LOU MEETS MIKE NEWMAN

 

   Beth Watt & Mike Newman pose with Lou

On Saturday evening , Beth, Richard & Vince all got to meet Mike Newman and his family & a former Cavalier Mk2 S.R.I & Cavalier Mk3 S.R.I man in the name of John Galloway,and  for those of you who don’t know who Mike Newman is well we will tell.

Who is Mike Newman?

The Story

Mike Newman is a ex-bank manager from Sale with a thirst for speed and a deep fascination with motorsports. Partially blind from birth and now completely blind he has not allowed his disability to stop him achieving his ambitions.

Mike Newman has held many land speed records over the years beginning in June of 2000 he broke the World Blind Land Speed Record by driving a motorcycle at an astonishing 89 mph. However mikes ambition to be the fastest blind man on the planet didn't end there another record was set in August 2003 this time in a Jaguar XJ-R in which he drove at an incredible 144.7mph firmly securing his world record. His next attempt was at Evington Aerodrome in a specially engineered BMW M5, during this attempt he reached a record breaking speed of 155mph.

Even if Mike had been the kind of chap to kick back and relax this was not likely as a Turkish driver Senturk broke Mike's record by driving a Ferrari F430 at 182mph.

Whilst preparing to take back the World Blind Landspeed Record earlier this year at Pendine Sands in Carmarthenshire Mike was forced to use a back-up car after a test driver damaged the main vehicle - The Keating TKR - during shake down.

We at the Speed of Sight are committed to discovering a new Super Car to help Mike reclaim his title in 2012.

Having left Barclays only this year Mike has dedicated himself to expanding the vision and scope of Speed of Sight. Mike and the team have been planning the North's first car rally Destination Manchester to take place in August 2011. This is just one of many projects that Mike and the Speed of Sight team have orchestrated.

You can follow Mike Newman on Twitter & Facebook, now Speed Of Sight will be working closely with the Vauxhall Cavalier & Chevette Club, and may in the future be attending some events with us.

For all the latest news on everything that is going on within our club please go to the news section of our club website.

More information on Mike Newman can be found at:

www.speedofsight.co.uk

I would just like to thank personally all the fantastic people at Speed Of Sight and of course the Legend Mike Newman, it truly was an honour to of met you.

All The Best

Richard Watt

Cholmondley Pageant of Power

Here are some photo's from the Cholmondley Pageant of Power.  Report to follow in Cholmondley Pageant of Power section of the website.

Vauxhall Cavalier Mk2 Convertible in Practical Classic July 13th.

Just to let you know that the Convertible Car feature in Practical Classics will be in the August issue out on July 13th. There was talk during the shoot of it being a cover feature for that months issue.

We started off at Anglia car auctions, Kings Lynn where we all met up. The other cars as you will see from the photos were Ford Corsair Crayford Convertible (borrowed from Anglia car auctions forthcoming show), Morris Minor (hire car!), Herald 13/60, Hillman Super Minx and my Cavalier Mk2. It was quite strange as my car was at least 20 years newer than some of them.

The Practical Classics staff that were there comprised Keith Moody (deputy Ed), Danny Hopkins (the editor), technical guy (who's name escapes me) and the photographer.

Photos were also shot on the edge of the Sandringham estate at an old station and railway crossing, then on to seaside shots at Heacham beach, then further down the coast (picnic scenes etc), then a country garage scene then finally a steam railway that they only wanted the Herald for so that was it for Julie & myself. 

Mal Docherty.

DO YOU OWN THE CLASSIC CAR OF THE YEAR?

The search is on to find the UK’s Classic Car of the Year 2011. Classic car owners are being invited to enter their pride and joy in a nationwide competition, organised by Classic Car Weekly, Classic Cars and Practical Classics magazines. The winner will receive a fantastic first prize valued at over £3,500 with over £700 worth of runners up prizes up for grabs.

 

The competition, in association with Lancaster Insurance, is open to any car made before 1990. There are no restrictions on the number of cars owners can enter – if they are lucky enough to own more than one classic car, then all the vehicles can be included.

