Photos... the Daviston Putt Putt Regatta, today.

[The Bigfella]

In no particular order, other than that's what order Photobucket uploaded them, here's a selection of photos from the Putt Putt regatta today. I've got lots more photos, including cars and stationary engines.... but they might have to wait.

There were over 100 boats there...





Yeah, I know it isn't a boat, but it is a bit of a Putt Putt.... this immaculate Vincent Black Shadow...





and this isn't a putt putt... one of two kettles that I saw. I believe there was an electric there too, but I didn't spot it.



I think we met this young couple when we were boat camping up on the Myall Lakes a few years back ... they were on their honeymoon.

[The Bigfella]

I guess the sun was over the yardarm....





During the grand parade





I think this is the boat that won the petrol-engined race. I need to talk Bazza into making me a nice planing hull for my twin cylinder Penguin engine....

[The Bigfella]

The kettle again....



and the other one....

[The Bigfella]

A couple of half cabins



... some more....



The Americans can tell us what this is.... it looks like a hairdresser's car to me....







The grand parade again ....

[The Bigfella]

Quest



a bit of colour saturation ...



We saw the tail end of this one a bit earlier....

[The Bigfella]

... and, because I uploaded 31.... here's the last photo for a while....



Di and I enjoyed a pleasant couple of hours. At the end we rang a friend to call around to her place nearby for a cuppa, only to get a call back from her... in San Diego, which is apparently where she is at the moment, heading for Phoenix.

[PeterSibley]

A great day Ian ,did you take Yellowtail down ?

[The Bigfella]

Nah... next year. She's still upside down waiting for paint.

I plan on doing her ribs at the same time as the Dragon's. The Yellowtail's will be laminated, the Dragon's steamed though.

[PeterSibley]

I just found this Ian ...any use ?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/German-FARYMA...item23038aa503

I'd probably buy it myself if it were closer .

[The Bigfella]

Umm, Peter, there's a spare space in my basement if you want to buy it until someone drives north or south?

I won't bid... it appears I'm about to buy another car, which will be #9..... before I get rid of some others. There's a 3 series BM in the frame....

Sorry about the dark photo of the Black Shadow, but I was in happy snap mode and didn't even review it. I'll do another (dark) photo for you.

[The Bigfella]

OK, the Black Shadow. I think the guy's name was Carl. I had a good chat. We knew some of the same people.



I think he is the guy who makes these... they were selling them at the regatta...



I've been told that the line is aircraft. Di even softened enough to discuss the Dragon the other day. An aircraft.... divorce.

[The Bigfella]

Another car for the Americans. I believe this was entered in the regatta as an aircraft carrier. Planes could take off from the bonnet (hood)



That hairdresser's car we saw earlier



Another Aussie invention....



Better not leave the Poms out. A Vauxhall



Speaking of the Poms... this wonderful thing was a Morris. There's an engine down in there somewhere that's almost big enough to power my wristwatch.

[The Bigfella]

America



England



Yeah, we all know this model Toyota, isn't it?



and this is a?????

[PeterSibley]

OK, the Black Shadow. I think the guy's name was Carl. I had a good chat. We knew some of the same people.

Ohh ! That's nice !

I won't bid either Ian ,it's air cooled ,if it was water cooled I'd be after it .A nice little motor !

[PeterSibley]

Ahh...the pedestrian's friend !

[rufustr]

Thanks for the photos Ian.

Very tasty.

[Thad]

Quite!! a launch collection!! Thanks!

[C. Ross]

Wow. Lovely boats.

'56 Ford Thunderbird hardtop is a bit fey. Ford updated it 50 years later; instead of hairdressers it was designed to appeal to dental hygienists I think.

[Lew Barrett]

A bit late, but this is a wonderful collection of objects and photos, Ian. Thanks from the white and soon to be wintery north!

[Lew Barrett]

Wow. Lovely boats.

'56 Ford Thunderbird hardtop is a bit fey. Ford updated it 50 years later; instead of hairdressers it was designed to appeal to dental hygienists I think.

......Whose hopes of buying an instant collecter car were dashed as the last of them went out below sticker! Never did get the purpose of that model...at least it had no purpose to me.

[JimJ]

I have taken the liberty to massage the Vincent to show more detail. Apologies to the The Bigfella

JimJ

[The Bigfella]

No apologies needed Jim... I should have taken more care with the shot, but I was just walking around taking happy snaps... first time I've ever filled the card up too.

