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.