Gundaroo Press Run Recreation

On a wet Canberra morning over 100 people gathered in the carpark opposite Lakeside Rydges Hotel before setting out on a run to Gundaroo, via Honeysuckle Creek and Tidbinbilla. This replicates the Press Run from 1973 when Leyland introduced the car to the motoring media.

The only Leyland P76 Station Wagon. Driven down from Sydney on Friday night, I don't think it has ever been in the rain before!

Event Marshall Andrew Griffith from the NSW P76 Club, addresses the rally participants with instructions and last minute pointers, minutes before setting off.  David Lee from the ACT Club is in the lead car.

 Honeysuckle Creek - Stop One! The Leyland P76 Wagon had some points issues and the party broke into two groups after this.

Leylands in Cork St Gundaroo NSW. Over 50 cars and many hungry Leyland fanciers in the Community Hall chowing down on a lovely BBQ put on by the Gundaroo RFS. Many thanks to the warm and friendly people in Gundaroo.

 

 

 Two Force &'s and Tony de Lucas V8 Super - the only car attending the event that was at the original 1973 press launch.  Fortunately the rain had moved on and people could wander around peering under bonnets etc.

Thanks to Adrian Spencer and Mick Le Coq for the photos.

Itinerary for the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76

Leyland fanciers procuring mid-trip nourishment

Leyland owners are on their way to the nations capital to enjoy a great weekend celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76 sedan.

The Event Itinerary is now online for all to download and peruse. It contains times and maps for people to use. Registered participants will be handed a copy prior to the Gundaroo Press Run Recreation on Saturday morning (if they haven't already collected a copy from the unofficial dinner at the Ainslie Football Club).

666 ABC Local radio at 6.45AM

Here is my lovely Bitter Apricot 4 speed V8 Super Leyland P76 in the carpark of local ABC Radio where I had the opportunity to talk to radio presenter Ross Solly at 6.45AM...

Happy 40th Birthday Leyland P76

Minister for the ACT Kep Enderby unveiling the P76  at the National Press Release.

Happy 40th Birthday Leyland P76 - delivered to the Australian public 40 years ago on 26 June 1973.

The birthday has received wide media coverage, including one of our club members and his car in the Canberra Times. 

Casino blue executive tie

There are some people who love their Leylands, in fact they love them perhaps a little too much. Today we offer you one example - a necktie made from Casino Blue Executive interior material. This was made specially for one of our amigos known to all as the 'Motor Gnome'. I'm advised this is the only tie he owns and has been commissioned especially for the formal dinner at the 40th Anniversary Dinner on Saturday night. No, I don't know why the tie is on his garage floor, I suspect its where he does his ironing.

See you all on Saturday!

Leyland P76 stamp and first day cover issue July 2013

For philatelists and Leyland fanciers, Australia Post has a double treat in store for you in July 2013. They are releasing the second series of their 'Road Trip' stamps, and the 2013 issue features a Peel Me Grape P76 on a stamp and a first day cover.

40th Anniversary Book almost ready for the printer

 

The Lee family and cousins

The organising team for the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76 Event have been working away finalising the book that is being published for registered attendees. I'm confident that people will be very pleased when they read it. The book wont be sold, you can only get a copy by registering for the event.

Sadly, limited space and too much material means some things cant be included. This photo from ACT P76 club member David Lee is, one of those things. However, it's a great story so I shall tell it here:

This very photo was used in a court case (Insurance claim) in Adelaide to prove the Lee family knew more about P76s than the Insurance company. In the photo are 5 cousins/brothers and 2 parents. (Missing is one NV Green P76 & one Uncle with a further burnt orange P76). The insurance company disputed the write off value of a P76, one cousin used this photo in court to prove the Lee family "knew a bit" about P76s. The Judge agreed, the Insurance company lost.

Over 150 people and 75 cars for the 40th weekend

I thought people might like to know that over 150 people have registered for the event on 29-30 June and at least 75 Leyland P76's, and a few Force 7's will be attending.

