Never mind the Sunmaid, what about the Sunbird?

Apart from the Sunmaid, Bolwell also made the Sunbird 25 which was five feet longer and had more accommodation.

Then there was the Sunbird motor sailer which had an inboard Volvo diesel and a roof over the wheelhouse.

Tarlee

I had to go over to Tarlee this morning to meet Dino & Sheryl and transfer some Bolly stuff from car to car. The dust storm was in its early stages cutting visibility down a fair bit. The strong winds have continued throughout the day. Let's hope everybody's gypsum piles are still there. Anyway, in rolled these 2 7s for a "wee break".

Yes, it was Ron and Rick and John H on their way to Broken Hill. I'd love to be going with them but it just wasn't possible this year. I've got a whole year to plan for next Easter.
On the way home I stopped to take this picture of a neighbour's new letterbox at the farm gate. The Australia Post contractor shouldn't have much trouble chucking the paper into this one.

In John Goodwin's neck of the woods.

Is John familiar with this legend?

...and do truckies still see it coming out of the darkness?

Any colour you like as long as it's white.

How could you not love a Mark 5?

From Warwick's photos of the 1979 Show 'n' Tell. It's George's versatile Mk.5.

That big sunroof is so handy for reaching in for another beer. Even if it is for a bloody VB.
George, when the car turned blue did you get a matching blue Esky?

For our overseas students of Australian culture.

Another reason to have a ute.

Hemi 6s Don't you love 'em?

50s Buicks

My favourite car at the Barossa cruise weekend this year was this Buick.

The shade of orange was fabulous too.
I can't look at those trademark Buick portholes without thinking of that Brockbank cartoon from the 50s.

When I was a kid I was a real Russell Brockbank fan. Who wouldn't be.

I wonder if Stonie was too.

Almost didn't recognise it.

Doesn't the front spoiler on this Skyline GT (the Nissan version) change its appearance?

Could have been worse.

No I hadn't snapped a timing belt. When I removed the top half of the timing cover and  found the belt still around the camshaft gears, I feared the worst, thinking I've some problems alsewhere. Anyway, off with the harmonic balancer and this is what we find - a row of missing teeth. Always the optimist, this might be a simple belt change.

What Bolly people do - No.4

Bobby Taylor is an accomplished motoring and motorsport photographer producing material like this.

40 years ago when Bob worked on new Dattos in Datsun Distribution's panel shop he was a photography enthusiast even then. I still have the results of his messing around tinting black & white photos and here's one of them. It's block mounted and a bit the worse for wear after all these years but it's a photo Bob took of my Nagari at the time in the grounds of Mercedes College. This is the Nagari Jim White now has.

Milano and Donkervoort for sale.

Smeetsy writes - "I am fast heading for retirement and have too many cars & projects. I want to complete my TVR Grantura Mark 2.......and that has a roof......so that should meet with Mary's approval. I also have 4 MR2s - and want to build a racer out of one of these fabulous little mid engined rockets. So I am going to try to sell the Milano and the Donkervoort.

   1960 Milano MG roadster - $22,500.00
   Judson supercharged MGB 5 bearing motor, MGB g'box and diff. MGB front suspension
   and brakes.
   Tubular frame. Great fun car. Take it anywhere. Full registration.
   Phone 08 8278 6212 after hours.

I remember Peter, along with Peter Strauss, getting a rap over the knuckles for going too fast through Lobethal in the Milano during the enactment. Whoever heard of slowing down for towns anyway? They wouldn't have done that in the Mille Miglia!

   1968 Lotus by Donkervoort - $29,500.00
   Dry sumped Ford Cosworth BDA motor. 5 speed Ford gearbox. Koni shocks.
   Full history. 1200 miles from new. Left hand drive.
   Gotti alloy wheels. Brand new Toyo 888s.
   Phone 08 8278 6212 after hours.

 This is the rocketship! Despite the incredibly low mileage (1200) the car has travelled around the world, well, Holland to USA to Victoria to Adelaide anyway. It has a fascinating history and I'm sure if you have a spare couple of hours, Peter will be only too happy to tell it to you. If I had a spare $29,500 I'd buy it.
When I get a chance I'll put these 2 cars in Bolly Shop. Have you been there yet? Just click on Bolly Shop on the right.