 

An expert judging panel will evaluate the entrants on their individual merits as well as awarding extra points for going to extraordinary lengths to rebuild a car, its fascinating history and incredible journeys undertaken. They will also be looking for cars that are part of the family, those used everyday and those that have been obtained after a lengthy search or quest.

 

From this information and imagery provided, the panel will then shortlist 20 cars from each category and invite the public to vote for their favourite.

 

It will be the public who decide the winner and the runners up of each category. The winning cars will then go on display at the Classic Motor Show at Birmingham’s NEC from 11^th to 13^th November where the overall winner with the most votes will be revealed and the grand prize awarded.

 

The eventual winner of the title will receive a unique trophy as well as a mountain of prizes including a year’s free comprehensive car insurance up to a value of £300 from Lancaster Insurance and weekend tickets to the Classic Motor Show including hotel accommodation. Runners up will also receive a year’s free comprehensive car insurance up to a value of £300 from Lancaster Insurance as well as weekend tickets for the Classic Motor Show and hotel accommodation.  

 

The first Classic Car of the Year competition held in 2010 was won by Amy Clements with her 1954 Jowett Jupiter SC which she had owned for over 30 years. Amy’s dad Keith bought the car with the intention of restoring it in time for Amy’s 17th birthday back in 1995. Some progress was made before life intervened. The Jupiter languished in several thousand pieces. In early 2009 Amy (now 30) asked: ‘Will my car ever be ready, dad?’ The response was: ‘Yes, if you help.’ Amy, along with her partner Jack, accepted the challenge and started a year long restoration.

 

Classic car owners can enter via the competition website (www.ccoty.co.uk) or by sending details of the car, a brief history, full contact details and up to three images to Classic Car of the Year, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA. The closing date for entries is 31st July 2011.

- Ends -

 

Note to Editors:

Full terms and conditions as well as more details on the information required by entrants can be found at www.ccoty.co.uk.

 

Lancaster Insurance Services Ltd has specialised in arranging classic car insurance since 1984. They search a carefully selected panel of insurers which includes many of the UK's leading insurers to get you a great deal on your insurance. They care about your individual requirements and will endeavour to beat any competitor's quote. Get a quote online at www.lancasterinsurance.co.uk or give them a call on 01480 484848.

 

For further information or media enquiries, please contact:

Andrea Seed, PR Director, Poppyseed Media Ltd

Tel: +44 (0)121 224 7455, Mobile: +44(0)7812 010 765

Email: andrea@poppyseedmedia.co.uk

Billing 2011.

Report to follow on Billing 2011.  However there are picture which have been uploaded in to the Photo Gallery.  Big thank you to all who attended and a Big thanks must go to Richard and Beth for all the effort they have put in to make the show a success.

Is this the Way to Billing Aquadrome?

Don't forget that it is just three weeks now until VBOA Billing.  Are we the first Club to arrive at Billing?  Richard has checked over the site and it is all ready for us in three weeks.

See you there.

OOPS I DID IT AGAIN

I have brought yet another Cavalier, this Cavalier was just too good to turn down, I first met the owner Roy Lane at N.E.C Classic Motor Show last November when he told me about his Cavalier.

Now as I am sure you are aware, Beth recently just brought a 1300 Cavalier, but as the 1300 needs slightly more work than originally thought, so rather than rushing the 1300 for the show season we decided to get another one so Beth has a show car along with me with Lou.

Now this Cavalier is an Orange Tan Colour, 4 Door Saloon, G.L, 37,000 Miles, Automatic, 1979cc, and is a 1978 example.

I decided on Friday 3^rd June that I wanted to go and get this Cavalier, Roy had previously sent me lots of pictures of her way back in November, so I knew she was a good one.

I spoke to Roy on the Friday 3^rd June and arranged a viewing of her the following day Saturday 4^th June.

We had a good journey down to Tunbridge Wells from Baldock where this Cavalier lived and after a inspection and test drive of the Cavalier I was more than pleased to pay Roy’s asking price of £600, this Cavalier has never ever been welded and I am glad to say doesn’t need any.