The Concours on Sunday 30 June from 10AM to 3PM will hopefully have every one of these cars parked for all to admire.

Well done to all Leyland P76 owners and admirers for registering. See you all on 29 and 30 June

Leyland P76 Convoy From Sydney To Canberra

Leyland P76 Convoy From Sydney To Canberra - Friday 28^th June

Meeting Point 1

7-Eleven Service Station

Hume Highway, Pheasants Nest.

Travel South on the Hume Hwy 45km from the M7/M5 intersection at Prestons

Travel time approx 26 Mins

Or

Travel south on the Hume Hwy 28km from Hume Hwy/Narellan Rd Intersection

Travel time approx 16 Mins

Departure time 10.30am

Meeting Point 2

Mcdonalds Carpark

31 Sydney Road, Goulburn

Travel south on Hume Hwy 106km from Meeting Point 1

Travel time from Meeting Point 1 approx 60 mins

Departure time 12.30pm

Finish In Canberra

Travel south on Hume Hwy then bearing left on to Federal Hwy to Canberra approx 90km from Meeting Point 2

Travel time from Meeting Point 2 approx 60 Mins

One day left to register for the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76

Mick Le Cocq racing to get his registration form in - it arrived in under 12 seconds...

ONE DAY LEFT TO REGISTER

That's right - there is only one day left to register for the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76 Event to be held in Canberra on 29 and 30 June 2013 (with an informal and unofficial catchup on the Friday evening for those arriving early).

Click here to register

Any registration form received up until midnight of 15 May 2013 will be honoured.

The following events are being organised by the Canberra and District Leyland P76 Owners Club and an organising committee comprising members of other P76 Owners Clubs, the BMC Heritage Group and the P76 National Council.

Saturday 29th June 2013

10:00AM to 2.00PM - Press Release Run to Gundaroo 

Replicating the press release run from 1973, registered participants in the 40th Anniversary celebrations will recreate the original run to Gundaroo in P76 cars. They will travel via Tidbinbilla Deep Space Tracking Station and Honeysuckle Creek. In Gundaroo they will have lunch and return in time to socialise with other participants and prepare for the formal dinner. 

Jointly coordinated by the ACT and NSW P76 Clubs

7.30 PM to 12:00 - Formal dinner - Guest speaker: Will Hagon, Joe Torony, Roger Foy

The official Leyland P76 40th Anniversary Formal Dinner will be held at the location of the official launch of the car - the Rydges Lakeside Hotel in Canberra, Australia.

As well as the formal dinner and interesting tales as regaled by our invited guests, diners will receive a copy of a book specially commissioned for the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76.
 

Sunday 30th June 2013

10:00 AM to 3:00 PM - Leyland P76 Concours 

To be held on the Lawns of Old Parliament House in the Parliamentary triangle in Canberra. The finest examples of the Leyland Australia P76 will be on display. Experienced judges will examine all cars present and award certificates. There will also be a 'peoples choice award' for all registered attendees to vote on. Only vehicles owned by registered event participants will be permitted to take part in the Concours.  Jointly coordinated by the ACT and NSW P76 Clubs.

Register today

Over 50 Leylands - Three days to register

Over 80 Leyland P76's at the Telstra Tower carpark in 1983 - photo by Glenn Gray

The great news is that there are now over 50 Leyland P76's registered for the 40th Anniversary of the leyland P76 event in June 29/30 2013 in Canberra. The even better news is that there are now 111 people registered for the event.

You have three days left to register for the event - registrations close on May 15. We cannot accept late registrations following this date as we will be prepaying for meals and printing Event books to the number required. 

The 40th Anniversary book can not be bought - it is only available to those who have registered for the event.

If you have been umming and ahhing - don't delay - register today. If you are a Leyland fan you should not miss this weekend!

Where else will you see at least three Force 7 coupes, the only Leyland P76 Station Wagon and the finest examples of stock and restored Leyland P76's in Australia today!

Register for the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76 by 15 May 2013

Order your event merchandise by 24 May 2013

Mugs of cheer for the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76

Although there is ONE WEEK left (14 May) to register for the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76 event, there is a little bit longer to order your 40th Anniversary merchandise. merchandise orders close on 24 MAY.

