(Produced by Graham Mackie)

Meeting 1208 was in essence a celebration of the half a century of the life of Founding Member of our club Mike Sherrell.  

It was an extremely special decision to  celebrate the event at Mikes home and he was supported by his family members, but with Loretta is sadly missed.  Mike acquired his first TC 50 years ago at age 19 and to use his words 'the TC has become part of his DNA'.

He was delighted to have as a guest Bob McQueen  The connection with Bob goes back to Hollywood Infants School in 1946. And it goes like this: Mike and Brian Pateman (along with Graham Rankin) became best friends there, cemented by a common interest in Claremont Speedway, only a bike ride from their homes.

Fast forward to the late ‘50s. Now Brian and Bob have become close friends and Mike has joined them on returning from a few years in the country. TCs were a close second to tarts in most discussions and one by one they acquired them, the cars that is. Bob first, which made it unbearable, closely followed by Mike then Brian. This was end of ’59, early ’60. They used to meet with their TCs at Bob’s folks’ in Mt Yokine, and on Thursday nights (pay night) would join Barry Sharpe (Black TF) who lived next door and his friend Lindsay Monk (Red late TD). At 9 pm the pubs would close in those days and the fridge always seemed to be empty just before. Now one car could go, but it seemed much more fun if they all went to the nearby Knutsford Arms for replenishment. Invariably it turned out to be a race and as at least one of the 3 TCs always won, they eventually decided there should be a club for TCs only.

This resulted in a meeting on Thursday the 1^st June 1961 at Bob’s with 7 TCs on the front lawn and some 11 or 12 owners present, Colin d and Kevin Mc among them.

Thursday pay nights and 9pm, Colin and Kevin, have survived these many years with TD,TF and Y making a reappearance.. Even the post meeting race (this time to ‘The Pot’) lasted for a few years but now hooning is forbidden.

   Mike’s car career began with a Pink and Black Austin Big 7 tourer (remembered by Darryl who met Mike in 1957 at 16 years of age) and a Morris Minor convertible, he started to salivate over Bob's TC and with 50 pounds in his pocket which was not enough for a deposit on a TC, with some 'jacking' of values he was able to join Bob and Brian Pateman in a trio of ownership.

Bob lived in Mt. Yokine and Lindsay Monk, who lived next door owned a TD and  another T Typer, Barry Sharp had a TF. They used to gather there on a Thursday night and race to the Knutsford Arms which closed at 9pm. Now you know why 9pm.??

They would see other TC's in the streets and leave a message on windscreens, inviting them to the Thursday night gathering. One night they had 7 TC's in a line and decided a Club could be formed. That occurred in June, 1961 and the rest is history.

Kevin's McM's car, bought new in Perth in 1949 is undergoing a rebuild in Mike's garage and is looking particularly sleek – hard to recognise in fact.    

Graham R remembered the euphoric day Mike bought the TC and then parked it on Graham's fathers lawn, dripping oil and killing the lawn.  He then offered to take Graham for a run and suggested he watch the door. The warning was serious because as they turned a corner, it swung open and Graham was nearly tipped out. Mike then retorted with the suggestion that Graham now owns a TC because one night in about 1960 while entering the new roundabout at City Beach in his Morris Minor at a fast clip, he was passed on left and right  by Mike and Brian in their TCs leaving an indelible memory.

Col D remembered seeing Mike roll the car at Caversham. The then seat belts were army webbing and Mike departed the vehicle webbing, seat and floor. Mike appeared on the front page of the West Australian  the next morning with a feature of his exploits.

Mike was unsure where the other 109 meetings disappeared to but 59 were Trophy nights said Darryl. He remembered 5 months in 1980, 4 months in 1992 and another 4 in 2003.

He did however point out how durable the car was, having survived a rollover, three rebuilds and is still going strong. WE ALL AGREE

Apologies Only two – Wally B. and the Partridges

Visitors Bob McQueen & Peter Northcott (Y Type) were welcomed by Pres. JB

Minutes of 1207. Read and accepted

Matters Arising

Crowd Trial. Seven TC's competed  with the Pavlinovich's the winners followed as i heard it by the Grigsby's, Sherrell's, Doyle and Gale, Fox's, Brown and Bowles cars. Affiliates had four entries with Priors winners, then Barnes & Rose, Ron M., & Mike B.

The Pav's do the next one.  Many thanks to Noeleen for the organisation.

Christmas Party 56 confirmed. It will be Meeting 1209 @ 6.30pm with food @ 7pm

Old Members. Darryl has the details and will provide. Ted Stokes was contacted by a previous member Martin Simms who was an inventor of words said Mike S.

Correspondence Nil

Car Birthdays                                                                          Production date info:

26^th Nov ’48           TC 7237      Paul G                    4^th car of 11 on a Fri

26^th Nov ’51           TD 11911      David R                 5^th car of ? on a Mon

4^th Dec ’50             TD 4752      Mike L                   6^th car of 25 on a Mon

8^th Dec ’50             TD 4879      Ralph P                  23^rd car of 36 on a Fri

9^th Dec ’48             TC 7361       Christopher K         31^st car of 37 on a Thurs

Also during December but date unknown;

YA 0816 & YA 3560        Kevin Mc

YA 3524                         Ron M

YA 3673                         Colin B

Informal Meeting 24 December. It was declared a non event . Mtg 1210 will be the Pavlinovich meeting.

General Business   

Ted S turned 70 and still has his own teeth. Cake and candles please Ted.

Future Natmeets. Harry reported that meetings were happening to discuss reduction in the number of classes and was concerned that moves may be made to combine the TC, TD and TF. This will not occur at Adelaide and NSW and SA are on our side.  Canberra are seeking response to a suggestion that they run an event every alternate year to Beechworth, in Canberra.

Doug Hastie Starter Motors. Col B. gave them a big wrap. Cheap and fabulous.. Ron has one on his T Type.

Langley Park Fly-in. Thanks were extended to Clark and Denise. A great day. Clark has been presented with a DVD which he will play at a future meeting.

Old Farts Lunch will be held at Royal Perth Yacht Club. Smart casual attire please. 10 likely's

VSCC Caversham event went very well. Thought to be 300 cars, 75 bikes and Jack Brabham Reserve named.   Jack spoke the previous evening and told some great stories of his racing days.

The meeting closed at 10.20pm

Monaro Motors Oil Filter, John Lambie found the pamphlet which gave prices in pounds and pence.

Next Meeting will be Saturday 12^th December at the XPAGMAS CHRISTMAS PARTY. It is a BYO Drinks and Glasses event. There will be BBQ Meat Packs, Salads, Sweets, Tea and Coffee.

Does this relate to your Kitchen?

No husband has ever been shot while doing the dishes.

If we are what we eat, then I’m easy, fast and cheap.

A balanced diet is a biscuit in each hand.

Help keep the kitchen clean- eat out.

A messy kitchen is a happy kitchen and this kitchen is delirious.

Thou shalt not weight more than your refrigerator.

Countless numbers of people have eaten in this kitchen and gone on

to lead normal lives.

There is no sense advertising your troubles. There is no market for them.

The proportion of  Australians who die without making a will is 40 percent.