached. Event organizers will be looking for WW2 support vehicles to take part. Contact Re-enact SA Treasurer, Gary Meinhart. gmei3923@bigpond.net.au for more information.

WVCG Wine Tour Sunday 10 March

We met at the Forth Hill Providore coffee shop opposite Stanley bridge tavern at 8.30 for coffee and brunch.

Then traveled to Woodside to visit Melbas chocolate factory. Unfortunately the cheese factory was not open till 11.00am! We then traveled to the Lobethal road winery via some backroads Kevin knew for an eleven am  booking for tastings. Then on to Anderson Hill winery for lunch and wine.

A great day out for all who attended, even if it was a bit hot!

Forth Hill Providore for brunch!
Anderson Hill Winery for lunch

Xmas Lunch at Auchendarochh Tavern Mount Barker

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This year’s Christmas Function will be held at the Auchendarroch Tavern Mount Barker on Saturday 14 December at 1.00pm. Due to seating limitations we will need to provide precise numbers closer to the event. As usual members and partners will have meals subsidized to $10 per head.

Partners and guests are welcome.

WVCG Meeting Tuesday 6 May at Bridgewater Inn.

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The next WVCG meeting will be held at the Bridgewater Inn at 7.00pm on Tuesday 6 May. Items to discuss include Anzac Day, website issues and Registration Day at Rick’s Farm.

Could all members intending to attend please contact Mick Jenner or John Jenner to confirm attendance.

As usual, partners and guests are welcome.

Club Registration Day – Rick Shearman’s Farm 20 June

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This year’s club Registration Day lunch will be held at Rick Shearman’s Farm on Friday 20 June from 12.00 midday for a BBQ lunch. The club will provide the lunch but members are asked to provide a salad or desert to share. Bring your own drinks and chairs. Club subscriptions can be paid and log books updated etc.

Please do not arrive early as this is a working farm and the gates may be locked. Any early arrivals may be put to work!

A brief club meeting will be held after the lunch. Partners and guests are welcome.

Details of location etc can be provided on request.

NOTE: There will NOT be a monthly Tuesday meeting in June.

Barossa Wine run Thursday 21 July

Kev Tipler is organizing a very interesting wine run through the Barossa Valley on Thursday 21 July.

Meet in Tanunda main street around nine for quick coffee etc. Then 9.45 to K Lindners Jaguar museum. Cost per person is $10.00. It is the best and most comprehensive collection of historic Jags in Australia.

After this visit continue on to First-drop wines in Nuriootpa for tasting and Tapas lunch. Those not interested in eating here can stay in Tanunda and then meet us at the next venue at 1.30.

The next stop is at the Barossa Chocolate company. One hour stop and then to the second and last winery of St Halletts.

Our previous visit here was a good stop with excellent discounts on their wines.

Those interested please contact Kev Tipler direct on 0403 267 294, or kevintipler.kt@gmail.com.

Due to the mid-winter date, civvy vehicles are welcome.

Hahndorf Wine Run 23 October

A wine run around the Hahndorf area was undertaken by club members on Saturday 23 October. Four Jeeps and a Perenti took part along with some friends of Mick and Deb Jenner. We met at Millies Bakery at Mount Barker for coffee, before heading off to the Karrawatta winery near Meadows through the verdant  Adelaide Hills. This spectacular winery is situated amongst vines grown over the adjacent rolling hills. The cellar door is a quite recent development to the vineyard which has been in operation since the early nineties. After wine tasting, we set off for lunch at the Longview winery near Macclesfield.  We were seated in a private room overlooking the sprawling vineyards, and some local sculptures. Lunch consisted of plentiful platters of antipasto and cheese, accompanied by the local wines. Some members also undertook tastings.

After lunch we set off to Hahndorf via Echunga to our last stop at the Landhaus winery on the main road in Hahndorf where we were met by the effusive host who offered tasting of up to 18 of their wines. However being late in the day, the ladies opted for a glass of bubbles, with some of the men choosing a cleansing ale or coffee.

A really great day out, enjoyed by all who attended. A big thank you to Deb Jenner for organizing the event.

Club Run Mt Torrens to Rick’s Farm BBQ September 24

A reminder that the club run to Rick’s farm is still on for 24 September. Light rain is forecast, but that shouldn’t be a problem this time! Meet at Mount Torrens pub at 10.00 am for a run via backroads to the Mannum waterfall and then back to Rick’s for a BBQ lunch. The club will be providing the BBQ lunch , but bring you own drinks and chairs and if you wish, salads and desserts. An extra treat will be the lamb sausages locally made from lamb sourced from Rick’s flock.

Military vehicles are preferred but civvy vehicles capable of managing dirt roads are OK.

For those not wishing to partake in the run, you can go direct to Rick’s farm to arrive after 12.30.

Family and friends are welcome to attend.

Those interested and haven’t yet indicated, please contact Mick Jenner or Rick, so we can cater for the required numbers.

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