Thursday, February 28, 2013

The Budgie speaks (well its owner anyway)


We have confirmed that Joe Torony will speak at the 40th Anniversary Dinner on 29 June 2013. The photo above shows Joe and the famous 'Budgie' and a few of  their trophies. 


The Budgie no longer survives, but Joe recently sold his last racing P76 to a prominent Western Australian P76 hoarder collector. Joe is also writing an article about the Budgie and the sporting culture of the Leyland P76 for the Event Book. I had a conversation with Joe recently and he remembers technical details from 30 years ago as if he just put the manual down a few moments ago for a tea break. 
The SA P76 Club visiting Joe Toroni in 1982

Register for the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76 soon!

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Amusing Leyland P76 Ebay advertisement

The Canberra and District Leyland P76 Owners Club President Alex Shoebridge sold one of his Leyland P76's in December 2012. It's OK, he has more (hidden away on a farm where they may in fact be breeding). How nice is this car? I would have bought it if I had any room to store it (I don't, I have 5 cars and a bus already - including three Leyland P76's). Some detailing and it would be a car show winner. Its an amazing car. 
It came to Canberra via a very unusual journey. A country NSW car since new, it was part of a deceased estate not advertised very widely A Canberra based Rover enthusiast bought the car to take the engine and transmission for his Rover 3500. He then contacted the club asking if anyone wanted a shell, very cheaply. Alex bought the shell. About a year later, the Rover gentleman contacted the club seeing if anyone wanted a P76 engine and transmission. He had run out of desire and time for his planned project. Alex reunited the engine and trans with the car and then spent time on and off repairing very minor age related issues. It has had some minor rust repairs and paint respraying, but really - its largely original
Very few of these basic Leyland P76 cars remain. It has a front bench seat, column mounted 3 speed automatic transmission, no air or power steering - the basic Leyland P76 Deluxe package. This car is so unmolested that it has never even had a radio fitted. The dash is completely clean. The all alloy V8 engine runs extremely well, and makes a lovely sound. Apparently it drives very well. Alex always turns out good cars, and this is no exception. The price it sold for was an absolute steal. Lets hope it makes a return to Canberra in June for the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76 event. 
The ad on Ebay was very amusing. (The car has been sold).


"According to my wife it is possible to have too many P76's. So reluctantly I am offering for sale, my County Cream Leyland P76 1974 V8 Auto Deluxe 6 seater.
It drives very well, original car in very good condition. You wont find many like this anymore. A base model V8 with no other options, no power steering, no A/C, no carpets not even a radio....no ugly holes in the dash no aerial....nothing.

Although with the wonderful noise emanating from the dual exhaust when driving with the windows down, you would never turn it on, even if it did have one.

 I like to think of it as a lightweight Bathurst pack.....but I don't think anyone else does.
As a base model car, from the light weight era of "Less Is More" it does not have any electronics in it. Not even a clock, and certainly.
No computers,
No turn by turn satellite navigation,
No electric windows,
No bluetooth connectivity.
No MP3 compatibility,
No radar cruise control,
No stability control,
No hill decent control,
No self parking,
No Flux capacitor,
No airbags,
No rear DVD players,
No subwoofers,
No Automatic wipers,
No central locking,
No alarm,
No ipod connectivity,
No drinks cooler,
No auto dimming mirror,
No active suspension control,
No reversing camera
 ....you get the idea.
I have found this to be a distinct advantage for a 'sometimes'car. When the car is off....it is off. Nothing to drain the battery, if you don't drive it for 3 months it does not matter. Just get in turn the key and off you go."

Full registration until Feb 2013.
Recent major service.
All fluids replaced Engine oil and filter, transmission oil and filter, Diff oil, coolant and Brake fluid.
New plugs, points, rotor, distributor cap and coil. Carburettor rebuilt.
Also replaced rear shock absorbers, engine mounts, universal joints, strut top bushes.
Near new (205 70 14) tyres and laminated windscreen.
Very straight car, bumpers straight, all chrome trim, headlining and rubber floor mats good.
Near new performance Lukey dual exhaust.
Finally an apology, the pics of the seats are "sub optimal", the only ones I can find at this instant were taken with my phone."



Sunday, February 17, 2013

Strictly Technical - 1980's Club Owners Technical Guidebook

Click here for to go to the Strictly Technical bulletin

In the 1980's as the various Leyland P76 Owners Clubs grew, the lack of support from a non-existent factory servicing department was a problem. The Lord helps those who helps themselves... so clubs and club members swapped technical information between themselves. Some, such as Phil Crowther, became quite famed for their deep knowledge and problem solving capabilities.

The download in this post 'Strictly Technical' is a club publication from the early 1980's containing an assortment of club members articles, factory service bulletins, and general tips and tricks a Leyland P76 owner needed to keep their car in tip top condition. Sadly, its lacking in ID info - so if someone can tell me which club issued it, and when, I would be grateful. 

Update: Im advised this is from the Victorian Leyland P76 Owners Club website. i recommend visiting it - they have their Club magazines online, including this one from 1983...

If you have a P76 related photo or publication that you think people woudl like to see, please email me at: leylandp76turns40@gmail.com 

Friday, February 15, 2013

Postcards from 1970's Brisbane



Dear Mum,

Thanks for sending me to Brisbane to look for unique furbees for my furbee collection. After getting off the aeroplane, which was a noisy Fokker, I caught a taxi from the Brisbane International airport. I rode in a luxurious Ascot Taxis Leyland P76. The ride was smooth and the seats were oh so comfortable. I was amazed the boot was able to swallow my luggage with such ease! Imagine how many furbees I could put in there! Maybe my entire collection! Can we please get one of these cars, can we Mum?!? We would look so cool driving around Galargambone in one of these. If you don't get one I will save all my pocket money and buy one when I grow up. 

Yours sincerely

Adrian Spencer age 6

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Registration now open


The Event Registration forms are now online and people are able to register for the event.

Please use the Event Registration page - where the link to the form can be found. Download the form, enter your details, make an online deposit, email the form to our Club Treasurer and then figure out which of your P76's you will drive to Canberra in June!

Note that we are a small club, and if we do not have a minimum number of registrations by May 1st we will cancel the event and refund all payments.

Note: The event has now been underwritten by the NSW P76 Owners club and will definitely be going ahead. See this post for further details. 


Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Official Logo of the Leyland P76 40th Anniversary

Thanks to Craig Watson, Editor of the BMC Experience magazine, for designing an official logo for the Leyland P76 40th Anniversary.

Insurance issues resolved - registrations begin on Sunday

This will buff out...

The Organising Committee apologises to those who have been keen to register for the 40th Event, but we were striking problems securing public liability insurance. The ACT Club is a very small club, so upfront costs were an issue. 

The Concours and Press Run recreation are now to be joint events, with the NSW P76 Club. Thanks to Steve Maher for the offer, and to James Mentiplay for suggesting it. 

Registration forms are being finalised and will be placed online Sunday evening.  

Peking to Paris P76

The mighty P76, last seen in the Trans America Rally,  is back at P504 Services for its freshen up. The engine should be back from Trevor Seaman of Trevs Trumps with its revised camshaft hopefully by the end of this week. Gordon Tardrew, who brings in The Brake Man brakes from the USA was there last night to advise on a possible inproved brake package for the car.

Gerry Crown has decided to have another go at the 5th Peking To Paris Motor Challenge hoping to make it back to back wins. Fresh from his brilliant second place in the 2012 Trans America Rally, Gerry will again be aboard his Leyland P76. The event will be run from 28th May to 29th June.

(Thanks to Steve Maher for this info)