These mugs are an example of the merchandise available. It features the 40th logo, itself based on a P76 badge.

Be among the cool hip crowd with your exclusive sure to be collectible 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76 merchandise! Click here and then download the order form.

Trax 1974 WRC Rally Car - arrives in June 2013

Not only is the 40th Anniversary Event of the Leyland P76 occurring in June 2013, but another exciting arrival is expected that same month - Top Gear, makers of Trax diecast model cars have announced that they will be releasing a 1/43 diecast model of the 1974 Evan Green/John Bryson Leyland P76 WRC entry. For those who will be attending the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76 Event in June, Top Gear will have a stand at one of the events on that weekend and have offered some merchandise to the organising committee that will be awarded to Concours winners.

This car is famous for winning a stage of the 1974 WRC rally, the famed Targa Florio section. Ultimately the car ran 13th outright. A spectacular achievement for a car with limited factory support and in a car that had never been rallied or raced before. The majority of entrants dropped out along he way, their cars failing to withstand the rigours of rallying.

The famous book 'A Bootful of Right Arms' was written by Evan Green about the rally, and it's a must read for rallying and automotive enthusiasts, as well as Leyland P76 fans. There is a great deal of information on preparing and modifying a car for rallying, and the repairs that they performed exposed some areas of the Leyland P76 that the factory would have upgraded if the car had made it to a Mark II version.

 The rally ran from London to Munich via Africa, as you do.

The original world rally car still exists in unrestored condition. Evan Green has sadly passed away, but John Bryson is still with us. Most recently his son Matt Bryson and Gerry Crown have rallied a Leyland P76 in the United States and have entered that car in the Peking to Paris rally that is about to start (the Leyland P76 is on its way to Peking right now).

It is very exciting that Trax are producing this car in diecast model form. Its a great celebration of Australian motoring history and will be keenly sought after by Leyland fans and rally fans. Order yours today at the Top Gear website.  

Dont forget to order your 40th Anniversary Merchandise by 24 May 2013

40th Anniversary Registrations extended to May 15

Ryan Fords car

I would like to thank the 88 people that have registered for the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76 in June 2013. Im told that there are a few extra registrations being processed today. This is fantastic news and is a tremendous result for the Leyland movement.

The really GREAT NEWS is that the organising committee have decided to extend the registration period to 15 May 2013. 

If you have been umming and ahhing over whether to come or not... just say YES and register here. 

See you all on the 29/30th of June!

Leylands at Old Parliament House - 1979

Look at that lineup of cars in the background many classics incl a Kombi, Capri and XA Coupe

Back in 1979 Neville Humphries grandparents took their nearly new Leyland P76 six-cylinder 3 speed manual Deluxe, on a round Australia trip - towing a caravan. Like all good Aussie tourists, they visited Canberra and took a snapshot of their car in front of the then actual Parliament House (before it was Old Parliament House).

I'm not sure if this car sill survives, but Neville is a well known member of the Queensland club who owns several Leyland P76's including Targa Florios and an amazing custom P76 in metallic blue with a turboed Nissan six cylinder and majestic mag wheels that can burn the optic nerve from the gleam reflected off the deep lustrous chrome. 

Will Neville recreate his grandparents 1979 photo on June 30 2013 at the Leyland P76 Concours on the lawns of Old Parliament House?

HURRY REGISTRATIONS CLOSE MAY 1ST FOR THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT ON JUNE 29/30 2013

Formal Dinner Dress Code - Formal, but not overboard

There has been some discussion among the fashion cognoscenti of the Leyland P76 movement over the dress code for the formal dinner on the 29th of June at Rydges Lakeside. It is a formal dinner, so this means probably not jeans and thongs. It does not mean cummerbunds and top hats either. Now never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be offering fashion advice, but here goes...

Lets be sensible - think a notch above 'neat casual'.

No one will be refused entry if they choose not to dress in a suit jacket/blazer and tie. 