She was a pleasure to drive home even on the M25, We had a nice pleasant drive home, and the next day we took the Cavalier to her first ever Classic Car Show which was Stony Stratford.

I decided to leave Lou at home and just take the one vehicle which was a first for me to leave Lou behind something I have not done since 2007.

The Cavalier was received very well by the public often saying I had one of those.

I am now awaiting to hear if my workshop will be come available if not then yet another garage will have to be found as this Cavalier is just too good to be found sitting outside my house.

So between me and Beth we now have every engine variant ever done on a Cavalier from 1300, 1600 x 2, 1900 & now 2000, I even have manual and automatic variants and L to G.L, But one more type still manages to escape me a G.L.S version and a Centaur.

Still there is time with me being just getting past 30.

All The Best

Richard & Beth Watt

Colin's Chevette Update.

Here is an update from Colin on his Chevette which is featured further down this listing.

I tried to turn the engine by hand  and joy’s of joy’s it’s not seized me and my girlfriend has brought some parts and hope to have the car running again on the 14/03/2011  once we have the car running again we will then see about doing the brakes and exhaust ,  with a bit of luck and following wind the dreaded MOT. 

Good news the engine runs and sounds really good just had to change the points, condenser, rota arm, distributor cap, coil, water pump HT Leads and Spark Plugs. 

The clutch was stuck on I tried to free it off but with no success, so I decided to take the gearbox off and remove the clutch ready for a new one to go on. 

Next on my agenda are the brakes the rear wheel cylinders are still available however as I have found out the front callipers I need to send off to be reconditioned. 

I need to get a complete exhaust  then a bit of welding then with a bit of luck it should be mot ready (Wish me luck).  

29/03/2011 

Richard gave me Keith’s  number he does welding, Keith is coming to look at the car on the 02/04/2011 to assess and give me a quote on the cost of all the welding required I will probably get him to weld the car at his early convenience on my next payday as I expect this to cost a lot. 

I will have to take the front bumper off and drivers front wing so he can get to one of the holes that require his expertise. 

1/05/2011 

Took the Chevette to Keith’s to be welded using the Corsa as the tow car, I used a straight bar and my partner Laura was in the Chevette doing the steering as I didn’t have use of the a-frame, then went on to a car show (Woburn Car Show) to meet up with Richard and his wife Beth and other people from our club that I haven’t seen for a while we had a lovely day and reflected on what it will be like when the Chevette is on the road. 

05/05/2011 

Had a phone call from Keith today the welding is complete now all I have to do is put the car back together again and then insure her and then the dreaded mot hopefully this will be done on the 19/05/2011 then if I have the money I will tax the car and then it will be back on the road after a 17 years.

08/05/2011 

Towed the Chevette again using my Corsa as the towing car back to garage.

Myself and Laura spent the day putting the interior back in the car and getting it ready for the mot on the 19/05/2011 I cannot see why it won’t go through but until the mot is done I will not know what else may need doing but I am hopeful of a pass (fingers and everything else that can be crossed) 

19/05/2011 

Paid for insurance and took the car down for an mot with Laura driving her car behind me just in case anything went.

Further update soon from Colin.

Dirt 3 Game for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.

Dirt 3 Rally game by Codemasters has been released on the 24th May 2011.  And features the Andrews Heat For Hire Opel Manta 400 and the Dealer Team Opel Kadett GTE.  There does not appear to be any Vauxhall Chevette HS or HSR's in the game.  The game should be avalible from all good computer stores.

N.E.C Classic Motor Show

Friday 11th, Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th November 201.

Our Club Stand will be in HALL 5, STAND 5C96.

Club Stand Exhibits To Be Revealed Soon

The Cavalier & Chevette Club and Lou are featured in the April 6th Issue of Classic Car Buyer Newspaper

The Club and Richard Cavalier Mk1 LOU are mentioned on page 6 of the April 6th Classic Car Buyer Newspaper.  Along with the Drive It Day gathering at the Heritage Centre Luton on the 17th of April which the Club will be attending.  If you wish to attend with your Club car please contact Richard Watt.  Contact details are in the front of the Newsletter.  A report on this event will follow.