For a bike that was restored 20 years ago, its in remarkable condition. Stan Bayliss was involved in the restoration too. She's an old race bike. I wqonder if its the one I used to see racing at Bathurst and elsewhere in the 70's? I remember seeing one dump oil all over a track in NZ during the final Marlborough Series in 78 - I seem to recall it was an outfit and it took the sump plug off on a railway line.... only in NZ eh, a railway line across a racetrack.

[coelacanth2]

The other beast is a late'60s (I think) Pontiac Grand Prix. 400 min cubes, I think some of the old Ponchos had a 428 (that was not just a Ford displacement) slim chance of a 455. Any way you call it, irresistable force meets immovable object.... The GTOs were about 1000 lbs lighter for the same motor, IIRC. Still a fun beast, best in a straight line someplace flattish, chasing horizons. Nice pics, looks like a great day , Thank You. I'll show the #1 son tomorrow evening.

[purri]

Concentrics on a Vinnie?? Poor show sir, Anal GPs only!

[Paul Fitzgerald]

Concentrics on a Vinnie?? Poor show sir, Anal GPs only!

Is that Amals or are we talking about my medical colleagues?

[The Bigfella]

That's because its an ex-racing bike.... at a guess.

from the interweb....

Carburetors on Vincents and all British motorcycles generally bear model numbers stamped on the mounting area. Two numbers may be encountered. First and generally, the "carburetor type no." is given. For example, on 1947 and 1948 Black Shadows, (Series B) the correct "type" numbers are 289M/1DO and 289N/2DS, front and rear respectively. Both are bronze bodied carbs. However, the "mixing chamber body no." is 229/112R front and 289/011R for the rear. Either set of numbers would indicate the correct carb. mixing chamber for your early Black Shadow.

Knowing the correct numbers is important to getting full value on your purchase. Knowing that there can be two sets of correct numbers is also important. Currently, Black Shadow carburetors, the mixing chamber part, are not being reproduced and are very, very difficult to locate. Series B Black Shadow carbs are just about impossible to buy for any amount of money. If they aren't on your bike, and you are paying full price for a correct one, it amounts to a significant reduction in what you might pay.

[skuthorp]

There was a Vincent auctioned recently under the Proceeds of Crime legislation, $45,000 I think was the figure quoted.
Great pix Ian, put-put is too diminiative a term for some of the vessels, yet they all still look like you could go fishing for a flattie or two in them.

[Chris.]

That racing Vincent that BigFella refers to was a regular at east coast races in the late 60 and early 70s, but was actually a Norvin. Did well too until the two-strokes got fast and reliable.
Like many others, its owner loved the engine but found the Vincent frame both a bit too long and too flexible for serious trackwork. Hence the use of the Norton featherbed frame.
I have an ancient photo somewhere of it going into the long lefthander before Conrod - the rider's right foot isn't even on the footpeg he is hanging off so far. Awesome.

[capt jake]

Awesome pictures! Thanks for sharing and more importantly, thanks for directing me out of the Bilge!

[purri]

Yeah I was ragging you abt the Amals and "period correct".
Debenham and the Corish brothers bike?
BTW did you know that Jack Ehret died a few years ago, now HE had a fast Vinnie! 143 at Coona in 54 or thereabouts.
BTW Brian Greenfield had a pre war series "A" v twin. Don't know where it's now.

[The Bigfella]

That's him... Eric Debenham, wasn't it?

I've got some more Vincent photos. Time for a separate thread...

[purri]

Yeah, it wuz Debbo. I remember him abt 76 with the Vinnie in the unlimited at Bathurst, he blitzed them up Mountain straight and over the top through to Forrest's Elbow then off like a dog shot in the bum for 2 1/2 laps. Then the brakes went on holidays. What a race!!

[The Bigfella]

That'd be around the year of the John Woodley, Warren Willing and ???? battle on the GP bikes. Best race I ever witnessed. A coat of paint between the three of them all race. I was on Skyline. Or was that in 73?

[purri]

Perhaps.

Sundry drugs (incl Dilantin) have left me short on the specifics.

Remember if that was your year (not mine reco) then Willing was pulling 300K down Conrod on a YZ in pissing rain and the factory rider (die for the emperor syndrome) wimped out big time.

far out Batman!

BTW the Debbo/ Corish vinnie was a product of the Eveleigh rail workshops "scotsmans". Unobtainium was a major feature!! and maybe the cases also!

[The Bigfella]

BTW the Debbo/ Corish vinnie was a product of the Eveleigh rail workshops "scotsmans". Unobtainium was a major feature!! and maybe the cases also!

Excellent... taxpayer-funded racing bikes