I am aware that women have impeccable fashion sense, so this post is directed at the male attendees, who must wipe the grease from their hands before jumping into fancy duds for the formal dinner.

To assist those folks I have just spent 90 seconds googling and have selected some images to illustrate what could be appropriate and what may not be appropriate. Your mileage may vary.

Probably not appropriate for the formal dinner

 Probably not appropriate for the formal dinner

Probably not appropriate for the formal dinner 

Probably not appropriate for the formal dinner 

Probably appropriate for the formal dinner 

Probably not appropriate for the formal dinner 

 Probably not appropriate for the formal dinner

Probably appropriate for the formal dinner 

Probably appropriate for the formal dinner 

Probably appropriate for the formal dinner 

Probably not appropriate for the formal dinner  

Buy the latest BMC Experience magazine

Since the change in name and focus from 'The Mini Experience' to 'the BMC Experience', the magazine has become one of the best motoring publications in Australia. By covering the contribution that British originated companies have made to Australia's motoring heritage, it is uncovering little known and soon to be forgotten facts and memories, and offering them to a new audience. 

The latest issue is one of the best so far - especially if you are a Leyland P76 fancier. Issue 5 has on its cover two perfect examples of the Leyland P76, and on the pages are several well written and lavishly photographed articles on the Leyland P76, including a trip to a well known leyland P76's collectors home. There is also a column by Steve Maher on the Leyland P76 40th Anniversary event in June, and some free event advertising generously donated by the publishers of 'the BMC Experience'. 

It is at your newsagents right now or you can order a copy and subscribe at www.bmcexperience.com.au

I am very much looking forward to seeing how they cover the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76 Event in June! If you haven't yet done so, register now - registrations close on 1 May 2013.

Merchandise now available to order

Great news for anyone attending the 40th Anniversary event in June - the merchandise has been finalised, and is now available to pre-order!The image above is just part of what is available. Download the order form for the full range.

Click here for the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76 Merchandise Order Form 

Thanks to the NSW Leyland P76 Club for organising the merchandise. 

The Leyland P76 40th Anniversary Event in June is definitely occurring

The Leyland P76 40th Anniversary event is definitely going ahead in June.

Please, do not circulate rumours or propagate conjecture with no basis in fact. 

The event was originally planned with a minimum number of attendees required, so that the club could actually organise and pay for the events requested by other members of the Leyland P76 movement. We required people to register and pay in full, in advance. If we did not attract enough registrations to cover the cost of the planned events we would cancel the weekend events and refund people in full.

We have been absolutely transparent about this. 

Why do we have this policy? There are two main reasons. Firstly,  as a result of making a loss on the previous 'Nationals' that were held in Canberra. That event caused great rifts in the club that were never fully healed. It will not be repeated. Secondly, we wanted to organise it properly and not offer up anything 'half arsed'. Do it properly - or not at all. 

As a result of this transparency some people felt that they could not register, as the event may not be held. Which would fulfill that belief. I have heard tales of people already being out of pocket, people who have had to cancel pre-booked leave or holidays etc. 

None of these people who are allegedly out of pocket, or who were allegedly forced to cancel, actually contacted the club. 

The Leyland P76 Owners Club of NSW contacted the ACT P76 Club to discuss this and offered to underwrite the event. This means that if there is a shortfall in the minimum number of registrations required for the event to occur, they would make that shortfall up. 

This incredibly generous offer was accepted by the ACT P76 Club. It should be pointed out that the registrations already received to date, are already  well on the way to achieving that minimum number. 

In any event, the 40th Anniversary of the Leyland P76 will definitely be held. 

We urge you to register as soon as possible, and thank those that have already.

Registration by mail and cheque or money order

Leyland P76 used to chauffeur the Queen during her visit to Vanuatu

The Leyland P76 Owners Club of NSW have offered to coordinate registrations for people who are unable to use direct deposit facilities and wish to pay by cheque or money order.  

Please read the updated Event Registration page for further details. 

Many thanks to Steve Maher and the NSW Club for offering to coordinate this. 

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!

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."