My Chevette

I had a phone call from Richard Watt my best friend the club rep of my area, he told me that he had received a phone call about a free Chevette, I said that I would be interested so he gave me all the details.

In basic Clive and Yvonne Shannon were willing to donate the car free to a club member.
I phoned the Yvonne and Clive to make arrangements to collect the car. At first myself and Richard tried to organise a flat bed or car and trailer to collect but to no avail so I had to put collection off until the following week when I phoned another friend of mine who has an A-Frame he said that he would let me borrow it to collect the car.

Me and Richard with his wife ‘s son Brandon went up on 6/3/2011 and towed the car home using the A-Frame I had to use my Corsa as the tow car to be honest it did a fair job considering that my Corsa is a 1.2cc (Well done Corsa).

The car now sits in my garage awaiting work to get her back on the road after 17 years of being off the road.  

Thanks

 Colin Pizey  

Cavalier 1300 Saved From Death

It all started a year ago, when a man called Jim Davis contacted me asking if I had a spare drivers side door mirror for his Dad’s Cavalier, I of course said yes and posted one out to him.

After a few days, Jim Davis rang me thanking me very much for the door mirror, I asked him what type of Cavalier did his Dad have, he informed me that it was a 4 door saloon, and a 1300, well you can imagine what I said after hearing that, I told him that there were only 2 left with the 1300 engine.

Jim Davis very kindly sent me some pictures of the 1300 Cavalier, and It looked in average condition for the year.

Now the intresting part, I went out for the day with Kevin Bricknall to go to an ex Vauxhall dealership that had just closed down, after me and Kevin coming away with lots of poles and Vauxhall flags, I went back home, upon my arrival, Beth told me that a man rang and said did I want his Dad’s Cavalier.

I rang the number that he left with Beth, and found out that it was indeed Jim Davis, he told me his Dad had scrapped the Cavalier at 3pm today, as he rang me this morning to see if I wanted to save her.

He gave me the details of the scrap yard where he thought his Dad’s Cavalier went, I rung them up only to find out that they crushed the Cavalier at 4:30pm, I very kindly asked them if they could go check down the yard to see if it had been destroyed, whilst I was waiting for the news something inside me just thought that somehow this Cavalier was still alive and when the guy came back on the phone, he said your in luck me old mate, it’s still here but only just as the big grabbing crane is sitting directly over it.

He said that the guy who does all the crushing had gone home early to have a few drinks in the pub with his co workers as it was a Friday, and he would return at 9am Saturday morning to crush the Cavalier and the rest of the cars.

I asked him was there any way I could save the Cavalier, he said you really want to come and save this old motor, I of course said yes, and he replied very well if you can get to me by midnight she is all yours, otherwise It will be crushed on Saturday morning.

So by this time it was approx 6:30pm, I had to get into Bethnal Green in London to save this Cavalier, but there was a few slight snags, Number 1, I didn’t have all the money to rescue her on such short notice,  Number 2, The tax disc and Mot Certificate was still with the previous keeper.

So I made a quick telephone call to my close friend Mr. Kevin Bricknall and explained the situation to him, he said he could lend me the rest of the money to go and get the Cavalier and he could meet me on the M1 at Junction 12.

So off I set, with Beth and Brandon to go and meet Kevin, once I met Kevin it was back on the road and off to get this Cavalier.

But first I had to go and get the tax disc and mot from the previous keeper, when I arrived to his address he was crying as he handed over the items for his beloved Cavalier, he could not believe that someone would go to this much trouble just to save an old car, he only got rid of his Cavalier as he brought a younger vehicle and as he lives in London he is only given one car parking permit.

So once I said my goodbye’s, off I went again to go and finally collect this Cavalier, upon arrival I found that Cavalier’s battery was dead,  we jumped started thanks to Kevin lending me his big charger, anyway once she was running, I set off for home, but no petrol so I managed to find a petrol station, but after filling up, of course I couldn’t restart her again, no problem I thought I can use Kevin’s charger again, but this time even the charge died on me.

So we had to call the AA out to us, once they arrived the guy spent longer looking at the Cavalier than what he did checking it.

Once he jumped her, she fired straight back up again, and so I was on my way again, and now the time was 2:00am, but as I just got off the M25 onto the A1, the headlights started to fade and she was slowly dying on me, one minute she had power the next she didn’t, I managed to nurse her almost home, when I just started to climb up the last hill, her gear lever sheared off in my hand.

Now I didn’t know what to do, so I got out of her and decided to just try with all my strength to push her up the hill all by myself, well somehow I did it, as she started to roll back down the hill, I jumped back in her and rolled her straight through a treble set of traffic lights and straight into my road, well when she stopped again, I just pushed her the last few yards to my house, but the hard part was still to come,  I had to position her onto the drive, so me and Beth gave her one last push and there she sat until morning but by this time now it was morning well 3:30am to be exact.

Well the next morning, she was pushed from the drive into her temporary home of Lou’s garage as he is away until mid April, after a quick clean up and check over, I found she requires just a little bit of welding and of course another gear stick.

But the best part of this story is she is safe and well and will live to fight another day .

I must say a few thank you’s, in no particular order:

Kevin Bricknall ( I couldn’t of done it without you mate )

Brandon Smith ( For being really well behaved all through this event )

Beth Watt ( For letting me do this )

 

All The Best

Richard & Beth Watt & Brandon Smith

Griffin Inn AGM Venue

This year’s Club AGM is being held at the Griffin Inn in Denbighshire, North Wales.  Why not make this meeting into an opportunity for a short break for you and your family? 

The Griffin Inn is situated at the western foot of the Clwydian range, right on the main A494 pass road between Mold and Ruthin.  The inn is on the outskirts of the village of Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, only a short distance from Ruthin, and in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  It is close to the renowned Offa’s Dyke Path long-distance footpath and much other good walking country.  Also ideal as a base for touring Central North Wales.

The Inn has three guest rooms (Double, Twin and Family) starting at just £45.95 – including breakfast - per night for two people. 

The white-painted period building has ample car parking, and has both a separate dining restaurant and a more informal bar restaurant.  Meals are served all day Sunday until 9.00 p.m., and on other days between 12.00 – 3.00 p.m. and again between 6.00 – 9.00 p.m.

 For more information about the Inn and surrounding area, rates for single guests, etc., telephone (01824) 702 792, or visit their own website www.griffinllanbedr.co.uk

CAVALIER AND CHEVETTE CLUB AGM 2011   3^rd APRIL AT 11.00 A.M.

This year’s AGM will be held at:

The Griffin Inn, Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, Nr. Ruthin. Denbighshire LL15 1UP. 

Tel: (01824) 702 792

 

Meet at 10.30 a.m. for 11.00 a.m. prompt start.

 Agenda

 ·            Apologies for Absence

·            Chairman’s Opening Remarks and Overview of the Club Year 2010/11

·            Treasurer’s Report and Financial Overview

·            Membership Secretary’s Report

·            Newsletter Editors’ Report

·            Website Manager’s Report

·            Parts Manager’s Report

·            Merchandising Officer’s Report

·            Committee will formally stand down and proposals for re-election will be taken

All Committee Members have agreed to stand for a further 12 months and there are no

other nominations for Committee positions

·            Vote on acceptance of amended Club Rules and Constitution

·            Vote on acceptance of increase in Club Membership Fees

·            Any Other Business

Questions will be taken at the end of each Report.  Voting papers will be opened in front of the membership. Agenda will be covered in approximately one to 1½ hours, followed by lunch

Directions to the venue 

From Chester: Take A55 west to Ewloe, where take A494 to Mold and Ruthin.  Llanbedr D.C. is approx 1 mile before reaching Ruthin. Griffin Inn is on your left. 

From Wrexham: Take A525 north to Ruthin, where take A494 east  (right) towards Mold.  Pass junction with B5429 and Griffin Inn is ¼ mile further on your right, on the edge of Llanbedr D.C. 

From Rhyl:  Take A525 south for Ruthin, where take A494 east (left) for Mold. Pass junction with B5429 and Griffin Inn is ¼ mile further on your right, on the edge of Llanbedr D.C.

LOU'S OFF TO SEE VEGAS ( JOHNNY )

Richard Watt's Vauxhall Cavalier Mk1 LOU will be appearing as a background vehicle in the following film Gridiron UK.  The official press release for the film is below.  More information can also be found on the filmmaker's website www.brushycreekfilms.com

.

Crewe filmmaker waiting to hear from Hollywood superstar

Jan 26 2011 by Belinda Ryan, Crewe Chronicle

HOLLYWOOD star Cuba Gooding Jr is expected to decide by Monday whether to sign up for a big comedy movie to be filmed in Crewe.

The Oscar-winning star is the number one choice to appear in Gridiron UK a comic take on the doomed project to establish American football in Crewe in the 1980s.

Ex-EastEnders star Michelle Ryan is also wanted by writer and producer Gary Delaney, who says Johnny Vegas and Girls Alouds Sarah Harding have already signed on the dotted line.

Everybody's signed up apart from Cuba and Michelle Ryan, said Gary, who used to work at Rolls-Royce in Crewe.

He said it was touch and go 50:50 whether they signed.

We should begin filming about May. It'll be a seven week shoot.

The film is based on a true story about the Crewe Railroaders.

It is billed as a comedy/sports drama and Garys script has attracted great interest. David Soul of Starsky and Hutch fame will co-produce it.

Johnny Vegas signed after talking to David Soul, said Gary.

Filming was to have started last September but was delayed for casting issues.

People might think this will never get off the ground but finance is in place and Im 99% sure it will go ahead.

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels producer Gareth Evans is lined up as executive producer.

Filming for Gridiron UK will take place in Crewe.

In Crewe it will centre around the Cumberland Sports Ground and the King George V Playing Fields original locations used by the Railroaders.

Lou In Classic's Monthly

Richard has informed us that a picture of Lou has been used for the Vauxhall Cavalier Mk1 in the Top 40 Best Buys For 2011, Lou is on Page 69, and the Cavalier Mk1 is voted at number 31 and the Chevette is at number 39.

The issue is the current one and is the February Edition.

They also mention the club's website as contact details.

Also on the magazine front there are some pictures of the Vauxhall Chevette being tested in Arctic conditions in the latest edition of Total Vauxhall.  These pictures have been supplied by the Heritage Centre.

Chevette Convertible - A Request for Help

 

The have been contact by a chap from Germany who has purchased the Chevette Targa Top, which was a club

member car a while back but had disappeared off the radar.  The car is a 1976 Vauxhall Chevette Convertible (like the Kadett C Aero). Only one of them was build from Vauxhall together with Baur in Stuttgart (Germany).   The Car is in an very poor condition and it is going to be restored so it is absolutely original. The new owner is searching  for any Information about this Car like old Pictures and so on. Very important for him as it is the History of the Car. He knows that the Car was shown at several Motor-Shows in the Seventies but i have no Info on witch.   And what is happened after with the Car, why it was sold from Vauxhall and who was the first Owner of it?

 

The club would be very pleased to hear from anyone that has any information on this car no matter how large or small the information is.  Or if you have any pictures of the car at Motor Show, on the road etc.  Please contact Jane Miller on the following e-mail address chevaliernews@yahoo.co.uk

 

Here are some pictures of the car and also a picture of a Vauxhall Supplement of a Magazine featuring the car and the then Vauxhall Managing Director Bob Price.
 

LOU in Classic Monthly and Under Restoration.

 

Richard Watt's Press Release Cavalier is currently featured in the latest

edition of Classics Monthly ( December Edition ).

And Also:

LOU (Press Release Cavalier)

Lou has gone off to have a full restoration today ( 25th November 2010 ) he is

being full restored by:

R.S Cars LTD, Cornerway Garage, Greenfield, Bedfordshire, MK455DJ.

Telephone: 01525 717346

Email: shrive-cars@btconnect.com

Website: www.richard-shrive-cars.co.uk